The Local: Winter Garden—September 2021

Bagel Beginnings Jeff and Danielle bake their passion into a business 30

Our first is that is newsue looks at all in the Gard en 20

WINTER GARDEN SEP T EMBER 20 21

Miguel of La Mancha The Garden Theatre’s newest production makes one local’s impossible dream come true

Welcome to This is your magazine.

Be a part of it when you read, engage, share, contribute.

This was made by people who live here, work here, and care deeply about this community.

Our advertisers make this gift to you possible, so please thank them with your support.

C⚫ ntents WINTER GARDEN September 2021

FEATURING New on the Scene

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New people, places, and more: A new performer takes the stage; meet two of the newest locals; a twist on mimosas.

R H E YA TAN N ER

Pictured here: One of our newest locals Leilani Juliana Joseph.

Turn to page 25 to see her in a better mood.

Joy to Be Held

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For Jeff and Danielle Perera, happiness is a warm bagel. Now they share their passion with the community.

MAR K McWAT ER S

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Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital is home to your community's most trusted team of experts.

From 24/7 emergency care, lifesaving cardiac treatment or expert surgical options, Orlando Health Horizon West offers an array of specialties closer to home. We are proud to bring you care you can trust, the kind that’s been there like a friend, year after year.

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C⚫ ntents 48

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DEPARTMENTS 8 The Lo’ Down

18 Tails to Tell

44 Eats + Drinks

12 Garden Variety

38 The Homefront

48 Near + Afar

The Editor frets about firsts.

NEWS, NOTABLES, AND NEIGHBORS IN THE KNOW

12 Heritage Tree Project 13 Vocal Locals 13 A Bargain Brew 14 Local Health Journey 14 Market Watch 16 Local Reviews 17 Charitable Spotlight

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The Local

Finnegan the kitten shares his mama’s rescue story.

The Brighams bring their love of old Florida into a new space.

42 Oh, Well!

WI N TE R G AR DE N

HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND FITNESS FROM AREA EXPERTS

Rehab gets a rehab; Food success tips; Secret benefits of exercise

44 The Egg Bomb Sandwich 46 Fruited beers

The LaMacchias found art, nature, and old west charm in a small town on Lake Tahoe.

50 Rhetoric

MUSINGS ON LIFE AS A LOCAL

She’d say it’s nice to meet you, but…is it really?

ON THE COVER

Miguel Salas plays Don Quixote—his first lead role since emigrating from Venezuela—in the Garden Theatre’s modern-day take on Man of La Mancha.

F R E D LO PE Z

WHEN YOU ARE HOME. WE ARE CARE.

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“B The Lo’Down

eginnings

are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s what’s in the middle that counts.” I speak fluently in movie quotes, and this one from Hope Floats is one of my favorites. I shall now take a moment to sigh and think of Harry Connick Jr. in a cowboy hat with flowers. Sigh.

Anyway, it was working on this first issue of The Local that brought that quote to mind.

Beginnings are scary—and launching a magazine? Terrifying.

But I have learned that it’s the people of my life, my circles, that turn the anxiety of “new” into hope. This is a community magazine, for all of us, and its goal is to bring all our circles a little closer together.

I think of my first day of kindergarten. I was ready! In my yellow raincoat and Buster Brown shoes, the bus couldn’t come fast enough—until it came. I suddenly wasn’t so certain about leaving my parents. But it didn’t take long before I was back to feeling excited to get on that bus every day with my new circle of friends, and happy to have my circle of family to come home to.

There are so many other firsts. The first time I drove a stick shift (there was profanity and I think my mom may have peed in laughter a little), my first job (praised, not fired, by my new boss for reorganizing a chaotic display). Or! The day I met my husband, my wedding day, the day my first son was born. When I reminisce on these moments, yes, I remember the milestones and feel the pride of meeting the moment and making it mine.

But I mostly remember my people. They turned worry into wonderful.

And now, it’s time for another beginning, a new magazine that celebrates all the fantastic humans that make us the community we are. And as my new person, I am counting on your input! Begin with me today and move us into the middle of the story. It is knowing the chapter ahead that makes this one less scary. And my hope floats.

Happy Reading,

Nicole Soulsby, Editor Something to add?

Send your ideas and images to thelocalwg@emagency.com

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Editor’s Endorsement: The Public Library For books (touchable, audible, and digital), movies, magazines, and music.

They even deliver select items to your home. More at ocls.info

WI N TE R G AR DE N

“I don’t even consider this work or a job.

It’s my safe-haven and judgement free zone.

We are all recognized and appreciated!

—Faith, Receptionist

BER’S SEPTEM OFFER L SPECIA

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Our team’s focus is your vision

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THE ADVISORY BOARD

WINTER GARDEN

The purpose of the board is to guide our efforts to make The Local as reflective of our area as possible.

Its members are leaders who have roots, connections, expertise, and interest in our community and have volunteered their considerable time and talent. .

Elisa SpencerKaplan Managing

Director of the historic Garden Theatre. After more than 15 years leading professional theaters in NYC and around the country, she relocated to Winter Garden last year and loves exploring this special community with her husband, Broadway composer Russ Kaplan, and 8-year-old daughter Emilia.

Dr. Kim Dawson

Healthcare entrepreneur and owner of Pearle Vision in Ocoee. Kim has been passionate about health and wellness for over 20 years. She received her doctorate in Health Science at MUSC in South Carolina. Kim has lived in Winter Garden for 10 years and is inspired daily by her two children, Symone and Desiree. In her free time, Kim likes to cook, travel, and read novels.

Ralph Disciullo

Branch Manager with American Financial Network, one of the largest residential mortgage lenders in the US. Prior to the mortgage industry Ralph played a key role in the startup of several businesses. Originally from Emerson, NJ, Ralph attended USF in Tampa and now resides in Winter Garden with his wife of 16 years, Sandi, and their two daughters Daniella and Avery.

Becca Lanterman

Owner of Winter Garden Senior Home Care.

Becca is a second-generation Winter Garden resident, and her local roots run deep. She is the true embodiment of joy, and has never met a stranger. Becca loves living the “bubble life,” where her golf cart is her primary mode of transportation. She has dedicated her life to tending to the special needs of our local senior adults.

September 2021 Vol. 1 No. 1 thelocalwg.com @thelocalwg Jamie Ezra Mark Publisher Nicole Soulsby Editor Rheya Tanner Art Director Jon Barrett Editor-at-Large Josh Clark Designer Wendy Mak Designer Mark McWaters Writer Tarin Scarbrough Writer Fred Lopez Chief Photographer Caleb Jensen Web Garrett Reardon Digital CONTRIBUTORS

Ann Morrow, Taylor Brigham, Jeremiah Bradford, Joe Walsh, Kaitlin LaMacchia ADVERTISING

Rhiannon Neuharth Marketing Director rhiannon@emagency.com

Tracey Forrester

Realtor with Xcellence Realty, Inc. and Independent Associate with LegalShield. She has been in the Horizon West area since 2007.

