Nov Dec 2019 by Osceola Woman Magazine

November/December 2019

MAGAZINE

JODI HARTMANN Serving our Country and our Community pages 12-15

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY TIPS Halls to deck. Yuletide carols to sing. A new year to ring in pages 12-15

HOLIDAY RECIPES pages 24-24

WWW.OSCEOLAWOMAN.COM

NOV DEC 2019 MAGAZINE

AWARD-WINNING PARKS, NATURAL GETAWAYS AND HISTORIC CHARM

DISCOVER THE CITY OF KISSIMMEE KISSIMMEE LAKEFRONT PARK

features

10-11

Halls to deck. Yuletide carols to sing. A new year to ring in!

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY TIPS

JODI HARTMANN

12-15

SHINGLE CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL

24-25 H oliday Recipes departments HISTORIC DOWNTOWN KISSIMMEE

HEALTH

JODI HARTMAN

QUITCLAIM DEED, NOT A QUICK FIX

p 12-15

p20-21

CELEBRATION'S NEW RADIATION ONCOLOGY DEPT

RAISING READERS

PETS AND HOLIDAYS

p16-17

p22

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY TIPS

HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND TO WILD SWINGS IN THE MARKETS

HOLIDAY RECIPES

p8-9

p10-11

@CITYOFKISSIMMEE

HOME & STYLE

TURKEY TRAUMAS, SOLVED

p6-7

KISSIMMEE.ORG

LIFE & WORK

p18-19

p24-25

HOW MUCH SPACE SHOULD I LEAVE FOR MY AIR CONDITIONER

p28-29

NOV/DEC 2019

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from the publisher

NOV/DEC 2019

| VOL. 5 NO. 4 | OSCEOLAWOMAN.COM

Dear Osceola Women, MAGAZINE

The Holidays are here! In this issue, we have several articles that are focused on this special time of year. Did you know that recent data suggests that Thanksgiving has become the most dangerous day of the year? Osceola Regional Medical Center shares ways to keep your family safe this Thanksgiving, with their “Turkey Traumas, Solved” article. This article is a must read for those cooking this Thanksgiving! I myself, stick to the sides but may the force be with those taking on the turkey! We all feel stressed from time to time, but the holidays offer their own special stressors that can make us feel even worse — such as a family get-together that turns into an awkward situation or not budgeting correctly. When we are stressed it shows and reflects negatively. On pages 10-11, we have 10 tips to help you have a stress-free holiday this year. Make sure to take a look and practice them. Afterall, it is the happiest time of the year, right!? Looking for something festive and fun to do with the family this year? Make sure to check out Celebration Foundation’s Holiday Home Tour and Winter Wonderland! Do you love looking at Christmas lights and holiday decorations- well then, make sure to get your tickets! You can read more about this must see event on page 23! Are you wanting to try new a new recipe this year or not sure what dish to bring to a Holiday party? Well, we’ve got you covered… flip on over to pages 24-25 and check them out! I’ve already decided, I will be making the Cranberry Brie Bites for one of my parties! I urge you to try something new! I hope you find a recipe you like and if you do, make sure to share yours on our Facebook page! You never know… we may just have a contest for shared recipes… hint hint ;-) I wish you all a Merry Christmas and we will see you in the New Year!

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Publisher Sales Manager Art Director Contributing Writers

JENA THREADGILL

(jthreadgill@osceolawoman.com) KENA BLAIN (kblain@osceolawoman.com) JUDY SMITH LAURA MCCULLEN SHEILA SHIRAH KITAIF CLEVE GRISSOM JENNIFER BONDY, ESQ. DR. GARY BORGMAN, DVM

PO BOX 701644 ST CLOUD, FLORIDA 34770

407.891.9771 WWW.OSCEOLAWOMAN.COM FACEBOOK.COM/OSCEOLAWOMANMAGAZINE AVAILABLE AT: CELEBRATION Celebration Hospital Walgreens POINCIANA Walgreens Poinciana Medical Center HARMONY Pro Health SOLIVITA The Bistro

ST. CLOUD Walgreens Chimento’s Spaghetti House Sincerely Yours St. Cloud Civic Center Victor Russell’s Hair Salon St. Cloud City Hall Q Bellas CF Fitness DaVita Medical Group

KISSIMMEE Walgreens Breck’s Gourmet Cookies Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Q Kissimmee City Hall City Centre DaVita Medical Group Osceola County Property Appraiser’s Office Pizza City

OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM IS PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY AND IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE, BY SUBSCRIPTION, DISPLAY STANDS IN APPROVED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS AND AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS ONLY. TRADEMARK AND U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS PROTECT OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM. NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EDITORIAL COMMENT (OTHER THAN ITS OWN), TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS FROM ADVERTISEMENTS SUBMITTED AS CAMERA-READY OR ANY REPRODUCTIONS OF ADVERTISEMENTS SUBMITTED AS CAMERA-READY. IF AN ADVERTISEMENT DOES NOT MEET OUR STANDARDS OF ACCEPTANCE, WE MAY REVISE OR CANCEL IT AT ANY TIME, WHETHER OR NOT IS HAS BEEN ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED AND/ OR PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. THE ADVERTISER ASSUMES SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN SUBMITTED COPY AND WILL PROTECT AND INDEMNIFY THE OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGZINETM, ITS OWNERS, PUBLISHERS, AND EMPLOYEES AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, LOSS OR EXPENSE ARISING OUT OF CLAIMS FOR LIBEL, UNFAIR TRADE NAMES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETY RIGHTS, AND ALL VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY OR OTHER VIOLATIONS RESULTING FROM THE PUBLICATION BY THIS MAGAZINE OF ITS ADVERTISING COPY. PUBLISHER SHALL BE UNDER NO LIABILITY FOR FAILURE, FOR ANY REASON, TO INSERT AN ADVERTISEMENT. PUBLISHER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE BY REASON OF ERROR, OMISSION AND/OR FAILURE TO INSERT ANY PART OF AN ADVERTISEMENT. PUBLISHER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DELAY OR FAILURE IN PERFORMANCE IN PUBLICATION AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF ALL OR ANY PORTION OF AN ISSUE IS DELAYED OR SUSPENDED FOR ANY REASON. THE PUBLISHER WILL EXERCISE REASONABLE JUDGMENT IN THESE INSTANCES AND WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE ADVERTISER WHERE AND WHEN APPROPRIATE. OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGZINETM ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MATERIAL OR REPRODUCTIONS MADE BY ADVERTISERS. THIS MAGAZINE WILL BE PUBLISHED BY THE 15TH OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE OPINIONS OF OUR AUTHORS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM, OUR PUBLISHER, OUR EDITORIAL TEAM AND/OR OUR ADVISORY BOARD. THE AUTHORS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THEIR SUBMITTED MATERIAL.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! W

www.osceolawoman.com 407-891-9771 NOV/DEC 2019

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HEALTH

Turkey Traumas, SOLVED! Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family, reflecting on what’s important and of course, eating lots of turkey. But if you’re not careful, the star of your holiday dinner table could hurt your health. Recent data suggests Thanksgiving has become of the most dangerous days of the year when it comes to driving, fires and food poisoning. Follow these tips to avoid spoiling the holiday cheer. Thaw properly. One of the easiest ways to prevent a Thanksgiving mishap is to make sure your turkey is safely thawed. Not doing so could lead to bacteria that can cause several foodborne illnesses, including E. coli and salmonella. Choose one of these three methods:

REFRIGERATOR:

This method takes the most time, but many experts say it’s the safest. Make sure the fridge’s temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Keep the turkey in its original wrapper and place it in a container to prevent juices from leaking. You should allow 24 hours to thaw for every four to five pounds of weight.

COLD WATER:

Keep the turkey in its original packaging to help ensure that it doesn’t leak and to keep bacteria from spreading. Use cold water to submerge the bird, making sure to change the water every 30 minutes. Thawing time should take 30 minutes per pound.

MICROWAVE:

Follow the microwave’s defrosting instructions, and plan to cook the bird immediately, because some parts of the turkey may already begin to cook during the defrosting process. Waiting to cook may cause bacteria to spread, leading to food poisoning. REMEMBER: To keep potential bacteria away from other food and avoid cross contamination, make sure your turkey is placed in a pan or a leak-proof container.

6 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

If you’re exposed to either E. coli or salmonella, you could start feeling the effects as early as a day after or up to a week later. Signs and symptoms to watch for include diarrhea, abdominal cramping and vomiting. Fever is generally associated with salmonella poisoning. You should get to the ER if your diarrhea lasts longer than a week or is red in color. E. coli can be passed between family and friends, so be sure to properly wash your hands when handling raw meat. Prevent grease burns. Deep-fried turkeys are becoming more and more popular. As tasty as they are, though, the contraptions they’re cooked in have caused hundreds of dangerous fires, burns and even explosions, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many injuries occur, every year, due to turkey fryers every year – from mild burns caused by people dipping their fingers in the fryer to more severe and devastating burns if the fryer topples over.

If you do use a fryer, follow these tips:

• Set up the fryer at least 10 feet away from your home (not on the porch or in the garage).

• Keep children and pets away. • Make sure the turkey is dry and thawed. • Don’t overfill the fryer with oil. • Have a fire extinguisher ready. Burns are just as common among those who roast the turkey in the oven. Generally, these types of burns can be treated at home by simply running the affected area under cool water for 20 minutes. Then gently clean the burn with antibacterial soap. Try applying aloe vera or honey to the affected area to soothe the sting of the burn. You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for the pain. If the burn is severe, call 911 or get to the ER.

Carve carefully. Carving up the main course is one of those great holiday traditions, but it doesn’t come without risks. Remember these carving tips to stay safe this Thanksgiving:

• Never carve toward yourself. • Make sure your table or carving station is well lit. • Only use sharp utensils. • Never place your hand under the blade. Accidents happen. And a trip to the ER for stitches may be in order if the cut is deep and it won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure. Watch the sodium. Food is one of the best parts about Thanksgiving, but it’s also to blame for many heart-related hospital visits this time of year, thanks to super-rich meals loaded with sodium. Stay heart healthy by practicing portion control and aiming for around 2.5 grams of sodium per day. Too much sodium can affect kidney function and lead to kidney stones. No matter how hard we try, sometimes life happens beyond our control. Osceola Regional Medical Center emergency department is here to help in these situations. Now also providing two freestanding ERs in Orlando: Hunter’s Creek ER and Millenia ER. For more information, visit OsceolaRegional.com.

