010523_New Year, New You _DIGITAL EDITION

LIVING WELL 

The heartbeat of the community 

O 

ORLANDO BULLETIN 

January 5 — 18, 2023 | Since 1986 

Best of 

Southwest 

2023

Lifting 

Everyone 

Up 

T H R O U G H B E A U T Y & W E L L N E S S 

L a s e r s | I n j e c t a b l e s l S k i n C a r e | C o o l S c u l p t i n g 

thank you 

F O R V O T I N G U S T H E B E S T 

1 1 Y E A R S I N A R O W ! 

FREE Consultations: GentleTouchMediSpa.Com 

New Client Offer: Text 'NEW' to (903) 474-2240

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x January 5 — 18, 2023 x 3

4 x January 5 — 18, 2023 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

NEW YEAR, HEALTHIER YOU ..............................................................5 

THE BUSINESS CORNER .....................................................................6 

BEST OF SOUTHWEST 2023 ...............................................................7 

LIVING WELL ................................................................................... 11 

Health Resolutions Doctors Encourage You to Make Today 

Senior Fitness: You May Have More Choices Than You Think 

SCHOOL NEWS.............................................................................. 14 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD........................................................ 17 

SOUTHWEST SERVICE DIRECTORY.....................................................18 

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER 

Rick V. Martin 

January 5, 2023 

Volume XXXVII, No. 5 

VICE PRESIDENT 

Yvette Martin 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Lisa Sagers 

lisa@kearneypublishing.com 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Lauren Salinero 

lauren@kearneypublishing.com 

P.O. Box 851 

Windermere, FL 34786 

407-351-1573 

www.southwestorlandobulletin.com 

The Southwest Orlando Bulletin is published semimonthly by 

Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC. No material may be reproduced 

without written permission. Subscriptions are available in the U.S. and Puerto 

Rico for $25.56 per year and in Canada for $31.80 per year. For foreign 

surface mailing, add $20 per year. 

Neither the publishers nor the advertisers are responsible or liable for 

typographical errors, misinformation, misprints, etc., unintentionally contained 

herein. All letters received become the property of Cornerstone Publishing & 

Multi-Media LLC and may be reproduced and edited without consent. 

©2023/Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC 

CIRCULATION 

Robert Barlow 

MARKETING CONSULTANTS 

Madeline DeVito 

407-351-1573, option 1 

mdevito@kearneypublishing.com 

Michelle Oakes 

321-277-3467 

michelle 

@cornerstonepublishinggroup.com

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x January 5 — 18, 2023 x 5 

New Year 

Healthier You 

31 

From looking younger to 

feeling fit, there are many 

reasons people set goals for 

the new year. Keeping resolutions 

can be a daunting task; 

however, Southwest Orlando 

Bulletin’s annual New Year, 

Healthier You section provides 

advice to help readers achieve 

and maintain their goals. 

Resolutions Resolved 

Turn your resolutions into realities 

this year. Whatever your 

needs, Gentle Touch has amazing 

results for you. Go beautifully 

bare with laser hair removal 

or freeze away stubborn fat with 

CoolSculpting Elite, both backed 

by the spa’s signature guarantee. 

Banish crow’s-feet and expression 

lines with wrinkle-relaxing 

wonders, or freshen up with the 

eager-to-please thread lifts or dermal 

fillers. Boost your energy and 

confidence with vitamin shots and 

medical weight loss. Beam your 

way to beautiful skin with IPL photofacials, 

laser skin revitalization 

and plasma pen skin tightening. 

And, get a healthy glow on with 

Gentle Touch’s menu of advanced 

skin care, including HydraFacials, 

chemical peels, microneedling, 

dermaplaning, medical-grade skin 

care products, and more. Because 

everyone’s face and body are different, 

at Gentle Touch, its experts 

customize a treatment plan that 

enhances each client’s natural 

beauty. The Gentle Touch experience 

begins with a complimentary 

C.A.R.E. — connect, assess, 

recommend, escape — consultation. 

Its team of professional skin 

and beauty experts spend time to 

connect with each client. They ask 

questions and listen to understand 

individual concerns and goals. 

Next, Gentle Touch uses high-tech, 

3D, video-complexion analysis to 

complete an overall assessment 

that is followed by a recommended 

personalized treatment plan to 

achieve the desired results. Finally, 

clients can take some “me” time 

and escape with a complimentary 

gourmet coffee or tea in private 

relaxation rooms, including one 

with zero-gravity chairs and an illuminated, 

Himalayan salt, wellness 

wall. The Gentle Touch team cares 

for and about every skin tone, texture, 

gender, age and body with 

artistry, skill, excellence and, of 

course, a gentle touch. It promises 

its clients will always feel confident 

in the hands of experts, welcome in 

its warm and inviting spa, special 

with concierge service, and beautifully 

vibrant with visible results. 

