MAITLAND FLORIDA ROTARY ART FESTIVAL 2023: EXPLORE ART, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

MAITLAND FLORIDA ROTARY ART FESTIVAL 2023: EXPLORE ART, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

Lake Lily fountain in Maitland. ARt under the Stars theme. Duke sponsorship.Are you a discerning traveler seeking an enriching weekend getaway? Nestled within the charming town of Maitland, Florida, Thurston House Bed and Breakfast invites you to embark on a captivating journey into the world of art, culture, and community spirit. The Maitland Florida Rotary Art Festival 2023, has been captivating Central Florida residents and visitors since 1976. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Maitland, Florida, this event has evolved into a grand celebration of the arts, showcasing exceptional talents and giving back to the community.

“Art Under the Stars”

The 47th Annual Maitland Rotary Art Festival, aptly named “Art Under the Stars,” will take place from November 10-12, 2023, at the scenic Lake Lily Park in Maitland, one of Orlando’s most affluent suburbs. With a full weekend format, this juried art show promises an unforgettable experience for art enthusiasts and those looking to make a difference in the community.

Fountain in Lake Lily with lily pads and birds on a fence.Set against the backdrop of Lake Lily Park, this festival offers a unique and inviting atmosphere, especially with the cooler November days. As you explore the festival, you’ll enjoy live entertainment, displays, and demonstrations from cultural partners, as well as captivating student art exhibits from local schools. The event kicks off Friday evening at 5 PM, and then runs Saturday 10AM-9PM and Sunday 10AM-4PM.

Limited Spots, Maximum Quality

Only 145 artists have been selected for this juried show, ensuring that you experience the best of the best in the world of art. It’s an opportunity to connect with artists, immerse yourself in their creative processes, and perhaps find that perfect piece to adorn your home.

Diverse Artistic Categories

Prepare to be mesmerized by the sheer variety of art styles and mediums at this event. The Southeast’s finest artists will converge in Maitland to showcase their talents in ten distinct categories, including Fiber/Leather, Fine Crafts, Glassworks, Graphics & Drawing, Jewelry & Metalwork, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Pottery/Ceramics, and Sculpture & Woodworks. Each artist undergoes a rigorous jury process to ensure the highest quality of artwork.

Festival tents at night.Community Giving and Patron Program

The Maitland Rotary Art Festival is not just about art; it’s about community. This event thrives on public and private partnerships, allowing Maitland Rotarians to give back to their community. With artist awards totaling $14,000, your support directly contributes to local causes and artists. Play a vital role in promoting the arts and community development.

Mark Your Calendar

The Maitland Florida Rotary Art Festival 2023 is a must-attend event for art and culture enthusiasts who appreciate the finer things in life and believe in the power of giving back. Plan your weekend getaway now and book your stay at Thurston House. Our historic bed & breakfast offers a peaceful retreat just minutes away from the festival’s vibrant hub. After a day filled with art and culture, you can relax in our comfortable accommodations and relish a gourmet breakfast to start your day. Hope to see you there!

2021 At Our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Home

Our Central Florida Bed and Breakfast…Reflections on 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, we look back over the year and reflect on all the good times and warm memories we have. Hosting guests at our Central Florida bed and breakfast, Thurston House, continues to reward—this year was no exception.

Front view of Central Florida B&B Thurston HouseWe feel so fortunate, not only living here in the heart of Central Florida with its year-round lush flora and lakes at every turn, but also being able to share our home with so many others. Each guest who stays at our Orlando-area bed and breakfast, people like you, brings along a unique story to tell, and we look forward to making this the most comfortable “home away from home” during your stay.

Since 1885, this charming house has always been a home—to the Thurston, Cubbedge, Hirsch, O’Heir, and Ballard families. Thurston House, celebrating 30 years of hosting guests from all around the world and all 50 states, undergoes a significant transition this year. As veteran innkeepers, Carole and Joe Ballard, retire to their beloved Maine, we welcome a new family—a new innkeeper. As of the fall, Beverly Fuller has moved from Texas to make Thurston House her home and to continue the legacy of helping you have the best possible stay in Central Florida.

Admittedly, it’s easy to find plenty of things to do for an Orlando-area vacation. The cities of Maitland and Winter Park alone offer days of the best shopping, dining, museums, gardens, lakes and theaters that Florida has to offer. In fact, some of Central Florida’s most popular attractions—Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Morse Museum of American Art, Enzian Theater, Leu Gardens, Art & History Museums—Maitland, and more are all just minutes from Thurston House. In addition, there are numerous festivals, farmers markets, and live music events spread throughout the year.

