Positively Osceola Weekly - Osceola's 24/7 News that Informs, Impacts, and Inspires!

POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY

Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!

Inside this issue Former City of Kissimmee Attorney, Donald Thomas Smallwood, Passes Away at 68

Register today for Kissimmee Main Street’s Kissimmee 5K Saturday, February 12 – It’s for the heart!

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Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber’s DKC Presents Beautification/ Innovation Award to KUA, City of Kissimmee

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Silver Spurs Rodeo Parade to Ride Back Into Downtown St. Cloud Feb 19

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American Sign Language for Beginners Acquire the basics useful in communicating with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in your community!

These ASL classes are taught by Deaf instructors; students will learn to carry on an everyday conversation with Deaf individuals.

Registration required. osceolalibrary.org/events

6:30pm Mondays February 7 - 28 Hart Memorial Library

LIVESTREAMS Good Morning Osceola Mon, Wed, Fri at 7:30AM

In the Loop LIVE Tue at 6:00PM

Daybreak LIVE Wed at 9:00AM

Osceola Matters Thu at 6:00PM

In the Loop LIVE Sat at 8:00AM For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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STREAMS & ON DEMAND Daybreak LIVE w/ Kristen Arrington

In the Loop LIVE w/ Fred Hawkins Osceola Matters w/ Wey Wey Wong & William Moren ON DEMAND In the Loop LIVE w/ Viancia McCluskey & Jeremy Lanier @FDOH in Osceola ON DEMAND Daybreak LIVE w/ Ansley Bo ON DEMAND For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Captain Ken Chapman, Area Commander Salvation Army After a difficult battle against the ravages of the Covid pandemic, The Salvation Army is expanding and marching forward in Osceola County. I believe 2022 will be the year of advancement of the mission to serve suffering humanity and to bring hope to the hopeless. We have big plans to serve this growing and exciting community. In 2022, The Salvation Army in Osceola County will implement the following: • Expansion of social services through resources and staffing • Development of an affordable housing project that will provide security to hurting families through housing and wrap-around services • Introduction of the “Landlord to Tenant” program that will prevent homelessness and allow marginally stable families to move to greater independence • Collaboration with other non-profits and agencies to reduce the duplication of services and to get a greater return on funding investments • The streamlining of processing to allow faster turn-around for delivery of services The Salvation Army believes that every person – regardless of their economic or social status – deserves honor and dignity and we will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Many thanks to all our supporters and donors; without you, our mission cannot be accomplished. God bless Osceola County and all who call it home! Hope Marches On! Captain Ken Chapman Area Commander, Salvation Army

2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Ansley Bo, the 2021 Miss Silver Spurs Every new year presents opportunities and we must make the best of them. Whether it be working hard in school to prepare for the future, cultivating stronger relationships with family and friends, or having the courage to be a leader, you should embrace the fresh start and never miss an opportunity to shine There is countless potential with a new year and I will continue to make every moment count by working hard to share my love for rodeo and agriculture with the world. Each day is a chance to be the best version of myself. “I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 Happy New Year and new beginnings to all!

Ansley Bo 2021 Miss Silver Spurs, Silver Spurs Riding Club For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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2022, a New Year, a New Hope 2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Dustin Bronson, Big Boss of the Silver Spurs Riding Club With each new year, we are reminded of a newness, a fresh start, or even a chance for new hope.

It’s the same feeling when a rancher’s first calf of the new year hits the ground, and all the feelings of new life have begun.

It reminds us to keep going for a life we are destined to live, and for a future, we strive to have.

As ranchers and Silver Spurs Riding Club members, we put a lot of trust in hope. We hope that the fence will hold, the crowd will come, the stock will grow, and our families will live better than before.

Hope has the courage to do better, be better and turn our hearts to God. We can always hope, but putting action to hope is going to change the outcome of our year and years to come.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Dustin Bronson Big Boss 2021-2022, Silver Spurs Riding Club

2022, a New Year, a New Hope – Sam Haught, Co-owner Wild Florida 2021 was a rough one for us with several of our Wild Florida family members battling illness and serious business interruptions related to Covid.

We are very optimistic about 2022 and feel better equipped than ever before to handle the volatility in our industry. We’ve seen many blessings despite the challenging times. The ground may continue to move under our feet, but we have big plans for next year and know wonderful things are headed our way. Our team has adapted to the challenges and will continue providing an unforgettable adventure to everyone that comes through our gates! For more information about Wild Florida and their Drivethru Safari Park, visit WildFl.com.

Sam Haught Co-owner, Wild Florida

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NEWS First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces 2022 Black History Month Student and Educator Contests First Lady Casey DeSantis has announced that the theme for this year’s Black History Month contests will be Celebrating African-American Contributions to Florida’s History and released information regarding the student art and essay contests, as well as the Excellence in Education awards. Black History Month is celebrated each year in the month of February.

“Black History Month is an opportunity for students to learn about the contributions AfricanAmericans have made throughout Florida’s history,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Over the next month, we will be honoring these contributions and their benefits to Florida’s communities. I encourage all Florida students to join us by participating in this month’s art and essay contests.”

First Lady DeSantis is inviting students to participate in academic and creative contests throughout the month. Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest and students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.

About the Student Art Contest First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Art Contest is open to all K-3 students in Florida.

Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Two winners will be selected.

About the Student Essay Contest First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all grade 4-12 students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme.

Three winners will be selected: one elementary school student (grades 4-5), one middle school student (grades 6-8), and one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

About the Excellence in Education Award First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school teacher (grades K-5), one middle school teacher (grades 6-8), and one high school teacher (grades 9-12). Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.

Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.

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NEWS Osceola County Announces Road Resurfacing in Poinciana Area Osceola County has announced that the following roads are tentatively scheduled for resurfacing Monday, January 21st through Wednesday, February 9th.

Work will be performed daily from 7 am to 5 pm.

Schedules may vary based on weather conditions or equipment-related issues.

There will be temporary lane closures but no road closures and traffic delays can be expected in the area.

Click here for the full article on PositivelyOsceola.com 2 killed in separate rearend crashes, same location on Florida’s Turnpike A driver from Kissimmee was killed early Monday morning in a crash on the Florida Turnpike where troopers were investigating an earlier fatal wreck, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The first crash took place at 3:30 am in the southbound lanes of the turnpike near mile marker 269. According to FHP, a 22-year-old woman from Orlando was driving her car on the turnpike and for an unknown reason stopped in the right lane. A pickup truck driven by a 22-year-old man from Ohio crashed into the back of the car, killing the woman, according to FHP. Both drivers were wearing seat belts and the Ohio man only suffered minor injuries, according to the FHP crash report. Tragically, only an hour and 40 minutes later, another fatal crash took place at the same location.

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NEWS Former City of Kissimmee Attorney, Community Servant, Donald Thomas Smallwood, Passes Away at 68

City of Kissimmee attorney, community servant, husband, father of five, and grandfather of fourteen, Donald Smallwood, whose service to the City spanned over 3 decades — passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 20, 2022. He was 68.

Don was born on October 13th, 1953, to Roy Edward and Joan Pryor Smallwood in Dehue, West Virginia, a humble coal mining community. Wanting a better life for his family, Don’s father, Roy, relocated the family to Kissimmee in 1960. Don graduated from Osceola High School in 1971 and was a proud Kowboy fan for life. He graduated from FTU (UCF) in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree and in the same year married his first love and wife of nine years, Cheryl Kemp. In 1981 Don earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Samford University at Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama—the only time he lived outside of Osceola County as an adult.

Don moved his family back to Kissimmee and began working for the state attorney’s office after law school. He formed a law partnership with his friend Nick Kelly in 1982 and also began working for the City of Kissimmee. Shortly after, Don found love again when he met Cinda, who Don claimed, “knocked him off his feet,” and they married in 1987.

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NEWS Learn American Sign Language at Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee February 7-28

It’s a new year, and a perfect time to take a look at reassessing goals, making changes in your life, and finding new ways to help others.

If one of your goals has always been to learn American Sign Language, we have the perfect way to make that happen right in Osceola County…

Beginning February 7th and Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee, you’ll be able to acquire the basics useful in communicating with deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the community.

These ASL classes are taught by actual deaf instructors with students learning to carry on an everyday conversation with deaf individuals.

There will be role-playing and games designed to teach basic signs that are used as tools. By the end of class, some of the skills you will have learned are the manual alphabet, numbers, introducing yourself, facial expressions, talking about family, and more. Registration required.

Classes will take place on Mondays at 6:30 pm February 7-28 at Hart Memorial Library, located at 211 E Dakin Ave, Kissimmee.

Registration for the ASL classes is required. Just go to OsceolaLibrary.org/events.

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NEWS Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber’s DKC Presents Beautification/Innovation Award to KUA, City of Kissimmee

If you frequent Downtown Kissimmee in the evening you’ve likely noticed a beautiful glow.

That’s because Kissimmee Utility Authority, in partnership with the City of Kissimmee, installed decorative LED accent uplighting in the median of Broadway. It lit the downtown area throughout the holiday season like never before, but the multi-colored glow lives on past the holidays illuminating Kissimmee’s Downtown trees and business area for all to see.

That kind of positive improvement to the downtown is exactly what the Downtown Kissimmee Council’s Beautification and Innovation Award s all about. Every two months the DKC selects a Downtown Kissimmee business or organization that has made significant improvements to the exterior or interior areas of their facility or surrounding area that positively affects the downtown area. It was clear that KUA and the City of Kissimmee would be February and March’s recipients of the award.

On Thursday evening, January 20 the DKC made it official; and presented officials from Kissimmee Utility Authority and the City of Kissimmee the Beautification and Innovation Award.

In attendance at the ceremony were KUA’s President and General Manager Brian Horton, KUA’s Assistant Vice President of Engineering and Operations, Jason Terry, Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez, and Kissimmee Commissioner Olga Castaño. Representing the Downtown Kissimmee Council was Keith Ronan, Chairman of the DKC and Vice President of Positively Osceola, Emily Shorrock – Director of Industry Partner Relations with Experience Kissimmee, and Christina Pilkington, Director of Administration with the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce.

