Deck the Halls

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Alessia Dirende gasped in awe the first time she saw the Christmas tree on Lakewood Ranch Main Street a few years ago.

“It was the biggest tree I had ever seen,” the 10-year-old said.

This Friday, when Alessia again heads to Main Street, she won’t just be looking at the tree. Instead, she’ll be lighting it up as part of the festivities for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities’ annual Holidays Around the Ranch event.

“It’s really exciting for me,” said Alessia, who attends Imagine School with her brothers Marco, 12, and Paulie, 7. “All I’ve ever really done is decorated my tree at home. I’ve never done a big tree like that before.”

The event will run from 6-9 p.m., Dec. 10, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Santa Claus will arrive by horse and carriage at 6 p.m., and the tree lighting ceremony follows at 6:30 p.m.

Other festivities include pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, live music, skating on an acrylic ice rink, performances by several local dance teams, Dance Head videos, a Wii skiing competition and more.

“The entire event is free,” Community Activities Director Lori Basilone said. “There’s constant entertainment.”

For a optional $1 donation, guests also can try out the Marauder’s speed pitch game, which will be raising money for the Community Shoebox Reception event held from 3-6 p.m., Dec. 12, at the Polo Grill and Bar. Organizers will use the funds to purchase items for needy senior citizens for the holiday season.

During the Holidays Around the Ranch event, donations of non-perishable food will be collected for the Food Bank of Manatee as well as new or gently used children’s books for the food banks’ Royalty for Reading Program. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

“(The event) just ties the entire community together during the holidays,” Basilone said. “It’s that event where there’s something for everybody to come out and enjoy.”

Overflow parking will be available at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE RANCH PERFORMANCES
6-6:05 p.m.: Gullett Dance Team
6:10-6:40 p.m.: Studio of Dance and Music
6:50-7:10 p.m.: Sarasota Youth Opera
7:15-7:35 p.m.: MSA Heat
7:40-7:45 p.m.: Imagine School’s Dance Team
7:50-8:10 p.m.: Jump Dance
8:15-8:20 p.m.: Willis Dance Team
8:25-8:35 p.m.: KC & the Sunshine Dancers
8:40-9 p.m.: Lakewood Ranch High School Silver Stars Dance Team

+ Red Cross launches holiday drive
The American Red Cross last week launched a $100,000 Holiday Challenge campaign to promote year-end giving.

Gifts made before Dec. 31 to the Southwest Florida and Manatee County Red Cross chapters will be matched by a group of donors.

The campaign cabinet for the challenge — and the group representing the donor organizations — includes Schroeder-Manatee Ranch President and CEO Rex Jensen, SMR’s Vice President of Planning Todd Pokrywa; Chuck and Jeannie Slater of the Slater-Kassan Charitable Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation; and Neal Communities’ President Pat Neal.

Donations can be made online at ww.flwestcoastredcross.org/communitychallenge or by calling 792-8686. You also can visit any local Red Cross chapter.

CHURCH SCHEDULE
Blue Christmas Service — Living Lord Lutheran Church will host this quiet, contemplative Christmas service, which is designed for those who have a difficult time during the holiday season due to a loss of loved ones, unemployment or other reasons. The service will be held at 7 p.m., Dec. 22, at the church, 11120 S.R. 70 E. Info, 753-9365.

Children’s Movie Night — This free event at Risen Savior Lutheran Church will be Dec. 21-22 at the church, 14605 Lorraine Road. The church will show the Christmas movies “Charlie Brown Christmas” and “The Nativity Story” in English from 2:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 21, and from 6-8:30 p.m., Dec. 22. The same movies will be shown in Spanish from 6-8:30 p.m., Dec. 21, and from 2:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 22. Popcorn and drinks provided.

Children’s Pageant — Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch, 14306 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch, will host this event at 7 p.m., Dec. 10 & 12. The Cornerstone Little Angel Choir, comprising 3- to 5-year-olds, will open the show reciting Scripture and singing Christmas carols. The main show, titled “The MK Christmas Special,” will explore cultures of other countries and how they celebrate Christmas. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A Christmas cookie and punch reception will be held following the event. For info, call 907-1590.

Feast of St. Nicholas — This special service at St. Mark Orthodox Christian Church will follow the church’s regular 9:30 a.m. service, Dec. 19, at the church, , 1517 Morgan Johnson Road. The St. Nicholas service will be conducted primarily in Russian. A special brunch, with a visit from St. Nicholas, will be held around noon.

Living Nativity — This free production by The Tabernacle will be at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., Dec. 16-19, at the church, 4141 DeSoto Road, Sarasota. The Living Nativity reenacts the birth of Jesus Christ and features more than 100 cast members, live animals and flying angels. Attendees can interact with cast members, and children can pet animals such as camels and goats. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be offered. All performances are held outside, weather permitting. For information, visit www.thetabsarasota.org.

SANTA SIGHTINGS
Breakfast with Santa
WHEN: 8:30 a.m., Dec. 11
WHERE: MacAllisters Grill and Tavern, 8110 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch
RESERVATIONS: 359-2424

Breakfast with Santa
WHEN: 8:30 a.m., Dec. 12
WHERE: Ed’s Tavern 10719 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch
RESERVATIONS: 907-0400

Breakfast with Santa
WHEN: 8:30 a.m., Dec. 18
WHERE: Fête Ballroom at The Polo Grill, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
RESERVATIONS: 359-2424

Breakfast with Santa
WHEN: 8:30 a.m., Dec. 19
WHERE: Main Street Trattoria, 8131 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch
RESERVATIONS: 907-1518

Hornback Chiropractic & Wellness Christmas on the Ranch
WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m., Dec. 11
WHERE: Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane
INFO: www.hornbackchiro.com or 744-1585

Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dec. 18
WHERE: Lakewood Ranch Main Street
INFO: www.lakewoodranch.com/mainstreet

Santa, Carriage Rides, Carolers
WHEN: 6-9 p.m., Dec. 15
WHERE: Lakewood Ranch Main Street
INFO: www.lakewoodranch.com/mainstreet

Santa’s Workshop
WHEN: 4-6 p.m, Dec. 19
WHERE: The Daily Scoop and Grind, 7262 55th Ave. E. 

FA-LA-LA-LA-LA
GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP — Pastries by Design will host four sessions for this workshop on how to build and decorate a gingerbread house on Dec. 11 at the shop, 11532 Palmbrush Trail. Workshop times are 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., for families and 6 p.m., for adults only. All supplies are included, and parents must accompany their child during the event. Cost is $75 per family. Reserve a spot by calling 567-4061 or e-mail [email protected].

SANTA PAWS — The Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch will host this pet-inspired event from 4-7 p.m., Dec. 15, at the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive. A $10 donation will get participants a professional photo of their pet by Scott Phillips Photography. Photos will be in a framed folder, and treats for people and pets will be offered. Pets should wear a silly Santa hat or reindeer antlers, if participants so choose. For information, visit www.HSLWR.org.