POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY
Inside this issue
Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!
City of St. Cloud Names Orlando Police Department’s Douglas Goerke Page 3 to Lead St. Cloud Police
Osceola County Moves Forward With South Korean Company on Plan for Neocity Page 2
The gavel is passed at the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce Page 4
It’s Official, Osceola County’s Brownie Wise Eagles’ Names Announced Page 24
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NEWS
Osceola County Moves Forward with South Korean Company on Plan for NeoCity During Monday’s Osceola County Board of County Commissioners Meeting, County Manager Don Fisher reported that the potential billion-dollar investment in NeoCity by South Korea’s DSUS Group, LLC has moved forward to the next stage in creating a city center that utilizes “smart technology.” The County Manager and DSUS Group, LLC signed a conveyance agreement that includes the selling of 25 acres for Phase 1 of the development at the end of a feasibility period. The feasibility period lays out a timeline that includes submission of a final development program to the county in 90 days and a development agreement to be executed in 180 days with construction documents, permitting and site plans to follow over the course of a year. Additionally, the developer has an option for an additional 45 acres at similar terms for Phase II. “This is an unprecedented investment in Osceola County’s future and I look forward to all the great things that are going to come from this collaboration,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “I’m confident that this project will lead to the creation of the type of jobs that most communities only dream about. Our investment in NeoCity is continuing to provide our residents options for a much brighter future.”
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Commissioner Viviana Janer to host drive-thru Parranda Santa Christmas food distribution Friday, Dec. 17th The holiday season is a time for celebrating, being thankful, and spending valuable time with friends and family, but for some, it’s a reminder of the struggles they deal with every day – financial challenges, health challenges, and life challenges in general. District 2 Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer is inviting the community to a free, drive-thru Christmas Meal Distribution on Friday, December, 17th at 2 pm at Archie Gordon Memorial Park, located at 420 Buenaventura Blvd in Kissimmee. The first 500 families will receive a pernil – (pork butt), and Christmas meal staples. Please arrive early as supplies are expected to be distributed quickly. The food distribution event is for Osceola County residents only.
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NEWS
City of St. Cloud Names Orlando Police Department’s Douglas Goerke to Lead St. Cloud Police The City of St. Cloud has named who will replace retiring Chief Pete Gauntlett as Police Chief. It will be Douglas Goerke, Patrol Division Commander for the Orlando Police Department. Chief Peter Gauntlett, is retiring at the end of the year after serving as the city’s public safety director and police chief for the past 11 years. City Manager Bill Sturgeon announced the new chief during a luncheon Tuesday honoring Chief Gauntlett. “Chief Gauntlett served our community well in his 11 years here,” Sturgeon said. “After a law enforcement career that spanned more than 40 years, he has certainly earned his retirement, and we wish him well.” Goerke has been with OPD for 20 years, starting as an officer and working his way through the ranks. Before recently being assigned as Patrol Division commander, Goerke served for a year as the Director of Airport Police Services for OPD. He also was a deputy chief of police for a year. “Chief Goerke has the experience, the training, the formal education, and the vision to guide our police department into strategic growth as the city grows,” Sturgeon said. “He will be able to help make sure that our officers are well-trained and well-equipped to ensure the safety of our citizens, and that they are treated with the utmost professionalism and respect.” Goerke holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds numerous certifications in specialized law enforcement training. Chief Goerke will start his new role in January. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS Retiring St. Cloud Police Chief Pete Gauntlett Honored at City Council Meeting Thursday
Police Chief Pete Gauntlett, who is retiring at the end of the year after serving as Chief for the past 11 years, was honored by the St. Cloud City Council at Thursday’s City Council meeting. “I’m sure everyone in this room could recount a way that Chief Gauntlett has had a meaningful impact on their lives during his time in St. Cloud,” City Manager Bill Sturgeon said. “He’s been a champion for the police department, for the hiring of military veterans to serve in law enforcement positions, and for the safety of our community. He has worked tirelessly to help make sure our police department has the tools and personnel it needs to meet the needs of our citizens.” Sturgeon went on to applaud Chief Gauntlett’s efforts in establishing the Real-Time Crime Center. “The city owes you a debt of gratitude for your years of service. The Department is better now than it was when you got here, and you leave it well-positioned to continue to grow and meet the needs of our growing community.” Following a standing ovation from the audience, Chief Gauntlett noted that St. Cloud consistently ranks in the top 20 safest communities in the state, and noted that the crime rate is 40 percent lower now than when he took the job. Chief Gauntlett then announced that the Police Department today was reaccredited for another three years, noting that only about 30 percent of law enforcement agencies are accredited. He also introduced members of the SCPD SWAT team, who recently took top honors in an international SWAT team competition in the small agency category.
