Community Bulletin

Help kids have a happier holiday season

The Holiday season is upon us! Children’s Home Society of Florida is hosting its annual Holiday Toy Drive to ensure the children in its care experience a happy holiday season they can hold in their hearts forever.

The Central Florida Division’s goal is to collect 8,000 toys for more than 2,000 children throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.

The community is invited to donate toys for children aged 0-18, with the greatest needs revolving around infants and teenagers. Unwrapped gift donations can be delivered to the Children’s Home Society of Florida’s main office at 1485 South Semoran Blvd. Winter Park, FL 32792 between 9 a.m-5p.m. from November 17-December 15.

Le Chic Bazaar set to open Winter Park location

Located at Lake Howell Plaza in Winter Park, Le Chic Bazaar has opened its new 10,000-square-foot location to welcome customers and prospective vendors. The Bazaar features a food court as well. Among the products you can find at Le Chic Bazaar are fine art, hand-painted furniture, repurposed furniture for babies and kids, maternity clothing, handmade soaps, candles, green and organic baby products, makeup and personal care products, handmade aprons and many kinds of accessories. All are invited to the Bazaar’s grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Raffles, surprises, discounts, treats, music and entertainment all will be available for the whole family.

Winter Park musician featured in Christmas festival

The annual St. Olaf College Christmas Festival in Northfield, Minn., will feature Winter Park resident Gregory Martin, a performance major at the college. The festival, which is broadcast nationwide on public television and radio, has been featured in publications such as TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. Gregory is the son of Donald and Sarah Martin and is a graduate of Winter Park High School. For information on how to listen to encore broadcasts of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival in your area, visit the event website (wp.stolaf.edu/christmasfest/broadcast-information/) or check your local radio listings.

Park Avenue merchants challenged to find new routes to work

For the second year in a row, commuters who work along Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park are being challenged to reThink the way they get to their jobs. The goal is to free up parking spaces for holiday shoppers on Dec. 18 by directing the Park Avenue workforce to carpool, bike, walk, ride the bus or take SunRail to work the last Thursday before Christmas. Park Avenue commuters that participate can earn a $5 gift card to an area coffee shop. Call 1-866-610-RIDE (7433) to learn more about how to get involved. Additional information about the program can be found at reThinkYourCommute.com