Conversations for Your Community

Our Orange County Library System (OCLS) continues to receive community and state recognition for its outstanding service to our county. Recently, OCLS earned four honors from the Florida Library Association:

– Florida Library of the Year
– ESL (English as a Second Language) Educational Programs
– Creating Virtual Field Trip Programming for students during pandemic
– Lifetime Achievement Honor for OCLS Library Director, Mary Ann Hodel

OCLS is a true community jewel with 15 locations. For more information, visit OCLS.info.

Recently, the Orlando Regional Realtor Association conducted a ground breaking ceremony for its new offices. This new headquarters campus will be located off I-4 near Lee Road and will serve its 19,000 members.

The month of July is the unofficial start of the fall football season, with the opening of summer camps. Let’s enjoy the idea of watching high school, college and professional games in person again this upcoming season.

Did you know that Orlando will be hosting the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next June? This gathering of 4,000 athletes will occur at several Central Florida venues. For more information, visit 2022SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org.

Consider an early morning biking experience on one of Central Florida’s several bike trails. This idea can prove to be relaxing, exhilarating and healthy.

The current Lodging Member of the Year from the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association is Fred Sawyers of the Bonnet Creak (Waldorf and Hilton) Resort. Congratulations Fred!

The Tap Room at Dubsdread recently celebrated its 20 year anniversary! This College Park eatery has become a go-to favorite because of its friendly atmosphere and its fine (and always fresh) cuisine. Kudos to Steve Gunter, Barbara Teal and the Tap Room Team.

As citizens – and as individuals living in this country – let’s stop to reflect the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy on the birth date of the United States of America on July 4.