Beauty & the Beast. Annie. Oliver. The Wizard of Oz. Grease! The Sound of Music.

Arguably some of the most timeless, classic musicals of all time, wouldn’t you agree? And now you can see them, as well as many other timeless musicals, just down the street for only a few dollars. Too good to be true? No, it’s Magic.

In an effort to provide a creative outlet for East Orlando, one nonprofit group has dedicated themselves to putting on shows and events that really strive to bring the magic of the theater home - literally.

Beginning life as an afterschool drama club at Sunrise Elementary School five years ago, Magic Curtain Productions, Inc. (MCP) has evolved into an registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that not only puts on dozens of shows a year, but also offers classes, camps, workshops and more to area residents.

“After performing at various local events, we quickly realized that there was an abundance of talent, interest and enthusiasm for community theater here in East Orlando,” says Rhonda Cato, artistic director for Magic Curtain Productions.

With shows spread throughout the year, MCP offers drama aficionados of every age a chance to either participate in shows or just sit back and enjoy a production put on by hard working, talented neighbors. “We consider ourselves a place for anyone who wants to become involved in the theater arts on stage or behind the scenes,” says Cato. “We find that our students benefit most by the lessons in teamwork, camaraderie, patience, self-confidence and leadership that theater provides.”

As for audience members, the group strives to gear its shows toward family entertainment for all ages. “We really try to find musicals that delight, inspire and entertain everyone,” says Cato. “They really are fun and unique outings you can’t really find anywhere else this close to home.”

Performers come from varied backgrounds to fill the casts of every show. Some are children as young as 4-years-old, while others are college theater/arts majors and some are even senior citizens making their stage debut. One thing everyone has in common though, is that they’re all East Orlando neighbors. “There really isn’t such a thing as a typical performer with us,” says Cato. “We have children who come looking for an outlet for their creativity and amazingly talented young men and women who have gone on to major in theater and perform professionally. Everyone interested in the arts has a place with us either on stage or behind the scenes.”

Finding space has been one of the largest challenges for the group. Utilizing various community resources to house them, MCP rehearses and performs everywhere from LifeSong Church to Discovery Middle School to various community festivals with main stage productions featured at the Timber Creek High School Performing Arts Center.

“We have been so fortunate to have found such a generous community partner in LifeSong to give us a temporary ‘home’ but our hope is to have our own community arts building one day,” says Cato. “This would enable us to offer an even greater variety of programs, classes and productions.”

No matter who is on stage and no matter where that stage might be, one of the biggest draws for MCP is their attitude and true sense of community pride found in every painted set piece, handmade costume and enthusiastic line belted out by performers. With many of the sets and costumes assembled entirely by volunteers, moms and dads after work and theater junkies alike - the group really becomes more like a family with one goal in mind: putting on an entertaining show for their community.

“The most rewarding part about any show or event is to see the fulfillment of a vision,” says Cato. “To feel the actors excitement rise, hear the drills and construction sounds as the last of the set is put together, watch the house fill up with people of our community and knowing that we are providing a place for actors and audiences alike to experience the magic that is live theater is what it’s all about.”

To learn how you can participate in Magic Curtain Productions or to view a full list of upcoming events, including their holiday shows, visit www.MagicCurtainProductions.com or call 407.282.8368.

Article by Corey Gehrold

There’s no denying that small businesses conduct themselves differently than their larger cousins in the big business world. Small businesses typically place added emphasis on customer service and personal attention; they never rush you in or out the door; their smiles seem genuine; and the business owner is usually hands-on in the day-to-day operations of the location.

What if that same small business approach to doing business was taken to the medical field? What if you could get that same level of service from your doctor? Luckily for residents of East Orlando and Lake Nona, such an office exists and the “customer first” culture found in many small businesses is a top priority every day at Total Foot and Ankle Center, Lake Nona.

Wanting to put his best foot forward (pun intended), longtime resident of Florida, Dr. Joseph Conte, DPM, AACFAS, co-owner of Total Foot and Ankle Center, Lake Nona, with his wife Nicole, started the podiatry focused practice in the fall of 2008 with one goal in mind: put the patients first.

