Celebration Rhodes Scholar Headed For Afghanistan
February 28, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Celebration, Florida, resident Roxanne Bras is another of America’s heroes soon to be deployed to Afghanistan to help fight the War on Terror. But that’s not the only reason for the Town to be proud of her. Having graduated in June with a degree in Economics from Harvard, the second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was recently named a Rhodes Scholar, a first for both Celebration and Osceola County. Following her tour in Afghanistan, she will report to University of Oxford in October to pursue an M.Phil. in international relations, specializing in strategic studies.
After having attended the Celebration K-8 School from 1996 to 2001, Ms. Bras graduated valedictorian from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Kissimmee’s Gateway High School in 2005. While at Gateway, she was on the tennis and cross-country teams. Her mother, Karen Bras, credits the IB Program for “opening up the world” for her daughter, noting that IB commands a lot of respect among Ivy League Schools that otherwise might not consider graduates from high schools in Osceola County. Last year, Celebration High School announced that it would also be offering an IB Program.
Having received a four-year scholarship from the U.S. Army to attend Harvard, Ms. Bras studied the economics of national security, with emphasis on counterinsurgency. Her senior thesis involved the quantitative metrics in counterinsurgency, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. While an ROTC cadet during her freshman year, she met General David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, who has been her mentor ever since. In addition to her undergraduate degree, she also earned her second lieutenant’s commission, as well as graduation from the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Army Air Assault School.
The famous Rhodes Scholarship Program was created in 1904 and is funded by a trust established by Cecil John Rhodes (1853- 1902), a British-born businessman and mining magnate in South Africa, and founder of the DeBeers Diamond Company. Each year, the trust funds nearly one hundred scholarships to Rhodes’ alma mater, University of Oxford, about thirty-two of which are allocated to the United States. This year there were over 800 final applicants for those thirty-two awards. Winners receive up to three years’ of fees and living expenses while in graduate studies at Oxford; by some estimates that’s about $50,000 per year.
Rhodes Scholarships are awarded based on high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential, and physical vigor. Roxanne’s mother noted that her daughter distinguished herself athletically not only as a marathon runner, but also in the airborne and air assault schools. “But the clincher, “ said Karen Bras, “may have been her thesis on counterinsurgency.” The Rhodes Scholarship recipients for 2010 were announced a few days before Thanksgiving, no doubt adding to the blessings for which the family gave thanks.
In a December speech to the Middle School Girls Leadership Forum at All Saints Academy in nearby Winter Haven, Lt. Bras warned the girls against putting too much importance on being a woman. “Don’t try to be the best female president,” she noted, “ … just be the best president.” She emphasized that hard work inside and outside school would some day pay off.
Lt. Bras is currently preparing for deployment at Fort Campbell (KY), and she is scheduled to leave in early February for Afghanistan, where she will serve as a combat engineer before reporting to Oxford in October. She will remain an Army officer while she is studying at Oxford.
Concluded her mother in an exclusive interview, “ We are proud of all our children. We have urged each of them to follow their dreams.”
Originally posted 2010-01-29 11:41:59.
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Corpus Christi Opens New Church
February 28, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
The new Corpus Christi Catholic Church is conveniently located on Celebration Avenue in Celebration, Florida, at the intersection of the Town's East, South, and West Villages
Celebration’s Corpus Christi Catholic Church, which had previously held its services at Celebration High School Cafeteria, recently competed its new church building on Celebration Avenue and Waterside Drive, just in time for Christmas. The result is a stunning, classical-style building inside and out that not only fits well with the architectural pattern established by The Celebration Company, but also becomes an attractive, prominent landmark of the community.
Groundbreaking for the church was held in November 2008, though construction did not begin in earnest until the following January. “It seems remarkable that they could finish such a large and complex building in such a relatively short time,” said Celebration resident Dan Tomsick, who during his daily walks past the site kept track of progress. Brasfield & Gorrie, the general contractor for the project and a Fortune 500 company, kept up a steady pace, especially in the last three weeks when the seating, altar art, and stained glass windows were installed.
As a consequence, pastor Father Gregory Parkes, was able to celebrate the first Mass in the new building on December 24 morning to a nearly full house of excited parishioners from not only Celebration, but also Orlando, Kissimmee, and the entire Four Corners area. In a ceremony beforehand outside the front doors, Tim Dwyer of Brasfield & Gorrie handed the keys over to Building Committee Chairman Jack Blitch, who in turn presented them to Father Gregory. After humbly thanking the Committee, Father Gregory acknowledged the hard work and support of the trades people, the Parish, and the Town.
