The Midtown Press - April/May 2023 Issue

EDITOR’S CHAIR

It's spring again! While it feels like the middle of the summer season based on current temperatures, the calendar only reads April. It's hard to believe that we are already through the first quarter of the year, and in a couple of short months, we will be in the "dog days" of summer.

This was an exciting issue to work on. To highlight this issue, we begin with an interview with Bishop Derrick L. McRae of The Experience Christian Center to learn more about the acquisition of the former Agape Assembly Baptist Church and his exciting plans and vision for the property. The cover photo marks the first time we featured an individual as a cover subject. However, once completed, this project promises to have a significant impact, not only on the busy intersection of Hiawassee Rd. & Silver Star Rd. but the Pine Hills community as a whole. You can read more about the project and my interview with Bishop McRae beginning on Page 8

It's not every day a news crew shows up at your front door for an interview. However, when I received a call from WESH 2 News Anchor Michelle Imperato regarding an interview about The Midtown Press, I gladly said "yes ."I had to explain to my neighbors why a news reporter was at my house. After I assured them that I was not going to jail, they were happy for the attention on our otherwise quiet cul-de-sac. The interview was part of a one-hour special entitled Saving Our Streets: Get Involved. The special featured interviews with community leaders, special projects, and other initiatives working independently to improve and refocus the narrative within Pine Hills and bring about positive change. If you missed the original airing, please scan the QR code to view the special.

On a related note, I had the opportunity to attend the last Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership meeting. I loved the energy and input from the community members. Co-Chair Rosemarie Diehl, encouraged by the participation, requested even more involvement from the community to help carry out the work needed by various committees. Please check out their newsletter on Page 7. I would be remiss if I did not also include the work being done by the Pine Hills Community Council, currently being led by President Sandra Fatmi-Hall. The group meets monthly to advocate on behalf of the residents of Pine Hills. One current initiative is the Treesilience Orlando Metro Program, which offers homeowners 32808 and 32818 FREE tree services!

Both organizations play a vital role in making changes on multiple levels, including civic, business, and governmental, that directly impact the community. If you want your voice to be heard, being active in one (or both) of the organizations is imperative. The bottom line is to consider this a call-to-action to get involved. You have to become an active participant in the process of improving our beloved community.

We close out the issue with coverage of our first-ever Midtown Mixer. The event was first conceived in 2022 as an idea to connect with our audience in a different way. As more thought went into the idea of hosting an event, a date was decided, and a theme emerged. Not only did we consider it a networking event, but it was also intended to serve as a special "thank you" to our advertisers, readers, and contributors to The Midtown Press. Please see pictures from the event on Page 27. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Press THE Midtown

The little paper with the big picture!

Publisher EJP North, LLC.

Editor Glen R. Providence

Associate Editor Barbara Chandler

All materials contained herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned and copyrighted by EJP North, LLC and Glen R. Providence. No material may be reproduced in any manner or form without the written consent of the publishers or their designated representative.

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www.themidtownpress.com

“The little paper with the big picture”

ThePine Hills Community Council and the Treesilience Orlando Metro Program are offering homeowners living in the 32808 and 32818 neighborhoods FREE tree services! Services are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with only a few slots remaining. Interested homeowners sould visit the organization's website at www.pinehills.info to complete the Treesilience Resident Interest Form.

Treesilience Orlando Metro Program 2023 is administered in Florida by The Nature Conservancy with generous support from Walt Disney World Resort, in collaboration with the Pine Hills Community Council, Infinite Zion Farms, IDEAS For Us and strategic partner Davey Tree Expert Company

The project has three core components:

1. Ensuring tree health through tree monitoring and maintenance

2. Replacing lost tree canopy through tree planting; and

3. Creating a workforce development program focused on arborist skills for at-risk individuals.

Sell

Senior Focus

Pine Hills Seniors:

We Share Because we Care!

ThePine Hills Seniors group have been busy and shows no signs of slowing down! The group, which meets on Thursdays at the Pine Hills Community Center, participated in traditional dance sessions from USA Dance and had a visit from UCF Nursing Students on health issues that seniors need to be aware of and to keep monitoring. The seniors also hosted a Black History Month celebration featuring guest speaker (and Midtown Press, Associate Editor) Barbara Chandler and a Senior Safety session featuring Officer Stanley Murray with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Opening Reception | Friday, May 12 | 7–9pm Hannibal Square Heritage Center | Visiting Exhibition Gallery

In commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of the Rosewood Massacre, the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum in Miami presented An Elegy to Rosewood, which will travel to the Hannibal Square Heritage Center as the first stop on its tour throughout Florida. Comprised of historic and contemporary photographs, innovative digital materials, and renderings of memorials that honor the massacre, this groundbreaking exhibition will be presented through the lens of women, who were critical in preserving Rosewood’s history, and through the contemporary lens of female-identifying artists based in South Florida.

