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LIVE at Narcoossee Middle School with April’s Featured Professional Support Staff
LIVE with AJ Middleton of Osceola County Health Department
LIVE with Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudhry and the The Salvation Army of Osceola County
LIVE at Neptune Elementary School with April’s Featured Teacher
LIVE
April 19th, 2023
LIVE
March
LIVE
March 23rd, 2023
February
February
On May 13th, St. Cloud is offering a great way to spoil that special momMothers Day in the Park from 11am to 3pm at Peghorn Park. Cost is $10. On May 20th, St. Cloud is holding a free Women’s Empowerment Circle at 11am at Hopkins Park and is open to all women ages 18 and older.
Join Osceola History and Kissimmee Utility Authority for “Walk Away May.” Community members are invited to “walk on the Shingle Creek Trail” to experience the beauty and history of Osceola County.
On June 3rd, 12-4pm, Pridefest Kissimmeee, sponsored by Kissimmeee Utility Authority and Experience Kissimmeee, forster awareness and acknowledges the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Once a month through May 31st, St. Cloud Main Street will host a series of historic ghost tours featuring multiple stops where you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the ghosts they say haunt some of the old downtown buildings as well as the history behind them.
Wild Florida is without a question one of Central Florida’s most precious gems. Take a look at their Ring-Tailed Lemurs up close and personal with Positively Osceola’s Krissi Marie Hardy and Wild Florida’s educator Desiree! To learn more about Wild Florida, visit WildFL.com
When the sun goes down, the night comes to life at SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular, running from May 27 to September 4!
Stay late all summer to immerse yourself in exotic worlds of light and music and experience your favorite SeaWorld attractions in a whole new way. Dance the night away with world-class DJs for a family-friendly party beneath the waves. Then end the night with Ignite, a fireworks spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above.
Here are some of the amazing event guests can enjoy during SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular:
Surf the wave to a whole new level with Ignite, a fireworks and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliant colors of the sea to the skies above the park. The fireworks can be seen from all around SeaWorld’s large central lake, including from Bayside Stadium, The Waterfront, and the Orca Encounter Pathway.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3osl8Eq
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
How about enjoying some positively delicious fare in St. Cloud while getting some healthy, fun exercise at the same time? It’s St. Cloud’s 2023 Culinary Bicycle Tour – Bicycles & Bites, and it’s hitting the streets and the St. Cloud eateries on Saturday, June 3rd!
The bike tour tour is a five-mile relaxed ride through scenic St. Cloud, where you’ll experience up to ten local restaurants! Bring your own bike or take advantage of the bike rentals for only $5 per person.
The cost is $15 per person for ages 13 and older, and all ages are welcome to attend. Children 12 and under can ride for free!
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/436ocoL
This World Turtle Day, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend, everyone can help sea turtles have a successful nesting season by giving them space, removing beach furniture at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests.
Florida’s sandy beaches provide important spring and summer nesting habitat for several species of federally threatened and endangered sea turtles, including loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtles, with occasional nesting by federally endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3ODrWKa
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
More than 2.1 million Floridians are forecast to take a road trip for Memorial Day. Unfortunately, thousands of them will experience car trouble. Nationwide, AAA expects to rescue more than 483,000 stranded motorists, during the holiday weekend. The three most common reasons are flat tires, dead batteries, and lockouts.
A recent AAA survey found that 52% of Floridians plan to get a professional vehicle inspection before their summer road trips. A fifth of drivers (19%) will conduct their own inspection. However, 21% of Floridians say they have no plans to get a vehicle inspection before hitting the road this summer.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3MU51cf
Positively Osceola is blessed to partner with organizations and leaders in the community that are focused on providing solutions to challenges in and around the Osceola County community. One such organization is Hope Partnership. Today we are sharing a message that Hope Partnership’s Founder and CEO, Reverend Mary Lee Downey, recently shared with the community.
