Community Bulletin

Taste of the Nation sees success

Orlando's Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry celebrated its 27th year by raising $279,487 to help ensure children struggling with hunger in our city and across America are connected to the meals they need this coming year. Forty-four of the area’s most distinguished chefs along with nearly two dozen craft brewers, wine purveyors and spirit vendors came together at the Orlando World Center Marriott on Aug. 27 to serve sips and samples to a record attendance of more than 3,000 guests. This annual celebration of the community’s culinary excellence supports the childhood feeding programs of Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, statewide organization Florida Impact, and national beneficiary Share Our Strength.

Mayflower earns NICHE designation

The Mayflower Retirement Community recently received designation as a NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) facility, due to its commitment to excellence in elder care. The Mayflower is the first retirement community in the state – and among only 11 nationwide – to receive the NICHE designation. As part of the process, Mayflower Health Center representatives took part in a leadership program to assess the needs of its staff, develop an action plan and enhance knowledge of elder care among employees.

Rollins earns prestigious ranking

Rollins College has been ranked one of the top regional universities in the South in the annual rankings of “Best Colleges,” released this week by U.S. News & World Report. Rollins was ranked No. 2 among the 105 colleges and universities in this category, which is composed of schools that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs. For 22 consecutive years, Rollins has been ranked among the top two regional universities in the South and first in Florida. Rollins continues to rank high among some of the most renowned universities in the country because of factors that include graduation and retention rates, assessment of excellence, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving.