By Tommy Vincent
Herald Staff
Members of the Sanford Police Department, including officers and volunteers, serve the annual Thanksgiving dinner to residents at Redding Gardens in Sanford just before the holiday. Residents were able to enjoy barbecued chicken and all the fixings. Commissioner Art Woodruff and his son, Chellee Taylor, Officers Mike Timpano and De’Anthony Shamar and Barbara Foley were among the servers.
Local authors to sign books at Alive After 5
SANFORD — Two award-winning authors who write respectively about the past, and the present of nature, people and places in Florida will sign their books and be available to chat during Sanford’s “Alive After Five” holiday celebration on Thursday, Dec.13.
The signings will be at Maya Books & Music, 205-A E. First St. in downtown Sanford from 5 to 9 p.m.
The authors are Bill Belleville, who specializes in creative nonfiction and writes about conservation, nature and “sense of place” and Frederic Hitt, who writes historic fiction about the Native Americans who once lived in east Florida.
Both authors have been honored with awards for their work.
Hitt received the “Patrick D. Smith Award for Best Fiction, 2006” for his first novel “Wekiva Winter.” His newly released second novel, a sequel, is “Beyond the River of the Sun.”
Hitt, an attorney and former trial judge in Central Florida, writes of the challenges 17th century Indians faced as they struggled to survive in the face of Spanish conquest along the St. Johns River of Florida.
Belleville, who is also a documentary filmmaker, most recently wrote “Losing It All to Sprawl,” honored as one of the “Best Books of 2006” by the national Library Journal.
He won a Emmy for a documentary on the Wekiva River, and was recently honored with the 1000 Friends of Florida’s “Al Burt Award” for excellence in writing that brings timely growth-related issues to the attention of Floridians.
He has also co-produced and scripted “In Marjorie’s Wake: Rediscovering Rawlings, a River and Time” for release on national PBS stations early in 2008. Best-selling author Carl Hiaasen has written: “Bill Belleville writes gorgeously and straight from the heart.”
Hitt will sign copies of “Wekiva Winter” and “Beyond the River of the Sun.” Belleville will sign “Losing it All to Sprawl” and “River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida’s St. Johns River.”
A CD of original music written and performed by Jennifer Chase and inspired by her on-camera involvement in the “In Marjorie’s Wake” film will also be on sale.
Hitt will be joined by his wife, Linda Silsby Hitt, a wildlife artist who illustrated the covers of both of his books. The Hitts live on the St. Johns River in DeBary, which the Timucua knew as the “River of the Sun.” Belleville lives in Sanford.
For more information, check out www. Marehootie.com and www.BillBelleville.com.
For more about the event, contact Yvette Comeau at Maya Books & Music, 205-A E. First Street, Sanford, FL 32771, call 407-321-6504 or email mayabooks@earthlink.net.
Eco-cocktails featured at Little Fish
SANFORD — Little Fish Huge Pond will host “Green Martini Night,” a benefit for the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District on Dec. 7.
With a $7 donation comes a free green martini, which earns its name because of the environmentally-friendly ingredient it is made with: 360 Vodka. The vodka itself is produced normally, however it is packaged with 85 percent recycled glass, according to a press release.
There will be live blues music by the Kaleigh Baker Quintet and hors d’oeuvres, but the main event is the charity silent auction.
The auction features many potential gifts for the holiday season, including paintings and photographs from local artists, as well as packages for sailing and kayaking, rock climbing passes, acupuncture and more.
Proceeds will benefit district, an organization that increases awareness for environmental protection and conservation in Seminole County. The state-mandated agency works with the Florida Department of Agriculture and the National Resources Conservation Service to promote sustainability and the efficient use of land and water.
Little Fish Big Pond is located at 512 Sanford Ave. This evening will begin at 7 p.m. Call 321-422-8292.
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LUNCH MENU
Monday3
Gianni’s Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza
California Vegetable Blend
Asst. Fruit/Fresh Baby Carrots
Choice of Milk
Tuesday 4
Macaroni and Cheese—with or without Ham
Green Beans
Asst. Fruit/Fresh Baby Carrots
Choice of Milk
Wednesday 5
Loaded Nachos
Mexican Rice
Asst. Fruit/Fresh Baby Carrots
Choice of Milk
Thursday 6
Turkey & Cheese Wrap
Campbell’s Tomato Soup
Asst. Fruit/Fresh Baby Carrots
Choice of Milk
Friday 7
Hamburger/Cheeseburger w/ Lettuce & Tomato
Potato Wedges
Asst. Fruit/Fresh Baby Carrots
Choice of Milk
POLICE BLOTTER
Domestic Violence
• Herminio Diaz, 52, of Oak Avenue, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 23 for charges of domestic battery. He and his girlfriend were walking back from the store at 3rd Street and French Avenue and he began punching her in the face and yelling at her.
• Charity Scott, 25, of Elm Avenue, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 22 for charges of domestic battery. She was arguing with her husband, and she hit him. Officers noted lacerations on his left arm.
Burglary and Larceny
• Thomas William Strickland, 42, of Talley Lane, Tallahassee, was arrested by Sanford police for charges of petty larceny. He was caught putting a bottle of beer into his jacket at a B.P. station on French Avenue.
• Peter Bertram Jr., 45, of East 29th Street, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 22 for charges of unarmed burglary, larceny of a coin operated machine, and damaging property. Bertram was seen outside a building on South Sanford Avenue trying to break open a cash/coin machine.
