Positively Osceola Weekly, 24/7 Osceola News

Saturday Edition

POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY

Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!

Osceola Kowboys Win District Title in 5-0 Win Over Lake Nona

Click Here to Read More: https://bit.ly/38ZEKrw Inside this issue The City of St. Cloud Citizen’s Guide to City Council Meetings Available in English & Spanish Page 53

County Commissioners Arrington and Booth turn KVLS 4-H Livestock support into local charity donation

Page 8

Orlando Health Air Care Team’s Miles Morgan recognized with 2022 Liberty Shield Award

Page 34

Don’t miss “WALK AWAY MAY” with Osceola History and Kissimmee Utility Authority Page 36

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 In the Loop LIVE With Krissi Hardy April 30th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Good Morning Osceola LIVE With Krissi Hardy April 27th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Daybreak LIVE with Guest: Michelle Incandela April 20th, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Keith Ronan LIVE with Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez April 23rd, 2022

Positively Osceola’s Nolan LIVE at The Opportunity Center, Inc. in Kissimmee with Osceola Arts April 25th, 2022

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 5

IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE with Marylin Cortez-Lovato at Osceola Arts for Artistic Unity by the Crealdé School of Art

LIVE at Osceola County Animal Services

LIVE at Osceola Arts with Donald Rupe and Bri Stefek

LIVE with Dr. Belinda Reyes at Caribbean Fusion

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

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

6

PositivelyOsceola.com

VIDEOS ON DEMAND Experience Osceola

On Saturday, June 18th at the St. Cloud Lakefront from 10AM 5PM, the community is invited to Experience Osceola like never before! This FREE event, brought to you by the The Osceola Chamber and Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, is a showcase of the Osceola business community that will include food, fun, and live entertainment for the whole family.

Orlando Health’s exciting volunteer opportunities!

Orlando Health has some exciting volunteer opportunities that are sure to make a positive difference in the lives of those who volunteer at one of its facilities. For more information, visit www.OrlandoHealth.com/Volunteer-Services

Kissimmee Valley Feed’s Customer Appreciation Day Join Kissimmee Valley Feed on Saturday, May 14th, for their 2022 Customer Appreciation Day! Both the Main Store (1501 Eastern Ave) and Store #2 (215 13th Street) will be participating. The Main Store will be active from 8AM - 2PM. Store #2 will be active from 9AM - 5PM.

English for Families at the BVL Library

English for Families is a weekly family reading program designed for those whose native language is not English (ESOL). This 10-week program will be offered on Mondays at 6pm at the Buenaventura Lakes Library through May 23rd, 2022.

Draper Law Office - Lesiones por accidentes automovilísticos Si resultó lesionado en un accidente automovilístico, los abogados con experiencia en accidentes automovilísticos de Draper Law Office están listos para representarlo y luchar para obtener la compensación que se merece. Recuerde, en momentos de necesidad, llame a Draper Law Office al 407.846.0075 para programar una consulta, o visite DraperLawOffice.com.

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 7

MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

County Commissioners Arrington and Booth turn KVLS 4-H Livestock support into local charity donation The County Fair is Osceola County’s largest annual event, filled with tradition, heritage and amazing family entertainment. A major part of the fair is the KVLS 4-H livestock show which Osceola County youth participate in for months to raise market animals like lambs, hogs, steer, and goats. At the completion of the project they have the opportunity to sell their animals at market auction during the fair, which compensates them for the expense of the project and their dedication.

Osceola County Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington and District 5 Commissioner Ricky Booth recently showed their support for local charities with the donation of beef and pork from livestock purchases they both made at this year’s KVLS 4-H Livestock market at the fair.

Chairman Brandon Arrington, who is the County Commissioner for District 3, and a supporter of youth in agriculture, purchased two hogs and a steer. He made the donation to local charities including the Osceola County Council on Aging and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Chase Jones, a junior at NeoCity Academy, raised one of the hogs purchased by Arrington and was on site to help deliver the meat to the charities.

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

8

PositivelyOsceola.com

MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Valencia College to Hold Osceola Prosper Info Sessions for Class of 2022 H.S. Grads, Free College Details Valencia College is hosting a series of information sessions to answer questions about Osceola Prosper, the newly launched program that will pay for graduating seniors in Osceola County to attend Valencia College or Osceola Technical College. The program, paid for by the Osceola County Commission, is open to all seniors graduating in spring 2022 from any Osceola County public, private and charter schools, as well as homeschooled students.

