021821 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

n Oakland opens the Healthy
West Orange Arts and
Heritage Center
Officials of the town of Oakland
announced the opening of the
Healthy West Orange Arts and
Heritage Center at the Town of
Oakland on Fridays from 11 a.m.-3
p.m. Visitors have a chance to explore
the inaugural exhibition Est. 1887 to
rediscover Oakland’s rich history.
The center, which is located at 126
Petris Ave., is committed to preserving
the town’s past, present and future.
Visitors can see Oakland like
never before as they step into a gallery
filled with paintings, historical
photos, artifacts and more — all featuring
Oakland as its centerpiece.
The inaugural exhibit explores the
town’s history as the industrial and
social hub of Orange County more
than 130 years ago. Conceptualized
in conjunction with the Winter
Garden Heritage Foundation, it
features framed historic photographs
and content outlining Oakland’s early
history. It also features items relating
to Oakland’s incorporation in 1887,
such as minute books, the town seal
and artifacts borrowed from Oakland
Nature Preserve. A cornerstone piece
at the center is the historic Oakland
Presbyterian Church stained-glass
window. The window was made for
the second Oakland Presbyterian
Church building, a brick structure that
rose on the southeast corner of Starr
Street and Oakland Avenue in 1919.
For more information, visit www.
oaklandfl.gov.
n CFHLA awards public
servant of the year
submitted by Central Florida Hotel
and Lodging Association
Each year, the Central Florida
Hotel & Lodging Association
honors a local public servant for his
or her dedication to Central Florida’s
hospitality industry and community at
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x February 18 — March 3, 2021 x 17
NEWS & BUSINESS BRIEFS
compiled by Lauren Salinero
large during the annual STR Luncheon.
The 2020 CFHLA Public Servant of the
Year Award recipients are Dr. Raul
Pino and the Florida Department of
Health in Orange County for their
service to the region. CFHLA honors
them for their diligent work in keeping
the public informed and advising
local leaders of the best practices to
keep the community safe and businesses
open.
Prior to his appointment as director of
Orange County’s Florida Department
of Health in May 2019, Dr. Pino served
as commissioner of the Connecticut
Department of Public Health, as well
as the director and assistant director
of the city of Hartford’s Department
of Health and Human Services. He
boasts considerable public health,
administrative and community health
expertise throughout his almost two
decades working in community and
municipal public health agencies.
n Board of directors for
WOPA named
Representatives of West Orange
Political Alliance announced the
members of the 2021 board of directors
and leadership. The organization
is led by chairman Nick Asma, vice
chairman Michelle Strenth, and
secretary Jeff Jonasen. Board members
are Kurt Ardaman, Melanie
Becker, Derek Blakeslee,
Michelle Brady-Palmer, Camille
Evans, Mark Griffith, Randy
June, Tim Keating, Jenny Martin,
Gary Merideth, John Miklos,
Jeff Milhausen, Alejandro
Pezzini, Dan Pollock, Charles
Roper, Adrianna Sekula, Paul
Sexton, Craig Swygert and ex officio
member Stina D’Uva.
Formed in 1997, WOPA is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization that
provides an active political vote in the
interests of west Orange County. It is
governed by a set of bylaws approved
by Florida’s Division of Elections.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
401 Main Street, Suite A, Windermere, FL
Windermere Center for
DENTISTRY
Emilia Godoy-Rapport, D.M.D.
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www.windermeresmiles.com
(407) 909-1097