NOV/DEC 2019

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HEALTH

VARICOSE VEINS ARE A MEDICAL ISSUE

AdventHealth

CELEBRATION

expands cancer services in Osceola County with NEW

RADIATION ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT AdventHealth Celebration continues to expand oncology services, allowing patients who need cancer care, like diagnosis, chemotherapy or radiation, to remain close to home. AdventHealth Celebration opened a new radiation oncology department which includes state-of-the-art radiation therapies and advanced patient safety technologies. Led by radiation oncologists Dr. Amber Orman and Dr. Shravan Kandula, the department offers comprehensive cancer services ranging from surgical, medical and radiation oncology, making cancer care more accessible and available in one convenient location. This expansion is part of an ongoing effort to bring additional cancer services to Osceola County so patients can stay closer to home for their cancer care. Last year, AdventHealth Celebration opened an infusion center, which provides patients with a new location for ongoing treatments such as chemotherapy. More recently, AdventHealth announced a partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center, reinforcing its commitment to advancing cancer care through research and advanced drug development.

8 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

The new radiation oncology department features innovative technologies such as the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator and a dual-energy 64-slice CT for high-quality simulations. The department will also be the first in the AdventHealth system to utilize the IDENTIFY™ Guidance System. The new system will provide better overall patient safety by streamlining the patient check-in process and connecting the patient with their unique treatment needs. The department’s innovative technology will ensure patients receive treatment in the optimal position, with the appropriate equipment, and with precise targeting of cancerous tissues. “We’re making significant investments to create a health care system that’s convenient, more affordable, and — most importantly — focused on healing,” said Dr. Biagioli, medical director of radiation oncology at AdventHealth. “This expansion is another representation of AdventHealth’s commitment to bring care close to home for cancer patients in Osceola County.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the clinic, call (407) 303-4678.

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HEALTH

Stress Free Holiday Tips Halls to Deck. Yuletide Carols to Sing. How did such a holly jolly season get so stressful? This year, say no to breakdowns at Macy’s, exhausted backtalk to Grandma and sleepless nights (unless you’re waiting for Santa). Keep the holidays festive and light by defeating holiday stress head-on. Arm yourself with

A new year to ring in... 6

these 10 expert tips, gathered from Health & Wellness articles.

Take Care of Yourself

You’ll need to be at your best to tackle the holidays with minimal stress, so now is not the time to abandon your healthy habits. Eat healthfully, including breakfast each morning, and use portion control while digging in the rugelach. Get your sleep and schedule regular exercise. And give yourself the little gift of “me time” each day – even if it’s just 15 minutes to read a book or ....

Expect Imperfection

This isn’t a Norman Rockwell painting. Nothing will be perfect, and unforeseen events will occur. Aunt Martha may unexpectedly show up to dinner; your kid’s most-desired toy may sell out; the dog may knock over the Christmas tree. Banish this idea of the perfect holiday, and you’ll likely be calmer when – look at that – the holiday isn’t perfect. Being realistic may also mean dropping old traditions and accepting new ones, which may include Aunt Martha.

Meditate

Between errands and shopping and wrapping and decorating and cooking and traveling, don’t forget to breathe! Mediation can help ease stress, curb negative thoughts and give you a sense of calm when everything around you seems to have snowballed into a red, green and tinseled train wreck. Skeptical of meditation? It doesn’t have to be anything mystical. Try these meditation tips for beginners and meditation tips for traveling.

Meditation not your thing? There are goofier ways to de-stress that may land you at the kids’ table. Try laughing. Even if you’re faking it at first, the physical act of laughing will trigger the release of endorphins. (Here are 10 ways to lighten up and laugh.) Other ways to combat stress while winning the Most Fun Relative Award include creating a gibberish language, blowing up a balloon, banging on drums and simply playing.

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Say No!

If you’re feeling bombarded, step back and figure out which holiday tasks you can simplify or even skip. Do you really need to attend every single holiday party you were invited to? Don’t be afraid to politely decline a gathering to draw a bubble bath and catch up on “Scandal.” And do you absolutely have to home-bake 40-something holiday treats for buy pre-made goodies instead.

Yet to send your season’s greetings? There are only so many business days left to send your cards, and while this task may seem like a relatively simple one, remember that you’ve got to buy the cards, update your addresses, write them and perhaps make a your plate for now, so push this job to February, and send valentines.

If you’re going to be the stress-free Ruler of the Holidays, you’ll need to delegate. Similar to how you’ve decided to nix certain tasks and set realistic expecta-

teers. Make your holiday dinner a potluck. Assign your kids to gift-wrapping duty. Ask your significant other (lovingly) to help you run a few errands.

Manage friends and family In a perfect world, the almighty holiday spirit would resurrect burned bridges, reverse hard feelings and fill your family with enough merriness to fuel Santa’s sleigh. But we’re not expecting perfection, remember? Realistically, which family member is going to stress you out? Keep your distance from him or her, if possible. If you find yourself about to snap, excuse yourself from the situation for the restroom. Even a short break can keep you from saying something not-so-jolly.

Make a plan for holiday spending

What’s more stressful than fighting your way through a mall in December? Perhaps seeing your credit card bill in January. Don’t start the new year regretting last year’s spending. Create a budget for holiday spending, leave the plastic at home, and take only the amount of cash you can feeling refreshed or go the homemade (read: cheaper) gift route.

Give Back

home. It’s the season of giving and giving can take forms other than a mountain of presents under the tree. Perform good deeds for people who are less fortunate, strangers, neighbors or whomever. You’ll feel better for it and perhaps gain some perspective on your stress.

