Holiday stories

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 »

Christmas has moved — well at least the site of the Christmas Island Style tree lighting ceremony. The 21st anniversary of the tree lighting ceremony is moving from its long time location of Town Center to the 6.8-acre Veterans’ Community Park on West Elkcam Circle. Full story »

Local Veterans of Foreign Wars are hoping for a big public turnout at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Marco Island Cemetery, to mark Veterans’ Day. The time and date are significant, said VFW Post 6370 Commander Dave Gardner, because they represent the signing of the armistice ending WW1 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Full story »

It’s the highlight of a social club’s year, but there’s no personal benefit. Instead, the 100 or so members of the Marco Island Alumni Club get to experience infinite satisfaction through their efforts to provide deserving area children with clothes and gifts for Christmas. Full story »

Every year on Halloween Neva Kallies hits the streets with her husband to accompany their two children for a night of trick-or-treating. It’s a family event, said Kallies, 45, one of many activities the family does together. But Kallies also tags along to make sure her children, 11-year-old Carl and 18-year-old Kristine, stay safe and out of trouble. “I probably worry more about cars than people hiding in the bushes,” Kallies said. “I do worry about that though.” Full story »

Find all the best Halloween activities here! Full story »