Parkpreneurs & Entrepreneurs & More, Oh My!

Busier weekend than normal for moi. What about your’s?

It's now Monday and if this week goes by as quickly as the last, I'm already starting to feel behind!

Saturday was a one, two, three punch, with stops at everyone’s favorite Farmers’ Market (more pics to come on Pinterest), then on to the Orlando Small Business Entrepreneurs market at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center on Morse and then off to Oviedo to meet with Local artist Jessilyn Park, the subject of my column in The Observer this week.

The Farmers’ Market is always fun and, though I was rushing through during this visit, it was no exception. I was then off to the Entrepreneurs event, which I was only aware of Shirley Stamper – of John & Shirley’s Catering – posted the flyer on my facebook Wall. I came into the main room and was immediately struck by some of the amazing creations I was seeing, from cakes and cookies to sculpted fruit. Some of this stuff was really impressive. I was disappointed as I looked around and didn’t see Shirley, but quickly realized she and husband John were likely set up out back. And, there they were.

I’m going to skip ahead a bit here say that I’ve been reminded of just what an amazing Parkpreneur Shirley is. She is the quintessential salesperson, always promoting her products with a big smile and a fun, always happy personality. She multi-tasks like no one else and any event of which she is apart quickly becomes a party, whether that was the plan or not. Saturday Shirley was encouraging me to try a new Johnny Kabob bowl . . . their staple Johnny Kabob chicken with yellow rice, her “swamp salsa” and tortilla chips. I did and it was really delicious. If you’re a fan of Chipotle burritos in a bowl, as I am, you’ll LUV this as well.

John & Shirley have already been asked back for this event again next year and they are, of course, well known around town for their consistently delicious product. Shirley said they’ve been invited to participate in even more Local “Taste of . . . “events and it’s no surprise. You can also find their products on-line and at The Meat House on Orange Avenue. Shirley said a food truck is forthcoming, as well. These are two Winter Parkpreneurs who just keep growing and growing, and having fun while doing so! THANKS, for the great ‘bowl’ on Saturday!

Tomorrow is another Totally Local Tuesday! In fact, each Tuesday is now a Totally Local Tuesday. What does that mean? Well, it’s an uphill climb, but I plan to educate every small business in the area about it, get them to reach out to their customers and encourage them to STAY Local each and every Tuesday. Of course, it’s great to support Local small businesses each and every day. But the idea here is to say on this one day each week, when traffic at small businesses may be a bit lighter, STAY Local that one day. Want to buy something, want to eat out, want to get something done around the house? Do it and keep it Local! Tell your friends and as you go out and enjoy everything Local small businesses have to offer, ask them if they know about Totally Local Tuesday! Send them in my direction if they say no.

Quick heads up on Galopin, in the old Circa location, I’m told to expect an opening toward the end of this week. When I know more you’ll know more! Promise.

I want to offer a big THANK YOU for such a gracious THANK YOU note I received on Saturday. I hope this blog, my column, all of my efforts can be a positive for everything Local. With that in mind, the wonderful post card and thank you note I received on Saturday made my day. THANK YOU, Sandra and all the young ladies of the Winter Park 12U softball team! Proud of you, your efforts and very much appreciative of your kind thank you! We'll see you next spring. Will you be 13U then?

After FINALLY getting my column and other regular Monday morning activities completed this morning I had been asked to do something I’m completely unaccustomed to: babysit. This was supposed to be a breeze, as the almost two year old in question was supposed to sleep the entire time. I was on my laptop and noticed a few things his mother had left for me, just in case, and I started to freak a bit . . . realizing there was a real, live baby upstairs! I began to fear he would wake up and it would be OBVIOUS he needed a diaper change and has visions of myself dipping him into the pool. An hour in the screaming started and voila, I knew I had to respond. I sort of thought he’d go even more nuts when someone other than “maaaa . . . . maaaaaa . . . maaaaaaaa” opened the door. Yet, I think Zuri, the family dog, and I did a pretty good job of keeping him from injuring himself or, for that matter, Zuri – as he kept trying to plow this vehicle into or throw that ball at – him. A large mess was made, but with the systematic way he went about that, I think that was all status quo. But the graphics on this thing are a HOOT, and I am proud to say I committed no serious errors! Gold star for me! Oh, and for Z!

Tonight’s ‘Give A Dog A Home’ is truly like no other I’ve done . . . because it’s all cats. I noticed a posting from Pet Rescue by Judy the other day noting the large number of cats they have needing homes. I wasn’t much of a cat person earlier in life, but that’s done a 180 as I’ve gotten older. So many wonderful, sweet animals out there needing homes . . . consider checking out the animals now listed on the Pet Rescue by Judy site and sharing. There’s no feeling quite like giving a helpless, defenseless and loving animal a new chance in life.

Watch for my column this week on an amazing Local artist who's proving just how crucial social media can be in helping promote art and everything else! Jessilyn Park is someone to think about any time you think you can't do something . . . she just does it, jumps right in with both feet . . . and palette knife! I had the pleasure of meeting her on Saturday and will tell some of her story in this week's Winter Park / Maitland Observer.

Til tomorrow . . . Happy Totally Local Tuesday!