“This is an incredible gift to the students of Osceola County and we want to make sure that every eligible student takes advantage of this opportunity,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, Valencia College president.

At the sessions, graduating seniors can learn about degree options at Valencia College, including degree programs that transfer to a university or degrees that will train them for the workforce after two years of study. Students and their parents can also learn about Valencia’s short-term training programs, which are four- to 20-week courses that teach students a trade or in-demand skills. Courses range from carpentry to welding to medical office specialist.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3s6UOyp For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

PositivelyOsceola.com 9

How can Goodwin Realty & Associates help you?

Call (407) 846-2787 or visit GoodwinRealty.net The Name You Trust… The Company You Keep!

Providing the best in real estate services for over 48 years!

NEWS

Sixth Annual Gator Week® Celebration Returns to Wild Florida® Wild Florida will host Gator Week May 23 – 28, and offer free Gator Park admission to guests who donate any amount toward their Wild Florida Scholarship Fund for Osceola County students. Additionally, as the founders of National Alligator Day on May 29th, Wild Florida will also celebrate this special day at the end of Gator Week.

Years ago Wild Florida noticed how alligators are often characterized as monstrous swamp killers and fear of these animals has driven many myths and nightmares about their behavior. Gator Week at Wild Florida is dedicated to educating guests about alligators, debunking common myths and developing a more positive reputation for these reptiles. Sam Haught, co-owner of Wild Florida, announced, “Gator Week is back at full strength this year. We’re excited to feature family-friendly activities but with a few new twists. Our goal is to shine a different light on these incredible animals and hope our guests walk away with a greater appreciation for them.”

Wild Florida’s reptile handling team, deemed “the Croc Squad®”, has been dreaming up educational ideas and myth-busting activities all year in preparation for this week.

Gator jump-a-thons, eating contests and of course, who has the best Crocs (shoes), are among the activities planned. Be sure to follow Wild Florida on social media for updates, fun polls, educational tidbits and myth-busting stories. Also, check out www.GatorWeek.com for the full schedule of events.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/37b9BR9 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

12

PositivelyOsceola.com

NEWS

Shoney’s Will Treat All Moms to a FREE Slice of Strawberry Pie on Mother’s Day, Kids 4 & Under Eat FREE Still looking for a Positively Delicious way to show mom that you love her? Well here’s an idea that we think you’ll love! Nothing says Happy Mother’s Day like a FREE slice of one of America’s favorite desserts and no brand puts together a special Mother’s Day Fresh Food Bar or makes Strawberry Pies like Shoney’s.

This upcoming Mother’s Day, THIS Sunday, May 8th in case you’ve forgotten– Shoney’s will continue its now 75-year tradition of delighting moms and her families across America with its Mother’s Day Fresh Food Bar. This year’s Mother’s Day Fresh Food Bar will include holiday-themed delicious choices like Shoney’s signature proteins including Crispy Chicken, Sliced Ham with Apples, slow-roasted hand-carved Turkey Breast and Herb-Roasted Salmon. A veritable cornucopia of Shoney’s other freshlyprepared items will include Squash Casserole, Fresh Steamed Broccoli, traditional as well as Creamy and Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Peppers, Sweet Potato Casserole, Corn and Macaroni & Cheese. Of course, Shoney’s keeps piling it on with more, more, more including Dinner Rolls, Poultry Gravy, Cornbread Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Cabbage Beef Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup and another amazing dessert, Peach Cobbler. All of this – and this is not a typo – starting at $14.99.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3vFFRp9 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

PositivelyOsceola.com 13

NEWS A precautionary boil water advisory is in effect for Horizon Middle School on 2020 Ham Brown Rd Toho Water Authority has announced that a precautionary boil water advisory is in effect for Horizon Middle School on 2020 Ham Brown Rd. This is due to an emergency repair on a water line in the area.

The precautionary boil water advisory will be in effect until lifted by Toho.

It is advised that water should be boiled prior to consumption (drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes) as a precautionary measure. A vigorous boil for one minute is adequate to render water bacteriologically safe for drinking. As an alternative bottled water may be used.

