The Local: Winter Garden—January 2023

WINTER GARDEN

JANUARY 2023

featuring Jangi Borhi (right), Dennis Jones and Charlie Mae Wilder

Dr. Martin Luther Community Celebration

C⚫ ntents

Rocks of Ages

The ideal vision of growing older is crystal-clear to the eccentrically elegant Jangi Borhi.

HEATHER ANNE LEE

6 The Lo’ Down

10

Garden Variety

Striking a chord with the city’s newest rising star; A look back at 85 years of Boy Scout troop history; We Butcher Plants at the Farmers market; This charity really puts Seniors First.

16

Keeping the Faith

Charlie Mae Wilder believes in lifting others up, the golden rule and graceful golden years.

TREMÉNE TRIPLETT

Tails to Tell

The Year of the Rabbit was made for one fun bun.

40 Oh, Well!

Six shifts that will keep you young at heart; Orthopedic medicine enters the 21st century

48 Eats + Drinks

We’re shuckers for these raw restaurant delicacies; Juicing: is it worth the squeeze?

66

In for the Long Run

Business owner and lifelong athlete Dennis Jones races through life one day at a time.

HEATHER LUXEMBURG

Rhetoric

Why do the holidays feel like they were last year or something?

ON THE COVER Energy in, energy out: that’s how Jangi Borhi’s crystal healing practice has her feeling more youthful than ever.

FRED LOPEZ

I I know:

New Year’s resolutions aren’t exactly fashionable these days. Much trendier than telling someone about your resolution is to go around quoting stats about how ine ective they are, or how many are forgotten by mid-January.

Not me, though. I love New Year’s resolutions. I love their shiny, back-toschool, Untamed energy. I delight in a calendar year full of opportunity and the excuse to buy gorgeous paper goods and new pens. Making a list of my wildest, most outrageous ideas and dreams? Yes, please!

I’m all in on irrational optimism—in my case, about creative writing, working on my own cookbook, drinking a gallon of water a day, getting back into triathlons, hiking Trolltunga, and summoning more patience.

I know what you’re thinking, and no, I’m not a sociopath. I absolutely understand hating New Year’s resolutions. What’s to love about restrictive dieting, unsustainable workouts, and all manner of unattainable goals?

New Year, New You sounds utterly exhausting. New year, better me is more like it.It’s the trying that counts. This year, even more than success, I’m doubling down on risk and, hopefully, reward.

So yes, I am ecstatic about 2023. I am all sorts of over-the-moon for what progress was made in 2022, a year wrapped in new love, brilliant adventure, two new residences, and fabulous new friendships. In fact, I’m going to spend all month celebrating what has gone down in the last year, and the endless possibilities of the new one at hand. I want change to be an exciting, momentous, powerhouse endeavor. The way Jangi Borhi channels her joie de vivre with colorful, owy out ts, gorgeously unruly gray curls, and rockstar energy (page 18). The way Dennis Jones pedals his high-octane health via the right attitude (page 30). And living every day with the e ortless grace and faith of Charlie Mae Wilder (page 24).

If I choose to have one mentality in this new year, it will be that every single day is precious and new, begging for my attention. Let’s ll the next 12 months to the brim with our deepest passions and joyful conversations, epic adventures and simple curiosity, and whatever magic surprises us along the way. Let’s walk into 2023 with audacious optimism for another year of living, loving, and feeling young at heart.

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Orange County Public Library, Winter Garden

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Polka Dotz

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WG Heritage Museum

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Heather Anne Lee Editor

A PUBLICATION OF emagency.com 407-573-6061 @EMagencyinc

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Michael Wytiaz, CFP® Branch Leader

Dr. Kim Dawson

Healthcare entrepreneur and owner of Pearle Vision in Ocoee and Hamlin. Kim has been passionate about health and wellness for over 20 years. She received her doctorate in Health Science at MUSC in South Carolina. Kim has lived in Winter Garden for 10 years and is inspired daily by her two children, Symone and Desiree. In her free time, Kim likes to cook, travel, and read novels.

Ralph Disciullo

Founder of Beacon Mortgage, setting the highest standards in the industry by putting people first. Prior to the mortgage industry Ralph played a key role in the startup of several businesses. Originally from Emerson, NJ, Ralph attended USF in Tampa and now resides in Winter Garden with his wife of 17 years, Sandi, and their two daughters Daniella and Avery.

Owner of Winter Garden Senior Home Care. Becca is a second-generation Winter Garden resident, and her local roots run deep. She is the true embodiment of joy, and has never met a stranger. Becca loves living the “bubble life,” where her golf cart is her primary mode of transportation. She has dedicated her life to tending to the special needs of our local senior adults.

Pam Thomas

Owner of Pammie’s Sammies, a “thoughtfully sourced, tastefully adventurous” restaurant in the heart of downtown. She is a passionate foodie with a degree in Wine, Spirits, and Beverage Management at the International Culinary School in Tampa. Pam is a staple of the Central Florida community, having operated in Universal Orlando, Dr. Phillips, and now Winter Garden.

Mark Schmidt

Mark has been a resident of Central Florida for 34 years. He spent over 30 years in the Radio and Television industry and currently works for Boyer Building Corp. as the New Business Development Manager. Interests include cheering on the Bu alo Bills, golf and enjoying the next great glass of wine. He is married to his wife, Gina, and has a “Morkie” named Finley!

WINTER GARDEN

January 2023 Vol. 2 No. 4

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EDITORIAL

Heather Anne Lee Editor heather@emagency.com

Rheya Tanner Art Director

Josh Clark Designer

Wendy Mak Designer

Andrew Ontko Designer Evan Miklosey Web

Karen Pazik Production Director

Fred Lopez Chief Photographer

Heather Luxemburg Writer

Tracey Forrester

Tracey is a community advocate helping individuals, families and small business owners gain access to a ordable legal coverage with LegalShield, as well as help protect against identity theft through IDShield. She has been a resident of Horizon West since 2007 with her beautiful teenage girls, Averie and Bryce. Cofounder of Horizon West Professionals and founding member of the Rotary Club of Horizon West, Tracey believes lasting relationships start with community .

Bryan Fifer

Local agent with State Farm Insurance. Bryan is a Central Florida native, Founding President of the Rotary Club of Horizon West, Horizon West Who’s Who Award Winner, and Team Captain for All-Pro Dad. He is married to his beautiful wife Angie and they have two wonderful children. Bryan is highly invested in making Horizon West the best place to work, live, and play.

Angie Layfield NHA/CDAL

Executive Director at Westminister, a senior living and memory care community in Winter Park. Angie has been in the senior housing industry for over 20 years and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight to local seniors and their families. Though originally from Maryland, she has called Horizon West home since 2016. Angie and her family reside in Village F’s Watermark.

Iliana Ramos

Jones Family, faith, and passion are the three major pillars of Iliana’s life. She and her brothers own Empire Finish Systems, of which she is the active CFO. A retired marathon runner, she has transitioned to the more tranquil pastime of acquiring house plants. When not working, she loves spending time with her amazing husband, Charlie, discovering new food, traveling and quiet evenings on Lake Apopka.

Kirsten Harrington

Kirsten is a freelance magazine writer who just returned to Winter Garden after two years of living in China. She loves to travel and explore new places, especially where food is concerned. You can often find her out on the bike trail, in the kitchen with her family, or checking out the local food scene and sharing her finds on Instagram, @ wintergardenfoodie.

Tarin Scarbrough Writer

Tremene Triplett Writer

Mark McWaters Writer

Shay Ingersoll Social Media

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Becca Lanterman

Written by Heather Luxemburg

First Strings

Chandler Daniels’ relentless passion for music creates something otherworldly

Follow Chandler Daniels on YouTube @chandlero icial or Instagram @chvndlerdvniels

From his debut performance at Pilars on Plant Street to hanging out with celebrities in California, Chandler Daniels sees his childhood dream unfolding on the daily. But how is he doing it? “It probably started with my rst band. To prepare ourselves for shows, we had to practice discipline. So, every time someone messed up, they had to take a piece of clothing o — kind of a fun play on the idea of picturing the audience in their underwear, except it was us.”

Unusual, yet comical, this learned discipline helped to cultivate Chan-

dler’s driven mindset. For the years following, Chandler vehemently pursued his goals, but not without stopping to pick up new ones along the way. “I just didn’t let myself stop; it’s so easy to become stagnant, and when you’re stagnant, you’re not progressing.”

To make sure that stagnation never sets in, Chandler is in the midst of a new challenge: Produce a new song for social media every week, for 24 weeks. “There are so many songs dropped every day by so many artists; I have to stand out. Plus, I need to build my discography.” Even 20 weeks into this challenge,

the proli c Chandler remains relentless.

But that isn’t all he has been up to. Alongside his full-time gig as an audio-visual technician at Encore, Chandler is a collaborator with Otherworld, a collective of musicians and artists honing their passions and helping others grow. “Whether it’s recording or producing, co-writing, collaborating, or even writing music, Otherworld is all about nurturing artists and their individual talents. We all get better by working together,” he explains. “One of my clients is a 74-year-old songwriter who sings reggae music. He just dropped a

song on iTunes and Spotify called ‘Out of Babylon’; it was such a fun project.”

