Chris Singleton: Healing Division Through Unity

Featured

Allison

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January 27, 2026

Chris Singleton: Healing Division Through Unity
by James Coulter

With a new year comes new opportunities to bring about new beginnings through change. One motivational speaker who recently spoke at a local high school has a bold vision to bring about said change in the lives of young people.

Former MLB player Chris Singleton is on a mission: to make the world more united than it was on the day that took his mother’s life.

“The mission for me is that we realize the fact that everyone’s got stories behind the reason of why they are like what they like,” he told an auditorium of students at Lake Region High School.

“See, most of the time people don’t open up…because people won’t understand,” he said. “And when you share your story, you might realize…I am more like this person than I thought.”

In 2015, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton was one of nine people killed during a shooting at Emmanuel Church in Charleston, SC. The shooter wanted to divide people and start a race war. Chris seeks to do the opposite and bring people together.

“Before I said love is stronger than hate and forgive my mother’s killer, I did not have anything on my mind about what I am going to say,” he said. “So sharing those words, I think it was a higher power putting that on my heart, and I see why now: because now that’s my whole life’s mission. It just fuels me to keep pushing forward and be the opposite of the guy who took my mom. His mission was division and hate. My mission is unity, love, and resilience.”

Chris visits schools nationwide to spread his message of hope and unity. He recently appeared at Lake Region High School to participate in its Weekend of Wellness event.

The event’s centerpiece was a school assembly, where he addressed more than 3,500 students and staff. And while kids these days are usually glued to their phones, when Chris speaks, they listen.

“Once I start speaking, they see how passionate I am about this mission,” he said. “They open their hearts. And so when their hearts are open, I share a message of unity, a message of peace, resilience, and they always gravitate toward that.”

Chris’s message is simple yet poignant: love is stronger than hate, unity holds better than division, and no matter what problems you are going through, there’s always someone who cares.

“Kids are coming up afterwards, taking pictures,” he said. “Some of them, you can look in their eyes that they are going through something, whether it is a parent struggling with addiction, whether it is losing a loved one…But you know what? When you get knocked down, we don’t stay there. We stand up,and we keep moving forward, and we honor the people that we lost, that we loved. I want kids to know that they are not alone when they go through tough stuff. When they heard me share my story, they could tell that I genuinely care, too.”

Chris Singleton and his recent appearance at Lake Region High School were covered on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast. Listen to it on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/minisode-24-chris-singleton-healing-division-through-unity

Seeing the Possibilities: Living with Low Vision

Health & Wellness

Allison

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January 27, 2026

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Seeing the Possibilities: Living with Low Vision

Millions of Americans are living with low vision, a visual impairment that can turn everyday moments – recognizing a friend’s face across the street, reading a recipe or checking a text message – into unexpected challenges.

Low vision isn’t a natural part of getting older, though the conditions that cause it do become more common with age.

Whether low vision is affecting you or a loved one, Low Vision Awareness Month (February) is a perfect time to have your eyes examined for signs of eye diseases and to take steps to make daily life easier if you are experiencing low vision.

Consider this information from the National Eye Institute to make the most of your vision and improve your quality of life.

Understanding low vision

You may have low vision if you can’t see well enough to read, drive, recognize faces, distinguish colors or see screens clearly.

Many different eye conditions can cause low vision, but the most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes.

The most common types of low vision are:

-Central vision loss (not being able to see things in the center of your vision)

-Peripheral vision loss (not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes

-Night blindness (not being able to see in low light)

-Blurry or hazy vision

Diagnosing low vision

Your doctor can check for low vision as part of a simple, painless comprehensive dilated eye exam.

He or she will ask you to read letters that are up close and far away and will check whether you can see things in the center and at the edges of your vision.

Then eye drops are used to widen your pupils and check for other eye problems – including conditions that could cause low vision.

Low vision is usually permanent, but glasses, medicine or surgery may help with daily activities or slow progression.

Living with low vision

If you have low vision, you aren’t alone. There are steps you can take to make life easier.

For minor vision loss, simple adjustments like using brighter lights, wearing anti-glare sunglasses and using magnifiers can help. Changing the settings on your phone and computer to increase contrast, make text larger or have the device read out loud may also help.