She is cofounder of Horizon West Professionals and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Horizon West Chapter. Tracey believes in building lasting relationships and being an integral part of the community. She now lives, works, and plays in Horizon West with her beautiful teenage girls, Averie and Bryce.

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Bryan Fifer

Local agent with State Farm Insurance.

Bryan is a Central Florida native, Founding President of the Rotary Club of Horizon West, Horizon West Who’s Who Award Winner, and Team Captain for All-Pro Dad. He is married to his beautiful wife Angie and they have two wonderful children.

Bryan is highly invested in making Horizon West the best place to work, live, and play.

WI N TE R G AR DE N

Angie Layfield NHA/CDAL

Executive Director at The Blake at Hamlin, a senior living and memory care community in Hamlin Town Center.

Angie has been in the senior housing industry for over 20 years and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight to our Horizon West seniors and their families.

Though originally from Maryland, she has called Horizon West home since 2016. Angie and her family reside in Village F’s Watermark.

Tamara Zotti

Tamara is a Charleston, SC, native who has lived here for eight years. After seven years as a teacher assistant at Windermere Preparatory School, she now enjoys local life with her husband of 17 years, Frank, and her two children, Nicholas and Samantha. Tamara believes in the value of community involvement and always tries to give back however she can.

Pam Thomas Owner

of Pammie’s Sammies, a “thoughtfully sourced, tastefully adventurous” restaurant in the heart of downtown. She is a passionate foodie with a degree in Wine, Spirits, and Beverage Management at the International Culinary School in Tampa. Pam is a staple of the Central Florida community, having operated in Universal Orlando, Dr. Phillips, and now Winter Garden.

A PU BLICATION OF

407-573-6061 • emagency.com @EMagencyinc

PRO U D M EM BER S OF

The Local Volume 1 Issue 1 ©2021 Em Agency. All rights reserved. Published monthly. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Em Agency. Reader submissions have been edited for length or clarity. Advertising of products does not imply endorsement. Em Agency cannot be held liable for the business practices of these companies.

IS FOR EVERYONE COME EINA TO TAK

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THE AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF EBIKES

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NEWS, NOTABLES & NEIGHBORS IN THE KNOW

Tracing Our Roots The Heritage Tree Project tells our city’s story through its grand old trees.

S

ince 1997, the Bloom & Grow Garden Society has created and maintained green spaces throughout Winter Garden.

That mission continues into 2021 as Katy Moss Warner, chair of the Bloom & Grow Tree Fund, and America In Bloom chair member Mary Zahl, set out to show how the roots of our city are woven into the roots of its trees.

The Heritage Tree Project was born.

There are two types of Heritage Trees: Historic Trees, which have a trunk diameter of at least 30 inches, and Specimen Trees, which are

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mature representations of any species that doesn’t generally grow to a great size. “We asked our members to nominate our biggest and most beautiful trees in hopes that we could identify 100 that deserve recognition and reverence,” says Katy.

Among the largest and grandest of those trees is the Tucker Ranch Oak (pictured), a southern live oak with a 411/2-inch-wide trunk and a 96-foot canopy spread. The oak has been guarding the ranch since its earliest known history in the 1940s and is likely a century old.

Each official Heritage Tree’s plaque will be installed in time for the inaugural Winter Garden Heritage Tree Walk on October 22 (reservations required). But the two-mile walking tour, developed in partnership with Healthy West Orange, is only the first stretch of the project; there is so much more to come. “We don’t know how many trees qualify as heritage trees—perhaps hundreds,” says Katy.

“Next year, we open up tree nominations to the public. We have identified 100 to date and will continue adding to the list.”

THIS MON TH’S Q UE STION

VOCAL LOCALS

What’s new?

Deborah D.

Ahmya L.

Marianthi S.

Bob G.

Vanessa Z.

Me! I’m a recent transplant from Sarasota, so I’m what’s new. I’m loving it here so far!

My 19th birthday is coming up on October 16.

We’re going to an Airbnb mansion in Miami to celebrate!

The Hangry Bison moving into the new building.

Have you seen pictures of their burgers? They look amazing!

My wife and I are excited to see construction on Ford’s Garage.

We can’t wait to have a nice new place to go to dinner.

We’re back at the market, and I’m so glad! It’s nice to see all the locals out again, supporting local businesses.

Brewed Awakenings They say the best things in life are free.

For Ann Morrow, they’re just 99 cents.

Whether you call it joe, java, or a cuppa high tea, most of us need a little jolt in the morning. And yet, a cup of gourmet coffee will set you back a couple of bucks or more. Whoa! It’s just coffee.

I’ve never put much credence in labels. Whether it is my apparel, accessories, or a daily cup of coffee, it’s more important to find a product that fits me—my size, my character, and my taste. The upscale coffee cups do not feed my ego. I would rather have a cup that tastes great and doesn’t make me feel guilty about the cost.

That’s why I cruise into the Speedway on W. Colonial and Vineland. They have a delicious cup of coffee (up to 20 ounces) for just 99 cents! Speedway has recently installed wonderful new coffee machines that perk coffee for each cup. For me, the Dark Brew with Vanilla Delight and a bit of sweetener is a guilty pleasure!

This coffee is hot, rich, flavorful, and fast. So, I sport a big “S” on my coffee cup!

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Garden Variety

Connor Can A local business owner stays positive through a new diagnosis.

Connor Krantz has been introducing locals to electric bikes since 2018. He and his girlfriend Madi love the outdoors, from hiking to mountain biking, from boating to saltwater fishing.

He knew something was wrong about nine months ago, when he started having acute abdominal pain. “I was too stubborn to ask for help,” he says. “It got to the point where I was in so much pain that Madi basically forced me to go to the urgent care. When they did an ultrasound, they found a malignant tumor.” Two more tumors were found in his abdomen, and the doctors confirmed that they began as testicular cancer.

The Local will be following Connor’s journey to recovery in coming issues. As of now, he had his first tumor removal surgery last month and is scheduled to begin chemotherapy soon. “We have a great team of doctors behind me, and everyone is confident in my ability to beat this,” he says.

In the face of shocking news, Connor still knows how to smile. “I’m lucky to be young and in good health,” he says.”I have an incredible girlfriend by my side. I’m in a lot of physical pain, but I’m happy and mentally healthy. I keep my head up—it takes a lot more than this to get my spirits down.”