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Research from Home

with your Osceola Library Card!

Britannica Library

From the makers of Encyclopedia Britannica

Gale Business: Plan Builder Create a customized business plan

America’s News

Archives of newspapers from across America

Mango Languages Learn a new language

And so many more!

osceolalibrary.org/databases

osceolalibrary.org | 407.742.8888

407-979-4161 www.CIJSstcloud.org

SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

Osceola Hoops Continue Roll, Celebration, St. Cloud Grab District Titles It was an impressive week for several county teams as Osceola’s boys’ basketball team won a pair of games against ranked teams; while both the Celebration and St. Cloud girls weightlifting teams walked away with district titles. A look around the county: BOYS BASKETBALL Three days after upsetting Windermere, the Osceola Kowboys came up with its second win in four days against a ranked team by taking down 11th ranked Oviedo, 59-57, at the Kalyn High Master’s Classic at The Masters Academy on Saturday afternoon.

As has been the case all season, brothers Sean and Chris Combs led the way to the win by combining for 32 points. Chris, a senior, scored 20 points and Sean had 12 – all on three-pointers beyond the arc. “They have played together for a long time,” Coach Steve Mason said. “They work really well together.” The score was tied knotted at 57-57 before Chris Rios hit a driving layup which proved to be the game-winner.

Osceola, 15-4, has now won six in a row and will host Gateway on Friday as it continues to make a case for a high district seed.

Gateway (15-5) has won nine of its last 10, including a 62-52 win over Tohopekaliga on Thursday night but will face a huge test tonight (Monday) when it travels to Rockledge to face the Raiders, who are 15-1 this season. With a 41-24 win over Freedom on Friday night, Harmony pushed its record to 12-7 on the season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL After taking control of the Orange Belt Conference girls’ basketball race with a win over Gateway on Jan. 11, the Lady Bulldogs continued its hot play with three more games last week to push its record to 15-6. St. Cloud beat University, Osceola, and Heritage, with the Osceola win bringing them to within one game of winning the OBC Championship outright. St. Cloud coach Chad Ansbaugh’s four top scorers are all sophomores. Following a 77-44 win over Orlando Christian Prep, Gateway is 16-6 on the season and will face challenges this week with regular season-ending road games against Rockledge (11-6) and Lake Mary (11-10).

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SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

JDs Weekly Musings, talking NFL Playoffs, Meatloaf, Tampa Bay Rays, and more For your sports reading entertainment AND before it is available in stores….another edition of Positively Osceola’s JD’s Morning Musings…

In the 14 years that I worked for the Orlando Predators, Assistant Coach Les Moss would say to me every year that the NFL Divisional Round weekend was “the best weekend in pro football.”

His reasoning was always sound. After you get rid of a few questionable wild card teams, you were left with eight really accomplished teams and four potentially great games—two on Saturday and two on Sunday. While in principle he was correct, the weekend didn’t always live up to the hype–except this year it did. It was not only the best weekend of the 2021 season, but it was the best weekend of NFL football ever….

A couple of quick takeaways from the weekend: My Gator friends have spent the last two days gushing about how their boy Evan McPherson “won the game” and was the “game’s big hero” for kicking four field goals, including the game-winner. Fine, but a little reality check is in order. Without the super gutsy performance of Joe Burrow, who threw for 348 yards while being sacked nine times, McPherson would be a footnote. Burrow and the Cincinnati defense were the real heroes of that game, period. Buffalo Bills fans will now spend the next month bitching about how unfair overtime rules are. Hogwash. What would have happened if they were given the opportunity and scored a tying touchdown and then Kansas City scores again? Are you going to start demanding equal possessions until a winner is declared? There’s a reason World Cup soccer went to penalty kicks, games can lot last six hours. Just saying, if Buffalo played a little defense and didn’t let Patrick Mahomes drive his team into field goal position in just two plays and 13 seconds you would not have had to worry about overtime.

Tom Brady came up a little short and I know that makes a lot of haters happy and as much as I like Tampa Bay (even before TB 12), they frankly did not deserve to win that game. On the other hand, if they pulled it out, I would have also said the Rams deserved to lose because they turned the ball over four times when they could have put the game out of reach prior to three of them. Which brings me to my final three points: How’d that home-field advantage work for all four teams? And how did that extra week of rest work for Green Bay and Tennessee? Finally, I sincerely doubt that anything we are going to see next week or in the Super Bowl is going to top what we saw this weekend. Had a friend post on his Facebook page that the Kansas City – Buffalo game should have been the Super Bowl and I can’t argue with that….

Last week, Major League Baseball told Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg that they would not approve of his plan for his team to play half their home games in Tampa and the other half in Montreal.

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Paint the Cloud Green St. Patrick's Day LIGHT PARADE Sat., March 12 Parade starts at 7 p.m.

at Lakeshore Blvd. and Pennsylvania Ave. traveling up to 12th Street, then to Massachusetts Ave. back to Lakeshore Blvd.

