compiled by Lauren Salinero
Bay Hill
The late Arnold Palmer of Bay Hill is named a 2016 Dick Pope Legend Honoree.
Officials of The Grand Tour Foundation recognized the late Bay Hill resident Arnold Palmer as a 2016 Dick Pope Legend Honoree. Arnold, known as one of the best sportsmen and businessmen in the world for nearly half a century as a professional golfer, left a lasting impact on the Central Florida community by lending his name to leading fundraiser efforts that led to the creation of the Arnold Palmer Medical Center, which is composed of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. He joins inductees John Hitt, University of Central Florida president; chef Steve Jayson of Universal Orlando, and the late Gary Sain, past president of Visit Orlando. The Dick Pope Legacy Awards acknowledges leadership that has significantly impacted the state as a premium destination for growth and development.
Ocoee
Ocoee held its Veterans Day Ceremony at Bill Breeze Park. During the event, the city paid tribute to Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Kaup, who celebrated his 100th birthday Nov. 21. Donald was 25 years old during the Pearl Harbor attack and served as a first class machinist’s mate in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed on the USS Medusa, the Navy’s first purpose-built repair ship. Department 1st Vice Commander for the American Legion Department of Florida Steve Shuga was the ceremony’s keynote speaker, and Ocoee resident Tamia Dawkins, a student in the Dr. Phillips High School Fine Arts magnet program, sang the national anthem, accompanied by music from the Ocoee Middle School band. There were also flag presentations by the Ocoee High School Junior ROTC color guard and the Ocoee Police Department and Ocoee Fire Department honor guards.
Windermere
Alex and Cesar Frota and Renzy “Junior” Bernardina of Windermere co-founded the company So Fruitty to develop handmade frozen fruit bars made with 100 percent pure fruit. They left their home in Brazil to set up the company in Orlando. The partners are sports enthusiasts who recognize the importance of healthy and natural snacks.
“I wanted to bring to the market something natural and healthy, being a sports-oriented person,” Alex said. “Back in time, products were clean — made out of real fruit and clean, traditional ingredients.”
Windermere resident David Strong, president and CEO of Orlando Health, joins Florida Hospital Association’s 2016-17 board of trustees.
The Florida Hospital Association installed its 2016-17 board of trustees during its annual meeting. Windermere resident David Strong, president and CEO of Orlando Health, was named a newly elected trustee. The FHA board will lead hospital patient-safety efforts through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hospital Improvement Innovation Network. Through 2019, participating hospitals will work to decrease patient harm by 20 percent and reduce hospital readmissions by 12 percent.
Winter Garden
Dylan Lucas of Winter Garden serves as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy.
Winter Garden resident and 2010 Ocoee High School graduate Petty Officer 2nd Class Dylan Lucas is serving at Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force, known as the Seabees. Gulfport is the command headquarters that oversees all naval construction forces based in the eastern half of the U.S. Dylan is responsible for plumbing; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; and general construction.
“I like working with my hands,” he said. “I’ve done it forever, and I think it’s a valuable skill to have.”
For the past 74 years, Seabees have served in all American conflicts. They also have supported humanitarian efforts, using their construction skills to help communities around the world following earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
Et Al
Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista President Jean Campana (left) welcomes Sophia Ten–Chi, a Rotary Youth Exchange student, to a meeting.
Sophia Ten–Chi, a 17-year-old Rotary Youth Exchange student from Taiwan, attended a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista. Sophia’s host family is Richard Pollio and Ruth Roberts. She is attending Osceola High School. The Rotary International program sends and brings young students from around the world to other countries, where they stay for an extended period of time, go to school and experience the culture of that country. The intention of the program is for young people to get to know other young people of different countries as they educate themselves toward leadership in their own countries and, due to the friends they have made, have a better chance of creating business and avoiding conflict.
(Front, l. to r.) Lilly, Emma, Elise, Selene, Kelsy, (back, l. to r.) Leah, Samantha, Emma and Leah of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 4015 create pizzas at California Pizza Kitchen.
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 4015 was treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of California Pizza Kitchen at The Mall at Millenia. The girls made their own individual pizzas with all the toppings, and the outing helped them complete the earning requirements of the snacks badge. Troop members extend their thanks to the California Pizza Kitchen staff members for their hospitality and generosity in making the field trip a memorable experience.
Matthew Hey of Ocoee and Kimberly Redman of Gotha were initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Florida. The society is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.
Kiwanis Club of Dr. Phillips welcomed new members into its ranks. Prior to their inductions, Garvin Mark of Genesis Home Health and Jessica Williams of Columbus Center Dance Academy had experience volunteering with the club by reading to students at Dr. Phillips and Orlo Vista elementary schools. Theresa Myers of Orlando Law Group also joined the club.
Southwest resident Joel Berger joins Rosen Jewish Community Center as its executive director.
Officials of the Rosen Jewish Community Center named Southwest resident Joel Berger executive director. Joel is responsible for overseeing all operations of Rosen JCC, including developing and executing strategic plans to grow JCC membership, programs, funding and facilities. He has a strong background in Jewish communal work in south Florida, where he worked for the past 30 years. Most recently, Joel served three years as executive director at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, where he led the synagogues’s successful 2012 centennial campaign.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce members commemorate the opening of a new Sprint store (photo courtesy of WOCC).
West Orange Chamber of Commerce members held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Sprint store. WOCC builds partnerships, strong businesses and commitment to the community by serving as the leading business advocate in Central Florida, facilitating an opportunity to nearly 1,000 member businesses. For more information about WOCC, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com on the web.
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