Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently announced March as Florida Bicycle Month, and as a way of recognizing the theme, the City of Winter Park Pedestrian & Bicycle and
Advisory Board will be hosting the annual Bike from Park to Park, now on its 2nd straight year.

The event, taking place on the 26th of March at 8 in the morning, begins with avid bikers starting the ride at Winter Park, Florida’s, picturesque Mead Garden. Participants at the event will be treated to some morning refreshments compliments of Panera Bread.

Bike from Park to Park is a project that’s in line with the goal of promoting Winter Park as a city that’s friendly to pedestrians and bikers, an environment where innovations are embraced without severe consequences to the environment.

This event is also a part of Winter Park’s “Green Local Government” initiative, a mission to transform the city into one of the United States’ premiere eco-friendly cities through “green” policies and programs. Bike from Park to Park was also created to raise awareness on the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle.

Individuals interested in joining this event are requested to RSVP on or before the 23rd of March, Tuesday, via e-mail. Send your responses to trafficguy@cityofwinterpark.org or call 407-599-3233.

The Irish fever hits Florida next month and the City of Winter Park, Fl, is once more proud to present the 31st annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, taking place on the 7th of March at 2 in the afternoon, here at our very own Winter Park. It’s worth noting that this St. Patrick’s Day parade is the only recognized parade in the Central Florida area, so you can’t afford not to take part in it. The parade kicks off at the Winter Park Country Club, passes through Park Avenue, and then over to City Hall. Over 75 units are expected to participate in this year’s parade, making it one of the most jam-packed ever.

But that’s not all. As a tribute to the Irish, the celebrations will feature Irish music accompanied with step-dancing in the city’s Central Park. Indeed, this is one party you shouldn’t miss.

Of course, such a large event of this kind would not be possible without the help of sponsors. Special thanks goes to the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, the Schenck Company, and Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and Eatery.

For details and information on the parade, logon to www.cityofwinterpark.org. You can also call 407-694-8228 for inquiries and the like.

Before February comes to an end, the Winter Park Country Club (WPCC) in the City of Winter Park, Fl, will be having their February edition of the popular Gold Lecture Series, which is presented with the help of the North Florida PGA and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

The February edition of the lecture series will feature one of golf’s most renowned women, Jan Stephenson of the LPGA. Stephenson’s rise to fame first began in 1974, the year she joined the Tour. On that same year, she won the LPGA Rookie of the Year Award, an achievement that was soon followed by many and more significant awards and wins. Two years later in 1976, Stephenson won her first LPGA at the Sarah Coventry Naples Classic.

The Winter Park Country Lecture Series is an event held each month and features experts specializing in different aspects of the golfing world. In past months, the WPCC has had some of the best PGA and LPGA Tour golfers as guests, with the likes of Ken Green, Lee Janze, and Jim McLean visiting the city to talk about fitness, the sport’s history, mental coaching, and more.

This month’s lecture will take place on the 23rd of January, at 6:30 in the evening.

Beginning the 15th of February, Monday, High Performance Sports Management, Inc. will be the official management company behind Winter Park, Fl’s Azalea Lane Tennis Center, situated right along Azalea Lane.

And to make it official, the popular tennis center will be holding a Meet & Greet Open House on the 27th of February, Saturday, starting at exactly 12 noon, and ending at 4 in the afternoon. Those who attend the celebrations will get the opportunity to meet the pros behind High Performance and marvel at the great improvements made on the tennis center – these include brand new resurfaced courts, as well as a practice wall for lone players who want to hone their game, as well as for squash fanatics.

New services one can expect from the tennis center include a new Pro shop, beer & wine, as well as food service. Busted a racket? You can have it stringed by the center’s employees for you. And if you simply like to watch the game, expect the Azalea Lane Tennis Center to play host to big tournaments for youth and adults.

Indeed, the new and enhanced center offers a brand new experience to current members, as well as to new ones.

Winter Park Country Club’s Golf Lecture Series will be featuring a special PGA® Merchandise Show on the 27th of January, at 6:30 in the evening. The WPCC, located along 761 Old England Avenue in Winter Park, Fl, will be having a lecture with the special participation of Jim McLean, one of golf’s top 5 instructors in the world today.

With golfers and lovers of the sport are rushing to get reservations, it might be a bit difficult to get seats, especially since they are limited. Tickets are priced at $10, and can be purchased at the WPCC. Snacks and refreshments will also be provided by by Tolla’s Italian Deli & Cafe.

For 20 years, Jim McLean has worked with golf’s top professionals, as well as young golfers to help build their skills and talents. Looking to share his knowledge and experience, the winner of the 1994 PGA National Teacher of the Year award founded the Jim McLean Golf School, which is widely regarded as the world’s best golf school.

The special edition lecture is presented by the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the North Florida PGA.

For more information on the lecture and the WPCC lecture series, you can send an email to winterparkgolf@cityofwinterpark.org or call 407-599-3339.