www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com SEPTEMBER 2022 ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL MEET CAROL BRINGINGCRAIGSPACETOEARTHDININGOUTMAGICALLY INSIDE Celebrate a Truly OktoberfestAuthentic OAKLAND | CLERMONT | APOPKA Winter GardenLIFESTYLE ®
©Disney WDW-20-1265352 WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EATS & TREATS • FUN FOR EVERYONE ©Disney
PublisherKristiSincerely,K.Gomen
+ LETTER From the Publisher
PRESIDENT/CEO Waylon Krush Waylon.Krush@LifestyleCFL.com PUBLISHER Kristi Karst Gomen Kristi.Gomen@LifestyleCFL.com EDITOR Alexis George Alexis.George@LifestyleCFL.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Michael Feland Ryan Marshall EDITORIAL EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Catie AlexandraMooreSullivan WRITERS Tarre Beach, Michael Brehne, Stina D’Uva, Josh Garrick, Kristen Jackson, Don Long, Rich Maladecki, Catie Moore, Nicole Paskowsky, Eric Shreck, Alexandra Sullivan SALES / MARKETING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER RICK MCMASTERS Rick.McMasters@LifestyleCFL.com DIRECTOR OF PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS SHARON LAM Sharon.Lam@LifestyleCFL.com Follow us: • facebook.com/centralfloridalifestyle • instagram.com/central_florida_lifestyle • twitter.com/cflifestylemag CONTACT US FOR ADVERTISING INFO www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com407-449-2022 Lifestyle® publications comprises multiple monthly editions, each mailed directly to homes and businesses throughout Central Florida. Lifestyle® publications are published monthly by Lifestyle® CFL. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. ALTAMONTE LIFESTYLE®, COLLEGE PARK LIFESTYLE®, HORIZON WEST LIFESTYLE®, LAKE NONA LIFESTYLE®, METROWEST LIFESTYLE®, OAKLAND LIFESTYLE®, WINDERMERE LIFESTYLE®, WINTER GARDEN LIFESTYLE®, WINTER PARK LIFESTYLE® and CENTRAL FLORIDA LIFESTYLE® are federally registered trademarks. Reproduction or use, in whole or in part, of the contents of this magazine or of the trademarks of Lifestyle® publications without written permission of the Publisher is prohibited. Lifestyle® publications makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content published. Neither the publishers nor advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found herein, and the publishers accept no liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers in ads and/or in paid promotional features. September www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com2022. 3 Proud Member of: Well, it’s that time of year again, my favorite time of year when the camaraderie of football fans gather in high school, college and pro stadiums to all cheer on their favorite team or player. In this issue, we have made sure you are in the know about all the wonderful month of September has in store for you. Prepare for football feasts, amazing Oktoberfest celebrations and memories at Magical Dining destinations (Congratulations to those Michelin winners!) Speaking of winners, don’t forget to check out the Central Florida Lifestyle CUTEST TODDLER WINNERS that will be announced in the weeks to come on CentralFLoridaLifestyle.comAsalways,wearesohonored to come into your home every month. We are the true winners every time we hear your stories, witness the work of our local charities helping others and experience first-hand the kindness that truly exists throughout the residents of Central Florida. Be kind to one another and most importantly, be kind to yourself.
Falling Football!for
Departments 6 HOW YOU CAN HELP House Of Charity: Sisters Building a Better Future 8 HOW YOU CAN HELP Community Supports Officer Who Lost his Home 10 YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED Estate Plan Advice for Young Adults with Children 12 DANIEL’S CORNER Students Love Shakespeare at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater 14 TALK OF THE TOWN Conversations for Your Community 16 HOMESTYLE How to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall 18 SPORTS AND RECREATION Time to Bond as Football Season Returns. Go Knights! 20 SPORTS AND RECREATION Skating Marathon Returns for an Epic Second Year 22 DINING Magical Dining is Back and Better With Michelin Options 24 DINING Playa Pizza is Now Open 28 EXPERT ADVICE LAW Paralegals and Legal Assistants Add Value to Law Offices 30 EXPERT ADVICE BANKING Trustco Bank Turns its Focus to Brick and Mortar Locations 34 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Robert & Diana Luna D&G Occasions — Celebrating 35 years 36 IN THE KITCHEN Four Fall Coffee Drinks You Can Make at Home 38 SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW Celebrating the Woman Next Door 42 DID YOU KNOW? Osceola Council on Aging Receives Grant for Affordable Housing 44 YOUR LOCAL Time to Renew as you Ride at Tour de Chamber ! 46 YOUR LOCAL Two Important Referendums on the November Ballot Features 26 FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD AND FUN, EXPERIENCE OKTOBERFEST Come to Krush Brau Park for Oktoberfest and learn what’s next for Central Florida’s exciting new food and entertainment venue. 32 LOVE THE ARTS? HERE ARE PERFORMANCES TO ATTEND IN ORLANDO Unless otherwise indicated, visit drphillipscenter.org/events for tickets to these must-see art performances recommended by Josh Garrick. 40 USE HEART FOR EVERY HEART THIS WORLD HEART DAY World Heart Day is Sept. 29. Learn what you can do to get involved. 48 FEMALE-FOUNDED SPACE COMPANY SUPPORTS ARTEMIS MISSION TO THE MOON Meet Carol Craig, Chairman and CEO of Craig Technologies and Sidus Space. 50 SPECIAL OLYMPICS CELEBRATES ITS ANNUAL CHAMPIONS GALA Hosted at the Omni ChampionsGate, learn more about this magical evening spent celebrating Special Olympic Florida athletes, volunteers and coaches. + WHAT’S Inside Contents|September482022 4 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 Web Life Go to CentralFloridaLifestyle.com to see what’s happening near you!
7824 LAKE UNDERHILL RD., #G ORLANDO, FL 32822 (407) 282-7498 WWW.PHANTASTICSMILE.COM $99 The $99 special offer is for new patients without insurance. Not valid with any other offer. Good through 9/30/2022. for new patient exam, x-rays & initial cleaning Dr. Phan earned the prestigious Mastership Award from The Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), placing him among the 2% of general dentists throughout the United States and Canada that hold this title. OF THE ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY Highly Honored Dentist
There will be $1,000 total in cash prizes awarded to bingo winners.
By Catie Moore
Benefitting Officer Joshua Rotarius tickets early, as there are only 40 “family packs” available! https://maitlandfamilybingo night.eventbrite.com/
Consider buying Family Bingo Night
■
■ Dinner and dessert will be served.
Tickets: ets-400797785967bingo-night-benefitting-officer-joshua-rotarius-tickhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-
f you recall, news spread that Dommerich Elementary School resource officer Joshua Rotarius lost his home in a house fire on July 1, 2022. Officer Rotarius was asleep when lightning struck his home in Sorrento. Luckily, his silver Labrador Retriever, Null, frantically barked, saving them both from the fire that quickly engulfed the home. Rotarius was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was treated for smoke inhalation and mi nor burns to his hands and feet. Null was also treated for minorTheburns.blaze destroyed most everything he owned, and the home is a complete loss. While insurance will cover some of the costs of the home and its contents, the current cost to demo and rebuild exceeds the payments from his carrier.Today, both Rotarius and Null have recovered physi cally, and Rotarius has returned to work. Rotarius told Fox35 that he is living at a temporary residence while sorting through the insurance process to help reconstruct his home.
■ Kids can participate in a dance party.
I
Benefitting Officer Joshua Rotarius
■ A cash bar will keep you hydrated as you peruse the silent auction items!
Family Bingo Night
When: Friday, September 16th 6:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Venue on the Lake-Maitland Civic Center
Officer Who Lost his Home
What: Bingo, family dance party, silent auction, dinner and more supporting Officer Rotarius
6 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + HOW YOU Can Help
The Maitland community is dedicated to helping Officer Rotarius and Null in this effort. A GoFundMe account was established for friends and co-workers from across Central Florida to help Rotarius with his monu mental expenses. To donate, visit this link: https://gofund. me/9ecedfa1Inaddition, the Maitland community is hosting a fam ily bingo night benefitting Rotarius. Please consider helping this remarkable Dommerich Elementary School resource officer while having a fun evening of family entertainment!
Community Supports
Learn how you can help the Maitland community support Joshua Rotarius after he lost his home to a fire.
House of Charity: Sisters Building a Better Future
By Nicole Paskowsky
The sisters also donated copies of an award-winning book they wrote together called “Three Bunny Sisters.” It mirrors their story—three bunnies host a bake sale so they can buy car rots for bunnies in need—and teaches about the importance of volunteer ing and teamwork. The girls hope to ignite the giving spirit in others, espe cially advising kids who want to get more involved. “You can always try selling food like cupcakes, your own toys, or make and sell crafts,” they say. “It’s also important to get a lot of help from your friends because teamwork makes your charity work easier and moreSo,fun.”what project would the sis ters like to work on next? They would love to do a charity event with one of their favorite places and companies, Walt Disney World. “We think Dis ney World is perfect because so many families go there. We hope that all the kids will be encouraged to do their own charity events if they see kids like us doing one. We always say that you can make a difference in the world at any age.”