If your vision loss is getting in the way of everyday activities, ask your eye doctor about vision rehabilitation. These services can give you skills and resources to help manage your daily life and keep your independence. Examples include:

-Employment and job training

-Environmental modifications, like improving lighting and contrast

-Assistive devices and technologies, like magnifiers, filters and screen readers

-Adaptive strategies for daily living and independent living skills training

-Emotional support, like counseling or support groups

-Transportation and household services

Finding the right vision rehabilitation services and support may take time, but working closely with your eye doctor or care team is an important first step. Discuss your needs and goals for living with your visual impairment so they can help identify the best services for you.

Town of Lake Hamilton & J.T. Miller Community Revitalization Inc to Host MLK Parade and Community Celebration

Lake Hamilton

Allison

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January 26, 2026

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Town of Lake Hamilton & J.T. Miller Community Revitalization Inc to Host MLK Parade and Community Celebration

The Town of Lake Hamilton is inviting residents and visitors to come together for a Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Community Celebration on Friday, January 31, beginning at 12 p.m.

The MLK Parade will follow the designated route through town. Community members are encouraged to line the route and show their support as the parade makes its way to Gunter Park, where the celebration will continue.

Following the parade, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities at Gunter Park, including food, live music, entertainment, vendors, and family-friendly fun. The event will also feature a guest speaker, honoring the legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This free, public event is designed to bring the community together in celebration, reflection, and unity.

Residents are encouraged to arrive early, review the parade route map in advance, and join the Town of Lake Hamilton for an afternoon of remembrance and community spirit.

Neurodivergent Diversions: Can One Barbie Represent a Spectrum?

Featured

Allison

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January 26, 2026

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Neurodivergent Diversions: Can One Barbie Represent a Spectrum?

by James Coulter

Barbie has been everything from a doctor to an astronaut. She’s been many shades and skin colors. She’s even been in a wheelchair. Now, her newest doll has Barbie being something completely different: a person with Autism.

A Barbie with Autism

Earlier this month, Mattel unveiled its first Barbie doll with Autism. The doll includes many features and accessories that reflect traits commonly associated with people with Autism:

• Posable Elbows and Wrists: The doll’s flexible joints allow her to mimic common stimming movements, such as hand flapping, which many people with Autism use to self-regulate their emotions or manage their sensory input.

• Sideward Eye Gaze: Her eyes are slightly averted to reflect how some people with Autism avoid direct eye contact.

• Headphones: The doll wears noise-canceling headphones that many people with Autism wear to reduce sensory overload and stay focused.

• Fidget Spinner: The doll uses a fidget spinner, a type of stim toy used by many people with Autism to help manage stress and support concentration.

• Tablet: The doll uses a tablet featuring an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app, similar to devices some people with Autism use to communicate through symbols.

• Sensory Sensitive Fashion: She wears a loose, soft A-line dress designed to minimize fabric-to-skin contact, reflecting common sensory preferences.

Mixed Reactions from Autism Community

Mattel created the new doll through a close 18-month collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a non-profit disability rights organization run by and for people with Autism that advocates for the rights of the autistic community.

“As proud members of the autistic community, our ASAN team was thrilled to help create the first-ever autistic Barbie doll. It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is,” said Colin Killick, ASAN Executive Director.

However, while the new doll received praise from some people with Autism, as Daily Dot reported, other individuals on social media were less than enthused, claiming the dolls could perpetuate negative stereotypes.

“On one hand, I’m so happy this is being released. On the otherhand, I fear it’s going to reinforce stereotypes of what we look like and how we act, as well as reinforce beauty stereotypes vs. who gets support,” wrote Kit Author on Blueksy.

“As someone with Autism, I find it offensive that a complex and challenging condition is reduced to a handful of plastic accessories and some flexi joints. What next? Autistic Ken with nerdy glasses and a trainspotter log book?” wrote Steve Bower on Bluesky.

One Spectrum, Many Experiences

Toys and other media that aim to represent diverse identities, especially within marginalized communities, rarely pleaseeveryone. Even people with shared life experiences can have very different lives and perspectives within those experiences.

