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26TH ANNUAL STORIES OF THE SEASON CONTEST ... PAGE 16<br />
December 21, 2017 — January 3, 2018 | Since 1986<br />
@John Magrino<br />
Finished!<br />
Dr. Phillips High School scores its first football<br />
state championship.<br />
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4 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT ........................................................................... 5<br />
Finished!<br />
FOODIE FOR THOUGHT .................................................................. 10<br />
'Tis the Season For Treats<br />
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS .............................................................. 12<br />
26TH ANNUAL STORIES OF THE SEASON ........................................ 16<br />
LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE .................................................. 34<br />
TOURISM UPDATE ........................................................................... 37<br />
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ............................................................. 38<br />
Join us in congratulating Dr. David Boers<br />
for being voted TOP DENTIST<br />
in Windermere 2016 by<br />
Orlando Family Magazine.<br />
Dr. Boers & Dr. Alford wish you a very Happy Holiday Season!<br />
NEWS & BUSINESS BRIEFS .............................................................. 42<br />
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD ....................................................... 44<br />
SOUTHWEST SERVICE DIRECTORY ................................................... 46<br />
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER<br />
Rick V. Martin<br />
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This information is not intended to provide tax, accounting or legal advice. As with all matters of tax or legal nature, you should consult your<br />
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December 21, 2017<br />
Vol. XXXII, No. 4<br />
P.O. Box 851<br />
Windermere, FL 34786<br />
407-351-1573<br />
www.southwestorlandobulletin.com<br />
The Southwest Orlando Bulletin is published semimonthly by<br />
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©2017/Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC<br />
VICE PRESIDENT<br />
Yvette Martin<br />
MANAGING EDITOR<br />
Lisa Sagers<br />
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT<br />
Lauren Salinero<br />
CIRCULATION<br />
Robert Barlow<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Kirsten Harrington, John Magrino<br />
MARKETING CONSULTANTS<br />
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Lindsay Richardson<br />
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lindsay@kearneypublishing.com
For 365 days, Dr. Phillips High<br />
School football was haunted<br />
by the demons that destroyed its<br />
dream of a state championship in<br />
2016. But rather than succumb to<br />
them, the Panthers used them as<br />
motivation for redemption.<br />
Saturday night, Dec. 9, in the cold<br />
confines of Camping World Stadium,<br />
DPHS football exorcised those same<br />
demons, both individually and as a<br />
team, with a 17-7 victory over Delray<br />
Beach Atlantic Community High<br />
School to bring home its first football<br />
state championship in school history.<br />
One year ago, then-sophomore<br />
Cameron Williams was flagged<br />
for pass interference, which allowed<br />
Miami Southridge High School to<br />
continue a touchdown drive that<br />
led to its 14-10 victory over DPHS.<br />
Saturday night, Williams, now a<br />
veteran linebacker with 137 tackles<br />
this season, intercepted an Atlantic<br />
pass and returned it 8 yards for the<br />
game-sealing touchdown.<br />
One year ago, then-sophomore<br />
Jaquarri Powell intercepted a<br />
Southridge pass and was on his<br />
way to scoring a touchdown, but<br />
he was tripped up by a shoestring<br />
tackle, resulting in no points. During<br />
this year’s battle, Powell, an unquestioned<br />
team leader and captain, was<br />
an assassin on defense, registering<br />
seven tackles, including a crushing<br />
tackle on a fake punt and a fourthquarter<br />
sack for a 10-yard loss that<br />
effectively buried Atlantic’s bid for a<br />
comeback.<br />
One year ago, the Panthers saw a<br />
10-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate<br />
in the span of two drives. This<br />
year, the football team grabbed a<br />
10-point lead, added seven more<br />
and delivered the knockout blow on<br />
defense they had trained for and<br />
envisioned every single day for an<br />
entire year.<br />
Play by Play<br />
Coming into the game, the<br />
Panthers knew they had to stick to<br />
the game plan on both sides of the<br />
football. Offensively, they had to<br />
secure the football, sustain drives<br />
and take advantage of field position.<br />
Defensively, they had to create<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 5<br />
SPORTS<br />
turnovers, swarm tackle and prevent<br />
the big plays that had been a staple<br />
in Atlantic’s success this year. And it<br />
worked. While the offense did not<br />
put up eye-opening numbers, they<br />
didn’t need to. DPHS’s defense accounted<br />
for two touchdowns, held<br />
Atlantic deep in its own end of the<br />
field on eight of their 12 drives, and<br />
eliminated the Eagles’ rushing attack<br />
to just 19 yards on 34 carries.<br />
Midway through the opening quarter,<br />
Atlantic faced third and 1 at its<br />
29 and handed off to their bruising<br />
fullback up the middle, but DPHS senior<br />
defensive tackle Brice Ingram<br />
met him in the hole and buried him<br />
for no gain to force a punt. That set<br />
the stage for junior linebacker Powell,<br />
who charged in untouched from the<br />
left side, blocked the Atlantic punt at<br />
the 20, scooped it up at the 9, and<br />
took it to the house to give DPHS a<br />
7-0 lead. That was just the first of<br />
many highlights for Powell, who finished<br />
with 11 tackles, six of them for<br />
a loss, including three sacks.<br />
Atlantic was clearly shaken on its<br />
next drive. On second and 6 at the<br />
34, DPHS senior defensive end Joe<br />
Gulla broke into the backfield and<br />
chased down the quarterback for<br />
a sack and a loss of 6 yards. One<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Finished!<br />
The Panther Nation Celebrates DPHS Football’s First State Championship<br />
After winning its first football state championship, the<br />
Dr. Phillips High School Panthers give a moment of thanks.<br />
by John Magrino, DPHS Assistant Athletic Director<br />
play later, it was<br />
Powell again, tearing<br />
through the line<br />
and sacking the<br />
quarterback for a<br />
loss of 11, forcing<br />
the second of six<br />
first-half punts.<br />
Later in the second<br />
quarter, Powell<br />
drove the Atlantic<br />
quarterback into<br />
the turf again with a<br />
sack for a loss of 12<br />
to force a punt that<br />
gave the Panthers<br />
possession at the<br />
Atlantic 44.<br />
DPHS senior Devodney Alford<br />
busted into the secondary for a 14-<br />
yard gain and senior quarterback<br />
BeSean McCray followed up with<br />
a 16-yard keeper for a first down<br />
at the 14. Alford carried again for<br />
a gain of 7, but the drive stalled<br />
two plays later, and senior kicker<br />
Sterling Stockwell split the uprights<br />
from 28 yards out to put the<br />
Panthers up 10-0 through the half.<br />
Atlantic had gained only 39 yards<br />
of total offense in the first half and<br />
virtually nothing on the ground, so<br />
the game plan for the second half<br />
was to get the ball in the hands of<br />
its talented receiving corps and use<br />
whatever tricks it had in its bag to<br />
establish some momentum. On its<br />
opening possession of the third<br />
quarter, that backfired.<br />
Facing fourth and 1 at its own 29,<br />
Atlantic faked the punt, but the back<br />
was drilled immediately by DPHS<br />
senior defensive tackle Christian<br />
Williams and Powell for no gain,<br />
giving the ball back to the Panthers<br />
on downs. Midway through the third<br />
quarter, Atlantic’s next offensive possession<br />
drove it into DPHS territory for<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
6 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5<br />
the first time all game. A 2-yard run<br />
on fourth and short gave them a first<br />
down at the 49, and one play later, a<br />
13-yard pickup set the Eagles up with<br />
a first down at the Dr. Phillips’ 38.<br />
Three plays later, Atlantic opted<br />
not to try a 47-yard field goal on<br />
fourth down and, instead, pitched<br />
the ball outside, but DPHS’s Cameron<br />
Williams chased down the running<br />
back and knocked him out of bounds<br />
a yard short of the stick to give the<br />
Panthers the ball once again.<br />
Atlantic’s final possession of the<br />
third quarter met the same fate as<br />
its other drives. The Eagles drove 49<br />
yards in six plays down to the DPHS<br />
13, looking to break through, but<br />
Ingram and Powell crashed through<br />
the line and drove the quarterback<br />
down for a 10-yard loss.<br />
On fourth and 22 from the 23,<br />
Atlantic heaved a pass toward the<br />
left side of the end zone, but DPHS<br />
senior safety Tanner Ingle knocked<br />
it away for the third consecutive<br />
turnover on downs.<br />
The Dr. Phillips High School football players are excited to add a state championship<br />
ring to their fingers.<br />
The mighty DPHS offense took<br />
over at the 23 and needed to chew<br />
time off the clock but could not pick<br />
up a first down in its previous two<br />
possessions. Things were different<br />
on this drive, though. On third and<br />
5 from the DPHS 28, sophomore receiver<br />
Trey Schyck caught a pass<br />
from McCray in the right flat and<br />
dove for a first down across the 36-<br />
yard line to move the chains. After a<br />
pair of runs by McCray for 8 yards<br />
sent the Panthers into the fourth quarter,<br />
the senior quarterback zipped<br />
a third-down pass into the hands<br />
of junior Devon Buckhanon and<br />
the 6-foot-3-inch receiver churned<br />
ahead for a gain of 19 and another<br />
DPHS first down.<br />
While the drive stalled at the<br />
Atlantic 34, the success was in the<br />
4 minutes burned off the clock and<br />
gave Stockwell another opportunity<br />
to flip the field with a punt down to<br />
the Atlantic 15. Still trailing 10-0,<br />
Atlantic immediately went to the air,<br />
but it proved disastrous. On second<br />
and 10, Cameron Williams, who<br />
was lined up at the 20, saw the<br />
Atlantic running back flare out to<br />
the right and immediately saw the<br />
screen pass coming.<br />
Before the quarterback could even<br />
see him, Williams charged to his<br />
right, intercepted the pass with one<br />
hand, and, in a split second, was<br />
in the end zone, nearly buried under<br />
a pile of Panthers. For Williams,<br />
who has so consistently and quietly<br />
delivered all season long, this was<br />
his defining play of the year and the<br />
redemption he so richly deserved.<br />
With a 17-0 lead and just over 9<br />
minutes remaining, the DPHS defense<br />
was tested again on Atlantic’s ensuing<br />
possession. Completions for 18<br />
and 23 yards gave the Eagles a first<br />
down at the DPHS 35, but one play<br />
later, Powell slipped into the backfield<br />
and drilled the quarterback for<br />
a 10-yard loss to forever wash away<br />
his disappointment of a year ago, as<br />
well.<br />
Three plays later, on fourth<br />
and 5, Cameron Williams put the<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8<br />
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www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 7<br />
You Can’t Take It With You<br />
by: Kristen M. Jackson<br />
Often the poorest people leave their<br />
children the richest inheritance. Regardless of<br />
how much or how little, throughout one’s lifetime<br />
most people acquire some measure of prosperity.<br />
Whether it is simply family photos, an old car and<br />
a small bank account or an abundance of wealth<br />
including real estate, savings, insurance policies,<br />
and investment accounts, most everyone today dies<br />
having acquired something to leave behind to their<br />
loved ones. If you have made no plans to pass your<br />
prosperity on to your loved ones, you may burden<br />
them with needless family feuds and substantial<br />
legal and court costs to settle your estate. Realize<br />
“You Can’t Take It With You.”<br />
Although the holidays are supposed to be<br />
a time for family and celebration, for many it is<br />
a time for unexpected sadness. According to a<br />
study published in the journal of Social Science &<br />
Medicine, it found that more people are likely to<br />
die on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day than<br />
any other day of the year. Also reported by the<br />
National Center for Health Statistics, as many as<br />
18% more people die during the holiday season,<br />
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, than any<br />
other time of the year.<br />
In the Charles Dickens’s classic, The<br />
Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present<br />
told Ebenezer Scrooge that “There is never<br />
enough time to do or say all the things that we<br />
would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as<br />
you can in the time that you have. Remember<br />
Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you’re not<br />
here anymore.”<br />
Realizing that one, or both, of your parents<br />
is getting older and possibly needing assistance is<br />
difficult to process. Often parents are unwilling<br />
to discuss their health with you because of their<br />
embarrassment, shame, denial or even pride.<br />
There is no better time than the Holidays to open<br />
the dialogue with your parents about their health,<br />
welfare and happiness.<br />
Why are the Holidays an opportune time<br />
for discussions about family health issues and<br />
asset protection? Most people are less pressured<br />
by daily work routines, family members are able<br />
to come together, and most importantly, you, your<br />
spouse and your siblings can comfortably open a<br />
discussion over a glass of eggnog and a turkey leg<br />
or while opening gifts. Rarely, if ever, is there a<br />
first-hand opportunity throughout the year to<br />
have such discussions with your parents.<br />
So how do we make our parents feel<br />
comfortable talking about their health and asset<br />
protection? Remember, the discussion is about is<br />
your parents’ estate planning which includes their<br />
health, assets, family, loved ones, not-so-loved ones,<br />
gifts, feuds, drama and more. It is about their dayto-day<br />
living and their legacy and not simply about<br />
their demise. So start the discussion anywhere.<br />
One way to begin is to discuss those<br />
documents everyone should have during life<br />
such as a health care surrogate or a durable power<br />
of attorney. If your mother enters the hospital<br />
while unconscious, your father or another family<br />
member cannot make a medical decision for her<br />
without her having granted written authorization<br />
them to do so. If your mother is your only<br />
surviving parent, who will pay her bills while she<br />
lay unconscious? This too, requires a durable<br />
power of attorney signed by her.<br />
The Holidays are meant to be a joyous<br />
time for family and friends to share intimate and<br />
loving concerns for one another and to celebrate<br />
the coming New Year. And once you have shared<br />
eggnog, turkey, gifts, champagne and fireworks<br />
with family and friends, think about beginning<br />
the New Year by setting up a consultation with<br />
an estate planning attorney to discuss how to help<br />
safeguard your parents’ future. Remember, mom<br />
and dad, “time is short, and suddenly, you’re not<br />
here anymore and you can’t take it with you.”<br />
Legal Areas of<br />
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Medicaid<br />
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Pre-Nuptials<br />
Probate<br />
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Special Needs<br />
Title & Closings<br />
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8 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6<br />
exclamation point on a perfect personal<br />
performance, breaking up a<br />
pass to give the football back to the<br />
Panthers. While Atlantic did score on<br />
its final drive of the game to make it<br />
17-7, DPHS senior receiver Michael<br />
Fox recovered the onside kick with<br />
just more than 3 minutes remaining.<br />
DPHS still needed to get a first down<br />
to run out the clock, and what better<br />
way to do that than by putting the<br />
ball in the capable hands of Alford<br />
and McCray.<br />
On third and 5, McCray knifed<br />
through the line for a gain of 12 and<br />
a first down. Alford ran one more<br />
time for 4 yards, and that was all<br />
the Panthers needed as the clock ran<br />
down to zero, icing DPHS’s first-ever<br />
football state championship.<br />
Congrats to the Champs!<br />
Much has been written about<br />
DPHS’s football program throughout<br />
the years. One thing many have stated<br />
is that while being a powerhouse<br />
program, DPHS could never be considered<br />
elite until it won that elusive<br />
state championship. The wait is over,<br />
and the crown fits.<br />
Congratulations to head coach<br />
Rodney Wells, who, in seven years<br />
at the helm, upholds the standard of<br />
DPHS excellence without compromise,<br />
both on and off the field.<br />
Congratulations also to the finest<br />
team of assistant coaches in the<br />
state of Florida: David Aubrey,<br />
Adrian Bouie, Steve Breitbeil,<br />
Tony Gulla, Bryan Ingrande,<br />
Boris Jackson, Jason Jackson,<br />
Ken Jones, Lorenzo Martinez,<br />
Roderick Ryles, Steve Schyck,<br />
Adam Sitter and Riki Smith.<br />
Most importantly, congratulations<br />
to Dr. Phillips High School’s graduating<br />
seniors — all of them — who<br />
refused to let the disappointment of<br />
a year ago keep them from realizing<br />
just how great they could be. The sacrifices<br />
they made for each other, their<br />
coaches and their school, and their<br />
refusal to let self come before service,<br />
are the reasons they are champions<br />
today, tomorrow and forever. ª<br />
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For our "One and It's Done" referral service, call (407) 487-6029.<br />
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12/31/17
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 9<br />
Apex Wealth Management<br />
Congratulates Dr. Phillips High School<br />
Varsity Football FHSAA CLASS 8A<br />
STATE CHAMPIONS!!<br />
2017<br />
REGULAR SEASON<br />
(8 - 2)<br />
Date Opponent Result<br />
8/24 Orange City University (Home) 24-21 (W)<br />
9/7 West Orange (Away) 44-24 (W)<br />
9/22 Mainland (Home) 20-0 (W)<br />
9/29 Oak Ridge (Away) 41-6 (W)<br />
10/5 Wekiva (Away) 0-14 (L)<br />
10/9 Apopka (Home) 14-21 (L)<br />
10/13 Freedom (Away) 35-8 (W)<br />
10/20 Olympia (Home) 31-10 (W)<br />
10/26 Cypress Creek (Home) 37-7 (W)<br />
10/30 Timber Creek (Away) 35-14 (W)<br />
PLAYOFFS<br />
(4 - 0)<br />
Date Opponent Result<br />
11/10 Ridge Community (Regional) 35-7 (W)<br />
11/17 Osceola (Regional) 17-13 (W)<br />
11/24 Sarasota Riverview (Regional) 28-19 (W)<br />
12/1 Wekiva (State Semi) 28-7 (W)<br />
State Championship Game<br />
17 Dr. Phillips vs. Delray Beach Atlantic 7<br />
COACHES<br />
Rodney Wells –<br />
Head Coach<br />
David Aubrey<br />
Adrian Bouie<br />
Steve Breitbeil<br />
Tony Gulla<br />
Bryan Ingrande<br />
Boris Jackson<br />
Jason Jackson<br />
Ken Jones<br />
Lorenzo Martinez<br />
Roderick Ryles<br />
Steve Schyck<br />
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10 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
I know the holiday season has arrived<br />
at our house when my favorite<br />
grocery store starts carrying Andes<br />
Creme de Menthe baking chips.<br />
These little minty morsels elevate<br />
everyday chocolate chip cookies to<br />
a special seasonal treat. (Find the<br />
cookie recipe on the back of the<br />
bag.)<br />
For Holly McCall of Winter<br />
Garden, it’s the buttery, melt-inyour-mouth<br />
cookies she makes every<br />
season.<br />
“The recipe came from my friend,<br />
Monty, so we call them Monty’s<br />
Melting Moments,” she said.<br />
For Ann Dannenfelser of<br />
MetroWest, it wouldn’t be<br />
Christmas without the chocolateand-cherry<br />
Belgian macaroons her<br />
grandmother taught her how to<br />
make.<br />
Alison Madrid of Ocoee and<br />
her family celebrate the season by<br />
making pizzelles, decorative Italian<br />
waffle cookies baked in a special<br />
iron.<br />
“I grew up making them with<br />
my grandparents,” she said. “My<br />
FOODIE FOR<br />
grandmother would make the batter,<br />
and my grandfather would press the<br />
cookies with the pizzelle iron. [The]<br />
tradition continued with my mom<br />
THOUGHT<br />
‘Tis the Season For Treats<br />
Residents Share Their Holiday Favorites<br />
by Kirsten Harrington<br />
Andes Creme<br />
de Menthe baking<br />
chips turn everyday<br />
chocolate-chip cookies<br />
into a special seasonal<br />
treat.<br />
making the batter and my dad pressing<br />
the cookies at their house. Now,<br />
I have my own iron and make them<br />
with my kids at home.”<br />
People of Madrid like to share<br />
these anise seed cookies with friends<br />
and neighbors.<br />
In Puerto Rico, coquito, a thick coconut-flavored<br />
rum punch takes center<br />
stage at Christmas and New Year<br />
celebrations, and Orlando’s Gabe<br />
Medina continues the tradition with<br />
his grandfather’s recipe. It is these<br />
recipes that are passed down through<br />
families or shared by a friend that<br />
create long-lasting memories that linger<br />
even after the last cookie crumb<br />
or sip of punch is gone. There’s still<br />
time before Christmas to make another<br />
batch of your favorite or try a new<br />
one to share with a friend.<br />
Monty’s<br />
Melting Moments Cookies<br />
Ingredients:<br />
2 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1 cup cornstarch<br />
1 cup powdered sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups of butter<br />
courtesy of Holly McCall<br />
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CLERMONT • MOUNT DORA • ORLANDO • ST. CLOUD