I have some difficult news to share with you. In the last five years, the number of our neighbors without safe and stable housing increased by 75% across Central Florida. Just last year, we saw an overall increase of 36%, and Osceola County alone saw a 27% increase. These numbers are devastating and indicate a growing problem that cannot be ignored.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/41VHwUk
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
The Osceola County School District will hold its 2023 high school graduations from Monday, May 22nd to Friday, May 26th at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee and at the Osceola County School for the Arts.
This is a special time to celebrate with friends and family so make sure to have your camera ready to capture these lifelong memories. All graduation ceremonies will be live streamed on the School District’s YouTube channel to ensure that family and friends can celebrate the great accomplishments of these graduates, even if unable to attend in person.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3puybW0
Osceola History’s “Walk Away May” continues through May as members of the community “walk on the Shingle Creek trail” to experience the beauty and history of Osceola County, while staying healthy, and possibly win some great prizes! The event’s feature sponsor is Kissimmee Utility Authority!
Osceola History’s “Walk Away May” encourages the community to live a healthy lifestyle while building awareness of Osceola History’s two museums, Pioneer Village, located at 2491 Babb Road, and the Welcome Center & History Museum, located at 4155 West Vine Street, in Kissimmee.
During “Walk Away May” participants check in at Pioneer Village or the Welcome Center & History Museum to get their “Walk Away May” passport stamped, then begin their walk between museums. At the end of the month, prizes will be awarded for the most stamps or for being part of the experience.
The American Health Association was the first to introduce National Walking Day in 2007 to promote a healthy lifestyle. The Association organizes events to encourage people to walk for at least half an hour. The National Walking Day and National Walking Month were both introduced to raise awareness about the importance of physical activities and to have a healthy lifestyle.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3W30x68
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
An outstanding season came to an end for the Celebration boys’ volleyball team in the state championship tournament, as they dropped a heartbreaking five-set decision to #2 ranked Winter Park High School. In other sports, four athletes from the county earned All-State honors in individual events and one county relay team reached the podium at the FHSAA State Track and Field Championship.
A look around Osceola County:
Although its season ended on Friday in the FHSAA State Quarterfinals, there absolute little doubt that the Storm had one of the best teams in Florida this year. Holding their own while playing numerous top 15 teams during the regular season, Celebration (2110) suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss to #2 ranked Winter Park (27-3) at the state tournament being held at Polk State College in Winter Haven this past weekend.
The Storm dropped the first set 25-22, but came back to win back-to-back sets by 2522 and 25-17 margins – leaving Celebration just one game short of pulling the upset and advancing to the semifinals. But Winter Park came back with a vengeance, pulling out a three-point win in Set 4 (25-22) before edging the Storm out in the deciding “Race to 15” fifth set, 15-12.
As has been the case all season, senior Darion Graham and junior Diego Rivera led the Storm offense with 23 and 21 kills respectively. Libero Keith Harrison had 29 digs. Cole Colado had 18 kills to lead Winter Park; Jacob Little added three blocks at the net.
“I thought we came out a little nervous and tight in the first set and then we dominated the next two games,” Celebration coach Pedro Davila said. “Unfortunately we could just not close it out. We did not start out on a good foot this year (Celebration lost four of their first five matches) but this team came together and by the end of the season, we were playing with, and beating some of the best teams in the state.”
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
Osceola County, in collaboration with the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), the Florida Department of Transportation District 5, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and MetroPlan Orlando, hosted a highly anticipated Transportation Summit on Tuesday morning, May 9, at the Kissimmee Civic Center.
The event served as a platform for key government officials, transportation experts, and stakeholders to share insights about ongoing road projects, future plans, and the positive impact these initiatives will have on residents and visitors in and around Osceola County.
