Timeless

Having recently wrapped up Broadway’s reimagining of the classic Our Town, Richard Thomas looks forward to wherever his far-ranging career takes him next. Richard Thomas’s name has been hitched to many “classics.” Naturally, he felt compelled to be part of the iconic play Our Town, which recently graced a Broadway stage for the first time in more than 20 years. Published... Read More

Best of Pets 2025

Places, services and more ways to pamper your pet DOG DAYCARE & BOARDING Central Bark Orlando Dogtopia Multiple locations Happy Pups Playhouse Orlando Winter Park Paws Daycare & Suites Winter Park   DOG TRAINERS The Bark Stop Orlando Beyond the Leash Orlando Elite Professional Dog Training Multiple locations   DOG TRAINING FACILITIES Kamp K9 Orlando (321)... Read More

The Turn of a City’s Century

The City of Ocoee is celebrating 100 years of history and advancement with exciting centennial events throughout the year. In the spring of 1925, The City of Ocoee was a small, agricultural township of 820 settlers; now, 100 years later, it is a vibrant community of 51,186 residents. To commemorate the transition from Ocoee’s origins in citrus cultivation to an urbanized downtown,... Read More

The Magic Touch

As the leader of a young and talented nucleus, Paolo Banchero has Orlando basketball fans eyeing the future with excitement. Orlando might not have the rich basketball history of cities like Boston or Philadelphia, but in just 36 seasons with an NBA franchise, our town has been blessed with some of the biggest stars of their generation, from Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway... Read More

Your Vets for 70 Years

Winter Park Veterinary Hospital prioritizes a team approach in caring for pets ranging from dogs and cats to iguanas and rats, all while building great relationships with their families. Veterinary medicine has seen some incredible advancements since the original incarnation of Winter Park Veterinary Hospital opened its doors in 1955. But its current owners have remained steadfast... Read More

Exceeding Expectations

Fiorella Preparatory School blends curriculum with community so that well-rounded students are on track to become cultured, fulfilled and empathetic individuals. Today it’s commonly recognized that education should not take a one-size-fits-all approach. While research demonstrates that different individuals can respond better to alternative learning styles and environments, not... Read More

Giving it the Old College Try

For many prospective students, the final decision on where to attend college comes down to their experiences during a campus visit. With an average yearly college cost of $38,270 nationally, choosing the right place to spend the next four years (and possibly beyond) is a very important decision. On-campus visits often play a big part in admission decisions for a reason—they’re... Read More

Fostering a Love for Learning and Community

For over three decades, the Rosen JCC Learning Center has made a lasting impact on young students through its innovative and engaging curriculum. For over 30 years, the Learning Center at the Rosen JCC has been a cornerstone of high-quality early childhood education, inspiring young minds and laying a strong foundation for future success. With a commitment to fostering creativity,... Read More

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