Positively Osceola Weekly, 24/7 Osceola News

POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY

Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation Providing $70 Million in Support of Involved Fatherhood in Florida Click Here to Read More: https://bit.ly/3rlc1nn

Inside this issue Osceola Commissioner Viviana Janer hosts food distribution to ensure community overcomes food insecurity Page 10

City of Kissimmee Proclaims April as Water Conservation Month! Be a water hero, conserve our precious resource!

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Major League Baseball fans will consume 19.1 million hot dogs and nearly five million sausages at games this season Page 30

Celebrate Earth Day and “Tidy Up Toho” with County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb and the City of Kissimmee

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

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

In the Loop LIVE Tue at 6:00PM

Daybreak LIVE Wed at 9:00AM

Osceola Matters Thu at 6:00PM

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

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ON DEMAND LIVESTREAMS Positively Osceola’s Daybreak LIVE with Guest: Michelle Incandela April 6th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Misty Haystead March 30th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Coffee Club Talk LIVE with Guest: Anil K. Singh, MD March 30th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Kristen Arrington March 28th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Brandon Arrington March 22nd, 2022

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IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE with Viviana Janer and Farm Share at their Drive-Thru Farm Share Food Distribution

LIVE at Harmony High School where the Lady Longhorns are hosting the Lady Kowboys in a game of softball!

LIVE with Osceola History and KUA for “Walk Away May”

LIVE at City of St. Cloud Update with City Manager Bill Sturgeon

Learn about Wild Florida’s Sloth Chloe with Krissi Marie Hardy For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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VIDEOS ON DEMAND Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras

The good times continue to roll at Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras. All the festivities, including Universals’ spectacular parade and savory cuisine will continue through April 24th. For information on all things Universal Mardi Gras and more go to UniversalOrlando. com/MardiGras.

How to Become a Teacher Virtual Information Session

Would you like to make a difference in our students’ lives by becoming a teacher? The Human Resources Department of the Osceola School District is providing a virtual information session outlining the steps to becoming certified to teach in Florida on Wednesday, April 13th at 3:00pm.

District 3 - Drive-Thru Springtime Food Distribution

Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington invites you to a free, District 3 - Drive-Thru Springtime Food Distribution on Saturday, April 30th, at St. Rose of Lima Church. Meal Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families.

Tour Creative Inspiration Journey School on April 20th Experience an informational tour at Creative Inspiration Journey School’s beautiful campus Wednesday, April 20th at 6:00PM at 2030 Old Hickory Tree Road in St. Cloud. Limited seating will be available so make sure to get there early. CIJS will be discussing how they approach the charter-school learning model differently.

Help Now of Osceola’s 4th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event On Wednesday, April 27th at 6pm during the Downtown St. Cloud Monthly Market, Help Now of Osceola, Inc will hold it’s 4th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. This unique, fun walk in women’s shoes is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the terrible violence that still takes place against women in our community and around the world.

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

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District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb invites you to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bonnet contest and more at the Marydia Community Center!

Enjoy food, fun and prizes plus an appearance from the Easter Bunny!

Remember to bring your basket!

MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Osceola Commissioner hosts food distribution to ensure community overcomes food insecurity The last couple of years have been a challenge, with many families and members of the community struggling to keep food on the table. On Wednesday, Osceola County Commissioner for District 2 Viviana Janer and Farmshare joined together to ensure that families in Osceola that are still experiencing food insecurities are taking care of.

Osceola County, along with some amazing volunteers from the New Dimensions High School Interactive club hosted a Drive-thru Farm Share Food Distribution with a goal of ensuring sure that families in Osceola County had adequate supplies of food.

The food distribution took place at Archie Gordon Memorial Park in Kissimmee, located at 420 Buenaventura Blvd. in Kissimmee Those who attended the event received a variety of food, including meat, dry goods, fresh produce, and beverages. There were provisions for over 500 families and the distribution was organized and safe, thanks to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

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

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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation Providing $70 Million in Support of Involved Fatherhood in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 7065 on Monday, a bill that includes educational programs, mentorship programs and one-on-one support to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood in Florida. The bill is tied to nearly $70 million in funding to provide a wide spectrum of family and youth support through the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

“There are more than 18 million children in our country who live without a father in their home,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This has a severe impact on children, and often leads to dropping out of school, crime and substance abuse. Incredibly, there are those who diminish the importance of fatherhood and the nuclear family – we will not let that happen in our state. I am proud to say we are doing everything we can to support involved fatherhood in Florida.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 18 million children – one in four – in the United States who do not have a father in their home. To read more about the fatherhood crisis and the impact it is having on our nation’s children, click here.