The gavel is passed at the Kissimmee/ Osceola County Chamber of Commerce At their December 9 Board of Directors Meeting, 2020-2021 Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Adrianna Sekula of PureCycle Technologies passed the gavel to 2022 Chairman Kevin Crain, owner of Osceola Press – Printing & Signs. A second, ceremonial gavel exchange will take place at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on January 29, 2022 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Sekula took on the role of Board Chair in January 2020 when she was with Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts. She stayed on through 2021 to lead the Chamber out of the pandemic and transitioned to a new role as Chief of Staff at PureCycle Technologies in the Summer of 2021. During her tenure as Chair, she led the Chamber through a successful rebranding initiative, the results of which will be unveiled in 2022. Kevin Crain has been the owner of Osceola Press – Printing & Signs since 1993. He has served on and chaired the Chamber’s Small Business Council Board of Directors and also lead the Leads Groups Steering Committee for two years, during which time leads activity saw significant growth. He has held the role of ViceChair of Membership for the Chamber’s Board of Directors for the past two years and will officially assume the Chairman’s role on January 1, 2022. At the December 9 meeting, the board also recognized departing board members Monica Chavero with Resource Management, Inc., LaVell Monger with RTW Photography, and Joel Ferguson with Edward Jones Serving Osceola County since the early 20th Century, the mission of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce is to be champions for business and community. Earlier this year, the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber was named “Chamber of the Year” by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals. Photo Source: Kissimmee Osceola Chamber For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 4
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NEWS
Underground Refuse Systems Partners with Kissimmee in Donating Trash, Recycling Containers to Osceola High
Making a positive difference typically means acting on something, not just discussing it. That’s exactly what happened last week at Osceola High School when Underground Refuse Systems and the City of Kissimmee came together to donate two above-ground waste containers to the students at Osceola High School’s Recycling Club, part of the ROTC program, under the leadership of Lt. Colonel David Latour. Each container holds 4 & 5-cubic yards of waste and is valued at about $7,000 each. The official presentation had several local dignitaries on hand celebrating this donation to the students of OHS as they prepare for the future of waste collection at OHS.
“We are very excited that our students here in Osceola County want to make a difference in how we collect waste and how we need to recycle in our community,” said Jay Wheeler, President of Underground Refuse Systems. “This is our future in making a difference in keeping our World clean and we are pleased to make this donation to these high school students and Osceola High School! Because the holidays are here and Amazon is delivering a lot of stuff, we are challenging, the top female cadet and the top male cadet for the most Amazon boxes brought in. The winners will both get a $500.00 gift card. When it’s all done, we’re going to invite Amazon to come out and pick up their boxes. We’re thrilled, as this will be a teachable moment for trash and recycling at Osceola High School.”
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Commissioner Brandon Arrington to Host Drive-Thru Christmas Food Distribution December 18th The holiday season is a time for celebrating, being thankful, and spending valuable time with friends and family, but for some, it’s a reminder of the struggles they deal with every day – financial challenges, health challenges, and life challenges in general. District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington is inviting the community to a free, drive-thru Christmas Meal Distribution on Saturday, December 18 at 10:30 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, located at 3880 Pleasant Hill Road in Kissimmee. Christmas Dinner Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families. This is a drive-thru event. Food boxes will be distributed one per car. Please arrive early and drive safely as you near the food distribution area. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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NEWS
New York brings back mask-wearing as COVID-19 levels Increase, no mask mandates in Florida If you travel to New York state for the holidays, and you’re planning on eating indoors in a public place, you better have a mask handy and put it on because New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced her new mask policy last week as a response to rising levels of Covid-19 and increasing hospitalizations in the Empire State. Since Thanksgiving, New York’s seven-day average Covid case rate rose 43% and hospitalizations increased 29%. That of course is taking place while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is encouraging businesses that require staff members to wear masks while patrons roam mask-free, to change their policies and free employees from maskwearing. “Let these folks breathe,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Oldsmar Florida. “Let them make their own decisions on this because I think it’s terribly uncomfortable that they’re in this for so many hours a day and I don’t think it’s proven to make a difference.” New York’s mask mandate will stay that way until Jan. 15, when the Governor re-evaluates the status of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Masks will need to be worn in all New York indoor places unless businesses or other venues require patrons to show proof of vaccination. The indoor mask requirement applies to all people ages 2 and older – meanwhile, Florida, with one of the lowest positivity rates in the nation, will celebrate the holidays open and with theme parks packed with residents and tourists.
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NEWS
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Offers Support to States Affected by Tornado Outbreak This week, Governor DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie offered Florida’s support in response to the deadly tornadoes that affected nine states in parts of the Midwest and Tennessee Valley. The State of Florida stands ready to aid the response efforts from all impacted states. Over the weekend, FDEM coordinated with the emergency management offices of the nine affected states to identify resource gaps and offer support as needed. The State of Florida has emergency management personnel, Urban Search and Rescue Teams, ambulance strike teams, and recovery disaster specialists to deploy if requested. The State of Florida also proactively offered assistance for any mutual aid requests. “The devastation left in the wake of the tornado outbreak over the weekend is an unthinkable tragedy, and Casey and I are keeping the victims and all impacted individuals in our prayers as initial recovery efforts begin,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The State of Florida has been communicating with our partners in the impacted states since early Saturday morning and we stand ready to provide any assistance needed during this time. We’ll continue to work with them to ensure they have the resources they need to respond.” “The Division is keeping the victims of the tornado outbreak at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “The impacted states have provided support to Florida in previous disasters, and we will not hesitate to return the favor. The destruction reported so far is catastrophic and the Division will continue to work closely with our emergency management counterparts as they respond to this disaster.” Floridians who want to support initial recovery efforts can donate to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. All donations to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes after donating. Volunteers are asked not to self-deploy to impacted areas. For more information on how to provide support, please visit Serve Kentucky’s website.