“There are a lot of problems with modern medical care and the way it’s delivered, it’s not a secret that patients are unhappy, so we’re trying to change it for the better, at least in our office,” says Conte. “We do everything possible to make a patient’s experience here far and away from the typical ‘dreaded doctor’s visit’ that they’ve grown accustomed to.”

According to Conte, that mission to put a people-oriented approach to healthcare starts with running the office like a family-owned small business. “We keep that principle in mind no matter what we’re doing,” he says. “We treat our patients like family and like neighbors, because that’s what they really are - I live in this community, I work in this community and I want to get to know everyone and be the physician in the community that people have longed for.”

One of the main ways he accomplishes his customer-first goal is by catering to the needs of patients first, answering any questions they may have about their medical condition or their insurance. “We spend extra time with patients,” says Conte. “We also give patients an active role in deciding how they would like their issue to be treated if multiple methods are available. This way they’re much more likely to follow through with treatment as opposed to ‘Here’s two pills, call me in the morning’ or ‘Here’s an injection, see you in two weeks.’”

Whether its common foot issues like heel pain or ingrown toenails, or something more serious like complex ankle trauma or severe arthritic conditions and foot deformities, Conte and his staff can handle any type of podiatric issue for any age, child or adult, at their state-of-the-art office.

Using completely digital X-rays and electronic patient records allows the office to easily and effectively transmit records to hospitals, other doctors and even send prescriptions to pharmacies. “This way all patients have to do is pick up their prescription when it’s ready. It’s something small, but it’s one less thing for patients to worry about it and they appreciate that,” says Conte.

After his three year surgical residency program at Florida Hospital East Orlando, Conte knew he wanted to make this area his home for good. “When looking where to open my practice I wanted to go somewhere where I had an opportunity to grow along with the community, and Lake Nona is about as growing of a community as you’re going to find these days,” jokes Conte. “It was important to me, long-term, to have something that was going to grow around me for 30 years, where I could raise my daughter and where I could be proud to call home; and this area has exceeded my expectations.”

Having deep community roots doesn’t just stem from living and working in the area. It also comes from the community activities that Conte involves himself in. If he’s not volunteering at the Wycliffe Bible Translators underprivileged medical clinic down the road, you can find him at Lake Nona High School where he serves as the Official Team Podiatric Physician for all their sports programs. Recently, Conte was also named as an Associate Professor at the UCF Medical School. He has also manged to find time to  take an active role as part of the Physican Management Team at the Florida Hospital East Orlando Surgery Center.

But no matter what he does, it comes back to putting the patients first. “There’s no better feeling than helping someone return to full health,” says Conte. “It’s one of the main reasons I became a doctor and to help my neighbors feel better makes it all the more satisfying.”

To learn more about Total Foot and Ankle Center, Lake Nona, or to schedule your appointment, contact them today:

Total Foot and Ankle Center, Lake Nona
10417 Moss Park Rd.
Orlando, FL 32832
407.737.2751 - www.TotalFootandAnkleCenter.com

Article by Corey Gehrold

“I want to change the way I look but I just can’t give up the foods I love.” How many times have you heard that one? Even worse, how many times have you said that one?

Millions of Americans want to change the way they look, eat and spend their free time either because of a personal desire or for health reasons, so what’s the hang up?

“For most, it comes back to a confidence level issue,” says Ray Lloyd, founder and certified health coach with Glacier Healthy Living. “Male or female, once they hit that first bump in the road they consider it a failure. For those that can get over that fear of failing, they’re the ones that can make healthy lifestyle changes that really last.”

A former professional wrestler for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) at the height of its popularity from 1996-2001, Lloyd (or Glacier, as he was known back then) now holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health and physical education. For more than 15 years he has been showing grade school students and clients of every body type and every age the keys to making small changes in their daily routines that pay huge dividends.

After leaving the professional wrestling world full time, Lloyd decided to put his affinity for health and wellness to work on a more personal, private level. He began by teaching health and physical education classes to children and middle and high school, but recently he has taken the next step. While still teaching he has explored his inner entrepreneur and created his own health oriented lifestyle coaching business.

But for him, starting his own company was about more than helping others (although that’s a big part of it), it was about making sure they don’t have to go through what he had to growing up.

“I know what it’s like to be fat and unhappy with yourself,” he says. “I was pretty overweight as a child. Today my mother struggles with diabetes in part because of how she eats and my father died of heart disease at 57-years-old. Those events alone motivate me every day to be as healthy as I can be so I want to do the same for others.”

