Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 1st of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: dbrownlee@bestversionmedia.com.
SUBMISSIONS EXAMPLES
•Your family pet photos
•Free youth classified ads
•Article and photo submissions after neighborhood gatherings
•Suggestions for highlighting your favorite non-profit
•Your favorite recipes
• Event announcements such as block parties, picnics, egg hunts, trick-or-treating, etc.
October is one of my favorite months: cooler weather, pumpkin-everything, and (let’s be honest) too much candy. I love the fall nostalgia of movies like When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail. Our family recently watched October Sky, and it’s now an all-time family favorite.
It’s a joy to introduce the Mancino family. They’ve been just a few doors down since we moved to Maitland in 2017. The Mancino Five are wonderful neighbors: talented, kind, and fully plugged into our community.
This month, our roster of Expert Contributors grows with Dr. Sean Olenek of Insight Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center and CoolToday Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical. I’m excited for them to share helpful tips and stories in the months ahead. Please support them, and all of our community sponsors, when you need their services.
Enjoy the fall, y’all. And as always, thank you for being my Maitland neighbor.
Expert Contributors
■ CHIROPRACTOR
Dr. Sean Olenek, D.C. (Acupuncture Certified)
Insight Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center 321-926-2997 www.insightchirohealth.com
■ COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Dr. Charles Curley
Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland 407-830-9800 www.dentistryonmaitland.com
■ HOME SERVICES
Courtney Carroll Cool Today 407-502-8456 www.cooltoday.com
To learn more about becoming an Expert Contributor, contact Justin Brownlee at jbrownlee@bestversionmedia.com or 407-221-2180
■ MORTGAGE LOANS
Tom Flood Guaranteed Rate Affinity 321-438-6120
■ PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Dr. John Tawadrous Pediatric Dentistry of Central Florida 407-628-2286 www.ibrushteeth.com
■ PRIVATE SCHOOL
Bianca Moore, Head of School Park Maitland School 407-972-0232 www.parkmaitland.com
■ RESIDENTAL REAL ESTATE
Allison Hunter Luxe Hunter Real Estate 407-221-4669 www.luxe-hunter.com
Your Neighborhood Is Your Social Club
BY ALLISON HUNTER, LUXE HUNTER REAL ESTATE
A HOUSE MAY catch your eye with its design, but the real story begins beyond its four walls. Where you live is more than an address. It is an invitation to belong. Every street, park, and corner coffee shops, becomes part of a larger picture, your very own social club.
This is not a club defined by dues or dress codes. It is built on belonging. It is the neighbor who waves each morning, the barista who knows your order, and the Saturday tennis match that becomes a ritual. It is the way a community shapes your calendar, your connections, and your sense of self.
More Than Real Estate
Choosing a home is never only about square footage or finishes. It is about choosing the community that will hold your days, the place where you find your rhythm, and the lifestyle that shapes who you become. For some, it is the pulse of a walkable neighborhood, meeting up with neighbors for play dates, evenings with friends at our local Maitland restaurants. For others, it is the ease of a quiet street, familiar faces that become lifelong friends, and a slower pace that leaves room for connection.
Neither lifestyle is better. What matters is
how closely the life you imagine mirrors the life the community offers. Because the right home is always about more than walls. It is about where you truly belong.
Why It Matters
Homes may be bought or sold, but belonging is priceless. It transforms an address into a community and a neighborhood into a lifestyle. The right home is not just where you spend your nights. It is where your days unfold, your relationships grow, and your story continues.
That is why the right realtor matters. You need more than someone to unlock doors and draft contracts. You need a guide who understands that real estate is not a transaction but an experience. It is about discovering a community that reflects your vision, supports your lifestyle, and feels like home. Work with a realtor who sees beyond the sale and helps you find the place where you truly belong.
LUXE HUNTER REAL ESTATE
Allison Hunter
407-221-4669 | www.luxe-hunter.com
THE MANCINO FIVE: Bikes, Bakes and Big Serves in Dommerich
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE PHOTOGRAPHY BY NINA SMITH
If you ask Jennyfer and Tony Mancino when their story really began, they will tell you it started in the dark, twice. As college students at an economics conference in New York City, they were swept into the 2003 blackout and gained four unexpected days to explore the city together. A year later, Hurricane Charley knocked out the power again, this time here at home, and a tradition was born. Their anniversary is the second Friday in August, a playful nod to the serendipity that kept bringing them light in the middle of outages.
