Underscoring its commitment to create unforgettable memories for every member of the family, Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) has announced the opening of Olivia’s Oasis – a relaxation spa dedicated exclusively to wish parents, adult family members and caregivers. The venue marks another milestone in the storied history of the Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with life-changing week-long wish vacations at no cost. A grand opening celebration open to media, wish families and donors took place this past April 12th, offering a first glimpse at the spa.

Designed to provide caregivers with a respite from the stress of caring for a critically ill child, Olivia’s Oasis will immerse guests in a tranquil ambience featuring seven unique quiet spaces for relaxation and reflection. Each space will offer state-of-the-art amenities including SolaJet Dry-Hydrotherapy tables and chairs, providing spa quality massages at the touch of a button; therapy loungers; aromatherapy utilizing soothing essential oils; chromotherapy: ambient colored lighting to promote a sense of calm; a hydration station; and more. Olivia’s Oasis will be open seven days a week, 365 days a year, and will be staffed entirely by caring and compassionate volunteers.

“Olivia’s Oasis is for the fearless grown-ups trying hard to keep the faith…a place to rejuvenate the spirit so these beautiful parents can continue to be there for their children. As the flight attendants always say, you must put on your own oxygen mask before you can help others,” says Angie Patrick, whose daughter, Olivia, is the spa’s namesake. During her long battle with medulloblastoma, Olivia visited the Village on her wish trip with Angie and dad, Joe Wampler, and returned several times as part of the Welcome Back Family program. Sadly, Olivia passed away in 2021 at the age of 17.

As the one-year anniversary of Olivia’s passing approached, destiny brought the Wamplers back to the Village. Unaware of the family’s connection to GKTW, a colleague in the massage industry reached out to see if Angie could help source equipment for a new relaxation spa underway at the Village. The serendipitous connection inspired Angie to rally a team of massage equipment manufacturers led by SolaJet® to make Olivia’s Oasis possible. In addition to funding from a private donor, other supporters include Infinity Massage Chairs; Scrip Companies; Core Products; Benefect; Harmony Salt; Oakworks, Inc.; Himalayan Secrets; Hand & Stone; and Amy Perrault.

“SolaJet is committed to fulfilling its company mission to “help make the world feel better” by
commercializing the very best massage-like experience internationally and to expand its “Human Kind” program which makes Dry-Hydrotherapy systems available to those with limited resources and are challenged with need. We celebrate the opportunity to play a small part in helping to support GKTW in its like-minded mission of touching lives in a significant way,” said SolaJet Technology Founder Todd Howe.
“We appreciate the support of all of the wonderful in-kind donors who are working together to make Olivia’s Oasis a very special place for wish parents and caregivers,” said GKTW President & CEO Pamela Landwirth.

Olivia’s Oasis is one of many new projects at GKTW. The Village recently completely re-imagined its iconic star experience into a highly interactive encounter featuring cutting-edge animation, fully integrated audio in four languages and charming new characters; all of the accessible arcade games have been refreshed in Amberville; and Mayor Clayton’s WonderLab, an immersive STEAM learning center with an emphasis on crafts and technology, will soon open, providing a focal point for creativity and exploration. Tours of all of the new amenities will be available on April 12.

One of less than 1% of all U.S. charities to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating 16 years in a row, GKTW is located at 210 S. Bass Road in Kissimmee, Florida. For more information about the Village, to donate, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, visit www.gktw.org.

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“We are proud to recognize the winners of the 2023 New Products Showcase Awards,” said Celeste Powers, President of PIDA. “With more than 1,000 submissions for this year’s awards, voting was extremely competitive amongst some of the pet industry’s best, from newcomers to industry juggernauts. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”

The 45,000-square-foot New Products Showcase space on Global Pet Expo’s show floor recognizes the year’s best creative efforts in new products and point-of-purchase displays. Winners were announced during the pet industry’s premier event from the New Products Showcase “Spotlight Stage.” This year’s event was emceed by Sterling Davis, founder of the nonprofit TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions and social media influencer known as the “cat rapper,” and Nathan Kehn, content creator and social media influencer known as “Nathan the Cat Lady.”

“New Products Showcase is a bright spot amongst the many events offered at Global Pet Expo. It allows us to spotlight revolutionary new products within the industry that are truly reflective of the market. We continue to be impressed by the breadth and innovation displayed at the New Products Showcase,” said APPA President and CEO Peter Scott. “Being selected as a winner gives exhibitors added product visibility among all show attendees, including media and buyers, as well post-show promotional opportunities.”
The New Products Showcase features the latest products and designs hitting the market each year. Out of the more than 1,000 submissions received this year, the following were selected as winners by voters.

Aquatic

Best In Show: AquaSprouts Aquarium Garden, Pet Retail Direct Inc.
Second Place: Low Boy, Zoo Med
Third Place: Betta/Ornamental Shrimp Aquarium Starter Kits, SunnyWay (Oscar)

Bird

Best In Show: Happy Beaks Enhanced Interactive & Humanized Toys, A&E Cage Company LLC
Second Place: Manna Pro Superworm Swarm, Compana Pet Brands
Third Place: Foraging Fun Pack for Pet Birds, Lafeber-EmerAid

Boutique

Best in Show: Wigglin’ Snake, Ethical Products Inc./Fieldcrest Farms
Second Place: Cuppy Cake, Puppy Cake
Third Place: Strawberry Yak Cheese Chews for Dogs, Yak9 Dog Chews

Cat

Best in Show: LickiMat® Riser™, LickiMat
Second Place: Made by Nacho Digestive Support Turkey & Pumpkin, Made by Nacho
Third Place: PETJOA Kitty-Medi-Check, FutureBioWorksUSA Corp.

