Preserving Vision
When it comes to pediatric retina care, the highly skilled and experienced team at Florida Retina Institute leads the way with cutting-edge treatments and advanced solutions. For over 45 years, Florida Retina Institute has been a trusted leader in the diagnosis and treatment of vitreo-retinal diseases and surgery. With 15 vitreo-retinal surgeons across 20 locations in Florida and... Read More
Keeping Up with the Kids
Children’s health providers offer insight into how to best care for your little ones. Raising children is a beautiful journey, but the road traveled is certainly not without its challenges. While every parent wants to see their child grow to become happy and healthy individuals, no one can predict the future and what unexpected issues may arise. Restless nights spent worrying... Read More
The Present State
Central Florida’s population of unhoused individuals are affected by not only the challenges that have prevailed for decades, but also new ones that subvert recent progress and lack a humanistic perspective. Lately, it seems as though the struggle to make ends meet intensifies every day for the average American: Between surging grocery prices and inaccessible health care, legislation... Read More
Destiny Fulfilled
From the Virgin Islands to Orlando to Hollywood, Mekia Cox’s journey and rise to stardom is the result of years of dedication and determination. Long before she was a star on a hit primetime television show on a major network, Mekia Cox was a wide-eyed 2-year-old living in Saint Croix getting ready to perform her first solo song-and-dance routine. While many in the audience... Read More
A Natural Part of Life
While the stigma and discomfort associated with discussions about death have diminished to some degree in recent years, it’s still a tough conversation for many to initiate. But having those difficult conversations sooner rather than later yields the preparedness, presence and peace of mind that make facing one’s mortality an easier reality for everyone. In the past few years,... Read More
A Safe, Supportive Space
At Children’s Lighthouse in Winter Garden, research-based curriculum and a family environment give children the tools to succeed for years to come. As the longtime director of Children’s Lighthouse in Winter Garden, Deanna Gustafson gets to witness firsthand the noticeable impact that the faith-based early learning school has on helping young minds develop and grow. By championing... Read More
Prime-Time Performers
Central Florida is gearing up for another spring sports season, and these talented student-athletes are sure to make it a memorable one. Halle Zimlich, Seminole Girls Water Polo Zimlich is coming off a remarkable sophomore season in which she led the state with 159 goals, including five in a 10-6 win over West Orange that secured the program’s first-ever state championship.... Read More
Polished Plates
When it comes to main courses, these 20 dynamic dishes leave us hungry for more. Il Mulino We’ve all been there. You sit down at the table at one of your favorite restaurants, begin to peruse the menu and find yourself stuck on what to order because there are just too many enticing entrées demanding your attention. To help ease the burden, we visited some of our favorite restaurants... Read More
Sweet Success
Orlando’s own Brooklyn Barrett has recently made her TV debut as an up-and-coming culinary wunderkind baking her way through the newest season of Kids Baking Championship. Moving halfway across the country is a lot to juggle and navigate, but Brooklyn Barrett still decided to go for her dreams amid her family’s relocation from the Midwest to Orlando. That’s when she took... Read More
Never Give Up
Oscar winner William Goldenberg aims to inspire with his directorial debut, Unstoppable. When William Goldenberg was growing up, he learned how to multitask while working at his dad’s deli. He didn’t know it at the time, but it turns out the deli was an ideal training ground for making movies. “It was good training for multitasking when I was an assistant film editor, where... Read More
Exceptional Educators
Highlighting 22 incredible teachers—from preschool through high school—who teach kids with integrity and compassion. Being a teacher is no easy feat—from lesson plans and grading to continuing education and assisting in extracurriculars—a teacher’s job is never done. These talented teachers not only manage to be successful educators but go the extra mile to create lasting... Read More
Let the Good Times Roll
The 113th year of the Central Florida Fair promises to blend traditional favorites with exciting new experiences in a celebration that the entire family can enjoy. To many moms and dads, one of the best parts about being a parent is getting to introduce their children to the activities and traditions that meant so much to them while growing up, and then seeing the wonder in their... Read More
Changing the Narrative
Thanks to dental and orthodontic professionals who are dedicated to improving comfort and convenience, many patients are no longer as anxious about their appointments as they used to be. As a young girl growing up in Brazil, Dr. Anna Palombini was the rare child who had no butterflies in her stomach whatsoever when it came time for a dental checkup. Coming from a family full of... Read More
Back in Familiar Territory
Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger returns for her first movie role in six years, playing beloved character Bridget Jones for the fourth time. Photo by Startraks Photo/Shutterstock Renée Zellweger was born in 1969 in Texas, to a Norwegian mother and a Swiss father, and found interest in acting while participating in a high school drama club. Upon graduating, she decided against... Read More
Awesome Attorneys 2025
When faced with a tough legal situation, be it a financial matter, a family dispute or perhaps a business transaction, finding the right attorney for the job is crucial. That is why each year we ask the region’s law firms and our readers to identify and nominate those professionals known for producing results while prioritizing their clients’ best interests. This year’s list... Read More
Florida in Bloom
This season, expand your knowledge of and affinity for the state by adding these 10 destinations to your travel bucket list. St. Augustine, Florida Spring is the perfect time to experience the natural wonders that the beautiful state of Florida has to offer—from native flora and fauna to oceanside landscapes. The culture of each local destination is unique, although within a... Read More
2024 Year in Review
For those of us old enough to remember the Y2K scare, it’s hard to believe we’re already a quarter-century into the new millennium. Each year goes by in a blur, which is one reason why it’s always important to take a moment and reflect on the past 12 months as we head into January. Here at Orlando Family Magazine, 2024 was highlighted by our conversations with... Read More
Back to School
In response to the increased demand for alternative education options, local higher education institutions are providing new pathways with innovative technology to help make academic success accessible to all students. As educational leaders continue to have vital conversations with local industry powerhouses, the curriculum and degree pathways subsequently adapt to best secure... Read More
Best of Home & Garden
APPLIANCES Aggressive Appliances (407) 295-4489| AggressiveAppliances.com Your appliances are more than kitchen tools — they’re an investment. Explore our live-kitchen showroom to experience cutting-edge design and function before buying. Our expert installers handle the heavy lifting, ensuring a seamless setup. Plus, if something goes wrong, our specialists provide service... Read More
Preventing a Tragedy
Local experts sound off on what the public should know for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Human trafficking isn’t a new problem, but the combination of awareness campaigns, jarring headlines, and survivors finding both the support and strength to share their stories has brought increased attention to the issue. Myths persist around the topic, though, and those committed... Read More
Unstoppable
From Misery to Matlock, the legendary Kathy Bates continues to breathe life into some of entertainment’s most formidable characters. Kathy Bates has long had a life philosophy that has kept her in good stead. Throughout her stellar 50-year acting career on stage and screen, which began in 1971 with Milos Forman’s film Taking Off, she is known for always working hard to be the... Read More