Today, the Mancinos are happily rooted in Maitland. They have lived here since 2006, first on Minnehaha Circle and, since 2015, in Dommerich. What drew them in then is what delights them now, kids pedaling past in waves, neighbors who feel like family, and the easy rhythm of a community that looks out for
one another. Their next-door neighbors, the Ackers, are so close the two families joke that they have a pact never to move. “It is rare, and we feel insanely fortunate,” Jennyfer says.
Meet the Mancino Five
The family’s calling card is “The Mancino Five,” a nickname that began when eldest daughter Amelia chose jersey number 5, which was also Jennyfer’s high school number. With the arrival of youngest daughter Elle, they quite literally became five. Middle sister Evie later chose 5 for her jersey too. In a house where sports are a daily language, the number stuck and turned into a sweet family badge.
Amelia, 17, is a senior at Winter Park High School, an outside hitter and an Appalachian State volleyball commit. She helped lead the Wildcats to the 2024 7A state title, and her WPVC club team captured the 2025 AAU National Championship, one of a dozen trips the family made this past club season.
Evie, 11, is already a multi-sport standout. She is a 2023 AAU champ with WPVC’s 10U team, an award-winning surfer, and now a flag-football player simply for fun. Six-year-old Elle, a first-grader at Dommerich, lights up for musical theater, dress-up, and any excuse to be on a stage. She has already performed in dance and musical theater and is the first to suggest movie soundtracks for family singalongs. And in true hometown fashion, Elle holds a special distinction—she’s the only Mancino with “Maitland” on her birth certificate, born right at home.
Rocco, the family’s eight-year-old pug, presides over the activity with a snore and a snack. He is happiest when everyone is home, preferably near the kitchen.
Work, craft, and calling
After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Tony graduated from UCF with a degree in finance and began his career at Northwestern Mutual before moving to The Brokers Network. He later spent a decade growing with Guardian and, in 2024, returned to The Brokers Network in an executive role right here in Maitland. Outside the office, he is a devoted sports dad, a skilled home cook, and a hobbyist who splits time between mixed martial arts, cornhole, and guitar. He’s the one who gets the crew everywhere on time (thanks, military roots) and always has the perfect playlist queued up for a long car ride.
“Every year I feel luckier and luckier that we get to live this life… Sometimes it feels like a movie, and my gratitude bubbles up.
Thank you, Maitland.”
Jennyfer’s path is an artful braid of business, baking, and botanical painting. A Rollins College graduate, she fell in love with the wedding industry and, in 2008, soon after Amelia’s birth, opened The Sugar Suite in Maitland. The boutique bakery’s clean lines and sugar flowers earned national buzz, including recognition from BRIDES as one of
the Top 100 Wedding Cake Bakeries in the U.S., along with an Orlando Business Journal “40 Under 40” honor. After closing the shop in 2016 to rebalance family life, she illustrated at The Chalk Shop, also in Maitland, and, inspired again after Elle’s birth, shifted into fine art in 2019. Today she is a botanical artist who paints Florida florals and wedding bouquets, and she still lights up when a client’s story becomes a piece of art for their home.
Her creative footprint stretches from local murals to gallery walls. If you spot a lush peony or a citrus still life rendered in acrylic, there is a good chance you have found a “Jennyfer.” She jokes that the only thing she loves as much as painting flowers is baking something sweet to go with the reveal when a piece finds its home.
A neighborhood that feels like a movie
Ask the Mancinos what they treasure most about Dommerich and the answers arrive as small, vivid scenes. Think school drop-offs and pick-ups with kids zipping by on scooters. Think a music-teacher-blessed detour into set design for the elementary school play that turned classmates’ parents into fast friends. Think neighbors who all have one another’s phone numbers for those just-in-case
moments every parent knows. There was the day Evie ran late, rain clouds gathered, and a quick search ended in laughter, a muddy parade of bikes plowing through puddles, the kids delighted and drenched.