NOV/DEC 2019

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life &

WORK

What was the transition from military life back to civilian life like? “Overall, the transition from military life to civilian life wasn’t too difficult for me. Immediately after my service as a Personnel Officer in the Air Force, I moved to Northern Virginia and worked at the Pentagon, so I was still immersed in supporting our national defense. Then, a year after I left active duty, I went into the Air Force Reserves. It was after I left the Reserves and Department of Defense to go work for another Federal agency that I experienced that sense of loss. There really is a sense of family and belonging in the military – one that is hard to match outside of it.”

What inspired you to go into the military?

Osceola County is brimming with women who wake up every morning and make a positive impact in the lives of others. This month, Osceola Woman Magazine had the honor of getting to know one of these women a little better. Jodi Hartmann is a mom, a veteran, and a Kona Ice truck owner. According to Tony Lamb, founder and CEO of Kona Ice, they had over 230 military franchise owners in attendance at their Kona Konvention. “We value our franchise owners, like Jodi, who have dedicated their lives to serving others and 12 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

continue to do so through Kona Ice.” We had the opportunity to pick her brain and learn more about how her business combines her values with her experience and allows her to give back to others in a positive way.

Jodi Hartmann is a mom, a veteran, and a Kona Ice truck owner.

“I always wanted to serve my country and serve others. I taught at St. Cloud High School for 2 years after college. When I realized that wasn’t exactly the best fit for me, I finally mustered the courage to go into the military. Actually, I was considering going into the Peace Corps as well. When I told my mother that, she asked me to choose the military because I would at least be able to “carry a gun.” Later, I found out that Peace Corps volunteers have the option…”

What inspired you to open your own business? “It was an itch that I had had for a few years. I felt like I was in a bit of a rut and was not making as much of an impact as I had during my military career. However, I buried that itch and marched forward with what I felt was a less risky move – there is

ma t r a H i Jod

a lot of security with a steady paycheck. Then, one day, my daughter and I were at a traffic light and I was in a bit of a prayerful moment. I looked up and thought, “God, what should I do? Where do YOU want me to go next?” I kid you not – at that very moment a Kona Ice truck drove by! I then looked up and said, “Really?” When we went home, I started researching Kona Ice. I found that the company is very dedicated to building a sense of community and giving back to others – two characteristics consistent with my own core values and with what I found in the military. The rest, as they say, is history.”

What is VetFran? Can you elaborate on it?

“Honestly, I had to look it up for this article. It is a great resource for veterans to learn more about franchise opportunities, franchises to hire veterans, and veteran franchisees to share their experiences with fellow veterans.” NOV/DEC 2019

| osceolawoman.com

life &

WORK and that’s important to me. When I dug a little deeper, though, I found that they are so much more. The corporate office is truly committed to supporting franchisees – as evidenced by their consistently high ratings for franchisee satisfaction. Their business model made it feel less risky to me. And most importantly, going down this path was a sign from God. In fact, I named my Kona truck Ikaia which means, “God delivers” in Hawaiian.”

Who/what is your biggest inspiration?

What makes what you do special, unique, fulfilling, etc?

say - my daughter for giving me a purpose every day, my mother for her perseverance and sense of serving others, my dad for pushing me beyond what I thought was possible, my step-mom for modeling how to see the best in others and treat them with kindness, and God -for everything.”

“Oh my goodness, when I see the smiles on the kids faces! I came from a career in Human Resources, so I wasn’t always the bearer of good news. Additionally, this is a family business. The legal name of the business entity is Jo-Bex & Family, LLC – derived from Jodi (me), Rebecca (my daughter), and my family who have been so supportive of me and the business. It has lived up to its name! I also love writing the giveback checks to schools and other organizations I serve, because it gives me the sense that I’m doing something bigger than me and my little world.”

“Not necessarily in this order, but I’d have to

Do you have a quote or a mantra you live by?

“Yes, it’s one that I developed while in a leadership seminar in college – Every day, be the reason that a least one other person smiles.”

Tell us about Kona Ice-how did you know it was a good fit for you?

“I touched on this above. The first thing that attracted me was their dedication to giving back. Fundraising is a core characteristic

14 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

RESPECT RELEVANCE RESULTS

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“Although I was gone for 20 years, Osceola County is my home. I grew up here and love it." Self discipline is obviously a big part of what you do-how do you keep yourself on track?

Is there anything else you would like people to know about you, your background, or Kona Ice?

Do you have any goal setting tips? “Lists – I have to write down everything and check it off. Otherwise, I get too overwhelmed to be effective. Regarding goal setting – my HR background was focused on Performance Management, so I see the value in SMART goals (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time bound). I also think stretch goals are important to keep pushing me further.”

