The Community Podcast is brought to you by The Community Paper.
Welcome
The Community Podcast for February 27, 2026
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On this episode, Mel Gray, AKA Coach Mummabear, joins Nick to discuss her background, writing for the paper and one of her favorite spots in town.
This episode is brought to you by The Packing District. Check out The Packing District Live! on Saturday, February 28, from 5–10 p.m. at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall.
Lawyer turned life coach, No. 1 bestselling author, host of the “UnFollow” podcast, founder of Cannonball Kids’ Cancer Foundation, ultra runner and mum of many, Mel Gray — known as Coach Mummabear — helps others create their favorite life.
Events we discussed:
Friday, February 27
Gardening
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, 6021 South Conway Road
Conway
Saturday, February 28
Orlando Firehouse 3 Centennial Anniversary
Community
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Randall R. Tuten Orlando Fire Museum
Loch Haven
Monday, March 2
Arts
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Leu Gardens
Audubon Park
The Community Podcast for January 26, 2026
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On this episode, Nick speaks with Clarissa Howard, the Director of the Communications Department for the City of Winter Park. Along with that role, Clarissa is Project Director for the Park Avenue Refresh project, a three-year update to one of Winter Park’s main thoroughfares. Construction began on January 20, 2026.
The Community Podcast for December 12, 2025
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On this episode, Kendal Asbury joins Nick to discuss a busy weekend in The Packing District and 2026 story ideas.
Follow Kendal on Instagram.
Brought to you by The Packing District.
Friday, December 12
7 p.m.
Della Phillips Pavilion
Saturday, December 13
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4Roots Farm Campus
Noon – 2 p.m.
The Groves at College Park
Sunday, December 14
Packing District Jingle Jog 5K Fun Run & Walk
8 – 9 a.m.
Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family YMCA
The Community Podcast for December 5, 2025
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On this episode, Kendal Asbury joins Nick to discuss holiday events and some recent stories.
Follow Kendal on Instagram.
Brought to you by Boutiq Clinic.
Through January 4
Holiday
Zymarium Meadery
Mills 50
Friday, December 5
Holiday
5 – 9 p.m.
Central Park
Winter Park
Holiday/Shop Local
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
4982 New Broad St
Baldwin Park
City of Orlando Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Holiday
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Lake Eola Park
South Eola
Orlando Vintage 30th Anniversary Party
Shop Local
7 p.m.
Orlando Vintage Clothing & Costume
Winter Park
Music
7:30 p.m.
Timucua White House
SoDo
Saturday, December 6
73rd Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade
Holiday
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Park Avenue
Winter Park
Shop Local
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4Roots Farm Campus
The Packing District
Family/Community
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rollins Museum of Art
Winter Park
Shop Local
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Lazy Moon Pizza
Mills 50
Shop Local
Noon – 3 p.m.
BarkHaven
Loch Haven
Holiday
2 – 6 p.m.
SoDo Shopping Center
SoDo
Community
6 – 10 p.m.
Ten10 Brewing
Loch Haven
14th Annual Christmas Lights Ride
Community/Wellness
7 p.m.
Retro City Cycles
Ivanhoe Village and College Park
Colonial Plaza and the Era of Malls
Lifelong Learning
7 – 8 p.m.
The Nook on Robinson
The Milk District
Sunday, December 7
Shop Local
11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Park Ave CDs
Audubon Park Garden District
Arts
1 – 4 p.m.
The Great Southern Box Company
The Packing District
The Nutcracker Presented by the Central Florida Ballet
Holiday
2 – 3 p.m.
Orlando Public Library
Downtown
Community
2 – 9 p.m.
The Plaza Live!
Milk District
Monday, December 8
Audubon Park Community Holiday Market
Holiday
5 – 8 p.m.
Stardust Video & Coffee
Audubon Park Garden District
Tuesday, December 9
Holiday
Kaleidoscope Thornton Park
Thornton Park
Music
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
CityArts
Downtown
Wednesday, December 10
Polasek Nights – A Holiday Speakeasy
Holiday/Community
6 p.m.
Capen House at the Albin Polasek Museum
Winter Park
The Community Podcast for October 10, 2025
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On this episode, Kendal Asbury is on to discuss some weekend events, stories she’s been working on, and her experience interning at the New York Times over the summer.
Stories mentioned:
Orlando’s approach to homelessness: Counterproductively complicated or carefully complex?
