In the wake of the cataclysmic disaster that claimed thousands of lives in Haiti, the City of Winter Park, together with the Salvation Army Orlando Area Command is presently putting up a fundraiser to help pool money and other supplies used for the relief and recovery efforts for the victims of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti just recently.

Winter Park Fl Mayor Ken Bradley, urged his fellow community members to extend a helping hand to the victims devastated by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. He pointed out that while America may have its own share of problems today, the lives of those in Haiti literally depend on our assistance.

Winter Park’s residents have stepped up to the plate by donating money and non-perishable food items.

Donations will be accepted through the 29th of January, 2010. You can drop supplies and monetary donations at the Winter Park City Hall, the Winter Park Public Library, and the Winter Park Public Safety Facility.

Officials in the city are encouraging residents to drop by with batteries, children and infant clothes, blankets, powdered milk, bottled drinking water, other clothes, and canned goods.

Haiti needs our help. If you want to know more, logon to www.salvationarmyusa.org, or dial 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

Central Park residents can now look forward to a season of pure skating bliss and pleasure. The city of Winter Park FL is gearing up for “Winter in the Park”, starting Friday, November 20, 2009 until Sunday, January 3, 2010. It’s a freezing treat for locals like me and travelers alike. This is the first time that the city will have its own ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow in the downtown area.

For only $10 per skater, one can already glide, spin, turn and enjoy time with friends and family the whole day. This fee already includes skate rental so there’s no need to bring those bulky skates along. The more the merrier as those gliding in groups of 10 can take advantage of group discounts and rates.

Private parties or exclusive rentals of the ice skating rink are available from Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well, perfect for those who are looking for other options when it comes to celebrating the Holidays in Winter Park FL. For regular ice skaters, the rink is available from Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the weekends, people can skate all they want from 10 a.m. to 10.p.m. On Sundays, they can start gliding at noon until 6 p.m.

“Winter in the Park” will feature something special every night. Special frosty nights include date night for lovers, snow angels can glide gracefully during the local schools’ night and our very own “Politicians on Ice”. These nights are really what locals should look forward to and we can even invite relatives from neighboring cities and states. Great additions to the chilling Holiday experience in Winter Park FL are Holiday music, Santa appearances for the kids to enjoy, carolers and games.

To get to know more of “Winter in the Park, interested parties can call 407-599-3203 or browse through www.cityofwinterpark.org.

Don’t miss this chance to take home $100, $50, and $25 Dexter’s gift card by simply putting on your best Halloween Costume this coming Saturday at Dexter’s Winter Park FL.

On October 31, 2009, The City of Winter Park FL will host its 6th annual Family Fall Festival, happening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Central Park. This serves as the kick-off event for Orange County’s Week of the Family Celebration which also runs on the 31^st of October until the 7^th of November. Aimed at bringing together families and the community, the ceremony—to start at 11:30—will be lead by Mayor Kenneth W. Bradley.

With plenty of family activities such as interactive inflatables, a children’s costume parade, old-fashioned hay rides, pumpkin patches in the park, family history information and interactive displays by Winter Park FL Historical Museum, art workshops by Crealde School of Art and many more, this is one event everyone in the area should watch out for.

In addition, patrons are sure to enjoy the free popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, hot dogs and assorted drinks offered at the event. But it’s not all fun and games, as they are also requested to donate much needed shoes for the Week of the Family “Heart & Sole” shoe drive in support of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

Also participating are the Winter Park FL Police and Fire-Rescue departments who will give fire safety advice, biking safety tips and free candy and treat bags. To help families live healthy lifestyles, the Crosby Wellness Center YMCA, the Winter Park FL YMCA and Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department will sponsor heath and nutrition programs aimed at educating the public.

Even more, Scooby Doo will grace the event to mingle with the kids, courtesy of Bright House Networks™. And last but not least, families are set to have a blast with “Trick or Treat on Park Avenue” with everyone getting treats from different stores between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

These and other more activities happening at Orange County’s Week of the Family Celebration!

For details and information on the City of Winter Park’s 6th annual Family Fall Festival, kindly call 407-599-3506 or visit www.weekofthefamily.org.

One of the oldest golf clubs in the Central Florida can be found on Winter Park FL, the Winter Park Country Club (WPCC) will host the sixth installment of the first Golf Lecture Series presented by Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children on October 6, 2009, at 6 in the evening. The series which continues each month until December showcases some of golf’s most celebrated PGA® and LPGA TOUR® players as well as fitness gurus, mental coaches, golf historians and other experts in the sport. Tickets for the sixth installment are priced at only $10 at the WPCC.

The Winter Park Country Club, a place rich in history, traces its roots back to 1900. The club has successfully maintained its stature in the golfing world, hosting some of golf’s biggest events. The club’s history includes plays from the likes of Hogan, Snead, Sarazen and Hagen. Featuring 2,470 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36, it has a rating of 32.4 and a slope rating of 50 on Bermuda grass.

Lee Janzen

On this month’s lecture, the Winter Park Country Club is proud to bring over Lee Janzen as the guest speaker for October’s session. Janzen is known for being an eight-time PGA Tour winner and two-time US Open winner. Drawn to golf at an early age, he won his first tournament at 15, playing for the Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association. In the next few years that followed, Janzen along with the Florida Southern team won the Division II national team championship. He turned pro in 1986.

For details and information on the lecture series, please call 407-599-3339 or e-mail winterparkgolf@cityofwinterpark.org.

Score your tickets now. Space is limited so grab this opportunity to hear from the masters of golf.

With the relaxing and natural ambiance in Winter Park FL, it is naturally a great place to spend the day walking at your own pace while enjoying the historical sites and sounds. In fact, there might be no better way to enjoy either the sunset or the sunrise in Park Avenue or along the seemingly endless stream of lakes found nowhere else in the country.

Winter Park FL is considered to be one of the top spots to visit in the U.S. and walking in such calming atmosphere is one of the reasons for such. With the city government openly supporting the activity as a mode of recreation and transportation, walking in Winter Park FL is guaranteed an experience to write home about.

True to the city government’s pro-pedestrian campaign, they even set-up a Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board composed of resident pedestrians and cyclists to work hand-in-hand with the city hall in making Winter Park FL a better place to walk. And, with the board’s mission “To create and promote a viable and safe pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infrastructure and promote these modes of transportation throughout the city”, anyone wishing to walk their way around Winter Park FL is guaranteed to have a safe and truly memorable experience.