This is only the beginning for Chandler— though he is constantly at work on both himself and his ascending livelihood, he is by no means content. “My goal is to get on a funded tour, where I can play music every night, and work solely on music and content. That’s what life is about right now: Music, content, and branding myself. I want to be an artist full-time, but right now I have to be a businessman as well. All of this is leading up to that childhood goal of mine. That’s the dream.”

LOCAL HISTORY

BSA Troop 210

For 85 years, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 210 has been serving the community. First chartered in August 1937 and sponsored by the Winter Garden Rotory Club, these Scouts became the first in the city. The troop was known as Troop 46 until 1951, when it was restructured as Troop 210 and became sponsored by the Winter Garden First Methodist Church, which still sponsors them today. Troop 210 is an ever-active part of the Winter Garden community, devoting much of its time to lending a hand.

In addition to their normal duties of hiking, camping, canoeing, and more, these buoyant boys have also taken part in the Philmont Trek every year since 2008. Dubbed a “BSA crown jewel,” the Philmont Trek has been essential to the character-building and spiritual strength of Troop 210 since its start. Located at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and featuring a 50- to 100mile backpacking trail and an elevation of 60,000, the trek is designed to equip scouts with skills that can only be honed in nature. Even through rain and shine—and, some years, hail—Troop 210 has braved this mountain, eager for enlightenment and achievement from reaching the summit. Perseverance and clarity are honed at Philmont and shared with the people of Winter Garden.

We Butcher Plants

Rich, nutty, and bold, We Butcher Plants’ meats and cheese selection features all the great avors that beg for attention on any charcuterie board. Only it’s not charcuterie. At least not technically.

It’s all vegan, meaning this savory assortment contains absolutely no meat or dairy, as well as no additional preservatives or additives. That’s exactly the reason John and Susan Colwell started their business. When John was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease just eight years ago, he was forced to a reconciliation. Rather, his diet was. Because the body processes meat and dairy the same way it processes Parkinson’s medication, John had no choice but to move to an entirely vegan diet.

During Covid, John and Susan began to experiment with di erent vegan-based foods. When his dairy-free cheese became popular, John’s business-like mind began to churn. “One night, I went out for a long run, and when I came back, I told Susan, ‘We should start a business.’”

John and Susan’s endeavor has been thriving ever since. Found at the Farmer’s Market every Saturday, they are happy to answer any questions one may have about their product; they simply strive to help anyone who may have similar experiences. John says, “Sure, the food is great. But my favorite part of this is connecting with people.”

MARKET WATCH

New year, who dis? Just like a crashed phone, there’s plenty to rediscover about Winter Garden. First a shout out to some new faces. Amy Cervantes joins the West Orange Chamber (@westorangechamber) as Membership Sales Manager. At The Blake (@theblakehamlin) Matthew Stephen takes the Executive Director role. While Angie Layfield will be missed, we’re excited to learn more about Matt’s second full-time job is as a Cheer Dad. Here at The Local (@thelocalwg), Evan Miklosey and Shay Ingersoll join the team in web and social media, respectedly. The Northeastern transplants are already embracing all things Winter Garden sans snow. Look for Shay about town, camera in hand. Tooting our own horn a bit, EM Agency (@emagency) debuted stellar new work for some local clients. Adam Markowitz rebanded Howard L Markowitz CPA as Luminary Tax Advisors, and Ralph Discuillo launched Beacon Mortgage. Go us! Now back to serving up the info you are really here for: food. Several awesome new restaurants in Hamlin are tempting our tastebuds— New York Beer Project, Toastique and Crisp and Green. Lastly, not least, you can thank the new Dairy Queen for slowing tra ic on S.R. 50 for weeks during their opening. Apparently Winter Garden loves a good Blizzard. You may want to considering adding a membership to Pure Barre Winter Garden to keep those resolutions intact after testing all these new eats. And just go ahead and plan that “Dryuary” date night at the gorgeous new Artifact Candle Foundry (@ artifactcandlefoundry) pouring wax (candles) insteads of beer in downtown Winter Garden.

SHARE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS! Email heather@emagency.com

Seniors First

At this moment, 1 in 6 American senior citizens struggle with hunger and may not know where or when their next meal is coming from; that is about 16,000 seniors just in Orange County. Founded in 1966, Seniors First is dedicated to giving seniors safe, independent, healthy lives in their own homes. With multiple meal programs, such as Meals on Wheels, this 501(c)3 nonprofit organization lends a hand to struggling seniors every single day. It takes nearly 350 volunteers to make those deliveries possible, and coordinating those e orts is Charity Director Katherine Brown.

Katherine has seen firsthand the joy and benevolence this charity o ers. “We serve a lot of seniors whose mobility is limited; they can’t get to the grocery store. Or maybe they can’t stand at the stove to cook for long periods of time. But that is no reason to be put in a position where you have to leave your home. That little bit of help coming in is just what they need to keep them feeling like themselves.”

However, Seniors First serves more than meals; it also provides in-home care and refurbishes medical equipment. Overall, Seniors First’s goal is to improve the quality of life of these seniors by helping them to maintain their independence and dignity. “Our society does not put a lot of value on the elderly, which is a shame. They have tons of experience, amazing stories to tell, and our society is so hyper-focused on the idea that ‘young is good; old is bad.’ And that’s a shame, isn’t it?” As Katherine would agree, it is simply gratifying to be able to go out into the community and serve those who raised us.

seniorsfirstinc.org/407-292-0177

CHARITABLE SPOTLIGHT

Year of the Rabbit

Marvel the Rabbit, age unknown

New Year, New Me: that was how it was last year, when I found my forever home. It all started when some nice people rescued me from my hiding place under a car somewhere in town. I was bounced from foster home to foster home for a while, until a volunteer at my rescue adopted me.

This past year was about getting back on my lucky feet. I got a full-time job in town as a greeter at Gracie’s pet food store and I get to hop happily with my friends.

2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit, and I predict only good things ahead to sink my big ol’ teeth into.

I can say this more con dently than anyone: this is my year.

Does your pet have a tail to tell? in.thelocalwg.com/tell-tails

Rocks of Ages

For Jangi Borhi, healthy aging is a potent cocktail of selflove, discovery, connection and rock-solid energy.

HEATHER ANNE LEE FRED LOPEZ

She has a cat named Elvis, a pit mix named Kouki, and a toolbox lled with crystals. If that doesn’t tell you what you need to know about Jangi Borhi (pronounced hahn-jee), then maybe this will: “Aging is beautiful. It’s a gift to grow older. I absolutely love where I’m at in life.”

Simply put, Jangi knows how to be. The 58-year-old breezes through the world with a bright smile and grace. She knows how to talk to people in a way that’s easy. She knows how to laugh and tell a good story and get serious when she wants to be serious. She’s comfortable in her own skin, and it shows in every facet of her being.

Of course, it’s taken nearly six decades to get to this place of ease, but she wouldn’t trade those experiences either. Not the 28 years spent with her husband before he passed. Not the decades spent living and working in New York City, chasing careers in fashion

uses rocks, in the form of crystals, as a central part of her healing practice.

“Our bodies are dynamic, electromagnetic organisms—we have physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy owing through us all the time,” Jangi says. “Crystals are a fun

much the same way more of us are practicing yoga, meditation or prayer, or cleanses with sage or incense. Whether you identify with a speci c religion or none at all, we are all in search of something that will help us to get in more touch with our spiritual selves.

kid, I didn’t care that my sister or her friends teased me for having a box of rocks under my bed. But as I became a young adult and got involved in the corporate world, I became more image conscious. I had a high-stress job with incredibly long hours across

and IT, and climbing rungs on the corporate ladder.

In fact, only one constant in Jangi’s life has been rock solid. Literally.

She was all of 7 or 8 when she realized that rocks were more than, well, rocks.

“I was on the playground, during recess when I found the best rock. So I brought it in with me and during show-and-tell, I talked about the rock, how it had mica and feldspar in it, minerals that you could see because they had di erent colors. And the minerals were from the earth, and the earth had energy. I can’t even tell you how I knew that, but I did,” she laughs. “That rock captured my attention, and it has been that way ever since.”

These days, she is an energy practitioner who

and unique way to help direct that energy towards greater health, especially when used with the right intention.”

Although it may sound a bit bohemian, Jangi is quick to point out that humans have valued crystals for ages: Ancient Egyptian used them for healing, while ancient Greeks and Romans used them for protection in battle. Sacred Indian texts explain speci c healing properties of various crystals and how to use them to treat illnesses, and Chinese medicine still often includes the use of crystals.“Humans have used stones for healing and energetic purposes for thousands of years,” she says.

So perhaps it’s not so farfetched that modern humans are returning to the potential healing powers of crystals and stones, in

“Just as yoga works on a structural, energetic, and emotional level to help us connect to the source— whether you call it god, spirit, or whatever—energy-healing modalities aim to guide people back to a sense of belonging with that source,” she says.

For Jangi, it’s the potent cocktail of energy healing, self-love, discovery, and connection that keeps her grounded, focused, and young at heart. Rocks just happen to be the conduit.

Although crystals have always captured her imagination, it wasn’t until she was a stressed-out adult that her younger and older selves aligned.

