Winter Garden Briefs 07.03.14

+ In with the new

Exiting Rotary Club President Lisa Bennett (left) ceremoniously passes the gavel to new incoming club President Sheri Loiacono. On July 1 of each year, the club initiates a new president. The Rotary Club of Winter Garden gives a heart-felt ‘thank you’ to Bennett for the outstanding work she did on behalf of the club this past year and extends a welcome to Loiacono and wishes her a hugely successful year as president. The club meets Tuesdays at noon at Tanner Hall in Winter Garden. For more information, go to rotaryclubofwintergarden.org.

+ Bluegrass concert series at Garden Theatre

The Garden Theatre is offering a bluegrass concert series featuring local acts and nationally touring groups. Scheduled to perform are The Roys (June 28, 8 p.m.), Chris Henry & The Hardcore Grass Band (July 5, 8 p.m.), The Gatorbone Band (July 12, 8 p.m.) and the Sweeney Family Band (Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.).

Tickets range from $15 to $25 and can be purchased at gardentheatre.org/concerts or at the Box Office at 407-877-4736. Group rates of up to 25 percent off are available by calling (407) 877-4736, Ext. 208.

The theater is at 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.

+ More bluegrass

Pilars Martini will feature Jason Thomas on July 5 and 12 from 9 p.m. to midnight in conjunction with the Garden Theatre’s bluegrass concerts.

Thomas is a champion fiddler and widely known in Florida’s acoustic scene. He is a Winter Garden resident and currently the full-time fiddler with the Epcot band Off Kilter.

+ Milk Money Movies at Garden Theatre

The Garden Theatre is showing family-friendly flicks, sponsored by the city of Winter Garden, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Tickets are $2 general admission, which includes a Snack Pack of popcorn and juice.

The remaining shows are “Lego Movie” on July 8 and “The Croods” on July 15.

+ Did you volunteer with the WG Fire Dept.?

The Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department is compiling a list of volunteer firefighters. Anyone who served as a fire volunteer (or knows someone who did) can contact Trena Waters at the department’s administration office, (407) 877-5175, Ext. 2302, or by email at [email protected].

The department is looking for the following information: their full name and years of service, whether they were paid or unpaid, their titles or ranks, whether or not they retired from the department, where they are currently living and their contact information. The WGFRD would also like to collect their memories of working with the department, as well as photographs.

+ Dean’s list

Several Winter Garden residents have been named to their college’s dean’s list for the spring semester:

Armando Byrd Nazario, senior occupational safety major, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.

Vanessa Pierre, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

+ Miller graduates

Alicia M. Miller, of Winter Garden, graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology during commencement ceremonies held May 16-17. She earned a Master of Science degree in systems engineering.

+ See what’s parked at monthly car show

The Cruz-N-Car Show is held along West Plant Street on the third Saturday of each month from 6-9 p.m. There are always a variety of cars on display, including some vintage vehicles.

+ Library hosts English Conversation class

The Adult Literacy League holds an English Conversation class Mondays at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. To register, call (407) 422-1540.

+ Blood Drive

American Legion, Hugh T. Gregory Post 63, in conjunction with the Florida Blood Centers, will conduct a blood drive from 2-7 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at the Post, 271 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Each pint of blood donated equals three lives saved.

Donors receive free movie vouchers. The Post will be open with refreshments available.