Closed for business - eight Victor merchants shut their doors - Christmas Flowers Italy

For some local retailers, the sweet sound of “ka-ching” is the only christmas flowers italy present they’re hoping for this season. They know that with the holidays come shoppers — many armed with long lists, expensive tastes and gold cards. And for one glorious month, business might be good — it might be very good.

But as some merchants work to leverage the season, at least eight Victor mainstays are closing their doors and turning out the lights for good. Another four have changed hands and are moving ahead under new management.

Why? Was it the result of poor business decisions? A less than ideal location? The sagging economy? Big box store competition? Or was it simply the role of the dice? There may be no one-size-fits-all answer.

A stable business

One Victor closing in particular was a real stunner to its patrons — after 12 years of thriving business and heavy community investment, Trailblazers Bike Shop rang up its last sale in late October.

“It’s just been a whirlwind,” said owner Victor Gaspar. “Basically it has been about six weeks in the works. It’s a very complicated thing when you decide to do something like this.”

But he has no doubts about why it happened.

“Small business is just getting pinched out in America,” said Gaspar. “The small guy — it’s very  hard in the economic conditions that we are in. Look who’s surviving now — it’s your big guys. Walmart’s never, ever going out of business. K-Mart will always be in business. All those guys are taking a little bit away everyday from the small guy.”

A veteran owner

Nancy Noonan has a lavish display of antiques, collectibles and holiday decorations in the windows of Gatherings, her Main Street store. But on Jan. 13 when she closes up shop for good, they’ll be empty.

“We’ve struggled for two and a half years,” said Noonan. “Business was going like gangbusters at first, but from last christmas flowers italy blogs  until now it’s been terrible. The writing is on the wall. People aren’t supporting the little stores. They’re going to the malls and big box stores.”

Noonan is no rookie to retail, either — Gatherings is her second business. The first was Liberty Cottage which was open in Penfield, Honeoye Falls and Canandaigua for a total of about seven years. At Gatherings, she and her husband have done a lot of advertising. They even gave out over 300 coupons offering 15 percent off, but shoppers just aren’t biting.

“You can have wonderful stuff in your stores but if they’re not going to buy it, you can’t keep the store open,” said Noonan. “You can’t survive. And if you don’t make the money, you can’t pay your bills. I’ve got lots of people coming in but they are not spending money. They’re holding onto that dollar. At our house we’re doing the same thing — trying to cut back (and save on expenses). What are you going to do? It is what it is.”

Normal churn?

“I think some of the attrition — and addition — that we are seeing is normal churn in a market of this size,” said Mitch Donovan, president of the Victor Chamber of Commerce.

“While I’m disappointed that some of these businesses didn’t survive, I’m not alarmed,” he said. “I’m pleased to see that many of them have been replaced by other businesses, and I believe that Victor will continue to attract new businesses. I don’t expect any vacancies to stay vacant for long.”

Donovan spoke highly of several local treasures, such as the Chit Chat Cafe and Victor Coal and Lumber. He applauded the unequaled personal service that small business owners like these can offer — and Trailblazers was no exception.

“Every time you took your bike there, he knew your name and knew the size of your bike seat.”

Still, it wasn’t enough to bring in the sales and keep the doors open.

Advice to new business owners

“Retail is just a grind of a business,” said Donovan. “It’s very difficult for any small retailer to survive. You’re got to be willing to live through a period of time with little or no income.”

According to Donovan, a rock solid marketing plan,  business plan, and financial backing are critical. With those pieces in place, the small business survival rate goes up dramatically.

“And if you’re not willing to work evenings and weekends,  your chances of success dim considerably,” he added. “If you’re after the dual income/no kid demographic, you’ve got to be open when they want to shop.”

Collaboration

Donovan also underlined the importance of businesses working together to “cross promote and market” themselves, citing the value of organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and SCORE: Rochester.

“Utilizing every resource that’s available to a business person these days takes time,” said Donovan, “but it pays off in the long run.

Reinvention

Tim Maher, president of the Victor Downtown Merchants Association and owner of Apparel Printers Plus said longevity has a lot to do with the ability to adapt and change. Something he learned the hard way.

“In 2008 we were going gangbusters,” Maher said of his own business. “In 2009 we almost closed our doors. (At that time) my whole business was focused on large orders only. In 2010 we made some investments, expanded our business market and expanded our business model. We changed our pricing, equipment, locations, and now we do a quantity of one to where ever you want to go.”

Best practice, according to Maher, is to become diverse enough that if one market closes, another one opens up.

“The secret to a business is you have to make yourself recession-proof,” said Maher. “Some are able to do that and some aren’t, depending on what their product is and what they’re selling. Nobody ever opens a business with the idea that they are going to fail. You have constantly be looking at your business.”

Maher said he watches three to four webinars a week to stay on the leading edge of his business. But in the end, there are no magic solutions.

“What do you do? You get up in the morning. You put your best foot forward and look for ways to put yourself out in front of the competition,” he said.

Now what?

With Trailblazers newly closed, what’s next on the horizon for Victor Gaspar?

“I’m going to relax and probably sleep for two days,” he said. “Then I’m going to go out and try to get a job that’s not retail, because that’s all I’ve done since I was 16. I’ve never had a Saturday or a Sunday off in my life, unless I actually took a vacation day.

“I’ll be riding (my bike) a lot more,” he said, “so I’m happy about that. But first thing I have to do is, I do have to find work. I do need to work.”

Sage advice

Owners and employees of the former Historic Dryer House Emporium, Gatherings, Taste of Italy, Leo’s Pizza, Naked Pizza, Cafe 54 and Merle Norman cosmetics are facing changes as well.

And for now, the buildings that used to house their businesses await new entrepreneurs with a dream and enough financial backing to launch them forward.

In the mean time, a new game store has opened up next to the old Trailblazers and Historic Dryer House Emporium sites.

Gaspar’s advice to the Game Gamut’s young owner was clear and straightforward.

“Monitor (everything) and be really, really discriminating,” he said. “Don’t go too crazy. Grow, but also prepare for the worst. The good thing is, right now I think we are in the worst, so it’s only going to get better.”

