Issuu

THE

Midtown

Press

AUG/SEPT 2021 VOLUME XXVI NUMBER 4 www.themidtownpress.com

let's eat

Get Hooked Seafood Restaurant Page 11

COVID-19 Slide

A Discussion About COVID-19 & Education Page 14

PRESS PROFILE

Captain Ronald Beasley Page 20

KNOW THIS

School Bus Safety Page 25

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IN THIS ISSUE

4 EDITOR’S CHAIR 6 WHAT SAY YOU? 9 COVID-19 CORNER 10 TIDBITS 11 Let's eat 18 marketplace 34 POST SCRIPT

COVER PHOTO

Cover Photo An extra special thanks to our front page models and siblings who are excited to head back to school! Emilia (8), Tony (7) and Matthew (6)

T H E PRESS / 3

EDITOR’S CHAIR

think I’m getting the hang of this! Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. It’s a lot to juggle at times. The follow-up phone calls, e-mails, in-person visits - it all can be a bit overwhelming. But I am enjoying the process. So far, each issue has taken on its own personality. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I like to create a theme/guide for each issue. And because of that, my approach to each issue so far has been different. For this issue, because it’s the August/September issue, I wanted to focus on our kids and their journey back to the classroom. Personally, I am so excited for my son, Christian who is entering his senior year of high school! After a year of Zoom classes, virtual school, and distance learning, our kids will resume a familiar sense of normalcy. At least that is the hope! Every week it seems as if news regarding the COVID-19 changes. As soon as it seemed as if we were finalizing putting the pandemic behind us, here comes news of different variants that we need to deal with. It is my hope and prayer that we can overcome these challenges so that our

Glen

kids can resume school in a manner that is best conducive to their learning. While not fully known yet, I am of the belief that many kids, due to a wide-ranging variety of issues, including access to technology, the internet, food access/insecurity, and dynamics inside (and outside) the home has led to what some are calling the “COVID Slide”. To delve into this topic a bit more, please check out the article on Page 14 by special contributor, DeShawn Chapman. I've always enjoyed back-to-school time, especially the first day of school. I used to look forward with so much excitement to put on the first day of school outfit. To have a little fun, we put together a Back To School Fashion section featuring an incredible group of kids in their back-to-school best. You can find the fashion show spread on Page 28-29. To join in the fun, I decided to include my back-to-school picture from my senior year of high school in 1992 when I had a lot more swag, and yes, a lot more hair! I hope you don't laugh too much.

Age: 46 Favorite Subject: Life Future Career: Director of Tourism for the United States Virgin Islands 4 / THE PR E SS

PLUS+

resent trends indicate that back-to-school spending will trend upward as schools reopen for in-person learning. Coming off of a disrupted school year in 2020, where most kids were forced to adapt to online, distance learning, families are approaching the 2021 back-toschool season with enthusiasm and renewed confidence. Sales are projected to surpass recent records, and parents are shopping earlier to avoid supply shortages and potentially higher prices. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers plan to spend record amounts for both school and college supplies as students return to in-person classrooms. Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $848.90 on school items, which is $59 more than last year. College students and their families plan to spend an average of $1,200.32 on college or university items, an increase of $141 over last year. Over half of this increase ($80) is due to increased spending on electronics and dorm furnishings. One last interesting note is the effect COVID-19 will have on back-to-school shopping as consumers expect to spend more on “cleanliness” supplies (tissues, hand sanitizer, and face masks. Fun Fact: The most purchased backto-school item on Amazon so far this year is the Crayola Colored Pencil Set, Assorted Colors, 36 Count.

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info@dobbsfuneralhome.com  www.dobbsfuneralhome.com T H E PRESS / 5

What Say you? Question

With the kids getting ready for a new school year, what is your best back to school memory? Russell Drake

Founder & CEO Build Black Daily

Karla Melo

Broker Relationship Manager CenterWell Senior Primary Care

Torry Toblert Thomas

Community Connector

"My favorite back to school memories were when I was in elementary and looking for the perfect trapper keeper binders and backpacks with cool designs & themes ranging from Transformers to GI Joe." "I used to love covering my textbooks with the movie section from the newspaper at the start of each school year. My grandmother used to pack “Venezuelan Arepas or Torrejas” for breakfast every day, plus mixedfruit popsicles with the fruit at the bottom sold at the entrance of the school by Mrs. Maria."

“I used to look forward to back-to-school shopping! But I was the neighborhood tomboy so was so while all the other girls were dresses, I was looking for jeans and bobo sneakers and t-shirts.”

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Candlelight Vigil for Haiti

n July 15, 2021 the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce-Orlando in collaboration with Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin held a Candlelight Vigil for the Assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The event held at Barnett Park, featured a variety of speakers, and community members to show solidarity with members of our Haitian community living in Orlando and back in Haiti.

