Philanthropy in the Pandemic Era
Donate food to hungry people, Concept of poverty and hunger More than a year and a half into the long slog of navigating the pandemic, daily routines and expectations have adapted to COVID’s constant changes, from individuals pitching in for their homebound neighbors to companies adapting to remote options for employees’ safety. Nonprofits, too, have changed their operational... Read More
Happy to Help
Asking for help isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Most people treasure their independence, and admitting that they can’t handle a problem on their own—even a medical one—can sometimes be a challenge. Whether it’s an issue they think they can put off until later, is embarrassing in nature or is just too scary to tackle head on, the consequences of not seeking assistance... Read More
Leaders in Higher Education Roundtable
The landscape of higher education has changed since the last generation set foot on campus. Advancements in technology, a debt crisis and a global pandemic are just a few of the factors making an impact on how students choose to pursue a degree. Orlando Family Magazine approached the leaders of various local institutions to find out how they are adapting to challenges, broadening... Read More
Getting Prepped
With the new school year underway, it’s time for us to take a look at some of the region’s leading private schools are helping their students excel and progress and young adults. We worked directly with the schools to glean information in key areas like the percentage of students attending four-year colleges, tuition rates, student-to-teacher ratios and more. One set of statistics... Read More
Explore the Arts
A preview of the shows, exhibits and more coming to Greater Orlando this fall. PERFORMING ARTS & LIVE MUSIC Central Florida Community Arts CFCArts.com | (407) 937-1800 Sept. 2-3 Ragtime: A Summer Broadway Benefit Concert Set in New York at the turn of the 20th century, this story follows the stories of three diverse families chasing their own version of the American... Read More
The Power of Giving
When Jeanne Fortier moved to Orlando from Washington, D.C., in the late 1980s, she was eager to continue the volunteer work she was doing in her previous city as part of a social group that supported local charities. When she discovered that no such organization existed in her new surroundings, she was not deterred. She simply found eight other like-minded women and they started... Read More
Designer Dreams
After being crowned HGTV’s first “Design Star” in 2006, David Bromstad quickly found a home on the network. Over the past 15 years, the vivacious designer and artist has gone on to have an incredibly successful career in television. As host of Color Splash, Beach Flip and the immensely popular My Lottery Dream Home, Bromstad has become a household name, largely in part to... Read More
Sand-sational Sarasota
Only a two-hour drive south from Orlando, Sarasota is known for its pristine white sand beaches, superb dining, unique shopping, not to mention, its endless cultural and recreational amenities. Home of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the official state museum of art, it’s no wonder that Sarasota is often referred to as Florida’s Cultural Coast. It’s nearly 40 miles... Read More
GETTING PERSONAL
XL 106.7’s Johnny Magic on being one of the most beloved radio DJs in Orlando, surviving a devastating house fire, and how the coronavirus affected his life. My first radio job was for an overnight college radio station. I was petrified that first night! All I wanted to do was get off the air and never, ever do it again. The thing I love most about my job... Read More
The Mind-Body Connection
You don’t have to be a professional or even a casual athlete to benefit from the ways sports medicine is helping people from all walks of life get back to the lives and hobbies they love post-injury. While its name may conjure images of sidelined sports heroes clawing their way back to mobility, flexibility and recovery, the reality is that anyone can access the specialized, individualized,... Read More
TOP DENTISTS 2021
With a modern, caring and comprehensive approach, today’s dentists have elevated the patient experience and are doing away with the notion that a trip to their office should be met with fright and anxiety. We polled several area dental professionals and our readers to come up with this year’s Top Dentists list and more than 100 names were chosen. Whether going in for a check-up... Read More
Wayne’s Way
From comedy to acting, singing, dancing and hosting game shows, Wayne Brady has proven he can do it all. Brady has been entertaining audiences for over three decades with no plans of stopping anytime soon. The multi-Emmy winner and Grammy-nominated Brady grew up in Tangelo Park and is a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School. As a youngster, Brady worked as a performer at both Walt... Read More
TOP PHYSICIANS 2021
While the pandemic has been the topic of conversation for the medical world for well over a year now, the fact of the matter is many area doctors have been going above and beyond to treat their patients well before COVID-19 ever became a part of daily lexicon. That is why each year we like to celebrate these selfless individuals for the trusted care they provide and the manner in... Read More
Along the Fairways
Whether you’re a scratch player or a weekend golfer, the area’s premier golf clubs have lots to offer. When the pandemic took over last spring, folks couldn’t wait to get out and about and find a slice of normality to life. Which is why it wasn’t surprising that the golf course became such a popular escape once restrictions were loosened and players were welcomed to return.... Read More
Sibling Revelry
As far as we know, there is no official title for “world’s most athletic family,” but the Kordas would have to be in the running if there were. They are not the first nor the most famous family with multiple generations or siblings reaching the professional ranks, to be sure. But unlike, say, the Mannings in football, the Williams sisters in tennis or the Currys in basketball,... Read More
It’s Academic: The 2021 Public High School Report Card
To put together our annual public high school report card, we gleaned information from the Florida Department of Education to gather key data in areas like graduation rates and senior class size. Due to COVID-19, the average SAT scores were not available to us at press time, so we are running the most recent numbers and encourage you to visit our website in the near future after... Read More
Palate
TOP FIVE: HOT DOGS A quintet of tasty things to try this month THE KING AT DOGHOUSE COLLEGE PARK Fit for a “king,” this dish features a skinless, all-beef Nathan’s hot dog served in a fresh semi-toasted bun and topped with beef chili, cheese sauce, bacon bits, onions, crushed Fritos, ketchup and mustard. The beef hot dog can be replaced with an Angus beef hot dog... Read More
Dishes that Dazzle
True to its roots, Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe not only serves exquisite cuisine but also a piece of Central Florida history. While the name belongs to an early settler of Lake Ivanhoe named George Russell, this shore-hugging eatery is brought to us by an Orlando-based restaurant group, VO Hospitality, which is co-owned by Kevin O’Donnell and Philippe Villain. The pineapple featured... Read More
Getting Personal
Melissa Wiggins, a former lawyer turned life coach and now podcast host, on creating the Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation with her husband Michael, their young son’s battle with the disease and her journey to find happiness. Eight years ago, while 38 weeks pregnant with twins, my husband and I heard the words no parent wants to hear, “Your child has cancer.”... Read More
Parenting Guide: Family Fun
With the COVID-19 vaccine more readily accessible, many people have confidently begun to return to their pre-pandemic routines. Now that summer is upon us and several travel restrictions have been lifted, some are wondering if it is truly a good time to start vacationing once again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that domestic travel is... Read More
Playing By Her Own Rules
Viola Davis was always an integral part of Denzel Washington’s plan. Having secured the rights to direct August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, Washington knew Davis would bring some of Wilson’s most memorable characters to life. Davis won the 2010 Tony Award for best actress for playing Rose Maxson in the Broadway revival of Wilson’s play Fences, and an... Read More
