Viera Vision | Holiday Edition 2016 by Viera Vision

SPECIAL ISSUE

PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS

6 201

Event

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

DUDA FAMILY RECIPES

Brevard’s Oﬃcial

Granting your Christmas Wishes all season long! Visit LiteRock993.com to send us your wish.

contents special issue

PRE SIDENT

LIGHT UP VIERA

Steve Johnson EDITORIAL DIREC TOR

Lauri Duda

CHRISTMAS STARTS EARLY IN VIERA

EDITOR

Stephanie Byrd STAFF EDITOR S

Carmen Vastola, Laurie Widzgowski SENIOR WRITER S

Lyn Dowling, Stephanie Byrd, Tonya Evans, Lauri Duda DE SIGN

Christina Geiger PHOTOGR APHY

in this issue

Cathy Heinz PUBLISHER

11 BATTLE OF THE BANDS

The Viera Company ADVER TISING S ALE S

Laurie Widzgowski, Stephanie Byrd, Tonya Evans

AT LIGHT UP VIERA, FIVE BREVARD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS, KNOWN FOR THEIR QUALITY MUSIC PROGRAMS, VIE FOR DONATIONS TO THEIR PROGRAMS.

FINANCE & ADMINISTR ATION

Laurie Widzgowski, Shawn O’Keefe, Rita Holder LEG AL

Jay Decator, Ben Wilson DISTRIBUTION

Don Gust, All Service Graphics

16 PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS THE ANNUAL LIGHT UP VIERA HOLIDAY PARADE IS CURRENTLY IN FULL FINAL PREPARATION MODE. THE PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION IS A YEAR-LONG PROCESS.

20 THE AVENUE VIERA

Viera Vision is the official publication of

A PERFECT LOCATION TO SHOWCASE THE HOLIDAYS IN VIERA.

22 DUDA FARM RECIPES

Articles and advertisements printed in Viera Vision do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. The Viera Company, Viera Realty Inc., and Viera Vision assume no liability for the content and shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions.

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT LEFTOVER TURKEY RECIPE? YOU'VE FOUND IT, AND SO MUCH MORE!

VIERA DISCOVERY CENTER 7350 Shoppes Drive, Ste. 103 Viera, Florida 32940 (321) 253-2800 VIERA.com

SPECIAL ISSUE

PLANNI NG

ATIONS AND PREPAR

BATTLE

OF THE BANDS

in every issue

RECIPES DUDA FAMILY

COVER IMAGE BY CATHY HEINZ /VIERAFLORIDA

/VIERAVISION

16 20

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

UPCOMING EVENTS

Event

letter from the

Editor

he holidays are upon us and the excitement is building for the Light Up Viera holiday parade on November 26th. In this special issue we provide a close-up view of details on this year’s parade costumes along with a few photos of our wonderful marching bands. They are ready for battle and look fantastic! We included a route map and a timeline so you can have the information at your fingertips. The party will continue after the parade with Santa and Friends available for photo-ops, live music, cookie decorating and more. On page 4 we have included an

autograph area and a letter to Santa to tear out to bring to the party. It doesn’t stop on that night in Viera. This year brings new holiday events around town so take a look at the calendar on page 24 and don’t forget, you can always stop by the Viera Discovery Center for more information and/or watch our social media sites too. From all of us at The Viera Company, we wish you all the traditional enjoyment and wonderment of the holidays.

The Viera Community Institute would like to thank Everglades Farm Equipment for their fourth year of participation in the Light Up Viera Holiday parade. They have provided the team working behind-the-scenes with transportation that is extremely valuable to the staff and volunteers. As a leader in their industry, the company is very proud of their ongoing association and business relationship.

The Viera Community Institute would like to thank iHeart Media for their fourth year of participation in the Light Up Viera Holiday parade. The company has continually provided a first-class master of ceremonies element, elevating the parade atmosphere and helping the organizers create the most unique parade in Florida. We are happy and humble once again to have their media expertise with us every step of the way.

