Meet the eclectic mix of photogenic pooches who love to call Winter Garden home.
FRED LOPEZ
Four charities making a di erence in local animals’ lives—and how you can be part of the change.
HEATHER LUXEMBURG
How a love of animals led April Mackin to an exotic career as an animal trainer.
MARK M c WATERS
6 The Lo’ Down
10 Garden Variety BFFs help the community’s people and animals live naturally; A Facebook group for lost pets; Market Watch: Pet Wants; Local History: Planting Seeds
14
An entire community feels the loss of Phantom.
When Gus Aref identified his odd symptoms as a heart attack, it brought
Expert canine food critic Rylee Anne chows down on selections from the
ON THE COVER Odin the Tibetan Terrier lets his hair down for our special puppy photo-op.
FRED LOPEZ
I’d nuzzle a
cat. Or feel a ection for a cat. Or let myself be in the same room with one on purpose. This time last year, I believed that all cats were evil and unpredictable, born in hell, existing only to antagonize the living.
My sole experience began and ended with my best friend’s feline. It (pronouns aren’t necessary in hell) would crawl into any purse, bag, or suitcase I had and urinate all over my belongings. This went on for years, plural, to the point that I refused to bring anything indoors during my stay. Cat, 1. Heather, 0.
So imagine my surprise, ve months into a new relationship, when the edges of my favorite linen sheets are starting to resemble one of those multi-tailed kites blowing in the wind thanks to Jenkins, a kitten with Wolverine-like claws. Imagine my surprise when my $200 sheets near ruin … and it makes me laugh.
Jenkins has a sister, Sheba, whose particular claw-like vice involves rug shredding and tormenting our four dogs—Aengus, PupPup, Boe, and Rylee. (If you’re counting, yes, that’s 24 paws in the house. I could probably rethread both sheets and rugs with all the pet hair.) And yet, I watched Sheba literally stroke Rylee’s head when she was shivering and whimpering during a thunderstorm. Not swat, but stroke, trying her best to soothe Rylee’s fears.
That is the sound of my heart melting. And now, much to my chagrin, I begrudgingly admit that some cats do, indeed, possess qualities worth loving.
That said, my heart will forever belong to dogs. And if downtown Winter Garden is any indication, so do yours. So what better central theme for this February issue than our love for man’s best friend? Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day may be eeting, but a dog’s love knows no bounds.
My puppy love story began seven years ago when I rescued Rylee, a brindle Boxer mix with the most tender soul. In our years together, she pulled me from the depths of depression, gave me purpose and introduced joy back into my life. Our daily walks eventually became runs, helping shed extra pounds and reestablish the healthy lifestyle I enjoy today. She assuaged my grief, even in the midst of her own. And when I was ready to date, she became the ultimate litmus test. Aengus, PupPup, and Boe are new additions to our family—a canine Brady Bunch that can only happen when you combine lives with a new partner— and to be clear, Rylee de nitely misses being an only child. But those three boys (and their dad) are expanding my capacity for love in wild and wonderful ways. A very good friend of mine once said that dogs are God’s love wrapped in fur. And isn’t that the dog’s-honest truth?
Heather Anne Lee Editor
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Nemours Children’s Orthopedics goes well beyond standard medical care to help ensure kids get back to being kids earlier than usual. Our advancements in care enable some kids to return to the comfort of their own home and resume activities sooner. Because getting back to being a kid is as important as getting that cast off. And our research in children’s orthopedics is opening doors to even more unexpected remedies. Remedies that will help children recover in ways ordinary medicine simply can’t.
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Here, kids heal even before the cast comes off.
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.
Branch Manager with Success Mortgage Partners, 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.
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 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!
February 2023 Vol. 2 No. 5
Jamie Ezra Mark Publisher jamie@emagency.com 352-425-6400
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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 .
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.
Executive Director at The Blake at Hamlin, a senior living and memory care community in Hamlin Town Center.
Angie has been in the senior housing industry for over 20 years and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight to our Horizon West 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.
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 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.
Fred Lopez Chief Photographer
Heather Luxemburg Writer
Mark McWaters Writer
Shay Ingersoll Social Media
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Send ideas and images to: thelocalwg@emagency.com
At Schwab, we take time to give you straightforward answers to your toughest questions. What are our fees? We’ll tell you. How about fully explaining our services? You got it. If you live in Clermont, go ahead. Ask Michael anything. He’ll always give you a transparent answer. Get started at schwab.com/clermont © 2022 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) Member SIPC. All rights reserved. (1120-0JP6) SCH6700-10 (6/22)
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used to burn regular candles, but they were causing allergies and other issues,” April says, “I said to Holly, ‘Let’s make candles so we can burn something we know won’t irritate us, and is all-natural and sustainably sourced.’”
While some people may be toxic, this duo sure isn’t. April Mynhier and Holly Myers are churchbuddies-turned-bestfriends-turned-businesspartners who have spent their time leaning into healthier living. Now they’re using their knowledge to better the lives of animals and people alike.
Whether they’re tending to their numerous plants, managing a butter y conservation (yes, you read that correctly), or spending time with their families— two-legged and four—April and Holly naturally have a positive impact on everyone around them.
It isn’t di cult to notice their empathy and passion either, and their bright demeanors re ect this. Dynamic and vivacious, Holly and April exemplify what nontoxic living entails, from clean eating and green living to natural candles.
April lights up when she talks about it: “I don’t treat my plants and garden
beds with pesticides so as not to harm the birds and pollinators. And my backyard is butter y heaven—I even have a greenhouse I brought into my dining room to save their eggs from other insects.”
Holly adds, “April and I both use natural cleaning products, organic foods, essential oils, and natural remedies for health issues, for both our pups and us.”
This way of living might seem challenging to maintain, but April and Holly don’t just make it look easy,
but aim to make it feel easy for the community. Their commitment has inspired neighbors and friends to explore nontoxic living, inside and out. “We just want to do what we can for everyone around us,” says April. “It’s important to revel in the natural side of things sometimes.”
For the past year, April and Holly have been investing their time and expansive knowledge into their newly founded nontoxic candle business, called April + Holly. “We
The result is a coconut oil blend candle with 100% cotton wicks and essential oils. They even crafted what may be the rst Canine Candle line.“We knew that lavender, vanilla, and sage do have calming e ects on dogs when used as oils applied to their skin, so we took those ingredients and put them in our nontoxic candle blend,” says April.
How do you know it works? Just ask Moochie, April’s Dachshund and the company’s spokespup… as soon as he wakes up from his nap.
