Spotlight event
35th Annual Cracker Christmas Celebration: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1-Dec. 2; Fort Christmas Historical Park, 1300 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas. The 35th annual Cracker Christmas Celebration will feature Florida Cracker/pioneer re-enactors demonstrating their ways of life, including techniques for spinning, weaving, quilting, lace making, wood carving, blacksmithing, broom making, hide tanning, soap making and more. Santa will visit from1-3 p.m. each day. There will also be150 crafters with handmade items as well as community booths and clubs. Free. 407-254-9312.
Holidays
Braille calendars: The Braille Association of MidFlorida offers 2013 calendars embossed in Braille. The calendar highlights holidays and has embossed illustrations with a unique theme. For those sending one as a gift, their name and a short personal note written by them will be embossed in Braille and sent with the calendar. The calendars cost $10 and can be mailed to any address in the United States. To order, call 407-349-5059.
Holidays at the Waterhouse: noon-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 23-Jan. 13; Historic Waterhouse Residence and Carpentry Shop Museum, 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland. The Art & History Museums-Maitland’s annual exhibit transforms the Waterhouse Residence Museum, an1884 home located in the center of Lake Lily, with Victorian Christmas trees, decorations and traditions. Each room features Victorian-era holiday decorations and interesting his- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 1, noon-5 p.m. Dec. 2. The Frontier Civitan Club’s annual Holiday Tour of Homeswill include six beautiful homes in the Baldwin Park and Winter Park areas. These will be starting points for the tour. From there, information will be provided to begin the tour. $25 in advance or $30 at the
3-8 p.m. Dec. 1; Back To Nature Wildlife Refuge, 18515 E. Colonial Drive, Bithlo. The 19th annual Christmas with the Critters will help raise money for injured and orphaned wildlife. There will be food, a raffle, silent auction, arts and crafts, kid’s activities, Back to Nature merchandise, bake sale, and a visit from Santa from 4-6 p.m. Cost: Asuggested $5 donation. 407-529-5006. 6:15-8 p.m. Dec. 6; Central Park, Park Avenue, Winter Park. The Morse Museum of American Art will light Central Park with century-old Tiffany windows from its renowned collection at the 34th annual Christmas in the Park. The leaded-glass windows set the stage for a performance of seasonal favorites by the150-voice Bach Festival Choir. Free. 407-645-5311.
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 22, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 23; Morse Museumof American Art, 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. The public is invited for free tours of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s century-old leaded glass windows and his celebrated1893 chapel. During the holidays, the museum features the1902 Tiffany window “Christmas Eve,” in which a figure resembling Father Christmas holds the Christ Child. The window was designed by Thomas Nast Jr., the son of the famous
political cartoonist, for his sister’s home. Free. 407-645-5311.
Ballet: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22; Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola, 101 N. Rosalind
Libraries
Holiday Musical: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. The UCF Glee Club will perform classic holiday favorites and contemporary hit songs in this themed musical. Free. 407-835-7481.
Gifts from the Kitchen: 6 p.m. Dec. 4; North Orange Library, 1211 E. Semoran Blvd.,
Apopka. Learn how to save money on gifts for the holidays with homemade treats from your kitchen. LuAnn Duncan, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the University of Florida IFAS Extension, will give tips on creating gifts. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver to participate. Registration required. Free. 407-835-7481.
AHoliday Journey: 11 a.m. Dec. 8; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. Watch as the dancers and musical theater students from Step By Step Dance Studio take you on a journey with stops in Candyland, Toyland and a Winter Wonderland. Free. 407-835-7481.
Local Authors Festival: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 8; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. Authors from a variety of genres will share their experiences and books. Free. 407-835-7481.
Introduction to Home Aquariums: 2 p.m. Dec. 8; Herndon Library, 4324 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. Learn the basics of starting your homeaquarium. Presented by Aquacare by Chad. Free. 407-835-7481.
Winter Wonderland: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 8; Maitland Public Library, 501S. Maitland Ave., Maitland. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy hot chocolate, puppet shows, sing-a-longs, stories, and a performance by Mr. Harley. There will also be snow. Free. 407-647-7700.
Counsel for Caregivers seminar: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11; West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Learn the steps to take when it’s time for momor dad to move. Presented by OCLS and Orange County’s Commission on Aging. Registration required. Free. 407-836-7446.