Santa and Friends “Home for the

Holidays”

AFTER THE PARADE THE FUN CONTINUES AT VIERA HIGH SCHOOL. WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER FOR BATTLE OF THE BANDS AND YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET SANTA, FROSTY AND ELF ON THE SHELF! LOCAL SPONSORS WILL HAVE TABLES AND TENTS FOR DECORATING COOKIES, MAKING HOLIDAY CRAFTS, AND FINISH THE NIGHT WITH A BOUNCE SESSION IN A HOLIDAY INFLATABLE.

: s h p a r g o t Au

! Dear Santa,

This year I have been… q very good q not so good at times. I am _____ years old and my top three Christmas wishes are: 1)___________________________________________. 2)__________________________________________. 3) __________________________________________. Here’s a picture of one of the items: Love, ____________________________ 4

2016 PARADE ROUTE

Mondavi Dr

Viera Blvd

The route will take a loop from Viera High School to

Stadium Pkwy

era

Blv

Terramore

3 Manatee Elementary

St ad iu

Grandstands Section

Tavistock D r

Parade Start & Finish:

y w Pk St John the Evangelist Catholic Community

Stoneridge

Viera High School • 6103 Stadium Pkwy.

Space Coast Stadium

Parade Route:

Breslay Dr Sta

Pkw

yD sla

dium

Viera Manor

Bre

Grandstands Section: Daintree

Fireworks Display:

Viera Blvd

Capron Trace

Veterans Way to Breslay Drive around Tavistock Drive to Viera Boulevard back to Viera High School.

ium Pkwy Stad

Publix

Viera VA Outpatient Clinic

Parking:

Veterans Way

1) Space Coast Stadium

2) Viera High School Cortona

4) Calvary Chapel

Breslay Dr

3) Golf Cart Parking Only

Parade Start/Finish

Calvary Chapel

Viera R

Viera High School

Judge Fran Jamieson Way

Tuesday, November 22 • Golf Cart Decoration Contest 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Central Park, The Avenue Viera

Thursday, November 24 • Thanksgiving Day We hope you enjoy the day with family and friends.

Saturday, November 26 • Light Up Viera Parade 5:00 PM: Find your spot to view the magical parade 6:30 PM: Light Up Viera Parade begins with a Firework Display 6:50 PM: The first band begins the Battle of the Bands Competition 8:00 PM: Voting for the Battle of the Bands ends 8 :1 5 PM: The Battle of the Bands winner will be announced during the “Home for the Holidays” celebration with Santa and friends at Viera High School

Judge Fran Jamieson Way

Lake Andrew Drive

WEEKEND TIMELINE

Vi Com Levanto

Christmas starts early in Viera.

ows of colorful, whimsical costumes hang neatly above boxes of decorations and props in what other corporate offices probably would be another office, but in this office, is dedicated to costuming space. A mural-sized photograph of a giant oak tree, illuminated to shimmer in the winter darkness, decorates – no, dominates — a wall. Other reminders of the holidays are on desks and walls. “Oh, we’ve been planning this for months and every year it gets better,” said Tonya Evans, the new event and marketing specialist for The Viera Company and also the secretary for the Viera Community Institute. “This year will be the best of all.” All this in early August. Christmas doesn’t really start early in Viera. Parade planning is a year-round process. In a planned community, the holidays always have been part of the plan, from its earliest days, when a tree was decorated

and set on a dock over a lake near some of the town’s first communities, to choirs of children singing carols before lighting a tree at the (then) busiest street corner in town, to neighbors vying with one another for the best décor. Here, on the evening of November 26, hundreds of people will march and ride with twinkling lights in the night, to greet neighbors and Light Up Viera. “Viera has sort of become holidaycentral around here, hasn’t it?” said Cathleen Carroll, a longtime resident of the area. “It has

a lot of Christmas spirit. It is where you go to shop and eat and it’s where you go to celebrate. The homes in the neighborhoods are really nicely decorated too. It kind of reminds me of when we were

of ening reds of v e e on th hund ride Here, ber 26, m h and Nove will marc ts in the h le peop inkling lig ighbors w with t to greet ne ra. , night ght Up Vie i and L

kids, how you’d go shopping, drive around to see the lights and make sure you went to the big parade.” It is a big parade too, with hundreds of participants; including five high school marching bands battling for holiday supremacy, and floats sponsored by local businesses and organizations,

each as long as 35 feet, festooned with as many as 1,000 lights (not counting spotlights) and decorations made of everything to treat the eye with holiday cheer. Some have themes – local and holiday scenes, patriotism, schoolrelated and, of course religious, this being Christmas in a town meaning “faith” – and some simply feature neighbors and visitors celebrating with neighbors and visitors.