An estimated 30% of pets will go missing in their lifetime, either being cruelly abandoned or simply lost. This is why a group of pet-lovers created the Facebook group, ‘Lost and Found Pets West Orange County.’ Covering Ocoee, Winter Garden, and Windermere, the group shares information on lost and found pets; it is their hope that by creating a hyperlocal group that includes cross-posted info, they can reunite more pets and owners. Savanna Westwood, one of the group admins, says, “We want to be able to help those in distress—pet or person. We want to give them a chance to be reunited with their families.”
Lost and Found Pets West Orange County fb.com/groups/lostandfoundpetwestorange
April+Holly strives to have a positive impact on humans and animals of all stripes through wholesome, nontoxic living.
Several delicious spots to sink our forks opened last month. Let’s dig right in! Fresh quality Japanese BBQ that you can grill at your own table? That’s the vibe at Gyu-Kaku Japanese Yakiniku (@GyuKakuFlamingoCrossingsFL) over in Flamingo Crossings, and we are here for it. Just like we were first in line when Beneficial Breads (@beneficialbreads) fired up the ovens at 103. S Main Street. That delicious aroma is to-die-for, scratch made, wholesome German baked goods, like croissants, cru ins, Berliner (filled donuts), cheesecakes, Sahnetorten, and their famous sourdough bread. Go early, they sell out often! Across the street, the folks at Main House Market welcomed The Kind Cleaver (@thekindcleaver) to the family. The vegan delicatessen is already making a meatless mark with delicious ri s on Cuban and reuben sandwiches six days a week. And, over in Winter Garden Village, The Dolly Llama (@thedollyllama_us ) celebrated its grand opening with lines of guests wrapping around the plaza for wa les and ice cream. In non-food related news, The West Orange Foundation has opened its annual Danniel J. Petro Foundation Scholarship application. Administered by the West Orange Chamber, the scholarships are open to high school seniors in West Orange County who plan to attend Valencia, UCF or Orange Technical College. Visit bit.ly/3WgcrrN And last, but not least, we are so excited to see the stage lights back on at The Garden Theatre (@gardentheatre) thanks to a collaboration with Florida-based Victory Productions. If you love local theatre, show your support by buying tickets for Rock of Ages, now playing!
Locally sourced and 100% natural, Pet Wants is dishing up quality food for your furry friends.
When Michele Hobbs and Amanda Broughton rst noticed the serious skin and coat issues plaguing their cherished family members, they began to ask questions. As it turns out, the common culprit was pet food and the falsely advertised “premium” quality of it. Most mass-produced pet food is created with less-thanadequate protein sources and cooking temperatures, leading to many common health issues in pets.
Rather than settling, Michele and Amanda set out to create something better—highly nutritional pet food from quality ingredients, slow-cooked in small batches. Starting with fresh salmon, duck, white sh, and chicken, Pet Wants’ premium protein sources are essential for carnivorous cats and dogs. And without any of the harmful ingredients, their pets’ sensitive skin, fur, and tummies are happier than ever.
Today, Pet Wants is sold across the country. First in Lake Nona and now in Winter Garden, it’s the Suarez family— Esther, Javier Sr., Javier Jr., and Bianca—you will meet on Saturdays at the Farmer’s Market. Bianca says, “As we learned about the company, we saw how much our own pets would bene t from the nutrition, but we also realized that we could be a bigger part of our community. And what better place than the farmer’s market, where you get to interact with people face to face?”
How a few discarded tomato seeds gave Winter Garden its name.
Simply hearing the name “Winter Garden” is enough to bring to mind of its fragrant citrus groves and extending views of the horizon. However, our 80-degree January days don’t exactly scream “Winter,” so it’s easy to assume that the name doesn’t come from the weather. But the truth is, in a way, it does.
The exact details of the name have been lost to history, but one speculative tale says that it started in the city’s early industrial days, when the newly built railroad brought farmers and workers to the area from all over the southeast. As the story goes, seasonal sawmill workers from the railroad would eat their
lunches alongside the tracks, spitting their leftover tomato seeds into the dirt. While they were gone, these seeds sprouted, during the area’s mild winter. Returning to their lunch spot weeks later, the workers were surprised to find a bountiful crop of vibrant tomato plants growing there.
People began sharing stories with families and friends, sending postcards back home, telling everyone of the marvelous weather and fertile land. “It’s so beautiful here. It never gets cold—you can even have a garden in the winter!”
Thus, Winter Garden was named, established in 1903 and o icially incorporated as a city in 1908.
On January 12, Amy Vebber Pierce posted a message to her neighborhood’s Facebook group with some sad news about her family’s beloved dog. “It is with a heavy heart that I write this message to you all. We have made the very di icult decision to say goodbye to our sweet Phantom. We know how many adoring fans he has, so we wanted to be sure everyone knew in case you wanted to come give him one last head pat, ear rub and/or treat.”
While she knew Phantom was liked, the outpouring of love and support from her neighbors became an unexpected source of comfort for her and her family. Here are just a few of those messages:
We will miss him so much. He had a most beautiful life. Thank you for sharing him with us.
—Lauren
So sad to hear. He is a unique one and we will miss his sweet smiles.
—Karen
My eyes are filled with tears. He is by far my favorite neighbor, and he will forever be a part of our lives.
—Gisel
Such a beautiful, special pup. It was always a treat to see Phantom.
—Danita
LCP will not be the same without this sweet, gentle soul! I’ll miss those beautiful eyes and big heart.
—Beckie
So sorry to hear this! It is so hard to say goodbye to our fur babies who are our family.
—Nicole
LCP might be losing its K-9 ambassador, but not his spirit. He will be missed dearly.
—James
When we were new to the neighborhood, our directions would always include ‘You’ll see the husky on your left.’
—Erin
Always extra treats for that sweet guy— I will miss him dearly.
—Jana
Such a sweet baby. Our thoughts are with you. He will be missed.
—Vickie
Phantom has meant so much to all of us. He has been my adopted dog-buddy these past 5+ years. His barks, his tail wagging, and feet stomping brought joy to my heart every time I came by to greet him. Know that he was loved beyond words and will be truly missed.
—Ron
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to say farewell to Phantom and for sharing him with us all here at LCP. He was very much loved and I’m sure he felt that love these last few days.
—Beckie We always love seeing him perk up whenever his friends come to visit. He will be severely missed as he has been a part of our family for many years.
—Blaze
Phantom is a special dog and will not be forgotten.
