February has a way of reminding me how much āhomeā is made up of people, not just places. And weāre lucky to have both. With our cooler mornings (maybe thanks to my prayers), sunny afternoons, and our famous parks and lakes calling our names, this is one of the best months to slow down a bit, take a walk, grab a co ee, and wave to neighbors we pass every day.
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A fun note for the calendar: Valentineās Day falls on a Saturday this year, men... pay attention. Whether that means a real date night, a family dinner, or just an extra intentional moment of kindness, I hope it feels simple and meaningful. Sometimes the best way to celebrate love is to practice it in small ways all week long, a patient conversation, a thoughtful text, an o er to help.
As always, thank you to the local sponsors who make Maitland Neighbors possible each month. When you support them, youāre supporting the businesses investing right back into our community.
If you own a business and want to reach more high value homeowners in 32751, weād love to help you share your story in a way that feels local, trustworthy, and consistent.
Grateful to do life and community with you, and thankful to be your Maitland Neighbor.
Justin Brownlee Publisher Denille Brownlee Content Coordinator Erin McKnight Designer Christina Lee Contributing Photographer
To learn more about becoming an Expert Contributor, contact Justin Brownlee at jbrownlee@bestversionmedia.com or 407-221-2180
ā MEDICAL SPA ALUMA Wellness
Amy Rahill 407-910-1028 | www.AlumaWellness.com
ā CHIROPRACTOR
Insight Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center
Dr. Sean Olenek, D.C. (Acupuncture Certi ed) 321-926-2997 | www.insightchirohealth.com
ā PRIVATE SCHOOL
Park Maitland School
Bianca Moore, Head of School 407-972-0232 | www.parkmaitland.com
ā COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland
Dr. Brett Zak 407-830-9800 | www.dentistryonmaitland.com
ā BE THE NEXT EXPERT
Your Business Name Your Name Phone number here | www.yourwebsitehere.com
Why Your Workouts Arenāt Working Anymoreāand Itās Not Your Fault
The overlooked biological reason consistency alone isnāt delivering results anymore.
BY AMY RAHILL
AT SOME POINT, ļ¬tness stops feeling intuitive. Workouts that once produced visible results suddenly feel exhausting. Recovery takes longer. Strength declines. Body composition shifts despite consistency. Motivation fadesānot because eļ¬ort has changed, but because the body has.
For many men and women, the missing piece isnāt discipline or programming. Itās hormonal balance.
āEarly in my career, my work was centered almost entirely around weight loss. Over time, I began to notice a consistent trendāwomen in menopause and men in andropause were doing everything right, following disciplined nutrition plans and consistent ļ¬tness routines, yet meaningful results were diļ¬cult to achieve. That realization led me, more than a decade ago, to identify the powerful connection between hormones and weight regulation.ā
Hormones act as the bodyās internal communication system, inļ¬uencing how muscle is built, fat is stored, energy is regulated, and recovery occurs. When these signals are aligned, ļ¬tness feels ļ¬uid. When theyāre not, progress can stallāno matter how consistent the routine.
The hormonal framework behind performance
While estrogen often dominates the conversation, optimal ļ¬tness depends on a complex hormonal network:
ā¢ Estrogen supports muscle repair, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic eļ¬ciency
ā¢ Testosterone, present in both men and women, plays a critical role in lean muscle, strength, and drive
ā¢ Progesterone inļ¬uences sleep quality and perceived exertion
ā¢ Cortisol helps the body adapt to stress, but chronic elevation can impair recovery and promote fat storage
ā¢ Thyroid hormones regulate metabolic rate and energy output
ā¢ Insulin governs blood sugar stability, cravings, and fuel availability during exercise
When these systems work in harmony, the body responds predictably to training. When they donāt, even the most thoughtful ļ¬tness plan can feel ineļ¬ective.
Why midlife changes the rules
Age-related hormonal shiftsāincluding menopause and andropauseāaļ¬ect far more than reproductive health. Recovery slows, muscle-building eļ¬ciency declines, insulin sensitivity changes, and stress tolerance narrows. This is why traditional āeat less, train moreā approaches often backļ¬re later in life. The body becomes less tolerant of extremes and more responsive to precision.
Reframing the estrogen conversation
Much of the lingering fear around hormone therapy stems from early-2000s headlines tied to the Womenās Health Initiative. Modern research has since clariļ¬ed that timing, formulation, dose, and delivery method matter, shifting the conversation toward individualized evaluation rather than blanket risk.