Our goal here at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast is to make you feel at home during your vacation stay in Central Florida. This region is active and flourishing year round, and we love sharing our history and natural beauty with our guests. Reviews from guests, like the ones below, remind us why we love what we do!

 

From Our 2021 Thurston House Guest Book:wicker seating on porch overlooking Lake Eulalia in Central Florida

“What a wonderful three days! You will be a huge success, we are sure. Your attention to detail is awesome….” ~Liz & Vince, December 2021

“Beverly, so many thanks for being such a gracious, caring and hospitable hostess. You have found your calling! We were honored to be your first guests.” ~Jody & Kevin, November 2021

“Beautiful place, wonderful innkeeper, clean, cozy, great breakfast, and an incredible front porch!” ~Melissa, November 2021

 

Looking Ahead to 2022 for Our Bed & Breakfast Home:

Is a vacation in Central Florida in your 2022 future? We’ve all experienced seasons of change—some more wonderful than others. A new innkeeper for Thurston House brings fresh vision and an exciting new vibe. A wonderful buzz about room updates, locally-sourced breakfast ingredients, a backyard urban garden, and free Tuesdays builds anticipation of exciting things to come in 2022. From where—and with what interesting stories—will our guests come this year?

image of innkeeper at Thurston House bed & breakfast in Central FloridaFor those of you who have stayed with us in the past, we say “thank you” and invite you to return! If you’ve never vacationed in Central Florida, you don’t know what you’re missing! We do hope you will join us and share in the great things unfolding in 2022.

Beverly can’t wait to meet you…especially on a Tuesday! Happy New Year from Thurston House!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adopt Manatee Gift Idea

Adopt Manatee Gift Idea for that last minute – What to get for someone who has everything??? Adopt a real manatee and help protect an endangered species at the same time. Funds from the Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program go toward efforts to help protect manatees and their habitat.

Unlike other animal adoption programs, the manatees in the adoption programs are real, living manatees with known histories. You even have the opportunity of seeing your adopt manatee gift idea at one of three locations in Florida. The closest to Thurston House Bed & Breakfast our Central Florida lodging accommodation is Blue Springs Park. Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water related activities, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from November 15 through March 15.

The park is just a short 30 minute drive from Thurston House our Winter Park area bed & breakfast lodging, and truly a world away. The natural old Florida setting is a wonder. There are walking paths, boardwalks, viewing areas and even an historic home to tour – Thursby House. Learn about the history of this former busy shipping port. With the Adopt Manatee Gift Idea your recpient can actually head to the springs and try to pick out their adoptee from the many swimming around in the warm waters.

New Years Eve North Orlando

In  3 weeks it will be the end of the year 2013. Wouldn’t you like to celebrate in some manner? First, book your room at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast, the perfect place to spend New Years Eve North Orlando Maitland. Don’t worry, we do offer a later breakfast New Years Day!egg cups and potatoes

Next, decide how you want to spend your evening. Are you up for a wonderful dinner out? How about a fabulous dinner at Flemings Steak House? Would you rather order up a wonderful brick oven pizza from Antonio’s Cafe and sit on the porch staring at the moon and the stars? You could drive over to Park Avenue in Winter Park and stroll around, stopping in at a variety of places for a bite here and a sip there. People watching is a favorite thing to do along the avenue! And it is only a short drive from our North Orlando Bed & breakfast!

James Bond is back at the Enzian Theater, a movie and a party too, just in time for New Years Eve North Orlando! You can stroll over to the theater from Thurston House in 10 minutes. Have a blast, enjoy the show, then end your evening back at our secluded small Central Florida bed & breakfast.

November North Orlando

November is the perfect weather month for  the crinum lily by carla to bloomNovember North Orlando is the perfect weather month to be at our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Thurston House. The weather starts getting down to the 50’s in the evening, and doesn’t usually go over 80 degrees in the daytime. The yard starts to become more lush now that it is cooler, and fall colors start to show. Mums add a bit of color to the landscape, along with the usual penta’s, blue daze, crinum lilies and even the Golden Rain trees. We note that there are many buds on the 40+ camellia bushes and keep watch for that first one to pop open.