Madi has also set up a GoFundMe for Connor (search for title “Help Connor beat cancer!” or use the URL gofund.me/197c5b6f).

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MARKET WATCH

A.B Newton and Co.

Three craftsmen capture the essence of their hometown, both in style and in name.

A.B. Newton was the first elected mayor for the City of Winter Garden when it was incorporated in 1908.

He was also the postmaster, the publisher of Winter Garden’s first newspaper, and later served in the state legislature. He was a Renaissance man—a fitting namesake for Will Blaine, Matt Peacock, and Andy Crabtree’s local business.

With a focus on the community, the three friends began A.B.Newton and Co. to highlight the best of Winter Garden, where Andy and Will trace their families back several generations. The business

began with t-shirts, but over seven years has expanded to include art prints (Will is the artist), cheeky candles (Matt makes those), and wooden signage (crafted by Andy).

All that along with soaps, greeting cards, hats, and, yes, still shirts.

They can be seen Saturdays at the Farmer’s Market. But if you can’t wait, they also sell their items in Adjectives, online, and at other retail locations around the country. Will, Matt,and Andy continue to showcase some of the best Winter Garden has to offer and, in doing so, honor their historical namesake.

CHARITABLE SPOTLIGHT

West Orange Habitat for Humanity

West Orange Habitat for Humanity is restoring East Winter Garden one home at a time with its Neighborhood Revitalization Project.

Once a home is selected and permission is granted by its owner, Habitat sends a group of volunteers to paint the exterior and spruce up the landscaping.

(The homeowner selects

the paint color and often helps with the work.) So far, they’ve seen it take a ripple effect: The owners of neighboring homes see the improvement and tend to start improving their homes as well. Beauty is contagious!

Another of Habitat’s important projects is the building of a new com-

munity, Criswell Court.

Located off Center Street, the neighborhood will have four homes and will change the lives of four families for generations.

The City of Winter Garden recently approved all needed permits, and the cement foundations for these homes have been poured.

Get Involved! westorangehabitat.org 407-905-0406 x105

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95

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Garden Variety

REVIEW IT FIGURES

Fast facts to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, beginning September 15

o.

N 2 in Growth Watch

Read

Listen

When the kids are all tucked in bed and I can finally turn off Pokémon and LEGO Ninjago, my guilty pleasure is Letterkenny (Hulu, 2016-Present, TVMA). It’s a sitcom about the three groups in the titular Canadian town and how they interact with each other.

It’s so quick-witted—I can watch an episode multiple times and catch something new. We have a friend who’s just like Squirrely Dan, and tuning in is almost like visiting with him!

Fair warning: there are a lot of f-bombs and creative cursing, adult situations, and hilarious fart jokes. (I am a boy mom, after all.)

In the dystopian world of 1984 (George Orwell, 1949, Secker & Warburg), where the government has complete control over its people through censorship, thought policing, and revisionist history, Winston Smith embarks on a journey to discover what truth and freedom really are.

I love the themes of individuality and truth.

The one part I don’t enjoy is when Winston reads a book within a book—it’s written word-for-word, and that drags on. But overall, it’s amazing how detailed the world of 1984 is, despite the book being so short.

Looking for familiar, genuine music that sounds like your best friend (with an amazing voice) recorded the songs just for you? I recommend listening to the Brandi Carlile Essentials playlist (Apple Music Acoustic, Apple Music). It crosses a few genres, from country to folk to rock and even some pop.

It’s missing just one song, “Touching the Ground,” but is otherwise a perfect encapsulation of Brandi Carlile’s catalog. If you’re a lover of acoustic music like me, you’ll really love this playlist.

Emily T.

A local business consultant and owner of Pub Napkin Partnerships. She believes that pizza and wings are a must for movie nights, and that an evening with neighbors and wine is an evening well spent.

Cannon H.

A local high school student. His favorite book is Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. When he’s not reading, he enjoys following the stock market and global economic trends.

The Hispanic population is the second-fastest growing population in the United States.

SOURCE: pewresearch.org

1968 The first year Congress authorized National Hispanic Heritage celebration. At that time, it was one week, but it was expanded to one month in 1988.

SOURCE: census.gov

5

The number of Latin American nations that celebrate Independence Day on September 15, the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

SOURCE: pewresearch.org

Chris Doerger

A lover of a many bands, but we forced her to pick one, so she chose REM. In her free time, she loves scuba diving, swimming, and bingewatching anything except Bridgerton.

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The number of Hispanic-identifying representatives in the 117th Congress—more than any other time in history, and nearly twice as many as a decade ago.

SOURCE: pewresearch.org

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Scene The Local

YOUR BEST SOURCES FOR WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN

THE LATEST CITY NEWS, EVENTS, AND MORE, STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE Follow the City of Winter Garden’s official social media and subscribe to the Downtown WG blog for bimonthly articles on local businesses and initiatives. @officialdowntownwintergarden downtownwg.com

FROM EVENTS TO DEALS, THE WINTER GARDEN APP IS YOUR COMMUNITY GUIDE Check out the Portals and Secret Garden for augmented reality experiences.

Charlotte Mark August 26, 1929-August 20, 2021

I love you more Charlotte was always quick with a smile. She was one of those “never-met-a-stranger” types you hear about. She could find joy in even the smallest things and was known to break into her own little happy dance. Even from her wheelchair.

Everyone loved her. Everyone. It was hard not to. And when you told her “I love you,” “I love you more” was her favorite response.

She was a local, having lived her last years in Winter Garden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Her wonderful nurse, Gloria, not only provided great care, but real friendship through these last trying years.

Charlotte passed as we finished up this first issue, just a few days shy of her 92nd birthday.

She was a lot of things to so many people. Char to her friends, Bubby to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. To my sisters, Sherrie and Rachel, and me, she was mom. She went peacefully.

Surrounded by love. And with a smile.

—Jamie Mark

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Tails to Tell Finnegan’s Shenanigans Domestic Shorthair, 2 weeks My mommy was dropped off at a fire station, alone and pregnant. Foster Kitten Mama (@fosterkittenmama) said she would help. She took my mama in and took care of her.

My two brothers, Franklin and Ferris, and I were born on July 10. We have only known love, warmth, and full bellies.

(These are my baby pictures. Aren’t I the cutest?)

I was the last of us to open his eyes. There are so many things to discover! I especially love to be near my mama and snuggle with my brothers.

Does your pet have a tail to tell?

