Carol Taylor-Block, of Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, with Sgt. Adam Britzman and Kathy Greene, WJTW-FM's 'Gal on the Go'

Edited by Amy Woods:

Merchants on Center Street in Jupiter will participate in the revival of an old tradition -- celebrating Christmas at Beacon Baptist Church. According to local lore, the sermon was short so that Santa could visit the children and give them a small gift and an orange.

This year's Christmas on Center Street will take place Dec. 14 and will benefit Toys for Tots and include singing by members of local choirs. There also will be tile-painting, face-painting and hair-braiding stations set up along the plaza's walkway.

"Our goal for Christmas on Center Street is to collect 700 toys for the 2011 Toys for Tots program," said Melissa  Fiorenza, manager of Jupiter Medical Center's thrift store.

To encourage guests to bring new, unwrapped toys, each participating merchant will have an envelope with raffle tickets from Center Street businesses.

Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home is sponsoring the arrival of Santa, said Carol Taylor-Block, president of the family-owned business.

"We're extremely pleased that the group of shops at 141 Center Street are sponsoring a remote radio broadcast that evening," said Kathy Greene, WJTW-FM's "Gal on the Go." "I'll be doing interviews throughout the evening and just enjoying the hometown, holiday spirit.

Christmas on Center Street will run from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For information, contact Susan Lorenti at [email protected]