Dog

Best in Show: PetCakes Complete Baking Kit for Dogs, Lucky Paws Inc.
Second Place: Strawberry Yak Cheese Chews for Dogs, Yak9 Dog Chews
Third Place: Dr. Bob Goldstein’s Wisdom® Original 3-Part Blend, Earth Animal

Natural Pet

Best in Show: Bocce’s Bakery Food Toppers, Bocce’s Bakery
Second Place: Scented Soy Candle for Pet Odors, Project Sudz
Third Place: Roots – The Wolf, Adored Beast Apothecary

Point of Purchase

Best in Show: Birthdays Start Here Tray, Puppy Cake
Second Place: MOON RUNNER, Exotic Nutrition Pet Products
Third Place: PetPlate Gently Cooked Entrées Impulse Freezer, PetPlate

Reptile

Best in Show: Zylafen® for Reptiles, ZYMOX and Oratene by Pet King Brands
Second Place: Josh’s Frogs Dart Frog BioBedding (4 quart), Josh`s Frogs
Third Place: biOrb EARTH Vivarium, OASE Living Water

Small Animal

Best in Show: “NIBBLES” Pride Follow the Rainbow SA Collection, A&E Cage Company LLC
Second Place: Natural Behaviors® Foraging Pellets, FM Brown`s Sons Inc.
Third Place: The Halo, Happy Habitats

Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s premier event, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The show features more than 1,000 exhibitors, 3,500 booths and over 3,000 new product launches annually. Each year, the event gathers 6,000+ pet product buyers from around the world. Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, media and other qualified professionals. For more information about the New Products Showcase Awards and Global Pet Expo, visit GlobalPetExpo.org.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958. APPA membership includes nearly 1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises. APPA’s mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. APPA is also proud to grow and support the industry through the following APPA Gives Back initiatives: Pets Add Life (PAL), the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Pets and Vets Program, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and Pet Care Trust and Pets in the Classroom. Visit AmericanpPetProducts.org.

Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) is the premier trade association representing the interests of pet product distributors since 1968. The mission of PIDA is to enhance the well-being of the wholesaler-distributor, to promote partnerships with their suppliers and customers and to work cooperatively with other organizations in fostering the human-companion animal bond. PIDA is also proud to grow and support the industry through the following initiatives: the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and Pet Care Trust and Pets in the Classroom. Visit PIDA.org.

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I have just returned from Surreal360: A Salvador Dalí Experience, which is now open in Miami. Opening night guests embarked a journey into the mind of Salvador Dalí, the Spanish surrealist artist world-renowned for his technical skill and precise draftsmanship. In addition to over 170 original artworks by Dalí, there is an immersion aspect similar to popular Van Gogh exhibits.

With the aid of technology, we enjoyed augmented reality experiences. By swiping our phones in front of selected work, animation brought his art to life while teaching the true story behind his works as we listened to a narration about Dalí’s artistic world. It is super cool, and a much better experience that envelops the world of Dalí.

I give this experience a thumbs-up to adult audiences. This multi-sensory experience will submerge you in the world of Dalí’s works in playful, imaginative ways that delight and inspire. In addition to original artworks by Salvador Dalí, Surreal360: A Salvador Dalí Experience includes a surreal painting room, where virtual reality headsets enable a potent and playful ride into impossible artistic realms, a multi-sensory sculptural experience, submerging visitors in the lights and sounds of Dalí’s surrealist world, and an augmented reality experience that brings the art to life and tells the true story behind the works of Dalí and his artistic world.

Revered as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Salvador Dalí is known for his striking and dreamlike surrealist imagery, influenced by his admiration for Renaissance art. Dalí experimented with a wide range of artistic activities from the late 1930s until his death in 1989, including painting, sculpting, designing fabrics, perfume bottles, jewelry, photography and also performance arts, having collaborated with other contemporary powerhouses including Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock.

As I explored the immersive exhibit, the now-deceased artist’s old quote about his own immersion into his art style was particularly applicable.

“I am not a Surrealist; I am Surrealism. Surrealism is not a party or a label; it is a state of mind, unique, to each his own, that can be affected by no party line, taboo, or morality,” Salvador Dalí said. “It is the total freedom to be and the right to absolute dreaming.”

For more information about the Miami exhibit, visit https://surreal360.ticketplate.com/checkout/surreal-360-a-salvador-dali-experience-2202141005

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Quick, name the location and year of the first Thanksgiving among European settlers in the United States. If you guessed that the Pilgrims celebrated the first harvest festival in Plymouth in 1621, you’d be wrong.

In 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 Spanish settlers founded the city of St. Augustine in Spanish La Florida. As soon as they were ashore, the landing party celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving.
First pizza, now Thanksgiving. Always the Yankees stealing culinary credit.

These are other intriguing factoids are shared by Captain Jimmy Hill aboard his Adventure Boat Tours sunset and holiday lights excursions, currently cruising in St. Augustine, Florida.

He shares these facts nightly when St. Augustine celebrates its Nights of Lights Festival. The city flips on its lights every November.

Riding the Storm Out

There is even more for which to begrateful this year for the businesses and residents who have repeatedly bounced back after a challenging storm season. Florida’s Historic Coast was flooded by Hurricane Ian in late September and followed by Tropical Storm Nicole just last Thursday, November 10. While there was some coastline erosion and flooding in both storms, the waters receded quickly, and residents and the business community immediately got to work to reopen and return to business as usual.