Share it at thelocalwg@emagency.com

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e n e c S e h t on ert on p x e t n e west resid kid in town. e n r u o y e oked to b aren’t the only new , and more. t s is l a c The Lo , places ertainly le c p e o e w t p u w WG life. B st a few of our ne ju OPE Z FRED L Here are ER R H E YA

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The Possible Dream

M

TA N N

iguel Salas’s first exposure to Don Quixote was because of his grandma, an avid reader. She gave him that book among many, many others when he was a young boy in his native

Venezuela. “It made a mark on me then, the way he sees things,” he says. “And when I first discovered Man of La Mancha, I really engaged with the ‘impossible dream.’”

His passion for performance started young. He

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enrolled in a music school at the age of 9 and fell in love with opera at 15. By his 20s, Miguel was performing in operas in Italy and Belgium— including the lead role of Marcello in La Bohème.

In that time, Miguel had tastes of the Don Quixote role, but the stars never quite aligned. “There was a production in Caracas, but I didn’t find out about it until it had already been cast,” he says. “So I saw it as an

audience member. It was actually the last play I saw before I left Venezuela.”

Miguel emigrated to the United States five years ago this month. That’s when it truly seeped into his bones.

“I started from scratch,” he says. “I worked the small jobs, still seeing myself on the big scene again. There was something about that phrase, ‘the impossible dream,’ that kept me going.”

Miguel and his wife first developed a relationship with the Garden Theatre as educators, leading a kids’ bilingual production of Coco. “We have an academy called Play And Arts where we teach music and painting. A friend and fellow actor recommended us to the Theatre, and they hired us to help run the summer camp,” he says. “That’s where I met Joe Walsh.”

The artistic director of the Garden Theatre connected with Miguel and shared his vision for Man of La Mancha. “I fell in love with the project,” says Miguel.

“Auditions were actually over when he called me again. I met up with him, we talked, and I sang for him. Now, here I am.”

Miguel finally becomes Don Quixote in a production of Man of La Mancha that has been launched forward as a modern American immigration story. “The setting is very real and will feel very close. You’re going to see Quixote in a broader way,” says Miguel. “And after you leave the theater, you’re going to keep seeing him.

That’s the magic of this production—seeing Quixote in other characters in the play, in the people around us.”

As for the people around Miguel, he considers them dazzlingly talented. “It’s amazing to see so much talent here, and so many diverse faces, a lot of Latinx actors like myself,” he says.

“It really gives me hope for my career.”

Miguel is delighted to be part of the ride. “It’s finally happening—I’m reconnecting with my essence,” he says.

“Joe’s vision is amazing to be part of. I’m looking forward to see how this flourishes within the community.”

Man of La Mancha at the Garden Theatre Runs through Sept. 19 / gardentheatre.org

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NEW EXPERIENCE

Taking the Leap Skydiving was never on Tracey Forrester’s bucket list.

“For one, I’m afraid of heights!” she says, having turned down the high-flying opportunity the first time it was presented to her.

“I didn’t want any more would’ve-should’ve-could’ve.

I’ve said that to myself too many times,” she says. “If I can face my fears and jump out of a perfectly good plane, I can do anything!”

And jump she did. Since feeling the thrill and freedom of that dive, she’s learned that her only limitations are the ones she places on herself. “I’d definitely do it all over again!”

Photo courtesy of Skydive Sebastian.

Learn how you can take the leap at skydiveseb.com

N E W AT T I T UD E

Talking Attendance West Orange High School certainly isn’t new. But for many of its students, who have been off-campus for nearly a year and a half, it might as well be.

“A lot of the people I started with have graduated. They were either seniors last year or the year before,” says Desiree Dawson, now a senior herself at West Orange High.

Desiree was one of many students who opted to spend last year learning online. And while she’s glad to be back with friends, there are still a lot of unknowns.

Despite that, Desiree is looking forward to reaping the rewards of three years of hard work. “I’m excited to not only be an officer in the clubs I’m in, but to already have a strong footing in my classes,” she says. “This is the year when I can step back and look at my accomplishments.”

For the freshmen, sophomores, and even some juniors who may have had little face time with their classmates, Desiree suggests taking it one day at a time. “Going back to school is scary for everyone,” she says. “But when people say it goes by quickly, they are in no way exaggerating. Do as much as you can—the best thing I did was join every club and take every opportunity I could.”

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The Local News Meet two of our newest locals. This precious pair were born in separate hospitals, to parents on opposite sides of the city, on July 7th—within an hour of one another.

Meet

Kennedy Rose Walker Born: July 7, 2021, 7:51pm at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies

Pictured at: 3 weeks old

Weight: 8 lb 5 oz Length: 21 inches Parents: Amy & Austin Walker Happy, wiggly little Kennedy is the picture of babyhood. She is alert and strong for her age, maybe because she was two weeks late. Current hobbies include snuggling and making poopy diapers whenever dad is on diaper duty.

Kennedy is also the proud inheritor of Flash,a stuffed panda her father has had since he was six weeks old. “We introduced her to Flash, and it was love at first sight,” says mother Amy. “It’s amazing to see our daughter enjoying one of her father’s favorite childhood toys.”

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Meet

Leilani Juliana Joseph Born: July 7, 2021, 8:36pm at AdventHealth for Women Orlando

Pictured at: 3 weeks old

Weight: 5 lb 3 oz Length: 18.5 inches Parents: Kayla Alvarez & Julian Joseph Siblings: Hazel Henry, 6 Calm, curious Leilani didn’t want to wait any longer. After a routine checkup sent mother Kayla to get “checked out” at the hospital, she realized her second daughter was coming three weeks early. “We didn’t have the hospital bag packed or the car seat put together,” she says. “Talk about last minute!” Sure enough, the perfectly healthy, teeny-tiny Leilani was born—and already checking things out.

“Within a few days, she was lifting her head and looking around,” says Kayla.

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NEW STOREFRON T

Going

LiveTrends in 3…2…

Check the label on that fancy potted succulent you bought at Target last year and you’re pretty likely to find a LiveTrends logo. Maybe you bought it because it matched your style, or because times are tough and you needed a leafy little friend. What you

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might not realize, though, is that when you bought LiveTrends, you supported a local business.

Since it established in 2013 in Apopka, FL, the LiveTrends brand (which also designs under the labels Urban Jungle and Be You) has been entirely

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“Our goal is to show people how wholesale, selling through they can larger retailers like Target and Lowe’s. But with the incorporate opening of its very first retail location in the Plant Street life into Exchange, that’s about to their living change.

“We want you to look space.” at this storefront and see so much more than just

—Rachael Eagan Marks

Business is Blooming LiveTrends is far from the only new business. Here are just a few others: Harmony Dental Burn Boot Camp Main House Market Kombucha Bar CSH Fitness Apricot Lane Boutique Polka Dotz (relocating downtown)

Rachael Eagan Marks and Sam Follmer themselves are grown just down the road, in Apopka.

