Viera Vision | Light Up Viera Holiday Issue

SPECIAL ISSUE

2017 LIGHT UP VIERA EVENT

I

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

Steve Johnson EDITORIAL DIREC TOR

Lauri Duda EDITOR

Stephanie Byrd STAFF EDITOR S

Carmen Vastola, Laurie Widzgowski, Nina Salvaggio, Todd Pokrywa, Ben Wilson, Scott Miller

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SENIOR WRITER S

Lyn Dowling, Stephanie Byrd DE SIGN

Christina Geiger PHOTOGR APHY

LIGHT UP VIERA

FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM PAST PARADES AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR'S EXTRAVAGANZA!

Cathy Heinz, Stephanie Byrd, Carmen Vastola PUBLISHER

The Viera Company ADVERTISING S ALE S

Lauri Duda, Stephanie Byrd FINANCE & ADMINISTR ATION

Laurie Widzgowski, Shawn O’Keefe, Jennifer Swan LEG AL

Jay Decator, Ben Wilson DISTRIBUTION

Don Gust, All Service Graphics

13 PARADE ROUTE

©2017. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission from the publishers.

VIERA DISCOVERY CENTER 2261 Town Center Ave. #105 The Avenue Viera Viera, Florida 32940 VIERA.com

/VIERAVISION #EXPLOREVIERA

16 ROCKIN’ THAT BEAT

SATELLITE BEACH HIGH SCHOOL, ROCKLEDGE HIGH SCHOOL AND VIERA HIGH SCHOOL TO PERFORM AT THIS YEAR'S LIGHT UP VIERA.

18 TWO BEHIND THE

SCENES STANDOUTS

MERRIMENT

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.

/VIERAFLORIDA

AND SANTA LETTER

14 PRE-PARADE

Viera Vision is the official publication of

(321) 253-2800

12 PARADE TIMELINE

LIGHT UP VIERA IS AN EVOLVING ANNUAL PARADE AND THIS YEAR, SPECTATORS WILL SEE MORE THAN THEY EVER HAVE IN PREPARADE MERRIMENT.

15 THANK YOU FOR THE 5-YEAR JOURNEY

TWO GENEROUS SUPPORTERS WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS EVERY YEAR ARE INVALUABLE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PARADE.

20 DUDA FARM RECIPES WE HAVE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APPETIZER RECIPES. SPECIAL ISSUE

2017 LIGHT UP VIERA EVENT

I

DUDA FAMILY RECIPES

THE PARADE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE DONATIONS OF TIME AND MONEY FROM GENEROUS COMPANIES EACH YEAR.

in every issue 02

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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SNAPSHOTS AROUND TOWN

Cover photo by Cathy Heinz Cover compilation by Christina Geiger

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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DEVELOPER LETTER

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r e t lfer t e h t om

Editor

G

rab your chair, blanket, and flashlight and meet us on the route (page 13) on November 25th at 6:00 P.M for the 5th Annual Light Up Viera holiday parade. We are busy elves getting ready for the big night.

I asked our parade staff to give me a few of their favorite memories about the event so I hope you enjoy the visual trip down memory lane in the pages to follow. It was not easy narrowing down the moments in time that represent all the fun we have had over the years with a baby camel, a live pop orchestra and chorus concert, Christmas balloon trees, an ice rink, Battle of the Bands contests, hand-made holiday costumes, and large-scale firework shows. This year we are adding more pre-parade festivities and fun until the big moment arrives.

As our parade has grown in size and complexity we are tasked as a team to bring you the best we can offer and we most sincerely thank those who have been with us as sponsors and volunteers in the past, present, and future parades in Viera.

There is a wide range of holiday events to attend over the next six weeks but most of all we hope you enjoy the time spent with family and friends this holiday season. From our family to yours, may the merriment and child-like wonder make your holiday season magical!

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FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM PAST PARADES AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR'S EXTRAVAGANZA! 3

The

2013

1st Year

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2013,

STAFF MEMORY

The baby camel just stole the show. As the nativity float passed you could hear the crowd say ‘Awww’ from about 12 feet away so by the time the camels passed us we knew exactly what the noise was about.