• William Brian Ervin, 24, and Gloria Annette Holden, 40, of Hill Road, Orlando, were arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 23 for charges of burglary, and petty larceny. Ervin was also charged with assault with intent to commit a felony, battery on an officer, fleeing police officers, and driving with a suspended license. The victim’s truck’s rear passenger window was shattered and two purses had been stolen out of the vehicle. Other officers had pulled Ervin and Holden and had seen the two purses in their vehicle. Ervin had an active warrant out of Lake County and had a suspended; he attempted to flee during his arrest and punched an officer in the face. He was unable to get away.
Drug Possession
• Kelly R. Wilmot, 38, of Pelham Circle, Deltona, was arrested by Sanford police for charges of two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of narcotic paraphernalia and driving under the influence. The officer pulled him over after he was reported in a 911 call as being possibly intoxicated, and was witnessed swerving between lanes eratically. He struck a curb when pulled over, and could not pass any sobriety exercises. Officers then found 15 oxycodone and nine Xanax in his car, along with a razor and straw used to snort them.
• Timothy Allen Hardy, 21, of Bay Avenue, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on charges of possession of drugs with the intent to sell. Hardy was pulled over for a noise violation, and the officer noticed several small white rocks on his floor board. The substance tested positive for crack cocaine.
Disorderly Intoxication
• James Perry, a 58-year-old homeless man, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 22 for charges of disorderly intoxication. He was standing in a resident’s driveway on South Holly Avenue and cursing at their dogs, who were barking at him. The arresting officer has dealt with Perry before and also smelled alcohol on his breath. When the officer explained that Perry could not trespass on private property, Perry told the officer to “f*** off.”
• Crystal Jean Tripi, 27, of West Airport Boulevard, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 22 for charges of disorderly intoxication and damaging property. Tripi was intoxicated and banging on a woman’s door, threatening to beat her up and kill her. Tripi then walked downstairs and kicked and dented a vehicle. She also screamed obscenities at the officer, but on the ride to jail stated that she was sorry and understood she was taking responsibility for her actions.
Trespassing and Loitering
• Ryan James LaRose, 21, of Exter Court, Sanford, and Nicholas Ryan Roy, 21, of Lake Avenue, Sanford, as well as a minor whose name cannot be listed, were arrested at 51 Downing St. by Sanford police for charges of trespassing. They had gotten into a display model trailer through an unlocked door and had a case of beer with them.
• Shawn S. Burge, 19, of Wilkins Circle, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 25 for charges of loitering. Residents of Highlawn Avenue called the police about a man who had been knocking on everyone’s door. When the officer arrived, he recognized Burge from a previous incident of him being a suspicious person. Burge could not give specific information about why he was in the area.
Traffic Stops
• Jacoby Byrd, 21, of Mitch Court, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police on Nov. 21 for charges of driving without a license. He was pulled over for having a possible illegal window tint, and upon checking his records the officer found that he did not have a license. He was also issued a ticket for having illegal window tint.
* Adam James Foxman, 22, of South Park Avenue, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police for charges of driving with a suspended license. He was pulled over because an officer randomly checked his license plate and found his registration was expired and his license had been suspended for unpaid traffic fines.
Keilah I. Williams, 23, of Rosecliff Circle, Sanford, was arrested by Sanford police for charges of illegal possession of a weapon and driving with a suspended license. Williams was seen near a shooting and was stopped for questioning. She had a sawn-off shotgun in the driver’s seat of the vehicle she had exited, and upon a check of her records officers found her license was suspended. The vehicle she was driving was not hers.
OUT & ABOUT
Sunday, December 2
The Central Deanery North Council of Catholic Women will host a shop till you drop event at SteinMart, 995 N. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $10 at 407-322-3795 or 407-323-0468.
Monday, December 3
First Shiloh M.B. Church will be holding a Revival until Wednesday each night at 7 p.m. Dr. Stephen J. Thurston of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago will be a guest evangelist.
Seminole Community College will hold a free winter holiday instrumental band concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Fine Arts Concert Hall (building G) featuring holiday favorites and new classics by the SCC symphonic band. Call 407-708-2040.
Florida Orienteering will be holding their monthly map-reading/hiking event at Kelly Park, located off State Road 435. Starting times for different groups are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a map fee of $6 per group.
Thursday, December 6
Breakfast of Champions Community Appreciation Event 7:30 to 9 a.m. Orlando Marriott-Lake Mary, 1501 International Pkwy., Lake Mary. Admission: bring a new, unwrapped gift for a Seminole County child to be distributed through Harvest Time International. Call 407-333-4748.
Friday, December 7
All Seminole County public libraries will be closed today for a professional development day. Staff will attend an eight-hour training session. Library records can be accessed on the Internet at www.seminolecountyfl.gov/library. Branches will open Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9 a.m.
Central Florida Dream Center will be holding its first annual charity golf classic and silent auction at Magnolia Plantation Golf Club at 600 Shadowmoss Cir., Lake Mary from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event will feature Trick Shot Golfer Brad Denton and sponsors programs with local law enforcement agencies and other organizations in mentoring male youths. To register for the event, call 407-302-0880.
Bethlehem Live, an outdoor recreation of Bethlehem, will be held this weekend at Trinity Assembly of God from 6 to 9 p.m. each day. The church is located at 875 Elkcam Blvd., Deltona. This event is free.
“Be Not Afraid,” a Christmas musical, will be presented by the Celebration Choir and Drama Group at First Baptist Church of Sanford. It begins at 7 p.m. and entry is free. There will be another showing Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church will present “From Everywhere to Bethlehem,” an outdoor walk-through of the Christmas story from Dec. 7 to 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. No cost. Call 407-365-3408.
THE SANFORD HERALD
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