November is the perfect weather month for sitting on frontPorch

5pm brings guests to gather on the porch, a place where we like to joke that we solve all the problems of the world. Of course it depends on who is there and where they are from, so it can get very interesting! November in North Orlando is also the perfect time to stroll along our walking paths and residential streets, meandering past beautiful houses, parks and lakes. Come let us show off for you…book now! We are minutes from Winter Park, Rollin’s College, and downtown Orlando too.

November is the perfect weather month for the Golden Rain Tree at Maitland B&B
Golden Rain Tree at Maitland B&B

Art & History Together North Orlando

Yes, Art & History together north Orlando. Three new exhibits just opened at the fabulous Art & History Museums – Maitland.  Just minutes away from our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Thurston House , you can  hop in your car or take a short stroll over there. Yes, Art & History together here in Central Florida!

Exhibit #1 – The Maitland Art Center continues to honor the legacy of founder Andre Smith by bringing back the Artist-In-Residence Program. The first artist who has spent 6 weeks living and working on the grounds is Josette Urso. She worked primarily in the gardens making oil paintings, watercolors and drawings.

Exhibit #2 – Heavy Metal – No, not music but abstract arrangements of painted metal and found remains, innovative works by Rocky Bridges.

Exhibit #3 – Family Ties – No, not the TV show! With this interactive exhibition you can learn how to trace your own ancestry while you explore the history of Maitland’s founding families.

Such a unique and wonderful facility, a place where you could easily spend a few hours just enjoying the gardens and gallery. There is even an outdoor chapel and courtyard with wonderful Mayan themed artwork. Don’t forget about the fabulous gift shop too!

Remember, that is Art & History together, here in beautiful Maitland Central Florida!

 

 

 

North Orlando’s Rollins College Family Weekend!

Announcing North Orlando’s Rollins College Family Weekend!  School is back in session at Florida’s oldest continually running college, Rollins College in Winter Park. Once the students are all settled in for the school year, the college hosts a Family Weekend. This years dates are 11/1-11/3. This fun filled weekend bring families from all over the world, to share in all the festivities. Remember, that is North Orlando’s Rollins College Family Weekend!

Thurston House our North Orlando Winter Park Bed & breakfast is just minutes away from campus, but a nice and quiet intimate accommodation. Our 8 acre wooded location is perfect for a quite read in the upstairs hammock, or grab a colorful rocking chair on the downstairs wraparound porch overlooking Lake Eulalia.  Late afternoon snacks are offered, and the full breakfast each morning is world class! Rollins students have been known to join their family for breakfast, or even for a sit on the porch in the afternoon, a nice respite from their busy college life. Book now as rooms are sure to go fast!hammock with afternoon sun by carla

Reason’s Visit Maitland Florida

There are many reason’s to visit Maitland Florida. We have had people stay at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast in Central Florida North Orlando for a variety of reason’s such as visiting local family, doing business, visiting our wonderful museums, attending a wedding or other event, and so much more. Maitland is a smller city so all attractions can be strolled to our driven to in just minutes!

One of the most unique reasons guests visited Thurston House was an out of state couple, avid corvette collectors, who specifically came to the North Orlando area on their last Florida night. Visiting Roger’s Corvette was high on their list of things to do! This local instituation has been selling corvette’s since 1965.

It’s location is just a couple of miles from Thurston House, on Rt.#17-92, Orlando Avenue. Our guests spent hours there and really enjoyed seeing Roger’s personal collection, amassed over many years. They promised they will be back when they are ready to buy their next one!

North Orlando Lodging Special!

North Orlando Lodging Special – For a very limited time, enjoy accommodations at Thurston House, our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Inn, for only $185 nightly plus tax! This is for any room, from now through 9/3. BOOK NOW for best choice of room and dates.

hammock with afternoon sun by carla

north Orlando lodging special Thurston House hammock

There is so much to do and see in our Central Florida area, from visiting the Audubon Birds of Prey Center 2 streets away, to enjoying tapas and music at Jazz Tastings just a short stroll up the street. Maitland is also host to several wonderful museums, including the Maitland Art Center, the Maitland Historical Museum, and the Waterhouse Residence Museum. Top off your day at a wonderful restaurant such as Antonio’s la Fiamma, SoNapa or Rangetsu, all sure to please. This north Orlando lodging special won’t last long so be sure to book your room soon!