Visit the website for special offers, 

and join the spa’s “Friends on the 

Inside” email list to save on your 

first visit. Gentle Touch is located in 

Ocoee at 2723 Maguire Road on 

the edge of Windermere. For more 

information, call 407-877-7003. 

Gentle Touch MediSpa 

www.gentletouchmedispa.com ª 

AnnVarkeyRealtor@gmail.com 

7232 Sand Lake Rd #103 Orlando Fl 32819


Health Center 

Community Health Centers 

Inc. was announced as a 2022 Best 

and Brightest Company to Work 

For by the National Association for 

Business Resources (NABR) for the 

fifth consecutive year. CHC was selected 

nationally as one of the 135 

winners out of 1,000 nominations. The 

Best and Brightest Program provides 

the business community the opportunity 

to gain recognition, showcase their 

best practices, and demonstrate why 

each would be an ideal workplace 

for employees. The winners will be 

honored during the 2023 Illuminate 

Business Summit. The 2022 winning 

companies were assessed by an independent 

research firm that reviewed 

several key measures relative to other 

nationally recognized winners. Part 

of the assessment included a confidential 

survey that was sent to CHC 

team members. The key measures 

included compensation, benefits and 

employee solutions; employee enrichment, 

engagement and retention; employee 

education and development; 

recruitment, selection and orientation; 

employee achievement and recognition; 

communication and shared vision; 

diversity and inclusion; work-life 

balance; community initiatives and 

strategic company performance. For 

more information about CHC, visit 

www.chcfl.org. ª 

New Year New 

Landscape!

Thank you to the hundreds of 

Southwest readers who participated 

in Best of Southwest 2023, Southwest 

Orlando Bulletin’s 15th annual survey 

of residents’ favorite restaurants, 

resorts and more. Congratulations to 

this year’s winners: 

Best Family Restaurant 

1. Bella Italia Ristorante 

2. Fresco Cucina Italiana 

3. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 

BestOf 

Southwest 


2023 

Best Steak 

1. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood 

2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House 

3. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & 

Wine Bar 

Best Seafood 


2. Ocean Prime 

3. Bonefish Grill 

Best Fine Dining Restaurant 


2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House 

3. Matthew’s Steakhouse 

3. Seasons 52 

Best Fast Food/Casual Restaurant 

1. Chick-fil-A 

2. Chipotle Mexican Grill 

3. Fresh Kitchen 

Best Italian Restaurant 

1. Olive Garden Italian 

Res taurant 

2. Fresco Cucina Italiana 

3. Bella Tuscany Italian Restaurant 

Best Mexican Restaurant 

1. Agave Azul 

2. Azteca D’Oro Mexican 

Restaurant 

3. San Jose’s Original Mexican 

Restaurant 

Best Sushi 

1. Seito Sushi 

2. Gochi Japanese Kitchen 

3. Aji Sushi Teppan 

Best Pizza 

1. Joe’s Pizza 

2. Pizza Hut 

3. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza 

Best Wine Shop/Bar/Happy Hour 

1. Tim’s Wine Market 

2. Vine’s Grille & Wine Bar 

3. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & 

Restaurants 

Best Pet Services 

1. Woof Gang Bakery & 

Grooming 

2. PetSmart 

3. Pet Paradise Winter Garden 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 

7 

2023 9 

(407) 876-CARE (2273) | WinMedHealth.com 

Accepted Plans: Aetna, Allegiance (Both FH and OH Disney plans), Ambetter by Sunshine Health, AvMed, BCBS, Cigna, 

Humana, Medicare with supplemental, OSCAR, United Healthcare and many more.


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 

Best Fitness Facility 

1. LA Fitness 

2. CrossFit Winter Garden 

3. Dr. P. Phillips YMCA 

Best Day Spa 

1. Gentle Touch MediSpa & 

Wellness 

2. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, 

Grande Lakes 

3. The Woodhouse Day Spa 

Best Salon/Barbershop 

1. Great Clips 

2. Nick’s Barber Shop 

3. Sports Clips 

Best Place of Worship 

1. First Baptist Orlando 

2. Mosaic Church 

3. Holy Family Catholic Church 

Best Golf Course 

1. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill 

Club & Lodge 

2. Orange County National Golf 

Center and Lodge 


Grande Lakes 

3. West Orange Country Club 

Best Entertainment Venue 

1. Walt Disney World 

2. Dr. Phillips Center for the 

Performing Arts 

3. House of Blues 

Best Wedding Venue 

1. Bella Collina 


Grande Lakes 

3. Walt Disney World 


Meet The Goodless Dermatology Team! 