Dates to Know august 3 10 13 14 21 25 31

National Watermelon Day National S'mores Day Left Hander's Day National Creamsicle Day Senior Citizen's Day Kiss and Make Up Day National Eat Outside Day

september 6 6 12 21 22 25

Labor Day Rosh Hashanah Grandparents Day Miniature Golf Day Autumnal Equinox National Comic Book Day

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COVID-19 CORNER It is incredible how fast things can change! In our last issue (June/July), we included a story in our Tidbits section about Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings at the State of the County Address where he announced that the county was no longer in a state of emergency and all pandemic County mandates were lifted. Unfortunately, that didn't last too long. With the daily COVID-19 infection rates surpassing 15%, Mayor Demings announced on July 28, 2021, that the County was now back in a state of emergency. Fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant, COVID-19 continues to pose a public health threat to the people of Orange County. The Centers for Disease Control has determined that levels of community transmission in Orange County, Florida are "high" which is the highest classification provided. So what can you do? Get Tested & Get Vaccinated! COVID-19 VACCINATION & TESTING* In partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Orange County Government’s Health Services Department is providing free, convenient drive-thru vaccinations at Barnett Park. Hours: Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The site may close earlier than 5 p.m. due to reaching its daily capacity) Location: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808 Additional vaccination opportunities are available through AdventHealth Centra Care, Federal Retail Pharmacies (including Walgreens, CVS & Publix) and the #IGotMyShot Mobile Vaccination Trailer. Drive-Thru Testing is also being conducted at Barnett Park. Before you go, please note the following: • Online pre-registration is required, but no appointments are necessary. • You do not need to be an Orange County resident to be tested. • You can only select one type of test, Molecular PCR or Rapid Antigen, per day. • Enter the testing site from the main Colonial Dr. entrance. • Testing is free and there is no co-pay. • No age requirement and no symptoms requirement. • Drive-thru testing only, no walk-ups • No more than four individuals per vehicle *NOTE - Information regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are being updated frequently. For the most current information, please visit www.ocfl.net/Coronavirus.

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Tidbits

Orange County Head Start Accepting Applications

If you live in Orange County, have a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1st and your household income is at or below 100% of the 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines, your child may be eligible for Head Start. Orange County Head Start provides a comprehensive early childhood education to over 1,500 children ages three to 5 years old; whose families are low-income (below the federal poverty level guidelines) and live in Orange County, Florida. Head Start provides services to meet the needs of the entire family and partners with community agencies for referrals of services. In Head Start, children learn from highly qualified teachers while receiving medical and nutritional care. Children enjoy a well-balanced, nutritional breakfast, lunch, and snack. Families learn to build a solid foundation for children to thrive and grow. Referrals for medical, dental, and mental health services are provided to enrolled Head Start children when applicable. In Head Start, parents are encouraged to volunteer as community partners. There are 20+ locations throughout Orange County and a total of 85 classrooms. For more information regarding applications Please call (407) 836-6590 for an application. Applications are accepted throughout the year and a waiting list is developed to fill vacancies in the classrooms. For the 2021-2022 school year scan the link in this story with your phone. 

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Let’s Eat

GET HOOKED SEAFOOD KITCHEN

A family owned and operated restaurant featuring some of the best seafood around!

hile we are not 100% sure who came up with the name Get Hooked Seafood Kitchen, however "getting hooked" is exactly what happens after you eat at this thriving, Pine Hills restaurant. Located at 5107 Silver Star Rd., this seafood eatery, owned and operated by husband and wife team Morris Hicks and Cara Jackson-Hicks is a must-have! The expansive menu is a seafood lover's dream featuring including shrimp, snow crabs, fried fish, crawfish, and even conch salad (which is made fresh, in-house daily). The story of how the restaurant came to be is one of hard work and determination! Starting out from doing seafood parties from their home, to plates out of their car, to eventually moving up to a food trailer, the couple continuously was building their brand and demand for their delicious seafood. With the encouragement of their family and followers, the Hicks took the leap and opened the restaurant in 2016. When asked what was the decision behind opening a restaurant in Pine Hills, Mrs. Hicks' answer was simple. "This is home!" The Pine Hills native is an Evans High School graduate who also splits her time as a realtor. Mr. Hicks, on the other hand, is the man that makes the magic happen. It was his love for seafood at an early age with his family who would eat seafood a couple of times per week.

Those early lessons led to the unique cooking techniques and seasonings that set this restaurant apart. The couple has been extremely pleased with the support of the community and is looking forward to sponsoring events and activities as their way to give back to the community. As with any business owner, expansion is always on the back of your mind, and it is no different for the Hicks. Opening a second location is something the couple has discussed. And while it's in the cards, they are still working towards that goal. When asked about where they might envision a second location, several locations came up as possibilities including Kissimmee or even an East Orlando location. Whichever location they choose, the surrounding neighborhood is in for a treat. The Hicks family wishes to extend a heartfelt, meaningfully, and sincere thank you to all of their customers for their business. "The greatest gift you can bestow is to let us know you’ve enjoyed our seafood by telling and referring a friend, if you haven’t enjoyed it, please tell us so we may have the opportunity to correct the issue." If you are ready for some really good food, this place is a must-try. Hint!-Try the steam shrimp bowl, a New Orleans-style dish with potatoes, corn, and sausage. It's almost a 100% guarantee that you will get hooked!  T H E P RESS / 1 1