Copyright 2011 MPNnow. Some rights reserved

Hometown Happenings 1209 - Christmas Flowers Italy

Brooksville Woman's Club will sponsor its 12th annual Historic Tour of Homes in downtown Brooksville Dec. 11. The tour will begin at the city parking lot on South Main Street, off Broad Street; and tours will be conducted at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Three homes will be shown, and hot apple cider and cookies will be served at the Woman's Club clubhouse. Ticket donation is $12 per person, and the public is welcome. For tickets or information, call Yvonne at (352) 796-6026.

AAA Auto Club South will offer free photos with Santa and a goody bag from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at its office at 1410 Pinehurst Drive, in the Hernando West Plaza, intersection of Spring Hill Drive and U.S. 19, Spring Hill. The public is welcome. For information, call Allison Haygood, event coordinator, at (352) 683-3446, ext. 2236.

Jesus and Me Ministries (J.A.M.) will hold its "Gift of Love" christmas flowers italy Party from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, off Darby Lane, adjacent Tom Varn Park, Brooksville. To participate in the event, the deadline is Dec. 13 for parents to call (352) 345-7285 with the information for their child or children such as name, age, gender, and one gift each child wants for christmas flowers italy blogs .

To provide the party for 100-plus children of the community with a gift, food, music, Santa and more, the ministry is in need of gifts, wrapping paper, toys, clothing, bicycles, books, movie tickets, gift cards from Walmart and Game Stop – any gift that can be given to a boy or girl from newborn to age 17. "Gift of Love" donations can be dropped off at 419 Howell Ave., across from First Baptist Church, or at the community center; and the deadline is noon Dec. 22. The gifts will be wrapped from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. The gift giver, the children and their family are invited to attend the event. If interested in donating a "Gift of Love," call the ministry at (352) 345-7285 on Dec. 14 to be matched with a child or family.

Monster Transmission is conducting a month-long promotion to help raise funds for Joseph's House in Brooksville. For every transmission that is sold within the state of Florida during December, Monster Transmission will donate $100 directly to the $10,000 renovation grant that Joseph's House is currently working toward completing. Their goal is to reach $10,000 by the deadline for the grant of Jan. 1, 2012. The grant will help with major renovations of Joseph's House, which deploys mobile units that provide hot meals, clothing, food and referrals to the needy in Brooksville. For information, call (800) 708-0087 or email nancy@monstertrans.com

The City of Brooksville Parks, Facilities and Recreation Department will conduct a Christmas Holiday Supplies Giveaway Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, off Darby Lane, adjacent Tom Varn Park, Brooksville. Since a local Walmart donated numerous supplies, in-need families will receive such items as tree stands, greeting cards, bows, wrapping paper and much more this holiday season. There will be a five-item limit for each family, and it is requested that only those in need take advantage of the giveaway. For information, call the recreation department at (352) 540-3835.

VFW Post 9236 Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor a bake sale and gift-wrapping session from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at the post at 3435 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. Games and entertainment for children will be featured. For information, call the post at (352) 596-9236.

High Point Community Christmas dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 17 at its clubhouse, 12249 Clubhouse Road, Brooksville. Music will be provided by Kevin and the Vocal Cords. BYOB, but coffee and ice will be complimentary. The cost is $5 per person, and tickets can be purchased at the door. For tickets and table reservations, call (352) 596-2827. In addition, the community will hold a New Year's event from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 at its clubhouse. Doors will open at 8:30 p.m. A hot snack tray will be served at each table and a bottle of champagne will be served at 10:30 p.m. coffee and sweets will also be available. The cost is $20 per person, and reservations are required. For tickets and table reservations, call (352) 596-6006.

Brooksville Regional Hospital Auxiliary will host a holiday clearance sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 19 in the cafeteria of the hospital at 17240 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Toys, books, games, small household and hardware items, educational items, outdoor activities, stationary and more will be featured. For information, call Pam at (352) 442-0169.

Computer club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Skyping for Christmas" by Brigitte Haag at 10 a.m. and "Using Email" by Joann Frucchione at 1 p.m., both Dec. 9 in the North Room at the Education B building of Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Lecture classes do not require registration, but hands-on classes require preregistration. The cost for lecture classes of the club is $2 per person. The public is welcome. In addition, the club is offering one-to-one tutoring. Members wanting to learn a specific task can call the club with their request. Holger Bruning will then schedule an appointment for the desired topic. The cost is $10, and the session can be up to two hours. For information, visit www.hcc.org or call the club at (352) 684-7171.

Library programs

Brooksville Book Discussion Group will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The topic of conversation will be "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton. The sad but brilliant commentary is on the closed, repressive society of the rich upper class – New York nobility – at the dawn of the 20th century. Registration is not required, but copies of the book are limited. Call your local library to reserve a copy. New members are welcome. For information, call (352) 540-6391.

Community

SHARP Crime Watch members will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. A Christmas dinner party will follow the meeting. Attendees are requested to bring a new-unwrapped toy for a boy or girl for the Marine Corp toy drive. For information, call (352) 683-5936.

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Jan. 2 at Guido's Pizza Cafe, 7219 Forest Oaks Blvd., just off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. La Sertoma is dedicated to youth service recognition, fundraising for scholarships for needy and deserving college students, as well as special holiday events for special needs children. Guests are welcome. For information, call Laverne at (352) 796-4657.

Brooksville Rotary Club meets at noon every Tuesday at the Brooksville Country Club, 23446 Links Drive, off Croom Road, Brooksville. Members of Rotary are devoted to helping the local, national, and international community via charity events and volunteerism. Local organizations supported include New Beginnings Youth Shelter, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Hernando County Fair and more. For information, visit www.brooksvillerotary.org or call Terry Weaver at (352) 796-9891.

Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill meets from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday at the Atria Evergreen Woods pool house, 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, off State Road 50, Spring Hill. For information on upcoming events and speaker opportunities, visit www.springhillkiwanis.org or call Dennis McKenna at (352) 584-7023.

Kiwanis Club of the Nature Coast meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at IHOP, 3636 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. The event is a dinner meeting with meals ordered from the menu. For information, call Scott Edmisten at (352) 346-2515.