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1 teaspoon almond extract<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
Instructions:<br />
Mix dry ingredients together.<br />
Cream butter until smooth in large<br />
bowl. Add vanilla and almond extract.<br />
Mix in dry ingredients. Chill<br />
dough for 1 hour. Preheat oven to<br />
375 F. Roll dough into log and slice.<br />
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Makes 6<br />
dozen. Variation: Add peppermint<br />
extract to the dough, color one-half<br />
with red food color and shape them<br />
into candy canes.<br />
Belgian Macaroons<br />
courtesy of Ann Dannenfelser<br />
Ingredients:<br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
3/4 cup sifted confectioner sugar<br />
1 tablespoon vanilla<br />
1 square unsweetened chocolate,<br />
melted<br />
1 1/2 cups flour<br />
1/8 teaspoon salt<br />
20 to 25 maraschino cherries,<br />
well-drained<br />
Chocolate frosting or colored<br />
buttercream frosting<br />
Instructions:<br />
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix first<br />
four ingredients together. Slowly sift<br />
in flour and salt. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons<br />
of cream if dough is dry.<br />
Wrap a level tablespoon of dough<br />
around a cherry. Place on ungreased<br />
baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes.<br />
When cookies are cooled, dip tops<br />
in frosting.<br />
Belo’s Coquito<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 11<br />
courtesy of Gabe Medina<br />
This chilled coconut drink is traditionally<br />
served in very small cups,<br />
and the amount of rum can be adjusted<br />
to suit your preference.<br />
Ingredients:<br />
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk<br />
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened<br />
condensed milk<br />
1 can (15 ounces) Coco López<br />
coconut milk<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
2 tablespoons sugar<br />
1 cup Don Q white rum or more<br />
to potency and taste<br />
Instructions:<br />
Mix all ingredients in a blender,<br />
strain and chill in refrigerator, preferably<br />
overnight. Shake before<br />
serving and garnish with cinnamon<br />
sprinkles. ª<br />
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12 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
HOME<br />
for the<br />
HOLIDAYS<br />
The kids are home from<br />
school, and relatives are flocking<br />
in from out of town. It can<br />
only mean one thing: it’s the<br />
holiday season. Let Home for<br />
the Holidays help with your<br />
planning, whether you’re looking<br />
to entertain at home, discover<br />
local Christmas events,<br />
or relax during the most<br />
stressful time of year.<br />
Centerpiece<br />
Table & Linen Decor<br />
Centerpiece Table Linen &<br />
Decor offers a beautiful assortment<br />
of glass chargers for the holidays or<br />
any special event. The designs span<br />
from glistening metallic, uniquely<br />
textured patterns and iridescent finishes.<br />
All glass chargers are food<br />
safe and will make any table setting<br />
stand out. The current special<br />
offer is four for $60. For more information,<br />
to view designs and access<br />
customer service email, visit<br />
centerpiecetablelinenanddecor.com.<br />
Drafts<br />
Sports Bar & Grill<br />
Give the gift of family fun at<br />
Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, located<br />
at Westgate Lakes Resort &<br />
Spa. From an array of delicious food<br />
and drink options to a state-of-the-art<br />
game room with six lanes of bowling,<br />
Drafts offers something for everyone.<br />
Check out the private party<br />
room for your holiday celebration.<br />
Again!<br />
,<br />
,<br />
,
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 13<br />
Massage<br />
Envy Dr. Phillips<br />
Drafts is open daily and located at<br />
9500 Turkey Lake Road in Orlando.<br />
For more information, call 407-352-<br />
9293 or visit draftssports.com.<br />
Grand<br />
Cypress Golf Club<br />
Grand Cypress Golf Club<br />
offers a truly diverse selection of<br />
Orlando golf courses. The 27-hole<br />
North/South/East Course provides<br />
the ultimate test of accuracy, while<br />
the 18-hole New Course provides<br />
a Scottish links masterpiece.<br />
Receive a $59 green fee per player,<br />
including a cart. Book online at<br />
www.grandcypress.com/orlando_golf_<br />
resort_club or call the pro shop at<br />
407-239-1909. This offer is valid until<br />
Dec. 31, 2017, based on availability.<br />
Light Up UCF<br />
At Light Up UCF, there is fun for<br />
all ages. Running through Dec. 31,<br />
this year's festival offers 45 nights<br />
of ice-skating; a world-class choreographed<br />
light show with new music;<br />
free holiday movies; live entertainment<br />
and rides like a Ferris wheel,<br />
The Arctic Glide Ice Slide, and the<br />
Winter Whirl. Located at 12777<br />
Gemini Blvd. N. in Orlando, Light<br />
Up UCF is open Monday-Thursday<br />
from 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday<br />
from noon-midnight, and Sunday<br />
from noon-10 p.m. For more information,<br />
call 407-823-3070 or visit<br />
www.lightupucf.com.<br />
Most<br />
Insurances<br />
Accepted<br />
The holidays can get overwhelming,<br />
so visit Massage Envy in Dr.<br />
Phillips to enjoy some fun unwinding in<br />
its newly renovated facility. Treat yourself<br />
or your holiday visitors to signature<br />
facials, Swedish massages, stretch<br />
therapy and many other relaxing and<br />
rejuvenating services. Leave yourself<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14<br />
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14 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13<br />
From our famil<br />
to yours ...<br />
We wish you a<br />
happy & peaceful<br />
holiday season.<br />
and your loved ones saying, “Ahh!”<br />
this season. Stop by Suite 100 at 8081<br />
Turkey Lake Road in Orlando today!<br />
For more information or to make an<br />
appointment, call 407-354-3689.<br />
Orange City<br />
Racing & Card Club<br />
The Orange City Racing &<br />
Card Club is “Orlando’s Closest<br />
Poker Room,” featuring exciting cashgame<br />
poker action, Vegas-style poker<br />
games, comfortable seating, tableside<br />
food and beverage service. The<br />
new Jake’s 29° Sports Bar and Grill<br />
boasts an innovative pub-style menu;<br />
seven 75-inch TVs; 40-plus huge<br />
high-definition TVs; a 52-foot sports<br />
ticker; and 29-degree domestic, craft<br />
and local draft beers. For more information,<br />
call 386-252-6484 or visit<br />
www.orangecitypoker.com.<br />
Royal<br />
Landscape Nursery<br />
Looking to take care of some projects<br />
around the house this holiday season?<br />
Stop by Royal Landscape Nursery at<br />
2204 Hempel Ave. in Gotha to get help<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
&<br />
Happy New Year<br />
The heartbeat of the community
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 15<br />
401 Main Street, Suite A, Windermere, FL<br />
Windermere Center for<br />
DENTISTRY<br />
with planning your next landscaping<br />
project. Royal Landscape has an abundance<br />
of different plants, shrubs and<br />
trees that are perfect for getting out in<br />
the yard for some holiday gardening.<br />
Call or stop by for current specials, or<br />
join their email list to stay informed on<br />
the latest from the nursery. For more<br />
information, call 407-296-3042 or visit<br />
royallandscapenursery.com.<br />
The Woodhouse<br />
Day Spa<br />
The Woodhouse Day Spa<br />
is the perfect place to get together<br />
with friends and loved ones this<br />
holiday season. The Woodhouse<br />
offers more than 70 treatments like<br />
massages, facials, body wraps<br />
and mani-pedis, so there is something<br />
for everyone to enjoy. The<br />
spa can accommodate large or<br />
small parties and offers many<br />
amenities, such as locker rooms,<br />
cozy lounge areas, complimentary<br />
beverages and light snacks.<br />
The Woodhouse is also a great<br />
place to escape the holiday hustle<br />
and bustle and get some “me<br />
time.” The Woodhouse Day Spa<br />
is located at 8060 Via Dellagio<br />
Way in Orlando. For more information,<br />
call 407-965-3131 or visit<br />
orlando.woodhousespas.com. ª<br />
Emilia M. Godoy-Rapport, D.M.D.<br />
Cosmetic and family dentistry<br />
www.windermeresmiles.com<br />
(407) 909-1097
16 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
26 th<br />
annual<br />
of the<br />
Stories of the<br />
Season<br />
The entries submitted for Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s 26th annual Stories of the Season<br />
contest told tales of special visits from Santa, mystical holiday creatures and the joy of<br />
spending time with family and friends. Whether they recreate holiday memories or take<br />
readers to imaginary places filled with elves, reindeer and their ilk, they are sure to add<br />
holiday spirit to all this year.<br />
Congratulations to first-place winner Cassidy Eaton of Tildens Grove, runner-up Megan<br />
Ramsey of Hickory Hammock, and child winner Brooke Larweth of Lake Davis Reserve,<br />
all of whom received cash prizes. Also included are submissions selected as honorable<br />
mentions.<br />
The staff of the Southwest Orlando Bulletin extends thank-yous to everyone who entered the<br />
contest and wishes a happy holiday season to all.<br />
Winner<br />
A Holiday Surprise<br />
by Cassidy Eaton<br />
Tildens Grove<br />
As I walked through the hallways at<br />
school, I kept my head down. My dad<br />
had taught me to keep my head high,<br />
but that was before I turned 14. I grew<br />
up in Sugar Land, Texas, and had never<br />
told another person about my dad —<br />
about the months he spent away; about<br />
the wars he fought in; or about the times<br />
he would come home, barely able to<br />
walk, and then he would leave a month<br />
later. The only thing that helped me function<br />
while my hero was away was knowing<br />
that he would always come back,<br />
especially for Christmas, that he was<br />
able to come home and see us for the<br />
one holiday that we asked him to. But<br />
like all good things, it had to come to<br />
an end.<br />
The beginning of the end was when<br />
my mom came into the house with our<br />
mail one Friday. Her face lit up. It was<br />
a note from Dad! In barely a second, I<br />
was standing next to Mom, prepared for<br />
the update.<br />
She carefully opened the letter and<br />
pulled out a white piece of paper.<br />
“Dear family,” she began. “I know you<br />
were planning on having me all to yourselves<br />
this Christmas, but unfort- …”<br />
Mom stopped there. As she continued<br />
reading, her face grew pale.<br />
“What is it?” I asked.<br />
Mom gave me the letter, and I found<br />
where she had stopped, continuing from<br />
there.<br />
“I cannot make it home this Christmas.<br />
We’ve made advances, and I have been<br />
given the order to stay put. I am so sorry,<br />
Firefly, but I can’t come home until the<br />
battle is over. Love, Dad.”<br />
When I was done reading the letter,<br />
my mind kept going to the name he<br />
had called me — Firefly. He had given<br />
it to me the very first Christmas I can<br />
remember.<br />
For the rest of the week, I kept my<br />
head down. On Christmas Eve, it began<br />
to snow. I hated that the rest of the town<br />
would be joyful at home with their white<br />
Christmases and happy families, while<br />
I would be stuck fearing what could be<br />
happening to my dad.<br />
As sunset arrived, I remembered what<br />
my dad would say every Christmas Eve,<br />
“The day we celebrate would never<br />
have been important if Jesus hadn’t been<br />
strong and stood up for the right things in<br />
life, Firefly. So you need to do the same.”<br />
I fell asleep that night remembering<br />
all of the Christmases before that one.<br />
Before I turned 14.<br />
I awoke on Christmas morning to<br />
shouts coming from the living room. I<br />
rushed out and saw a big box on the<br />
floor. Tears spilled down my face as I realized<br />
what was inside. And when my<br />
dad came out, my tears turned into sobs.<br />
For the rest of the day, we heard stories<br />
of his adventures. And I went to<br />
sleep that night knowing that my prayers<br />
had been answered.<br />
Runner-Up<br />
Wedding Surprise<br />
by Megan Ramsey<br />
Hickory Hammock<br />
“‘Twas the night before Christmas and<br />
all through the house ...”<br />
“Mom, I’ve heard that story so many<br />
times,” Jessie, my 8-year-old daughter,<br />
said with a whine.<br />
“Tell me a new one?” she asked,<br />
looking up at me with hazel eyes full of<br />
curiosity.<br />
I let out a small laugh and closed the<br />
book, pushing it aside as I thought of the<br />
perfect story to tell.<br />
“There was once a girl just like you.<br />
She loved Christmas, and her biggest<br />
concern in life was that she couldn’t<br />
get every toy in the store,” I said with<br />
a laugh.<br />
Jessie laughed, too, and looked away<br />
shyly, knowing she was guilty of doing<br />
the same.<br />
“Well, years later, when this girl was<br />
in her 20s, the holidays were a bit different<br />
and so were her life problems.<br />
Around this time of year, she opened<br />
her mailbox and received an invitation<br />
from her cousin, Bailey, saying, ‘‘Tis the<br />
season. You are formally invited to Mark<br />
and Bailey’s wedding on Dec. 23.’ This<br />
was something the girl was definitely not<br />
looking forward to.”<br />
“Why?” Jessie interrupted. “Weddings<br />
are exciting!”<br />
“Yes, they are,” I said. “However, this<br />
was a bit different. She knew all of her<br />
family would be there. Every time they<br />
got together, they hassled her about getting<br />
married and tried to set her up with<br />
guys she had no interest in!”<br />
“That’s no fun,” Jessie said, shaking<br />
her head.<br />
“Not at all. But Bailey was her cousin,<br />
and she had to go to her wedding to support<br />
her. At least there was food involved<br />
and plenty of dessert!”<br />
At this point, Jessie became more<br />
interested.<br />
“During the wedding reception, she<br />
spent most of her time near the buffet.<br />
Luckily, she met someone who she could<br />
talk to instead of her overly inquisitive<br />
family. This someone was one of the<br />
waiters. He was super-easy to talk to,<br />
and they shared many similar interests.<br />
During their conversation, she saw some<br />
of her family walking toward her and<br />
gave the waiter a panicked look. He<br />
grabbed her hand and was able to get<br />
her out of the reception to escape! She<br />
realized she wanted more time away,<br />
and he took her to his favorite spot, on<br />
the roof of the hotel where there were<br />
lights and a beautiful garden.”<br />
“That sounds so nice!” Jessie said.<br />
“It really was. They spent hours talking,<br />
and she knew she was really interested<br />
in him. However, her family always<br />
pressured her to be with someone successful<br />
like a doctor, but she didn’t care<br />
about that. Then, one thing crossed her<br />
mind. ‘How are you allowed up here?’<br />
she asked him. He scratched his neck<br />
awkwardly, admitting that he was not a<br />
waiter. He was the owner of the hotel<br />
and wanted someone to like him for who<br />
he was, but it didn’t make a difference to<br />
her; she liked him all the same. His name<br />
was Matt, and her name was Brooke.”<br />
“That’s you and Dad!” Jessie<br />
exclaimed.<br />
Child Winner<br />
Count Your Blessings<br />
by Brooke Larweth<br />
Lake Davis Reserve<br />
I’ve seen snow before — the pearly<br />
white glimmer of a fresh layer on the<br />
lawn; the wet, gray slush it eventually<br />
morphs into. The best type of snow<br />
though is Christmas snow. Just one single<br />
snowflake on the tip of your nose, sets<br />
you into a trance of wonder and awe.<br />
But there’s no Christmas snow in Haiti.<br />
It was a long, rickety, dust-covered<br />
drive from the airport to our destination:<br />
a small, rural town called Capotille. All<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 17
18 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16<br />
of us went silent as we gazed upon it.<br />
There was no garland strung up nor<br />
carols reverberating from speakers.<br />
One by one, each member of the<br />
youth group stepped cautiously out of<br />
the van.<br />
The first thing we noticed was the air.<br />
How heavy it was, and how it smelled<br />
stale and musty, and not like snicker<br />
doodle cookies. Next to me, Casey, my<br />
best friend, wrinkled her nose, then immediately<br />
started planning where all the<br />
Christmas decorations would go. She<br />
was always one to look on the bright<br />
side.<br />
All of a sudden, Collin, our group<br />
leader, turned around to face us. His<br />
face was solemn, yet hopeful.<br />
“Why are we here?” he asked, taking<br />
the time to look at each one of us individually.<br />
“As you’ve noticed, these people<br />
don’t have money to buy lights for<br />
their houses or wreaths for their doors.<br />
So, one, we’re here to spread Christmas<br />
cheer. But, more importantly, we’re here<br />
to show these people the same love that<br />
God bestows upon us.”<br />
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The determination in his voice was<br />
clear. Each member hurried over to the<br />
van and unloaded the Christmas presents<br />
we’d packed for the children. I carefully<br />
handled the box, studying the little<br />
reindeer and bearded, chubby Santas<br />
on the wrapping paper. This may be<br />
the only present they receive this year,<br />
I thought.<br />
I squinted at the boys playing soccer<br />
on a grassy field, gazed at the<br />
little girls giggling and twisting each<br />
other’s hair, and smiled to myself at the<br />
sight of the many fathers, as well as<br />
mothers, cooking and tending to their<br />
homes.<br />
I took a deep breath, swallowed my<br />
pride and strolled over to a young girl,<br />
head held high and a smile on my face.<br />
I knelt down on one knee and said<br />
softly, “Hi. My name’s Becca. My friends<br />
and I,” and I paused to point at them,<br />
“are here to spread a little Christmas<br />
cheer.”<br />
Then, as the girl slowly picked up her<br />
head to look at my face, I noticed her<br />
big, beautiful brown eyes. Eyes that<br />
were filled with curiosity and wonder<br />
and shine.<br />
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“Thank you,” she said, as she gently<br />
took the box from my hands and set it on<br />
the ground next to her.<br />
And, to my surprise, the brown-eyed<br />
girl jumped up and wrapped her arms<br />
around me, hugging me tightly.<br />
She then whispered four short words<br />
in my ear, “My name is Nadia.”<br />
And I hugged her even tighter.<br />
To this day, my eyes still fill with tears<br />
when I think about that moment. Most<br />
of us think of Christmas as just a time of<br />
glittery decorations and holiday music,<br />
but it’s so much more than that. We are<br />
blessed with so much, so we can always<br />
give love. And that’s the way it is — love<br />
and share, share and love.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
My Favorite Day<br />
by Emma Jane Patterson<br />
Stoneybrook West<br />
There are many exciting and fun days<br />
during the year. As I go through the year,<br />
I get closer to my favorite day. My favorite<br />
day of the year is Christmas! What I<br />
like about Christmas is getting time off<br />
for vacation, going to the movies, seeing<br />
my friends, sleeping in late and wearing<br />
pajamas.<br />
Usually around Christmas, it is much<br />
colder than any other time of the year.<br />
I like having the windows open at home<br />
and letting the cool air come inside.<br />
I also like being able to wear different<br />
kinds of clothes like sweatshirts and<br />
warmups during this time. Many people<br />
do not like the cold weather, but I find it<br />
refreshing. The colder the better!<br />
Obviously, presents are all-important<br />
during Christmas, because they surprise<br />
the person with the gift inside. I like seeing<br />
a person’s reaction when he or she<br />
receives a present. Most importantly,<br />
I find that giving a present to someone<br />
makes me feel better than receiving<br />
one. It is really the thought of giving<br />
that counts. At my school, we have a<br />
program that is called the Operation<br />
Christmas Child Shoebox Program. The<br />
program gives each child in our school<br />
a shoebox, and we fill the shoebox with<br />
whatever we want. At the deadline of the<br />
program, the people come to each classroom,<br />
collect the boxes and ship them to<br />
a poor country. It is a great way to make<br />
someone feel delighted.<br />
Spending time with my family is important<br />
to me. My family is pleasant to hang<br />
around with on Christmas day. We all<br />
get together at my house. I usually play<br />
with my sisters, cousins and my grandparents<br />
all day. We play basketball,<br />
watch Christmas movies, and gather<br />
around and eat a great Christmas feast.<br />
I am lucky to have so many people be<br />
around me at once.<br />
I hope I will always feel the same way<br />
about this time of year. Christmas is coming,<br />
and I can’t wait to take part in all<br />
my favorite things. I hope you all have a<br />
Merry Christmas, as well!<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Christmas Without Her<br />
by Emma Neary<br />
Celebration<br />
Christmas has always been a holiday<br />
that has remained in most people’s<br />
hearts as a joyous tradition; however,<br />
for one young girl, this occasion brought<br />
nothing but the sadness and pain of<br />
ugly memories. Her name was Holly,<br />
and she adored Christmas more than<br />
anything, because the season was spent<br />
with her dear mother, Carol. The holiday<br />
brought them closer, keeping the motherand-daughter<br />
bond. They would make<br />
gingerbread houses, go ice-skating<br />
and sing carols. But their favorite thing<br />
to do was decorate the Christmas tree.<br />
The one thing that connected them was<br />
Christmas.<br />
Unfortunately, all good things eventually<br />
come to an end. Holly’s mother<br />
died a few months before Christmas<br />
due to a fatal car accident. This ended<br />
Holly’s world; her mother was everything<br />
to her, but death had taken her<br />
away. She swung into a hurling depression,<br />
not wanting anything that associated<br />
