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By Rebecca Maglischo
By Christy Swift
December
By Christy Swift
By Cindy Sebring Adams
Heartland LIVING
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
We lcome to Volume 14, Issue 6 of Heartland LIVING . We are finishing our fourteenth year and couldn’t be happier. Thank you for picking up our Holiday Issue, and I hope you enjoy all that we have found to share with you.
Heartland LIVING has been a project, a passion and a challenge for me from day one, but it has also been a complete blessing. I thank God for the gift of publishing he has given me and that I get to do what I love every day and share it with you. Because of the number of businesses trusting us with their advertising, supporters, my amazing team, contributors and devoted readers, the magazine has become something far beyond my initial concept and imagination. This issue I have 62 advertisers, and I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. I feel my success is because of you trusting me to share your business.
This time of year is all about tradition, memories of 2025, gratitude, love and sharing. These words have special meaning to me. I feel we all need these in our everyday lives and probably a little more this time of year. Let’s go out and spread a little kindness and Christmas joy. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make someone’s day.
Looking back on 2025, what a year it has been, probably for all of us. I’ve always shared that this is my favorite time of year with all of the holiday decorations, the joy of Christmas and its true meaning. My wish is for us to be grateful for what God has given us. Let’s focus on the things we sometimes take for granted. Just a few that come to mind are family, good friends and health. Let’s open our hearts, and if someone might not be as fortunate and needs a little help through the holidays (or any day), let’s reach out with kindness and what we can do to help. This is the best time for giving back.
As with every year, I want to personally thank you for letting us share pieces of the Heartland communities with you as well as some of our travels near and far. Our world is endless for adventures and exploring. I want to also thank my family and friends for all your support throughout these fourteen years. I am grateful that each one of you has joined me on this humbling journey, and we look forward to new opportunities in 2026.
God Bless,
Cindy Sebring Adams
Look & Feel Your Best
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Publications & Marketing, Inc.
December 2025 & January 2026
EDITORIAL
Christy Swift | Editor, Writer
Cindy Sebring Adams | Writer
Kimberly Blaker | Writer
CEO | Publisher
Cindy Sebring Adams
ART
Bridgette Waldau | Creative Director
Cindy Sebring Adams | Photographer
CONTRIBUTORS |Photography
OFFICE TEAM
Cindy Houtz | Website
Kristan Baker | Distribution
Lisa Griffin | Distribution
Rebecca Maglischo | Writer Phone: 863-781-0344
Frank Branca III
St. Augustine Ponte Vedra Florida’s Historic Coast
Email: Cindy@Heartland-Living.com
Mailing Address: 412 Rest Haven Road | Zolfo Springs, FL 33890
JANUARY 13
FEBRUARY 10
MARCH 14
December
WRITING & DESIGN BEHIND THE SCENES
Cindy Sebring Adams is Founder/ Publisher of Heartland LIVING Magazine. Born and raised in Sebring, FL, she is fourth generation of the founding family of Sebring. Because of her generational ties to the Heartland area, she brings personal and inspirational stories to the community through Heartland LIVING Magazine. Besides overseeing the development of the magazine, she also contributes through writing and photography.
Christy Swift Christy Swift is an awardwinning author, editor and technical writer. She recently scored a 2-book deal with a major publisher, Hachette Forever. Her debut romcom, Celebrity Crush , launched in 2025 and her second book, Hollywood Hookup, comes out February 10th, 2026. She also writes science fiction and fantasy under the name C.P. Swift. Find her at www.christyswift.com
2025 & January 2026
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle writer and licensed real estate agent. She's also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an Internet marketing agency at kbcreativedigital. comat
Writer Photography
Editor Writer
Writer
Rebecca Maglischo is a wife and mother of two boys. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Human Movement with an emphasis on Corrective Modalities. She has completed a two year study in Full Body Systems through the Holistic Nutrition Lab and a certification in Functional Range Condition through the Functional Anatomy Systems
Writer
Bridgette Waldau has been a graphic and fine artist for over 40 years. She received her A.A. from the Ft. Lauderdale Institute of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Stetson University. Bridgette has been creative director for several publications, working with Heartland Publications & Marketing as art director since 2011, winning 11 Florida Magazine Charlie Awards (2015- 2021). Bridgette is married to James, a retired firefighter from the City of Hialeah
Frank Branca III is a professional videographer and photographer from Avon Park, FL. He holds a bachelor’s degree in film and leads creative production for Infinity Reflections Weddings & Events and Branca Media. Frank specializes in event storytelling, bringing a cinematic style to every project. He enjoys traveling, being involved in the skateboarding community and spending quality time with family. His career is rooted in passion and community engagement.
Every GREAT design begins with an even BETTER story.
- Lorinda Mamo, designer
Creative Director
Photography
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The Meaning of Christmas
Far away in Bethlehem, a Baby Boy was born; Born with neither riches nor with fame, Yet Wise Men came from all around to bring to Him their gifts, And peace was felt by all who heard His name.
Angels watched Him as He slept, and gently rocked His bed; Their voices singing softly in His ear; His Mother and His Father both gave thanks to God above For the greatest gift of all, their Son, so dear
They knew His life upon this earth would not be filled with wealth, They also knew He would encounter strife; But most of all, they knew that He would be a loving Child, And teach the love of God throughout His life.
At Christmas, as we celebrate this Birth of Jesus Christ, Let's keep in mind the truth of Christmas Day; For it's not the Christmas wrappings, nor the gifts that lie within, But our gift of love to others in every way.