An Intern Climbs the Stairs, Learning With Every Step
Wake Up With Orlando: Must-Visit Local Coffee Spots
Events:
Saturday, October 11
4Roots Harvest Festival
Community
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
4Roots Farm Campus
The Packing District
Live at the Oak: Poetry, Performance, and Pollination
Lifelong Learning
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mennello Museum of American Art
Loch Haven
Unleash the Genius Storytime with Authentic Arts Orlando
Literary
12 p.m.
Kaya
Mills 50
Zombietoberfest Night
Halloween
4 – 8 p.m.
Location TBD
Audubon Park
Sunday, October 12
Zombietoberfest Market
Halloween
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Lovely parking lot
Audubon Park
Free Family Funday
Family
12 – 4 p.m.
Mennello Museum of American Art
Loch Haven
Freehand Fest
Shop Local/Community
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Freehand Goods
College Park
Trick or Treat Safe Zone
Halloween
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Orange County Regional History Center and Orlando Public Library
Downtown
Fall Festival
Family
1 – 4 p.m.
Palmer’s Feed & Seed
Parramore
Latinx Heritage and Poetry Night
Community
6:30 p.m.
Spiral Circle Bookstore & More
Mills 50
Midnight Marauders Story Hour
Literary
7 p.m.
Stardust Video & Coffee
Audubon Park Garden District
The Community Podcast for October 7, 2025
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On this episode, writer Juliette Kahn discusses several of her recent stories, including our new column, In Good Company. Here are some links to the stories, our sponsor, and Red Bull!
It began as a part-time job. Then, I gained a second family.
Reflect and connect: In service of our seniors
Kyle Seitz on Kaleidoscope, computers and climbing
Sandro Dias breaks 2 world records on the biggest skate ramp ever
Red Bull Tandem Rollercoaster makes a splash: U.S. debut in Florida
Thank you to Winter Park Playhouse for making this episode possible!
The Community Podcast for October 2, 2025
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On this episode, Steve Mort, Host and Executive Producer of NewsNight on WUCF, joins Nick to discuss the enrollment drop at Orange County Public Schools, potential changes to Orange County’s Vision 2050 plan and transportation in Central Florida.
Watch NewsNight on WUCF at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays or anytime online.
Schools See Larger Than Expected Enrollment Drop
Orange County says it’s working with the state to revise Vision 2050
Central Florida Road Construction Accelerates
Learn more about WUCF Passport and consider supporting local public media.
The Community Podcast for September 17, 2025
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On this episode, Elisabeth Campbell joins Nick to discuss puppies and photos. Check out her story about Not Another Film Lab, and consider submitting a photo for their upcoming collection.
Learn more about Elisabeth via her website.
Brought to you by Winter Park Veterinary Hospital’s Doggie Playcamp.
The Community Podcast for September 12, 2025
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On this episode, TCP writer and photographer Connor Barry joins Nick to discuss a recent profile of musician Marc with a C, profiling the unhoused and more.
Here are the events they covered:
Friday, September 12
Fall Exhibition Preview & Meet the new Director
Arts
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Rollins Museum of Art
Winter Park
30 Year Anniversary
Music
7 p.m.
Will’s Pub
Mills 50
Saturday, September 13
Zero Landfill: Upcycling Events
Environment
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4Roots Warehouse
The Packing District
Book Fair
Shop Local
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
À La Cart
Milk District
Book Swap
Literary
1 p.m.
Orlando Milkhouse Eatery & Cocktails
Milk District
Sunday, September 14
Free Family Funday
Family
Noon
Mennello Museum of American Art
Loch Haven
The Community Podcast for September 8, 2025
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On this episode, Nick is joined by writer and poet Anna Claire Hodge.
Check out the events coming up from Opera Orlando before “La Bohème” opens on October 3:
September 10
Opera Experience
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Great Southern Box Company Food Hall|
This cocktail hour includes a preview of music from “La Bohème” and “Rent.”
September 20
Masterclass with the Maestro
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Opera Orlando Rehearsal Hall
Conductor Allan R. Scott will discuss “La Bohème” and teach a class of the Studio and Apprentice Artists programs.
September 23
Shop Tour
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Opera Orlando Shop
An insider’s look at the production from costumes to the sets.
Check out the Opera Orlando website for more information and tickets.
Stories and topics from this episode:
Anna Claire is working on a profile of Ghost Story Girl, AKA Ashlie.
Finally, did you know that Orlando comedian Kam Patterson will be one of the new cast members on Saturday Night Live?
Follow Anna Claire Hodge on Instagram and check out her website.