Florida’s Historic Coast

“We reopened on Saturday with all but one exhibit intact… we thank our grounds crew and everyone who helped us toquickly and safely reopen the park,” said John Fraser, owner of Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.

Charlie Robles, General Manager, The Collector Luxury Inn and Gardens said, “I will never cease to be amazed at the resiliency of St. Augustine. Within 24 hours after Nicole, the local hotels, shops and restaurants were up and running as if there was no storm at all!”

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Nicole, the City of St. Augustine worked quickly clearing debris and checking lights to ensure all was safe and ready to go for the 29th Annual Nights of Lights Light Up Night.

“With support from Heath Electric and Angels in the Architecture, city staff will have worked hundreds of man hours tore-hang and rewire the Plaza in preparation for Light-Up Night and the kickoff to Nights of Lights,” said Melissa Wissel, Communications Director for the City of St. Augustine.

Nights of Lights has been listed among the top 10 holiday light displays in the world by National Geographic. During this festival of lights, downtown St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops, millions of tiny white lights create a festive holiday season atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City, and it’s free of charge.

“We are grateful for the actions of the businesses and the city and county governments following the storm to make our destination ready for the Holiday Season,” said Richard Goldman, President and CEO of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Nearly all tourism businesses on Florida’s Historic Coast are fully operational. To make planning for visits to Florida’s Historic Coast, the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau has published a list of open businesses. All scheduled events on Florida’s Historic Coast are also on track to take place.

Aboard the Adventure Boat

The flip-on is often a half-hour late. Aboard the Adventure Boat tour, guests don’t mind because First Mate Della Hill’s commentary is humorous and fascinating. She’s knowledgeable about the original residents of St. Augustine, the Timucua, a group of Native Americans. “The Spaniards were only five-foot-two to five-foot-four in height,” she explains. By contrast, the Timucua who greeted them were often 6’4 or even taller. What made them so tall?

“Oysters,” Captain Jimmy Hill explains. “They were raised eating oysters daily and it’s a growth stimulant.” Don’t worry, parents. Captain Hill is enlightening but refrains from sharing that other alleged benefit of oysters. Adventure Boat tours include a trip by the site of that first Thanksgiving. Dolphins and rare shorebirds often make an appearance.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches.

For more information on events, activities, holiday getaways and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 800-653-2489. For more information about Adventure Boat Tours, contact 904-759-2758 or visit www.adventureboat.tours.

Video by Darrell Scatterwood

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Gaylord Palms in Florida honored its ice artisans last month with a standing ovation and Chinese-themed lobby celebration. The workers, who began work in August, are carving away in sub-freezing temperatures after a two-year pandemic break.

Guests will soon be invited to “freeze the day” this Christmas as the hotel’s longtime holiday tradition, ICE!, returns Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023, after a two-year hiatus.

Using more than 1,000 tons of ice, the classic Dr. Seuss story and animated special, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, will be brought to life by a team of 40 ice artisans who work approximately six weeks to create the nearly 20,000-square-foot, frozen attraction.

Starting with more than 6,700 massive ice blocks – created by three different ice manufacturers because of the amount needed – carvers will tally more than 12,000 man-hours. The artisans, using skills passed down from generation to generation, follow a 300-page design book to create the display.
This year, ICE! will feature more than 10 scenes from the story featuring classic characters such as The Grinch, his canine sidekick Max, and Cindy-Lou Who. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin, to soaring scenes measuring nearly 30 feet tall.

The environment will be kept frozen in the warm Florida climate by a state-of-the-art chilling system that maintains the temperature at a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Guests will be provided Gaylord Palms’ signature blue parkas to keep them warm and toasty while in the attraction.

Colored ice, clear ice and LED lights are all used throughout the display, as the frozen fun follows The Grinch’s journey from his mountaintop cave to Who-ville. It turns out that hauling ice is science and art. The Gaylord’s supply was created by a chemist who mixes special food colorings to ensure sculptures maintain their bright colors the entire season.

This is the first time The Grinch has been featured during the Orlando resort’s holiday celebration.”We can’t wait for our guests to once again experience the magic and wonder of ICE! during this year’s Christmas at Gaylord Palms celebration,” said Johann Krieger, general manager of Gaylord Palms Resort. “Since debuting here in 2003, ICE! has always been a one-of-a-kind attraction for our guests, and we’re excited to welcome this Gaylord Hotels tradition back this year with ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ and all the beloved characters in the classic Dr. Seuss story.”

In addition to seeing characters from the Dr. Seuss tale, guests can also take rides down two-story-tall ice slides, explore ice tunnels and arches, and visit Carver’s Showcase to see live sculpting demonstrations. The ICE! experience concludes in a separate area dedicated to a Nativity scene, meticulously carved and shaped in a dramatic display of crystal-clear ice.

Known as “Ice City,” Harbin is no stranger to elaborate ice carvings – it’s home to the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival in the world. At Gaylord Palms, some of the same artisans who create the Harbin festival will carve 300-pound blocks of ice into the larger-than-life, whimsical scenes. Carvers will use chisels, chippers, tongs, handsaws, grinders and chainsaws to bring The Grinch and the residents of Who-ville to life. The artisans from Harbin have created ICE! for Gaylord Hotels for many years, but haven’t been able to travel to the United States the past two holiday seasons because of international travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

And snow much more

While ICE! is the signature attraction for the 2022 Christmas at Gaylord Palms celebration, there are plenty more festive events, attractions and dazzling decorations throughout the 64-acre resort. The entire resort transforms into a holiday wonderland with more than three million lights, elaborately themed Christmas trees all throughout the garden atrium and convention center, more than 20,000 ornaments and miles of garland. Christmas shows and activities are presented in the atrium, while parts of the convention center transform into a bustling, holiday hamlet with Bavarian-style village storefronts, live shows, characters, a concession stand, and at Christmas shop.

