Fully Focused
A star actress, successful entrepreneur and doting mother of three, Kate Hudson isn’t letting the world pass her by. Photo by Action Press In her various guises as movie star, retail entrepreneur and wellness advocate, Kate Hudson leads a very active life. She’s the kind of woman whose indomitable spirit is both empowering and engaging. Drawing on the life lessons handed... Read More
Tables with a View
Grabbing a seat outdoors at these restaurants makes for an enhanced dining experience. Central Florida’s favorable weather makes outdoor dining a year-round attraction, but the allure of al fresco dining has only grown during the pandemic as area foodies look to support their favorite eateries. Here we spotlight some of Greater Orlando’s top spots for enjoying a meal outdoors.... Read More
Awesome Attorneys 2021
Our annual list of the leading lawyers in Greater Orlando as chosen by their peers and our readers. The best attorneys not only know how to interpret the law, they know how to be assertive on their client’s behalf to deliver desired results time and time again. And whether that means dealing with divorce, helping plan an estate for loved ones, seeking rightful compensation or... Read More
Rendezvous for Two
Safe and romantic getaways to escape pandemic fatigue, all within a day’s drive. Are you in desperate need of a date night or long weekend away with your significant other? You’re not alone. Even though the pandemic has people spending more time together, they are not connecting. After a long day of remote work and virtual education, couples are emotionally exhausted, and being... Read More
Playing it Forward
At age 70, Steven Van Zandt continues to make a difference with his music, acting and activism. For the first 20 minutes of a lengthy interview, Steven Van Zandt, aka Little Steven, comes across as a very sweet and considerate man, willing to talk about a wide variety of subjects ranging from his music to his acting to his political causes. But then one question in particular sends... Read More
The Tin Man
After losing their young son to a congenital heart defect, one area family has kept his memory alive by creating a foundation to help others affected by the disease. Trey and Nicole Flynn’s lives were turned upside down in 2011 when they went for Nicole’s 20-week ultrasound. They walked into their appointment excited to find out the gender of their baby—it was a boy—but... Read More
Motivated by the Music
Decades after he took the world by storm and became a cultural icon, Paul McCartney is still having the time of his life. Just as the year 2020 has seen so many greats pass across to the other side, it does leave you to imagine the reaction that will follow when Paul McCartney leaves us. “I tend not to think about death too much,” he says, “but when you get to the age I am... Read More
Orlando Family Magazine: Year in Review 2020
Before we can fully close the books on 2020 and move on to what we hope are much brighter days ahead, we wanted to take our annual look back at the year that was. In the following pages you’ll read memorable quotes from our many celebrity interviews as well as find a comprehensive roundup of Central Florida’s top attorneys, dentists, doctors and realtors in addition to the best... Read More
Hope on the Horizon
As COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to be distributed in the United States, Central Floridians look towards 2021 with optimism. As we present Orlando Family Magazine’s annual look at what the new year will bring, the irony of making predictions is not lost on us. Yes, this time last year, we made some prognostications about 2020. At the time, we could have never foreseen the health... Read More
The Show Must Go On
Michael James Scott sang his way from Orlando to Broadway and he’s refused to let the pandemic close the curtain on his creativity. Like the rest of us, Michael James Scott’s year hasn’t gone exactly as planned. But for the acclaimed Broadway star, 2020 ended similarly to how it began; with him on stage performing in front of a live audience in his hometown of Orlando. “I... Read More
Getting Personal
Spectrum News 13 Anchor Julie Gargotta on having a passion for storytelling, the movie and books she loves, and her proudest journalistic accomplishment. 1. When I was a little girl, I idolized the journalists I saw on TV. I remember watching Barbara Walters on 20/20. I loved it: the interviews, the stories, her personal reporting style. When I was a little older, I watched the... Read More
Home Sweet Home
The pandemic has resulted in unprecedented levels of home improvement spending and professionals in the industry see no sign of slowing down in 2021. As the year comes to a close, many people are spending the holidays in a home that looks a bit different than it did a year ago. Perhaps there’s a new roof over their head, an updated kitchen, a deck or pool out back or just some... Read More
Appreciating the Journey
Ryan Reynolds reflects on the ups and downs of his career and how he found happiness along the way. For 25 years, Ryan Reynolds has been following his Hollywood dream. He was just 18 when he loaded up his truck—actually it was a beat-up Jeep—and secretly drove from Vancouver to Los Angeles to take a shot at becoming an actor. He was so afraid that his parents—particularly... Read More
Best of the Best 2020
92 reasons why there’s no place like Orlando. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and after the past few months, we’d say we’re more fond of the Orlando area than ever before. Now that our favorite places are reopen(ing), it’s the perfect time to dive into our annual Best of the Best, featuring the top spots for food, drinks, shopping, health and beauty services,... Read More
Difference Makers
These local nonprofit organizations are making a big impact across Central Florida. Nonprofits are truly the heart of a community. They help the less fortunate, provide support and resources to those who need it, and strive to make the lives better of every individual they are connected with—ultimately making their community stronger and bringing everyone together to make a difference.... Read More
Getting Personal
Author Ilene Lieber on writing a children’s book, loving reality TV and her passion for animals. 1. My first job was as a babysitter and camp counselor, so life has really come full circle for me from taking care of kids to writing for them. 2. I recently released my first children’s book called Zoey’s Adventures to the Ice Cream Shop. It is a really sweet story about my... Read More
Dare to Dream
More than 30 years after helping deliver the NBA to Orlando, Pat Williams is looking to recreate the magic by bringing Major League Baseball to Central Florida. Pat Williams does not include his own name while making a list of the great dreamers to leave their footprint in Central Florida. Walt Disney is the logical person to start with, of course, and Williams goes on to add golf... Read More
Protecting the Vulnerable
Long-term care communities in Florida remain dedicated to providing the utmost care to the elderly at-risk population. During any emergency, the care and safety of the aging generations are among the top priorities. Those who have devoted their lives and careers to this population treated the COVID-19 pandemic with as much urgency as they would a hurricane, however, the ever-changing... Read More
Gift Card Giveaway!
Enter to win! Subscribe to the Orlando Family Magazine digital editions for free for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Rosen Shingle Creek. One winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday February 23 and contacted via the email provided. One entry is permitted per user. * Enter your email to sign up for our free digital editions: * Enter... Read More
A Perfect 10
Orlando Family Magazine celebrates its first decade! We can hardly believe it, but this issue marks our 10th anniversary and we are beyond thrilled to celebrate with our loyal readers. Over the years, we’ve prided ourselves on finding exciting ways to show our creativity and produce engaging content. But, we’re far from complacent and hope to spend the next 10 years pushing... Read More
Prime Performers
Central Florida once again boasts a talented crop of student-athletes looking to leave their mark in the winter season. Although the fall season has certainly come with its share of challenges in high school athletics, we have learned that sports can go on and create some sense of normalcy for players, coaches and fans during these chaotic times. The winter will bring its own unique... Read More