The future of ļ¬tness
The most important shift in ļ¬tness isnāt a new workout trendāitās understanding internal physiology.
When people understand how hormones inļ¬uence energy, strength, recovery, and body composition, they stop ļ¬ghting their bodies and start working with them. Fitness becomes sustainable. Progress becomes predictable.
Hormonal balance isnāt a side conversation in ļ¬tness. Itās the foundation everything else is built on.
ON GERONIMO TRAIL, Valerie and Jay Kennedy love the rhythms of Dommerich: neighbors out walking, kids riding bikes, children playing in their front yard and conversations that begin with a wave and turn into a few minutes of catching up. These days, that feels sweet because the Kennedys are watching ālife recycleā right in front of them. āWhile we were once the young parents on our street,ā Valerie says, ātoday we are now enjoying being the grandparents on the street,ā and it has reminded them how quickly seasons change.
Valerie and Jay have been married for 41 years and share a hometown: Morehead City, North Carolina, a ābeautiful seaside southern Outer Banks townā also referred to as āThe Crystal Coast.ā They attended the same high school, but did not date until they were out of high school and attending diļ¬erent North Carolina colleges. Their oļ¬cial meeting happened at a local beach club where āshaggingā to Beach Music was supreme.
After a three-year long-distance relationship, they married in 1984. In 1985, they moved to Orlando so Jay could pursue a professional golf playing career, competing
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
on the Space Coast Mini-Tour with hopes of qualifying for the PGA Tour. āWe were certain we would move back to North Carolina once he accomplished this goal,ā Valerie says, ābut God had a diļ¬erent plan for our family and we
are still in Maitland 40 years later.ā
Friends lived in Dommerich when they arrived, and they āimmediately fell in love with the neighborhood.ā While living in an apartment nearby, they dreamed of buying a home in Dommerich one day. In 1989, they purchased their home on Geronimo Trail, where they still live today. Valerie says Dommerich gave their girls a childhood that felt āsafe and secure in a tight knit neighborhood.ā One memory stands out above the rest: āHaving the opportunity to walk and ride our bikes with the girls to Dommerich Elementary and Maitland Middle School is a memory we will cherish forever of their childhood.ā
Their daughters, Hannah and Kathryn, attended those same neighborhood schools and later graduated from Winter Park High School. The girls grew up with bike rides to Maitland Community Park and practices on neighborhood courts and ļ¬elds. Sports were a big part of life early on, from Maitland Soccer and Maitland Basketball to the sport that eventually won their hearts: softball. They began in the Maitland Softball League, spending countless hours on the Maitland
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA LEE, LUNA MIA ARTISTRY
āToday we are now enjoying being the grandparents on the street.ā
āValerie Kennedy
ball ļ¬elds. Jay coached for years in Maitland, Winter Park Little League, and then at Winter Park High School, where both daughters were standout players. Jay dedicated seven years helping coach WPHS softball, and he still talks about how much he loved investing in the girls while getting extra time with his own daughters.
Valerieās career has always been about kids and families. She attended Appalachian State University majoring in English Education and began teaching at Lake Brantley High School. After Hannah and Kathryn were born, Valerie was a full-time mom and invested her time and energy into volunteering at Dommerich Elementary, including serving as PTA President. She later returned to teaching at Maitland Middle School and has now served as Upper Elementary and Middle School Principal at Park Maitland School for 17 years, building relationships with families that often continue long after students graduate.
Jayās career has been shaped by golf and the relationships the sport creates. A two-time All-American at Guilford College, he moved to Florida to pursue professional golf and later shifted into the golf business. He had the good fortune of going to work at Interlachen Country Club at its inception and was named Interim Head Pro in 1992. Jay continues at Interlachen today as Director of Golf, overseeing the entire golf operation at the club. He recently celebrated 39 years at Interlachen and is the longest standing employee on staļ¬. With the new course opening at Interlachen, thereās a fresh chapter unfolding, and Jay is excited to be part of
whatās next.
And as life would have it, those golf ties now run into the next generation. Their sonin-law, John Ernst, a Florida State University graduate in Hospitality and Golf Management, began working at Interlachen in 2016. Through mutual friends, John was introduced to Kathryn Kennedy, and the rest is history. John has worked at Interlachen for nine years and was named as the Head Pro in 2021.