For more information, visit www.tohowater.com or contact Toho’s customer service center at 407-944-5000.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/37fw9jS

City of Kissimmee’s Parks & Recreation Department Seeking Program Instructor The City of Kissimmee Parks & Recreation Department is seeking qualified individuals or businesses that are interested in conducting aquatic, athletic, recreational and/or enrichment programs (ex. fine arts, arts & crafts, language, fitness/health, financial literacy, homeschool, senior programs, etc.) for all ages from October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023. Anyone interested must notify the Recreation & Leisure Services Supervisor no later than Friday, May 20, 2022, to receive the proposal requirements. The Proposal Packets will include a list of all requirements, terms, and conditions. Packets will be available on Saturday, May 21st. All program proposals must be submitted to the City no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2022, to the following address or via email: 717 N. Palm Avenue Kissimmee, FL 34741 / jeff.pon@kissimmee.gov

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

14

PositivelyOsceola.com

NEWS

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $30 Million in Funding for Manatee Rescue Programs, Habitat Restoration Governor Ron DeSantis has committed to allocating more than $30 million in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget to enhance and expand manatee rescue and rehabilitation efforts and provide habitat restoration for areas where manatees are highly concentrated. This record investment in manatee care and protection is an over $17 million increase over the current year budget. The Governor made the announcement while visiting the Manatee Critical Care Center located at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

“This historic funding will support important restoration efforts across the state to benefit our manatees and Florida’s natural environment,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

“My administration will continue working to find new and innovative ways to support our native species, like the manatee, so that the generations to come can experience Florida’s natural resources.”

“Governor DeSantis has provided great support for addressing the manatee unusual mortality event in the Indian River Lagoon and we appreciate his efforts,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. “This historic investment in manatee rescue efforts and habitat restoration will expand the state’s critical care network, increase access to warm water environments, and restore access to manatee foraging habitat.”

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3kDuK9W For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

PositivelyOsceola.com 15

NEWS

St. Cloud CRA launches Paint, Plant, & Pave Program, CRA Downtown area residents can receive $2000 St. Cloud’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has launched its Paint, Plant, and Pave Program–home improvement grant to assist single-family and multi-family 2- unit properties within the residential neighborhoods of the St. Cloud CRA Downtown area.

This program is created to provide curb appeal to single-family and multi-family 2-unit properties in disrepair in residential neighborhoods of the St. Cloud CRA Downtown area. Proposed improvements may include pressure cleaning, painting, minor façade repairs, landscaping, awnings, sidewalks, driveways and/or parking lot sealing, irrigation systems, fence repair or removal, and minor interior repairs affected by exterior improvements.

The CRA will reimburse homeowners with approximately $2,000 per property for exterior improvements.

Check here to see if your address qualifies.

To apply, email cra@stcloud.org.

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

16

PositivelyOsceola.com

NEWS OUC Named “Environmental Champion” for Fifth Consecutive Year OUC—The Reliable One has been named a 2022 Environmental Champion in Escalent’s Utility Trusted Brand and Customer Engagement study. Only 31 utilities in the nation received the honor, with OUC scoring the most points for “environmental dedication” among electric peers.

This is the fifth year in a row OUC has claimed Escalent’s recognition for environmental stewardship.

Environmental Champions are selected based on survey results from customers who rate their energy providers on sustainability stewardship in their business operations, provide energy efficiency programs to help lower consumption, support environmental causes and on their commitment to clean energy.

“As we celebrate Earth Month, OUC is proud that our customers recognize our longstanding commitment to sustainability and energy innovation, particularly as we work toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Clint Bullock, OUC’s General Manager & CEO. “Breaking ground on our first net-zero campus – a first for all Florida utilities – marked a pivotal moment toward meeting our goal, bringing our facilities to net zero is a critical part of our strategic plan.” In the past year, OUC has undertaken several environmental initiatives including: Breaking ground on its St. Cloud Operations & Maintenance Center, the first net-zero campus for a Florida utility. The state-of-the-art campus will reach net-zero emissions through conservation and efficiency practices and its use of renewable energy. The project includes several sustainable features, including rooftop solar panels, floating solar, high-efficiency water fixtures, rainwater harvesting tanks, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, walking and biking trails, and EV charging stations. Construction is expected to be completed in December 2023.

Launching a 2030 Solar Pledge, in partnership with the City of Orlando, in October 2021. Participating commercial customers are pledging to be powered by 100% solar energy at their facilities by 2030.