The event’s transportation keynote speakers were Osceola County Chairwoman and Commissioner for District Viviana Janer, MetroPlan Orlando Executive Director Gary Huttmann, Osceola County Deputy Manager Tawny Olore, FDOT Secretary from District 5 John Tyler, Executive Director and CEO from Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Nicola Liquori, and Central Florida Expressway Authority Executive Director Michelle Maikisch.
Insomnia is a common condition, but women have more trouble sleeping than men. It’s estimated that one in every four women get insomnia, compared with one in every five men. A combination of physical and mental factors account for the difference, from menopause to pregnancy to depression. That’s why it’s especially important for women to practice good “sleep hygiene” to help ensure they get a good night of rest to prepare for the day ahead.
Multiple health factors in both men and women can lead to insomnia, including pulmonary and cardiac disorders, hypertension and chronic pain. Medications for those conditions may contribute to sleep disorders.
Sleep problems also are more common for both men and women as we age. But for older women, menopause makes insomnia even more likely. Hot flashes and night sweats can wake women up and then make it difficult to go back to sleep. These symptoms can last months or years.
Do you find planning vacations difficult?. Well if you do, you’re not alone. Start planning your dream Orlando getaway with the help of Visit Orlando’s complimentary Vacation Planning Services, which includes insider advice and special offers on the best Orlando experiences.
Visit Orlando’s Vacation Planning Services are staffed by friendly, knowledgeable Vacation Planners who are available via telephone, email and live chat. They offer trusted resources and unbiased destination information like tripplanning advice, dining and entertainment options, and more.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/3KQxbE8
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the 2023 Lionfish Challenge, in sponsorship with Zookeeper. As a Florida-based lionfish hunting gear and apparel outfitter, the Zookeeper team is aware of the negative impacts lionfish have caused and want to support the organizations and divers working to fight the lionfish invasion. This year’s tournament shirt was custom-designed and printed by Zookeeper and will be awarded to participants who reach the first prize tier.
The Lionfish Challenge is a free summer-long lionfish tournament open to recreational and commercial competitors of all ages around the state of Florida. There’ been an astounding number of lionfish removed as part of this challenge – more than 165,000. As we kick off the eighth year of the Lionfish Challenge, our goal remains the same: remove as many lionfish as we can in just four months. Are you up for the Challenge?
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3Opp8jp
With some families and individuals in our community still experiencing food insecurity, non-profit organizations and local governments are continuing to come together to organize food distribution events to assist those who are in need.
On Saturday, June 25th, from 10am – 12pm, Osceola County Board 0f County Commissioner for District 3 Brandon Arrington will host a free, drive-thru Summertime food distribution, supported by 2nd Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and State Representative for District 46 Kristen Arrington.
The event will begin at 10 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, located at 3880 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee. One meal pack will be given to each vehicle, and the food distribution will be first come, first served while supplies last.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3OwoXDe
Get ready gator enthusiasts, Gator Week at Wild Florida returns May 29 – June 3!
During this week, guests can receive free Gator Park admission when they make a small donation towards the Wild Florida Scholarship Fund to help Osceola County high school students pay for college.
Exotic Animal Show – During Wild Florida’s regularly scheduled Exotic Animal Show performances, they’ll focus our segments on different types of crocodilians. For instance, Wild Florida will bring out a Nile, caiman, albino and regular American alligator. In addition to an educational seminar, they’ll also have alligator calling contests and Q&A trivia.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/41jQRVz
The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season is nearly here! The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year and can be a scary time for some. Remember these simple tips from Kissimmee Utility Authority to keep safe before, during and after the storm.
Before the Hurricane
KUA recommends having most of your family’s emergency preparations completed in advance. By the time a storm watch or warning is issued for your area, there shouldn’t be much left to prepare.
Always check food, water, first aid, batteries, pet and other stored supplies to ensure they’re fresh and ready to use. Fill your car with gas and check the oil and tires. If there’s a chance you’ll have to evacuate, put anything you may need in your car.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3IuDzyW
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
Robb Larson, General Manager of OHP, and Mary Burd, Assistant General Manager & Director of Finance at OHP have been nominated for the 2023 SPORTYS Awards, which are presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute and honor sports business professionals who excel in their field, and whose contributions and help make the Greater Orlando area one of the country’s premier sports destinations.
