Sunday Edition
POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY
Osceola County continues commitment to expand and Improve Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s Office Operations Click Here to Read More: https://bit.ly/37pMVwm
Inside this issue
Kissimmee Fire Chief, Jim Walls, Graduates Executive Fire Officer Program Page 10
Osceola Commissioner Cheryl Grieb turns KVLS support into Help Now of Osceola donation Page 20
Kissimmee man dies in plane crash in Texas, was flying with uncle before attending family wedding Page 18
Harmony’s Lady Longhorns Offense Wrangles St. Cloud in Flag Football, game ends by lightening Page 37
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com
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! 4
PositivelyOsceola.com
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
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 5
IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE at Harmony High School as the Longhorns are take on Gateway High School
LIVE at the Osceola County Health Expo at Chambers Park Community Center
LIVE at Osceola Arts with Chris Burns talking about “Arts Alive”
LIVE at the Osceola County Courthouse as the Osceola County Clerk of Court & Comptroller discusses Operation Greenlight
Learn about Wild Florida’s Sloth Chloe with Krissi Marie Hardy For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 6
PositivelyOsceola.com
VIDEOS ON DEMAND Osceola County’s Operation Green Light Program
Dealing with a suspended license and can’t manage to pay the fines and harassing collection calls? The team at the Osceola County Clerk of Court & Comptroller’s Office has you covered with Operation Green Light. The two-week program that helped get Over 540 drivers back on the road efficiently and effectively last year is back at it again for another week!
District 2 - Drive-Thru Farm Share Food Distribution
Save the Date #Osceola When: Wednesday, April 13th at 10am Where: Archie Gordon Memorial Park Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer and Farm Share invite you to their FREE District 2 - Drive-Thru Farm Share Food Distribution. First come, first served. While supplies last
Divinity: Works by local artist Patricia Cavazos
Osceola Arts is kicking off Spring with a new visual arts exhibit called Divinity: Works by local artist Patricia Cavazos, now through April 1st. The exhibit “Divinity” is an abstract interpretation of the Aztec world’s creation and the gods behind it. For more information on works by Patricia Cavazos go to www.bycavazos.com.
Osceola Animal Services’ Dog Fostering Program! Osceola County Animal Services is encouraging the community to try their Dog #Fostering Program, for those that are willing to provide short-term in-home care for dogs in need. Its FREE and all veterinary care, food, and supplies are provided. Apply online at OsceolaCountyPets.com.
Hop on Downtown
Hop on Downtown to Historic Downtown Kissimmee on April 16th from 11am – 2pm for a hippity hoppity day of awesome Easter fun! Bring your basket and set out to search for over 1,000 hidden eggs throughout the area. There will be cookie decorating, a jelly bean hop, pictures with the Easter bunny and more! This FREE event starts at the Kissimmee Main Street Welcome Center and will be fun for the whole family!
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 7
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
Kissimmee Fire Chief, Jim Walls, Graduates Executive Fire Officer Program City of Kissimmee Fire Department Chief Jim Walls successfully graduated from the prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO), as reported by the U.S Fire Administration/National Fire Academy, on Thursday, March 24, 2022. The intensive program consists of a two-week class every year for four years at the National Fire Academy (NFA) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Each class is equivalent to an upper-division baccalaureate or graduate-level course. In four years, Chief Walls took part in Executive Development, Executive Analysis of Community Risk Reduction, Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management, and Executive Leadership, which focuses primarily on issues and areas of personal effectiveness. Within six months after each course was completed, a written Applied Research Project (ARP) was required from Chief Walls. The ARP must be related to actual life concepts that could influence the City of Kissimmee Fire Department. For the last course on Executive Leadership, Chief Walls had to present an oral defense before a panel of chief officers defending one of his three ARPs. At the end of the course, he received his EFO Program certificate. As an EFO graduate, he is honored to join a group of fellow graduates that make up less than 1% of senior fire officials from around the country.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3NMl2zl For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 10
