Positively Osceola Weekly - November 10, 2021

POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY

Inside this issue

Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!

SCFR Launches Little Libraries Program

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Kissimmee Firefighters to participate in R.E.D., Remember Everyone Deployed Page 6

Orlando International Airport welcomes back UK visitors, includes new London/Heathrow air service Page 5

Next challenge the Osceola Osceola County for to Host Job Fair Kowboys… the Newsome at Osceola Heritage Park Wolves on running game November 10th Page 16

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NEWS Positively Osceola’s Mayor’s Minute with St. Cloud Mayor, Nathan Blackwell I’m Nathan Blackwell, Mayor of the City of St. Cloud.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and there are lots of things going on in St. Cloud.

City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day. Join us in saluting all those who served our country in the U.S. armed forces. Although City Hall will be closed, our solid waste crews will be running regular garbage collection that day, and the Transfer Station will be open from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. City Hall will reopen on Friday, Nov. 12.

On Friday, November 12th, there will be a Farm Share food distribution, providing food for families in need. The food distribution is a partnership between State Representative Fred Hawkins, Farm Share, the City of St. Cloud, and Cornerstone Family Church. The food distribution will be held at Cornerstone Family Church from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., or while supplies last. Cornerstone Church is located at 2925 Canoe Creek Road.

Our popular Downtown Monthly Market will be held on Wednesday, November 17th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown St. Cloud. Come start your holiday shopping, browse our downtown stores and restaurants, and check out the many popup vendors with unique gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season.

We hope to see you soon at these events here in St. Cloud….your Centerplace for Life!

Osceola Commissioner Brandon Arrington to host Thanksgiving meal food distribution Saturday, November 13th District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington is inviting the community to a free, drive-thru Thanksgiving Meal Distribution from 10 am to 12 noon on Saturday, November 13th at St. Rose of Lima Church, located at 3880 Pleasant Hill Road in Kissimmee.

Turkey Dinner Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families on a firstcome, first-served basis, while supplies last.

Osceola County has provided free distribution events on a consistent basis since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Commissioner Brandon Arrington for District 3 leading the food events in the Poinciana area, which are typically held at St. Rose of Lima Church. The park’s location allows Commissioner Arrington, along with volunteers and the Osceola Sheriff’s Office, to provide a safe and well-organized food distribution for the community.

The food distribution is sponsored by Osceola County, State Representative Kristen Arrington for District 43, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. It is recommended to those who are planning to attend the food distribution to arrive early.

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NEWS Positively Osceola’s Mayor’s Minute with Kissimmee Mayor, Olga Gonzalez Hello, I’m Mayor Olga Gonzalez from the City of Kissimmee!

The City of Kissimmee’s Parks & Recreation Department is looking for outgoing, energetic, fun, and professional individuals to join their team. Some of the benefits to working in recreation include: · Making a positive impact on children and adults · Professional training in child management, group dynamics, leadership · Develop and use your teaching skills · Personal growth and development · Fun activities · Work Monday – Friday (may require some weekends) Applications can be filled out by visiting the City’s webpage at www.kissimmee.gov. Make sure to include the position you are applying for. Other job opportunities with the City of Kissimmee are available by visiting Kissimmee.gov/careers.

And if you have been to City Hall lately- you have already noticed that the Church Street Improvement Project is now complete, and residents, business owners, and visitors can enjoy the significant improvements made to this road. The project took approximately seven months at an approximate cost of $700K. Through the entire length of the project, sidewalks and crosswalks were upgraded to meet new ADA construction standards.

In addition, old asphalt was removed and repaved according to new construction and drainage standards, and efforts were made to improve stormwater drainage throughout the length of the entire project. Improvements to the road also include more angled, pull-in parking spaces. Finally, through the City’s partnership with Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA), more streetlights were added to make it safer and more convenient for everyone visiting the area. For more information on projects happening in the City of Kissimmee, visit www.Kissimmee.gov/progress.

And remember, if you have any questions or want to learn more about the City of Kissimmee, call our Communications and Public Affairs Office at 407-518-2314 or send an email to news@kissimmee.gov.

Thank you and see you next time!

Kissimmee Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for Ruby Plaza Café & Big Toho Marina Concessionaires on Lake Toho The City of Kissimmee held a ribbon cutting on the northern end of beautiful Lake Toho for Ruby Plaza Café & Big Toho Marina Concessionaires, formerly known as Big Toho Marina near Historic Downtown Kissimmee.