– Stephanie Byrd 4

the Light Up Viera holiday parade was the first of its kind in Brevard County. The 24 professionally decorated lighted floats, two marching bands, and six walking units began their 31/2 mile journey west down Judge Fran Jamieson Way and then began to follow the now current established route. What was also unique about an already unique event? The appearance of three camels (two adult camels with a young baby calf) on the parade route. The crowd wore Holoplex glasses to transform the parade lights into dancing reindeer and smiling Santas, guest MC Mindy Levy from Lite Rock Radio at 99.3 FM announced the parade participants, and the community enjoyed a pop concert by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra with singers from the Calvary Chapel Church choir. The event was envisioned

by Lauri Duda, vice president of the Viera Community Institute, to reflect the “commitment by The Viera Company to create a vibrant community” and support their mission and vision for the Viera community.

The

2014

2nd Year

ON NOVEMBER 29, 2014,

the Light Up Viera holiday parade was ready for year two. The route was shortened and the starting point of the parade was now Breslay Drive. It moved north to Tavistock Drive then east on Viera Blvd. and finally south on Stadium Parkway. The 24 professionally decorated floats, Holoplex glasses, and marching bands were a mainstay of the parade viewing experience.

The community was then encouraged to attend the Light Up Viera Winter Festival a week before and then a few weeks after the parade. The world’s largest bounce house, an outdoor ice skating rink, and a 31-foot tall Snowzilla® Slide were the headliners of the festival. It takes an army of volunteers to create these special moments and Calvary Chapel provided 550 committed individuals who supported the endeavor. Event volunteers and sponsors are essential to any event in Viera and they worked tirelessly to showcase the best of their talents and the community.

STAFF MEMORY

As if camels strolling the streets at the previous years’ parade weren’t enough, we decided this 2nd year to erect a Holiday Village with giant bounce houses, an inflatable snow globe, and a giant ice skating rink, in addition to the parade of decorated floats. I can still picture the smiling faces of children sitting on the curbs eagerly awaiting the parade of lights!

– Carmen Vastola

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The

2015

3rd Year

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2015, the Light Up Viera

STAFF MEMORY

My first year with The Viera Company AND first year working directly with the parade. From attaching balloons to the balloon trees to handing out costumes to the many groups that volunteer and sponsor the parade, it was an exciting time. The anticipation and excitement felt from everyone was contagious. The lights and fanfare throughout each component of the parade was brighter than ever.

– Laurie Widzgowski 6

holiday parade was ready for year three. The success each year was evident in the sponsorships, volunteers, participants, and a growing fan base. The time had come to add some new elements to the parade and provide a new level of showmanship beyond the professional floats and walking units. Holiday costumed characters were added and the official Battle of the Bands made its first appearance.

The local schools performing in the parade were given funds to participate so marching would not be a burden on their school’s funds.

Transportation, meals, and uniform cleaning expenses were all covered

by The Viera Company. The unique portions of the parade experience would be “the battle of the bands” and the “golf cart decoration contest”. Marching Bands were asked to stop and perform by the MC booth with a panel of judges.

Top prize for the wining band would be a matched amount equal to the original funding. Satellite High School won the battle and accepted their trophy at Space Coast Stadium. Viera also saw the first Golf Cart Decoration Contest as the fully festooned and lighted carts drove past waving fans. Winners included a decorated cart themed Winter Wonderland. To finish the night, parade-goers were once again invited back to Space Coast Stadium to view a 10-minute holiday firework show.

The

2016

4th Year

ON NOVEMBER 26, 2016, the Light Up Viera holiday

STAFF MEMORY

My staff and I created additional unique costume elements that haven't been seen anywhere else and can’t be purchased anywhere. These one-of-a-kind costumes keep the wholesome and professional touch we strive to bring to the community.

– Lauri Duda

parade was ready for year four. The participation commitment from local organizations grew as the parade viewers along the route now doubled in size. An estimated crowd of 18,000 attended including the participants and volunteers. Santa’s Holiday Village was added, featuring a small carnival of games, crafts and bounce houses just prior to the start of the parade at Viera High School. Before the first step was made, the night sky came alive as a 10-minute firework show ushered in the start of the holiday season.

