Christmas

Local musical artists featured in Leesburg’s ‘Sounds of the Season’

All of the sights and sounds of Christmas in Leesburg will be as close as your living room thanks to upcoming seasonal programming on Lake Front TV, the city’s own government television channel. The city’s 50th annual Christmas Parade is…

Care Packages for Our Troops

The members of AMVETS Post 2006 Auxiliary are working to get packages to the troops for Christmas. They are currently seeking donations and need these items as soon as possible. Please consider donating: Food items like beef jerky, peanut butter,…

Santa’s gift list for wine lovers

From high-end gadgets to tokens of appreciation, there is a wine gift to fit everyone’s budget. Buying wine for friends or acquaintances can be tricky. Rarely will your favorite varietal be their favorite. And buying a super expensive wine to…

Finding the joy in Christmas

People who experience increased anxiety or depression during the holidays can find effective ways to cope. Story: James Combs // Theresa Campbell It’s not always the most wonderful time of the year. Just ask Maile DeLand, of Lady Lake, and…

O Holy Night—two of them

The Christmas classics never grow old, and The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra is planning two big nights of holiday music. Under the direction of Pasquale Valerio, the orchestra’s annual Christmas concerts are scheduled for 7pm Dec. 12-13 at The Sharon, 1051…

Fun as the Dickens!

Victorian-themed events are in style this Christmas season. Maybe it was the popularity of “Downton Abbey” and the sorrow over its final episode that spurred a wave of Victorian-themed Christmas events this year. Or it could have been the resurgence…

Silent world, holy world

Pray long and hard for a season of peace. Story: Joe Angione This year we’ve heard and seen almost nothing but bad news—personal hardships, humanitarian disasters, terrorist assaults, saber-rattling by enemy nations, and talk of imminent war. Our ears hurt,…

Holiday flair: Light Up Mount Dora, Grand Oaks Festival of Trees

The holiday event schedule starts kicking into high gear this weekend. The 36th annual Light Up Mount Dora is scheduled for 5pm Saturday, Nov. 25, at Donnelly Park on Donnelly Street. The ceremony is a free event with the lighting…

Let the competition begin: Leesburg looking for best lights display

Remember “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”? Get in that wacky holiday spirit with the city of Leesburg’s first-ever Christmas lights competition. Any Leesburg homeowner can enter the contest. The entry deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 29, and judging will take place Dec.…

Stetson Mansion’s ‘Christmas Spectacular!’ Opens Today

The cool, crisp temperature this morning is the perfect backdrop for the Stetson Mansion’s opening day of the “Christmas Spectacular!” Holiday Home Tour. Now in its seventh year, the holiday tour of John B. Stetson’s historic home in Deland has become…