Another reason for opening a brick-andmortar location is it gives LiveTrends a better opportunity to connect potential plant parents with exactly what is right for them. “People might recognize a pretty tag, but

they won’t understand until we open this retail space that there’s a real trend each pot is based on,” says fellow co-manager Sam Follmer.

“We put out over 150 product lines each year. It’s all about finding something that speaks to you.”.”

Hunger Street Tacos Azteca D’Oro Eggs Up Grill The Blake at Hamlin Ford’s Garage

(and just about everything else under construction in that area!)

LiveTrends / Coming Soon 279 Tremaine St., Ste. 4 livetrends.co/shop-livetrends-wg

Photos courtesy LiveTrends

a garden center,” says Rachael Eagan Marks, co-manager of the flagship LiveTrends store. “Our goal is to show people how they can incorporate life into their living space.”

Apart from the golden opportunity to open a plant store along Plant Street, LiveTrends’ attraction to Winter Garden is a bit more personal. “Our CEO Bisser Georgiev lives in Oakland, and is very involved in the city,” says Rachael. “We’re local, and we wanted to give back to our community.

So when the Exchange opened, he was like, ‘let’s do it.’ I think his hope was to be closer to home.”

The store will feature a variety of collections for every taste and every shade of green thumb. The brand’s planters are hand-crafted by in-house designers, and the vast majority of the plants

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N E W TA ST E

Mimosa Flights of Fancy Tired of sipping the same old Mimosa at every Sunday brunch? Neither are we—but we still welcome a taste of variety with a brand-new Mimosa Flight from The French Café in Hamlin. The flight includes orange juice, pineapple juice, white peach coulis, raspberry coulis, two champagne flutes, and a whole bottle of Simonet Brut Sparkling Wine to experiment with.

Mimosa Flights at The French Cafe / $35 / thefrenchcafe.com

Xxxxx

this community’s gates.

“We are here now,” says As sure as the sun rises—and at around the time Kim, pointing at our state on a globe she brought it rises, too—Kim Bui and before spinning it to its Hoan Nguyen will be out exact opposite side, tracing on their hour-long walk.

“We only ever miss it when her finger toward a little S-shaped country in Southit’s raining,” says Hoan.

Their morning tradition east Asia. “And my country is all the way over here. It’s has made them rather 10 a.m. here now, but in famous around Lake Cove Vietnam, it’s 10 p.m.”

Pointe, and they attribute their friendships and their good health to it. It’s the way many of their neighbors know them, strolling together as the rest of the world heads to work. But these long walks are just one small part of the journey that brought them into

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N EW SC HOOL

Rising Photo (Opposite Page): Fred Lopez

W

hether they’re transplants from Windermere High or from all over the map—at Horizon High School, everyone’s the new kid.

“I didn’t think my son would be going at all,” says Rhonda Finkel, a four-year Horizon West resident and the provisional Vice President of Horizon High PTSO. “The school was supposed to open a year later, when he’d have been a senior grandfathered in at Windermere. But now he is

fundraising efforts. “When we did our first shirt sale, everyone we met was really excited,” says Rhonda. “The Publix at Hamlin is amazing for letting us stay out there and sell.”

The new principal, Laura Beusse,is also eager to sow going to in be the inaugural the seeds of success. “I’m class of Horizon High.” excited about building a For Rhonda’s son, Anthoschool culture among staff ny, the change was unexpect- and students,” she says, “… ed, but not unwelcome. “One and that we will offer a stateof the reasons we moved here of-the-art culinary program was that Windermere was and a digital media program offering pre-major engineer- through career and techniing courses,” says the aspiring cal education.” astrophysicist. “Horizon High will be offering all the same courses, but now I’m even closer to home.”

Several local businesses, including Jeremiah’s and the Pizza Press, contributed their space to Horizon High

And while in with the new usually means out with the old, there are no goodbyes here. “Some of my friends stayed at Windermere, but you know, they still live close by,” says Anthony. “I can visit whenever I want.”

Now that the Horizon Hawks have settled on their new nesting grounds, they’re ready to soar. “A smooth transition is the No. 1 thing,” says Rhonda. “We’re excited to be Hawks. Go purple and orange!”

j y held to be

For Jeff and Danielle Perera, happiness is a warm bagel.

A

M AR K McWAT ER S

F R E D LO PE Z

fter a bout with illness as a young child, there was only one thing Danielle Perera wanted: bagels.

Those fat rounds of fresh-baked goodness were all her parents could get her to eat for years.“Bagels were just joy,” Danielle says. “Saturday mornings, we would head out on a bagel run, and Mom would hand me a warm bag of bagels in the back seat. They were always special to me. They meant family, and love.”

Danielle, co-owner of Jeff’s Bagel Run in Ocoee alongside her husband Jeff, has a bagful of bagel memories to draw upon.

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Jeff and Danielle have been in love for most of their lives. Bagel love came first, of course. Growing up immersed in the bagel culture of New York, how could it not? It would be several years—and countless bagel shmears later— before the two of them would meet and fall in love with each other.

They married, had two children, and eventually made their home in Florida—far from anything resembling what they were used to in the bagel capital of the world.

Like many for whom bagels are a special love, Jeff and Danielle were in a constant search for the perfect bagel. They traveled everywhere, starting closer to home and branching out, widening their search, until they finally found a place in Winter Park that almost met their standards. Only one problem: the trip to score that almost-worthy bagel took 45 minutes. One way!

They accepted their lot and swallowed their yearnings along with those bagels until fate—and

That something better sprang from an idle comment Jeff made during one of the bagel runs they still made to Winter Park— “Man, this is a long way to go for a bagel.”

Danielle, in a flash of inspiration, answered back and solved two problems with one brilliant observation. “You could learn to make them.”

She said it, not really expecting Jeff to transform into a bagel-baking phenomenon, but more to give him a hobby. She was concerned that pan-

challenge with the drive and determination that had made him a standout in his career. He pored over everything he could find online, read countless recipes and articles. He became more obsessed than even Danielle had ever been.

Finally, eager to put all his newfound wisdom to the test, Jeff began to bake.

And at first, what he made were, according to Danielle, “really awful bagels.”

But undeterred by bagels that might find better uses as doorstops, he kept at it.

He tried new recipes. He

“Bagels were just joy…

They were always special to me. They meant family, and love.”

—Danielle Perera Pictured here at 3 years old

Still, they persevered.

Jeff pursued a rewarding career in retail, and Danielle worked in operations on the corporate side. While they couldn’t bring bagels from New York, they certainly brought their bagel appetites.

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COVID-19—intervened.

