Dunedin, Florida: Neighborhood Christmas Decorations, Finale

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I noticed one of my neighbors still had his decorations lit several days after Christmas, so I stopped to snap a few shots. This display is one of the most elaborate in my neighborhood. It really is something to behold in person. Oh, and there is music playing to add to the spirit of the display.

If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography for the sake of photography, check out my photo blog. Thanks for coming today!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Dunedin, Florida: Theme Day: Best Photo of 2007

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This picture says a lot about Dunedin. Such a wonderful small town atmosphere, and yet not so small that they can't put on a wonderful wing-ding like this Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration. It was a great time, and I can't wait to see what they do next year. Everyone seemed so friendly and outgoing that night. It was wonderful, and all amidst the neat little shops of that awesome downtown that the City of Dunedin has managed to preserve. What's not to love? :D

May 2008 be a year of love and joy and prosperity for you and all your loved ones!

There are over ONE HUNDRED blogs participating in this month's Theme Day: Best Photo of 2007! Please don't hesitate to check out this armchair tour of the world! (Clicking on the links will open the website in a new window.) Paris, France - London, England - Hyde, UK - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Grenoble, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Riga, Latvia - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - New Orleans (LA), USA - Wichita (KS), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Francisco (CA), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Mainz, Germany - Melbourne, Australia - Portland (OR), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Toulouse, France - Naples (FL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Brussels, Belgium - Stayton (OR), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Baziège, France - Nashville (TN), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Prescott (AZ), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Evry, France - Trujillo, Peru - Arlington (VA), USA - Denpasar, Indonesia - American Fork (UT), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Coral Gables (FL), USA - Montpellier, France - Joplin (MO), USA - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Boston (MA), USA - Torun, Poland - New York City (NY), USA - Dunedin (FL), USA - Clearwater (FL), USA - Clearwater Beach (FL), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Chateaubriant, France - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Budapest, Hungary - Austin (TX), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Cypress (TX), USA - Bicheno, Australia - Wrocław, Poland - Brookville (OH), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Cheltenham, UK - Wellington, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - London, UK - Haninge, Sweden - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Arradon, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Mumbai, India - Terrell (TX), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - Delta (CO), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Saigon, Vietnam - San Diego (CA), USA - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Belgrade, Serbia - Auckland, New Zealand - Seguin (TX), USA - Inverness (IL), USA - Oslo, Norway - Singapore, Singapore - Las Vegas (NV), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Torino, Italy - Susanville (CA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA

Merry Christmas from Dunedin Daily Photo

[Click to enlarge "Dunedin Florida: Christmas" in a new window] To all my visitors here at Dunedin Daily Photo, I wish you and your loved ones a warm, loving and Merry Christmas. I wish for you that this will be followed up with a happy New Year that will be your best year yet!

This beautiful Christmas tree is from a Christmas past, selected as a representative of the Holiday Spirit. If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography for the sake of photography, check out my photo blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Toys For Tots Christmas Motorcycle Ride Pt III

Well there you are, the hot dog mystery is solved... sort of. You can probably see plainly what they were doing, now. But what it is called is a mystery to me. I asked someone, the next day, who was there, but they did not know. I can only guess...

Weiner Limbo? Doggie Fetch? Danglin' Dog? I just don't know. So, if you know, or if someone you know, knows... please leave a comment. And I will enlighten us all. And if I see this lady riding down the street, I will ask her. Or perhaps the two on the bike in Tuesday's post.

And what about you? Have you ever done this? If so, did you win? Did you do well, or did you fall off the bike? Let me tell you, that is exactly what happened to a couple of the ladies, as the men slowed too much, and the bike started tip over, the women went tumbling off onto the street. Nobody seemed to get hurt at all, and it was ironic to see all the men jump forward to help... catch the bike and right it, while the ladies were on there own to get up. All in all though, it was a really fun time.

BE SURE to visit tomorrow, when we see the finale of this series... there are a couple of guys you do NOT want to miss! :D

**Addendum... I just recently realized that I had not mentioned, in all my excitement, that these pictures were taken at the after ride party held at the Dunedin American Legion Post 275.

If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography for the sake of photography, check out my photo blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Toys For Tots Christmas Motorcycle Ride Pt II

So, about that hot dog... Again, at the party after the Toys for Tots motorcycle ride, with lots of black leather and Harley Davidson motorcycles. (Oh, I think I saw one Honda Goldwing) Some people are decked out in Christmas cheery outfits, like the nice ladies on the Harley in yesterday's post. Other people are sporting sunglasses, elf hats, hot dogs... HOT DOGS???