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 17

NEWS

Valencia College Commencement to take place Mother’s Day, graduating Mom to speak on mental health career On Sunday, May 8, more than 2,300 Valencia College students will receive their associate and bachelor’s degrees when Valencia College holds its 53rd spring commencement ceremonies at the University of Central Florida’s Addition Financial Arena. Valencia will hold two ceremonies on Sunday, May 8. The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., with the afternoon ceremony kicking off at 2 p.m.

This year’s commencement address will be given by Leah Basaria, who was named the Mary Smedley Collier Distinguished Graduate for 2022 by the Valencia Foundation.

Basaria was a good student in high school, but her college plans got derailed after she began hanging out with the wrong crowd. In the years after high school, she worked as a bartender, but a series of family mental health crises prompted her to enroll for classes and earn a degree in psychology. Today, Basaria is an honors student at Valencia, a peer-counselor and teaching assistant at the college and a volunteer grief facilitator at New Hope for Kids, a Maitland-based nonprofit that helps children who are grieving the loss of a family member.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3LFSW7h For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

20

PositivelyOsceola.com

NEWS KPD launches autism-awareness decal, registration program to alert responders The Kissimmee Police Department has put in place a new autism-awareness program that would notify first responders when a person with autism is in a vehicle or home by placing a decal that says, “Occupant with Autism.”

assist the autistic person.

Participants who voluntarily sign up for the program will be given a decal to alert officers, who could then know to utilize specialized training and experience to

The decal is available free of charge for residents that live within City limits.

Participants will also fill out a form with any information they would like the officer to know about the person with Autism to assist them further. The form is available on the City’s website at Kissimmee.gov/autismdecal. Officers will also have access to the form and decals if anyone in the Kissimmee community is interested in signing up.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 5:00PM - 8:00PM

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 21

OSCEOLA BUSINESS REFERRAL SERVICE

Making Business better, together

OBRS.net

INJURY LAW Tips for Strengthening Your Claim After a Car Accident in Florida

If you have been in a car accident in the Kissimmee or greater Florida area, you may be feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what your options are. Car accidents can be completely life-altering, and when they don’t result in permanent injuries they can cause serious detrimental effects in your life.

It’s especially frustrating to consider that most car accidents are avoidable, and were only caused due to another driver’s carelessness–or, to put it legally, negligence. It’s important to ensure that you are able to receive the full amount of compensation that you are entitled to. Personal injury law exists to make the victim of someone else’s negligence financially whole again after an accident, but the burden of proving your financial harm and damages falls on you. By taking these steps, you can strengthen your claim for recovery as much as possible.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3LEAWu9

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

24

PositivelyOsceola.com

FAMILY LAW Mental Health Issues and Divorce in Florida Going through a divorce is a complex and emotionally draining process for everyone involved. When a person in the relationship has a psychiatric condition, this experience can become more difficult. Issues ranging from your former partner becoming symptomatic and unreasonable during negotiations to valid concerns about their parenting abilities can come to the forefront.

Mental Incapacity as a Ground for Divorce Florida is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that the law does not allow the assignment of blame for the marriage ending. However, the mental incapacitation of a spouse can be a ground for divorce under Florida law. However, the law requires that the spouse seeking to end the marriage on this basis wait three years from the date when their partner was declared incapacitated to file for divorce.

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

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 25

SPORTS

Silver Spurs Rodeo returns to Osceola June 3-4, celebrating 80 years of exciting rodeo tradition

All the excitement and tradition of the Silver Spurs Rodeo will be back in Osceola County at the Silver Spurs Arena on June 3-4, bringing with it 80 years of exciting tradition and heritage and the best of the best in professional rodeo!

Rodeo fans will be treated to seven of rodeo’s traditional events: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, women’s barrel racing, steer wrestling, and team roping. Plus, for the first time at the Silver Spurs Rodeo, there will be a breakaway roping event! Breakaway roping is a variation of calf roping where the calf is roped but not tied. As soon as the rope breaks off their saddle, the clock is stopped. This is the second Silver Spurs Rodeo event for the women of rodeo, the first being barrel racing.

Part of the Silver Spurs June Rodeo tradition includes junior barrel racing and junior bull riding events, featuring young rodeo stars who are ready to get their career started in the Silver Spurs Arena! And, that’s not all… the Silver Spurs Riding Club is bringing back everyone’s favorite before each performance, ‘mutton bustin’ (an exciting sheep riding event for the kids).

