Adopt-a-Lake photo calendar available starting Nov. 7

After paring down nearly 300 entries, the top 14 photos of Lake County’s waterbodies will grace the 2016 Lake County Adopt-a-Lake Program calendar. Wendy Burkett, of Clermont, submitted the top-scoring photograph of Lake Minneola, to be featured on the cover.

“The image is special to me because I think of rowing when I see it,” said Burkett, membership director with the Lake County Rowing Association. “What I see is the glassy water which is perfect for rowing, with the Citrus Tower and the sunrise as my backdrop.”

Burkett also had the coveted cover photo in 2014 and two photos in the 2015 edition.

A committee narrowed the photos down to 34 semi-finalists, with members of the public casting more than 3,000 online votes to select the final 14.

The Adopt-a-Lake calendar will officially debut and be available for purchase on Saturday, Nov. 7 between 8:30 a.m. and noon during the Love our Lakes Cleanup event at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. It will be sold for a suggested donation of $5.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 9, the calendar will also be available at the following locations in Tavares: the Lake County Water Lab at 12923 County Landfill Road, the Solid Waste Administration Office at 13130 County Landfill Road and the Lake County Administration building at 315 W. Main St. Clermont locations include: Personal Mini Storage at 15635 State Road 50 and Senninger Irrigation, Inc. at 16220 State Road 50.

To order a calendar by mail, make a check payable to Lake County BCC and include $1 additional for postage. Checks should be sent to: Adopt-a-Lake Program, P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778.

The Lake County Adopt-a-Lake Program encourages local civic organizations, individuals and fraternal and business groups to adopt a segment of a lake's shoreline. The program is comprised of three separate components: Water-quality monitoring, public education and pollution prevention. Volunteers can select which aspects of the program best fit their level of interest.

For more information about Lake County’s Adopt-a-Lake Program, the calendar, or to become a volunteer, contact Cathie Catasus at 352-253-1659 or ccatasus@lakecountyfl.gov.