Taking a Look Back at 2013 in Osceola
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Community Arts Sports For the latest Arts &Entertainment Osceola QB activities, events Editor Peter Covino leads All- and classes see ... reviews some County independent films football on Blu-ray offense Page B-4 Page A-6 Page B-1 Weekend Saturday Weather Partly cloudy Edition St. Cloud Cycling with Santa helps ring in the Serving Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, Harmony, Narcoossee, BVL new year for veterans 117TH YEAR • • 50 CENTS WWW.AROUNDOSCEOLA.COM DECEMBER 28, 2013 St. Cloud resident Dan Wermuth is the Santa in question, organizing and lead- ing the Cycle with Santa fundraiser at St. Cloud Lakefront. See page A-5 Police Osceola armed robbery suspect sought Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives are searching for a man that robbed a Kissim- mee restaurant early Thursday morning. See page A-5 Were any of your Christmas gifts delivered late because of the global delays by UPS? Taking a look back at 2013 in Osceola • Yes. By Ken Jackson • No. Staff Writer • I don’t know. • No opinion. Osceola County may have celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2012, but that doesn’t mean 2013 was any less memo- Vote at rable. www.around As the year closes, here’s a look back osceola.com at the topics that shaped 2013 and had county residents thinking and reacting … Results from the At the first-ever State of the County Dec. 21 Question of Address on April 30, County Commis- the week: sioner Frank Attkisson said he wanted Osceola County to be the leader in Cen- tral Florida’s economic recovery. What are you hop- “History will look back at the path we ing to get for gifts take. Other areas like to talk about jobs. this Christmas? We choose to deliver careers,” he said. “I hope people will reach for the American • Electronics. – 22% Dream and do it right here, what we • Jewelry. – 11% think is the best place to live.” • Clothes. – 0% During the year, Kissimmee wel- • Gift cards. – comed Chik-fil-A (and its camped-out 67% fans), Wawa came to St. Cloud and a digital imaging company signed on to bring more than 60 high-paying jobs to office space at U.S. Highway 192 and Bill Beck Boulevard. But one of the best signs of established growth came when the Mecum Auto Auction made its annual stop at Osceola Heritage Park in Index January. More than 100,000 visitors attended News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan the 10-day event where some 3,000 Downtown Kissimmee continues to improve, thanks in large part to officials willing to invest in the com- cars went up for bid, including private munity despite what the economy is doing. In 2013, two of the three planned sections of the revamped Page A4, Editorial collection pieces that fetched bids in the Kissimmee Lakefront Park were opened, including civic and wedding lawns, wide walkways along lake $250,000 range. All were records for the Tohopekaliga, several rentable pavilions and a large children’s play area, above. The third and final section Page A6, Sports Kissimmee show. of the park is currently being constructed, and will feature a children’s water park and walking trails through Page B4, Community At the end of March, one of the core native Florida marsh habitat. pieces of the area’s commerce was saved Page B1, Arts & when Kissimmee Gateway Airport was to bring economic benefit to our com- mishaps. lawn area big enough for large communi- spared from having its control tower munity,” Kissimmee Gateway Airport’s In August, the airport received a $2 ty events and another small and intimate Entertainment closed due to the federal government Director of Aviation Terry Lloyd said. million grant from the Department of enough to hold weddings. Stormwater sequester. The Federal Aviation Author- He likened closing the Kissimmee airport Transportation to improve one of its treatment boxes were installed to clean Page A5, Local news ity agreed to keep funding the Kissimmee tower to removing the traffic signal at runways, which hadn’t been improved the runoff that flows into Lake Tohope- Page C1, Classified tower and 22 others, but announced 149 U.S. 192 and John Young Boulevard, since 1942. kaliga. other towers nationwide would lose their as pilots would be in uncontrolled air- The first two stages of Kissimmee’s “Even though this was developed dur- Page C4, Legals funding. space just south of Orlando International Lakefront Park opened in April, with ing a downturn, the City Commission “It is a tremendous relief to know we Airport and having to work amongst improved fishing docks, 275,000 square and its managers never wavered on the will be able to safely operate and continue themselves to try and prevent any mid-air feet of concrete and bricked walkways, a See Look, page A-3 Page A2, NEWS-GAZETTE • Online All The Time • www.aroundosceola.com • Saturday, December 28, 2013 This year: make the gym work for you from the get-go Many people aspire to adopt equipment might be. To avoid attempt to follow suit. It’s easy a healthy lifestyle that includes a wasted workout opportunity to feel as though your fel- regular exercise, which medi- spent wandering around the low gym members are watch- cal professionals have long gym, ask a gym representa- ing you workout and judging advised is an essential element tive to show you around once your performance, but often- of a healthy life. In fact, the you’re ready to start exercis- times nothing could be further Centers for Disease Control ing. Such a tour was likely from the truth. They’re likely and Prevention recommend provided when you signed up too locked in on their own adults get at least two hours for the gym, but the layout is workout to notice what you’re and 30 minutes of moderate- easily forgotten between that doing, so don’t feel embar- intensity aerobic activity, such visit and your first workout. rassed if you feel like you’re as brisk walking, every week Allow a trainer or another not lifting enough weight or and some muscle-strengthen- gym employee to show you going easy on yourself on ing activities that focus on all the ropes right before your the treadmill. The more you the major muscle groups on first workout so you don’t workout, the more comfort- two or more days per week. feel as though you’re lost in able you’ll become and your While adhering to such an a vast sea of dumbbells and performance will reflect that exercise regimen might not treadmills. comfort level. What’s more, appear that difficult on the sur- • Accept the gym’s offer of a the more comfortable you face, many men and women free training session. Many fit- become the less attention you know just how difficult it can ness clubs offer a free consul- will pay to your fellow mem- be to make the transition from tation with a personal trainer bers. a relatively inactive lifestyle to new members. Accept this • Find a time that works for to one in which exercise is offer regardless of your fitness you. When beginning a new a significant part of the daily level or familiarity with the workout routine, it helps to routine. Much of that difficulty facility. The trainer can help visit the gym at different times stems from the intimidation you find your way around and to find the time that best many people feel when visit- tailor your workout to meet fits your schedule and makes ing a gym. Walking into a gym your goals. You may even find you feel most comfortable. for the first time can be simi- working with a personal train- Beginners often prefer to Enlisting a friend as a lar to the first day of school, er is something you want to avoid peak hours when fitness workout partner is one when a lack of familiarity with do, and this can prove a great clubs tend to be most crowd- way to increase the one’s surroundings inspired introduction to a service that ed. Many clubs are most busy chances your workout fear and anxiety. But there many men and women find during the post-work hours of routine will be a success are ways individuals can make valuable and motivational. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. During these from the get-go. their first forays into the fit- • Don’t worry about what hours, beginners may feel ness club a success right from your fellow members are intimidated by other members the start. doing and thinking. One of who appear to be in tip-top your membership. Once you way to stay committed to a you both expect to be held • Familiarize yourself with the the biggest mistakes you can shape or frustrated when hav- find a time that fits, commit workout routine. A friend who accountable to your joint com- layout prior to your first work- make at the onset of a new ing to share machines with to visiting the gym at that works out with you can moti- mitment. time several days per week. out. It’s easy to feel like an fitness regimen is paying too other members. But some vate you to go on those days Beginning a new workout Establishing a routine is essen- outsider when visiting a gym much attention to what your beginners might be motivated when you really don’t want to, regimen can be exciting and tial to making your exercise for the first time. Your fellow fellow members are doing.