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August 16 - September 5, 2007
by Diana Curtis
Bay Lakes
Congratulations to the Caldwell and O’Brien families of Bay Lakes for earning May’s yard-of-distinction honors. Honorees in June were the Wheeler and Loiacono families, and the Visser family earned the award in July. Bay Lakes’ monthly yard-beautification contest is co-sponsored by Turnburry resident Paul McGarigal of Re/Max Properties S.W. Inc. and North Bay resident Tom Cariera of Cariera’s Cucina Italiana. As a reward, each family received a gift certificate for dinner at Cariera’s restaurant.
Celebration
Lyn Berelsman of Celebration is named to the Community Foundation of Central Florida Board of Directors.
Celebration resident Lyn Berelsman was named to the 2007-08 board of directors for the Community Foundation of Central Florida. She has more than 25 years of corporate development experience and previously served as the vice president of international operations and COO of America Online Australia. Lyn is a philanthropist who works with numerous charities, including Take Stock in Children, Orlando Museum of Art, Florida Hospital Foundation, Center for Women’s Philanthropy and more.
Clubhouse Estates
Clubhouse Estates resident Kira Keller, daughter of Terry and Kacey Keller, graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in marketing. Kira will continue working at Walt Disney World Resort, where she has been employed for the past seven years.
Keene’s Pointe
(L. to r.) Jaime O’Donnell, Sue Crampton, Pete Clarke and Keene’s Pointe resident Stacey Karatzas celebrate Bridges of Light Foundation being named the 2007 top donor to Great Oaks Village.
The Bridges of Light Foundation, created by Keene’s Pointe resident Stacey Karatzas, was honored for being the top donor to Great Oaks Village, a local foster-care facility. Stacey began the foundation in 2004 to assist children confined to foster-care facilities.
MetroWest
MetroWest resident Stina D’Uva, president of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, was named 2006-07 District 1 Citizen of the Year. Stina was nominated for the award by District 1 Commissioner Teresa Jacobs. The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Orange County and its citizens. Stina was recognized during the annual Orange County Community Conference, held at the Orange County Convention Center.
Ocoee
Ocoee resident Richard Gant was named vice president and financial consultant of Colonial Brokerage Inc.’s wealth management division. Richard provides investment services to customers residing in the Dr. Phillips and Windermere markets. He has more than 10 years of financial experience and previously worked as an investment specialist for an Orlando firm.
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Michelle Post of Ocoee published her first novel, The Spirits of Nature. The book focuses on one woman’s desire to research her family genealogy and the unlikely man who takes her on a spiritual and mystical journey, as he narrates a story of love and dedication during a forgotten culture. Michelle wrote the novel after studying American Indian culture for many years. For more information, visit www.thespiritsofnature.net on the Web.
Stoneybrook West
Stoneybrook West resident Jim Steck of Steckfigures Inc. designed and illustrated a coin-collection book titled The Official Kids Guide to Presidents and Presidential Dollar Coins. Jim has resided in Orlando since 1983, when he graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He worked as a senior art director for advertising agencies for almost two decades. For more information, visit www.steckfigures.com on the Web.
Windermere
After 27 years of marriage, Edward and Maritza Gonzalez of Windermere renew their vows.
Edward and Maritza Gonzalez renewed their wedding vows during a celebration at their Windermere home. The couple have been married for 27 years, and they have three children — Melinda, Edward Jr. and Brandon.
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Windermere resident Steffanie Warren, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, embarks on an 18-month Mesa, Ariz., mission trip.
Steffanie Warren, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joined more than 53,000 other full-time missionaries serving in more than 347 missions around the world. The Windermere resident is embarking on a mission trip to Mesa, Ariz., for 18 months, where she will work throughout the state, including with the Navajo and Apache American Indians. Steffanie, a 2002 graduate of West Orange High School, is the daughter of Lloyd and Gayle Warren of Windermere.
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Windermere resident Rodger Moss Jr. (right) and his partner, Aristides “Kico” Diaz, co-launch their law firm’s new Web site.
Windermere resident Rodger Moss Jr. and his partner, Aristides “Kico” Diaz, launched their new Web site, www.diazandmoss.com, which provides information about their Orlando-based law firm. Diaz and Moss is a boutique business law firm. Its new Web site will keep clients up-to-date on company developments and information applicable to business law.
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Attorney Rick Geller, a partner at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, announced his candidacy for the Orange County Commission term-limited seat currently held by District 1 Commissioner Teresa Jacobs. Rick’s primary interests in running for the seat are well-planned, attractive development; reducing school overcrowding; relieving traffic congestion; and working so infrastructure keeps pace with growth. An active community member, Rick co-founded the Dr. Phillips Coalition and spearheaded a campaign that raised more than $2.3 million to construct a community center in Dr. Phillips. Rick resides in Windermere with his wife, Gabriela Geller, M.D., and their children, Hannah, Max, Melissa and Caroline.
Wintermere Pointe
One of the runners-up in Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s Picture My Pet! photo contest, Laila Miggins of Wintermere Pointe, explores the gift bag of prizes she received.
Et Al
Congratulations to Matthew Sibiga and Jennifer Carr on their engagement.
Southwest residents Steve and Char Sibiga announced the engagement of their son, Matthew, to Jennifer Carr, daughter of Dave and Linda Carr of Port Orange. Matthew is a 2001 graduate of Dr. Phillips High School and 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. A second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, he is stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. Jennifer, a 2003 graduate of Spruce Creek High School, currently attends the University of Central Florida as a communications major. A July 19, 2008, wedding is being planned.
