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Dates for Christmas decoration competition announced

Will Watts
| Especially for the eagle

The 31th The committee of the annual Marco Island Christmas Home and Business Contest met on the Esplanade to celebrate “Christmas in July.”

The evening, organized by committee member Judy Sacher, included cocktails at CJ's followed by dinner at Sami's. Committee Chair Dave Rice announced the dates and plans for this year's competition, now in its 31st year of LCEC sponsorship.

The dates for judging the 2024 Christmas House and Shop Decoration competitions are as follows: The preliminary judging will take place from 16 to 18 December, all three evenings from 18:30 to 21:30. The final judging will take place on 20 December.

The island is divided into nine zones and jury teams select the best candidates in each zone by visiting every street on the island. On the third night of pre-selection, the top 10 best candidates from the zone selection are chosen.

“Last year we counted over 1,694 decorated homes,” Rice said.

The business decoration competition takes place in parallel to the house competition. It is chaired by Marc and Cristina Lambros-Creach, assisted by Mindy and Roger Star.

The Marco Island Chamber of Commerce helps disseminate competitive information to local business people.

The next meeting of the Christmas Decoration Committee will be in November for its annual potluck dinner to finalize plans and review procedures for evaluation in 2024.

Committee members include: Dave and Jeanne Rice, Bob Boland and Lyn Bedel, Bette McGilvray and Steve Josselyn, Marc Creach and Christina Lambros, Sandy Dauch, Ken and Diane Honecker, Jerry Swiacki and Linda Turner, Larry and Judy Sacher, Bruce Robertson, Mary Vertin, Rachel Schenk, Lilibeth Nordell, Jacki Strategos and Richard Droste, Lauri Kalanges, Betty Newman and Russ Simmons, Jim and Allyson Richards, Mindy Star, Roger Star, Mike and Gerry Richards, Brad and Mary Shaw, and Marlene Eichman.

For further information, please contact the Committee Chair or email Dave Rice at [email protected].

Renewal of the surface at Marco

Marco Island's annual road resurfacing project was scheduled to begin Monday.

According to the city, the following streets will be repaved: 6th Avenue, Buttercup Ct., Cedar Ct., Fairlawn Ct., Robin Ct., Rose Ct., South Barfield Dr., South Collier Blvd., Waikiki Ct.

The City Council approved this project in May for $1.8 million.

Every year, the City Council approves a budget for the resurfacing of roads that are in poor condition. The project includes resurfacing the road surface, adjusting manholes and valve openings, installing road markings, raised pavement markings and thermoplastic markings.

Work zone signs will be posted and traffic signs will direct traffic. Please watch for workers and drive carefully. Mail and garbage collection will not be affected by this project.

Sunshine Ace Hardware's Miracle Bucket Sale will take place August 2-4

Sunshine Ace Hardware stores across the region are participating in this year's Miracle Bucket Sale, an annual event that raises money for children's healthcare through the Children's Miracle Network.

Between August 2 and 4, customers who donate $5 will receive a specially marked 5-gallon bucket to use as a shopping basket and get 20 percent off almost anything that fits in it.

In 2023, the three-day event raised $6,289 to cover the cost of patient care for children and families, charitable care for patients without adequate financial means or insurance, and educational programs for patients, families and the community. Donations also enable hospitals to purchase life-saving equipment and provide advanced services for innovative programs and projects.

“Children's Miracle Network is a great organization that supports thousands of children here in our community,” said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. “Think of all the things you need around the house – a tape measure, a hammer, cleaning supplies. You get 20% off and you can make a difference in the lives of sick and injured children in the area.”

Donations at Sunshine Ace Hardware stores in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties benefit Golisano Children's Hospital in Southwest Florida, while donations at Sunshine Ace Hardware and Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware stores in Pinellas and Manatee counties benefit Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Sunshine Ace Hardware has raised $392,774 through a series of fundraising campaigns and initiatives since the company named Children's Miracle Network its primary charitable partner in December 2019.

Sunshine Ace Hardware locations participating in the Miracle Bucket Sale are:

  • Downtown Naples – 141 Tamiami Trail North; Naples
  • East Naples – 4433 Tamiami Trail East; Naples
  • Marco Island – 1720 San Marco Road; Marco Island
  • Golden Gate – 11673 Collier Blvd.; Naples
  • Founders Square – 8850 Founders Square Drive; Naples
  • Bonita Springs – 9100 Bonita Beach Road; Bonita Springs
  • San Carlos – 18911 Tamiami Trail South; Fort Myers
  • Port Charlotte – 3035 Tamiami Trail; Port Charlotte
  • Port Charlotte, Kingsway – 912a Kings Highway; Port Charlotte
  • Largo – 1015 W. Bay Drive; largo
  • Bradenton – 5409 Manatee Ave. West; Bradenton
  • Lakewood Ranch – 2401 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.; Lakewood Ranch

More: Now you know: Ocean Decade Exhibition now in Rookery Bay, more

And: “Watts for Dinner”: Fin Bistro – Quality, variety and artistry come first

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