Senior Focus

Pine Hills Seniors: Staying Active & Involved! From The Desk of Lorna Wilmoth

ine Hills Seniors celebrated another year of Caribbean Heritage Month (June) in spite of COVID-19, which kept us apart for over a year. We made sure that we all were vaccinated against this deadly virus. The Pine Hills Seniors celebrated Caribbean Heritage Month at the beautiful Orlo Vista Park honoring the contributions and achievements of Caribbean immigrants living in Pine Hills. Our culture is rich and colorful, a mesmerizing mix of music, cuisine, arts, and of course different languages rooted in our heritage. The month of June has been recognized as Caribbean-American Heritage Month since President George W. Bush made the proclamation in 2006. "We are proud to be American immigrants of this great nation." Juneteenth was another reason to celebrate. For the first time, we celebrated Juneteenth as a group, along with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Second Harvest Food Bank, UCF, Downtown Boys and Girls Club, FTC, and FAMU. Vaccine stations were also on-site, as well as free food distribution and giveaways. We certainly enjoyed the Holiday. We celebrate it because we have come this far. The Pine Hills Seniors will be on recess until September or until further notice from the Pine Hills Community Center or our new Cultural Center. In Health,

Lorna

We Share Because we Care! 1 2 / THE PR ESS

CO N TACT US : Phone 407-254-9107 Email pinehillsseniors@gmail.com pinehillsseniors2@gmail.com Address Pine Hills Community Center 6408 Jennings Road, Bldg B Orlando, FL 32818 P H S B OA R D ME MB E RS President Ms. Sheila Belle Vice President Ms. Bertina Busch Secretary Ms. Bridget Monroe Treasurer Mr. Glen R. Providence Member Ms. Gail P. Bradshaw P H S L E A D E RS H I P President Ms. Lorna Wilmoth Vice President Ms. Andrea Jackson Secretary Ms. Shirley Lewis Treasurer Mr. Oliver Batson P H S STA N D I N G CO MMI TTE E Mr. Oliver Batson Mr. Compton Belle Ms. Alwyn Brown Mr. John Moore Ms. Jeane Telford

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Rise Amid the Slide A Discussion About COVID, Education & Our Kids

ummertime signals fun, relaxation, and freedom from daily school routines. However, when school isn’t in session, a decline in reading and math skills can occur as academics take a back seat to adventure, this is known as the “summer slide.” As COVID-19 spread across the globe in the spring of 2020, education researchers predicted severe learning loss they named, “Covid Slide.” Covid Slide is akin to the summer slide, both describing learning loss due to time out of school, but the covid slide is longer with a more severe academic decline. Some students may end up an entire year behind where they would have been academically, absent COVID-19. A global education non-profit, Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), predicted that students would retain 70% of what they learned in reading during 2020 prior to closures and 50% of what they learned in math. The Covid Slide is more than academics. Students experienced emotional and mental health challenges due to limited social engagement. The greatest impact will be felt by students who may have already been one or more grade levels behind and who, outside of school, face inequities on an everyday basis. Child well-being experts told of plunging physical, sexual, and emotional abuse reporting numbers as students were no longer in daily contact with educators who are the most common reporters. Economic insecurity, family stress, and anxiety increased. Available resources and support systems decreased. These shifts led to more evaluations at local abuse clinics and emergency rooms. Let us not forget the ongoing racial reckoning America faced with the murders of black men and women by the police and vigilantes, inconsistent community policing attempts, the Capitol Riot, and

1 4 / THE PR ESS

the overarching systemic oppression of people of color evidenced by the ban on teaching critical race theory in public schools, for example. Surviving these past two years has not been for the faint of heart! Our children hold these collective and individual traumas in their minds and bodies. Academic and social lived experiences are evidenced in school behavior and performance. Nevertheless, people and systems faced the covid slide with resilience. Schools offered laptops, hotspots, and face-to-face or virtual instruction. Efforts to support social-emotional learning and mental health were enhanced, and summer school was extended so students could catch up. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, summer camps provided fun and extended learning opportunities while local organizations organized food, clothing, and supply drives to meet the needs of families. But is it enough? Recently, the Florida Department of Education released achievements scores for schools across the state. Across grades 3-10, Orange County showed a 2% decrease in reading scores from 2019 to 2021 and a 7% decrease in math across grades 3-8. Both were less acute than the statewide results which show a decrease of 3% in reading and 10% in math. Federally, Congress’ package for COVID-19 relief, the American Rescue Plan, provides $123 billion in aid for K-12 education. Many local classrooms will have a second teacher, called an interventional specialist, working with students in small groups to remediate academic skills needed to move forward and to ready students for new content, this method of learning support is called acceleration.