Big Toho Marina was recently purchased by the Espinoza family, who owns several other businesses in Downtown Kissimmee and were selected amongst several other bidders for ownership of the well-known marina business.

Tackle and bait will still be sold, but the cafe’ side will soon be open for breakfast, lunch, and “dinner by the fireplace” three evenings a week. The cafe’ will serve fish and chips, oysters, mussels, fresh salmon topped with capers, gator bites. and more.

“Preserving tradition and embracing change, that’s what we want to leave as a legacy, “ said new co-owner Jackie Espinoza. “You won’t be disappointed, we invite you to experience a beautiful sunset at the classic and Breathtaking Lake Toho.”

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NEWS

Osceola County to Host Job Fair at Osceola Heritage Park November 10th Are you looking for a new job or are you a business looking for new employees?

Osceola County’s Job Fair at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center is a prime opportunity for job seekers and employers to connect.

This year’s event is scheduled for November 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. With close to 30 employers signed up, it is an excellent opportunity to find a job, officials said, noting there is still room for more employers to participate.

Since the inaugural event in 2017, the County’s job fairs, coordinated by the Housing and Community Services Department, have connected thousands of people with potential employers.

The first job fair in 2017 was created to help the many Hurricane Maria evacuees, who had relocated to Osceola County. Today, the need exists because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers range from companies in the hospitality industry to professional services to health care to construction. Any employers interested in participating in the job fair should call the Osceola County Housing and Community Services Department at 407-742-8423.

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NEWS

Orlando International Airport welcomes back UK visitors, includes new London/Heathrow air service After more than 19 months without passenger service to the United Kingdom, Orlando International Airport welcomed back international travelers as Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to resume routine transatlantic operations on Monday.

The first inbound plane from the United Kingdom landed a little after 2:30 p.m. from Manchester, England. “We are glad to have the British back,” says Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “We have a lot of people who have been focused on this day and making sure they have, “The Orlando Experience.”

The celebration went beyond simply welcoming back United Kingdom flights. It also marked the first-ever flight from London/Heathrow, a service route long sought after by airport leadership.

This new service route connects Orlando, the most-visited destination in the United States, to the busiest airport in Europe. Central Florida residents will benefit greatly from the new connection with direct nonstop access to London/Heathrow, which provides connecting service to over 190 other markets across the world.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Orlando is positioned to be one of the top five places international guests choose to visit now that travel restrictions have been modified.

Additional U.K. flights resume November 15 when British Airways begins London/Heathrow service and London/Gatwick connections on the 19th. Aer Lingus will resume Dublin service on November 27h and Manchester service on December 11th.

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NEWS Kissimmee Firefighters to participate in R.E.D., Remember Everyone Deployed Kissimmee firefighters are participating in RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) and will be wearing red t-shirts every Friday in support of all military personnel!

“Remember Everyone Deployed” (R.E.D.) was created to show solidarity and provide support to our deployed service members as well as veterans. They carry the message to national levels serving all branches of the Armed Forces and their families. The assistance continues when our forces are back home from deployment by assisting veterans through the challenges they face, reintegrating back into their communities.

Their programs, services and integration of strategic partners, businesses and individuals enables them to provide real solutions and acts of kindness that can make an impact in our military and lessen their stress.

R.E.D. was started on in 2016 Jacksonville, North Carolina, Marine Corps Base, Camp LeJeune “Home of the Expeditionary Forces in Readiness” and has now expanded nationwide providing services wherever needed.

Osceola Commissioner Viviana Janer to host Thanksgiving meal food distribution on Friday, November 12th District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer is inviting the community to a free, drive-thru Thanksgiving Meal Distribution at Archie Gordon Memorial Park on Friday, November 12 at 10am.

The first 400 families will receive a 10 – 12 lb Frozen Turkey, a package of Instant Potatoes, Stuffing, Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Mini Marshmallows, Macaroni & Cheese, and Turkey Gravy.

Osceola County has provided free distribution events on a consistent basis since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Viviana Janer for District 2 has led the food events in the BVL area, which are typically held at Archie Gordon Memorial Park at 420 Buenaventura Blvd. in Buenaventura Lakes. The park’s location allows Commissioner Janer, along with volunteers and the Osceola Sheriff’s Office, to provide a safe and well organized food distribution for the community.