Tickets are just $20 per adult and kids 10 and under are FREE. For tickets and more information go to www.silverspursrodeo.com.

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

28

PositivelyOsceola.com

SPORTS

UCF’s Kalia Davis Selected by 49ers in NFL Draft Kalia Davis became the 48th UCF football player to hear his name called at the NFL Draft on Saturday when the Knight was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, 220th overall, by the San Francisco 49ers.

Davis, who started his career at UCF as a linebacker in 2017, became one of the most effective defensive tackles in college football by 2019, earning first-team all-conference honors from Pro Football Focus. He recorded 8.0 tackles for loss and three sacks as a sophomore, adding two hurries, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in nine starts on the defensive line.

A native of Pensacola, Florida, Davis opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned with high expectations for the 2021 campaign. He started strong, totaling 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three hurries and a sack in the first four and a half games, earning AAC Defensive Player of the Week honors once before getting sidelined due to an injury for the remainder of the year.

Davis, a 2020 graduate of UCF, finished his career with 11.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups and 61 tackles in just 28 games played.

He is now the 34th UCF player to be drafted since 2003, and just the fifth UCF player to be drafted as a defensive lineman.

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 29

REAL ESTATE Today’s Home Price Appreciation Is Great News for Existing Homeowners If you’re planning to sell your home this season, rising prices are great news for you. But it’s important to understand why prices are rising to begin with. One major factor is supply and demand.

In any industry, when there are more buyers for an item than there are of that item available, prices naturally rise. In those situations, buyers are willing to pay more to get the product or service they’re looking for when options are scarce.

And that’s exactly what’s happening in the current real estate market.

Selma Hepp, Executive, Research & Insights and Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, puts it like this: “With so few homes, buyers are once again left with fierce competition that’s driving the share of homes that sold over the listing price up to 66% . . . With the continued imbalance between supply and demand, home prices are likely to have another year of strong gains and are expected to average about 10% growth for the year.”

Because it will take some time for housing supply to increase, experts believe prices will continue rising. The latest Home Price Expectations Survey forecasts what will happen with home prices over the next 5 years.

What This Means When You Sell Your House If you’re a homeowner, the projection for continued price appreciation this year opens up an opportunity to move. That’s because it may give your equity a major boost.

Equity is the difference between what you owe on your house and its market value. The amount of equity you have increases as you make your monthly payments and as rising home prices drive up the market value for your home.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3KBGF2C For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

32

PositivelyOsceola.com

COMMUNITY

Orlando Health Air Care Team’s Miles Morgan recognized with 2022 Liberty Shield Award Orlando Health Air Care Team’s Miles Morgan was recently recognized with the 2022 Liberty Shield Award from the Orange County Bar Association. The award recognizes a first responder who demonstrates exemplary services to the health or safety of the community. Morgan, CCEMT-P, critical care flight paramedic, received the award at the association’s Law Week Luncheon on April 28, 2022.

“It’s a huge honor to be recognized by the Orange County Bar Association,” said Morgan. “I am one of thousands who are also there when people need someone to be there for them. This award represents what we all do in the community for our patients and their families.”

As an emergency medical services professional for more than 30 years, Morgan has cared for injured patients as a paramedic and provided training to other professionals as an instructor. He started at Orlando Health in 2002 as a communications specialist in the Air Care Team’s Communications Center, while also serving as a paramedic for ground ambulance services in Lake and Sumter Counties. Morgan joined the Air Care Team as a flight paramedic in 2006. Morgan began his career as a paramedic for ground ambulance services in his hometown of Desoto County, Mississippi to meet the needs of the community. Years later, after learning about the Air Care Team, he worked to become a flight paramedic.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3F9hh30 For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

34

PositivelyOsceola.com

COMMUNITY Upcoming Miss Silver Spurs Pageant to select next “ambassadors” for Silver Spurs Rodeo Every June, young girls and women from all over Florida compete in one of three age divisions of the Miss Silver Spurs Pageant: Miss Silver Spurs, Junior Miss Silver Spurs, or Little Miss Silver Spurs. The winners become the next court of ambassadors for the Silver Spurs Rodeo.