—Mike
My late Spike always loved to watch him as we walked by.
—Melissa
What a hard decision. We love Phantom, especially our Evan who always insists on giving him a treat, kiss and hug. He will be missed by so many.”
—Desiree
Much love to you and your family. So hard to say goodbye. He was the only dog our little guys would not even think to bark at.
—Molly
Oh and the places he will go! And all of our sweet fur-family members who are there welcoming him into eternal, lounging, play, driveway naps and sun!!
—Karen
So very sorry. Truly the hardest part of loving them. Sending hugs to all
—Jamie
Such a special, gentle pup. I will miss him so much.
—Cher
Huge Phantom fan … he’s the greatest. Hard decision but it’s for the best.
—Briand
Thank you all again so much for the outpouring of love and support you have shown our family. Phantom peacefully and beautifully crossed the rainbow bridge this morning in his favorite place … the driveway … with his favorite weather … cold and sunny
—Amy Vebber Pierce
When we open our homes to animals, they become part of our family. When we open our hearts to them, they become part of our community.
Whether it’s adorable puppies, elegant horses, exotic iguanas or anything in between, finding the right person to trust and help you take care of your beloved pets can be di icult. Luckily, the area has many resources!
Ryan and Laura Taylor purchased Puppy Dreams in 2019 from the original owners. According to Jennifer Corns, Manager of Puppy Dreams, the couple saw it was for sale and how happy all the dogs seemed. They wanted to keep all that doggie happiness alive and barking.
Puppy Dreams may be Winter Garden’s most intimate and personal
boarding facility with only 38 rooms. Yet, it has arguably the largest, outdoor real grass area around.
Dogs are pampered guests, each with their own suite to retire to. They are carefully screened—for temperament and sociability—in an initial interview. “We are very picky about who we put them with,” says Jenn. “And everything’s included.
All the walks, the belly rubs, the playtime. We don’t charge extra for those.” Better reserve your furbaby’s suite early.
703 Vineland Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 puppydreamspetboarding.com 407-654-8885
Savanna Westwood is among the Top Ten Dog Walkers in Florida, according to the pet profile site Happy Doggo. It’s easy to understand why—she’s been sitting for “All Creatures Great and Small” for eight years with no thoughts of slowing down. She’s seen everything from horses to dogs and cats, to poison dart frogs and bearded dragons. “No snakes, yet, thank goodness.”
Pet sitters are excellent alternatives to kennels because pets are comfortable in their own homes. Their routines are the same: same feeding schedules, same exercise times. There’s no travel stress, no anxiety brought on by being kept in a strange place. And the stress on pet parents
is eliminated. You’ll know your pets are in professional, caring hands, receiving plenty of one-on-one time. Savanna goes the extra “smile” and sends updates of her charges complete with pics and videos. Scan the QR code for the Savvy Sitter’s Peaceful Pet music to soothe them through the thunderstorms and fireworks. This comforting playlist can even keep your furry friends calm while you’re away.
Savanna Westwood 321-663-7263 thesavvysitter.org thesavvysitter
Dr. Lisa Lapwing is a Reiki Master and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Acupunture with a growing practice of human—and animal— clients! The Speckled Toe Bean is the name of her Reiki animal practice. (“Toe bean” refers to the pads on a cat’s paws.)
While she primarily treats people, Lisa turned part of her focus to animals in 2017 when she adopted
a third cat into her happy household. “It didn’t go well. They attacked the new kitty and resented me,” she says.
“I tried behavioral solutions, drugs, nothing worked.” Then she tried Reiki, with astounding results. The fighting stopped, and her “cuddly kitty became cuddly again.” Speckled Toe Bean was born.
physical healing by balancing the energy centers of the body. Animals that are fearful, have aggression problems, or in pain are ideal Reiki candidates. Does it work? Hundreds of purrs and tail wags say Yes.
The Speckled Toe Bean 708-707-0383 lisa.whacupuncture@gmail.com the_speckled_toe_bean
After eight years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Jesse Johnson is still serving—as the owner and Pet Pro behind Doody Calls. Let Jesse remove any reservations you may have about pet ownership. Yes, we’re talking about pet waste removal. One-time, weekly, or twice weekly, his trained, uniformed technicians will come to your home and relieve you of that duty, and his
residential customers and commercial customers are happy to have him.
Doody Calls has been in the business for over 20 years, removing poop, deodorizing yards, and installing and maintaining waste stations for hundreds of satisfied customers. It’s easy, hassle-free, and lets you get on with enjoying your yard and your pet the way you should. With prices as low as $12 per visit, it’s a simple, sanitary, and economical solution to a not-so-fun problem.
So the next time nature calls and your pet answers, call Jesse. He’s more than ready to pick up your little problems before they pile up. doodycalls.com
Dr. Edriana Bougrat Fermin DPT, CCRT, is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. Yes, canine. When dogs su er the aches and pains of aging or injury, they need rehab just like humans. Edriana (Edi to her friends) is here to help with a mobile canine rehab practice serving the Greater Orlando area.
It started in 2013, when Edi rescued an old longhaired dachshund named Gerard. As age took its toll on Gerard, after trying the obvious vet approaches, she concluded that her precious boy needed canine rehab therapy. When no one around provided the service, she enrolled in the Canine Rehabilitation Institute to learn and become certified.
Today, Dr. Edi helps su ering dogs regain their mobility. She specializes in treating CCL tears (the doggie version of ACL in humans) among many other ailments, in tribute to her beloved Gerard.
Fermin DPT, CCRT 407-519-0296 info@unleashedrehab.com
Big dogs, small dogs, yappy dogs, floofy dogs, derpy dogs, stoic dogs, purebred or mixed—all of them infinitely lovable.
FRED LOPEZ
Whether its to the stores, around the market, out to dine, or anywhere else in our beautiful downtown, we love that we can bring our furry BFFs along for the ride. Winter Garden wouldn’t have the same charm if we didn’t share it with our dogs.
The Local wouldn’t be the same without them, either. Which is exactly why we decided to let February go to the dogs. Literally. With camera in hand, we ventured to the Farmer’s Market on one wintry Saturday morning to capture a few of our city’s most delightful personalities. Enjoy!
3 yr old Labrador Mix
Human: Jordan
Jessie has a relentless need to show a ection, morning, noon, and night! Her goal: to make every day the. best. ever. It is impossible to start the day grumpy or stay stressed at night when she’s around. Mission accomplished!