Today, both daughters live locally, and Kathryn lives in Dommerich, only about a mile from where she grew up. Hannah attended the University of Florida and is currently a speech and language therapist in the community. Her husband, Jason, earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UF and is a local physical therapist. Kathryn attended Florida State University and works in Talent Acquisition Operations at AssuredPartners, a Gallagher Company. The Kennedys laugh that they are āoļ¬cially a house divided,ā with Hannah and Jason as Gators, and Kathryn and John as Seminoles.
Now the family has expanded with grandchildren Zeke (3) and Juniper (10 months) Sellers and James Ernst (8 months), and Valerie and Jay are loving this season. They still enjoy āthe family feel of Dommerich and the comfort level of getting out and walking and seeing neighbors out doing the same.ā They also insist no neighborhood does Halloween like Dommerich. āThe community feel that comes out on that night is incredible,ā Valerie says, remembering street parties and families trickor-treating together.
Faith has always been important to their
familyās story, and today the entire family are members of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. Summer also brings them back to their roots. Because extended family still live in Morehead City, traveling to The Crystal Coast each year has been a treasured tradition. The Kennedys have taken an annual trip there every summer for 40 years and āhavenāt missed a year since they were married and moved to Florida in 1985.ā Their daughters grew up loving it, and now they are continuing it with their own new families.
And when they are home, the Kennedys love supporting Maitland favorites. They have been regulars at Antonioās for years, and also enjoy Lukeās, Francescoās, and the newer Maitland Social.
After decades in Dommerich, Valerie and Jayās message to neighbors is simple: gratitude. They have treasured the friends they have met, the safety and security their girls felt growing up, and a neighborhood that still feels welcoming. From fairways at Interlachen to front-yard laughter on Geronimo Trail, the Kennedys are thankful for a place where life comes full circle, and where you do not just live near your neighbors, you grow with them, and that is the long game of being good Maitland Neighbors.
DO YOU KNOW A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A STORY TO SHARE? // Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at dbrownlee@bestversionmedia.com
Maitland Mental Health Co.
Clarity, Compassion, and Practical Support for Kids and Families
Business Proļ¬le BY DENILLE BROWNLEE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MAITLAND MENTAL HEALTH CO.
WHEN A CHILD is struggling in school or at home, the hardest part is often not knowing why. Is it attention? Anxiety? A learning diļ¬erence? Giftedness? Or just the weight of growing up in an overwhelming world? At Maitland Mental Health Co., Farah helps families ļ¬nd a clearer picture and a thoughtful plan forward.
Maitland Mental Health Co. is a boutique private practice that oļ¬ers psychological services for children, teens, and young adults. Farah specializes in psychoeducational evaluations, including testing for learning diļ¬erences, giftedness, ADHD, and more. She also provides therapy, executive function coaching, and educational consulting to help families better understand their childās needs and feel more conļ¬dent navigating school and home.
A licensed school psychologist for over a decade, Farah launched Maitland Mental Health Co. in 2023 after seeing how hard it can be for families to access timely answers and meaningful support. āThe systems are overwhelmed,ā she shares. āWith limited time and resources, kids often end up feeling like a number, and so do the people trying to help them.ā
She wanted to do things diļ¬erently: to slow down, sit with families, and oļ¬er care thatās warm, thoughtful, and truly tailored to each child. Her philosophy is simple: mental health care should be both evidence-based and human. No cookie-cutter evaluations. No cold clinical jargon. No rushed appointments. Just clear communication, practical guidance, and support that helps kids feel seen and capable. Farahās goal? For parents to walk away saying, āThis ļ¬nally makes sense.ā
Becoming a mom herself reshaped the way she approaches this work. She understands how overwhelming it feels when your child is struggling, and she loves helping parents move from anxious and unsure to calm and conļ¬dent.
Farah lives in Maitland with her husband (who owns a local inspection company) and children. Her message to parents: If your child is struggling with learning, behavior, or just being a kid, youāre not a bad parentāand theyāre not lazy. Sometimes you just need a clearer picture, a fresh perspective, or a new plan. And you donāt have to ļ¬gure it out alone.
Learn more at maitlandmentalhealth.com or follow on Instagram @maitlandmentalhealth.
Meet Some of Your Maitland Pets!
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
SHOW US YOUR PETS!