As this is a first come first served event, it is recommended to those who are planning to attend to the food distribution to arrive early.

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NEWS Osceola County Announces Flood Alert Warning System Test The Osceola County Office of Natural Resources and the Office of Emergency Management will conduct a test of the Flood Alert Notification System on December 14 between 9 am and Noon. If poor weather conditions or other emergency prevents testing, December 17 will be the alternate date.

The purpose is to test the County’s alerting capability for all residents and provide awareness of a possible flood threat. This year, all residents will be alerted, including the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud. This test is also part of the Community Rating System criteria, which brings lower flood insurance rates to the citizens.

During the test, residents will receive a short telephone message. The message will state; this is a test, followed by information on what will occur if alerting is ever required. Since the system will only act upon phone numbers, not everyone will receive this message. In the event of a real emergency, the system will use alternative methods and call all phone numbers.

The testing ensures the County has a viable way to notify residents through the County mass notification system known as Alert Osceola powered by Everbridge. In the past, some have referred to this system as a Reverse 911 system; however, that name is a brand of alerting systems. The County has the capability to notify cell phones, activate the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radios in real emergencies. Some “live” future testing of these systems is planned.

For additional flood information or questions, please contact the Office of Natural Resources at 407-742-0625. For information about the test, go to www.osceola.org and click on the “Flood Threat Notification” button or call 407-742-9000.

Manatees are on the move, it’s Manatee Awareness month November is Manatee Awareness Month and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding people on the water to slow down and look out for migrating manatees this time of year. As water temperatures cool this season, manatees are naturally migrating to warmer waters around the state. Go slow and look out below to allow them to swim safely.

While manatees are large, they can be difficult to see in the water. That is why it is important to: follow guidelines and follow all manatee protection zones; lookout while boating; wear polarized glasses and always give them space. Manatee protection zones are marked by waterway signs and maps of manatee protection zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee by clicking on “Data and Maps.”

During the colder months, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in certain areas to prevent manatees from being injured or killed by motorboats or personal watercraft. Boat strikes continue to be a major threat to Florida manatees. FWC law enforcement officers are on patrol in state waters to inform boaters of the seasonal manatee speed zones and take appropriate enforcement actions. Boaters are reminded to abide by the regulatory signs they see on the water.

Physically handling a distressed or stranded manatee might cause more harm. Instead, report injured, distressed, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or dialing #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone so trained responders can assist. The FWC continues to investigate a high level of manatee mortalities and respond to manatee rescues along the Atlantic coast of Florida. The FWC takes manatee conservation seriously by actively implementing science-based conservation measures that are making a difference for manatees and habitats. Learn more about how officials are responding to this event by visiting MyFWC.com/Manatee and clicking on “Learn More”.

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SPORTS Next challenge for the Osceola Kowboys… the Newsome Wolves running game

An answer to the paradox of what happens when an immovable object meets an irresistible force may finally be answered on Friday night when Osceola, with one of the best rushing defenses in the entire state, goes on the road to meet Newsome, possessing one of the region’s best running games, in a Class 8A, Region 3 Quarterfinal Playoff game. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Newsome, behind the inside/outside running game of Jason Albritton and JC Roque, is averaging more than 243 yards per game on the ground, as the Wolves finished the regular season with an 8-2 record– including a perfect 4-0 mark in District 10 play.

Albritton has run for 1258 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging more than six yards a carry. Roque, who often lines up on the wing, is a speedster who is explosive on both jet sweeps and while catching the ball out of the backfield. He is also a threat on kick returns.

Roque has amassed more than 1100 all-purpose yards and has scored a dozen touchdowns. They will face a Kowboys defense that has been near impossible to run on this season. Although Osceola gave up a season-high 112 yards rushing on 26 carries last week against University, teams have gained just 338 yards rushing on 231 carries this season against the Kowboys – averaging just 1.5 yards per carry for the season. Eight times this season, Osceola has held teams to less than 50 net yards rushing for the game.

“No question the outcome is going to come down to stopping the run,” Osceola Head Coach Eric Pinellas said. “Newsome is a really talented and well-coached team. I would not say they are one-dimensional, though because their quarterback throws the ball pretty good, but the running game has been their bread and butter all season, and shutting that down is going to be a key for us.”