“Learning to let go has been the biggest, healthiest change in my life,” Jangi says. “As a young

international time zones, and I got very, very sick. The doctors would check me out and always come back with things like, ‘Oh, your blood tests look ne,’ or ‘Your X-rays look ne,’ or ‘There’s nothing physically wrong with you.’ But I knew something was o . It took several years, but eventually, I realized that the stress was doing it to me.”

“That was in my late-30s, I think. So, I slowly started eliminating the things that made me stressed out. I left the high-pressure job. I moved to Florida, for the rst time. I started revisiting crystals and energy healing. And over time, you start kind of really seeing more clearly what stress does to your life. Especially when you watch children.

Children aren’t weighed

I like to say that we’re beings of light having a human experience because we all have that in common...

down by the world. They’re out and they’re enjoying life and they’re living it, and they’re having fun and they’re playing and they’re happy. And so I just try to create that space in my life. So yeah, life experience taught me to dump the crap, and do the things that

are really important, which is self love, well, all forms of love, spiritual connection, and nd connection with good people.”

It sounds terribly simple, and yet profoundly di cult. But you can’t help but see the joy and verve in Jangi’s demeanor and immediately

want that for yourself.

Jangi’s journey back to self began with crystals and the decision to get her health coaching certi cation.

“All those years when the doctors found nothing, it turns out that I actually had autoimmune diseases, which is only exacerbated

by stress, diet, and lifestyle choices. Fixing my own health became the catalyst for my new life these last 10 years. I renewed my interest in crystal energy and got my reiki certi cation. At the same time, I signed up for the Institute of Integrative Nutrition health coaching program and started changing my diet and changing everything that I put in my body and on my body, including my personal hygiene, my cleansers, my home cleansers, makeup, everything. I decided to go let my hair grow out and go gray. And every time I made a change, I felt better. Physically, for sure, but emotionally and mentally as well. I just kind of started stepping into who I am as an adult woman and nding my own identity again in my life. And that’s just mind-blowing. It’s just like, ‘Wow. That’s right. This is who I am. And it’s fun.”

Fun. That’s a word that comes up a lot in conversations with Jangi. And that’s wildly appropriate for a woman whose energy is incredibly playful and engaging.

In fact, it was fun that led her to her current job at Divine Wellness in downtown Winter Garden.

“I had been shopping there for many years, many, many years. And I was already working in the neighborhood and one

day for lunch I was having a stressful day and I’m like, I’m just going to go in here and ask Michelle [the owner] to make a custom aromatherapy blend for me. When I got there, she had a mother and daughter in the shop looking at crystals. The girl was asking questions, and the mom didn’t know, so I just stepped in, showing her di erent crystals and explaining what they do. Michelle heard me and later asked if I was interested in a job. It started out as part time, but when I left my other job, Michelle was thrilled. So now I’m full time, working the shop and doing energy healing. And I just love it. It’s so refreshing to have fun at work and just laugh and just be myself. No airs, no pretense, no posturing. I’m with people who share my passion for the nature, the Earth, for crystals. I’m actually able to be creative there. And … I get to play with crystals all day,” she laughs.

Back to the crystals, which can be a little woo-woo for those not familiar with the metaphysical. Thankfully, Jangi delights in sharing her knowledge and experience. “OK. Well, we’re all energy. There’s always energy out there, whether it is something like a car moving past us, or the lights or the wind. Everything is energy. I like to say that we’re beings of light having a human expe-

rience because we all have that in common, that we can grow and we can share our light with people. The energy is part of that light. And when we match that on ourselves, we’re more in tune with who we are.

With the help of crystals, Jangi works to bring the body and mind back in balance.“You may have heard of the term chakras, and that’s certainly part of it, but there is more. What I do is clear a pathway for all forms of energy, because sometimes we don’t process things properly. We hold back our emotions, we don’t communicate, and we create what I refer to as energy blockages. And that’s where discomfort comes from, whether that’s a physical ailment or just feeling like you’re not yourself.”

By opening those pathways, she helps clear all the excess stu that hasn’t been processed, on an emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual level. “Heartache, sadness, abandonment issues from our childhood that we don’t even know that are there; they all leave an energetic residue. And it’s my purpose in life to help people clear that out so that they can live a more ful lled and happier life. And it’s lovely, I’ve seen the results, and it’s just like you see people with more motivation, more, their

face lights up, all that stress and pressure in their faces. You see when they walk out of the session, they’re like, ‘Oh, OK. Yeah, I remember what this feels like.’”

Indeed, Jangi’s own life transformation echoes that statement. “With this job, at this particular phase in life, I’ve rediscovered parts of myself that were missing. Turns out, I’m not a little rock hound weirdo that just likes to collect stones secretly in her bedroom.It’s really something that I’m suited for and I’m meant to do it. It’s my connection to the planet, to source, and it’s my connection self.

She continues, “Discovering yourself again is like falling into the rabbit hole. It really is. And I nd that when I was child, I knew better who I was and what I needed than I did in my adult life. Twenties are all about partying and pushing boundaries. Thirties are about moving forward that career and establishing yourself nancially. Forties are more of the same, maybe raising a family or investing in a spouse. But 50 … It’s all about self. Not in a sel sh way, but a self-love way. I love being in my 50s; I feel like I’ve nally stepped into my own. I know how to be, and there’s no greater gift in the world.”

Turns out, I’m not a little rock hound weirdo that just likes to collect stones … It’s really something that I’m meant to do. It’s my connection to the planet, to Source, and it’s my connection self.

Charlie Mae Wilder

TREMÉNE TRIPLETT  FRED LOPEZ

Keeping the

Meeting with community treasure Charlie Mae Wilder on a Wednesday morning requires your A-game.

She arrives early, of course, maneuvering her red sedan into the tight parking lot at The Maxey Community Center. Her bright smile beams above the dashboard. She’s quick with a wave to neighbors passing by, but she shrugs o every o er of assistance with her belongings. Independence is a virtue she wears as con dently as the beautiful, dome-sleeve raspberry dress—reminiscent of a tulip—that she chose just for this occasion.

believes in lifting others up, the golden rule, and growing older with grace.

She makes her way into the community center, taking time to greet everyone who says hello, before making her way to the conference room. She pulls neatly packed folders from her bag, and lays them purposefully on the table. Tastefully polished ngernails swipe her cell phone into silent mode, indicating that she’s ready to begin.

Sounds like any power meeting, right? Except Charlie Mae is 89 years young and already eyeing the calendar in anticipation of reaching the ripe youngat-heart age of 90 next month. She has spent a lifetime accomplishing incredible personal milestones, but more importantly to her, helping residents of West Orange County, and speci cally Winter Garden, to be their personal best. Talk to Charlie Mae about growing older gracefully, and she will discuss helping others, a learned quality she attributes to her mother; education; exercise; kindness to others; and, certainly, her faith.

Her bright eyes sparkle with enthusiasm from the engaging conversation as she details exact dates and awe-inspiring levels of community engagement and devotion to her hometown of Winter Garden. As a bonus, her melodious laughter lls the room as

she teaches the virtues of growing older and activism.

“My mother said ‘when you see someone down, pick them up,’” says Charlie Mae, who gained her rst name from her dad, Charlie, and her middle name from her mother, Dollie Mae. “I’ve picked up so many people. Some come back and say thank you; some don’t. It doesn’t bother me. The pleasure is in the doing, not the reward.”

An attitude she has cultivated for eight decades, beginning of course, as a young girl.

Living History

Born and raised in Bainbridge, GA, Charlie Mae grew up in the vibrant fold of 11 siblings. As the youngest, she says her siblings were always pushing her up to do something or another. So, when the family needs a reunion, guess who is posted as the host chair of the Hayden-Henderson-Price & Wright Reunion Federation? You guessed it: Charlie Mae. Taking nudges like these and more, she created a life full of accomplishments and service.

As a young woman, she left her birth home for Orlando, where her sisters were beauticians. “Like a spider, I got caught in the web,” she describes her draw to shampooing hair for her siblings and deciding to

stay in the area to work. By age 27, she had registered to vote, no small feat, given that African Americans were denied the right to vote at the time of her birth. By 1965, she was a member of the NAACP, where she was instrumental in registering more than 1,000 voters in the Parramore area of Orange County.

“I had to convince people to register to vote, to become rst-class citizens,” Charlie Mae says of the countless hours she poured into the e ort. Her passion for community drove her to work tirelessly in Parramore, but ultimately it was love that brought her to Winter Garden in 1976, when she married the late Rev. Frank E. Wilder, former pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years.

As a newcomer to Winter Garden, and a new bride, Charlie Mae’s commitment to community outreach continued to grow. Over the next four decades, she initiated, served, or worked on an impressive list of community organizations and programs designed to uplift and improve the quality of life in Winter Garden, especially for African Americans. Among them, she served as District 3 Commissioner from 2006-2007, to complete the term of the deceased Commissioner

Mildred Dixon. She committed more than 30 years to the Orange County Community Action/Head Start program. And as if that were not enough, she dedicated six decades to Christian education and programming at Bethel MBC.

While she did not initially set out to be a politician, and possibly none of the other titles Charlie Mae attained, she held rmly to what she was taught as a child.

“I believe in helping people,” Charlie Mae says, “and helping them to help themselves.”

