St. Augustine in the Holiday Spirit

From today’s issue of the St. Augustine Report; published by the Department of Public Affairs of the City of St. Augustine.

The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a longtime newspaper reporter and editor.

… Decorating

Colonial Christmas is featured daily at the Colonial Spanish Quarter’s de Mesa House through January 9th.

You’ll find de Mesa House spruced up with holiday decorations of earlier times, and guided tours throughout the day with Joseph and Mary Stout (historic interpreters Brad Taylor-Hicks and Gili Lochner), residents of deMesa House in the late 1700s.

Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m., with scheduled tours at 11 a.m. and 1, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. from the Spanish Quarter entrance.

Spanish Quarter admission charged, but St. Johns County residents always free with identification. Details 904.825.1083 or visit the city website.

… Yes Yankees, Foliage – Here!

Not the seasonal red of poinsettia, but a maple tree blazing in the morning sun in North City warms the hearts of transplanted northerners wistful for annual fall foliage – just before that season of snow shoveling.

… and caroling

“The Voice of Lincolnville,” Carrie Johnson and friends bring holiday carols and cheer tonight to The Sisters of St. Joseph, Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Center, Samantha Wilson/Bayview Senior Centers, and St. Francis House, beginning at 5 p.m. from Galimore Center on a courtesy St. Augustine Red Tour Train.

To brighten seniors’ holidays, seasonal cards designed by community youngsters will be given to each resident.

… and stocking stuffing

A very practical gift for friends and family visiting downtown – a book of parking coupons for the Historic Downtown Parking Facility. Twenty-five all day (7 a.m.-11 p.m.) coupons at a cost of $3.75 each – half the price of regular all-day parking.

There’s also the two hour free coupons booklet, and of course prepaid ParkNow cards. Get the details on the city website.

… and planning for 2011

A new, user-friendly, City Calendar is now posted on the city website, featuring scheduled meetings and city affairs.

This latest addition to the city website follows recent upgrades that provide links to proposed ordinances from City Commission agendas.

… and serving

More than 100 homeless persons and families joined in annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with the Emergency Services and of Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County and St. Francis House at First United Methodist Church.

The December 16 dinner was part of a Candlelight Vigil and Memorial Service observing National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.

Among other traditional gatherings: Thanksgiving Day meals for the homeless, hosted by the Church of Hopeand Deliverance at Ketterlinus Gymnasium, and Christmas Day dinner at noon hosted by Labor Ready at Prosperity Bank Community Center on North Ponce de Leon Boulevard (US 1).

December 16 was also the annual Lincolnville Crime Watch appreciation holiday fest at the Galimore Center, recognizing the city’s police, firefighters, and paramedics.