The family calendar is a lively mix of local routines and road miles. When they are not in a gym cheering on a volleyball court, you will find them together at New Smyrna Beach or paddling the jade-clear Rainbow River in Dunnellon. The cell reception is blissfully bad there, a happily old-Florida experience, so the Mancino Five lean into fishing, drifting, and simply being present.
And then there is the tradition that anchors their year. On December 23, “Christmas Eve Eve,” they host a big pasta party with two signature dishes that simmer and sizzle all day, red-sauce meatballs and fettuccine Alfredo with salmon. They have hosted Christmas Eve since their first year dating, with only a couple of renovation years when a best friend stepped in. If you are sensing a theme—family, food, and faithful friends—you are not wrong.
Why here, why now
Community is a long view for the Mancinos. They have watched the kids next door grow
up, graduate, get married, and start families. While few from that generation have returned to Dommerich itself, some have come back to Maitland, and that continuity still runs deep.
It’s part of Dommerich’s secret sauce, and it’s why the Mancino Five feel both held and inspired here. The girls are finding their lanes, on stages and beaches and volleyball courts, while Mom and Dad champion the daily work of showing up, cheering loud, and feeding everyone well.
For a family that started with two timely blackouts, Maitland has been nothing short of illuminating. The lights are on, the table is set, and there is always room for one more bowl of pasta or one more neighborly favor.
From bike bells to game point kills, from sugar flower cakes to canvas florals, the Mancinos have stitched their story into the fabric of Dommerich, bright, grateful, and uniquely theirs. And lucky for us, they’re our 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
October 2025
Fri., October 3
Get Down Downtown Street Party
@INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Kick off the month with live music, food and drink vendors, and fun activities for the kids! Join the community in the heart of downtown Maitland on the first Friday of each month.
Time: 6pm-9pm
Cost: FREE www.itsmymaitland.com
Sat., Oct. 4
Free Fall Family Day
@ART & HISTORY MUSEUMS OF MAITLAND
Celebrate the changing season at Fall Family Day! Enjoy a fun-filled day for all ages as we say goodbye to summer and welcome autumn’s colors, cooler weather, and cozy vibes. Register Today!
Time: 10am-1pm
Cost: FREE www.artandhistory.org
Sun., October 5
Maitland Farmer’s Market
@INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Explore a variety of vendors offering food, crafts, local goods, plants, flowers, and fresh produce. Bring the kids for fun inflatables and games in the park! The Maitland Farmer’s Market occurs every Sunday of the month.
Time: 9am-1pm
Cost: FREE www.itsmymaitland.com
Sat., October 11
Movie in the Park
@INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Enjoy a family-friendly movie and free popcorn under the stars at Maitland’s Movies in the Park at Independence Square, next to City Hall. Bring your chairs and blankets to help enjoy the show.
Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm
Cost: FREE
www.itsmymaitland.com
Mon., October 13
Knitting & Crocheting Group (50+)
@MAITLAND SENIOR CENTER
Join fellow crafters every week and enjoy the relaxing benefits of knitting and crocheting in good company. Free to attend - just bring your own supplies!
Time: 10am-12pm
Cost: FREE
www.itsmymaitland.com
Sun., October 19
Kids Halloween Party
Featuring Coco
@ENZIAN THEATRE
Dress up and join the fun at Enzian’s kid-friendly Halloween celebration! Enjoy a costume parade, spooky crafts, trick-or-treating, and a screening of Coco. Kids’ tickets include the movie, a candy bag, and a creepy craft!
Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly yoga session designed for kids and their grownups! Learn simple poses and calming meditations together - a perfect way to build healthy habits and bond through movement. For toddlers, babies and preschoolers.
Time: 10:30am
Cost: FREE www.maitlandpubliclibrary.org
Thurs. October 23
Burgers & Brews
@INDEPENDENCE LANE
Join the Maitland Chamber of Commerce for a day packed with mouthwatering burgers, craft brews, and plenty of fun at Burgers & Brews, presented by Cool Today (one of Maitland Neighbors’ expert contributors) at Brewlando on Independence Lane. Your ticket includes burgers with sides and one pint of beer (cash bar available for additional beverages).