Food vendors along the route gave families an opportunity to purchase a quick meal and additional walking units were added. Several new decorated floats were added, including a 35-foot Santa Train, but the most unique items came with a personal mission to provide a type of holiday wonderment seen through a child’s eyes. Lauri Duda and her staff created additional costumes to showcase in the parade. Walking Christmas Trees, glowing angels, larger-than-life holiday sweaters, and nine adorable reindeer danced and pranced their way along the 2.7 mile route through the streets of Viera. Ms. Duda used enough costume tulle to stretch the length of 41/2 football fields to make each dress. “We want everyone to interact with people in the parade,” said Lauri Duda, vice president of The Viera Community Institute. “The holidays are about kids and family and this parade is about community spirit and family togetherness at Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

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The

2017

5th Year

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE

CHRISTMAS

WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS PLANNING FOR THEIR EASTER FESTIVITIES BACK IN APRIL, LAURI DUDA, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE VIERA COMMUNITY INSTITUTE, WAS ALREADY SKETCHING OUT HER FLOAT PLANS FOR THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIGHT UP VIERA HOLIDAY PARADE.

“This year I’m creating a float design theme with “winter wonderland toys”. I’ve been inspired by the classic wooden toys I purchased the kids when they were young. Wooden toys are just classic and timeless. There is a big difference between when my kids were little at home and now as adults at Christmas time.

Adult presents become about their needs versus the “fun” gifts in a child’s life. The nostalgic toys and games are different from the “old fashioned” Christmas pieces. I hope to bring out these classic toys for the grandkids one day.”

The Viera Community Institute has created Light Up Viera, the most colorful and ambitious community

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holiday program in East Central Florida, and when it steps off as always, at 6 p.m. the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 25) near Viera High School, it will have more of everything that has made it famous and then some.

It is first and foremost a nighttime parade in the vicinity of Stadium Parkway, of course, with hundreds of people in dozens of marching units, some in what now is tradition for the event, brightly illuminated costumes, with themed, holiday-lit floats, golf carts, and music from local high school bands.

For thousands of Viera residents and others – the event is now so well-established and popular that mention of it is found on tourism-related websites – they work early to find a viewing location well in advance. Some bring mini-tents and some seek golf cart

STAFF READY FOR THE BIG DAY

parking spaces for tailgating by 9 a.m. that day.

Christmas is important to the family that developed the town and its celebration is part of the town’s character.

But Light Up Viera doesn’t simply mean a long walk and a wave to the neighbors; this is an event. “It will begin with eight minutes of larger-than-life fireworks,” said Tonya Evans, Secretary of the Viera Community Institute and Event Coordinator at The Viera Company. There will be caroling by members of the GFWC Viera Woman’s Club along the parade route, and as stationary entertainers entertain, floats roll, participants stride, food will be sold by vendors throughout the route. And it will end as Christmas parades always end, with Santa Claus atop his sleigh with his trusted nine reindeer leading the way.

“Light Up Viera is more than a parade,” Evans says. “It’s our annual, 2.7-mile holiday street party.”

That’s fine with Duda, the wife, soccer mom and crafts whiz. Hers is the family that started all this, still can be drawn into calling it “the Cocoa Ranch” and sees that it continues as it should, and that includes Christmas.

It goes deeper than the holiday.

“We’ve established a community here that has a natural history; that is to say, that is founded on family land,” Duda says, stressing “family.” “We basically had a ranching operation and now we also have a community, but that doesn’t

“Light Up Viera is more than a parade, it’s our annual, 2.7-mile holiday street party.” – Tonya Evans, Secretary of the Viera

Community Institute and Events and Marketing Specialist at The Viera Company

The parade was created for the wonder and awe of our kids as this is where the innocence is. Even as we add more elements we try to keep this innocence and the holiday spiritual faith within the season. The expectation is never about being flashy or over the top, or just for entertainment, because we are also building a community.

– Lauri Duda

This 5th year is going to be amazing! Planning began, as it always does, months before, and the components of the parade are starting to come together. The marketing and event offices are a festival of holiday trimmings, costumes, and lights, where it is truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I am grateful to be a small part of the planning and can’t wait to see how it all turns out!

– Carmen Vastola

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THE

OAK TREE

It’s a figure we see and drive past at the circle where Wickham Road and Lake Andrew Drive meet, for many of us, numerous times a day.

This majestic 50-foot oak symbolic to Viera is lit each year with beautiful sparkling lights for the holiday season. A symbol of Christmas as you have entered into Viera, saying ‘Welcome’.

“We officially light that tree the moment the parade starts,” said Lauri Duda, vice president for the Viera Community Institute. “We hope residents take that as a sign to light up their houses too.”

Draped with shimmering lights each holiday “We officially season, “the tree” didn’t just happen to be light that tree where the traffic circle is, but was hand-picked the moment from the Duda Ranch as symbolic of it and the new community. the parade Fifty feet tall, with a canopy of 80 feet, it was starts.