Don't miss your chance to promote your business or organization in the Paint the Cloud Green LIGHT parade!

To register your float or for more information, contact St. Cloud Parks and Recreation at

407-957-7243 or parksandrecreation@stcloud.org Thank you to our sponsors:

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Universal Orlando Resort’s Rock the Universe 2022 to kick off this weekend

Get ready to rock, ride and rejoice – Universal Orlando’s Rock the Universe 2022 kicks off this Friday for an unforgettable weekend of faith and fun at Universal Studios Florida.

Fans and youth groups can once again come together at Florida’s biggest Christian music festival to enjoy gripping performances by some of Christian music’s top artists – including GRAMMY awardwinning contemporary Christian rock band, Casting Crowns, GRAMMY award-winning Christian pop duo, for KING & COUNTRY, and Dove award-winning musician, Crowder – from January 28 – 29. See below for the full concert lineup.

Beyond the main stage performances, Rock the Universe attendees can enjoy a dedicated FanZone presented by Coca-Cola featuring live performances from up-and-coming acts, and worship experiences throughout the weekend – including a Saturday ceremony with a special message a moving musical performance, and a powerful Sunday morning worship service to wrap up the faithfilled weekend. Fans still have time to purchase tickets and can take advantage of admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks for the price of two with a 3-Park Rock Your Weekend Ticket, starting at $129.99, plus tax. To purchase Rock the Universe tickets and vacation packages, visit www.

RocktheUniverse.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 11th Annual Monster Bulls and 148th Silver Spurs Rodeo to ride back into Kissimmee February!

Rodeo fans get ready, the 11th Annual Monster Bulls and the 148th Silver Spurs Rodeo are riding back into Kissimmee in February!

The Silver Spurs Riding Club’s 11th Annual Monster Bulls event will hit the dirt on February 12th at 7:30 pm, and the 148th Silver Spurs Rodeo will rock the Silver Spurs Arena on February 18th and 19th at 7:30 pm, and February 20th at 2 pm. The best in professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls will be holding on for the rides of their lives as they compete against the clock for an entire year of bragging rights and $50,000 in prize money!

If you’re looking for extreme sports, it all starts on Monster Bulls night, Saturday, February 12th at 7:30 pm. It’s sure to be another action-packed event you won’t want to miss! For tickets and more information visit SilverSpursRodeo.com.

Silver Spurs Rodeo will feature bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling. In between all the rodeo action, there will be an act by the rodeo clown and the famous and fast Silver Spurs Quadrille team, who perform a square dance on horseback.

The largest rodeo east of the Mississippi is the work of the Silver Spurs Riding Club; an all-volunteer, non-profit organization started in 1941 by Osceola County ranchers who began the rodeo in 1944, selling war bonds as admission to raise funds for our military.

Your Monster Bulls and Silver Spurs Rodeo ticket purchases include admission to the Osceola County Fair, which runs from February 12th through the 21st and is adjacent to the Silver Spurs Arena.

Tickets to Monster Bulls are $20 per adult and children 10 and under are free. For the Silver Spurs Rodeo Friday and Saturday performances, the tickets are $25 per person and children 10 and under are free, while the Silver Spurs Rodeo’s Sunday ticket price is $20 per adult and children 10 and under are free with a paying adult. To minimize touch points and control crowd size, limited tickets will be available at the box office and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance to guarantee seating.

Donation tickets are available, and all proceeds will go towards the Silver Spurs Riding Club. Fans can do this at www.SilverSpursRodeo. com. If fans still want to support the rodeo but are unable to attend or do not feel comfortable in a public setting, the Silver Spurs Riding Club has added a ‘Donation ticket’ which can be purchased online for $20 per ticket. Proceeds from this ticket will go directly to organizations in Osceola County for scholarships, cancer support, veteran needs and more.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Silver Spurs Rodeo Parade to Ride Back Into Downtown St. Cloud Feb 19th

Kick-off Silver Spurs Rodeo weekend with everyone’s favorite – The Silver Spurs Parade! On Saturday, February 19th, at 10 am the Silver Spurs Riding Club will once again celebrate decades of rodeo tradition in Downtown St. Cloud.

Come see the Miss Silver Spurs Court, along with rodeo queens from all around the country, as they make their way through the historic streets of Downtown St. Cloud. Come enjoy the Silver Spurs Parade grand marshals, the Coca-Cola Cowboy & Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, the Silver Spurs Big Boss, elected officials, community leaders, businesses, and organizations from around Osceola County.

It’s an awesome experience you just don’t want to miss! We’ll see you at the Silver Spurs Parade on Saturday, February 19th, at 10 am.

Don’t miss the 2022 Monster Bulls event at Kissimmee’s Silver Spurs Arena on February 12 at 7:30 pm, and the Silver Spurs Rodeo on February 18-20, 2022. For tickets and more information visit SilverSpursRodeo.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Need a great laugh? Don’t miss “Don’t Dress for Dinner” at Osceola Arts!