The mystery deepens... why does the nice lady on the motorcycle have a hot dog in her mouth like that? It seems a strange way to eat a hot dog, while riding on the back of a motorcycle. Behind her, to the right, there is a man who seems REALLY happy about her and her hot dog. And on the left... coming out of nowhere, there seems to be a hand, about to take the hot dog away... Hmmmm, what does it all mean?

Perhaps tomorrow's posting will be more 'revealing'. Perhaps then we will all know what the heck is the deal with the doggone hot dogs! (sorry couldn't help myself!)

**Addendum... I just recently realized that I had not mentioned, in all my excitement, that these pictures were taken at the after ride party held at the Dunedin American Legion Post 275.

Meanwhile, if you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography for the sake of photography, check out my photo blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin, Florida: Toys For Tots Motorcycle Ride

This past Sunday was the annual Toys For Tots Motorcycle Ride. From what I gather, they collected more than a hundred bicycles, and LOTS of toys. I caught up with the riders partying at the end of their ride, in Dunedin. They were having a good time, I can tell you. So I grabbed my camera and started snapping.

I was just about the only person there who was NOT dressed in black leather. The nearby parking lot was full of motorcycles, most of them of the Harley Davidson variety. It seemed like a lot of fun, and I found myself smiling without even knowing it.

I got a variety of pictures I will share with you. Today's photograph shows a cheerful couple of women heading off down the road on their Harley Davidson motorcycle. Santa's helpers, if you will. Before you ask, I will tell you yes, that is a hot dog in the passenger's hand. More about the hot dog next time!

**Addendum... I just recently realized that I had not mentioned, in all my excitement, that these pictures were taken at the after ride party held at the Dunedin American Legion Post 275.

If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography for the sake of photography, check out my photo blog. Thanks for coming today!

Dunedin Florida: The Patriotic Spirit is Alive and Well

I spotted this VW Bug parked near the Dunedin Marina when I was walking back from the Dunedin Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas event. I have been looking forward to posting it ever since. I love this picture for so many reasons.

Let's review: First, it is a Volkswagen Beetle (Bug), and I LOVE VW Bugs! We've had numerous Bugs in my family over the course of the last three generations, and I would drive one again in a heartbeat. My own first was a '64 that ran on a 6 volt electric system.

Second, the way this baby is painted and decorated is AWESOME. I love the United States flag design. It's wonderful. And if you look closely, there are rope lights all over it. I just wish I could have gotten a picture of it while it was lit up. Not to mention the decal on the front window that says Greyhound Taxi.

Third, and finally, the front license plate. This is a license plate you can only get from Florida Blood Services. And what is the big deal there? Well, it recognizes the owner for having donated 26 GALLONS of blood! That is an enormous amount of blood donated. If you take it a step further, that means this person has saved a lot of lives!

Dunedin Florida: Dunedin Causeway: Jet Skis!

Okay, at this point we know that you can sail off the Dunedin Causeway, in St. Joseph Sound or Hurricane Pass. We know you can ride bicycles on the Dunedin Causeway Spur of the Pinellas Trail. And I think I mentioned the jet skis... but I wanted to drive that one home to you. These things are fast and fun. At least, they look like a lot of fun.

Admittedly, I woul prefer a sit-down craft myself, like a waverunner. I can imagine that these get to be a bit much on the knees, with all that wave pounding, if you are not of an active nature. :) Either way, these two really seemed to be enjoying themselves. And there really is a lot of space out there, plenty of room for all manner of watercraft. So you definitely want to put it on your Florida Vacation list, or your after-relocation relaxation list, to check out jet ski or waverunner rentals.

What's Happening:
TODAY: Dunedin Community Chorus Holiday Concert - The 80-voice Dunedin Community Chorus presents, “Holiday Fantasy,” a concert for the season, on Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m., at Edinburgh Hall in the new Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road. Suggested donated is $5. For more information, call 727-812-4533.

DEC. 16: Holiday with the Hounds is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Happy Tails Dog Park, 3051 Garrison Road. Celebrate the season with your pet with a hot dog cookout for owners and a gift exchange of wrapped dog-related items under $5, such as dog bones, dug brush, collar. etc. Call 298-3288 for more information.

DEC. 18: The city’s Concert Band Holiday Concert is set for Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 pm., in the new Dunedin Community Center, at the corner of Pinehurst Road and Michigan Boulevard in Highlander Park. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcomed. For more information or directions call the Dunedin Community Center at 812-4533.