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Southwest resident Brita Edlbauer (center) is awarded the Accredited in Floral Design designation and inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers.
Southwest resident Brita Edlbauer of the Floral Art Studio was awarded the floral industry’s coveted Accredited in Floral Design designation and inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers. The ceremonies took place at AIFD’s symposium, held in Palm Desert, Calif. AIFD recognizes those who have excelled in their floral design skills. Candidates become accredited by successfully demonstrating their advanced abilities before an international panel of evaluators.
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Congratulations to Mark Edward and Amy Diane Murray on their recent marriage.
Mark Edward and Amy Diane Murray (center) exchange wedding vows. Members of the bridal party include (front, l. to r.) Daniel Nichols, Stephen and Melanie Webb, Jenny Tures, Amy Nichols, Laura Bannister, (back, l. to r.) Sean Nelson, Jonathan Horne, Kate Quillen, Stuart Allen, Brian Powell and Noah Barnett.
Mark Edward Murray, son of Southwest residents Wayne and Priscilla Murray, and Amy Diane Powell, daughter of the Rev. James and Lisa Powell, exchanged vows during a medieval-inspired wedding at St. Elmo’s Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn. The reception was held at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Lookout Mountain, Ga. The couple honeymooned in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and now reside in the Chattanooga area.
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Patricia Wheeler, M.D., of Southwest is named division chief of genetics at Nemours Children’s Clinic Orlando.
Southwest resident Patricia Wheeler, M.D., was named division chief of genetics at Nemours Children’s Clinic Orlando, a division of Nemours and one of the largest pediatric health systems in the country. In her new position, Dr. Wheeler will assist children with known or suspected genetic disorders, birth defects and abnormal pregnancy outcomes, among others. Dr. Wheeler has been with Nemours since 2004 and is a member of the American Society of Human Genetics.
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Southwest resident Cassandra Doty of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s Windermere Real Estate Gallery completes a luxury-home-marketing training course.
Cassandra Doty of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s Windermere Real Estate Gallery completed a luxury-home-marketing training course that is offered by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Completion of the course earned the Southwest resident a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. Cassandra was also awarded the prestigious Million Dollar Guild designation.
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The staff at First Baptist Church Windermere ministered to more than 400 children during the church’s vacation Bible school, themed “Game Day Central, Where Heroes Are Made.” Worship rallies were co-led by Mike and Amy Thomas, who taught the children songs, as well as the sign language that went along with them. The children also raised money for the Upward basketball and cheerleading scholarship funds. More than 100 volunteers gave their time and energy to make this program a success.
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Southwest resident Gina Ritter (left) and her partner, Tiffany Hakimipour, are commissioned by the owners of the Stetson Mansion to create custom wall treatments and designs for two of the mansion’s rooms.
Southwest artist Gina Ritter of Next Interiors and her partner, Tiffany Hakimipour of Artistic Expression, were commissioned to create custom wall treatments and designs for the music room and double living room of the Stetson Mansion in DeLand. The two were chosen from more than 400 artists and designers who competed for the project.
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While in town for the 2007 World Yo-Yo Contest, participants and the media were invited to the Southwest home of John “Lucky” Meisenheimer, M.D., who graciously displayed his yo-yo collection, which is the largest in the world. Dr. Meisenheimer, who authored the book Lucky’s Collectors Guide to 20th Century Yo-Yos — History and Values, is the chairman of the American Yo-Yo Association’s History and Collecting and World Records committees. He also co-owns a film company that has produced two yo-yo-based DVDs.
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Rotary Club of Windermere President-elect Byron Sutton (far left) and Rotary President John Crippen (second from right) welcome paralegal Nancy Nix (left) and guest speaker Carolyn Sawyer of Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A., to a recent meeting.
Carolyn Sawyer, a certified elder law attorney with Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A., spoke to the Rotary Club of Windermere about Medicaid. Carolyn discussed the recent changes to federal Medicaid laws, as well as what one should do if a loved one is in need of long-term care, assisted living, or residency in a nursing home. Paralegal Nancy Nix assisted with the presentation.
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Southwest resident and Subway employee Jessica Sather places fourth in the Regional Sub Jammer competition.
The top eight Subway Certified Sandwich Artists in Central Florida competed in the Regional Sub Jammer competition. Southwest resident Jessica Sather, who represented west Orlando, placed fourth at the event.
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More than 300 children participate in Windermere Community Church’s vacation Bible school, themed “Lifeway’s Game Day Central — Where Heroes Are Made!”
Windermere Community Church held its third annual vacation Bible school for children age 4 through fourth grade. More than 300 children attended the school to learn what being a true hero is about. Each day, the children participated in Bible school, crafts, recreation, snacks and a worship rally led by worship pastor Ray Lloyd. In addition, more than $2,000 was raised to help feed children living in an African orphanage. Pastor Mark Matheson and his wife, Carla, visited the orphanage during a recent mission trip.
Although we try to ensure that all information presented above is the most current, correct and dependable available, we do rely on others for the source of our news. Therefore, the Southwest Orlando Bulletin cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information presented here, nor does mentioning it constitute an endorsement. In Your Neighborhood information should be mailed to 7901 Kingspointe Parkway, Suite 28, Orlando, FL 32819-8386; or e-mailed to Diana@kearneypublishing.com.
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