Same day appointments available 

Same day appointments available 

407-566-1616 | www.goodlessdermatology.com


On behalf of myself and my staff, I 

would like to thank my patients who 

recognized my office, Holehouse Center 

for Complete Dentistry, as a Best Dentist 

for the Winter Garden Area. Our sole 

purpose is to provide quality dental care 

and to treat our patients with respect in a 

gentle & caring manner. Over the years 

we have upgraded our practice to better 

serve our patients, including lowexposure 

digital x-rays, intra-oral pictures 

of each tooth, a more comfortable 

cleaning by our well-experienced 

hygienists, and completing a highquality, 

permanent crowns in a single 

visit. 

Along with providing family dental 

care, we also specialize in cosmetic and 

complex dental services that are 

designed specically for your smile that 

focus on a natural appearance, that feel 

comfortable, and that promote longevity. 

Our front office will try their best to 

accommodate your requests, but just 

remember that we are still experiencing 

some delays due to the residual effects of 

the COVID pandemic. We appreciate 

your patience in these matters. 

Thank you again for holding our office 

in high regards, and we will continue to 

earn your respect daily. 

Sincerely, Thomas G. Holehouse DMD 

Dr Thomas Holehouse 

Thank you for Voting Us Best Dentist! 

In appreciation of your recognition, we will offer an extra 

20% discount off 

our Zoom In-House Whitening System if you mention 

this advertisement. Includes pre-treatment desensitization, 

impressions for take-home trays, and 3-4 applications 

at your second appointment. New patients can also take 

advantage of this offer. 

3700 Winter Garden Vineland Rd | Winter Garden, FL 34787 

wintergardendentist.com | 407-654-1296


Nurse Practitioners: 

Esther Pelissier, ARPN-BC 

Irene Gan, PMHNP 

Raykha Crag-Chaderton, PMHNP-BC 

Nadine Massillon, ARPN 

Therapists: 

Michael Kellogg, LMHC, ATR-BC 

Randie Morillo, LCSW, ACSW 

Amy Singleton, LMHC 

Brooke Parker, LMHC 

Cristal Daniel, LMHC 

Nadine Massillon 

Esther Pelissier 


Best Child’s Birthday Venue 

1. Chuck E. Cheese’s 

2. Monkey Joe’s 

3. Defy Orlando 

Best Private School 

1. The First Academy 

2. Windermere Preparatory School 

3. Foundation Academy 

Best Real Estate Agent 

1. Ron Ziolkowski of Re/Max 

Prime Properties 

2. Matt McKee of The McKee Group 

3. John Crescenti of Re/Max 

Properties S.W. Inc. 

Best Insurance Agency 

1. State Farm Insurance 

2. Robert Newsome of Business 

Insurance Center 

3. Progressive Insurance 

Best Dentist 

1. Matthew McKissock, D.M.D., 

of Windermere Den tistry 

2. Thomas Holehouse, D.M.D., of 

Holeshouse Center for Complete 

Dentistry 

3. Mike DiMauro, DDS, of Pediatric 

Dentistry 

Best Physician 

1. Niral C. Patel, M.D., of 

Windermere Medical Center 

2. Trishanna Sookdeo, M.D., of 

Sookdeo Family Medicine 

3. Syed Quadri, M.D., of Psych 

Pointe of Florida 

Best Veterinarian 

1. Douglas S. Pearce, D.V.M., of 

Animal Clinic of Windermere 

2. Sand Lake Animal Clinic 

3. Thomas Oakes, D.V.M., of Oakes 

Animal Hospital ª 

OPEN HOUSE 

JAN. 28TH 3:00PM 

AT WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 

Tour the Campus with current Students 

and Teachers 

Hear from Faculty regarding curriculum 

and academic programs 

Learn why Windermere Prep is the #1 

Private School in Orlando! 

RSVP TO 

OPEN HOUSE 

(407) 905-7737 

info@windermereprep.com 

windermereprep.com

Living Well x January 2023 x 1 

Living Well 

Southwest OrlanDo 

Volume 3, Issue 9 — January 2023 

HealtH reSolutionS 

DoCtorS enCourage 

You to Make toDaY 

Senior FitneSS: 

You MaY Have More 

CHoiCeS tHan 

You tHink 

A Product of the 

Southwest Orlando Bulletin

2 x January 2023 x Living Well 

The new year represents a fresh 

start and is the perfect time to invest 

in your health. However, you may be 

unsure which resolutions will have the 

biggest impact. Doctors say that the 

easy, tangible actions you take are 

some of the most important. 

“Many people kick off the start of 

each new year with big-picture health 

resolutions,” says Jack Resneck 

Jr., M.D., president of the American 

Medical Association (AMA). “The 

good news is that small, positive 

health choices made right now can 

have long-lasting effects.” 