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NEWS
Five Orlando Health surgeons initiated into American College of Surgeons
Five surgeons at Orlando Health recently became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) during their Convocation ceremony at the College’s virtual Clinical Congress 2021. For each surgeon who was acknowledged, the FACS designation means they’ve passed a rigorous evaluation and they’re committed to providing a high standard of surgical care. During the five-day-long, annual ceremony held at the end of Oct. 2021 and attended by registrants from 85 countries, 2,350 surgeons from around the world received their FACS. The five physicians, who operate in various surgical specialties across the Orlando Health system, have now earned the distinguished right to use the designation of “FACS” after their names. The surgeons include: • Emilio Alonso, MD – hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical oncologist, Orlando Health Cancer Institute • Omar Beidas, MD – plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Orlando Health Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery Institute • Esther Han, DO – reconstructive urologist, Orlando Health Medical Group Urology • Michael Hanna, MD – cardiac surgeon, Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute • Sabrina Pavri, MD – plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Orlando Health Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery Institute “We are very proud of the surgeons who were initiated as Fellows of the American College of Surgeons,” stated Dr. Sunil Desai, president of the Orlando Health Medical Group and a senior vice president at Orlando Health. “Their dedication and talent will continue to play a significant role in the quality of surgical care being offered to our patients.” The American College of Surgeons is an organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913. Its goal is to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Orlando Health is a 3,200-bed system that includes 16 wholly-owned hospitals and emergency departments; rehabilitation services, cancer and heart institutes, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, physician offices for adults and pediatrics, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with FastMed Urgent Care. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 8
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NEWS
FWC’s TrophyCatch Program awards free Phoenix bass boat
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s TrophyCatch program has awarded the Season 9 Phoenix bass boat to angler James Bernard from Lee, Florida. Five drawing finalists were randomly selected from thousands of TrophyCatch registrants to drop their names into a bucket for an exciting “reverse drawing” that was held Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Bobby Lane Cup youth tournament. The last remaining name drawn from the bucket revealed Bernard to be the winner of the Phoenix boat package. “This event is a great way to cap off a record-setting Season 9 for TrophyCatch, and a fantastic reward for one of our many TrophyCatch citizen-scientists,” said Tom Graef, Director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries. “This program provides trophy bass data that is guiding our research and helping identify Florida’s premier bass waters.” Although participating in TrophyCatch by documenting and submitting a trophy bass increases the chances of winning, anglers need only to register for the program to be automatically included in the boat drawing. This was just the case for Bernard, who avidly participates in fishing tournaments but had not yet submitted a bass to the program. The reverse drawing was conducted and Bernard’s name was the last one pulled from the bucket. James’ response to learning he had won was “This is better than super, spectacular, and awesome!” The Phoenix boat package is a brand-new Phoenix 819 powered by Mercury ProXS 200, guided by Lowrance electronics and trolling motor and anchored by Power-Pole. Finalist prizing includes items such as a Mercury visor, a Phoenix hat, a Lure Lock storage box as well as $50 of Bass Pro Shops Gift Cards, among others. The TrophyCatch program rewards anglers who provide documentation of their catch and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier in Florida. To be eligible for prizes, anglers are required to submit photos or videos of their catch to TrophyCatch.com, showing the entire fish and its weight on a scale, before releasing it back into the water. FWC biologists use TrophyCatch data for bass research to make informed decisions about the management of Florida bass fisheries and to promote the catch and release of trophy bass. The associated TrophyCare program promotes best handling practices for trophy bass to ensure that each TrophyCatch bass is released alive. For more information about the TrophyCatch program, email KP Clements at Kp.Clements@MyFWC.com. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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UPCOMING EVENTS Light Up The Cloud The City of St. Cloud, Florida is bringing a glow to the season with its Light up the Cloud event from Friday, December 17th through Sunday, December 19th. Peghorn Nature Park will be open to the public for a whimsical walk along the trail under a canopy of beautiful holiday lights. There will be delicious hot beverages, cookies, joyful singing, and holiday cheer for the whole family. Admission is $5 per person and this brilliantly lighted event will take place from 6:00pm to 10:00pm each night. For more information contact St. Cloud Parks and Recreation at 407-957-7243.
Sunday, December 19th
Rockin’ The Cloud The City of St. Cloud, Florida and OUC - The Reliable One will host the 5th Annual Rockin’ The Cloud event on December 31st in downtown St. Cloud from 7:00pm to 2:00am. This year’s event will offer three stages of live entertainment with performances from Maiden Voyage, Raspberry Pie, Raging Son, Harlequin and event headliner Tim Montana. Once again the countdown to midnight will include St. Cloud’s iconic Cloud Drop to ring in the New Year!
Friday, December 31st
“Oh, What Fun” Holiday Festival Step into a spectacular winter wonderland with holiday magic around every corner at Lake Nona’s annual holiday festival, Oh, What Fun! Through January 2, 2022, you can take a walk through Town Center, and enjoy a holiday beverage, some delicious fare from food trucks and pop-up food stands, or spend some time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Visit OhWhatFunLakeNona.com for more information.
Now Through January 2nd For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 10
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UPCOMING EVENTS Don’t Curb It... S.W.A.P. It! This year, instead of kicking your old Christmas tree to the curb, SWAP it out for a new LIVE tree to plant at your home! On Saturday, January 8th, from 9 am to 1 pm the City of St. Cloud is hosting a Don’t Curb It...SWAP it event at the St. Cloud Civic Center on 17th Street. And by the way, if you don’t have an old Christmas tree to swap - no worries, you can still stop by to get a FREE tree.
Saturday, January 8th
Three Kings Day Osceola The Three Kings Day Osceola event at Old Town will once again be hosted by the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber. The celebration will take place Sunday, January 9th from 10am to 2pm at Old Town in Kissimmee, and will include a visit from the Three Kings, FREE snacks & Gatorade, and a toy for children under 11. Bikes will be given away by random lottery throughout the event.
Sunday, January 9th
2022 Kissimmee 5K 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.
Saturday, February 12th For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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Books are just the beginning! Visit us in-person or online! osceolalibrary.org | 407.742.8888
District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer invites you to a free, drive-thru Christmas Meal Distribution. The first 500 families will receive a pernil (pork butt) and Christmas meal staples. Arrive early! OSCEOLA COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY.