Robb Larson, General Manager of OHP, has been nominated for Executive of the Year, and Mary Burd, Assistant General Manager & Director of Finance at OHP, was nominated the Best in Business Operations.
The 2023 SPORTYS will air on WKMG-TV News 6 and stream online on Saturday, June 17 at 7:00 PM with the winners being revealed during the broadcast.
Car accidents can happen in an instant. Even though these crashes happen quickly, recovery is not always quick and easy. A car accident can cause a variety of injuries, including back injuries. Even a minor crash can cause back injuries because the back tends to absorb most of the impact in an accident.
If you have suffered a back injury, seek prompt medical treatment. These injuries can be hard to treat, and sometimes can lead to secondary medical issues, such as hypotension, osteoporosis, pressure ulcers, sleep apnea, bowel problems, urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction, and more. Draper Law Office understands how serious a back injury can be. These injuries can be long-lasting and costly to treat. Schedule a consultation by filling out the online form or by calling their office at (407) 846.0075.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/3VmqbB0
The Osceola Council on Aging is warning the community to beware of fraudulent websites while searching for home weatherization programs. These websites ask people to fill out online forms, which are then used to steal the applicant’s personal information. Unfortunately, when a victim of this malicious fraud attempts to contact the company, they receive no response or support.
When parents of minor children divorce, it can be several years before their involvement with the court will end. Ideally, both parties will abide by their thoughtfully created parenting agreement and make changes which support their children’s wellbeing. However, as time passes and circumstances change, it is not uncommon for parents to disagree about what is in the best interest of their kids. A parent may also claim the other does not have good parenting abilities and seek to make legal changes to the parenting plan. In this situation, the other parent may have to provide evidence of their positive parenting skills.
The Draper Law Office has attorneys who are experienced with helping clients with child custody and parenting time issues and can help. Call 407.846.0075 today or go to DraperLawOffice.com to set up your free, no-obligation consultation in one of their three locations: St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Orlando.
We know that germs can make you sick, but if you seem to constantly be under the weather with cold symptoms, could it be something other than germs that are getting you down?
If the symptoms are severe (high fever, significant pain, etc.,) you should seek medical treatment. But, if the symptoms are tolerable—but frustrating in their longevity, you might do a little detective work to find out what may be causing trouble. What exactly are the symptoms? When did they begin and how long have they been going on? Does any activity, environment or food seem to trigger them?
If you frequently have cold symptoms, such as sneezing and a stuffy or runny nose, you might have allergies. More than 50 million people in the U.S. have allergy symptoms each year, with hay fever being the most common allergic disease.
Allergies are your immune system’s overreaction to substances, resulting in sneezing, coughing and, in some cases, itching. If you invariably get a long lasting “cold” every spring or fall, it could be a reaction to spring or fall foliage. An illness that comes on suddenly, perhaps including itchy eyes, coughing and a runny nose, but no fever could be an allergy. If you think you may have an allergy, talk with your doctor about options, such as over the counter and prescription medicines.
On the other hand, if you get a cold and recover from it, only to get another one a few weeks later, you might consider tweaks to your lifestyle that might boost your immune system.
• Stop smoking. We know smoking is bad for health, but when combined with a cold, it can lead to increased lung inflammation and damage.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3otDkxn
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
Summer is right around the corner, and right now, Florida residents can take advantage of great value and plenty of Disney thrills at Walt Disney World theme parks with the new Florida Resident Disney Summer Magic Ticket.
