Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

Power of Memory

Mary Proctor held a workshop at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center on Saturday, Jan. 21. “The Power of Memory” was about using folk art methods and personal keepsakes to create art that showcases memories, heritage and culture. “The Art of Missionary Mary Proctor” is on display at the Heritage Center until Saturday, April 21.

UCP donors

Dr. Donald and Mrs. Cindy Diebel of Winter Park are the fourth recipients of the UCP of Central Florida’s Jackie Bailes Legacy Award. The Diebels served as the primary sponsor of The Faces Behind the Miracles Fundraising Breakfast, one of UCP's events. They will be honored at An Evening at the Palace Gala on Saturday, March 10. Tickets are available at www.ucpgala.com

C-SPAN stops by

Rollins College student Monique Henry, who is majoring in International Affairs & Music, visited the C-SPAN Campaign 2012 Bus during its visit to Rollins College. She joined the thousands who toured the bus when it stopped in Orlando Jan. 27 to 28 on its “Road to the White House” tour.

Winter Park artists get grants

United Arts of Central Florida announced the 2012 Artist Development Grants & Arts Administrator Grants, awarding $32,099 to 24 grantees. Winter Park artists receiving grants were: $2,500 to photographer Dawn Roe to plan and exhibit a site-specific video installation in Australia, and $2,500 to photographer Rick Lang to photograph western Tennessee from Memphis to Nashville.

Chamber members honored

On Friday, Jan. 27, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce celebrated the accomplishments of its members. They included U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) for Winter Park Citizen of the Year, Bob Milburn of Pre-Paid Legal Services for Ambassador of the Year, and Florida Blue for Business of the Year. Also honored were the Winter Park/Maitland Observer for Small Business of the Year, Tom Kelly of CNLBank for Chairman of the Year, Kirk Munell for Volunteer of the Year, and Daris Eliott Gallagher of Winter Park’s Parks & Recreation Department for Chamber Hero.

Student honors

Wofford College student Natalie Tucker is studying abroad during the spring in Barcelona, Spain. Tucker is the child of John and Elizabeth Tucker of Winter Park.

Julia DiPasqua of Winter Park made the Dean's List at DePaul University for the fall quarter of 2011.

Be a mentor

Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Florida has partnered with the city of Orlando on its “Path Finders” initiative. Volunteers are needed to serve as career coaches and mentors for middle and high school students. For more information, visit www.jacentralfl.org, email [email protected] or call 407-898-2121, ext. 36.

Display your art

The Winter Park Public Library is now taking applications for artists who would like to exhibit their work as part of its continuing Community Room revolving art display during 2012 or the first half of 2013. Artists’ work will be displayed in the Library’s Community room for one-month periods. All interested artists should send an artist statement/biographical sketch accompanied by four to six digital images representative of the work to be displayed to [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 13.

Volunteer for literacy

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools is asking the community to consider volunteering for one hour a week during the school year, in order to improve literacy in children though the Read2Succeed program. Go to www.foundationforocps.org to register as a mentor today.

Help build wheelchair ramps

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is in need of donations and volunteers for RAMPAGE, an annual, one-day event on Wednesday, Feb. 25, where volunteers will build wheelchair ramps. To donate, or for more information, please contact Lindsey Koeneman at 407-623-1070 ex. 127 or [email protected] ,

Business Briefs

An upcoming episode of A&E’s TV Show “Fix This Yard” will feature Winter Park Land Co. agent Ryan Courech and a property in Winter Park. The show will transform the “ugliest home on the street” to the envy of the neighborhood. New plantings, paint and decorative stonework on the home will aid in the makeover. A weeklong blitz of sprucing at a top-secret location will culminate with the big reveal to be filmed soon. Look for the transformation when the show airs this spring.

Professional Real Estate Company LLC is proud to announce that the Village Plaza, a 23,000-square-foot retail center located in Maitland has been leased to 100 percent occupancy.

DPR Foundation has awarded a $35,000 grant for New Hope for Kids, a local nonprofit working with children and families grieving the death of a loved one to support their Center for Grieving Children in Maitland. For more information, please call 407-331-3059 or visit the website www.newhopeforkids.org

Rollins MBA announced that Gina Berko-Solomon is the recipient of this year’s Martin Bell Scholarship. The Martin Bell Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior nonprofit professional who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the field and is granted a full-ride to the Rollins Executive MBA program. Gina Berko-Solomon is the director of adult education for the Adult Literacy League and through her work, has shown exemplary commitment to the Central Florida community.

Stacy J. Ford, formerly Stacy J. Borisov, has become a partner with the business boutique law firm of Pohl & Short, P.A., practicing in the areas of appellate law and commercial litigation.

Olde Town Brokers recently honored their Top Producers of 2011. Top Agents include: Vincent Scarlatos, Stephen DeCristo, Steve & Eileen Schiffer, Joan Cross, Shelby Norwich Goodman, Greg Elliott, Lisa Shear, Troy Bryant, Pat Sprague, Patrick James, Craig Goralski, Bob Sanders, Andrew Davenport, Rob Gaudreau, John Abbott, Doug Prince and Dottie Kelley.

Kimberly Sterling, president of Orlando-based Resource Consulting Group, was recently appointed to the national advisory board for Schwab Advisor Services.