Santa Claus comes in on his sleigh to cap the festivities, as he should. The floats are professional and can be ornate. There’s a train with wheels that rotate and a bell that rings, a “state fair” float with a merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel (lots of fairs take place in Viera, right along the parade route on Stadium Parkway) and a zoothemed display. But Light Up Viera is about what Viera is about and that is people: men, women and children

of varying diversity, and the planning starts early for them too. On a morning in August, representatives of the Viera Company, show off a few of those 87 or so children’s costumes: snowflakes, nutcrackers, cupcakes, stars, and reindeer. There are tutus for elves and crazy Christmas sweaters, all hand-made and ornamented, and the people who work with them are just

as excited about seeing them in action as the kids who will wear them. Stephanie Byrd, Viera’s marketing manager shows off some of the new “ugly sweaters” that will be introduced this year. “It becomes a family event,” Byrd says. “We have parents, children and friends all helping in various ways at various

times. The costumes are just one of the ways.” Tonya expects that “well over 35,000 lights” will flash in the big show. “A portion of these lights are on the costumes and in some cases no less than 36 feet of lights.” They laugh aloud when another crafter-seamstress shows up with an emerald green little girl’s gown made to look like a Christmas tree; an intricate piece of work that looks like it came from a professional costumer. “I’m doing 28 costumes: angels and Christmas trees,” the crafter-seamstress says, inspecting the costume and primping it as she speaks. “There are nine reindeer and I’m shooting for nine trees. Do you know it takes almost 300 to 450 yards of tulle to make each little Christmas tree? I use the equivalent of 4 ½ football fields of tulle for each dress.” This is Lauri Duda, a vice president for marketing of the Viera Company and the 8

mastermind behind the parade as well as member of the family that is the brains behind Viera. If Light Up Viera reflects anything, it is that it is by families, for families, and the plainspoken, notoriously unpretentious Duda proves it. A practiced crafter, she has worked on the costumes for months. “I could sit in an office all day or I could get up and do something,” Duda says. “I really enjoy the craft side of this event and I’m glad I can do stuff like this. I do my own decorations …we started making costumes in

July. I started doing reindeer antlers first.” Light Up Viera takes “a lot of staging,” she and Evans say in chorus, and Viera High School is used as the staging ground beginning the morning of the event. Costumes are trucked to the parking lot there and after the children arrive they are prepped with hair and makeup and dressed for the show, given last-minute instructions and led to their places. Floats are lined-up in their respective position, their drivers and others also instructed, and by late afternoon, things are pretty much ready to go. Not bad, considering this is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest days on the calendar, near one of the busiest areas in Brevard County. “This year, we want to increase participation as well as showmanship, and we want everyone to interact with the people in the parade,” Duda says, looking up from her costumes.

She grows thoughtful when expressing the holidays, and Viera’s way of celebrating them, as part of a personal outlook. “Christmastime is about family and community and I can say from the Duda family perspective, that it always has been about family and community, and faith,” she says. “I think it is important from the standpoint of our family having invested a lot in this community, and I do not mean just money. I mean other (less tangible) things that are important to us. People in Viera live on what was our land, and the community, the people, are part of

our family. So this is kind of a give-back thing.” “The holidays are about kids,” she says. “This has nothing to do with commercialism. This is about community and family at Thanksgiving.” With that, as if on cue, enters a group of kids. “I’m going to be a nutcracker, I think,” says 8-year-old Dylan Illobre. “I’m going to be lighting up Viera as a nutcracker.” Moments later, on that morning in August, Byrd, Duda, and Tonya Evans, who coordinates Light Up Viera itself (“Planning for next year begins the minute the parade ends,” she says) are back among the costumes, having merrily donned Christmas hats, when someone turns off the lights, leaving them bathed in red and green and mugging and grinning like…well, like kids. “Look at this, we’re lighting up Viera. Now!” Evans says, laughing aloud. “In our department, Christmas never ends. This is so much fun.”