8 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + HOW YOU Can Help
The Duggal sisters prove that it’s never too early to give back. The iconic song lyrics say, “The children are our future.” This story is about three sisters who embody that message and are lead ing the way. At the ages of 9 and 6, Raveena and Diya Duggal took the initiative to dive into the rewarding world of charity work. Their younger sister Amisha joined in when she was just 5.“Our first project was a charity garage and bake sale, where we sold cupcakes and our own handmade all-natural bath bombs, lip balm, specialty soaps, and scrunchies,” the Duggal girls say. “We were inspired by our parents, who we saw donating money, clothing, and food to various charities.”Now 15, 12 and 8, the young women continue to raise funds and donate their time to numerous orga nizations, including Women’s Interval Home, the Cancer Society, Plan In ternational, and United Way. In July, the girls recently donated over $1,000 of toys and books to the Nemours Children’s Hospital near where they live in Lake Nona, Florida.
“We have driven by Nemours so many times, and one day we asked our dad about the hospital,” the girls say. “He told us about the kids there and how they are sick and away from their families. We felt bad for them and decided to do something to cheer themRaveena,up!” Diya, and Amisha personally hand-picked every toy, fo cusing on fun and function. They in cluded STEAM toys from Brown Toy Box and the Lulla doll, which imi tates breathing and heartbeat sounds to help children in the hospital sleep better and feel less alone. Many of the toys came from the happiest place on Earth: “We love Disney and have played with some of these toys in the past, so we know they are lots of fun.”
Well Beyond Medicine Go well beyond at Nemours.org/Beyond
Since day one, our goal at Nemours Children’s Health has been to reduce the spread and return of cancer with breakthrough treatments. But we also create programs that go well beyond medicine to help children recover and stay healthy. One of our programs focuses on adult care transition. Another helps prepare kids for college. We even have a program that ensures kids don’t miss out on milestone life events like the school prom. And our research in children’s cancer care is opening doors to even more advancements. that will help children recover in ways ordinary medicine simply can’t. Nemours Foundation. Nemours Children’s Health® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
©2022. The
Advancements
I am 19 years old, unmarried with a small child living in a trailer on a small piece of land I own in Winter Gar den, Florida. My parents said I need to do something to protect what little I have and designate who would take care of my child should something happen to me.
Estate Plan Advice for Young Adults with Children
What are the basic parts of estate planning that every young adult should have? Living docu ments are a good beginning often called ancillary estate documents by lawyers. These documents in clude a Durable Power of Attor ney, Health Care Surrogate, PreNeed Guardian and Living Will. Their importance is as follows: ■ Health Care Surrogate – you have been injured in a motor cycle accident while in your first year at college and arrived at the emergency room unconscious. You are at the mercy of the law and doctors who are not required to make decisions even if it could cost you your life.
■ Pre-Need Guardian – You were in a car accident and permanently disabled. Who will care for you, your parents or the state of Florida? ■ Living Will – while at a party you had a party favor laced with a drug, Fentanyl. Now that you are in a vegetative state, who will disconnect life support?Itisalot to think about but your parents are correct. If you have but a Piggy Bank and a Penny, moreover, a child, see an estate planning lawyer today. In addition to the above living documents, a Last Will and Testament would enable you to designate a guardian for your child should you die and to whom to give your trailer, land, car or any other as sets you own.
By Kristen Jackson, Jackson Law P.A.
Whether you own a piggy bank and a penny, or a lavish estate, without an estate plan, you lose control of what happens after you die or become incapacitated. Without an estate plan, the courts, not you, will control what happens to your assets, you, your minor children, and more. If you are an adult, 18 years or older, liv ing in Florida, your parents are no longer your guardians. You over see your destiny, your estate, your children, and yourself for the rest of yourOncelife.you become an adult, there are a lot of things to think about, especially if you are a par ent. One major mistake young adults often make is leaving their children with their grandparents so they can continue to experi ence all of life’s new joys and won ders of the world. Without estate planning, should your child become injured while in grandpar ents’, friends’ or neighbors’ care, no one can make medical decisions on your child’s behalf. Un less, you have a health care direc tive for your child designating grandparents or others to legally manage the child’s care in your absence, whether it’s for an hour, weekend or longer.
10 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + YOUASKED We Answered
■ Durable Power of Attorney – should you be injured or medically incapaci tated, who will pay your bills?
Do people who own very little actually need to prepare documents or is it more for the wealthy and aren’t my parents still my guardians?
Kristen Jackson is the founding partner of Jackson Law P.A. (407-363-9020). She is experienced in estate planning, real estate law, business and contract law. Her firm has earned an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell signifying the highest level of professional excellence as obtained through opinions from members of the bar and judiciary. For more information, visit www.JacksonFloridaRealtor.com
Q:A:
The W. Daniel Mills Apprenticeship allows students to further their theater experience through The Young Company at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. The W. Daniel Mills Apprentice ship at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater This summer the W. Daniel Mills Apprenticeship branched out beyond its apprenticeship program at the Gar den Theater. Twenty-six students were enabled the opportunity to receive professional theater instruction at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Oper ating in partnership with the Univer sity of Central Florida, it is lovingly referred to as Orlando Shakes.
Likewise, Raina Grabowski, says TYC gave her the chance to gain even more theatrical experience and boost ed her confidence to start the college theater program audition process. But the apprenticeship program doesn’t end there. This month, appren tices will continue their professional instruction by attending monthly master classes with Orlando Shakes’ theater artists and visiting guest art ists. These classes include college prep auditions, stage makeup, Shakespeare, scenery, lighting, and sound. Lastly, apprentices will have the opportunity to be awarded stipends for work opportunities in the Orlando Shakes 2022-23 season.
Beginning on June 6, the stu dents who ranged in age from rising high school freshmen to rising college freshmen (about 14 to 18 years old), started an intensive four-week instruc tion period, which included table work, exploration of meter, status, voice and movement. The end of this instruction period culminated with performances of Measure for Measure at Orlando Shakes’ Margeson Theater.
Above all, students say that the apprenticeship helped reinforce their love for theater and support of each other. “Not only did I find a new group of friends, but I met a group who were just as passionate about theater and Shakespeare as I am,” says Edgewater High School student Lilly Yandell. “Many young students think Shakespeare is boring but at TYC, Shakespeare is fun and inspiring. I have never seen a room full of teen agers cheer because a character has 12 syllables in one of their lines,” Yandell says.
12 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + DANIEL’S Corner
The Young Company According to Orlando Shakes Director of Education Anne Her ing, the summer educational theater troupe at Orlando Shakes known as The Young Company (TYC), isn’t a new program. However, the addition of the Mills apprenticeship affords more students access to it, granting them the ability to continue their the ater artsUniversityeducation.High School student and Dr. Phillips Center for the Per forming Arts teen ambassador Seth Shockley says the apprenticeship helped him develop his craft in a space that felt safe and gave him the liberty to learn from his mistakes and achieve success.“TYC truly is theater in the healthiest form of theater,” Shockley says. He’s also deeply appreciative for being an apprentice. “I just want to express my deepest gratitude to the Mills family for providing the means which made this incredible experience possible for me,” Shockley says. More to Offer
Students ShakespeareLoveat the Orlando Shakespeare Theater By Tarre Beach
H
As the Florida Hurricane Season is nearing an end (Nov. 1), please review your preparation and communication plans with your loved ones and neighbors. Time spent now will be critical if a storm targets Central Florida.
Let Us Never Forget: Sunday, September 11th is the 21st anniversary of the tragic events of 9-11-01. As a family, please take a moment to reflect on those horrific memories and for those individuals that lost their lives.
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is occurring now through Oct. 31! It’s time to secure your tickets and enjoy this always en tertaining (and spooky) Central Florida activity. This may be the perfect time (the pre-Holiday Season), to finalize a minor home renovation project! A simple idea that may prove satisfying and rewarding is painting one of your most uti lized rooms (family room, den, or kitchen). This act now - will add to your holiday experience.
Are you ready for some Foot ball? It’s time to set dates for game watching parties and tailgating! Review your team’s schedule and select a date or two for game watching gather ings with family, neighbors and friends (note: the internet has hundreds of sites for appropri ate “football foods”).
14 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + TALK of the Town
Your Community Conversations for
Speaking of restaurants, this is also the perfect time to set end of year holiday reservations for your favorite dining establishments. As the saying says: book early for desired holiday reservations. This is your last full month to enjoy the 2022 Magical Dining Experience. This annual program expires Oct. 3, so please review the Visit Orlando website for a listing of participating restaurants.
By Rich Maladecki
ello September! Now’s the time to welcome back football season, magi cal dining, Halloween Horror Nights and so much more. It’s even a good time to get a head start on holiday season plans. So, let’s celebrate and enjoy all September has to offer.
Need to rent a shipping container for storage? We have over 300 shipping containers available for rent - from storage to custom commercial and residential uses Need more than one container for many months or years? Call us 352-854-0890 we will provide a quote to meet your budget and needs What if I want a custom commercial, residential, or Government shipping container solution? No problem - we have an entire company that specializes in customization - if you can dream it we can build it. Custom Trailers Also Available: Military Command Office Trailer ADA Bathroom Container Bar FoodKitchenContainerContainerServiceContainerFoodTruck ContainRent.com A Division of Ensley Inc. 352-854-0890 • ContainRent.com
Autumn in Florida isn’t exactly a time for changing leaves, brisk breezes and chilly hay rides. On those 90-degree days, it may not feel like fall. But I’m here to show you simple ways to bring that crisp, cozy, seasonal magic you may be crav ing into your home this September.
seasoning
By Alexandra Sullivan
■ Orange rinds/slices ■ Cloves ■ Cranberries ■ Lemon slices ■ Nutmeg ■ Bay leaves ■ Vanilla extract ■ Pumpkin
Add
■ Cinnamon sticks ■ Apple
A simmer pot is an easy way to use your fruit peels instead of tossing them or composting them. It’s also a great way to bring authentic and nat ural smells into your home, making you want to cozy up in a blanket, read a book and sip a pumpkin spice latte. All you need to do is fill a sauce pan with water and bring it to a boil. in some ingredients that you want to smell as: peels spice Find combinations that work for you and play around with them throughout the months of autumn. Once your ingredients are in the saucepan, boil and then reduce to a simmer. Add water every half hour, or when it evaporates.