Here’s a rundown of the events, live entertainment, hands-on activities, holiday meals, exciting attractions and notable news taking place this holiday season at Gaylord Palms:

Shows and Live Entertainment Highlight the Holidays

• Yule Be Amazed
  A Gaylord Hotels original production, “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” features high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, elaborate staging and a dramatic musical score. Returning after its successful debut in 2021, this Cirque-style show centers on Noel, a child dismayed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Throughout the 30-minute atrium show, Noel is visited in dreamlike chapters by trapeze artists, acrobats, aerial silk performers and others who help rekindle the Christmas spirit.
• A Musical, Storytelling Celebration
  The birth and life of Jesus Christ has been called “the greatest story ever told.” Guests can experience it through the eyes of six international storytellers in “The Greatest Story,” a musical stage show and multicultural celebration of everlasting faith, hope and love.
• Ready, Set, Glow!
  The skies above the Gaylord Palms atrium burst in a spectrum of animation in Shine. Vivid LED curtains suspended from the ceiling come to life in a light show that features an original musical score, dancing spotlights and a Christmas tree bathed in an ever-changing array of colors.
• Winteractive Fun with the Adventure Kids
  Adventure Kid Sophie joins her best friends Ava the Alligator and Seth the Sea Turtle for yuletide fun in Adventure Kids: Wonders of Winter. The trio stars in this interactive stage show that teaches young adventurers about the environment, wildlife and the world around them.
• Journey of the Three Kings
  Guests experience The Journey of Los Tres Magos, a live stage production that honors the Three Wise Men. Told through story and song, the show commemorates the Christian tradition celebrated in Latin America, Spain and around the world.

Tons of Fun at Interactive Attractions

• A Holiday Escape
  Guests test their winter weather wits inside the Naughty or Nice Escape Room. Yuletide trickster Jack Frost is back with his icy antics and has added new names to Santa’s infamous Naughty List. But Jack has a deal to make – if guests can sneak into Santa’s office and solve a series of puzzles, their names will disappear from the Naughty List. Guests need to put on their holiday thinking caps, solve the mystery, and then dash away, dash away, dash away all!
• Best in Snow
  A snowy play space awaits guests in the Snow Factory, along with ice tubing and snowball throwing. After climbing Snow Flow Mountain, guests hop in inner-tubes and speed down atop real ice. (Admission allows unlimited ice tubing rides on the date specified on the ticket.) After the need for speed is satisfied, guests can head over to Snowball Build & Blast. Conveyor belts deliver tubs of real snow to guests who race to make snowballs and toss them at targets. Also inside the Snow Factory is Snow Bar, a themed pop-up bar serving cocktails and mocktails.

Hands-On Fun This Holiday Season

• Believe in Your Elf
  Guests can learn the secrets of being a part of “Team Santa” in Elf Training Academy. One of Santa’s top toy makers teaches the secrets of becoming one of St. Nick’s helpers and leads new “students” as they create a special keepsake gift or craft to take home for someone special.
• Make a Date to Decorate
  In the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, guests let their Christmas creativity run wild while they adorn gingerbread treats. After they’ve reached confection perfection with their edible art, they can enjoy a sweet meet-and-greet and photograph with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man.
• A Very Beary Christmas!
  Also in Alpine Village, guests can experience Build-A-Bear Workshop®. Guests make their own furry friend, take part in the iconic Heart Ceremony, and personalize them with seasonal outfits, accessories, sounds and scents.

More Décor Than Ever Before! Overnight Stays Sweeten the Holidays

• A Tree-mendous Holiday
  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In all, there will be more than 3 million holiday lights sparkling at Gaylord Palms. More than 100 Christmas trees – with more than 20,000 ornaments -will be on display, including a centerpiece, 60-foot-tall tree in the main atrium. Beautiful trees will also be suspended from the ceiling in the Everglades atrium and placed on floating islands in the Key West Lagoon. Another guest favorite, the Christmas Tree Trail, will once again wind through the atrium and feature elaborately themed trees for picture-perfect, family photo moments.
• Rooms with a Yuletide View
  There’s never a better time for guests to book a room with an upgraded atrium view. With balconies that overlook acres of Christmas décor, guests can immerse themselves in the festive surroundings. Select rooms even provide prime balcony viewing for atrium shows such as “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas,” “Shine,” “The Greatest Story” and “The Journey of Los Tres Magos.”

Exclusive Access for Overnight Guests

This year, Gaylord Palms is offering benefits and special access to overnight resort guests so they can wait in line less and enjoy more. These benefits include:

• “Chill Pass” privileges to ICE!, offering front-of-line access and shorter wait times for this year’s signature attraction. “Chill Pass” is free for eligible overnight guests. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately, in advance.
• An invitation to “Extra Cool Hour,” which provides early entry into ICE! and Alpine Village one hour before it opens for day guests. “Extra Cool Hour” is free for eligible guests. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately, in advance.
• Exclusive access to reserve seating at four popular holiday dining experiences -Thanksgiving Dinner, The Feast with The Grinch character breakfast, Christmas Dinner, and New Year’s Eve Buffet. Overnight resort guests staying on the dates of these meals are the only guests eligible to book tables and make reservations.

There’s More in Store with The Grinch!