ONGOING – The Dunedin Fine Art Center’s Holiday Show is continuing through Dec. 24. Stock up on ornaments and decorations and pick up Christmas gifts. A dozen themed holiday trees are up for sale, as well as art. Check out their awesome galleries. The center is at 1143 Michigan Blvd. Call 298-3322.

Dunedin Florida - Old Fashioned Christmas Fun & Food

Did I mention all the fun for the kids? They had a children's craft booth, a place they could make their own s'mores. There were old fashioned toys like the hoop, and the walking cans and even stilts! As if all that were not cool enough, they had a train running up and down Main Street, just for the kids! Way cool!

Of course, you may be asking yourself "But what about Santa Claus, Wayne, where was he?" Well, he was there alright. The top left picture in the table below shows one of his helper Elves. If you look closely just left of the Elf's hat, in about the middle of the picture (click on it to enlarge it), you will see his face peeking through the mob. That's right, he was there, but if you were not a determined parent with a child in tow, you were NOT getting near him! :D

I am wrapping up the series on the Old Fashioned Christmas in Downtown Dunedin, Florida, with the table of pictures below. Click on them for large, easy to enjoy, images. There is one on the bottom left of the horse and carriage ride that was available. The other four give you an idea of the variety of edibles that were available. Just getting this post ready is making me hungry all over again. The booths included Funnel Cakes, Chick-Fil-A, Papa John's Pizza, and Kettle Korn, just to name a few. This was a great event for anyone here on a Florida vacation, scouting relocation to Dunedin, or even just out for a nice evening with the family. An excellent event for locals and visitors alike.

Dunedin Florida - Old Fashioned Christmas Live Entertainment

There was no lack of live entertainment at the Old Fashioned Christmas event! Dunedin, Florida did it again, with a wide variety of live entertainment, sprinkled all up and down the street. Everyone enjoyed the music, each of us having a favorite of the evening. Mine was the duo above, The Moon Glow Duo they are called. Excellent, mellow music. Wonderful Christmas cheer. So I bought one of their CD's, and have enjoyed it very much indeed. So, you want to know more, eh? Click here to see their MySpace page, and listen to some of their music.

But I also enjoyed the accordion player at Bellini's too. He was playing Christmas music, but of course, with an accordion, it sounds so delightfully Italian! There was a man playing a keyboard near the Children's Area, but there was so much noise there I could not even hear him. Poor guy. And there was a Scotsman playing bagpipe near Cafe Alfresco. You could not miss the sound of those pipes! Wow. It was neat stuff. I listened for a while, and then decided I needed to share his picture with you. One last note... to all my fellow bloggers that I normally visit every day. The hours are killing me. Have not seen bed before 1:30am for weeks (up before 6am). So although I will visit each day, I will only be able to comment every 2nd or 3rd day. Thanks for understanding.

Dunedin Florida Downtown - Christmas Celebration

First, I must say, if any of you would like to see a daytime shot of the bridge I featured on Bridge day, click here.

The Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration was a big hit. Lots and lots of people having a good time. There were all sorts of food choices, and plenty of live entertainment. You cannot forget the children at Christmas time, and there was plenty for them too.

Santa was sitting with the little ones to have their pictures taken with him. There was a whole section for kids where they played old fashioned games, made crafts and so much more. In fact, down the side street where Erika's and The Enchanted Branch are, they had a whole second street festival setup for kids, where they played with 'old fashioned' toys like hoops, and walking on cans, and walking on stilts. It seemed to be a great time.

There was a concert in the Pioneer Park band shell. Very nice, with different 'acts' from a variety of groups throughout this area. Most merchants were open, providing everything from free drinks to information about their products.

Oh, and let's not forget the carriage and hay wagon rides!! Yes, and even a little train for the kiddies to ride! And believe me, there was more that I cannot remember at the moment, but as I review the pictures for posting, you will hear about anything I forgot. In the meantime, the pictures below include a boy getting a test drive on an old High Wheel bicycle; happy people getting a ride on a hay wagon; and happy dog owners enjoying their happy dogs! There were quite a few dogs enjoying the festivities, and all seemed very well behaved.

Dunedin Florida - Decorated Light Poles Holiday Contest

This is another in a series in progress capturing the variety of decorated light poles in Dunedin's Holiday Light Pole Decorating contest. Yes, more on the way!