While optimistic, I do wonder what will happen to students who were grade levels behind before the pandemic. For some schools, it’s more than filling pandemic gaps. In this space, families can find innovative ways to support student learning outside of school. Here are three simple and inexpensive ideas: 1. Go outside. For children, playing and relaxing in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms while improving the brain’s ability to think critically and problem solve. The presence of other children also helps to develop social skills. Weekly farmer’s markets, such as Barker’s Park on Saturdays, provide opportunities for learning, self-discovery, and community building. 2. Advance education through natural interests. Are there math and literacy opportunities within your children’s interests, hobbies, and aspirations? Discover in-person or virtual educational programming that supports their cultural identities. 3. If it’s free, it’s for me! FREE apps like Khan Academy and Duolingo Kids have interactive content to fill gaps in reading and math, or to keeps kids on track. Bank of America gives cardholders free access to over 175 museums and cultural centers on the 1st weekend of each month. Even virtual calls with family and friends can build communication skills. For those willing to spend a little, SeaWorld Annual passes start at $12.00 per month. COVID-19 has undeniably impacted education but intentionality around supporting student learning in and out of school can help our children rise amid the slide. DeShawn has 15 years of teaching and leading experience in education as a secondary teacher, teacher leader, adjunct professor, and educational programmer. Currently, she is the Education Programs Manger of UCF’s Parramore Education and Innovation District. Positioned at the intersection of educational research and practice, Dr. Chapman encourage the development of learning environments that result in equitable educational outcomes for historically under served students. DeShawn earned her Doctor of Education at University of Central Florida College of Education and Human Performance.

DeShawn Chapman

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Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership newsletter

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

Establishment Day Parade Dear Community Leader: The Pine Hills safe Neighborhood Partnership is having its first Pine Hills Re-establishment Day Parade. This is the first year for this event, and it will be held on December 11, 2021. The parade route will begin at Mollie Ray Elementary School and end at Barnett Park, which will host vendors and events for children and adults. We hope to bring our diverse community together to celebrate and showcase the positives of the Pine Hills community. We are requesting your support to be a sponsor or co-sponsor for this parade. Pine Hills is a highly diverse community that encompasses more than 25,000 households with a population of over 70,000. If Pine Hills were to be incorporated, it would be the second largest city in Orange County. As Such, since Pine Hills is unincorporated, it depends largely on organizations, such as the Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership to promote civic awareness, health awareness, public safety, and many other quality of life initiatives. Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership is a 501(c)3 Community non-profit organization. Proceeds will benefit local students by providing essay contest awards and awards for students who have excelled academically. Your involvement will be an opportunity for you to join other individuals, organizations and coalitions in our community to educate and strengthen community partnerships. Your contribution will also go towards furthering the goals and objectives of the Pine Hills safe Neighborhood Partnership. This parade is expected to draw a large crowd and include media coverage. Sponsorship opportunities are as follows: Bronze $50 Honorable Mention

Silver $75.00 Small font photo on T-shirt Platinum $200.00 Large font photo on T-shirt. Company logo placed on banner. Company name broadcast over PA system

Gold $150.00 Large font photo on T-shirt. Company logo on event banner

Thank you in advance for helping to shine a light on this event. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to your sponsorship. Please provide your response by August 20, 2021. Thank You, Roselyn Clouden, M.Ed Chair PineHillsSafeNeighborhoods@gmail.com Phone: 321-270-2196

Mark Your Calendar

Dr. Latonya Nichols, Co-Chair Nichols6500@outlook.com

Join us for our next meeting. Next Virtual PHSNP Meeting: Thursday, August 12th at 6:30 PM Please Nextdoor for updates. Use this QR code to join via a web browser.

1 6 / THE PR ESS

T H E PRESS / 1 7

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T H E PRESS / 1 9

Press Profile

Opening Doors Captain Ronald Beasley

When I took over the publishing of The Midtown Press, one of the things that I wanted to focus on was telling stories. I believe there is a multitude of stories about incredible people in our community doing extraordinary things. It is a pleasure of mine when I get the opportunity to meet some of these people and more importantly share a bit of their story with the readers. This issue provided me the opportunity to interview Captain Ronald Beasley. I met him at his home in south Orlando for an afternoon chat. I did not come empty-handed and came prepared with ice cream from the SMILE Ice Cream Company (that's a given)! Based on our prior conversations, I took a stab at his ice cream personality taste profile. I painted him as a butter pecan or black walnut kind of a guy and I was right. Butter Pecan was number one on his list! Joined by his beautiful wife Yvette, we bonded over a delicious dinner on their beautiful backyard patio. We talked for hours on a variety of different topics including the military, politics, race and diversity, and children. Below was what I could squeeze into this story.

he opening of a door is something most people do without thinking. For Ronald Beasley, once a door is open he doesn't just walk through it, he blasts through it while holding it open for others to bring them through. The Tallahassee native was an athlete in high school and upon graduation from Florida High School in 1973, attended Florida A & M University on a track & field scholarship. However, facing some very stiff competition from others on the team who would go on to star in their own right, Beasley made the decision to switch gears and enter the Navy in a very non-traditional way. Beasley would join a strict and very competitive Navy ROTC program in Newport, Rhode Island where he would have to complete the equivalent of the 1st and 2nd year of Navy ROTC in 16 weeks. The program which boasted over 400+ participants from across the country only had 20 African American students. Of those 20 only seven would successfully complete the program. However, those seven would go on to greatness including Captain, Commander, and Admiral. Beasley recounts his time at the program, a culture shock of sorts, where he was called racist names and treatment that he had never experienced on that level and states that in order to be successful, he had to teach himself how to persevere. As an athlete, he knew what