16 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + HOMESTYLE
such
Create a simmer pot to make your home smell like fall
Making a wreath is a simple and creative way to transform your home and make it feel like fall. Sure, you can buy a wreath but finding pieces that showcase your own personal style and combining them into your own wreath will be a game changer for turning a fall house into a fall home. Plus, taking the time to create this DIY project is sure to get you into the spirit of fall, (especially if you have a simmer pot on the stove to set the mood).Fall wreaths can be anything you want them to be. Combine as many or as few fallen leaves, twigs, burlap, ribbon, florals and accessories as you want. This is your project after all. This is also a great way to spend time with your kids and get creative!
You may even want to let them make wreaths to decorate their own spaces. You get some home decor and bond ing time, it’s a win-win. Simple decor tips to bring the vibe of fall Pillow covers and throw blankets are an affordable way to transform the theme of any room. Investing in warm or jewel-toned colored pillow covers to use during the fall and win ter seasons is a great way to decorate without cluttering your space. Adding blankets and pillows that are soft and cozy with fall hues is sure to transform any space. Cable knit blankets are on-trend and a way to bring texture and a pop of color to a room. Switch ing out the flowers in your vases to jewel-toned flowers or dried flower ar rangements can also demonstrate the change in season. Not only will these tips make your transition easier from summer to winter but it will also make Thanks giving and Halloween that much more special. No matter the weather, you can indulge the magic of fall with in the walls of your home.
Make a wreath
Feel Like Fall How to Make Your Home
18 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + SPORTS & Recreation
Go
It’s an exciting time to be a foot ball fan in Orlando. After finishing 9-4 and winning a momentumbuilding bowl game over the Florida Gators—and despite dealing with setbacks caused by untimely injuries and transfers—2021 was something to build on for the forward-thinking UCF program. This year, the Knights are on a mission for a national cham pionship.Experts predict UCF will have one of the most exciting offenses in the country this season. Plus, the team will look the part, debuting a certifiedfresh new uniform design from Nike just in time for their final round in the ACC before officially moving to the Big 12 in 2023.
I
For many sports fans, the best time of the year just kicked off.
Game-Day Traditions Whether you make the trip to the stadium or gather around the kitchen island, the return of football means participating in the sports ulti mate tradition: tailgating. First, there’s the food. The smell of any sumptuous game-day staple you could ever dream of sizzling on grills across parking lots and backyards will again fill the air. We’re talking brats, pulled pork, burg ers, nachos, hot pretzels and dips, and for those of age, plenty of cold beer. Then there’s the pageantry. Face paint never goes out of style during football season, and no one blinks an eye at even the craziest homemade outfit. And don’t forget the bands, the dance teams, and the mascots. UCF fans know the game isn’t officially on until Knightro enters the field. Yes, football is back. Knights!
Time to Bond as Football Season Returns.
t’s hard not to know when football season arrives. Fans get excited for the game and everything that goes along with it: the food, the rivalries, the tailgating, and the weekends spent cheering in front of flat screens. With COVID-19 restrictions officially in the rearview mirror, UCF and Florida team fans look to enjoy the best time of the year in its full glory. What are we most excited about? Let us count the ways. Together Again Football brings us together. It’s bonding with the people sitting next to you on the couch or the bar stool, or while heading into the stadium to root on your favorite team. The presence of fans in the stands is what sporting events are all about. UCF is home to Knight Nation, one of the country’s biggest and most energetic fan bases. Most pandemic precautions ended with the spring 2022 semester, and four of UCF’s first five games this season will be inside the Bounce House at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Events will be scheduled indoors and out. It’s a chance to see longtime friends and tailgate bud dies—those fellow loyal football fans we only get to see and talk to in the fall during home games while swap ping stories and trading food. Great Expectations
By Nicole Paskowsky
Splitting her time between Illinois and Florida, Cryer is known for her commitment to family and entrepre neurial drive. This year she celebrates five years as a small-business owner, CryBaby Wellness. Cryer has 22 years’ experience in global marketing and growth strategies in technology and professional services.
Lover of Skating
“Ithon.drove to Sarasota to skate the track just to see it, and I got scared so I changed my registration to a half mar athon,” she says. “And I thought, ‘first year, fine’, but what motivated me was my love for skating. I just wanted to prove to myself that I can still do things; I can still set goals.”
The half-marathon is 13 miles, a dis tance that Cryer is familiar with. And she did complete it easily. So, taking her momentum from last year, Cryer is set to compete against other quads skaters in the full-length marathon this time around. “I know I can do it,” she says.
Meet Cheryl Cryer as she prepares to compete at the Florida Inline Skating Marathon. Under 50 days. That is when Cheryl Cryer will compete in the Florida Inline Skating Marathon on LaunchedOct.16.inOctober 2021, the Florida Inline Skating Marathon’s (FISM) mission is to elevate and en hance the awareness of the sport of Skate. The end goal is to provide na tional and international competition to skaters of all ages and skill sets. Cry er is a skater and athlete who agrees that skating is a sport. It is also her favorite pastime.
20 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + SPORTS & Rec
As her kids were born, Cryer put down the skates. But when they went off to high school, she was asked on a date to the roller rink. Cryer was giddy. “One of the dates we went on they had this sign that said: ‘try out for roller derby,’ and so I did,” she says. That was in 2010-2011 and Cryer has been skating ever since. She even had a roller derby wedding in 2016. Why Marathon’s Last year when turning 50, Cryer discovered FISM. She jumped at the chance to compete. Visiting Florida a month before the marathon, Cryer decided to view the track since it was her first time competing in a mara
Competition Ready To prepare, Cryer practices Roller Derby two nights a week for a total of five hours. Outside of practice, she skates outside 15 hours a week. “I’ll keep doing that and then once a month I’m going to do a big skate of 26-30 miles just to get ready for the marathon,” Cryer says.
After one year, the FISM is the largest skate race in Florida, and the second largest in the nation. The FISM is held at the World Class venue- Na than Benderson Park, in Sarasota, Florida. For more information com/https://floridainlineskatingmarathon.visit
Bio: Cheryl Cryer’s nickname “CryBaby Cryer” comes from her passion and dedication to her most beloved sport — roller derby. After starting a multiruleset, non-gendered league in the Chicagoland area, competing at tour naments both home and abroad, and surrounding herself with amazing athletes of all levels, she continues to skate, coach, and guide training pro grams and wellness strategies.
Returns for an Epic Second Year Skating Marathon
Cheryl Cryer
By Alexis George
“I started skating when I was about 5-years-old,” she says. “My aunt would take me and my cousin skating at the roller rink when we were little. We had all our birthday parties there. I just have so many warm memories of that all the way into high school.”
Elite CENTRAL FLORIDA
Central Florida is an annual awards event that celebrates the most elite organizations, businesses, non-profits, and community leaders that focuses on supporting, enriching, and going above and beyond for the Central Florida community. Elite Categories Awards Ceremony: January 12, 2023 (6pm to 9pm) Location: Rosen JCC Town Square of Orlando • Silent Auction • Cocktail Hour • Dinner • Awards Ceremony • Power Mixer Questions? Email us at contact@elitecentralflorida.com 100% of the profits will be donated to the Rosen JCC for the development of a splash pad for the community. Our goal is $100,000! • Elite Community Hero • Elite Community Business • Elite Community Non-Profit • Elite Tech Company • Elite Medical Practice • Elite Community Sports Team • Elite Travel Destination • Elite Community Event • Elite Theme Park Accepting Nominations elitecentralflorida.comNowDo you know a business or organization that is an Elite? Do they support, enrich and go above and beyond for their community? Nominate them now for their eligibility to be an Elite in Central Florida!
Elite
Magical Dining is back and better than ever! As Cen tral Florida celebrates the 17th year of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, here’s your chance to savor three-course, prix-fixe dinners at 106 top Orlando-area restaurants for just $40 per person. Magical Dining re turns from Aug. 26 – Oct. 2, 2022 with a fresh lineup, including new MICHELIN Guide honorees, as well as 22 venues participating for the very first time.This year, donated funds will focus on a Central Florida organiza tion that is expanding employment opportunities for people with disabili ties: The Able Trust. Proceeds from this year’s program will support The Able Trust’s High School High Tech (HSHT) program in Orange County. This will provide an opportunity to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to in-demand careers. You will not want to skip out on a truly magical experience this year!
isDiningMagicalBack
OptionsMichelinWithBetter
By Catie Moore
Kabooki Sushi Kabooki Sushi puts a modern spin on sushi bringing influences from all outlooks of life. Here you will find that the presentation is an art form of the utmost importance, only matched by its taste! You can expect not only sushi, but an amazing selection of Asian fusion such as Thai, Japanese and Modern just to name a few.