Come out to Osceola Arts this weekend for some great laughs with the hilarious production, “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” You will find five people spending an evening in a French farmhouse. Two are married, four are secret lovers and one is a very confused chef! Uncovered secrets, quick-witted improvisation, and wacky hijinks all make “Don’t Dress for Dinner” a hilarious farce.

To request socially distanced seating, please contact the Box Office at 407-846-6257. Socially distanced seats may not be available for every performance.

Osceola Arts will present an American Sign Language interpreted performance on Saturday, February 5th at 2:00 PM. For more information about the best seating to view the interpreter, please email boxoffice@osceolaarts.org. All single show tickets can be purchased online at OsceolaArts.org or by visiting or calling our Box Office.

Upcoming Showtimes: Friday, January 28th at 7:30 pm Saturday, January 29th at 7:30 pm Sunday, January 30th at 2:00 pm Friday, February 4th at 7:30 pm Saturday, February 5th at 2:00 pm *American Sign Language-interpreted performance Saturday, February 5th 18th at 7:30 pm Sunday, February 6th at 2:00 pm General admission tickets are $28, Senior and Student are $23, Groups Sale Rates Available For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Osceola County Fair, More LIVE Entertainment Than Ever Before February 11-20 at OHP Rosaire’s Royal Racers Always an Osceola County Fair Favorite, the Rosaire’s Royal Racers is a family owned and operated company, performing for audiences across the nation! Featuring three different breeds of pigs at each and every 20-30 minute show throughout the day!

Eudora Farms, Petting Zoo A staple at the Osceola County Fair, come on out to pet, feed, and see all the exotic, colorful, and surprising animals inside!

Showtimes Continuous throughout the day

Kenyon Lockry In January of 2006, a five song demo Kenyon had made in Nashville got in the hands of country music legend Mel Tillis.

Kenyon soon signed a management deal with Mr. Tillis. For the next six years, he recorded three albums and toured the nation.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Battle of High School Bands In 2021 we held the first Osceola County High School Battle of the Bands. It was such a huge success we just had to bring it back and make this an annual event. The pride of Osceola County can be found in the arts and in some of the amazing youth we have.

Battle of the High School Voices This competition for local High School chorus teams to show off their talent. The winners get prize donated to the school’s booster program.

Grandpa Cratchet Show The Granpa Cratchet Corporation is a well-established touring and production company. Our Puppetmobiles™ have proven to be a great way to bring our characters to life. Rather than just being a show children and adults are able to build a relationship through first-hand encounters with our characters.

Extreme Illusions & Escapes Josh Knotts holds a Bachelor of the Fine Arts in Theatre from West Virginia University. He is an Eagle Scout, and a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. He was awarded the Merlin award for Entertainer of the Year in 2016. For the past 16 years, he has performed illusion in just about every scenario at venues and events across the USA. Michael Goudeau Michael Goudeau is NOT the world’s greatest juggler but he’s definitely the funniest. With over 15,000 appearances as the special guest artist in the Lance Burton Show in Las Vegas, Michael is sure to make you laugh, gasp, and then laugh some more. He has performed his act all over the world, and on multiple television shows worldwide.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Disney Live Entertainment to produce opening for Special Olympics in Orlando

Thousands of athletes, families, and fans in attendance for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, in June, will be treated to a magical Opening Ceremony produced by Disney Live Entertainment.

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, Experience Kissimmee, Osceola County, and Walt Disney World Resort made the announcement Tuesday during the USA Games’ Heads of Delegation Conference at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Disney sports complex, which has hosted numerous major sporting events in its nearly 25-year history, will be one of the sites of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, which will take place June 5-12, 2022, in Orlando.

“Hosting the USA Games’ Heads of Delegation Conference and being able to announce that Disney Live Entertainment will be producing the Opening Ceremony represents the USA Games’ commitment to ensuring all attending athletes have a life-changing experience when they come down in June,” said Joe Dzaluk, President and CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

Disney’s involvement in the USA Games is part of a two-year collaboration between Disney Live Entertainment and 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, and deepens Disney’s relationship with Special Olympics, which stages multiple state and local events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

“It’s really exciting to host these special Olympians, and with each event, we’ll see the spirit of the games on display as each individual athlete finds their potential,” said Osceola County Commissioner for District 2. “The spirit of this event is something that will touch many hearts in coming days, and I’m so proud that Osceola County is a host to all these memories in the making.”

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony, which will take place at Exploria Stadium in Orlando in June, is expected to showcase the legendary entertainment, sprinkled with a little magic, that is synonymous with Disney Live Entertainment.

“There are sure to be magical surprises, rousing dance numbers, audience participation, and beautiful heartfelt moments when Disney is on hand to help the USA Games ‘Shine as One,’” said Tom Vazzana, Creative Director for Disney Live Entertainment.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS 15th Year of Disney Dreamers Academy Program Awaits 2022 Class of Talented High School Students

The Walt Disney World Resort mentorship event that fosters the dreams of black students and teens from underrepresented communities will return March 3-6, marking its 15th year of broadening career awareness and creating opportunities for black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America. This year, the program will introduce the Disney Dreamers to an array of new immersions designed to continue to foster the dreams of young leaders beyond imagination, including career-building workshops, networking sessions, mentorship connections, and introductions to future professional opportunities at The Walt Disney Company and beyond.