Arts/Crafts

Hernando County Fine Arts Council will host an exhibit reception at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Mining Association Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville. The exhibit is entitled "Prints and Engravings, Arts for the Masses" and is a private collection of prints, lithographs and engravings from the 16th to 20th century including hand-colored engravings and lithographs of the works of Holbein from the Windsor Castle collection, Gould bird prints and many others. The collection is on loan from HCFAC board member Roger Sherman of Garden Grove and will be available for viewing through the Christmas season. For information, call Jerry Cowling, HCFAC chairman, at (352) 797-0984.

Spring Hill Art League will hold a reception for local artist Valdora Ward from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Easy Street Home Decor, 100 N. Brooksville Ave., Brooksville. Refreshments will be served. The artist's work will be on display during December. The event is free, and the public is invited. For information, call Sandra LaValley at (352) 799-9690 or visit www.springhillartleague.com.

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens Club, corner of Toucan Trail and Susan Drive, Spring Hill. All modelers interested in building model ships and boats are invited. For information, call Jim at (352) 592-6419.

Weeki Wachee Woodcarvers Association meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Weeki Wachee Senior Center located at the corner of Susan Drive and Toucan Trail, Spring Hill. Demonstrations of all aspects of carving are presented, and the club consists of carvers from novice to master. Members share ideas and advice with whomever might need it; and socializing, dessert and coffee are also featured. Anyone interested in woodcarving or its related activities (painting, burning, mounting, environment, etc.) is invited to attend. Annual membership dues are $15 per person, and membership applications are available at club meetings. Guests are welcome, and all ages can participate. For information, call George Lytle at (352) 666-5092 or Mike Rice at (352) 683-9087.

Public meeting

South Brooksville Community Economic Development Commission will hold a community meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Fredrick Kelly Elks Lodge, 510 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Brooksville. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss economic development concerns, issues and opportunities. For information, call Richard Howell at (352) 476-7414.

Political

Wellington Democrats will meet at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Wellington at Seven Hills Clubhouse, 400 Wexford Blvd., off Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill. General meeting and planning discussion will be featured. For information, contact Gene Ehrich at WellingtonDemocrats@gmail.com.

State clubs

Maine Club will meet at noon Dec. 9 at the Spring Hill Community Center (Lake House), 1202 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill. Those that signed up to bring something for the dinner are reminded to bring it; all others just need to bring own place setting. The club meets the second Friday of the month from November through April, and all current and former residents of Maine are welcome. For information, call (352) 592-0741.

Wisconsin Club will celebrate its annual Christmas party at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Sam Seltzer's Restaurant in Port Richey. Following the party, the club will enjoy a cruise on the Miss Daisy River Boat in New Port Richey to view Christmas lights. The club also offers monthly travel opportunities. On Jan. 23, the club has scheduled a four-day bus trip to Biloxi, Miss. Annual dues are $10 per person, and either spouse having lived in Wisconsin qualifies membership for both. For information or to book a trip, call Carolee at (352) 666-2974.

New York State Club will meet at 5 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Knights of Columbus, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Dinner will be served following the meeting. For dinner tickets, call Carolyn at (352) 684-6979. Bowling for fun is held at 11 a.m. every Monday at Spring Hill Lanes, 3447 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. For information, call Marge at (352) 686-8015.

Social

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold its steak shoot from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 in the lounge of the lodge, 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Members and guests will have the opportunity to win steaks by participating in a bingo-type card game. Bonus and grand bonus meats can be won. Karaoke will start at 5 p.m., and a spaghetti dinner will follow from 5 to 6 p.m. Also, the lodge serves lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, with 11 items being offered which include fries. Take-out is available. Members and guests are welcome. For information, call the lodge at (352) 596-2582.

Grace Presbyterian Women's Gathering will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 12 in the fellowship hall of Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. A Christmas message will be given by Rev. Neil Spaulding, and Christmas music will be by the Dade City Children's Choir. The hostess will be the Naomi Circle. For information, call (352) 683-2082.

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at St. Stephen's Parish Hall, 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey. Coffee and cake will be served prior to the meeting. For information, call Vinny Scatturo at (727) 869-0043.

Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, Order of Italy of America, holds a monthly dinner/business meeting the third Thursday; a "social night" at a local restaurant monthly on the first Wednesday; three yearly dinner-dances; St. Joseph Day and an annual picnic. The lodge supports local charities and sponsors bowling, bocce, Italian culture and classes, and yearly trips. Membership is open to all; it is not necessary to be of Italian heritage. For information, call Eugene at (352) 684-7460 or Rose at (352) 796-7714.

Latinos Unidos Social Club of Spring Hill opens at 7 p.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at its facility in the Starck Plaza, 12528 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Bingo, dominos, cards, billiard table, music and a cash bar are featured. Membership is open to the public. For information, call Jenny Mojica at (352) 688-1022.

Seniors

AARP Chapter 5445, Hernando County West, will meet Dec. 12 at Nina's Cucina, 1427 Kass Circle, Spring Hill. The meeting will begin at noon, but plan to arrive at 11:30 a.m. Featured speaker will be Jeffris Livingston of the AARP Speakers Bureau on the topic "Protecting our Social Security – what's next?" In addition, identical meetings will be held Dec. 21 at IHOP, 3660 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, and Dec. 30 at Elks Lodge 2582, 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. Members and newcomers are invited. For reservations or information, call Bob Williams at (352) 596-0722.

NARVRE (National Association for Retired Veteran Railroad Employees) will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Speaker will be from Hospice on the topic of care for children who are ill. Lunch cost will be $10 per person. NARVRE is dedicated to preserving the Railroad Retirement System. All retired and active railroad workers and their spouses are welcome. For information, call Lynn at (352) 796-0477.

AARP Hernando County East Chapter 1026 will meet for its annual Christmas celebration/show at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 15 at Country Kitchen, 20133 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Chapter members Paul and Irene Griffin will perform. The Griffins were members of Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Paul Griffin played lead trumpet with the group along with Tom Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, Frankie Lane and many more. Reservations are required, and all seniors are welcome. For reservations or information, call Steve Mattingly at (352) 754-9404 or Kathy Casey at (352) 428-2368.

