From marveling at light displays, watching festive films and picking out the perfect present, the holidays offer ample opportunities for fun. Throughout history, building a gingerbread house has been a favorite tradition for people across the globe. Whether you’re a parent searching for a fun activity for your little ones or channeling your inner architect, we have a roundup of tips from Ritz-Carlton Pastry Chef Chris Vitanza to level up your gingerbread game this year.

“The most important thing is to develop an idea with templates. Draw everything out on paper, transfer that to cardboard and make your little templates where you can cut out the gingerbread. Gingerbread is not a very forgiving dough. When rolling it out, you pretty much get one shot,” Vitanza says. “The other thing is to always keep your dough cold.” He suggests finding inspiration for your creation on the Internet by combining various ideas for your project. “You can type in ‘gingerbread house’ and you’ll see everything from tiny houses to two-story homes. It all depends on the individual and what you’re trying to accomplish,” he adds.

Also available online are many gingerbread recipes, but it’s best to use a stronger dough for a sound build. While the gingerbread structure is the star ingredient, other materials can be used to customize and decorate your house. Frosted mini wheat can become roofing, spearmint leaves can transform into bushes and cinnamon sticks can masquerade as logs. “Take your ideas, and visualize what you can do with them,” says Vitanza. Beneath its pretty trimmings, a gingerbread house represents time spent with loved ones, or perhaps a quiet moment of creativity during this busy time of year. Don’t worry about making it perfect; just have fun and embrace the enchanting spirit of the season. 

Pictured: A gingerbread house. Photo by Lina Kivaka and courtesy of Pexels.

Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Ronnique Major, a fifth-grade teacher at Emma E. Elementary School, was named the 2024 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year at the Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. A product of Sarasota County Schools who has taught elementary school students for 30 years in Maryland and Florida, Major will represent district teachers throughout the 2023 calendar year and will serve as the Sarasota County Schools nominee for state Teacher of the Year. Haley Brown, of Pine View School, was recognized as the Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Dennis Pinna, of North Port High School, was recognized as the High School Teacher of the Year. Josette Ortega, a third-grade teacher at Dreamers Academy, was named the Innovation Teacher of the Year. She was honored for the innovative, hands-on learning she uses to inspire her students and prepare them for a rapidly changing world. The Education Foundation hosts this event each year through the support of its generous donors. The celebration brings together remarkable teachers and their families, school and district administrators, local politicians, and business and community leaders. This year’s event was held at the Venice Community Center. Kari Johnson, the 2021 district Teacher of the Year and a Florida Teacher of the Year finalist top-five finalist, emceed the event. Each finalist was also highlighted in a video and introduced by last year’s Teacher of the Year finalists and Innovation Teacher of the Year. Thanks to the presenting sponsor, Sunset Automotive Group, the Education Foundation presented Major with a $5,000 cash award and Brown, Pinna, and Ortega with gifts of $2,500 each. All 46 Teacher of the Year Award recipients representing schools across the district were honored and celebrated. Through the support of Sunset Automotive Group, all recipients received cash gifts of $250. The Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration was made possible by presenting sponsor Sunset Automotive Group, gold sponsors Publix Charities and Suncoast Credit Union, and many other generous organizations. The Education Foundation is grateful for their generosity and support of teachers. 

Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Natasha Forbus has been selected to serve as the next Principal of Lamarque Elementary School. She will be starting her new role on Monday, January 8. Ms. Natasha Forbus holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Gerontology from the University of South Florida and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida. Prior to assuming her new role as the Principal of Lamarque Elementary School, Forbus served as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Port Charlotte High School (Port Charlotte, FL). She has also served as the Assistant Principal of Kingsway Elementary School (Port Charlotte, FL), a Lead Teacher at East Elementary School (Punta Gorda, FL), and a Grade 1 Teacher at Meadow Park Elementary School (Port Charlotte, FL). She has additionally served as a Behavior Specialist at Meadow Park Elementary School and a K-5 Varying Exceptionalities (VE) Teacher at Charlotte Harbor Center (Port Charlotte, FL). 

Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Holly Brody has been selected to serve as the next Principal of Brentwood Elementary School. She will be starting her new role on Wednesday, December 20. Ms. Holly Brody holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, Advertising and a Master’s Degree in Exceptional Student Education, both from the University of South Florida. She also holds an Educational Leadership Certificate from the University of West Florida and Florida Educator Certificate Endorsements in K-6, K-12 Exceptional Student Education (ESE), English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and School Principal, among other certifications and endorsements. Prior to assuming her new role as the Principal of Brentwood Elementary School, Brody has served as the Assistant Principal of Brentwood Elementary School since 2018. She also served at Gulf Gate Elementary School as an Administrative Intern, in addition to serving at Wilkinson Elementary School as a STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) Integration Coach, a Behavior Specialist, a Grade 3 Reading Teacher, and a Grades 3-5 Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Resource Teacher. Brody has also served as an Instructional Staff Developer for Pinellas County Schools and a Teacher at Gulfport Montessori Elementary School (Gulfport, FL), among other roles.

The Sarasota Fine Art Show by Hot Works takes place on January 6 & 7, 2024 at Phillippi Estate Park, off U-41/Tamiami Trail south of downtown Sarasota and Siesta Key. This is a high-quality, juried fine art & craft show where all work is original and personally handmade by the artist in the show. All disciplines of art are for sale by the artist who is present at the show. There is something for everyone, in all price ranges. As part of our commitment to bring art education into the community, a Budding Artist Competition is integrated into the art show. This unique and one-of-a-kind program encourages all students in grades 6-12 or ages 9-19 to submit his/her original and personally handmade art that is publicly displayed within the art show duration of the event. On Sunday, January 7 at 3pm, there are $250 cash awards presented as students begin to learn the rules and are exposed to the entrepreneurship opportunity of doing art shows for a living. Attached please find the application – the deadline to apply is December 26. Please feel free to share with anyone whom you know would be interested. Up to two entries per student are accepted; the cost is $3 per entry to apply. The completed application is mailed all together with the fee and a photograph of the student’s work at least 10 days before the show; all artwork is delivered to the show site on Friday, January 5, between 8:30am-6pm. 

Because of last weekends' storm, the Limelight Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime has been rescheduled to THIS SATURDAY! The spotlight is on Dec. 23rd from 10-3pm! This fun, outdoor pop up market offers unique guest vendors, food, and live music. While there, check out the 40+ local creators and curators inside The Bazaar. This is a great way to support local and the last day to shop there before Christmas! For more information visit www.BazaaronApricotandlime.com Located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. 

The Hershorin Schiff Community Day School Middle School Debate Team, under the guidance of teacher Michael Podolsky, recently attended and excelled during their second Incubate Debate Tournament in Lakeland, Fla. During the competition, middle and high school students competed alongside each other and were judged by a panel of elected officials, members of the judiciary, civil servants, college professors, first responders, members of the armed forces, and faith-based leaders. The entire team put in tremendous effort and competed with the utmost passion, debating timely and timeless topics such as the U.S. Constitution, foreign affairs, and the economy. Four students emerged with awards, with seventh-grade student Matisse Cantero securing coveted top honors among all middle school competitors and being named an all-around finalist. A trio of sixth graders–Ava Chapman, Benjamin Labinger and Avi Shalev – showed exemplary talent and determination, with Labinger earning second place among the intermediate competitors. “Debate is important in middle school because it gives students the tools to think critically and argue effectively, while also working in a collaborative and cooperative group setting,” said Dr. Vincent Miller, CDS’s Director of Middle School. “By having students discuss and organize their points of view for one side of an argument, they are able to discover new information and put their knowledge into action. Participating in events like these enhances our students' abilities while fostering personal growth and development.” The team is currently busy preparing for its third tournament in Lakeland, Fla. in February, which is the qualifier for the championship tournament to be held in Jacksonville, Fla. in early April. To learn more about the school, which serves students of all faiths in preschool through eighth grade, visit CommunityDay.org or call 941-552-2770. 

Join us for the inspiring stories of philanthropic work by our Sarasota and Bradenton Area's nonprofit organizations as we celebrate the season of giving. Explore ways you can make an impact through the programs of 13 of this year's SRQ Giving Champions.

-

NAMI serves more than 10,000 individuals and families each year through our young adult and adult support groups and education classes, navigation for families with children (0-25), school-based mental health education, and drop-in wellness services for adults. Your support enables us to continue to offer all programs free of charge for participants. 

To read the full article, click here.