Do you have a favorite photo of your favorite pet? Send it to dbrownlee@bestversionmedia.com and they could be the star of a future edition!
Cookie
SUBMITTED BY ARIELLE H.
Willow,Tinsel, Chia & Steel
SUBMITTED BY ANNE & MICHAEL R.
Benjamin
SUBMITTED BY JACQO R.
Finley
SUBMITTED BY GABI P.
SUBMITTED BY ELLA W.
SUBMITTED BY JILLY B.
ā¢ LIFETIME WARRANTY
ā¢ 0% INTEREST FREE FINANCING
ā¢ MADE IN USA FLOORING OPTIONS
ā¢ DONATION TO SAVE A LIFE PET RESCUE AFTER EVERY SALE
Binx
Shelly
Saturdays in February
Orlando Punch Needle Workshops
@ PLUMERIA HOME DECOR & DESIGN
Take a creative break each Saturday at Plumeriaās beginner-friendly punch needle workshops. Learn step-by-step how to create your own textured ļ¬ber art in a cozy, peaceful studioāattendees rave about the welcoming instructors and relaxing atmosphere.
Times: Saturdays; see website for availability. Cost: From $85 per person; discounts for groups of 2+ www.plumeriaworkshops.com
Sundays in February
Maitland Farmersā Market
@ INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Shop local every Sunday at the Maitland Farmersā Market on Independence Lane. Browse a unique mix of vendors oļ¬ering fresh produce, plants, ļ¬owers, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts, and handmade gifts, with live music and activities for the kids.
Join us for stories, songs, movement, and a puppet show that support early literacy through fun, interactive play. Followed by a themed craft. Ideal for ages 3ā5.
Join the community in downtown Maitland with live music, food and drink vendors, and fun activities for the kids at this lively street party on Independence Lane.
Times: 6ā9pm | Cost: Free www.itsmymaitland.com
Sat., February 7
Early Spring Family Day
@ART & HISTORY MUSEUMS - MAITLAND
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the A&H Early Spring Family Day. Children will create clay pinch pots, decorate with garden trea-
sures, enjoy a scavenger hunt, crafts, face painting and free museum access.
Time: 10am-1pm | Cost: Free www.artandhistory.org
Sat., February 21
Movie in the Park
@ INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Enjoy a free outdoor movie under the stars at Independence Square next to City Hall.Bring your chairs and blankets, sit back, and enjoy the movie with complimentary popcorn.
Asbury Early Learning Center Art Show & Silent Auction
@ ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Donāt miss the 2nd Annual AELC Art Show fundraiser and Silent Auction, a fun evening to support the school, featuring artwork from their young artists.
Annual Dommerich Glow Golf TournamentSponsored by Dommerich Fund
@WINTER PARK 9
Register now for the annual Dommerich Glow
Tournament, presented by the Dommerich Fund. This exciting nighttime event features glow-in-the-dark balls and a best ball format, with prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, and hole-in-one. All proceeds beneļ¬t Dommerich Elementary School. Limited spots available!
Time: 6:00pm | Cost: Various Prices
Email:Ā dommerichfund@gmail.comĀ to secure spot
Fri., March 6
Maitland Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
@DUBSDREAD GOLF COURSE
Register for the annual tournament, hosted by the Maitland Chamber of Commerce, beneļ¬ting New Hope for Kids. Join business leaders, golf lovers & community for a day of networking, competition and fun!
Time: 7am Registration and 8am Shotgun
Start | Cost: Various Prices www.maitlandchamber.com
CELLULAR RECHARGE: How Infrared and Red Light Therapy Supports Wellness and Recovery
BY DR. SEAN OLENEK, INSIGHT CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
WHAT IF HEALING could start with light?
Red light therapy is a noninvasive treatment designed to reduce pain, accelerate recovery, and elevate overall wellbeing. As cellular health science advances, people are increasingly using natural therapies such as infrared and red light therapy for healing.
What Is Infrared and Red Light Therapy?
Infrared and red light therapy use speciļ¬c wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate the mitochondria, and thereby increase cellular energy (ATP). This cellular energy boost is also known as photobiomodulation. It works by delivering photons into tissues, activating cellular processes that speed healing and improve cell eļ¬ciency. Because the therapy works at a superļ¬cial and deep cellular level, its eļ¬ects can support a wide range of tissues: muscles, joints, skin, and nerves. Speciļ¬cally, infrared light penetrates the body up to 8-10 millimeters, which addresses a deeper level for healing in the body. Red light does not penetrate as far into the skin as infrared light but is very beneļ¬cial for outer skin health. Combining infrared and red light is powerful because it improves skin health but also your overall vitality.
