Calendar for the week of 12-7-17

THURSDAY, DEC. 7

RETIRED EDUCATORS

10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., Orlando. The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet for a program of seasonal winter music and a silent auction. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join. (407) 677-0446.

FRIDAY, DEC. 8

MUSIC ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Plant Street gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. This week's performer is the Paint it Black Quartet. (407) 656-4111.

SATURDAY, DEC. 9

SAFETY FIRST CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Ocoee Police Department, 646 Ocoee Commerce Parkway. Make sure your child safety seat is installed properly. Appointments can be made by contacting Officer Patera Scott-Marsh at (407) 554-7204 or [email protected] or Lt. Scott Nylander at (407) 554-7104 or [email protected].

STUFF THE POLICE CAR

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Wal-Mart, 10500 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. The Ocoee Police Department is holding the annual toy drive event to benefit the Toys for Kids in Need program. The public is invited to donate a new, unwrapped toy so Ocoee children can have a better Christmas. (407) 905-3160.

GARDEN CHOIR WINTER CONCERT: HOPE, LIGHT, LOVE

6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church, 201 Clarke Road, Ocoee. Get into the holiday spirit with this uplifting choral celebration featuring the 100-voice Garden Choir, the new Voci del Cuore select ensemble and Sounds Like Chicken a cappella. Under the direction of Dr. Jeffery Redding. Tickets are $8 to $12. Gardenchoir.com.

A DO GOOD CHRISTMAS

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Do Good Farm, 12423 Marshall Farms Road, Winter Garden. Enjoy an evening of live music, fresh food samples, guided farm tours, giveaways, raffles and more. See how Do Good Farm is feeding neighbors and nations, plus celebrate the opening of the Farm Store. Sign up for a farm tour time at eventbrite.com/e/do-good-farm-grand-opening-tickets-37775524611.

NEHRLING GARDENS AMARYLLIS FESTIVAL

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha.

The 6th annual nature-themed community event will feature a variety of amaryllis bulbs for purchase, family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live music, nature-themed vendors, food, a gift shop, silent auction and eco-activities for children. There will also be a focus on “Be the Gift,” and Nehrling will collect toys and food for local charities. Free admission. (407) 445-9977, nehrlinggardens.org.

HOLIDAY CRAFTING AND TREE-TRIMMING PARTY

Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at 13790 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., #1080, Windermere. Help decorate the community Christmas tree. Children can enjoy a special surprise, cookies and hot cocoa, a holiday scavenger hunt and ornament-decorating. Businesses are being asked to donate a small item or gift card to be placed on the tree, which will be donated to The Sheridan of Windermere. Proceeds benefit Matthew's Hope homeless ministry. [email protected].

BOAR'S HEAD PAGEANT

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave. A Medieval celebration of the birth of Christ, this musical production tells the story of Jesus’s birth using the time-period pageantry of the mid-14th century. Pageantry features musical performers, traditional songs and elaborate period costumes and includes a worship service. The feast will include many traditional foods such as plum pudding, mince pie and a boar's head. Reserved seats are available for a $10 donation. For tickets and information, call (407) 656-4452 or go to oaklandpres.org. Tickets also are available at the church.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 6 p.m. Dec. 10, at Beulah Baptist Church, 671 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. Enjoy an evening of Christmas music led by Lynn Bowman, plus a time for refreshments. Admission is free. (407) 656-3342.

HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in and around downtown Winter Garden. (407) 656-4111.

SLEIGH RIDE WITH SANTA

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in and around downtown Winter Garden. (407) 656-4111.

7TH ANNUAL METROWEST WINTERFEST

4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the MetroWest Golf Club, 2100 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. The MetroWest Master Association is holding its seventh annual event with fun for the whole family. “Shrek the Halls” will be shown on the big screen on the golf green, and children can ride a donkey and slide down a Shrek slide. There is also ice-skating, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, dance performances and food trucks. (407) 601-5995.

MONDAY, DEC. 11

RAILWAY SOCIETY

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Central Florida Railroad Museum, 101 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. The Central Florida Railway Historical Society is hosting the meeting. “The Orange Belt Railway History” will be presented by Ken Murdock. Free. (407) 656-0559.

LITERARY AND LOCOMOTION

10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Help your child learn by playing as participants weave early literacy practices into fun interactive stories, songs, rhythm and dance. Ages 2 to 5. (407) 835-7323.

GET STICKY AND GOOEY

10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Explore all things sticky, from clingy art to gooey explorations, with your toddlers. Get ready dressed and ready to get a little sticky. Ages 2 to 4. (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 14, in the Attic (second floor) of Building C at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. This support group is for cancer fighters, survivors, caregivers, spouses and partners. Meetings include a time of sharing, spiritual and emotional support and a different topic each month related to challenges associated with cancer. This meeting is a holiday potluck and to discuss programming for 2018. Email [email protected] or call (407) 876-4991, Ext. 262, to register.

WINTER MOVIELAND

4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Enjoy a kid-friendly film fest that celebrates families of all shapes and sizes. All ages. (407) 835-7323.

COOKIE DECORATING

6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Frosting, sprinkles, candy and cookies … what more could you want?! Stop in and express your creativity by decorating a sugary treat. Enjoy the best part of all, eating it. Ages 6 to 18. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15

MUSIC ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Plant Street gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. This week's performer is the a capella group Key Harmony. (407) 656-4111.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in and around downtown Winter Garden. (407) 656-4111.

HOLIDAY MOVIE

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the downtown Winter Garden pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. Join friends for the holiday movie “The Polar Express.” Film starts at 6:30, with pre-movie entertainment starting at 6. (407) 656-4111.

IN HIS NAME! WE DANCE

4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Sandra O. Stephens Fine Arts Center, Montverde Academy, 17235 Seventh St., Montverde. Celebrate the story of Christmas in this contemporary journey with beautiful expression of dance. Presented by the Centre for Dance & the Performing Arts, this Winter Garden tradition is in its 24rd year. Tickets are are $12 to $15 and are available at (407) 877-3388 or CDPA, 301 S. Tubb St., Suite C., Oakland, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. What’s Christmas without a little Trans-Siberian Orchestra music? Enjoy “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” in this holiday musical tradition. Amwaycenter.com.

“THE NUTCRACKER”

2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. The Central Florida Ballet will present its annual “Nutcracker” performance with pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics. Centralfloridaballet.com.

SAVVY SAVERS

1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Save money this holiday season, Become a savvy saver by sharing coupons and savings tips at this monthly meeting. (407) 835-7323.

SUNDAY, DEC. 17

WINTER GARDEN CHRISTMAS GOLF CART PARADE

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, along the historic streets of Winter Garden. Lineup starts at Bradford Park, 220 W. Division St. Neighbors can enjoy the parade from their front porch. The golf carts will travel along cart-approved streets and end at Walker Field baseball fields at Smith Street and Park Avenue. Participants should bring a minimum $50 donation (per cart), cash or check, for Edgewood Children’s Ranch. Go to the group’s Facebook page, Christmas Golf Cart Parade, for final details on this sixth annual event.