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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! On this day in 1983, the first live telecast of Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade began on the ABC network with Joan Lunden as the first and longest-running host and Mike Douglas as the co-host.

In honor of Christmas and Hanukkah, the entire Flyover Florida crew wishes you a day filled with the joy, wonder, and love of the season. Our edition today and through the rest of this week will be a bit shorter than usual to allow us time to spend with our families.

We’re sponsored today by Laughland, the 100% safe and easy-to-use teeth whitening kit you can use at home.

‘Grinch’ Christmas Tree Scam Sparks Generosity

Pastor Dennis Eastling of the Key Biscayne Community Church was scammed out of $34,500 when the 900 Christmas trees he ordered from a broker in New Jersey never arrived.

Key Biscayne Detective Fernando Carvajal, along with extensive media coverage, prompted the tree broker to return the money to the church.

Meanwhile, Floridians stepped in to help with a “Stop the Grinch” Pushpay service for donations, trees, and monetary gifts.

When a church official visited a tree tent in northeast Miami operated by Jim Basi, he learned that Basi had also been scammed by the same New Jersey broker a year earlier, losing $44,000.

Basi allowed the church to purchase 375 of his trees on consignment at cost and donated 75 more.

"Later, when we went to write our check, like $7,000, he just said, 'Write the check to St Jude's Children's Hospital.' He didn't take the money," Pastor Denny said. "I thought that was so commendable. He wasn't even getting a penny."

‘Marine Corps Toys for Tots’ Giveaway in Miami Beach

Some South Florida families got an early visit from Santa Claus and the Miami Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars, who hosted this year’s Marine Corps Toys for Tots giveaway.

Santa made a grand arrival via the U.S. Coast Guard, sailing across Biscayne Bay, while the Grinch rode in the basket of a Miami Beach Fire Department truck.

“We’re giving away presents, over 1,500 toys donated by the Marines. Barracks Legend Foundation donated another 400 toys, and the community for two weeks has been donating toys to the post,” VFW Senior Vice Cmdr. Alex Kruger-Dobrota said.

Children lined up for toys and pictures with Santa, the Grinch, and their favorite marines. You can see a video of the fun here.

Whiten Your Teeth With Science — Not Gimmicks!

Laughland is the dentist-formulated, clinically proven whitening kit that’s given 200,000+ people their dream smile — without pain or sensitivity. It’s easy to use, 100% safe, and guaranteed to work!

Get 7+ shades whiter in just 6 days — guaranteed!

➤ Ocala: Eighteen children were adopted by 13 families just before Christmas. Circuit Judge Stacy Youmans presented each family with their own engraved ornament. (See Photos)

➤ Orlando: This month’s Snowball Express annual event, hosted by the Gary Sinise Foundation, welcomed more than 1,700 children and surviving spouses or guardians of our nation’s fallen military heroes to the Magic Kingdom Park at Disney World. (See Photos)

➤ Naples: Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex, gave $85 million to 41 nonprofit organizations across Southwest Florida in 2024. (See Details)

➤ Pass-A-Grille Beach: An artist is using discarded storm debris to create Christmas trash trees. (See Photos)

➤ Miami: The Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity distributed over 100 gifts to children and their families during its 5th Annual Community Sleigh Ride event. (See Photos)

➤ Sarasota: Photographer Joseph Janney Steinmetz is known for his nostalgic images of Old Florida Christmases. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Losing your hearing? Don’t pay $2,500+ for a prescription; try this new OTC Hearing Aid for only $189 from Audien Atom! (See It Here)

How does Laughland whiten your teeth by 7+ shades in less than a week without sensitivity? It’s simple — we partnered with a team of renowned dentists, then did exactly what they told us to do!

That’s why our proprietary formula combines Hydrogen Peroxide — the exact same whitening agent your dentist uses — with a soothing blend of Glycerin, Sodium Bicarbonate and more natural ingredients that prevent sensitivity and boost results.

Finally, we keep our formula temperature controlled at all times to guarantee maximum effectiveness.

Only your dentist can offer similar results — yet Laughland is a fraction of the price, and you can use it from the comfort of your couch!

Laughland is the only whitening kit with a 100% success rate in clinical trials.