While Charlie Mae has spent her life doing the best she could for others, she recognized it was also important to do for herself. This was especially expressed in her commitment to education. After graduating from high school in 1950 and caring for her ailing mother, this motivated woman decided to pursue higher education.

“I need to get out of here, and do something for me,” she said of the time. “I went to college.”

In 1953, Charlie Mae enrolled in Orlando College, formerly located north of Orlando’s Lee Road. She took a class or two annually as she worked and volunteered in her community. As a result, it wasn’t until 2010, at the age of 77, that Charlie Mae was conferred a bachelor’s

degree in business administration from Florida Metropolitan University.

Her advice for youth today is consistent with her experience, “Don’t be so cool, stay in school in order to help yourself and to help others,” she says.

Charlie Mae’s mother also gave wise words of wisdom that encouraged her to continue her education, and are equally e ective for today’s generation.

“‘Make sure your brain is in the right gear before

your mouth goes into motion,’” Charlie Mae re ects on her mom’s words with fond memories.

Keep it Moving

Conversations with Charlie Mae are speckled with hilarious euphemisms, deep-rooted Bible references, and plain ol’ fun. She weaves e ortlessly on topics as diverse as voting to vocation. And her conversation is just as versatile and active as her lifestyle. She believes in regular exercise and keeping

it moving. Her Wednesday mornings include an hour of exercise at Winter Garden’s Maxey Community Center: yoga followed by what she describes as “fancy stu ,” which includes full body movement. On Thursdays, she and her nephew host the Community of Love Outreach Ministry in her front yard, where they spread the Good News, and prepare meals often accented with vegetables from the Community Garden at Ninth Street that she started in 2008.

On Thursdays, Charlie Mae and her nephew host a weekly Community of Love Outreach Ministry, where they spread the Good News and foster connection over a shared meal.

“My mother said ‘when you see someone down, pick them up.’”

“Celery, peppers, collards, mustards, and sweet potatoes,” top the list of vegetables that Charlie Mae proudly says she helps to grow and cultivate at the garden some 14 years after its beginning. She does all of this while using assistance for walking.

An upright walker helps her to e ectively move around, and she has no intentions of slowing her roll any time soon. Her current routine includes walks to Bethlehem MBC, her church home for more than 50 years, and to Mildred Dixon Community Center, both located nearby her home. She also plans to start a neighborhood walking group to get others active, too.

“While the blood is warm in my veins, I’m going to keep moving,” she says,

slyly, with a smile.

Charlie Mae’s neighbors have suggested a rocking chair and taking it easy for the near nonagenarian—the fancy word for the 90-somethings among us—but she continues to drive and touts that she’s never had a speeding ticket or accident. In fact, she drove six hours to Georgia in 2022, where she admits, “My companion kept me company … when they weren’t asleep.” Truth be told, we’d all be hard pressed to keep up with Charlie Mae in any word, action, or deed.

The Golden Rule Unequivocally, it’s Charlie Mae’s unyielding faith in God that colors her entire life’s experience, as highlighted in her advice for growing older with joy.

The former preacher’s wife is an ordained minister herself, and with more than 54 years as Bethlehem MBC’s Sunday School Teacher, Charlie Mae knows a thing or two about the Bible, the Golden Rule, and how to treat others. She quotes line and verse of the Good Book to make her points about living well and interacting with others. Her own words paraphrase it quite well, too.

“Love is the key to the kingdom,” she says regarding positive interaction with others. “You’re not just loving you, but other people. Be honest, fair, and kind.

Be good to people. [You can do so], with a kind word, an article of clothing, or a meal. We pass this way one time, and we do the best we can by treating people right. To do so, you have to consult God.”

Dollie Mae also left her daughter with heady words to live by regarding decision making:“‘It’s your red wagon,’ she would always say. ‘You can pull it or push it on the road or through the woods.’”

Well, if that euphemism leaves you slightly perplexed, Charlie Mae explains it this way: The red wagon represents the decisions in life that you must make—especially the ones you’ve received knowing advice about. Pulling or pushing the red wagon on a paved road— the way when you follow the good advice—is much easier than when doing so through the woods—uncharted territory where any adversary can jump out and attack you, also known as ignoring good advice.

“The choice is always yours,” Charlie Mae says. “But it’s how you live with that decision that really makes or breaks you.”

As for growing older with grace, Charlie Mae’s advice is pretty simple, “Study God’s word. Pray for understanding.

Pray for everything.”

“While the blood is warm in my veins, I’m going to keep moving.”

Inlongthefor

HEATHER LUXEMBURG

FRED LOPEZ

For Dennis Jones, a healthy life starts by pedaling the right attitude.

ennis Jones has got it gured out. And by ‘it,’ we mean life, and how to keep moving day after day, for 58 years and counting.

As both the owner of Wheel Works on Plant Street and a seasoned triathlete, Dennis has built his life around keeping his mind active, his body healthy, and most importantly, his attitude right. You could try to call him “over the hill,” but to Dennis, the hill is just part of the course.

Born to Run

“At a young age, my parents got me into activities; whatever I was interested in. I was constantly busy with basketball and wrestling, and I was also on the swim team. Keeping active as a kid just rolled into my adult life.”

This type of attitude does not just come naturally; it must be cultivated. For Dennis, the cultivation was literal. “In my teenage years, I worked on my grandfather’s dairy farm. Ten-, twelve-hour days were the norm. It was hard work, but I loved being busy.”

Joining the military at age 18 further honed those skills and layered in the

core component to what Dennis considers the key to his success—discipline.

“In the military, discipline is a way of life. It starts at boot camp, of course, with physical discipline. Later, it becomes mental. There are things I enjoy about both, but tness is a passion that de nitely developed during that time. We all stayed t, and that just carried over into the rest of my life.”

It was also during this time that Dennis discovered a passion for racing motorcycles.“Adrenaline, speed, and danger—what 20-yearold military guy doesn’t love that?” he laughs. “Many of these guys were riding mountain bikes in between work and races, to stay in shape.”

But that wasn’t enough for the vigorous athlete. “They had a triathlon on the base. I signed up on a whim and was like, ‘Oh wow, that was kind of fun!’ So then I

went straight away to the bike shop, got a triathlon bike, and just started doing as many as I could t into my schedule.”

The craziest part? It really was that simple. But, as Dennis would say with a knowing grin, outlook is everything. Training for triathlons not only fostered Dennis’s driven mind, but also kept his focus sharp.

“In triathlon, there are three disciplines—run, bike, swim—so you don’t really get stuck into one. There’s no time to get bored. Plus, you’re always trying to beat your best time, your personal records. It’s just you against the clock most of the time.”

Isn’t that the truth? Time continues to move forward, whether you’re ready or not. “I always think about how life is so short; you never know what’s going to happen, so you might as well enjoy what

you’re doing. Whether it’s work or play— enjoy it.”

Running on Empty

Maintaining this insanely active lifestyle when you’re in your twenties is one thing. But as the decades passed, Dennis discovered that rigorous training begged for rest time in between. “I used to do a lot of back-to-back workouts, two workouts in one day. With age comes a need for recovery, and a lot of people don’t take time for that. Often, recovery is just as important as the exercise itself. You’ve got to let your body recoup and reenergize for the next time. Things have changed; I don’t work out quite as often, and I have more recovery time than I used to, but I’m still doing it.”

Don’t think for one second, however, that “recovery” means kicking back. “Sitting

Adrenaline, speed, and danger… That’s what first drew Dennis to triathlon during his military days. Now, it’s just good, healthy, fun. “Whether it’s work or play—enjoy it.”

“Sitting still is hard for me. My metabolism is high, and I’m always itching to stay busy.”

still is hard for me. My metabolism is high, and I’m always itching to stay busy. It’s hard for me to sit down and watch a movie or something sedentary, because I’m always wanting to move. I need to keep moving.”

Dennis’s idea of “rest day” is closely related to “working vacation”—his words. Think Energizer Bunny, only with a bike instead of a drum. If he’s at the shop, he’s doing two or three things at the same time. That’s why you usually nd him bouncing between Wheel Works’ three locations, his youthful demeanor welcoming, and maybe a little daunting, to less active employees, coworkers, friends, and clients.

Up and Running

Once Dennis starts the race, he must nish it. That’s the case for racing motorcycles, mountain bikes, triathlons, and it’s certainly the case behind his thriving business. “I always knew what I wanted to do, in my heart, involved bicycles. I knew it when I got out of the military. I just didn’t know what that looked like until I drove by the building we’re in right now, and it had a ‘For Lease’ sign in the window. I looked at it, called the guy, and said ‘I’ll take it.’”

Never mind that Dennis didn’t know how to run a business, nor was he quite

quali ed to work on bikes. “It didn’t matter. Once I put my mind to something, it happens. I understood bikes and bicycling, I just needed to go to bike school. All the good ones are out west, so I signed up for the rst one I could, which was literally one week later. I bought a ticket, completed the course, came back, and just kept working.”

There is no questioning his passion; it emanates through every facet of his shops and the people who work there—not to mention the phenomenal customer service. (In fact, if you head over now, Dennis might o er you a co ee from the new o ce espresso machine.)

“Whatever it is you’re doing, enjoy it; it’s that simple.

When it comes to bikes, we always tell everybody, ‘Don’t make it too complicated.’ Just keep it simple and enjoy the ride. Isn’t that what life is all about?”