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Cost: $30 for Chamber Members www.maitlandchamber.com
Sat., October 25
Maitland Fall-o-ween Festival
@INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
The City of Maitland invites families to a fun, safe Halloween celebration with games, music, and treats for all ages. Dress up and enjoy a night of festive fun and lasting memories!
Time: 5:30pm-9:00pm
Cost: FREE www.itsmymaitland.com
Tues., October 28
Books to Die for Club
@MAITLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Love a good whodunit? Join for a lively discussion and suspenseful reads! This month’s pick is The Lady in the Lake. All are welcome, even if you haven’t finished the book (spoilers ahead!).
Meets the fourth Tuesday each month.
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Cost: FREE
www.maitlandpubliclibrary.org
MAITLAND SOCIAL: A Community Hub for Food, Fitness & Connection
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
MAITLAND SOCIAL is more than a commercial address; it’s a place for neighbors to gather, connect, and enjoy standout food, coffee, fitness, and nightlife under one roof. With tenants like Pizza Bruno, WAVE Sushi, Fit+Fire by Fit407, Packwoods Bar, and Foxtail Coffee, the destination feels curated yet easygoing, a spot where a quick latte can turn into dinner with friends or a workout followed by a celebratory slice. Thoughtful common areas make it a natural meeting ground for everyday moments that build community.
The story begins with Lamont Garber, President and CEO of Garber Communities. He launched his career in the 1970s as Florida’s youngest real estate broker and later expanded into commercial development in 2015. His aim has been consistent: transform underused sites into vibrant, people-first places. That vision came to life in 2023 with the opening of Maitland Social, created to serve as a lively crossroads for locals and visitors alike.
At its core, Maitland Social follows a simple belief: real community happens when people have an easy place to come together. Bringing food, fitness, coffee, and social spaces into a single environment removes friction and multiplies reasons to show up. Morning workouts flow into coffee catch-ups. After-school pizza nights become dessert
and conversation. Dinner plans start with a cozy cocktail, and all these plans often start with, “Let’s meet at Maitland Social.”
The property’s mix of uses turns a commercial address into a true community catalyst.
A signature touch is its luxury food-hall approach. Guests can sit in one spot and order from any restaurant. Families and friend groups mix and match, sushi for one, pizza for another, without splitting up or complicating the experience. That small design choice has a big impact, making it easier for people with different tastes and busy schedules to linger together. For the team behind Maitland Social, the best moments are the simple ones: laughter at the table, friends reconnecting, kids trying something new.
Rooted in the neighborhood it serves, Maitland Social has a clear message to residents: support local, show up for one another, and enjoy what is right in your own backyard. As tenants thrive and new memories are made, the destination’s purpose remains steady. It is a welcoming, energizing place where Maitland gathers, connects, from the morning to the evening.
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!
• LIFETIME WARRANTY • 0% INTEREST FREE FINANCING • MADE IN USA FLOORING OPTIONS
Enzo
SUBMITTED BY TAYLOR L.
Maddie
SUBMITTED BY AIDA H.
Minou
SUBMITTED BY MARILYN S.
Jasper SUBMITTED BY JOE H.
Lexi
SUBMITTED BY JILL B.
Bunnie & Bitty Girl
SUBMITTED BY MARTI H.
5-Minute Pumpkin Mug Cake
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp baking powder
Directions:
Whisk all ingredients in a mug. Microwave 1–2 minutes until set. Top with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or a dollop of whipped cream
Cozy, quick, and perfectly pumpkin!
Introducing Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI Software at Distinctive Dentistry
BY DR. CHARLES CURLEY, DISTINCTIVE DENTISTRY ON MAITLAND
AT DISTINCTIVE DENTISTRY, we are always seeking innovative ways to provide the best care possible to our patients. That’s why we are excited to announce that we’ve integrated Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI software into our practice. This cutting-edge technology is designed to elevate the way we diagnose and treat your dental health by leveraging artificial intelligence to assist in reading and interpreting dental X-rays.