4 yr old Corgi
Humans: Edgar & Katie
This pigeon-toed diva likes to dance when she gets a new treat she really likes. She also sleeps without her feet touching the floor, and even has her own theme song.
8 yr old Corgi
Human: Meg
Posing for the camera is second nature for this handsome Doodle... his human is a photographer and artist. For more good looks, follow him @doodle_ thecorgi
1 yr old Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Humans: Wes & Sarah Bunny’s herding instincts run so deep that when you turn on a YouTube video of sheep in a pasture, she leaps into action at each “Baaaa.”
7 yr old Australian Cattle Dog
Humans: Ashlynn & Seth
Hank makes his presence known in the kitchen by farting behind you. You’ll hear it and then turn around and he is smiling and waiting to get whatever you might o er him. Any time something catches his eye or nose that he wants, he will let you know with a little toot.
2 yr old Maltipoo Human: Helize
Don’t let her ladylike demeanor fool you. While Happy may sit like a human with her front legs crossed in the air, she isn’t above teasing the cats to get them to chase her.
(Clockwise from top left)
Moana >1 yr old Doberman
Brie 7 yr old Golden Retriever
Dallas Madeline 6 yr old Lab/Malinois
Koolaid 6 yr old Chorkie
Murray 2 yr old Great Pyrenees
Sunny 1 yr old Lab/ Golden Retriever
Ryu 6 yr old American Akita
Nova 3 mo old Rottweiler
Lily5 yr old Yorkie
Human: Kathy Lily knows a thing or two about fashion and is adamant about keeping things clean— she’ll even bark at you to pick up her poo.
6 yr old American Terrier Border Collie Mix
Humans: Scott & Nadia
Cooper and his brother, Rico, enjoy playing Disney Princess dress-up with their 3-year-old human sister. Ain’t no shame in that game!
5 yr old Belgian Malinois/ German Shepard mix
Human: Jared
You can’t keep a good boy down! Ares once broke out of his locked crate to help himself to unattended food.
2 yr old Belgian Malinois/ German Shepard mix
Human: Jared
Who’s the boss? Lacie likes to let other pups know she is in charge by being loud, then attempting to get all the attention from their humans.
9 month old Mini Labradoodle
Human: Sarah
Maggie Mae loves the color pink, playing soccer in the yard, and her squeaky Puptart. Most mornings, you can find her snoring on her human’s chest.
2 yr old Cunucu
Humans: Sherry & John
Mommy and Daddy’s little souvenir. Sherry and John fell in love with the Aruban street dog and just couldn’t leave without him. Turns out, transporting a puppy home from your vacation is an easy way to make memories and save a life.
8 month old Mixed Breed Humans: Ethan & Josephine
This sweet and curious girl collects maple leaves. She loves searching the biggest leaves she can get her paws on and bringing them home with her.
3 yr old Tibetan Terrier Human: Rudy
This cover model has never met a human he didn’t want to be friends with, but Rudy is his favorite—so much so that he gets his slippers one at a time and places them side-by-side, right and left correctly, just for Rudy.
4 yr old Brittany Spaniel Humans: Chas & Maggie
Russell is a lover, not a fighter. His best friends are his cat brother and sister, and he’s a snuggler at heart, with no sense of personal space. The closer, the better.
2 yr old Labradoodle
Human: Daniel
Basil loves wearing clothes and shoes. He asks to wear them, even when he’s at home. He especially loves wearing matching outfits with his furry friends or his dad.
2 yr old American Terrier/ Corgi Mix
Humans: Scott & Nadia
Yes, he likes playing Disney Princess with Cooper (page 28), but Rico’s real favorite pastime is the same as his humans’—eating, snuggling, and watching Food Network.
Read, saved, shared, displayed, and embraced by the people of Winter Garden. We showcase our people and our community with award-winning writing, design, and photography. When you advertise with us, you get unparalleled local print and online exposure and you support this FREE gift to our area residents. If you’re a local, you should Local!
The past few years have been ru for everyone,with a global pandemic, social distancing, and quarantines. Our furry friends, however, reaped the bene t of stay-at-home orders; shelters and rescues emptied as adoption rates soared to record highs. Every pet had a furever home and it seemed as though every home had a pet. Until now.
As life settles into the new normal and mandatory remote work comes to an end, dogs and cats are being returned en masse to the shelters from which they were adopted—or even worse, abandoned altogether.
Local nonpro ts are scrambling to meet the need, rapidly expanding to ensure that this in ux of animals is being cared for head-to-paw. Here are four pawsitively awesome local nonpro ts that need our support more than ever.
Four local nonprofits are making major di erences in countless animals’ lives—and now, they’re showing us how we (and you!) can be the change.
ourcause4pawsrescue.org
Small, yet mighty, Cause 4 Paws Animal Rescue functions as a foster-care rescue. Since 2021, it has been working locally to build a network of fellow animal lovers willing to open their homes to incoming rescues.
Without a location, and with 12 pets currently available for adoption, Cause 4 Paws stresses the importance of having foster homes to depend on. Not only does this bene t the group, but it also o ers an entry point to those who are uncertain about whether they want a dog of their own.
Brittany Wilson, an avid volunteer with the group o ers some insight: “We get a lot of people who are unsure whether they’re
ready for a dog or not. Fostering is a great way to test that out, because there’s no real commitment. You can take them in, see if they work with your schedule, see if the type of dog works for you, and then at the end they go to another home— and you’re saving a life. It’s a win-win situation.”
And, for those who end up falling in love with the pet (can you blame them?), there is always the option to keep the pet. Brittany admits that this has happened more than once in her own household. “Naturally, the environment is much better in the foster homes than it would be in a kennel.”
Cause 4 Paws certainly uses its local resources, and strives to be ever-present within the community.
“We do events with the Crooked Can Brewery on the second Sunday of every month. We set up out front, and we bring whatever dogs we have at the time,” says Brittany. With a lively setup and hands-on time with the
animals, these meetand-greets act as a great way for the rescues to be adopted. “I just love what we do; even though we’re small, we still get many animals adopted, and the volunteers are just willing to take on anything.”
secondchanceanimalrescueandsanctuary.org
Founded in 2019 by Nick and Ali Yocca, Second Chance Animal Rescue doubles as an animal sanctuary, which is no small feat. Functioning from a sweeping property hidden on a lake, Second Chance extends a helping hand to every animal that comes its way, rehabilitating the ones that are healthy enough to be put up for adoption and serving as a a permanent residence for the ones that aren’t. “Some of the animals that come in either have too severe of medical conditions or anxiety or trauma that they can’t overcome, and they wouldn’t feel safe in another environment,” says Nick. “With the sanctuary, they can stay with us for the rest of their lives.”