In addition to taking center stage in ICE!, The Grinch will be featured in two more holiday events at Gaylord Palms: a character dining experience and a family scavenger hunt.

• For overnight guests, The Feast with the Grinch character breakfast is a buffet with lots of Christmas flavor to savor, with special appearances by The Grinch and his canine friend, Max.
• The Grinch has also hidden clues about his latest mischief. He challenges guests to find these clues in The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt. Guests try to solve riddles and thwart his plans, with those completing the quest receiving a special stocking stuffer.

A Round of Applause for Santa & Mrs. Claus

• St. Nick Takes ‘Santa’ Stage
  Guests can chat with the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, to make sure they’ve secured a spot on his prestigious Nice List. Santa will meet guests inside Alpine Village from Nov. 18 through Dec. 24, before he heads back to the North Pole for his gift-giving journey. Presented by DEI.
• Hostess with the Mostess
  The jolliest hostess of all celebrates the season in Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions. Mrs. Claus entertains guests in Alpine Village with a sing-along and story time with the Christmas tale, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” She also shares Santa’s favorite snack – milk and cookies.

Christmas Merchandise & Spa Visits are Nice

• One-Stop Christmas Shop
  In Alpine Village, one of the largest holiday shops in the Sunshine State opens just for the Christmas at Gaylord Palms celebration. Market Square features wall-to-wall holiday gifts, collectibles, toys, plush, home décor, apparel, ornaments, branded merchandise and more.
• ‘Tis the Spa Season
  From Nov. 1, 2022-Jan. 6, 2023, Relâche Spa at Gaylord Palms is featuring Winter Wonderland massage, facial and pedicure treatments, highlighting the benefits of eucalyptus. The aromatic plant has been known to be high in antioxidants, to promote relaxation and reduce pain.

Enjoy Resort Amenities, Book Packages That Are Sure to Please

• Year-Round Fun
  In addition to the more than 15 special events, attractions and activities during Christmas at Gaylord Palms, guests can enjoy many of the year-round amenities. The resort features a 4.5-acre atrium with more than 500,000 plants, Florida wildlife and a 161,000-gallon lagoon. Cypress Springs Water Park is a water wonderland open exclusively to overnight guests, with seven water slides, a multi-level water playground, surf simulator, two pools and an action river. In addition, guests can enjoy a world of cuisine and fine dining at a variety of taste-tempting restaurants.
• Packages and Tickets
  Also being unwrapped this year: new Christmas at Gaylord Palms packages that include special room rates and admission to select events. Guests are encouraged to book their experiences early, as advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events. Admission is limited to many of the holiday experiences and showtimes. For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, guests may visit www.ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com.

Gaylord Palms Resort features 1,718 guest rooms and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space. Guests can explore the resort’s 4.5-acre garden atrium with its winding waterways, waterfalls, plants and Florida wildlife. Other resort features include gourmet dining, a full-service spa, the three-acre Cypress Springs Water Park and a host of special events during the year. The resort is located within minutes of the area’s world-famous theme parks and attractions.

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Despite a postponement due to Hurricane Nicole, the sixth edition gave Orlando the chance to exhibit their fashion sense, displayed their classy taste for design and elegance and share their gastronomic delights. World-renowned for its photogenic moments, Saturday’s Le Dîneren Blanc did not disappoint.

Together, guests dined, danced and celebrated as one while embracing this year’s theme.

To complement the evening, the celebration welcomed live performances and exhibits inspired by world culture including a Havana themed cigar lounge, European Horse & Carriage Experience at sunset, Middle Eastern Belly Dancing and Brazilian Samba Performance to welcome guests upon arrival, South Pacific Fireshow during dinner time, and highlights of Caribbean and African culture throughout the evening.

Guests embraced the theme highlighting the best of world culture from their chosen attire to tablescape – all while maintaining the “white concept.” It was truly a beautiful celebration and one that put diversity awareness and appreciation at the forefront.

After a beautiful dining experience, the traditional sparkler moment followed – lighting up the sky while opening the dance floor! Renowned Orlando personality DJ Emcee gave the audience much to enjoy with a high energy playlist that kept everyone on their toes all night long ending the night in pure excitement and joy.

Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîneren Blanc has become a global phenomenon and taken over 120 cities in 40 countries around the world such as New York, Miami, Sydney, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Vilnius, Montreal, and Nairobi.

Le Dîneren Blanc – Orlando hosts gratefully acknowledges Ticarme’s Kitchen, Statement by Kreative Things, and Joyfully Planned – Galaxie Rides, as official local collaborators of the 2022 edition of Le Dîneren Blanc.

The Orlando event was helmed by devoted hosts Tash Johnson of Tash Johnson & Co. International, Fabie Reid of Modernique Events & Co and Lisa Greenwood. Together, they make J.A.G.A. Productions, also known as Just Another Grand Affair, an event management and consulting company that focuses on the production of large-scale grandeur functions in the Central Florida region.

Over the years, Le Dîneren Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international phenomenon celebrated on six continents. Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîneren Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary in 2018 with a record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principalfueling this fanciful event has not: guests dressed in white continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîneren Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in more than 40 countries. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair.

For more information and videos of Le Dîneren Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

To keep up to date on Orlando event announcements, visit orlando.dinerenblanc.com.

Video by Darrell Scattergood

The post That’s Mighty White of You, Orlando appeared first on Traveling Archive.

This past October 28th, Gabrovic experienced the ride of her life in the backseat of an F-16 with Thunderbird 8, Major Jacob Impellizzeri, as her pilot.

