THEATRE WINTER HAVEN

 February 13 Carol, Roger, Larry and I went to Winter Haven for dinner and then to the playhouse to see Anastasia. We sat in the middle of the third row, so Larry was able to see. It was a great play and everyone did a terrific job. Their costumes were gorgeous and everyone had a great singing voices. It is had to believe they are all volunteers. It is an hour from our house but worth the drive. 

LOVE YOU A BRUNCH

 The United Women in Faith unit from Community of Faith had a brunch on Feb.8th. It was held at a club house in Polo Park. I worked with the decoration committee. I helped make the signage to find the club house. 

The theme was Love you a Brunch. 76 people attended. Each table had a table captain. We had to provide 6 china plates, cups and saucers, glasses and cloth napkins.  This was my table. I folded the napkins into hearts. The plates never had food on them for the appetizer and entre were served on clear plastic plates and set right on top of the china. Teena ,the lady in yellow, lives a few doors away from me and has started attending church with us. Jackie, Kay and Janet are a life group from Clermont I was a member of years ago. 

Before we had the meal and program there was a photo both and an activity to guess the number of kisses in the jar.  I guessed 262 and there were 263, so I got won the jar of kisses. I gave everyone a kiss.
 

STATE PARK CAMPING

We had made reservations to camp at Hillsborough River State Park for the last week of January. It is near Tampa, a 50 mile drive. They notified us the week before that they weren't able to open util February, still cleaning up from Milton.  Working with the park system they found us a campground that fit our days of camping. Ochlockonee River State Park in the panhandle of Florida at Sopchoppy, Fl. 250 miles a 5 hour drive. I drove the RV most of the trip - turnpike, I 75, back roads. Good experience.  We did see some wild life at the campground -  white squirrel, deer (piebald deer,  white and brown) and an armadillo. 
 

White squirrels are a variant of the eastern grey squirrel.  They are rare in North America, but known to inhabit this park. We were excited to see some. 

Tallahassee, Florida's capital, was 35 miles north of the campground. We went in on Wednesday. the old capital building is being repaired, but was opened as a museum to explore. The tall building behind it is the current capital building. 

It was restored to its 1902 appearance in 1982.

The glass dome in the old capital is beautiful. 

It's history is amazing. 

We toured the capital building, after eating in its cafe. Legislation had been in session on Monday and Tuesday but not today.

Fun Facts about Florida. Strawberry Festival in Plant City starts the end of February.

Didn't know there were some of these state things. 

A little history.

A long state to the Keys and a wide state across the panhandle.

Visited the chambers but they were empty.

We celebrated our 22nd anniversary January 31. We had a very good fish dinner at this restaurant. It was recommended by several people at the campground. Just a five day get away, but a nice trip just a little further than planned.

GAMBLE ROGERS MEMORIAL STATE RECREATION AREA

We camped here from Dec. 16 to the 19th for a little get away. Larry drove the RV, only challenge was the last 10 miles of very narrow road and construction on A1A. We learned when we arrived we should never come that way but go one exit further on 95 and then come south. 
 

They are very nice camp sites, but water and electric only.

Across the road is the ocean and we can hear the waves crashing.

There are two campgrounds and this one is on the other side of A1A right by the ocean. The sites are more rustic. 

Who this area is named after.

Interesting facts about this area.

The weather was rainy when we arrived Monday afternoon, but Tuesday morning was bright and sunny. We took advantage of the nice weather and biked 3 miles to Flagler Beach. In the afternoon we drove along  A1A to St. Augustine. We parked ($20) walked around, ate at Harry's and left at 5. We came back on 95 and saw the trail from the rocket launch. 

Wednesday morning was sunny so once again we rode our bikes to Flagler Beach Pier.

We ate lunch at Funky Pelican.

While we ate we watched some surfers. 

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

Sunday morning at church some of our members shared their musical talents singing and playing instruments of beautiful Christmas music. 18 of us then went to St. Luke UMC in Apopka for a Community performance of Sounds of the Season. They always put on such great shows. They had dancers and one girl, from NY,  said it was better then Radio City Rockettes.  I never thought to take  pictures until the end. 

The end of the show highlighted Jesus' birth. It was a live baby.

Beautiful costumes and great voices, even this young man sang perfectly.

The children's choir did a great job. I never took a picture of the large adult choir and orchestra. If we weren't in the Christmas spirit before Sunday we were after all the beautiful music.
 

PARTY TIME

Roger and Carol opened their home for a Christmas gathering of the Clermont Friends and Fellowship class, both past and present. We all brought some food to share, had a gift swap opening and then played a game to guess the Christmas word tied on your head. Roger, Noelene and Karla. 

MO and Carol trying to figure out their word.

Larry and Carol.

Dick figured out his word and then forgot it. 

Carol and Roger's granddaughter watched all our silliness. Old people can have fun too. It was a nice party with good food and friends. 
 

CHRISTMAS AT EPCOT

Friday evening a group from our Sunday School class at Community of Faith went to Epcot for dinner and the Processional.
 

Doug works at Epcot and made the arrangements for us to eat in Italy at Tutto Italia. 

Before dinner we met at the American Pavilion to hear Voices of Liberty  sing Christmas music.

It was a perfect night, full moon and great weather.

After dinner we walked around Epcot and enjoyed the sights. 

We had tickets for the 8:15 Processional performance. The Voices of Liberty make up the Christmas Tree.

Then the processional begins with many volunteer singers.

The orchestra and choir what beautiful music. 

The narrator that read the Bible story of Jesus' birth was Ralph Macchio. We knew him as the Karate Kid.  It was a beautiful Christmas performance.