Kudos - Orlando area folks we're proud of

[spenser1058]

This year’s History Center History Maker Awards feature the outstanding work of Orange County Commissioner Mable Butler and LBGTQ+ leader and activist Joel Strack.

Both were tireless in working to make Orlando and Orange County more open, welcoming and diverse.

 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-fe-joy-wallace-dickinson-0926-20210926-xljroek6k5e5xagriuy4cywo4i-story.html

From Joy Wallace Dickinson at The Sentinel 

 

(The Sentinel got a little confused in the headline - John Young’s our astronaut. John Glenn was from Ohio  with@AndyPok1but he was a hotel owner in Orlando…)

 

[spenser1058]

Oliver Marmol, a 2004 grad of Dr. Phillips High, has been named manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s the youngest in MLB.

Ollie, this Bud’s for you!

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/dr-phillips-alum-named-manager-of-st-louis-cardinals

From The West Orange Times Observer 
 

 

Edited October 26, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Longtime Democratic activist Doug Head has died at age 74.

Doug was never afraid to say exactly what he thought to politicians and activists of either party, but he was also tireless in working for whatever he believed was in the best interests of the community, the state, the nation and the party.

I had more than a few knockdown dragouts with Doug over the years but the next time I’d see him he would act like he was glad to have me working on whatever the next project might be.

Doug will be missed by all of us who were active in what TR called “the arena”. Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-doug-head-democrats-obit-20211116-owypmxtxtnh2lmxznovorkz4pe-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

Edited November 17, 2021 by spenser1058

[smileguy]

On 11/16/2021 at 7:51 PM, spenser1058 said:

Longtime Democratic activist Doug Head has died at age 74.

Doug was never afraid to say exactly what he thought to politicians and activists of either party, but he was also tireless in working for whatever he believed was in the best interests of the community, the state, the nation and the party.

I had more than a few knockdown dragouts with Doug over the years but the next time I’d see him he would act like he was glad to have me working on whatever the next project might be.

Doug will be missed by all of us who were active in what TR called “the arena”. Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-doug-head-democrats-obit-20211116-owypmxtxtnh2lmxznovorkz4pe-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

I wasn't close to Doug, but spent my share of First Fridays on Mayfair Cir., building relationships and community with some of the hardest working folks committed to making Orange County and FL a more just, equitable, and healthy place.  Although prickly, his passion and conviction were evident.

[spenser1058]

22 minutes ago, smileguy said:

I wasn't close to Doug, but spent my share of First Fridays on Mayfair Cir., building relationships and community with some of the hardest working folks committed to making Orange County and FL a more just, equitable, and healthy place.  Although prickly, his passion and conviction were evident.

I always thought of Doug when posters here would occasionally suggest I was a liberal socialist on the far end of the Democratic spectrum.

Doug would have found that hilarious - he always tried to move me out of the middle.

After we worked together on Buddy’s first run for mayor, I was still a believer when Doug broke with him. He told me I was missing things I’d later regret for the city. He was, of course, absolutely right. My first foray as a political staffer also came with a lot of help from Doug.

Edited November 18, 2021 by spenser1058

[AmIReal]

8 hours ago, smileguy said:

I wasn't close to Doug, but spent my share of First Fridays on Mayfair Cir., building relationships and community with some of the hardest working folks committed to making Orange County and FL a more just, equitable, and healthy place.  Although prickly, his passion and conviction were evident.

Speaking of Mayfair Cr, in this week which he passed, that house has been sold and is moving on to new owners tomorrow. Of course he sold it several years back and it is the next owner now selling. I just thought it was an interesting quirk of time.

[spenser1058]

If any of our posters are being deployed to the NATO frontier as the Ukraine situation degrades, please try to stay safe  and we wish you Godspeed back as soon as possible. This is important work you do and we’re grateful you’re protecting us.

We also hope everyone in the Diplomatic Corps stays safe as well.

Edited February 22, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Former Congressman Jim Bacchus, an attorney for Akerman Senterfitt, former reporter for the Sanford Herald and the Orlando Sentinel and also worked for Gov. Reubin Askew from 1974-76. After Congress, he joined the WTO by presidential appointment. He will be at DPAC (the one at CV) tomorrow to release his new book on world trade.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-james-bacchus-book-launch-20220516-ay37ykuzmjhezoiylwtti4ivlm-story.html

From The Sentinel

I’m proud to post this because I was supported Jim in both his congressional campaigns financially, on staff and as a volunteer.

He was an incredible Congressman for his district (Orange/Brevard) who was unfortunately gerrymandered out of his seat after only two terms.

Most importantly, Jim is one of the finest, friendliest people I’ve ever met. Often times, you can’t say that about a politician, but it’s incredibly true of Jim and, even more unusual for someone in political life, he truly cares about people.
 

Edited May 16, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Fun story about postal carrier Tim Rice  retiring from his WG route after 34 years. He’s even a native of WG - how often does that happen these days?

I grew up knowing Shirley and Lucille Stevenson. He mentions Shirley’s antiques store out on Hwy 50 and Teacup Springs on the other side of town where her mom Lucille lived for decades.

It is an awesome neighborhood- the houses aren’t overly large but were very well-constructed in the ‘60’s (I even noticed that as a kid). There was a steep rise as you entered the neighborhood and incredible tree canopies covering almost everything.

If I ever were to live in the ‘burbs, I thought that would have been my ‘hood.

Anyway, congratulations on retirement to Tim Rice, one of the only postal carriers a lot of Winter Garden folks ever knew.