Newsome’s quarterback Christian Bishop has thrown for 856 yards and nine touchdowns this season but 233 yards and four of those touchdowns have come from Roque out of the backfield. “He’s fast and explosive,” Pinellas added. “If he gets a crack he can take it a long way.” Defensively, the Wolves have been solid. They are allowing just 12 points a game and have given up 20 or more points just twice this season. Key players on defense are defensive end Travis Jandrlich (6 sacks), corner Amir Austin (5 interceptions), and outside linebacker Caden Huffman, who leads Newsome in both tackles (76) and tackles-for-loss (11.5).

Despite being held to season-low in points (13), total yards (171), and rushing yards (140) last week, it should be noted the Kowboys’ 13-8 win came in a torrential downpour. For the season, the Kowboys are averaging 40 points per game with a balanced attack that has seen Osceola throw for almost 1600 yards and 19 touchdowns; while rushing for more than 200 yards a game with 31 touchdowns. The Kowboys have also scored 10 touchdowns on defense and special teams.

Friday’s game will mark the second consecutive year Osceola has met Newsome on the road in the post-season. Last year, the Kowboys prevailed, 17-7, in the regional final. Pinellas believes that experience will be helpful. “They have a different quarterback but a lot of the same personnel from last year and they run the same basic double-wing offense. We played them last year combined with the fact that we used to run a similar offense means our defense should be well-versed in what they will try to do. As has been the case all year, we need to stick to our plan and eliminate turnovers and penalties.”

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If the Kowboys win, they will meet the winner of the Durant (8-2) at West Orange (9-1) game in a Regional Semifinal. West Orange handed Osceola one of its two losses this season, winning 35-21 three weeks ago.

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SPORTS Julius Tharpe Basketball Tournament Scheduled in St. Cloud November 13th

Basketball aficionados are invited to lace up their sneakers, sign-up, and participate in the second annual Julius Tharpe Memorial Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the St. Cloud Civic Center. The action begins at 8 a.m. and the tournament is free for spectators, with concessions and raffle prizes available.

The tournament will feature five on five full-court games of 30 minutes in length. There is a running clock except for the last minute of each half. The tournament is open to adult teams with a minimum roster age of 18. Entry is $250 per team and a cash prize will be awarded to the winning team. Each team will be guaranteed at least two games.

Tharpe was a long-time coach and basketball official in Osceola County, having coached as an assistant of the girls’ basketball team at Osceola High and also assisted the Gateway boys’ basketball team under Bob Barker. After leaving the coaching profession, he spent many years officiating both basketball and volleyball and ran numerous basketball clinics and camps for Central Florida Youth.

Originally the tournament was designed as a fundraiser to help defray medical costs for his lung cancer treatment, but when the disease took his life in 2019, the tournament was refocused to become a memorial to Tharpe’s legacy.

“It started as a medical fundraiser to help defray Julius’ medical expenses,” Tournament Director Tommy Billiteri said. “When he passed before the first tournament could be played, it was decided to switch the focus of the event. Julius was such an important part of the Central Florida youth basketball scene and we wanted to find a way to honor him.”

Four teams participated in the first tournament and the 2020 event was canceled because of Covid.

This year’s event will be capped at eight teams, but Billiteri has ambitions to make the tournament a lot bigger in the future.

Those dreams started with the establishment of the Julius Tharpe Memorial Foundation to help fund and sponsor youth basketball players who want to participate in camps and leagues but were unable to do so because of family finances.

“We eventually want to make sure that kids who want to go to camps or play in leagues are able to do so regardless of their family’s ability to pay,” Billiteri said. “We also want to help organizations with equipment costs.”

The eventual goal is to create and run a Julius Tharpe Camp in Central Florida.

“He spent his life dedicated to the sport of basketball and Central Florida’s youth,” Billiteri added. “This tournament was created to not only honor his legacy but to further his mission of teaching and coaching basketball to kids.”

Persons interested in entering a team should contact Billiteri at 321.443.4414 or email him at Tommybilliteri@gmail.com.

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SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

Cross Country/Swimming Roundup/Golf: County Individuals, Teams Advance to State Championships Osceola County will be well represented this weekend when the state cross country and swimming championships are held this weekend in Tallahassee and Stuart respectively. The state golf championship will be held at Mission Inn on Nov. 16-17.

In cross country, scheduled for Apalachee Regional Park on Friday, Harmony will be sending its girls team to complete. The Lady Longhorns qualified with an eighth-place team finish and a team score of 241 at the Class 4A, Region 3 meet. Timber Creek won the event with a team score of 76, Celebration was 10th with a score of 266.