According to Lloyd, one of the most effective methods to change food and fitness habits is to carefully think about what it is you want to accomplish and then set a plan. Set attainable goals for yourself to boost confidence and build up to taking that first step - no matter how small it may be.

“As people get older, they get set in their ways - sometimes to the point where they think that first step is a lot harder or more challenging than it really is,” says Lloyd. “They equate trying something new with trying something difficult, especially when the word ‘exercise’ comes up and that’s just not true.”

By taking “baby steps” to reach a goal or change a habit you aren’t giving up things you love according to Lloyd, instead you’re making daily adjustments. “It’s simple and we’ve all heard it before, but the truth is, it works if you stay dedicated you can lose weight, increase flexibility and balance and even gain lean muscle.”

Taking small steps to achieve a larger goal is how Lloyd built the Glacier Healthy Living program, and it’s one that seems to work well for the new upstart company. “It’s not about being a drill sergeant or yelling at people, you have to find what works for them and what will motivate them because even with the same goals, same weight, same height and same personality, no one is identical,” he says.

One of the keys to his early success with the business has been taking a key principal he teaches to clients and applying it to his business model. “I tell everyone that it’s all about keeping your goals in perspective, in life or in business,” he says. “If you want to make a change you have to have a plan to keep you on the right track. Even if you’re just making these small adjustments every few days, a plan will help you achieve your goals no matter what you’re doing.”

Article by Corey Gehrold

It’s back to school time and that means it’s back to hectic schedules, afterschool activities and homework help. But, it also means that it’s time for parents and children alike to take a refresher course about some of the most important bones in the human body: their teeth.

With all of the day-to-day stresses throughout the school year, sometimes dental care can be overlooked for kids, especially when they’re tired. But, at The Right Smile Dentistry office, located on Lake Underhill Road and Alafaya Trail, the staff stands ready, willing and able to help with everything from tried and true brushing techniques to completely free, child-focused education programs.

“Having a great smile is important, but having a healthy one is even better,” says Dr. Axel Castro, co-owner of The Right Smile Dentistry, along with his wife, Dr. Maribel Morales. “It can be difficult sometimes for children and parents to develop proper brushing habits in today’s world, but that’s why we’re here. Good dental care starts with the primary or ‘baby’ teeth; good habits will lead to better overall health, even though the primary teeth eventually fall out in favor of the permanent set.”

Although some say the primary teeth are expendable, Castro and Morales believe differently, and it has helped to set their office apart. “These teeth have value, even though they fall out,” says Morales. “Primary teeth have a very important role in a person’s development and significantly influence the future oral health of the individual.”

One of the most important tips to remember, according to the doctors, is that children have not developed the mature motor skills to brush every surface in the mouth, so it’s important that parents supervise children after brushing to help them find areas they’re missing. “The goal should be maintaining these teeth in the mouth until the body is ready for the permanent set to erupt, otherwise problems like impacted or mis-aligned teeth may occur and lead to a dysfunctional bite,” says Castro.

It’s for this reason that the duo has worked diligently to create an extensive child-focused program for kids of all ages. “We’ve got funny animal videos, interactive models and all sorts of tools specialized to help us not only show the kids why good health matters, but to keep them entertained and build a rapport with them,” says Dr. Morales. “One of the most challenging aspects of working with children is to make it past the typical stress associated with the dental appointment, but when we can break through that and establish trust, a friendship even, it’s really rewarding and it helps the child so much.”

According to Castro, working with children is one of his favorite parts of the day, simply because he’s never quite sure what they’re going to say to him next. “It’s a completely different experience for us since the appointment becomes a very friendly time, full of spontaneity and conversations on everything from cartoons to videogames; it’s a lot of fun.”

The proud parents of two boys, aged six and 8-years-old, themselves, the doctors put their firsthand knowledge of how to interact with children to use every day at the office. “It helps us understand the way kids think and the ways we can best answer questions in a way they’ll understand or that will make them feel better,” says Morales. “Oh, and being current with what they watch on TV and what goes on at school helps out a bunch, too.”

But more than that, it has also given them a unique perspective on how to treat parents and children. “Being a married couple helps us maintain a family-oriented atmosphere that’s friendly and open,” says Castro. “We know how we would like our children to be treated and we understand that parents expect from us and professional care for their children.”