May the Blessings of Christmas be with You and Your Family and continue into the New Year!
From all of us at
Fall is for dreaming, winter is for building, and summer is for enjoying.
Let’s design you forever backyard, one intentional detail at a time.
Jordan Shannon
Tom DiGiacomo
WISHING EVERYONE A Merry andChristmas a Happy Holiday Season
We are blessed with the opportunity to serve our community!
Experience the Difference IN DENTAL CARE
Celebrating the Season at St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights Illuminated History
By Christy Swift
Every year, St. Augustine comes alive with a holiday display of 3 million white lights decorating the historic buildings downtown. National Geographic calls it “one of the top 10 holiday light displays in the world!”
Cindy Sebring Adams drove up early with her friend Nancy Redding to meet her son Jake Adams and daughter-in-law Brittany Massey there. I headed up I-95 with my two youngest daughters, Ocean and Shea Swift, to join them. We figured what better way for the publisher and editor to kick off the holidays and share some holiday joy, Heartland Living-style, than with a festive travel story?
Photography by Cindy Sebring Adams and Courtesy of St. Augustine Ponte Vedra Florida’s Historic Coast
A Little History
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights Festival was started 32 years ago by Len Weeks and Bill Lennon as an incentive for people to come to the beach town during the holiday season. They brainstormed with a group of fellow leaders and came up with the idea of the light festival.
For centuries, during the Christmas season, Spanish colonists in St. Augustine placed a single white candle in their windows to represent hospitality, faith, and the celebration of Christmas. The city drew inspiration from the custom and expanded it into a city-wide illumination.
“Our town has such a unique European style and architecture, and we wanted to highlight that,” says Susan Phillips, President and Ceo of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “There are no high rises. It’s intimate, charming, and has a real quaint feel to it. It’s hard to describe. The architecture reflects over 450 years of history in St. Augustine.”
How It Started, How It’s Going
The festival has come a long way in its 32 years. The first year, a few people participated, and the next year, a few more. As the event began to grow in recognition and notoriety, more businesses began to see the benefit of driving traffic their way at a time of year when beaches weren’t necessarily a draw.
“They had no idea what it was going to turn into,” says Susan. “I was just with Len this morning. He’s so proud of it. It ended up being what it is today—world renowned, bringing thousands and thousands of people into the area to celebrate the beautiful lights and festivities. There is music playing, singing carols. Just about everybody participates. The whole town is all lit up, and it’s truly, truly magical.”
Before You Go
There are a few things the town wants visitors to be aware of before they come.
Nights of Lights is best experienced on foot— it’s not a drive-through experience.
Local secret: if you want to come when it’s not too busy, make it a week night. Otherwise, expect it to be busy and congested, and try to be patient.
Free parking: On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and a handful of other high-traffic days, free shuttle service will be available from multiple free parking locations, including Broudy’s Lot at 198 W. King St., North San Marco Lot at 301 San Marco Ave., and St. John’s Health Department at 200 San Sebastian View. Check nightsoflights. com for a full schedule.
Download the new Nights of Lights app for real-time parking updates, directions, and interactive maps. You can access Things to Do, Restaurants, Restrooms, Live Music, Articles and more. I highly recommend this app! It was a lifesaver during our visit.
Before the Lights Turned On
The girls and I arrived at 1:00PM, when the free parking lots for the Nights of Lights festival opened and the free parking shuttles started running. We parked in Broudy’s lot and were greeted with a swanky ride in an air-conditioned, full-size bus to the downtown historical area. Already the cafes and shops were hopping, and we wandered around to discover live music accompanying the tinkling of a gorgeous, Spanish-style working fountain. I lived in Spain for a year, and it felt like I was in Seville.
After a little nostalgia (and shopping), we headed toward the water to circle the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. Gazing over its parapets at the endless sky and the water beyond really did feel like being yanked back in time. In my mind, the anchored yachts in the harbor and the milling tourists all blinked out of existence, replaced by Spanish galleons and conquistadors. As a relatively new country, the U.S. has few sites that can trigger that uncanny sense of weight and history.
Next, we met up with Cindy and her crew at the Casa Reina restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal followed by a stroll and photo ops with the local nutcrackers as well as Santa himself (I don’t know what Cindy asked Santa for, but I asked for another book deal). The teens peeled off to do their own exploring while the adults enjoyed the scenery and found a great wine bar, Casa de Vino 57.
Then it was time to make our way to the Plaza de la Constitucion for the Nights of Lights kickoff celebration. Live Christmas music played from the bandstand near the Christmas tree, local businesses and city officials and departments were thanked, and then, with a boisterous countdown, millions of white lights came alive, exploding the historic city into a magical holiday wonderland.
(L-R): Nancy Redding, Cindy Sebring Adams, Christy Swift, Jake Adams and Brittany Massey at Casa de Vino 57
Ways to Experience Nights of Lights
On foot. Just park in one of the free parking areas, catch a free shuttle and mosey around.
Trolley ride. Old Town Trolley runs holiday trolley tours featuring added extras like augmented-reality glasses and warm sugar cookies with cider after the ride.
By boat. Check out local options to board a craft and view the city from the water.
By horse-drawn carriage. See the lights during an old-fashioned, horse-drawn carriage ride. Some tours include wine-tasting.
HistoryContemporaryMeets
One of the things Susan mentioned that I experienced firsthand was how, between the architecture of the city, the quaint shops and cafes and the diversity of the visiting crowds, you really do feel like you’ve been transported to Europe.