We hope estimated to have been 50 to 100 years old in residents take 2002, when it was moved from the ranch to the that as a sign roundabout inch by inch, literally, by professionals from South Florida under careful supervision of to light up their the ranchers. houses too.”

A few years after the transplant was confirmed to thrive in its new location, Viera officials thought it would be ideal for an understated but striking holiday display: blue-white “cascading” or “rainfall” lights, and the result is a Yuletide attraction in its own right. Holiday visitors have been known to go ‘round and ‘round the circle to admire the magnificence of the glow.

“I love it when we go see the big tree because it’s not like anything else around,” 13-year-old Jonathan Welby of Cocoa said. “It’s Christmassy but it’s not loud or crazy and it’s not a Christmas tree, exactly. It’s really unusual.”

Landmark as it is, The Tree may gain yet more symbolism and may even be seen on logos of the sort that would go on the shirts, caps and business cards of the future. “That tree symbolizes our community, with really deep roots and a wide embrace,” Duda said. “It’s part of our history, part of the land. That tree says Viera.”

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mean we’ve forgotten our roots as developers. We’re committed to the community, and you build a sense of community through involvement and investment in it.”

Thus, the Viera Community Institute, the nonprofit organization under which events such as the parade are organized, which she calls “a way for us to establish the foundation for the future” before the highly articulate Duda goes fully philosophical.

Development isn’t about houses any more than Christmas is about sales.

“Through the traditions we establish for the community, we provide something (for residents) to embrace and be proud of,” she says. “This parade is near to my heart because these are the things that truly make you a community; something I really feel helps you create that soul in your community.”

What, she asks, has more soul than Christmas?

“Christmas is important to me,” she says. “I’ve always loved Christmas because it is geared toward children, with all that wonder and awe.” And so from Santa’s bag she pulled Light Up Viera, always intended to be a participatory rather than strictly spectator event. The people in the parade are residents, many have walked each year as participants, volunteered to help with logistics, or sponsor a float or special element.

“We look at what we have between the floats (marching groups) and we think of how we can make that more performance-based, with community groups and bands,” Duda says. “This is the more animated portion of the parade.”

This being a moving pageant, it requires props and costumes aplenty, yet the point of Light Up Viera is not to be slick, but to be homey. So, as always, the Vice President of The Viera Community Institute mends and sews as needed. “Oh, I’ve got some things to repair,” she says happily. “I’ve

been making props and renovating some of the existing ones.”

Duda laughs aloud about what really is not an early start, considering the magnitude of the job ahead. The planning stages actually start each January, when an after-action report of sorts is done about the previous event.

Things begin again in earnest each April with designs; you learn how to pace yourself after five years of this. “By July, I’d better be rocking and rolling,” Duda says, and segues into a discussion of where great craft materials (the better to build props) and durable strands of wearable Christmas lights

Judith Markey of Merritt Island, who has attended Light Up Viera in past years.

“This is the one thing around here that really is for and by families and that’s what makes it so much fun.”

Such sentiments bring smiles to the faces of those who work for so long to put it together.

“I love Christmas,” Duda says, taking a little time from the inspecting and sewing. “I genuinely enjoy Christmastime, and I love the parade and watching people get together for the parade. I love watching them tailgate.

I love watching the faces of the kids. I love Christmas.”

2017 PARADE

(the better to brighten the costume of an angel) may be found.

That she does it herself makes it a little more personal, a little more… family, and that’s why it draws so many families to watch. “I’ll go again,” said

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

6 P.M. THE SATURDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING (NOV. 25)

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PRE-PARADE

MERRIMENT LIGHT UP VIERA IS AN EVOLVING ANNUAL PARADE AND THIS YEAR, SPECTATORS WILL SEE MORE THAN THEY EVER HAVE IN PRE-PARADE MERRIMENT.

Count on more music and entertainment, and this year the parade will include caroling by members of the GFWC Viera Woman’s Club, who also will sing ‘God Bless America” as the military-themed float passes Veterans Way, near the VA Clinic.

The parade also will have unique, holiday-themed entertainment of various sorts along the parade route, including: • A display of “Christmas Fairies,” by Kimberly Novak Design, which decorates the “Fairy Forest” at the annual Brevard Renaissance Fair • A contingent of “Star Wars” characters

• Reenactors of life (and Christmas) in the Middle Ages who participate in the Brevard Renaissance Fair • Agents of Mirth, the furry, funny, kid-entertaining nonprofit Cosplay group The fireworks show at the Viera Regional Park, which signals the start of the parade, will be a grand one, with a booming, multi-minute salute to the holidays.