22 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + DINING
Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen Leave everything behind to enjoy the happiest of hours under palm tree canopies and moon-drenched evening skies at Four Flamingos, an immersive dining and drinking experience remi niscent of a dreamy tropical oasis.
The Strand The Strand was conceived as a small neighborhood restaurant with the purpose of becoming an everyday tradition in the larger fabric of Orlan do. They specialize in seasonal dishes made from scratch, with daily Chef’s specials inspired by fresh ingredients.
This simple, casual gem is be loved for its distinctively bold dishes and beautiful design. All items are diligently prepared to achieve natural, healthy cuisines. At Z Asian-Viet namese Kitchen, you’ll experience the highest quality of food at an afford able price. The Ravenous Pig American Gastropub with a farm-to-table specialty menu items made with local, seasonal ingredients. These talented chefs offer unique twists on Southern style cuisine. The outdoor beer garden is an absolute dream for locals! and
Z Asian - Vietnamese Kitchen
PLAN YOUR NEXT EVENT WITH US (321) krushcaters.comcontact@krushcaters.com754-0955 A Caterer? Live Entertainment? Or even an Outdoor Restroom that’s ADA compliant? We do it all and more! You need, Krush Caters is a full spectrum event and catering company. You can rent a mobile stage for your entertainment, outdoor tent, food truck/grilling trailer, ticket stands, games, bounce houses and decorations. Catering options of all cuisines are available. We also provide custom gift options for your special event. Contact us today to plan your next event! Corporate Event • Business Luncheon • Birthday • Holiday Celebration Sporting Event • Religious Event • Anniversary Retirement Celebration • Concert Wedding • Conference • Festival
Proceeds from the grand opening will benefit the Full Belly Fund. Established by Facella and his wife Danielle, the Orlando-based charity combats food insecurity among the area’s hospitality industry workers and their families.
For more information visit playapizza.com
By Alexis George
Stephen Facella: Facella is a 2005 graduate of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and he is passionate about in creasing the perception of the hospitality industry as a viable and honorable career path. He is responsible for the creation of the Playa Pizza menu.
Playa Pizza is Now Open!
Community First Playa Pizza prides itself on supporting the community and building an inclusive society. The restaurant partners with employU to help provide job opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition, Playa Pizza works to reduce carbon footprints. The restaurant uses reusable materials, water-conservation systems, sustainability sourced packag ing and geographically located vendors.
Last month, community members participated in the grand opening celebration of Playa Pizza. Located in Horizon West, Playa Pizza is a New York-style pizza spot with a beachy twist.
Playa Pizza Origin Story Stephen Facella, owner and founder was furloughed from Orlando’s hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, while in Puerto Rico, he asked his wife to “run away and be beach bums, raising barefoot kids.” And just like that, the idea to bring the beach to Orlando was sealed.At Playa Pizza, guests can enjoy a summer atmosphere and the interior is filled with a mix of vibrant colors made by Orlando-based Tonester Paints. The walls are also lined with commissioned art by Daniel “Krave” Fila, a Miamibased graffiti artist. Food Pizza, pasta doughs and breads at Playa Pizza are made in-house exclusively using the New York Watermaker. This patented water replication system mimics the mineral com position of New York City, allowing guests to experience true New York-style pizzas. With indoor and outdoor seating options, Playa Pizza can accommodate 150 guests for lunch, dinner and latenight bites. The restaurant offers a full liquor bar and is home to weekly live music, trivia nights and other fun social activities.
“We are homegrown and proud to support the com munities in which we operate,” Facella says. “Not only are we giving back to local charities such as the Full Belly Fund, but we have created more than 45 living wage jobs, and will foster a supportive, healthy work environment for our teammates.”
24 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + DINING
This month Krush Brau Park will celebrate its second annual Oktoberfest at its location in Kissimmee with authentic German food, entertainment, dancing, and the ceremonial tapping of a wooden keg by a traditionally inspired bürgermeis ter (townStartingmaster).onSept. 16 and con tinuing through Oct. 30, Krush Brau Park’s 600-seat outdoor tented beer garden or biergarten is the place to be if you love beer, bratwurst, watching soccer, and all things German. Have some daytime fun with giant outdoor lawn games the whole family can enjoy. Or be there after 5 p.m. for a rousing good time on the spicier side of things with shots of Goldschläger or Jägermeister.The
Come to Krush Brau Park for Oktoberfest and learn what’s next for Central Florida’s exciting new food and entertainment venue. By Tarre Beach
Krush Brau Park opera tions team says this year’s Oktoberfest will include alphorn blowing, stein hold ing, cowbell ring ing, and competitions,yodelingjust to name a few. There will also be live music, and it won’t just be German oompah music. There will also be pop, country, Latin and other musical genres to enjoy.
26 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022
Situated on the former Jungle land Zoo site in Kissimmee, Krush Brau Park is a 9-acre parcel of land that has enough room for this large annual Oktoberfest event and much, muchAccordingmore. to Director of Krush Brau Park Gabriel Greenberg, the park began as the dream of Army vet eran Waylon Krush. While stationed in Bad Aibling, Germany, Krush fell in love with Germany’s food and tra ditions. Once back home in America he longed to share the celebration of Oktoberfest with others. Now, his dream is coming true and he hopes to expand on that dream.“Theaim is for Krush Brau Park to be a world event center where people can come to learn a little bit about several different countries, including its tra ditions, food, culture, and people,” Greenberg says. Positioning Krush Brau Park as the area’s goto place for local entertain ment, private events, cor porate team building, and cultural education, Entertainment Director Herb Albinus says Krush Brau will be a great venue for a variety of events. “We’ve even got an on-site catering company, so you can sit back and have our team do all the work,” AlbinusChefsays.Michael Gogolin can create a menu featuring any number of pop ular cuisines. Albinus says whatever flavor you’re looking for, Krush Brau will work with you to find what best fits your special occasion. Next up for Krush Brau Park is the opening of Biergarten Restaurant brewery and eatery. Future plans for the park also include a petting zoo, children’s play area, and a plethora of food and drink offerings in its kitschy and fun shipping container restaurant park.Greenberg says that Krush Brau Park can be easy to miss from U.S. Route 192/Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. He offers this tip: “From the parking lot, the beer garden tent is to the left of the nearly completed Biergarten Restaurant and behind the Gator Motel,” he says.
CHECK IT OUT: For Ok toberfest specifics including ticket sales and directions, or if you’re in terested in finding out more about making Krush Brau Park the loca tion for your next event please visit KrushBrauPark.com
Experience Oktoberfest For the Love of Food
ADMISSIONGENERAL$5 PACKAGEVIP$VIP50$500 Friday’s (4pm - 11pm) Saturday’s (11am - 11pm) Sunday’s (11am - 8pm) and Thursday’s in October (4pm - 11pm) Monday - Wednesday - available for rent for Parties 50+ with 1 week notice. every hour* Chicken Dance • AlpHorns •Cow Bells • Y o d le i n g Friday’s & EntertainmentSaturday’s Friday Saturday16th17th Saturday 24th Saturday 1st Saturday 8th Saturday 15th Saturday 29th Saturday 22nd 7pm-10pm October September 80's MIXTAPEOktoberfestGermanSWITCHDUO 80'sOktoberfestGermanSWITCHMIXTAPEDUOElvis JacksonMichael Best of MIXTAPESWITCH80’sDUO Friday 23rd Friday 30th Friday 7th Friday 14th Friday 28th Friday 21st Piano DUELINGRobPIANOS 60’sMALPASSCountryBRYANDUOBestofthe&70’sJOHNNYWILD&THEDELIGHTS TOP 40 Blue LaCircleStoneBandBestofthe90’s/2000’sRedMintLATINCalleDuo /DRAGBURLESQUESkyyMOTOWNTheNinaBandEDM/SHOW ADULTS ONLY
Add Value to Law Offices Paralegals
Much like the hero frontline workers we are most familiar with, paralegals and legal assistants in a law office are our heroes. These amazing workers carry out the magic of a suc cessful law office. Paralegals and legal assistants implement strategies given to them by attorneys. Any successful attorney will recognize they cannot perform excellent legal services with out the support of competent legal staff.Additional to legal competence, legal staff are familiar with legal pro cedures, office procedures and the idiosyncrasies of their attorney. They also care for the client’s needs and commit to the client’s goals. At our office, our staff exemplifies character istics of caring, competence and com mitment. Because our firm operates as a team culture, our staff work to aid and support each other, regardless of position or other responsibilities.
I can tell you from experi ence that teaching the right person how to perform certain responsi bilities is invaluable. Many successful paralegals and legal assistants start at a law firm as a receptionist or admin istrative assistant. I truly believe that it is better to hire the “person” than the “resume”.
