AVON PARK — Anyone needing some Christmas cheer needn't look further than their own neighbors. Two Avon Park residents have welcomed the public to their front yards to enjoy lighting displays, with show times from now until the holiday. Rob Jordan's display, at the corner of East Winthrop Street and North Lake Verona Boulevard, has shows nightly at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m. Richard Reinhardt's display, at the corner of North Bowden Road and Tyler Avenue, has shows nightly at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Jordan used to help his mother put up lights every year but his year, he decided to step up the effort in her large corner lot. "I definitely took it to the extreme this year," Jordan said about his 20,000-light display. ...more

December 4, 2007

The General Federation of Women's Clubs Brandon Service League is showcasing three decorated houses on this year's Holiday Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. ...more

December 3, 2007

Putting smiles on the faces of disadvantaged children during the Christmas season has long been a focus of gift givers. ...more

December 3, 2007

Freshly cut trees and holly-jolly service are the bargaining chips Christmas tree vendors tout in the hopes of luring customers from major retail stores. ...more

December 3, 2007

Are you one of the nearly 29 million families in the United States expected to celebrate Christmas with a fresh-cut tree this year? ...more

December 3, 2007

The General Federation of Women's Clubs Brandon Service League invites the public to enjoy three uniquely decorated houses on this year's Holiday Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Tickets are $12 and must be purchased in advance. Directions to the homes are printed on the tickets. ...more

December 1, 2007

O Christmas trees, O Christmas trees, your spores can make us all sneeze... In 1969, Canadian researchers interviewed 1,657 allergy patients and theorized that as many as 7 percent of people with allergies may be allergic to their Christmas trees. That team theorized the culprits were pollens and balsam resins. ...more

November 29, 2007

Black Friday faded, Cyber Monday logged off. Can the next demand on the holiday dollar be far behind? ...more

November 27, 2007

As the county wrapped up work last spring on its new district park at Boyette and Overpass roads, chamber of commerce officials planted a tiny pine they hope will grow up to be the hub of future holidays in Wesley Chapel. ...more

November 26, 2007

There's a forest of Christmas trees inside Cookie Robinson's house. But the Victorian-theme, tabletop trees won't be there much longer. ...more

November 22, 2007