“We are such a diverse, multicultural destination with rich heritage and history. Suddenly, you get here and you’re hearing different languages. This is truly a feeling like you’re not just in a beach town— you’ve got people from all over the world,” she said.
It’s true. Yet there’s also a uniquely American mix of the old with the new, the timeless with the trendy. This was apparent inside the Casa Reina restaurant where we ate—the historic architecture and Spanish-tile floors were combined with beachy wainscoting and boho rattan chandeliers. I pointed out to my daughters that if this were a house, I could live here because Spanish colonial-beach houseboho is totally my style!
Our Favorite Moments
My favorite part of the evening was the stroll down the waterfront on Avenida Menendez after the lighting. The building facades, which were already gorgeous during the day with their Spanish colonial design, were absolutely magical all lit up and decorated with Christmas ornaments, wreaths and more. A giant green ornament perched on the top of a chimney. Even the Grinch made an appearance.
After the lighting, Cindy’s crew enjoyed drinks at a rooftop bar, watching the rest of us trying to escape the mob of people.
The next day, Cindy and Nancy enjoyed a day at the San Sebastian Winery and a boat tour with St. Augustine Eco Tours and Captain Zach McKenna. It was a beautiful day out on the water punctuated by wildlife sightings and a gorgeous sunset.
"Photos pictured here are beautiful but not as breathtaking as when seeing the displays in person. To really appreciate the beauty of St Augustine's Night of Lights, I suggest you visit and experience St. Augustine with your own eyes."
-Cindy Sebring Adams
"The whole town is all lit up, and it’s truly, truly Magical."
- Susan Phillips
Restaurant and Event Venue on the Circle in the Historic Highland’s Bank Building
By Rebecca Maglischo
It’s the perfect start to the best kind of I-told-you-so story. It’s also the first line of Ashley Madden’s debut single, Mama’s Who I am.
Born and raised in Lakeland, Ashley is adding country music artist to a long list of accomplishments. At first glance, she’s a cute and talented musician with a cool, raspy twang. Within just a few moments of conversation, you begin to realize she actually is a little crazy… Crazy talented. Crazy determined. Crazy busy. But mostly, she’s crazy in love with her most favorite role–Mama.
Ashley grew up with a deep love for the special kind of storytelling that is country music. She loved going to bluegrass festivals with her grandfather. The two of them bonded over their interest in Jesus, outdoors, music, instruments and their love for the things that make an old soul sing. Ashley grew up in Florida surrounded by relatives and learning important values from all of her grandparents.
“My Cuban grandparents, on my Dad’s side, showed me a deep love for family, an appreciation for music, dancing and a love of cooking. On my mom’s side, it was a crazier kind of love!” She laughs. “My mother’s family is so fun, and they poured a multitude into me and my sisters. Both of my mother’s parents taught me many life skills that I treasure and now am teaching my children. This side of the family came from a tiny farm town in Ohio, and visits up there shaped me so much.”
The visits to the farmhouse in Ohio were treasures for Ashley, and she realizes how much she adored that slower way of life. An athlete and a tomboy, Ashley loved hunting and fishing, and the hard-working ways of the Amish farmers in Ohio resonated with her.
Ashley Madden played soccer at Troy University for several years and then returned home to Lakeland to finish college at Southeastern University. The ink on her diploma had barely dried when she and her long-time best buddy, John-Michael Madden, married in 2016. “We had a sweet, quiet closeness that started in middle school. One of shared interests, written notes and long phone conversations,” she added. But they never dated... until they did. And then they married quickly and got down to business making a family. Their first son, John-Luke, was born in 2018, and Ashley knew she was doing the greatest work of her heart.
“Little did they know, we were just getting started…” With a baby on her hip, Ashley became aware of another baby that was in desperate need of a foster family. “I’d always wanted a big family, and adoption was something I felt called to do.” Her husband wasn’t quite as certain, but he was curious. Ashley was, after all, newly pregnant with their second child. Ashley and her mother-in-law prayed earnestly for the baby and that John-Michael would feel moved to lead their family in the right direction. A week later they were inquiring, and the process of fostering little Rose-Mary began. It was no coincidence that their sweet Rosie came to live with them the day before Thanksgiving, at 3 months old. Four months later, Georgia-Blue was born and Rose-Mary was officially adopted. The Maddens now had three kids under two.
48 Ashley with her husband, JohnMichael, and their children: Rose-Mary, Rosie, Georgia-Blue and Magnolia
Baby Magnolia added to the craziness just two years later, and the family of six made for a full house! “Look,” Ashley says seriously. “I’m an athlete. I ran things like a ball game back then... We had a plan for the day and we stuck to it. If we had to pivot, I made a whole new game plan. My sisters would show up and mess the whole thing up!” She laughed. Despite four kids, Ashley was still making music and singing songs and, when she had a moment, she would dare to dream a little.
On one of those rare moments when she was away from the kids, Ashley just happened to pick up a local magazine and read an article about a studio in Lakeland called Soundhouse Studios. So, she called them. Soundhouse Studios invited Ashley to come play for them what she had, but she had never played for people or in a studio setting. “I thought I was going to puke!” she remembers. “I was so nervous, and I know my style is such an old soul country style, and I just didn’t think they would be into all that I was bringing. It’s gotta be twangy…”
There wasn’t even a hesitation. The team quickly got busy recording the first song, Mama’s Who I Am, which was released in Fall 2025 to a very receptive audience. The second song, Harder For Women, released about a month later, and more songs are already scheduled for release early 2026.