PositivelyOsceola.com
MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
St. Cloud, Kissimmee to Join Toho Water for 12th National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation The City of Kissimmee and the City of St. Cloud, in partnership with Toho Water Authority, have teamed up for the annual, nationwide Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation to be most “water-wise” during Water Conservation Month in April. Olga González, Mayor of Kissimmee, and Nathan Blackwell, Mayor of St. Cloud, are joining mayors from across the country to encourage residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely. Residents can take part in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. “Water is one of our most precious resources, and we must all work together to conserve it. Our Governor has placed a focus on water conservation and re-use. It takes all of our citizens working together to make a real impact,” added St. Cloud’s Mayor Blackwell. “As a community, we need to continue to conserve water and energy as it will help us now and our future generations. We must work together and take the pledge to help save the environment. This is just one step towards our goal of protecting our planet, but together we will be making a difference,” said Kissimmee’s Mayor Olga González The annual challenge is a non-profit, national community service campaign that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution and save energy. How It Works • Visit www.tohowater.com/mywaterpledge and make the pledge to conserve water with your City. • Take a 4-step conservation pledge on behalf of the City • City of Kissimmee residents take the pledge at: www.kissimmee.gov/mywaterpledge
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3uaFBOb For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 11
NEWS City of St. Cloud Celebrates Employees’ Commitment in Service Awards Recognition In a time where many employers are having a challenge keeping their current employees and finding new staff, the City of St. Cloud is celebrating and thanking staff members at its annual Employee Service Awards program that have committed themselves in making a positive to the city, and to the community for years! On Friday, April 1, the city recognized employees for their tenure serving the citizens of St. Cloud. Below is a list of those recognized this year:
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3xaajZM
40 years John Koones: IT Department, St. Cloud Police Department, and 30 years of service as Battalion Chief with St. Cloud Fire Department
30 years Scott Adams, Public Works Art Lee, Public Works
25 years Edwin Mateo, Police Department Donald Callaghan, Public Works
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 14
PositivelyOsceola.com
NEWS 20 years: Leslie Messina, Finance Eric Holloway, Parks & Recreation Denise Roberts, Police Department Richard Tonks, Fire Department Nadine Zilke, Police Department 15 years: Raul Ramirez, Gabriel Masson, John F. Jones, Leslie Flores, James Reus, Ivy De La Cruz, Yokarlo Martinez, Diara Wesler, Damaris Barbosa, Matthew Hargrave, Marina Acabeo, Jovanne Rodriguez, Karey Halbin, Mary Mitchell, Celia Martinez, Keith LaFontaine, Marisol De La Rosa, Matthew Bakker, Casey Lawson, Lilyvette Serrano, Kevin Felblinger, Michael Smith, William McFadden, Mary Mitchell, and Angela Farmer.
10 years: Matthew Evans, Nicholas Barra, Jason Barrett, Spencer Endsley, Chad Wilson, Delmar Kerkow, Juan Oliveras, Rebecca Laisch, Michael Costa, Robert Wise, Laura Christie, Stephanie Johnson, and Scott Kaplan. 5 years: Mildred Cortez, Ryan Broomwell, Christopher Schwan, Jonathan Barnes, Dale Carlson, Cassandra Hill, Cristina Soto, Agnel Herrera, Scott O’Neill, Kallan Cunningham, Cameron Crandell, Carina Sandoz, Joe Etter, Carrie Smiley, Lin Badman-Paton, Scott Allman, Steven Scheirer, Yeison Betancur, Michael Soto, Ivan Baez Lopez, Anibal Ramos, Samantha Dileonardo, Michael W. Wager, Frank Arismendi, Theresa Collabella Lewis, Misael Cortez Jr., Sean Daley, Valeria Grieve, Christian Liciaga, Thomas Walters, and William A. Harris. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 15
