Community Bulletin

On Veterans Day, Maitland-based ActivEngage coordinated with Army Specialist Sarah Lofgren to surprise her sister, ActivEngage team leader Kelly Lofgren, with an unexpected at-work reunion. Sarah and Kelly Lofgren had not seen each other for more than four months. Stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., the thousands of miles between the Army specialist and ActivEngage team leader had been hard on them. “We’re closer than sisters,” said Sarah, still beaming from the surprise reunion. “We’re best friends and we tell each other everything. Keeping this secret from her was so hard.”

Club founder

Rollins College Football Club founder Bill Caldwell poses after the team's first game Oct. 24. He donated $5,000 to get the club off the ground.

Maitlander wins silver

The Bach Festival Society congratulates the winners of the 19th annual Young Artist Competition, held on Saturday, Nov. 19. More than 45 entrants from around the state competed, with 12 prize-winning contestants advancing to the finalist round. Local winners include:

Second-prize winner: Leah Hollingshead, soprano, Maitland, singing “Mother Dear Arr” by Estelle Liebling

Other competition finalists include:

David Brill, violin; Orlando

Gabriella Galletti, soprano; Orlando

David Gordon, piano; Lake Mary

John Horzen, violin; Orlando

John Li, piano; Oviedo

Enoch Wong, piano; Orlando

Artists in residence at MAC

The Art & History Museums — Maitland has begun its second year of its Artist-in-Action program. Located at the historic Maitland Art Center (originally André Smith’s Research Studio), the Artist-in-Action program has been a fixture at the institution for many years. In this second year of the program’s reinvigoration, two new artists have been selected participate in the program, one starting this fall and the other in January. In the studios for 2010-11: Robert Reedy, AHLIN, Camilo Velásquez, and Cicero Greathouse. In January, Trent Tomengo will join the group. Hours will be posted outside the studios and will be available in the museum offices. For more information, please visit www.artandhistory.org, or phone 407-539-2181.

Morse in top 10

The Morse Museum was included for the first time in the U.S. News and World Report’s list of the top things to do in Orlando. “As you know the Morse has always been a spectacular collection to see but I don’t think we would have gotten this ranking without the new wing and all the accompanying publicity here and across the nation,” Museum Director of Public Affairs Catherine Hinman said. “It’s a nice thing for Winter Park as hopefully the Museum will continue to bring visitors here to discover the charms of this wonderful town. We are the only Winter Park ‘attraction’ on the list.” Visit travel.usnews.com.

BETA’s toy drive

BETA Center’s fifth annual Joy of a Toy Gift Drive runs through Monday, Dec. 12. The gift drive directly benefits teen moms and their children in the BETA Center program. The agency’s mission is to give children and families the knowledge and support needed to be strong and healthy, with a focus on teen moms and at-risk families. For more information or to request pick-up of your donation, contact Lisa Blackwelder, director of development, at [email protected] or 407-398-6213. Drop off donations at any Sonny’s or Tuni, 301 Park Ave. S. in Winter Park.

Stonewood gives back

When purchasing a holiday gift card from Stonewood Grill, 10 percent of the gift card amount will be donated to Jewish Family Services.

Drive at Odin’s

Odin’s Den, 1335 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, is having a Food & Toy Drive from now until Saturday, Dec. 10. Everything collected will be donated to Toys For Tots and local food charities.