“I could not be more thrilled,” said Gabrovic after being selected to fly. “I am extremely honored to have been given this opportunity.”

Gabrovic has been teaching and leading at Wekiva Elementary for the past 21 years, while establishing herself to be well invested in the school and the community. She was noticed for her level of commitment to enhancing the school culture, enhancing classroom instruction, and connecting with students and their families. According to her fellow teachers, she also created and maintained an atmosphere that is conducive for the educational environment by supporting all of those around her each day.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlined the 2022 Orlando Air & Space Show on October 29 and 30 at Orlando Sanford International Airport. The show featured the F-18 Rhino Demo Team, F-22 Raptor Demo Team, SOCOM Para-Commandos Parachute Team, and aerobatic pilots Michael Goulian, Buck Roetman, and John Black.

The U.S. Air Force added the F-22 Raptor Demo Team to the lineup to double headline the show with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The F-22 Raptor is the fastest and most maneuverable fighter jet in the world today. The F-22’s twin engines produce more thrust than any other fighter. Combined with its sleek aerodynamic design, this allows the F-22 to “Supercruise” at 1.5 times the speed of sound without using fuel consuming afterburner. The F-22’s unique thrust vectoring and advanced flight controls allow it to outmaneuver any other aircraft.

The F-22 Raptor demo consistently puts thrust vectoring on full display during its demonstrations, defying imagination as it climbs straight up, stops in mid-air, then reverses towards the ground before flipping the nose around in a summersault at near zero forward speed. The F-22 makes sharp, sudden turns displacing and compress air into vapor. Audiences often see the Raptor creating its own weather system with massive clouds that engulf the jet.

The U.S. Navy F-18F Super Hornet also soared over Orlando Sanford International Airport at the show. The Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet is a twin-engine fighter aircraft based on the original McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet also known as the “Legacy Hornet.” The Super Hornet is a larger and more advanced version of the legacy hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20-millimeter rotary cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was retired in 2006.

Karen Aplin, who is the director of Seminole County Tourism, notes that the military-friendly county has one of the largest concentrations of veterans in the county. She likes the patriotism and child-friendly aspects of air shows.

“Both of my parents are veterans. They are now retired. My mother worked at the VA as a doctor,” said Aplin.

Part of the 2022 AirDotShow Live Tour, the Orlando Air & Space Show was the fifth destination on a six-show tour which also includes the Atlanta Air Show.

As part of the award, Gabrovic received a Teacher of the Year ring from Herff Jones, gifts from Universal Studios, Orlando Solar Bears, Orlando Magic and $1,000 from the Foundation for Seminole school system and a one-year lease from Subaru North Orlando.

“We’re partners with the air shows as well as with the airport the fact that we can come together and that entertains the visitors and the community, that’s what it’s all about. It’s an amazing experience. Lot of people who are veterans, millennials, children, interest in the military and air force, you know on the day of the event, they synchronize it with the event, it’s a dance in the air.”

Aplin recently interviewed with the air show’s marketing director, Chris Dirato, for her tourism podcast. She was surprised to learn that the talented pilots cannot hear the music as they perform their aerial choreography.

“They just know when the music changes,” Dirato said. “They know the timing. It shows how much they practice.”

“We love shooting the reactions of the teacher inflight,” Aplin continued. “Tends to be an enthusiastic teacher who is selected, but Gabrovic was so calm. I would be full of adrenaline.”

Florida Cruises Above

The Orlando area has been a hub for aviation tourism lately. The Orange County Convention Center hosted the National Business Aviation Association this past October.

Actress Monica Barbaro, who played Lt. Natasha “Phoenix” Trace and Blue Angels Solo Pilot Frank Weisser Top Gun Maverick, were keynote speakers at the event. Barbaro described the intense training regimen that took her from her first pattern flight in a Cessna single to pulling as much as 7Gs in the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

“We looked for things to get us uncomfortable because we knew the filming of the movie was going to be so intense that we wouldn’t have any time to pick up the physicality of it,” said Barbaro. “We were really, intentionally, over trained. And yeah, it was an experience no one else in Hollywood ever gets. That’s for sure.”

Weisser drew laughs and applause when describing his experience in the makeup chair before filming.
“When I came in a woman asked,” ‘Who are you doubling for today?’ “And I said, I think you might have missed the point on this. I am not doubling as Tom; Tom is actually pretending to be us!”

Crushing It

Following her flight, Gabrovic was presented an autographed plaque while her family and friends looked on. Major Jacob Impellizzeri complimented her enthusiasm and stamina. The pair flew near the rocket launch pads around Cape Canaveral in Brevard County.

“We started bright and early,” Impellizzeri said. “I gave her the actual flight brief which is our meat and potatoes. We saw Falcon 9, which is still up on the launchpad. We pulled 9.3 Gs, and Julie wanted more!”

Gabrovic has three adult daughters, all of whom are in the military.

“My three daughters are so jealous,” Gabrovic said. “And so are my students!”

Misa Mills manages the Seminole County foundation. She said that recognizing quality teachers is one of her favorite tasks.

“Ms. Gabrovic is outstanding, Mills said. “In her recommendation letter, her peers said she’s not just part of the community – she is the community. Everyone knows her. She is also a coach at the high school.”

Impellizzeri was succinct in his assessment of Gabrovic as a flight partner, community member, and teacher.

“You crushed it!”

Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools is a direct support organization that serves to fund innovation in learning. Since inception, The Foundation has raised more than $20 million to help ensure that today’s students become tomorrow’s productive members of society. The Foundation funds and manage programs that address issues that inhibit a student’s opportunity to receive a quality education, enhance the learning environment and improve student performance, and provide professional education and acknowledgement.