with her mother, even Christmas.<br />
Holly wanted to avoid the pain, even if<br />
it meant skipping this holiday. Cookies<br />
weren’t made, the skates were untouched,<br />
and a tree was never put<br />
up. Her life remained dark rather than<br />
being lit by the glimmering lights of<br />
Christmas. Holly just couldn’t celebrate<br />
without her mother.<br />
Strange things can happen on<br />
Christmas Eve, not only bizarre events,<br />
but teaching moments. So, on the night<br />
before Christmas Day, Holly got ready<br />
for bed just as she would normally<br />
do. Suddenly, a gust of wind smacked<br />
against her window, pushing it open<br />
with full force. With it, a small picture
lew in and floated to the ground. Holly<br />
picked it up curiously to see what it<br />
was, discovering that it was an old family<br />
photo. It showed Holly and her mother<br />
decorating a Christmas tree. Where<br />
did it come from? she asked herself. As<br />
she was about to discard it in hopes<br />
of avoiding the pain, something caught<br />
her eye. In the photo, her mother was<br />
smiling. This made Holly curious. Why<br />
was she happy? Was it because the<br />
tree looked so beautiful with its shiny<br />
balls and glimmering lights? Was it the<br />
huge star that sat on top and watched<br />
as they celebrated? Was it something<br />
else that made her smile? What if it was<br />
just them being together?<br />
Then Holly thought, You don’t need<br />
shiny balls and lights to make your<br />
Christmas better. You need friends and<br />
family who can share the joy you feel.<br />
Even if somebody cannot be with you,<br />
they are always there, especially in your<br />
heart. Holly’s mother was always there.<br />
It was not a Christmas without her, because<br />
Holly was never alone, somebody<br />
was always there!<br />
Holly knew Christmas must come, so<br />
she rushed downstairs. When she got<br />
there, it was the start of a Christmas<br />
miracle! Her eyes widened as she saw<br />
a huge Christmas tree that was not<br />
there before. It was decorated with<br />
sparkling lights, colorful ornaments<br />
and a huge gold star on top. Presents<br />
lined the bottom as music played in the<br />
distance. The first smile in ages grew<br />
across Holly’s face, because she realized<br />
something very special had occurred,<br />
and that she would never be<br />
alone nor spend a Christmas without<br />
her mom.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Everest’s Way Home<br />
by Sofia Franceschi<br />
Arlington Bay<br />
“Everest?” Alma called.<br />
“Let’s go back inside,” Mrs. Hadrian<br />
said. “We’ve been looking for an hour,<br />
and it’s too cold to look any longer.”<br />
As Alma sat on the warm couch, Mrs.<br />
Hadrian gave her a small cup of hot<br />
chocolate and turned on her favorite TV<br />
show.<br />
“We’ll never find him,” Alma said,<br />
starting to cry.<br />
“I’m sure we will,” Mrs. Hadrian<br />
assured her.<br />
A small Maltese roamed the streets<br />
confused. Where did that squirrel go?<br />
the little dog thought.<br />
Soon enough, Everest became tired<br />
and decided to head home. As he<br />
turned around, he quickly realized there<br />
was no certain way home. Everest was<br />
lost!<br />
Eventually, snow began to fall. As the<br />
weather grew colder, poor Everest grew<br />
more worried. At this point, warm shelter<br />
was a top priority. The streets became<br />
more empty by the minute, and, eventually,<br />
what was once a busy street was<br />
now like a ghost town. Alas, the frail<br />
dog found a small shelter that would<br />
have to do for the evening. He rested<br />
his head on a dirty blanket and fell fast<br />
asleep.<br />
As Alma stapled the paper onto the<br />
post, she let out a sigh. It had been a<br />
week since her little dog had been<br />
gone, and she was close to giving up.<br />
Mrs. Hadrian held Alma’s hand as they<br />
moved to the next post. Mr. Hadrian finished<br />
stapling a few papers and soon<br />
caught up with the pair.<br />
“Are you sure you are going to be OK<br />
doing more papers?” he asked. “You<br />
look tired.”<br />
Alma, facing her dad, turned to the<br />
paper and shook her head.<br />
“I can finish stapling the rest,” Mrs.<br />
Hadrian said, motioning toward Mr.<br />
Hadrian’s stapler.<br />
There was an uncomfortable silence<br />
between Mr. Hadrian and Alma as they<br />
walked back home. Mr. Hadrian broke<br />
the silence as Alma was fixing her scarf.<br />
“Are you excited for Christmas?”<br />
Mr. Hadrian asked.<br />
“Sure.” Alma said quietly, and the conversation<br />
started from there.<br />
Eventually, the pair arrived home.<br />
“Well, we’re home,” Mr. Hadrian said.<br />
“Do you have any homework you need<br />
to do?”<br />
“Yeah,” Alma said.<br />
“Finish the rest of your homework,”<br />
Mr. Hadrian said. “By the time you’re<br />
done, Mom will be home, and she’ll<br />
make you lunch.”<br />
As Everest roamed the park, bells were<br />
ringing, and songs of the season could<br />
be heard throughout. Everest sniffed the<br />
sheets of snow. There were several people<br />
hanging an evergreen bough with ornaments<br />
onto a fence. Everest longed to<br />
be with Alma when he saw this, knowing<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 19<br />
her joy when she helped her parents<br />
add these festive items around the house.<br />
Suddenly, a familiar scent came to him,<br />
and he began to follow it.<br />
Once Alma finished lunch, she headed<br />
to her room. Her mother quickly stopped<br />
her.<br />
“Alma, I have an idea.”<br />
“What is it?” Alma asked.<br />
“Maybe we can invite your friends<br />
over to help look for Everest,” Mrs.<br />
Hadrian said. “I’m sure they will have the<br />
winter spirit to help you find him!”<br />
Alma’s face lit up with joy.<br />
“I love that idea!”<br />
About an hour later, Alma and three of<br />
her friends — Becky, Sophie and Zoey<br />
— were scattered around the neighborhood.<br />
Alma paced around the front<br />
yard, searching for any signs of Everest.<br />
Almost 20 minutes later, the group was<br />
searching every inch of the front yard for<br />
the dog. All of a sudden, a small Maltese<br />
with a bright Christmas-themed collar<br />
came racing to Alma.<br />
“Everest!” she exclaimed, as the small<br />
Maltese ran into her arms.<br />
The group sang holiday songs of joy<br />
as Everest lay joyfully in Alma’s arms.<br />
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Honorable Mention<br />
One Day in<br />
the Life of Esmeralda<br />
by Leticia Subbarao<br />
Dr. Phillips<br />
The city of Santiago was getting ready<br />
to welcome the holiday season, and the<br />
sounds of Christmas could be seen and<br />
heard all over the city. It was summer and<br />
the end of the school year. Esmeralda,<br />
a vivacious 11-year-old girl with light<br />
brown hair and beautiful greenish eyes,<br />
was still sleeping when her mother’s<br />
voice woke her up.<br />
“Sweetheart, breakfast is ready.”<br />
Esmeralda got out of bed and ran<br />
barefoot to open her window.<br />
Her eyes had to adjust to the morning<br />
light. The day was so bright and inviting,<br />
a soft breeze was caressing her face.<br />
She smiled. In the distance, the sunlight<br />
reflected off the white peaks of the majestic<br />
Andes Mountain with a silver glow.<br />
The sound of the bells ringing from the<br />
old Spanish church in her neighborhood<br />
reminded her of the busy day ahead.<br />
Esmeralda went to take a shower and<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20<br />
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began singing an old Christmas song<br />
her Grandma Rosita had taught her. She<br />
chose the song on purpose, because<br />
she knew in no time her dog would be<br />
singing with her, and it was funny.<br />
Downstairs, her mother was sitting<br />
at the table having her coffee when<br />
Esmeralda hugged her and said, “Mom,<br />
Grandma Rosita came to visit me last<br />
night. She knew that we would be going<br />
to visit the retirement home, and<br />
she wanted me to tell her dear friends,<br />
Carmencita and Cristina, that she loved<br />
them very much.”<br />
Esmeralda’s mother hugged her back<br />
and kissed her rosy cheek. She knew her<br />
daughter well. Esmeralda was a sensible<br />
and clever child, so generous and friendly,<br />
but she also had a great imagination.<br />
After lunch, they went to the old people’s<br />
home with the dog and rang the<br />
bell.<br />
One of the nuns opened the heavy<br />
door. The long corridor was dark, but<br />
at the end, there was a well-lit hall<br />
where the residents usually gathered.<br />
Esmeralda ran to hug everyone and<br />
asked about their health, especially<br />
Carmencita and Cristina. Her dog was<br />
doing his own thing, waving his tail<br />
to everyone. He got many hugs and<br />
affectionate words.<br />
Her mother and the nuns served tea,<br />
and Esmeralda cut the cake. They were<br />
having a lovely afternoon, chatting between<br />
themselves and remembering the<br />
good old days. Somebody suggested to<br />
bring a guitar to Esmeralda. The nuns<br />
cleared up the room, and the party began.<br />
Esmeralda was singing old Spanish<br />
Christmas songs with all of them. They<br />
also sang Silent Night. The last song was<br />
the one Grandma Rosita had taught her.<br />
Almost at the end of the song, her dog<br />
started singing. Everybody laughed.<br />
Esmeralda and her mother hugged the<br />
residents and wished them a good night.<br />
They thanked them for a happy time<br />
together.<br />
Back at the house, Esmeralda helped<br />
her mother put things away, fed her dog<br />
and went to her bedroom to get ready for<br />
the night. After a while, her mother came<br />
to say good night and to comment about<br />
the wonderful day they had. As she approached<br />
her daughter’s bedroom, she<br />
listened to some voices in Esmeralda’s<br />
room. She opened the door slowly and<br />
asked her with whom she was talking.<br />
”Mom, Grandma Rosita was with me,”<br />
Esmeralda said.<br />
Her mother asked what she had said.<br />
“Mom, Grandma was very pleased.”<br />
Although Mom believed that it was<br />
Esmeralda’s imagination, she could not<br />
ask the next question, because she felt<br />
a breeze kissing her forehead, leaving<br />
behind a soft aroma of roses that filled<br />
the room. It was Grandma’s favorite<br />
perfume!<br />
She said in silence, “Merry Christmas,<br />
Mother Rosita.”<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
The Elf & the Lamborghini<br />
by Carter Flesner<br />
Summer Lake<br />
Once there was a salesman who<br />
worked for Lamborghini. He was having<br />
a hard time making sales.<br />
Then one day, an elf wearing cool sunglasses<br />
and waving big stacks of cash<br />
around walked into the dealership. The<br />
elf said he wanted to buy a Lamborghini<br />
Aventador SV.<br />
I’ll show you our two best ones, and<br />
you let me know which one you would<br />
like to take home today,” the salesman<br />
said.<br />
The elf picked the best one, which<br />
happened to be green with blue stripes,<br />
and then threw his stacks of cash at the<br />
salesman and sped away.<br />
“What? Did I really just sell a<br />
Lamborghini to an elf?” the salesman<br />
asked himself.<br />
When the elf got back to the North<br />
Pole, Santa bought him a racetrack,<br />
and the elf raced around the track as<br />
happy as he could be. Believe it or not,<br />
he zipped around that track all the way<br />
until next Christmas. As a matter of fact,<br />
I should know, because I, Carter Flesner,<br />
am the elf!<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Christmas Miracle<br />
by Jaden Nice<br />
MetroWest<br />
Christina’s alarm clock rang. She shot<br />
up with excitement.<br />
“It’s Christmas Eve!” she exclaimed.<br />
Today was the day that she was going<br />
to surprise her grandpa with cookies.<br />
She shot out of bed, racing to her closet<br />
to find her special Christmas dress.
Christina changed her clothes and<br />
brushed her tangled hair.<br />
“Ouch!” she gasped, with a whimper.<br />
Christina waited a few seconds before<br />
attempting to get through that crazy<br />
mess. She decided to pull her hair into a<br />
braid. Weeks and weeks of hard work<br />
trying to learn how to braid hair had finally<br />
paid off! After completing her task,<br />
she ran downstairs to find her mom and<br />
dad waiting for her.<br />
They surprised her with a plate full of<br />
pancakes shaped as stars. Christina’s<br />
eyes shone with appreciation. She hurriedly<br />
gobbled up her food and anxiously<br />
waited an entire minute before<br />
asking her parents, “What about the<br />
cookies?”<br />
They laughed, and her dad assured<br />
little Christina that they would have cookies<br />
that year. Relieved, she asked where<br />
they would buy them.<br />
“This year,” her mother exclaimed,<br />
leaning forward as to build anticipation,<br />
“we’re baking cookies!”<br />
Christina squealed and giggled.<br />
They then spent the entire morning<br />
baking, mixing frosting and making<br />
messes all over the kitchen.<br />
Finally it was time for them to take<br />
the hour-long trip to her grandfather’s<br />
house. The entire duration of the car<br />
ride, Christina was restless. She kept<br />
glancing toward the plate of cookies<br />
that they had wrapped. Even seeing all<br />
the Christmas decorations outside could<br />
not calm her down. They parked in his<br />
driveway, not knowing what was going<br />
on inside.<br />
Before they went to Grandpa’s door,<br />
Christina’s dad stopped her.<br />
“Darling, your grandfather is a little<br />
sad right now,” he said. “Try and make<br />
this visit extra-special and cheer him up<br />
in any way you can.”<br />
Christina nodded, wondering if it had<br />
anything to do with her grandma going<br />
to a “better place.”<br />
Grandfather William sat alone in his<br />
living room, staring at the now-empty<br />
rocking chair that was no longer filled<br />
by his wife, Ann Marie. It would be the<br />
first Christmas since she had passed<br />
away, and his heart, once filled with<br />
happiness and joy, now felt heavy with<br />
grief. He had prayed and prayed for<br />
a Christmas miracle so his wife would<br />
be saved, but his wish never came true.<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 21<br />
William had decided that he would<br />
decline the invitation to his daughter’s<br />
Christmas party.<br />
Just then, there was a knock on the<br />
door. He sighed and stood up to open it.<br />
He was greeted by three friendly faces<br />
and a plate of cookies.<br />
“Surprise!” Christina yelled and smiled<br />
a large toothless grin.<br />
Grandfather William’s heart warmed,<br />
and he was gladdened.<br />
He invited them inside and poured a<br />
glass of milk for each of them, so they<br />
could all enjoy the delicious homemade<br />
cookies. They sat by the fireplace and<br />
told Christmas stories.<br />
Grandfather’s grin broadened, and<br />
he exclaimed, breathless, “This truly is a<br />
Christmas miracle!”<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Snowman’s Christmas<br />
by Valentina Thibault<br />
Windermere Ridge<br />
Not long ago, a snowman learned a<br />
lesson about Christmas. The snowman,<br />
named Jolly, was a favorite of all the children<br />
in town. He stood frigid near the<br />
center of the town square, just in front of<br />
the tall, wide, fresh, green, pointy pine<br />
Christmas tree. The tree was decorated<br />
with gold cylinder ornaments mixed with<br />
bright red and silver rounded spheres;<br />
red and golden ribbons tied around the<br />
pine stems; and red, blue, green and yellow<br />
lights attached to a camouflaged<br />
dark-green wire that led all the way to<br />
the top, where the shiniest part of the<br />
tree — the Christmas star — was covered<br />
with diamonds and golden wires.<br />
It was a week before Christmas, and<br />
everyone in the small town was preparing<br />
for the holiday, decorating their<br />
houses with lights around their bushes,<br />
trees and roofs. They were also setting<br />
out stockings, baking, singing carols and<br />
buying presents to put underneath their<br />
Christmas trees. Many played in the falling<br />
snow — laying on the thick, white<br />
ground, while expressively making their<br />
arms go up and down along with their<br />
feet, creating snow angels.<br />
Jolly smiled as all the children encircled<br />
him, wearing their three-layered<br />
jackets and wool hats matching their<br />
clothes. Their laughter brought Jolly no<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22<br />
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21<br />
small amount of joy. He loved seeing<br />
their faces, red-cheeked and red-nosed,<br />
hiding their necks with their scarves.<br />
On previous Christmas mornings, he<br />
would look through the windows of the<br />
houses to see all the boys and girls opening<br />
their presents. Each year, he heard<br />
of a famous tradition, where if you were<br />
good, Santa Claus spent time collecting<br />
the children’s Christmas cards and sending<br />
his fellow elves to design and tinker<br />
with the toys the children had asked for<br />
on the cards. On Christmas Eve, Santa<br />
Claus would fasten his sleigh to his reindeer,<br />
carrying all the toys for the children<br />
around the world. As he landed his<br />
sleigh, he would climb down the houses’<br />
chimneys to lay wrapped presents underneath<br />
Christmas trees and fill stockings<br />
with trinkets.<br />
This year, Jolly began to wonder what<br />
Christmas was really about.<br />
“Isn’t it all about presents and, instead<br />
of going to school, playing?” he would<br />
ask as the kids came to see him.<br />
The children would give various<br />
answers, but none of them gave an<br />
understanding answer. Jolly decided to<br />
ask one more time.<br />
“Excuse me, young boy. Can you tell<br />
me what Christmas is about?”<br />
The boy turned around and looked<br />
at Jolly, his brown hair hanging over his<br />
eyes.<br />
“To me, Christmas is about spending<br />
time with your family and loved ones.”<br />
Another boy came forward and said,<br />
“Most importantly, it’s being thankful to<br />
have people who love you.”<br />
“But I do not have any family or<br />
friends,” Jolly said wistfully.<br />
A freckled girl with short brown bangs<br />
and green eyes came toward Jolly and<br />
wrapped her arms around him.<br />
“You have all the love you need right<br />
here,” she said.<br />
On Christmas morning, as the sun<br />
beamed its light across the sky, Jolly<br />
found himself surrounded by presents<br />
and cards written with sincere words<br />
from the children. Afterward, the children<br />
came to the town square. Jolly<br />
smiled, seeing all the presents he had<br />
been given.<br />
“Merry Christmases, Jolly!” the<br />
children around him shouted.<br />
Right then Jolly smiled. He now knows<br />
Christmas is not just about presents and<br />
skipping school, but Christmas is about<br />
being around family and loved ones.<br />
Jolly felt loved and said, “Merry<br />
Christmas!”<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Beautiful, Bright Star<br />
by Tabitha A. Eastman<br />
Forest Ridge<br />
On his drive home from work, Tim noticed<br />
a strange youngster strolling along<br />
the snowy, busy road with a shaggy<br />
dog. Something was unusual about him.<br />
His coat was torn, his shoes were worn,<br />
and his face appeared dirty. He was unfamiliar,<br />
and Tim knew virtually everyone<br />
in this small town.<br />
The strange young man never entered<br />
Tim’s mind again until Saturday of that<br />
same week when he was at the grocery<br />
store, buying groceries for the upcoming<br />
Christmas holiday. Tim was in the checkout<br />
line, waiting to pay for his groceries,<br />
when he gazed out the window and<br />
saw the same strange youngster petting<br />
his dog in the parking lot of the grocery<br />
store. Tim noticed that the dirty-faced<br />
young man was wearing the same<br />
tattered coat and shoes.<br />
Tim decided that, after he paid for his<br />
groceries, he was going to speak to the<br />
boy to inquire where he lived.<br />
When the clerk handed him his<br />
change and said, “Have a nice day, Mr.<br />
Wilkins,” Tim looked up only to see that<br />
the youngster was gone. It was as if he<br />
had vanished into thin air!<br />
Thoughts of the disheveled boy<br />
haunted Tim all weekend. Monday<br />
was the elementary school Christmas<br />
pageant, and Tim’s wife was feverishly<br />
trying to put together costumes for their<br />
two children. Amidst the stress, Tim<br />
mentioned the young boy to his wife.<br />
She confirmed that there was no such<br />
boy at Gruber Heights Elementary<br />
School.<br />
Monday night came, and all the children<br />
gathered onstage to present the<br />
Christmas story to the community. As the<br />
little angels made their way down the<br />
aisle of the school’s auditorium, Tim was<br />
taken aback by what he saw. There, at<br />
the end of the angel band, was the little<br />
disheveled boy. He had the same dirty<br />
face and same tattered shoes — only<br />
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this time, he was wearing an angel costume<br />
and holding a beautiful, bright<br />
star.<br />
Tim squirmed through the entire performance<br />
— waiting for the right time<br />
to talk to the principal about the young<br />
man. When the pageant ended, Tim hurried<br />
up to the school’s principal.<br />
“Ms. Wright, do you happen to know<br />
the name of the young man at the end of<br />
the line of angels?” he asked.<br />
“You must be mistaken, Mr. Wilkins,”<br />
she said. “The angels were all girls this<br />
year. No little boys volunteered to wear<br />
angel costumes.”<br />
Tim was shocked to the core. Could his<br />
eyes have been playing tricks on him?<br />
Was he the only person who had seen<br />
the young man?<br />
All night, Tim tossed and turned.<br />
He worried. How could he have seen<br />
something that wasn’t there?<br />
The next morning, he went to the<br />
town hall to do research on the town’s<br />
history for the upcoming Christmas<br />
tree-lighting ceremony. As he turned<br />
the pages of the town’s scrapbook,<br />
a familiar face in a photo caught his<br />
attention. It was the disheveled young<br />
boy holding the town’s Christmas tree<br />
star.<br />
Immediately, Tim asked the town hall<br />
secretary, who had worked there for<br />