I’ve seen over the past 25 years how valuable dedicated legal staff can be to our law firm. So, I always seek to hire the best candidates for our open positions. If you would like to begin or continue your legal career with a law firm that genuinely embraces competence and creativity, please inquire at our firm. and Legal Assistants
Education Getting a formal education in legal studies or paralegal work is not nec essary. But it is strongly considered during employment decisions and salary offers. The advantage of a for mal education is vast as it requires students to take courses in most areas of law. This familiarizes the paralegal or legal assistant with procedure, law and understanding of legal concepts and terminology. When courses are taught by practicing attorneys, the practical components of the lessons are con veyed by way of actual scenarios. This brings the reality of practicing law to the academic setting. So, I believe there is value in formal legal educa tion.But
Attorneys rely on competent paralegals and legal assistants to move cases forward. Many attorneys implement a case strategy and collaborate with their legal staff to make sure it is executed as designed. Paralegals and legal assistants then calendar events, gather documentation and consis tently interact with their attorney. The goal is to ensure attorneys are on the right track and that their efforts are meaningful to the case. Often, legal staff enhance the legal services offered to the clients when they learn something by their own research.
First Line Representatives Paralegals and legal assistants are the first line representatives of the firm. Often, they interact with the clients before the attorney and with more frequency. Therefore, a skilled paralegal can answer the client’s ques tions regarding their case and what they can expect going forward. Al though they can’t provide legal advice, they can certainly draw from ex perience with other cases during their discussions with clients.
By Michael B. Brehne, Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A
28 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + EXPERT ADVICE | Law Law Office Heroes
Ensley Inc. was founded in 1984 and has remained a well-respected asphalt contractor in the Central Florida area for 37 years. We take pride in the quality of our work, and in providing our customers with sustainable results. Our team has a collective commitment to deliver excellence in safety, service, and professionalism in every job we take on. We offer honest competitive pricing, fair and thorough estimations and believe in providing the most value to customers. Trust is important in hiring contractors. We seek to see the job from the customers’ point of view to come together to find the best solution for the project. work around your schedule, completing the job on time, and without interfering with business. A trusted member of the Better Business Bureau, Ensley Inc. provides a superior service that speaks for itself. Ensley Inc. is a Small Business and is a Florida Veteran
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At Ensley, Inc., our success depends entirely on the dedicated make up base hiring and training practices on sincere belief that an investment in employees is an investment in company’s future. do everything in power to nurture and promote the talents of employees. That begins with a rigorous application and hiring process. proud of our culture of investment that promotes advancement through the ranks of our company. A career with Ensley is an opportunity to develop as an individual and leader in your community.
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As other banks abandon brick and mortar locations, learn how Trustco Bank bucks the trend. So many aspects of our lives have gone digital. Everything from grocery shopping, doc tor’s appointments, and especially banking is online. This was in mo tion long before the pandemic. But, as more of our lives are happening online – brick and mortar businesses are struggling to find their place. This has forced the closure of many physical stores, including banks. That’s why Trustco Bank prioritizes the relationships we have with our patrons at our 53 branch locations throughout the state of Florida. If you’ve noticed that your neighborhood bank has recently cut its hours or closed its branch entirely, you’re not alone. The FDIC reports that banks are closing at an alarm ing rate. In 2002, there were nearly 8,000 commercial banks doing busi ness in the United States. Now, just over half of them have closed and only 4,194 of them are still standing. Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank and Truist are closing the most locations – and Florida is one of the states hit hardest by these closures. At Trustco, we’re committed to brickand-mortar banking locations in your community and we’re proud of the more than 215 people we em ploy at our branches across Florida who help serve you, our customers, everyBankingday. is a personal business. It’s personal to you – and it’s per sonal to us. At Trustco, we live in the communities we serve so we un derstand your unique needs. While some people have turned to online banking entirely, we understand that it doesn’t command the loyalty or personal trust that you can get by de veloping relationships with financial experts at your local bank. If a ques tion should arise while you’re getting a mortgage, a personal loan, or get ting some cash from the ATM, con sider the convenience of stopping by your local branch and speaking with a person you can trust, rather than talking to a chatbot or someone at a call center with your online bank. While we offer robust online banking services, we value establish ing in-person relationships with our clients. If you stop by one of our 43 branch locations throughout central Florida, we can do so much for you in person. It’s never too early – or too late – to start retirement planning. A little financial planning can go a long way when it comes to budgeting and meeting financial goals, so if you haven’t met with a financial planner yet, we’d be happy to help you. Whether you’re interested in learning about a mortgage, home construction loan, business or per sonal loan, we can tailor a solu tion to meet your unique needs. At Trustco, we recognize that a ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t work when it comes to banking. We work with each of our clients to understand their individual needs and goals and help provide unique solutions that work for them. While many banks around the country are closing their doors and resorting to impersonal, online banking, you can rest assured that Trustco is committed to doing business with you, in your commu nity, right here in central Florida.
By Eric Schreck -Executive Vice President & Florida Regional President, Trustco Bank
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30 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + EXPERT ADVICE | Banking
Eric Schreck serves as the Executive Vice President & Florida Regional President of Trustco Bank. He has been with Trustco Bank for over 30 years, where he directs operations for all Florida branch offices in the state. To learn more about the bank visit www.TrustcoBank.com.
Trustco Bank Turns Its Focus to Brick and Mortar Locations
Locomotion is about an 11-year-old boy, nicknamed Locomotion for his high energy, who is struggling in foster care after the deaths of his parents. Locomotion discovers that poetry helps him express his feelings about the tragedy and his new life. This Multiple Award-winning play – for audiences of all ages – was co-commissioned by Orlando Rep and the Kennedy Center in Washington. Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365
The ‘Playhouse’ opens their season with their always successful recipe of a singing group, a singing contest, and a bunch of wonderful songs from several decades ago. Meet “Denny and the Dreamers,” a ‘doo-wop group’ preparing to make their dreams come true by entering the Big Whopper Radio contest. The ‘60s hits include “Tears on my Pillow,” “Runaround Sue,” “Unchained Melody” and so many more! Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org
September 9 to 25, 2022
September 23 at 8 pm Comedy legend, actor, and former SNL cast member David Spade brings his standup comedy back to Orlando. Known for his self-deprecating humor and sarcastic comedy, Spade was also a cast member of two long-running sitcoms. For his role in ‘Just Shoot Me!’ Spade was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and two Golden Globes while also hosting a late-night talk show. Join him for a “seriously funny” night of no-holds-barred-comedy.
JoshRecommends
Add Second City’s signature improvisations and this becomes one uniquely hilarious show. This program is made possible through the generous support of Kathie & Bill Hohns.
The SECOND CITY, “Out of the House Party” at Dr. Phillips Center September 30 at 7:30 pm & October 1 at 2 pm
Performances to Attend in Orlando Love the Arts? Here are
September 23 to October 16
DAVID SPADE at the Dr. Phillips Center
‘LOCOMOTION’ at Orlando Rep
‘NOISES OFF’ at Orlando Shakes
The Second City has been the world’s first name in laughter for over 60 years! Now we get to join the next generation of comedy superstars as they mash up Second City’s greatest hits, poke some fun at Orlando, and experiment with some brand-new material.
September 17 to October 16
By Josh Garrick
One of the leading African American dance companies in the U.S., Step Afrika! is also one of America’s cultural exports. Touring more than 50 countries with their percussive dance styles and an array of dance forms, performances are much more than dance shows. Step Afrika! integrates song, storytelling, and humor in its blend of technique, agility, and pure energy that makes each performance unique. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through its 50-city tour AND has performed at the White House.
32 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022
“Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream” at the Winter Park Playhouse
Step Afrika! at Dr. Phillips Center
September 24 at 7:30 p.m.
The Orlando Shakespeare Festival opens the Fall Season with what is truly one of the funniest plays ever written. I promise I’ve never laughed so much. This backstage look at a traveling theater troupe comes complete with screwball antics, wicked pranks, and crazy sight gags – showing us what ‘could happen’ while attempting to present a play – on tour! Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700
“Weird Al” Yankovic with Guest Emo Philips at Dr. Phillips Center October 16 at 8 pm “Weird Al” Yankovic returns with “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour.” Drawing from his 14 studio albums, ‘Weird Al’ promises to deliver a different show every night. Weird Al is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A fivetime Grammy winner, his 2014 release ‘Mandatory Fun’ was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200, AND he is one of only five artists in the world to have Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades.
JAMES LEE III– Beyond Sensorial Portals (Orlando Philharmonic World Premiere Commission)
Opera Orlando at the Dr. Phillips Center
Opening performances of 30th Anniversary Season
Having had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education, HAMILTON is a story of “America then as told by America now.” With a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has created a revolutionary moment in theater. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this internationally acclaimed show has won Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. The New York Times says, “This theatrical landmark has transformed theater and the way we think about history.”
October 5 at 7:30 pm To celebrate 20 years of his musical journey, the ‘Prince of Spanish Guitar’ brings Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, exotic drumming, and more to his fans from the last 20 years. From humble beginnings to performing around the world, Benise pushes the boundaries of ‘Nuevo Flamenco.’ Blending theater and dance, the Emmy Award-winner promises a two-hour show filled with Flamenco dancers, stunning costumes, and fiery Spanish guitars.”
TRADITIONAL–
COLIN JACOBSEN– Ascending Bird
THE MAGIC FLUTE by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sung in German with English supertitles
The PLANETS at Dr. Phillips Center –Steinmetz Hall
October 4 to 9
October 1 and 2 National Anthem
SIX at Dr. Phillips Center
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From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Celebration of 21ST Century Girl Power! Everyone is ‘losing their head’ over this brand-new musical featuring an all-woman cast and all-woman band. SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including a Tony Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The SIX Broadway album debuted at #1 on the Billboard cast album chart.
www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com
TCHAIKOVSKY– Violin Concerto HOLST– The PLANETS
Josh Garrick has been creating, fundraising and writing about the Arts for all of the 24 years he’s lived in Orlando. In recognition of his service to the Arts, Mayor Buddy Dyer named June 27 as “Josh Garrick Day” in the City of Orlando.