Jeff and Danielle, like the rest of America, twisted and turned in the turmoil of the pandemic. Jeff lost his job, and Danielle kept their family afloat on her salary alone. They made do waiting until something better came along.

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demic-induced idleness would drive the normally active Jeff a little bonkers.

So, Jeff would get something to keep him occupied and focused. And who knows? They might end up with bagels they could actually enjoy.

Well…Jeff took to the

experimented, swapping out ingredients, varying boiling times. (Bagels are literally the only bread that must be boiled before it’s baked.) He boiled them for 45 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, and two minutes. Every time he finished, he made copious

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notes about each attempt.

He varied baking times and made more notes.

Danielle watched the process, and wanted to help where she could. So, with her specialty in operations and spreadsheets (which she loves making almost as much as bagels),she jumped in and began locating hard-to-find ingredients and little-known sources for baking supplies the pandemic made harder to come by.

After weeks and weeks of trial and error, “awful” slowly became less awful, and Jeff began gaining con-

Then it happened.

“I will never forget the day,” he says. “That one, incredible day. It’s my favorite story.”

He handed Danielle a bagel and said, “This is the one.”

“I’ve heard that before,” she said. And bit into the bagel.

Jeff smiles, the memory fresh as one of his warm bagels. “Her eyes roll back in her head, she’s holding the bagel with both hands, and an expression of pure joy and bliss comes over her face.”

“I swear I was a kid again, in the back seat of my

a day, for days. They had so many bagels they gave them away to friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.

Until one day, one of those lucky friends chewed and swallowed and said: “Hey, you know, you should sell these!”

And sell they did, at neighborhood markets, at bagel pop-ups, to anyone and everyone in search of the perfect bagel. They sold them in very small batches, two and four at a time.

Jeff would deliver them, driving out to Clermont or wherever to make a sale and make a customer. They grew

available for purchase at a specific date and time. They sold out their entire inventory regularly, often in less than a minute. What took Jeff a day to make would be gone in 45 seconds.

Something had to change. They needed more refrigeration, more oven space, a better mixer.

(Jeff totally trashed four of KitchenAid’s best home mixers.) They simply needed to upgrade everything they had. So Danielle put together a Kickstarter campaign for some crowdfunding help, setting a goal of $10,000.

Undeterred by his first attempts at bagels, which might have found better use as doorstops, Jeff kept at it.

On the left: Jeff’s first attempt at baking bagels

fidence. He began thinking this batch, or maybe that batch, had possibilities.

Every time he hit upon a maybe, he’d confidently tell Danielle, “This is the one!”

She would just as confidently reply,”No, sorry hon, no it isn’t.”

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mother’s Volvo,” says Danielle. “I couldn’t believe it.

All I could think was, ‘wow, this is a really good bagel!’”

To prove this miraculous bagel was no fluke, they baked another batch. Then another. They baked two and three batches of bagels

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a loyal online following of joyful bagel heads who gleefully snapped up whatever bagel inventory the husband and wife could crank out.

Jeff finally devised “bagel drops” where he’d announce an upcoming batch of bagels online that would be

They achieved that goal in three hours. By the end of it, they’d signed up 264 backers—46 at the $100 level—and reaped a total of $23,000. It would buy them an industrial-sized mixer, plenty of refrigeration, and new professional ovens.

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Most mornings you can find the early birds lined up to get their fresh-baked bagels.

Fitting all that into their home and garage was out, so they began the hunt for a suitable location. Enter the new storefront in Ocoee, Jeff’s Bagel Run. Meanwhile, Danielle started feeling a little bit jealous. The pure joy that put a smile on Jeff’s face every day as he kneaded, rolled, cut, and baked his bagels did not go unnoticed. Danielle pulled in a very generous six-figure income from her job and yet, she was miserable. Bagels, her lifetime

love since childhood, had become Jeff’s love. The joy bagels had always brought her had become Jeff’s joy.

After much soul searching,countless family discussions, and spreadsheet budgets that examined every plus and minus, Danielle answered the siren smell of fresh-baked deliciousness. She resigned her position and jumped into Jeff’s Bagel Run with arms spread wide and a smile spread even wider.

She sleeps better now and

gets up every morning to embrace her joy right alongside her husband.

Jeff is quick to point out that this is a 50/50 partnership and that they wouldn’t be able to do what they do now without the two of them pursuing their bagel dreams together.

Danielle makes the dough, lets it rise, and cuts it. Jeff rolls the dough and bakes it. They make in a day what used to take them a week. And they are still in love—most importantly

with one another, and now with their beloved bagels.

As for the joy? We’ll let Jeff and Danielle answer that one themselves: “I am a very lucky man.

I have Danielle, I have our children, and I have bagels.

That, my friend, is true joy.”

Danielle puts it more succinctly. “I like to think we are bringing joy to our community. Warm, delicious bagel joy in a bag.”

Jeff’s Bagel Run Wed-Sun 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

(But you better get there early to get one—they usually sell out by 11!)

“I am a very lucky man. I have Danielle, I have our children, and I have bagels. That, my friend, is true joy.”

—Jeff Perera

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Homefront

After

Breaking New Ground

Before

The Brighams bring their love of old central Florida into a new home.

W

inter Garden has always been a special place for my family. My husband’s dad is Earl Brigham, the deaf local barber on Plant Street. I grew up just 10 minutes away. We’ve moved over 40 times and have lived all over the world, but Winter Garden is where we’ve chosen to raise our family.

We purchased our 1952 ranchstyle home in January 2019 and immediately started planning its transformation. Since we’d already renovated our previous house, three

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doors down from this one, the support from the neighbors was amazing! They were so excited we were the ones doing it and they put up with all the noise for round two— though they were a little shocked when we ripped out the middle of the home.

We demolished the entire main house, down to the foundation, and built it back up with an addition as well. We kept the original floor plan, but reworked the main living space to add a couple beds and baths. Our biggest transformation was raising

Home Insurance?

Call Your BFF. (Bryan Fifer First)

Bryan Fifer, Agent More homeowners choose State Farm® as their home insurance company over any other insurer. To find out why, ask your local “bestie”.

16106 Marsh Road, Suite 104, Winter Garden 407-614-2622 • bryanfifer.com State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX 1706446

Homefront

After Before

After

the ceilings and adding dormers to give us 10 feet of space. That took 10 months to complete.

We started demo in mid-2020— three days before I was due with our third child. I like a challenge and wanted to be part of every detail in our home. So the day I left the hospital, I had my mom bring me to the house to meet with a few subcontractors. I remember our first inspector told me I was in over my head. I took that as a compliment.

(We were best friends by the end of it all.)

We’ve poured so much of our heart and soul into this home. We hope it will always be filled with love and laughter.

