Calendar

DEC. 13

The city’s 125th anniversary will be celebrated at the Winter Park Historical Association’s Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Winter Park Country Club.

The Congregation Ohev Shalom will host a fascinating look at the interdependence of religion and science with former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and host of NPR’s popular “Science Friday” Ira Flatow. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. Tickets are available at COS or the Roth JCC.

The Central Florida Anthropological Society (CFAS) Lecture Series presents “Jupiter Missile Crash Site Investigation” with Thomas Penders is free and open to the public at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Leu Gardens: 1920 N. Forest Ave. For more information contact Kevin Gidusko at 321-948-3994.

DEC. 14

Join the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce for our monthly breakfast gathering featuring Bill Oakley, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. A complimentary continental breakfast will be served beginning at 7:45 a.m. with the program to follow at 8:15 a.m. The program, including a continental breakfast, is free.

Friday, Dec. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m., Culture and Cocktails returns to Art & History Museums – Maitland. The reception for artist Nathalie Chikhi’s work will be both inside and outside of the A&H’s Germaine Marvel Building at 210 W. Packwood Ave. It’s free to A&H members, and $5 to not-yet-members with a free drink included.

At 5:15 p.m. Dec. 14, bring the whole family to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art for a special night of free events including a gallery tour, art demonstration and live music. Following the tour, at 6 p.m., attend a demonstration of techniques for making stained-glass windows with artist Melody Spence in the McKean Pavilion (just behind the museum). Children attending the art demonstration will receive an art activity gift to take home. From 5 to 8 p.m., harpist Victoria Lynn Schultz will provide the perfect accompaniment to your stroll through the galleries.Finish off the evening at 7 p.m., in Central Park West Meadow by catching a front-row seat to one of the most-acclaimed series of the year, Downton Abbey, during a free screening of its season three premiere. This special event is open to the public. Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to the event.

The Maitland Senior Center presents a program for elders from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Friday of the month (Dec. 14), staffed by counselors from S.H.I.N.E. (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). The program provides free unbiased counseling about Medicare, Medigap, HMOs, Medicaid, prescriptions drug plans, and long term care. All counseling is first-come-first-served. Bring your list of medications or Rx bottles, insurance card and red, white and blue Medicare card.

DEC. 15

A book launch party for the children’s book “Up and away on my first flight” is at 1 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Enders’ Place in Baldwin Park; 947 Fern Ave. Author April Ready will be there with musical guest Mr. Richard. Visit cubventures.com for more details.

DEC. 18

Roberta Lerman, artist and art teacher at the Maitland Senior Center took up story telling a few years ago. Join us for a one-woman performance presenting an assortment of short stories, some original and some as told by her. Two of her stories will include her own illustrations to accompany her telling. Refreshments will be served. It’s all at 1 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Maitland Senior Center.

Winter Park Public Library invites knitting and crocheting enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to join the Library’s “Knotty Knitters” club. Please bring your own supplies. Light refreshments will be served. This program is free, but registration is suggested to reserve space. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the Library Conference Room.

JAN. 3

The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet Thursday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. at College Park United Methodist Church; 644 W. Princeton St. A speaker from Orange County Public Schools will talk about the homeless population and what the school system is doing to help. Visit our website at ocrea-fl.org or call 407-677-0446. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join.

JAN. 6

Time to make good on New Year’s resolutions with the Asbury “I CAN” 5k on Sunday, Jan. 6, at 4 p.m. The race kickes off at 220 W. Horatio Ave. in Maitland. All proceeds will be used feed hungry children through support of local food banks. Call 407-644-5222, email [email protected], or for race registration forms visit asburyumc.com

JAN. 15

Winter Park Public Library invites knitting and crocheting enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to join the Library’s “Knotty Knitters” club. Please bring your own supplies. Light refreshments will be served. This program is free, but registration is suggested to reserve space. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 15 and 29 in the Library Conference Room.

JAN. 27

The JCC of South Orlando will host its Winter Festival on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Experience this winter wonderland and carnival, including snow sledding, a snow park, rock wall and tons of inflatables, as well as tons of rides, including a horse and carriage, bungee jump, swings, pirate ship and train. Activities include an arcade, face painting, balloon artists, caricatures and more! There’ll also be fabulous entertainment on our main stage, including a new JCC IDOL talent show. Visit orlandojcc.org

FEB. 7

Five writers from around the world will take part in the 2013 Winter with the Writers, A Festival of the Literary Arts. In keeping with Rollins College’s long-standing commitment to bring contemporary literature to the community, the 2013 season will feature a diverse mix of authors, including three-time National Book Award-winner Peter Matthiessen and Azar Nafisi, author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books.” For several decades the series has hosted renowned writers who share their work and expertise with students and the community.

Afternoon master classes and evening readings will take place on the Rollins College campus on four consecutive Thursdays, beginning on Feb. 7. The events are free to the public. Parking is available in the SunTrust Plaza Parking Garage at no charge.

Three-time National Book Award-winner Peter Matthiessen will speak on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Knowles Memorial Chapel, with a master class at 4 p.m. at 330 Winter Park Plaza. Matthiessen, a renowned novelist, nature writer and environmental activist, is the author of many widely-acclaimed works including “The Snow Leopard,” “At Play in the Fields of the Lord,” and “Shadow Country.”

FEB. 14

Pulitzer Prize-nominee Karen Russell will speak on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Knowles Memorial Chapel, with a master class at 4 p.m. at 330 Winter Park Plaza. Russell is the author of “Swamplandia,” one of New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2011. Her new book, “Vampires in the Lemon Grove: Stories,” is due out on Feb. 12.

FEB. 21

African-Puerto Rican author Mayra Santos-Febres and Cuban-American poet Ricardo Pau-Llosa will speak on Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Annie Russell Theatre. Pau-Llosa’s master class will be held at 2 p.m. in the Woolson House; Santos-Febres’ master class will be held at 4 p.m. in the Woolson House. Santos-Febres is a critically acclaimed poet and novelist. Her contributions to the literary world earned her a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship. Poet Pau-Llosa is widely recognized for his knowledge of Latin American art, as an art critic, lecturer, art collector, curator, essayist and short story writer.

FEB. 28

Azar Nafisi will speak on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tiedtke Concert Hall, with a master class at 4 p.m. in the Galloway Room. Nafisi is best known for “eading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books,” a book in which she describes her experiences as a secular woman living and working in Iran.

Discussions and readings are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is limited. For more information, visit the Winter With the Writers website at rollins.edu/winterwiththewriters