District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington invites you to a free, drive-thru Christmas Meal Distribution.
Christmas Dinner Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families. This is a drive-thru event. Food boxes will be distributed one per car.
IT'S THE FINAL WEEKEND OF
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SPORTS
By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola
Heap, Haase win Byron titles, Celebration soccer, Osceola hoops roll
Osceola hosted the Danny Byron Memorial tournament over the past weekend and came away with two Gold Bracket (Championship bracket) winners in the prestigious 22-team tournament that featured top competitors from Florida and Georgia. Individuals in each weight class wrestled in one of three brackets on Friday to determine Saturday’s seeding. The top two wrestlers in each bracket advanced to Saturday’s Gold Bracket, while third through fifth place wrestlers participated in the secondary Blue Bracket and wrestlers finished sixth or lower wrestled in the White Bracket. Saturday’s final in the Gold Bracket was a round robin tournament – which required five wins to guarantee a first place finish.
Anderson Heap won the title at 120 to move his season record to 11-0; while Cooper Haase (12-0) also remained undefeated by taking the 138-lb. title. Haase, the Class 3A State Champion last year, put on a dominating show at the Byron, recording three pins. His closest match on the final day was a 17-8 major decision over Freedom’s Eric Aja. Heap easily won his first four matches but found himself in a dogfight in his last bout, facing twotime Georgia State Champion Riley Dahlgren. Heap trailed 1-0 after two periods, but had choice and elected to start the third period in a neutral position. Halfway through the final period, Heap got a takedown and then controlled top position for the rest of the match to take a 2-1 win. “Great effort and a very significant win for Anderson,” Osceola Head Coach Jim Bird said. “He wrestled a fantastic and smart match.” In addition to the two champions, Osceola had Jomar Sanchez finish third and Gunner Holland fourth in the championship bracket. “We don’t really worry too much about finishes at this tournament because we often have guys wrestling in weight classes different from what they will participate in during the state series, but this is a fantastic early-season tournament for gaining valuable experience. If you make the Gold Bracket on Saturday, you know you are going to face five hammers (i.e. quality opponents),” Bird said. Gateway, Celebration and Poinciana also participated in the two-day event but failed to advance any wrestlers in the Gold Bracket. The top performers from those schools include Poinciana’s Landon Trigueros, who went 5-0 on Saturday to take first place at 105 in the Blue Bracket and Gateway’s Hector Perez, who recorded three pins in taking first in the 152-lb. White Bracket. Gateway had a big day Saturday, taking third place finishes in the White Bracket at 106 (Talyn Fisk), 132 (Jessiah Glass), and 145 (Meison Broche). Osceola also had a podium finisher in the Blue Bracket at 138 in Bryan Gari. Harmony competed in the 30-team “Fit 2 Win” Tournament in Clearwater over the weekend. The Longhorns (197) finished an impressive second in the tournament to North Port (208). Top performers for Harmony included JC McNichols, who went undefeated in winning at 138 and Nelson Toro, who recorded two pins and two major decisions in easily winning at 220. In all, the Longhorns showed solid depth in scoring points in 11 different weight classes. An interesting twist most likely cost Harmony the team title. If bracket space existed, teams were permitted to enter more than one wrestler in each weight class but had to designate just a single wrestler for team scoring. At 126, Harmony entered two wrestlers but designated Kade Toner as their scoring wrestler and junior Ray Ortiz as a non-scoring at large wrestler. As it turns out, Toner placed a respectable 6th in the tournament and scored 13 team points but Ortiz turned in a shocking performance with four pins and a technical fall to finish on top of the class. “Kade has been our number one all season and certainly earned the position,” Head Coach Vic Lorenzano said. “But Rey really came into his own this weekend. Yes, if he was the designated wrestler for the event, we would have probably won the team title, but the important thing is we now know we have two talented kids and now we have to figure out how to get them both in the lineup.” For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 18
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SPORTS Celebration Remains Undefeated in Boy’s Soccer, Downs Kowboys 3-1 Edgar Marquez converted a penalty kick in the 67th minute for the deciding goal in Celebration’s 3-1 soccer win over rival Osceola on Thursday night to keep the Storm undefeated in the 2021-22 season. It was anything but easy for the Storm (5-0-3), as the teams fought to a 0-0 tie in the first half. Celebration put six shots on goal in the first half, compared to just one by Osceola, but Kowboy goalie Geronimo Rosero stopped each of them – including two from point-blank range by Francisco Nouer. “It was starting to get a little frustrating,” Celebration head coach Chad Boudreaux said. “We were coming off a game where we got about 20 shots on goal last night against St. Cloud (a 0-0 draw) and could not put one in the net. It was more of the same in the first half tonight. Give their goalie a lot of credit though. He was just standing on his head in that first half. He made some sensational saves.” Celebration would finally break through with 21 minutes to go in the game when Rosero lost sight of a high free-kick from near midfield and got slightly out of position. Sebastian Ramis found the ball at his feet near the goal line and was able to trickle a shot into the net from the left side to make it 1-0. The lead was shortlived however as the officials called a dangerous play foul on Celebration inside the box, giving the Kowboys a penalty kick. Christopher Chicon would fake right on his approach and slipped the ball past goalie Nick Arce on the left-hand side to level the score at 1-1 at the 65’ of the game. Less than a minute later, the officials called nearly an identical foul on Osceola on the edge of the box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Rosero guessed correctly that Marquez would go to his right side and nearly stopped the shot. But the attempt went off Roserio’s fingertips and barely stayed inside the corner of the goal for a 2-1 lead. Trailing by one with time running out, Osceola tried to bring numbers forward, but the Storm went on a counter-attack and Jose D’Lima broke loose down the right-hand side and buried a shot past Rosero with less than two minutes to go to ice the win. “We’re still a work in progress. It felt good getting three goals tonight after not being able to score last night against St. Cloud,” Boudreaux said. “Even though the first one wasn’t very pretty and the second one was on a penalty kick, we are starting to move the ball a little better and had a lot of good looks tonight. But we certainly have a lot of work to do.” For the most part, Osceola Head Coach Dean Olliff said he was happy with his team’s performance as the Kowboys fell to 1-7-0 on the season. “Celebration is a veteran team that has been scoring a lot of goals this season,” Olliff said. “We knew what they were going to try to do coming in and I thought we did a good job of taking that game plan away. Our defensemen and goalie did a great job tonight of shutting down their offense. Our goalie lost the ball in the lights on their first goal and their second came on a penalty kick; while their third came on a breakaway when we were pressing. The final score certainly was not indicative of how well we played.” For the contest, Celebration led in shots of goal, 12-2, and corner kicks, 3-1. Each team committed nine fouls. The goal scored by Osceola was just the second conceded by Celebration this year – who has outscored the opposition this season 31-2. Osceola returns to action next Tuesday at Eustis (1-4-1); while the Storm has a big match at home on Monday against Windermere (6-1-0). For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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HEALTH