Want to get started today? Here 

are 10 resolutions the AMA recommends 

to top your list this year: 

• Exercise is essential for your 

physical and mental health, so get 

moving today. A good rule of thumb 

for adults is at least 150 minutes a 

week of moderate-intensity activity 

or 75 minutes a week of vigorousintensity 

activity. 

• Vaccination is the best protection 

against a number of serious illnesses. 

To protect yourself and your family, 

get up to date on your vaccines. Your 

Health Resolutions Doctors 

Encourage You to Make Today 

©monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images Plus 

Performing 

at least 150 

minutes of 

moderateintensity 

activity is 

recommended 

for adults. 

doctor can let you know if you’re due 

for any boosters. If you have questions, 

speak with your physician and 

review trusted resources, including 

getvaccineanswers.org. 

• Get screened. Estimates based 

on statistical models show that since 

April 2020, millions of screenings 

for breast, colorectal and prostate 

cancer diagnoses may have been 

missed because of pandemic-related 

care disruptions. Check in with your 

physician. If you’re due for preventive 

care, tests or screenings, make an 

appointment. These measures are designed 

to keep you healthy and help 

your doctor spot certain conditions 

before they become serious. 

• High blood pressure, also known 

as hypertension, can increase your 

risk of heart attack or stroke, and it 

affects millions of Americans. Visit 

manageyourbp.org to understand 

what your blood pressure numbers 

mean and what you can do to get 

your blood pressure under control. 

• One in 3 American adults 

has prediabetes, a condition that 

can lead to Type 2 diabetes if left 

unmanaged. However, there are 

steps you can take that can help delay 

or even prevent the onset of Type 

2 diabetes. Learn your risk by taking 

a simple 2-minute self-screening 

test at doihaveprediabetes.org. This 

resource also features helpful lifestyle 

tips that can help you reverse 

prediabetes. 

• Whenever possible, drink water 

instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, 

and replace processed foods — 

especially those with added sodium 

and sugar — with nutritious, whole 

foods, including fruits, vegetables, 

whole grains, nuts, herbs and spices. 

• If consuming alcohol, drink 

only in moderation. The Dietary 

Guidelines for Americans defines 

that as up to one drink per day for 

women and two drinks per day for 

men, and only by adults of legal 

drinking age. 

• Speak with your doctor or 

health care professional about 

quitting tobacco and nicotine use. 

Declare your home and car smokefree 

to eliminate secondhand smoke 

exposure. 

• Follow your doctor’s instructions 

when taking prescription drugs 

— especially opioids. Always store 

and dispose of these medications 

safely to prevent misuse. Whenever 

prescribed antibiotics, take them 

exactly as directed. Not taking the 

full course can lead to antibiotic 

resistance, a serious public health 

problem, and will not make you feel 

better if you have a virus such as a 

cold or flu. 

• Invest in your mental health by 

managing stress, getting sufficient 

sleep, exercising and seeking help 

from a mental health professional 

when you need it. 

If you don’t have health insurance, 

representatives of the AMA encourage 

you to sign up for coverage at 

healthcare.gov, which has new, affordable 

options. The enrollment 

deadline for 2023 coverage is Jan. 

15, 2023. Find more health resources 

at ama-assn.org. 

For a healthy 2023 and beyond, 

invest in your wellness with these 

doctor-recommended New Year’s 

resolutions. 

(StatePoint) ª

Do you struggle with starting or 

maintaining a fitness routine? Don’t 

worry, you’re not alone. While most 

know that exercise is beneficial, fitness 

can be daunting, especially if 

you’re older than age 65 and want 

to be sure that you work out in a 

way that is safe and effective. The 

good news? Physical activity is key 

to maintaining health and mobility 

as you age, and if you are eligible, 

the right Medicare Advantage plan 

can provide tools and resources to 

help you get off the couch. If you just 

need a little motivation to reengage 

in your fitness and social routines or 

would like to start a new one, there 

are more choices than ever in exercise 

and wellness options. 

Meeting Seniors Where They Are 

No matter your age, the ongoing 

pandemic has caused tremendous 

changes in many lives, including 

an increase in physical and mental 

health issues because of social isolation. 

Many seniors were understandably 

cautious due to a heightened 

health risk and experienced a greater 

disruption of trusted routines. More 

good news? Most continue to see a 

return to their lifestyles and activities. 

A recent nationwide poll by Tivity 

Health — a leading provider of 

healthy lifestyle solutions, including 

SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading 

community fitness program designed 

for older adults — shows that seniors 

no longer just work out at the gym 

or home but enjoy the freedom to exercise 

how and where they please: 

indoors, outdoors, at the gym or community 

center, together or alone, inperson 

or virtual. 

