As the President of CPNA for the year 2013, I want to invite each resident to our meetings and to become members of the strong voice in the community.
I joined CPNA four years ago because I wanted to become more involved in the process of our city and small shire in Orlando. I wanted to get to know my neighbors and their families. Many of these families are first generation Orlando residents with such a rich historic base. Our oral History Nights at Infusion Tea on the fourth Monday of each month allows this history to be shared. These people still are a strong voice in the community and leave us to nurture such a prosperous legacy. Many of our neighbors have returned from college to live in the community they love and remember. Some of us are transplants that, once planted, will not leave and feel as strong an attachment as the oldest native.
With the many types of families and opinions, Political and otherwise, that course and flow through our community of College Park, one can express their opinion and concern about policies and procedures that may impact our neighborhood. Our Commissioner, Robert Stuart, attends regularly and can explain and help with any question that is important to you. He carries the voice of the whole community instead of a single voice, to any one voice in our community decisions. YOUR College Park Neighborhood Association allows YOU to voice and listen to each other about the simplest as well as the most important community opinions. And you will have a visible outcome!
So many exciting events can also be included in our sense of community. These bring our families together for wholesome fun. We host an annual Easter Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter in Albert Park. We adorn ourselves in hats and walking shoes and bikes for our Homes Tour in May. Proceeds from this venue help fund our local schools. We meet our friends that have been misplaced due to busy lives. We carry on conversations that are years old in our local parks, pubs and restaurants and at Publix! You know you have been “stuck” there, finishing a conversation with a friend, colleague or in law! Your annual dues of 15.00 fund a mired of exciting venues A “Movie in the Park” brings us outside with the smell of popcorn, pizza and the squeal of kids snuggled down to watch a movie. Sunday in the Park in March brings in spring with gusto. Here, small business show and sell their wares and our kids entertain us with their amazing musical talent. We also collect canned foods for our local schools.
We have to mention the other events that are hosted with our sister organization the College Park Partnership. They bring us together with Dancing on the Drive and Jazz Fest. Holiday on the Drive also ushers Christmas in for our young people and business sector. There is so much going on in the wonderfully quaint and authentic College Park.
Quite simply, I love College Park. You do too. Come to one of the meetings and experience the people who have their lives vested in the absolute future of College Park residents. Friend us on Face Book; find us at www.collegeparkorlando.org.
See you around town.
Allie Loveland, President College Park Neighborhood Association, Inc.
