Calendar

FEB. 19

Before voting for City Commission seat one and mayor on March 10, the Winter Park Public Library will host a pair of one-hour debates. This allows residents to familiarize themselves with the candidates and to hear directly from them regarding their positions on key issues. Mayoral candidates Steven Leary and Cynthia Mackinnon will respond to moderator and audience questions on Thursday, Feb. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. The debate will be moderated by former WKMG-TV news anchor Lauren Rowe. The event will be held in the Library’s Community Room. For more information, call 407-623-3486.

FEB. 20

Join Jacqueline Rolly, of the Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, on Feb. 20 for a presentation on Florida’s native plants at the Orlando Garden Club’s meeting, located across from Lake Estelle. Jacqueline, who has been saving plants from construction sites for over 15 years and has learned many techniques and tips for transplanting, propagating and maintaining Florida’s unique native vegetation. The presentation will cover a short background on the various ecosystems of Florida, and why native plants are important to sustain not only humans but also wildlife. The event is free and the program starts at 10:30 a.m. For more information visit OrlandoGardenClub.org

The Maitland Civic Center Venue on the Lake will host a rededication ceremony celebrating 50 years of service. The event will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Visit maitlandciviccenter.com for more information.

Come out to Hannah’s Closet’s children’s consignment sale on Feb. 20 and 21 for baby toys, baby and maternity clothing, children’s furniture, and baby equipment at the First United Methodist Church. The sale, put on by a women’s ministry group at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, supports local charities serving women and children in Central Florida. The event will begin Feb. 20, running from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., and continue on Feb. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There will be 20-minute blowout sale starting at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 21. For more information, visit hannahsclosetwp.org

FEB. 21

Go for an early run or a stroll through Maitland on Feb. 21 at the 10th annual Greater Maitland 5K at Orangewood Church. Pre-registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit New Hope for Kids and Orlando Children’s Church. The race will start and finish on the Orangewood football field. Register at www.orangewood.org/5k. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 407-539-1500.

Learn all about crimp clothing from Dianne Totten at The Weavers of Orlando’s monthly meeting on Feb. 21. This meeting will combine a three-day workshop introducing a new fiber technique. Totten will share her design and sewing approach in a presentation called “Crimp and Create.” The monthly Weavers of Orlando meetings are from 10 a.m. to noon, and are designed for weavers of all skill levels. For more information see weaversoforlando.com or contact Ms. Pat Iverson at [email protected]

Swap seeds at Leu Gardens in their annual Seed Swap from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Feb. 21. Bring in your extra seeds and trade for seeds you have always wanted to try. Participation is easy: Pack your seeds in small packets and label each. Labels should include botanical name and/or common name. Some swappers include pictures as well. Seed packs opened and unopened are allowed but invasive plant seeds are not allowed. You can trade evenly or donate to the swap as well as choose seed packs you want. All participants in the Seed Swap will receive free admission into Leu Gardens the same day. Visit leugardens.org for more information.

FEB. 22

Join the First Congregational Church of Winter Park in celebrating Black History Month as Ersula Knox Odom performs “Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Comes to Life” at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. Sonya Mallard will also present “Harry T. Moore – America’s First Civil Rights Martyr.” The church is located at 225 S. Interlachen Ave. Admission is free, but a minimum $5 donation is suggested. For more information, email [email protected] or call the Winter Park History Museum at 407-647-2330.

FEB. 25

Before voting for City Commission Seat One and Mayor on Mar. 10, the Winter Park Public Library will host a pair of one-hour debates. This allows residents to familiarize themselves with the candidates and to hear directly from them regarding their positions on key issues. Gary Brewer and Greg Seidel will debate to win City Commission Seat One on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. A representative of the League of Women Voters of Orange County will moderate this debate. The event will be held in the Library’s Community Room. For more information, call 407-623-3486.

New from Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is “Winter Park,” a collaboration of two professors and two students from Rollins College. Gathering images from Rollins College, Winter Park Library, Winter Park Historical Society, Hannibal Square Heritage Center and numerous local private collections, Jim Norris, Claire Strom, Danielle Johnson and Sydney Marshall pen the history of the first “planned” town in Florida using more than 200 vintage images. Join the authors for a book signing at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, located at 151 W. Lyman Ave. “Winter Park,” from Arcadia Publishing, is available at area bookstores, independent retailers and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or online.

The Rotary Club of Winter Park is pleased to host its annual celebration of chili at the fourth annual Chili for Charity presented by Mayflower Retirement Community from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Winter Park Farmers Market, located at 200 W. New England Ave. The event features chili creations by more than a dozen local restaurants and caterers and enables the club’s foundation to continue its effort to support more than 30 local non-profit organizations each year. At the event, attendees are cautioned to eat with extraordinary care – a play on the city’s infamous traffic signs. Each chili entrant will provide a unique chili dish with a Winter Park attitude and will be evaluated by a panel of judges made up of local elected officials and food experts – they will also compete for the coveted Peoples’ Choice Award. Drinks, dessert, live entertainment by The Papa Jack Express and a silent auction will round at the event. Tickets are available for $25 each, $100 for five in advance or $30 at the door. Patron packages are $250 and include four tickets and recognition in the program. Purchase tickets online at chiliforcharity.org and stay up-to-date with event details at facebook.com/chiliforcharity

FEB. 26

Join the Holocaust Center in Maitland for a host of upcoming events. The Center will proudly present the documentary “Herblock: The Black & the White,” exploring the life of Pulitzer Prize winner political cartoonist Herbert Block, also known as the most feared editorial cartoonist in the country, on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. The Center has an ongoing exhibition of Herblock, through March 27. For more information, visit holocaustedu.org or call 407-628-0555, ext. 283, to reserve a seat.

FEB. 28

Gather up the kids and enjoy a day in the great outdoors at The Great Duck Derby at Mead Botanical Garden on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.! Rain or shine! Along with the quacktacular rubber duck races and prizes for winners, there'll be loads of fun activities and a drawing for a free week at Garden’s popular Young Naturalist Summer Camp ($225 value). Food, drinks and sweet treats, as well as Duck Derby T-shirts and whistles will be available for purchase. Food trucks (Curbside Chef, SMAC, SwedeDish, 900 Degreez Pizza, and Sweet City Gelato) will be onsite from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., so plan to have lunch at the Derby! For more information, visit meadgarden.org/great-duck-derby