Lectures, Seminars
“Terrorism: Rhetoric of the Government” lecture: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 29; University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando. In part two of a five part terrorism lecture series at UCF, Dr. Jonathan Matusitz will define how terrorism is used to achieve a political objective, and the rhetoric our government uses to explain it. The lecture will take place in the Harris Corporation Engineering Center, Room103. Free. 407-708-2830.
“Understanding our Constitution” lecture: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29; Legends Sports Bar & Grill, 1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. The speaker will be KrisAnne Hall, a disabled U.S. Army veteran. Sponsored by ACT For America, Central Florida. Free. 407-617-0919.
Coping with Grief During the Holidays: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 1; Southwest Orlando Rosen Jewish Community Center, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. Presented by Samaritan Care Hospice of Florida’s Path to Healing program. Reservations required. Free. 407-514-1300.
“Surviving the Holidays” seminar: noon-2 p.m. Dec. 2; St. John Lutheran Church, 1600 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park. The non-denominational seminar is for those facing the holidays after experiencing the loss of a loved. Registration required. Free. 407-644-1783.
Fun with Flowers: 10 a.m. Dec. 6; Winter Park Garden Club, 1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park. This is a make-and-take workshop will feature decorating for Christmas with flowers. All
Stamp show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 2; Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. The Florex stamp show will include 50 dealers buying and selling a variety of stamps. An auction will be held Dec. 1 and 2,880 pages of stamps will be on display all weekend. The Central Florida Stamp Club will be signing up new members and children will be given free stamps. Admission is free. 407-889-0528.
Craft fair: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4; Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando. Featuring knit and crochet items, candles, floral arrangements, leather goods and jewelry. Admission is free. 407-273-6016. materials provided. Reservation deadline is Dec. 4. $25. 407-644-5770.
Anti-bullying program: 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12; St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park. Sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida. John Halligan will discuss bullying, cyberbullying and teen suicide. Free. 407-628-0555, Ext. 279.
“Surviving the Holidays” seminar: 4-6 p.m. Dec. 13; Winter Park Christian Church, 760 N. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park. The non-denominational seminar is for those facing the holidays after experiencing the loss of a loved. Registration required. Free. 407-671-3000.
Civil War Roundtable discussion: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13; Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando. The Greater Orlando Civil War Roundtable discussion group will present an authentic 1860s Christmas celebration. Attendees are asked to bring a blanket, sleeping bag or tent to share with the homeless. Free. 407-622-1205.
Outdoors, Environment
Native plants: 7 p.m. Dec. 4; Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. The Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will have Eliane Norman, professor emeritus from Stetson University, discuss pawpaw plants and their native habitat. Free. 407-647-5233.
Christmas for the Critters: 10 a.m. Dec. 15; Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. Help ONPstaff create edible Christmas ornaments for the critters to eat and decorate a tree for the critters to enjoy. You can even make an ornament to take home. Free. 407-905-0054.
Festivals, Shows
Fundraisers
OUCOrlando Half Marathon and 5K: 7 a.m. Dec. 1; Lake Eola Park, Central Boulevard and Eola Drive, Orlando. Proceeds will benefit the Track Shack Foundation and The Florida Citrus Sports Foundation. Registration required. $25-$80 depending on registration date and race. 407-896-1160.
Breakfast: 8-10 a.m. Dec. 1; Tangerine Park, 7101 Wright St., Mount Dora. The Tangerine Improvement Society will serve an all-you-can-eat breakfast featuring pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. $5 for adults, $2 for children. 352-455-3071.
Holiday Dinner for the Animals: 6 p.m. Dec. 1; Garden Cafe, 810 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. The14th annual holiday dinner for the animals will feature a guest speaker and raffle. Proceeds benefit Spay ’N Save. Dinner selection includes eight vegan dishes. Reservations required. $25 advance, $35 at the door. 407-968-2400.
Elegant Tables: 3-6 p.m. Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 8; Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, 2525 W. Church Street, Orlando. See beautifully decorated themed tables. Door prizes awarded hourly. Proceeds benefit the Courtesy Guild missions. $10. 407-295-6568.
Toys for Tweens 5K run/walk: 9 a.m. Dec. 8; Everest University, 5421 Diplomat Circle North Orlando Campus, Orlando. Proceeds will be used to buy gifts for the tweens and teens that are sometimes overlooked during popular toys drives designed for
10 a.m. Dec. 8; Lake Eola Park, 101 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. Sponsored by the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida. Proceeds will benefit the bleeding disorder community. There will be entertainment, a face painter and refreshments. Pledges and donations. 407-629-0000, Ext. 103.