Amy Galpin & Staff Curator

Yady Rivero Assistant Curator

M. Alexandra Cornelius Professor, Florida International University

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott invite you to the ribbon cutting for the new Barnett Park Skate Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Tidbits

Work Begins for Orlo Vista Flood Mitigation Project

Recently,construction crews will begin working on reducing the severity of floods in the Orlo Vista neighborhood. Work crews have started mobilizing resources and delivering materials in preparation for beginning the long overdue project. The work being done is adjacent to the Oak Crest Mobile Home Park and Westside Manor neighborhoods. Torrential rain from Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused significant flooding in the area, and similar flooding occurred last year as Hurricane Ian brought historic levels of rain.

The project scope includes excavating and reshaping three existing stormwater ponds to increase flood mitigation volume. A new 48” force main will move the water out of the area and into Shingle Creek.

“This project will increase the volume capacity of all three neighboring ponds and will ultimately improve the level of service being provided to the Orlo Vista neighborhood.” according to Liliana Ramirez, Assistant Project Manager, Orange County Public Works Stormwater Management Division.

In a recent March 2023 meeting, residents in the neighborhood heard from Orange County leaders and engineers regarding the plans to solve flooding problems in the area. The $23.5 million dollar project includes adding new pumps, Installing pipes between ponds, and deepening ponds to control water levels. A new pump station at Shingle Creek, connecting the ponds, will allow the county to control water levels.

Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Housing and Urban Development has helped bring this project to reality. Coordination among local, state, and federal agencies is expected throughout the project. Project engineers expect the project will take 15 months to complete project near the summer of 2024 

Tidbits continued

Mayor Demings Names Co-Chairs for Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced that Jane Healy, former Managing Editor for the Orlando Sentinel, and Tony Jenkins, Florida Blue Market President for the Central Florida region, will serve as Co-Chairs for the recently announced Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Citizen Advisory Task Force. TDT is the acronym for Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax, a 6% charge tacked onto the cost of a hotel room or other short-term lodging. The levy also is sometimes called the hotel or bed tax.

As one of the top travel destinations in the world, Orange County is expected to host over 75 million annual visitors, a return to a pre-pandemic level. Tourism is a $75 billion industry and accounts for approximately 24% of employment in Orange County. The Orange County TDT, paid by hotel visitors and short-term rentals, has raised significant dollars since its inception. The proceeds have been used to invest in iconic public facilities that draw millions of tourists annually to the community.

According to Mayor Demings, the proposed TDT Citizen Advisory Task Force won’t include registered lobbyists or elected officials as members and should represent a diverse crosssection of residents. It will have representatives from the tourism industry, including Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, the Central Florida Hotel Lodging Association, the I-Drive Chamber of Commerce, and the AFL-CIO labor union. The charge for this task force is to review and provide input to the Board of County Commissioners and Tourist Development Council on potential uses of future, unencumbered TDT revenues.

Organizations interested in pursuing funding once TDT revenues become available and have proposals that align with Florida Statute 125.0104, are encouraged to provide the necessary information through the online application and submit to TDTCitizenAdvisory@ocfl.net.

The task force is expected to complete its work by July 2023 and will conclude with a report or presentation to the Tourism Development Council and the Board of County Commissioners on its findings.

LYNX Announces April Service Changes

On March 28th LYNX annonced make system-wide changes that will take effect beginning on April 23, 2023.

• Schedule adjustments will include Links 34, 45, 46E and 46W

• Route and schedule adjustments will include Links 9, 23 and 51.

• Bay assignment changes will include LYNX Central Station and the LYNX Kissimmee Intermodal Station.

• Route, schedule and bus stop additions to Link 61 (LYMMO Lime Line). The new maps and schedules are available on www.golynx.com.

