Holiday stories

Local hoteliers expect a bang-up holiday weekend. Many hotels and resorts expect to sell out, if they haven’t already, on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Southwest Florida will celebrate Independence Day with parades, picnics and fireworks. Here’s a rundown of holiday events by date and community. Full story »

Still fitting perfectly into the conservative blue U.S. Coast Guard uniform she wore during World War II, 86-year-old Patricia Gross drew special mention Monday at the Marco Island Memorial Day ceremony. About 350 attended, including veterans, members of local civic organizations and citizens who have ties in their families to veterans. Full story »

The hour-long ceremony recognized Vietnam War veterans, but Collier County Veterans Council President Jim Elson told the crowd that defending American ideals has required sacrifice of every generation since the Revolutionary War. Full story »

As popular with visitors as it is with locals, the 21st annual Marco Island Easter Sunrise Service on the Beach attracted upwards of 7,000 worshippers. "We gave out about 2,700 programs, and work on a ratio of about 3 people to a program," said co-organizer Alan Sandlin. It was, he said, among the highest-attended sunrise services in the island's history. Full story »

Decorative lighting and preparing homes and businesses for the 2008 Christmas season is a Marco Island tradition. Christmas Island Style's Home and Business Decorating Committee announces finalists for the 12th Annual Christmas House and Business Decorating Contest. Full story »

Heavy rain and wind causes Holiday Salute to Veterans and the Community concert to move indoors. The Christmas Island Style event will now be in the Marco Island Charter Middle School gym rather than Veterans' Community Park. Full story »

The Naples fire department announced today that it is again hosting its holiday toy drive in conjunction with the River Park Community Center.
Toys are being distributed between 6 p.m and 8 p.m. on Friday to needy children in the River Park and Gordon River neighborhoods, Naples Police and Fire Department spokesman Michael Herman said. Full story »

Attendees officially welcomed the holidays Saturday as a large crowd gathered at Veterans Community Park Saturday night for the 21st Christmas Island Style’s Tree Lighting. Full story »

It is that time of year when families all around the world begin to look for that perfect Christmas tree. One with the perfect shape, the branches evenly spaced and even the smell that screams evergreen. While the perfect tree is beautiful, it is more important to protect your house from a fire. Full story »

Some Island store owners say they wish they could close off the Jolley Bridge Black Friday to keep all the locals from departing Marco as they attack their Christmas shopping list. Perhaps closing the main artery to the island seemed a bit over the top, so instead, most area stores are running better specials Thanksgiving weekend than they ever have before. Full story »

Electronics seem to be topping the wish lists again this year with many island girls hoping for the iPod Touch brand MP3 player and many island boys hoping for the Xbox 360 game console. While 2008 wish lists are similar to 2007 wish lists, there also seems to be something different in the air this year. Full story »

The Japanese pilots were good. They came right out of the sun. No one knew the American B-25 Bomber was under attack until holes started appearing in the fuselage and a deep sickening thud reverberated from the No. 1 engine. Full story »

The Battle of the Bulge: visiting the hallowed ground where American forces suffered 81,000 casualties: 19,000 killed and 23,500 captured. Full story »

Veterans Day 2008 events in Southwest Florida. Full story »