Freshman Lariana Decker and senior Alaine Rivera led the way for Harmony, crossing the finish line together in ninth (19:42.0) and tenth (19:42.7) place respectively. Regina Younassoghlou (62nd), Elaina Halk (76th) and Thora Gaston (84th) had the other counting scores for the Longhorns.

In addition to the Harmony girls team, Celebration’s Catalina Edwards will also be competing in the girls championship, as she grabbed one of three individual spots with a third-place overall finish in 19:01.3. Running at the same event that was held at Austin Tindall Park, the Tohopekaliga boys team – which won the Orange Belt Conference Championship this year – will be headed to the state tournament based on their fourth-place finish in the regional meet.

Johan Comacho (16:27.8) and Julian Pomalo (16:38.9) paced the Tigers by finishing ninth and 11th overall. Javan Medina (29th), Zaniel Lezardo (39th) and Jayven Garcia (62nd) rounded out the team scoring for Toho’s 150-point total. Viera, one of the top teams in the state, placed four runners in the top six and had five in the top 15 to easily win the event with a low score of 29. Celebration (9th place) just missed qualifying as team by six places.

Two other runners from Osceola qualified for the state meet as individuals, as Harmony’s Joel Jean placed an impressive 6th overall in 16:04.7; while Celebration’s Jared Falchook grabbed the final at-large spot with a ninth-place finish overall, covering the 5K distance in 16:27.3.

In swimming, Celebration qualified its 200-medley relay team (9th overall seed) and its 200 free relay (16th overall seed) for the state championships being held this weekend at Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart, Fla. Individually, Celebration’s Felipe Costa qualified for both the 100-free (15th seed) and 100-back (5th seed). Costa’s time of 51.63 in the regional meet is less than a 4/10th of a second slower than top-seeded West Orange’s Brennan Muramatsu (51.29) Osceola’s Anthony Ambrosi qualified in both the 50-free (21.68) and 100-free (48.35).

Harmony’s Sarina Steel grabbed the 14th seed in the 50-free (24.53); while teammates Meredith and Amelia Wagner will both participate in the 4A Diving championships by qualifying 12th and 13th in regionals.

In the Class 3A Championships, Gateway and St. Cloud had one qualifier each. Bulldog freshman dive Silas Camacho will the 16th seed in boys 1-meter diving; while Gateway’s Delyn McDonald grabbed the 14th overall seed with a time of 55.22 in last week’s regional meet.

In golf, the St. Cloud girls team – led by four-time OBC Champion Morgan Beaulieu – will participate as a team in the Class 2A Championship.

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SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

St. Cloud Bulldogs Girls Golf State Championship Round Bad news may travel fast, but good news apparently moves a lot slower.

It wasn’t known until 18 hours after the regional competition ended, but the St. Cloud High Girls’ Golf Team has secured one of the four at-large team bids to the FHSAA State Championship Tournament. They join the 2016 Harmony team as the only girls team in county history to advance to the state championship — the 36-hole tournament is scheduled for Nov. 15-16 at Mission Inn Resort and Club at Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla. St. Cloud finished fourth at Wednesday’s Class 3A, Region 3 Tournament at Cleveland Heights Golf Course in Lakeland.

The top three team finishers in each region automatically qualify for the state tournament. But after a fourth place finish, St. Cloud had to sit around to find out whether they grabbed one of four at-large spots awarded based on a combined district/regional showing. The FHSAA announced St. Cloud was one of the four at-large teams on Thursday morning.

“At-large bids provide access for non-automatic qualifiers who may have been in a super tough regional or district. They base it on factors like stroke play, course rating and other factors,” Bulldogs head coach Jim Endicott said. “A fourth-place team in a tough regional may be better than a team that won a lesser regional and that’s the purpose of the at-large bids.”

Lake Nona won the tournament with a team score of 314, St. Cloud was fourth at 329 – just two shots behind secondplace Lakeland (327) and one shot behind third-place Viera (328). “To tell the truth I did not think we all that sharp today,” Endicott said. “But we kept grinding and making some key putts on the backside. I’m so proud of the overall effort we had to get one of the at-large spots and become just the second girls’ team from the county to get to the state tournament.”