This year’s pageant will take place on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 6 PM. The 2022 slate of Miss, Jr. Miss, & Little Miss Silver Spurs Pageant Contestants are: Miss Silver Spurs: Delia Benitez, Lacee Church, Jennifer Faraoni, Rae Lynne Kempfer, and Savannah Thomas Jr. Miss: Ryleigh Boro, Gianna Butler, LillyAnn Daugherty, Riley DeRosa, Haidyn Dykes, Teagan Frey, Grace Herb, Bella Kibler, Lindsey Yma Little Miss: Josie Cain, Hadley Ellis, Giana Fitzgerald, Hayden Kessler, Kylie Kimmel, Tessa McCommon, Anita Pifer, Marlee Shirah Similar to beauty pageants, all the divisions go through an appearance, interview, and speech portion during the pageant, with the appearance portion including posture, suitability of their Western clothing, photogenic quality and more. The Miss & Jr. contestants will also be competing in horsemanship skills! Miss Silver Spurs royalty represents the Silver Spurs Rodeo and the Silver Spurs Riding Club, therefore contestants must be well educated on the history of the Club, knowledgeable about rodeo events, and aware of current events in general.

The next Miss Silver Spurs pageant will take place Thursday, June 2nd at 6pm and will be held in the Silver Spurs Arena. Until then , each contestant will be attending pageant clinics and practices, in order to prepare for the upcoming pageant. For more information about Miss Silver Spurs, Junior Miss Silver Spurs, and Little Miss Silver Spurs, please contact Tihler Franey, Chairperson, at 321-624-9251 or check us out on Instagram and Facebook.

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 35

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/3kQFWAd

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

36

PositivelyOsceola.com

COMMUNITY Huntington Learning Center’s FREE Webinar: How to Create a Fun Summer Learning Plan!

It is time to rebound from a difficult school year with a fun and educational summer that helps get your student ready for next year— whether they’re in elementary, middle or high school.

Huntington Learning Center’s FREE How-To-Webinar about “How to Create a Fun Summer Learning Plan” can now be viewed “On Demand,” so you can watch and learn from educators with Huntington Learning Center. They’ll focus on how you can create a fun summer learning plan that restores your student’s motivation and excitement about school that will help them build a foundation of knowledge for their next school year. To register for the “On Demand” FREE webinar, visit huntingtonhelps.com.

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

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 37

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

HEALTH

Orlando Health opens new 24/7 freestanding emergency room at Reunion Village near Four Corners area Orlando Health made it official on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newest 12,000 sq. ft. free-standing Orlando Health Emergency Room – Reunion Village, located at the Four Corners area near the I-4 corridor at 8011 Osceola – Polk Line Road in Davenport near Reunion and ChampionsGate.

It’s Orlando Health’s seventh free-standing ER Central Florida since 2018 and has 11 treatment rooms, X-ray and CT scanning and is staffed with board-certified emergency room physicians, registered nurses and other clinicians.

“If you come to this free-standing emergency department with a situation that requires a hospital stay, to best meet your needs we will admit you to the new Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital which is a short 15-minute drive up the 429 from us,” said Brian Wetzl, vice president of Orlando Health.

In attendance at the ribbon cutting were Orlando Health CEO David Strong, Horizon West Hospital President Brian Wetzel, and Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudhry.

The free-standing ER at Reunion Village officially opened to patients on May 2nd.

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

40

PositivelyOsceola.com

OSCEOLA LIBRARY Osceola Library System welcomes social worker, Matthew Jarmon, to help individuals and families The Osceola Library System is now offering a professional social worker to better connect Osceola County citizens with important community resources, programs, and services critical to improving lives and fostering greater well-being. Their new social worker, Matthew Jarmon, will offer individual or family assistance and referral in many important areas. Matthew will be available at multiple library branches throughout the week to meet with members of the community. To schedule an appointment with Matthew Jarmo, email social.worker@osceolalibrary.org or call 407-747-4379.

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

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 41

Veterans Memorial St. Cloud Library 810 13th Street, St. Cloud

IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Officially Becomes Certified Autism Center LEGOLAND® Florida Resort has announced that it has officially been designated as a Certified Autism Center. This Resort-wide designation includes LEGOLAND® Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Water Park, LEGOLAND® Hotel, LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel, LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat and Peppa Pig Theme Park, which opened earlier this year.

