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The holidays are almost over, concluding with Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, the Twelfth Day of Christmas.
It has been a busier-than-usual season for most of us. 2022 closed with some spectacular events including the Villagers Historic House Tour on Dec. 10; Jr. OB Parade, Dec. 11, followed by Jr. OB tennis and basketball tournaments, Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bells Run, Night Garden that runs through January at Fairchild, the December 30 Orange Bowl Game, and the list goes on with lots of holiday parties.
The Florida Memorial University (Marching and Dancing) Band kicked off the Junior Orange Bowl Parade followed by a helicopter “fly over” provided by the Coast Guard for a spectacular start. The crowd in the sold-out stands and along Miracle Mile’s parade route enjoyed the lighted floats, marching bands, dance and equestrian units and more. Grand Marshal Jon Beason, of UM and NFL fame, was greeted by fans on the first parade float while Santa on a Coral Gables Fire Truck was the finale.
In addition to the Jr. OB Parade and Tennis Tournament, the Junior Orange Bowl Basketball Tournament for boys and girls took place at Westminster Christian, Dec. 28-30. This event, chaired by Jr. OB past president Chuck Little, featured teams as far away as Georgia, Ohio, and Puerto Rico, along with several local high school teams.
Adding to the tournament experience for the out of state teams was the opportunity to go to the WOW Center to do a basketball clinic with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Visiting coaches tell Chuck that this is always the most memorable part of the trip for their players.
In fact, you can check out a video of one visit on my Gloria’s Gab LIVE show that featured an interview with Chuck Little on Dec. 13.
To view the show, go to https://communitynewspapers.com/featured/glorias-gab-is-with-host-gloria-burns-and-chairman-chuck-little-of-the-junior-orange-bowl/.
One of this writer’s other favorite holiday events is the King Mango Strut Parade in Coconut Grove that is finally returning. This crazy parade is just weeks away and always a fan favorite that satirizes highlights of the past year with creative, funny, wild costumes; choreographed routines; music, and so much more The deal is, if it isn’t funny, don’t bother to apply. Participants spend countless hours dreaming up ways to entertain spectators and it never fails to produce hilarity of the first order. Starting at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, the parade lasts about an hour and a half with activities continuing into the evening in restaurants, bars, and cafés on Commodore Plaza, Main Highway, and Grand Ave. Because of COVID, the King Mango Strut went dark in both 2020 and 2021, but, now it’s coming back in full force.
In other holiday news, a large group of woman’s club members from District 11 FFWC District 11 clubs traveled to visit sister club in Key West, Dec. 4-5. The ladies enjoyed the Key West Woman’s Club’s annual holiday bazaar and a tour of their amazing clubhouse located on Duval Street.
In other club action, The Villagers held the annual Historic Homes Tour on Dec. 10, during which 500 supporters visited five amazing homes built in the 1920s. This was as much an art walk as it was a home tour. Kudos to The Villagers on another amazing Tour that was a sold out.
A dozen members of the CGWC helped little ones write and decorate letters to Santa at the annual Holiday Showcase at Merrick House on Sunday, Dec 11, before the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade. Among those attending with this writer were Carol Horkowitz, Ruth Martinez, Theresa Gilmore, Ana Lam, Lucita Moran, Carmen Diaz-Padron, Damaris Davila, Donna Myrill, Margarette Beauchamp, Kristina Jackson, and Elizabeth Hicks.
In addition, Carmen Cason, former Coral Gables first lady, did a ribbon cutting as Mayor Vince Lago, Commissioner Rhonda Anderson, and former Mayors Jim Cason and Don Slesnick looked on. All enjoyed tours of the beautifully restored home decorated for Christmas by the Coral Gables Garden Club and music with St Andrew’s handbell choir and holiday caroling. Lots of vendors were on hand for holiday shopping and Santa finally arrived in great style on the Coral Gables fire engine with lights blazing to the delight of all the children and adults.
Until next time, keep making each day count, share an act of kindness and enjoy a happy holiday season.
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