Beginning May 16, 2023, Florida residents can purchase a 4-day ticket for $58 per day plus tax ($229 total plus tax) or a 3-day ticket for $70 per day plus tax ($209 total plus tax). Tickets are valid through September 29, 2023 (subject to blockout dates from May 26 to May 29, July 1 to July 4 and September 1 to September 4, 2023). To learn more about the Disney Summer Magic Ticket, visit DisneyWorld.com/SummerMagic .
Time to Celebrate #AlltheDisneyThrills
Florida residents can make this summer extra special when they visit a Walt Disney World theme park with friends and loved ones. Each of the four theme parks offers thrills for every age and interest.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3pTYcy0
Pipeline, the World’s first surf coaster begins breaking waves at SeaWorld Orlando on May 27th.
SeaWorld guests will have an opportunity to feel the incredible power of the ocean in a whole new way as they experience the thrill of launching up 110 foot “waves” while feeling every bank and curve like the real deal.
The rush of SeaWorld’s new coaster is created by innovative dynamic seats that give you, the surfer, an unparalleled freedom of movement.
With the opening of SeaWorld’s seventh coaster, it strengthens its claim to the tagline, Coaster Capital of Orlando.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3LQ1udi
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
Universal Orlando Resort has shared new details about all the ways guests can eat, laugh and make mischief with the Minions in the highly anticipated Minion Land on Illumination Ave. – an immersive new area created in partnership between Universal’s award-winning creative team and the acclaimed filmmakers from Illumination. Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, the new land expands upon the wildly popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction and will debut a new collection of experiences for guests of all ages inspired by the beloved Minions franchise.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3BT4tNb
Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking film Jurassic Park, with special #JurassicJune limited-time experiences. Theme park guests can celebrate one of the greatest cinematic adventures ever created with exclusive merchandise, specialty food and beverage offerings and screenings of the 1993 iconic film.
Here’s how guests can celebrate Jurassic Park at Universal Orlando Resort:
• Universal Orlando guests can step through the iconic gates of Jurassic Park at Universal Islands of Adventure and explore an immersive land home to exciting experiences inspired by the record-breaking franchise, including “Jurassic Park River Adventure” – where a leisure raft ride turns into a daring eight-story plunge to escape a ferocious T. rex; “Jurassic World VelociCoaster” – Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster; and more.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3IUwN67
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
Summer is here! It’s the perfect time to try out this Tropical Slaw with Fresh Florida Cabbage… it’s Positively Delicious!
• 1/3 head Florida red cabbage, thinly shredded
• 1/3 head Florida green cabbage, thinly shredded
• 2 Florida carrots, grated
• 1 Florida mango, diced small
• 2 tablespoons Florida sugar
• 2 tablespoons Florida orange juice
• 2 green onions, sliced thin
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped fine
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3WtryQc
Watermelon Pizza, it’s Positively Delicious!
A delicious fruit pizza made with fresh Florida Watermelon…it’s Positively Delicious!
INGREDIENTS
• Florida Watermelon
• Vanilla flavored yogurt or other flavor, as desired
• Assorted Florida Fruit, Ex: Blueberries, Strawberries, Peaches, Oranges, and Mango
• Florida Honey
• Shredded Coconut
• Granola, optional
• Fresh mint, optional
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3oy7pf9
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
Juicy grilled steak fresh from Florida… It’s Positively Delicious.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 (12-ounce) Florida beef ribeye steaks
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoon Florida HerbCitrus Butter
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3q18We4
Chargrilled Florida Oysters, it’s Positively Delicious!
Buttery Florida Oysters fresh from the sea… It’s Positively Delicious.
• 2 dozen fresh Florida oysters, shucked and on the half shell
• Your favorite hot sauce, to taste
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 lemons (1 for juice, 2 cut for garnish)
• 1 loaf crusty French bread
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3IkadmU
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com
be confident.
We provide trusted, quality care in your community. At Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, get access to care from an expert and compassionate clinical team for all of your healthcare needs — from emergency services to heart care, surgical services and more — all close to home. Giving you more reasons to choose well. OrlandoHealth.com/StCloud choose well.