“We cannot legislate fatherhood, accountability or character, but we can provide supports for fathers to equip and encourage them to take an active role in the lives of their children,” said House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who first brought attention to the fatherhood crisis during his 2019 designation speech. “By addressing the root cause of so many of the challenges facing our sons and daughters, we will see the positive impact of this legislation send shockwaves for generations to come.”

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3rlc1nn For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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NEWS

City of Kissimmee Proclaims April as Water Conservation Month! Be a water hero, conserve our precious resource!

Let’s face it, conserving water is a good thing, and it’s even more important in Osceola County during our “dry months” ahead of the rainy season. The City of Kissimmee recently reminded the community the importance of water conservation during a commission meeting by proclaiming April as Water Conservation Month, and presented the proclamation to Mary Cox from Toho Water Authority.

Florida’s aquifers supply more than 8 billion gallons of water each day, supplying approximately 90% of Florida’s drinking water. Being a water hero and creating waterwise habits will ensure groundwater is available for use for generations to come.

As a community we can do our part by joining Toho Water Authority and the mayors of City of Kissimmee and the City of St. Cloud in asking residents to take or renew their pledges to manage water resources more wisely by taking part in the annual National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.

Residents can go online at www.tohowatersaver.com between April 1-30 to take the Water Challenge Pledge. We can make an immediate positive impact by remembering when and when not to water our lawns.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/37fLvVv For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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NEWS

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Increase Support for Foster Parents and Former Foster Youth Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by foster families and legislative leaders on Tuesday to sign Senate Bill 7034, furthering Florida’s support for foster families. Among its provisions, Senate Bill 7034 raises monthly payments for relative and non-relative care givers, increases the monthly subsidy for child care and expands postsecondary education waivers for foster children. Since 2019 Florida has added more than 4,000 foster families across the state.

“My administration is committed to supporting our most vulnerable children and Florida has already added 4,000 more licensed foster parents than we had in 2019,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Not only does this bill allow us to expand our support for foster parents, but it also creates more opportunities for foster children. Including our work on early literacy and fatherhood, Florida is a national leader in setting young children up for success.”

“There is no more important institution in our society than the family,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “By signing this bill, we are placing our foster children on a path to excellence, in which they can achieve their God-given potential.”

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3xqVhyE For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington invites you to a free, drive-thru Springtime Meal Distribution.

Meal Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families. This is a drive-thru event. Food boxes will be distributed one per car. First come, first served.

While supplies last.

SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

Former Tohopekaliga Soccer Standout Stephanie Davis Dies in Crash Stephanie Davis, a freshman soccer player at Jacksonville University and a former Tohopekaliga standout, has died.

Ms. Davis was traveling with teammates on Sunday afternoon when according to the Florida Highway Patrol the sport utility vehicle she was in was traveling eastbound on US-90 near I-10 in Baker County when it overcorrected after going onto the shoulder.

When the vehicle reentered the road, it overcorrected again, spun counterclockwise and then rolled over. It came to rest on its passenger side.

Seven JU women’s soccer players between the ages of 18 and 21 were treated for minor injuries. Three were taken to local hospitals. They were wearing seatbelts, according to the FHP report. Davis was pronounced dead at Lake City Medical Center.

The players were returning to campus from a planned team outing when the accident occurred.

“We are extraordinarily saddened to share the news of the tragic passing of Stephanie Davis on Sunday evening,” said Jacksonville Senior Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. “Stephanie’s journey at JU had only just begun, but she will be dearly missed by her family, teammates, classmates and everyone else who had the pleasure of knowing her on campus. We extend our deepest condolences to Stephanie’s family, and ask that you keep them, and the team, in your thoughts and prayers.”

Ms. Davis, 18, played in 11 games for the Dolphins at forward and started twice. She played a career-high 90 minutes against South Carolina State for the 7-8-3 Dolphins.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/37eLFwn For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

OBC Track Championships, Softball to be contested on Wednesday

Orange Belt Conference Championship action resumes this week with St. Cloud High School hosting the track championships.

Action begins at 10 a.m. with field events and running event finals begin at 2 p.m. Admission to the event is $5.

Here is quick look at around Osceola County for this week.