“Although I was gone for 20 years, Osceola County is my home. I grew up here and love it. Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind folks that we’re here to serve the community. Give us a call – we serve so many kinds of events – schools, youth sports, churches, parties of all kinds, company appreciation (employee and customer), daycares – the list is endless. Just tell us where to park and we’ll be

Help children in YOUR community and become a Volunteer Child Advocate for Guardian Ad Litem

407.742.6655 www.guardianadlitem.org NOV/DEC 2019

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life &

WORK

life &

WORK

There are six easy steps you can take to help get your child ready to read:

Raising Readers By Osceola Library Staff

You may have heard the term early literacy and wonder, what does that mean? Early literacy is a continuous developmental process that starts at birth, teaching a child to read, write, and understand language. This process includes positively interacting with your child by listening, speaking, and reading through the enjoyment of books and creating literacy-rich experiences. Babies learn language experiences. There are to reading aloud to your listening skills, increasimproving their ability to ly, reading aloud fosters develops creativity and are able to expand their sure to new situations, behavior, and diminishis able to express themthey are given tools that school and life, and readthe single most importdevelopment and eventu-

through social literacy some amazing benefits child, like building ing attention span, and concentrate. Additionala natural curiosity and imagination. Children horizons through expoteaching appropriate ing fear. When a child selves more confidently, will help them succeed in ing aloud to your child is ant activity for literacy al reading success.

Did you know that reading just 20 minutes daily can provide your child with 600 hours of “brain food” before starting Kindergarten? 16 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

• First, Read! Read with your child and keep books everywhere. Keep them in different rooms in your home, in the car, in the diaper bag, and anywhere else you regularly visit. Make sure that your book sharing time together is enjoyable. • Second, Look! Point to printed words and run your finger along the text while reading. Show them print in your surrounding environment at the store or as you walk around. • Third, Talk! Expose and explain to your child words they may not be familiar with and read them non-fiction (informational) books as well. • Fourth, Tell! Encourage your child to retell stories, describe events that happened, act stories out together, and relate stories you read to experiences and situations familiar to them. • Fifth, Play! Sing the alphabet song, point out letters and their sounds, and have your child make letters with their body, hands, or fingers. • Sixth, Sing! Invite your child to chime in while you read and sing a variety of songs. To help you on your journey of raising your reader, the dedicated youth staff at the Osceola Library System provide regularly scheduled story times and themed programs throughout the year for parents and

children to attend together that help promote early literacy and a love of reading. Starting in November the Library is joining a national initiative called “1000 Books Before Kindergarten”. They are launching this incentive program with a special visit from Pete the Cat at five Library locations! Participants will log books using Beanstack, an app available free with your Library card, to earn virtual badges and a chance to add your child’s handprint to the Library’s brand new Trees of Literacy banners upon completion.

Check out the Library’s online calendar at

www.OsceolaLibrary.org

for a schedule of these classes as well as dates and times of other special classes and events for children.

Baby & Me

Hug your little one while s haring this special first-time experience. This story time introduces books with playtime and repetitive music. Ages Birth-18 months old.

Toddler Tales

Toddle in for stories, songs, and more engaging activities that build emerging language skills. Ages 18 months – 3 years old.

Great Beginnings Storytime

Encourage your child's love of reading with great books and enrichment activities that build early literacy skills. Ages 18 months-5 years old.

Mother Goose Storytime

Stories, songs and craft activity to build early literacy skills; a blend of entertainment and education for families. Ages 18 months-5 years old. Preschool Storybook Fun Encourage your child's love of reading with great books and enrichment activities that build early literacy skills. Ages 3 - 5 years old. NOV/DEC 2019

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life &

WORK

How Should YOU Respond to

WILD SWINGS

in the Financial Markets?

• Review your mix of investments

• Don't get scared away from investing

time to time, and sometimes in response to changing market conditions, you may need to change the mix of investments in your portfolio. So, for example, if higher market volatility makes you uncomfortable, you may want to consider adding bonds or other fixed-income vehicles, as these types of investments tend to stabilize stock- heavy portfolios during turbulent times.

You may not like seeing multihundred- point plunges in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but don’t get scared off from investing. After all, recent stock market history has taught the value of patience: If you had given up on investing in March 2009, at the market’s low point in the Great Recession, you would have missed out on the 300 percent gains achieved before the current round of volatility. Of course, the market’s past performance can’t guarantee what will happen next.

The financial markets will always fluctuate – sometimes violently. But as an investor, you should strive for calmness, patience and discipline – because these attributes can help you look past today’s headlines toward the future you envision.

Have questions about your 401(k)? CALL 407-891-7833 to make an appointment with Cleve Grissom - Your Edward Jones Financial Advisor What’s going on with the financial markets? Specifically, what’s behind the price swings of the past several weeks? And, more important, how should you, as an individual investor, respond? To begin with, the recent volatility was not really all that extraordinary. The daily drops pushed U.S. stocks down about 10% from their recent record highs, although they have regained some of that ground. A 10% drop represents a “correction” – not a crash – and historically, corrections have occurred about once a year. So what seems to have caused these market jitters?

Here are the key culprits: • Anticipated slowdown in economic growth and corporate earnings. The stock market is forwardlooking – investors make decisions based on what they

18 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

think will happen. And right now, many investors are anticipating a slowdown in economic growth (partially due to higher tariffs and trade disputes) and corporate earnings (as the jolt from the corporate tax cuts begins to fade). We may still see reasonably strong economic growth and corporate profits,

• Rising interest rates. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in 2018. While higher rates are not bad for all market sectors, they can slow the expansion plans for many businesses, resulting in reduced growth prospects. The Fed may continue its gradual rate increases, but investors are closely watching for any signs that might lead the Fed either to pause or increase rates more rapidly. but possibly not at the same level as we had for much of 2018.