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it meant to compete and this was an opponent he was determined to beat. He would eventually complete the program and return home to finish his last two years of college and earn his Navy Commission. He barely had two weeks to celebrate his recent accolades as he would receive orders to report to his first ship the USS Chicago stationed in San Diego, CA in 1978. There, he would face a whole new level of racism where he was the only African American officer on a ship with 80 other Navy officers. Beasley shared a story about how he was demeaned by a prank by other officers on the ship that affected him to the point where he was ready call it quits. It would take the urging of his mother to stay the course. Beasley would go on to have an illustrious 23-year military career which included being recognized as the General Naval Office Recruiter of the Year as well as the Minority Officer Recruiter of the Year for the Navy. After his success in Field Officer Recruitment, he was then promoted to Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Recruiting where he led the Western United States offices to 3 consecutive years as Naval Reserve Recruiting Command of the Year. For most people, that is where the story would end. However for Beasley, after a couple of years doing IT Recruitment, it was another door opening that would lead him to establish a (first of its kind at the time) Navy ROTC program at a middle school.

he newly formed Sea Cadets program was established at the Denn John Middle School in Osceola County. The success of that program resulted was Beasley being selected as Osceola County Vocational Teacher of the Year and also earned him the Walt Disney World Teacheriffic Award winner for Osceola County. Beasley's story could end there and it would be a great one however as they say in infomercials, "wait - there's more". When Orange County District 5 School Board member Dr. Kathleen "KAT" Butler Gordon who worked at Denn John with Beasley called him to work on a school in Orange County, one phrase came to mind, "Where you put a question mark, God will put a period." That call would lead him to Evans High School where as he describes it, he felt that he needed to the there. He had to model what success looked like for the kids and help keep them accountable. Compared to other ROTC programs he had visited, the program at Evans was on the brink of collapse. However, under the leadership of Beasley, he would transform the program in a few short years to a precise, polished unit ranked among the top in the state. Beasley's teams at Evans would on to sweep the state competitions and, even earned the coveted Distinguished Unit award given

small-batch Homemade ice cream

to the top one-third of programs in the area. It would earn the distinction of being the nation's third mostimproved unit finishing 124th out of 1,375 units nationwide in 2007. While it may sound cliche, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree as the Beasley’s two children have carved their own path to success as military officers with their daughter a Lieutenant Commander and United States Navy JAG Corps and their son, also a Lieutenant and a Doctor of Pharmacy. These days you can find the Beasley's enjoying a lazy afternoon with their dog at their beautifully decorated home which feels more like an exclusive art museum. But don't think for a second he has slowed down. His Talented Ten organization is working to identify diverse candidates from under-served areas for Tier One colleges, universities, and military academies in preparation for STEM-related studies. 

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Back To School Fun A very special shout out to Fit for Peace, Inc. a nonprofit organization who held a back-toschool event on Sunday, August 8th at the New Life Chuch in Pine Hills complete with backpack giveaways, haircuts, stylists, and even included a bounce house and food trucks. Director, Calvin White stated the event was expected to serve over 250 youth.

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For more info call 407-271-4452 2 2 / THE PR E SS

Q&A

The Pine Hills community is rich with history. The Haberkamp family's mark on the fabric of Pine Hills neighborhood is undeniable. This issue's Q&A has us reminiscing with Tim Haberkamp, General Manager (and Evans High School graduate, Class of '75) of Hardees located at 5212 Silver Star Road.

Tim Haberkamp, General Manager

Q: Hardees has been a long serving business in Pine Hills. What is the history behind the restaurant? A: Our family relocated to Orlando in 1966 when I was 9 years old to open up a Burger Chef restaurant which operated under that name for 17 years until the Hardee's Corporation took over the franchise in 1982 ultimately resulting in the name change in September of 1983.

Q: You have been at this for a while, thinking back, is this what you always wanted to do? A: Absolutely not! This is what I ended up doing because this is the business that I learned and because of that, this is the only job I have ever had.

As one of the original business in Pine Hills, what has operating a business in this neighborhood meant to you?

A: This is the only community I know. I have been here pretty much all of my life and I am

comfortable here. As the community grew, we grew with it. At the end of the day, we produce a product that the people want. We've seen the community change and we have been there every step of the way trying to make it better.

Q: A:

In addition to your many hats, you were also the Chairman of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District, what can you share about your experience on the committee.

I was supposed to only do it for six years but I did not nine. We didn't get as much accomplished as I had hoped. However, I left it better than I met it. It is set up much better now than before. But the whole idea about the stuff that I do is that I want the community to see growth and development for the future. For too long it was declining and you want to stabilize it and improve it. We want people who want to feel a part of the community and be proud of where they are living.

Q: If you could wave a magic wand what changes would you want to see in Pine Hills? A: I would want people to take pride in their community. Do simple things like have everyone have a good roof on their homes, paint their homes in decent colors, maintain the landscaping and yards, pick up trash, and park cars in the driveway. I believe by just doing that you would see property values explode almost overnight.

Q: Is the customer always right? A: After we laughed about the question for a couple minutes, his response was

a jovial "no"! There is more to that response but we'll save that for a future interview!

