Gainesville Date: All that Glitters

December is a time of reunion with family, but often a time of parting for couples. Before you bid farewell, spend some time around a glowing tree of your own—or a whole park full of them—at the Christmas Festival of Lights at the Stephen Foster Folk State Park in White Springs. The festival kicks off Dec. 12 with the Annual Christmas Parade, live music and refreshments. Even if you miss the opening day, other month-long activities like craft demonstrations and cuddle-worthy marshmallow roasts will make the goodbyes sweeter and the post-season’s greetings all the merrier.

The park lights up 5-9pm daily, Dec. 12 to Dec. 31. If you plan to attend Dec. 12, be sure to bring canned goods, new toys or a donation.

You can find the park 52 miles north of Gainesville, off of I-75 North at exit 439. Then, travel east on S.R. 136 for three miles and make a left onto U.S. 41. The park entrance will be on the left. Call 386-397-4331 or visit the Web site for more.

—Mead Bowen

They came. They saw. They bid.

Big Brothers Big Sisters' "Match for the Stars" date auction at Sharab Lounge last Friday (Oct. 23) was a hit. At least 250 people crowded Sharab Lounge, eager for their chance to lend a helping hand and win some much-coveted date packages. With bids starting at $50 and dates such as private flights, six-month gym memberships and expensive dinners up for grabs, the value of the night was evident beyond the obvious charitable contribution.

Among the highest bids of the night were $300 dished out for a "Next Top Model" date package with Neutral 7 owner Albert "Albey" Coronel; our very own editor's Sunday Fun-Day: Cars, Wine and Theater" package went for $310; and TV-20's Jordan Smith's Cedar Key date climbed to more than $400!

There was even an all-out bidding war for the "A Fantasy Flight" date, which included a private flight to Sarasota (flown by Gainesville Health & Fitness Owner Joe Cirulli) and a dinner at The Columbia at Saint Armands Circle.

On stage, the bachelors looked great in suits and ties, but the bachelorettes stole the show in form-fitting frocks—many provided by Calzatura boutique. Attendants were treated to a free drink ticket and finger food provided by Mi Apa Latin Cafe. (Mi Apa's owner was on site and won the bid for Amanda Decker, also WCJB TV-20 news anchor.)

"The committee did such a great job putting this together," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid Florida executive director Paul Halpern. "You don't see anybody in the room not smiling."

Check out our photo slideshow on our Web site!

—Stephanie Granada
Photos: Rodney Rogers

Getting Ready to GoDateHer

It's finally time for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters "A Match for the Stars" date auction. If you haven't gotten your tickets, you still have a chance to score discounted tickets from us, so e-mail editor@insitegainesville straight away.

Aside from benefitting a great cause, the event is a fun and unique opportunity to do something a little different on a Friday night.

Look for INsite editor Maghan McDowell on the auctioning stage. Her date package includes a wining-and-dining experience at Manuel's Vintage room, a Hippodrome performance and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Gainesville Raceway, including—get this—a chance to race a car on the track as many times as you want. High speed and no ticket-charge? Awesome!

(KEEP READING...)

WIN FREE TIX to the BBBS Date Auction!

A Match for the Stars, the Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraising date auction, is this Friday (10/23) at Sharab Lounge. With the chance to help out a great cause and bid on some exciting date packages, it'll be a night to remember. Check out INsite's preview of the auction.

Best of all, you and a guest could attend for FREE! What an awesome date night that would be...

To win a pair of tickets to the auction (at $50 value) retweet our message on Twitter or e-mail editor@insitegaineville.com!

See. Bid. Match.

See below for how to win free tickets!

Looking for a date? Bid on a bachelor or bachelorette at A Match for the Stars, the first ever Big Brothers Big Sisters Date Auction, on Friday, Oct. 23. But it’s not just any date. The bachelors and bachelorettes will be donating date packages to be auctioned off, ranging from skydiving to dinner and a movie.

“We’re hoping to get a diverse set of packages,” says Fred Smith, BBBS business development director. The winning bidders can choose to go on the date with the bachelor or bachelorette, or take their own date. Fred says this encourages more couples to get involved. He also says he hopes the event will draw a slightly older crowd than your average college scene—the bachelors and bachelorettes will range from ages 24 to 40.

The event, which will be cocktail attire with an Old Hollywood theme, will start at 6pm at Sharab Lounge. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $35 at the door, and you can enjoy music, entertainment, raffle prizes, drinks and hors d’ oeuvres in addition to the date auction.

“It’s less about the actual dollar amount and more about raising awareness about Big Brothers Big Sisters in this community,” Fred explains.

Can’t wait for the event? The BBBS is also hosting cocktail socials at Sharab Lounge. Check it out at 8pm at Sharab Lounge on Oct. 15; to join the VIP list and receive your first drink free, e-mail events@bbbsmidflorida.org.

WIN TICKETS! INSITE WILL BE GIVING AWAY A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE DATE AUCTION. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER TO SEE THE INSTANT GIVEAWAY.

—Kate Ashby

Gainesville Date: Dine In with Pumpkin Ravioli

It isn’t every month that you get to play with your food. Carving out a place for pumpkin this October couldn’t be easier. Pick one up from places like Ward’s Supermarket, the Downtown Farmer’s Market (Wednesdays) or Trinity United Methodist Church’s annual Pumpkin Patch.

Use the fresh pumpkin in a warm, semisweet fall dish that can stand alone or as a side dish or appetizer: pumpkin ravioli with a maple-ginger sauce.

INGREDIENTS
Filling

• 1 lb. pumpkin, seeded
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/4 c. light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. light corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large amaretti cookie

Pasta Dough

• 2 c. flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
• Water

Maple-Ginger Sauce

• 1/4 c. unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger

To Make Dough:
Place flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the flour; pour eggs and oil into it. Pinch dough until well blended. (Add water if too powdery.) Knead until elastic and smooth. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.

To Make Filling:
Preheat oven to 350º F. Drizzle pumpkin with oil; place onto baking sheet. Roast in oven 25-30 minutes or until very soft. Cool.

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, spices, sugar, syrup and salt until smooth.

To Make Sauce:
In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. When it foams, add syrup and ginger and cook briefly, about 1 minute.

To Combine:
Roll out dough and cut into 2" circles. Spoon filling onto each; top each with another pasta round. Seal each with wet fingers.

Bring 6 quarts water to a boil; add 2 tbsp. salt. Add pasta; cook 2 minutes. Drain pasta. Gently toss with butter.

Drizzle ginger sauce and grate amaretti over each serving.

—Mead Bowen