What is Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI Software?
Pearl’s Second Opinion® is an FDA-cleared artificial intelligence platform that helps analyze your dental X-rays with remarkable precision. By using machine learning algorithms, the software provides real-time feedback on potential dental issues that may be hard to detect with the human eye. Whether it’s cavities, gum disease, or other concerns, Pearl’s AI acts as an additional layer of scrutiny, helping us identify problems that could be missed otherwise.
Why Is This Important for You?
Early Detection: One of the key benefits of Pearl’s AI is its ability to spot dental problems early, often before symptoms appear. Early detection can help prevent more serious issues down the road, saving you time and money in
the long run.
Increased Diagnostic Accuracy: With its precise analysis, the AI reduces the risk of misdiagnosis. This gives us added confidence in our treatment plans, ensuring we’re addressing every concern that may arise during your exam.
Enhanced Communication: Pearl’s software provides visual, easy-to-understand results that we can discuss with you. This ensures that you have a clear understanding of your dental health, making it easier for us to collaborate on the best treatment options.
How Does Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI Software Work?
X-ray Imaging: As part of your regular exam, we’ll take digital X-rays of your teeth.
AI Analysis: Immediately, the software begins analyzing the X-rays, detecting any anomalies or potential issues that need attention.
Review and Discussion: Once the AI analysis is complete, our team reviews the results with you. Together, we’ll explore your treatment options and decide on the best course of action.
What Are the Benefits for You?
Peace of Mind: With Pearl’s AI assisting in
the diagnostic process, you can trust that we are catching every detail in your dental health.
Faster, More Accurate Diagnoses: The AI helps us to streamline our processes, providing faster and more accurate results so that we can focus on what’s most important: your care.
State-of-the-Art Care: We are proud to bring the latest advancements in dental technology to you. Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI is just one of the many ways we are ensuring you receive the highest level of care available.
What’s Next?
As we continue to integrate Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI into our practice, we’re confident it will play an essential role in improving your overall dental experience. The future of dental care is here, and we are excited to share this journey with you. Be sure to ask us about Pearl’s Second Opinion® during your next visit!
DISTINCTIVE DENTISTRY ON MAITLAND
Dr. Charles McCurley, DMD 407-830-9800 | www.dentistryonmaitland.com
Cosmetic Dentistry
General & Preventative
Dental Care
Implant Dentistry
Crowns
Child and Adult Care
In-House Labora In-House Laboratory
Halloween Magic in Maitland: Making Memories & Staying Safe
BY DENILLE BROWNLEE
THERE’S NOTHING QUITE like Halloween night in Maitland. The cooler breeze, the glow of porch lights, and the sound of laughter echoing down the sidewalks…it all feels a little magical. From hand-decorated candy buckets to friends and families in themed costumes, Halloween here is more than just trick or treating; it’s a night full of family, neighbors, and memories in the making.
In neighborhoods like Dommerich, Lake Sybelia, and beyond, the evening comes alive with kids racing from house to house, parents catching up at the end of driveways, and the occasional spooky surprise tucked into a front yard. There are lines
down the sidewalk at the beloved Cotton Candy House, and homemade haunted houses that turn quiet cul de sacs into scenes straight from a storybook (or a movie set!). It’s the kind of night that kids remember forever.
Tips
for a Safe & Sweet Night:
•Stay Seen: Add glow sticks or reflective tape to costumes for visibility as the sun sets.
•Stick Together: Walk in groups, the best Halloween memories are made between doorsteps.
•Check Treats: Give candy a quick check before snacking.
Keep the Magic Going:
•Snap a family photo before costumes get candy covered.
•Let kids help decorate or prep treat bags, the anticipation is half the fun!
•Don’t miss local favorites like the City of Maitland’s Halloween Celebration or the Enzian’s family friendly movie events.
At the end of the night, as candy is sorted and costumes are peeled off, it’s the simple moments that last - the giggles, the glowing pumpkins, and the joy of walking familiar streets with friends in a town that we get to call home.
Here’s to a Halloween full of heart, and just the right amount of spooky.