NEWS
Casey DeSantis Announces Hope Ambassadors Clubs, Including Harmony, Tohopekaliga, PATHS First Lady Casey DeSantis recently announced that 100 Florida schools have started Hope Ambassadors Clubs in 39 school districts, including Osceola School District’s Harmony High School, Tohopekaliga High Schools, and PATHS. The announcement represents a 300% increase from the 25 Florida schools that participated during the 2020-2021 school year. In addition, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced a generous donation of $100,000 from Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc. (Simply) to benefit the statewide Hope for Healing Initiative, which will help support Florida’s Hope Ambassadors. For a list of the Hope Ambassdors Clubs or to learn more, please visit www.fldoe.org/hopeambassadors/. Hope Ambassadors is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education, Volunteer Florida and now 100 middle and high schools. The program was launched by First Lady Casey DeSantis in December 2019 with the goal of creating a setting where students can volunteer, mentor their peers and help foster kind and compassionate environments. In the pilot program, which began in the 2020-2021 school year, 25 schools started Hope Ambassadors clubs, with more than 300 student participants.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3DNje4u For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 16
PositivelyOsceola.com
NEWS City of St. Cloud to host Borrow Pit Pond Fishing Derby April 23rd Join the City of St. Cloud at the Borrow Pit Pond for the return of their Annual Youth Fishing Derby! On Saturday, April 23 from 9 am to 11 am, anglers ages 3 to 12 years old can compete in their total weight fishing derby. The fishing derby will take place at Borrow Pit Pond on Budinger Avenue across from St. Cloud Elementary School. Cost is $10 per child, and online registration is simple at webtrac.stcloud.org. Event Age Groups: Tadpoles: 3-5 years old Half-pints: 6-8 years old Minnows: 9-12 years old Please bring your own fishing pole and tackle. Bait will be provided. Shore fishing only. For more information, contact St. Cloud Parks and Recreation at 407-957-7243.
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 17
NEWS
Kissimmee man dies in plane crash in Texas, was flying with uncle before attending family wedding Zane Baize, 35-year-old Kissimmee Realtor known for his passion for life, husband, and father of two, died in a plane crash last Thursday in Crowell, Texas along with his uncle 61-year-old Ronny Baize, who was a prominent Crowell, Texas businessman and former candidate for County Judge in the Texas community. Zane and other family members had flown in from Florida to attend the wedding of Ronny Baize’s son, which was going to take place on Saturday. According to family members who shared with a local Texas news agency, Zane and his uncle decided to fly together in a single-engine Kitfox Series 7 plane March 31 in the morning as other family members looked on from the ground. About 20 minutes into the flight, Ronny Baize’s brother reportedly noticed that the two men were struggling at the controls of the plane, which then went into a nosedive. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was flying at a low altitude when a gust of wind forced it to the ground, where it then caught fire. Zane is survived by his wife Krystal, who was previously on staff with Positively Osceola and the Osceola Historical Society, their 4-year old daughter Teegen, and their son Bowen, who will be 2-years-old soon. The family has set up a GoFundMe for Krystal and her children. Please consider helping the family by clicking here.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3Kb49vS For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 18
PositivelyOsceola.com
NEWS Lane closures at BVL Blvd and Royal Palm Dr intersection for sewer project starting April 7th
Toho Water Authority (Toho) has announced lane and turn lane closures at the intersection of Buenaventura Blvd and Royal Palm Dr starting on Thursday, April 7. The crossing and turning at the intersection will only be accessible to emergency vehicles. The closure is necessary to conduct a sewer rehabilitation project in the area.