For its 15th year, Disney Dreamers Academy is supporting students in even more ways. In a new initiative, Disney Dreamers Academy, in partnership with ESPN’s The Undefeated and GRAMMYnominated rap artist Cordae, is awarding college scholarships to 11 students from underrepresented communities attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Disney Dreamers program encourages the next generation to think big and to carry what they learn back with them, so they can relentlessly pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.

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SeaWorld Orlando Announces 2022 SeaWorld + Aquatica Preschool Card

It’s time for the kids to see the world again, at Seaworld Orlando. For a limited time, Kids 5 and younger can enjoy visits to SeaWorld and Aquatica Orlando for FREE… that’s right FREE! Now through December 31, 2022, you can bring the kiddos along with you and share the unforgettable animal encounters, rides, and shows that they’ll love, and of course… SeaWorld Orlando’s Sesame Street Land at no cost. You must register online by February 3, 2022 (not available at the park) and redeem in-park by February 28, 2022. This limited offer from SeaWorld Orlando is for Florida residents only, and it does not include free parking, separately ticketed events, or other discounts. For more information go to SeaWorldOrlando.com.

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Get ready to enjoy this grilled Florida chicken sandwich, it’s Positively Delicious!

In Florida, we’re in the “cooler’ months of the year, so it’s the perfect time to head outside and have some fun grilling. In this Positively Delicious recipe, we’ll help you create the perfect Grilled Florida Chicken Sandwich! It’s simple, it’s quick, and you’ll love it!

INGREDIENTS 2 Florida chicken breasts, grilled 1 Florida tomato, sliced thin 2 cups Florida arugula 3 garlic cloves 1 lemon, zested and juiced ½ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature Sandwich bread (your favorite) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION In a blender or food processor combine arugula, garlic cloves, lemon zest, and juice, then pulse until combined. Turn on low and slowly drizzle in olive oil until loose paste forms. Pour into a small bowl and set aside. Heat grill to high. Season chicken with salt and pepper and grill for 4 minutes on both sides.

Brush arugula pesto onto the chicken and continue to cook until internal temperature reaches 165.

Remove and set aside to rest. Spread butter on inside of sandwich buns and place directly over heat for 1-2 minutes or until warm and toasted. Remove from grill and assemble the sandwich. Serve with your favorite Florida vegetables, and get ready to say… mmm, it’s Positively Delicious!

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Guacamole… It’s what’s for dinner, and so much more!

Guacamole, it’s delicious, a bit addictive, and it’s healthy! That’s right, it’s one of those foods that we crave and is good for us!

With Super Bowl Sunday quickly approaching it’s a good time to begin planning for what we might be snacking on while staring, and sometimes yelling at the TV. This year how about trying some positively delicious Guacamole… your guests will be glad you did, and it’s simple.

INGREDIENTS 2 Florida avocados, pit removed and mashed 1 Florida tomato, diced small 2 Florida Key limes, juiced ¼ red onion, diced small 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped ½ teaspoon cumin Several dashes hot sauce (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, and when it’s time serve with your favorite chips, and then – repeat, and repeat, and repeat! It’s Positively Delicious!

SOURCE: Fresh From Florida For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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COMMUNITY International Traffic Rebounds in November at Orlando International Airport For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, international traffic at Orlando International Airport (MCO) recorded positive calendar year-over-year numbers. Some 251,000 international arrivals and departures in November helped push year-to-date international traffic 1.74 percent higher than at this time in 2020.

Directly contributing to the dramatic turnaround in international numbers, November marked the return of regular air service to the United Kingdom and Dublin, Ireland. Also in November, the first-ever direct link between the most visited destination in the United States, Orlando, to the busiest airport in Europe, London/Heathrow opened.

Strong Thanksgiving holiday travel also spurred solid domestic traffic numbers for the month.

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Come Join Us!

Citrus Tree Show and Auction

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022 4:30PM

LOCATED IN THE SMALL ANIMAL TENT AT THE OSCEOLA COUNTY FAIR All citrus trees to be sold are Bearss Lemon.

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COMMUNITY Kissimmee Main Street to Host 2021 Kissimmee 5K Saturday February 12, for the heart!

Kissimmee Main Street’s Kissimmee 5K is a Valentine’s week tradition in downtown Kissimmee, and once again, it’s all about the heart!

The annual event, which will take place on Saturday, February 12th at 7:30 am and will make its way along the beautiful Kissimmee lakefront and through historic downtown Kissimmee streets. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers, but runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Strollers are welcome, so feel free to bring the entire family to the event! Come dressed in your favorite Valentine attire and be a part of the costume contests for Cutest Cupid, Prettiest Pair, and Care Club for large groups. The event, which promotes heart health, and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the American Heart Association.