For more information about the fantastic history of Hardee's, including interviews, and photos of the former Burger Chef restaurant scan the QR Code. T H E PRESS / 2 3

Maynard Evans High School

A Place of High Achievement

Our focus is on Literacy, Rigor, and Relationships, and our school's pillars of Pride, Determination, and Perseverance continue to be on display by our students, staff and community. 2021-2022 School Calendar Date(s) August 2-9 August 10 September 6 October 7 October 8 October 11 October 29 November 22-26 December 17 December 20-31 January 3 January 4 January 17 February 21 March 10 March 11 March 14-18 March 21 May 25 May 26-27 May 30 2 4 / THE PR ESS

Event Pre-Planning August 4 Professional Development Day First Day of School Labor Day Holiday End of First Marking Period Teacher Workday/Student Holiday Begin Second Marking Period Teacher Professional Day/Student Holiday Teacher Non-Workday Thanksgiving Break End of Second Marking Period Winter Break Teacher Workday/Student Holiday Begin Third Marking Period Begin Second Semester Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Schools and District Offices Closed) Presidents’ Day Holiday (Schools Closed/District Offices Open) End of Third Marking Period Teacher Workday/Student Holiday Spring Break (Schools Closed/District Offices Open) Begin Fourth Marking Period End of Fourth Marking Period/Last Day of School Post-Planning Memorial Day Holiday (Schools and District Offices Closed)

KNOW THIS

Stop When You See "STOP"

he new school year is here! As we begin a new school year, it is a perfect opportunity to remind everyone of the rules when it comes to school busses as they transport our most precious commodity, our children. Especially during the first few weeks of school as kids navigate new routes to school and become familiar with new surroundings, please remain extra vigilant for school busses and crosswalks! It should go without saying however please know that the inconvenience of an extra few seconds spent waiting for a stopped school bus is insignificant compared to the loss of a child’s life.

Florida Motor Vehicle Laws require that motorists stop upon approaching any school bus which displays its flashing red lights and has its stop signs extended. The penalty for failure to stop for a school bus is $200 and if a second offense is committed in 5 years, the person’s license will be suspended for up to 1 year. The penalty for passing a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal is $400 and if a second offense is committed in 5 years, the person’s license can be suspended for up to 2 years.

Did You Know? In a 180-day school year, it is estimated that there are almost two million illegal “passes” of Florida school buses, each representing the possibility of tragic injuries or fatalities to students.

School Bus Passing Rules • • •

Junior Creative

All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (See diagram, TWO-LANE) On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (See diagram, MULTI-LANE) The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (See diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)

T H E PRESS / 2 5

2 6 / THE PR ESS

Keeping It Clean!

Pine Hills Community Council Pickup and Lake Cleanup at Barnett Park

n partnership with the Orlando Regional Realtor Foundation, the Pine Hills Community Council hosted a Pickup and Lake Cleanup event at Barnett Park on Saturday, July 24, 2021. The successful event featured several partners and over 30 volunteers. Thank you to everyone who showed up to help make an impact in keeping our community clean. 

T H E PRESS / 2 7

Back To School The Fashion Show

We can all remember the excitement that accompanies first day of school. With that in mind, we didn't feel that this issue would be complete without featuring some back to school pictures of some of our children in their back to school gear! We wish all students a safe and healthy school year!

Breanna Raquel Holmes

Grade: 3rd Favorite Subject: Science & Reading Future Career: Fire Fighter

Aspen Jennings

Grade: 8th Favorite Subject: Language Arts Future Career: Environmentalist

Joaquin Martinez

Grade: 1st Favorite Subject: Science Future Career: Astronomer

Christian Providence

Grade: 12th Favorite Subject: History Future Career: Graphic Artist

2 8 / THE PR ESS

Olivia Monroe

Grade: 9th Favorite Subject: Math Future Career: Astronomer

Irene Lewis

Grade: 9th Favorite Subject: Science Future Career: Veterinarian

Nalani Adrow

Grade: 5th Favorite Subject: Math Future Career: General Manager of a Professional Football or Basketball Team

Myles Brown

Grade: 11th Favorite Subject: Math Future Career: Film Editor/Producer

Austin Brown

Grade: 7th Favorite Subject: Science Future Career: Law Enforcement/FBI or NBA player T H E PRESS / 2 9

3 0 / THE PR ESS

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NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS (CHECK VIRTUAL MEETING TIMES)

Pine Hills Community Council (PHCC) the first Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. Virtual Meetings :Facebook Live @PINEHILLSCOMMU NITYCOUNCIL Join us on Facebook live for your local source of information and on the spot interactive communication! Tues. Sept. 7th, Oct. 5th, Nov. 2nd, and Dec. 7th for community updates at 6:30 p.m. Log on early for Networking at 6 p.m. PHCC is a Civic Organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the 70,000 people living in the unincorporated Pine Hills area. Join us and be the solution! Just one person can make a difference. www.pinehills.info or contact prumph7@gmail.com



Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District (PHNID) Advisory Board Meetings- 1st Wednesday of the month starting at 9 a.m. in person or by WebEx Virtual Meeting, Following Dates: Oct. 6th, Nov.3nd, and Dec. 1st For NID info and business follow up contact Samuel Weekley, Exec. Dir. NID C: (407) 516-4767, Email: Samuel.Weekley@ocfl.net Businesses and community leaders are invited to join and learn more about Pine Hills redevelopment. Sign on early. Public comment welcomed in person at the beginning of each meeting. Meetings are held in small conference room at Barnett Park. Let them know you are coming so seating can be arranged.  Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership (PHSNP) offers Orange County grants Neighbors wanting to make changes in their communities, meet on the 2nd Thurs. of each month at 6:30 p.m. Next Virtual Meetings Aug. 12th, Sept. 9th, Oct. 14th, Nov. 11th and Dec. 9th Join the meeting via phone or online with WebEx. Call 407-836-5621 or email Allison Rice Allison.Rice@ocfl.net for invite Access info. Residents focus on securing funding for neighborhood beautification, entrance sign improvements, trafficcalming devices and other needs. An Orange County representative will assist you through process to log in and join the network. Meet leaders from other neighborhoods. All are welcome! Your participation at meetings is required for grant assistance. SAVE THE DATE: Pine Hills Parade Big Community Event, Sat. December 11th 

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Robinswood Community Improvement Association Usual meeting time is the 3rd Thursday of each month. Look for information on RCIA Website for next official date. Meetings have been postponed until further notice. This neighborhood association is a non-profit organization looking after the concerns of a large area south of Silver Star Rd, from Hastings on the East to Powers on the West, and W. Colonial to the South. Learn about Orange County resources and what to do to improve your neighborhood. Sign Up for Next Door Neighbor App.!  Robinswood Garden Club meets September through May, the first Tuesday monthly, at 7:30 p.m. Check in September if the Pine Hills Community Ctr. will again be available for in person meetings. The object of the club is to stimulate interest in gardening and related arts, to cooperate in the protection of native plants and birds, and to encourage public planting & roadside improvements.  Orlo Vista Chamber of Commerce and OV United Safe Neighborhood Partnership meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Chamber Hall on Hastings off Old Winter Garden Rd. when gatherings start up again. Hall Rental (Call 407-292-1702 or email for Social Distancing seating.) www.orlovista.net Email: orlovusn@gmail.com. Info: OV Community Garden For Info contact Claudia Douglas 407-222-1208 or cdou6563@yahoo.com 

EVENTS / SAVE THE DATES Annual Orange County Community Conference Orange County Renaissance Senior Center Saturday, October 16, 2021, 7:30am to 2:00pm $12 Registration Fee. Workshops offer a well-rounded blend of topics for individual citizens, voluntary neighborhood organizations, homeowners’ associations and other community groups. This year the conference will return to being an in person conference. Registration and Community Awards nomination information can be found on the O.C. website. Email award nominations to Alvin Cruz at ocneighborhoods@ocfl.net. Governor’s Job Fair Wednesday September 8th and Central FL Job Fair Wednesday November 3rd from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. Over 100+ Companies attending. Face-toFace Conversations In Person recruiting at Central FL Fair Exposition Park, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. Dress for Success and bring Resumes. For Details and to pre- register, visit online at www.cfec.org For Questions Call 407-834-4022. Employers Call 407-834-4223 

Orlando Tech at 407-246-7060 x701-3440. Orange County Library Pine Hills Establishment Day Community Parade, Sat. December 11th The parade route will begin at Mollie Ray Elementary School and end at Barnett Park, which will host vendors and events for children and adults. We hope to bring our diverse community together to celebrate and showcase the positives of the Pine Hills community. For those who want to get involved in the parade, please call 321-270-2169 or email pinehillssafeneighborhoods@gmail.com.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES WEST ORLANDO BRANCHES HIAWASSEE BRANCH 7319 W Colonial Dr. (Highland Lakes Center

Orange County Sheriff’s Office/ www.ocso.com School Crossing Guard Unit and other positions. HIRING NOW! 407-836-4082. We are in Need! Help us keep our kids safe! Please visit our website at WWW.OCSO.COM/careers for our open positions and minimum requirements. Check out the OCSO for deputy, staffing and current job openings. Also-Victim Advocates: Call 407-254-7248  OCSO, Citizens On Patrol volunteers patrol in marked agency vehicles. They patrol their subdivisions, neighborhood parks, schools and area businesses and are trained and/or certified to perform a number of duties. To learn more about this great opportunity in your subdivision, Call 407-254-7374.  ORGANIZATIONS / PUBLIC SERVICE

at Hiawassee & W. Colonial) A NOTE FROM THE LIBRARY The Hiawassee Branch of Orange County Library System will be closed starting August 2 through September 19. During this closure, returns and empty Community School art bins can be returned to ANY open location of the Orange County Library System. For a complete listing of hours and locations, visit ocls.info/location-hours. . WASHINGTON PARK BRANCH 5151 Raleigh Street, Open M-Thurs. 10-8 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10 -5 p.m. Call 407-835-for Services and Classes SIGN UP FOR VIRTUAL PROGRAMS Register online at ocls.info >Learn English! Aprender Inglès! Apran Anglè! >We Have After School & Evening Programs! >Advanced & Continuing Education >Classes in Access, Excel, Email, Photoshop, Power Point, Publisher, QuickBooks, Word, Web pages and Computer Basics >Nifty Online Learning Opportunities at the library! >E-News Letter go to ocls.info

Earn Your High School Diploma On-line!