In two Celebratory Grand Opening performances, the Orlando Philharmonic welcomes us to the fabulous new Steinmetz Hall and their 30th Anniversary Season. Maestro Eric Jacobsen and the Philharmonic will present the virtuosity of Adele Anthony in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto followed by the brilliance of Holst’s Master-Work – the PLANETS. The program includes the excitement of two contemporary composers –Colin Jacobsen and a World Premiere by James Lee III. All of this in the acoustically perfect Steinmetz Hall.
Blue’s Clues & You! is an epic new adventure that will have every “cluedin” family member singing, dancing, laughing and figuring out Blue’s Clues with Blue and her friends (which includes you). In this 60-minute Broadway style song and dance show, Josh needs help to create a magical theater show. Kids of all ages will love joining Josh and Blue, as they make a rainbow with Magenta, create a music video with Rainbow Puppy, float in outer space and much more! VIP Package possible at this show.
HAMILTON at Dr. Phillips Center October 26 to November 20
October 28 at 7:30 pm and October 30 at 2 pm
Opera Orlando presents one of the greatest operas ever written – Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). This opera for all ages is an enchanting fairy tale about love and light, sacrifice and darkness, and finding one’s place in the world. In this spectacular new production, we journey along with Prince Tamino as he navigates a treacherous new world in his quest of self-discovery. The production also features the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and puppetry from Michelee Puppets in the magnificent new Steinmetz Hall.
Blue’s Clues & You! at Dr. Phillips Center
Benise’s 20th Anniversary at Dr. Phillips Center
October 2 at 2 pm
In addition, “Almost all our em ployees were loyal customers before they started working here,” says Diana with a prideful smile.
D&G Occasions is a family af fair! Robert Luna, Francine’s brother, who has a passion for baking and “a sweet tooth” palette fell in love when he walked into D&G for the first time 10 years ago and he acquired the busi ness six years later. Diana Luna, Rob ert’s wife, brings her design expertise to the operation. Daughter, Ariana, is so accomplished as the junior chef of the family, she does baking demos and has created her own Sprinkles line, “Ari’s Treats”. College-age son, Ale jandro, serves as the inventory special ist and stocker during school breaks. Robert’s nephew, Kalvin, leads their IT and E-Commerce side of the busi ness. A point of pride for the Luna’s is D&G’s online store www.bakesup plyplus.comForits35th year as Central Flor ida’s leader in party, candy-making and baking supplies, D&G Occasions is cooking up big plans for a monthlong anniversary celebration in Sep tember. Customers will be treated to giveaways, baking product demon strations, and special appearances by guest chefs with baking classes and product promotions. Furthermore, they are planning an event in support of One Purse, a non-profit organiza tion the Luna family has supported since its inception over 10 years ago. www.onepurse.org“D&GOccasions has been special and unique to our custom ers for years. We offer a wide variety of products including edible images and banners for parties and special events,” Diana says. “We extend the family to our customers. The majority of our customers know each of us on a first-name basis and share their fam ily news when visiting the store. It’s a business culture that serves the Lunas well and extends to staff.”
34 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + BUSINESS Spotlight
Celebrating 35 Years D&G Occasions
If you are looking for a bake supply store, D&G Occasions is Florida’s Superstore. Established in 1987 the store has grown to be the favorite among Professional Chefs and Home BakersD&Galike.Occasions is filled aisle af ter aisle with a specialty merchandise wonderland on Herndon Ave. (next to the Orlando Executive Airport) which brims with baking and deco rating supplies, banners and signs, special event décor, party supplies, custodial goods— even brides and grooms (as in wedding cake toppers).
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From candles to cannoli shells, coffees to chocolate molds, fondant to over 200 varieties of sprinkles. When classes are in session for beginners, experts and even kids at the D&G Confectionary Academy for baking and decorating, the entic ing aromas of fresh baked goods drift into the main store. That’s when you realize there’s nothing “cookie cutter” about D&G Occasions (OK, more than 1000 kinds of cookie cutters are for sale).“The talent that comes into this store, the women, the men, the chefs, the pastry artists is just amazing,” says Customer Service Manager and buy er, Francine Luna. “You get to meet them, and you just see their workand what they do for the community is just as inspiring, too. It’s great to be a part of something that touches so many people’s lives -- it can be a birth day cake to a wedding cake—and we facilitate so much of it here.”
Robert & Diana Luna
www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com 35
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Pumpkin Spice IngredientsLatte ■ 2 cups milk ■ 2 pumpkintablespoonspuree ■ 1
Fall Coffee Drinks at make the cinnamon combine water and cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature and
You Can Make
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Recipe courtesy of The Soccer Mom No need to wait in coffee lines, your cup-o-joe can be done by you in minutes. So wrangle up the ingredients and try it yourself. Once you see how easy it is, you’ll be glad you did. to 3 tablespoons sugar tablespoon vanilla extract teaspoon pumpkin pie spice cup strong hot coffee cream pumpkin puree in a saucepan until it has reduced down by ¹/₃ (this is for extra flavor, you can also add the puree as is). Combine your milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, sugar and spices into a pot on the stove until it’s steaming. Then, mix the pumpkin spice milk with the strong coffee. Divide it between two mugs, add whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice, and you’re done! courtesy of Inspired Taste.
Recipe
Home4 Iced MacchiatoPumpkinCaramel Living in Central Florida, sometimes fall can be pretty warm. If you want an iced drink that still encompasses the flavors of fall, I’ve got the drink for you You’ll Need ■ 1½ pumpkinTablespoonspiesyrup ■ 1 Tablespoon caramel sauce ■ ¾ cup vanilla almond milk ■ 2 shots espresso ■ ice Directions Prepare two shots of espresso with either an espresso machine or an instant espresso powder. Fill your glass with ice and pour caramel sauce and pumpkin pie syrup into your glass. Pour almond milk into the glass and the espresso shots over the top and stir. You’re done! Recipe courtesy of Cooking with Amber Caramel Brûlée IngredientsCoffee ■ 1 cup milk (or milk alternative) ■ ¼ cup caramel sauce, (plus more for drizzling) ■ 1 teaspoon brown sugar ■ 2 cups hot coffee ■ Whipped cream Directions Brew two cups of coffee. While your coffee brews, heat milk, caramel sauce and some brown sugar in a small saucepan. Once it’s brewedcombinesteaming,withyourcoffeeand stir. Garnish with whipped cream and caramel sauce! Recipe courtesy of Foxes Love Lemons. By Alexandra Sullivan DolceCinnamonLatteCinnamonSyrup ■ 1 cup white sugar ■ ½ cup brown sugar ■ 1½ cups water ■ 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract, optional ■ 3 cinnamon sticks Latte Ingredients ■ 2-4 cinnamonTablespoonsdolce syrup ■ 2 cups strong brewed coffee ■ 2 cups milk ■ Cinnamon ■ Whipped cream Directions To
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36 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + IN THE Kitchen What’s better than a pick-me-up that perfectly encompasses the flavors of fall? There’s no need to spend $7 and make the trip to the coffee shop when you can make your favorite coffee at home in a few easy steps! Here are some recipes to make your very own fall coffee.
Instructions to Drive Your Own Boat Explore the Beautiful Lakes of Central GuidedFloridaTours 10354 Cypress Cove Lane, Clermont, FL 34711 (321) 655-0460 CLERMONT 50 33 27 474 192 50 4 HereBookcatboatescapes.com How far will you go to fight breast cancer? safe, FUN judgment-free...& Naturally! CALLING ALL HEROES Show the world what you’re really made of! Cypress Cove’s Nudeapalooza charity concert has raised over $360,000 for breast cancer research. Your $45 ticket gets you 6 awesome tribute bands, an all-day fun and natural experience at our beautiful resort, and the procedes go directly to breast cancer charity. Get tickets now for this October 22 one-of-a-kind event! Why not come for a visit sooner to see what our resort is all about. Find all details online at: CypressCoveResort.com www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com 37
For over 30 years, Pam Gould has created community part nerships and programs to im prove daily life for Central Floridians. As CEO of Shepherd’s Hope, she is powering the non-profit’s impact, providing free life-saving medical ser vices to uninsured and under-insured individuals and families in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. In 2021, through Shepherd’s Hope, $17 million of healthcare services were provided to individuals in the health care crisis.AsaSchool Board Member, she helped craft the pandemic learning options and safety measures for Or ange County students to succeed. Her recent awards and recognition include: 2022 I 4 Business Spirit of Commu nity, 2022 Leadership Seminole Class 31 Graduate, 2021 Orlando Business Journal Community Impact Hero. Have you drawn inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you. Many women have inspired and mentored me. It started with my mother, Elynor Boraski, who was the first salaried woman at Crane and Co corporate, a great singer, a woman with great drive and cheerleader. She instilled in me the ability to conquer fear and follow my dreams. She passed last year at 97. She was a trailblazer, in a day when women’s roles were very limited. She proved her skills and tal ents and was promoted accordingly over the years. In New York City, I learned a great deal about managing entre preneurial companies and the im portance of nurturing relationships, human interactions in general, priori tization and strategy from Hal Prince’s company president, Arlene Caruso. More recently, I am inspired, coun seled and challenged by female leaders including the women in top roles at Shepherd’s Hope, my fellow OCPS School Board Members, and dear friends like Stina D’Uva (President of West Orange Chamber) and Deb Linden (Ernst and Young Entrepre neur of the Year recipient and owner of The Vineyard Wine Bar & Healthy Bistro). I have had many male men tors who supported my career and de velopment as a leader as well. Would you change anything about how you have handled challenges or successes thus far in your life?