Taylor Brigham

Taylor and her husband Jake are Winter Garden natives with deep roots. In the last 16 years, she and her husband have traveled the world pursuing his baseball career; they’ve played three countries with kids in tow. Taylor has recently given birth to their fourth child.

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Before

LO O K I NG I N

HOR IZO N

F O R

WE ST

YO U R

AN D

H O M E

WI N TER

G AR D EN?

ELLEN PROBST R E A LT O R ® R N , N P

TRACE Y FORRESTER R E A LT O R ® G R I , G K C

407.815.4420 ElleSellsFlorida@gmail.com ElleSellsFlorida.com

914.582.8521 Tracey@TraceyForrester.com TraceyForrester.com

Oh Well!

HEALTHCARE

Rehab Gets Rehab

Physical therapy has always been a method for recovering from injury.

But what if it was even more effective for preventing injury?

One glance at anything from 2020 will remind us that we spent much of the past year at home. Most of us experienced a little stir-craziness. But for those with preexisting ailments, the lack of activity has left them weaker than ever before.

Our bodies are made to move. And when they don’t or can’t, it is life-altering. Anyone whose feet have been too swollen for their shoes, or who has passed up on that stroll downtown because they were worried their legs would give out, understands how limiting it can be.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Many people with physical ailments

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or chronic pain grow accustomed to them, believing it’s just a normal part of aging. And they often believe that healing is only available to them after they’ve been seriously injured.

The reality is, physical therapy can be a valuable tool for anyone whose illness or pain is keeping them from being a part of their own lives.

Hydrotherapy, for example, has helped many people regain the strength to prevent a fall or serious injury. From treating the specific characteristics of Parkinson’s disease and lymphedema to simply restoring mobility and confidence, hydrotherapy provides compression,

buoyancy, and gentle resistance to reduce swelling and build strength in a low-impact, accessible way. I believe in this treatment so strongly that I made sure we will have our own hydrotherapy tank—the only one in our local area.

Yes, physical therapy is great for post-injury healing. But more than that, it is there to prevent hospitalization and to help those who are hurting to get their life back.

Jeremiah Bradford, PT, DPT, CLT The owner and

physical therapist at Unified Rehabilitation.

Raised in Michigan, Jeremiah has dedicated his life to helping senior adults reclaim their health and is bringing new ideas to our community. More at unifiedrehabilitation.com

NUTRITION

Food 4 Thought Advice that has helped one local keep 50 lbs off for 15 years

As a teen, I was overweight and lacked knowledge of overall wellness and nutrition. By then, I was 50 pounds overweight, uncomfortable, and lacked support from family. It wasn’t until I took part in an athletic camp that I finally had the opportunity to learn.

The coaches I was working with had trained the Nebraska Cornhuskers and pushed me mentally and physically. Here is the advice that has stuck with me from that experience and still helps me 15 years later: 1. Stay hydrated! Often your body will think it is hungry when it’s actually thirsty.

2. The ideal portion size for your body is whatever fits into your cupped hand.

3. Eat certain foods on certain days—in other words, “eat to live,” not “live to eat.”

4. Eat on a smaller plate in a well-lit area. Restaurants’ dim lighting and large portions make it easy to overeat. Put half your meal in a to-go box before you start eating, and it will make a huge difference.

Rhiannon Neuharth A functional nutrition counselor in

training. She is a former science teacher passionate about helping families with underlying health issues find the roots to wellness.

FITNESS

WELLNESS COUNTS

$1B

The amount of funding received by mental health startups in the first six months of 2021 alone.

SOURCE: wellandgood.com

91%

The percentage of fitness programs that plan to include a digital component in their packages, making working out more convenient than ever.

SOURCE: condorferries.co.uk

No.8 Healthiest

Orange County is ranked #8 among all of Florida's counties in health factors and outcomes.

SOURCE: countyhealthrankings.org

41% The percentage of patients who found physical therapy to be the most effective drug-free treatment alternative.

Why We Work Out Everyone has a vague idea that exercise is good. But for most people, that’s not enough motivation to start working out with any regularity. For those people, I want to share some not-so-obvious hidden benefits of exercise.

Better Brain. Exercise

is linked to better memory and quicker learning. It improves blood flow to the brain, feeds the growth of new blood vessels and brain cells, and helps repair and protect them from degeneration.

Better Mood. Exer-

cise is known to relieve symptoms of depression. It releases chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphins, and dopamine that dull pain, lighten mood, and relieve stress.

Slow Aging. Exercise

has been shown to lengthen lifespan. It increases blood flow to the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients that improve skin health and even help wounds heal faster.

SOURCE: thegoodbody.com

Joe Walsh Owner

and personal trainer at CSH Fitness, one of WG’s newest gyms. Their approach is to personalize your fitness for a healthy fit for your life. More at csh.fitness

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Eats+Drinks

The Sun on a Bun With the eggy, crispy Egg Bomb breakfast sandwich, eggs are always what’s up at Eggs Up Grill.

R H E YA TAN N E R

T

he BLT: Bright.

Laid-back.

Timeless. It’s been considered one of America’s favorite sandwiches for decades, maybe because it’s almost impossible to get wrong. The ingredients are literally right there. Add a little mayo and toast the bread, and voila. Perfection.

What could possibly make it better?

Eggs Up Grill asked itself that very question. And the answer is to drop an egg bomb on it.

It’s really a no-brainer when you think about it; bacon and eggs have always been bedfellows on our breakfast plates, so why wouldn’t that magic work here? The gooey yolk acts almost as a condiment, while the

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egg itself really gives the sandwich that breakfast-y edge you’re looking for in the morning. Paired with two of Eggs Up’s thick-cut bacon strips (not too crisp, not too limp, salty, savory deliciousness), a layer of leaf lettuce, a touch of mayo, and two tomato slices on a toasted bun, the Egg Bomb is a bright, crunchy way to wake up.

The presentation is also quite nice, the top bun sitting slightly off-center to show off those crispy criss-crossed bacon slices and give that sunny, runny yolk a chance to wish you good morning. The Egg Bomb is a great choice for a late breakfast or brunch, especially when complemented with a pretty little bowl of freshcut fruits and a tall glass

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of orange juice to leave you full, but not stuffed.

Never heard of Eggs Up? You’re not too out-of-theloop; the restaurant just started upping its eggs last month. Its open, ranch house–chic interior lets a lot of light in and creates a friendly atmosphere. Eggs and bacon are far from its only menu items, with a list of burgers, sandwiches, shrimp and grits, and corned beef hash, among other selections that may or may not be accentuated with an egg.

The BLT has officially fallen a slot in the “America’s favorite sandwich” lineup. But it has been replaced by its eggy cousin, the BELT. I very well may have to loosen mine.

