Three years of covering the news of Winter Park has led to a diverse collection of stories covering a range of subjects. The strength and appeal of our city lies in the people who live and work here, and giving credit to their contributions is part of why the32789 was founded.
We are thankful for the support of our community and for the chance to celebrate our neighbors. As a companion to our 5 Most Popular Stories of the Year list, we present five favorite stories that showcase people and organizations making a positive impact.
• Food and Family on Fairbanks: Linda’s Winter Park Diner Bids Farewell: Published June 30
Since opening Linda’s Winter Park Diner in 1988, Linda D’Auria became as famous as the local celebrities that often joined her for breakfast and lunch. After 35 years in business, she retired at the end of July to an outpouring of love from the community she served. But not before sharing a few anecdotes, and her reasons for retiring, with the32789.
• Winter Park Contractor Spreads Christmas Cheer Throughout the Year: Published Aug. 1
It’s been looking a lot like Christmas for a couple of months but for Eric Johannessen, Christmas is a year-round labor of love. A 2016 appearance on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” led the Winter Park resident to offer decorating services for charity. He eventually supplement his contracting business with holiday packages that took off faster than a reindeer on Christmas Eve. Decor examples are arranged in a new showroom with year-round displays. Read his story here.
• The Culture of Caring at Winter Park Day Nursery: Published Nov. 8
Winter Park Day Nursery was founded in 1939 to allow the older children of local citrus packers to attend school instead of watching their younger siblings. The nonprofit has earned a reputation for its standards and its community-minded values. Executive director Ali DeMaria spoke with the32789 about the services the school provides and the challenges that she, her peers, and students face in the ever-changing childcare industry. Click here to read the story.
• Edyth Bush Foundation Marks 50 Years of Service: Published June 21
The champion organization of the local nonprofit sector celebrated a milestone this year. Foundation president and CEO David Odahowski shared the history and the impact of the nonprofit that was founded by Edyth and Archibald Granville Bush as a means of enriching their new community.
• Life After Loss: The Story of Modern Widows Club: Published Sept. 12
Inspired by the loss of her husband and a desire to aid women going through the traumas she faced, Carolyn Moor founded a Winter Park-based organization that became in international resource for assistance and advocacy. In her conversation with the32789, Moore recounts the ways her personal struggle gave her the tools to help others, and outlines the work that still lies ahead.
We are eager to begin a new year of reporting. Have a story idea for us? Let us know at news@the32789.com.