The project is being carried out by SanPik Inc. and is expected to be completed in approximately three weeks. Schedules could vary according to weather and other unforeseen circumstances Motorists and pedestrians are urged to use caution when approaching these areas, as workers will be present and speed limits may be reduced and sidewalks possibly closed and diverted.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3O4R4qz
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 19
NEWS
Osceola Commissioner Cheryl Grieb turns KVLS support into Help Now of Osceola donation Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb made great use of her the pork she had purchased during the KVLS Livestock show at the Osceola County Fair by donating the much needed meat to Help Now of Osceola, Inc on Tuesday. The Commissioner had purchased the meat from Chase Richards of the Silver Saddles 4-H club at the Fair, which supported the young man’s work of raising the hog, which weighed in at more than 270 pounds. 4-H members save the proceeds of the sale for college or for purchase of their first vehicle. Along they way, they learn care and sale of the animals — as well as marketing, business principles, and the responsibilities that come along with the journey. “In contributing to KVLS, I have been able to support more than one individual or organization. Chase Richards, The young man who raised the hog through 4H is able to have funds to help further his education. The pork itself will help feed the women and children in the shelter of Help Now. I was fortunate to also contribute to the Transition House, another great nonprofit organization in Osceola County,” Osceola County Commissioner for District 4 said.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3DLB7Rh For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 20
PositivelyOsceola.com
NEWS Celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day with a tortoise friendly yard The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites you to celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day by making your yard gopher tortoise friendly. Gopher Tortoise Day is on April 10 but you can celebrate year-round when you have a tortoise friendly yard. With more than half of Florida land in private ownership, the FWC recognizes the critical importance of private property owners in wildlife and habitat conservation. The FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Friendly Yard Recognition Program honors Florida’s private landowners for their positive impact on gopher tortoise conservation. “The Gopher Tortoise Friendly Yard Recognition Program helps recognize and encourage landowners to enhance habitat and help protect gopher tortoises and their burrows,” said FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Program Coordinator, Katherine Richardson.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3NQcJ5B
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 21
NEWS Orlando International Airport Sees Total Traffic Double from January to February When drawing a comparison between January of this year and February 2022, on the total number of passengers at Orlando International Airport (MCO), one thing stands out, traffic more than doubled during that one-month time period. There was a total of 3.4 million passengers in January and 7.1 million in February. Leading the increase in February, Speed Weeks competitions in Central Florida, and the unofficial start of the Spring Break travel season. Also contributing to the welcomed news, Air Transat started or resumed service to Halifax, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario while Frontier added service to Ft. Lauderdale. February Statistical Data: For the month, domestic traffic climbed more than 72 percent over 2021 with some 3,360,202 passengers traveling through MCO.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/36TL0QV
April 8th - 10th and November 18th - 20th For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 22
PositivelyOsceola.com
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
Kowboys Claim OBC Baseball Championship
Sophomore Nick Palmi hit a second inning grand slam to lead the Osceola Kowboys to a 7-1 win over Harmony in the championship game of the Orange Belt Conference baseball tournament. With previously champions determined from the results of round robin play, the week-long OBC tournament was the first baseball tournament in conference history and the Kowboys dominated the event by out-scoring opponents, 31-2, in three games – including a 15-0 win over Poinciana in Monday’s quarterfinal and a 9-1 win over Tohopekaliga in Wednesday’s semifinal. The Kowboys took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the title game, as Danny Ramirez doubled home Luis Rodriguez. But the main damage came in the second. With one on and two outs, Lamar Vazquez pushed a single into the hole between short and third. Isaiah Jean-Baptiste would then draw a walk on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases before Palmi sent a blast off starting pitcher Conner Davis over the right field walk to make it 5-0. While Osceola was getting some timely hitting, Ramirez and relief pitcher Antonio Melendez were keeping the Harmony hitters in check – combining on a three-hitter. Only a Ramirez wild pitch in the fifth inning that scored a run from third kept the Kowboys from recording a shutout.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3jhEvKe For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 36
PositivelyOsceola.com
SPORTS
Harmony’s Lady Longhorns Offense Wrangles St. Cloud in Flag Football, game ends by lightening Paying back St. Cloud for handing them a big loss in last year’s District Championship in flag football, Coach Paul Strauch’s Harmony High School Lady Longhorns defeated the St. Cloud High School Lady Bulldogs in a 26-0 one sided affair that was ended by lightening on Tuesday night. The Longhorns, coming off a big offensive 39-0 win over Celebration last week, kept the pressure on St. Cloud all evening on both sides of the ball and proved to be too much for the Bulldog defense. From toe tapping touchdowns to the corner of the end zone, to gritty interceptions, the Longhorns brought their “A” game on St. Cloud’s home field. The Longhorns move to 8-1, undefeated in OBC play, while the Bulldogs, who as the 2021 OBC Champion, made it as far as the FHSAA Regional Semifinals in 2021, drop to 4-3. District tournaments will take place April 25-29. #OsceolaSports For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 37