TRACK AND FIELD

Harmony will be the favorite to defend their OBC titles in both boys and girls track. The overall results could be extremely critical to both the Longhorns and Celebration, as those two schools are locked in a close battle to determine Orange Belt Conference All-Sports Championship for the 2021-22 school year.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3uAqHB2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022 AT 11 AM – 3 PM Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital Hiring Event For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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SPORTS Major League Baseball fans will consume 19.1 million hot dogs and nearly five million sausages at games this season Hot dogs and sausages are consistently among the most ordered food items at Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums in the nation. In 2022, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) estimates MLB fans will consume 19.1 million hot dogs and nearly five million sausages at games this season.

“Baseball is back and fans are once again excited to enjoy sunny games in a stadium with juicy ballpark frank in their hands,” said NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal. “We can all be thankful this MLB season is kicking off today and that we have a full season to enjoy delicious hot dogs with family and friends.”

MLB fans will consume 19.1 million hot dogs and nearly five million sausages at games this season.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3xrC67U

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COMMUNITY Don’t miss “WALK AWAY MAY” with Osceola History and Kissimmee Utility Authority Join Osceola History and KUA for “Walk Away May” as community members are invited to gain prizes just for walking on the Shingle Creek trail!

Participants in this activity are asked to register ahead of time at either Osceola History location: the Pioneer Village at 2491 Babb Road or the Welcome Center & History Museum at 4155 W. Vine Street, in Kissimmee.

With registration and payment of a $10 fee, participants will be given a passport and neck wallet (for convenience in carrying their passport.) Then participants are invited to walk between the two Osceola History locations (or farther) each day, stopping in to get a stamp from the staff member at each location. At the end of the month, prizes will be given for the most stamps (max 62), more than 40 stamps (tee shirt) or for simply participating (random draw)!

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3jy7xFA

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COMMUNITY

Celebrate Earth Day and “Tidy Up Toho” with County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb and the City of Kissimmee Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 23rd from 9 am – 12 pm with Osceola County District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb and the City of Kissimmee as they partner with the community to “Tidy Up Toho” – an Earth Day cleanup event!

For those who would like to take the cleanup process to the water, there will be canoes and kayaks available to use. Participants may also bring their own canoe or kayak to help in the cleanup. Life Jackets will be required.

Adult supervision will also be required for youth 17 & under who will be participating with cleanup on the water.

There will be Educational & conservation exhibits, a Native Florida flowering plant giveaway, and additional giveaways for the first 100 participants or families that register.

Preregister now Kissimmee.gov/TidyUpToho Prizes will be awarded for: – Most trash collected by an individual – Most trash collected by a family – Most unique item collected For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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COMMUNITY

Help Now’s 4th Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” to Focus on Domestic Violence Awareness April 27th

On Wednesday, April 27th at 6 pm Help Now of Osceola will host the 4th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes!

There is an old saying: “You can’t understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” So, to get people listening, learning, and talking, Help Now of Osceola’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will center around local men literally walking one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes. It’s not an easy walk, but it’s an experience focused on education, self-reflection, and change. It’s all about increasing Domestic Violence Awareness, which unfortunately is still a terrible reality in and around Osceola County The walk will begin – In Heels of course – at St. Cloud City Hall and will proceed through St. Cloud’s Downtown district, in conjunction with the St. Cloud Monthly Market.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3uYSLgm For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

St. Cloud High School to present THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL April 8-16, directed by Mr. Alex Moore St. Cloud High School Theatre Company is getting ready to present another one of its amazing productions. This time they’re heading to the sea! Well, kind of. Beginning on April 8, the St. Cloud High School Theatre Company will present THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, directed by Mr. Alex Moore.

Head to Bikini Bottom for a comedic adventure under the sea April 8, 9, & 15 at 7:00pm and April 10 & 16 at 2:00pm in the Susan E. Hill Performing Arts Center at St Cloud High School (2000 Bulldog Ln St. Cloud, FL 34769). Tickets start at $8.00 for students and $15.00 for adults, and $10.00 for Seniors and Military. Tickets are now on sale, including to the general public, by visiting stcloudhs.booktix.com.

Featuring a cast, crew, and live musicians of more than 140 students from St Cloud High, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is a robust, colorful musical with a great message, named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle and earned 12 Tony Award nominations.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3L8kaTg For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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INJURY LAW Motorcycles in Central Florida, Let’s all be a part of keeping them safe on the roads Central Florida has some of the best weather in the nation, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few cool stretches here and there. When spring is in the air, motorcycles are everywhere. If you’re someone who longs for the freedom that comes with riding on the open road, then it’s important to respect your machine and focus on improving your skills throughout your lifetime.