Danielle L. Solomon Alhemovich, DO Internal Medicine Orlando Health
Is Your Morning Cup of Coffee Healthy? Here’s what Orlando Health Says! Can’t imagine starting the day without a fresh, aromatic cup of coffee? You’re not alone. Millions of people around the world rely on that first — and often second and third — cup to start their day. The good news is that this morning ritual is good for you, too. Health Benefits of Your Morning Joe Coffee stimulates the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that causes pleasant feelings. That’s why your morning java fix tastes so satisfying. Beyond this jolt of euphoria, studies have shown there are several health benefits that accompany drinking at least one cup a day. Basic nutrients help protect against Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease and liver cancer, and they also promote heart health. The nutrients include: •Riboflavin •Vitamins B12 and B3 •Niacin •Magnesium •Potassium In addition, phenolic compounds acting as antioxidants play their own role. Theobromine encourages oxygenation to the brain, theophylline promotes better concentration and paraxanthine aids your muscles in breaking down fat at a faster rate. Are Certain Brewing Methods Healthier Than Others? Some brewing methods preserve nutrients better than others. A stainless steel or glass French press is best because it doesn’t use bleached paper coffee filters that can contain carcinogenic chemicals. The flip side of filter-free coffee brewing is that certain fatty acids contained in the coffee bean’s natural oils aren’t filtered out, which can affect cholesterol levels and raise your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. If you’re prone to high cholesterol or consume a diet high in refined sugars and fats, use a brewing technique with a bleach-free filter. Too much sugar and creamer in your coffee can offset its health benefits. Instead, try a sprinkle of cinnamon, unsweetened almond or coconut milk, and a natural or no-calorie sweetener such as stevia, melted dark chocolate or vanilla extract to give your cup a flavor boost. The Best Time to Caffeinate? Many can’t begin the day until they’ve had their first sip of coffee, but waiting just a few hours can enhance coffee’s positive effects. Cortisol levels spike throughout the day and peak between 8 and 9 a.m., between 12 and 1 p.m. and between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Drinking coffee during a cortisol spike can cause your body to interpret caffeine as a cortisol replacement, eventually building up a tolerance and rendering the caffeine ineffective. Aim to enjoy your first cup when cortisol levels are lower, between these peak times. Caffeine’s effects also depend on genetics and other factors. After binding with adenosine receptors, caffeine travels to the liver to be metabolized with the CYP1A2 enzyme. If you’re one of the people who feel like coffee doesn’t affect you, it’s possible that caffeine may not stick well to your adenosine receptors. In contrast, if you drink coffee early in the day and still feel the effects hours later, then your body is likely metabolizing more slowly, meaning you may not need that additional cup. When To Pass on Coffee During pregnancy, women should limit themselves to one cup of coffee a day or consider decaf as research suggests caffeine can reach the fetus. Coffee is also linked to acid reflux, frequent urination, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, irritability, insomnia and headaches. And it can interfere with thyroid medication, antidepressants, and antibiotics for UTIs. Patients with heart arrhythmias should be careful because caffeine can heighten anxiety. So be sure to pay attention to your body and as with many other things we love, moderation is key when it comes to drinking coffee. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 20
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HEALTH
Farhan Javed Khawaja, MD Heart & Vascular-Interventional Cardiology Orlando Health
Orlando Health: Care A Little Extra For Your Heart This Holiday The holidays are an exciting time of year for many, but they also can be filled with stress, overeating, and too much alcohol. For all the merriment the holidays bring, studies indicate the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day also brings increased risks for heart-related conditions. Orlando Health has some info you should definitely read. Holiday Heart Syndrome Nearly 40 years ago, doctors identified Holiday Heart Syndrome, a condition characterized by irregular heart rhythms, which was linked to increased alcohol consumption during the holidays. Several studies have indicated that drinking more alcohol adversely affects the heart and increases the risk of cardiomyopathy, a disease that enlarges and thickens the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure. Increased alcohol consumption also has been linked to atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition characterized by rapid, irregular heartbeats, which cause blood to accumulate in the heart’s two upper chambers and can increase a person’s risk of stroke, heart failure and blood clots if it isn’t properly treated. Cardiac Deaths Increase over Christmas One study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, which examined more than 222,000 death records, found cardiac deaths were 33 percent higher in December and January compared to the summer. This number also peaked from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Another study published in 2010 found there were more deaths over a 25-year time span during the two-week period beginning with Christmas. A review of more than 53 million death records over 26 years also found that cardiac deaths spiked on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas and also on New Year’s Day. On top of this, ER visits and hospitalizations for short-term illnesses often increase during the holidays. Cardiac and non-cardiac related deaths also spike during this time of year, research has shown. Resist Temptations to Overindulge Between parties and family gatherings, the drinks tend to flow more readily from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. We also indulge in more calorie-filled, sugar and fat-filled foods (such as eggnog, holiday cookies and pies). All of this leads to less mindful eating at the same time we usually encounter increased stress. Between holiday shopping, hosting family for the holidays or organizing a holiday celebration, many people have a lot going on during the holidays. We already know stress isn’t good for the heart. Add in unhealthy eating and drinking more alcohol, and the heart may be too taxed during this time of year. Heart health is important year-round, but take extra steps during this time to remain healthy. Avoid overeating, stay physically active and try not to overindulge in holiday cocktails, caffeine and sugar. We often think that we can compensate for unhealthy habits during the holiday season by ramping up exercise and making better food choices after Jan. 1, but as these studies show, following this practice may come at the expense of your heart health. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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HEALTH