With about 20 dogs and 20 cats at a time, Second Chance usually needs ve to 10 volunteers per day to care for each one adequately. They average about two. Nick and Ali have their work laid out not-so-neatly for them, and they could always use more help. “It takes a di erent kind of person to own an animal rescue, because it is 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The animals are always here, needing us,” says Ali.
According to Nick, surrender rates have been swiftly increasing throughout the year, and the need is quickly outgrowing their ability. “Last year, we averaged about ve calls a week. Presently, we’re averaging eight—it’s overwhelming how many surrenders are coming in. On top of that, the adoption rate is down.”
More animals means more expenses, but with donations—money, time, and supplies—dwindling to an all-
time low, Second Chance is having to scale back some of its vital operations. “The amount we get from donations and adoption fees covers about 27% of the budget. The rest is out of pocket. We know the animals will keep coming, no matter what. Which is why we try to focus more on volunteers, donations, and adoptions. If we could get more of that stu , we could take in more animals,” says Nick. “We know we aren’t capable of saving them all, but we take pride in knowing that we have saved some, and will continue to save as many as we can.”
southerncrossservicedogs.org
Southern Cross Service Dogs is unique in the rescue community; rather than focusing on rescuing animals, this 501c(3) trains dogs to be the rescuers for a very speci c demographic: disabled veterans.
Founded by Brandon Marquez (owner of Crux Canine Training) and Matthew Krug, Southern Cross’s goal is to pair as many service dogs with veterans as possible, increasing their independence and reducing the number of veteran suicides.
“I was in the military for a number of years, where I worked in special operations, training working dogs for men,” says Brandon, who shared his own story in the July 2022 issue of The Local. “I was able to see rsthand the bene t they receive from that—how that connection can really change someone’s life.”
golden retrievers, Lucky and Reilly, to be the next service pups—with more dogs on the horizon. The goal is to train dozens of dogs to help veterans in need over the next ve years. “So many people need dogs,” says Matt.
“When we started digging into the statistics, we realized how much dogs prevent veteran suicide. That almost becomes the mission now: saving lives.”
• 72% of veterans whom a current organization has placed dogs with had already attempted suicide before placement.
• Less than 1% of veterans (and all people!) who need a service dog have one.
• On average, it takes about five years for a disabled veteran to be paired with a service dog.
Southern Cross is currently training two young
For Brandon and Matthew, nothing compares to the joy this new mission brings. “This has been so rewarding on so many levels. Overall, the high level is that we’re giving somebody with a disability a dog. As we grow, we’d like to integrate rescue dogs; then the training impacts everyone who is involved,” says Brandon. “No matter what your sweet spot is, you’ll always have people passionate about rescue dogs, or puppies, or helping others.”
polkadogz.org
Resilient and determined, Polka Dogz Animal Rescue has been saving animals around the Garden since 2015. Founded by Heidi Hardman and Aaron Stein, Polka Dogz has placed more than 1400 rescues— many of them with special needs—in forever homes. “The dogs we take in just
need more help, whether it be medical or emotional,” says Heidi. “Some of them are so shut-down, traumatized and untrusting. And if you have a hundred dogs, you can’t work with them individually.”
Heidi and Aaron’s heart for special needs animals comes from personal experience: Maverick, Polka Dogz’s famous mascot, was found on the side of the road, his spinal cord severed after being hit by
• Roughly 6.5 million animals enter shelters each year but only 3.2 million are adopted.
• 28% of dogs and 31% of cats are adopted out of shelters each year.
• There is an average 72-hour window of hope for an animal left at a shelter to be found and returned.
• Approximately 85 million families are pet owners.
two cars. Vets told Heidi that Maverick’s back legs were paralyzed and he would need to be euthanized; she refused. “We got him therapy, and we’ve done acupuncture and exercises with him,” she says. “He has even started to wag his tail again! He runs in his wheelchair and jumps over curbs; it’s really incredible to see the change in him.”
Still, it’s easy to imagine the burden this rescue
carries. But for Polka Dogz, it’s all worthwhile.“Nothing beats being with the dogs,” says Heidi. “The best part is taking a dog that has been so injured or neglected—and in some cases, so feral that you can’t go near it—taking those dogs, and watching them become normal dogs.
That’s the best feeling; seeing them become the happiest dog ever. It’s incredibly ful lling.”
“The best part is taking a dog that has been so injured or neglected and seeing them become normal dogs.”
pril Mackin’s career began, quite auspiciously, with a greyhound—the kind that carried passengers and burned diesel fuel. She boarded that Greyhound bus in San Francisco, with her one suitcase, and rode south to Moorpark College in Ventura County, chasing a dream.
“I had been camping out with some friends, sitting around the camp re, and someone asked me: ‘If you could have a career doing anything in the world, what would you do?’” April recalls. “I said I would train lions for the movies. I asked around, did my research— there was no internet back then—and someone
mentioned what was then known as the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at Moorpark College. It sounded perfect. I checked into it and made my decision.”
It’s been over 30 years since she hopped o that bus (but who’s counting?) Since then, she has become a trainer of animals
of every stripe, in high demand all across the country; rst in California, then New York City, Atlanta, and Florida.
Today, she divides her time between both coasts, training “most everything that wouldn’t kill me, and a few that would,” for big and small screens all over the world.
April Mackin’s love of animals led her to a unique career working with some amazing creatures.MARK
As you would imagine, her rst professional gig wasn’t taming the King of the Jungle. Rather, it was dolphins, which exposed her to a training method called operant conditioning. “You know the whistles you hear trainers use for marine mammals? That’s operant conditioning. We obviously can’t touch those animals, so we whistle to communicate. Similarly, we use clickers for smaller animals like dogs and cats.”
Florida, and what was billed as the next Hollywood—Universal Studios—quickly beckoned, and April’s career became bi-coastal. She worked the theme park’s live animal shows, and did a lot of work in New York—“I did All My Children up there.” And started gaining a reputation.
April is a freelancer who works with several of the most in uential animal talent agencies in the country. Commercial directors and movie producers call them up, describe what they are looking for, and contract for her services.
“I have been lucky to be able to do what I love to do and work with some amazing people, and a lot of even more amazing animals. There are a lot of good animal trainers out there. I’m a pretty good one, I guess. People do
ask for me and that is, of course, very attering.”