Ashley Madden wouldn't be content without mentioning that above all else, she is a sinner saved by grace. Like most people, she’s had front row seats to some hard times, difficult choices, and mistakes. But none of those things define her. You can hear all of that story in her music intertwined with another story, the story of grace and redemption, and the working of all things together for good. Ashley will always be a musician at heart, but the true tune of her life is a song interrupted by the constant crazy of a growing family. It’s the staccato of little feet on the floor, the ringing of kids’ laughter, and the wild beat of a mama’s heart for her family. But in the quiet moments, if you listen closely, you’ll hear it–the hope that perches in her soul and sings the song that never stops at all.
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-Ashley Madden’
Heartland Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. is a non-profit organization, 501(c)(3) organization and is the Lead Continuum of Care Agency serving in parts of Central Florida.
Covering 6 Counties in Central Florida: Hardee | DeSoto | Highlands | Okeechobee | Glades | Hendry Programs & Services
Homelessness Prevention
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs
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Outreach including for Veterans
They coordinate many partners: local shelters, public housing agencies, behavioral health providers, government entities etc.
They follow “Housing First” model in some programs (Getting people housed first, then providing supportive services)
They produce reports and post them publicly. For more information on Eligibility & How to Access Help contact us directly or go to our website.
752 US Highway 27 North, Avon Park, FL 33825 (863) 453-8901 Email: info@heartlandcoalitionforthehomeless.org www.HeartlandCoalitionForTheHomeless.org Want to Help! Make a Financial Donation and/or Volunteer Together, We Can Change Lives. Your support brings hope and housing to those who need it most!
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THE FOUNDATION
extends our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make October a month to remember. From our “Light the Circle Pink” event on Oct. 4 to the Clay Shoot hosted by Chen Dental, your support helped us raise awareness and vital funds for breast cancer education and early detection.
Your generosity keeps our mission alive — empowering women and men of all ages, saving lives, and lighting the way forward!
IS THE IN THE
By Christy Swift
Photos Courtesy of Shawn Beumel
It’s probably fair to say that most people have heard of the United Way—it ranks in the Top 5 of Forbes 2024 List of Charities as far as size and scope. But that’s a high-level view. Do you really know what the organization does in your own community?
If the answer is no, it’s a case in point, according to Christina Criser Jackson, CEO of United Way of Central Florida. “Awareness of programming is one of the biggest factors for Polk, Highlands and Hardee,” she explains.
“United Way connects the dots between those who can help and those who need it most,” states a video on the United Way of Central Florida’s YouTube channel. That can include newborns and their mothers all the way up to elderly people on hospice care. There’s also a group of people that the organization refers to as “ALICE,” which stands for “asset-limited, income-constrained but employed.”
“These are the individuals who are working paycheck to paycheck, which is about 48% of households in our area,” Christina explains. They earn above poverty level but less than the basic cost of living, and the group includes community members whom you might not expect, including educators, paramedics and first responders.
So, exactly how can United Way help you and your neighbors in the Heartland? Let’s take a boots-on-the-ground look at the United Way of Central Florida and the work they do.
UNITED WAY GRANTS
Support Across the Board
One of the biggest ways that United Way supports the community is through its grant program to partner agencies. By providing funding to vetted service organizations and agencies, the United Way supports youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security programs and community resiliency. Last year alone, United Way served 186,867 individuals through 78 partner agencies and 168 programs.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Youth Opportunity grants have gone to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Early Learning Coalition, Highlands County YMCA, Central Florida Speech and Hearing and more. Now in its 30th year, United Way’s internal Success By Six program focuses on early child development and includes classes on infant sign language and massage, support groups for parents with special needs children, and the Reading Pals program for kindergartners. The Children’s Development Center also hosts a Back to School wellness program that provides vision, dental and hearing screenings.
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
Health Community grants include NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Ridge Area ARC, Peace River Center, Champion for Children, Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision and more. Community wellness navigators helped 446 people in Polk County access needed free or low-cost healthcare in 2025. The End Hunger food pantry program provides nutritious food to families in need, including the ALICE population, through partnerships with AdventHealth in Highlands County and the George Jenkins Foundation in Polk County.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Partner agencies include Bartow Community Service Center, Heart of Florida Legal Aid, The Salvation Army, Women’s Resource Center, Hands of Hope and more. In 2025, VITA helped file 1726 tax returns for households earning $66K or less a year, saving over $400K. Financial literacy classes taught families how to budget, save, invest and improve their credit.
Christina Criser Jackson CEO of United Way of Central Florida
COMMUNITY RESILIENCY
Through grants to the American Red Cross, Children’s Home Society, Peace River Center, Catholic Charities, Talbot House Ministries and more, United Way provided hurricane relief as well as financial assistance and hygiene kits to families facing personal disasters, like a fire that destroyed a local family’s home last year.
In addition to funding organizations through grants, the United Way offers individuals an opportunity to engage in the community by volunteering. Affinity groups like Women United and Young Leaders Society offer an opportunity to work at non-profits, staff food sites, read to kindergartners through Reading Pals and more. The Highlands County Day of Caring is one of the United Way’s largest single-day volunteer activities.
ANNUAL DAY OF CARING
Many Hands Make Light Work
On April 23rd, 2026, businesses that support the United Way in Highlands County will be invited to give their staff a half day off to volunteer for United Way initiatives. Volunteers are assigned to projects in a way that makes the most sense—for example, one year, Duke Energy volunteers showed up with ladders and saws to remove, dismantle, and dispose of a tattered awning on the Children’s Museum in Sebring, saving that business $1,200. They did it in about 15 minutes.
