TALK OF THE TOWN

Conversations for Your Community

A monthly look at what's happening in the Orlando area, along with fun facts and important reminders.

By Rich Maladecki

Our Orange County Library System (OCLS) continues to receive community and state recognition for its outstanding service to our county. Recently, OCLS earned four honors from the Florida Library Association:

• Florida Library of the Year • ESL (English as a Second

Language) Educational

Programs • Creating Virtual Field Trip

Programming for students during a pandemic • Lifetime Achievement

Honor for OCLS Library

Director, Mary Ann Hodel

OCLS is a true community jewel with 15 locations. For more information, visit OCLS.info. The Tap Room at Dubsdread recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary! This College Park eatery has become a go-to favorite because of its friendly atmosphere and its fine (and always fresh) cuisine. Kudos to Steve Gunter, Barbara Teal and the Tap Room team.

Recently, the Orlando Re-

gional Realtor Association

conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new offices. This new headquarters campus will be located off I-4 near Lee Road and will serve its 19,000 members. The month of July is the unofficial start of the fall football season with the opening of summer camps. Let’s enjoy the idea of watching high school, college and professional games in person again this upcoming season.

Did you know that Orlando will be hosting the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next June? This gathering of 4,000 athletes will occur at several Central Florida venues. For more information, visit 2022SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org. Consider an early morning biking experience on one of Central Florida’s several bike trails. This idea can prove to be relaxing, exhilarating and healthy.

The current Lodging Member of the Year from the Central

Florida Hotel and Lodging

Association is Fred Sawyers of the Bonnet Creak (Waldorf and Hilton) Resort. Congratulations, Fred!

As citizens — and as individuals living in this country — let’s stop to reflect the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy on the birth date of the United States of America on July 4.