 

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/final-delivery-tim-rice-hangs-up-mail-bag-after-34-years 

From The West Orange Times Observer 

 

 

 

Edited May 16, 2022 by spenser1058

[HankStrong]

15 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Former Congressman Jim Bacchus, an attorney for Akerman Senterfitt, former reporter for the Sanford Herald and the Orlando Sentinel and also worked for Gov. Reubin Askew from 1974-76. After Congress, he joined the WTO by presidential appointment. He will be at DPAC (the one at CV) tomorrow to release his new book on world trade.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-james-bacchus-book-launch-20220516-ay37ykuzmjhezoiylwtti4ivlm-story.html

From The Sentinel

I’m proud to post this because I was supported Jim in both his congressional campaigns financially, on staff and as a volunteer.

He was an incredible Congressman for his district (Orange/Brevard) who was unfortunately gerrymandered out of his seat after only two terms.

Most importantly, Jim is one of the finest, friendliest people I’ve ever met. Often times, you can’t say that about a politician, but it’s incredibly true of Jim and, even more unusual for someone in political life, he truly cares about people.
 

Oh wait, that was Jim Backus.

[spenser1058]

2 Central Florida students reach National Spelling Bee semifinals
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-national-spelling-bee-central-florida-students-20220601-g3pztpyimvgl7dqqplpcmh23ia-story.html

Both are from Seminole County*. Great job, guys - let’s go for the win!

It’s worth noting for all the Tallahassee idiots doing their damndest to destroy them that one of the two is from a public school - a system America basically invented with little help from the know-nothings.

*Florida’s Natural Choice 

 

Edited June 1, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Karen Caudill Dyer, former wife of Orlando mayor, dies after battle with brain tumor
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-karen-dyer-obituary-20220616-265czsovprgmfc27uvgxbdqzqu-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

[orange87]

Keith Greene of DeBary is playing in the 2022 U.S. Open right now!

Edited June 16, 2022 by orange87

[spenser1058]

Marvin Bracy, a graduate of Wadeview Park High (aka Boone) was a part of a 1-2-3 finish by the US in the men’s 100 meter race at Worlds: 

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-usa-track-and-field-marvin-bracy-boone-0716-20220717-74ywa4razfgxvdvvolyroutcza-story.html  

From The Sentinel 

Congratulations!
 

[AmIReal]

"City of Orlando exec Christopher Castro tapped for new role at U.S. Department of Energy"

Castro was named the new chief of staff for the federal department's office of state and community energy programs.

Apparently, this already happened, and they forgot to let us know, "He began in his new job July 18, according to his out-of-office email message from the city of Orlando."

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/07/20/florida-orlando-biden-castro-department-energy.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_11&cx_artPos=3#cxrecs_s

[spenser1058]

From nearby Lakeland, news of the passing of longtime Republican leader C. C. “Doc” Dockery. He was gentleman of the old school and held sway over GOP politics in the state for decades, before that party went stark-raving mad thanks to Cheetohead and other wackadoodles.

Many of you will remember him and his wife Paula, who survived him, for their tireless efforts to bring high speed rail to the state.

Doc was one of the Floridians who, unlike too many of today’s politicians, gave the profession a good name:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/544558-winner-and-loser-of-the-week-in-florida-politics-week-of-7-31-22/

From Florida Politics 
 

[spenser1058]

‘A spaceman before we had spacemen’ | Orlando’s hall-of-fame aviator Joe Kittinger dies at 94 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-joe-kittinger-dead-20221209-k72cxbubsje7xeao6wsrt7g4ea-story.html

From The Sentinel 

In addition to his many other accomplishments, Joe Kittinger was a huge part of assisting Bob Snow to make Rosie O’Grady’s and Church Station so popular (at its peak, it was Florida’s fourth most popular attraction).

Like Dick Pope at Cypress Gardens, it was the unexpected live events that made those places so worthy of regular return trips.

Once they were sold to huge corporations (CSS was sold to a Baltimore utility, for God’s sake), they became predictable and mundane and the end drew nigh. 

Col. Kittinger will long be remembered.
 

[angela1117]

22 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

‘A spaceman before we had spacemen’ | Orlando’s hall-of-fame aviator Joe Kittinger dies at 94 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-joe-kittinger-dead-20221209-k72cxbubsje7xeao6wsrt7g4ea-story.html

From The Sentinel 

In addition to his many other accomplishments, Joe Kittinger was a huge part of assisting Bob Snow to make Rosie O’Grady’s and Church Station so popular (at its peak, it was Florida’s fourth most popular attraction).

Like Dick Pope at Cypress Gardens, it was the unexpected live events that made those places so worthy of regular return trips.

Once they were sold to huge corporations (CSS was sold to a Baltimore utility, for God’s sake), they became predictable and mundane and the end drew nigh. 

Col. Kittinger will long be remembered.
 

It was fun following along and being on the edge of your seat waiting for news from Col Kittinger's balloon flight

[spenser1058]

Dr. Dan Holsenbeck, long the guiding force behind the scenes at UCF as well as the SUS, has passed.

It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that, without “Dr. Dan”, UCF would be so much less than it is today. But that’s just the start, for he had an impact on the whole region. The High Tech Corridor Council and BRIDG were also projects he was instrumental in bringing to fruition.

On a personal note, I often discovered that how the movers and shakers treated those of us on staff was a pretty good indicator of whether their major goal was to do well (for themselves) or to do good (for the community). Dr. Dan was just as polite and open to ideas from students, interns and workaday staffers as he was to governors and senators.

He will definitely be missed.

https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-honors-the-late-dan-holsenbeck-a-local-leader-for-40-years/

From UCF

Edited December 12, 2022 by spenser1058

[JFW657]

I'm so proud of myself today..... 

Thank you everybody!!! I couldn't have done it without you!!!!