CATHERINE HOWDEN

• VIDEO/PHOTOS: Hundreds of varieties of orchids displayed at three-day orchid show and sale Published 03/21/2010 at 6:57 p.m.

  Orange, red and purple were just a few of the colors of orchid blooms filling the room at the Naples Orchid Show and Sale this weekend. The three-day event, hosted by the Naples Orchid Society, gives members a chance to ...

• Sponsors hope Immokalee Harvest Festival renews interest in farming Published 03/20/2010 at 7:56 p.m.

  Several floats in the Harvest Festival parade were sponsored by produce companies, but the size of the parade and the festival highlights have changed, according to some participants. “It was actually kind of strange because when I was Harvest Queen ...

• Coffee or tea? Naples group holds first meeting for political dialogue Published 03/13/2010 at 7:56 p.m.

  Tort reform, health care and recalling senators were just a few of the issues discussed during the first Coffee Party held in Naples on Saturday.

• PHOTOS: Strawberry Festival organizers pleased with this weekend’s turnout Published 03/07/2010 at 8:38 p.m.

  Rock, rap, bluegrass and strawberry shortcake were all featured at the three-day Naples Strawberry Festival and Indie Fest this weekend. The Cornerstone United Methodist Church hosted the fundraiser and a portion of the proceeds will go to Grace Place, a ...

• PHOTOS: Ave Maria in the green during St. Patrick’s Day celebration Published 03/06/2010 at 6:19 p.m.

  Green beer and Irish music helped jump-start St. Patrick’s Day celebrations during Ave Maria’s Wearing of the Green event Saturday.

• Year of the Tiger celebrated at Asia Fest in Naples PHOTOS Updated 02/21/2010 at 1:34 p.m.

  Food, fashion, dancing and music helped the crowds at the Mercato celebrate the Year of the Tiger and learn more about different cultures during Asia Fest on Saturday.

• All is fair in love and marriage as couples wed on Collier fair midway Published 02/13/2010 at 9:45 p.m.

  With a ferris wheel as their backdrop, couples had good reasons to exchange wedding vows Saturday on the midway at the Collier County Fair. It was the second year of Gator Country’s promotion _ Married on the Midway.

• New shows, family-friendly area highlight Collier County Fair Published 02/06/2010 at 8:12 p.m.

  Sea lions, bears and alligators offer new entertainment options for attendees of the 34th annual Collier County Fair. Fair organizers hope the new shows, the addition of a family-friendly zone, and free parking help draw people out to the 11-day ...

• PHOTOS Economy on the rocks? Naples boat show sales going well, vendors say Published 01/23/2010 at 5:50 p.m.

  Pontoon boats, Carolina Skiffs, and luxury yachts are just some of the boats being displayed and sold during the Naples Boat Show this week. Strong attendance and higher than expected sales are helping vendors move some of their stagnant inventory, ...

• Many happy returns: Shoppers crowd area stores on Saturday after Christmas Updated 12/26/2009 at 6:26 p.m.

  Shoppers started early Saturday looking for deep discounts on Christmas products or deals on items they didn’t receive for the holidays. The priority for many of the early-bird bargain hunters was Christmas wrapping paper, cards and decorations, while later risers ...

View all stories for this staff member.