Letters to the Editor

Is this Gotham City?

Last week at the Chamber of Commerce “branding session,” I heard many local merchants use the same language as National Geographic Magazine did when it designated Winter Park No. 38 on a list of 106 best historic places to visit in the world: charming and authentic with historic homes and businesses. National Geographic also said, “This gracious town manages to retain its reputation as an oasis within the helter-skelter growth of Central Florida.”

On Monday, I listened to the ideas proposed in the strategic planning sessions for Winter Park’s future. And I thought, is this “déjà vu all over again?” (apologies, Yogi) Or, maybe I’m dreaming. This isn’t Winter Park … it’s Gotham City. The residents are going about their business enjoying a Gotham spring day. Suddenly, a chill came over the city and the sun disappeared behind a cloud. A familiar sound was heard. It seemed we might be seeing the return of … The Densifiers! “Holy Comp Plan, Batman,” Robin said. “Weren’t they vanquished?”

“Perhaps not, Robin. We must remain vigilant so as to keep what is best in Gotham and add only the best to it as we grow.”

So what happens next to Gotham City? I don’t know. I woke up at this point. Perhaps tonight’s dream will reveal the future. Stay tuned.

—Vicki Krueger

Winter Park

Spirit, generosity exists

To make the world different begins with knowing I make a world of difference. These words cannot better describe a group of local citizens, primarily, but not exclusively from the city of Winter Park.

The three elementary schools within Winter Park — Brookshire, Lakemont and Killarney — recently received an anonymous gift to benefit the students whose families are classified as homeless. As principal of Lakemont Elementary, I was contacted by a concerned citizen following a media story about homeless youth. Discussions with friends and family culminated with the purchase of 100 $25 gift cards to distribute to the homeless students within the three elementary schools.

We are very appreciative of this kind gesture and urge others who would like to assist to visit the Orange County Public Schools website (www.ocps.net) to learn more. It’s wonderful to know that community spirit and generosity still exist today.

—Dr. Brenda Cunningham

Lakemont Elementary principal

Thanks to Dillaha

This is a belated appreciation for former Winter Park City Commissioner Beth Dillaha and her three-year contribution to a better Winter Park. I never met Beth, but through many email communications, I found her to be a hard worker who put forth extraordinary effort to understand the subject at hand and to vote as she understood the good for us. Dillaha foresaw an economic crisis. She was not against progress but was warning us not to overextend our fiscal commitments. In her, I saw wisdom far beyond her critics. To Beth Dillaha, we say thank you.

—Don Thompson

Winter Park

Top five things to donate

Spring presents the perfect time to take a fresh look at the items in your home and decide what should stay and what should go.

As you de-clutter your home, Goodwill can put your unwanted items to good use. When you donate your gently used clothing, housewares and electronics, you are helping Goodwill provide job training and community-based services to 22,000 people throughout Central Florida.

Here are the top five things that people don’t think to donate:

1. Computers: Through a partnership with Dell, many Goodwill locations now accept computers to be recycled for free, regardless of whether they are in working condition. You can also pack up an old laptop or netbook as well as accessories such as mice and printers and donate them to Goodwill. Through the Dell Reconnect program, Goodwill and Dell offer consumers a way to dispose of computers and accessories in an environmentally responsible way while receiving a tax deduction at the same time. Visit reconnectpartnership.com to learn more.

2. Cell phones: It’s time to dig out the old cell phones you have hidden away. If you’ve ever upgraded to a new cell phone, it’s likely you have an old one somewhere at home. Goodwill agencies are working with partners to collect and recycle these phones and keep them out of landfills.

3. Books: If you’ve already read a book and have no plans to read it again, donate it to Goodwill. Donating books frees valuable shelf space and makes room for new ones. Check your children’s rooms for outgrown kids books or your kitchen for cookbooks you haven’t consulted in the last year.

4. Clothing: You can let go of the jeans that never quite fit or that sweater that wasn’t quite your style. Goodwill agencies gladly accept donations of gently used clothing. As you’re cleaning out your closet, put clothing donations in a pile and, when you’re finished, bring them to your nearest Goodwill donation center. When you’re finished going through your closet, that pile might be bigger than you bargained for!

5. Housewares: Sometimes we inherit household items from others or receive them as gifts. If you have a second toaster, vacuum cleaner or blender that you don’t need, donate it to Goodwill.

More than 66 million donors have given their gently used items to Goodwill, helping their neighbors build careers and make positive contributions to their communities. Last year, Goodwill served more than 2 million people, including people with disabilities, those who lack education or work experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment.

As we enter spring — the season of “renewal” — and go through the yearly ritual of cleaning out our closets and discarding unwanted items, please consider donating your gently used clothes, electronics and housewares to Goodwill. The shoes you never wear anymore may help someone else get a foot in the door.

—William G. (Bill) Oakley,

president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida