Winter Park City Talk

Thanksgiving wishes

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday that seems to become more and more lost in the festive mix. Sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas, the Thanksgiving turkey is forced to compete with pumpkins and Santa for face time, which is not an easy task. So to give Thanksgiving the limelight it deserves, in honor of this important holiday, I ask that we take a moment to acknowledge the true meaning of Thanksgiving and pause to appreciate all of the wonderful people and gifts that surround us.

Please take time this season to gather with family, friends and loved ones to enjoy some of the delightful annual events we have planned for you. A complete listing of holiday events can be found at cityofwinterpark.org

On behalf of the city staff, I wish each and every one of you a very happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for your continued support as we work hard to make Winter Park the place you can enjoy visiting, to shop, dine, relax, and call home. Warmest wishes to each of you for a Thanksgiving filled with many blessings.

Giving to those less fortunate

The Winter Park Police Department is collecting food, clothing and hygiene items now through Wednesday, Dec. 18, for those less fortunate. All items can be dropped off at the Public Safety Building located at 500 N. Virginia Ave. Items collected will be given to low-income seniors and low-income families with many children in need. Suggestions for donations include:

• All non-perishable canned goods – soups, fruit, veggies, meats

• Cereal

• Cake mixes

• Boxed meals

• Hamburger Helper, Stove Top, Pasta Roni

• Pastas and rice

• Dried beans

• Snack foods

• Granola bars

• Sugar, flour, pie filling cooking items etc.

Other suggestions:

• Toiletry items (shampoo, soaps, personal hygiene items, lotion, Q-tips)

• Diapers, wipes, powder (baby items)

• Bedding (sheets, blankets)

• Gift cards

• Toys and games

• Socks, underwear, bras etc. (new items only!)

• Gently used shoes, sweaters / jackets / sweatshirts

• Various cool weather items (gloves, hats, scarfs etc.)

A special thanks to Kmart for your continued support in the various community programs hosted by the Winter Park Police Department.

Skate off that turkey at the ice rink!

If you’re looking to burn some calories before or after that big Thanksgiving meal, the city has the place for you! It’s the cool “Winter in the Park” holiday ice rink and we’re open on Thanksgiving Day from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.! Then after the meal you can skate as many times as you want until Sunday, Jan. 5! For the Thanksgiving school break snowflakes of all ages and skill levels are invited to chill out as they glide, spin and turn at “Winter in the Park”:

• Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.

• Friday, noon to 10 p.m.

• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

See website for extended school holiday hours.

Snow angels are invited to skate all day for only $10 per skater (skate rental included). For a blizzard of 20 or more people, some cool group discounts are available for all this frigid fun. If you are interested in bringing your whole igloo to celebrate birthdays, special events, private parties or corporate holiday gatherings, the rink is available for rental opportunities. Advance reservations are required for private party and group reservations to avoid an icy avalanche of skaters at the rink.

Holiday music, games, carolers and so much more will flurry around you as you enjoy “Winter in the Park.” For more information, please call 407-599-3203 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/witp

“Holiday Pops” in Central Park

The city of Winter Park and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra invite you to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season at their annual Holiday Pops “Holiday Magic” concert Sunday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m. in charming Central Park. This free public concert is made possible by the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. Bring a blanket and picnic for a concert program that has become a family tradition in Central Florida.

Conductor Paul Hostetter will lead the Philharmonic in a beautiful program of holiday favorites for all ages. Highlights will include instrumentals such as “Nutcracker Suite,” “Festive Sounds of Hanukkah,” “Winter Wonderland” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” as well as vocal selections including “The Christmas Song,” “Grown-up Christmas List,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” featuring soloists Natalie Cordone and Shawn Kilgore.

In the spirit of the season, audience members are encouraged to bring non-perishable, canned or dry food items to help restock the pantries at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Over the past 11 years, the orchestra has helped collect over 4,000 pounds of food for families in Central Florida.

For more information regarding the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra or this special performance, please call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Click it or Ticket

The Winter Park Police Department is joining state and local law enforcement agencies all across the nation for the “2013 Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement wave running now through Sunday, Dec. 1. Officers will be focusing their traffic enforcement efforts toward unbelted vehicle occupants around the clock during this time. Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. You’ll save the cost of a $114 ticket and may even save a life.

Visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on Vimeo.