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Latest Articles:

Publisher’s Desk: One more way we share your stories

Last year Tommy, Nick, and I started a podcast, The Community Podcast, a super uncomfortable leap for me. While Nick Georgoudiou is very experienced in the podcast world — he has two of his own, To a Certain Degree and Your Daily Dose with Nick and Bob — Tommy and I didn’t know what the heck we were doing. But... READ MORE >

Publisher’s Desk: Tweaks and additions in the new year

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was all you hoped it would be — and then some. We were busy little elves last month while making some changes to The Paper for 2022. Toward the end of last year, we asked for your feedback through an online survey, and we held a focus group with readers from across... READ MORE >

Publisher’s Desk: You know you’re old when …

Attending the James Taylor and Jackson Browne concert at Amway Center in November was a stark reminder that, while I still feel young inside my head, I’m just not. My husband and I were laughing at ourselves as we drank coffee getting ready for the concert, knowing we were going to be out WAY past our bedtime. The guy yawning... READ MORE >

Hatcher Insurance changes ownership but keeps College Park roots

With its roots dating back to Orlando Mayor J. Rolfe Davis, Hatcher Insurance has been acquired by a new generation of industry leaders. Mike Hatcher’s grandfather, former Orlando Mayor J. Rolfe Davis, founded the J. Rolfe Davis Insurance Agency in 1942. Hatcher went to work for the agency upon his graduation from the University of Florida, joining his father, Marion... READ MORE >

Publisher’s Desk: What GOOD NEWS are you waiting for?

As we head into our 33rd year here at The Community Paper, we continue to strive to connect our community in a special way by sharing good news happening all around us. Just as you and I grow every year (unfortunately, too much in the waistline for me in 2021!), and as our community and world grow, we know the... READ MORE >

The Community Paper copy editor wins second place in poetry competition

Congratulations to The Community Paper copy editor, Teresa TL Bruce, for finishing in second place in the City of Orlando’s Words and Wonders Nature Edition poetry contest. The nature edition of the Words and Wonders contest prompted poets to write about Central Florida’s unique natural surroundings and was judged by the City of Orlando’s Poet Laureate, Susan Lilley. Below is... READ MORE >

September 1989: The Community Paper came to life

As we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of The Community Paper this month, our team continues to be humbled by the support of our readers. Thank you for your postage donations and the kind words you send us about the work we do. We appreciate it more than you know. Every year at this time, I like to give those who... READ MORE >

Publisher’s Desk: The current home-buying climate: Will it ever stop?

In light of a hot topic on everyone’s mind these days, we’ve made some changes to our real estate section on page 10. As we watch what’s happening in the current market, being able to compare year-over-year numbers really helps put things into perspective. I touched on this in February, but the craze hasn’t calmed down. Half — yes, half... READ MORE >

Kerouac House avoids massive destruction

Orlando’s most well-known writers’ residence had a close call on June 30 when the limb of a 250-year-old live oak tree, named The Grandfather by Jack Kerouac, fell causing damage to the front porch during a storm. While the porch suffered damage, it could have been much worse for the 100-year-old house. Thankfully, the current writer-in-residence, Tanya Grae, was not... READ MORE >

RusTeak of College Park closes, will reopen in Thornton Park

One of College Park’s favorite restaurants served its last meal on Saturday, July 10. RusTeak co-owner Brian Buttner said staffing issues led to the decision. Buttner and partner Jonathan Canonaco own six other restaurants including his busiest, another RusTeak location in Ocoee. “Honestly it’s kind of a relief,” he said. “We’ve been able to place all of our staff at... READ MORE >