Hometown Heroine
Growing up in Orlando, Ashley Eckstein attended Dr. Phillips Elementary School, Southwest Middle School and Dr. Phillips High School. The talented performer has since gone on to star in numerous films and television shows. Eckstein is best known for voicing the role of Ahsoka Tano throughout the Star Wars franchise, beginning with Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2008. In addition... Read More
Trailblazer
Tim McGraw is a damn fine American—humble, heartfelt and wholly unafraid of a hard day’s work. This Louisiana native grew up writing poetry and riding rodeo, two seemingly disparate experiences that helped shape him into one of America’s brightest stars in music, TV and film. It is quite fitting that renowned screenwriter Taylor Sheridan asked this living embodiment of the... Read More
One Sizzling Summer
With the summer season upon us and families across the area looking to get out and about we decided to round up some of Greater Orlando’s best outdoor events. From neighborhood gatherings and Independence Day celebrations to some of the theme park’s biggest happenings, let this be your guide to soaking up the sun in style. June 3-4 Florida Funk Fest 2022 at the Central Florida... Read More
A Captivating Collaboration
After Cirque du Soleil’s long-running hit show La Nouba closed at the end of 2017, Orlando audiences eagerly awaited the company’s next production. A dream collaboration was soon formed between Cirque and Disney in the form of Drawn to Life. The highly anticipated show was primed to debut in the spring of 2020 but was shut down just days shy of opening due to the pandemic. Nearly... Read More
‘A History of Being Resilient’
It’s been a rough two years. Whether you feel surreally suspended in March 2020 or are convinced you’ve somehow aged a decade since then, the upheaval of everyday life has influenced every facet of existence, leaving even those who sidestepped major loss, disruption and medical bills exhausted and wondering how much longer this can last. There is some renewed optimism about... Read More
Feeding Those in Need
Food banks across the country have spent the past two years noting that when demand is high for their services, times are tough for their communities. But those tough times can also showcase the best of humanity when people come together for a good cause, which is exactly what the team at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has witnessed throughout the pandemic. “What... Read More
Vacation Season
Summer is right around the corner, which means vacation plans are being finalized and a much-needed break from the daily grind will soon be on its way. While some local residents will surely be looking forward to visiting different parts of the country or even international locations, others prefer staying a little closer to home. Fortunately, there are options upon options just... Read More
All Hail the Queen
When socialite Jackie Siegel and her billionaire husband, Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel, began work on their dream home, they certainly didn’t envision the project taking over 20 years to complete. The house gained great notoriety worldwide following the 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles. Currently, Siegel and her family can be seen on Queen of Versailles Reigns... Read More
A Healing Touch
The Top Veterinarians in the Greater Orlando region! DERMATOLOGY VETERINARIANS Dr. Dawn Logas | Maitland Dr. Marcia Schwassmann | Maitland EMERGENCY VETERINARIANS Dr. Alexandria McKemie-Foster | Orlando Dr. Steve Schindler | Orlando Dr. Lori Tilley | Orlando EQUINE VETERINARIANS Dr. DeHaven Batchelor | Serving Central Florida Dr. Erin Denny-Jones Florida Equine... Read More
‘His Book is Still to Be Written’
Most governors don’t have name recognition beyond their state. Sure, some of the more outspoken ones might grab national headlines for a news cycle or two, but those names rarely have staying power, especially when there’s plenty going on closer to home. But everyone seems to know who Florida’s current governor is and whether Gov. Ron DeSantis evokes cheers or jeers depends... Read More
Feeling the Squeeze
Everywhere you look these days, prices are up. From small essentials such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, gas and clothing to big-ticket items including cars, housing, utilities and home improvements, consumers are experiencing sticker shock that hasn’t been seen in 40 years. Yet while the average person is just now feeling the squeeze of inflation in their everyday lives,... Read More
Helping Hands
Life as a mother of seven kids between the ages of 17 and 8 certainly gets hectic, to say the least, but Susanna Gedaro isn’t one to complain. Considering what she went through on the road to parenthood, she makes it a point to appreciate all of the highs and lows that come with the role. Gedaro suffered through multiple miscarriages—the first of which came very late in her... Read More
For the Thrill of it All
With most COVID restrictions beginning to ease and many people returning to their pre-pandemic activities, the local theme parks and other nearby attractions are more poised than ever to welcome back guests. Over the past several months, attendance at the area theme parks has soared. Guests from near and far have returned in droves after the parks were temporarily shut down for... Read More
A Rising Star
At just 17 years old, Central Florida’s own Logan Allen already has quite an impressive acting résumé. From television to the big screen, Allen has worked alongside some of the industry’s best. Yet, with the support of his loving family, he remains humble and level-headed. The up-and-coming actor currently stars on the hit Netflix show Sweet Magnolias and will soon appear... Read More
A Future to Bank On
After two years of COVID-19, entire industries have risen, limped along or pivoted as best they could alongside ever-changing and largely unpredictable trends. Those industries providing a service people need no matter the state of the world had no choice but to adapt as quickly as possible. And some of them, like banking, actually had a little bit of a head start, as the pandemic... Read More
Paying Tribute
The past few months have provided renewed hope in the health care community. COVID-19 vaccines have helped change the tide from anxiety and isolation to relief and liberation. However, variants and vaccine hesitancy have continued to place hardships on medical professionals across the country. Even while all hands were on deck fighting the virus, the health care field hasn’t slowed... Read More
The Continuing Conflicts of COVID-19
Displeased man with cap, blue jeans and sunglasses holding a NO COVID vaccine sign with crowd of people in background. Supporting anti-vaccination movement. Anti-vaxxer activist. By spring of 2020, COVID-19 had begun to affect everyone, in some form or another. The lingering pandemic has not only brought about severe illness, death and financial hardship but the seemingly never-ending... Read More
Caring for the Kids
It’s no secret that pediatric providers play a key role in a child’s growth and development. And certainly every parent wants the very best for their kid, so prioritizing their health during their formative years is of the utmost importance—even more so during the nearly two years since the onset of the pandemic. And while many of the headlines surrounding pediatric health... Read More
His Best Shot
After an incredibly successful debut album, Mercury Lane, singer Jimmie Allen’s career continues to soar. His first single, “Best Shot,” landed in the top spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Shortly thereafter, his second single, “Make Me Want To,” was equally as successful, making Allen the first Black artist to launch a country career with two consecutive... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: HAMBURGERS A quintet of tasty things to try this month The Cowfish Has Officially Left the Building At The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar Universal CityWalk A meal fit for a king, this full-pound beef burger features creamy peanut butter, fried bananas and applewood bacon all on a brioche bun. If you’re not all shook up over this amount of food, opt for the Single... Read More
Simple Man
When Graham Nash approaches the microphone on the first night of his latest tour, he imagines saying, “Now, where was I?” Although he and his fans have been waiting the better part of two years for this experience, Nash—a perpetual storyteller in more ways than one—hopes to pick up right where he left off. “The two-year gap is unbelievable for a musician. The truth is,... Read More