The poll also found that during 

the past few months, 78% of seniors 

have engaged in some type of physical 

activity, the highest proportion in 

months. More seniors are engaging 

in activities that bring them joy and 

can include a variety of movements 

— walking, household chores, gardening, 

hiking, etc. By identifying 

how the past few years have unsettled 

these daily routines, we can take 

steps to help older adults reenergize 

and reengage in healthy activities 

that are enjoyable and encourage 

valuable social connections. 

Senior Fitness: You May 

Have More Choices Than You Think 

All You Need Is an iPhone 

By joining forces with Apple 

Fitness+, the award-winning fitness 

and wellness service designed to 

be welcoming to all, SilverSneakers 

members in participating health 

plans will soon have access to 

Apple Fitness+, with workout types 

from strength to yoga, guided mediations 

and more at no additional 

cost. Programming allows members 

to exercise where they want, when 

they want with world-class workouts 

and fitness programming curated for 

a range of skill levels and interests. 

“We know that fitness isn’t one 

size fits all, especially with today’s 

dynamic senior population,” said 

Richard Ashworth, president and 

CEO of Tivity Health. “Seniors need 

a variety of options for physical activity 

that fit their lifestyles. Our partnership 

with Apple Fitness+ offers 

fitness for all skill levels, interests and 

goals, including a wide array of content 

presented by expert instructors 

and celebrity guests.” 

Seniors Can 

Change the Fitness Industry 

The fitness industry is changing. 

According to the International 

Council on Active Aging, a large 

and growing number of products 

and services are being developed to 

allow people to fully enjoy the gift of 

a longer life, which requires a foundation 

of good health. Exercise remains 

critical for seniors to maintain 

There are 

more options 

than ever for 

seniors to 

maintain a 

fitness routine. 

a healthy immune system that’s able 

to fight off disease, and consistent 

exercise can improve balance and 

strength and help prevent falls. One 

trend the pandemic saw was the rise 

of digital and virtual care, and it’s 

here to stay. About 1 in 4 seniors are 

currently using a device to monitor 

their health and well-being, and the 

2022 

Living Well x January 2023 x 3 

use of video calls to socially connect 

with friends and family members has 

steadily increased in the past several 

months. 

Fitness Is More Than a Workout 

“As a fitness instructor, I see firsthand 

how exercise can change a 

person’s life,” said Jen Burgmeier, 

2022 SilverSneakers Instructor of the 

Year. “But fitness is more than just a 

workout. I have SilverSneakers members 

who attend classes both in-person 

and virtually, and I love that they 

have a choice to work out when and 

where they want. One of my members 

recently said that the laughter 

and camaraderie coming through 

her computer screen makes you feel 

like you could conquer anything! I 

get so much joy out of seeing them 

take meaningful steps to improve 

their health and watch them fall in 

love with SilverSneakers.” 

Don’t wait to jump-start your fitness 

journey. For more information about 

how seniors can check their eligibility, 

visit silversneakers.com. 

(BPT) ª


n Bay Meadows 

Elementary 

Bay Meadows Elementary 

Principal Joann Dorries welcomed 

author Rae Marsh to the school for 

an author’s visit. Ms. Marsh read her 

book, Love, Maggie: Chronicles of 

3rd Grade, to the second and third 

grade classes. The students were 

also able to get their pre-purchased 

books signed by the author. 

n Panther Lake 

Elementary 

Panther Lake Elementary fifth 

grade patrols, along with members 

of the Winter Garden Bloom 

& Grow Garden Society, planted 

SCHOOL NEWS 

compiled by Lauren Salinero 

a pink trumpet tree to commemorate 

the opening of the school. A 

plaque is displayed by the tree 

with a QR code that links to a 

national registry, where people 

can read the tree’s story. The tree, 

which is expected to grow 30 feet 

tall, will bloom each spring with 

pink flowers. 

n Whispering Oak 

Elementary 

Representatives of Orange County 

Public Schools named Joyce 

Conley a finalist for assistant principal 

of the year. As assistant principal 

at Whispering Oak Elementary, Ms. 

Conley’s top priority is student success. 

She has developed schoolwide 

events to engage and uplift students. 

These efforts include starting a multicultural 

club. She is always visible 

Lori Leda’s second graders at Bay Meadows Elementary are visited by author Rae Marsh. 

Fifth graders at Panther Lake Elementary plant a pink trumpet tree with the help of members 

of the Winter Garden Bloom & Grow Garden Society.


around campus, from assisting in 

the cafeteria to helping the custodial 

staff develop a game plan. Ms. 

Conley is also committed to coaching 

and lifting up other current and 

aspiring assistant principals. The 

OCPS winner of assistant principal 

of the year will be announced Feb. 

10 at the Stellar Awards being held 

at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. 

n Et Al 

Joyce 

Conley of 

Whispering 

Oak Elementary 

is a finalist for 

Orange County 

Public Schools’ 

assistant principal 

of the year. 