“Altogether, 378 volunteers completed 27 projects (in 2025),” Shawn Beumel, Highlands County Director, reports. “This year we’re hoping to get 400 volunteers.”
Shawn Beumel, Highlands County Director
What Can We Do To Help?
Raise your hand if you’re a woman who has time, ability and means to help out in your community but aren’t quite sure how. If your hand is up, you aren’t alone. That’s how the Women United program began.
The Highlands County chapter just closed out its first year, and it was a resounding success. “I realized how many people just want to be invited to do something. The moms who were PTO president, who did all the fundraising for Little League—now that their kids are grown and gone, they miss it,” Shawn says.
The women come from all walks of life and get the added bonus of working with other women they likely would not have ever met. In 2024, the Women United members distributed food and served the NU-HOPE Thanksgiving luncheon. The event included a fashion show where Women United members were given $25 to shop for an outfit in the thrift store, and then put on a fashion show.
To ensure everyone has “skin in the game” and an incentive to show up, members are required to donate at least $1,000 to the organization—Shawn included.
If you would like to learn more, email her at shawn.beumel@uwcf.org and she’d be happy to take you out for a coffee and a chat.
For Women United in Polk or Hardee, contact Melissa Innella at wu@uwcf.org.
The Need is Greater Than Ever
One thing the United Way regularly does is feed people. “The program started during Covid, when the need was really high,” Shawn says. “We thought those would dissolve, but the needs are bigger than ever.”
United Way partners with Feeding Tampa Bay for a biweekly delivery of boxes of food to three sites in Highlands county: Hands for the Homeless/Union Church in Avon Park, South Oak Church in Lake Placid and First Sebring Church in Sebring. They also deliver to Cutting Edge Ministries in Hardee County and 10 sites in Polk. (For a complete list and schedule, visit uwcf.org/initiatives/endhunger/schedule/)
All of the food is donated, and the cost of the truck, gas and drivers is paid for by partners. United Way also recently wrote a grant through Florida Blue for $8,000. That money was used through a partnership with the Florida Farm Bureau to purchase 27 hogs and 3 steers, resulting in 5 tons of processed meat distributed to the three Highlands County sites.
WHEN PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY OR IN PAIN, They Can’t Do Their Best
United Way hopes to alleviate hunger and pain and to give a hand up, not a hand out to our neighbors in need. All funds raised in Central Florida stay in Central Florida. Christina named Publix as another top supporter of the local United Way.
All in all, the United Way sums up their mission in a simple statement: they are looking for creative ways to move the needle forward to make a better world.
“A healthy and resilient community benefits everyone, not just those who may need direct assistance,” says Christina. “When our neighbors are thriving, our schools are stronger, our workplaces are more productive and our region becomes a better place to live for all. At United Way of Central Florida, we believe that investing in well-being and stability across the community lifts us all and creates a foundation for lasting prosperity.”
2026 Diamond Annual Sponsor
the dots between those who can help and those who need it most.”
-United Way of Central Florida’s YouTube channel
FOR YOU AND YOURS TO TREASURE
By Kimberly Blaker
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Eid al-Fitr, Bodhi Day or the winter solstice, holiday traditions are a fun way for families to bond and create fond memories. The traditions you choose are limited only by your imagination in the way you and your family carry them out. The following are a few fun traditions to consider.
STORYTELLING Choose a theme such as ‘my most memorable holiday season’ or ‘the best thing that happened this year,’ and ask each person to share a memory. Record the storytelling on video or audio, then play it in future years as part of your memory-sharing tradition.
POETRY. Hold a holiday poetry reading. Ask each person to bring copies of their favorite seasonal or holiday poems to pass out and read aloud at your gathering.
WHITE ELEPHANT. Rather than exchanging gifts or doing a drawing for a gift exchange, hold a ‘white elephant.’ Each guest brings a wrapped gift that anyone can use. Everyone then draws a numbered slip and takes a turn choosing either a wrapped gift or taking an unwrapped gift from another participant. If a player loses their gift, that person gets to choose another wrapped gift or take a gift from someone else. For complete rules and variations on this fun gift exchange, visit whiteelephantrules.com.
COZY ESCAPE. Escape the holiday hustle and bustle and enjoy a holiday retreat. Try a cozy cabin in the woods or another scenic setting. Then enjoy your togetherness near a roasting fire, flipping through family photo albums, enjoying holiday music, doing crafts and other relaxing activities.
HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN. Take a 3” by 3’ strip of ribbon and cut 24-paired slits from top to bottom. Thread each pair with a narrow ribbon and tie a sucker in each. Beginning December 1st, remove a lollipop each day through Christmas Eve, or the eve of the holiday you celebrate.
ROMANTIC EVENING. Couples often forget to take time out for each other during the busy holiday season. Plan an evening for two and reserve a table near a fireplace or a different romantic setting. When you return home, light some candles and your tree, listen to holiday or soft music, and exchange a special gift with each other. Then spend the evening reminiscing and sharing your dreams for the future.
CUT YOUR OWN TREE. Take the whole family to a tree farm and make a day of it. Look for the perfect tree to compliment your home or that fits your family's taste.
INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS. Pick up a book on holiday customs around the world. Each year, choose a different culture or nationality for your theme. Then decorate and try new traditions accordingly.
SHOPPING DATE. Make a date with your partner and assist each other in selecting your holiday attire. Decide in advance on the formality so you choose complementary outfits and your shopping trip together remains agreeable.