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS PROGRAM Women in the Arts Inc. Tuition-Free Youth Art Programs for PK-3rd grade through 12th Online Registration www.womenintheartsinc.org or call Maria Guerrero at 407491-3884 / ˃ Coming Up Events ─ More details at the website or contact CSA. Check website for information on next Virtual school session and follow current virtual curriculum. Community School of the Arts (CSA) The Community School of the Arts program locations CSA at the Library Spring and Fall Sessions, Adults 18 years old and above Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Road CSA at the Museum Fall Session, Teens and Young Adults The Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E Princeton St,

To sponsor or donate to a program please contact Maria at womeninthearts@gmail.com  American Legion Memorial Post 19: 2101 Lee Rd./Doug for status. Cell- 321-438-7179 / Post- 407-293-9515,  T H E PRESS / 3 3

{ PostSCRIPT }

ften I will see a question posted on Facebook about what advice would you give to your younger self. I’ve never taken the time myself to answer that question but it is a rather intriguing exercise. Being born in 1974 makes me a member of Generation X which puts us at the crossroads of very interesting times. We were born in the 70s, raised in the 80s and were teenagers of the 90s. From my perspective, it always appeared that things were on autopilot. Technology would play a big part of our upbringing with major introductions along the way including everything from cable TV, video game consoles, and more importantly, the personal computer. I took my first computer class in eighth grade on an Apple II (a "Mac") computer in 8th grade at Elena Christian Junior High on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. For so many of my classmates, it would be their first foray into computers. It was a small class but we all had our own computer. I can still vividly remember the teacher asking one of my classmates to type a question into the computer. With the cursor blinking on that beautiful green DOS prompt (by the way kudos to anyone who still flips to a command prompt screen every now and then) She typed “Who was the first President of the United States?” The computer quickly responded with a “syntax error” to which she replied, "this computer is dumb" causing the class to laugh. The teacher then asked us, who knew what she did wrong? After a few seconds of silence from the class, I softly mentioned, “she needs to program it.” The teacher quickly flipped her head around to figure out who said that. I raise my hand and said it was me. She had the biggest smile on her face and said I was correct. What the teacher didn’t realize is approximately 2-3 years before I will take that class that I had already been working on computers. My parents had bought a Commodore 64 computer (extra special shout out to anyone who remembers that) and on my own, I was already doing basic programming, and of course to play games. I was so excited to go to that class every day. That is where my love of computers and technology grew. However, unfortunately, I was not able to connect the dots wherein if I stayed on this path, I could have turned this love into a career. Was someone to blame for not connecting the dots? My parents understood the value of a good education and pushed me and my siblings and demanded excellence. However, they could never know the impact that computers were having on me or to encourage me to consider a career in computers. Living on an Caribbean island, at that

3 4 / THE PR ESS

time I was not aware of anyone at that time, except for librarians and engineers who used a computer which to me was boring. This is why exposing children, especially in lower-income, underserved neighborhoods is so important. Kids need to be able to see the possibilities which exist outside of their environment. I'll "fast-forward" to when I arrived on the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus in the fall of 1992, I was ecstatic and determined. It was still at a time when only a handful of people had their own computers. So instead, the majority of students relied on computer labs. There were several labs spread throughout the campus. I had such a grasp and understanding of computers at this point that I applied for an on-campus job in a computer lab and was hired! What I would later learn was I was the only person working in a computer lab who wasn’t majoring in computer science! That made me feel special. This would have been another opportunity to connect the dots but it wouldn't happen. Happening around us was this whole "dot com" industry that was coming of age right before our eyes. At the time, they were only a handful of people or companies that were designing websites. So if you knew how to build websites if you could come and serious money. In fact, many of the millionaires and billionaires of today made their money during the dot com era.

"Be your child's biggest cheerleader!"

When I got to college, you received a phone booksized college directory containing the degrees that the university offered. So at the beginning of my freshman year, I paged through that directory and found the closest degree that interested me and had the shortest amount of classes I would need to take in order to graduate in four years. I saw a degree in Communications that combined writing, media, public speaking, and presentation skills. I could also declare a minor and since I had a love for computers, I found the quickest program that would at least on paper get me as close as I could to a computer degree; a minor in Management Information Systems. This is a good point for me to answer the question of what advice I would give my younger self. That advice would be to not be afraid to push yourself and not take the easy road. Be a trailblazer! This is what I am now trying to model for my own children. Our children today have the world of technology at their fingertips. As we begin this new school year, be your child's biggest cheerleader. Have them learn from the mistakes of your younger self! -The Editor

" T H E PRESS / 3 5

Please visit our website to find information about service status of our restaurant due to Covid-19 mandates from our local government

www.HardeesOrlando.com

5212 SILVER STAR ROAD