Questions you hear around the holidays in Viera: How much does it cost to watch Light Up Viera?

Nothing. Think of it as a gift from the Viera Community Institute, sponsors and volunteers.

The floats look so professional. Where do they come from?

How many people are in that parade?

They look professional because they come from a float-builder from whom Viera rents them, and some have been featured in the Orange Bowl and Mardi Gras parades.

How many lights are on each float?

Where’s Viera’s Christmas tree? It used to be at the corner of Murrell and Wickham and before that, in Woodside Park. Where did it go?

Hundreds: marchers, golf cart riders, musicians, float passengers, and volunteers. The exact number is impossible to arrive at. Thousands watch, though.

Anywhere from 1,000 - 3,000 small or rope lights, plus spotlights.

What percentage of the participant must be lit up?

70% of your body must be covered in lights.

Does that train have a real whistle?

The large old oak that shimmers with light in the Wickham Road/ Lake Andrew Drive circle serves as Viera’s new tradition. The lights signify the beginning of the holiday season and the parade weekend. But if you seek a traditional tree, visit The Avenue Viera, which has a beautiful 40-footer at the main entrance to Central Park and will light on November 25.

Nope. But it has a real bell. 9

GOLF CART DECORATION CONTEST TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Registration

Parade Theme – Home for the Holidays

Location: Golf Carts Unlimited 6729 Colonnade Ave, Suite 113

Prize Levels: There are 15 levels of great prizes Grand Prize: Winning cart will lead the parade 1st Prize: Featured on parade route 2nd Prize: Featured on parade route 3rd Prize: Featured on parade route

Additional Themed Categories for Prizes: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Winter Wonderland Best Represents Brevard Home for the Holidays Sports

5) 6) 7) 8)

Superhero Holidays All Year Long Movie (Please keep G rated) Themed Character or Story

9) Best Use of Lights 10) Most Unique 11) Honorable Mention

Voting

Rules

Voting will take place on Tuesday, November 22 from 6-8 PM

- Carts must be 70% lit at a minimum in order to be seen and fit with our theme of “Light Up” Viera

in Central Park at The Avenue Viera. All entries will require a pre-registration certificate and a registration fee. The $20 per entry fee is required and all entrants must:

- Any decorations must be securely fastened, taped, etc. to the cart so no decorations or other items will fall off while driving

1) Pass all required safety rules; 2) If chosen as a winner

- No decorations can be on or around the wheels

in one of the themes/prize levels above the entrant must

- All drivers must be 18 years or older for the parade, with a valid driver’s license

drive (or have a designate) the decorated cart in the Light Up Viera Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 26; and 3) Allow for photographs and images to be used per the dated media agreement. All registration fees will be donated to a local charity.

- All drivers and riders must sign the parade waiver - Anyone riding in the cart must be in a seat and sitting at all times. Seatbelts must be worn for anyone under 18 years of age in the rear of the cart - No jumping in or out of the cart while it is moving

Carts and all drivers/riders must be at the staging area by 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 26

In 2016, the

Once upon a time, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;battle of the bandsâ&#x20AC;? was a social event in which a number of musical groups competed for the votes of the dancing public, the result of which was a donation to the winner. At Light Up Viera, five Brevard County high school marching bands, known for their quality music programs, vie for donations to their programs.

Satellite High School

marching band will be back with bells on. And lights.

