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Saving "Democracy" One Bald Eagle at a Time

11/12/2016

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Local ABC Affiliate, Channel 9, covered the story live.
Nov 2016, ORLANDO: Shortly after the US Presidential election, the story of two Bald Eagles, the symbol of American freedom, went viral on the internet. It seemed that the two had been fighting over territory and had fallen from the sky into the grate of a sewer drain, where one of them got stuck.

The drama drew a crowd of over 150 of my neighbors (this was just a couple miles from my home), and local TV had streaming coverage that got attention around the world.

​Being just after the drama of the election there were many that tried to turn the birds unfortunate predicament into a political metaphor… “Just shows America is circling the drain,” “Save Democracy,” and other quips appeared in the comments below the streaming video.
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​Fortunately authorities got ahold of the folks at the local Audubon Center for Birds of Prey and they dispatched an eagle eyed wildlife professional to oversee the rescue effort.

One of the birds did break free and flew up into the sky, continuing to circle and watching the action from up above. The other Eagle fell into the drain where, then, it could not escape at all. Firefighters were careful to tie a rope around the heavy iron grate, before they removed it, in order to prevent it falling on the trapped symbol of America and quashing all our hopes for the future.

Then, using a net, they were able to snare the bird around the legs (the safest place to grab them as their legs are very strong), and pull it to safety.

So today… “Democracy” is recuperating at the Audubon Center and people of ALL political persuasions are pulling together as one, checking on it’s condition and sending donations to help the center with it’s work.

Central Florida is home to many native species, some, like the Bald Eagle, is also found throughout the country and North America. However some species, like the Florida Alligator, or the Manatee, are only found in the Southern States.

If you love wildlife, and are visiting Florida, there are many “once in a lifetime” opportunities to see native and endangered wildlife, sometimes in their natural habits. A few of my favorite places are…
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Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.
Let’s start with the "Hero’s of the day;" the Audubon Center is located in the town of Maitland, in the Orlando area. For travelers and tourists wanting to experience real Florida, the Center provides opportunities to view Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Kites, Owls and Falcons; some of nature’s top predators.  You can learn about the unique adaptations of raptors, challenges they face and ways you can help. 

At the Center’s Gazebo, view the Magic of Flight barn, which houses birds currently under rehabilitation.  Additional exhibits highlight conservation in Florida and include a behind the scenes look into rehabilitation. 

You can learn more and DONATE to the center on their website: http://fl.audubon.org
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge
...is where locals take any injured or orphaned wildlife they find. “Critter Capture” professionals such as Bob Cross could not do their jobs, without a lot of heartbreak, were it not for the kind folks and volunteers at BTN. 

The Back to Nature motto is “No Animal Left Behind” and, when a local finds a baby raccoon in their yard, when their cat brings home an injured squirrel, when a hunter stumbles upon a baby owl or an abandoned coyote pup, the place they take the rescued critter is to “Back to Nature.”

Check out the BTN Farmers Market on Saturday at the nearby Valencia College campus.

Additionally the Center is OPEN to the public Tues-Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm for just a $5 donation. With over 30 different species, the “Wildlife Walk” is a must see for tourists and locals alike, and one of the best “entertainment values” you’ll find in Central Florida.

Back to Nature is just a 15 minute drive from the Orlando International Airport so many visitors plan their arrivals and departures so they can stop in and spend a few hours before or after their flights.

To get directions and more information, visit Back to Natures site: www.btnwildlife.org
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"Precious" the Raccoon
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"Tarot the Red Tailed Hawk
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"Jagger" the Rock Star! (Bobcat)
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GatorLand
(Ninja Level: 3 out of 5)
No visit to the Orlando area is complete without a stop at GatorLand. You almost feel like you are stepping back in time to the “pre-mouse” days of old Florida, as you can still see elements and hints of how GatorLand must have looked back in 1949 when it was built and run by Owen Godwin, a former postmaster and member of a local ranching family.

Still run by the Godwin family, the 45 acre park has had many facelifts and updates to keep it fresh and to keep families coming back year after year.

Sure they have the standard “Alligator Wrestling” and feeding shows, but they also have a variety of other reptiles in addition to their huge, HUGE gators and crocs. Seriously, they literally have a “mile of monsters” (Hi Bonecrusher!). The park is home to over “24 large alligators and crocodiles whose unique anti-social personalities have left those who work closest with them in need of therapy.” Can’t miss THAT!

In 2011 GatorLand completed the “Screaming Gator Zip Line” … five INTENSE zip lines that dangle you high above the ground along 1200 feet of line and seven platforms. A 150 foot high suspension bridge provides some great views. 1.8 million dollars and it was voted BEST ZIP LINE in the USA by AOL Travel! In 2016 GatorLand even launched a wheelchair accessible ZipLine. Wow... Ninja Level: 2 out of 5, that's more my speed and how great they are providing fun for everyone!