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards awards the CAC certification to organizations that complete guest-facing staff training and certification, as well as other requirements including offering accommodations for visitors with cognitive differences.

IBCCES conducted an onsite review Resort-wide to provide additional recommendations and options for autistic visitors and their families, as well as sensory guides to help guests understand and plan for the sensory impacts of each ride or attraction. The IBCCES training program includes information on understanding what autism is, strategies for communication, and best practices for enhancing the onsite experience. The training program includes information from industry experts as well as autistic individuals’ perspectives. The certification also requires ongoing continues learning, support from IBCCES, and periodic renewal requirements to stay certified.

“We are proud that LEGOLAND® Florida Resort has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to earn our designation as a Certified Autism Center™ across LEGOLAND® Florida Theme Park, Water Park, three on-site hotels, and the all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park,” said Kelly Hornick, Head of Marketing & Communications for LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park. “We are passionate about being the Resort for families to build awesome vacation memories, and we are thankful to our partners at IBCCES for helping us be more welcoming and more inclusive to more families, including those with sensory needs.”

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

44

PositivelyOsceola.com

IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

H2O Glow After Hours Brings ‘Light at Night’ to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Beginning Memorial Day Weekend Just in time to light-up everyone’s summer nights, Disney H20 Glow After Hours returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon during Memorial Day Weekend with new elements designed to “glow up’’ the summer season.

The nighttime event starts May 28, and runs every Saturday through August 27. This year’s version will offer unique, vibrant décor, complimentary food and beverages and high-energy DJ dance parties that will transform the storm-strewn water paradise into a ‘light’ night party that creates the perfect nightcap for families visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

And it will be even more magical since the nighttime event returns during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”that began Oct. 1, honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort can purchase tickets to H2O Glow After Hours on the Walt Disney World Resort website beginning March 29, with tickets on sale for the general public April 1. It’s a limited-capacity and separately-ticketed event that does not require an additional day’s water park ticket or Disney Park Pass reservation, and provides guests with lower wait times for their favorite attractions.

It’s Time to Light-up Summer The glowing guest-favorite party allows families to enjoy a luminous tropical oasis three hours after the water park closes to day guests, giving guests easier access to their favorite attractions.

For more information about Walt Disney World Resort Water Parks and “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” visit WDWNews.com.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/38sSpXQ For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

PositivelyOsceola.com 45

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

POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Grilled Florida Shrimp with Mango and Sweet Chili Sauce, It’s Positively Delicious There’s something amazing about the combination of Mango and fresh Florida Shrimp, but adding just a bit of sweet chili sauce makes it “off the chain” as TV Food celebrity Guy Fieri would say. We would say it’s Positively Delicious and it’s Fresh from Florida!

INGREDIENTS • 20 large Florida shrimp, peeled and deveined • 4 Florida mangoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes • 2 tablespoons Florida sugar • 1 cup sweet chili sauce • ½ lime, juiced • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated • 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped fine • ¼ cup scallions, sliced fine • 20 small bamboo skewers • Cooking oil spray for grilling • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least one hour (this reduces the chance of the skewers burning). Combine the sweet chili sauce, lime juice, ginger, and mint in a small bowl. Slice the scallions and set aside. On a clean surface place a mango cube in between the tail and top of a shrimp.

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

48

PositivelyOsceola.com

POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Chicken, Avocado and Swiss Wrap, Positively Delicious!

Eating healthy sometimes seems impossible with many of us running from responsibility to responsibility, event to event. All too often we end up eating something that can be put together quickly or some kind of “fast food” is involved. Thankfully. we can spin up a quick bite that we say is positively delicious, and quick to put together. You have to try a Florida chicken, avocado, Swiss wrap.

We think you’ll agree that it really is positively delicious!

INGREDIENTS 3 Florida chicken breasts 1 large Florida avocado, peeled and sliced 4 slices Swiss cheese 4 whole-wheat wraps ¼ cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 lemon, juiced 1 lime, juiced Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION In a small bowl combine the yogurt, mustard, and lemon juice; season with sea salt and pepper, to taste. Place two slices of cheese on top of each wrap, place on a cookie sheet and broil in the oven until the cheese melts. Remove from the oven and add chicken slices to each wrap. Add sliced avocado, sprinkle with lime juice, and top with yogurt sauce. Fold the wrap to create a sandwich.

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

PositivelyOsceola.com 49