Personally, I am proud to be mar ried to my high school sweetheart John Gould, and proud of Gregory and Matthew, our two smart and cre ative sons who have grown into won derful young men. John and I both subscribe to a service philosophy: he is this year’s JA Volunteer of the year and he was recently awarded The Walt Disney Legacy Award.
38 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + SOMEONE You Should Know
In partnership with AdventHealth for Women, we are recognizing a woman in our community each month who is selflessly giving to others while raising families, supporting their loved ones and/or building their careers. Whether they know it or not, their stories inspire other women near and far.
Woman Next Door
Celebrating the
Absolutely, for challenges, I con tinue to work on being more deliber ate to consider multiple options and create better approaches. I have also learned the value of sleep and the role it plays in providing your best self. As for success, I want to take more time to celebrate with my team and family before moving quickly to the next goal and project. What are you most proud of?
From a career perspective, at Shepherd’s Hope I am proud that throughout the pandemic, my team and volunteers developed innovative ways to serve uninsured Central Flo ridians in need of medical treatment. We helped thousands of families avoid health crises through treatment at our Health Centers, the addition of tele health and the expansion of interven tive health programs.
Pam Gould, Windermere
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Winners also have the chance to be recognized publicly for their efforts.
Examples of each include:
♥
♥
Last year, WHF also incorporated a little friendly competition into WHD with a poster contest. It was such a suc cess that the organization introduced the World Heart Day Awards. This competition, which last year included over 850 votes, gives individuals and teams around the world an opportunity to show their commitment to heart health.
Humanity Access to treatment and support for cardiovascular disease (CVD) varies widely across the world. Getting involved with global events like WHD and local activities, can help spread awareness of healthcare access and equity gaps.
Self Of course, stress can increase your individual risk for CVD.
Quitting smoking/vaping, eating fast food, and overindulg ing in alcohol can help reduce risks. Exercise, mediation and getting enough quality sleep are also great benefits to your own heart health.
This World Heart Day Use for every By Tarre Beach
Nature Air pollution is responsible for 25% of all CVD deaths. Seven million people lose their lives every year, WHF reports. Simply walking, biking, carpooling or using electrical transportation are some things anyone can do to support nature.
World Heart Day is Sept. 29. Learn what you can do to get involved. Since 2000, the World Heart Federation (WHF) and more than 200 heart foundations, scientific societies and patient organizations in more than 100 countries have celebrated World Heart Day (WHD). Held Sept. 29, WHD promotes heart health and drives change at the local, regional and global level. This year’s theme is “Use ♥ for every ♥” and includes several ways to participate including the WHD Challenge. Use Your Heart For WHD Challenge you create and complete your own route for any distance and in any location. Specifically, the route you create should be in the shape of a heart. The result is your very own heart-focused piece of GPS art. What is GPS art? Think of it as the equivalent of emoti cons for maps. A marathon runner named Lenny Maughan from San Francisco is well-known for turning his routes into works of art. He creates many unique images including an unmistakable picture of the artist Frida Kahlo, a hand holding chopsticks, and Star Trek’s starship Enterprise. If you want to participate in this year’s WHD challenge, you can plan your heart-shaped route, run, walk, bike, or paddle. Once complete, submit it using Strava (a route planning app) or WHF’s online form. Besides the WHD Challenge, WHF encourages everyone to think of ways to use their heart for humanity, nature and self.
40 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022
Why It’s Important According to the American Heart Association, WHD is an ideal way to spotlight CVD by “thinking globally and act ing locally.” Everyone from policymakers and health professionals to schoolteachers and families are invited to get So,involved.celebrate World Heart Day by taking the WHD Chal lenge. Enter a creative poster in the World Heart Day Awards competition, change your porch lights red, carpool a day or two, share your heart health success story and use your heart to help all hearts.
Empowering students with the ability to recognize and treat cardiac arrest helps create a community of future lifesavers,” Executive Director of Greater Orlando American Heart Association LaSonia Landry says. Share it Heart to Heart WHF wants to open more conversations about heart health and holds regular debates with experts from several disci plines. These panel debates aim to further uncover insights into the triggers and barriers to behavior changes across so WHFcieties. welcomes submissions of personal stories which in clude striving to overcome CVD risks. Officials say that in spiring others can help change behavior and reach WHF’s goal of reducing the estimated 18.6 million lives lost glob ally to CVD and stroke every year.
Coming Together
www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com 41 Painting Towns Red Every year WHF commu nity partners ask officials around the world to light up monuments and other landmarks in red as part of its Shine for WHD. Past years included illuminat ing the Nasdaq screen in Times Square, the pyramids in Egypt and Niagara Falls in Canada. Individuals can change their outside lights to red lights to show their soli darity as well. Also, in rec ognition of WHD, Orange County Public School stu dents participate annually in a county-wide Hands-Only CPR training “Immediatesession.CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest and every second matters.
As the only CVD organization in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), WHF brings together a diverse network of agencies, healthcare leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), individuals, and foundations to share knowledge, guide policy, and provide people with the tools they need to live longer, healthier lives.
“We encourage all partners and contributors to join with us and help change the course of health for all hearts,” said WHF President Fausto Pinto. With a robust new virtual events platform and up-to-date website, WHF makes roundtables, webinars and other re sources accessible not just to academics and medical profes sionals but also to the public. It is another way the pan demic helped create more connections and expanded the sharing of information and other assets that is so vital to WHF’s mission.
Founded in 1971, the Osceola Council on Aging, Inc. is one of the largest social services organizations in Osceola County. Its mission is to offer services and programs to en able “independence and self-sufficiency for seniors, disabled adults, the disadvantaged and families in poverty.”
Buen Vecino
The funds will help build a new affordable housing project Buen Vecino, meaning good neighbor.
By Alexis George
The OCOA is the recent recipient of a $5.69 million grant from HUD for affordable housing. It is the only orga nization in Florida to receive the grant out of 32 nominees nationally. Wendy Ford, CEO of the OCOA says the grant is a long-time coming.
Osceola Council on Aging Receives Grant for Affordable Housing
The Osceola Council on Aging, Inc.
Moreover, Osceola County ($3.8 million) and the City of Kissimmee ($500,000) will invest an additional $4.3 mil lion into the project. Since 2016, Commissioner Viviana Janer, Osceola County Board of Commissioners says the board is laser focused on providing affordable housing. But this project is extra special.
Last year the OCOA served over 207,000 Osceola County residents. And now, thanks to HUD, the organiza tion continues to fulfill its mission by providing more lowincome housing for seniors.
“That’s tremendous because even with rising cost of operations, HUD subsidizes the rest of the rent so you’re never short on that end and the tenant doesn’t suffer, so it’s a wonderful thing,” says Ford. Ford and Janer both agree that Buen Vecino is not pos sible without partnership. “It takes many partners to sustain our community and the OCOA could not be as effective as we are in this community without the help of the city and the county,” Ford Groundbreakingsays. and construction for Buen Vecino will begin in the first quarter of 2023. The application pro cess for rentals begins in December 2023. For more infor mation visit: https://osceolagenerations.org/
Affordable Housing Grant
“This project is near and dear to my heart because it is near and dear to one of my special interests which is our seniors,” Janer says. “They’re part of our most vulnerable community. They have worked their whole lives. They’ve paid their dues, and a lot of them are now on these fixed incomes and it’s very difficult for them to keep up with this inflation and high rents.”
Buen Vecino is a one story, 60 one-bedroom apartment development in Buena Ventura Lakes (BVL). In partner ship with the OCOA, Buen Vecino will house low-income seniors, (making $29,000 or less annually), 62 years of age or older.The development spreads across six acres. Seniors can access a computer lab, exercise room and community club house that hosts congregate meals and activities. Rent is also HUD subsidized and tenants will only pay 30% of their income toward rent.
“Right now, we have five different apartment complex es that serve in this capacity. So for us, it’s just an expansion of what we do. It’s so needed because our waitlists are like five years long on all our properties,” Ford says.
42 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + DID You Know
www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com 43
Time to Renew as you Ride
Imentioned earlier this year that the Chamber turned 50, and just like people who turn 50, organizations self-reflect and determine what they want their future’s to look like. The Chamber has been doing that all year with our brand and logo. As we were approaching Sept. 29, the rescheduled date for “Best Fest - The Taste of West Orange”, we realized we couldn’t proceed with the event at that time. To ask our food and bev erage members to participate in this event when there continues to be a labor shortage and higher food prices, would have been counterproductive to the purpose of the event and hurt the bottom line of businesses. Rather than put this burden on our food and beverage vendors and to ensure they remain on a path of recovery and growth, we pulled out pre-pandemic plans for a different op portunity for our members. This new opportunity is an event that all may participate in if you know how to ride a bike. Who doesn’t know how to do that!? Tour de Chamber Tour de Chamber - Corporate Bike Ride is a perfect replacement event that allows all participants to renew their love of something most of us learned when we were children. Whether the bike has lots of gears or only one, the ride is a fun recreational 8.2-mile bike loop which includes paved sidewalks and a paved bike trail through the neighborhoods of Ham lin in Horizon West. This is a great opportunity for team building, and for anyone participating to discon nect, get out of work mode, and be active.So, in our 50th year, we should be looking at renewing and refresh ing ourselves. Let’s get together for this inaugural ride. A cycling event is a perfect replacement because it is still outdoors and allows us to support our businesses with this team build ing corporate bike ride. In addition, it creates an opportunity for the cham ber to support one of our greatest partners, Healthy West Orange which has charged itself with the mission of making West Orange County the healthiest community in the nation.
