Pictured: Top, L to R: Michala Callahan, Lily Jaramillo, Alison Niederpruem, Bottom L to R: Jessica Griffin and Charlotte Nafe.
This year marks the 8th year that local school aged children and teenagers bring holiday cheer to nursing homes in Indian River County. The Mistletones plan a holiday repertoire, then take it on the road. Most of the performers are elite members of the Charter High School’s Performing Arts Department. This is a volunteer project, done as a labor of love.
This group primarily visits Medicare facilities, where many residents no longer have family and entertainment isn’t usually offered. “It is so nice to see the smiles on their faces,” said Michala Callahan, one of the group’s veterans, having volunteered for the last four years. While Michala heads off to college in 2020, she hopes to still be a part of the Mistletones during her holiday break, next year. “I look forward to it all year long!”
Another Mistletones’ veteran and high school senior is Jessica Griffin. “It is so heartwarming to know we are touching the lives of our audiences. Although many are in wheelchairs, we love to see them sway to the music and sing along with the holiday favorites,” said Jessica.
Alison Niederpruem is a new member of the Mistletones. Alison has a star-studded resume of great local performances at Riverside and the Charter High School. In early 2020, she will play Guinevere in an upcoming production of Camelot. Alison commented, “It is so much fun to join my friends in this community service project! I am really looking forward to making people smile for the holidays.”
Angelina Dubois is also a returning member and is a sophomore at Charter High School. Angelina said, “we’re glad to be able to do it! This year, we are adding songs we recently performed at a competition. The stage time is great experience for us, but also we are so happy to meet the residents and just take time to talk. They appreciate the company and we have a great time entertaining them.”
Lily Jaramillo has been involved with the group since its inception. She also continues a project she adopted the year of the Sandy Hook attack. She delivers 26 holiday baskets to Veterans in memory of the children and teachers that lost their lives that day. “It’s a pay it forward project I promised myself I would continue, always. The only connection between Sandy Hook and the Vets is that both groups deserve to be remembered and honored. We always enjoy our visit to the Vet’s Home built by Every Dream has a Price. 10 Veterans live there and we will bring them dinner, gifts and a show,” said Lily.
Rounding out this year’s Mistletones cast is Charlotte Nafe. Charlotte is a veteran Riverside Children’s Theatre performer. Also a Sophomore at Charter, she brings tremendous talent to the group and is delighted to be a part of it. “ I think it’s a great project. We spend our holidays focused on what we can do for others and that is truly the spirit of the season,” said Charlotte.
If you know of a group that would benefit from an appearance by the Mistletones, call their producer, Sally Dillon at 772-778-2832.
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com
Kathie Elias
VERO BEACH, FL - The Vero Beach Museum of Art is delighted to announce today the appointment of Kathie Elías as Museum Art School Manager effective December 2, 2019.
For the past year, Kathie Elías worked as the Curator of Education at the Foosaner Art Museum in Melbourne, Florida. Her relationship with the Foosaner began earlier in 2017, when she worked as a Guest Curator of Education, designing and executing educational programming that centered on diverse audiences, accessibility, and outreach. Previously to working and residing in Florida, she worked as the Educator at Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico since 2006.
"I am delighted to be a part of the Vero Beach Museum of Art team. The Museum Art School has a long and respected history within the community. I’m looking forward to continuing the robust programming, as well as strengthening ties to the wider arts community, and integrating with the education team," commented Kathie.
Sara Klein, Director of Education at the VBMA, said, “This is an important full-time hire for the VBMA and the Museum Art School. Kathie has vast experience as a Museum educator and will play a vital role in serving our current students as well as cultivating new audiences. We are excited to have her on board.”
Elías is a graduate student at Florida Tech. She hopes to earn her master’s degree in public administration in the Fall of 2020. She holds a bachelor's in arts and humanities from the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce and a certification in non-profit management and grant writing from the University of Central Florida.
The Vero Beach Museum of Art located at 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963. Directions: From I-95 (Exit 147), from U.S. One, and Indian River Boulevard, take State Road 60 east over the Merrill Barber Bridge to beachside, turn right at first traffic light into Riverside Park.
Museum programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, as well as The Plansoen Foundation and Holmes Family Foundation. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is a membership-based not for profit 501 (C) 3 organization pursuant to chapter 212, Florida Statutes.
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com
VERO BEACH, FL — A savory dinner of seasonal favorites on the pristine lakefront at Schacht Groves was the idyllic setting for Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Fall Harvest Dinner. The celebration of nutritious local food benefitted children, seniors and families struggling with hunger on the Treasure Coast.
The sold-out event took place Nov. 9. Guests enjoyed the beautiful sunset and the sounds of the Blue Cypress Bluegrass Band as they sipped welcome beverages of WildThyme Punch, Tito’s Vodka champagne, and wine selections while bidding on a selection of auction items.
Dinner, created by Wild Thyme Catering, featured Mediterranean Salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, butternut squash, quinoa, and wild rice, asparagus with lemon mustard cream, chicken piccata, and pork loin. The final course was a Passion Fruit Opera Cake created by Healthy Harvest Catering.