many years, the identity of the young<br />
man holding the star in the photo.<br />
“Tommy Brown,” she said. “He died<br />
shortly after that picture was taken. His<br />
mother lives up on Route 9. That sweet,<br />
lonely lady comes to the tree-lighting<br />
every year.”<br />
Tom asked about the whereabouts of<br />
the star. The secretary assured him that the<br />
star had been misplaced many years ago.<br />
Tim knew his mission. He knew that<br />
he had experienced a heavenly visit<br />
to show him what would make this<br />
year’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony<br />
the most memorable yet ... that same<br />
beautiful, bright star.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
The Little Things<br />
by Meghan Grindle<br />
Williamsburg<br />
I was pacing around my room, running<br />
my hand through my hair. My class’<br />
Christmas report was due in two days,<br />
and I still had no ideas. I glanced out<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 23<br />
the window to see it frost-covered by the<br />
New York snow.<br />
Maybe I can do my report about a<br />
snowman, I thought, then crinkled my<br />
nose as I remembered the classic Frosty<br />
the Snowman had already been done.<br />
My frustration only grew as my mom<br />
kept calling to me that lunch was ready. I<br />
stomped down the small stairs of my family’s<br />
second-floor apartment and made a<br />
beeline for the front door.<br />
“Jack, where are you going?” my<br />
mother called to me.<br />
“To find Christmas cheer!” I shouted,<br />
as I ripped my coat off its rack and<br />
slipped it on.<br />
Before I could even press the elevator<br />
button, the doors opened before me,<br />
and someone in a dark blue hoodie and<br />
navy-blue pants stepped off as I stepped<br />
in and pressed the ground-floor button. I<br />
stared after the person as he walked to<br />
his room. Weird, I thought and shivered<br />
a little.<br />
As I walked down the busy streets,<br />
people were walking back and forth<br />
from shop to shop. Many were also carrying<br />
or dragging Christmas trees from a<br />
nearby seller.<br />
I saw an older woman dragging a<br />
tree by herself. She looked as though it<br />
was painful to keep going, so I hurried<br />
my pace and asked her if she would like<br />
help.<br />
“Yes! Thank you so much!” she smiled<br />
at me, and I returned it.<br />
I hoisted the tree from her shoulder to<br />
mine and followed her to her complex.<br />
Once we were outside the building, she<br />
told me she could handle it the rest of<br />
the way. I trusted that she could and<br />
continued my walk, a little bit calmer<br />
now. I kicked snow as I made my way<br />
back to the apartment my mom and I<br />
shared.<br />
Still no ideas, I sighed. I let my eyes<br />
wander, and I found the same guy with<br />
the dark blue clothes. Maybe I could<br />
write about a Christmas stalker. I laughed<br />
at the joke I had made inside my head as<br />
I continued home.<br />
When I went through the lobby of our<br />
apartment, I saw a huge box wrapped<br />
in wrapping paper with toys inside. I<br />
read a paper attached to the box saying<br />
that the toys inside were donations<br />
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for a charity of some sort. I remembered<br />
some old toys my mom never got rid<br />
of. I also remembered where she had<br />
stashed them.<br />
I headed up the elevator to Level 2,<br />
then on to Room 250. I opened the door<br />
slowly, slipped off my coat, and hung it<br />
up as I closed the door. Once I heard it<br />
click, I ventured forward under our ministairs<br />
where all the stuffed animals were.<br />
I gathered as many as I could before<br />
hauling them down to the donation box.<br />
I felt light while I ate dinner with my mom<br />
in silence.<br />
Seeing the toys dropping and the relief<br />
on that lady’s face when I offered help<br />
kept flashing in my mind. I looked up to<br />
my mom, eyes wide.<br />
“What is it, Jack?” she asked<br />
concerned.<br />
“I need to write my essay now. I just<br />
had an idea!”<br />
I jumped up from the table and hurried<br />
to my room. I had performed little acts<br />
of kindness in the spirit of the holiday, so<br />
my essay would be about the things most<br />
don’t see — the little things.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
An 80s Christmas<br />
by Valeria Quintero<br />
Southwest Orlando<br />
On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2017, a<br />
14-year-old girl named Frankie sat with<br />
her family. In the midst of all the noise,<br />
the only person Frankie was listening to<br />
was her mother, Diana. Her mother had<br />
always enchanted Frankie with stories of<br />
her past. Frankie’s favorite was the story<br />
of Christmas 1984. When her mom was<br />
a child, she asked for all the newest toys,<br />
and even though she received everything<br />
she wanted, she still felt something was<br />
missing.<br />
Diana went on a walk to think things<br />
over. She soon found herself on the<br />
other side of town. Lost and forlorn, she<br />
searched for a way home. Then, she saw<br />
a few families opening their gifts together.<br />
The children were sharing what little<br />
they had, yet they were happy. Diana<br />
was shocked. She had not taken into<br />
consideration how much she had in comparison<br />
to others. At that moment, she<br />
realized what mattered the most. It was<br />
people who made the holidays, not what<br />
you received.<br />
After hearing the story for the 100th<br />
time, Frankie went to bed. She thought<br />
about the trinkets she would receive in<br />
the morning and about what Christmas<br />
must have been like in the 80s. Soon she<br />
drifted to sleep.<br />
The next morning, Frankie sprinted<br />
into the living room but soon realized it<br />
looked very different. Confused, she went<br />
into the kitchen looking for her mother,<br />
but when she passed by the calendar,<br />
there was something horribly wrong. The<br />
date was Dec. 25, 1984. Frankie went<br />
blank. Was this a dream?<br />
She heard a noise behind her. It was<br />
her grandparents.<br />
“Hey, honey,” they said. “Are you<br />
ready to open your presents?”<br />
“Grandma, Grandpa, what is going<br />
on?” Frankie asked. “Where are my<br />
Mom and Dad?”<br />
“What?” Grandma asked. “We<br />
are your parents, silly. Grandma and<br />
Grandpa? We aren’t that old!”<br />
Frankie was then ushered toward the<br />
tree to open presents. Reluctantly, she<br />
opened the first present. It was a cassette<br />
player. She opened the next one.<br />
It was a CareBear. Frankie was beyond<br />
confused. What was happening? These<br />
presents were old and not what she<br />
wanted. Frankie decided she needed to<br />
take a walk to calm down, so she told<br />
her “parents” and left.<br />
Frankie felt completely lost. She soon<br />
realized that just like her mother, she had<br />
reached the other end of town. This was<br />
the same day her mom had seen those<br />
children in the street. She then spotted<br />
the kids. Frankie now understood what<br />
her mother meant. They really didn’t<br />
have much, yet they were so happy. They<br />
were not focused on the toys they had,<br />
but instead were interested in spending<br />
time with each other. Frankie finally understood.<br />
She ran back to her house, but<br />
when she got there, her grandparents<br />
were sleeping. Although she felt awful,<br />
she decided to talk to her grandparents<br />
in the morning.<br />
Frankie woke up early and headed for<br />
the living room. To her surprise, everything<br />
was back to normal! Her parents<br />
greeted her with warm smiles. Frankie<br />
ran over and gave them a huge hug.<br />
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” her mother<br />
asked. “Don’t you want to open your<br />
presents?”<br />
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“Mom, after thinking about it, I want<br />
to spend some time with you before<br />
opening presents,” Frankie said.<br />
“But why?” her mom asked.<br />
“Well, because I now know that<br />
Christmas isn’t about the material<br />
gifts we receive. It’s about the gift of<br />
love we receive from our friends and<br />
family.”<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
I Still Remember<br />
by Peter Kinakin<br />
Ocoee<br />
I still remember traveling to Castlegar,<br />
British Columbia, Canada, for Christmas<br />
when I was just 7. I still remember traveling<br />
with my family — Papa, Mama,<br />
Sarah and me, Peter. I still remember<br />
saying, “Bye, home!” I still remember visiting<br />
the Space Needle. I still remember<br />
skiing. I still remember Baba’s cookies. I<br />
still remember playing piano for Great<br />
Baba.<br />
We left the Cedar Rapids airport for<br />
Seattle at 6:35 a.m. When we got there,<br />
I noticed there was a two-hour time difference.<br />
We stayed in Seattle for two<br />
nights.<br />
On the first day, we were tired, so we<br />
rested at the hotel for a bit. Later that<br />
afternoon, we visited Pike Place Farmers<br />
Market. We looked around, then ate a<br />
lunch of macaroni and cheese, and lobster.<br />
I even got to try fried squid head!<br />
Yum! I also got a very cool laser-printed<br />
replica of the Space Needle for a<br />
souvenir.<br />
The second day, we woke up early so<br />
we could go to the Space Needle. Up<br />
at the top, there was an awesome view<br />
and beautiful weather. We also looked<br />
around town with binoculars and took<br />
lots of pictures. You could see everything<br />
for miles. That same afternoon, we visited<br />
the Chihuly Gardens and Glass museum.<br />
It had a small fee, but it was OK,<br />
because it was amazing! We also had<br />
a quick snack at the original Starbucks.<br />
We checked out of the hotel then drove<br />
to the Bavarian-styled German settlement<br />
of Leavenworth, Washington. The<br />
two-hour and 15-minute drive was full<br />
of beautiful scenery. By the time we got<br />
there, it was 9:45 p.m.<br />
“Suppertime!” I said happily.<br />
We had supper at a good food truck.<br />
Both Papa and I had a German sausage<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 25<br />
called a bratwurst. Sarah had a pretzel,<br />
and Mama got cabbage. The next<br />
day, we went sledding and later skiing<br />
until nighttime. It was that night that I<br />
remembered seeing the twinkling in the<br />
Christmas lights and snow. After we slept<br />
that night, we got some souvenirs and set<br />
off on the five-hour, 45-minute drive to<br />
Nelson, Canada. Oh, and may I suggest<br />
to never say no to German chocolate<br />
cake!<br />
In Nelson, we picked up Uncle Ryan<br />
and went to visit my great grandmother<br />
at the Castleview nursing home. I played<br />
the piano for her and the other people<br />
there, like I do every time we visit.<br />
Last but not least, we were at Baba<br />
and Deda’s! I remember running through<br />
about 3 feet of snow to their door. I remember<br />
everyone hugging and greeting<br />
each other. I entered and smelled piroshki,<br />
a Russian fruit tart in a pie shell. I saw<br />
the Christmas tree full of ornaments of<br />
all kinds and many colored lights. Those<br />
nights before I flew back home were lots<br />
of fun — staying up late to play games<br />
and eating snacks and desserts. The<br />
only night we couldn’t stay up late was<br />
Christmas Eve.<br />
Baba said, “Don’t stay up late or else<br />
Santa won’t come!”<br />
The next morning, we had lots of<br />
fun unwrapping gifts, and the next day,<br />
after saying our goodbyes, we left for<br />
home.<br />
I will never forget this trip, as it was the<br />
last time before Baba and Deda moved.<br />
I still remember the landmarks in Seattle.<br />
I still remember the twinkling of the lights<br />
and snow in Leavenworth. I still remember<br />
playing the piano for everyone at the<br />
Castleview nursing home. I still remember<br />
piroshki and Baba and Deda’s old<br />
house. I still remember the trip up to now.<br />
I still remember Castlegar as a white<br />
Christmas. I still remember ...<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
No Way Without Sadie<br />
by Sandra Roman<br />
The Willows at Lake Rhea<br />
I left my beloved island, because a<br />
monster hurricane named Maria destroyed<br />
my house and my business, a<br />
tiki bar appropriately named Ocean Air.<br />
I worked 30 years in a boring IT job,<br />
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25<br />
socking away money to buy it. In the<br />
past five years, I happily wore Panama<br />
hats and golf shorts to work.<br />
I’ve lived my entire life on an island<br />
that embraced me, but in one solitary<br />
day, shook me with such defiant force<br />
that I felt embarrassingly helpless.<br />
Through the howling winds of Maria, I<br />
could hear my mother island whisper,<br />
“You must leave.”<br />
Struggling to make sense of how to reroot<br />
myself, I wondered where to go.<br />
Anxious and alone, I made a trip to<br />
Florida to seek shelter and employment.<br />
I got lucky. I found a job right away. I<br />
was delighted and hopeful for the first<br />
time in weeks. Next, I had to find a home<br />
for my wife and three children. My wife,<br />
Julia, and I have been married 25 years,<br />
and our only children are our loving and<br />
loyal rescue dogs — Hannah, George<br />
and Sadie.<br />
Finding a suitable home for my family<br />
was a challenge. No one would rent to<br />
us. They said I had too many “children.”<br />
No one wanted my princess, Hannah,<br />
the beagle beauty; or much less, my<br />
boy, George, a clumsy, friendly Lab who<br />
loves to run on the beach. But the biggest<br />
problem proved to be Sadie, a terrier<br />
runaway we took in a few months ago.<br />
She quickly got under our skins with her<br />
street smarts.<br />
I ran from one apartment complex to<br />
the next with rental application in hand<br />
and pictures of my three children. I was<br />
rejected from every one of them. At best,<br />
the property managers informed me they<br />
would only allow two dogs. I was heartbroken.<br />
Julia inconsolably said, “Come<br />
home, honey, better we should struggle<br />
here together than to be separated,” but I<br />
knew we couldn’t make it on an island so<br />
battered and devastated. As it stood, the<br />
five of us had been living in a makeshift<br />
shack constructed with wood salvaged<br />
from the Ocean Air, and Christmas was<br />
coming.<br />
After a week of looking for housing,<br />
I had no choice but to head home and<br />
make the difficult decision of returning<br />
without Sadie. I worried Julia would say,<br />
“No way without Sadie.”<br />
While at the front desk waiting to<br />
check out, the clerk, a cheerful young<br />
man, asked if I had enjoyed my stay.<br />
“Yes,” I said. “I loved my room with<br />
its awesome running water and air<br />
conditioning.”<br />
He laughed. He thought I was being<br />
funny. I explained that where I live, we<br />
were currently without basic utilities like<br />
water and electricity. He asked if my<br />
plan was to relocate. I replied I didn’t<br />
know, and I shared my sad housing<br />
predicament.<br />
“Don’t go yet, stay another day,” he<br />
quickly said. “I’ll call someone who may<br />
be able to help. It’s my mother, who is a<br />
total dog lover and a Realtor.”<br />
I am amazed at how the universe delivers<br />
in your desperate hour. Angela<br />
the Realtor was wonderful. She moved<br />
heaven and earth to find us a nice home<br />
that would take the three dogs.<br />
On Christmas morning, I watched<br />
Hannah, George and Sadie run<br />
around the big backyard. They were as<br />
gleeful as real children opening gifts.<br />
In the kitchen, I could hear Julia singing.<br />
Exhaling, it occurred to me that<br />
life often has a reset button that can<br />
work miracles, but first we must climb<br />
through the newly opened window to<br />
reach it.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
The Season of Giving<br />
by Tatum Cempella<br />
Southwest Orlando<br />
Slowly, as the sun peeks out over the<br />
softly swaying trees, the December sky<br />
brightens. First it’s dim and untouched<br />
by my loosely closed eyes, but gradually,<br />
the air grows warmer, the sun<br />
higher and suddenly a golden ray of<br />
shimmering sun streams through my<br />
window. This small bit of light opens<br />
my eyes, and I burst out of bed in a<br />
frenzy, the excitement almost making<br />
me tremble.<br />
It’s Christmas morning, the one and<br />
only day of the year when everyone you<br />
meet seems happy, like their hearts are<br />
swelling with joy that had been shrouded<br />
by the news and hate we experience every<br />
other day of the year.<br />
While my depiction of Christmas<br />
morning has been true for 12 of my 13<br />
Christmases, it was not the case for one.<br />
That was the year I was diagnosed with<br />
leukemia. I was only 2 years old, and<br />
the weeks before Christmas and after<br />
were spent in and out of the hospital.<br />
Thankfully, I was well enough to come<br />
LLC<br />
Voted Top Doctor in<br />
Orlando 2015 & 2016
home and celebrate Christmas Day with<br />
my family.<br />
That morning, I vomited before opening<br />
my presents, but I was still grateful<br />
I was in the comfort of my own home.<br />
I wouldn’t have to spend such a heartwarming,<br />
beloved holiday in the cheerless<br />
and void hospital.<br />
Other kids, some of whom were my<br />
comrades for the few years I was treated<br />
for my illness, were not so lucky. They had<br />
to stay in the hospital, and some went<br />
without presents. Who could blame their<br />
parents? It was excruciatingly expensive<br />
to have an illness like cancer, even with<br />
insurance. It was hard for even my parents<br />
to pay the piling bills and provide<br />
the wonderful Christmas I always have.<br />
Also, with your child always being in the<br />
hospital or needing attention due to their<br />
medical needs, your job gets harder to<br />
maintain.<br />
Christmas. The one day of the year<br />
where everyone seems happy, at least<br />
when you’re home.<br />
One year, as Christmas drew nearer,<br />
a charitable group a few of my friends<br />
and I started, the Reach Out Committee,<br />
sought people in need of help. Since<br />
my family is always mindful during the<br />
holiday of people who are affected by<br />
cancer and other terminal illnesses —<br />
specifically Nemours, a pediatric hospital<br />
that authorized most of my treatment<br />
— we offered to give toys to children<br />
who had none on Christmas morning.<br />
So it began. Packages upon packages<br />
of brand-new toys piled into our school.<br />
The jolly season had opened the hearts<br />
of parents and children, and they gave<br />
until they could give no longer. On the<br />
first day of Christmas break, more than<br />
200 toys were wheeled into Nemours,<br />
all decorated with bows and ribbons by<br />
the Reach Out Committee. It filled me<br />
with much more happiness than presents<br />
given to me on Christmas morning<br />
ever could. It reminded me, as it should<br />
everyone, that giving is infinitely better<br />
than receiving. Christmas is about giving<br />
back to those who aren’t as lucky as you.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Mouse’s Best Christmas<br />
by Terran Davidson<br />
Crown Point Springs<br />
'Twas the night before Christmas and<br />
all through the house, not a creature was<br />
stirring except one little mouse.<br />
Jack Mouse peeked out of his<br />
hole and saw a beautiful sight. The<br />
Christmas tree was lit for the night. It<br />
was very tall and trimmed with iridescent<br />
ornaments and a glistening star on<br />
top. Other ornaments were shaped like<br />
bells, candy canes and cute Christmas<br />
elves.<br />
Jack wanted to see the ornaments<br />
at the very top of the tree. He climbed<br />
and climbed. The tree smelled fresh. The<br />
needles were prickly. Lights with bright<br />
colors hung on the branches. The only<br />
sound he heard was the rustling of his<br />
feet and the ticking of the grandfather<br />
clock.<br />
Jack reached the top of the tree<br />
with a grin on his face and stared at<br />
the beautiful star. Just then, the clock<br />
struck midnight. Jack jumped and<br />
caught his tail in the wires of the lights.<br />
Strange noises from the room scared<br />
him. Soot fell into the fireplace. Jack<br />
struggled to get untangled, when a big<br />
jolly man appeared from the cloud of<br />
soot.<br />
Jack kicked and knocked off one of the<br />
ornaments, which landed with a crash<br />
on the floor. The big man turned quickly<br />
and looked up.<br />
“Ho, ho, ho!” he said. “I’ll get you<br />
down.”<br />
He untangled Jack and set him down<br />
gently on the floor. With a grin, the man<br />
said his name was Santa, and he gave<br />
Jack a tiny, glittering package with a<br />
bow tie.<br />
“Wait until the morning,” he told Jack.<br />
“Thank you,” Jack said and scurried<br />
back to bed, holding the package.<br />
His family smiled and told him to open<br />
it. His mother gasped.<br />
“What a glorious sight!”<br />
They were so happy, their eyes filled<br />
with delight.<br />
“This is the best Christmas! A cheesecake,<br />
what a present!”<br />
Jack’s little sister asked him where he<br />
got the cake, and Jack said, “It’s a long<br />
story. I’ll tell it all while we eat.”<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Winter<br />
by Xavier Matias<br />
Winter Garden<br />
One of my favorite seasons of the<br />
year is winter. I like winter because of<br />
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CONTINUED ON PAGE 28<br />
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28 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27<br />
the holidays, especially New Year’s<br />
Eve. On New Year’s Eve, my family<br />
and I get together at my aunt’s<br />
house. I like it because of all the food<br />
they cook, the games we play by the<br />
campfire, and the Christmas music we<br />
listen to.<br />
It all begins in the morning, when<br />
Uncle Gaby lights the campfire and<br />
starts to cook the pig. He cooks a<br />
whole pig over the fire, turning it<br />
around and around slowly so it cooks<br />
all the way. My mom and aunts are in<br />
the kitchen, making the rest of the food.<br />
They make yellow rice with pigeon<br />
peas, potato salad, macaroni salad,<br />
sweet potatoes, eggnog and much<br />
more.<br />
We play games by the fire with<br />
Uncle Jose. He gathers all my cousins,<br />
