Reunited
After the Harvey family cat Lola went missing on Jan. 29, they posted more than 30 fliers all around the Lake Charm/Black Hammock area the first week of February and got a few phone calls about people seeing a calico cat here and there, but every time they'd go to the location, there was no cat to be found. They even got a call about a dead calico cat in the road off of Geneva Drive. Nicole Harvey went to investigate and it was not their cat, so they still had hope. On day 12, Feb. 10, Nicole received a call from a woman who said she thought she had their cat. Her children recognized the cat from the flyers. Nicole knew it was Lola just from hearing her meow in the background on the phone. Lola had wandered through the Black Hammock woods 2.5 miles from the family’s home. “We got her back and couldn't be happier!” Nicole wrote in an email. “The woman that found her is actually a substitute teacher at my daughter's school, so that made it even more special. Just wanted to share our happy story!”
Fire department awards citizens
The Seminole County Fire Department presented two citizen awards Feb. 10, to Bob Johnson and Victor “Bryan” Wooten for their quick actions in the early morning hours of Jan. 6. That morning, Johnson and Wooten, employees of the Palm Valley community near UCF, noticed smoke coming from the air conditioner unit of a home. They alerted the homeowner, who made it out safely, called 911 and attempted to extinguish the fire by using a neighbor's garden hose. Pictured from left to right are Johnson, Seminole County Fire Chief Leeanna Mims, Seminole County Battalion Chief Becky Ward and Wooten.
Paul Mitchell moves in
Paul Mitchell The School and Oviedo Mall signed a new lease for space to include a cosmetology school, salon services and retail product offerings. The world-renowned name brand, which will relocate from their former Casselberry location, will span over 15,000 square feet at the North Patio entrance near Regal Cinemas, and wrap around Kay Jewelers, creating customer access inside and outside the mall. The glass front space, once intended for a restaurant, has never been built out, until now. Visit Orlando.paulmitchell.edu to learn more.
Student honors
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has announced that Samson Kodzis of Winter Springs, a freshman majoring in computer science, was named to the university's Dean's List for academic excellence for the fall 2011 semester.
The Georgia Institute of Technology presented degrees to following local students:
Daniel Mongiove of Winter Springs received a BS in nuclear & radiological engineering.
Sean Murphy of Longwood received a BS in mechanical engineering.
Ellen Morris of Longwood has been named to the Dean's List at William Woods University for academic accomplishments during the fall 2011 term.
Casselberry business featured
Tom and Bob Cannon, cousins and co-founders of Casselberry-based BungoBox, a company that rents plastic, reusable bins as an alternative to cardboard, starred on “Bloomberg The Mentor” on Feb. 21. The show gives budding entrepreneurs the chance to gain expert guidance from CEOs of some of the most well-known companies in the nation. To view the episode, visit bloomberg.com/tv/shows/the-mentor
Tax Help
Tax-Aide volunteers trained and certified by the IRS, will provide free income tax assistance at 17 sites throughout the Orange and Seminole County area, including the Winter Spring Senior Center, 400 N. Edgemon Ave., on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through April 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will also be at the Oviedo Gym & Aquatic Center, 148 S. Division St. on Tuesdays from Feb. 7 through April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information visit aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-800-227-7669.
Crochet for a cause
Angel Snugs, a Lake Mary non-profit created for children with cancer, is in need of volunteers and donations. “Snugs” are knitted and crocheted scarves and beanies that are donated to children while undergoing life-saving treatments. The recipient hospitals cover the state of Florida and the list has grown since Angel Snugs was placed in the American Cancer Society’s national database as a patient resource. To learn more, please contact Angi Farrugia at angi@angelsnugs.org.
HOPE Helps volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed in the thrift store and food pantry Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., working 2 to 3 hours at a time. Volunteers sort donations, price goods, stock the store and pantry, assist customers in the store and food pantry and have fun. They also need volunteers to work at the welcome desk and to pick up donated food once a week. Please contact Karol at volunteer@hopehelps.org.
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