• Slowing global economy The global economy is growing more slowly than expected, resulting in lower returns for international stocks and a particularly sharp decline in emerging markets. While it’s useful to understand the factors causing the recent stock market gyrations, you’ll want to focus primarily on what you can control. Consider these suggestions:

Call us! 407-518-4982 iHateMyVeins.com Dr. Scott Hannum, DO, Vascular Surgeon

• Keep realistic expectations maintain realistic expectations about how your investments are likely to perform over time. After five years in which the S&P 500’s returns have averaged almost 14% per year, we may well be in for a period of more typical returns, possibly in the 5% to 6% range. As always, though, there are no guarantees when it comes to anticipating the performance of the financial markets.

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challenged in court. In some cases, constitutional restrictions on the deed can create a title defect. These are just a few of the possible complications that can arise during a property transfer, even if the transfer is amicable, within a family, and no money changes hands. Although they appear to be a quick fix to a simple property transfer, quit claim deeds can be anything but simple, creating problems where there were none prior.

Not a Quick Fix Property deeds are used to transfer ownership from one party to another. There are two basic types of property deeds in Florida: a Warranty Deed and a Quitclaim Deed. The two offer different levels of protections, or warranties, to the new owner. A Warranty Deed is typically used in a purchase and sale transactions, however many people opt to use the Quitclaim Deed to transfer property or add someone to the deed to their home. Even though it may seem like a simple piece a paper, a quit claim deed, especially when not executed properly, can have serious consequences over the short- and long-term.

Cautions Regarding Quitclaim Deeds Quitclaim deeds do not offer any warranties or protections to the new owner (known as a Grantee), which means there is no guarantee that the title is free and clear of liens, the legal description of the property is correct, or that the party attempting to transfer the property title has the legal right to do so. Even when the Quitclaim

20 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

It is always advisable to consult a real estate attorney or estate planning attorney when real property conveyance is required. These professionals will be able to examine not only the legality of transferring the property, but can provide insight as to the legal implications and how the transfer affects other aspects of your life.

For more information on real estate law, call Jennifer Bondy, esq. 407-847-5151.

Article Sponsored by deed is filled out correctly, there are several implications of a property transfer that need to be considered, such as:

• Florida’s Homestead Tax Exemption.

It is possible to lose or reduce this tax exemption when ownership changes, depending on who qualifies for the exemption, and whether the new owner or additional owner resides in the property.

• Medicaid Eligibility.

If you transfer certain assets, namely your primary residence, within five years before applying for Medicaid (known as the look back period), it may cause you to be ineligible for benefits for a period of time.

• Documentary Stamp Taxes.

Any property ownership transfer in Florida may be subject to documentary stamp tax, even if the transfer occurs between spouses. •Potential Liability. When you add someone to the property deed of your home, the home becomes that person’s asset, in addition to being yours. That means that if your new co-owner files bankruptcy or has a judgment filed against

KENA BLAIN

REALTOR®

Jennifer Bondy, Esq

them by a creditor, the house is an asset that can be encumbered by their creditors.

• Loss of Title Insurance.

When a property is transferred via Quitclaim Deed, it may void the Owner’s Title Insurance Policy.

• Probate.

In order to avoid Florida probate the property must be transferred in a certain way. If it is not transferred properly, or if there are any problems with the deed itself, the property will have to go through probate.

• Challenges.

If a property transfer has the effect of disinheriting someone or placing undue hardship on the owner’s spouse or dependents, it can be

Direct:

407-572-4444

www.DavisREGroup.com

Merry Christmas and

Happy Holidays from

www.OsceolaAir.com

407-908-8651 License #CAC1817985

NOV/DEC 2019

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21st Annual

PETS & HOLIDAYS and

We are now into the time of year when many families are considering adding a new furry friend to the home. Since dogs and cats are the most popular household pets, I will confine my remarks to the care of these two species. The decision to add a pet is sometimes well planned but often, the opportunity just presents itself. In my own experience, only twice did we actively seek to add a pet to our home, but mostly the opportunity just happened, and we added them to our menagerie. Fifteen times to be specific.

However, it happens, the addition of a pet or pets to a home can be a wonderful experience and we look forward to seeing the holiday puppies and kittens in this season. I will list a few important things to consider when purchasing or adopting a new pet: The ideal age for bringing a new puppy or kitten in is eight weeks of age. This is the best age to socialize and train the youngster, and they no longer need their mother.

House training a puppy requires a commitment of time and patience to see the process through. Kittens are much easier since they will instinctively use a litter pan at this age. Conscientious breeders and pet stores will provide the legally required Official Certificate of Veterinary Examination, prepared and signed by a Florida licensed veterinarian. This certificate will document the required examination, laboratory tests, and vaccinations for each animal. Insisting upon this certificate is your best assurance of proper pre-sale health examination and timely and appropriate preventative health vaccinations and parasite control treatments. It will also document any apparent congenital abnormalities or deficiencies. The Osceola Animal Control Shelter in St. Cloud is a very well managed facility and is a great place to adopt pets of all ages. A new pet examination checkup should be arranged within 24-72 hours of adoption/ purchase. Your veterinarian will review the past immunizations, parasite control measures, and perform a complete physical examination. This is also the time to discuss nutrition,

feeding practices and parasite control options. The care and feeding of a new puppy or kitten are another whole subject. As a general rule, an eight-week-old kitten will make it just fine with a bowl of a good quality kitten chow available to nibble on. Puppies on the other hand should be fed a quality puppy chow or growth formula food, two or three times a day with close supervision to train their elimination habits. Some puppies are very easy to housebreak, and some are more challenging. We are happy to discuss the crate training process, but this discussion is beyond the scope of this short article.

Dr. Gary Borgman, D.V.M. There is plenty of information available on the internet. Three recommended sites are: UC Davis: VetMed.UCDavis.edu/tags/nutrition WSAVA: WSAVA.org/Committees/globalnutrition-committee Tufts University: VetNutrition.Tufts.edu

The veterinarians and staff of Kissimmee Animal Hospital 407-846-3912 and Poinciana Pet Clinic 407-518-0880 are available to answer your questions about dog and cat nutrition or any other pet health issues. We are here to help and to serve.

22 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

Celebration Foundation Holiday Home Tour and Winter Wonderland EVENT DETAILS:

Home Tour: Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 3-9 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 1-5 p.m. Plus on December 6th there is a VIP Winter Wonderland Reception from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. that includes eat, drink and dance for $50. Please note this is a self-guided tour that takes approximately two hours. Guests can drive to each home. Celebration residents have graciously decorated and opened their homes for the tour. Not all homes are handicap accessible. The Winter Wonderland is accessible. For more information, please call the Celebration Foundation at 407-566-1234 or go to

www.CelebrationFoundation.org.

he Holiday Home Tour & Winter Wonderland is one of Central Florida’s most loved home tours. For over two decades, it has attracted thousands of visitors to the town of Celebration. The Holiday Home Tour is an annual two-day event occurring on a weekend in December. Residents of the Celebration community decorate the exterior and interior of their home for the holidays and event attendees drive around the community to each of the homes/ stops and are welcome to go inside the homes and admire the decorations. Homes may be condos, townhouses, cottages, or estate homes. The self-guided tours were founded by Celebration’s Women’s Club in 1997. Celebration Foundation presented the Holiday Home Tour for the first time in 2016. In addition to the tour’s fabulously decorated homes, Celebration Foundation included a hospitality stop at Celebration Town Hall for attendees to experience a Winter Wonderland display of delightfully decorated holiday trees and exquisite tablescapes. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.celebrationfoundation.org or at Celebration Foundation’s office (610 Sycamore Street Suite 110 in Celebration) by calling 407-566-1234. NOV/DEC 2019

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H oliday Recipes Jingle Juice INGREDIENTS

4 c. Cran-Apple Juice 2 bottles red moscato 1 bottle prosecco 1/2 c. vodka 2 c. frozen cranberries 1/3 c. mint leaves 1/2 c. sugar, for rimming glasses 2 limes, sliced into rounds

PREPARATION

Using a wedge of lime, wet the rim of your glasses. Dip in sugar until coated. Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl, stir together and serve.

24 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

Cheesy Brussels Sprout Bake INGREDIENTS

5 slices bacon 3 tbsp. butter 2 small shallots, minced 2 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved Kosher salt 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 3/4 c. heavy cream 1/2 c. shredded sharp white cheddar 1/2 c. shredded GruyĂ¨re

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, 8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then chop. Discard bacon fat. Return skillet to medium heat and melt butter. Add shallots and Brussels sprouts and season with salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drizzle with heavy cream, then top with both cheeses and bacon. Bake until cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes. (If your cheese isn't golden, switch oven to broil and broil 1 minute.) until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drizzle with heavy cream, then top with both cheeses and bacon. Bake until cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes. (If your cheese isn't golden, switch oven to broil and broil 1 minute.)

Peppermint Bark INGREDIENTS

12 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped 12 oz. white chocolate, chopped 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 8 candy canes, crushed

PREPARATION

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill the bottom of a large pot with 3 inches o water and bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then place a large heatproof bowl on top. Add semi-sweet chocolate and stir occasionally until chocolate has melted. Stir in extract. Pour into prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. Over the same pot of barely simmering water, place another large heatproof bowl. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Pour over set semi-sweet chocolate then top immediately with candy canes. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.shallots and Brussels sprouts and season with salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally,

Cranberry Brie Bites INGREDIENTS

1 (8-oz.) tube crescent dough Cooking spray, for pan Flour, for surface 1 (8-oz.) wheel of brie 1/2 c. whole berry cranberry sauce 1/4 c. chopped pecans 6 sprigs of rosemary cut into 1" pieces.

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, roll out crescent dough, and pinch together seams. Cut into 24 squares. Place squares into muffin tin slots. Cut brie into small pieces and place inside the crescent dough. Top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce, some chopped pecans, and one little sprig of rosemary. Bake until the crescent pastry is golden, about 15 minutes. NOV/DEC 2019

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Do your loved ones know your

D o Yo u Hav e a S TORY I DE A ?

final wishes? Pre-planning your funeral offers more than just peace of mind. • Ensures wishes are carried out • Keeps costs at today’s prices • Relieves your family of difficult decisions

Email us!

• Prevents emotional overspending • Interest free payment plans

info@osceolawoman.com

407-957-2511 Poinciana 407-931-4811 Kissimmee 407-847-2494 St. Cloud

DECEMBER 7TH • 3-9 PM & DECEMBER 8TH • 1-5 PM –– TICKETS –– VIP Winter Wonderland –– $50 Holiday Home Tour & Winter Wonderland –– $20 Winter Wonderland Only –– $10 Winter Wonderland is held at Celebration Town Hall and the Holiday Home Tour is a self-guided tour throughout the town of Celebration.

––––– SPONSORED BY –––––

Andrew Prather, D.V.M.