But that’s only half the story. Motorists who don’t venture onto the roadway on four wheels still have a major responsibility in keeping motorcyclists safe on the road. Here are some stats from the National Safety Council: In 2017, 5,172 motorcycle riders and passengers died in crashes. Fatalities among motorcycle riders and passengers have more than doubled in number since 1997.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/37fXqmd

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FAMILY LAW Divorces can be unfortunate, but when they become a necessity, you need an experienced attorney at your side Thinking about the implications of filing for divorce can be overwhelming. While you may realize it is time to leave a relationship which is no longer working you also know that initiating the process will mean experiencing significant changes to your life. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prepare for divorce which can help alleviate concerns about what to expect in the future.

Get Your Documents Together While divorce is an emotional ordeal, it is also a legal process which involved dividing assets. Often, one partner will know more about where vital documents such as deeds, account statements, and other critical data are kept.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3KI0fuO

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REAL ESTATE Using Your Tax Refund To Achieve Your Homeownership Goals This Year If you’re buying or selling a home this year, you’re likely saving up for a variety of expenses. For buyers, that might include things like your down payment and closing costs. And for sellers, you’re probably working on a bit of spring cleaning and maintenance to spruce up your house before you list it.

Either way, any money you get back from your taxes can help you achieve your goals. Using a tax refund is a common tactic for buyers and sellers.

Smart Asset estimates the average American will receive a $2,897 tax refund this year. If you’re getting a refund this year, here are a few tips to help with your home purchase or sale this season.

How Buyers Can Use Their Tax Refund According to American Financing, there are multiple ways your refund check can help you as ahomebuyer. A few include: • Growing your down payment fund– If you haven’t started saving for yourdown payment, let your tax refund kick off the process. And if you have a fund already, the money you get back could put you closer to yourgoal.

• Paying for your home inspection– Yourhome inspectioncan save you a lot of headaches down the road by helping you determine the condition of the house. As a buyer, you’ll typically be responsible for paying for yourinspection, and it’s definitely worth the investment.

• Saving for closing costs–Closing costsare additional expenses you’ll need to pay once it’s time to close. Theyaverageanywhere between 2-5% of the purchase price of your home.

This list is a great start, but it isn’t exhaustive of all the costs you may encounter as you set out on yourhomebuying journey. The best way to prepare is to work with a trusted real estate professional to make sure you understand what’s to come in the process.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3juAOAS For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Universal Orlando to Debut Limitedtime Milkshake, The Easter Basket at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium This weekend, Universal Orlando Resort guests can hop over to The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk to enjoy the all-new, limited-time milkshake – The Easter Basket – only available Friday, April 15 through Monday, April 18.

Created by the award-winning culinary team behind all of the elaborate, hand-crafted milkshakes at the restaurant, The Easter Basket features a light pineapple flavor and is topped with whipped cream and popular Easter treats, such as Peeps, a Chocolate Passionfruit crème egg and jelly beans. Green-dyed coconut shavings – specifically placed to visually represent the “grass” of the Easter Basket – complete the delicious milkshake’s festive theme. Click here for more information about The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Orlando Resort.

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

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

50th Anniversary Celebration Continues at Disney World Resort with New and Nostalgic Merchandise Collections Now that we’re in Springtime we’re seeing new product lines unveiled as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration. The new lines invite guests to commemorate their visit by taking a piece of the magic home. Blending new and nostalgia, the merchandise puts a fun spin on the latest fashion trends and includes pieces inspired by retro designs and artwork from the 1971 grand opening of Walt Disney World Resort.

50th Anniversary celebration merchandise is available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort including Disney Springs. Select items will be carried at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, Disneyland Resort and on shopDisney.com.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3xsdMmy

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

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

osceolalibrary.org/techcentral | 407.742.8888

Research from Home

with your Osceola Library Card!

Britannica Library

From the makers of Encyclopedia Britannica

Gale Business: Plan Builder Create a customized business plan

America’s News

Archives of newspapers from across America

Mango Languages Learn a new language

And so many more!

osceolalibrary.org/databases

osceolalibrary.org | 407.742.8888

HEALTH

Muhammad Ghanem, MD Bariatric Surgery Orlando Health

Experiencing Chronic Pain? Your Diet May Be To Blame Eating a high-fat diet doesn’t just pack on the pounds. It also increases your risk of chronic pain.