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS

Link 34 – N. U.S. 17-92/Sanford (Seminole County)

Link 45 – Lake Mary (Seminole County)

Link 46E – East First Street/Downtown Sanford (Seminole County)

Link 46W – West SR 46/Seminole Towne Center (Seminole County)

ROUTE and SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS

Link 9 – Winter Park/ Rosemont (Orange County) – Extending all weekday trips to Winter Park SunRail Station. Minor schedule adjustments.

Link 23 – Winter Park/Rosemont/Springs Plaza (Orange County) – Extending all weekday trips to Winter Park SunRail Station. Minor schedule adjustments.

Link 51 – Conway Road/Orlando International Airport (Orange County) – Discontinuing service on Lake Underhill Road between Crystal Lake Drive and Conway Road. Route will use SR 408.

Link 61 – LYMMO Lime Line (City of Orlando) – Extending route to Amelia Street garage via Amelia Street, Chatham Avenue and Alexander Place. Layover will be on Alexander Place instead of Garland Avenue/Livingston Street.

ROUTE, SCHEDULE and BUS STOP ADDITIONS

Link 61 – LYMMO Lime Line (City of Orlando) – Extending route to Amelia Street garage via Amelia Street, Chatham Avenue and Alexander Place. Layover will be on Alexander Place instead of Garland Avenue/Livingston Street. Stop additions:

• South Street and Magnolia Avenue

• Amelia Street and Hughey Avenue

• Alexander Place and Chatham Avenue

• Alexander Place and Hughey Avenue

BAY ASSIGNMENT CHANGES

LYNX CENTRAL STATION

Link 19 – Richmond Heights – Bay Q to Bay C.

Link 28 – E. Colonial Drive/Azalea Park – Bay L to Bay R.

Link 29 – E. Colonial Drive/Goldenrod – Bay L to Bay R.

Link 40 – Americana Boulevard/Universal Orlando – Bay H to Bay L.

Link 54 – Old Winter Garden Road – Bay R to Bay G.

Link 104 – East Colonial Drive – Bay R to Bay V.

Link 105 – West Colonial Drive – Bay Q to Bay F.

Link 106 – North U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail)/Apopka – Bay F to Bay H.

Link 107 – U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail)/Florida Mall – Bay P to Bay Q.

FastLink 441 – U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) FastLink – Bay C to Bay P.

A NEW WAY TO YMCA SPRING PROGRAMMING

Wayne Densch Annual Spring 5K Walk

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023 | 9:00 AM

Our Annual Spring 5K Walk will cover 3.1 miles from Colonial Dr. to Hiawassee Rd. If you do not want to participate in the outdoor walk, you can partake in the 5K on the treadmill, elliptical, exercise bike, or in the gymnasium.

REGISTRATION

March 20 – April 21, 2023 | $15 per person

To register, contact Deborah Allen at dallen@cfymca.org

Aquatics Programs

POOL OPENS MONDAY, MAY 1! SWIM LESSON REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Whether you’re looking for basic lessons, a competitive swimmer looking to improve their stroke, or just working to stay fit, the Y has a pool, program, or lesson for you! Visit ymcacf.org to view our aquatics o erings!

Healthy Kids Day

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

At the Y, we know how important it is to keep kids moving and learning all summer long. Join us for Healthy Kids Day 2023 as we help families jumpstart on their best summer ever with healthy activities and programs!

Ask the Expert |

By Ednita D. Williams

Kitchen Table Talk Matters: Cultivating Conversations with Children

Parents have the unique ability to encourage and foster their child’s learning development during the early stages of life, which can set the stage for lifelong growth over time (Leigh, Nievar and Nathans, 2011). Learning development does not start when a child begins preschool, enters an early learning center, or enrolls in elementary school. However, a child’s development and learning begins early as birth up to 18 months of age (Erikson, 1958, 1963). According to Erik Erikson (1958, 1963), the first development stage, infancy, is the time when a child develops cognitive and behavior growth through exposure, experiences, and interactions with those closest around during the first months and years of life environment.

Parent(s) are the first line of influence in a child’s life and can encourage learning habits that support thinking and continued cognitive growth. This leads to the purpose of this article and why I believe Kitchen Table Talk Matters: Cultivate Conversations with Children is vital to developing and nurturing learning and coping skills that can help our child(ren) better understand and make decisions based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in different circumstances to effectively navigate life. As an educational advocate for children and the owner/operator/director of successful early learning centers, it has been my professional experience over the past 30+ years to cultivate conversations that matter in partnership with my students and parents on their educational journey. I am proud to share five Kitchen Table Talk Matters, conversation starters that can help parents begin, rekindle, or cultivate conversations to get your child engaged and back at the kitchen table!

