IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS Celebrate Creative Art, Food and Performances at EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Jan.13 – Feb. 20

Global visual, culinary and performing arts create a tapestry of wonder during EPCOT International Festival of the Arts presented by AT&T at Walt Disney World Resort, Jan. 13 – Feb. 20, 2023.

EPCOT becomes the stage for this 39-day festival, with extraordinary artwork, culinary creations inspired by art movements and Broadway stars singing beloved Disney songs. The celebration of the arts is sure to delight festivalgoers with magic that only Disney can create.

The festival is just one of the many exciting events occurring during the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration, happening now through March 31, 2023.

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SeaWorld Orlando to host Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando January 21-22

The holiday season may be behind us, but some very special fun for the kiddos is coming with Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando on January 21-22.

Everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends are hosting a party just for kids, Jan. 21 – 22. Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, and all your favorite furry friends for a fun-filled weekend with hands-on activities, character photo opportunities, and much more.

This family-friendly celebration takes place in Sesame Street Land and is included with SeaWorld Orlando admission. For more information visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

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2023, A New Year, A New Hope – Kristen Arrington, State Representative for District 46

Positively Osceola asked a number of positive leaders in the community to share their hope and plans for the new year, and how we can encourage and support each other in 2023. We asked State Representative for District 46, Kristen Arrington, to share her hope and outlook for 2023.

2022 was a challenging year for many, including our community being hit by a hurricane. As always, everyone worked together to provide support, resources, and solutions as we experienced historic flooding. I was moved by the senior citizens in Good Samaritan who lost everything except each other and were living in a shelter temporarily with many of their neighbors. Their positivity and resilience should be a reminder to us all, that even in our most challenging times our outlook not only influences ourselves—but also those around us. I know many of us are ready to put 2022 behind us and look forward to a New Year.

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2023, A New Year, A New Hope – Clifton Chapman, 2022-23 Silver Spurs Riding Club Big Boss

“The Silver Spurs Riding Club kicked off the 2022 year with our February rodeo recording some of its biggest crowds to date. It was evident that the sport of rodeo is alive and well in Osceola County. We also had the privilege of hosting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during the Friday night performance.

Moving forward through the year, we continued the positive momentum from February and carried it into June where we witnessed cowboys and cowgirls from around the country show off their toughness and skill in all seven rodeo events. While it wouldn’t be a rodeo without our contestants, rodeo fans amaze me with their appreciation for this country and our freedoms, giving credit to the many veterans who have fought and sacrificed so much.

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2023, A New Year, A New Hope – Kelvin Soto, Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller

Positively Osceola asked a number of positive leaders in the community to share their hope and plans for the new year, and how we can encourage and support each other in 2023. We asked Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller, Kelvin Soto, to share his hope and outlook for 2023.

“As we say goodbye to 2022, I am excited about the new ways in which our office is endeavoring to best serve our community.

Over the past year, we have revolutionized the way we serve our constituents in all facets of our operations. We had a lot of work to do, but it’s safe to say that we’re excited about what we accomplished and what’s in store for 2023.

When I first took office, my goal was to better professionalize our staff and to adopt best-in-class performance measures, training, and recruitment. To that end, we implemented organizational practices seen only at the state and federal levels, ensuring quality candidates are onboarded and trained on best practices and operational standards to ensure a high level of customer care.

As part of this commitment to excellence, we acquired top notch leadership, adding a chief strategy officer with nearly 30 years of Walt Disney Company experience and a training and development manager dedicated to cutting edge models and methods. Alongside them, we brought on other dedicated leaders who have decades of experience with the state’s clerks and the court system. Simply put, we sought after the best to transform your Clerk & Comptroller’s Office into one that works for you with your needs at the forefront.”

This past year, we were excited to add photos to the passport application services we already provided. As the only U.S. Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility in Osceola County, we are proud to be your one-stop shop for your international travel needs. No longer do you need to obtain photos from the corner drugstore or schedule your own photographer ahead of your appointment.”

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2023, a New Year, a New Hope, with 2022, with Kathy Pierson, President of Kathy Pierson Communications

“Wahoo, it’s a New Year and I am looking forward to getting started eating well, being healthy, volunteering, and just living life to the fullest!

As a public relations professional for over 35 years, I really strive to help my clients with who they are and how to tell the community what they do, how they do it, and the impact they make on the community overall. I connect my clients with the community they reside in because it’s important to be involved, but also to give back.

My clients are the “best” and I am so proud to represent them in a positive direction, and that they trust and believe in me to help them to move forward. I love what I do, and I am looking forward to 2023!”

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2023,

a New Year, a New Hope, with Osceola Kowboys Head Football Coach Eric Pinellas

Positively Osceola asked Eric Pinellas, Osceola Kowboys Head Football Coach Eric Pinellas to share his hope and outlook for 2023.