PAMPER YOURSELF. Decorate the bathroom in holiday candles, fragrance, and holly. Throw on some holiday or other relaxing music. Then enjoy a long bubble bath and give yourself a full salon treatment. Include a manicure, pedicure, deep hair conditioning, facial mask, and body buff.
STOCKINGS FOR ADULTS . Fill stockings for your partner, parents, or grandparents to discover. Stuff them with treats, beauty products, postage stamps, lottery tickets, and other inexpensive or usable items.
HELP A NEEDY FAMILY. Deliver a box of groceries or supply a family with gloves and hats. Ask your children to make room for their own new gifts by donating good, unwanted toys. Offer the toys to the needy family to leave from Santa or wrap them yourself and leave them on the doorstep.
TAKE A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE. Don’t forget blankets and your favorite hot beverage for warming your lips and hands.
A special ornament. Buy a new tree ornament each year that signifies something important such as your baby’s first Christmas or solstice. If it’s your first season in a new home, find an ornament that represents it.
Homemade wrapping paper. Get a roll of brown Kraft paper. Then cut holiday shapes out of sponges, dip them in holiday-colored paint, and stamp the shapes onto the paper. Use glitter and glue to add to the festive look.
Discontinue holiday traditions that have lost their appeal and usefulness or that create too much stress. Talk to your family members or friends who share in the tradition, explain your feelings, and ask for input. They may feel the same. Even if they don't, you can try to reach a compromise that satisfies everyone.
DON’T OVERDO IT. It’s easy to get carried away with customs. Be selective and choose those that mean the most to you and your family. Most traditions require some investment of time, energy or money. Taking on too many can cause stress and lead traditions to lose their appeal.
WHEN YOU CHOOSE TRADITIONS, DIVIDE THE RESPONSIBILITIES. Women often take sole responsibility for holiday activities, which can be overwhelming and interfere with their ability to really enjoy the season. Try not to strive for perfection, and allow men and children to help in the preparation.
BY KEEPING THESE TIPS IN MIND AND BEING FLEXIBLE, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN ENJOY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS FOR YEARS TO COME.
By Cindy Sebring Adams
The Italian Christmas Eve Tradition
There is a long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve, but the “Feast of the Seven Fishes” is very much an Italian American custom. It typically involves either 7 different types of seafood or seafood cooked in 7 different ways.
"Feast of the Seven Fishes", also known la Vigilia , is believed to originate from the Southern Italian Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on holy days, which meant eating fish instead. While the feast is more prominent in the US than in Italy, where it's more of a general tradition to eat seafood on Christmas Eve, American Italian families developed the specific "seven fishes" meal to preserve and celebrate their heritage.
The number seven is likely symbolic, referencing Catholic concepts like the seven sacraments: baptism, Holy Communion, reconciliation, confirmation, anointing of the sick, marriage, and Holy Orders, or it might have just been a way to use up small bits of remaining fish before markets would close for the holiday. Although opinions vary on how it originated, "Feast of the Seven Fishes" continues to be a popular celebratory family gathering.
There is no definitive menu for the meal, and families have their own traditions of joyful bonding and eating delicious food with family and friends over several hours on Christmas Eve.
If you are looking to mix things up a little or just try a new recipe for the holidays, may these recipes serve as inspiration to do just that.
ITALIAN OLIVE OIL SHRIMP SALAD
A healthy and delicious shrimp salad featuring simple ingredients. Perfect for an appetizer or a light meal.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. wild shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup scallions (white and green parts), sliced
1/3 cup good olive oil
1 tsp. sea salt
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar (optional)
lemon for serving
Poaching Liquid
water
1/2 onion
2 bay leaves
10-15 peppercorns
generous salt
1/2 head parsley
lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
Poach the Shrimp
Prepare the poaching liquid: fill a small stockpot with water, add 1/2 onion (whole), parsley, peppercorns, bay leaves and lemon (squeeze the liquid from the lemon into the stockpot and throw the entire lemon into the water as well). Bring to a boil, season generously with salt (I use at least 1 tsp), reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Return to a rolling boil, add shrimp, cover pot, remove from heat and let stand until shrimp are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Shrimp are cooked when they are pink, curled up and no longer opaque.
Make the salad
Remove the shrimp from the poaching liquid and chop into bite-size pieces. Add to a bowl and immediately toss with scallions, olive oil, and salt. The shrimp should still be warm when you toss with the olive oil. Add vinegar if desired.
Place in the refrigerator and allow to chill. Serve with lemon wedges.
STEAMED CRAB LEGS WITH SHALLOT BUTTER
Tender, sweet and luscious crab legs dipped in an herb shallot butter—is there anything better in the whole wide world? Try this simple recipe for steamed crab legs and learn what the best cooking method is for crab legs and also how to make a flavorful delicious dipping butter.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. king crab legs
4 tbsp. salted butter, melted
1 small shallot, chopped finely
2 tbsp. mixed fresh herbs finely chopped (I used tarragon, parsley, thyme and dill)
lemon wedges for serving
Old Bay seasoning for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pot with a strainer or steamer, bring 3 cups of water to boil. Exact water amount may vary depending on the size of your pot, just be sure the water stays just below the level of the steamer insert.
Place crab legs in steamer insert and steam for 4-6 minutes or until heated through.
While crab is steaming, prepare the herb shallot butter. Combine melted butter, chopped shallot, and chopped herbs in a small bowl.
Serve crab legs with herb shallot butter, lemon wedges, and a small bowl of Old Bay seasoning for dipping.