COMMUNITY
Final Days of Operation Green Light, Suspended Drivers License Program at County Clerk’s Office The Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller only has a fews left in offering residents with a suspended driver’s license the opportunity to pay overdue court obligations, including traffic tickets while saving up to 40% in additional fees during Operation Green Light 2022 from Saturday, March 26 2022, through Saturday, April 9, 2022. Customers may also be able to have suspended driver licenses reinstated. Payment plans will be available for those individuals that are not able to completely satisfy the amount owed. Individuals can attend the event in person at the Osceola County Courthouse, located at 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am. through 4:30 pm. Any payment plans completed during the weekend days of the event will be honored. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will be onsite with their Florida Licensing on Wheels, or FLOW, vehicle to print new licenses and provide additional services.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3uYuozd For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 40
PositivelyOsceola.com
COMMUNITY
Spring “BearWise” tips from the FWC to reduce conflicts with bears With spring bringing warmer weather, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds residents and visitors that bears are becoming more active. You can help prevent potential negative interactions with bears and other wildlife by removing food attractants and following other BearWise® practices. During spring, bears become more active in search of things to eat. Female bears are also beginning to travel with their cubs and teaching them where to forage for food. “Bears will take advantage of easy meals, such as unsecured garbage, pet food or bird seed,” said the FWC’s Bear Management Program Coordinator, David Telesco. “If bears don’t find a food source in the neighborhood, they’ll move on.” Follow the six BearWise Basics to avoid attracting bears to your neighborhood and help prevent conflicts: 1: Never feed or approach bears 2: Secure food and garbage 3: Remove or secure bird and wildlife feeders
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/37lfyL5 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 41
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! 44
PositivelyOsceola.com
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!
PositivelyOsceola.com 45
NOW HIRING
PART-TIME TEACHERS
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS NEAR YOU!
SPECIAL EDUCATION, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL THE OPPORTUNITY
• Work with students 1:1 or 4:1 • Flexible, part-time hours. • Competitive hourly rate and paid training!
TUTORING TUTORING
REQUIREMENTS:
• 4-year degree required • Certification/License is a plus • Recent grads, current teachers & retired professionals encouraged to apply
TEST PREP PREP TEST
To apply, email StCloudFL@hlcmail.com today! St. Cloud 4554 13th Street, Unit A-2, St. Cloud, FL 34769 407-789-0228
Personalized Attention. Proven Results. HuntingtonHelps.com HLC1924A
POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Blueberry Pancakes, They’re Positively Delicious! Florida’s sunshine is amazing. It warms the beaches, brightens our spirits, and blesses the sunshine state’s agriculture industry. One of Floridas’ agricultural gems is the Florida blueberry, which flourishes in blueberry fields filled with row after row of blueberry bushes. Blueberry farms in Florida typically harvest blueberries in April and May with many opening up their farms up to the public for u-pick! It’s fun for everyone and a great way to support your local agriculture industry! Here’s a mouth-watering blueberry recipe we think you’ll agree is Positively Delicious! INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups fresh Florida blueberries plus more for garnish • 2 ½ cups pancake mix • 2 ½ cups milk • 2 cups ricotta cheese • ¼ stick of butter for cooking • Florida Honey Butter • ⅓ cup Florida honey • ½ cup butter, softened PREPARATION Whisk together the pancake mix, milk, and ricotta cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth. The pancake batter should be thick (you can adjust the consistency by adding more milk or pancake mix). Gently fold the blueberries into the batter. Preheat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter to the cooking surface. Add an even amount of pancake mix to the cooking surface, making sure not to overcrowd the cooking surface. Let the pancakes cook until bubbles start to form in the top of the batter.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3KgRmIj For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 48
PositivelyOsceola.com
POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Steak and Peppers, it’s Positively Delicious! Just the thought of steak and peppers sautéing together makes most people’s mouths water, and when the ingredients are from the sunshine state, it just doesn’t get any better. Check out this amazing recipe for Florida Steak and Peppers. We think you’ll agree that it’s positively delicious! INGREDIENTS • 2 Florida ribeye steaks (or your favorite cut) • 1 large Florida bell pepper, sliced thin • 10-12 Florida mushrooms, sliced thin • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin • 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme • 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Preheat large sauté pan or cast-iron skillet to medium-high. Season steaks generously with salt and pepper. Add butter and fresh herbs then place steaks directly over herbs. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Remove steaks from pan and allow to rest. In same pan add olive oil, sliced vegetables, and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté for 5 minutes or until tender. Adjust seasoning as needed and remove from pan. Slice steak against the grain and serve with warm vegetables. Serve with warm vegetables. Serve with chimichurri sauce.