And while Light Up Viera has developed into something of a tailgate party, food trucks will be on hand with comestibles, to enjoy as the floats pass in front of you.

One more thing: Knowing that thousands of people could converge on the area, organizers of Light Up Viera have arranged for extra portable restroom facilities and trash receptacles to be placed in the area, discreetly, of course.

For more info go to VieraCommunityInstitute.com.

BY THE NUMBERS NUMBER OF PEOPLE cheerleaders, others may join.

IN THE PARADE: Hundreds. The number BANDS: Three. varies each year.

MARCHING UNITS:

De Laura Middle School choral group, Edgewood Junior/Senior High School cheer/dance team, Girl Scouts, Nerve to Serve volunteers, Suntree Troop 224 Boy Scouts, Suntree-Viera Youth Football League and cheerleaders, Trail Life, Viera High School

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Rockledge High School, Satellite High School and Viera High School

FLOATS: 16 NUMBER OF LIGHTS ON EACH FLOAT: As many as 1,000 holiday-style bulbs, plus spotlights.

FLOAT SPONSORS: The Viera Company, Viera Builders, Viera

Realty, Duran Golf Club, The Avenue Viera, Viera Voice Newspaper, Brewer Paving, Duda Family Council, Health First, Fairway Management, Holtz Center, Homemade Happiness Bake Shoppe, Steve Vitani/Remax Elite, Tropic-Care of Florida, United States Specialty Sports Association, East Coast Christian Center and Viera Charter School.

VOLUNTEERS: 75-100

NUMBER OF GOLF CARTS:

Six holiday themed carts.

GOLF CART SPONSORS: GFWC

Viera Woman’s Club, Outback Steakhouse, East Coast Christian Center Crafting for Education, Sky Zone, Viera Lions Club and Viera Studio for the Performing Arts.

COST: Free to the public.

Light Up Viera holiday parade is a gift from the Viera Community Institute.

Thank You

FOR THE 5 YEAR JOURNEY THE FIRST YEAR OF ANY NEW EVENT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE AND TRUST. THE COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS BELOW HAVE BEEN A PART OF OUR JOURNEY FROM YEAR ONE AND WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE THEIR PARTICIPATION. HERE’S TO ANOTHER YEAR! THANK YOU. The Viera Company/Viera Community Institute Health First Everglades Farm Equipment iHeart Media Viera High School Marching Hawks Rockledge High School Raider Regiment United States Armed Forces and Coast Guard Duda Family Council Brevard County Sheriff Office Brevard County Fire and Rescue The Avenue Viera Tropic-Care of Florida Viera Charter School Viera Realty Girl Scouts Boy Scouts Cub Scouts

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Thank You

VIERA HIGH SCHOOL, ROCKLEDGE HIGH SCHOOL AND SATELLITE HIGH SCHOOL The Viera Community Institute would like to thank Viera High School, Rockledge High School and Satellite High School for participation in the 2017 Light Up Viera holiday parade.

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17

Thank You

EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT

The Viera Community Institute would like to thank Everglades Farm Equipment for their fifth year of participation in the Light Up Viera holiday parade. Working behindthe-scenes, they have provided transportation that is extremely valuable to the staff and volunteers.

Thank You

RON NORRIS BUICK GMC HONDA

The Viera Community Institute would like to thank Ron Norris Buick GMC Honda Dealership for their fourth year of participation in the Light Up Viera holiday parade. The dealership provides drivers and trucks to safely pull the lighted floats along the parade route.

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snapshots

VIERA HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING GAME

around

town

PLAYERS GATHER BEHIND A BANNER PRIOR TO TAKING THE FIELD IN THE ANNUAL HOMECOMING GAME. THE FIRST 400 ATTENDEES RECEIVED A SMALL MEGAPHONE TO CHEER ON THE TEAM. THE VIERA HAWKS WON THE GAME 64 TO 7 OVER SOUTH FORK.

SCARECROW STROLL AND HARVEST FESTIVAL

THE ANNUAL SCARECROW STROLL AND HARVEST FESTIVAL CREATED BY JILL GAINES TOOK PLACE AT THE AVENUE VIERA. COSTUME CONTESTS, ZUCCHINI RACES, SCARECROW JUDGING, PUMPKIN DECORATING, AND A SILENT AUCTION WERE ALL PART OF THE FUN.