“We received the certificate of occupancy only a few days before,” later confided Father Gregory, “and the parishioners scrambled to move our liturgical materials from the High School and to set up the church, complete with the Nativity scene and various Christmas flowers and decorations.” Parishioners were particularly touched by the members of the Celebration Presbyterian Church down the street; they brought two lighted Christmas trees that were placed alongside the exterior front doors of the church, as well as some beautiful Christmas wreathes that were hung on the front facade.
Fortunately, everything worked relatively smoothly at that first mass. Seven hours later, the Church hosted an overflow crowd for its 5 pm Christmas Eve Mass that featured the Children’s Choir. Father Gregory opened the liturgy with a greeting and then the rhetorical exclamation, “Can we give glory and praise to God for this beautiful church?” — to which the congregation responded with enthusiastic and prolonged applause.
Even without any advertising or notices in the neighboring hotels, the turnout for the four Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses was remarkable. Observed Bert Fitzgibbons, “We had about 3200 people attend those four Masses, nearly double the number at the same number of Masses held last year in the High School cafeteria.”
The Church will be formally dedicated at 5 pm on Saturday January 16, with Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Orlando Diocese presiding.
Details about Corpus Christi Catholic Church can be found at www.celebrationcatholic.org.
Originally posted 2009-12-29 10:00:16.
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Shopping in Celebration
February 28, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Celebration Shopping
Go Shopping in Celebration! Celebration has some of the best specialty shops, boutiques and galleries in Central Florida. Visit Market Street in downtown Celebration to browse the many unique stores open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. visit the Celebration farmers market!
Originally posted 2009-09-21 18:58:53.
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Hedez Hospitality Services
February 27, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Business
Hedez Hospitality Services is a local Orlando hospitality service agency that provides quality contracted services to hotels and resorts in Orlando and throughout Central Florida. Founded over five years ago, Hedez Hospitality Services quickly became a leader in third-party contracted hospitality labor services in Orlando and the greater Central Florida area.
Hedez Hospitality Services’s success is due mainly to the superior work ethic employed not only by the owners and management, but also by every person that is a part of the Hedez team. Their dedication and quality of service have been demonstrated by their long-standing relationship with Orlando resorts such as Reunion Resort, Caribe Cove Resort, Legacy Dunes, Celebrity Resort, and Celebrity Lakes Resort in Central Florida.
Hedez Hospitality Services also provides quality contracted services for timeshares in Central Florida, as well as local Orlando hotels and restaurants. Some of Hedez’s services include: dry-cleaning services, retail cleaning services, deep-cleaning services, carpet cleaning services, pool services, and many more.
When you are looking for a local quality contracted labor service to take over the nitty-gritty details of your Central Florida hotel, resort, or retail business, call Hedez Hospitality Services. Depend on Hedez for all of your hospitality service needs!
Hedez Hospitality Services
2775 Old Dixie Hwy Suite F
Kissimmee, Florida 34744-1948
Phone: 321-229-1619
Fax: 407-271-4843
Originally posted 2009-10-19 10:06:12.
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Sky Venture – Orlando
February 27, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Entertainment
Sky Venture in Orlando offers the thrill of weightlessness and the exhilaration of free falling without the flight time. All action can be observed by family and friends from the observation deck and weather is never an issue! Make your reservations today!
Sky Venture
6805 Visitors Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
407-876-6696
Originally posted 2009-11-25 17:50:13.
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Celebration Easter Festivities!
February 26, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Events - Things To DO
Don’t miss all of the exciting events for the whole family coming up in Celebration!
Easter Egg Decorating Party
The whole family will enjoy this night of Easter Egg Decorating on Tuesday, March 30 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.! The Community Center Activities Room will be transformed into Easter Egg central! Stations for all types of egg decorating will be set up. Just bring your own supply of hard-boiled eggs and leave the rest to Parks and Rec! Refreshments will be provided.
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Easter wouldn’t be complete without an Easter Egg Hunt! However, this isn’t your typical Easter Egg hunt! Kidgs ages 8-12 will be hunting for candy-filled eggs and prizes in Lakeside Park with a flashlight! Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and the hunt will start promptly at 8:00 p.m on Thursday, April 1st.