(Video by Darrell Scattergood)

For more information about the Seminole County Public Schools Foundation, visit www.FoundationSCPS.org. For more information about the AirDotShow Live Tour and the Orlando Air & Space Show, please visit www.airandspaceshow.com.
To learn more about the National Business Aviation Association, visit www.nbaa.org.

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U.S. Highway 101 runs north-south through the states of California, Oregon and Washington. Known at some points as El Camino Real (The Royal Road) due to its Spanish trading past, it merges at some points with State Route 1, called the Pacific Coast Highway. It is one of the most scenic routes in the United States and a favorite of road trippers, who come from near and far to cruise along the western edge of America.

One of the most dramatic stretches of Highway 101 is at its northern terminus, in northwest Washington, where the road makes a loop around the Olympic Peninsula. Here visitors can buy lavender grown the traditional French way and visit coastal villages where fishermen still sell their daily catches dockside. Its natural wonders are punctuated by many historic sites and coastal towns offering good food and lodging.

The Olympic Loop offers a host of choices to explore the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Much of its landscape is as it was when Capt. James Cook explored the region in 1778, with coastal roads weaving past jagged cliffs and serene, island-flecked bays. Over one 15-mile stretch, the route travels through a section of wild Pacific coast protected by Olympic National Park; another million acres of parkland lies within the circuit of the loop. Thanksgiving week is a good time to visit, with holiday temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to lower 60s.

Visitors often travel the loop in the counter-clockwise direction, beginning north of Seattle at the Edmonds ferry. Departing on Wednesday before noon, travelers should be able to avoid Thanksgiving lineups at the terminal. The 20-minute voyage west across Puget Sound disembarks at State Route 104, which merges into Highway 101 approximately 25 miles northwest.

Before reaching the Olympic Loop, the road passes by Point No Point, a headland located at the point where Admiralty Inlet meets Puget Sound. In 1855, a peace treaty ending the Indian wars in the Washington Territory was signed at Point No Point. Over a thousand Native Americans between the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound signed the treaty in the presence of Isaac Stevens, the first governor of the Washington Territory. A bronze plaque commemorates the event. Adjacent to the Point No Point lighthouse are 1.5 miles of publicly accessible beach that offer dramatic views of Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Whidbey Island.

About four miles west on the Olympic Loop, past Sequim Bay, is the inland town of Sequim, known for its dry climate and lavender farms. Averaging just 15 inches of rain a year, Sequim has become a hot retirement spot in the region. Diamond Point on Discovery Bay, near Sequim, has views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Protection Island. To the west, New Dungeness Spit, a 6-mile flat spit barely visible from a distance, is one of the largest natural spits in the world. Capt. George Vancouver named it New Dungeness because it reminded him of Dungeness Point on England’s southeast coast, where a light has guided mariners since around 1600.

From Sequim, some visitors take a side trip up to Hurricane Ridge, in the Olympic National Park. It’s just a short drive and, at an elevation of almost 5,200 feet, it is a popular place for autumn sightseeing. This year, motorists are required to carry chains on portions of Hurricane Ridge Road beginning the week before Thanksgiving; call the park for more information (360-565-3005).

The route continues west to Lake Crescent, a good overnight stop for Wednesday. One of the deepest lakes in Washington, this picturesque glacier-carved lake offers boating and fishing along with diverse hiking trails.

Waterfalls in the area include Marymere Falls, a one-mile walk from Storm King Ranger Station at Barnes Point, and Sol Duc Falls, one of the most photographed spots on the peninsula, which is a mile walk from the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road. Nearby is Lake Crescent Lodge, listed as one of the best places to kiss in the Northwest. The Lodge’s seasonal dining is exquisite, with Dungeness crab cakes, French onion soup, baked wild salmon and elk rib rack among the offerings.

Continuing south on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, the route takes you from Lake Crescent to Lake Quinault, a 2.5-hour drive that includes that dramatic stretch along the Pacific Ocean. About halfway, in Forks, the Sol Duc River and the Bogachiel River merge into the Quillayute River, before they head to the sea. The nearby coastal land was aptly named Kalaloch (pronounced “clay-lock”), or “land of plenty,” by the Quinault Indians. It is a remote and peaceful place where visitors can enjoy beachcombing, fishing, hiking and exploring.

Built in 1926, Lake Quinault Lodge is a rustic, historic retreat and the perfect place to spend Thanksgiving. The Lodge’s $27 Thanksgiving buffet features roasted acorn squash bisque, poached salmon, cider and honey-brined turkey with cranberry pesto. Save room for the white chocolate bourbon pecan pie, the Lodge’s signature holiday dessert. If you need a pick-me-up after the feast, just put on some walking shoes and head out the door. Over 250 miles of hiking trails are located in the Quinault Valley, and 15 miles of them are within walking distance of the lodge.

Heading east on Friday, your destination is Alderbrook Resort and Spa, a luxury property located just off the loop on the scenic shores of Hood Canal. The resort will already have its halls decked for the Christmas holidays with more than seven miles of lights adorning the property and a 50-foot holiday tree set up on the waterfront lawn. The resort’s “Under the Mistletoe” package commences the day after Thanksgiving. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with a bottle of wine and a $50 dining credit for The Restaurant at Alderbrook. A Saturday morning walk along the shores of the Hood Canal, a glacier-carved fjord home to eagles and ospreys, salmon and seals, is the perfect conclusion to this Thanksgiving holiday and a nice nod to the Christmas holiday season.