Obesity, which affects 42 percent of Americans, and pain often go hand-in-hand.

More than 55 percent of obese individuals live with chronic pain. This is partly because obesity increases the risk of several health conditions associated with chronic pain, including: • Arthritis • Diabetes-associated neuropathy • Fibromyalgia • Lower back pain • Migraine Several factors can cause chronic pain if you’re obese: Extra strain on joints: Carrying extra weight puts a strain on joints that they aren’t equipped to carry. Hip and knee pain are the most common joint pains obese people experience. Osteoarthritis is also common because the extra weight load on joints leads to more “wear and tear” than usual. Every pound of body weight places 4 to 6 pounds of pressure on each knee joint. This causes joints to break down more quickly than normal and become painful.

Inflammation: Obesity is associated with inflammation throughout the body, called systemic inflammation. Fat cells can trigger the immune system to go into attack mode, the way it would when there is an injury or infection to fight off. When there is no infection and fat cells keep triggering the immune system, it becomes chronically overactive. This can lead to chronic inflammation and body pain.

Neuropathy: The dysfunction or damage to nerves that commonly results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain is called neuropathy. Diabetes is the leading cause of neuropathy, but there are several other causes, such as hormonal imbalances and cancer treatment.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3rqGWOT For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

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HEALTH

Orlando Health names Leslie Flake Chief Financial Officer David Strong, president and chief executive officer, Orlando Health, has named Leslie Flake, BSN, MBA, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the organization. She replaces Bernadette Spong, who is retiring. Ms. Flake was the unanimous selection of the corporate leadership team following a nationwide search. She will join Orlando Health in summer 2022.

“We are extremely pleased to have Leslie join Orlando Health,” said Mr. Strong. “Her leadership, experience and expertise in financial direction and oversight of integrated healthcare systems will be instrumental as we continue to evolve and adapt to the changing healthcare environment.”

Ms. Flake has more than 20 years of experience as a finance leader in not-for-profit and for-profit integrated healthcare systems. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of finance at Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit hospital system based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 14-hospital system has more than 31,000 team members, $9 billion in net revenue, a medical group and the nation’s third-largest provider-sponsored health plan. Previously, Ms. Flake served as CFO and chief compliance officer for Banner Health Medical Group and its 1,500-plus providers in six western states.

Ms. Flake earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University. She has served as a board member for several community and business organizations during her career. She and her husband, Jim, will relocate to Central Florida later this spring.

Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $7.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States.

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Florida Peanut and Chocolate Cupcakes, they’re Positively Delicious!

No matter how old you are, a cupcake is… well, positively delicious! Whether a recipe may have been handed down from grandparents or parents, cupcakes are a very special treat that can’t be ignored.

INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups Florida peanuts, toasted, salted & coarsely chopped • 6 ounces dark chocolate, broken into pieces • 1 chocolate cake mix, store bought or homemade • Chocolate frosting, store bought or homemade PREPARATION Coarsely chop the peanuts and set aside. Prepare cupcake batter using box mix instructions, and fold in half of the chopped peanuts. Once the batter is prepared, place cupcake liners in the cupcake pan and fill ¾ full. Bake according to cupcake batter instructions and set aside to cool completely.

Place chocolate pieces in an oven-safe glass bowl. Set the bowl atop a small sauce pot with a ½ cup of simmering water, to create a double boiler. Stir continuously until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Carefully remove the bowl from the heat, (caution: it will be hot). Frost the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle the remaining chopped peanuts on top. Drizzle with the melted chocolate and serve.

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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Florida Flatbread with Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers, it’s Positively Delicious!

Pizza… enough said. Most every one loves pizza. It’s one of those things that makes you hungry no matter what, because it’s positively delicious! Here’s a recipe you’ll absolutely love!

INGREDIENTS • 1 large Florida bell pepper (red, yellow, green or ⅓ of all 3 colors), seeded and sliced thin • 2 medium Florida tomatoes, sliced thin • 2 medium or 1 large baked flatbread or pizza crust • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (or your favori • ¼ cup fresh basil, hand torn • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated • 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread olive oil and garlic evenly over the flatbread.

Evenly distribute three-fourths of the two kinds of cheese over the flatbread. Evenly distribute the bell pepper and tomato over the cheese. Add remaining cheese to the top of the flatbread. Season the flatbread lightly with salt and pepper. Bake flatbread on a cookie sheet for 7 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove flatbread from oven and garnish with the hand-torn basil. Cut flatbread into several servings and serve warm.

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