Orange County Public Schools 

officials announced administrative 

changes at the following Southwestarea 

schools: 

• Carla Kelly is assistant principal 

at Bay Lakes Elementary. 

• Bradley Martin is principal at 

Hunter’s Creek Elementary. 

• Jeffrey Peters is principal at 

Independence Elementary. 

• Tricia Travis is assistant 

principal at Independence 

Elementary. 

• Tara Young is assistant principal 

at Ocoee Elementary. 

• Antonisha Ellington is assistant 

principal at Water Spring 

Elementary. 

• Matthew Hendricks is principal 

at Water Spring Elementary. 

• Le Thi My Nguyen is assistant 

principal at Dr. Phillips High. 

During the 66th annual Council 

of the Great City Schools Fall 

Conference, Orange County Public 

Schools and the University of 

Central Florida were presented with 

the 2022 Dr. Shirley S. Schwartz 

Urban Education Impact Award for 

the Comprehensive Urban Teacher 

Pipeline Project. The award honors 

an outstanding partnership between 

a university and an urban school district 

that has had a positive and significant 

impact on student learning. 

The Comprehensive Urban Teacher 

Pipeline centers around the recruitment 

and retention of future teacher 

candidates and teachers in high-need 

Title I schools. The partnership for this 

project began in 2018 with the Teacher 

Quality Partnership, which then expanded 

with two additional programs: 

the OCPS/Lockheed Martin/ 

UCF Academy for Mathematics and 

Science Tuition-free Master’s Program 

and the OCPS/UCF/Noyce STEM 

Tuition-free Doctoral Program. 

To promote its specialized learning 

programs — known as magnets 

— Orange County Public Schools is 

hosting a virtual Magnet Fair. All parents 

and students are invited to learn 

more about the 46 magnet programs 

offered in 33 sites across elementary, 

middle and high schools. These focused 

programs encourage academic 

excellence in highly specialized areas 

of study and often pave a road into 


Michael J. Tortorella, MD 

Obstetrics & Gynecology 

Board Certified 

Pregnancy 

Family Planning 

Menstrual Disorders 

Menopause 

Second Opinion for Surgery 

In-Office Ultrasounds 

In-Office Surgery 

Minimally Invasive 

Surgery 

Sterilization 

(407) 363-1003 Michaeljtortorellamd.com 

7300 Sandlake Commons Blvd. 

Suite 320, Medplex A 

next to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital 

Listed in Best Doctors 

in Orlando Magazine 

To learn more about all things in store, visit



post-secondary schools and colleges. 

Included in the spotlight programs are 

several schools located in Southwest 

Orlando. They include Lakeview 

Middle’s World Language Academy, 

which provides instruction for Englishspeaking 

students to learn a second 

language and be on their way to becoming 

biliterate in Spanish or French 

while cultivating an understanding of 

other cultures to be better prepared 

for a global future. Students can earn 

two high school credits of foreign language 

prior to entering high school 

and will be better prepared to enroll in 

an Advanced Placement foreign language 

course. In addition, Maxey 

Elementary’s Visual and Performing 

Arts magnet program provides opportunities 

for students to experience the 

arts across all content areas while infusing 

technology to enhance students’ 

learning. The children hone their skills, 

techniques and processes in music, 

the visual arts and dance. The virtual 

fair can be accessed at www.ocps. 

net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=54703 

&pageId=1515993. Students must 

apply for the magnet program at 

www.schoolchoice.ocps.net, and the 

application window is open through 

Feb. 15, 2023. 

Although we try to ensure that all information 

presented above is the most current, correct and 

dependable available, we do rely on others for 

the source of our news. Therefore, the Southwest 

Orlando Bulletin and Cornerstone Publishing & 

Multi-Media LLC cannot be held responsible for the 

validity of the information presented here, nor does 

mentioning it constitute an endorsement. School 

News is welcome and may be mailed to P.O. 

Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786; or emailed to 

Lauren@kearneypublishing.com. ª


COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD 

compiled by Lisa Sagers 

n Children’s/Teen 

Programs 

Ongoing — In-Person Storytimes 

Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, 

hosts the following in-person storytimes for children: 

Storybook Fun for preschoolers is Fridays at 10:15 

a.m., Toddler Time is Fridays at 10:45 a.m., and Tiny 

Tales for babies up to 18 months is Fridays at 11:15 

a.m. For more information, call 407-835-7323 or visit 

www.ocls.info. 

n Event/Program 

Jan. 16 — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Unity Parade And Celebration 

The city of Ocoee holds its 15th annual Dr. Martin 

Luther King Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration, beginning 

at Citrus Elementary School, 87 N. Clarke 

Road, and ending in the parking lot at West Oaks 

Mall. The public is invited to attend a post-parade 

celebration in the West Oaks Mall food court at 11 

a.m. Daralene Jones of WFTV-Channel 9 is keynote 

speaker. For more information, call 407-905-3100 or 

visit www.ocoee.org. 

n Miscellaneous 

Jan. 18 — Open House 

The First Academy, 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando, holds 

an open house for prospective parents. Time: 8:30 a.m., 

10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, call 

407-206-8600 or visit thefirstacademy.org/tour. 