In Dennis’ case, his passion for action, his drive to spend every minute doing what he loves, that keeps him young at heart.

“I don’t feel my age, by any means. A lot of times I feel younger than my counterparts. I think this attitude starts when you’re a kid, and you’re just having fun. You’re out riding your bike or playing basketball, just enjoying yourself. And then you become an adult and now you work; playtime is over. I never bought into that mentality. Work can be play. I’m living proof.”

JUST A NUMBER: “In triathlons they used to put your age on the back of your calf. I was in my 30s when I came home after a race and my wife asked me what was on my leg. I told her it was my age and she said, ‘Honey, that is not your age.’ I was o by four of five years!”

“Don’t make it too complicated. Just keep it simple and enjoy the ride. Isn’t that what life is all about?”

Doctor Richard Smith is the founder and principle orthopedic surgeon of Florida Center for Orthopaedics in MetroWest, Florida. The practice has logged over 23 years (and counting) of easing the musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of hundreds of ortho patients throughout Central Florida. Dr. Smith adds another decade onto that number with prior experience as Chief of Spinal Surgery Service at Orlando Naval Hospital—he was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserve at the time.

All of which is to say, quite simply, that Richard Smith, MD, is a board-certified orthopedics practi-

tioner with 32 years under his stethoscope, and that is a boatload of experience. (Pun definitely intended.)

In this age of specialization in medicine, it occurs to us that Dr. Smith does not fit that specialization mold. He is not strictly a knee guy or a shoulder guy. “No, my specialty is in general orthopedics. That means I am able to help patients through the entire spectrum of diseases and injuries that may occur to their musculoskeletal systems. I get to help more people with a wider variety of issues, which is why I became a physician in the first place—to help people.

“My training gives me the tools to diagnose patient problems, o er up all the

options facing them, and then do my best to mitigate their issues. My practice has developed to the point now that I can spend more time with each individual patient and his or her family. I’d say 90% of patients who present with an orthopedic issue are not candidates for—and do not need—surgery.”

Any advice on what we can all do to avoid having an orthopedic issue?

“It’s nothing we all haven’t heard before. Eat healthy, maintain an ideal body weight, and stay active. That’s all you can do. Other than that, unfortunately, accidents happen. And genetics most certainly do. If you have osteoarthritis in your family and you reach an age, odds are you will

have it too. If osteoporosis is there, you need to stay on top of it as you get older.

“The good news is there are always new developments right around the bend. New drugs we didn’t have only a few years ago, new therapies, and stem cells will one day play huge roles in medical treatments. I’m looking forward to that.

“In the meantime, if something happens, Florida Center for Orthopaedics will be right here if you need us.”

6200 Metrowest Blvd Suite 104-105 Orlando, FL 32835 407-292-2156 fl-ortho.com

Dr. Richard Smith is keeping Central Florida active, one bone, joint, and ligament at a time.

Orthoh!

Richard Rothman, MD, was a true visionary and an orthopedic legend who transformed what used to be a minor medical specialty into the practice of orthopedic medicine as we know it today. The original home of the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is in Philadelphia, PA, and in those environs, expanded to include New Jersey and New York later. The Rothman name is a well-established center of orthopedic excellence.

Today, Central Floridians also have access to that Rothman Orthopaedics excellence. Its newest addition is the Winter Garden location on Fowler Grove Blvd. The facility occupies the entire third floor of the medical building there which include x-ray facilities and a 2,500 sq. ft. area devoted to solely physical therapy, and with a capacity for 140 to 150 patients per day. Additionally, specialists in hand and wrist, hip and knee, spine and sports med-

icine all see patients at this location. The opening of this location is a part of Rothman Orthopaedics, along with AdventHealth, commitment to patients not having to travel far for high-quality orthopedic care.

Rothman Orthopaedics goal here is simply stated: to completely transform orthopedic landscape in Central Florida to reflect the groundbreaking vision of its legendary namesake.

A lofty goal to be sure, but how do they propose to do

that? Central Florida already has a number of orthopedic practices. How “transformative” could Rothman Orthopaedics really be?

What’s the di erence? We posed that question to Dr. Daryl Osbahr, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Managing Partner for Rothman Orthopaedics—Florida. Apparently, we had a lot to learn.

According to Dr. Osbahr, “Practices have been traditionally structured on a fee for service model. That has been the norm for years. A

A partnership between AdventHealth and the legendary

Rothman

Orthopaedic Institute brings a new standard of care to Winter Garden.

patient comes in with a problem, receives treatment for it, pays, and goes home. If complications arise or results are unsatisfactory, he comes back in to address those concerns. The uncomfortable truth is that complications mean more income for that practice—and more pain and expense for the patient.

Dr. Rothman envisioned a better way. “He felt that there had to be a better way to build a business and over the years, Dr. Rothman developed what he called his subspecialty care model. Unlike fee-based models, Rothman Orthopaedics measures its success on the successful outcomes and more rewarding experiences of its patients. We provide a value-based, quality product.”

Ah ha, we nodded. Sure. But, what the heck is a subspecialty care model?

We learned that subspecialties cover the complete orthopedic landscape. There’s sports medicine, orthopedic oncology, non-surgical treatment, and rehabilitation. Every joint gets its own specialty: from the

spine to shoulder and elbow to hip and knee to hand and wrist to foot and ankle.

Says Dr. Osbahr, “Key to the success of our subspecialty model is that all of our physicians keep strictly to their specialty and don’t stray outside of it. Our hip and knee specialists don’t do the occasional shoulder surgery, for example. They are highly-trained, experienced experts in their field motivated to continually strive to be the best in their specialty. That means they go to all the national and international meetings, stay on top of innovations and become teachers and leaders in their specialty.”

“Dr. Rothman realized long ago that high volume is the best way to build expertise in a physician. But he also placed as high a value on education, innovation and research. You want the guy who operates on your knee to go to all the conferences, stay on top of all the innovations, teach the procedures, and lead the discussions. “Clinical quality. Academics with research,

education, innovation, leadership; patients find all that at Rothman Orthopaedics. It’s what is in our DNA.”

Jon Schmidt, Vice President of Operations adds one more goal to the list for Rothman Orthopaedics - Florida. “We are building our brand here. We are very conscious of that and are confident that subspecialty care is the way to do that. We are not as well-known as other brands in Central Florida—but give us time. The Rothman brand in orthopedics is very strong. Everyone in orthopedics knows who we are.

“To that end, we really strive to create an exceptional experience, not just through surgeries but throughout our entire practice. You won’t come in to the front desk and speak to someone, get help if you need it, and then have that same person be distracted answering the phone, making appointments, etc. As far as our physicians are concerned, our work here is a collaborative e ort. It is not unusual for a patient to hear

I am not the best physician for “X” so I am going to send you to my partner who is. That is the Rothman model.

“Outside of all the marketing and the magazines and everything we’re doing to get our name out there, when someone calls me and says I have to get in, I get them in. Invariably, a week later I hear from them and they say I can’t believe how amazing that whole experience was! The point is, we focus on the patient and give them the best experience possible. That’s how we will build our brand locally.”

But people who find themselves in need of a physician don’t really have the tools they need to choose one. What do they do? They ask friends, ask their primary doctor, wade through the mountains of data on the internet. The one data point that sticks with us about Rothman is this one from Dr. Osbahr: “We are simply doing more surgeries by the right surgeons with expertise in those specialties than anybody else in this region.”

2200 Fowler Grove Blvd, Suite 360, Winter Garden, FL 34787 844.407.4070

TransformingOrtho.com

“We put patients in the right surgeon’s hands at the right place at the right time.”

—Daryl Osbahr, MD

Six shifts needed for Healthy Aging

With every new year comes new trends, and health seems to forever be on top of everyone’s minds. New year, new me, right? A constant, clichéd reminder to get your health game in check.

An abundance of older adults has begun to put a higher priority on themselves as they begin to

nely mature, like the unopened bottle of wine on the shelf. According to this year’s trends on healthy aging, we think that these folks might be on to something.

The world’s population is aging, faster than we expected. In fact, by 2050 the elderly population is projected to double from 9.4% to 16.5% of the total

population— that’s just about 600 million to 1.2 billion. With this massive increase, of course, comes a greater need for care for this population. With the rise of technology and media especially, adults are seeing more opportunities for healthier aging. It is becoming increasingly more prevalent for adults 40 years and older to take

more e ort in their health as they age.

This year will be no exception. How are these nuanced adults approaching this healthy lifestyle change? We’ve identi ed six healthy aging trends that are gaining momentum. All it takes is a little shift in your mindset, and you can take that momentum with you into 2023.

Shift No. 1

Embrace Digital

We enter the new year at a historic level of engagement with digital and mobile technology. According to Pew Research, 97% of American adults own a mobile phone, and adults in the U.S. spend an average of more than six hours a day online. As in virtually all parts of their lives, today’s consumers want digital experiences in healthcare, with one third of smartphone users already using their device to monitor their health or tness.

Here are just a few emerging facts about the increasingly digital future of healthcare:

An app a day keeps the doctor away. 44% of the 50-80 age group uses at least one health app. One quarter of those have shared that digital health data with their providers. Turn your screen and cough. 58% of Americans are comfortable with telemedicine replacing in-person visits.The top reasons were convenience, cost-e ectiveness, free follow-ups, and long-distance availability.