The Scorpions won last year’s competition; the $1,500 donation from the Viera Company was used to purchase much needed new uniforms, a drive the school’s musicians had undertaken months before on social media and elsewhere. “The total cost for new uniforms was $53,000 and that $1,500 donation really helped; so did the $1,500 you get for being invited,” said Patrick Phillips, Satellite’s director of instrumental music. “But to participate in that parade means a lot to us because it also allows us to be seen in the community, not just (at football games). We really had a

Viera High School

Astronaut High School

Rockledge High School 13

chance to show a lot of people how well we could do.” So back the Scorps will come, to compete with bands from Astronaut, Heritage, Viera, and Rockledge high schools. “It’s not just about the money or the competition,” Phillips said. “It’s a lot of fun for the musicians. We have a separate parade program and do holiday music, which we work on about two weeks in advance.” “We light up the kids,” Phillips said with a laugh. “We pretty much give them the freedom to do what they like, which means decorating and lighting up their instruments and themselves. The great return is that the kids really enjoy it.”

Heritage High School

The Viera Community Institute would like to thank Brewer Paving and Construction for participating in the Light Up Viera Holiday parade. As a member of our distinguished business community, we appreciate all the hard work and efforts made by the company and especially their staff. Brewer Paving and Development continues to demonstrate their commitment to the community and their value to our master plan.

The Viera Community Institute would like to thank the Ron Norris Buick GMC Honda Dealership for their third year of participation in the Light Up Viera Holiday parade. They will be providing the 20 trucks that will pull the lighted floats along the parade route. The dealership has the largest selection of GMC trucks in the county and we encourage you visit them in person or on the web at RonNorris.com.

n a l P

he planning and organization is a year-long process and starts as soon as the floats find their way back to the starting point the night of the parade. The holiday parade is produced each year by a small team and they brainstorm concepts and ideas before the next calendar year begins. The introduction of costumed characters walking the parade added an element the entertainment industry describes as “showmanship”. Entertainers use their showmanship in a form of theatrics to present their personal brand in a way that highlights the best elements of their craft. We sat down with Lauri Duda, Tonya Evans, and Stephanie Byrd to find out more about the theme and costume elements in this year’s parade.

s n o i t a r a p e r

d n a ning Q

The theme this year is Up on a Roof Top: Home for the Holidays. Can you give us some details on why this theme was chosen? LAURI: Ironically it was a play on words, in the Real Estate profession we talk about rooftops and homes. The holidays are about being with family and friends celebrating the season and appreciating

the time you have with them. Light Up Viera is a celebration of our community, our families, our neighbors and the businesses that make it a community. TONYA: The Duda Family, The Viera Company and its subsidiaries are all coming together to participate. We will have generations of family members walking, waving, smiling, and showcasing their community pride. “Home for the Holidays” is a way of bringing everyone together for this annual tradition.

This year we have personally made new costumes from head to toe. We tried to make them more memorable, personal, and detailed with the materials bought from Viera Stores where possible.

What new elements or special parade features will we have this year in Light Up Viera? LAURI: For one thing we have a new float in the parade that our presenting sponsor and longtime supporter of the parade, Health First, will be showcasing this year. I am sure the crowd will love it, especially the kids. Additionally we have had our own “Santa’s” workshop in the marketing department designing costumes and making them. We are pretty pleased with how they have turned out. TONYA: I am excited for the start of the parade. We will have an honorable tribute to the men and women that serve and protect every day. The parade will begin with our Brevard County Fire Department and then be followed by the color guard and uniformed military participants. They will be showcased in their proper parade formation. It will be an opener that has not yet been seen in Brevard County.

What inspired you to choose the new costume themes this year?

LAURI: I think it comes down to giving the crowd something a little different each year and more memorable. It also allows more of our community the ability to participate and come celebrate together. STEPHANIE: In December we are looking for next year’s inspiration. I saw the crazy sweater fabric in a local store and the concept just developed from that moment on.

Were these costumes hand-made or purchased? A lot of detail can be seen from these up close. What type of details do you want the audience to take note of? How long did these take to make? LAURI: This year we have personally made new costumes from head to toe. We tried to make them more memorable, personal, and detailed with the materials bought from Viera Stores where possible. The dresses took me about 32 hours to make the headdresses and shoes about 10 hours. The Angel wings well they required quite a long time. I haven’t even thought about it because I had to literally build them from scratch. I had to develop a harness, shaping, covering them, lighting them and finally adding feathers one at a time. It took a lot of time. STEPHANIE: The sweaters have a layered process. Each one starts with a hand cut foam shell and then it builds from there. They are stitched (by hand) together because each is too large to work with by machine. The fabric is glued on and then all the other embellishments and lights are added. Each one from start to finish takes about 40 hours. The details in gluing on wiggly eyes, adding jewels and fringe takes time to attach and time to dry.

