News and information from throughout our community…

BY THE NUMBERS

5
Total number of times Disney World has ever been closed in its history. Hurricane Irma’s arrival forced the Magic Kingdom to shut its gates as it had done last year for Hurricane Matthew as well as in 1999 for Hurricane Floyd, 2004 for Hurricane Frances and in 2004 for Hurricane Jeanne.

$20,000
Minimum estimate of a planned project to add more parking to downtown Windermere. The project is said to add 30 to 40 more parking spaces in the area on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Forest Street.

900
Number of Texas residents rescued by the Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 during a 10-day mission following Hurricane Harvey. The group comprised of area firefighters from several departments returned home to a welcoming reception.

41
Number of cities around the world, including Orlando, that are being considered to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If chosen, early-round matches would be held at Camping World Stadium. Orlando last hosted a World Cup match in 1994.

$66 Million
Amount of damage reported by Osceloa County following Hurricane Irma. Following the storm, President Trump authorized additional FEMA aid for 37 counties in the state, including Osceola, Brevard, Lake, Orange, Polk and Seminole.

HIT OR MISS

Two National Guard members engaged to bemarried skipped their ceremony and instead had their nuptials at the Orange County Convention Center while preparing to assist with Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

A railroad bridge located over U.S. Highway 17-92 between Maitland and Winter Park is now known as the Rev. Kenneth C. Crossman Bridge, named after the local civil rights activist.

An Ocoee woman who was fleeing Irma stopped to buy a lottery scratch-off in North Carolina and wound up winning $10,000 on the lucky ticket.

Winter Park has voted against the use of police body cameras citing overriding concerns about high budget costs.

A historic water tower in Winter Garden was destroyed by Irma. The South Lake Apopka Citrus Growers Association landmark stood for nearly a century.

A man hired to become a musical director for the Diocese of Orlando withdrew his name from consideration for the job shortly before it was discovered that he was being investigated in New York for potential child exploitation.

DATEBOOK

THE BEST OF THE SECOND CITY
Oct. 6-7
Chicago’s famed comedy theater group helped launch the careers of heavyweights such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray and Mike Meyers. For two nights only, the improv comedy troupe arrives in Central Florida and will riff on current events and mix in plenty of Orlandocentric laughs along the way. Times vary, Dr. Phillips Center’s Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater, DrPhillipsCenter.org, $39.25

44TH ANNUAL WINTER PARK AUTUMN ART FESTIVAL
Oct. 14-15
This annual fall festival exclusively features 180 local artists who have been hand selected to display their work in mediums ranging from paintings and ceramics to sculpture and photography with lots more like fine crafts and jewelry mixed in. You can also expect plenty of live entertainment and family-friendly activities as you make your way around Central Park. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Central Park in Downtown Winter Park, WinterPark.org, free

4TH ANNUAL WINDERMERE CRAFT BEER FEST
Oct. 21
Discerning beer lovers are expected at this celebration of local craft brews where live music will fill the air as guests enjoy unlimited samples from some of their favorite breweries. All proceeds benefit the Windermere Police Foundation as well as the Florida Brewers Guild. 4-8 p.m., 520 Main St., Windermere, WindermereCraft- BeerFest.com, $25-$45

DID YOU HEAR?

”We’ll get through this together”
—Gov. Rick Scott on Twitter following Hurricane Irma’s destructive path through the state.

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s October 2017 issue.