Encourage Your Child to Think

• Ask open-ended questions (use the words, I wonder or how did that happen?)

• Tell me about what you learned today?

• Tell me about what you are doing or learning in school?

Encourage Your Child to Talk

• Build language and vocabulary through conversation with your child

• Talk – conversation starters (i.e., music, art, dance, food, sports, jokes, friends, vacation, etc.)

• Watch a movie together (reflect or talk about afterward) Ask, what did you enjoy about the movie? Why?

Encourage Your Child to Listen to Others When They are Speaking

• Promote active learning and listening with your child. Reflect

• Encourage your child to listen and share ideas or thoughts

• Engage your child in opportunities to listen while interacting with others. Reflect.

Encourage Your Child to Ask for Help

• Encourage your child to talk about things that are bothering them

• Share an example or model of how to ask for help if needed

• Stimulate thinking by asking your child about what they know & need help with

Encourage Your Child Social Development

• Engage in lively conversation and interactive play

• Demonstrate positive communication and problem-solving skills

• Model and demonstrate patience, temperament, and positive behavior

Community Arts Spotlight

Orlando International Big Dreamer-Zzz Performing Arts Academy

Just about everyone I know has always wished to become famous in some way. As children growing up, having a natural talent, such as singing, dancing, or playing an instrument, makes you immediately stand out amongst your peers. In many cases, your talent paves the way to receiving invites to join talent shows where your natural ability will shine the hopes of making it big one day!

Shirley Wiggs, Pastor and Founder of Big Dreamer-Zzz, a community-based performing arts program located in West Orlando. Shirley modeled after her Mother, an activist in 1968 in Brooklyn, New York. Ruth Woodcock, a mother to six children, started a grassroots theater program as a way to keep children safe and engaged, and out of trouble.

“We must challenge students to explore their talents through musical theatre; “If you can dream it, see it, and then you can be it,” states Wiggs. The program is geared toward students who are at risk - beginning from elementary to high school. Dreamer-Zzz offers introductory lessons to acting, dance, vocal, and writing classes online or in-person, year-round, and during summer camp. Big Dreamer-Zzz students have performed a variety of musicals in local venues, such as The Wiz, and Lion King, along with historical and holiday performances. I’ve seen students gain the life skills and confidence to stand on stage in front of an audience and perform.

Wiggs holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is a teaching Artist, published author of “Big Dreams of Lil Nee” and a memoir, “Mother’s Voice, God’s Word: The Life; Legacy of Dr. Ruth E. Woodcock.” As a preMother’s Day Celebration, Big Dreamer-Zzz is hosting a fundraiser: a musical performance of Mother’s Voice, God’s Word, May 6, 2023, at 5:30 pm at The First United Methodist Church in Apopka, 201 S. Park Ave.

Maynard Evans High School

Can You Keep Up With The Jones’?

Thomas Coston Sports & Music Entertainment Contributor

Have you ever thought about your last name? What are its origins? Do you know what it means? How much weight does your last name carry, or how many other people have your same last name?Your last name is representative of your family's legacy. Let's take a logical dip into this. I'll focus on the world of sports since that is what I know best. If you were asked who is the most famous, Jordan or Jackson? Most people automatically will say "Michael" and uuuh…" Michael". Now there are some other very popular names, such as Obama, Woods, James, Gretzky, Tebow & Bolt, just to name a few. You also have Metta World Peace…(to each his own) Williams, (Serena) Ali, Liston, Foreman, and the list goes on.

As we allow our minds to think about the expression/question, "Can you keep up with the Jones?" Jones, the popular masculine surname that originated in Wales is still very common today. Diving into the sports world, there have been numerous athletes that have sported the surname, Jones. Going into the distant past you had Deacon, KC, Ed "Too Tall", and Bert. All named Jones! Recently, there is Roy, Aaron, Adam, Julio, Cardale & Daniel. There is also Chipper, Eddie, Jon & Marion All with the name Jones! That's a big family! So, can you keep up with the Jones? After a little study, I have finally got an answer to this age-old moniker! Drum roll, please!!….. The answer is Yes! Yes, you can keep up with the Jones! That is, if your name is Smith! Yes, Smith! Smith is an occupational surname originating in England. It is the most prevalent surname in the US, UK, Australia, Canada & New Zealand. Smith is, by a long shot, the most common last name in the Western world. The name Smith is very dominant in many types of sports all over the world. So prevalent, I won't even name one! I will give you the honors. The list is extensive and full of individuals who have done great things.