A tough pill to forget to swallow. Patients who get medication reminders on their smartphones report

34% to 38% higher daily adherence than those who don’t. In addition, 45% of health app users with type 2 diabetes have interest in using apps to track blood sugar and medications.

Lean, mean, healing machines. Nearly two thirds of consumers say they would be comfortable using emerging technologies—such as robotics, virtual reality, augmented reality, and arti cial intelligence—for preventive care and health monitoring.(Check out “Life & Limb” on page 44 to see some of these advancements coming to life.)

Cutting-edge “edge” devices. In 2023, we will see more so-called “edge” devices— wearable healthcare tech that’s capable of its own in-device analytics, rather than relying on processing from cloud-based devices. Not only does this mean better privacy, as sensitive medical data never has to leave the device, but it also means faster results, which is critical for devices designed to detect of potentially life-threatening conditions in real-time.

Shift No. 2 Keep It Moving

Ladies (and men), those ‘hot girl’ walks are doing

more than you think! Although it has many other bene ts, exercise is an essential tool for maintaining a healthy weight. Adults with obesity have an increased risk of death, disability, and many diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Adults focused on healthy aging should aim to walk 10,000 steps, or 30 minutes ,every day to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and dementia, among others.

As we get older, we tend to stop using some of the most essential parts of our bodies. Staying active by walking, exercising, or even perfecting your downward dog pose will keep your body loose and your mind sharp!

Shift No. 3 Food Is Medicine

The expression is “garbage in, garbage out”: What you put into your body has a major impact on your health outcomes, especially later in life. And it only took a modern-day pandemic to really hit this concept home.

While we live in a culture that’s obsessed with all sorts of wacky diets, you can expect that 2023 will be pivotal for using foods to help heal the body and improve overall health

and wellness. Certain diets such as the Mediterranean diet (mainly fresh produce, whole grains, and healthy fats, with less dairy and more sh than a traditional American diet), may have a positive impact on health, which is why adults focused on healthy aging have been turning to this diet more and more. Ingredients such as elderberry, vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc, which have long been linked to immune health benets, have been growing increasingly more popular as well. And watch for a continued surge of interest in functional foods that are infused with adaptogens, like ashwagandha, and even CBD (see Shift #5).

Shift No. 4

Catch More Zzzzzzzzs

If there’s one thing you should never have to justify, it’s taking naps. Getting enough—and quality (we’re talking full REM cycle here)—sleep is essential to both your memory and mood. Catching Zs for more than six hours each night is essential to your concentration and problem-solving skills. Getting enough shut-eye also lowers the risk of developing dementia later on. So, the next

time you’re caught “resting your eyes,” you’re actually fending o future disease!

Eight in 10 Americans say that mental/emotional health and getting enough sleep are important contributors to overall health— more than exercise.

Shift No. 5

Put the Can in Cannabis

We all know by now that smoking raises your risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and lung disease, inhibits your sense of taste and smell, and reduces your overall quality of life. Cannabis, however, is the smoking outlier. And for good reason: The plant has proven its e cacy on many illnesses such as depression, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and stroke, as well as pain management. These bene ts have made Florida’s cannabis market the second largest in the nation—a trend that is only expected to continue through 2023.

Another big boost to the popularity of cannabis is its customizability. Advancements in genetics and cultivation have given patients and providers the power of specifying THC and CBD dosages in a given product. It’s also allowed cultivators to create strains to treat speci c conditions, from anxiety and insomnia

WELLNESS COUNTS 270%

The expected growth in the of the 65-and-older population between 1990 and 2050.

61%

The percentage of US adults who want to increase their levels of physical activity (reflecting that they feel they spend too much time being inactive) 49%

The percentage of American adults who are trying to improve their sleep health. 56%

The percentage of US adults look at sugar content first when viewing a food label, followed by calories and sodium content.

SOURCE: The NPD Group

to chronic pain and neurological disorders. These innovations will end the guessing game and enable people to buy these products according to their needs.

Shift No. 6

Your Mind Matters

We Floridians know this better than anyone— sunshine is one of the most e ective ways to outshine depression and mental illness. Just ask the snowbirds, who are still shaking their feathers from the chill of the autumn. Getting a little sunlight every day can drastically improve your mindset and overall mood, and literally lengthen your lifespan.

Research also shows that being socially active can bene t older adults— maintaining emotional connec-

tions with friends and family nurtures the mind and spirit, promoting a healthier mindset. Studies show that staying socially active also encourages adults to learn new skills at older ages, participating in continuous stimulation of the mind through reading, painting, and other activities.

People no longer have a passive attitude toward aging; older adults want to remain active, independent, and content with themselves—and it’s easier than it seems. Staying active, open-minded, and taking time for yourself, that’s it. By following current healthy aging trends, not only are adults prioritizing themselves, but they are also setting themselves up for longer and more ful lled futures.

Life and Limb in 4D

Orthopedic technology moving forward at the speed of now.

What happens when a rapidly aging population still wants live, work, and play well into their golden years? When their bones, joints, and ligaments start to wear like tread on used tires? They lean into orthopedic technology and pray it can keep up.

Lucky for them, orthopaedics is on re! Here are three amazing trends that are rapidly gaining traction in local ortho facilities.

Regenerative Medicine

The human body has the natural ability to heal itself in many ways. A cut to the skin repairs itself, broken bones mend, and a living-donor’s liver regenerates in a few weeks. Imagine if scientists could capture this

naturally occurring ability to heal and apply it to a wide range of conditions.

This is exactly why regenerative treatments have been a hot topic in virtually every eld of medicine. It goes beyond disease management to discover therapies that support the body in repairing, regenerating, and restoring itself to a state of well-being. Currently, regenerative medicine—which is being tried primarily in osteoarthritis—has two branches. One is tissue engineering, which tries to create replacements for damaged tissue. The other is self-healing, which uses injections of stem cells or platelet-rich plasma to push the body to repair itself.

Dr. Patrick King, Sports Medicine Physician at

Winter Garden’s Rothman Orthopaedics, says, “Regenerative medicine has gained interest in recent years as both patients and the medical community seek alternative and/or additional treatment options for various medical issues. Such an example is stem cell therapy, which has the potential to promote tissue regeneration. Thus, regenerative medicine such as stem cell therapy is increasingly becoming a topic of conversation with patients when treating orthopedic conditions. As research continues to evolve, so does the utility and application of these therapies. There is much for us to understand and learn in regard to regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. However, this eld of medicine is reassur-

ing ,and I’m excited for the future of stem cell therapy within orthopedics.”

Robotics

While robotic orthopedic procedures are still relatively young, most commonly used in spinal and prostate surgeries, physicians report a myriad of bene ts from the tools, including faster recovery times, fewer complications, and less invasive procedures.

Indeed, a robotic arm is much more precise than the human eye, enabling more accurate positioning to decrease soft tissue damage and deliver better stability and range of motion for the patient. The surgeon allows the robotic arm to control the bone cuts and remove just enough bone with an accuracy of 0.5 millimeters.

Dr. Sijo Parekattil, MD, FACS Avant Concierge Urology

Dr. Shweta Patel, MD Gaya Wellness

Amber Baxter, EDSE Sex Educator/Certified Sexual Health Resource

Chris Anderson, LMT Certified Sex Therapist

Terrill Schrock, PhD Tantric Linguist

Honey Cummings Author Dr. John Carrozzella, MD Florida Center for Hormones & Wellness

Belinda Perkins Captured by Belinda Boudoir

Dr. Andrew Clair, the Joint Replacement Surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics, says, “In recent years, we have seen signi cant advances in orthopedic surgery innovation with respect to robotics, virtual reality, and augmented reality. For example, in total joint replacement surgery, robotic-assisted surgical techniques and developing augmented reality technologies aid surgeons in placing components in the optimal

alignment with potential to improve precision and enhance patient safety.”

Augmented Reality

One steadily increasing trend in orthopedics is the use of augmented reality (AR). At its core, AR comprises special hardware and software, which is used in order to o er computer-processed imaging data to the surgeon in real-time, so that real-life objects are combined with

computer-generated images. AR is also of great value in the educational world for students, instructors, and training operations, as is the case at Rothman Orthopaedics.

Dr. Clair says, “AR is already being used in our eld for both pre-operative planning and training, allowing trainees to engage in realistic scenarios preparing them for both clinical and surgical experiences.”

AR is expected to expand into more orthopedic subspecialties in the near future. In spine surgery, the majority of AR applications in development address surgical navigation of pedicle screw instrumentation. For osteotomies, AR can assist with surgical navigation and visualization, and applications in trauma surgery have helped to reduce radiation exposure for patients.

Limb-it-less

In 2017, Dr. John Williams of the Advanced Orthopedic Institute in The Villages used 3D printing for a knee replacement surgery. The first-ever 3D-printed finger surgery was performed by St. Petersburg Dr. Daniel Penello in 2019. So while this technology is certainly cutting-edge, applications are already being used in Florida orthopedics.

Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing uses a digital file to create a physical object by fusing material together, usually layer by layer. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, you don’t need a mold or a block of material to create something, which allows you to quickly make minor adjustments.