Jan. 28 — Open House 

Windermere Preparatory School, 6189 Winter Garden 

Vineland Road, Windermere, holds an open house for prospective 

parents, during which attendees tour the campus 

with current students and teachers and hear from faculty 

members regarding curriculum and academic programs. 

Registration is requested. Time: 3 p.m. For more information, 

call 407-905-7737, email info@windermereprep.com 

or visit windermereprep.com. 

n Networking/Clubs 

Ongoing — Members Wanted 

The West Orange Women seeks females of all ages to 

join its group for fun, friendship and philanthropy. Annual 

dues are $20. For more information, call Mary Borgan, 

407-929-3030; or visit www.westorangewomen.com. 

Jan. 10, 17, 24 & 31 — Virtual 

Toastmasters Meetings 

Windermere Toastmasters Club No. 4662754 holds Zoom 

meetings. Attendees learn to develop their oral communication 

and leadership skills in a supportive and positive 

learning environment. Time: Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. 

For more information or to request online Zoom meeting 

details, visit www.4662754.toastmastersclubs.org and click 

“Contact Us.” 

Jan. 11, 18 & 25 — Virtual 


The Turnpike Toastmasters Club holds Zoom meetings. 

Time: Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. For more 

information or to register for a virtual meeting, visit 

2362.toastmastersclubs.org and click “Contact Us” at 

least one day before the event. 


Guillermo J. Nazario, D.C. 

DIANA HUSSAIN, M.D. 

7345 W. Sand Lake Rd., Ste 301 

321-204-8237 

www.flwellnessmd.com 

Now open in a new location and accepting new 

patients. 

Dr. Hussain is a Mayo Clinic-trained and double 

board-certified Medical Doctor specializing in 

Regenerative Medicine with the latest technology in 

high-quality Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and 

image-guided injections for painful conditions such 

as arthritis, chronic injuries, as well as hair 

restoration and aesthetics. 

Dr. Hussain has more than 15 years of experience 

in evaluation and non-opioid treatment of painful 

disorders with joint and spinal injections, under 

X-ray and ultrasound guidance; Botox® injections 

for Migraines and other conditions; as well as 

performing specialized tests for muscle and nerve 

problems (electrodiagnostic studies). 

Dr. Hussain is fluent in Spanish. 

You should seek a consultation if you have a 

condition that causes pain and limits your function 

or if you had a recent injury or motor vehicle 

accident, even if you are feeling fine. You have 14 

days to get medical attention after a motor vehicle 

accident or your insurance may deny your claim.



Jan. 12, 19 & 26 — Virtual Thursday 

Morning Men’s Group 

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church hosts a men’s online 

group with the Rev. Jad. Time: Thursdays at 7:45 a.m. 

via Zoom. For more information or to register, call 407- 

876-4991 or visit st.lukes.org/adults. 

Jan. 12, 19 & 26 — Virtual 


The Vista Toastmasters Club holds Zoom meetings. 

Time: Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, 

email vistatoastmasters.zoom@gmail.com or visit 

www.vistatoastmasters.org. 

n Support Groups 

Ongoing — Hope For Hurting Parents 

Support Group Meetings 

The Parish Life Center at Holy Family Catholic Church, 

5125 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, hosts 

Hope for Hurting Parents support group meetings 

for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., who 

have children of any age who struggle with mental 

health issues, self-harm, eating disorders, substance 

abuse, gender confusion, suicidal thoughts and more. 

Time: first and third Monday of each month from 

6-8 p.m. For more information, email Beth Denhof, 

bethdenhof@msn.com, or call her at 407-399-5872; 

or email Kelly Muscaro, kkmuscaro@aol.com, or call 

her at 407-963-5277. For more information, including 

resources and book recommendations, visit 

www.hopeforhurtingparents.com. 

Jan. 10 & Feb. 14 — Virtual Support 

Group Meetings For Caregivers 

The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center sponsors 

a free support group meeting for caregivers in the Suite 

281 Conference Room (next to the south elevators on 

the second floor) at Health Central Hospital, 10000 W. 

Colonial Drive, Ocoee. Time: second Tuesday of each 

month at 6 p.m. For more information, call 407-843-1910 

or visit www.adrccares.org. 

Jan. 10 & 24 — Mental Health Support 

Group Meetings 

The second floor of Building B at St. Luke’s United 

Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, 

Orlando, hosts free connection and family support 

group meetings for individuals affected by mental 

illness. The connection support group meets in 

Room B-204, and families meet in Room B-206. 