April gets all kinds of questions when people nd out what she does for a living. We’re not ashamed to add our name to that list. We’ll start things o with one of the most common ones:
What are some of the movies you’ve worked on?
My rst production was Ace Ventura: Pet Detective starring Jim Carrey. I was the head animal trainer, meaning I was responsible for animal training as a whole, plus I personally trained Spike the monkey. That was a movie where everybody was working hard and working together. No one was famous, not even Jim Carrey, then. We had all those animals, all that variety, and even they worked together. Then it came time for the big scene where we released all the animals at once. We did it in three takes. And all the animals hit their marks.
I worked on Disney+’s Cruella. There’s a 10-minute piece in the extras section that is a lot of fun, where you’ll see exactly how we worked with those Dalmatians. I worked on Marley and Me,The Royal Tenenbaums, Lady and the Tramp, (I worked with the Scottie),
Charlotte’s Web—lots of cows and pigs in that one— Hotel for Dogs, George of the Jungle, The Jungle Book… Ooh, and Second Hand Lions with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall. Sounds crazy probably, but I have to go back and read my own resume to remember them all. Army Wives is another one. An oldie but a goodie. The dog in that was a rescue from the streets of Mexico. Oh, I can’t forget Will Trent—a new series just coming out on ABC. That may be my most recent.
You worked with so many di erent animals. Are there any you refuse to work with?
Early in my career, I worked with elephants. I don’t like to train elephants anymore. And nowadays, I try to stay away from anything that could really hurt me. Also, we’re not doing a lot with primates anymore. That’s the trend— nobody wants to see them.
How is training an animal for the screen di erent from training a house pet? First of all, the animal has to like training for movies or commercials. There’s a lot of noise, activity, and distractions, not to mention loud gunshots, smoke sometimes, and explosions. You’re training a movie animal to act natural
in an unnatural environment—act like a pet, or like a jungle cat—when they’re being directed, working o hand signals and such. If they don’t want to be in movies, we don’t force it.
Do you have any pets of your own?
They’re all my pets when I’m working with them. I take them home with me at the end of the day, feed them, give them treats. They sleep in my bed.
Even though they are all “working animals,” it’s better for them to have that routine and connection. Plus, I adore them, and the companies like when we do that. After all, most of them are someone’s pet in real life. But no, I don’t have any pets of my own.
Which are the smartest dog breeds?
A lot of people ask that. Any of the working breeds—German shepherds, border collies, retrievers—simply because they really want to work. They want to please you. It’s in their DNA.
And how about the less smart breeds?
There are no dumb dogs, let’s start with that. If you ask a dog to do something he’s not t for, that he cannot physically accomplish, he won’t perform. Some
“I have been lucky to be able to do what I love to do and work with some amazing people, and a lot of even more amazing animals.”
dogs won’t beg, for instance, because their bodies just can’t do it. It’d be like asking an NFL lineman to dance The Nutcracker
Have you ever trained a really small animal like an insect? What is that like?
You don’t really “train” insects. You herd them, which I’ve done, including cockroaches. By the way, I really don’t like cockroaches.
Is there a secret to animal training for us pet owners who want to show o our brilliant fur babies?
First, you need to realize what your animal is truly capable of and don’t ask him to do what he cannot do.
Second, know that dogs—all animals—have their own language. The way they move their tails, hold their ears, the noises they make, that’s how they communicate. We read our dogs just like they try to read us. In order to have a good pet, you need to create your own language together. It’s up to us humans to do that. Spend the time, be consistent. People who say their dog is stupid haven’t kept up their part of the bargain. There are no stupid dogs, only untrained people.
What do you do when you’re not training animals?
I rescue them. I’m a pilot, and in my spare time, I like
to work with Pilots N Paws.
It’s a national organization that connects rescue and shelter dogs with their foster and permanent homes. After Katrina, I spent time down in the ooded Biloxi area working under the direction of DART (Disaster Animal Relief Team).
I met a woman there who had to be rescued from the tree she and her dog climbed to stay out of the ood. It was a very intense situation, to say the least. The devastation was complete. There were no street signs. No resources. We’d get up before sunrise
to look for displaced animals—because that’s when the animals get up. After that, in the middle of the day, you won’t nd them. They’re hunkered down. I did crawl under a house to get one dog out. Not fun. But it had to be done.
The years and the animals continue to pass by on little cat feet, dog paws, bird talons, and horse’s hooves and April Mackin is right there in the thick of it all directing tra c.
We should all be so lucky, to be living a dream conceived by a camp re decades ago is a gift—and no one is more aware of that than April herself.
“I love what I do ,and I do so love my animals. All the animals I train are like my own. That’s why giving back is so important to me. The pet rescues, the Pilots N Paws, they’re all part of that. I have been so fortunate.”
Then again, perhaps we are the lucky ones. After all, we’re the ones who get to enjoy the results of April’s labor whenever we turn on the TV.
“I love what I do, and I do so love my animals. All the animals I train are like my own.”
Doctor Andre Baptiste has really sunk his teeth into the business of caring for the dental health of his patients. For more than two decades, practicing in the U.S. and Canada before opening his eponymous Winter Garden location in 2013, Dr. Baptiste has embraced his community and chosen career with arms and eyes wide open, and his patients are all the better for it.
Today his patient mix is roughly 60% kids, 40% adults. And the split between those who opt for braces versus those who prefer aligners comes in at 50/50. According to the doctor, “Many choose braces because, knowing
themselves, they’re convinced they simply wouldn’t keep up with being faithful to the commitment that comes with aligners. Braces take those decisions out of their hands.”
Still, options abound as technology evolves. This applies to aligners, of course. “Invisalign is what everybody knows, but there are several aligner manufacturers who share that niche. I started with Invisalign, but I currently prefer and prescribe ClearCorrect.”
More interesting, perhaps, are the behind-the-scenes advancements: “For example, we don’t use teeth molds anymore. Digital scans have eliminated them. The scans are much
easier for the patient and way more accurate for us. We can show a prospective patient the results of his treatments today before he ever has the first one. And I know everyone will appreciate this—prices have come way down. Plus, at Baptiste Orthodontics, all consultations and x-rays are totally free!”
When not in the o ice, Dr. Baptiste is certainly a man of his community, visiting schools at least
once a week, talking with kids, making presentations, answering questions about teeth and gardening, his other passion. “There are 40 schools in the community that we partner in education with. In fact, just last week I went to one of our elementary schools to help put in a garden.”