Gary Borgman, D.V.M.

26 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

Dr. Volpe, D.V.M.

LEARN MORE ONLINE www.CelebrationFoundation.org @celebration.foundation

Call us today or visit us online OsceolaMemGds.com

Happy Pawlidays!

OUR THIRD LOCATION LOCATED AT 13901 NARCOOSEE ROAD LAKE NONA, FLORIDA EAGLE CREEK @ LAKE NONA

Call Allisa Kuberlet at 407-533-4770 KISSIMMEE Call DeAnna at 407-552-0233

Don’t forget to spay or neuter your family’s best gift of the season! 3096 Michigan Ave. Kissimmee, FL 34744

ST. CLOUD Call Lori at 407-556-0220

TOM WHITE OSCEOLA AREA EXECUTIVE 407-552-0231

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

407-476-4748 NOV/DEC 2019

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HOW MUCH

S PAC E

SHOULD I LEAVE OPEN NEAR MY

AIR CONDITIONER? You most likely don’t think too much about your air conditioner until it’s not working suddenly. Or until your electric bills are suddenly sky-high, even though you haven’t moved the thermostat. Your air conditioner draws in ambient air to cool and expels warm air as it works. But it can promptly overheat if it can’t get enough surrounding air or flush out hot air.

Space Guidelines for Air Conditioners

So how much room does your air conditioner really need? Here’s what we recommend:  1-foot minimum on all sides, including the rear.

 1.5-foot minimum for the sides and an alcove or adjacent wall.

While doing yardwork, keep your unit out of contact with grass clippings and leaves. Yard scraps can congest your air conditioner and cause it to overheat.

How to Find Out if Your Air Conditioner is Overheating: – Turn the air conditioner on. – Check the temperature a few inches from the coil. This is the metallic grate that surrounds your unit. – Measure the temperature 10 feet away. – If the temperatures are the same, your system is working properly. – If the temperature is hotter near the coil, your system may have an issue. – Schedule Annual Maintenance with Osceola Air, LLC Overdue for regular air conditioner maintenance? Give us a call at 407-908-8651 today!

A routine AC tune-up means your air conditioner is likely more efficient—and less likely to overheat. And it also helps our skilled technicians to pinpoint small issues before they become pricier problems.

ZACK MCMORROW, Osceola Air

For more information or to make an appointment call 407-908-8651

For the holidays serve

TAP WATER YOUR TAP WATER ...  Is tested daily  Follows state and federal drinking water standards  Abides by the Safe Drinking Water Act

 2 feet between the sides of the unit and dense An AC system that runs hot generally won’t last as long. And it probably will cost more to cool your home. Osceola Air, LLC can help when your air AC isn’t functioning properly. Or keeping your house comfortable enough.

28 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

shrubs or solid fences.

 6 inches between the sides and leafy plants, with a few extra inches left for growth.

 8 feet between the top and obstructions, like a deck or roof overhang.

toho

... and it’s cheap too. Better yet, enjoy it daily.

water

.com

NOV/DEC 2019

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Things to Consider When Buying

Shampoo

for Thinning Hair We all feel overwhelmed while trying to choose the right hair product. Follow this simple guide to identifying the best shampoo for thinning hair.

SILICONE It coats your hair with a thin film to give them a shinier look. Make sure that the silicon is water-soluble otherwise build-up would occur. It would also be useful if you are looking for solutions for dry, unhealthy hair.

RED PALM OIL Vitamin E makes promotes hair growth and regeneration. Red Palm oil is rich in Vitamin E, so it would increase the circulation to the scalp making your hair follicles strong and healthy.

KERATIN Keratin is the key component in one’s hair, so if you are searching for a shampoo for thinning hair, it is a must present ingredient. Furthermore, its benefit isn’t just limited for

thin hair, you can use Keratin for various hair solutions. Your hair would become more v italized and healthier after its use. We suggest you check the above-mentioned ingredients and always select the best shampoo for hair growth and thickening. A good shampoo would provide your hair with the environment that it desires. After all, hair should be provided with the care that they deserve. Before you select the shampoo, make sure it is approved by the authority and has accepted by users. Never go for any random shampoo because it can affect your hair in the wrong way, resulting in hair loss. There are different brands in the market, which you can select and buy for the use. Take the assistance of dermatologists who can provide you with options.

Having luscious hair is a beauty, which many of the people strive for. However, some of us don’t have dreams of having luscious hair, we just want thick hair instead of thin hair. Hair thinning can affect anyone of any age, gender, among other things. However, if you are experiencing significant hair loss or hair thinning then you should be a little cautious. There are underlying biological factors that may trigger such hair issues. However, if you aren’t having any biological issues, and the hair fall/ thinning isn’t that severe, then we have the perfect guide for you in this article. You can control thinning of hair by getting shampoos for thinning hair aiming right at your problems and end up solving them. Shampoos are now available in different options that you can select as per your hair. Rather spending thousands at the hair spa, investing in a good hair thinning shampoos is the best.

What to look for in a shampoo? We all feel overwhelmed while trying to choose the right hair product. However, there are some features

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GLYCERIN If you are looking for best shampoo for hair growth and thickening, then Glycerin is an ingredient which is indispensable. It helps in locking the moisture for your hair which is highly essential. Most shampoos just coat the hair to make them softer, however, this does more damage to hair than good.

30 osceolawoman.com | NOV/DEC 2019

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President & Medical Director

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