Genealogy

Genealogy Interest Group will meet at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, Brooksville. For information, call Kathleen Marsh at (352) 796-1623.

Fraternal

St. Frances Cabrini Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly 3022 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in Xavier Hall of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. All 4th Degree members of the Knights of Columbus possessing a current 4th Degree membership card are welcome. For information, call Jack Hauser at (352) 686-9767.

Ethnic

German American Club will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. New members are welcome, and it is not necessary to be German to be a member or attend. For information, call Jack Yaskulski at (352) 688-3744 or visit www.germanclubspringhill.org In addition, the club will hold a New Year's Eve dinner-dance Dec. 31 at the Shriners Club. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with hors d'oeuvres from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. and dancing from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music will be provided by Manni Daum, and required dress code will be semi-formal to formal attire. BYOB – a champagne toast and sandwiches will be featured at midnight. Ticket cost is $15 per person for members and $25 per person for guests, and tickets must be purchased in advance. For tickets or information, call Lisa Yaskulski at (352) 688-3744.

African American Club of Hernando County will hold a New Year's Eve party from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31 at Regency Oaks Civic Association Center, 4445 Breakwater Blvd., off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. Hors d'oeuvres will be served as well as complimentary rum punch, ice, cups, party favors and champagne toast. Bring own drinks and New Year's food. Music will be provided by Mr. D, with photography by Darling & Darling Productions. Semi-formal attire is requested. Ticket cost will be $15 per person for members and $20 per person for non-members. For information, call Delores at (352) 799-7331, Ed at (352) 686-3284 or Sharon at (352) 683-7763.

Music/Dance

Spring Hill Domino Club will sponsor a singles dance party every Wednesday at its club, 15120 County Line Road, one-half mile west of Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill. Free dance lessons will be held from 7 to 8 p.m., and open dancing with matching games and drawings will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. Music from the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s will be featured. Snacks will be available and/or bring own snacks. The cost is $5 per person at the door. For information, call Nancy, Domino Club secretary, at (352) 346-6337.

High Point Community Ballroom Dance classes will be held every Wednesday at the High Point Community Center, 12249 Clubhouse Road, Brooksville. Beginner lessons will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., with intermediate/advanced lessons from 3 to 4 p.m. Instructor Bonnie Jordan welcomes anyone interested in learning the basics, as well as advanced dance routines. For information, call Bonnie at (352) 683-3699.

Hernando County Recreation Department offers "Tribal Belly Dancing" from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays as follows: Tuesdays at Springstead High School, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill; and Thursdays at Kennedy Park, 895 Kennedy Blvd., Brooksville. Tribal belly dancing is a unique form of dance because of the dance steps and the ability to be improvisational. This form of dance is a melting pot of movements and attitudes taken from various dance cultures throughout the world. The instructor is Jayne Arrington, and prior dance experience is not necessary. The cost is $10 per class paid monthly or $9 per month for six weeks, or $15 for drop-ins. Advance registration is not required, and all ages are welcome. For information, call Jayne at (352) 540-1568 or the recreation department at (352) 754-4031 or visit www.hernandocounty.us/parks_rec.

Military/Veterans

VFW Post 9236 offers meals to the public at its post, 3435 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach, as follows: first Wednesday of the month, spaghetti is served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at a cost of $6.50 per person; second Saturday of the month, steak, potato, veggie, salad bar, roll, coffee is served at a cost of $10 per person; third Friday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m.: fish $6, shrimp $6.50, combo $7.50; Sunday during football – the following will be served – wings 50 cents, hot dogs $1 and hamburgers $3.50; and last Sunday of the month, breakfast will be served from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for $7 per person. Featured entertainment will be as follows: Adrian Ray from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10; and Southern Delight from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 17. For information, call the Post at (352) 596-9236.

Navy Seabee Veterans of America meets at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of every month at VFW Post 9236 at 3435 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. For information, call (727) 488-0153.

VFW Post 1681 and Ladies Auxiliary holds bar bingo at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday; door prizes and snacks every Sunday; play the wheel game at 1 p.m.; and a complete breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Sunday of every month at the post, 1681 E. Jefferson St., Brooksville. For information, call the post at (352) 796-4449.

Marine Corps League, Spring Hill Detachment 708, holds a steak shoot from 1 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday at the Detachment located at 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville. The Leatherneck Lounge and Gunny's Galley will be open for the purchase of food and beverages. The Gunny's Galley serves Sunday breakfast from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (Fridays only until 2 p.m.), plus pasta night from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; wing and basket night from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and seafood night from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays. The Leatherneck Lounge is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Daily specials are available from the Galley and the Lounge. The Detachment is open to all veterans and the public seven days a week. For information, call 352-597-7979 and ask for the lounge.

Recreation

Nature Coast Bridge Club offers bridge games at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Senior Citizens Club, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. Games for all levels of players are offered as well as lessons for beginning to advanced players. Join the group for an afternoon or evening of competition and friendship. For a complete schedule of games and/or lessons, call Beverly Tillberry at (352) 556-3892 or Annabelle Hills at (352) 597-5221 or email hillsja@gate.net

Spring Hill Camera Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, Medical Arts Building, Suite 120, of the Brooksville Regional Hospital campus, 17222 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Club business and an informative presentation are conducted on the second Monday, and a photo completion is judged each fourth Monday. Membership is open to all beginning and experienced film and digital photographers. For information, call Bill at (352) 556-3708 or visit www.springhillcameraclub.org.

Spring Hill Bocce Club meets at 7 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday at Delta Woods Park, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The club is accepting new members. Annual membership dues are $5 per person, and the club holds a tournament once a year. For information, call Lucky Todaro, club president, at (352) 596-3503.

Public speaking

Nature Coast Orators Toastmasters Club, a member of Toastmaster International, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Brooksville Regional Hospital's Enrichment Center in the Medical Arts Building, Room 120, 17222 Hospital Blvd., off State Road 50, Brooksville. Members learn communication skills by following a series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments designed to instill a basic foundation in public speaking. Participants learn skills related to the use of humor, gestures, eye contact, speech organization and overall delivery in addition to leadership skills. For information, call Terry Weaver at (352) 796-9891.