Elan Zhang (Dr. Phillips), Analiese Raath (Lakeland) and Mei Chan (Lake Nona) all tied for first with an even-par 72, with Zhang taking medalist honors in a playoff. Darby Hancock (Kathleen) was solo fourth with a 73.

Senior Morgan Beaulieu led the Bulldogs with a two-over 74 over the 5,553-yard Cleveland Heights Golf Club in Lakeland.

She shot identical sides of 37-37 with two birdies and four bogeys on her card. Her 74 was good for solo fifth place and would have easily qualified her for the state tournament as an individual. A four-time OBC Champion who won the individual district championship last week, Beaulieu has participated in the last two state championships – finishing 18th last year.

Junior Jenna Barnett played the final eight holes in even par to post a 40-37-77 to tie for 10th place overall. Sophomore Tess Shieve (88) and senior Nadia Burda (90) also shot counting scores for St. Cloud. Sophomore Cayden Challacombe shot a non-counting 96 to round out the St. Cloud effort.

Harmony and Celebration also competed in the regional. The Longhorns qualified with a third place finish in the St. Cloud regional; while Celebration took second in the District 11 Tournament at North Shore. The Storm finished in sixth place with a 358 total; Harmony was eighth at 378.

Ariana Leon (84) and Natalie Quionnes (86) led Celebration with a 21st and 26th place finish. Both are freshmen. Clara Lee and Erin Ozyurek shot identical 94s for the Storm’s other counting scores. Jordan Pidgeon led all Harmony golfers with an 84 to tie for 21st.

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SPORTS PO’s Weekly Musings, talking College Football Playoffs, Patrick Ewing, Buster Posey, and Bills-Jags!

Discussions of what the future holds for the College Football Playoffs began heating up again last week, as the committee begins deciding what the new playoffs will look like when the current contract expires. One model that was discussed is a 12-team playoff where the six highest-ranked conference champions would get in, as well as six at-large teams. This format would ensure the highest-ranked non-power 5 teams would get in, which if that format was used this year it most likely would be Cincinnati. My gut feeling is many fans would be okay with this, but don’t think for a minute that the SEC is going to sit still for this. Commissioner Greg Stanky said as much when he pointed out that Florida, which was ranked 7th last year after narrowly losing an SEC championships game to eventual champion Alabama should get in before “…we put in a 20th, 17th, or 16th ranked conference champion” Furthermore, some leagues, including the ACC, are pushing for an eight-team playoff where all Power 5 champions are automatically included. I have a lot of mixed feelings on a lot of this but understand one thing – the real power brokers in college football will do whatever is necessary to ensure their interests will come first and “being fair” or “providing more access to the little guys” is going to be about number 4,567 on their list of priorities…

Speaking of Florida, has any team in the state had a more disappointing year or have been harder to figure out? Even after a 31-29 home loss/moral victory to Alabama in Week 3, many Gator fans were convinced their team was one of the best in the country. Fast forward to today when Florida has now lost four of their last five and fans are more than grumbling about Dan Mullen and his future as head coach…

Not sure about you, but the autocorrect feature on my phone makes me say things I didn’t Nintendo…

With so much money in pro sports, it’s understandable why a lot of guys hang on and play well past their prime. Many years ago, a 40-year-old Patrick Ewing was asked why he was still playing in the NBA while averaging six points a game for the Orlando Magic and he replied “millions of dollars a year, private jets and 5-star hotels, what’s not to like?” Still, there is something sad about watching once great warriors stumbling around the diamond, court or gridiron just for a paycheck.

This brings us to the subject of , who announced his retirement from baseball last week at the age of 34. Posey, a seventime all-star, 3-time World Series champion, and former MVP, walks away from the game after a season where he hit .302 and will receive some votes for MVP. Like Barry Sanders and a few others, Posey is stepping away while he is still one of the best players in his sport. And while he cited the grind and pain of playing a taxing position, he still was absolutely one of the best players in the game and walks away on top of his game. There’s something refreshing about that…

The ridiculous argument that the best team in college football could beat the worst team in the NFL should be further put to rest yesterday when the worst team in the NFL (Jacksonville) beat one of the best teams in the NFL (Buffalo) on Sunday. The fact remains is the worst team in the NFL has 22 guys starting in the NFL and has 33 other guys good enough to play in the NFL and right now the best team has exactly zero players in the NFL and at best, a few years down the road, may have 20 guys make an NFL roster. It comes down to this…it’s still a “men vs. boys” argument and I will take the men every time….

