Welcome to Florida Winter

A Little Christmas History for Kids



Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25th, but did you know the holiday has been around for more than 1,700 years? It all began as a celebration of the birth of Jesus, but over time, people around the world added their own fun traditions!

Long ago in Europe, families decorated their homes with evergreen branches to remind them that life continues even in winter. This later grew into the tradition of the Christmas tree. In the 1800s, Christmas trees became very popular in the United States—especially after a picture of Queen Victoria and her family standing around a decorated tree became famous!

And what about Santa Claus? He was inspired by a real person—St. Nicholas, a kind man who lived over 1,600 years ago and loved giving gifts to children. Over time, stories about him grew, and he eventually became the jolly man in the red suit we all know today.

Today, Christmas is a time for kindness, giving, celebrating with family, and enjoying fun traditions like cookies, lights, and presents. No matter how people celebrate, the heart of Christmas has always been about love and joy.

The staff at Nelson's wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Easy Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk
• (Optional) Red & green sprinkles or colored sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla.
5. Slowly stir in the dry ingredients until combined.
6. Roll dough into small balls, place on a cookie sheet, and gently flatten with a cup.
7. Add sprinkles on top if you want that Christmas sparkle.
8. Bake 8–10 minutes or until edges are just slightly golden.

History & Origins of Umatilla

1. Founding

• Umatilla was founded in 1856 by Nathan J. Trowell.
• The name Umatilla was registered with the U.S. Land Office in 1876.
• The name comes from a town in Oregon; it's a Native American word meaning something like “water rippling over sand” or “laughing waters.”

1. Incorporation

• Umatilla officially became an incorporated city on November 8, 1904, after an election.
• By then, the town already had a post office, school, hotel, stores, a citrus packing house, and more.

1. Transportation

• In 1880, Umatilla became a stop on the St. Johns and Lake Eustis Line, a railroad running from Astor to Eustis.
• Before the railroad, transportation was mainly by water — steamboats on the St. Johns River to nearby points, then wagons to Umatilla.

Economy & Development

1. Agriculture & Citrus Industry

• Early inhabitants raised cattle and farmed; later, citrus became a major industry for Umatilla.
• However, severe freezes (notably in the late 1800s, and later in the 1970s–1980s) devastated many orange groves.
• The citrus processing plant was a big deal for the town — once one of its largest businesses; remnants of that plant still exist as you enter Umatilla from the south on State Road 19.

1. Modern Economy

• While citrus used to dominate, the city now has a more diversified small-town economy: shops, restaurants, a honey co-op, medical services, a weekly newspaper, etc.
• Umatilla also leans into its natural surroundings; it’s known as the “Gateway to the Ocala National Forest.”
• 
  

Education & Community

1. Schools

• Umatilla High School was first built in 1910.
• The original schoolhouse is now the Paul W. Bryan Historic Schoolhouse, which serves as the Umatilla Historical Society Museum.

1. Historic Church

• The First United Methodist Church of Umatilla is a notable historic building. Built in 1922, it features Gothic, classical, prairie, and Italian Renaissance architectural styles.
• It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography & Demographics

1. Location

• Umatilla is in Lake County, Florida.
• It covers about 11.06 km² (4.27 sq mi), with around 16% of that being water.
• 
  
• The city is roughly 38 miles northwest of Orlando.

1. Population

• According to the 2020 census, Umatilla has 3,685 people.

Challenges & Resilience

1. Freezes & Citrus Decline

• As mentioned, several “big freeze” events (1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989) severely damaged citrus groves, pushing many growers out of the area.
• 
  
• Despite that, there are still smaller growers in Umatilla working to revive citrus farming.

1. Natural & Community Identity

• Umatilla’s identity is deeply tied to nature — lakes, forest access, and its quieter, rural-small-town character.
• The city emphasizes community with civic clubs, local events, and preserving historic structures.