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By Rich Maladecki

As we welcome the month of March, it is time to start exploring all the exciting new things happening in Central Florida. With new destinations, health tips, and community celebrations to acknowledge, we are in for quite the ride!

People say Central Florida residents never take advantage of nearby attractions or destinations. Prove them wrong by considering two of my favorite one-day trips: n Wekiva Island is in Longwood, Florida, and features indoor and outdoor recreation, including kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals. Wekiva Island also has food and beverages and a riverside boardwalk for people and watercraft watching. n Yalaha Bakery is an authentic German bakery you must visit on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Located in Yalaha, Florida, it features delicious daily on-site made baked goods (pastries and bread), a small German deli/sandwich shop, several beers from Germany, and a backyard stage with various musicians.

Congratulations to the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce for achieving 100 years of service to the residents and businesses of the Winter Park Community! Visit the Chamber website winterpark. org for more information.

Are you ready for a Central Florida Buc-ee’s? A new Buc-ee’s is opening in the Ocala area, near I-75. If you have not experienced this new-to-Florida super gas station and market venue, please review its website or the two existing Florida stores near St. Augustine or Daytona.

If you’re a football fan or a student of the NFL game, this is an emotional timeframe. Tom Brady, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), has officially retired. Brady has offered thrills on the football field for 23 NFL years (including the last three, right here in Florida). Football will never be the same. Thank you for the memories, Tom Brady.

Medical experts are advancing the following tips to maintain and enhance your children’s health: n In this post-Covid world, teach and encourage your children to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. Invite your child to quietly sing a 20-second song or verse when washing their hands. n Establish a consistent bedtime routine that promotes 8-9 hours of sleep. Research shows that sleep quality is directly associated with behavior and eating habits. n Reduce screen time (of all devices) to 2 hours per day to support healthy sleep habits.

For the safety of all - especially our children - it’s time for the law enforcement community to re-establish speed limit compliance on our streets and highways. Excessive speeding has become the norm on all/ most Central Florida roadways because of the notable lack of speeding tickets issued. Let’s reverse this trend and return the feeling of safety to our streets.