and we play football, softball, tug<br />
of war and hopscotch. When we are<br />
tired, we sit down and play Monopoly,<br />
bingo, Chutes and Ladders, and other<br />
board games. I like to watch my dad,<br />
grandpa and uncles play dominoes.<br />
They can sit there playing dominoes<br />
for hours and hours, telling stories and<br />
jokes all day.<br />
When the sun goes down, everyone<br />
sits around the campfire to listen<br />
to Christmas music. We listen and sing<br />
along to both American and Puerto<br />
Rican Christmas songs. My grandpa always<br />
likes to say a prayer and thanks<br />
God for the food we eat and for having<br />
the family come together.<br />
The music and dancing continues<br />
through the night as the year comes to an<br />
end. When we are ready to bring in the<br />
new year, I like to go inside the house, because<br />
I don’t enjoy the fireworks and the<br />
loud popping sounds. I watch the countdown<br />
on TV with my parents, and when<br />
the new year arrives, we go around and<br />
give hugs and kisses to everyone.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
The Christmas Mystery<br />
by Alexandra “Lexi” Clark<br />
Dr. Phillips<br />
Santa’s Gone Missin’<br />
Every elf gathered in the North Pole<br />
Conference Room. They FaceTimed<br />
Copper and The Bent, the world’s<br />
No. 1 missing-animal detectives. Copper<br />
looked at his iDogPad, accepted the call<br />
and said, “Copper here. Who’s this?”<br />
“Oh, hello there, Copper. It’s the<br />
North Pole, and we’ve got a situation.<br />
Santa has been kidnapped!”<br />
Bentley snatched the iDogPad from<br />
Copper’s paws.<br />
“Brilliant. But we only do animal cases.”<br />
“But you guys are the best ... and you<br />
do believe in Santa, don’t ya?”<br />
Copper snatched the iDogPad again.<br />
“You ain’t whistlin’ Dixie, we believe!<br />
Well, shucky dern, looks like we’re headed<br />
to the North Pole. We’ll grab the first<br />
bird outta here.”<br />
"Brilliant!"<br />
The Crime Scene<br />
Standing outside in the arctic cold,<br />
Bentley buttoned his wool tweed coat.<br />
Copper rolled his eyes, unbuttoned his<br />
jean jacket, and knocked on the North<br />
Pole door. A group of excited elves greeted<br />
the detectives and walked them to the<br />
crime scene.<br />
“We last saw Santa here,” one of the<br />
elves stated. “He was drinking hot cocoa<br />
while checking his final list — twice.”<br />
The Bent grabbed his notepad and<br />
began asking questions. Meanwhile,<br />
Copper sniffed everywhere.<br />
“Chocolate hearts and Easter eggs,<br />
eh? Brilliant.”<br />
“Somethin’ ain’t smellin’ right. It smells<br />
like ... “ Copper said but didn’t finish his<br />
sentence.<br />
“Coppuh, we’ve got the evidence we<br />
need. Time to make tracks, chap.”<br />
“I reckon yer right. Let’s bolt on outta<br />
here.”<br />
Smells Like ...<br />
At their favorite fire hydrant, Copper<br />
and Bentley discussed the next moves in<br />
their case. Just then, the Bent caught a<br />
whiff of Boston Market from across the<br />
street.<br />
“Did you smell that, Coppuh? That’s<br />
the same smell from the North Pole!”<br />
“I’ve been tryin’ to tell ya, Bent! Them<br />
there eggs and chocolate ... they smell<br />
like ... “<br />
They both looked at each other and<br />
yelled, “Turkey!”<br />
“You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?”<br />
Copper asked.<br />
“Brilliant. Let’s go visit the Thanksgiving<br />
Turkey.”<br />
Was It the Turkey?<br />
“Bent, we need this here Turkey to<br />
squawk,” Copper said.<br />
“Leave that to me, Coppuh. I’ve got a plan.”<br />
The two detectives barged into Turkey’s<br />
tree stump apartment and began their interrogation.<br />
During their questioning, Bentley<br />
secretly grabbed three feathers from the<br />
floor and placed them behind his back.<br />
“Turkey, we found these feathers at the<br />
North Pole.” He fanned the feathers in<br />
front of Turkey. “Now where’s Kringle?”<br />
Turkey immediately broke, sobbing uncontrollably.<br />
“It was me! I took Santa. I did it.”<br />
“Cough it up, gobbler,” Copper<br />
demanded. “Where’d you put ‘em?”<br />
“The one place where Thanksgiving<br />
never dies ... the Dallas Cowboys stadium.”<br />
The Stadium<br />
With Turkey in handcuffs, everyone,<br />
including Santa Claus, met on the big<br />
blue Texas star at the 50-yard line.<br />
“I’m so sorry,” Turkey cried. “I’m a<br />
good bird. Everyone just forgets about<br />
Thanksgiving. Halloween gets over, and<br />
they’ll all start putting up Christmas lights.”<br />
“You’re goin’ down bird,” Copper<br />
shouted.<br />
“Bloody right, Coppuh. Behind bars,<br />
Gobbluh,” Bentley chimed in.<br />
Santa interrupted, “Hold on. You’re<br />
right, Turkey. Thanksgiving is important.<br />
Furthermore, Christmas is about the spirit<br />
of giving and forgiveness. I accept your<br />
apology. And, I apologize to you. I’d like<br />
to invite you on a sleigh ride with me.<br />
Christmas Eve. You busy?”<br />
“Well, shuck dern!” Copper exclaimed.<br />
“We’re goin’ on a sleigh ride!”<br />
“Well, not you Copper,” Santa said.<br />
“Just me and Turkey ... and the reindeer,<br />
of course.”<br />
Turkey smiled.<br />
“Yes! As long as you come over for<br />
Thanksgiving football. And everyone is<br />
invited!”<br />
“Ho, ho, ho,” Santa yelled.<br />
“Another case solved, Coppuh. Merry<br />
Christmas to all.”<br />
“And to all a good bite,” Copper said.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Christmas Lost in Unicorn Forest<br />
by Aliza Britton<br />
Windsor Landing<br />
It was a dark and gloomy time in<br />
Unicorn Forest. There were no colorful
lights, decorated trees or rainbows.<br />
Most importantly, there were no floating<br />
marshmallows in Hot Chocolate<br />
Lake. Also, all the unicorns were at<br />
home. Even Santa’s elves couldn’t fix<br />
the problem in the forest. It was up to<br />
Santa to find four jolly good helpers to<br />
get Unicorn Forest looking and feeling<br />
like Christmas.<br />
A week later, Santa found four<br />
bushy-tailed helpers. They were squirrels<br />
named Ginger, Cinnamon, Eggnog<br />
and Cookie. They all adored Christmas<br />
and were each excited about the jobs<br />
they had to do. Santa had to fly with<br />
them to help make the magic happen in<br />
the mystical forest.<br />
When they arrived at Unicorn Forest,<br />
it looked dull and ordinary. The squirrels<br />
looked at each other and agreed<br />
that it was going to be a big challenge<br />
to bring Christmas joy to the forest.<br />
In the morning, the squirrels got<br />
right to work. Ginger hung garland,<br />
popcorn and ornaments on the trees.<br />
Eggnog had to string the bright, colorful<br />
sugar lights on all the trees. Cinnamon<br />
baked sweet treats, like cookies, cannoli<br />
and confetti Pop-Tarts. Ginger went<br />
shopping to bring beautifully wrapped<br />
presents back to the forest. Last but not<br />
least, Cookie tried to find where all the<br />
brightly colored rainbows had gone.<br />
After they finished most of their jobs,<br />
they celebrated by eating Christmas<br />
nuts and berries with Santa. They still<br />
had two more things to do. They had<br />
to wake up the unicorns and show<br />
them that Christmas wasn’t lost in the<br />
forest after all. Also, Cookie still had<br />
to find those rainbows. Cookie called<br />
the birds to do an overview of the forest.<br />
As the birds searched up high, a<br />
blue jay found the rainbows on top of<br />
Sprinkle Peak. The blue jay swooped<br />
down and grabbed the rainbows with<br />
his strong beak and pulled them up to<br />
the sky.<br />
To wake up the unicorns, Santa<br />
gave the squirrels magical bells that<br />
his reindeer wore. The squirrels went<br />
to each house, jingling bells over every<br />
chimney. When the unicorns heard the<br />
bells, they immediately woke up. They<br />
were shocked when they smelled freshly<br />
baked goodies in the kitchen. There<br />
were newly wrapped presents under<br />
every tree outside each house. When<br />
they went to the window, they saw<br />
bright, dazzling sugar lights all over the<br />
forest. The unicorns didn’t know who<br />
decorated and brought the Christmas<br />
spirit to Unicorn Forest. They loved that<br />
they were going to celebrate Christmas<br />
that year.<br />
The squirrels could see that the unicorns<br />
really appreciated what they did.<br />
Unicorn Forest found its Christmas spirit<br />
after all. With the help of four awesome<br />
furry helpers, it was a happily ever<br />
after Christmas in Unicorn Forest.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Christmas to Remember<br />
by Francesca Reilly<br />
Bay Hill<br />
‘Twas the night before Christmas,<br />
and it was silent through the Robinsons’<br />
house. Not a creature was stirring, not<br />
even a mouse. On the other hand, the<br />
house next door was as ecstatic as ever.<br />
The Robinsons had always known that<br />
their neighbors were a bit peculiar but<br />
often ignored their behavior. Tonight,<br />
however, the family couldn’t help but<br />
pay attention to the bizarre behavior<br />
coming from their next-door neighbors’<br />
house.<br />
Eleven-year-old Peyton, 7-year-old<br />
Lela, and Mr. and Mrs. Robinson decided<br />
they would go over to the Claus’<br />
house and check out the racket that they<br />
were causing. The thought occurred to<br />
the children that the house could possibly<br />
be Santa’s house, but the pair immediately<br />
doubted their thoughts.<br />
Santa lives in the North Pole, doesn’t<br />
he? They went over to the Claus’ house<br />
and quickly discovered that there were<br />
toys and charming Christmas decorations<br />
scattered around the house. It also<br />
appeared to be snowing inside, and<br />
they could tell all of this by standing by<br />
the front door and peeking into the window<br />
where Mrs. Claus was standing<br />
next to Santa by the fireplace. Wow!<br />
They had lived right next to the Clauses<br />
for about seven years and never thought<br />
of this happening. How had they never<br />
perceived that they lived next to Santa<br />
Claus?<br />
Peyton excitedly knocked on the<br />
Claus’ door and found herself standing<br />
in front of Santa. Santa laughed in a<br />
jolly fashion and amiably asked how he<br />
could help the charming little girl.<br />
“Are you Santa Claus?” Peyton said<br />
with a giggle.<br />
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“Why yes, I am!” Santa said. “Ho,<br />
ho, ho!”<br />
As Lela made her way to the front<br />
door, Santa gave Peyton a candy cane<br />
complete with a red ribbon wrapped<br />
around it.<br />
“Can I have one, too?” Lela asked.<br />
“Why of course you can!” Santa<br />
said.<br />
Lela went up to Santa, politely<br />
grabbed the candy cane, and gave him<br />
a warm, cozy hug. Then Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Robinson went up to Santa and introduced<br />
themselves, and Santa called for<br />
Mrs. Claus to come over with six cups<br />
of hot cocoa. They chatted for a while<br />
and drank their delicious hot cocoa.<br />
“Remember it’s Christmas Eve,<br />
so, why don’t you girls tell me what<br />
you want me to put under your tree<br />
tonight?” Santa said.<br />
The girls, full of joy, smiled widely<br />
and took turns sitting on his lap. They<br />
told Santa what they wanted. When<br />
they were done, they said thank you<br />
to Santa and Mrs. Claus, gave Santa<br />
one last hug, and went home. The next<br />
morning, they woke up, ran downstairs<br />
and found a bunch of presents under<br />
the tree. The room was so full of joy,<br />
you could tell Santa had sprinkled<br />
Christmas magic around the house the<br />
night before.<br />
The girls found a note that said, I<br />
hope you like all of your presents. See<br />
you tomorrow at dinner. (Your parents<br />
invited us over.) Your friend, Santa<br />
Claus.<br />
The whole Robinson family agreed it<br />
was the best Christmas ever!<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Christmas Puppy<br />
by Holland Roedema<br />
Pembrooke<br />
The Christmas of 2015 was a time I<br />
will never forget. I was given one of the<br />
greatest gifts then, and it has brought<br />
an incredible amount of happiness<br />
to my family and me. Receiving this<br />
shocking present was an enormous surprise<br />
to our family and brought great<br />
cheer to the holidays. This gift has truly<br />
brought our family together to celebrate<br />
the Christmas season and will continue<br />
to bring about more joy.<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30<br />
We See Patients 6yrs old and up<br />
Adolescents, Adults and Geriatrics
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29<br />
Let me begin with how we were given<br />
this sweet and loving gift: a puppy! Both<br />
of my parents supposedly had some “errands”<br />
to run and were gone for almost<br />
four hours on Christmas Eve. I felt confused,<br />
and, to be honest, a little worried<br />
about where they went. As the hours<br />
went by, they finally pulled into the driveway.<br />
However, only my mom got out of<br />
the car and approached the front door.<br />
She told my brothers and me to head into<br />
her room while we waited for my dad.<br />
After a long period of impatiently<br />
waiting, we were eventually able to<br />
leave the bedroom and were soon sitting<br />
in front of a huge box in our living<br />
room. I was anxious to see what was<br />
inside the box but was also a little overwhelmed<br />
by all the chaos occurring<br />
during those first few minutes. Once<br />
we settled down, the box was opened,<br />
and there he was. A small ball of fur<br />
with giant paws and floppy ears. We<br />
were so shocked, we did not have as<br />
big a reaction as you would expect.<br />
Not too long after the big reveal, we<br />
were crowding around and admiring<br />
the newest member of the family.<br />
That cheerful evening showed me<br />
what the Christmas season is truly<br />
about, and that is family. I have realized<br />
how much my furry friend brought<br />
us closer together as a family. It showed<br />
me that we can enjoy things together<br />
and should show our gratitude for the<br />
gifts we are given throughout the entire<br />
year. I was quickly able to notice the<br />
love our family had for this creature of<br />
God and realized how much happier<br />
our lives became after that Christmas<br />
season.<br />
Not only has this gift brought an<br />
abundance of great joy, but it has<br />
shown me that Christmas is so much<br />
more than what you want on your<br />
Christmas list. It has shown me that<br />
this time of year is about sharing time<br />
with friends and family and trying new<br />
things. For example, taking care of a<br />
puppy! I feared that I would not be<br />
able to take care of our new pet, but<br />
with the help of my family, our puppy<br />
has now grown to be a huge, healthy<br />
and loving delight to my day. This was<br />
truly the most memorable Christmas<br />
that I will not forget.<br />
Even though I truly enjoy spending<br />
time with family, I also need to make<br />
time for Christ. As a Catholic, I have<br />
made it a priority to keep Christ in<br />
Christmas and to make the Advent season<br />
an important event in my life, as<br />
well. Christ should be a significant part<br />
of Christmas and should be a time of<br />
preparing ourselves through prayer.<br />
Christmas truly means something much<br />
more to me now that I have set apart<br />
time for family and time for Christ.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
The Family of Christmas<br />
by Mia Appleby<br />
Windermere<br />
We are the family of Christmas.<br />
When I say everyone is there, everyone<br />
is there! Nanny, Bop, Poppy and<br />
Nani are my grandparents. Then everyone<br />
from my mom’s two sisters to<br />
my six boy cousins, uncles, siblings<br />
and parents. We are the family that<br />
starts to decorate our home before the<br />
scary costumes ring at our front door.<br />
I guess you could say we have a slight<br />
Christmas obsession; yet, we wait until<br />
the day before Christmas to get our<br />
presents. We celebrate Christmas like<br />
many families around the world, but<br />
what makes us different is that we have<br />
literally celebrated Christmas around<br />
the world.<br />
What most people love about the<br />
holidays is the cooler weather, warm<br />
fireplaces and hot cookies right out of<br />
the oven. Lucky for you, we are not like<br />
most people. Our Christmases growing<br />
up took place on the other side of the<br />
world. Literally. We have spent many<br />
Christmas holidays “down under.” My<br />
dad was born and raised in Ka Huna,<br />
Australia. He grew up on a farm, where<br />
he and my grandparents lived the life<br />
of diary farmers. When we would go<br />
visit for Christmas, we would spend our<br />
days playing on the farm and learning<br />
the importance of taking care of<br />
animals and the farm.<br />
Unlike in the U.S., the weather in<br />
Australia during this time of year can<br />
get up to 118 degrees. The days of<br />
Christmas plaid and scarves were long<br />
gone. Although the weather was much<br />
different than here, we could not make<br />
it through the holiday season without<br />
making Christmas cookies. This is one<br />
of my favorite memories growing up.<br />
Nani was always in charge of baking<br />
duty. We would spend the day decorating<br />
with Aunt Kozzi and my cousins.<br />
Even here, I can close my eyes and<br />
smell those cookies baking in Nani’s<br />
kitchen. We would feel so accomplished<br />
later that night when everyone<br />
would come over for Christmas Eve<br />
dinner.<br />
Another one of my favorite memories<br />
always took place on Christmas Eve.<br />
My dad, brothers and I would set out<br />
to make the best possible Santa trap<br />
in town. This would include string from<br />
Poppy’s workshop, bells from Nani’s<br />
craft bucket, and of course, those delicious<br />
ginger bread cookies that we<br />
baked earlier in the day. We would<br />
spend hours coming up with what<br />
we thought was the perfect plan. We<br />
would go to bed that night in hopes that<br />
our trap would be successful the next<br />
morning. These memories are of things<br />
I hope to share with my kids someday.<br />
Spending Christmas on the other<br />
side of the world while growing up is<br />
not something that many kids could<br />
say they have been able to do. The<br />
journey to get there sure is tough, but
definitely worth it. Christmas is not defined<br />
only by cold weather and warm<br />
cookies. It is not defined by being in<br />
your own home or waking up in your<br />
own bed. Christmas to me means<br />
much more than that. Christmas to me<br />
will always be special memories of<br />
spending time on Poppy’s farm, baking<br />
ginger bread cookies with Nani<br />
and cousins, and coming up with the<br />
perfect plan to catch Santa in action.<br />
I truly believe that we are indeed the<br />
family of Christmas. One that could<br />
never let a jet plane and thousands of<br />
miles take away the true meaning of<br />
Christmas.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Christmas<br />
Dinner Goes to the Dog<br />
by Garret Milhausen<br />
Summerport<br />
Once upon a time, a family was preparing<br />
for Christmas. This family had a<br />
dog. He wasn’t really a mean dog, it<br />
was just that whenever his nose caught<br />
scent of something he wanted, he got it.<br />
And this is the story of how the Johnsons<br />
ended up eating out on Christmas.<br />
It started when Mr. Johnson was<br />
stringing the lights. The dog, Sully, was<br />
outside when Mr. Johnson climbed up<br />
on the ladder. In his pocket was some<br />
beef jerky that he planned to eat later.<br />
Once Sully caught whiff of this, the<br />
game was on.<br />
When Mr. Johnson had his back<br />
turned, Sully went to work. He was a<br />
very large dog, more than 100 pounds.<br />
Sully took a step back and charged the<br />
ladder, which wobbled briefly and<br />
fell. Luckily, Mr. Johnson landed in the<br />
hedge. Sully then went over and briskly<br />
ate the beef jerky out of his pocket.<br />
Later that day, just as dinner finished<br />
cooking, Sully found another interesting<br />
scent and immediately put his plan<br />
into action. Mrs. Johnson always made<br />
a tenderloin on holidays. When she<br />
was about to take it to the dinner table,<br />
Sully retrieved his favorite toy, a very<br />
realistic rat. Positioned right outside the<br />
kitchen door, Sully lay in wait. As Mrs.<br />
Johnson walked out of the kitchen carrying<br />
the tenderloin, Sully dropped the<br />
“rat” at her feet. She freaked out and<br />
dropped the tenderloin, which Sully instantly<br />
picked up and took outside to<br />
gorge himself.<br />
Feeling pretty low, the Johnsons<br />
turned on the television. On came a<br />
Christmas miracle: an ad for a Cracker<br />
Barrel Christmas buffet. The Johnsons<br />
had a wonderful Christmas night after<br />
dinner, which was spent at the vet<br />
getting Sully’s stomach pumped.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Christmas Traditions<br />
by Antonio Adornetto<br />
Bay Springs<br />
Christmas is one of my favorite times<br />
of the year. All the memories, traditions,<br />
time with family and Jesus’ birth<br />
are what make this holiday so unforgettable.<br />
There are happy, sad, joyous<br />
and new and enduring remembrances<br />
made each year. Traditions are at the<br />
heart of what makes all holidays special.<br />
They are what makes your family<br />
and anyone you celebrate with unique.<br />
Some of my favorite family traditions<br />
surround decorating the Christmas<br />
tree, attending special Christmas programs,<br />
choosing ways to give Jesus<br />
a special birthday gift of helping<br />
and being kind to others, and celebrating<br />
Christmas Eve and Christmas<br />
Day.<br />
During the beginning of December,<br />
we decorate our Christmas tree. We<br />
have a large collection of ornaments<br />
that all have a special story behind<br />
them. There are ornaments from my<br />
great grandfather, grandparents, parents<br />
and special ones to commemorate<br />
all our family vacations and special<br />
events throughout our lives. This gives<br />
us a wonderful chance to look back at<br />
many wonderful memories.<br />
We always attend at least one special<br />
Christmas program or event each<br />
year. In the past, we have gone to<br />
Epcot and visited the countries in World<br />