The 90-minute meeting is peer-led and helps participants 

connect with each other, learn from each 

other’s experiences, share coping strategies and 

offer each other encouragement and understanding. 

Time: the second and fourth Tuesday of each 

month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 407- 

253-1900, email information@namigo.org or visit 

www.namigo.org. 

Jan. 15 — GriefShare: Loss Of A 

Spouse/Partner Program 

The Barnes Learning Center, Room 210, on the second 

floor of the Founder’s Hall adjacent to Building C at 

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka- 

Vineland Road, Orlando, hosts GriefShare: Loss of a 

Spouse/Partner, a one-time free program for anyone who 

is grieving the loss of a spouse/partner no matter how 

long ago the loss occurred. Time: 2-4 p.m. The meeting 

is free; however, registration is required. To RSVP, visit 

st.lukes.org/griefsharespouse. For more information, call 

407-876-4991, ext. 262; or email care@st.lukes.org. 

Jan. 17 & Feb. 1 — Virtual Teen Grief 

Support Group Meetings 

The Cornerstone Hospice Bereavement Team holds virtual 

teen grief support group meetings for teens 12-17 struggling 

with the loss of a loved one or feeling anxious, upset 

or confused because of the pandemic. Groups are free 

and open to the public. Registration is required. Time: 

first and third Tuesday of each month from 5-6 p.m. For 

more information or to register, call 866-742-6655 or visit 

www.cornerstonehospice.org. 

Jan. 18 — Virtual Teen Talks Support 

Group Meetings 

The Cornerstone Hospice Bereavement Team holds virtual 

teen talks support group meetings for youth 12-17. 

Groups are free and open to the public. Registration is 

required. Time: first and third Wednesday of each month 

from 3:30-4:30 p.m. For more information or to register, 

call 866-742-6655 or visit www.cornerstonehospice.org. 

n Volunteers Needed 

Ongoing — Volunteers Needed 

My Brother’s Keeper seeks volunteers — especially adult 

men (18-older) of color — who can serve as positive role 

models and mentor boys and young men of color. For 

more information, email Grace, gdearden@vcifl.org, at 

Volunteers for Community Impact. 

Contributions to Community Bulletin Board are 

welcome. Please send information six weeks 

before the event to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, 

FL 34787; call 407-351-1573, option 5; or email 

Lisa@kearneypublishing.com. ª 

Pressure Washing 

Drainage Solutions 

Lightning Damage 

Locate Valve’s 

Wire/Valve Issues 

Timers/Rain Sensors 

Move/Adding Heads 

Sprinkler Maintenance Program 

Pre/Finish new Pools/Patios 

Landscaping 

Residential & Commercial 

Since 2005 

Licensed & Insured 

IRRIGATION 

The Water Conservation Specialist 

Joseph A. Kelly 

407-433-3233 • 407-433-3234 

www.sparklingjak.com 

E: info@sparklingjak.com 

YOUR 

DIGITAL 

MARKETING 

PARTNER 

Social Services 

Social Media Management 

Text Management 

E-mail Newsletters 

Blog Writing 

Target Marketing 

Mobile Search 

Geo Fencing 

Retargeting 

SEO / SEM 

Text Message Marketing 

Web site Design 

Web Development 

Responsive Site Design 

Interactive 

Lead Capturing Features 

Reporting and Analytics 

Your Full Service Digital Partner 

At Cornerstone Digital, we know the decision to 

invest in digital marketing solutions can be a big and 

daunting one, but we are here to make it easier. Our 

marketing consultants educate business owners and 

marketers to help them to make the best decision for 

their company and their marketing needs. 

Contact us today! We’d love to help 

your business find success 

Register for a FREE digital evaluation today at 

www.cornerstonedigitalmarketing.com

PETS 

On The Promenade 

NOON TO 4PM 

Sunday, January 22 nd 

PET 

PORTRAITS 

YAPPY 

HOURS 

Sunsetwalk.com 

FREE ADMISSION

P.O. Box 851 

Windermere, FL 34786 

The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Get ! 

VOTED BEST OF SW REALTOR 

FOR THE 8TH TIME !!!!! 

#1 REMAX REALTOR IN ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA 

A RECORD 6 CONSECUTIVE YEARS 

RANKED 4th in closed sales for Orange County 

in the History of the ORRA MLS 

SOLD MORE HOMES THAN ANY REALTOR 

IN WINTER GARDEN ON THE PLANET 

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS 

www.RTRsellshomes.com 

407-592 SOLD (7653) 

No such thing as after hours 

Ronald Ziolkowski,PA RE/MAX PRIME PROPERTIES 

13848 Tilden Rd., Ste. 148, Winter Garden, FL 34787

010523_New Year, New You _DIGITAL EDITION

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?