Neelu Dhingra, MD Neurology Orlando Health
Orlando Health: Exercise Your Brain To Stay Sharp In our fast-paced, more-is-better world, technology helps us stay informed and entertained around the clock. But information overload can harm our brain’s ability to function properly. Staying brain healthy is as easy as getting up, eating right, and setting limits. Get Out of Your Chair Technology has tethered us to our laptops and phones, which means more screen time and less movement. Sitting too much can wreak havoc on our physical health, weight, and posture. Studies show being sedentary affects the body’s nervous system by creating additional brain pathways to nowhere — making your brain more sensitive to stimuli that can result in confusion and erratic thought patterns. To counter these effects, break up your workday with walks or 30 minutes of exercise, install a standing desk or pace the hall during a conference call. A little bit of movement throughout the day not only keeps your body limber and strong, but it’s also a workout for your brain as well. Watch What You Eat It’s important to fuel your body with good foods to stay healthy and lower your risk of many diseases. As it turns out, what we eat has a direct correlation to our brain’s health, too. Fast-food diets full of empty calories may stave off hunger, but to ward off cognitive decline and boost your memory, eat a well-balanced diet that includes: • Leafy greens such as broccoli, kale and spinach. • Fatty fish, including salmon, trout and sardines, which are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. • Berries that are rich in flavonoids, which can ward off toxins and help decrease your risk of heart disease and cancer. • Walnuts and almonds, which deliver healthy fats and protein, are packed with vitamin E and help slow mental decline. • Coffee and tea quickly perk you up and can have a positive effect on your long-term memory. • Alcohol and smoking have been linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s, so it’s best to try to break both of those bad habits. Set Limits Today, most of us are hyper-connected and overwhelmed by round-the-clock information. Expectations for immediate email replies and attempts to multitask have our brains constantly jumping from thought to thought without time for reflection or focus. To slow down, schedule windows of time for checking and replying to emails. Turn off your phone’s ringer and laptop’s notifications to reduce distractions when working on an assignment. Scheduling moments for spaced learning can give your brain a chance to cement all that data collection into long-term brain connection. Following these steps will not only work to keep your mind active today but will set a strong foundation against future genetic and age-related challenges. In short: Eat right, get enough sleep and stay active. Staying healthy is as easy as using your brain.
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REAL ESTATE Goodwin Realty & Associates: Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home Since the pandemic began, Americans have reevaluated the meaning of the word home. That’s led some renters to realize the many benefits of homeownership, including the feelings of security and stability and the financial benefits that come with rising home equity. At the same time, many current homeowners have decided their house no longer meets their needs, so they moved into homes with more space inside and out, including a home office for remote work. However, not every purchaser has been able to fulfill their desire for a new home. Here are two obstacles some homebuyers are facing: •The ability to save for a down payment •The ability to qualify for a mortgage at the current lending standards This past week, both of those challenges have been mitigated to some degree for many purchasers. The FHFA (which handles mortgages by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Housing Administration) is raising its loan limit for prospective purchasers in 2022. The term used to describe the maximum loan amount they will entertain is the Conforming Loan Limit. What Is the Difference Between a Conforming Loan and a Non-Conforming Loan? Investopedia explains the difference in a recent post: “Conforming loans are the only loans that meet the requirements to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Jumbo loans, which exceed the conforming limit, are the most common type of nonconforming loan.” What Difference Does It Make to Me as a Home Buyer? A Forbes article earlier this year explains the benefits of a conforming loan and why they exist: “Since lenders can’t sell non-conforming loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to free up their cash, they’re a bit riskier for the lender. This is especially true for jumbo loans, which aren’t backed by any government guarantees. If you default on a jumbo loan, it’s a huge blow to the lender. Thus, lenders generally charge higher interest rates to compensate, and they can have even more requirements. For example, lenders who give out jumbo loans often require that you make a down payment of at least 20% and show that you have at least six months’ worth of cash in reserve, if not more.” What Happened Last Week? The FHFA has significantly increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. Sandra L. Thompson, FHFA Acting Director, explains in the press release that: “Compared to previous years, the 2022 Conforming Loan Limits represent a significant increase due to the historic house price appreciation over the last year. While 95 percent of U.S. counties will be subject to the new baseline limit of $647,200, approximately 100 counties will have conforming loan limits approaching $1 million.” This means that more homes now qualify for a conforming loan with lower down payment requirements and easier lending standards – the two challenges holding many buyers back over the last year. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) also increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. That could also mean an easier path to homeownership for many prospective buyers. Bottom Line Buying your first or your next home may have just gotten much easier (less stringent qualifying standards) and less expensive (possibly lower mortgage rate). Let’s connect to discuss how these changes may impact you. Just call us at 407) 846-2787. Goodwin Realty & Associates has been serving the Central Florida community with the best in real estate service for over 48 years. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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REAL ESTATE Goodwin Realty: If You Think the Housing Market Will Slow This Winter, Think Again From the opportunity to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates to changing homeowner needs, Americans have more motivation than ever to buy a home. According to the experts, buyers are making moves right now, creating an unseasonably strong housing market for this time of year.
