Best of lifestyles 2016

John Michael Night inspires community with steps at Trinity Prep: June 9, 2016

Trinity Prep senior and lacrosse star John Michael Night has thrived under pressure on the turf lacrosse field, but in June he received roaring applause for a much greater feat: standing and walking at his own graduation. Three classmates helped hold Night, who was shuffled toward Trinity Prep Principal Dennis Herron to receive his diploma, showing the most outward signs of improvement since tragedy struck him late last year. Night’s world was turned upside down when he suffered a brain stem stroke last December, leaving him with locked-in syndrome that has taken away most of his ability to move other than his eyes. Read more about Night’s story from our June 9 issue at http://bit.ly/JohnMichaelNight

Winter Park Chamber CEO donates kidney: June 2, 2016

It all began in January 2014, when Winter Park Chamber of Commerce President Patrick Chapin got the news that David Andrews – the husband of Isa Andrews, who was an acquaintance through Leadership Winter Park – had undergone a successful liver transplant. David and Isa’s celebration over the liver transplant was short-lived, as they got the news that David required a new kidney in the fall of 2015. Chapin’s appreciation for David’s military service was the final push he needed to look into testing his eligibility. The findings: Chapin’s kidney would be a perfect match for David. On Jan. 27, Chapin made good on his promise, going under for three to four hours while his kidney was removed and transferred to David. Read the rest of their story at http://bit.ly/ChapinDonation

Statue commemorates Baldwin Park’s Naval history: April 28, 2016

They call him “Boats.” He’s the man in the sailor’s cap with his hands stuck deep in his peacoat’s pockets. He stands 7 feet tall and weighs in at about 1,000 pounds. He’s one of Baldwin Park’s newest neighbors, calling Blue Jacket Park home. He lives alone, but he’s not lonely. Boats’ family stretches to nearly 650,000 people deep – each one of them having once stood on the ground he now calls home. All half a million of them trained at the Orlando Naval Training Center that once operated on the ground now home to Baldwin Park. He is Orlando’s own Lone Sailor Memorial, modeled after a second-class Navy petty officer boatswain’s mate. In October, Boats was reunited with 150 of his fellow soldiers as they reminisced on what Blue Jacket Park once was: home to the U.S.S. Blue Jacket. Read Boats’ story at http://bit.ly/OrlandoLoneSailor, and the story of the Orlando Naval Training Center reunion at http://bit.ly/OrlandoNavyReunion

Winter Park fashion week hits 10 years: Oct. 27, 2016

Runways and live music combined with designer brands and holiday garb to give Park Avenue a high-fashion feel for the 10th annual Harriett’s Fashion on the Avenue, named after local fashionista and philanthropist Harriett Lake. The iconic street in Winter Park turned into a New York-style extravaganza in November with participating stores hosting more than 50 trunk shows, runway events and special sales to showcase the latest and greatest in Central Florida fashion for the 10th year. Read all about the event’s anniversary at http://bit.ly/FashionWeekAnniversary

World War II buddies fought for opposing sides: May 5, 2016

Even a war that threatened to tear the world apart can somehow bring people together. For two seniors living in Longwood, a world war is simply water under the bridge – despite the two men fighting for opposing sides more than 70 years ago. Ken Shappell, 91, and Wolf Von Lersner, 89, first met in April of 2002, neighbors in the Village on the Green senior living community. What the two men didn’t realize however is that their paths had crossed once before, brought to the same place in the closing months of World War II: the Rhine River in March 1945. Both men served their countries in battle, with Ken fighting for the U.S. Army and Wolf fighting for Germany. Read more about how the two men bonded over their war-time experiences in The Observer’s May 5 article at http://bit.ly/WWIIneighbors

Winter Park Hall of Fame honors city's notable residents: Jan. 28, 2016

Tucked inside the halls of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, one small room with three white walls and a floor of shining, gray marble contains over 130 years of the town’s history. Fifteen photos of faces and familiar places are pinned against the plaster, living on in vibrant restoration. Winter Park’s residents might know some of the names on the plaques from the city’s street signs, but the Winter Park Hall of Fame is giving the town’s history a new life. From the more well-known Charles Hosmer Morse, who developed Winter Park in his image, to the lesser-known Gus Henderson, an African-American printer and newspaper publisher, the Hall of Fame’s primary purpose is to showcase the people who made a difference in Winter Park’s community. Read more about Winter Park Hall of Fame honorees at http://bit.ly/WinterParkHallofFame