SunRail Groundbreaking

Great turnout this morning for the SunRail groundbreaking in Altamonte Springs. The Sentinel estimated the crowd at about 500. I’ll let them tell you about the event – click that link to read the article – and I’ll show you some photos.

Altamonte Mayor Pat Bates was there (that’s her in the pic up there with State Sen. David Simmons and Altamonte City Commissioner Gardner Hussey) along with County Commission Chair Brenda Carey, Commissioner Carlton Henley (that’s him at the microphone -- scroll down a littie), Longwood Mayor Joe Durso, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.

Congressional reps and political opposites John Mica and Corrine Brown not only worked on the rail project together for years, they sat next to each other and shared speaking duties. That photo and many others will be on our website soon, so check ’em out! And by the way, check out our virtual magazine too!

Here Comes the Train

Don't miss the ground-breaking ceremony for SunRail this Friday -- a major milestone in the long and winding track SunRail has traveled so far.

It'll be a while (2014, by state DOT's estimates) before we can buy tickets to ride, even on the first segment of the project, but we can see shovels go into the ground this week. Some 200 people have already RSVP'd , per DOT Public Info Officer Steve Olson.

A who's who of regional dignitaries will also be there, including Altamonte Springs city officials, Carlton Henley and others from the Seminole County Commission, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, U.S. Reps. John Mica Corrinne Brown, Florida Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad and officials from counties along the route from Volusia to Osceola.

Here are the basics:

• When: 10 a.m.
• Where: Future home of the Altamonte Springs SunRail station, corner of State Road 436 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard
  
• RSVP: 407-487-4035

Check out the invitation/image for additional details, including driving directions, or view it here on SunRail's website.

Welcome 2012!

Happy New Year! Hope you all have a great one!

Our January issue is all about how to have a happy, prosperous ... and daring ...new year. Change your attitude - -and maybe your altitude -- and you can change your life for the better.

We practiced what we preached to get this feature article -- photographer Betsy Hansen went up in a glider and also took ziplining photos. Writer Kristin Harmel learned to "fly" in a vertical wind tunnel. And several of us (including your truly) went up in a hot-air balloon.
Betsy was there for the serious stuff (you can see her pix in the magazine, which should be in mailboxes soon, as well as online), but I caught the behind-the-scenes action. Thought you guys would like to see how hard we work to bring you our excellent magazine. So ...enjoy! Happy New Year! Hope you all have a great one!

Our January issue is all about how to have a happy, prosperous ... and daring ...new year. Change your attitude - -and maybe your altitude -- and you can change your life for the better.

We practiced what we preached to get this feature article -- photographer Betsy Hansen went up in a glider and also took ziplining photos. Writer Kristin Harmel learned to "fly" in a vertical wind tunnel. And several of us (including your truly) went up in a hot-air balloon.

Betsy was there for the serious stuff (you can see her pix in the magazine, which should be in mailboxes soon), but I caught the behind-the-scenes action. Thought you guys would like to see how hard we work to bring you our excellent magazine. So ...enjoy!

Jingle Bell Rockin' for a Good Cause

Adam Stratton’s family turned tragedy into an opportunity to help others.

Stratton, a Apopka High School standout (honor society, Disney “Dreamer and Doer,” athlete, Bible School teacher) and freshman at Florida State, was killed in a car crash in May 2005. He was only 19.

His family and friends formed the Adam Stratton Memorial Scholarship Foundation in his honor to help other Apopka students. Among its fundraisers is a party – 2011’s was called Rockin’ on the River, at Wekiva Island. The foundation also holds a chili cook-off, a golf tournament and a 5K run. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $100,000 to deserving students and organizations and aims to be Apopka’s largest scholarship program.

That’s organizers Tammy Eagle, Donna Stratton, Paula Armstrong, Claudia Shellhammer and Becki Lewis up top with a poster of Adam at the Rockin’ party in December.

In other photos, Belinda Stratton (married to Adam’s brother) works the entry desk and party-goers enjoy the festivities.

Check the foundation’s website for additional info.

Adam would have been proud.

Happy Holidays!

From all of us (and a friend) at Topper Publications!