Twinkling lights, themed trees, and timeless holiday charm — “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition” is back at the Appleton Museum of Art, on view November 1–January 11.

Joyce Urban’s love of Christmas began when she was a child in the city of Philadelphia. Every year she would go see the elaborate decorations at the department stores set up along the path she walked as she went to see Santa. This wonder of Christmas has stayed with her through the years. She began publicly displaying her collection in 1989 because she wanted to provide a place for children of all ages to come experience what she did as a child. Over the years, her Christmas Tour has raised money for many local charities including Harvest International, Interfaith, Pilot Club, Women’s Pregnancy Center and the Counseling Resource Center where she worked as a counselor. In 2012, Joyce opened Urban Counseling where she continues her legacy of helping others.

The family of Dr. Paul and Joyce Urban is honored to share a portion of their Christmas collection with the Appleton each holiday season. Visitors can enjoy beautifully decorated themed trees, the ever-popular Dickens Village miniature, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world, and much more. With new arrangements and details each year, the display offers something fresh for returning visitors to discover.

Adorning the first and second-floor galleries are trees decorated by community groups and organizations. This year’s participants include Alta Printing, Appleton Artspace, Art Approach, Arts in Health Ocala Metro, Better Together, Bridge to Hope, CAMPUS USA Credit Union, College Park Elementary, Crazy Foods, East Marion Elementary, El Bell’s Flower Truck, Hands Up Communications with LN Signs and Greater Marion County Association of the Deaf (GMCAD), Hiers-Baxley – Highland Memorial Park, North Central Florida Media Group, The LILAC Foundation and Urban Counseling.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Holiday Community Day
Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate the season at the Appleton Museum of Art’s annual Holiday Community Day, held on Free First Saturday, December 6. Admission is free all day from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere with A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition, along with additional holiday displays, special exhibitions, and hands-on crafts in the Artspace. From 10 a.m.–3 p.m., guests can enjoy Face Painting by Tonya, and Sensational Selfies returns this year to capture photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each guest will receive one free printed photo and a texted image. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the auditorium will feature short holiday performances by Devotions Dance Company. Throughout the day, The Donut Express, Poppy’s Dogs and the Brew Hope coffee truck will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase, as well as El Bell’s Flower Truck and Humane Society of Marion County. This Free First Saturday/Holiday Community Day is sponsored by the Urban family and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

College of Central Florida theatre students invite the community to “come to the party … stay if you dare” as they present “Beware the House on Haunted Hill” live on stage Oct. 23-26. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

“This show is a clever parody of the 1959 film, filled with twists, turns and a few special surprises,” said Dr. Jason Longtin, CF program chair for Visual and Performing Arts and the play’s director.

The production features 11 theatre students on stage and a team of 10 more behind the scenes, working on tech and special effects. The set and costume designs evoke the spirit of old Hollywood camp, creating a look and atmosphere that will make audiences feel like they’re right in the movies.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-CF students and can be purchased at cf.universitytickets.com or by calling 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for CF students, faculty and staff with valid I.D.

For more information about CF Visual and Performing Arts events, visit CF.edu/theatre.

The College of Central Florida Vintage Farm Campus is the 2025 Marion County recipient of the Florida Farm Bureau CARES award. The award was presented at the bureau’s annual meeting in September in recognition of the farm’s best management practices, which include being an efficient producer and a good steward of its 103 acres.

“The College of Central Florida is honored to receive this recognition for our one-of-a-kind farm campus, which is leading the way in agriculture and equine education,” said Dr. John D. Ash, CF dean of Business, Technology and Agricultural Sciences. “This award recognizes our ongoing commitment to protecting agricultural land and reflects the very morals and ethics that our programs not only instill in future agriculture and equine professionals, but also embody in our daily work. I could not be more proud of our CF team.”

CARES stands for County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, and CF was selected by the Florida Farm Bureau for its efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources.

For more information about the This Farm CARES designation, visit thisfarmcares.org. For more information about CF’s farm, visit CF.edu/VintageFarm.

“Slowcala?” Local photographer Tommy Cuevas thinks it’s time to retire the old nickname that went with Ocala’s reputation as a sleepy town with nothing to do. His upcoming solo exhibition, “There’s Nothin’ to Do in Slowcala!?” captures the everyday vibrance, human and hidden beauty of a community alive with activity and will be on view at the CF Webber Gallery from Oct. 27-Dec. 11.

“Tommy is a friendly and familiar presence in Ocala, and is rarely seen without his camera,” said Jacqueline Bozman, Webber Gallery coordinator. “Over the years, he has become known for his ability to turn ordinary happenings into extraordinary visual stories. His work shines a spotlight on the people who bring Ocala to life, revealing the personality, resilience and energy of a community that continues to grow and evolve.”

Visitors will see Ocala in a new light – through photographs that capture powerful demonstrations of spirit and expression, the grandeur of the renowned World Equestrian Center, and late-night moments of laughter at neighborhood hangouts – all documenting the heartbeat of a growing city in motion.

The community is invited to the opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Webber Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. The Webber Gallery is located at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. For more information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The College of Central Florida invites tech professionals and beginners alike to dive into the future of business and technology at the Frontier Expo on Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the CF Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Guest speaker Rachel Ludwig, vice president of talent development for the future of work at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, will present information about workforce trends and high-demand careers in our community and state. Attendees can participate in hands-on breakout sessions that will allow them to assemble a personal computer, get started with coding, and safeguard their digital life.

All attendees at this free event will have the opportunity to network with leading employers in the tech, government and business sectors, and can connect with CF admissions staff and advisors to apply to the college or ask questions.

This event is funded by the CF Foundation Charles P. (Chuck) Hiatt Endowed Chair and is sponsored by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the National Science Foundation and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

For registration and more information, visit CF.edu/FrontierExpo.

Community members are invited to join College of Central Florida students and faculty on two study abroad trips in 2026. The first trip will be to Costa Rica, March 15-20, and will focus on service learning. The second trip will be to Austria, May 5-12, with experiences centered around music heritage.

The CF Study Abroad program, in partnership with the Study Abroad Association, is dedicated to facilitating education through international experiences that provide diverse and interesting opportunities for experiential learning.

The Costa Rica trip includes a turtle conservation service project, traditional Caribbean cooking lessons, a Cahuita National Park walking tour, visits to a Bribri indigenous community and Playa Negra Black Sand Beach, and local dance and calypso music demonstrations. The Austria trip includes a visit to Mozart’s birthplace, classical concerts and museums, and walking tours of Vienna and Salzburg.

Applications are open now for these educational trips. Being enrolled as a CF student is not required for participation.

Study Abroad trips include accommodations, all ground transportation, full-time local guides, 24/7 ground emergency support, travelers’ health insurance and liability insurance, tips and gratuities, and some meals.

For more information, visit CF.edu/StudyAbroad or contact Jean Scheppers at scheppj@cf.edu.