THE BEST 5 INGREDIENT CLAMS CASINO
This is the easiest clams casino recipe using only 5 ingredients and one sheet pan. It’s the perfect elegant appetizer to serve at a party or a quick light meal for a busy weeknight. They take a bit of prep time, but then are easily baked in the oven for a wonderful treat.
INGREDIENTS
24 littleneck clams
2 tbsp. finely chopped shallot
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. panko breadcrumbs
2 strips bacon cut into 24 pieces
lemon wedges
INSTRUCTIONS
Wash the clams and carefully shuck them. Alternatively, ask your fishmonger to shuck them for you (see notes for tips on shucking). Place opened clams on a large sheet tray.
Add a sprinkle of finely chopped shallot to each clam and a grind of fresh black pepper followed by a pinch of panko breadcrumbs, and finally top with a piece of bacon.
Place in broiler for 8 minutes or until bacon is crispy. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
To serve clams, you can also fill a cake tin with kosher salt and nestle the clams in the salt.
Use regularly sliced bacon. If it's too thick, it takes too long to crisp and the clams are overcooked.
Note: If you serve oysters, I recommend a classic mignonette sauce of diced shallot, red wine vinegar and black pepper.
SPICY TWO-MINUTE CALAMARI
Ditch the fried calamari and fall in love with this light and healthy, quick and easy Mediterraneaninspired version. This dish comes together in less than 10 minutes! Fresh calamari rings are lightly sauteed in a tomato sauce bursting with flavor from shallot, chilis, capers and pickled peppers, all topped with an herby, crunchy panko topping.
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium shallot, divided. Reserve 1/2 for panko topping in a small dice, slice remaining shallot for calamari sauce
2 tbsp. white wine
1 cup tomato (canned cherry tomatoes or canned diced tomato)
2 tbsp. capers
1/4 cup peppadew peppers, diced
pinch crushed red pepper or aleppo pepper
1 lb. calamari, sliced into rings
Crunchy Panko Topping
1 tbsp. salted butter
2 tbsp. diced shallot
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh herbs (either all parsley or a combination of parsley, rosemary, and oregano)
INSTRUCTIONS
Crunchy Panko Breadcrumbs
You can prepare this in advance and set it aside or prepare it while the tomato sauce is cooking. In a skillet, melt butter and saute finely diced shallot until soft and no longer translucent. Add breadcrumbs and toast until nutty and slightly brown. Stir in fresh herbs and set aside.
Calamari
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute sliced shallot for 3 minutes until fragrant and no longer translucent. Add white wine, stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Add tomatoes, capers, peppers and a pinch of crushed red pepper to the pan and cook together for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Taste sauce for seasoning and adjust as needed.
Prepare calamari: pat dry and slice into rounds. Add to pan and cook for 2 minutes. Do not overcook or the calamari will turn rubbery.
Top calamari with breadcrumbs and serve immediately.
WILD SALMON CHOWDER
A rich and creamy wild salmon chowder with fresh dill. Tender flakes of salmon swim in a creamy rich broth with potatoes, lots of fresh dill and savory veggies. This hearty, healthy and superbly delicious chowder is the ultimate comfort food.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 lb. wild salmon filets, skinless
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped, (1/4 cup)
1 small fennel bulb, chopped, (1 cup)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 cup dry vermouth or white wine
24 oz. fish stock or chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups fingerling potatoes cut into 1" pieces
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large soup pot over medium heat, melt butter and olive oil together. Add onion, garlic, celery, fennel and thyme sprigs and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
Add dry vermouth and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated (about 3-5 minutes).
Add salt, stir well, then add stock and potatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot and allow to cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Ladle out about 2 cups of broth into a high-speed blender and blend until creamy. Return the pureed broth to the pot and stir well.
Add cream and stir well to combine. Add salmon and dill and cook for 2-3 minutes or until salmon is just cooked through.
Serve with an additional sprig of fresh dill and fennel.
LOBSTER PASTA
Blow-Your-Mind Lobster Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
This is the elegant, luscious lobster pasta recipe you have been waiting for all your life. The blend of succulent lobster in a creamy tomato sauce creates a dish with tons of flavor, worthy of a special occasion.
INGREDIENTS
8 oz. fresh cooked lobster cut into chunks (Approx. 2 freshly cooked 1.25 lb lobsters)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small yellow onion
3 cloves garlic
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 cup tomato puree passata
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 pound pasta
2 tsp. kosher salt for sauce (additional salt needed for seasoning boiling water)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
1 tbsp. chives, finely chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and boil lobsters until bright red, approximately 8 minutes. Remove the cooked lobster from the water and allow it to cool enough that you can handle it. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of water for lobster broth.
Separate the lobster meat from the shells, cut into bite-sized pieces and reserve in a bowl.
Over medium-high heat, boil pasta according to package instructions in well-salted water. Water should taste like salt water. Reserve a cup of pasta water for later.
In a large skillet, over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, stirring to coat the onion and garlic as it caramelizes and its color begins to go deep reddish brown (about 2-3 more minutes).
Add 1/2 cup of the lobster broth to deglaze the pan. Stir and reduce the liquid by two-thirds.
Add passata/strained pureed tomatoes. Stir and cook until liquid is further reduced.
Add another 1/2 cup of lobster broth, stir and cook until liquid is reduced by another inch or so.
Once reduced, add 1/4 cup of lobster broth and a 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water. Mix well to incorporate and emulsify. The liquids should fully evaporate into the sauce mixture as they blend to create a glossy consistency.
Reduce heat to low and add 1/4 cup of heavy cream. For extra creamy sauce, use 1/2 cup. Both will work well. Stir to blend the cream into the sauce.
