Destination Relaxation

As summer draws to an end and school gets underway, many residents are not quite ready to get back into their fall routines. Thankfully, there are plenty of day trip and staycation options that can provide a fun and relaxing escape from day-to-day life.   One of the great things about living in Central Florida is the close proximity to all of the amazing things that the Sunshine... Read More

Suicide Awareness and Why Kindness is Key

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. suicide rate is at the highest it has ever been, with almost 50,000 Americans taking their own lives documented in 2022. Experts explain why a centuries-long epidemic is getting worse. Suicide has been a devastating epidemic in society that demonstrates no sign of losing momentum. The stigma surrounding mental... Read More

Homegrown Star

Matt Lauria may often play a tough guy on TV, but in casual conversation, it only takes a few moments for his sensitive side to rise to the forefront. In fact, the first words out of his mouth, following a very polite greeting, involve an offer to move a phone call over to Zoom, just so his facial expressions can be seen and all of his answers during a wide-ranging interview can... Read More

2023 Top Physicians

As hard as one may try, living a completely healthy lifestyle is an impossible task, and sooner or later, illnesses and injuries are going to happen. Fortunately, when that time comes, the Central Florida region is blessed to be home to many skilled medical providers across a number of specialties. These doctors not only have the drive to push their fields further... Read More

The State of Tourism

Orlando, Florida, USA downtown city skyline on Eola Lake. It’s no stretch of the truth to say that Orlando is where people want to be, thanks to the likes of its rich cultural offerings, endless entertainment options and, of course, year-round beautiful weather. From fellow Floridians to globe-trotting international visitors, the town and the world-class service industry it boasts... Read More

Orlando Family Stars

Each month, Stars features exceptional students, student-athletes, educators and all-around boons to the Greater Orlando area. Dylan Crews  Crews, a 2020 graduate of Lake Mary High School, was chosen by the Washington Nationals with the second overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft. An outfielder, Crews won the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the best... Read More

An Open Book

Bestselling horror writer Chuck Wendig has had many writing jobs in his time, including storytelling for role-playing games, comics, television and film. On one writing job—his very first, in fact—he wrecked a van … but more on that later. Wendig has written fiction since 1997, but his reputation as a novelist reached a new height in 2019 with his pandemic thriller novel Wanderers.... Read More

Falling Short

There have been a lot of headlines made recently about the struggles school districts across the country are faced with as they grapple with a nationwide shortage of teachers. Closer to home, it’s certainly a cause for great concern and so Florida has taken measures to address the growing problem. But is it enough? The answer to that pressing question depends on who you ask. Clinton... Read More

In Perfect Harmony

Ever since Gloria Estefan was a young child she claims she “saw” or “knew” things that were going to come to pass at some point in the future. And as time went on and this happened frequently enough, she began to rely more and more on these instinctive feelings whenever they arose. So it should come as no surprise that after first meeting her now-husband Emilio and joining... Read More

Health and Wellness Resource Directory

HEALTH & WELLNESS  (CENTRAL)                               DENTAL Christine Nguyen, DDS 1330 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park (407) 629-4077 ChristineNguyenDDS.com Dr. Christine Nguyen provides comprehensive general dentistry for adults and children including annual preventive care, oral cancer screening, Invisalign, veneers, six-month smiles, Zoom!... Read More

Asking the Right Questions

Iconic sports broadcaster Dan Patrick brings The Art of Interviewing to Full Sail University with new short-form course.   Whether on TV, radio or in print, few have interviewed as many distinguished individuals as Dan Patrick. Now, the legendary sportscaster is taking his decades of experience and sharing his in-depth knowledge on the finer points of being a great interviewer... Read More

Parenting Guide: Senior Living

Having one’s affairs in order can make it easier on family members in the event of a medical emergency or death. Conversations about getting older and death are never easy to have, which is why so many people put off estate planning or making arrangements for if and when they suffer a medical emergency. But it is critical to address these issues not only to protect certain assets,... Read More

Parenting Guide: Education

Many families are recognizing the benefits of private education for their children, and Central Florida has plenty of options to meet their needs. With a career in private education that spans more than two decades and a range of positions at schools in five different states, Dr. Mitchell Salerno is somewhat of an authority on the subject. What most impresses him about Central Florida—an... Read More

Parenting Guide: Special Needs

Transitioning to adulthood is a big step for individuals with special needs, but there are local organizations that can help lead them to a secure future. Of the many challenges that parents of special needs children face, one that keeps many mothers and fathers up at night regards their child’s transition into adulthood. While school can provide a safe haven, much-needed services... Read More

Parenting Guide: Family Fun

Whether it’s a beautiful, sunny afternoon or a cloudy, rainy day, there is always something fun to do in the Orlando area. While out-of-towners may be hitting up all of the major theme parks that Central Florida has to offer, locals know that some of the best things to do and see in the area are often right around the corner or a short drive away. Here are a few of the many area... Read More

Far From Finished

In the epidemic of mass violence across the nation, it is important to remember and to honor the victims and survivors that have been impacted. It is difficult to hear about, to understand and, most importantly, to ignore. It is common for Americans to personally know someone or somewhere that has been affected by gun violence. Within that horror, there have been increased efforts... Read More

Summer Fun

This season, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a sun – soaked afternoon or enchanting evening around Greater Orlando. From neighborhood celebrations to larger events, this is your guide to enjoying summer in style!   Click HERE to view our roundup of all the hottest summer events going on this year!    Read More

Notable Neighborhoods

Approximately 320,000 Americans moved into Florida between 2021 and 2022, the largest number in the continental United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With no state income tax, an affordable cost of living and an average of 230 sunny days a year, it’s no surprise that so many opt to relocate to the Sunshine State. Orlando’s growth rate is above the state average... Read More

Preventive Health for Men: Why It Matters

There’s a common perception that men hate to go to the doctor and won’t go, even if they’re feeling sick. This theory has persisted throughout the years and is often the subject of jokes within families. But is it true? Unfortunately, this premise is sound: Men do not go to the doctor if they are feeling well. A 2019 Cleveland Clinic study found that up to 60% of men don’t... Read More

Bracing for Impact

Hurricane from space. The atmospheric cyclone. Elements of this image furnished by NASA With Ian’s and Nicole’s lingering devastation—not to mention the still-healing emotional scars and overall uncertainty they foisted on many in their paths of destructions throughout Florida—and The National Hurricane Center’s announcement last month of a reassessment that shows the... Read More

2023 Men of the Year

The kind of people who end up on our annual Men of the Year list don’t set out to make an impact in the Central Florida region and beyond in order to receive personal accolades. Rather, they do things like create a difference-making organization following a family tragedy, devote their lives to nonprofit work or look for new ways to reach young adults on the autism spectrum because... Read More