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Junior League of Florida - SPAC
August 2007
The Junior Leagues of Florida State Public Affairs Committee is the voice of Florida's 24 Junior Leagues on legislative issues of interest. Check out their website at www.jlflspac.org for updates on conferences, events, and advocacy issues including foster care, Guardian Ad Litem, booster seats, juvenile justice, and much, much more...
September 9, 2007
Festival of Trees decks King Center halls
BY MARIA SONNENBERG, FOR FLORIDA TODAY
The Junior League of South Brevard ushers in the holidays tonight with a peek at its Festival of Trees, an event sure to spike the feel-good meter.
It's the 23rd year for the popular Brevard Christmas tradition that features an extravagant forest of designer and signature trees.
The event lets 9-foot designer trees fashioned from the imagination of volunteers such as Link Johnsten of Eau Gallie Florist, members of the Space Coast and Galmont Ballet companies, and staff from Macy's and Dillard's take center stage at the festival's King Center location.
Adding to the holiday spirit are the smaller gems that are the 2- to 4-foot signature trees. Many of the 200 members of the Junior League, including president Melissa Reeder, took part in designing the trees.
Reeder's 4-foot beauty is a honeybee-adorned tree titled "Bee Merry."
"Melissa means honeybee, so I thought that would be perfect," Reeder said.
The festival begins tonight with the "Fire and Ice" preview party, which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres from World Beat Café, music, a silent auction, raffle and lock box with jewelry valued at $2,000 from the Denny Wong's Cinderella Jewelry Collection, courtesy of G & R Jewelry.
Last year, the festival raised more than $100,000 for local charities. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Children's Home Society, Healthy Start Coalition and the Junior League's Kids in the Kitchen, which promotes healthy eating habits in children.
The festival, which continues through the weekend, also includes holiday vignettes, wreaths and gingerbread houses, a children's area, as well as live entertainment from banner twirlers, carolers and dancers from the Galmont and Space Coast ballets.
September 10, 2007
Festival pulls in tree lovers
BY AUTUMN PHELPS, FLORIDA TODAY
The spirit of the holiday season was in full force Saturday during the 23rd annual Festival of Trees at the King Center.
The family-oriented event put on by the Junior League of South Brevard continues from noon to 5 p.m. today and features about 100 decorated pine trees donated by local companies and individuals,40 vendors, and of course, pictures with Santa.
Angie DeRoche of Melbourne held her camcorder steady as her children, Alyssa and Connor, sat on the fat man's lap.
"Say cheese!" DeRoche urged her kids, with her husband, Mike, snapping pictures next to the professional photographer.
"This is a good way to start the holiday season," said DeRoche, who has gone to the festival for the past three years.
Aside from Santa, there are lots of things for kids to do in a children's area outside the building, such as "bungee jumping," a kids' ride provided by Cowboy Attractions.
Toddler Jayce Graham was ready to go, harnessed into a stringy device and bouncing lightly on the trampoline below him. His grandmother Candace Gregory tried to assure the child it was fun, but he wasn't believing it.
"Mom, pull his legs down to let him know it's OK so he doesn't flip out," said Alexis O'Connor, Jayce's
mother.
Also in the children's area, there is a stuff-your-own-animal booth, a craft area and free fingerprinting by the Melbourne Police Department.
Inside the lobby and on the King Center stage, festivalgoers wandered past elaborate displays of Christmas décor, crafts and retail products, including perfume and cosmetic counters in the spacious Macy's area.
In the rotunda, folks can bid on designer trees donated by local companies and individuals, or just stroll by and look.
Food is provided by Café Unique, an Amish deli in Cocoa Village, and entertainment today includes the Freedom Athletics, Melbourne Church of Christ Ensemble, the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy sixth grade music students and the Imperial Dance Corps.
"We wanted folks to be able to shop, eat, and be entertained," said K.C. Crawley, Festival of Trees director. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard and the Children's
September 11, 2007
Festival of Trees to continue Sunday
BY AUTUMN PHELPS, FLORIDA TODAY
Thanksgiving is still more than a week away, but the spirit of the holiday season was in full force today during the Festival of Trees at the King Center.
Put on by the Junior League of South Brevard, the event raises money for the Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard and the Children’s Home Society.
The family-oriented festival took place inside and outside the King Center, and featured about 100 decorated pine trees donated by local companies and individuals, 40 vendors including department stores Macy’s and Dillards, and of course, pictures with Santa.
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens 60 years and older, and $4 for children 3 to 12 years old. Children 2 and under |