This is especially true for Autism, which is described as a spectrum disorder: a wide range of traits and symptoms all rooted in the same underlying condition but with varying severity and presentation. In other words, people with Autism often experience it differently. Some people experience some symptoms more severely. Others experience other symptoms less severely.

Everyone experiences Autism differently because everyone is different. There is no single “autistic experience.” That’s why representing people with Autism in media, or in toys like Barbie, can be challenging: a character or doll might reflect one person’s lived experience but not another’s.

For example, as someone with Autism, I can relate to this Barbie doll’s difficulty with eye contact and her use of stimming to manage emotions. But while I use regular headphones to tune out the world, I’ve never used noise‑canceling ones. And I’ve never needed an app to help me communicate.

Throughout her 60‑plus years, Barbie has reflected many different kinds of people. Part of that diversity includes the many ways individuals experience their identities. A doll that resonates deeply with one person may not reflect another—and that’s okay! Because we’re all different.

Canadian Man Killed In Davenport Florida Crash

Davenport

Carl Fish

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January 24, 2026

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Canadian Man Killed In Davenport Florida Crash

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

A Canadian man was killed Friday night, January 23, 2026, in a two-vehicle crash in northeast Polk County.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at around 8:49 pm, to the crash scene on Ronald Reagan Parkway at Loma Del Sol in the Davenport area.

The two drivers were the lone occupants of the vehicles. Both were transported by Polk County Fire Rescue to a local hospital.

One of the drivers, a 71-year old man from Ontario, Canada, died from his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.

The other driver, a 22-year old Clermont woman, was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

According to the preliminary investigation by the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide unit, the Canadian man had been driving a 2025 Chrysler Pacifica east on Ronald Reagan Parkway, while the Clermont woman was travelling west in a 2019 BMW sedan.

It was determined that the Chrysler made a left turn to enter the subdivision on Loma Del Sol Drive. While doing so, it crossed in front of the oncoming BMW, and the two vehicles collided.

Ronald Reagan Parkway was shut down in this area for approximately three hours.

Detectives are still trying to notify the next of kin for the deceased victim.

No criminal charges are anticipated at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.

“Talk to Me, Goose!” — Wings & Things Takes Flight in Haines City

Allison

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January 23, 2026

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“Talk to Me, Goose!” — Wings & Things Takes Flight in Haines City

Haines City is ready for takeoff as the Aerospace Center for Excellence brings its popular Wings & Things event to town for a day of high-flying fun, learning, and family entertainment.

“Talk to me, Goose!” says Deputy City Manager Loyd Stewart, who is inviting the community to experience the excitement firsthand at Wings & Things: Haines City Edition.

The FREE, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Eva Community Center.

Designed to bring aviation and science to life, Wings & Things will feature hands-on STEM activities, flight simulators, bounce houses, and interactive experiences for all ages. One of the highlights of the day will be the Big Bang Theory Costume Contest, adding a fun and nerdy twist for science fans and pop-culture lovers alike.

“Whether you’re a Top Gun fan, a future aviator, or just looking for a great day out with the family, this event is sure to be a hit,” Stewart said. “Come explore, learn, and have fun as Haines City takes flight.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to mark their calendars and join in for a day of discovery, creativity, and sky-high excitement.

Flyer source City of Haines City Government

This Day in History January 23, 1957: Toy Company Wham-O Produces First Frisbees

This Day in History

Allison

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January 23, 2026

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This Day in History January 23, 1957: Toy Company Wham-O Produces First Frisbees

On January 23, 1957, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs—now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees.

The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” as they let go. In 1948, Walter Frederick Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the “Flying Saucer” that could fly further and more accurately than the tin pie plates. After splitting with Franscioni, Morrison made an improved model in 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the “Pluto Platter”–an attempt to cash in on the public craze over space and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Photo source Gamma- Keystone via Getty Images

In 1958, a year after the toy’s first release, Wham-O—the company behind such top-sellers as the Hula-Hoop, the Super Ball and the Water Wiggle—changed its name to the Frisbee disc, misspelling the name of the historic pie company. A company designer, Ed Headrick, patented the design for the modern Frisbee in December 1967, adding a band of raised ridges on the disc’s surface–called the Rings–to stabilize flight. By aggressively marketing Frisbee-playing as a new sport, Wham-O sold over 100 million units of its famous toy by 1977.