If anyone wanted to participate and wear a costume or sponsor a float, who do they contact for that? TONYA: Prospective sponsors and participants can contact me through email: Events@ Viera.com.

Do you have a theme and envision the parade getting bigger in the future? LAURI: Right now – no –I’ll start thinking about that in January after the holidays! The parade will evolve and the future will include more fun and excitement. TONYA: Bigger? Absolutely! You will see a float in this year’s parade as a preview of what is to come. As a newcomer to the company and the event this year, I wanted to take as much of the feedback in as possible. Next year is a BIG year. It will mark the 5th Annual Light Up Viera Holiday parade. The theme of the parade will change annually and it will tell a story from start to finish. We rely on collaborating with our sponsors and participants; the outcome will continue to be more spectacular year after year.

Special Thanks Thank you to our wonderful Viera community residents and partners for their gracious support of the 2016 Light Up Viera Holiday Parade. The parade continues to be successful each year because of the continued efforts made by volunteers. We want to thank you for your participation, hard work and dedication to the event. You each help us make Viera a unique and wonderful place to celebrate and be â&#x20AC;&#x153;Home For the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;?.

SPACE COAST

STADIUM

S The Avenue Viera, Yuletide Edition The Avenue Viera

Calendar of Events

Golf Cart Decorating Contest

November 22 @ 6 PM CENTRAL PARK AREA Contest participants will show off their creative side with decorated golf carts hoping to win bragging rights, a trophy and a spot in the Light Up Viera Holiday parade.

cott McCarthy, the general manager of The Avenue Viera, likes to start celebrating the holidays early. Every year during the second week in November he hangs decorations, and Santa knows there are a lot of them: snowflakes here, ornaments there, lights elsewhere. Supersized outdoor décor also begins to be erected – it takes time – and the Christmas tree goes up around November 14th. This year, McCarthy also has overseen the transformation of a retail unit into a North Pole setting, so there’s that too, plus places where people will meet and greet and be entertained. Welcome to The Avenue Viera, Yuletide edition. “The holidays are important to us and to me personally, so every year, I physically get on a ladder with members of my team to start hanging decorations,” says McCarthy. “One of the first things we do is hang the ornaments the Viera Company gave us, the big ones that used to be on their big tree. It gives us that feeling of community.” Two years ago, about a month after he arrived in Viera,

Holiday Tree Lighting

November 25 @ 6 PM BETWEEN PANERA BREAD AND MOE’S GRILL Come out and enjoy the official lighting of the largest Christmas tree in Viera.

McCarthy was stunned that the outdoor mall never previously had a Christmas tree, and though it was too late to install one that year, up went one the next: a 40-footer, professionally done, because, in McCarthy’s words, “that’s what the people deserve.” Now, installed each year between Panera and Moe’s, is a tree which Viera residents can be proud of. And then there are what can only be described as landmarks: those huge, ball-shaped ornaments at the entrance to the Avenue, the ones that look like they were intended to hang on the tree of a seasonal colossus. They are put into place in early November too, a characteristic topiary reindeer later posed atop each one. In the words of 11-year-old Jonathan Welby, a frequent visitor to the center, “I wait for them. When I see the big ornaments, I know Christmastime really is here.” The reindeer, in his top hat and formal wear, is perched in Central Park as a reminder that holiday music is played there by members of the Space Coast

Symphony Orchestra, now in a park far better illuminated and ‘garlanded’ than usual; moreover, by a professional decorator. “The Avenue Viera has always been a perfect location to showcase the holidays because it’s the center of the community,” its marketing manager, Michelle Mason, said in early August, when plans for this year’s Yule look and feel were just about complete. “This is where people come and our team really wants to enhance the holiday feeling.” It’s part of the preparation for the community-wide holiday event too: golf carts, ubiquitous here, will have been decorated and rated – this year, November 22nd – and the winner of the contest will lead the merry contingent of similar vehicles