Currently, one of the most accessible applications of 3D printing is to incorporate it into the preoperative planning process, much like AR. 3D-printed models provide highly accurate, life-size representations of the anatomy so you can explore the area and identify potential obstacles during surgery. This provides a particular advantage in complex cases like total joint replacements or fractures. In most instances, orthopedic surgeons have to rely on X-ray and CT images and technical guides from a manufacturer when choosing an implant for a patient. Modeling these images in 3D gives surgeons more data with which to inform their final decisions.

Crudo? Do you

Raw fish is sizzling hot right now.

HEATHER ANNE LEE FRED LOPEZ

n a recent Sunday afternoon at Bruno’s Oyster Bar, ve seats tucked into the Barrel Room at Plant Street Market, I sampled ve types of oysters, perched on a platter of crushed ice like briny gems. As I slurped each one, I noticed their individual charms: the minerality of the Elk Horn, the fresh softness of the Cortez Island, Damariscotta’s deep umami, and Skookum’s briny hint of seaweed and salt.

A week later, I went back and sampled ve di erent bivalves, equally diverse and appealing.

For many, raw oysters— much like champagne or caviar—make an evening feel luxurious. But for oyster bu s like myself,

Othey’re also a comfort food. They are reminders of the beach, the boat, the sand, the surf. They’re shucked and slurped on the dock, chased with a cold beer, as wonderfully and easily as they are served on a silver platter with champagne and mignonette.

Of course, I feel the same way about sushi, sashimi, and poke. And

clearly, I’m not the only one. It’s no coincidence that two of the four Michelin-starred Orlando restaurants are omakase experiences. And now, at least three new raw places have put down roots in Winter Garden.

From poké bowls to raw oysters, sashimi to ceviche, raw sh is sizzling hot right now.

Oyster-Gram

What makes oysters such a striking visual? In part, it’s the dichotomy of the harsh, rocky shell with the tender, pearl-yielding interior. It’s this juxtaposition that so easily turns oysters into a metaphor for pretty much anything, reflected in the way we talk: “the world is your oyster,” “coming out of your shell,” or “clamming back up.”

Love on the Half Shell

There’s not much to say about oysters that isn’t conveyed by Ernest Hemingway’s famed missive: “As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste

that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.”

Outside of being a briny, slippery vehicle of happi-

ness, oysters are also the perfect protein. They’re easy to eat.You don’t feel heavy or stu ed after eating them.You can dress them any way you like, and you feel the taste of the ocean when you eat them.

And while we’ve all heard the warning: Only eat raw oysters during months whose names contain the

letter r, and yes, fall and winter are technically oyster season, a good friend of mine always says there are three r’s in refrigeration. The most important thing is knowing where the oysters come from,when they were harvested, and how well they were maintained before arriving upon your anxiously-awaiting palate.

Raw Lite

One of the fastest-growing raw trends is poké, as evidenced by the plethora of poké places that are popping up all over Central Florida, including Poké by Gochi, Tyler Chung and Kyoko Mamitsuka’s newest raw concept.

Poké (pronounced po-kay and rhymes with okay) is a mix of raw cubes

of seafood (usually ahi tuna or salmon) in a soybased marinade. It’s often garnished with seaweed, cucumber, avocado, or tobiko, and served over rice or greens.

Ubiquitous in Hawaii, where you can pick it up in grocery stores and gas stations alike, poké’s avorful version of fast-casual cuisine has washed ashore in

mainland America with abandon. Its popularity emerges from the meetup of three powerful consumer trends: healthier food, customization, and the cultural love of eating from bowls. In fact, Kyoko says, “Fresh proteins and vegetables … it’s practically guilt free!”

The appeal of raw food to her, speci cally poké and sushi, is texture and taste. “I’m from Japan, so

raw food is a big part of the culture. If anything is fresh, we eat it raw to really appreciate the ingredients,” says Kyoko.

What’s more, a typical poké meal costs about half as much as a sushi meal, and it’s an easy raw-food entry point for people who aren’t sure they love eating raw.

Try Kyoko’s favorite combination: Tuna marinated with poké sauce, cucumber, edamame, jalapeño, avocado, bonito rice seasoning topped with fried wonton, and spicy mayo.

Yummy

House

Clubhouse is a seafood-centric resturant featuring Cantonese & dim sum cuisine. A fresh dining experience with traditional flavors.

Oh My Kase

What’s not to love about sushi? It’s beautiful to look at. It sits lightly on the stomach, generating pleasant sensations of health and well-being. And it makes all manner of diners feel adventurous.

Winter Garden is blessed with several sushi options, including Poke by Gochi’s sister restaurant,Gochi Sushi. However, the newest to the scene is Norigami.

This counter-focused sushi haunt debuted last November in Plant Street Market, just after Bruno’s

started shucking. Despite the fact that most seats are full on any given day, Norigami has gone largely overlooked by the foodie crowd. One word: don’t. It won’t be long before locals recognize this as an a ordable spot for its quality sushi. Equally ideal for a date night or a random Tuesday.

There’s a creative selection of crudo (the Italian and Spanish term for raw sh typically served as an appetizer) and every option is available as your choice of nigiri, sashimi, or temaki.

New to sushi? Try the Aburi, which is lightly torched for those who may be on the fence about raw. Anyone else would be remiss not to ask for the Omakase experience and let the chef take your palate on a 10-piece adventure.

Main Squ ze

ee

FRED LOPEZ

Let’s be honest: my body is reeling. It’s easy to blame the holidays, which really should just be considered sugar season given all the carbs, sweets, and alcohol consumed— but it probably started long before. So like most of you, I’m starting the new year with all good intentions to do better.

In an e ort to cleanse the body, many of my friends recommended introducing juicing to my daily routine, which feels very daunting. I imagine “juicers” waking up to the sunrise, doing yoga on the beach, then lounging in a hammock—

which is not me. But given our close proximity to fresh fruits and vegetables (Hello Saturday Farmer’s Market), and the good-natured pressure of my friend and avid juicer, Michelle Chapman, I’ve agreed to dive into the subject and attempt to assimilate into this highly acclaimed lifestyle.

I’m not going to lie— juicing is a polarizing subject. Some experts say there are no health bene ts, while others swear by it. Weight loss is often a goal, but the reasons to juice often go beyond that. We often see the words “detox” and “refresh” or “re-

charge,” as well as hearing about decreased in ammation and elimination of skin issues. I personally believe in the healing power of food; I can see the appeal of incorporating more fruits and vegetables in lieu of poor-choice meals, but I want to be able to test the waters and not be restrictive.

Michelle, who happens to own Central Florida Power Yoga, says, “I always feel my best when I start my day with a juice. I see a huge di erence in my digestion and skin when I consume fruit/veggie juices before 12 pm and then

eat meat and other foods later in the day.” Which explains why the experts say to make it a gradual change, rather than a longterm crash diet. Start slow and consume juice with other foods to give your body the bene ts, but also to not leave you feeling hangry and irritable.

Juicing isn’t just for adults either. You are replacing processed and unhealthy foods with fruit and vegetables for the rewards; children could be just as open-minded to juicing! Michelle agrees, and now juicing is an everyday norm for her and

Tarin Scarbrough gets the juices flowing with the help of some friends.

her 4-year-old son, Brad. “I love to juice with my son. is it a fun activity we do together, he is always excited your kids o their tablets, juicing can get your family

lemons, cucumber, any greens, ginger, apple, and jalapeño! Her secret weapon is 100% celery juice. “It’s an amazing reset for your liver. It gives you so much energy and always feels like a total body reset!”

Or, you can wing it like I do and just browse the Saturday Market, grabbing whatever looks interesting.

Short on time or creativity? Don’t panic. Our local spot, Press’d Juice, is a great resource for fresh juices and smoothies.

Currently located at Plant Street Market, Press’d will be expanding in 2023, taking their cold-pressed juices, immunity boosters, and ready-to-eat vegetarian food options to a new location on Plant Street. Meanwhile, you can bet I’ll be taking advantage of their personalized 1-7 day cleanses and freshly made smoothies to kick start the new year. If it’s your rst time, though, I recommend Dean’s Jet Green or Nutty Cacao.

This year, whether you’re looking to heal your body and gut, spend more time in the kitchen, or nd more ways to get your kids to get vitamins— there are so many ways to get fresh fruits and vegetables into your system. Bring out the best in the fruits and veggies, and they will bring out the best in you! .

Cariera’s Fresh Italian

1041 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden / 407-554-3622 carierasfreshitalian.com

If there’s two things most people can agree on, it’s that a hearty plate of pasta is always a good choice, and the best place to get that fix is Cariera’s. Heavy with Italian tradition, Cariera’s features timeless favorites, such as spaghetti and meatballs to chicken Saltembocca, white Cacciatore to Eggplant Parmigiana. There’s even a lite menu featuring Keto versions of your Italian favorites! Whether celebrating a special occasion or simply feeding the family, Cariera’s strives to make every guest feel comfortable enough to laugh out loud, reminisce, and indulge.