Clearly, your teeth, your children’s teeth, and our community as a whole, are in very capable, compassionate hands.
HEATHER ANNE LEE JOSHUA CLARK
October 19, 2022, started just like any other Wednesday. It was 7:45 am, and Gus Aref was working the room at Horizon West Professionals, shaking hands and cracking jokes as he caught up with friends and colleagues. Sure, he woke up that morning feeling a little lethargic; indigestion
had kept him tossing and turning most of the night. And he was still feeling very full— odd, because he had skipped breakfast.
He had just taken a seat on the couch, settling in for the morning’s presentation, when a wave of nausea cascaded over him and there was a shooting pain under his lower ribs. “It was an odd sensation,” he remembers, “like a muscle
cramp, but under my ribs. Near my stomach.”
He took some deep breaths, shifted in his seat,and tried his best to pay attention. But as the minutes crept by—8:05,8:10 — he became more and more uncomfortable.Feeling sweaty, except there wasn’t any sweat.The fullness grew heavier with every breath, becoming a weight on his abdomen. Everything
inside his ribs started to tighten. By 8:15,it wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was downright painful.
“I still thought it was indigestion.I’d had similar experiences in the past, and they always went away, but something wasn’t right.I just felt o ,” he says.
Ever so quietly,Gus got up and left the meeting. And as he walked to his car,the pain intensi ed, sending shockwaves up the front of his neck and into his jaw.
By the time he got to Orlando Health in Horizon West,just two miles away, “I was screaming in pain. I’ve never felt anything like it,” he says.
Turns out,Gus was in the throes of a heart attack— and not a mild one.“I was having a STEMI – a ST-elevation myocardial infarction,” he explains. “Most people know it as ‘the widow-maker.’”
Medically speaking, a STEMI is characterized by 100% blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the one that transports a major amount of blood to the heart. If blocked, the heart can run out of oxygen and stop beating,oftentimes leading to death.Hence the foreboding moniker.
Statistically, an ER team races against time to unblock your LAD artery—
Sweet recovery. With two stents successfully placed by doctors at Orlando Health Central in Ocoee, Gus Aref and his wife, Luma Aryan-Aref, breathe sighs of relief.
In every 3 deaths in the United States are related to cardiovascular disease.
SOURCE: cdc.gov
Heart attacks is silent, with the person unaware it even happened.
SOURCE: cdc.gov
If you drink one or more diet sodas a day, your chances of having a heart attack are 43% higher than those who drink regular soda or none at all.
SOURCE: Columbia University
The Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Rene Favaloro performs the first bypass surgery, changing heart treatment forever. Today, coronary artery bypass grafting is the most common cardiac surgery in the world.
restoring the blood ow within 60-90 minutes literally saves lives and prevents scarring on your heart that can do permanent damage.
In Gus’s case, after just 10 minutes in the emergency room, he was airlifted to the cardiac care unit at Orlando Health Central in Ocoee.
At rst,Gus tried to refuse the Life Flight . “I was embarrassed. I kept thinking I would get to the hospital and the doctors would tell me it was just indigestion. It hadn’t sunk in that I was having a heart attack. In fact, it still feels surreal.”
Within the hour, he was catheterized, and two stents were placed in his artery. By the next day, he was home recovering.“The doctor was delighted to share with me that my quick reaction and attention to the matter helped spare me from any heart tissue damage.”
Gus was one of the lucky ones. More than 1 million Americans will su er from a heart attack this year, and about 150,000 of them will die, according to the American Heart Association. Thing is, more than half of those people won’t recognize its symptoms.
18.2 million adults age 20 and older have cardiovascular disease.
SOURCE: cdc.gov
18“People have this idea of the Hollywood heart attack, which is a man squeezing his chest and falling to the oor,” Gus explains. “That wasn’t my experience at all, which is why I didn’t think
it was serious. But I knew enough to know that something wasn’t right. That intuition is what made me leave the meeting and go to the hospital. I’m so thankful I trusted that instinct.”
It’s been four months since Gus’s heart attack and life has returned to normal. “I’m fortunate that I was already living a healthy life, so not much has changed.” He stays active and maintains a heart-healthy Middle Eastern-Mediterranean diet.
If the scare changed anything, it was his priorities. “My wife, my kids, they’re my everything,” Gus says. “The heart attack really
scared them. And seeing them scared…that hurts me. So has my life changed in any big way? No, not as far as diet or exercise.I was always healthy. Sure, I might have worked too hard, so I am being more mindful about taking time o from work. But mostly, the biggest change is that I am more aware of time—that what we have is limited. So I want to make the most of it, to spend every minute I can living and laughing with the ones I love. That’s my priority: Quality time with my family. I value that more than anything now.”
“My wife, my kids, they’re my everything,” Gus says, shown here with his wife, Luma, daughter, Sama, and sons, Waleed and Farris.
Not all chest pain is a heart attack symptom
Pain is unlikely to be heart-related when it:
• Is momentary, lasting only for a few seconds.
• Feels like a prickling sensation.
• Is in a small, well-localized area of your chest.
• Can be reproduced when you press on your chest or move your arm.
• Radiates below your abdomen and into your legs.
So, what does a heart attack really feel like?
Heartburn-like chest pain. It’s quite common for heart attacks to feel like acid reflux or, like Gus, indigestion.
Shortness of breath. Some heart attacks don’t cause pain at all. These “silent heart attacks” are most common in people with diabetes, women, older adults, and those who have had bypass surgery.
Profound fatigue. This symptom is most common in elderly patients and women, and is often misdiagnosed as a flu-like illness.
Nausea and sweating. While these symptoms can come with heavy chest pain, they also can occur by themselves, especially in women. These symptoms commonly accompany heart attacks to the inferior wall (bottom) of the heart.
“…biggest change is that I am more aware of time— that what we have is limited.”
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You might say I was destined to become a food critic. My hooman, Heather, is some kind of food magician they call a “chef.” Her food never gets scooped from a bag; it’s always hot and sizzly and lls the house with all kinds of smells.
Sometimes she gives me a bite from her bowl if I use my best puppy-dog eyes. But my discerning palate really comes from all the stu she leaves out for me to try on my own.
A package of spicy chicken sausage? Delicious. A sheet tray lined with bacon grease? Took me hours to lick up the evidence. I still don’t know how she found
out.Butter? Bread? Frozen pork butt? She has left it all out in the open … I think she does it to show she loves me.