Clocks were turned back on Saturday night, I would like to turn mine back to 1983. I am not a particular fan of daylight savings time as it never made much sense to me. I agree with the Native American saying “Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket”…

Leave it to the great Vin Scully to point out: “Would you believe in the year Hank Aaron passed away, the @braves won 44 games before the All-Star break, 44 games after the break, and won the World Series the 44th week of the year. Aaron, of course, wore #44.

Maybe the Braves had a secret weapon after all”….

By evidence of their run to the playoffs this year, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to be one of the best-run organizations in all of baseball. Former Houston Astros manager Hal Lanier, who coached third base for Whitey Herzog in the World Series and spent several years in their minor league system, says it’s the way the organization pays attention to details that makes them a cut above many other teams. “It’s the way they teach, everything is the same from Class “A” to the Majors. They have an expectation and way of doing things and it always remains consistent.” Lanier also talked about the Cardinals’ emphasis in all phases of the game, including defense. It should be noted that the record five St. Louis Cardinals, including three infielders won “Gold Gloves” this season as the best defensive players at their position…

Y’all have a good week…

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COMMUNITY Orlando Health: Why It’s Important To Get Your Flu Shot Between 2010 and 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that strains of seasonal flu caused 140,000 and 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths each year.

Despite fewer cases in 2020 because increased health safety measures, experts predict the 2021-’22 season will see a spike in flu cases, potentially in tandem with COVID-19 variants. Doctors are urging everyone to get their yearly flu shot. With a two-week lead time between inoculation and effectiveness, putting it off keeps you at risk longer.

With a few rare exceptions due to allergic reactions, all adults and children older than 6 months should receive the flu shot annually. While flu season officially begins in September and October, there are folks with higher risks that should consider getting it even earlier. Those include: ● Pregnant women. The flu shot not only protects the mother, but her inoculation provides a level of defense against flu to her newborn as well. ● School-aged children. With most schools starting in August, and children historically reporting the earliest and most frequent cases of the flu (20 percent to 30 percent), having them get their flu vaccines early in the school year is highly recommended. ● Seniors. Because of changes in the immune system stemming from age, adults over 65 should consider getting their vaccine earlier. Seniors face the highest mortality rates from influenza. ● Adults with chronic health conditions. For people with long-term health challenges such as asthma, kidney disease, heart disease or diabetes, an already taxed immune system becomes more susceptible to flu viruses.

Other Steps to Avoid Getting the Flu: Demonstrated by the COVID-19 health safety measures, other effective ways to protect yourself from the flu are to maintain social distance, wash your hands with warm water and soap, use hand sanitizer regularly and avoid touching your mouth and nose.

If you do become infected, isolate to avoid spreading the virus to others, be sure to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest and be patient. It can take up to two weeks for even normally healthy people to recover from the flu.

CHOOSE SAFE AND The CDC has determined that there are no added risks associated with getting both your COVID and flu shots at the same time and has eliminated the 14 day wait-time initially in place. Taking the first step toward protecting you and your family is as easy as making an appointment or walking into a clinic for your vaccine. For more information about Orlando Health visit OrlandoHealth.com

EXPERT ER CARE YOU CAN TRUST. Emergencies are never convenient, but your emergency can be. With 24/7 care that’s here in your community, our team is ready to help when you need medical attention.

And even in times of uncertainty, there’s one thing you can be certain of – our commitment to your safety.

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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COMMUNITY Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to Host Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Meeting Wednesday The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released a Full Draft of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Management Plan and is inviting the public to a meeting Wednesday, November 10th at the Kissimmee Civic Center from 6-8 pm to gather feedback on the plan.

After gathering initial input and feedback, the FWC staff has drafted plans to balance the biological needs of fish and wildlife with the desires of a wide range of stakeholders. To gather final comments, FWC will host the following four public meetings. The in-person meetings will be recorded and the recording will be available on the Lake Management Plans web page afterward each meeting.

Lake Management Plans are comprehensive, covering the FWC’s management of a system’s fish, wildlife, and habitats. They are designed to ensure management of fish and wildlife for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. Plans cover management activities within the FWC’s jurisdiction while providing recommendations to partner agencies on items outside of that jurisdiction, such as water levels and water quality. FWC management activities can include but are not limited to, habitat protection, restoration and enhancement, fish management, and invasive plant management.

