News and Business Briefs in January 2016

 CFHLA Elects 2016 Executive Committee

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Members of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association elected a new board of directors and executive committee. The 2016 CFHLA board of directors is composed of 45 Central Florida hospitality executives from Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

The executive committee is as follows: Windermere resident David Bartek of Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, chairperson; Windermere resident David Friederich of Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, first vice chairperson; Windermere resident Doug Ridge of Orlando World Center Marriott, second vice chairperson; Dr. Phillips resident Fred Sawyers of Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, secretary; Celebration resident Jetse Pottinga of Meliá Orlando Suite Hotel at Celebration, treasurer; Windermere resident Brian Comes of Hyatt Regency Orlando, assistant treasurer; Dr. Phillips resident Laura Sherman of CLC Encantada Resort, historian; and Hunters Creek resident Gerald Urquiola of Caribe Royale Resort & Convention Center, immediate past chairperson.


Winter Garden News: Insurance Staple Retires

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After 40 years of serving clients in the Winter Garden community, Larry Cappleman retired from Hillcrest Insurance Agency on Jan. 1. He had handled local insurance coverage through Hillcrest and his family’s business before that for more than 42 years. He will continue to act as Hillcrest’s chief financial officer and be involved with financial and business planning through 2018.

Cappleman plans to spend his retirement traveling with his wife, Debbie. He is confident that Hillcrest will continue to provide excellent service to its many clients and share the same concern and care that he has striven to provide throughout the many years he has been in business.


Arts Instruction Through After-School Class Series

In a joint effort by HapCO Music Foundation and St. Lukes United Methodist Church, the Mildred Dixon and Maxey community centers will host Art After 5 in east Winter Garden. The program features culturally relevant curriculum in a visual- and performing-arts class series for upper elementary and middle school students. The two 16-week sessions correspond to the Orange County Public Schools calendar and can serve up to 3,000 students annually.

Various cultural themes are encouraged, and culturally diverse art is showcased — allowing students to relate and feel pride in their heritage. Instructional methods include interactive participation with positive reinforcement, direct teaching and demonstrations, as well as individual decision-making and problem-solving.

Students are encouraged to explore the creative process individually and in groups through cooperative-learning projects. Each session culminates in a gallery show that highlights the students’ accomplishments. The program runs through June 2016.

For more information, visit hapcopromo.org/wpsite/programs/art-after-5/ on the Web.


Ocoee News: Community Grants Available

The City of Ocoee Community Grant program provides financial grants of up to $500. There is $5,000 available for this grant cycle, and the deadline to submit an application is Jan. 29. Eligible groups include nonprofit organizations and civic groups in Ocoee, as well as those outside the city limits that benefit the residents of Ocoee. The city awards the grants to acknowledge excellence and to further the contributions local organizations bring to the Ocoee community.

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the community grant review board, a group of residents appointed by the Ocoee City Commission. The board will make recommendations, and then the city commission will make final decisions. The next grant cycle begins July 1.

Grant applications can be picked up at city hall and are available at www.ocooe.org on the Web. Completed applications must be mailed or delivered by the deadline date to City Hall, Community Relations, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL 34786. For more information, call 407-905-3100.


There is exciting news for those who are interested in modeling, acting, singing, dancing and building their self-confidence. Accents Model and Talent Management will be hosting a series of auditions and workshops. Accents Model and Talent Management has had considerable success with models going on to work in fashion weeks in New York, Italy and Asia. They have also worked with famous designers, such as Giorgio Armani, Brooks Brothers, Fergie and Betsey Johnson; and have been seen in the pages of many magazines. Actors have worked on Broadway, TV commercials, feature films and more. For more information or to make reservations for upcoming workshops, call 407-420-7231.


Florida Hospital officials announced the opening of Florida Hospital Winter Garden at 2000 Fowler Grove Blvd. The new facility features state-of-the-art technology and board-certified physicians trained in the treatment of adults and children. Its hospital-based emergency room specializes in treating chest pain, heart attacks, strokes and orthopedic injuries as well as other major health conditions. Outpatient imaging, lab and surgical services, primary care and specialty physician offices are also available. As a part of Florida Hospital, which was named by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Florida for the third year in a row, west Orange County patients can expect premier treatment for all their medical needs. For more information, call 407-303-1700 or visit www.floridahospital.com/wintergarden on the Web.


FLarry Joseph, CEO, of Equitable National Title Group LLC and a 51-year veteran of the title insurance industry, will be retiring his leadership this year and remaining on board as a consultant for the six Central Florida title agencies operated under this umbrella. He will be succeeded in ownership by his son-in-law, Jon IMcGraw, Esq., and daughter, Michelle Joseph. Clients should expect no disruption in the level of service they have come to expect throughout the past few decades. Equitable Title of DrPhillips is located at 6985 Wallace Road in Orlando. For more information, call 407-370-6664.


West Orange Chamber of Commerce members held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Melts on Main Street in downtown Winter Garden. WOCC builds partnerships, strong businesses and commitment to the community by serving as the leading business advocate in Central Florida, facilitating opportunity to nearly 1,000 member businesses. For more information, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com on the Web.

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After 25 years as a successful orthopedic surgeon, John C. Carrozzella, M.D., ABAARM, FAARFM, chose to transition to a wellness-type practice. “[The change was] because I knew that I could help many hurting people turn around the devastating effects of aging,” Dr. Carrozzella said. Striving for excellence, he spent thousands of hours on live training and class work in the University of South Florida’s master’s program in nutritional and metabolic medicine. He also became an advanced fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine, and earned certificates in sexual dysfunction and advanced endocrinology. With his new office in DrPhillips, Dr. Carrozzella devotes his expertise to serving the needs of patients with hormonal imbalances, sexual dysfunction, age-related urinary incontinence, and nutritional and autoimmune disorders, as well as a variety of cosmetic needs. Florida Center for Hormones and Wellness is located in Suite 370 at 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. For more information, call 407-505-6456 or visit www.hormonesandwellness.com on the Web.


Drone Academy, USA is the only drone flight-training program in the Central Florida area. Its Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight instructors use the latest hardware and flight-training techniques to ensure that their students learn the safe and proper way to fly their drones. Drone Academy also offers drone rentals, FAA-certification assistance, new pilot seminars, and group and one-on-one training. For more information, call 407-906-8287, email info@droneacademyusa.com or visit www.droneacademyusa.com on the Web.