Choral Performances

North Pole

Month of December CENTRAL PARK Local schools, charities, churches and groups will be caroling at The Avenue Viera. Please check the website for details, dates and times. AvenueViera.com/events

“ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DO IS HANG THE ORNAMENTS THE VIERA COMPANY GAVE US, THE BIG ONES THAT USED TO BE ON THEIR BIG TREE. IT GIVES US THAT FEELING OF COMMUNITY.” — Scott McCarthy November 26th in the Light Up Viera holiday parade. Pizza Gallery & Grill is an original, 11-year tenant of The Avenue Viera and its owner, Chris Conneen, has seen it all. “Oh my goodness, it is so much better than it

Weekends in December NEAR THE BELK DEPARTMENT STORE Santa is ready to listen to your wishes and favorite holiday tradition. A snowy white setting has been created to showcase the beauty of Santa’s home.

ever has been,” he says. “It gets better every year and this is the best year yet.” Thus, Black Friday (November 25) will go festive at 6 p.m. to the tune of the Space Coast Symphony Quartet Movement, a children’s orchestra which now has its own place at The Avenue Viera. The former Stride-Rite store near Belk, transformed into the North Pole and kid-friendly to the last snowflake, will accept Christmas wishes Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting December 3rd, the day after Kris Kringle and wife make their grand entrance on December 2nd. Otherwise, there will be caroling by various musical groups, the return of symphony musicians from time to time, and other activities. It will not end December 25th either, for two days after Christmas, the menorah will be lit to signify the opening of Judaism’s Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. “It is busy, fun, festive and diverse. What more could you want?” Conneen asked. “This is really cool, great stuff. I love the holidays here.”

Menorah Lighting

December 27 @ 5 PM CENTRAL PARK The ceremonial event will include the lighting of the Menorah and the reciting of the three blessings. For the complete holiday calendar, go to AvenueViera.com/events

Duda Farm Fresh Recipes

Celery, Fig & Gorgonzola Salad ingredients 1

1 1 2 2

bunch Dandy® celery, trimmed and thinly sliced lb ripe black mission fig, quartered lb Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled Tb honey Tb extra-virgin olive oil Juice of 1 lemon Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

directions

1. Place celery in a large bowl with enough ice water to cover. Transfer bowl to refrigerator and let soak overnight. 2. Drain celery and place in a colander set over a large bowl in the refrigerator, let drain at least 2 hours.

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie ingredients 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 2 ¼ 2 1

pie crust stick butter C finely diced onion C finely diced carrot C finely diced Dandy® celery C leftover turkey, diced or shredded C flour C chicken or turkey broth Splash of white wine (optional) C heavy cream Fresh thyme, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Melt butter in a skillet or dutch oven. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until translucent. 3. Add turkey, stir. Add flour and cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken or turkey broth, splash of wine, and then cream, stirring constantly. 4. Bring to a slow boil and allow to thicken. Add salt, pepper, and thyme. Pour into a casserole dish or deep pie pan. 5. Roll out crust. Place on top of the pot pie mixture and press into the sides of the dish. Cut vents in the top of the crust. 6. Bake for 30 minutes or until very golden and bubbly. Allow to cool before serving.

3. Combine gorgonzola, honey, olive oil, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add celery and fig, toss, and divide evenly among four plates.

Clementine Upside Down Cake with Orange Sour Cream Caramel topping ingredients 8

Citrine® clementines: 5 zested, peeled, pits removed with zest reserved; 3 juiced ¼ C salted butter, melted ½ C light brown sugar, packed 2 Tb heavy cream

cake ingredients ½ ½ 2 1½ 2 2 ¾ ½ 1 2

C sour cream C Citrine® clementine juice – freshly squeezed tsp vanilla extract tsp orange extract C all-purpose flour tsp baking powder tsp kosher salt C salted butter, softened C granulated sugar large eggs

salted orange sour cream caramel ingredients 1 6 6 1½ ¾

C granulated sugar Tb salted butter, cut in to small cubes Tb sour cream tsp orange extract tsp kosher salt

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch cake pan with cooking spray. 2. In a small bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and cream. Pour into bottom of pan. Arrange clementine segments in circles over this mixture, covering the bottom of the pan. 3. In another small bowl, whisk sour cream, clementine juice, vanilla, and orange extracts. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, whisk to combine and set aside. With a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and clementine zest and beat until well combined. Alternately beat in flour mixture and sour cream/juice mixture on low speed until just combined. 4. Gently spoon batter over clementine segments and spread to cover. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.