Add the lobster meat and pasta. Stir or toss well to coat the pasta and distribute the lobster meat evenly through the sauce. Add chive and basil, toss once more and move to a platter to serve.
Eat immediately.
ONE PAN COD IN TOMATO BUTTER SAUCE
The final course of the feast should always (in my opinion) be a beautifully composed fish dish. This cod is my favorite, swimming in a tomato butter sauce that will make you cry, this is the dish that will end the feast on the most festive note. Tender, flaky cod fillets are simmered in rich tomato butter and finished with a scattering of green herbs.
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. tomato
(fresh or whole peeled from a can)
4 tbsp. salted butter
2 lbs. cod, cut into four portions
salt & pepper
fresh chives or basil, chopped
fresh tomato and micro greens for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
If using fresh tomatoes, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, remove skin and add to a large high-side skillet. Mash up tomatoes into smaller pieces (I used a potato masher).
If you use canned tomatoes, crush whole tomatoes either with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon.
Add butter (cut into pieces) into skillet.
Simmer for 45 minutes over low heat.
Taste for seasoning, add a pinch of salt if needed. Bring sauce to a boil.
Blot fish with paper towels to absorb any leftover moisture (especially if frozen). Season cod filets with salt and pepper.
Nestle cod into tomato butter sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, cover pan with lid and simmer for 5-8 minutes or until the fish is opaque or reaches 130-140 degrees on an instant read thermometer.
Remove from heat. Top with fresh chives or parsley or basil.
Serve with freshly sliced tomatoes and microgreens.
Drinks for the "Feast of the Seven Fishes" typically include Italian white wines like Falanghina or Soave, and sparkling options such as Prosecco or Champagne. You can also serve beer or cocktails like a "freezer martini", a Salmon Bloody Mary or a "Feast of the Seven Fishes" martini with gin and caviar. Recipes for cocktails can be found easily online.
"Feast of the Seven Fishes" Drink Suggestions:
Wine
White wines: These are the most classic pairing. Look for Italian options like Falanghina, Soave, Vermentino or Greco di Tufo to complement the seafood.
Sparkling wines: Champagne or Prosecco are excellent celebratory choices for a Christmas Eve dinner.
Red wines: A rustic red like an Italian Aglianico can work with heartier seafood dishes like spicy calamari or lobster pasta.
Cocktails
Classic martini: A gin or vodka martini can be enhanced with ingredients like oysters, yuzu bitters or vermouth.
Salmon Bloody Mary: A savory, seafood-infused take on the classic.
"Freezer martini": A fun and easy option that can be made in advance.
Prosecco cocktail: Mix Mionetto Prosecco with orange syrup and sparkling water for a simple, bubbly drink.
Beer
Pale ale: A light beer like a pale ale is a good pairing for many fish dishes.
WHY THEY FAIL AND HOW YOU CAN SUCCEED
By Kimberly Blaker
The New Year is a great time to take inventory, set goals and take charge of your life.
But if you’re like most, making resolutions is much easier than keeping them. Rather than focus on the idea of a new beginning, which can lead to disappointment at the first slip, keep in mind that self-improvement is an ongoing endeavor. Setbacks are not failures; they bring wisdom and insight for future success.
Before making a snap decision on this year's resolutions, make a list of goals and changes you'd like to make. Then review your list and cross off any you don't feel genuinely devoted to.
Maybe you want to resolve to spend more time with your family, quit smoking or lose weight. You're more likely to succeed if you feel a strong personal commitment rather than 'I should.'
One reason people don't keep resolutions they make is the resolutions are often made to silence the pestering of a loved one. If you decide to quit smoking to get your husband off your back, you're less likely to succeed. If you choose to quit smoking to feel healthier and be able to enjoy physical activity without being winded, you're more likely to experience success.
Choose one or perhaps two of the resolutions on your list that you feel most committed to.
Then choose one or two you feel confident you can do with ease.
These last couple can be used as positive reinforcement for the more challenging first choices. Make a clear plan for adhering to your resolutions. Put each resolution in writing and write down the steps to achieve them. Let's say your resolution requires a routine or schedule such as an exercise routine, a new diet or steps toward completing your education. Create a goal chart, a detailed plan and a checklist to track your progress.
Post notes in strategic places such as the refrigerator, bathroom mirror or steering wheel as reminders of your resolutions with tips on how to overcome temptation.
Make sure your family understands the importance of your resolutions. Family support and their positive reinforcement can be most helpful. If your resolution is something your family has been nagging you about, ask for their encouragement. But explain that pressure and pestering, particularly during setbacks, could undermine your resolve. Determine how each family member can help you to achieve your goal perhaps by taking on additional household chores or through affirmations of your continued success.
The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.
- Melody Beattie
Adjust your environment to enable success
If eating healthier is your goal, don’t fill the cupboards with junk food for other family members. Find healthy snacks they’re willing to substitute. If you’re trying to quit smoking, avoid people, places and things that remind or tempt you, at least until you have it well under control.
Don’t go it alone. If you have a friend with a similar resolution, make a pact. Work together to create a plan, and then make a point to check in with each other regularly for encouragement, praise and support. If you resolve to get more exercise, do it together. Having a commitment and someone to accompany you will go a long way in helping you succeed.
Finally, reward yourself, not just once you’ve achieved your goal, but periodically for your success so far. Small, periodic rewards can be motivation enough to keep you strong when you’re ready to throw in the towel whatever New Year resolutions you choose, success awaits you if you resolve never to give up trying.
Okeechobee County Polk County