Sign up at Kissimmee5K.com to participate or call 407-846-4643 if you are interested in vendor or volunteer opportunities!

Come show your heart with Kissimmee Main Street on February 12 at 7:30 am and experience the annual Kissimmee 5K!

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COMMUNITY Huntington Learning Center’s Next FREE Webinar: How to Prepare for the 2022 SAT/ACT

College admissions continue to be highly competitive. Though some colleges and universities have become “test-optional” in light of COVID-19, strong SAT/ACT scores improve students’ chances of admission. Students who take Huntington exam prep courses increase their scores by an average of 229 points on the SAT and 5.4 points on the ACT. During Huntington Learning Center’s next FREE How-To-Webinar on Thursday, February 10th at 1 pm, Huntington’s education expert will provide an overview of the latest SAT and ACT updates, why these exams are still beneficial for high school students, and prep tips for students who want to earn the best scores possible.

The webinar will cover an SAT and ACT overview, latest updates on the SAT and ACT, differences between the SAT and ACT, why taking these exams is still beneficial even amid today’s “test-optional” environment, test-taking strategies and tips, Huntington SAT/ACT prep, and more!

To register for the free webinar, visit huntingtonhelps.com, go to Resources on the top menu, then drop down to webinar and click. The webinar is free and simple to register for.

Why does Huntington Learning Center work? For over 44 years, they’ve treated students as individuals and tailored their tutoring programs to fit their unique needs, academic goals, and schedules. The best part? Their tutoring centers are proven to accelerate academic results, so you can trust them to help your child succeed.

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NOW HIRING

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TechCentral is a brand new creative space providing access to tools and technologies that will help the community gain the necessary skills to make their dreams a reality!

Featuring: Recording Studio Sewing Studio iMac Computer Lab with Adobe Creative Suite Virtual Reality Equipment Robotics for Kids Photography Studio 3D Printing On Demand Located on the second floor of Hart Memorial Central Library 211 E Dakin Avenue | Kissimmee, FL | 34741

osceolalibrary.org/techcentral | 407.742.8888

HEALTH

Aura Melissa Urquia-Robles, DO Family Medicine Orlando Health

Orlando Health: Can Vitamins Be Too Much of a Good Thing?

Vitamin deficiencies can be serious, causing diseases such as osteoporosis and anemia. A vitamin D deficiency can worsen complications from COVID-19. But doctors are seeing an uptick in patients who are developing toxicity from taking more vitamin supplements than needed.

Some vitamins are more dangerous than others because not all vitamins are absorbed by the body in the same way.

Fat-Soluble vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins: What’s the Difference?

Vitamins are divided into two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

The fat-soluble vitamins – such as vitamins A and D – are absorbed by the gut and delivered through the blood to different areas of the body where they are needed. The excess is then stored in your liver and other fatty tissues. These vitamins can stay in your system for up to six months, accumulating and potentially reaching toxic levels.

The water-soluble vitamins — such as vitamin C — travel in your bloodstream and replace any deficiencies. Your body absorbs what it needs and eliminates any excess through urine.

Signs of Elevated Vitamin Intake: Vitamin A (fat-soluble): Too much can cause hypervitaminosis A, symptoms of which may include blurry vision, bone pain, decreased appetite, liver disease, high calcium levels, and osteoporosis.

Vitamin D (fat-soluble): High levels can lead to hypervitaminosis D, which can cause over-calcification of the bones and soft tissues such as the heart and kidneys. Other symptoms are diarrhea, kidney stones, dehydration, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness and decreased appetite.

Vitamin B3, or niacin (water-soluble): In normal levels, this vitamin prevents pellagra, a disease marked by skin inflammation, diarrhea, dementia and mouth sores. But too much of this vitamin can cause liver damage, increased blood sugar and lower blood platelets.

Vitamin B6 (water-soluble): This vitamin can prevent anemia and peripheral neuropathy, but doses of more than 100 mg aday can cause nerve damage.

Vitamin C (water-soluble): Toxic levels of this vitamin can cause stomach pain, diarrhea and flatulence.

Well-Balanced Diet Provides Nutrients Wondering if you can overdose on vitamin intake from diet alone? The good news is that eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins will provide your body with adequate levels of every major vitamin. It’s highly unlikely your diet will result in vitamin toxicity unless you’re eating lots of fortified foods or protein shakes with added vitamins.

Over-the-counter multivitamins generally follow the FDA’s recommended daily allowances for vitamins and minerals, unlike vitamin-specific supplements, which often contain higher doses.If you’re healthy and eating a well-balanced diet, the body will absorb the nutrients it needs.

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HEALTH

April Louise Oxford, MD Internal Medicine Orlando Health

Orlando Health: Memory Loss, It’s Not Always About Aging Blaming memory loss on age is so common we even have a term for it. Who hasn’t joked about having a “senior moment” when you forget something? Maybe you blanked on the name of a neighbor or searched the whole house for your cell phone — only to find you were talking on it the whole time.