As a service to the community, The Right Smile offers dental care education at no charge for all children, whether they’re a current patient or not. “It’s so important to overall health and happiness, we felt like it was one of the best ways to help fellow parents. I know if I had a question about my child’s health, I’d want to get it answered as fast and as accurate as possible,” says Morales.

They have also created a comprehensive program that they perform in daycare centers and elementary schools. The presentation includes costumes, stage shows with puppets and even oversized, three feet high teeth. The office also supplies toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste for all kids and teachers present. Perhaps best of all, the service is entirely free of charge.

“We are extremely pleased to provide the service in our community, the kids love the informal, entertaining nature, but the program really includes some great, comprehensive information,” says Castro. “I couldn’t think of a better way for kids to learn about the importance of brushing their teeth and we’re thrilled to put the show on for them.”

Interested in learning how The Right Smile can help your child? Contact their Waterford Lakes area office to schedule an appointment today.

The Right Smile Dentistry
12301 Lake Underhill Rd., Suite 104
Orlando, FL  32828
407.380.7046 - www.TheRightSmileFL.com

Article by Corey Gehrold

Lach Orthodontic Specialists is giving needy children in the East Orlando Community an entirely new reason to smile, thanks to the office’s recently launched Smiles for Hope Foundation.

Created by Dr. David Lach, owner of Lach Orthodontic Specialists, to reach out to underprivileged families in need of orthodontic care, the program awards quarterly scholarships to a family who would otherwise not be able to afford the corrective measures, effectively paying for treatment in full.

“Our mission in creating Smiles for Hope was to create self-confidence, inspire hope and change the lives of children in a dramatic way,” says Lach. “The gift of a smile can do all this for a deserving, underserved individual who, in turn, can use this gift to better themselves and our community.”

A top graduate of the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, Lach went on to receive his orthodontic specialty training and a Master of Science degree from the University of Louisville. Here, he helped pioneer the study of using computers to predict some of the changes commonly seen as a result of wearing braces.

Since moving to Central Florida and starting his own practice, he has helped to create almost 20,000 smiles in and around the community. The Smiles for Hope Foundation now allows the team to reach out to those that need a helping hand, and give them a gift that can change their lives within just a few months. To apply for the program, applicants need to simply fill out a registration form available through the office.

The program is a result of Lach’s desire to make the lives of area children better using the tools and talents he has mastered over decades of experience. “This program makes an immediate and direct impact in our very own neighborhood where we practice and live without having to go through any of the larger organizations where sometimes the benefits get filtered down and diluted along the way,” he says.

Upon reviewing several other non-profits and organizations offering similar services, Lach was at a loss because he didn’t find a program that lived up to his strict standards. So, he decided to start his own program - one that he could control, one that would allow him to offer the most to the community he is raising his family in. “After looking into various programs and considering being a part of those that were already in place, we decided that it would instead be best to put together and create our own program in order to make sure that the benefits would be maximized for the underprivileged families and individuals that we are reaching out to,” he says.

Moving forward with the program, Lach hopes to reach as many families as possible through their individual, concerted efforts as an office. Eventually, he sees the program - or a similar one - being implemented at other local orthodontic offices, ultimately creating a region-wide impact.

“I feel as though it is our obligation now as a practice to give back to the East Orlando community that has been so good to us in a very special way,” says Lach. “It is already such a joy to provide smiles on a daily basis in our practice; and being able to now provide smiles for the neediest of the needy in our area make it an especially rewarding experience.”

For now, Lach is looking forward to growing the program within his own office and giving even more children a reason to have a confident, positive outlook on life. “I love doing what I do in creating beautiful smiles for our patients, and there is nothing better than being able to give a beautiful smile to someone who otherwise would not be able to have one,” he says. “Knowing that you have made a positive impact and difference in a very critical time in a child’s life is, in my opinion, one of the most rewarding experiences that anyone can have.”

Parents and families interested in applying for “Smiles for Hope” should contact Lach Orthodontic Specialists at 407-359-1960 or e-mail Info@Lach-Ortho.com for more information and applications. Candidates are reviewed on a quarterly basis and can reapply as often as they would like.

Article by Corey Gehrold