But in all my years of culinary counter sur ng, I’d never tasted a people food that was not just for people, but for me. Then Heather took me to The Hangry Bison for the rst time, and that’s when I saw it: an entire menu just for dogs, called the Hangry Hounds Menu.
It’s got six fur-friendly foods packed with the kinds of smells and tastes I can usually only snag o the counter. On our most recent visit, I was invited to taste-test a few and give my expert review as a certi ed gastro-pup.
Why do hoomans say “tastes like chicken” like it’s a bad thing? I think they are too spoiled by all their fancy seasonings to appreciate its slightly sweet barnyard scent and tender, resilient chew that makes me slow down just a bit to savor each bite.
The Hangry Hounds chicken is all that and more—oh, and juicy. Denitely juicy. That may just be the drool mixing with the chicken jus, but who cares? Make mine a double.
sandwich, a sliver always miraculously nds its way into my dish And by “my dish,” I mean the oor, which I think is fair to say is all my dish. I live for the moment the meat drops, so imagine my delight when an entire bowl of those wrinkly, savory strips was dropped, tray and all, right in front of me. And it’s not even my birthday!
TASTE TEST NO.3
Whenever my hoomans make a crispy, bacon-y
Easily my favorite of the non-bacon delicacies, and one I’ve never had before. At rst scent, I thought, hmm, maybe beef? But then there was something else, a sweet, grassy character underneath that
dizzy with delight. (I think I heard my hooman say bisons eat mostly grass,but I can’t remember for sure; I was using all of my brains for bison tasting.)
And since the meat juices lingered on the papery serving bowl, I started to rip into that, too. Lick the plate? Try eat the plate!
Heather said this wasn’t on the menu, so I guess this just happened to be a
weeknight special! If you are lucky enough to spot one on the oor, don’t think twice—go for it before some other hooman picks it up. If it’s prepared right, that soft, delicate paper will rip into a million pieces. The best part is getting it all soggy and then spitting it out just before you choke on it.
Because I’m a lover at heart, I ordered a little
“The Hangry Bison,” is an homage to all the things I’ve scarfed up before she got to taste them. Appropriate, right?
I was too busy with my own bison bites to really notice what they put in her bowl, but I think remember seeing a thick, juicy patty, some melty pepper jack cheese and sriracha, some tomatoes, olives, mustard, and I guess some people eat leafs? (Editor’s note: Rylee has never had, nor does she ever want to have, arugula.)
The smell? Spicy, tangy, meaty. I wish I could give you my professional opinion on the taste, but this time, Heather didn’t share a single bite. I know! I’m shocked, too. Something about me “already being full,” and that she’d “pay the price later”? I’m pretty sure I saw her pay when we left. Hoomans can be so confusing sometimes.
What I can tell you is that I’ll be back at the Bison again when I’m good and hangry. I hear good things about the sweet potato fries and barkachino.
House Seafood Clubhouse is a seafood-centric resturant featuring Cantonese & dim sum cuisine. A fresh dining experience with traditional flavors.
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.
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
WG HOURS
Mon-Thur 12pm-8pm Fri 11am-9pm Sat 10:30am-9pm Sun 11am-6pm
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!
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WG Sun-Sat 7am-3pm
WIN Sun-Sat 7am-5pm
Tue-Thu 12pm-9pm Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm
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! DAILY
250 W Plant St, Winter Garden / 407-347-9099 thehangrybison.com / Reservations Available
Sun-Wed 11am–10pm
Thu-Sat 11am-12am
HANGRY HOUR
Mon-Thu 4–7pm Fri 4-6pm
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!
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Every day 11am-3pm 5pm-10pm
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.
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
Tue-Thu 11am-7pm Fri 11am-8pm Sat 11am-7pm Sun 11am-3pm
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.
Mon-Sat 11:30AM-7:30PM
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. @
HOURS LUNCH
Mon-Fri 11am-3pm DINNER
Sun-Thu 3pm-10:45pm
Fri & Sat 3pm-11:15pm
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. A great spot for Valentine’s Day, their prix fixe special dinner menu is an annual favorite with local couples. The upstairs Private Dining Rooms o er Wine Pairing and Tasting Dinner events throughout the year
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.
Mon-Fri
11am-3pm & 5-9pm Sat 11am-9pm Sun 12-8pm
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.
Mon-Sat 11 am-8 pm
Sun Closed
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.
When our publisher asked if my column would be about Mako this month, I almost laughed out loud. No duh I’m gonna talk about Mako. I never stop talking about him. Look at him. There should be movies about him.
So, let’s get right into it: Mako, or as he is also known, “bud,” “poochy,” or “fat boy,” is a Sheltie Chihuahua mix with—OK, just kidding, I’m not gonna make you sit through an entire article that’s just about my dog.
Trust me, I could go on. But that’d make for a real snoozefest of a read, wouldn’t it? Because you don’t care about Mako. He is just another little yapper to you. You look at his cute little face and his perfect eyeliner and you feel nothing. You monster.
But I don’t blame you for it. Because I don’t care about your dog either.
See, pets are like children: ours are precious baby angels who can do no wrong, while everyone else’s are just wet and loud. We want to gush about our pets to everyone, and so we put up with everyone gushing about their little mongrels until it’s our turn.
In other words, it’s not your fault that you don’t recognize the inherent superiority of Mako over every other dog to ever exist. It’s human nature to love your own dog more; you feed him, he comforts you, you watch him pee, he watches you pee. It’s called bonding.
But that bond also blinds you to all your dog’s, shall we say, less endearing qualities. Your dog poops on the carpet and jumps on people and shoves his tongue in your mouth like your high school boyfriend. Mine is polite and cares about consent. He’s wicked smart and he can solve
those trendy treat puzzles and snu e mats way faster than your dog can.
It’s frankly not relevant that I can’t get him to stop barking at strangers or that he sheds everywhere or that he regularly chokes on water. You don’t need all the details to understand why my dog is objectively cooler and nicer and cuter and stronger than your dog. (Actually scratch that last one. He’s a big weenie.) Maybe I’m completely o the mark here, and I’m just exposing myself as a socio-
path dog-hater. Especially since I’m saying all this in a magazine for the world’s most dog-loving town, in an issue where we just spent like two dozen pages showing o a bunch of other people’s dogs. Your dogs.
For the record, I would never suggest that your dogs don’t matter. In fact, they matter a lot—because now, per the social contract, I get to make you sit through this entire article that was secretly about my dog the whole time, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.
Why we all think our dog is the best dog ever (when actually it’s only mine).Rheya Tanner muses on life as a local