Beneļ¬ts Backed by NASA Research and Clinical Studies:
ā¢Reduces inļ¬ammation
ā¢ Speeds muscle recovery after workouts or injury
ā¢Improves circulation
ā¢ Supports collagen production for skin health
ā¢Reduces joint stiļ¬ness and pain
ā¢Enhances cellular repair
ā¢ Improves sleep quality by regulating circadian rhythms
ā¢ Supports mitochondrial function for overall vitality
ā¢Promotes detoxiļ¬cation
ā¢Provides relaxation
ā¢Boosts immunity
ā¢Supports heart health
Infrared and red light therapy is beneļ¬cial for athletes looking to recover fast. For adults with chronic inļ¬ammation, joint discomfort, or tightness, the power of red light relieves pain and promotes faster healing. Anyone dealing with fatigue or desiring to promote their overall wellbeing will beneļ¬t from this natural treatment. Individuals seeking rejuvenated and glowing skin will be delighted by their ļ¬rmer, smoother skin, reduced wrinkles, and improved tone. Busy professionals feeling the strain of daily stress will ļ¬nd the treatment relaxing and their circadian rhythm regulated. Red light therapy has also been shown to be a useful therapy for those with cardiovascular concerns because it boosts cellular energy production in heart tissue, reduces high blood pressure and facilitates lymphatic drainage.
During a red light session, you can expect a comfortable, noninvasive, relaxing, and warm (but not hot) experience. The session is typically 15 minutes on your front followed by 15 minutes on your back. You also have the option to treat one side of your body. Rather than an at-home face mask, we recommend full-body panels for comprehensive coverage. Expect no downtime after this natural and science-backed treatment.
Many patients enjoy combining their infrared light therapy with acupuncture. Acupuncture regulates the nervous system, releases tension, and supports systemic balance. This powerful combination promotes healing from the inside out.
Here at Insight Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center, we oļ¬er powerful full-body panels. The wavelengths emitted by our panels fall within the scientiļ¬cally recognized ātherapeutic window,ā where light becomes bioactive. At this range, it directly inļ¬uences cellular processes, enhancing energy production, reducing inļ¬ammation, and promoting deep tissue repair. We provide you with personalized care plans tailored to your bodyās unique needs to help you achieve the best results. Light is one of the bodyās oldest and most natural healing tools. Red light and infrared light therapy simply harness it in a modern way to help people feel, move, and live better.
INSIGHT CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
Dr. Sean Olenek, D.C. 321-926-2997 | www.insightchirohealth.com
Perched Together
SUBMITTED
BY HELEN KERR
FOUR TURTLES LINE up on a sun-warmed palm, quietly sharing the same perch above a Maitland pond. No rush. No noise. Just steady balance, one behind the other, making room and soaking in the light. Itās a small reminder for February: slow down, look up, and notice the neighbors around you. Oļ¬er a wave. Hold a door. Let someone merge. Check on a friend whoās been quiet. Maitland is full of everyday moments like this, if weāre paying attention. This week, take a short walk, breathe in the fresh air, and choose one simple act of kindness. Little things add up.
Cosmetic Dentistry
General & Preventative
Dental Care
Implant Dentistry
Crowns
Child and Adult Care
In-House Labora In-House Laboratory
Cranberry and Pistachio Brie in Phyllo
BY RENEE GARRISON
A PRETTY AND tasty addition to your Valentine party (without any artiļ¬cial red dye or food coloring!) Itās quick and easy too, so you can spend more time with your sweetie.
ā¢ Cut the brie in half horizontally. Spread cranberry sauce over bottom half, sprinkle with 2 Tbs pistachios.
ā¢ Place the other circle of brie on top, rind side up.
ā¢ Lay a sheet of phyllo on work surface and spray with cooking spray. Repeat using all 4 sheets.
ā¢ Place brie in the middle of the phyllo.
ā¢ Fold the phyllo around the brie, spraying each time you fold.
ā¢ Place seam side down on baking sheet.
ā¢ Spray top and sides with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining pistachios.