5. To make the sauce, pour sugar into a large skillet. Over medium heat, whisk until it begins to crystallize then melt to a deep amber color, stirring continuously. Reduce heat to low and stir until all is melted. Stirring constantly, remove pan from heat, add cubed butter, sour cream, orange extract, and salt. Continue to stir until a cohesive sauce forms. Set aside until ready to serve. If sauce cools, simply reheat and stir occasionally until liquified. 6. Cool cake in pan for 30 minutes. If top of cake is domed, slice off domed portion with a sharp knife. 7. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen and invert onto serving platter. Slice, drizzle with orange sour cream caramel, top with sweetened whipped cream and serve.

upcoming

Events NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY

NOV 26

4th Annual Light Up Viera Holiday Parade Veterans Way/Viera Blvd/ Stadium Pkwy

FUN FOR ALL

Holiday Tree Lighting DATE: November 25th LOCATION: The Avenue Viera

Space Coast Lightfest

DATE: November 20th through January 1st, 2017 LOCATION: Wickham Park

Menorah Lighting

DATE: December 27th LOCATION: The Avenue Viera

UNIQUE FINDS

Light Up Viera Golf Cart Decoration Contest DATE: November 22nd LOCATION: The Avenue Viera

Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach DATE: December 24th LOCATION: Cocoa Beach

NOV 18

EXPO

DEC 5

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (suggested audience Grades 1 – 5)

DATE: November 18th LOCATION: The Avenue Viera

MUSICAL DATE NIGHT Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis DATE: November 20th LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts

DATE: Weekends in December (December 3rd - December 18th) LOCATION: The Avenue Viera

HOLIDAY MUSICALS

ACTIVE EVENTS

DATE: December 3rd LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts

DATE: November 24th LOCATION: Suntree Country Club

Brevard Community Chorus “Tidings of Joy: A Baroque Christmas”

Kenny G Live

DATE: November 29th LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts

The Five Irish Tenors

DATE: January 18, 2017 LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts NOV 20

North Pole

The Nutcracker

DATE: December 10th LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts

Galmont Ballet’s Nutcracker 2016 DATE: December 16th – December 18th LOCATION: Cocoa Village Playhouse

A Christmas Carol

DATE: December 17th LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts

CMY

DATE: December 5th LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts

Boomer Bash & Senior Expo

KID FRIENDLY

Suntree Turkeytrot 5k & 10k Fun Run 45th Annual Space Coast Marathon & Half-Marathon DATE: November 27th LOCATION: Cocoa Riverfront Park

Christmas Fit-Mas 3k DATE: December 11th LOCATION: Viera Regional Park

Fight Child Hunger 5k DATE: January 14, 2017 LOCATION: Health First Viera

Christmas Fit-Mas 3K To Benefit Suntree Viera Youth Athletics & HOSPITALITY LIFE

si tmas Fit-

suntree viera youth football

Mas 3K

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Sunday, December 11th at Viera Regional Park

Online Registration at RunningZone.com www.runsignup.com/Race/FL/Melbourne/ChristmasFitMas3K

Adult 3k Run/Walk $30 Child 3k Run/Walk $15

4:30-5:30 pm

(In front of The Viera Community Center)

6-7pm

Start of the Race!

7-8:30 pm

Family Fun Celebration!

Fun Holiday Race Packets Best Santa Costume Contest Free Little Elf Fun Run for all Kids

Presented By

Christmas Fit-Mas Awards Ceremony Moisture wicking Race T-Shirts For all Participants After Race Food and Drink by Pizza Gallery & Grill Great Random Give Aways and Prizes! 25