Showcase and learned about all the different<br />
Christmas and holiday traditions<br />
around the world. We even adopted<br />
the tradition of hiding a pickle ornament<br />
and giving the one who finds it<br />
a special gift after we learned about it<br />
in the German pavilion. We have also<br />
seen SeaWorld’s holiday celebration,<br />
The Nutcracker ballet and the lights at<br />
Disney Studios. These all create fantastic<br />
memories to look back on.<br />
Every year, we have chosen a special<br />
way to give back to Jesus during<br />
the holidays. When I was very little,<br />
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my mom would fill a specially wrapped<br />
box with good deeds that I would do<br />
throughout the holidays. We would<br />
open it on Christmas morning for Baby<br />
Jesus and read to him all the positive<br />
ways his spirit had guided me during<br />
that time. Now, we try to volunteer at<br />
different places. We also look to pay<br />
it forward to others whenever possible<br />
and give to those in need to show the<br />
spirit of caring and love that Jesus<br />
teaches us truly lives in us every day<br />
and especially during the holidays.<br />
On Christmas Eve every year, my<br />
grandmother comes to our house for a<br />
special steak dinner, and we open our<br />
presents from the family. We put on a<br />
Johnny Mathis Christmas CD, which is<br />
my dad’s favorite, and I hand out presents<br />
to everyone. It is always a quiet<br />
night with no TV.<br />
Christmas morning is just my mom,<br />
dad and me, opening gifts from Santa<br />
and special presents that were not<br />
opened the night before. We then attend<br />
Mass. For the past two years, I<br />
have served Mass, which is a very<br />
special honor. This is a special chance<br />
to thank God for giving us the ultimate<br />
gift of his Son to save us. After Mass,<br />
my aunt and uncle host the family for<br />
the day, which includes dinner at their<br />
house with extended family and my<br />
great grandmother.<br />
Spending time with people you care<br />
about is what family is all about and<br />
what creating special memories really<br />
means to me. All of these traditions we<br />
create together show how important<br />
family is and remind us of the special<br />
bond Mary, Joseph and Jesus had as<br />
the Holy Family as we celebrate His<br />
birth every year.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Christmas Is Back!<br />
by Zach Wolsonovich<br />
Lake Roberts Landing<br />
It’s November, and signs of Christmas<br />
are beginning to show up. Lowe’s is<br />
drowning in poinsettias, and the peppermint<br />
mocha, a Starbucks classic,<br />
has returned. The Christmas spirit has<br />
arrived with a bang and has no signs<br />
of leaving.<br />
It’s Black Friday, and the world<br />
seems to have exploded. Yesterday<br />
the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving<br />
Day Parade should’ve been called the<br />
Macy’s We Love to Celebrate Christmas<br />
Early Parade. I score some great gifts,<br />
as well as some things for myself, from<br />
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.<br />
My favorite Christmas tradition is<br />
decorating the house, inside and out. I<br />
enjoy the struggle of trying to find lights<br />
that work and figuring out how to attach<br />
them to the house. It is always funny<br />
when we lose the remotes for the timers<br />
or step back to admire our work at night<br />
and see entire sections of lights out.<br />
The tree is another story. Being the<br />
owner of a dog is amazing, but it<br />
comes with its struggles. It seems that<br />
year after year, we lose more and more<br />
ornaments.<br />
One of the things I love about<br />
Christmas is giving back to those less<br />
fortunate. Last Christmas, my friends<br />
and I helped with a toy drive at our<br />
school for the children at Nemours<br />
Children's Hospital. Seeing how happy<br />
all of the people who worked at the<br />
hospital were about this act of kindness<br />
was a wonderful sight. As Christmas<br />
approaches, I hope that we can give<br />
back to those who need it.<br />
Around two weeks from Christmas,<br />
one of my favorite Christmas traditions<br />
is baking cookies with my mom.<br />
Also, around this time, we begin to<br />
watch Christmas movies with the whole<br />
family. Our favorites include Elf and<br />
Christmas Vacation. I personally feel<br />
that Christmas movies are some of the<br />
best in the world.<br />
When break finally arrives, it is nearly<br />
Christmas. Everyone in my family is<br />
hustling and bustling, trying to get lastminute<br />
preparations done, and finally<br />
it’s here. Christmas Eve is one of the<br />
most anxiety-filled days of the year. You<br />
cannot wait to wake up the next morning<br />
to see all of your presents. Finally,<br />
after you finish dinner and leave<br />
cookies out, you slowly drift to sleep.<br />
It’s here, Christmas! I always run<br />
downstairs to find presents waiting for<br />
my family and me. My youngest sister<br />
sleeps in for what seems like forever<br />
until finally, she awakes, and we can<br />
begin the festivities. As we open presents<br />
and enjoy Christmas festivities,<br />
I remember to be thankful for the gifts<br />
I have received, not just material things.<br />
I thank God for my family, friends<br />
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32 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31<br />
and all of those who have made a<br />
difference in my life.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
A Memory<br />
by Samantha Payton<br />
Windermere<br />
Once, on Christmas Eve, a girl,<br />
dressed warmly, was sitting on her<br />
porch, when she saw a dog shivering.<br />
She felt sad for the dog, so she<br />
approached it and gave it one of<br />
her many layers of clothing. The dog<br />
stopped shivering and turned into a<br />
beautiful sorceress. She had never seen<br />
someone so magnificent and majestic.<br />
Then the sorceress spoke.<br />
“You, darling child. You have a very<br />
kind and pure heart. What is your<br />
name?”<br />
“Tai Angelis,” the girl said.<br />
“Well, Ms. Angelis, you have earned<br />
yourself a gift,” the sorceress said.<br />
After wondering if she should get<br />
something for her family or something<br />
cool, Tai answered, “I would like ice<br />
powers, please.”<br />
© 2017, Fresenius Medical Care, All Rights Reserved.<br />
Then, the sorceress pulled out a<br />
sphere-like orb, handed it to Tai, and<br />
said, “Just twist the orb three times carefully<br />
to the right before you brush your<br />
teeth. Also, keep the orb with you at<br />
all times.”<br />
And just like that, the sorceress<br />
vanished.<br />
Tai immediately went to tell Sam, her<br />
twin sister. “Sam!” Tai exclaimed as she<br />
burst into their room.<br />
“What happened?” Sam asked as<br />
she jumped off her bed.<br />
“Don’t worry. I’m alright. Look, I got<br />
this orb from a sorceress, and if I drink<br />
the liquid inside it, I’ll get ice powers.”<br />
“Whoa, Tai, how do you know it’s<br />
not poison,” Sam asked suspiciously.<br />
“I dunno, but I guess we’ll find out,”<br />
Tai replied.<br />
After eating their Christmas dinner,<br />
Tai was ready.<br />
“OK, on the count of three. One, two,<br />
three!”<br />
Once Tai finished drinking the sweet<br />
liquid and brushed her teeth, she fell<br />
asleep. After awhile, the door creaked<br />
open. It was Sam.<br />
“Tai? Are you sleeping?”<br />
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There was no answer. She pulled out<br />
a key and unlocked a secret door in<br />
the closet.<br />
Sam whispered, “Riccamora.”<br />
She opened the door and headed<br />
down the dark passage way.<br />
The next morning, Tai woke up early<br />
to test her powers. After waking up her<br />
twin, they met in the living room. As she<br />
was focusing on her new powers, ice<br />
blocks came out of Tai’s hands.<br />
The girls played with Tai’s ice powers<br />
every winter for the next couple<br />
of years until a terrible storm hit their<br />
town. Tai was about to go inside the<br />
house when she heard a screeching<br />
noise. She turned around and saw a<br />
car spinning out of control. Although<br />
Tai was capable of helping the out-ofcontrol<br />
car, she did nothing to stop the<br />
car from crashing.<br />
“Sam, I just witnessed a car crash on<br />
the icy road!” Tai exclaimed.<br />
“Did you try to stop it?” Sam asked.<br />
When Tai responded “no,” she saw<br />
a disappointed gleam in her twin’s<br />
eyes.<br />
“Why do you use your powers only<br />
for playing?” Sam asked.<br />
Tai saw the same troublesome look<br />
on her sister’s face two years ago when<br />
she first got the orb. Sam asked Tai if<br />
she remembered why she got the ice<br />
powers.<br />
“No, I don’t,” Tai replied.<br />
Sam had no words to explain her disappointment.<br />
Tai sat down gingerly, as<br />
she pulled out the orb. Sam took out a<br />
key from her pocket. With no words,<br />
Sam opened a secret door and gestured<br />
Tai to go in. Once they were inside,<br />
Sam asked for the orb. Tai gave it<br />
to her, and Sam put it on a torch holder.<br />
Without warning, the torch burst into<br />
flames. They were not ordinary flames,<br />
they were pictures of when Tai helped<br />
the dog. Then, Tai realized she had<br />
been selfish.<br />
“Tai, promise me you’ll use your<br />
powers to help others,” Sam said.<br />
Tai promised, and she kept her<br />
promise forever.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
White Christmas Prayer<br />
by Bryce Barbon<br />
South Bay<br />
In my small town, just outside of<br />
Chicago, it was a snow-less Dec. 24.<br />
Being 12, my siblings and friends were<br />
bored. We couldn’t go sledding, iceskating,<br />
skiing or snowmobiling with<br />
the absence of snow. It was unthinkable<br />
that tomorrow morning was Christmas<br />
Day, and there would be no snow<br />
for Santa’s sleigh, let alone for our<br />
traditional winter fun.<br />
As we closed our eyes and drifted<br />
off to sleep, we each prayed a “white<br />
Christmas prayer.” When I awoke on<br />
Christmas morning, I looked out my window.<br />
No snow — just frozen, barren<br />
brown grass. Despite it being Christmas,<br />
spirits were down. We had never experienced<br />
a Christmas Day without snow.<br />
Without snow, what would we do while<br />
Mom, Dad and my grandparents spent<br />
the day preparing our Christmas feast?<br />
On past Christmases, we had frolicked<br />
in the snow with cousins and friends. I<br />
also secretly worried that the reindeer<br />
food sitting outside my window sill<br />
on our roof had gone untouched. Of<br />
course, reindeer can’t land on rooftops<br />
without snow!<br />
We gratefully opened our gifts. New<br />
toboggans, racing skis and hockey<br />
skates had all been neatly wrapped<br />
with colorful foil and ribbons. The exciting<br />
new winter toys quickly became a<br />
tease as we knew we couldn’t use them<br />
on the frozen brown grass outside. After<br />
opening gifts, we decided to check on<br />
the reindeer food we had left out the<br />
night before. Shockingly, when we<br />
peered out the window, it was snowing<br />
heavily. It looked like white icing had<br />
been spread over the landscape. Our<br />
“White Christmas” prayers had been<br />
answered!<br />
Rushing to put on mittens, hats,<br />
scarves and boots, we returned to our<br />
gifts strewn under the Christmas tree<br />
and gathered them up to head outside.<br />
The same scene repeated itself from<br />
every front door on our small town<br />
street. Hoots, hollers and screams of<br />
delight echoed in the cold, crisp air.<br />
Snow had miraculously been delivered.<br />
It even seemed as though my parents<br />
and grandparents were giving a sigh<br />
of relief as all of us kids ran out of the<br />
house. Neighborhood friends zoomed<br />
down backyard slopes with new toboggans,<br />
skates were laced up for a<br />
hockey game, and snowmobiles could<br />
be heard zooming in the fields behind<br />
the houses.
FAIRBANKS AVE<br />
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Winter fun would be had after all! Our<br />
prayers for snow had been heard and<br />
delivered. I pondered this thought as I<br />
later walked into church with my family.<br />
I looked up at an intricate stained glass<br />
window at the end of my pew and saw<br />
an image of Jesus in the stained glass.<br />
I saw a twinkle of sun come through<br />
the stained glass. It seemed as though<br />
He was winking at me. Quietly, I wondered<br />
if He had something to do with<br />
the white Christmas miracle for all the<br />
children — and our parents — in our<br />
small Illinois town.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Stranded in Space<br />
by Zachary Yadi<br />
The Willows<br />
On Dec. 24, 2001, John McGuffin, a<br />
former astronaut, was sent out to space<br />
to work on a satellite that had been<br />
damaged by an asteroid. John was<br />
a family man with an ex-wife and a<br />
seven-year-old daughter. At 7:08 a.m.,<br />
seven hours before John was sent to<br />
space, he was packing for his trip. His<br />
daughter, Clare, walked into the room<br />
while he was packing.<br />
“Do you really need to leave? It’s<br />
Christmas Eve.”<br />
“I know, honey. I want to be home<br />
too, but when duty calls, I can’t say no.<br />
But I promise you, when I get home we<br />
will be able to have as much fun as any<br />
other Christmas Eve.”<br />
“Promise?”<br />
“Promise.”<br />
At 12:27 p.m., an hour before John<br />
was sent out, he got his astronaut suit<br />
on and headed inside the spaceship.<br />
“Your directions are to get to the<br />
satellite, fix it and get back as soon as<br />
possible,” said the flight commander.<br />
“When you get there, you will need to<br />
turn on the power so you can get it up<br />
and running and be able to see. But<br />
before you leave, we are going to need<br />
to do a systems check.”<br />
Two hours later.<br />
“We are ready to lift off. We will<br />
begin the countdown. John, are you<br />
ready?”<br />
“Affirmative.”<br />
“T minus five, four, three, two, one,<br />
blast off! We have liftoff.”<br />
John reached the satellite at 6:55<br />
p.m. He grabbed his gear and headed<br />
inside the satellite. He fixed the satellite<br />
with no problems. He pressed the button<br />
that hooked him to the ship. When<br />
he got back to the ship, he headed<br />
back toward Earth. He put the ship on<br />
autopilot and decided to take a nap.<br />
He was dreaming about Christmas and<br />
all the joy in it.<br />
He woke up 15 minutes after he had<br />
put on the autopilot. He looked out the<br />
window and saw that it was all black<br />
outside. He could not see a thing, then<br />
sparks started flashing. The ship got<br />
hit really hard and started going out<br />
of control. When the ship turned, John<br />
saw the reason why he was hit. He was<br />
in an asteroid field!<br />
He put on the thrusters and tried to<br />
get his ship to safety. When he did that,<br />
he felt another bang. Red lights turned<br />
on, and the speaker started beeping<br />
like crazy. He realized that if he got<br />
another hit like that, the ship might<br />
explode. He turned his ship around,<br />
but when he did that, a small asteroid<br />
hit the back of the ship and sent it<br />
straight toward Earth. John’s ship started<br />
to deform when a fire started, then<br />
everything went black.<br />
When John woke up, he was in a hospital<br />
bed with a bunch of people surrounding<br />
him. All he was thinking was<br />
that he made it just in time for Christmas<br />
Eve, or at least he thought he did.<br />
Then, a nurse walked up to him and<br />
said, “What is your name?”<br />
“John McGuffin.”<br />
“OK, John McGuffin. You have been<br />
in a spaceship crash. You have broken<br />
your left hip and legs, and your chest<br />
was punctured badly. Luckily, the thick<br />
coating on your suit protected you from<br />
the worst. You will be fine, but it will<br />
take a long time to heal.”<br />
Clare came running in and saw her<br />
dad.<br />
She asked the nurse if he was OK,<br />
and the nurse said, “He will be fine.<br />
God has blessed you with a Christmas<br />
miracle.”<br />
Hearing that brought Clare joy.<br />
Honorable Mention<br />
Story of the Season<br />
by Jacob Lee<br />
Falcon Pointe<br />
What do you think Santa does on<br />
Christmas Eve? He takes presents<br />
around the world, of course. Usually, he<br />
starts his trip at the North Pole. But this<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 33<br />
time, he started someplace different ...<br />
Universal Studios of Orlando! Well, it’s<br />
a long story, but here it goes.<br />
During the off-season, Santa visited<br />
Orlando to enjoy sunny days and<br />
brought most of his crew with him. The<br />
only problem was he and his crew<br />
had too much fun at Universal Studios<br />
and forgot where they parked his<br />
sleigh.<br />
Santa ran inside Islands of Adventure<br />
looking for his sleigh. He thought it<br />
might be at Hogwarts. He looked all<br />
around, but it wasn’t there. Then, he<br />
went to the Marvel comics section.<br />
As he arrived, he saw The Hulk roller<br />
coaster. And there it was — his sleigh!<br />
So, he jumped right in.<br />
When the ride started to move, the<br />
safety bar moved onto his shoulders<br />
and chest. The ride started, and Santa<br />
was launched up a steep hill and went<br />
into a loopy-loop. After he came out,<br />
the sleigh turned down, and it felt like<br />
he would fall out on to the ground. But<br />
the sleigh kept going. Santa begged to<br />
get off, but the ride wasn’t over.<br />
It can’t get any worse, Santa thought.<br />
But Santa was wrong.<br />
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Just then, the sleigh climbed up so<br />
high, it felt like it was touching the sky.<br />
As Santa held on tightly, the sleigh fell<br />
over the hilltop and down it plunged.<br />
Nightmares filled Santa’s head.<br />
I want to get off this ride, Santa<br />
thought to himself. He heard people<br />
yelling at the top of their lungs. Santa<br />
felt like he was going to take off into the<br />
air. But instead, his sleigh slowed down<br />
right in front of his elves.<br />
The ride was over.<br />
Then, Santa got out of his fake sleigh,<br />
and the elves were yelling at Santa.<br />
“Why are you on that ride?” they<br />
screamed. “You only have a few hours<br />
left!”<br />
Quickly, they hooked up the reindeer<br />
to the sleigh and took off into the night.<br />
“Ho, ho, ho,” Santa said with a<br />
laugh. “Merry Christmas!”<br />
The staff of the Southwest Orlando Bulletin extends<br />
special thanks to everyone who participated<br />
in the 26th annual holiday short-story contest.<br />
Editor’s note: Entries may have been edited for<br />
grammar, punctuation, length and content. To<br />
honor as many holiday short stories as possible,<br />
School News does not appear in this issue. ª<br />
(Location: Winter Park Garden Club - Clubhouse)<br />
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Camellias for sale with other plants, merchandise and food. (Location: Clubhouse Area)<br />
10 – 11 a.m. Camellia 101 Class with Robert Bowden, Director of the City of Orlando’s Harry P. Leu Gardens – (Location: Barn)<br />
INTERSTATE 4<br />
S.ORLANDO AVE HWY 17-92<br />
MINNESOTA AVE<br />
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n<br />
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34 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE<br />
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FOR GOLFERS!<br />
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE<br />
The Gift of Serenity<br />
The Woodhouse Day Spa Gift<br />
Card Makes the Perfect Gift!<br />
This year we have 4 great<br />
holiday packages for the ones<br />
you love.<br />
Grand Cypress Pro Shop Sale<br />
Several Apparel Brands Up To<br />
50% Off<br />
Complimentary Gift-Wrapping!<br />
Sale runs through Sunday,<br />
December 24, 2017<br />
Grooming Products<br />
Shoe Shine<br />
Hot Lather Shave<br />
Facial Massage<br />
Centerpiece Table Linen and Decor<br />
offers a beautiful assortment of<br />
glass chargers for the holidays or<br />
any special event. The designs<br />
span from glistening metallic,<br />
unique textured patterns and<br />
iridescent finishes. All glass<br />
chargers are food safe and will<br />
make any table setting stand out.<br />
Special Offer: 4 for $60<br />
www.grandcypress.com/orlando_golf_resort_club<br />
407-965-3131<br />
8060 Via Dellagio Way<br />
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Orlando.Woodhousespas.com<br />
Grand Cypress Pro Shop<br />
(407) 239-4700<br />
7848 Winter Garden Vineland Rd.<br />
Windermere, FL<br />
vbarbershop.com<br />
407-614-0330<br />
www.centerpiecetablelinenanddecor.com
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 35<br />
Give the Gift of Health<br />
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Poe-ka Dot Socks from Out of<br />
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love these cozy socks, featuring<br />
the likeness of American writer<br />
and master of the macabre,<br />
Edgar Allan Poe.<br />
$10<br />
Royal Landscape Nursery offers the best<br />
in landscaping and gardening needs with<br />
gift certificates that fit all amounts and<br />
any project size. Give them something<br />
they can enjoy over and over, whether<br />
they are project planning or just enjoy<br />
being with the flowers.<br />
Massage Envy is offering even more<br />
options this year with Facials,<br />
Massages and Stretch!<br />
You can get all their favorites on<br />
one great gift card!<br />
Stop in and purchase your gift card<br />
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7733 Turkey Lake Road<br />
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www.oclsfriends.info/about<br />
Royal Landscape Nursery<br />
2204 Hempel Ave.<br />
Gotha, FL 34734<br />
407-296-3042<br />
Royallandscapenursery.com<br />
Massage Envy<br />
Dr. Phillips<br />
8081 Turkey Lake Rd., Ste. 100<br />
Orlando, FL 32819<br />
(407) 354-3689<br />
271 West Rd.<br />
Ocoee<br />
1569 E. Silver Star Rd.<br />
Ocoee<br />
10588 W. Colonial Dr.<br />
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Winter Garden<br />
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Winter Garden<br />
now delivering with<br />
Additional charge<br />
for extras and deluxe.<br />
Plus applicable tax.<br />
May not be combined<br />
with other offers, coupons<br />
or discount cards.
