🌱 Lamp Post Decoration Winners + MLK Jr. Celebration + Essay Contest

Hello there, Dunedin! I'm here in your inbox to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town this weekend, including news about...

• The Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin recruitment social
• This year's Holiday Lamp Post Decoration winners
• This year's MLK Jr. Celebration has been scheduled

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Now, today's weather:

Showers late in the afternoon. High: 73 Low: 57.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. The City of Dunedin has shared the 2022 Holiday Lamp Post Decoration winners! Congratulations to these businesses and organizations, and thank you to everyone who put in the effort to make our downtown streets look so festive this year. In the Business category,
   Hope Grove Co-Work was awarded first place, Ea Mcgill's Salon & Barbery came in second, and Paws & Claws Animal Medical Center came in third. The Living Room came in first place in the Restaurant category, Caledonia Brewing in second, and Rusty Lyon in third. In the Civic Organization category, GFWC North Pinellas Woman's Club was awarded first place, Windlasses second, and Blue-Green Connections third. Dunedin International Film Festival achieved first place in the Holiday Spirit category, and Conservative Ladies came in second. In the Church category, the First United Methodist Church was awarded first place and the Dunedin Assembly of God second. The Greater Dunedin Little League won in the Youth Group category, and The Living Room won the overall trophy. Congrats again to everyone! (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
2. The City of Dunedin is hosting an MLK Jr. Celebration on Jan. 14. Events include a free Unity Breakfast at the MLK Jr. Rec Center between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Breakfast will include some words from keynote speakers, a performance by the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church choir, and several readings of student diversity essays. After breakfast, guests can march to Pioneer Park for live entertainment celebrating the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hope to see you all there! (Dunedin Gov)
3. In addition to the MLK Jr. Celebration, the City of Dunedin is hosting an MLK Jr. Essay Contest open to students of all ages. Five winners will be selected and invited to read their essays at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Breakfast on Jan. 14. Essays should not exceed 500 words. Essay submissions can be sent to Phyllis Gorshe at pgorshe@dunedinfl.net or dropped off at the Dunedin Public Library by Dec. 22. For more information and to participate, contact the Youth Services Department at 727-298-3080 ext. 1732. (Dunedin Friends of the Library via Facebook)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

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Today in Dunedin:

• Dunedin Downtown Market in Pioneer Park (9 a.m.)
• “Kaleidoscope” Exhibit at Studio 1212 Art Gallery (11 a.m.)
• Saturday Stories at the Dunedin Public Library (11 a.m.)
• Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin recruitment social (noon)
• Lego Club at the Dunedin Public Library (noon)
• Celtic Christmas Concert at the Scottish American Society of Dunedin (7 p.m.)
• Dunedin Goes Carting Christmas Parade 2022 (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin reminds residents that every Friday and Saturday evening during sunset, you can listen to the Piper on the Pier play "Amazing Grace" and other live music at the Dunedin Marina pier. See the full schedule and learn more here. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Dunedin Cares thanks Huntington Learning Center in Palm Harbor for collecting and donating 1,000 pounds of food! "Epic food drive, we can’t thank you enough!!" (Dunedin Cares via Facebook)
• SPCA Tampa Bay has announced that Orange the Leopard Gecko found his forever home at the Great Explorations Children's Museum! The Great Ex team was so excited to welcome him in as a new star of their museum and educational programs. (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Pinellas County reminds anyone using a space heater to turn them off when leaving the room or going to bed. Also, place them away from flammable objects, and make sure they're clean before using them to help prevent fires and keep your family safe. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• The Dunedin Public Library is hosting Saturday Stories and Lego Club today, Dec. 17, in the Storytime Room. Saturday Stories begins at 11 a.m. followed by Lego Club at noon. Registration isn't required. (City of Dunedin via Facebook | Dunedin Library)
• The Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin is having its last recruitment social today, Dec. 17, before the new class begins in the New Year. Stop by the Thirsty Marlin between noon and 2 p.m. to learn more about what they do. (Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin Art Harvest via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• DavisDNA & Family Research, Inc. — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Market, Music, & Mimosas (December 17)
• Choral Christmas Celebration (December 17)
• Celtic Christmas Concert with North of Argyll (December 17)
• Christmas Lessons & Carols (December 18)
• New Year's Eve Party (December 31)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! See you all tomorrow for your next update.