I wasn't sure about this one at first, but it grows on me. I have seen more traditional images of Santa Claus, especially non-Americanized images from Europe that this reminds me of. What about you, have you seen this style of Santa Claus before? Whatever else you want to say about him, I think it looks pretty neat!

And yes, I was at the Old Fashioned Christmas event last night in Downtown Dunedin, and it was a lot of fun. I have plenty more pics to share with you, including some intersting live entertainment! It was a wonderful time, so be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back and see it all!

Dunedin Florida Downtown - Christmas Celebration

Can you guess where I will be Friday evening? That's right, I will be downtown, checking out the wonderful Christmas goings-on. It should be a lot of fun. The City of Dunedin is putting on what they call An Old Fashioned Christmas. There will be entertainment from local churches and schools, carriage rides, train rides, Santa's Workshop, "Dickens Village" and lots more. And tomorrow night, Saturday, they will have the Holiday Boat Parade and Tree Lighting. I hope to be able to post pictures from these events in future posts.

Dunedin Florida Downtown Shops

This is Erika's Place for Gifts and Indulgences. It's a very welcoming looking place, if you ask me. You may remember from an earlier post, the shop next door is The Enchanted Branch Gift Gallery. Erika's is filled with the most interesting stuff. All sorts of things that would make great gifts this time of year! Here is a more recent photo of Erika's Place, taken just at sunset. I think there was some sort of wine tasting shop stroll going on. Or some such thing. It was really nice. They even had live music just down the way. But that shot is for another day! :)

Dunedin Florida Decorated Light Pole Contest Pt II

I have been hunting down more of the decorated light poles in Downtown Dunedin. I found these just the other day. A matching pair out in front of a local Law Firm. Trying saying this fast: Frazer, Hubbard, Brandt, Trask & Yacavone, Attorneys At Law. In fact, if you click here to see their website, at the top of the page you can see the light pole, without decoration, that is now the "Nice" list. Pretty cool eh?

I have to correct some earlier information now. In an earlier posting, click here, I posted a photograph of a light pole decorated with a Dia de los Muertos theme. In that post I described the City of Dunedin's Light Pole Decorating Contest. Foolishly, I assumed that pole was a part of that contest. So, when I walked by the other day, looking for more decorated light poles, the pole had changed! It was still decorated in a theme that seemed Mexican in origin, but it was NOT the same. So, I walked into the Mexican restaurant across the street to ask some questions.

The restaurant is called Casa Tina. When I asked about the light pole, I got the scoop. They had decorated that pole alright, but the Dia de los Muertos theme was for Halloween! They simply hadn't taken it down and put up the Christmas holidays theme decorations yet. I see, said the blind man! Casa Tina is a really cool place, and if you click here you can check out their website and their menu. And in a future post, I will show you more of the decorated light poles that I found!

Dia de los Muertos in Dunedin?

This awesome sight can be found adorning a light pole in Downtown Dunedin. As it turns out, they have an annual "Winter Holiday Pole Decorating" contest, sponsored by The City of Dunedin and the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. As crazy as it sounds, I like it! Here is an excerpt of what the official press release says about it all:

" The objective is to dress up Downtown Dunedin for the holidays and create a festive and sparkling, family-friendly atmosphere. Light poles are to be 'adopted' and decorated by the local merchants and organizations. The contest sponsors are seeking applicants to get into the holiday spirit and help 'dress up our city for the holidays.' "

Now I have to admit, the Dia de los Muertos theme seems to be at odds with Christmas and the Holiday Spirit, but then it is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November, so maybe it's not so out of sync after all?? And then, this pole IS just across the street from a Mexican restaurant!

Either way, it adds some great color and culture to an ordinary light pole! Here is a link to the Wiki entry on Day of the Dead.
*******
I have to correct some earlier information now. In an earlier posting, click here, I posted a photograph of a light pole decorated with a Dia de los Muertos theme. In that post I described the City of Dunedin's Light Pole Decorating Contest. Foolishly, I assumed that pole was a part of that contest. So, when I walked by the other day, looking for more decorated light poles, the pole had changed! It was still decorated in a theme that seemed Mexican in origin, but it was NOT the same. So, I walked into the Mexican restaurant across the street to ask some questions.

The restaurant is called Casa Tina. When I asked about the light pole, I got the scoop. They had decorated that pole alright, but the Dia de los Muertos theme was for Halloween! They simply hadn't taken it down and put up the Christmas holidays theme decorations yet. I see, said the blind man! Casa Tina is a really cool place, and if you click here you can check out their website and their menu. And in a future post, I will show you more of the decorated light poles that I found! ******