Great Egg Hunt
Perhaps gallivanting through the dark with a flashlight is not ideal for your little one. Good news! Peter Rabbit will be at Lakeside Park on Saturday, April 3 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Bring the whole family for Easter Egg Hunting, music and games! Breakfast will be provided for purchase throughout the event.
Hunt times:
8:30 – Photos
9:00 – Bunny Patch (0-3 years-old)
9:30 – Egg Hunters (4-7 years-old)
For more information on the events listed above, contact Parks and Rec at parks.rec@celebration.fl.us or call them at 407-566-1200.
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Health & Beauty
February 26, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Health & Beauty
Celebration, Florida is home to Florida Hospital Celebration Health, one of the most prestigious hospitals and specialty surgery centers in the world. The doctors at the hospital in Celebration are some of the most prestigious and sought-after surgeons and medical practitioners in the world.
Celebration is located at the heart of Central Florida, within minutes of some of Florida’ most luxurious spas, each specializing in various spa treatments, body wraps, aroma therapy, facials, body massage, and more. Rejuvenate your body and your mind at one of Celebration’s luxurious spas and take advantage of local resort’s state-of-the-art fitness centers.
Originally posted 2009-09-21 19:01:45.
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Imagination Realty – Celebration
February 26, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Real Estate
Imagination Reality – Celebration, Florida
Imagination Realty in Celebration is located in Downtown Celebration, Florida just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. The team at Imagination Realty in Celebration will work diligently to ensure that all of your needs as a buyer or seller are met. Imagination Realty’s expert skills in advertising and marketing effectively attract potential buyers, and their ability to identify your needs as a buyer are unparalleled, as attested to by Florida Homebuyer Orlando magazine.
Kathleen S. Carlson of Imagination Realty in Celebration has been awarded the Five Star Real Estate Agent Award by Florida Homebuyer Orlando Magazine for the past two years. Kathleen is the owner and Broker of Imagination Realty, and Central Florida’s choice for best realtor in Celebration, Florida.
For more information on buying or selling a home in Celebration or other Celebration Real Estate properties, visit them at their website at or email Kathleen at kcarlson@imaginationrealty.net.
Imagination Realty
617 Celebration Avenue
Celebration, Fl 34747
321.939.1300
Originally posted 2009-10-30 12:42:42.
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A Guide to Alternative Fuel Vehicles
February 25, 2010 by Celebration Florida Magazine
Filed under Celebrtion Florida
A Guide to Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Celebration
The automobile industry is on the verge of a revolution. By now, virtually all scientists agree that we are on the brink of a global climate crisis, regardless of if it is something we caused or not. Either way, they agree, that there are things that need to be done about it, and one of them is to produce and invent more alternative fuel vehicles. Besides the environmental imperative, there is also the issue of cost. Gasoline prices fluctuate rapidly and often times get quite expensive. Alternative fuel vehicles avoid such high costs. Furthermore, reducing the American dependency on foreign oil for gasoline would go a long way in helping this country reduce its massive deficit. There are several alternative fuel vehicles available in Central Florida; here is a short overview of these alternative fuel vehicles.
The most commonly heard of all of the alternative fuel vehicles is called a hybrid car. But what is a hybrid car, really? Most people still need a (smaller) tank of gasoline so how is this different than other cars? While you still have the internal combustion engine, you also have an electric motor. Your car will use the electric motor as much as possible, using the gas engine for only high speeds and as a “plan B”. This is a great way to significantly reduce the amount of gasoline you use, buy and pollute with.
As pollution awareness and planet conscientiousness is on the rise, the number of Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) is steadily increasing, especially in Celebration, Florida. GEMs are perfect for neighborhood transportation or even short trips to the store or office. Many residents in Celebration are choosing these electric vehicles for their local transportation needs.
Other alternative fuel vehicles are out there. More and more cars a using diesel fuel, once the provence of only semi trucks and train engines. Diesel is relatively “better” at providing miles per gallon, but is still gasoline. A better option is ethanol, a corn-based power fuel. This is still difficult to find stations that pump ethanol is some locations, but those stations are growing and you might be surprised with how many are actually in your area.
However, there is no perfect option. Many people seem to be waiting for one particular technology, system or innovation to grab a large enough market share to validate that it’s not a passing fad and is worth an investment. Despite all of the speculation no one knows what that will be. Either way, the future of transportation lies with alternative fuel vehicles and in Celebration, they are here to stay.
Originally posted 2009-11-24 15:03:35.