A Toasty Muffin For those of us who prefer to start our morning off sweeter, there is a little gem tucked away in the top left corner of the Eggs Up menu: toasted muffins.

Choose a blueberry or a banana nut muffin, and have it fresh-baked, then split down the middle and grilled facedown until toasty.

We intended to show a picture of this muffin, but our reviewer was so enthusiastic, we’ll have to leave it to your imagination.

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Fresh Fruits S New beverage concepts add variety to your imbibery

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ome of you may not know me (yet), while others have been drinking with me for years.

I may not always remember your name, but I can have your favorite cocktail waiting

Photo: Fred Lopez

Eats+Drinks

their passion and palate— and to broaden mine.

My current obsession is beer, especially since it’s come so far from its college-game-day-lager days. IPAs, sours, and seltzers dominate the market and show no sign of slowing. Meaning that for new-seekers like me,

pressed juice instead of a sparkling water. Lulz and Untitled Arts are two of my favorite brands that are paving the way for this new style, and expect to see more emerge through the rest of the year.

If you are one to appreciate the flavor of beer, Southern Tier is adding a

My favorite question at the bar is “What should I get that I haven’t tried yet?”

before you sit at the bar. I appreciate people like you, the ones who know just what they like and stick with it.

But on the other side of the bar? I prefer to be more unpredictable.

I’m constantly searching for new and different. My favorite question at the bar is, “What should I get that I haven’t tried yet?” It’s so subjective, yet it leaves space for someone to share

it can be hard to know where to start. So how do you choose your sip this season in such a saturated market?

Fruit. Choose fruit.

Fruited beer is changing the game, and not just in a “shandy” kind of way. The addition of large quantities of fresh fruit has created a whole new market, “beyond beer.”

Picture a freshly muddled cocktail, but in that nostalgic carbonated format.

One of my favorite things to debut this year is smoothie hard seltzers. I know, it’s hard to imagine the two words together, but trust me … it’s magical. This gluten-free, heavily fruited beverage offers more flavor and body than a traditional seltzer, so it feels like you’re drinking a fresh

new brew to their Shake Shoppe collection this month called “Blueberry Whirl,” a blueberry milkshake IPA. Combining barley, oats, and milk sugar with fresh blueberries and vanilla, they concoct and perfect the thickest and juiciest IPA. The sweetness offsets the bitterness of the hops and will make you think you’re drinking melted soft serve.

It’s still second summer here in Florida, so why not quench your thirst with new beer that doesn’t make you feel heavy? Or just tell yourself it’s your fruit serving for the day.

Tarin Scarbrough

The Sommelier at The Attic Door. If you like what she pens, you’ll love what she pours!

Be sure to stop by and let her know what you think or drink.

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Near+Afar

Let’s Go, Tahoe

The LaMacchia family tells of their journeys around the rugged Lake Tahoe region along the border of California and Nevada

O

ur family recently stayed in the Lake Tahoe area. We stayed in an AirBnb in a little town called Truckee, whose downtown reminded me of Winter Garden, with quaint shops, murals,

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restaurants, and ice cream shops. It even has an old train station that’s still in use today. Plus, our breathtaking view of Donner Lake made us happy to be there.

Some of our day trips included hikes to the

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Donner tunnels and up Shirley Canyon at the Squaw Valley. The ancient hieroglyphics carved into the mountains on the way to the Donner tunnels almost match the immersive graffiti that lines

the tunnels themselves. I thought the rocky terrain would be too much for my young daughters (ages 3 and 5), but they handled it like champs! On the hike up Shirley Canyon, huge boulders lined with

blue paint led the way to magnificent waterfalls.

We packed a lunch and settled near one of many swimming areas for the afternoon.

Among our most memorable visits was one to Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay, the most photographed spot in the United States. It’s no wonder why—at the end of the hour-long walk is a beach that sparkles with golden flecks on the sand.

In the middle of the bay

is an island with a small castle-like structure called Vikingsholm Mansion, built to entertain guests throughout the late 1920s.

Lake Tahoe was an amazing, family-friendly summer trip that had a little something for everyone.

Kaitlin LaMacchia

Kaitlin is a Winter Garden native with deep roots. She is a realtor who now lives with her husband and daughters in the very place she was proud to grow up.

Wild Days Old Virginia City, Nevada, was on our list just for the wild horses. But it was so much more! It was a town right out of an old Western, with saloons, old-time shops, museums, and even a gun show. And at the end of the day, we did finally see three wild horses grazing on the edge of town.

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Rhetoric Rheya Tanner muses on life as a local

Worst Impressions The impersonal agony of introductions

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must have looked into the goop and saw something they liked.

No, it’s new people that are the problem. I can imagine approaching some rando on the street and striking up a conversation in the same way I can imagine scooping my eyeballs out, which is to say I will not do that. My strategy at parties is to stand in vague proximity to the refreshments and look approachable, but confident (while being neither), hoping some poor schmuck takes the bait and introduces themselves.

Does it work? I will ask all my new friends, when I make one.

In that way, I envy my sister, who has truly never met a stranger. I was just one of her 10 bridesmaids, just one of 200 guests on a wedding list that had been cut in half. I envy my brother, who I’ve seen in full-on

bull sessions with folks he’ll never see again about stuff he’s never even heard of. I wish I could be so bold, so open like they are. But cocoons aren’t typically known for that.

My saving grace socially has been the West Orange Dog Park, where I bring my pooch to shake a leg and sniff an ass, and where I enjoy an hour or two per weekend among fellow dog people. Sure, it’s been nine months and I’ve only conversed with two people, but that’s fantastic progress by my standards—especially since one of them has turned into a fast friend.

I suppose this has been one very strange hello. Or maybe a refreshing one. If you see me around and want to chat, I hope you do; I clearly need the practice. Oh, and when I said I like your shirt? I meant it.

Illustration: Josh Clark

H

ello, hey, hi, nice to meet you. Welcome to my, uh, page. I like your ... shirt. Um ... how about all this rain, huh?

Ugh, I can’t do this. Introductions are exhausting. I don’t think I’m breaking new ground when I say the shallow formalities of small talk and how-do-you-dos don’t form relationships. Who builds a house by starting with the wallpaper?

And at the core of the awkwardness is this unspoken understanding that no, I don’t actually care how your day is, and you don’t care if my stupid brunch got rained out, in Florida, in the summer. We don’t know each other, so how could we?

It perhaps goes without saying that I’m not a social butterfly. In fact, I think when I first spun my social cocoon, I said, “I’m warm and I like being goop. Never speak to me again.” I don’t dislike people; I have a few close friends I’ve known for years, who

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