ā¢ Bake 10 to 12 minutes until phyllo is crisp and lightly browned.
ā¢ Serve with your favorite crackers.
with Venue on Lake Lily... your event supports a cause
Host your event at Maitland's beloved Venue on Lake Lily, its classic mid-century vibe and exceptional event services are underscored, knowing a portion of your space rental goes to help children and families in Central Florida.
From intimate and large celebrations to festivals, we are very attentive to the unique needs of your occasion.
What I tell homeowners who want cleaner water, protected xtures, and fewer surprises
BY COURTNEY CARROLL, COOL TODAY
WHEN I WALK into a beautiful Maitland home, I often hear the same few frustrations: spots that wonāt quit on glassware and ļ¬xtures, showers that feel harder to keep clean, and water that smells or tastes a little too much like chlorine. In Florida, many municipal supplies run hard and can contain chlorine and chloramines, which can aļ¬ect comfort and, over time, your plumbing ļ¬xtures.
A whole-home water ļ¬ltration system is designed to treat water at the point it enters your home, so the beneļ¬ts show up everywhere, not just at the kitchen sink.
Start with the test, not the sales pitch
Before we recommend any system, we start with a water quality test. It gives a clear picture of whatās coming out of your taps so you can make a conļ¬dent decision. Depending on your water source and conditions, we may look at factors like pH, hardness, and contaminants, then talk through your goals and preferences.
Signs your home may beneļ¬t from ļ¬ltration
If any of these sound familiar, ļ¬ltration is worth a closer look:
ā¢Your water smells or tastes like chlorine or other chemicals
ā¢ Youāre seeing corrosion or hard-water scale on valves, pipes, or ļ¬xtures
ā¢ You want to cut down on plastic bottle waste and drink cleaner water
ā¢You want the cleanest water possible for your family and pets
Choosing the right system (and what impacts cost)
Hereās something most homeowners appreciate hearing upfront: the cost of a ļ¬ltration system often comes down to maintenance requirements. Some systems are maintenance-free, while others require annual ļ¬lter replacement. A system can look cheaper at ļ¬rst, but cost more over time if it requires frequent upkeep.
Weāll also talk through add-ons like reverse osmosis for drinking water when it makes sense.
What to expect with installation and support
Once you choose the right system, most water ļ¬ltration systems can be installed within 3ā5 hours, and we make sure everything is
working properly before we leave.
We also believe homeowners deserve clarity and conļ¬dence with the process, so our ļ¬ltration installs include free on-site estimates, upfront ļ¬at-rate pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
And because trust matters, we stand behind the work: Cool Today oļ¬ers a 10-year warranty for maintenance-free water ļ¬ltration systems we install and a 2-year warranty for reverse osmosis systems we install (RO ļ¬lters are changed annually and not included in the warranty).
Whole-home ļ¬ltration is one of those upgrades you feel every day. If youāre curious whatās right for your home, start with a water test and honest answers. As we like to say, itās no pressure, just practical guidance from experts you can trust.
Learn more / schedule a water test: CoolToday.com
COOL TODAY
Courtney Carroll
407-502-8456 | www.cooltoday.com
Use Todayās Breaks to Protect Tomorrowās Brackets
SUBMITTED BY JAMES GRIFFIN
FEBRUARY IS A great time to revisit your tax plan under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025. One provision that matters for retirees is the new senior deduction: if you are age 65 or older, you may claim an additional $6,000 deduction per eligible person for tax years 2025 through 2028, with phaseouts beginning at modiļ¬ed adjusted gross income above $75,000 for single ļ¬lers and $150,000 for joint ļ¬lers. That added deduction can create room in your brackets, and room is opportunity. If you are close to retirement, consider using lower tax years to take voluntary IRA withdrawals before required distributions begin, complete partial Roth conversions, or harvest long term capital gains at favorable rates.
Other planning angles include higher 2026 retirement contribution limits, plus
a new above the line charitable deduction for cash gifts up to $1,000 per ļ¬ler, even if you do not itemize. The law also allows a deduction for qualiļ¬ed auto loan interest up to $10,000 per year, subject to income based phaseouts.
Taxes play a part in your overall ļ¬nancial plan. Many times, I ļ¬nd that folks rarely plan out their tax liabilities more than one year at a time. If you havenāt done so already, now is a great time to map your income sources, Social Security timing, and investment strategy across several years, so you stay in a strong position even when todayās rules change. Letās build your game plan.