“Happy New Year to all, the 2022 season for us at Osceola was filled with some great wins as well as some challenging moments. Week 11, we played a pretty good West Orange ball club, that week we were hit with the flu bug and over 20 of our kids missed practice time during the week. We knew that we needed the win however to solidify our seeding for the playoffs. Our kids were able to dig deep and pull out a last second win to solidify our playoff spot. Our biggest win of the year had to be round 1 of the playoffs. It was a rematch of our week 1 opponent Treasure Coast.

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2023, a New Year, a New Hope, with local realtor and community leader, Marcy

Theobald

Positively Osceola asked Marcy Theobald, local realtor and community leader to share her hope and outlook for 2023.

“As your local professional realtor, I would say my best experiences in 2022 were fulfilling customers dreams. They filled my heart joy and love. I was proud to be president of Rotary of Kissimmee, and the president of the Women’s Council of Realtors, which brought education, stability, strength in women, guidance, and direction. 2022 was a phenomenal year, but of course as we know, difficulties were in supply and demand. In 2023 i’m looking forward to simplifying life, grounding with family and friends, growing my sphere with communications, and working with new clients. I’m always available for people’s needs in real estate, and am there to assist in every way possible. So, if you don’t know already know me , just give me a call at 407-908-4042. Happy New Year!

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2023, a New Year, a New Hope, with Kissimmee Commissioner, Community Leader, Angela Eady

Positively Osceola asked Angela Eady, City of Kissimmee Commissioner and community leader, to share her hope and outlook for 2023.

“The hope for tomorrow must start today. Each one of us has a true responsibility to mold our county to the dynamics that suits the diversity that reflects us as a unified group of unique individuals. All to benefit one cause, to teach and learn from each other. We must open our hearts and minds to a new form of love and understanding that we all have place and a voice for each other. To motivate, enhance, and excel to the fullest without compromising the integrity on which our upbringing carried us. We must promote the absence of pride and welcome grace and dignity. After all, we are in this together, and together we will stand, and succeed. #TomorrowStartsToday”

Angela Eady

Commissioner, City of Kissimmee

2023, a New Year, a New Hope, with Osceola Council On Aging President/CEO Wendy Ford

Positively Osceola asked Wendy Ford, President/CEO of the Osceola Council On Aging, to share her hope and outlook for 2023.

“As we plunge into 2023, it’s obviously important to look towards the future. Similarly, it’s just as important to look to the past and remember all the blessings which have been bestowed. The past few years have been challenging. Sadly, many have had to endure illness, personal tragedy, natural disasters, and even death. But we have persevered to become not only stronger individuals, but also, a stronger community.

I’m proud to say, The Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) has continued to be an ever-growing, ever-expanding, stronger, more resilient organization. Despite the last couple of years of pandemic upheaval, we have persevered through obstacles with great outcomes which have constituted overall growth in these times of inflation and economic crisis.

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2023, a New Year, a New Hope, with Kissimmee Advocate, Community Leader, and Department of Health PIO Jeremy Lanier

Positively Osceola asked a number of positive leaders in the community to share their hope and their plans for the new year, and how we can encourage and support each other in 2023. We asked Jeremy Lanier, Kissimmee business owner, positive advocate for the City of Kissimmee, and Public Information Officer with the Florida Department of Health in Osceola, to share his hope and outlook for 2023.

“2023 is upon us. For many, there is pressure to review the previous year and reflect on what will be done differently in the future. It’s the same every New Year’s – we promise ourselves to eat better, to work out more, to excel at work. We place unnecessary pressure on ourselves to set goals and timelines, all in an effort to be the “perfect human”.

But I have a suggestion for this upcoming year. In 2023, I will do things differently and refrain from repeating the routine of past New Year’s. Instead of setting unrealistic goals for myself, I’ll strive to simply be a better human.

I’ll work harder to be kinder to others. I’ll remember that empathy is the true key to building a harmonious community. I’ll take more time with my loved ones, and cherish those moments that are so fleeting. I’ll remember that a simple smile can change the course of another person’s day. 2023 will be less about myself, and more about others. I’ll live in the present and not dwell in the anxiety of future thinking. I’ll be truly thankful for what I have. And I’ll work harder at just giving myself a break and loving who I am. I hope you join me in this effort.

So many wonderful things happened this past year in Osceola County. And even with the challenges we experienced – hurricanes, emerging health threats, political differences – we have so, so much to be grateful for. Our community has shown its resiliency time and time again. And that resiliency is worth more than any currency on the planet. So in 2023, I challenge each of you to be kinder to yourself, and kinder to others. Let’s worry less and hope more. In doing so, I know we will make this the best year yet!”

Jeremy Lanier Public Information Officer, Florida Department of Health in Osceola

Celebration Foundation Concert Series to Feature