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 49
IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS Easter at Sunrise Returns to SeaWorld Orlando April 17 After 2-year Break After a two year break of celebrating Easter at Sunrise at SeaWorld Orlando due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the extremely popular Z88.3 Easter Sunrise Service will be back at SeaWorld on Sunday, April 17. There’s something special about an Easter Sunrise service, especially at SeaWorld Orlando where the sun comes up over the glistening water near Bayside Stadium. Z88.3 Artist, Hope Darst, will be leading worship this year during the Easter service! She sings Peace Be Still and Dr. Pete Alwinson will bring the Easter message. Dr. Alwinson was the founding pastor at Willow Creek in Chicago and currently has a men’s ministry. The Easter Sunrise service at SeaWorld is free to attend, and SeaWorld also donates the parking, so there’s no cost to those attending. As a part of the day, SeaWorld is offering a special 30% off discount to visit SeaWorld Orlando. Admission visitation for this offer is valid from April 17 through May 24, 2022.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3ISdyXK
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at SeaWorld Orlando Thursday, April 29 – May 8 The Wild Arctic Plaza will come to life as entertainers, stilt walkers, and party starters get this full-blown fiesta going in a big way from Thursday, April 29 – May 8 at SeaWorld Orlando. From 12 pm – 6 pm enjoy SeaWorld’s DJ Dance Pary that’s sure to get your feet moving at the fun-filled party as they spin new and old beats throughout the day. Immerse yourself in the traditional music of Mexico as classic bands bring their beautiful and bold sounds to Orlando. Make sure to savor new and classic tastes as part of SeaWorld Orland’s Seven Seas Food Festival including mini churro bites, drunken shrimp tostadas, beef barbacoa tacos, and delicious beer and cocktails. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 50
PositivelyOsceola.com
IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS New Ways to Connect with the Magic of Nature at Disney’s Animal Kingdom During Earth Week Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park shines the spotlight on our beautiful, bountiful planet with its annual Earth Week Celebration, set for April 18-24, 2022. During this popular event, guests are steeped in the wonders of the natural world through family-friendly experiences and special offerings. They become part of the park’s conservation story and connect with many of the animal species the Disney Conservation Fund is working hard to protect. To celebrate the third planet from the sun, the park is pulling out all the stops! Guests will be treated to unique character sightings, fun learning opportunities, specialty merchandise, themed food and beverages, a limited-time Wilderness Explorer badge and more. Along the way, guests will discover the power that lives within them to create positive change and be inspired by the natural world everyone shares. “Earth Day 2022 is one day, April 22, but our celebration of this planet we call home is so magical, it goes on all year long,” said Sarah Riles, vice president of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “We invite guests to join in fun that is both entertaining and inspiring.” Highlights of the week include: • Find a riverbank perch and catch a glimpse of special characters who will join other favorite Disney pals on the Discovery Island Character Cruise as it sails around Discovery River. Be on the lookout for more character sightings on Discovery Island! • Throughout the month of April, guests can learn to draw favorite Disney Characters at The Animation Experience at Conservation Station. There, Disney artists bring favorite characters to life by using animals for inspiration. Guests can try drawing characters like Crush and Squirt, Bruce, Dumbo, Terk, Heimlich, Shere Khan and Simba, whose real-life counterparts represent amazing stories of conservation work around the globe. Each 25-minute session features step-by-step instruction so guests can let their creativity shine!
