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Tis the season and there is so much to report this month. To begin, December 6th was a great day for historic preservationists, and particularly The Villagers. The organization’s Annual Holiday House Tour, Stroll in the Grove, was a sellout with a record 1,000 tickets sold. Attendees enjoyed the tour that highlighted early and contemporary homes and some historic site with a boutique at Plymouth Congregational Church across from check-in at Carrollton School. Leading up to the big day, Villagers President Gina Guilford and Past President Kelly Schild (Gina’s sister) joined Gloria’s Gab LIVE to highlight the event and the extraordinary impact The Villagers has made in historic preservation. Kelly, who co-chaired this year’s tour with Merlin Ebbert, shared that the group has awarded $2 million in grants to 200 organizations, an astonishing achievement for an all-volunteer nonprofit. With record attendance this year, 2026 promises to be even more impactful for preservation projects.
The historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club, itself a past Villagers grantee, recently showcased both history and artistry by hosting Her Art Basel on December 3. Curated by Arts & Culture Chair Alex Guillen, the exhibition featured works by women artists, including her mother, Celia Guillen. While one ballroom became an elegant gallery, the other hosted the club’s annual Holiday Dinner Party catered by celebrity chef Chris Valdes. Guests enjoyed cocktails, admired the art, then returned for dinner and beautiful performances by Margarita Parsamyan, an operatic soprano and the founder of MP Miami Music School, with one of her students, Elizabeth Rojas.
In other news, the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bells Run on December 6th was a smashing—and hilarious—success. Held at Tropical Park, there were costumed holiday characters everywhere you turned. The morning run drew a great crowd including a strong team from HCA Mercy Hospital, whose orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, was the event honoree. On hand to cheer on participants were Mercy CEO, Allyssa Tobitt; Mercy COO Jessica Miller (in a standout costume); Mercy Director of Communications; Annabel Beyra; and Arely Ruiz, President of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club—just a few among the hundreds who took part in the lively morning run.
Continuing with holiday events, the Merrick Festival’s Caroling Competition coordinated by Sally Baumgartner was another success and awarded to winning school choirs more than $17,000 this year. Among the schools in this area winning prizes were Coral Reef High and South Miami Middle School who both won grand prize for magnet schools; while New World School for the Arts and Southwood Middle Schools were runners up respectively. In addition, St. Thomas the Apostle won grand prize for small ensemble. For a complete list, visit carolingcompetition.org.
Check out these upcoming events and mark your calendar!
● Currently running through March 2026 – South Florida PBS Pharaoh Immersive Experience, at the Boynton Beach offices. For tickets, go to www.southfloridapbs.org pharaohs (Look for a new Titanic Experience coming in January 2026).
● January 3 – 6, 2026 – Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Tournament – Biltmore Golf Course, 8 a.m. daily.
● January 4, 2026 – Annual King Mango Strut Parade – Coconut Grove.
● January 10, 2026 – Voices for Children Gala- Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne.
● February 7, 2026 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Annual Children’s Festival – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1001-9 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. Admission is free.
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
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