According to an analysis by 24/7 Wall Street using US Census Bureau Data, the surname Smith occurs a little more than 828 times per 100,000 people in the US or about 2.442 million times. The usage of the name has grown by almost 3% since 2000. Continuing on the facts, would you believe that the family of Jones comes in 5th place behind Brown, (4th) Williams, (3rd) & Johnson (2nd)

When it comes down to that old saying of, "Keeping Up With The Jones". I will no longer be guilty of trying to follow in their footsteps. ("No Disrespect Jones Families") I apologize to my own family ahead of time…but I'm trying to be on Team Smith!

Thomas Coston, Jr. is an avid Sports Enthusiast, he has a love and passion for many sports. He believes the love that we have of sports connects us as one and brings us together. Thomas himself played football and basketball at Columbia High School. (Fl) He graduated and lettered 4 years. Thomas signed a scholarship to play basketball the Junior College level. He played two years in his hometown at Lake City Community College (Currently Florida Gateway Community College). Thomas’ resume includes him managing a team of personnel that engage in motorcycle motorsports. Thomas has also managed mixed martial arts at the pro level. Additionally, he has volunteered as a coach in youth sports for Pop Warner football as well as AAU basketball. Thomas has also reffereed basketball for the Central Florida Officials Association and other organizations. Thomas loves sharing his knowledge of sports with everyone. More importantly, sharing others knowledge, passion and love for sports is something he truly enjoys.

We want to say a very special "thank you" to everyone who attended our first-ever Midtown Mixer event. The event was designed to thank the advertisers, readers, and contributors to The Midtown Press. When we decided to host the event, we were unsure if anyone would be interested in attending, but we were glad we were proven wrong. There was even a request to make it a weekly event! While that won't happen, we do look forward to hosting another event in the future.

What are you passionate about? Have you ever thought about it? For some, it's their job. For others, it might be their family, while for others, it may be a hobby. Some people definitively know what they are passionate about and knew from an early age, and it shows. They wear it on their sleeves, and it comes across effortlessly. It is who they are! Some people have yet to decide what they are passionate about and are trying to figure it out. Is passion the same as purpose? But what exactly is passion? There is a saying: find something you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life. That actually sounds like passion to me. However, the phrase is usually associated with working. One definition for the word passion is a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.

Whatever you may be passionate about, do you have to wear it on your sleeve and shout it from the mountaintop, or can your passion be devotion to the work you do and the people you meet and try to help? If you don't wear it as a badge, does that mean you are less passionate than someone who does? In the end, isn't that what passion is all about? There isn't a cookie-cutter way to show or display your passion. Passion is a powerful driving force that can push you to achieve great things. When you work in your community, your passion can inspire others to join you in making a positive impact. Whether volunteering your time or starting a community project, your efforts can make a real difference in the lives of those around you. Many non-profit organizations host volunteers or information sessions to inform about their mission in hopes that visitors also become passionate about their work and continue to support them through their time and talents.

When I first began working on publishing The Midtown Press, I did not consider it a passion of mine for a second. It was something that I wanted to be good at and for people to connect with and enjoy reading it. What I discounted were the connections I would make, the people I would meet, and the impact that this little paper with the big picture would have. Without knowing, it has become my passion project. The Press has been continuously published since 1995 (going back to when it was The Pine Hills Press). I feel a sense of duty to ensure that the paper is correctly published on time, has quality content, and is a publication that readers can feel passionate about as we work to tell the stories about the good in our neighborhood.

While conducting a recent interview with WESH

2 News Anchor Michelle Imperato at my home (see pictures on the previous page), we talked about a variety of topics, including, ironically, if the paper was a passion project. I chuckled and asked her how she knew. Her response was, "you can just tell!" So maybe I do wear my passion on my sleeve and wasn't aware of it! She also asked what went into coming up with content for the paper. I told her I try to listen, observe what is happening in the community, and ensure that the paper reflects that. In the end, she said, in many ways, The Midtown Press was my love letter to Pine Hills. I like that. Better yet, I love that, so I'll stick with it. It is beautiful. So let your passion guide you, and let's work together to create a brighter future for our community.

-The Editor

Passion is a powerful driving force that can push you to achieve great things.