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3ISdyXK For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 51
REAL ESTATE What You Can Expect from the Spring Housing Market
As the spring housing market kicks off, you likely want to know what you can expect this season when it comes to buying or selling a house. While there are multiple factors causing some uncertainty, including the conflict overseas, rising inflation, and the first rate increase from the Federal Reserve in over three years — the housing market seems to be relatively immune. Here’s a look at what experts say you can expect this spring. 1. Mortgage Rates Will Climb
Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased by more than a full point in the past six months. And despite some mild fluctuation in recent weeks, experts believe rates will continue to edge up over the next 90 days. As Freddie Mac says: “The Federal Reserve raising short-term rates and signaling further increases means mortgage rates should continue to rise over the course of the year.” If you’re a first-time buyer or a seller thinking of moving to a home that better fits your needs, realize that waiting will likely mean you’ll pay a higher mortgage rate on your purchase. And that higher rate drives up your monthly payment and can really add up over the life of your loan. 2. Housing Inventory Will Increase There may be some relief coming for buyers searching for a home to purchase. Realtor.com recently reported that the number of newly listed homes has grown for each of the last two months. Also, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) just announced the months’ supply of inventory increased for the first time in eight months. The inventory of existing homes usually grows every spring, and it seems, based on recent activity, the next 90 days could bring more listings to the market. If you’re a buyer who has been frustrated with the limited supply of homes available for sale, it looks like you could find some relief this spring. However, be prepared to act quickly if you find the right home.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3DMJ3S5 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 52
PositivelyOsceola.com
HEALTH
Bahareh Hassanzadeh MD – Neurology Orlando Health
What is Aphasia? Bruce Willis Diagnosis Shines Light on Language Disorder The announcement that Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia has brought attention to the language disorder that affects nearly 2 million Americans. What Is Aphasia? Aphasia can be a devastating disorder, inhibiting one’s ability to communicate with the world. It can affect everything from speaking to writing as well as being able to understand the written or spoken word. While we don’t yet know how “Die Hard” actor Willis developed the disorder, it is most common in people who have suffered a stroke or head injury. But it also can appear gradually because of a tumor or some other degenerative condition that damages the brain. Primary progressive aphasia is caused by dementia – Alzheimer’s is the most common form – through degradation of the language regions of the brain. It is more often found in people who are middle-aged or older, though it can appear at any age, including young children. Aphasia can affect four distinct areas of our ability to communicate: reading, writing, speaking and understanding speech. The disorder can be mild or so severe that communication is nearly impossible. Patients may experience more damage in some areas than others, creating the potential for extreme frustration. Someone suffering from aphasia might know what they are being told but have difficulty finding the right words to respond. They may even utter words that don’t make any sense. Inability To Communicate We all have trouble, from time to time, finding the right word. But this is far more pronounced in those with aphasia. Family members may think their loved one is confused or that something’s not right because they are speaking in sentence fragments or responding to questions with answers that seem out of context. They may even talk in gibberish. Symptoms vary, based on which area of the brain has been impacted.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3uFp042 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 54
PositivelyOsceola.com
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. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 55
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
INJURY LAW Swimming season is here, use caution, prevent injuries and save lives
It’s beginning to heat up outside which means more pools are opening and the chance of poolrelated injuries will unfortunately begin to increase In Florida, the most common pool injuries include slip-and-fall accidents and tragically, drowning. Slipping and falling on a slippery concrete surface can cause extensive physical trauma which can vary depending on how the individual falls. Someone who hits their head when falling may suffer a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion. This can lead to more serious injuries or even drowning if the unconscious person falls into the pool, particularly if it is unsupervised.
Draper Law Office is encouraging the community to remember that it only takes a brief moment for a swimming or pool-related accident to happen. Never allow children near or around a pool unsupervised, and remember, swimming and drinking alcoholic beverages is never recommended.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3v1mpRX
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 58
PositivelyOsceola.com
FAMILY LAW COVID-19 impacted marriages and divorces in a big way, not in a good way It’s something most people have heard about since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, divorce rates have been increasing and there’s no sign of that changing anytime soon. Families have been forced to adjust to a very different lifestyle amid a long-term locked down, a period of serious health concern, and general uncertainty in life. In many cases, one or both partners have lost a job, or perhaps their businesses have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Unfortunately, money has become an even more significant issue in the family dynamic than it normally is, causing stress to build in that relationship, sometimes to the point where a permanent breakup is unfortunately inevitable. The pandemic has caused a dramatic shift in financial roles and budgets within families, with child support or alimony becoming even more complicated issues than they typically are.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3ue6fpo
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
PositivelyOsceola.com 59
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