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Paranormal Investigation in Four Corners Theme Park
February 24, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Local resident Gary Revelt doesn’t seem like a ghostbuster. He doesn’t wear a Proton-Pack or carry a containment trap. But he does have a passionate curiosity of paranormal activity. So he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to actually participate in a real-life paranormal investigation, at perhaps the most lucrative location in Central Florida, Fantasy of Flight.
Fantasy of Flight, located a few miles down I-4 from Celebration, is the home of the largest private airplane collection in the United States. The collection, owned by entrepreneur Kermit Weeks, features 40 fully restored vintage aircraft, displays of a long-gone era.
Since the collection opened to the public in 1995, staff and visitors began exchanging stories of unexplained occurrences such as unidentifiable noises, temperature changes and the detection of mists and shadows. Reports of these occurrences spread into the paranormal community. Apollo Paranormal Investigations (API), a non-profit investigative team out of Apollo, Fla., took notice (www.apolloparanormal.com). Explained Fantasy of Flight General Manager Kim Long, “API contacted us and requested an opportunity to investigate. At first I was skeptical, but after a few meetings with them, we agreed.”
Surprisingly, there are over a dozen paranormal investigations organizations in Florida. Most, including API, seem to specialize in investigations in private residences.
Last year, API’s team of paranormal investigators (or “ghost hunters” to which they are more dramatically referred in the popular media) conducted a series of scientific explorations through Fantasy of Flight, and on a paranormal-activity scale between 1 and 10 assigned the vintage aircraft collection … an 11! Based on API’s conclusions, Fantasy of Flight decided to open the experience to the public in an event named “nightFlight,” an after-hours program that offers adventurous visitors such as Revelt four full hours to “explore the unexplained.”
“I personally believe the apparitions and energies that have been experienced are not only connected to specific airplanes exhibited, but the environment they are housed in as well,” said Fantasy of Flight owner and creator Kermit Weeks. “There have been movements of objects, voices heard, apparitions showing up in photos and actual sightings! Fantasy of Flight is all about going beyond ourselves and we encourage not only our guests, but our paranormal friends as well!”
The nightFlight program was limited to 30 participants. The event began at 9:30 pm on a Saturday evening with a summary of occurrences to date and investigation results. The 30 participants were then organized into three groups of 10, and an API investigator was assigned to lead each. Participants were trained in the use of the scientific instruments and the use of a scientific approach to paranormal investigations, in order to determine the difference between coincidences and inexplicable phenomenon. In addition, API had already installed a variety of video cameras and other devices around the facility to continuously collect additional data to validate or refute group observations.
For the next several hours, the groups alternately visited a half dozen mostly-World War II aircraft locations within the cavernous Fantasy of Flight buildings, quietly seated or standing with senses on high alert, collecting electromagnetic and temperature data, and investigating strange noises, temperature gradients, and what seemed to be voices. Revelt had brought his own instruments, a K2 meter and an electromagnetic field sensor.
The three groups rendezvoused about 12:30 am and spent over an hour discussing observations, some of which might be explained but others that could easily not. Following the evening of investigation, API planned to evaluate the data and issue a report to all participants.
Revelt seemed very excited with the experience. “I got a chance to work with real paranormal investigators. It was great. If I can, I’d like to bring my 18 year old daughter next time.” His own observations and instrument readings suggested to him that there was actually something paranormal there.
A Celebration resident who preferred to remain anonymous agreed. “I experienced some unusual activity in there,” that person said. “I could sense the presence of paranormal entities, particularly strong in the World War II B-17 briefing room, the aircraft carrier flight deck lined with Corsairs, and the inside of a double-decker 1930s trans-oceanic airliner. I was surprised by the willingness of the spirits to communicate.”
Response to nightFlight has been so strong that 4 more sessions are planned. Two are already sold out, but reservations remain for the nights of February 20 and March 6, both at 9:30 pm Saturday. (www.fantasyofflight.com)
At a per person cost of $75, the experience is a bit pricey, but extremely unique. The best aspect of the experience was to take part and actually operate the instruments to collect data. A nice assortment of food was served during the initial briefing; coffee and sweets were served for the final debrief.
We didn’t get slimed with ectoplasm, see any demonic apparitions, or run into the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. There were no rattling chains or floating white sheets.
But even the skeptics seemed to have fun, and to some others the implications seemed profound. And Revelt seemed more convinced than ever that there really is paranormal activity that can’t be explained.
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