36 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
GIFT CERTIFICATES<br />
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ranging from facials, manicures<br />
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www.ipanemabrowsandwaxing.com<br />
4750 The Grove Dr., #164<br />
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www.facebook.co/sweetsassyandsouthern46<br />
Serenity Spa by Westgate<br />
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa<br />
407-992-2938<br />
www.SerenityByWestgate.com<br />
Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency, Orlando<br />
407.704.0342<br />
twinkletoesnanny.com<br />
PRESSURE WASHING<br />
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• ALL EXTERIOR HOME CLEANING<br />
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CALL TODAY! 321-947-2541<br />
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GIVE (AND RECEIVE)<br />
THE GIFT OF BEAUTIFUL<br />
Get a $25 holiday bonus card for every<br />
$125 in gift cards purchased.<br />
Gift cards and bonus cards may be used<br />
to purchase any facial aesthetics, skin<br />
rejuvenation, body contouring, cosmetic<br />
laser or wellness treatment. Bonus cards<br />
are valid on services from<br />
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Design and print or email instantly at:<br />
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www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 37<br />
TOURISM UPDATE<br />
submitted by Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association<br />
Help our<br />
customers.<br />
A job seeker<br />
meets with a<br />
representative<br />
from the<br />
DoubleTree by<br />
Hilton Orlando<br />
at SeaWorld<br />
at the Central<br />
Florida Hotel<br />
& Lodging<br />
Association<br />
Hospitality<br />
Career Fair.<br />
Representatives<br />
from Hilton<br />
Worldwide<br />
discuss<br />
employment<br />
opportunities<br />
with a job<br />
seeker during<br />
the Central<br />
Florida Hotel<br />
& Lodging<br />
Association<br />
Hospitality Career<br />
Fair.<br />
Customer Service Representatives<br />
Full Time Roles with Excellent Benefits<br />
Go to jobs.conduent.com<br />
Email charity.thalacker@conduent.com<br />
On Nov. 6, more than 30<br />
Central Florida Hotel &<br />
Lodging Association companies<br />
participated in a Hurricane<br />
Relief Hospitality Career Fair with<br />
the purpose of securing employment<br />
for those who fled to Central<br />
Florida in the aftermath of the destructive<br />
hurricane season that<br />
impacted Puerto Rico and neighboring<br />
islands. The complimentary<br />
job fair, held in partnership with<br />
CareerSource Central Florida,<br />
Latino Leadership, Puerto Rico<br />
Family Response Center, and Heart<br />
of Florida United Way, led to the<br />
employment of approximately 100<br />
job seekers.<br />
Thanks to a robust Central Florida<br />
tourism industry, many career<br />
opportunities exist for those who<br />
have relocated to our region and are<br />
in need of meaningful employment.<br />
CFHLA maintains a brief listing of job<br />
opportunities on its website at www.<br />
cfhla.org/employment-opportunities.<br />
In addition to conducting the career<br />
fair, the CFHLA Foundation, in<br />
partnership with CFHLA members,<br />
donated $13,000 to Fondos Unidos<br />
(United Way) of Puerto Rico to assist<br />
in recovery efforts on the island.<br />
CFHLA will also be sending hospitality<br />
industry representatives to Puerto<br />
Rico in the coming months to meet<br />
with those on the island who may<br />
be interested in relocating to Central<br />
Florida to pursue a “new chapter”<br />
and are available to work in the<br />
hospitality industry. ª
38 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
n Dr. Phillips<br />
I’m in. Events. and Base Camp<br />
Children’s Cancer Foundation representatives<br />
are gearing up to cohost<br />
more than 800 supporters from<br />
all over Central Florida and beyond<br />
for Black and White Weekend. The<br />
event was first envisioned in 2000<br />
in an intensive care unit hospital bed<br />
when a near-fatal case of pneumonia<br />
almost claimed the life of entrepreneur,<br />
philanthropist, University of<br />
Central Florida Hall of Famer, and Dr.<br />
Phillips resident Heissam Jebailey.<br />
Immediately prior to a miracle surgery<br />
that cured him, Heissam envisioned<br />
black and white colors, as well as<br />
making it out of surgery alive, to host<br />
a big event for family and friends<br />
while giving back to the community.<br />
The ninth annual Black and White<br />
Weekend for Charity and Wellness<br />
will take place from May 11-12, 2018.<br />
Admission is $45 in advance and<br />
$60 at the door, if not sold out, with<br />
access to the entire weekend. The<br />
cost includes food and drink specials,<br />
music, a photo booth, ongoing entertainment<br />
and more. Sponsorships are<br />
also available. For more information,<br />
visit blackandwhiteweekend.com.<br />
Dr. Phillips resident Salli Setta,<br />
president of Red Lobster Seafood<br />
Co., was inducted into the Central<br />
Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame by<br />
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality<br />
Management at The Pineapple Ball,<br />
alongside John Rivers of 4 Rivers<br />
Smokehouse. The Central Florida<br />
Hospitality Hall of Fame annually<br />
honors a distinguished group of<br />
leaders for their outstanding service<br />
and commitment to the hospitality industry.<br />
Salli was recognized for her<br />
contributions to two major Central<br />
Florida-based restaurant companies:<br />
Red Lobster, now privately owned,<br />
and Olive Garden Italian Restaurant,<br />
which is part of Darden Restaurants.<br />
Currently president of Red Lobster,<br />
Salli leads operations, marketing<br />
and culinary departments for<br />
more than 700 restaurants in North<br />
America. In her current role and during<br />
her 15-year tenure with Olive<br />
Garden, she has received numerous<br />
industry awards and led significant<br />
advancements for both brands. She<br />
serves on the board of the Women’s<br />
Foodservice Forum and actively<br />
shares her knowledge to help others<br />
develop in their careers through<br />
speaking engagements.<br />
n Gotha<br />
IN YOURNEIGHBORHOOD<br />
compiled by Lauren Salinero<br />
Red Lobster<br />
Seafood Co.<br />
President and<br />
Dr. Phillips<br />
resident Salli<br />
Setta, pictured<br />
with Abraham<br />
Pizam of UCF<br />
Rosen College<br />
of Hospitality, is<br />
inducted into the<br />
Central Florida<br />
Hospitality Hall<br />
of Fame.<br />
The competition team from Ready<br />
Set Dance in Gotha competed in<br />
the DanceMakers Inc. competition<br />
and convention in Daytona<br />
Beach. Team members and families<br />
sported yellow ribbons and “I<br />
Dance For Rachel” shirts to support<br />
Rachel Bruning, who was<br />
diagnosed with cancer four months<br />
ago. Rachel was able to compete<br />
that weekend and is thankful for the<br />
team spirit and love shown to her<br />
by her teammates.<br />
n MetroWest<br />
MetroWest Master Association<br />
members hosted the sixth annual<br />
WinterFest at the MetroWest Golf<br />
Club. The free, family-friendly event<br />
featured the holiday movie Shrek the<br />
Halls shown on a big screen on the<br />
golf green. There was also a Shrek<br />
slide and donkey rides for children,<br />
an ice-skating rink, Santa and Mrs.<br />
Claus, Chick-fil-A’s Santa cow and<br />
baby cow, and photo opportunities<br />
with a life-sized snow globe.<br />
Holiday-themed performances were<br />
by Perfect Pointe Productions and<br />
MetroWest Elementary School,<br />
and local food trucks provided bites<br />
to eat for attendees. The event benefited<br />
Edgewood Children’s<br />
Ranch, a nonprofit residential program<br />
for boys and girls ages 6-17 to<br />
address and overcome behavioral issues<br />
in a positive, safe environment.<br />
n Phillips Landing<br />
Drs. Harpreet and Devendra<br />
Kahlon co-hosted Rep. Val<br />
Demmings and Orange County<br />
Sheriff Jerry Demings, as well as<br />
several prominent members of the local<br />
Sikh community, in their Phillips<br />
The Ready Set Dance competition team wears “I Dance For Rachel” shirts at the DanceMakers Inc. competition to support team member<br />
Rachel Bruning (front, center).
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 39<br />
with items specifically with veterans in<br />
mind: two bars of soap, repurposed<br />
shampoo, toothpaste, a toothbrush,<br />
deodorant, shaving cream, a razor,<br />
comb, socks and an inspirational notecard.<br />
The veterans were also connected<br />
with counselors, pastors and<br />
organizations in their local communities<br />
to provide them with the support<br />
needed to transition to civilian life and<br />
into the workforce.<br />
n Windsor Hill<br />
(L. to r.) Devendra Kahlon, M.D.; Kudrit Riana Kahlon; Southwest residents<br />
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Rep. Val Demings; and Harpreet Kahlon,<br />
M.D., and Suchait Kahlon gather at the Kahlon’s Phillips Landing home to endorse Sheriff<br />
Demings as Orange County mayor.<br />
Landing home. The gathering raised<br />
funds to endorse Sheriff Demings as<br />
Orange County mayor.<br />
n Sterling Pointe<br />
Sterling Pointe resident Robert<br />
“Bobby” Olszewski was<br />
elected to the Florida House of<br />
Representatives in a special election<br />
representing House District 44. Rep.<br />
Olszewski was sworn in on election<br />
night and headed directly to<br />
Tallahassee to attend the legislative<br />
committee weekly meetings. He also<br />
was given committee assignments<br />
by Florida House Speaker Richard<br />
Corcoran. Rep. Olszewski represents<br />
District 44 on the Government<br />
Accountability Committee, as well as<br />
the Pre K-12 Appropriations; Careers<br />
and Competition; and Local, Federal<br />
and Veteran Affairs subcommittees.<br />
n Windermere<br />
During the Hike Across America,<br />
powered by Clean the World and<br />
Booyah Veteran Bus Project, Shane<br />
Johnson of Windermere traveled<br />
more than 3,000 miles (22 miles every<br />
day) in 65 days from Orlando<br />
to California to raise awareness for<br />
veterans experiencing homelessness<br />
Windermere resident Shane Johnson,<br />
founder of the Booyah Veteran Bus Project,<br />
hikes from Orlando to California to raise<br />
awareness for veterans who are homeless or<br />
in transition.<br />
and veterans in transition. The 22-<br />
mile intervals represented the number<br />
of veterans that commit suicide every<br />
day. Clean the World partnered with<br />
Shane, founder of Booyah Veteran Bus<br />
Project, to distribute a total of 10,000<br />
hygiene kits to veterans in need at 20<br />
different city stops along his journey.<br />
Veteran hygiene kits are specialized<br />
Windsor Hill<br />
resident and<br />
Olympia High<br />
School alumna<br />
Analisa Sorrells<br />
is inducted into Phi<br />
Beta Kappa at the<br />
University of North<br />
Carolina at Chapel<br />
Hill.<br />
Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest<br />
and most honored college honorary<br />
society, inducted 165 University<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 41<br />
Messages will be published in the Feb. 1, 2018, issue.<br />
Deadline: Jan. 10, 2018 • Length: 20 words maximum<br />
Robert “Bobby” Olszewski (far right) of Sterling Pointe is sworn into the Florida House<br />
of Representatives by Paul Henry (far left), rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of<br />
Mary, Queen of the Universe. He is joined by (l. to r.) Mother Rosie Olszewski of Orange<br />
Tree holding daughter Reagan and wife Allison.
40 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
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MKTG 108357
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39<br />
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<br />
students as new members. Among<br />
the inductees was Windsor Hill resident<br />
and Olympia High School<br />
alumna Analisa Sorrells. Phi Beta<br />
Kappa membership is open to undergraduates<br />
in the college and professional<br />
degree programs who meet<br />
stringent eligibility requirements. Past<br />
and present Phi Beta Kappa members<br />
from across the country have<br />
included 17 American presidents,<br />
40 U.S. Supreme Court justices, and<br />
more than 130 Nobel laureates.<br />
Analisa is the daughter of proud parents<br />
Tom and Mitra Sorrells.<br />
n Winter Garden<br />
About 20,000 residents and visitors<br />
took part in 11 hours of simultaneous,<br />
continuous entertainment at last<br />
month’s Winter Garden Music Fest.<br />
More than 25 musical acts performed<br />
for audiences of all ages, from Beauty<br />
and the Beast shows by Pinocchio’s<br />
Marionette Theatre, theater troupe<br />
Phantasmagoria, a magician, African<br />
storytelling and music to show-stopping<br />
bands highlighting the main<br />
event — the Jonnie Morgan Band,<br />
Thomas Wynn and the Believers, the<br />
SH-Booms, Beebs and Her Money<br />
Makers, and Switch. Attendees also<br />
had an opportunity to sample a variety<br />
of local food and craft beer.<br />
n Et Al<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 41<br />
Steve Clapp (left), president of the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips,<br />
presents the prestigious Paul Harris Award to Paul and Susan Paulikas<br />
(center) for their outstanding contributions. They are joined by Dave<br />
Lehman, director of the many other foundation programs for the club.<br />
President/CEO of<br />
International Drive<br />
Resort Area Chamber<br />
of Commerce and<br />
Southwest resident<br />
Maria Triscari (left)<br />
and John Stine,<br />
general manager of<br />
I-Drive 360 and 2017<br />
I-Drive Chamber,<br />
co-present Southwest<br />
resident and Orange<br />
County Mayor<br />
Teresa Jacobs<br />
with the Visionary<br />
Leadership Award.<br />
Southwest Orlando resident and<br />
Orange County Mayor Teresa<br />
Jacobs was recognized by the<br />
International Drive Resort Area<br />
Chamber of Commerce with the<br />
Visionary Leadership Award during<br />
IDRACC’s 30th anniversary Awards<br />
Luncheon held at the Orange County<br />
Convention Center. Under Mayor<br />
Jacobs’ leadership, the I-Drive corridor<br />
has expanded and developed<br />
during the past eight years — during<br />
her time as mayor and when<br />
she previously served two terms as<br />
an Orange County commissioner.<br />
In the past year, more than 89,000<br />
square feet of commercial space<br />
was added to the area, including<br />
223 hotel rooms and the opening of<br />
two attractions.<br />
Although we try to ensure that all information<br />
presented above is the most current, correct and<br />
dependable available, we do rely on others for<br />
the source of our news. Therefore, the Southwest<br />
Orlando Bulletin and Cornerstone Publishing &<br />
Multi-Media LLC cannot be held responsible for<br />
the validity of the information presented here, nor<br />
does mentioning it constitute an endorsement. In<br />
Your Neighborhood news is welcome and may be<br />
mailed to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786;<br />
or emailed to Lauren@kearneypublishing.com. ª<br />
PICTURE MY PET!<br />
Submit your purrr-fect pet photos for Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s 17th<br />
annual pet photo contest! Southwest Orlando's picture-perfect pets will<br />
be featured in our Feb.15 issue.<br />
All photos must be received by Jan. 31 and will be returned after the<br />
issue date. Mail photos to: Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media,<br />
P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786; email to<br />
Lauren@kearneypublishing.com; or upload online at<br />
www.southwestorlandobulletin.com.<br />
Please include name, pet’s name, address, neighborhood and phone<br />
number on entry. For more information, call 407-351-1573, option 4.<br />
* Must be a Southwest resident to participate.<br />
Dogs • Cats • Birds • Reptiles • Rabbits • Fish • Rodents • Horses • Etc.