But memory loss can have many causes that go beyond aging. Certain illnesses and medical conditions can temporarily affect our capacity for recall. So can medicines we take, what we eat, how we exercise, and our quality of sleep.

Memory loss can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, but it isn’t always. What’s more, it can launch a cycle: You dwell on being forgetful, overestimate the severity of the problem, feel more anxious, and find yourself struggling with anxiety-induced forgetfulness.

The reality: Memory loss can happen at any age, for any number of reasons. Checking in with a doctor can help you figure out whether it’s anything to worry about.

When Illness Affects Memory We tend to think of memory loss as an early sign of cognitive decline or neurological disease. But memory loss can be caused by all sorts of illnesses or ongoing behavioral or physical conditions, including anxiety and depression, thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism, or vitamin deficiencies.

Even heart issues can cause dementia.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy report brain fog as a side effect of the drugs, and expectant mothers frequently share stories of “pregnancy brain” — largely a third-trimester phenomenon for which there is only a small amount of supporting research so far.

Insomnia and other sleep conditions, which may seem only mildly annoying to some, can have a profound effect on how the brain functions. Fortunately, many of these conditions are treatable, and their effects on memory are reversible.

This Is Your Brain on Drugs The medicines you take can have a surprising effect on memory, but it’s not just the ones your doctor prescribes. Over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl and other antihistamine allergy medications also can lead to temporary brain fog and forgetfulness.

Many prescription medications commonly used among older populations have anticholinergic properties, meaning they tend to block a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which also can negatively affect memory.

So, if something slips your mind, don’t assume the worst. It may be that a small adjustment in medications will see your powers of recall roaring back to life.

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INJURY LAW Can you sue for a Florida accident if it was partially your fault?

In the aftermath of an accident, you may be left with serious or permanent medical issues, high bills and insurance premiums, and expensive property damage. Many people are overwhelmed and unsure of their options. There is a common misconception that in order to recover damages someone else had to be 100% responsible for causing them.

While this is the ideal case, it is also a rare one. An accident hardly ever happens in the absence of negligence, and it’s relatively uncommon to be able to isolate all negligence to one party. Insurance adjusters tend to assess the facts and circumstances of an accident with a microscope, assigning liability for very minor things that would never have caused an accident in the absence of another person’s recklessness, such as a burnt-out tail light or failing to come to a complete stop. The good news is that while it can be nerve-racking to be hit with some of the blame, it is not a bar to recovering damages in Florida. Florida applies the comparative negligence model, which means that the circumstances of the case are assessed and liability is assigned based on any negligence each party contributed to causing the overall accident.

Under this model, you are able to sue for damages as long as you are not found to be the primary cause of the damage.

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FAMILY LAW Who to turn to if you’re experiencing a divorce?

There is no question, hiring an attorney for your family law case can be a daunting task, and with so much information on the internet – and on TV and radio, it can be very challenging to decide who to trust.

Many important issues are decided in family cases, including paternity questions, dissolution of marriage, or issues related to child custody.

Draper Law has been serving the community in the area of family law since 1984, and they can help you. If you’re looking for an attorney that you can trust, and that will answer your family law questions, call Draper Law Offices at 407-846-0075. Remember, in times of need, you can count on Draper Law.

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REAL ESTATE Goodwin Realty: The Next Generation of Homebuyers Is Here Many members of Generation Z (Gen Z) are aging into adulthood and deciding whether to rent or buy a home. If you find yourself in this group, it’s important to understand you’re never too young to start thinking about homeownership. The sooner you start planning, the sooner you can move on from renting.

As you set off on your journey and plan your next move, here are a few reasons to think about homebuying this year.

The Reasons Gen Z Want To Become Homeowners While the majority of Gen Z haven’t entered the housing market yet, a large portion plan to according to a realtor.com report. The report found that 72% of Gen Z would rather purchase a home than rent long-term. As George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research for realtor.com, says: “With nearly three-quarters of those surveyed preferring to buy versus renting long-term, the housing industry should be prepared for millions of Gen Z buyers to bring a new wave of demand along a similar stage-of-life timeline as the millennial generation before them.”

But why do so many members of Gen Z value homeownership? According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), young homebuyers – more than any other age group – want to become homeowners because they want to have a place of their very own.

That may be because one of the biggest benefits of homeownership is having a place that you can truly make your own by customizing it to your style and personality. Whether that’s the décor, painting, or renovations, when you own your home, you don’t have to limit yourself to what your lease and landlord will allow.

Not to mention, owning a home provides much greater long-term stability and security than renting.

When you own a home, there’s also protection from steadily rising rental costs because your monthly mortgage payment is locked in for the length of your loan (typically 15 to 30 years).

Work with a Real Estate Professional To Achieve Your Goals Whether you’re just getting started on your homebuying journey, you want to learn more about the process, or you’re fully committed to buying your first home this year, it’s especially important to connect with a trusted real estate advisor soon, as you won’t be the only first-time buyer in the market.

According to a recent survey from realtor.com, a majority of first-time buyers surveyed are looking to purchase a home in 2022.

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