Volunteers

Humane Society of the Nature Coast is celebrating a 30 percent increase in adoptions over the last two years. The staff, volunteers and board of directors of the Humane Society attribute the increase to a special "Dedicated Dog Walker" program. The program is conducted by volunteers who visit the shelter and give the animals the opportunity to learn standard domesticated skills and habits. Anyone who would like to volunteer as a dedicated dog walker should call the Humane Society of the Nature Coast at (352) 796-2711 or visit www.HumaneRescue.org and click on "Volunteer."

Hernando County Animal Services is recruiting volunteers who are interested in helping to save the lives of animals. Openings are available for rescue coordinators, lost and found advocates, pet adoption advocates, and pet photographers. Anyone who loves animals and has time to donate should visit the county's web site at www.hernandocounty.us/code/animal/ to view job descriptions and complete a volunteer application. Volunteers might be subject to background checks and fingerprinting. For information, call (352) 796-5062.

Community outreach

DayStar Life Center food pantry will provide food to help families every month through Jan. 1, 2012 at its facility, 7120 Hope Hill Road, off State Road 50, behind St. Anthony Catholic Church, Brooksville. For example, the food pantry provides a family of four – meat, butter, bread, pastries and nonperishable items that equal 37 pounds of food. In addition, DayStar is seeking volunteers to donate a few hours a week. There are several different volunteer areas of the facility including the food pantry, clothing thrift store, and several other thrift store areas. DayStar is also in need of volunteers to drive its trucks and additional help for donation pick-up service. For information, call DayStar at (352) 799-5930 or visit www.daystarlifecenter.org

People Helping People is seeking groups, large or small, to prepare an entrée for one of its Sunday dinners. PHP will help volunteers through the process. Donations are also always needed. People Helping People serves a free meal to the homeless and the very needy in the community from 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Sunday at the Senior Citizens Center of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. In addition, PHP offers free bread and groceries, clothing and referrals to help other organizations. Its Blessings in a Backpack program provides food for 200 elementary students at four local schools for the entire school year. For information, call (352) 686-4466. To donate, send to People Helping People, P.O. Box 6182, Spring Hill, Fla. 34611 or visit www.phpinhc.org

Jericho Road Ministries is seeking volunteers to help provide food supplies to the poor, elderly and homeless people of Hernando County. Jericho is facing extra pressure because of the growing numbers of unemployed and homeless. Volunteer helpers are needed at its food distribution location at Mary's House in Brooksville. To be scheduled to help part time, once a week from 9 a.m. to noon, call Joe LaGuardia at (352) 593-7792 or (352) 799-2912 Ext. 104.

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church serves its "In His Footsteps" soup-and-sandwich outreach program lunch for those in need from noon to 2 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in the Parish Hall of the church, 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. For information, call the church office at (352) 688-0663.

Donation Station, an outreach of Love Your Neighbor Christian Outreach, announces renovation and new hours. Donation Station is a "pay what you can" distribution center and food pantry organized to supplement the needs of the less fortunate in the community. The facility at 408 W. Jefferson St. has been recently renovated and will be open the following hours: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. The organization welcomes donations and is currently in need of small appliances, dishes, bedding, towels, etc. Love Your Neighbor provides a free community dinner from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 109 S. Broad St., Brooksville. For information, call Lisa at (352) 428-9275 or (352) 848-0090.

First United Methodist Church is starting a new soup kitchen serving a hot, nutritious meal from 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the church, 9344 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The meal is for all those in need. For information, call (352) 683-2600 Ext. 1.

Christian Life Assembly of God announces the opening of its food pantry to the community. Hours of operation will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday at the church, 13065 Jacqueline Road, Brooksville. The free program is offered to residents of the county who, whatever their circumstances, are in need of assistance with food. For information, call (352) 597-1139.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church will conduct a free bread and pastries giveaway for those in need from 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday in the Parish Hall (side entrance) of the church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call (352) 683-2010.

Christ the King Full Gospel Worship Center will conduct a food and bread items giveaway for families in need from 10 a.m. to noon every Monday at the worship center, 5111 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. No requirements, other than I.D. Tammy Bennett is in charge of the ministry. For information, call (352) 596-5366.

Youth

Nature Coast Children's Chorale is gearing up for its fourth year in Hernando County. The chorale is open to children in grades 4-12 and meets weekly on Thursday evenings at Powell Middle School, 4100 Barclay Ave., Brooksville. The chorale has performed the last two years at Carnegie Hall in New York City and at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. If your child loves to sing, schedule an audition by calling (352) 403-8437 or emailing naturecoastcc@tampabay.rr.com

City of Brooksville's Recreation Department will offer a "Play to Learn" indoor toddler program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, off Darby Lane, Brooksville. The cost is $3 per class and is for toddlers ages 1-5 and their moms. For information, call the Recreation Department at (352) 540-3835.

Boys & Girls Clubs are conducting a Car Campaign program to help underwrite its youth programs. Donations of unwanted cars are being sought, and cars do not need to be in running condition. To donate a car or for information, call 800-246-0493.

Sales/Flea markets

Brooksville Farmers Market will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday along Main Street in front of the Hernando County Courthouse in downtown Brooksville. Local vendors, produce, crafts, food, dog treats, jewelry, honey and more will be featured. If interested in becoming a vendor or for information, call (352) 428-9275.

Coupon Swap is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday during the flea market at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St. (U.S. 41), Brooksville. Bring unwanted coupons and swap them for sought-after ones that might be available. If not interested in swapping but are willing to donate unwanted coupons, bring them to the flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday or Sunday. Also, expired coupons (up to two months) will be accepted to be mailed overseas to military families. For information, contact Angela via email at okrasin@tampabay.rr.com or call (352) 584-5773.

Music

Hernando Hills Hi-Lites will meet for rehearsal at 7 p.m. every Monday at Fellowship Community Church, 11250 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The women's chorus invites women of all races and creeds who can carry a tune and love to sing. The chorus sings a cappella, four-part harmony. The Hi-Lites perform at many community functions, as well as private celebrations and are members of Harmony, Inc., an organization of over 20,000 outstanding women, and compete at area and international levels. For information, call Tessie at (352) 686-4122.