42 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
n Big Orange Awards take<br />
place next month<br />
West Orange Chamber of<br />
Commerce will hold its 2018 Big<br />
Orange Awards on Jan. 26, 2018, at<br />
Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The evening<br />
celebrates the accomplishments<br />
and triumphs of some of the chamber’s<br />
most admired and inspirational members.<br />
It will include handcrafted hors<br />
d’oeuvres, gourmet fare, fine beverages<br />
and fabulous silent auction items,<br />
and the evening will conclude with the<br />
announcement of the 2017 Big & Small<br />
Business Members of the Year.<br />
For more information, visit<br />
wochamber.com/chamber_events/<br />
the_big_orange_awards.<br />
n From destruction to art<br />
A giant live oak tree that fell during<br />
Hurricane Irma in Oakland Park,<br />
a residential community in Winter<br />
Garden, was moved to the community’s<br />
future amenity center as a piece<br />
of natural art. The tree was beyond<br />
saving after the hurricane. It will be left<br />
NEWS & BUSINESS BRIEFS<br />
in its natural state and will be a centerpiece<br />
for the future park near the amenity<br />
center, which is under construction<br />
and will be completed in early 2018.<br />
n Special Olympics<br />
Champions’ Gala<br />
Special Olympics Florida held its<br />
annual Champions’ Gala, presented<br />
by Publix Supermarkets, at the Four<br />
Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt<br />
compiled by Lauren Salinero<br />
A fallen<br />
giant live<br />
oak tree<br />
serves a new<br />
purpose as a<br />
centerpiece<br />
for a future<br />
park near<br />
Oakland<br />
Park’s<br />
amenity<br />
center.<br />
Disney World. Jim Payne and<br />
Meredith McDonough, awardwinning<br />
news anchors for WESH 2<br />
News, hosted the event, which celebrated<br />
the organization’s 45th anniversary.<br />
Elite guests included Rep. Val<br />
Demings, Orange County Sheriff<br />
Jerry Demings, Orlando Magic<br />
player Aaron Gordon, and others.<br />
The event also included recognition<br />
of Special Olympics Florida’s most incredible<br />
athletes, coaches, volunteers<br />
and community partners from across<br />
the state while raising awareness<br />
and funds for its programs, which<br />
serve more than 41,000 children and<br />
adults with intellectual disabilities.<br />
Guests also had the opportunity to<br />
meet and learn more about athletes<br />
from Florida who will be competing<br />
in the 2018 Special Olympics USA<br />
Games in Seattle next year.<br />
Jim Payne and Meredith McDonough of WESH<br />
2 News co-host the Special Olympics Florida Champions’<br />
Gala.<br />
For more information, visit www.<br />
specialolympicsflorida.org.<br />
n GKTW goes Over The Edge<br />
In February 2018, Give Kids The<br />
World will give supporters a chance<br />
to “walk the walk” — 428 feet straight<br />
down — to raise money for its village.<br />
As part of the Over The Edge<br />
fundraiser, 76 people will rappel<br />
down the side of the Hyatt Regency<br />
Orlando on International Drive.<br />
GKTW has partnered with Over<br />
The Edge, a Nova Scotia-based<br />
company, to make its most extreme<br />
fundraiser ever happen.<br />
Over The Edge has hosted similar<br />
events across the country, raising<br />
more than $50 million for nonprofits<br />
like Habitat for Humanity, Special<br />
Olympics and Big Brothers Big<br />
Sisters. Over The Edge will handle<br />
all technical and safety issues, and<br />
GKTW is responsible for attracting<br />
participants. Rappellers must raise at<br />
least $1,000, and the total number<br />
of climbers is capped at 76.<br />
For more information or to register,<br />
visit gktw.org/overtheedge.<br />
n Harbor House gets state<br />
funding for three attorneys<br />
Harbor House of Central Florida,<br />
Orange County’s only state-certified<br />
domestic violence organization,<br />
received state funding through<br />
VOCA (the Victims of Crime Act)<br />
to participate in the<br />
Florida Coalition Against<br />
Domestic Violence Civil<br />
Injunction for Protection<br />
Project. The project funds<br />
three Florida Bar-licensed<br />
attorneys to provide free<br />
legal advice relating<br />
to, and free legal representation<br />
in, civil IFP<br />
proceedings to individuals<br />
referred by Harbor<br />
House and other community<br />
agencies. The<br />
attorneys are available<br />
to speak with eligible<br />
individuals about how<br />
Florida laws provide for<br />
domestic, dating and sexual<br />
violence and stalking
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 43<br />
civil injunctions, which may protect<br />
them from being hurt or harassed.<br />
For more information, visit www.<br />
harborhousefl.com.<br />
n Executives Sleep Out to<br />
stand with homeless youth<br />
Orlando City Soccer Club cosponsored<br />
more than 100 executives<br />
for Sleep Out: Executive Edition, a<br />
one-night event, during which participants<br />
slept outside to experience the<br />
impact of homelessness and stand in<br />
West<br />
Orange<br />
Chamber<br />
of<br />
Commerce<br />
members<br />
celebrate<br />
the opening<br />
of Best<br />
Cleaners.<br />
Photo courtesy of WOCC<br />
Christmas Eve and reopen at 10:00<br />
a.m. on Dec. 26. Regular hours are<br />
Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-4<br />
p.m., and 10 a.m. on Friday to 4<br />
a.m. on Monday. The club is also<br />
offering special holiday cocktails,<br />
treats and craft beers. For more information,<br />
call 386-252-6484 or<br />
visit www.orangecitypoker.com.<br />
More than 100 executives spend a night sleeping outside for Sleep Out: Executive Edition.<br />
solidarity with homeless youth. The<br />
annual event raised funds for the<br />
Covenant House Florida, a nonprofit<br />
organization that serves runaways,<br />
homeless and at-risk youth ages 18-<br />
21, including teen parents and their<br />
babies.<br />
Sleep Out is a nationwide initiative<br />
that takes place across the U.S. and<br />
Canada at 19 Covenant House shelters.<br />
It also coincides with National<br />
Hunger and Homeless Awareness<br />
Month.<br />
For more information, visit orlando.<br />
thesleepout.org.<br />
BUSINESS BRIEFS<br />
West Orange Chamber of<br />
Commerce representatives held<br />
a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Best<br />
Cleaners in Dr. Phillips. WOCC<br />
builds partnerships, strong businesses<br />
and commitment to the<br />
community by serving as the leading<br />
business advocate in Central<br />
Florida, facilitating opportunity to<br />
nearly 1,000 member businesses.<br />
For more information about<br />
WOCC, call 407-656-1304 or visit<br />
wochamber.com.<br />
The owners of Orange City<br />
Racing and Card Club, located<br />
at 822-4 Saxon Blvd. in Orange<br />
City, invite guests to join them this<br />
holiday season. The club is now featuring<br />
Vegas-style poker games and<br />
all-new Texas hold’em tournaments.<br />
The club will close at 6 p.m. on<br />
Orange City Racing and Card Club, "Orlando's Closest Poker Room," now features<br />
all-new Texas hold’em tournaments. ª<br />
Carlos Ortiz, ARNP<br />
Desiree Fouse LMHC<br />
CAP<br />
WE TREAT "ADHD, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, BIPOLAR DISORDER, SUBSTANCE ABUSE,<br />
BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND MANY MORE"-IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS
44 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
n Charities/Fundraisers<br />
Jan. 28, 2018 — This Is My Brave<br />
Show Orlando<br />
The SunTrust Auditorium at Orlando Museum<br />
of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, hosts<br />
the This Is My Brave Show Orlando, a production<br />
that showcases the personal stories<br />
of local individuals living successful, full lives<br />
despite mental illness. People share their<br />
powerful, personal stories onstage through<br />
original music, poetry and essays. In conjunction<br />
with the show, an art exhibition features<br />
works of local artists who live with a mental<br />
health diagnosis. Time: 1:30-4 p.m. for the<br />
art exhibit and 2:30-4 p.m. for the show.<br />
Cost: $20-$40, with proceeds benefiting the<br />
National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater<br />
Orlando. For more information, call 407-<br />
253-1900 or visit www.namigo.org/brave.<br />
Jan. 30, 2018 — Author’s<br />
Luncheon<br />
Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St.,<br />
Windermere, hosts the second annual Author’s<br />
Luncheon, featuring Kristen Harmel, international<br />
bestselling author; and including lunch,<br />
a silent auction, raffle and book sale. Time:<br />
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost: $30, with proceeds<br />
benefiting Julie’s Mission for critically ill babies.<br />
For more information, call Patty Goonen, 407-<br />
234-8471; or email pattygoonen@gmail.com.<br />
n Children’s/Teens<br />
Programs<br />
Dec. 26 — Library Program<br />
The Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant<br />
St., Winter Garden, hosts Peppermint Pals<br />
for ages 2-4. Time: 10:30 a.m. For more<br />
information or to register, call 407-835-7323<br />
or visit ocls.info.<br />
Dec. 28 — Library Programs<br />
The Windermere Library, 530 Main St.,<br />
Windermere, hosts Plastic Bag Print Making for<br />
ages 11-18. Time: 2 p.m. For more information<br />
or to register, call 407-835-7323 or visit ocls.info.<br />
n Classes/Programs<br />
Dec. 30 — EcoSaturday Program<br />
Tibet-Butler Preserve, 8777 Winter Garden<br />
Vineland Road, Orlando, hosts Wool: The<br />
Whole Nine Yards, a program for age<br />
7-older about how wool makes its way from<br />
sheep to consumer. Participants learn the differences<br />
between renewable and nonrenewable<br />
resources and ways to responsibly use<br />
both. Class size is limited to 30, so arrive<br />
early. Time: 11 a.m. The class is free. For<br />
more information, call 407-254-1940.<br />
March 1, 2018 — Classes Begin<br />
Registration is open for National Alliance on<br />
Mental Illness Greater Orlando’s free Family-to-<br />
Family education program, a 12-week course<br />
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD<br />
for family, friends and caregivers with a loved<br />
one age 18-older living with mental illness,<br />
while maintaining their own well-being. The<br />
program, in Southwest Orlando, is taught by<br />
peer volunteers who possess lived experience,<br />
and the course includes information on schizophrenia,<br />
bipolar disorder, major depression and<br />
other mental health conditions. Preregistration is<br />
required. For more information, call 407-253-<br />
1900, email information@namigo.org or visit<br />
www.namigo.org.<br />
n Events/Performances<br />
Through Jan. 13, 2018 — Art<br />
Exhibition<br />
Crealdé School of Art, in partnership with the<br />
Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, presents<br />
The Lake: A Documentary Exploring the<br />
Land and People of Lake Apopka, in its two<br />
galleries — 600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter<br />
Park; and Hannibal Square Heritage Center,<br />
642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park.<br />
After more than a year of planning, two artist<br />
teams set out to capture the contemporary<br />
view of the land and people of the diverse<br />
and distinctive Lake Apopka community. For<br />
more information, call 407-671-1886.<br />
Dec. 27-30 — Basketball<br />
Tournament<br />
The new Cramer Family Field House at The<br />
First Academy, 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando,<br />
hosts The City Beautiful Invitational Basketball<br />
Tournament, featuring 16 teams from across<br />
Central Florida, the state and the country.<br />
For more information, including game times<br />
and ticket prices, visit thefirstacademy.org/<br />
blog/inaugural-basketball-tournament-to-takeover-tfa-orlando.<br />
Jan. 20, 2018 — Camellia Show<br />
The Winter Park Garden Clubhouse in Mead<br />
Botanical Garden, 1300 S. Denning Drive,<br />
Winter Park, hosts the 72nd annual Camellia<br />
Show, including assorted varieties of camellia<br />
plants for sale, a camellia plant raffle, a<br />
Camellia 101 class from 10-11 a.m. (RSVP to<br />
presidentcscf@gmail.com), self-guided tours and<br />
more. Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; however, camellia<br />
blooms are not viewable until 1 p.m. Admission<br />
and parking are free. Anyone who has camellias<br />
growing in their yard can enter a bloom<br />
or blooms for a competition that takes place<br />
between 7-10 a.m. Cash prizes are awarded.<br />
For more information, visit www.camelliacfl.com.<br />
n Holiday Happenings<br />
Through Dec. 29 — Holiday Friday<br />
Nights<br />
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of<br />
American Art, 445 N. Park Ave., Winter<br />
Park, hosts Holiday Friday Nights, including<br />
free admission from 4-8 p.m. and live music<br />
compiled by Lisa Sagers<br />
from 5-8 p.m. Programming also includes family<br />
tours, curator tours and an art demonstration<br />
on selected dates. For more information, call<br />
407-645-5311 or visit www.morsemuseum.org.<br />
Through Dec. 30 — The Best<br />
Christmas Pageant Ever: The<br />
Musical Performances<br />
Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E. Princeton<br />
St., Orlando, presents performances of The<br />
Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical,<br />
Time: Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and<br />
5:30 p.m. Cost: $25, adults; $18, students,<br />
seniors (55-older) and military personnel; and<br />
$15 for youth 3-17. For more information,<br />
call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com.<br />
Through Dec. 30 — It’s A<br />
Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play<br />
Performances<br />
The Margeson Theater at Orlando<br />
Shakespeare Theater in Partnership With UCF<br />
presents performances of It’s A Wonderful<br />
Life: A Live Radio Play. Showtimes vary, and<br />
ticket prices are $13-$50. For more information,<br />
call 407-447-1700, ext. 1; or visit<br />
www.orlandoshakes.org.<br />
Through Dec. 31 — Light Up UCF<br />
CFE Arena and the University of Central Florida<br />
host the 10th annual Light Up UCF, an annual<br />
holiday festival that includes 45 nights of iceskating,<br />
a world-class choreographed light<br />
show with new music, free holiday movies,<br />
live entertainment, rides, a Light Up Express<br />
kids train, photos with Santa and more. The<br />
Holiday Market Under the Stars takes place<br />
Dec. 16. Times, dates and costs vary. For more<br />
information, visit www.lightupucf.com.<br />
Through Dec. 31 — Christmas<br />
Services<br />
Lifebridge Church, 12120 Chase Road,<br />
Windermere, hosts the Upside Down Christmas<br />
Series during the month of December. There<br />
are no morning services Dec. 24, instead they<br />
will be held at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. There<br />
is also a New Year’s Eve service at 10 a.m.<br />
For more information, call 407-505-4888 or<br />
visit www.lifebridgechurch.org.<br />
Through Dec. 31 — Now Snowing<br />
Celebration Town Center hosts the 19th<br />
annual Now Snowing event, including iceskating,<br />
community performances by some<br />
of the area’s top young talent, horse-drawn<br />
carriage rides, train rides, photos with Santa<br />
and special concerts. Snow falls at 6 p.m., 7<br />
p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. For more information,<br />
visit www.celebrationtowncenter.com.<br />
Through Jan. 1, 2018 — Holiday<br />
Fountain Show<br />
Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs<br />
hosts the annual Holiday Fountain Show at<br />
the Plaza fountain, featuring special shows<br />
with dancing water and dazzling lights choreographed<br />
to classic holiday tunes. Time: 6<br />
p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. For more<br />
information, visit www.uptownaltamonte.com.<br />
Through Jan. 6, 2018 — Holiday<br />
Celebration<br />
Universal Orlando Resort celebrates the<br />
holidays with the following festivities:<br />
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry<br />
Potter, including uniquely themed Christmas<br />
decorations, garlands and lights; holidaythemed<br />
food; and holiday performances<br />
by the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck<br />
and the Banshees; and more. In addition,<br />
there’s a Universal Holiday Parade featuring<br />
Macy’s, Mannheim Steamroller performances<br />
on select dates, Grinchmas at<br />
Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and much<br />
more. Times vary. Access to the theme park’s<br />
holiday festivities is included with admission<br />
to the parks. For more information, visit<br />
www.universalorlando.com/holidays.<br />
Through Jan. 7, 2018 — Winter In<br />
The Park<br />
The Central Park West Meadow, 150 N.<br />
New York Ave., Winter Park, hosts Winter in<br />
the Park, the city’s annual holiday ice-skating<br />
rink, holiday music, games, special guests<br />
and more. Time: Monday-Thursday from 3-9<br />
p.m., Friday from 3-10 p.m., Saturday from<br />
10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from noon-8<br />
p.m. Cost: $13 to skate all day. Skate rental<br />
is included. For more information, call 407-<br />
599-3203 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/witp.<br />
Dec. 21 — WhizKids Library<br />
Program<br />
The Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant<br />
St., Winter Garden, hosts WhizKids: Write<br />
a Letter to Santa for children 6-8. Participants<br />
type text and insert graphics into a letter,<br />
while recognizing the parts of a letter and<br />
using editing tools in Microsoft Word.<br />
Preregistration is required. Time: 10:30 a.m.<br />
For more information, call 407-835-7323.<br />
Dec. 22, 23 & 29 — Holiday<br />
Festivities<br />
Downtown Winter Garden hosts the following<br />
free holiday festivities: Christmas carols<br />
and holiday pop performed at the Plaza by<br />
Safia Hudson on Dec. 22 from 7-9 p.m., A<br />
Very Merry Farmers Market with Santa on<br />
Dec. 23 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., A Merry Winter<br />
Garden Light Show at city hall Dec. 23 from<br />
6-9 p.m., and Christmas carols and seasonal<br />
tunes performed by the Good Times Jazz<br />
Band at the Plaza Dec. 29 from 7-9 p.m.<br />
For more information, visit www.cwgdn.com.<br />
Dec. 22 & 29 — Holiday Library<br />
Programs For Children/Teens<br />
The Southwest Library at Dr. Phillips, 7255<br />
Della Drive, Orlando, hosts the following<br />
holiday-themed programs for children/teens:<br />
Cookie Decorating for ages 6-18 on Dec. 22<br />
at 10:30 a.m. and Noon Year’s Celebration<br />
for ages 3-12 on Dec. 29 at 11:15 a.m.
Seating is limited for all programs, so registration<br />
is recommended. For more information,<br />
call 407-835-7323.<br />
Dec. 23 & 24 — Visits With Santa<br />
& Mrs. Claus<br />
Beverly Hills Jewelry Watch and Loan, 12348<br />
W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, hosts visits<br />
with Santa and Mrs. Claus, including photo<br />
opportunities (well-behaved pets included) and<br />
light refreshments. Time: 1-3 p.m. Admission<br />
is free. For more information, call 407-877-<br />
5626 or visit www.facebook.com/bhjwl.<br />
Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve Open<br />
House<br />
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of<br />
American Art, 445 N. Park Ave., Winter<br />
Park, hosts a free Christmas Eve Open House,<br />
featuring live music by the Raintree Chamber<br />
Players. Time: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., with live<br />
music by the Raintree Chamber Players from<br />
1-4 p.m. Admission is free. In addition, all<br />
visitors receive free admission on Fridays from<br />
4-8 p.m. For more information, call 407-645-<br />
5311 or visit www.morsemuseum.org.<br />
Dec. 25 — Christmas Brunch<br />
Nine 18 at the Villas of Grand Cypress, 1<br />
N. Jacaranda, Orlando, hosts a Christmas<br />
Brunch, including an abundance of holiday<br />
favorites and a visitor from the North Pole.<br />
Reservations are required. Time: 11 a.m.-3<br />
p.m. Cost: $49-$60, adults; $19.95, children<br />
6-12; free for children 5-younger. For<br />
more information, call 407-239-1999 or visit<br />
grandcypress.com.<br />
Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve Dining<br />
Nine 18 at the Villas of Grand Cypress, 1<br />
N. Jacaranda, Orlando, offers New Year’s<br />
Eve five-course dining. Reservations are recommended.<br />
Cost: $65, tax and gratuity not<br />
included. For more information, call 407-<br />
239-1999 or visit grandcypress.com.<br />
n Miscellaneous<br />
Through Jan. 24, 2018 — Call For<br />
Female Artists<br />
Professional female artists are invited to submit<br />
their work for Women in the Arts’ Celebrating<br />
the Genius of Women arts competition. Selected<br />
art is featured in the annual Celebrating the<br />
Genius of Women exhibition at Orlando Public<br />
Library in March and April 2018. Finalists are<br />
eligible for up to $2,000 in cash prizes and<br />
gallery representation. Entry deadline is Jan.<br />
24, 2018. For more information or to enter,<br />
visit www.womeninthearts.org/art-competition.<br />
Dec. 23, 30, 2017 & Jan. 6, 13, 20<br />
& 27, 2018 — Farmers Markets<br />
Winter Garden Farmers Market, voted No. 1<br />
in America, takes place at 104 S. Lakeview<br />
Ave., Winter Garden. The market has more<br />
than 150 vendors, and there is a new parking<br />
garage next to the event. Time: Saturdays<br />
from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.<br />
Dec. 28, 2017 & Jan. 11 & 25,<br />
2018 — Food Truck Takeovers<br />
MetroWest hosts Food Truck Takeovers,<br />
including 12 food trucks and music, at 6996<br />
Piazza Grande Ave. in Veranda Park. Time:<br />
the second and fourth Thursday of every<br />
month from 6-9 p.m. For more information,<br />
visit www.metrowestfoodtrucks.com.<br />
Jan. 6, 2018 — Food Truck Night<br />
Summerport Village Food Truck Night, a<br />
family-friendly event that features a variety<br />
of food trucks, local vendors, live music and<br />
children’s activities, takes place at 13790<br />
Bridgewater Crossing Blvd., Windermere.<br />
Time: the first Saturday of every month from<br />
5:30-9 p.m.<br />
Jan. 29, 2018 — Open House<br />
Holy Family Catholic School, 5129 S.<br />
Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, hosts an<br />
open house. Time: 8:30-10 a.m. For more<br />
information, call 407-876-9344 or visit<br />
www.hfcschool.com.<br />
n Networking/Club<br />
Jan. 4, 2018 — Retired Educators<br />
Meeting<br />
The Orange County Retired Educators<br />
Association meets at College Park United<br />
Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St.,<br />
Orlando, for a program about Orange<br />
Technical College and scholarships. Anyone<br />
who has worked in education is invited. Time:<br />
10 a.m. For more information, call 407-677-<br />
0446 or visit www.ocrea-fl.org.<br />
n Support Groups<br />
Dec. 26, 2017 & Jan. 9 & 23, 2018 —<br />
Mental Health Support Group Meetings<br />
Room 201 in Building B at St. Luke’s United<br />
Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland<br />
Road, Orlando, hosts free individual and<br />
family support groups for individuals affected<br />
by mental illness. The 90-minute meetings are<br />
peer-led and help participants connect with<br />
each other, learn from each other’s experiences,<br />
share coping strategies and offer<br />
each other encouragement and understanding.<br />
Time: the second and fourth Tuesday of<br />
each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information,<br />
call 407-253-1900, email information@<br />
namigo.org or visit www.namigo.org.<br />
Jan. 9, 2018 — Support Group<br />
Meeting For Caregivers<br />
The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center<br />
sponsors a free support group meeting for<br />
caregivers in the Suite 281 Conference Room<br />
(next to the south elevators on the second<br />
floor) at Health Central Hospital, 10000<br />
W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. Time: second<br />
Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. For more<br />
information, call 407-843-1910 or visit<br />
www.adrccares.org.<br />
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x 45<br />
Jan. 11, 2018 — Cancer Support<br />
Group Meeting<br />
The Attic of Building C (Second Floor) at St.<br />
Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S.<br />
Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, hosts a cancer<br />
support group for cancer fighters, survivors,<br />
caregivers and spouses/partners affected by<br />
cancer. Meetings include a time of sharing,<br />
spiritual and emotional support, and a different<br />
topic each month related to the key challenges<br />
associated with cancer. Time: 6:30-8 p.m. For<br />
more information or to RSVP, call 407-876-<br />
4991, ext. 262; or email care@st.lukes.org.<br />
Jan. 15, 2018 — Stroke Support<br />
Group Meeting<br />
The Winter Park Civic Center, 1050 W.<br />
Morse Blvd., Winter Park, hosts a free<br />
meeting of the BCenter’s Stroke Support &<br />
Social Group. A deli-style lunch is provided.<br />
Reservations via email are requested to valerie@bcenter.com.<br />
Time: third Monday of<br />
each month from 12:30-2:30 p.m. For more<br />
information, call 888-942-9355.<br />
n Volunteer<br />
Opportunities<br />
Ongoing — Volunteers/Docents<br />
Needed<br />
Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete<br />
Trail, Oakland, seeks adults interested in<br />
www.CadenaFamilyDentistry.com<br />
• Professional and Friendly<br />
Atmosphere<br />
• We Specialize in All<br />
Aspects of Dentistry<br />
• Most Insurances<br />
Accepted and Care Credit<br />
Available<br />
• New Patients and<br />
Emergencies Welcome<br />
learning about the history, wildlife, plants<br />
and restoration efforts at ONP to volunteer<br />
at the preserve to greet visitors, help answer<br />
questions and lead a tour from time to time.<br />
Workdays are Mondays and/or Saturdays.<br />
For more information, email outreach@<br />
oaklandnaturepreserve.org or visit www.<br />
oaklandnaturepreserve.org/guide.To<br />
register online, visit oaklandnaturepreserve.<br />
org.<br />
Ongoing — Volunteers Needed<br />
The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, 12<br />
Mustard Seed Lane, Orlando, seeks volunteers<br />
who can help with donation sorting,<br />
mattress recycling, warehouse maintenance,<br />
administrative work, special events or general<br />
maintenance. For more information,<br />
call 407-875-2040, ext. 110; or email<br />
jessi@mustardseedfla.org.<br />
Ongoing — Volunteers Needed<br />
The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman<br />
Program, which advocates for quality<br />
long-term care, seeks volunteers.<br />
Training is provided. For more information,<br />
call 888-831-0404 or visit<br />
ombudsman.myflorida.com.<br />
Contributions to Community Bulletin Board are<br />
welcome. Please send information six weeks<br />
before the event to P.O. Box 851, Windermere,<br />
FL 34787; call 407-351-1573, option 5; or email<br />
Lisa@kearneypublishing.com. ª<br />
Call Today for More Information<br />
and to Schedule Your Appointment!<br />
407-522-7989<br />
133 Terra Mango Loop, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32835<br />
11183 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Suite E, Orlando, FL 32837
46 x December 21, 2017 - January 3, 2018 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
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HOLIDAY TO DO LIST<br />
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Write Holiday Cards<br />
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You're as good as Gold<br />
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Orlando<br />
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MAKE THIS SEASON<br />
AN OCCASION TO<br />
REMEMBER.<br />
The best holiday memories happen when you discover the perfect destination. Gather your loved ones and celebrate<br />
this holiday at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Enjoy the season’s dining, festivities, and activities,<br />
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1–800–843–6664
P.O. Box 851<br />
Windermere, FL 34786<br />
BAR & GRILL<br />
More than just a meal, it is an experience!<br />
Signature<br />
9oz Sirloin Steak<br />
(with 2 side items)<br />
$18.99<br />
Your Steak! Your Way!<br />
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Call Ahead<br />
Seating<br />
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8965 Conroy Windermere Rd.<br />
Orlando, FL 32835<br />
(corner of Conroy Windermere Rd & Apopka Vineland Rd)<br />
Take a 360 O Virtual Tour at www.BRWindermere.com<br />
New Year’s Eve<br />
Dinner Special