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I’ve just returned from an immersive, topsy-turvy cocktail adventure. The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience is the maddest tea party I’ve personally attended in Florida. I savored this theatrical, alternate reality experience that took me down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass.

This adults-only event, up and running in half a dozen cities, has found its way to the whimsical pop-up experience currently running at The Oliv Bar, located at 745 North Magnolia Avenue in Orlando. The experience will run at this location through mid-August. For those both curious and curiouser, this is the tea party to end all tea parties. This event has been a huge hit, selling out Sydney and Melbourne before beginning the US tour, then selling out in multiple cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Denver.

The Mad Hatter, March Hare, and White Rabbit welcomed us. They adeptly hinted and ad-libbed to make our experience move efficiently. My companion and I enjoyed 90 minutes of madness, where the actors took us on a journey of clues, cupcakes, and curiosities.

We solved riddles and brewed teapot cocktails as we embarked on our very own mad adventure at The Alice. We created our concoctions under the watchful eye of The Mad Hatter. Each table solved riddles and challenges just like Alice and unlocked all the ingredients to create our own enchanted brews. The actors have created a cool, interactive event that is perfect for a date night, corporate event, or adult celebration.

The first drink arrived in a shot glass. The second was cleverly concocted by combining three small bottles of colored liquids which we earned by answering riddles. The liquids were emptied into a tea pot that erupts in smoke and is then poured over ice. The third cocktail arrives frothing with a contest.
It was all fun and games until someone stole the Queen of Hearts tarts and the room must decide who did it. I intentionally threw them for a loop by falsely confessing to the crime in front of the group. The cast said that was a first.

For guests who do not imbibe, fear not. The program’s imaginative mocktails are more than a mere afterthought. The drinks and Eat Me sugar cookie are well spaced in the 90 minutes.

The whimsical room consists of about eight tables with wonderful props such as half of Alice’s body hanging down through the ceiling, an enormous Cheshire Cat mouth and eyes, and giant playing cards. There are also cuckoo and office clocks, plastic flamingos, and playful faux flowers.

The guests in the room on our evening readily interacted with one another. For those who crave seclusion, the space can be leased privately for holiday parties and un-birthdays.

This 90-minute alternate reality experience in Wonderland costs $43 per person and includes a welcome shot, two cocktails, and an Eat Me cookie.

For more information, visit www.thealicecocktailexperience.com.

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I’ve just returned from a delightful trip to the Nader Museum, which is tucked away in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. The museum is currently showcasing its multimedia Botero Immersed exhibit. The sensational show is a visual and engaging passage into the work of artist Fernando Botero with music composed by Grammy-winning producer Emilio Estefan.

Gary Nader who is curator and director of the museum, defines the exhibit as “a remarkable cultural event and multimedia experience, and features Botero’s iconic body of work from the 1960s to the present day through 360-degree interactive digital projections, lights, music and sounds.”

What I personally love about Botero is that he’s Salvador Dali, Georgia O’Keefe, and Peter Paul Rubens rolled into a playful package. Even better, he’s still alive, and approves of this message. According to his granddaughter, who works at the museum, the 92-year-old Botero enjoys watching the technology demonstrating his work is a new way. He’s a virtuoso who understands how to connect with audiences across generations, ethnicities, and continents. Botero knows Diddley.

Nader Museum’s collection originates from Gary’s private collection, which he has amassed throughout his career as a gallerist. Among his collection are pieces from acclaimed masters of art, including Ponce de Leon, Rivera, Tamayo, and Zárraga.Through a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, installations, and other media, the museum’s audience can experience and appreciate what is considered one of the world’s most significant regions of today’s contemporary art scene.

The Nader Museum features more than 1,200 works of art that represent approximately 150 significant modern and contemporary masters. Its founder, Gary Nader, has been a staple of the Miami art scene for four decades. The nonprofit museum highlights work from Latin America and its diaspora. Through a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, installations, and other media, the museum’s audience understand one of the world’s most significant regions of today’s contemporary art scene.

Guests can see a variety of significant pieces representing Botero’s works over the past six decades, such as the circus personages, life in Latin America and its people, and adaptations of the work of art history masters. Botero’s narratives go beyond the represented object; a single image is full of nuances. It will take spectators to a vast and unique universe of experiences. His “baroque” exaggeration of the portrayed objects reminds me that his signature style represents an assortment of influences, from Renaissance masters to the 20th-century expressionist movements.

Fernando Botero was born in Medellin, Colombia in 1932. In 1950, he graduated from Medellin University. He studied in Spain and Italy before relocating to New York in 1960, where he won the Guggenheim National Prize for Colombia. Over the next few years, he began to develop his characteristic style. The small-town life he experienced as a child and the Colombian people of his youth would become his most rich source of inspiration. In 1973, Botero moved to Paris and began his sculpture period. Botero has attained global recognition for his paintings, drawings, and sculptures. His art is collected by international museums, corporations, and private collectors around the world.

Botero, with his immense sculptures, manipulates forms, proportions, volumes, and sizes to create smooth, round, and plump humans and animals that transform their surroundings and generate an immediate response from the viewer.

Botero said of his sculptures, “I never give particular traits to my figures. I don’t want them to have personality, but rather represent a type that I create. My sculptures do not carry any messages, social or otherwise. What matters for me is the form, the voluptuous surfaces, which emphasize the sensuality of my work. I like the enormous size; it is the fulfillment of my longing for voluptuous round forms.”

For more information about the Nader Museum and their Fernando Botero exhibit, visit namla.us.

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