Check out their website and make a date to meet BoneCrusher at: www.gatorland.com
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Blue Spring State Park
Depending on the time of year, you might see just a few, or a plethora of endangered Manatees here.

The last time I visited, there were so many Manatees packed into the river by the viewing dock that you could have walked across their backs to the other side without getting your feet wet (except, of course, that would be wrong, you cannot “molest” Manatees, it’s a crime).
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I think Blue Spring State Park, north of Orlando, is a great place to spend an hour, or a couple of days. It’s slow paced, you get to view some Manatees, walk along some trails (2600 acres so have your GPS with you, lol).

There are picnic areas, but they only have concession type food so bring your own if your idea of dining runs to the “fancier.”

There is the historic old Thursby House, built in 1872 (considered a new house in Rome), that used to house steamboat passengers in days past.

There’s swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and tubing, as well as kayak and canoe rentals near by at St. Johns River Cruises.

And, if you want to hang out for the weekend, you can always book reservations for your RV or tent at one of 51 campsites (pet friendly, within reason).

Bring your camera, you never know what other critters might be ready to pose for you, but please keep your toddlers and pets SAFE, Florida has wildlife with teeth AND appetites!

Get info on their site here:
www.floridastateparks.org

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Thursby House, 1872
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If you’re an animal lover, like me, you probably already make them a part of any vacation you take and, besides what I’ve mentioned here, there are literally hundreds of opportunities to enjoy wildlife in Florida. Just use Google to find something near your destination!

As far as "Democracy," the Bald Eagle, goes... sadly, she passed away from her injuries. So, while Democracy is dead, you can still visit her friends at the Audubon Birds of Prey Center and make a donation in her name and in the spirit of freedom.

NOTE: It's a small, small world. Just learned it was Yaileen's boyfriend, Tito, who saw the Bald Eagles fall from the sky and called 911. Yaileen is "our" server at Sweet Mama's

#BaldEagle
​#Orlando
#WildlifeRehab 
#TravelWriting
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by Sue Copening
TravelWritingPartners@gmail.com
www.TravelWritingPartners.com 
407-443-0348

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Celebrating 75 Years at the Morse Museum

11/9/2016

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ORLANDO / WINTER PARK: The Morse Museum of American Art, located on Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida, celebrates 75 years of offering beauty and art this year. As part of the celebration a new exhibition was officially opened to the public on Tuesday, October 18th.

This phenomenal showcase of the Morse Museum’s entire collection is solidly diverse and continues to bring beauty and continuity to its audience.

It effectively applauds many additional outstanding artifacts which have been added to an impressive array of amazing art which already make up this fascinating collection.

Founded in 1942, the Morse Museum is probably best known for its collection of Tiffany lamps and artifacts dating back to the early 1900’s. Louis Comfort Tiffany (1948 - 1933) began collecting pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded glass windows and lamps. The industrialist housed much of his art and architectural objects in his Long Island estate, “Laurelton Hall,” which included 20th century American paintings, graphics, decorative art, stained glass windows, art pottery and more.

Tiffany died in 1933 and much of the vast collection was actually sold at auction due to the original foundation’s financial instability.

The original estate, which consisted of an impressive 37,000 square foot estate home, along with majestic gardens, was set on 600 acres of Long Island’s North Shore. Sadly, Laurelton Hall burned to the ground in 1957, but much of the art collection had been sold by then.

Tiffany's granddaughter, Jeannette Genius McKean, along with her husband Hugh, founded the Morse Museum, in Winter Park, in 1942 . She and her husband, Hugh McKean developed the Morse Museum beginning with many artifacts from the estate of her late grandfather. The museum began with an unprecedented amount of works from his original estate which, over the past 50 years, have developed into an impressive array of amazingly enduring art pieces.

Available for viewing with a distinct emphasis on diversity and originality, the collection is both beautiful and contemporary without compromise.

Dr. Laurence Ruggiero, Director of the Morse Museum, stated “there is no right or wrong way to enjoy art. There are no rules and art is both sensual and intellectual before you start to talk about it.” He then added sagely, “it is more important to experience art than to ‘know’ about it because art ‘speaks’ to everyone regardless of race, sexuality or ethnicity.”

The most recent works of art to complement the Morse collection include a wonderful array of Three Face glass, iridescent carnival glass, portraits, landscape paintings, pottery and works on paper. Sixty new objects will highlight the eclectic array of artifacts presented by the McKeans over the past five decades. There are also plaster art pieces, sculptures, prints and impressive windows of stained glass.