WALK TO SCHOOL DAY

BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY LED OFF WALK TO SCHOOL DAY OCTOBER 4 WITH VIERA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL TOM ARMSTRONG, PRINCIPAL DR. JULIE CADY, VCS BOARD CHAIR ROBERT JORDAN AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL DR. LYNNE SPADACCINI. THE ANNUAL EVENT ENCOURAGES HEALTH AND FITNESS HABITS IN STUDENTS. PRINCIPAL DR. JULIE CADY SEEN HERE WALKING WITH THE STUDENTS TO SCHOOL.

MAKING STRIDES BREVARD

ANOTHER LARGE SHOW OF SUPPORT ON OCTOBER 28TH FOR THE MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER OF BREVARD EVENT AND FUNDRAISER AT THE AVENUE VIERA TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH. THE COMBINATION OF TEAMS, PARTICIPANTS AND COMPANIES RAISED OVER $132 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

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Duda

Farm

Fresh Recipes

Celery Celebration Rolls ingredients: 1 1

1/2 2 1/2 1 1 1/4 ¼

lb. refrigerated bread dough package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened cup sour cream tsp. fresh or 1 tsp. dried dill, chopped tsp. garlic powder cup Dandy® celery, diced cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped cup sweet red pepper, finely chopped cup mini Dandy® radish ministicks Dandy® celery leaves for garnish

directions

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1.

Remove dough from packaging and divide into 16 rolls--one ounce each.

Arrange in a circle on an ungreased 14-inch pizza pan.

2.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before carefully transferring the wreath to a serving platter to cool completely.

3.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, dill, and garlic powder until smooth.

4.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the rolls, and top with Dandy celery and radishes, broccoli, and red pepper. Create a decorative “bow” with Dandy celery leaves.

Dandy Celery Puffs ingredients: 1/2 1 1/3 ¼

5

(Serves: 20 pieces)

cup Dandy® celery, finely chopped cup mayonnaise cup parmesan cheese cup Dandy® green onion, chopped Pinch of cayenne pepper or 2 to 3 drops of Tabasco sauce slices of soft bread cut into 4 small triangles each and crusts removed or 20 baguette slices

directions: 1.

In a mixing bowl combine celery, mayonnaise, parmesan, green onions, and cayenne pepper.

2.

Spoon a heaping teaspoon onto triangles of bread. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 to 12 minutes until barely golden brown. Serve warm.

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WHERE HOLIDAY MAGIC BEGINS 2017HOLIDAYEVENTS THIRSTY THIRD THURSDAY WITH ABSOLUTE BLUE NOVEMBER 16 | 5 - 8 PM | CENTRAL PARK

VISIT WITH SANTA & MRS. CLAUS DECEMBER 8 - 10, 15 - 17, 22 - 23 TIMES VARY | FORMER STRIDE RITE

ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING NOVEMBER 24 | 6 PM | FRONT OF PANERA BREAD

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS CONCERT DECEMBER 16 | 7 PM | FRONT OF CARMIKE THEATER

HOLIDAY CONCERTS & PERFORMANCES DECEMBER 1 - 17 | TIMES VARY | CENTRAL PARK

THIRSTY THIRD THURSDAY WITH HOT PINK DECEMBER 21 | 5 - 8 PM | CENTRAL PARK

CARRIAGE RIDES THROUGH CENTRAL PARK DECEMBER 8 - 9, 15 - 16, 22 6 - 9 PM | CENTRAL PARK

PLEASE VISIT AVENUEVIERA.COM/EVENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MORE THAN 85 STORES AND RESTAURANTS 2261 Town Center Ave. | Melbourne, FL 32940 | AvenueViera.com

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upcoming

Events

UNIQUE EVENTS & FINDS DEC 24

MUSICAL DATE NIGHT

2017 Homeless Heart Concert Benefiting Family Promise of Brevard, Inc.

DEC 02

DATE: December 3rd LOCATION: The Scott Center of Holy Trinity CONTACT: FAMILYPROMISEOFBREVARD.ORG

A Christmas Carol

DATE: December 23rd LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts CONTACT: KINGCENTER.COM