The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Osceola County forms the headwaters of Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and Florida Bay. It is composed of four major lakes (Tohopekaliga, Cypress, Hatchineha, and Kissimmee) totaling approximately 65,000 surface acres. The chain is internationally known for its recreational and commercial value for angling, hunting, birding, boating, and more.

Remember, the meeting will take place Wednesday, November 10th at the Kissimmee Civic Center from 6-8 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

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COMMUNITY Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Teen Driver Challenge, Teaching Teens to Drive Safely Driving in and around Osceola can sometimes be dangerous, especially for younger, inexperienced drivers. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Teen Driver Challenge is an advanced driving course designed to provide young drivers with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to reduce the chances of being involved in a crash.

The Challenge consists of one training day totaling ten (10) hours. The training will include a block of instruction in the classroom and a block of vehicle operations.

The program is offered free of charge to all teens between the ages of 15 and 19. Effective January 1, 2016, to be eligible for this course, the student must have at least a learner’s permit for six (6) months.

To register your teen in our 10-hour training program, you must obtain an application via the Application Link below or request via email. You can submit an application via email or you may drop it off at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office (2601 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, FL 34744) prior to class. Please submit in a timely manner to give personnel time to process the application. To register email soteendriver@osceola.org or call the Teen Driver Challenge Line at 321-697-4413.

Win a $4000 College Scholarship from Huntington Learning Center November is National Scholarship Month and Huntington Learning Center is offering a chance to win a $4,000 college scholarship!

If you’re a high school senior headed to college next year, enter the Huntington College Scholarship Sweepstakes by texting 4000 to 84444. Don’t miss this great opportunity for your education!

For official sweepstakes rules, visit HuntingtonHelps.com.

CHOOSE SAFE AND EXPERT ER CARE YOU CAN TRUST. Emergencies are never convenient, but your emergency can be. With 24/7 care that’s here in your community, our team is ready to help when you need medical attention.

And even in times of uncertainty, there’s one thing you can be certain of – our commitment to your safety.

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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ENTERTAINMENT Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life” to Open November 18th at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort When the first-of-its-kind creative collaboration between iconic memory-makers Cirque du Soleil and Disney premieres on Nov. 18, Drawn to Life will feature 10 distinct acrobatic performances. After previously unveiling a few of the acts that would be featured in this love letter to the art of Disney Animation, Cirque du Soleil and Disney revealed two more of the amazing acrobatic performances set to amaze audiences upon the show’s debut: “Garden of Lines” unicycle and “The Old Mill” double wheel acts.

Drawn to Life, written and directed by Michel Laprise with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation, is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her Disney Animator father: an unfinished animation. As she dives into the inner world of animation guided by a surprising pencil, Julie embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. Developed in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering along with Walt Disney Animation Studios, the story is driven by 10 unique acrobatic acts alongside animation from beloved Disney films. In addition, the show features all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Animation Director Eric Goldberg, best known for characters such as the Genie in the Disney Animation classic “Aladdin.”

In the “Garden of Lines” unicycle act, Julie is swept into a wonderland of familiar shadows, shapes, and outlines in an homage to cherished tales that inspire an animator. Julie’s whimsical mood fixates on a mischievous marionette from a time-honored Italian fairytale. Five playful unicyclists representing the Blue Fairy of the classic Disney Animation film “Pinocchio” appear to effortlessly float across the stage, performing synchronized stunts and individual tricks with pinpoint precision.

“The Old Mill” double wheel act is inspired by Walt Disney’s groundbreaking 1937 animated short of the same name, which is seen in projections throughout. In a display of tenacity, perseverance, and rise-and-fall motion, owls dreamed up by Julie’s imagination weather a storm using teamwork and courage to carry them through the powerful wind and rain that threaten their windmill home. The windmill of the film is represented in a spectacular, churning, fast-moving double-wheel structure. Gravity-defying acrobats are in constant motion with the turning wheels—at times airborne—with astonishing balance and agility.

Drawn to Life is the 50th production created by Cirque du Soleil and its premiere coincides with the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration. With an international cast of 62 artists, Drawn to Life will perform Tuesday through Saturday at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

In advance of the show’s premiere, Cirque du Soleil and Disney fans can now visit the Cirque du Soleil store at Disney Springs West Side for merchandise.

For more information on show tickets, dates, and pricing, visit cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.

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