Incredibly, “The Chapel”, created in 1893 by Louis Comfort Tiffany as a pavilion for exhibition at the 1983 Chicago World’s Fair, now sits intact at the Morse Museum. Although it was officially called "The World’s Columbian Exposition," which brought the already successful designer even more popularity both in America and abroad, its beauty and relevance still hold true. After the World’s Fair, The Chapel was reinstalled in the crypt of the newly built Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. This breathtaking structure fell into disrepair after some ten years and Tiffany reacquired it, restored it and transported it back to his Laurelton Hall estate on Long Island.

Twenty six years after Tiffany's death, Jeannette and Hugh McKean acquired the remains of the chapel. They painstaking reassembled all of the windows, furnishings, etc . Today, we are able to celebrate the original elements which have been included in the Museum’s chapel exhibit (much of which dates back to the original Chicago 1983 construction). The Chapel continues to be a stunning tribute to faith, art, history and perseverance.

​The Morse Museum of American Art is located at 445 North Park Avenue, in Winter Park, Florida. Parking is free.


​The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Museum hours on Sunday are 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Fridays hours are from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m. . Curator tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Note that museum entry is free from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays from November through April.

#WinterPark
#Orlando

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Originally published in The Florida Sun
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Call 407-645-5311 for additional information or visit the website www.morsemuseum.org.

​During the Holiday's enjoy LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, free admission and guided tours on FRIDAY nights. (get more here)

by Linda Y. Walters

reprinted from The Florida Sun
Contact Linda at: ​lyw2001@aol.com

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Orlando's Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

10/8/2016

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ORLANDO: An exciting fall lineup of events will be presented at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts over the next few months. There’s a fabulous concert line up, the first ever introduction of a popular television game show (The Price is Right) and much more.
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There’s literally something for everyone with highlights for those who are particularly entranced with solid performances by talented artists. ​
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​An exciting fall lineup of events will be presented at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts over the next few months. There’s a fabulous concert line up, the first ever introduction of a popular television game show (The Price is Right) and much more.

There’s literally something for everyone with highlights for those who are particularly entranced with solid performances by talented artists. 

For the full line up and ticket availability, go to Center’s website at: http://www.drphillipscenter.com or call the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts box office at 844- 513-2014. 
 
If acrobatics is your thing, be sure to come out on Thursday, December 1 to see SHANGHAI ACROBATS, from the People’s Republic of China, as they perform “Shanghai Nights.” This incredible celebration of world music and dance will delight and enthrall your senses.  

The recent winner of five Tony awards, including “Best Play,” will appeal to those of you who simply love Broadway drama. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” comes to the Dr. Philips Center as part of their North American Tour on November 1st through 6th.

Winner of five Outer Critics Circle Awards, including “Outstanding New Broadway Play” and the Drama League Award for “Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off Broadway Play,” this amazing production more than lives up to its intriguing title. 

Tickets for The Price is Right Live go on sale on Friday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m. with prices starting at $36.50. With Contestants winning cash prizes, appliances, vacations and possibly even a new car, the excitement of this long running television game show now translates to a live experience right here in Central Florida. Open to U.S. legal resident of 18 years or older. 

In its first two years of operation, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has surpassed its original projections in attendance as well as its schedule of amazing productions. The Center has also generously donated close to another $2 million in value to community projects, events and amenities.
 
Now in its third year of excellence, the Dr Phillips Center is currently looking forward to completing its fund raising element for Phase 2 of the Center which will focus on adding the 1,700 seat Steinmetz Hall. With attendance of more than 302,500 guests in the past two years and more than 330 performances by incredibly diverse theatrical companies and performing artists, the confirmed success of this amazing state of the art performance venue is golden. 
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Want the line up for 2018
​and beyond?


Visit the Center's website for the​
​full line up and tickets:

http://www.drphillipscenter.com
​or call the box office at 844- 513-2014. ​
In its first two years of operation, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has surpassed its original projections in attendance as well as its schedule of amazing productions. The Center has also generously donated close to another $2 million in value to community projects, events and amenities.
 
Now in its third year of excellence, the Dr Phillips Center is currently looking forward to completing its fund raising element for Phase 2 of the Center which will focus on adding the 1,700 seat Steinmetz Hall. With attendance of more than 302,500 guests in the past two years and more than 330 performances by incredibly diverse theatrical companies and performing artists, the confirmed success of this amazing state of the art performance venue is golden. 
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By Linda Y. Walters, columnist

reprinted from The Florida Sun
contact Linda: lyw2001@aol.com
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