High school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, invented Ultimate Frisbee, a cross between football, soccer and basketball, in 1967. In the 1970s, Headrick himself invented Frisbee Golf, in which discs are tossed into metal baskets; there are now hundreds of courses in the U.S., with millions of devotees. There is also Freestyle Frisbee, with choreographed routines set to music and multiple discs in play, and various Frisbee competitions for both humans and dogs–the best natural Frisbee players.

Today, at least 60 manufacturers produce the flying discs—generally made out of plastic and measuring roughly 20-25 centimeters (8-10 inches) in diameter with a curved lip. The official Frisbee is owned by Mattel Toy Manufacturers, who bought the toy from Wham-O in 1994.

FSU Baseball Opening Press Conference

Florida

Ethan Jones

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January 23, 2026

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By Ethan Jones

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On Monday, January 12, Florida State Baseball opened its doors to the media as preparations continued for the upcoming 2026 season. Head Coach Link Jarrett addressed a wide range of topics, including the team’s academic success, facility upgrades, roster concerns, and adjustments to new NCAA regulations.

Jarrett began the press conference by praising his team’s academic performance during the fall semester, highlighting the players’ dedication in the classroom alongside their commitment on the field. He emphasized that the semester stood out not only within the program, but across the athletic department as a whole.
“I’ve had some really good academic teams,” Jarrett said. “I have never seen a semester that was that strong, and it was one of the stronger ones in the department overall.”

Following his remarks on academics, Jarrett shifted focus to recent upgrades made to the program’s training facilities. Most notably, Florida State added the Driveline Launchpad pitching lab inside the team’s batting cage. The state-of-the-art technology, used by only a select number of collegiate baseball programs nationwide, provides advanced performance data that enhances player development and strengthens recruiting efforts.
“That modification was the best upgrade to an existing footprint I have ever seen,” Jarrett said.

Turning his attention to the team’s on-field preparation, Jarrett addressed recent NCAA calendar changes and rule modifications that limited coaching involvement during offseason workouts. Under the new rules, coaches were not permitted to instruct or coach players during workout sessions until January 12. During that time, student managers were responsible for setting up equipment while players conducted open-field training on their own.

Despite the restrictions, Jarrett emphasized that he and his staff adapted as best as possible. He implemented his established “ramp-up template” to gradually prepare players for live action, allowing them to build up before transitioning into full scrimmages. Jarrett noted that this approach has been effective in ensuring players are physically and mentally ready once formal coaching resumes.

When discussing challenges facing the team, Jarrett pointed to concerns at catcher and in the middle infield, stressing the urgency to solidify those positions. He expressed confidence that the roster contains the necessary pieces, but acknowledged that wear and tear at the catcher position has impacted the team over the past year and continues to present challenges. To address this, Jarrett mentioned players such as Nathan Cmeyla and Hunter Carns, noting the importance of getting them up to speed as key contributors.

Jarrett also spoke about the middle infield and the task of replacing players lost to the MLB Draft. Rather than seeking outside solutions, he emphasized developing talent already on the roster and maintaining the consistency that defined last season’s group.
“We have capable bodies,” Jarrett said. “The consistency, playing clean, playing smart, understanding the team fundamentals, not taking the defense to the plate or the plate to the field—those are things that Alex Lodise and Drew Faurot did a nice job of last year. The consistency of those guys in the middle were the benchmark of the team, so we’re going to have to figure that one out as we move forward.”

As the press conference concluded, members of the media were given the opportunity to ask questions. When asked how he keeps the team focused amid national attention and preseason rankings, Jarrett acknowledged the challenge while reinforcing internal expectations.
“It’s not easy,” Jarrett said. “The expectation is that each individual in here reaches or surpasses their potential.”

Florida State Baseball enters the 2026 season ranked inside the top 15 nationally, bringing high expectations from both within the program and across the fanbase. The Seminoles are looking to bounce back after a disappointing super regional loss to Oregon State last season. Florida State will open its season at home on February 13 against James Madison, and anticipation is high among the Seminole faithful for what lies ahead.