As we wrap up the fall season and move into the winter months, here’s a look at what several industry leaders have to say about the continued momentum in the current market, and what it means as we head into the early part of next year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR) “This solid buying is a testament to demand still being relatively high, as it is occurring during a time when inventory is still markedly low. The notable gain in October assures that total existing-home sales in 2021 will exceed 6 million, which will shape up to be the best performance in 15 years.” Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist, First American “So far in November, purchase applications point to another strong month in sales. Still low rates and demographic demand support this strength, even as affordability and inventory headwinds remain.” The M Report “The demand for housing in the United States has reached a fever pitch, a trend that opposes the norm of this time of the year when the market cools as the winter months set in.” Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American “Strong demographic demand will continue to act as the wind in the housing market’s sails.” What does this mean for the winter housing market? Buyers are actively in the market, and they’re competing for homes to purchase. With the momentum coming out of this fall, all signs point to the winter housing market picking up steam, making it much busier than in a more typical year. And as we’ve seen in so many ways, 2020 and 2021 were anything but typical in real estate. It looks like 2022 may be joining that list before we know it. Bottom Line If you think the housing market will slow down this winter, think again. Whether you’re thinking of buying a home, selling your house, or both – let’s connect to determine if this winter is your best time to make a move too. Just call us at (407) 846-2787. We’ve been helping buyers and sellers for over 48 years!
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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!
Osceola Health officials to partner with barber shops, hair salons in healthrelated messaging Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have consistently shown that the African American community and the Hispanic community have trailed behind in COVID-19 vaccinations since its initial rollout. The National Association of County and City Health Officials has worked with black and Hispanic-owned barbershops and hair salons as part of a creative effort to bring positive health-related messaging to the community, specifically to the underserved, and that’s what a new initiative in Osceola County will be doing. The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County (FDOH-Osceola) with over 35 barbers and cosmetologists to participate in a health-related educational outreach initiative. As trusted sources of information for their clients – barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are key partners in sharing, educating, and promoting good health within their communities via their clients and staff. Through this outreach initiative, the health department is providing training, a connection to resources, and marketing aids to assist in messaging important positive health information. Barbers and cosmetologists interested in participating in this outreach initiative are being asked by the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County to contact Josette Sykes, Health Educator, at 407-343-2170 or via email at Josette.Sykes@flhealth.gov. FDOH-Osceola will continue to work with community partners to encourage Osceola County residents to live healthier and happier lifestyles. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY
It’s Official, Osceola County’s Brownie Wise Eagles’ Names Announced Osceola County held a naming contest for its pair of breeding American bald eagles who call Brownie Wise Park home. The votes are in and have been tabulated – moving forward the majestic pair of bald eagles shall be called Skyler and Starlight. A poll to name the majestic birds that symbolize America began in November at the behest of Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb. For the potential names, Grieb reached out to the families of Sergeant Sam Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter, two Kissimmee police officers slain in the line of duty in 2017. As a result, “Starlight” and “Legend” for the female eagle and “Skyler” and “Unity” for the male were the names considered. Starlight was the most name of the more than 500 participants in the online poll with 70 percent opting for that name. Skylar received just over 61 percent of the picks for the male name. “It has been exciting to see people voting to name these fantastic birds – and I’m pleased with the results. I’d like to thank the families of Sergeant Howard and Officer Baxter for helping. These pair are now a small tribute that honors their sacrifice,” said Grieb. “Overall, this is the best season yet for the nature camera with people excited about what they are seeing every day. The next big event will be the arrival of a pair of eaglets. And we are all eagerly waiting and watching.” The birds and their nesting activities can be seen by way of the “Osceola County Nature Camera” – something Grieb spear-headed several years go. People from around the world continue watching over the internet as the first egg in the nest is scheduled to hatch just before Christmas – and the second in a window about 4 days after the first. Since 2016, a total of eight chicks have fledged at Brownie Wise over the last four seasons. Located on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga, Brownie Wise Park is a prime birding location, including eagles like the two currently nesting there. Osceola County is blessed with numerous lakes, making it an ideal location for bald eagles to hunt, nest and raise young. Osceola County has one of the largest concentrations of bald eagle nests in the entire state, according to wildlife officials. It is estimated that over 115 pairs of Southern bald eagles nest in Osceola County any given year. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 26
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COMMUNITY Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS partners with Santa, visits students at Poinciana High School Without question, this is Santa’s busiest time of the year, and Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS, well, they’re always busy ensuring the safety of the community they serve. On Tuesday, Santa and Osceola County Fire Rescue came together to pay a visit to some very special ESE students at Poinciana High School, and they did it without Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer! Using Engine 43 as a makeshift sleigh, Santa was able to spread some Christmas cheer thanks to the generosity of the Osceola Fire Department Benevolent and Osceola Fire Rescue’s own retired Lt. Colleen Holburn. We’d like to give a big Positively Osceola shout out to everyone who took the time to show their passion for community and for our schools, and to wish them a Happy Holiday! Santa, we’ll see you soon!