Hernando Harmonizers has openings for singers. Men who love to sing are invited to join the Hernando Harmonizers of the Barbershop Harmony Society every Monday at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, just north of the intersection of State Road 50 and U.S. 19, Weeki Wachee. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., and singing begins at 7 p.m. Singers have an opportunity to participate in community performances, annual show, competitions, etc. Guests are requested to call (352) 556-3936 prior to planning a visit. For information, visit its website at www.HernandoHarmonizers.org

Accordion Adventure will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at Elks Lodge 2582, 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The informal group consists of accordionists that are enthusiasts of all levels of performance. Admission will be $2 per person, and the public is welcome. For information, call Cathy at (352) 686-0975 or Peg at (352) 442-5574.

Spring Hill Acoustic Guitar Club meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of every month for a jam and song circle. All styles are welcome at all playing levels. The club's goal is to play together, have fun doing it and to provide encouragement and support for each other in an effort to become better players. Also, the club is available to perform at nonprofit and social club events. For information, call Curt at (352) 666-3951 or Ken at (352) 684-6789.

Radio clubs

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club clubhouse, 6909 Tierra Verde St., Port Richey. All HAM radio operators and those interested in HAM radio and emergency communications are welcome and encouraged to attend. Join the group during its club radio net at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights on the club's repeater WA4GDN, 146.670 MHz. For information, call Bill at (727) 869-0784.

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Oak Hill Hospital Partner's Club, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Anyone interested in Ham Radio is welcome to attend. Testing for an FCC license is conducted at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the same location. The club operates a 2-meter repeater on 146.805 MHz (no tone). Every Tuesday the club conducts two nets: a SKYWARN Weather Net at 7:15 p.m. and a Club net at 7:30 p.m. Anyone with a Ham Radio license is welcome to participate in both nets and attend monthly meetings. For club information, visit www.kf4ixu.org or call Dave KB3GYN at (352) 684-3925.

Crime Watch

SHARP Crime Watch is seeking day and night dispatchers and patrollers. SHARP Crime Watch has been in existence for 28 years watching over the Spring Hill area. Patrollers are provided with radios and patrols his or her own area. Dispatchers keep close contact with the Sheriff's Department, Animal Services, Road Department, Code Enforcement, etc. SHARP makes daily calls to the elderly who live alone and will also watch someone's home when the residents are out of town. If interested in volunteering, attend the monthly meeting at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill or call (352) 683-5936 or email scrimewatch@tampabay.rr.com

Seniors activities

Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County offers the following activities at the hall located at 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill: bingo will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, and card games are held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. For information, call Barbara at (352) 683-2440. For information regarding crafts, line dancing and Weight Watchers, call the club at (352) 596-1095. Group road trips such as Biloxi, Sterling and Hard Rock plus cruises are periodically arranged for members and their guests. The club is for those 55 years of age and older, and club membership is $25 annually. For information, call the club at (352) 596-1095.

Seniors programs

Mid-Florida Community Services provides nutritious meals year-round to seniors age 60 and over. Seniors are welcome to visit any one of its four dining sites within the county. In addition, the Meals on Wheels program provides nutritious lunches five days a week to seniors who are homebound. The daily contact by the program's volunteers ensures a visit by someone who provides companionship, while checking on the person's health and well being. Volunteers are welcome, and donations are appreciated. For information, call (352) 796-1425 or (352) 796-0485.

Experience Works, a senior work force solution, provides information and assistance with employment and training to income eligible seniors age 55 and older. For information, call Amy at (352) 200-3042.

Thrift shops

Jericho Road Ministries has a thrift store in the Winchester Plaza, 5260 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, in addition to its other stores, 16479 Wiscon Road, Brooksville, and in the Sunrise Plaza at 31170 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor. All stores are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Clothing for adults and children, household items, furniture, kitchenware, toys, as well as numerous specialty items are available for sale. The Ministry has a women's shelter, Mary's House, 1163 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The thrift stores were established for the purpose of supporting the Jericho Road Men's Rescue Mission Shelter, 1090 Mondon Hill Road, Brooksville. Donations are welcome and can be brought to any of the thrift stores during business hours or larger items can be scheduled for pick-up daily. For information or to schedule a pick-up, call (352) 797-9009.

SPCA Thrift Shop, 9075 Grant St., adjacent to the shelter, Brooksville, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Housewares, books, games, toys and clothing for the entire family are featured. All clothes are $5 a bag. All proceeds from the thrift shop benefit the care and upkeep of the animals at the shelter. Donations are welcome and can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays or Fridays, but large furniture or appliances cannot be accepted. To reach the SPCA shelter and thrift shop, take Sunshine Grove Road (off State Road 50) to Taylor Street, then turn left onto Grant Street. For information, call the thrift shop at (352) 540-5727.

Also, the SPCA is seeking volunteers to provide companionship and assist in the care of the dogs and cats at the shelter. Day and hours are flexible. For information, call the shelter at (352) 596-7000. In addition, the SPCA of Hernando County is seeking a clinical microscope in an effort to reduce operating costs of the no-kill animal shelter. To donate a microscope, call (352) 596-7000.

Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, 19450 Cortez Blvd., in the Brooksville Square Shopping Center, Brooksville, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Clothing for adults and children, furniture, household items, kitchenware, books and a holiday room are featured. Donations are welcome and can be delivered to the thrift store during business hours. Larger items can be picked up Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Volunteers are needed to work in the thrift store or on construction. Habitat established the thrift store to support the construction of decent and affordable Habitat houses for low-income eligible individuals who are willing to partner in the building of someone else's home and their home. For information, call (352) 754-1159.

Daystar Life Center Thrift Shop has announced the Thursday opening of its clothing thrift shop at its facility, 7120 Hope Hill Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville. BOGO Day (buy one-get one free) will be featured, with the free clothing item being of equal or lesser value than the purchased clothing item. BOGO Day hours will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday. All of the Daystar Life Center thrift shops will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon every Friday and Saturday including the clothing thrift shop. Furniture, housewares, books, small appliances, clothing, crafts, electrical items and a children's toy shop will be featured. The Daystar facility is a quarter mile behind St. Anthony Catholic Church. To schedule a pickup or for information, call (352) 799-5930 or visit www.daystarlifecenter.org.