David Ramirez Chocolates

WINTER GARDEN 426 West Plant Street / 407-614-8278 ORLANDO 2154 Central Florida Parkway / 407-816-7400 davidramirezchocolates.com

At David Ramirez Chocolates, we place a high value on using the best ingredients available, sourced from across the globe. Our goal is to bring you a superior product, and create an immersive and memorable culinary experience. We approach every creation with a focus on quality and artistry. Our team is trained in the old-world style, while incorporating innovative and pioneering techniques and flavors.

HOURS

Mon-Sat 11am-9pm Sun 11am-8pm

CELEBRATEWITH CATERING TRAYS

WG HOURS

Mon-Thur 12pm-8pm Fri 11am-9pm Sat 10:30am-9pm Sun 11am-6pm

MENU

The French Café

WINTER GARDEN 16412 New Independence Pkwy / 407-500-4050

WINDEMERE 5855 Winter Garden Vineland Rd / 407-500-0306 thefrenchcafe.com

Wish you were in a cozy neighborhood café in Paris, sipping a French co ee while the smell of fresh pastries fills the air? You can be there without ever leaving Winter Garden when you dine at The French Café. Try our one-of-a-kind pastries baked fresh daily by our acclaimed chef. Join us for a relaxing breakfast on the weekend or stop in before that evening movie for a delightful dinner. We can’t wait to say bienvenue to you!

HOURS

WG Sun-Sat 7am-3pm

WIN Sun-Sat 7am-5pm

Market To Table

146 W Plant St, Winter Garden / 407-395-9871 market2table.com / Private Dining Available

Nestled in the Heart of Historic Downtown, Market To Table creates Modern American cuisine with classical influences. Chef/Owner Ryan Freelove’s seasonal dinner menu o ers a delightful mix of traditional, yet elevated, dishes, like the Filet Mignon or Braised Short Rib, along with an exciting array of specials. But it’s their new brunch menu that is truly buzzworthy. Come for the humongous Bloody Deluxe, Pork Belly B.L.T., and Steak & Eggs. Stay for the giant Cinnamon Roll and Bread Pudding French Toast. Before you leave, you’ll be making dinner reservations. It’s just that good.

Mon-Wed 5pm-12am Thu-Fri 5pm-1am Sat 11am-1am Sun 1pm-9pm

Pilars Martini and Loft

146 W Plant St., Winter Garden / 407-369-8900

pilarsmartini.com

Pilars brings to life martinis, mixology, music and more. Drop in for our wide selection of beer, wine and spirits, or try one of our specialty mixed cocktails. Pilars is a comfortable blend of ’30s deco décor, surrounded by the arts. Then wander upstairs to enjoy Pilars Loft, equal parts entertainment and inspiration. Because when it comes to putting on a good show on Plant Street, things are looking up.

Gochi Japanese Kitchen

14195 W. Colonial Dr., Winter Garden / 407-877-0050 gochijapanesekitchen.com

Since 2007, Gochi Japanese Kitchen has been providing Winter Garden with the highest-quality Japanese favorites. Raw a la carte options like nigiri, sashimi, and rolls, plus uniquely crafted noodles, yakiniku and yakiyasai bbq grill options. Need space for a special event? Ask about our private dining room and catering options!

ORDER ONLINE HOURS

Tue-Thu 12pm-9pm Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm

The Hangry Bison

250 W Plant St, Winter Garden / 407-347-9099 thehangrybison.com / Reservations Available

The ultimate build-your-own-burger experience has landed in the heart of Winter Garden! The Hangry Bison is known for quality bourbon, craft beer and cocktails, and award-winning bison burgers, but our vast menu has a little something for even the hangriest appetites. Check us out on weekday evenings for discounted selections of drinks and small plates. Your parents did happy hour; we do Hangry Hour!

Sun-Wed 11am–10pm Thu-Sat 11am-12am

HANGRY HOUR

Mon-Thu 4–7pm Fri 4-6pm

Naan Stopp Indian Restaurant

5845 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Windermere / 407-347-5487 naanstopp.com

If you haven’t soaked warm garlic naan in velvety butter chicken sauce or scooped chana masala with tandoor roti, get ready to be delighted. Fresh, flavorful modern Indian cuisine is finally here! Naan Stopp glimmers with its roster of succulent tandoori, rice dishes, and fragrant curries—a world of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights imbued with vivid seasonings that never lose their spark.

HOURS

Every day

11am-3pm 5pm-10pm

HOURS

Tue-Thu 11am-7pm

Fri 11am-8pm

Sat 11am-7pm

Sun 11am-3pm

Pammie’s Sammies

121 S. Boyd St / 407-730-3212 / pammiesammies.com

Feed the Soul. Craft with Love. Serve from the Heart. That’s the record-setting recipe behind Pammie’s Sammies, a fun sandwich space with funk woven into its atmosphere and baked into every dish. With food that is thoughtfully sourced, earth-friendly, and tastefully adventurous, our menu pairs old family recipes with tasty trends, all to the soundtrack of classic tunes and conversation among friends.

HOURS

Mon-Sat 11:30AM-7:30PM

Poke by Gochi

13770 W. Colonial Dr., Winter Garden / 407-347-5091 pokebygochi.com

Poke (pronounced poh-kay) is the bowl of the moment, and no one does it better than Gochi. This fast casual concept by the owners of Gochi Japanese Kitchen uses all the same, high quality ingredients as its sister location, only in a one-bowl concept. Choose from chef crafted options or customize your own with a variety of colorful sauces, piles of crunchy toppings, and a white rice, brown rice, or lettuce base. Always fresh, always your way.

HOURS

LUNCH

Mon-Fri 11am-3pm

DINNER

Sun-Thu 3pm-10:45pm

Fri & Sat 3pm-11:15pm

STK Steakhouse

ORLANDO 1580 Buena Vista Drive / 407-917-7440 stksteakhouse.com/venues/orlando/

STK is “not your daddy’s steakhouse”—it’s high-energy dining, combining the quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere. Delectable cuisine and upscale cocktails meet chic décor and an in-house DJ to create a memorable fine dining experience. The menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner, with traceable, ethically sourced beef that produces the highest quality craveable steaks.

Thai Blossom

99 W. Plant St. Winter Garden / 407-905-9917 / mythaiblossom.com

Your love of Thai will blossom among fragrant curries, silky noodles, stir fries, and grilled meats. Authentic, flavorful and always cooked to order Thai Blossom o ers some of the tastiest cuisine in central Florida, right on Plant Street. And plenty of options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals make it the perfect choice for workday lunch, dinner dates, and special celebrations.

RECOGNIZED FOR DELICIOUS, A-GRADE THAI CUISINE.

Tres Amigos Grill

1025 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden / 407-614-3975 tresamigosgrill.com

Born in faith. Created with love. That’s how John “The Take Home Chef” Kresl crafted Tres Amigos. The brand that started with salsa has evolved into an entire menu of Tex Mex-inspired platters, bowls and tacos. Choose your protein (from authentic carnitas, and Certified Angus beef skirt steak to seasoned local vegetables) and enjoy it with homemade corn or flour tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole, black beans and rice.

MENU HOURS

Mon-Fri

11am-3pm & 5-9pm Sat 11am-9pm Sun 12-8pm

HOURS

Mon-Sat 11 am-8 pm Sun Closed

Where Does the Time Go?

No, seriously, I have no idea what time it is.

Remember the holidays? Man, those were some good times. The gifts? The food? The one conversation that got uncomfortably political for a few minutes? You were there, you remember.

At least, you should. It’s only been a couple weeks since then. Yet, it somehow feels like forever ago. What were you even doing between then and now? Where did all that time go? If you ask me (you didn’t, but this is my page), I say the problem of time is actually a problem of timing.

It starts in the gap week— the mysterious pit between the couch cushions of December 25 and 31, into which all your extra time crumbles and vanishes forever.(Maybe that’s just me, since I’m missing the little brain wrinkle that holds my time management skills. With no structure and no obligations, I immediately lose track of what day it

is, when I last ate or slept, my rst name, whether I exist, until I nally reemerge from the ether with a new out t and a bruise I can’t explain.)

But that’s only where it starts; the real problem is where it all ends. After the anticipation and celebration nally breaks, what does it break into? The cold, dreary “Monday” of the year, the month that even the sun doesn’t participate in. That’s right, it’s freakin’ January.

January, when the dazzling lights and elveson-the-shelves get shoved back into their box in the attic and forgotten. January, when the houses that once smelled like fresh cookies now smell like burnt hair because you had to turn the heater on for the rst time in nine months. Just a few weeks ago, you were indulging in all your favorite pleasures.

forcing yourself to use a day planner or something.

The closest holiday is, what, MLK Day? That’s still pretty heavy. Groundhog Day? That’s not even in January. It’s that sudden drop in celebration density just as the cultural adrenaline is wearing o that makes December feel so far away.

Now, I’m not the type to present a problem without o ering a solution, so here’s my Shark Tank pitch: We jam another holiday in there. A big feel-good one, and hey, maybe even a local one? A cursory

was adopted, o cially putting protections in place to preserve our historic downtown. That’s as good a thing to commemorate as whatever Arbor Day is there for.

I imagine I’m a little late for a 2023 implementation, but come 2024, January 11 will be “Winter in the Garden” day. Celebrate local history and give the boring-est month on the calendar some oomph? City event planners, call me.

For this year, though, we’ll just have to really, really play up Groundhog Day.

Rheya Tanner muses on life as a local