Reclaimed water services may be unavailable in Poinciana December 16th, 9am – 11am for system testing Toho Water Authority has been working to find solutions to mitigate the reclaimed water service interruptions in Poinciana during periods of high usage in the dry season. On Thursday, December 16, Toho will conduct a test on the distribution system to confirm whether delivering additional reclaimed water supply from one of Toho’s other facilities to Poinciana is feasible. This test will occur from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. During this period, there may be low to no pressure in the system. Pressure is expected to be restored by end of the day. Schedules could vary according to unforeseen circumstances. Once service is restored, customers should follow their designated irrigation schedule. For designated irrigation days and times please visit our Ways To Conserve section on www.tohowater.com. If you have any questions, please call our customer service at 407-944-5000 or email us at customerservice@tohowater.com. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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ENTERTAINMENT
Universal Orlando Resort Debuts Original Walkaround Character, Earl the Squirrel Universal Orlando Resort will debut an adorable, original character, Earl the Squirrel, inspired by the actual tale of a mischievous squirrel who scurried into the theme park’s holiday décor years ago. Standing six feet tall and sporting a festive “I Love Acorns” holiday sweater, the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Earl will be available for meet and greets on select days beginning Saturday, December 11 in Universal Studios Florida. Earl’s origin began more than a decade ago when Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team discovered a squirrel nestled in the branches of its iconic Christmas tree. Surprisingly, the squirrel had an affinity for blue Christmas lights, often stealing strands and bringing them back to his nest. Over the years, Universal has paid homage to this remarkable incident by placing a lifelike squirrel in the Christmas tree for guests to discover and creating merchandise inspired by its fuzzy friend. And now, guests can encounter Earl the Squirrel as an actual walkaround character this holiday season. Earl will be available for meet and greets on select days from December 11 through January 2 at Universal Studios Florida. While in the theme park, guests can also enjoy a new assortment of Earl the Squirrel merchandise within a dedicated room in this year’s Holiday Tribute Store – Earl the Squirrel’s Christmas Curios Museum & Emporium. In addition to celebrating the holidays with Earl, guests can rip open a holiday gift of nonstop awesome where they can join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the maven of mischief himself, the Grinch, during Grinchmas, and experience the larger-than-life return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s now through January 2. For more information about the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, visit UniversalOrlando.com/holidays. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 28
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ENTERTAINMENT Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Orlando Reaches 100 Million Riders, the Curse is Real! Universal Orlando Resort has announced that 100 million riders have “forfeited their souls” on Revenge of the Mummy – a thrilling, indoor roller coaster that plunges guests into total darkness to flee the wrath of the evil Mummy, Imhotep. Revenge of the Mummy first debuted in 2004 and continues to be among the most popular coasters today, with many considering it the best indoor roller coaster ever. Inspired by the blockbuster “Mummy” films, the award-winning attraction launches guests forward – and backward – to the depths of the tomb as they narrowly evade scarab beetles, fiery explosions, a terrifying army of mummies, and more.
Experience the world again at SeaWorld Orlando’s Kwanzaa Festivities December 26 through January 1st SeaWorld Orlando has been packing the holidays with exciting shows, concerts, food offerings, and of course, the best in animal encounters. Another holiday celebration that guests can experience at SeaWorld Orlando is their exciting Kwanzaa Festivities, which take place December 26 – January 1, 2022. Park guests can enjoy a joyous time of reflection and celebration of African heritage with the nightly lighting of the kinara in Sesame Street Land and so much more. Check SeaWorld Orlando’s show schedule for details. Kwanzaa Festivities are included with SeaWorld Orlando’s park entrance. And remember, the best way to experience SeaWorld is with an Annual Pass! Buy your Annual Pass NOW to visit again and again for 12 months with their unbeatable benefits.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Universal Orlando Resort Honored with Americans for the Arts’ 2021 Arts + Business Partnership Award Universal Orlando Resort has been recognized by Americans for the Arts, an organization committed to building recognition for the extraordinary value of the arts and serving those who cultivate the arts in America, with the 2021 Arts + Business Partnership Award. This award acknowledges the destination’s continued support of local arts education programs within the Central Florida community, including the longstanding Art of Tomorrow program. Universal Orlando’s Art of Tomorrow program was founded nearly 10 years ago in partnership with the Universal Orlando Foundation – which has served to make a positive impact within the Central Florida community since 1998 – Orange County Public Schools and Valencia College to inspire local students to get excited about the arts and careers in the media and entertainment industry. This innovative partnership has given thousands of local middle school, high school, and college students the opportunity to join Universal Orlando Entertainment Team Members in engaging, hands-on learning opportunities to explore careers in various creative fields. “Art of Tomorrow is an incredibly meaningful opportunity for our team to partner with local schools in our community and create a product that inspires the next generation of artists and entertainers,” said TJ Mannarino, Universal Orlando Vice President of Art & Design – Entertainment. “Art of Tomorrow is not only an investment in future talent, but it’s a catalyst to ignite students’ curiosity and excitement. The Art of Tomorrow has proven how impactful partnerships can be when both partners are committed to making a difference in the lives of young people through the arts,” said Scott Evans, Senior Director of Visual & Performing Arts for Orange County Public Schools, who nominated Universal Orlando for the 2021 Arts + Business Partnership Award. “Universal’s willingness to share their expertise with OCPS students has profoundly impacted the lives of our students. Universal Team Members’ passion for what they do is infectious, and their work is empowering our young people living in under-resourced situations to strive for a life full of joy and fulfillment,” said Evans. To learn more about how Universal Orlando supports the Central Florida community, visit UniversalOrlando.com. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 30
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