Treasure Coast Food Bank President and CEO Judith Cruz welcomed guests and thanked event sponsors, Sal and Sharon Saraniti, the Macrae Family, Port St. Lucie Orchid Society, and Jeffrey S. Braun.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight for our second Fall Harvest Dinner,” she said. “If it wasn’t for your support, we couldn’t do the work we do to provide meals for nearly 90,000 people on the Treasure Coast who struggle with hunger.”
ABOUT TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK
Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure Coast, providing the community each year with millions of meals valued at more than $50 million through robust programs and in partnership with 400 charitable organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. In addition to emergency food distribution, Treasure Coast Food Bank operates a full roster of direct service programs that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security, better health outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. For more information on Treasure Coast Food Bank, call 772.489.3034, log on to stophunger.org, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/tcfoodbank, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tcfoodbank.
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com
Be a part of the PSL’s must-see holiday light displaysPORT ST. LUCIE – The City of Port St. Lucie is challenging residents to untangle their lights, pull out the inflatables and start decorating for the fourth Annual PSLinLights Holiday Light Contest. This residential, outdoor holiday decorating contest is a festive way to demonstrate community pride and light up the holiday season. Residents can sign up online beginning December 2, 2019, through January 5, 2020, at www.CityofPSL.com/PSLinLights. The best part is that, it is free to enter.
When holiday light enthusiasts register their home in the contest, the City adds the display information into a searchable database creating a must-see holiday light display list with pictures and a map. The holiday light map can be used by the entire community to create their very own holiday light tour of the City.
Prizes will be awarded in three categories:
· “New Kid on the Block”, this is for first-time residential entries only,
· “PSL Showstopper”, this category is for best overall PSL residential light display,
· “Light up the Neighborhood”, sponsored by the City’s Neighborhood Improvement and Community Engagement (NICE) Program. Residents are encouraged to gather at least six of their neighbors to enter their homes on the map for the City’s most festive NICE neighborhood award judged by City employees. Find your NICE neighborhood here at www.cityofpsl.com/neighborhoods
Voting for categories of “New Kid on the Block” and “PSL Showstopper” will be conducted anonymously through an online survey by resident voters on the City’s website during Judging Week, which is January 6, starting at 8 a.m. through January 9, 2020, at 5 p.m. The number of votes will determine the winners. First-place winners will receive a decorative yard sign. Second place winners will receive an honorable mention certificate.
The “Light Up the Neighborhood” winner will be determined by City staff. When six or more households within a NICE (Neighborhood Improvement and Community Engagement) neighborhood enter in the PSLinLights Holiday Contest, a neighborhood is automatically qualified. Each participating household from the winning neighborhood receives a winner’s certificate presented at a future City Council Meeting. A trophy with the winning neighborhood name will be displayed at City Hall.
Winners will be announced publicly on the City of Port St. Lucie’s website and social media accounts, Twitter and Facebook, on January 10, 2020. The winners will also be congratulated and acknowledged at a future City Council Meeting.
So, string your lights and deck the halls for the community to enjoy this holiday season! All contest rules and entry information can be located at www.CityofPSL.com/PSLinLights.
The City of Port St. Lucie is proud to be a hometown where people live, learn, work and play, and celebrate all of life’s opportunities. With over 195,000 residents, Port St. Lucie is Florida’s seventh largest city by population (South Florida’s 3rd largest city). The City occupies an area of 120 square miles in St. Lucie County on Florida’s east coast, about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, half way between Miami and Orlando. The City provides most traditional municipal services including law enforcement, water and sewer, and public works. For more information, please visit: www.cityofpsl.com
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com
St. Augustine, FL – As a local St. Augustine area business and production company, Hankerson Henry Productions supports cycling and the cycling lanes relative to the U.S. 1 Resurfacing Project after recently releasing a successful film, “Gullah Geechee Corridor and the East Coast Greenways”. The documentary highlights St. Augustine’s history, local community, and the many outstanding cycling opportunities on the East Coast Greenway and other “rails to trails” cycling/nature trails in Florida’s Treasure Coast and across the state.
We invite you to watch our “Gullah Geechee Corridor and the East Coast Greenway” film Trailer here: https://youtu.be/4WOtcW6ztVg
Our film is the result of successful public and private/local, state, and federal collaboration including the Florida State Parks system and the FLDOT.
Hankerson Henry Productions is committed to being avid supporters of and advocates for the cycling community and the positive impact it has on Florida’s tourism industry and economy, which according to WLRN.org, the state saw a Record 126.1 Million Visitors to Florida In 2018. Additionally, Tampa Bay Biz Journal reported in August of 2019 that “Florida tourism numbers up in first half of the year... Florida’s visitor count continued at a record pace through the second quarter of 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said Thursday.”
Articles and studies focused specifically on the positive impact of pro-cycling policy and action by Florida and nationwide also are plentiful, including “Economic Impact” from the Adventure Cycling Association and the Florida Coast-to-Coast Connector Economic Benefits and Market Report, to name a few. There are also plenty of studies and media showing the positive eco-tourism on land that cycling provides relative to the negative impact Florida’s water crisis (algae blooms) has had on tourism.
Promoting cycling is good business. Too often we think in terms of either/or when both is possible. We believe supporting the cyclist and cycling lanes on U.S. 1 does not have to come at the expense of loss of parking, convenience, and/or revenue to local businesses. Creative problem solving should and could be a win-win for both cyclists and parking needs.
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com