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift Shop), 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, has a new furniture storage building offering a variety of furniture such as chairs, wall units, electric organs, artwork will be featured, including some sick room needs. The boutique-style shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The shop features a $5 bag sale the second Tuesday of the month. Donations are appreciated and can be left in the shop during hours of operation or in the drop-off bin after hours. To volunteer or schedule pick-up of large items, call (352) 686-1114.

Pope illuminates big Christmas 'tree' via Tablet - Christmas Flowers Italy

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI has illuminated a huge christmas flowers italy tree lighting display in Umbria by tapping on a tablet computer from the comfort of the Vatican.

Benedict brought the "tree" to life Wednesday with a Sony Tablet S, thanks to a wireless connection with the local electric grid. In reality the "tree," billed as the world's biggest, is a display made up of nearly 1,000 lights on a mountainside in Gubbio. It is 450 meters (1,476 feet) by 750 meters (2,460 feet) and covers an area of 130,000 square meters (1.4 million square feet), or just under 30 soccer fields.

The 84-year-old Benedict has embraced new technology: Earlier this year, he tweeted for the first time and put the Vatican's news information portal online by tapping on an iPad christmas flowers italy blogs .

Nino's Family Restaurant is the place to find a traditional Italian Christmas Eve Dinner Thursday - Christmas Flowers Italy

Now here is something different for the holidays.

Liliana Hintz and her staff at Nino's Family Restaurant, 1705 Columbus Ave., are hosting a traditional Italian christmas flowers italy Eve dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Called the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Liliana says it is known as LaVigilia and comes from the observance of La Vigilia di Natale, which means waiting for the birth of Christ.

There are still a few things I don't know, and this is one of them. Thankfully, Liliana offered some history on the diner.

The tradition of the dinner is to eat only fish on christmas flowers italy blogs Eve, and dinner must be over by midnight so people can attend midnight Mass to celebrate the birth of Christ.

As in times past, the meal must include seven fish selections, standing for the seven sacraments of the Catholic church.

The number also stands for the seven days of creation, seven sins of the world, seven hills of Rome, seven winds of Italy, seven wonders of the world and the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem, says Liliana.

In biblical numerology, seven is a number of perfection. The traditional biblical number for divinity is three, and for earth is four and the combination of these numbers, seven, represents God on earth, or Jesus Christ.

A typical meal might include calamari or squid, baccala, a dry slat cod, shrimp, clams and mussels.

How interesting.

We can all find out more about this traditional celebration at the dinner. Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple, and reservations are needed by calling 893-0691.

Christmas Flowers Italy - Corner: 'Strega Nona's Gift' an eight-course Christmastime feast

Last year, beloved children's author/illustrator Tomie dePaola was searching for ideas for a new book about christmas flowers italy , his favorite holiday.

As he pondered various themes, dePaola remembered one of his most cherished cookbooks, "Celebrating Italy" by Carol Field. In the book, Field organizes her recipes around the many feasts and festivals that are part of Italian culture.

"Each festival has its own foods connected with it, and Field tells these wonderful stories about each celebration," dePaola said in a recent telephone interview from his New Hampshire home.

In the Calabria region of Italy, for example, there's a legend that on the feast of the Epiphany, rivers and fountains run with wine and olive oil, dePaola noted.

"The idea that everything can turn into some kind of food -- that always stuck with me. I just love the idea; it's such a funny idea," he said.

Recalling that legend last year, dePaola, 77, said that "a light bulb went off in my head." He decided to focus his new book on the eight feasts -- including christmas flowers italy blogs -- that are celebrated by Italians between the beginning of December and Epiphany. The new book would, of course, star his most popular characters, the Italian witch named Strega Nona and her bumbling helper, Big Anthony.

The result is "Strega Nona's Gift" (Penguin, $17.99, ages 3-7), a wonderfully different take on the holiday season that features dePaola's distinctive illustrations, filled with brilliant color and good cheer. In addition to an entertaining story, "Strega Nona's Gift" offers readers a blueprint for celebrating some lesser-known feasts during the holiday season.

Set in a village in Calabria, the book opens at the beginning of December, when Strega Nona, Big Anthony and other townspeople are preparing for the upcoming holiday celebrations. All goes well during the various celebrations through Christmas and New Year's.

Then comes Jan. 5, the Eve of Epifania, Epiphany Eve, when, legend has it, animals can talk. So owners take special care to feed their animals well this night, and Strega Nona prepares special dishes for her rabbit, peacock, dove and goat.

Strega Nona asks Big Anthony to serve the special meal of turnips and chickpeas to the goat. But Big Anthony wants the special dish himself, so he eats it instead and gives the goat a plate of hay and oats. This infuriates the goat, who eats Big Anthony's blanket in revenge.

Because he's cold without his blanket, Big Anthony can't sleep at night and so misses the special dream that Strega Nona sends to all villagers, a dream in which everything turns to food. Bedposts become sausages, the bed sheets change into sheets of lasagna and the walls turn into ricotta and mozzarella.

The next day, Jan. 6, is Epiphany, the final feast of the season. The villagers gather at Strega Nona's for cake, and Big Anthony's piece has the lucky fava bean in it, making him the "king" of the feast. When Strega Nona asks "King" Anthony what he'd like as his gift, he asks for a new blanket for himself and another special meal for the goat so he can make amends and start off the New Year right.

Creating "Strega Nona's Gift" was pure fun, dePaola said, noting that he published the first book about the Italian witch in 1975. Titled "Strega Nona," the book won a 1976 Caldecott Honor and launched dePaola's career as a children's-book author and artist.

Since then, he has written nine other books about Strega Nona, as well as "Brava Strega Nona," a pop-up book spotlighting her secrets of wisdom for a good life. People often tell dePaola that their parents or grandparents told them stories about Strega Nona, as if she were part of Italian folklore. In fact, dePaola invented her and said it was the publisher's idea to call it an "old tale."

"The whole land and all of the people (in the 'Strega Nona' books) are so familiar to me now," dePaola said. "It's real enjoyment to do a book about her."