Perks for riders Riders will be treated to bever ages and snacks at the mid-point pro vided by Orlando Health and at the finish line by Home State Brewing Co. Food will also be provided, and shirts and water bottles will be cour tesy of We Are Winter Garden and Imagine That Promo. Bicycle support will be provided by Winter Garden Wheel Works and Boyd Develop ment/Hamlin are providing full support in their town center to riders and sponsors. For more information, ride/tour-de-chamber-corporate-bike-https://wochamber.com/event/visit: at Tour de Chamber
By Stina D’Uva
44 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + YOUR LOCAL | WOCC
November
LNRCC is a membership not-for-profit organization with of fices located in Lake Nona at 6555 Sanger Rd, Orlando, FL 32827. It is not affiliated with, or sponsored by, Lake Nona Property Holdings, LLC, or its affiliated entities. Comments or requests for information are encouraged at Administration@ LakeNonaCC.org.
■ Developers and landlords assert the ordinance will negatively affect their plans and properties as they face increased costs of materials and maintenance.
One-cent Sales Tax – If approved, this sales tax increase will go into effect January 1, 2023 and will increase sales tax from 6.5 to 7.5 percent. Businesses will collect the tax on all sales except essential purchases like groceries and medicines. Buyers will pay this added one cent on the first $5,000 of large single item purchases, or $50 tax. This added tax will put Orange County’s sales tax base in line with most of the neighboring counties. Points to consider:
■ The short duration of the enforcement time period may not bring a significant lasting effect.
46 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022 + YOUR LOCAL | LNRCC Two ReferendumsImportant
■ Planners estimate the new tax will add approximately $400 annually to residents’ budget.
■ This ordinance probably will not fix the entire is sue of rental property expense, but proponents say it may help when combined with other measures like a proposed rental assistance program, a county tenants’ bill or rights, and the creation of an Office of Housing Advocacy.
■ Funding for these improvements will either come from the present tax base or other possibilities like a sales tax, gasoline tax, increased mileage on property, etc.
■ Planners estimate 51% of the annual $600 million will be paid by non-residents of the county.
■ The sales tax increase will bring a yearly estimated $600 million solely designated and monitored for transportation improvements and support. Planned improvement funding includes 45% for public transportation, 45% for roads, bicycle and pedestrian lanes, and 10% to Or ange County cities for roads managed on the city level.
LNRCC does not actively support or disagree with either of these two ordinances. Voters should pursue their own established informational sources. Informed voters’ guide governments with the will of the public.
By Don Long, Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce the Ballot
■ Most residents of Orange County agree the county needs to improve its public and private transportation methods to support its competitive edge as a tourist destination and attractive place to live. The Orange County economy relies heavily on these offerings.
The Orange County election ballot in November will contain two important referendums that voters will need to consider. The Lake Nona Regional Cham ber of Commerce (LNRCC) focuses on advocacy for the community and believes that voters should possess accurate information to make their ballot decisions. One of the refer endums suggests adding a one cent sales tax throughout the county to support transportation. The other referendum approved by the county commission for the November bal lot would bring a rent stabilization ordinance affecting mul tifamily properties into law. Here are a few points for voters to consider as they go to the poles.
■ Median rents in Orlando, according to Apartment List, are at $1,440 for a one-bedroom apartment, are up over 19% in the last year and have increased consistently for more than 1 ½ years.
■ Business owners and managers will need to adjust their point-of-sale systems as well as add a new calculation to their monthly sales tax filings.
Rent Stabilization – If approved the ordinance will cap rent increases on multi-family properties of four or more units based on the latest 12-month change in the average of the Consumer Price Index. The county will enforce the ordinance for one year beginning as early as Nov. 21. Points to consider:
on
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By Alexandra Sullivan
48 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022
Female-Founded Space Company Supports Artemis Mission to the Moon
Craig is used to being a woman in a man’s world. The space industry was nothing new after she studied engineering in college and joined the Navy. But this didn’t bother her. For Craig, being a woman in a man’s world meant opportunity. She was still coming to terms with being considered a role model by owning a company in the space industry as a woman, service-disabled veteran and Hispanic minority. When thinking about how many solely founded female companies have gone public, she discovered there were only 22. Craig is the founder of the first female-founded space company.
Every day, Carol Craig walks into her office, which is il luminated in purple light — her favorite color. Her office at Sidus Space overlooks the facility where she can see the product of what she has worked so hard for. She looks out through the glass and sees people hard at work helping her execute her goal of bringing space down to Earth and making it accessible to everybody.
www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com 49
“Our tagline is “Bringing Space down to Earth” and the idea behind this was making it more accessible to the masses, sort of democratizing the space economy,” Craig said. Working With Customers The team at Sidus Space will work with customers to decide what features to add to the satellite to en sure they’re getting access to and re ceiving the data they need to accom plish their goals. Customers could be anyone—from realtors who want real-time footage of homes to envi ronmental groups who want to see changes in various habitats. One mis sion that Craig hopes to accomplish is to focus a few satellites in an area to gather real-time data and then have different groups benefit from it, such as monitoring the environment in the Florida“PartKeys.of our challenge is Space data education. Our goal is to help everyone understand the importance and potential opportunity of real time Space data and what it can do for their company or business” Craig said.
Craig incorporated Craig Tech nologies in 1999, which is an engi neering, technology and manufactur ing firm based in Cape Canaveral. It provides engineering, software design and development, research, support and other technical services to both government and commercial cus tomers.She is also the CEO of Sidus Space, which “focuses on commercial satellite design, manufacture, launch, and data collection” to deliver data and analytics to customers. When Sidus Space first started in 2012, it was as a government contractor. Ev erything changed in December when Sidus Space became a public compa ny and became a commercial satellite constellation operator. The team at Sidus Space plans on having 100 satellites in space by 2026. Craig said that the satellite constellation, which is a group of ar tificial satellites working together as a system, will be used for customers to gather data and analytics.
Craig Technologies and Sidus Space also supported the Artemis Space Launch System (SLS) by de signing and building ground and flight hardware for every primary system on the rocket. Many suppliers helped support the SLS mission, but not quite as much as Craig. Over the last 10 years, Sidus Space and Craig Technologies have been a part of ev ery major portion of the SLS rockets from the Launch Control System to the Rocket Boosters.
“I think the more opportunities we can provide for people to under stand how Space data collection can be beneficial goes beyond govern ment and corporation use,” Craig said. “It offers us an opportunity to make a global impact with green ini tiatives which will impact generations to come.”
The gala presents yet another op portunity for the community to learn more about Special Olympics Florida and all it has to offer.
■ Introducing Unified Champion Schools to promote social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellec tual disabilities on sports teams.
According to Wheelock, the Unified Champion Schools program is the future of Special Olympics Flor ida. “Through that program we’ve also created partnerships with the Florida High School Athletic Asso ciation (FHSAA), so now our athletes compete in the same FHSAA com petitions in a unified division within their schools.” “Those are some of the real wins around inclusion,” she says.
■ Hosting the 2022 USA Games this past June in Central Florida with a turnout north of 120,000 fans.
“We can see the value of these programs and the positive impact it has so immediately my goal was how many more people can we reach.
By Alexis George Sherry Wheelock
A few other notable accomplish ments include:
Special Olympics
Taking place at the Omni Cham pionsGate, the evening will feature a flowing reception, fine wines and drinks, food, entertainment and a si lent/live auction.
Athletes are provided the opportu nity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, ultimately increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.
So, when I started in 2012, we had around 20,000 athletes compet ing and now we’re nearly at 60,000 athletes across the state,” says CEO Sherry Wheelock.
Celebrates its Annual Champions Gala
On Oct.1, Special Olympics Florida will host its 50th Anniversary Champions Gala to celebrate all its champions.
50 Central Florida Lifestyle | September 2022
The highlight of the evening is an inspiring awards ceremony cele brating 50 years of athletes across the state of Florida, their coaches, volun teers, and supporters of the organiza tion’sThemission.mission of Special Olym pics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities.
■ Providing more than $2 mil lion in free medical screenings for thousands of Floridians with intellectual disabilities through its health programs.
“At every table at the gala, we have an athlete and a mentor, so it could be a coach, their parents, or a teacher, and I think the beauty of that is the athletes enjoy the event and we’re also able to intimately en gage the community,” Wheelock says. “It’s a great way for new people to see what’s happening with Special Olym pics.”Presented by Publix since 1972, the premiere event benefits Special Olympics Florida as individual ticket purchases will sponsor one athlete for an entire year of sports training, com petition, health services, and leader ship opportunities. For more information visit: www.specialolympicsflorida.org/eventshttps://
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