The Nutcracker

LOCATION: King Center for the Performing Arts CONTACT: KINGCENTER.COM

Surfing Santas Cocoa Beach LOCATION: Cocoa Beach CONTACT: SURFINGSANTAS.ORG

Light Up Viera Holiday Parade: 5th Anniversary DATE: November 25th LOCATION: Viera High School CONTACT: LIGHTUPVIERA.COM

ACTIVE EVENT 46th Annual Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon

DATE: November 26th LOCATION: Historic Cocoa Village, Cocoa CONTACT: SPACECOASTMARATHON.COM

Run Run Santa 1 Mile

DATE: December 23rd LOCATION: Calvary Chapel Viera, Viera CONTACT: RUNNINGZONE.COM

ART The History of Space Photography DATE: October 14th through January 6th LOCATION: Foosaner Art Museum CONTACT: FOOSANERARTMUSEUM.ORG

Fight Child Hunger 5K DATE: January 13th LOCATION: Viera High School CONTACT: RUNNINGZONE.COM

Super Hero 5K and 1 Miler

HOLIDAY AT DURAN GOLF CLUB Breakfast with Santa

DATE: December 2nd LOCATION: Tradewinds Restaurant, Viera CONTACT: DURANGOLF.COM

Holiday Concert/Shopping Night

FUN FOR ALL Dinosaurs Are Back!

DATE: November 18th – April 30th LOCATION: Brevard Zoo, Viera CONTACT: BREVARDZOO.ORG

DATE: December 11th LOCATION: Tradewinds Restaurant, Viera CONTACT: DURANGOLF.COM

DATE: February 3rd LOCATION: The Avenue Viera, Viera CONTACT: RUNNINGZONE.COM

Brevard Zoo’s Bat Boogie 3K DATE: February 10th LOCATION: Brevard Zoo, Viera CONTACT: RUNNINGZONE.COM

Thinga-Ma-Jogger 5K

DATE: February 24th LOCATION: Manatee Elementary School, Viera CONTACT: RUNNINGZONE.COM

New Year’s Eve Dinner

DATE: December 31st LOCATION: Tradewinds Restaurant, Viera CONTACT: DURANGOLF.COM

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developer

Letter

SEASON’S GREETINGS VIERA!

W

STEVE JOHNSON, PRESIDENT

TODD POKRYWA, SENIOR VP OF LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

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hile our seasons here in Central Florida don’t change as much as they do in other parts of the country we can still feel the holiday season upon us. Not with a brisk breeze or fall foliage, but instead with the holiday spirit that fills both our hearts and community this time of year.

Each year the fall season brings with it our favorite holiday classics like the Space Coast State Fair, homecoming dances, Friday night football games, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING and of course the annual Light Up Viera Holiday Parade. For the past four years many Brevard County residents have rounded out their Thanksgiving Holiday and kicked off the beginning of a Florida winter and Christmas preparations with the Light Up Viera Holiday Parade which winds its way around Space Coast Stadium from Viera High School after a spectacular fireworks display, spreading holiday cheer. Now in its fifth year of animation, the parade has become a Viera tradition and an event that is looked forward to all year round.

In the past year the community of Viera has continued to expand and grow with significant progress and developments taking shape, such as the start of the Viera Town Center and expansion of the roadway infrastructure. With each new business and neighborhood developed in Viera we welcome new neighbors and friends to our community; our home. We are more excited than ever to facilitate the growth of Viera and Brevard County and to welcome all of our new neighbors, friends and family to join us this season in experiencing some of our favorite holiday traditions during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

From all of us at The Viera Company, we wish you a wonderful, blessed and joyous holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

We welcome all of our new neighbors, friends and family to join us this season in experiencing some of our favorite holiday traditions during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Christmas Fit-Mas 3K s F it - M a s 2 0

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suntree viera youth football

Register at RunningZone.com

Fun Holiday Race Packets Free Little Elf Fun Run for all Kids Moisture wicking Race T-Shirts For all Participants After Race Food and Drink by Pizza Gallery & Grill Great Contests, Give Aways and Prizes!

Winter Wonderland After Party

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Saturday December 9th at Viera Regional Park

3K

To Benefit Suntree Viera Youth Athletics

Adult 3k Run/Walk $25 Child 3k Run/Walk $15

4:30-5:30 pm

Sign up and Registration

(In front of The Viera Community Center)

6 pm

Start of the Race!

7-8:30 pm

Family Fun Celebration!

Sp o n s

o rs

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season