Cooking on the Ridge: Slow Cooker Beef Curry

Cooking On The Ridge

Allison

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January 22, 2026

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Cooking on the Ridge: Slow Cooker Beef Curry

by James Coulter

Brr! The temperatures have been dropping in Florida these past few weeks, haven’t they? Down to the 20s? And I thought it was cold up here in Virginia. When Florida starts shivering, you know winter means business.

Regardless, whenever the weather gets cold, I like to warm up with a nice hot meal prepared in the slow cooker. There’s something comforting about knowing dinner is quietly bubbling away while you go about your day. Some folks like to warm up with beef stew, and don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing wrong with a good stew. But I love something even better: beef curry.

This Japanese-style curry is easy to make, pairs well with cooked rice, and warms you up with both its heat and blend of spices. And if you’re someone like me who likes a little extra kick, a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce will certainly warm you up even more.

What I love most is how unfussy it is. A bit of chopping, a quick sauté, and then everything goes into the slow cooker to work its magic. By the time evening rolls around, you’ve got a rich, hearty curry that tastes like you spent hours hovering over the stove, even though you barely lifted a finger.

It’s the perfect antidote to chilly weather, busy days, or those evenings when you just want something cozy without the effort.

Slow Cooker Beef Curry

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground or stew beef

• 1 large onion, diced

• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups carrots, sliced

• 1 cup peas (frozen or canned)

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 can (14–15 oz.) crushed or diced tomatoes

• 2 cups beef broth

• 3–4 blocks Japanese curry roux (Golden Curry, Vermont Curry, or similar)

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional but lovely)

• Cooked rice for serving

Directions

1. In a saucepan, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until translucent and fragrant.

2. Add ground or brown beef and cook until brown.

3. Dump into slow cooker and add carrots, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, and beef broth.

4. Cook on low for eight hours or high for four hours.

5. During the last hour of cooking, add curry roux and stir until well blended. Let it cook for half an hour.

6. Serve over cooked rice.

Welcome, World Travelers! Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s Expands Timeline

Entertainment & Lifestyle

Allison

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January 22, 2026

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Welcome, World Travelers! Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s Expands Timeline
by James Coulter

Visitors to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have been able to meet characters like Rey and Kylo Ren from the new Star Wars movies. They’ll soon be able to meet familiar faces like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from the older movies.

Starting on April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park in California will expand its timeline to represent more eras from the Star Wars films, including the Original and Prequel trilogies.

“These exciting updates…will enable visitors to experience even more of the eras of Star Wars,” wrote Kelsey Lynch, Senior Manager of Public Relations, on Disney Parks Blog.

“Each era will be brought to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with, masterfully weaving together stories from across time and space in one location,” he continued.

Black Spire Outpost will roll back in time several decades to include characters, props, and even musical scores from the original Star Wars films. Soon, visitors will be able to meet Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker within the Outer Rim outpost. Accentuating that area’s atmosphere will be the beloved scores of the legendary composer John Williams from the first six Star Wars films.

Meanwhile, the forested area outside the marketplace will remain in the era of the prequel films, with characters like Rey and the rest of the Resistance continuing their fight against the First Order.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened in Disneyland Park in California on May 31, 2019, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida on August 29, 2019. Originally, the themed area was set on the fictional planet of Batuu, existing within the timeline of the Star Wars sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.

At Disney World, the land’s theming was consistent with the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which opened on Mar. 1, 2022. However, since that hotel closed on Sep. 30, 2023, the land has since been undergoing retooling in Disney World and Disneyland.

The first of many changes began when both the Mandalorian and Grogu (affectionately referred to by fans as Baby Yoda) started appearing at Disneyland on Nov. 18, 2022, and at Hollywood Studios in Mar. 2023. Both Mando and Grogu will be appearing in the attraction, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, on May 22, 2026, in both Disneyland and Disney World.

While many of the big changes to the land’s timeline will be coming to Disneyland later this year, only time will tell when these changes will appear at Hollywood Studios.

Regardless of when Galaxy’s Edge will be set in the Star Wars timeline, both lands in Disneyland and Disney World will continue to allow guests to experience fun in a galaxy far, far away.

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