Because he loves Christmas so much, dePaola has written a number of books connected with the season. Now, he's working on yet another Christmas-themed book, "The Birds of Bethlehem."

"It's a spin on the Christmas story, told from the bird's point of view. It's very stylized, and I'm quite proud of it," dePaola said.

While dePaola used to create two or three children's books each year, he now writes and illustrates just one book annually.

"The bookstore market has really plummeted," he said.

But all is not bleak for dePaola. This year, he won the American Library Association's coveted Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, which honors an author or illustrator who has made "a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children."

DePaola also was one of the major literary stars at this year's National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., in September. Crowds of kids and adults ran after the golf cart ferrying him around the festival, and his books sold out.

"So it's pretty clear to me that the book is not dead!" dePaola said.

(Karen MacPherson, the children's/teen librarian at the Takoma Park, Md., Library, can be reached at Kam.Macpherson(at)gmail.com.)

CHILDREN'S CORNER

Christmas Flowers Italy - Donkeys to lead Nativity parade at town's Christmas celebrations

Two donkeys from HorseWorld will provide extra authenticity to the Nativity procession that will form part of Midsomer Norton's christmas flowers italy Fair.

The event, which takes place tomorrow, will feature Benjamin and Barnaby, from the Whitchurch charity's visitor centre.

The two donkeys will begin this year's festivities, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Welton Baptist Church, when they escort "Mary and Joseph" down the High Street accompanied by children carrying handmade lanterns.

HorseWorld visitor centre yard manager Karen Hardwick said the charity wanted to add a little christmas flowers italy blogs sparkle for people who support their work.

She said: "We know that many people living in Radstock, Midsomer Norton and surrounding villages have taken advantage of our free repeat visit membership scheme this year.

"We're delighted to have been invited to take part in this year's fair and to take the opportunity further strengthen our links with the communities we serve."

Visitors to the Christmas Fair can join a bid to beat the Guinness Book of Records entry for the most living figures in a Nativity scene. The record stands at 567, set in Italy last December.

Welton Baptist Church is asking people to support the event by dressing as a shepherd by wearing a tea towel and dressing gown.

Festivities will begin at 3.30pm when children are invited to create their own lanterns between 3.30pm and 5.30pm in Midsomer Norton Library.

The main evening entertainment takes place between 6pm and 9pm, with the High Street shops opening late for Christmas shoppers.

The illuminated procession will begin at 6.45pm before the attempt to break the record and light switch on begins at 7pm.

People taking part will also be encouraged to sing carols.

Mayor of Midsomer Norton Paul Myers said: "The only way we can break the record is for everyone, old and young to join in the community effort to put Midsomer Norton on the map and enjoy a great evening for all the family. We're asking as many people as possible to dress as shepherds and come on down and be counted."

Shoppers also have the chance to win £150. Anyone wanting to be in with a chance has to fill in the middle pages of the programme, which also includes the words to carols, with the names of the nativities pictures displayed in each of the listed shops.

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

We arrived in "England," anxious to soak in the ambiance of a quick trip to Europe.

Without airfare or a trans-Atlantic voyage, we found the Globe Theatre and Squire's Grille.

But, we were anxious to take a ride, however - to the point of braving a rollercoaster. Or, perhaps, even taking a stroll down "Sesame Street."

All, of course, can be found at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.

Decades after this sprawling attraction opened, the European-theme amusement park remains a must-see and ever-evolving attraction, highlighted by high-rising rollercoasters, a "Rhine River" ride and a festive, educational atmosphere.

You don't have to speak French to enjoy visiting this theme park's "France" or to be fluent in German to stroll through the spruced-up Oktoberfest in "Germany."

But, of course, knowing such languages would make the European experience that much more enjoyable, especially in the timeless Das Festhaus of Germany, where the dancers sing in German - and encourage you to sing, too.

Relaxing ride

Busch Gardens thrives in the heat of summer, of course, as do most theme parks offering water-rides like the "Le Scoot," an addictive, old-fashioned log flume ride that carries you on a mildly-thrilling drift through France.

Oh, yes: You are going to get wet.

Bring a coat in the shoulder seasons of autumn or spring, and head skyward from England on the England Skyride, lifting you across the park to destinations at Germany or France.

Afraid of flying?

OK, then hit the rails: The park offers a train excursion that provides not only a relaxing ride; it's also a convenient way to get around to various places like the Festa Train Station of Italy; the Caribou Train Station of New France; and the Tweedside Train Station of Scotland.

For years, Busch Gardens was subtitled "The Old Country," as it is situated just outside the Colonial-era towns of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown in eastern Virginia, and "The Old Country" tag referenced places where Americans had come from in Europe.

It was also, for years, part of Anheuser-Busch, the makers of beer brands like Budweiser.Today, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg stands separate from the nearby Anheuser-Busch brewery, and the monorail that once shuttled visitors from the park to a hospitality center overlooking the brewery no longer runs.

But, inside the park, there are enough rides to satisfy a 12 or 14-hour day.

That ranges from the fast-moving thrills of coasters called Loch Ness Monster and Alpengeist to tiny rides for tiny tykes in "Sesame Street: Forest of Fun." Here, Oscar the Grouch even invites riders on his moving and grooving Whirly Worms.

Bring walking shoes and pack a camera.

The grounds of Busch Gardens are simply gorgeous, bursting with flowers and flora and fauna, skirted by streams trickling through the imaginative landscape of Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association has, also, for 21 years, named Busch Gardens "The World's Most Beautiful Park."

' christmas flowers italy Town'

Like Dollywood, a similar-sized theme park at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Busch Gardens changes themes from season to season.

The fall season becomes time for Howl-O-Scream, with Halloween events. The summer hosts Illuminights, with fireworks shows.

“Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration” creates the anticipation of the season and fills visitors’ senses with all things christmas flowers italy blogs .

In December, visitors can experience festive attractions, shows and shopping filled with the holiday spirit.

From more than two million twinkling lights, the smell of fresh baked Christmas cookies and one-of-a-kind gift ideas to a spectacular 50-foot, light-animated Christmas tree, Christmas Town promises to produce a smile in a European-themed fantasy land.

All without the airfare and trans-Atlantic voyage