Disclosure: Keep in mind that this is for informational purposes only. Consult with your professional before making any changes.
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey A new home for owls and a fresh season for Maitland
BY JUSTIN BROWNLEE
MAITLAND HAS LONG been a place where nature and neighborhood life meet, and few local organizations reļ¬ect that better than the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. Many residents are surprised to learn that Audubonās Florida story has deep roots right here, beginning with the very ļ¬rst meeting of the Florida Audubon Society in March of 1900 at the home of Clara and Louis Dommerich in todayās Dommerich neighborhood. At the time, hundreds of thousands of wading birds were being slaughtered to adorn womenās hats. That small, dedicated group launched a grassroots eļ¬ort to protect Floridaās birds, and that legacy continues today through Audubon Florida and the Center for Birds of Prey.
Located in the heart of Maitland since the 1970s, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey is a nonproļ¬t urban environmental center dedicated to protecting Floridaās raptors through medical treatment and rehabilitation, conservation education, and community science. The Centerās team admits more than 700 injured or orphaned birds of prey each year with one goal in mind: treat, rehabilitate, and release whenever possible. For the raptors that cannot return to the wild, the Center provides lifelong care and uses their stories to help visitors better understand eagles, hawks, owls, and the ecosystems they depend on.
Center Director Katie Warner, who has been with Audubon for 25 years, says what happens at the Center reaches far beyond its gates. āIf we donāt protect our resources, the
Florida we all know and love will be changed forever,ā she shares. She also reminds neighbors that raptors are more than impressive to see up close. āBirds are indicators of healthy ecosystems,ā Warner explains. āCreating healthy communities beneļ¬ts birds and people.ā
After a season of closure, the Center is reopening with a major upgrade: a full rebuild of the original Owl Aviary, ļ¬rst built in 1979. After decades of Florida heat, storms, and hurricanes, the aviary became unsafe and needed a complete rebuild. The new aviary is structurally stronger and oļ¬ers clearer, more open sightlines to two owl species native to the Southeastern United States: Great Horned Owls and Barred
Owls. One of the most exciting additions is a layout that allows staļ¬ to demonstrate training practices in front of an audience, giving guests a rare glimpse into the skilled, daily care that supports these remarkable birds. During the closure, the Center also refreshed the campus with updated signage, new exhibits, and a renewed look.
Opening weekend is Saturday, February 14 through Sunday, February 15. Regular hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with normal programming resuming February 20. Admission is $10. Learn more at cbop.audubon.org and come see why this Maitland gem is worth a return visit.
Love Looks Good in Maitland
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
VALENTINEāS DAY is a sweet chance to celebrate love, but the best kind of love is built in the ordinary days too. Whether youāre newly dating, newly married, raising kids, juggling busy careers, or learning a new rhythm as empty nesters, every season has its own challenges and its own opportunities to love each other well.
Start simple: pay attention. A small question like, āHow are you really doing?ā can do more than a fancy gift. Try a quick habit this week: each day, name one thing you appreciate about your spouse or partner and say it out loud. Speciļ¬c beats generic every time.
Valentineās doesnāt have to be expensive to be meaningful. A great Maitland date can be as easy as picking a spot close to home, sharing a meal, and lingering a little longer than usual. One of my favorites is Maitland Social, which somehow works for just about any kind of date. Grab coļ¬ee together before the day gets busy, slip away for lunch, or make it dinner and turn it into a true night out. Add a stroll around Lake Lily or split dessert somewhere and donāt rush home. And if you want to mix it up, you could even take a pilates class together there. Or hit up one of our other amazing Maitland spots and keep it simple, local, and unrushed.
If life is packed, make it a āmicro-dateā at home: phones oļ¬, a favorite meal, and a short walk around the neighborhood after. Even 30 minutes of undistracted time can reset the tone of a whole week.
If youāre in a harder season, keep the goal realistic. You donāt need a perfect night. You need small steps toward each other. Choose one thing to lighten your partnerās load this week. Handle the errand. Take the late-night cleanup. Write a note. These are quiet ways of saying, āIām with you.ā
And in Maitland, where community and tradition matter, celebrating love is about more than one day on the calendar. Itās choosing each other well, showing up again and again, and building a home that feels like a safe place to land.
