Time captured through Art

 Ah, Florida..
Growing up in upstate New York, I always dreamed of coming to Florida.
 Old books like "The Yearling" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings about living in the tranquility of palm tree woods and the promise of thick hot summer nights engulfed me. It was my mission to live and fish in peace for the rest of my life in eternally warm weather on the edge of a peaceful lake.
 Finally the day came when we arrived in Orlando.
Shock is just the tip of the iceberg. Not only was this Florida filled with Disney and Disney wannabe tourist traps, traffic jams and angry sounding foreigners, The whole surrounding area was ticky tacky suburban homes that all looked the same.
I eventually found Tavares and Mount Dora, Florida and Lake Dora on the Harris Chain of Lakes. The lakes are connected by the Dora Canal, a stretch of pristine Cypress canopy dotted with wild alligators and blue heron that will take you back in time. You can see the canal yourself on a narrated boat tour with Premier Boats. See a little preview below:

If you miss the boat, make sure you check out the Art exhibit at Tavares Art in the Square starting March 11, 2013.
Acclaimed Florida Artist Catherine Haynes Stockwell will be featured through April 10.
 Mrs. Stockwell was born in Deland, FL in 1893 and was a 1917 graduate of Stetson University. She moved to Eustis in 1937 with her family and lived there until her death in 1983. See real old Florida and particularly this area as it was seen through her eyes before tourist attractions and shopping malls. Her paintings preserve Central Florida’s landmarks of that period such as Trout Lake before the trailer park and the landing on Lake Eustis before civilization changed the shoreline. Her daughter estimates she must have completed at least 5,000 paintings in her lifetime.

There will be a reception featuring her artwork Monday, March 11, 2013, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Tavares City Hall, 201 E. Main Street. Admission is free.

Bob Grenier, author of “The Gallant Captain Melton Haynes,”and Tavares city councilman will introduce the artist’s daughters MayLo and Kathleen.  Captain Harry will provide live entertainment.  Light refreshments will be provided.
This exhibit kicks off  Viva Libros!, the 2013 BookFest presented by the Lake County Library System. For a full event schedule visit www.MyLakeLibrary.org.
For more information on Tavares Art in the Square exhibit, contact Tamara Rogers, Tavares Community Services, 352.742.6338.

Warning! Dora Canal Bridge Work being done this summer 2012

M E D I A  R E L E A S E

Boating Advisory for the Dora Canal

The Dora Canal Bridge in Tavares will be undergoing replacement from July 16 through August 8, 2012.  During this period boating traffic will not be permitted to travel under the bridge and is advised to avoid the construction area.

The construction of the new bridge will relocate the support pilings increasing the navigable area under the bridge from 13’ to approximately 24’.  At the same time, Lake County Water Authority will be concluding a contract to remove fallen trees and large debris from the canal. Both of these projects will greatly increase boater safety and improvenavigation.

The construction at the Dora Canal Bridge includes the replacement of the train tracks on the bridge, as well as the tracks along Ruby Street in downtownTavares.  These track improvements will allow for safer transport of freight and passengers and are part of a larger project to connect variouscities in Lake County with Orlando’s future rail upgrades.

The Dora Canal Bridge and rail repairs will cost $1.3 million and are being fundedthrough a Florida Department of Transportation grant and a local match of 25% shared by the City of Tavares, Lake County Water Authority and Florida CentralRailroad.

The replacement of the Dora Canal Bridge is being directed by the Florida Central Railroad.  If you have any questions, contact Pete Petree, General Manager, Florida Central Railroad, 407-880-8500 or ppetree@fcrr.com.