The Stillroom, Winter Garden Fires, Crazy Gourds and more!
- This Halloween, April Eckwielen celebrates two- magical years raising spirits on Main Street.
- In the annals of Winter Garden's history, fires have left an indelible mark, reshaping the town's landscape and spirit.
- The world of artistry can lead to unexpected passions and creative endeavors, and Gary Haynes is the perfect testament to this.
- Blatantly Honest is on a mission to eradicate the stigma surrounding bullying and other pressing social issues.
- News, notes and neighbors who know.
En-Witched
This Halloween, April Eckwielen celebrates two-magical years raising spirits on Main Street
Hidden above the bustling shops on Main Street lies a place unlike any other—the enchanting haven known as The Stillroom. Owned by the spirited (pun intended) April Eckwielen, this alluring shop is not just a place to find unique treasures, it’s a safe haven where people come to connect, learn, and discover the magic within themselves.
With a background in the medical field, April’s journey to The Stillroom might seem unexpected. As a birth coordinator at Advent Health for more than a decade, she embarked on a different path after exploring the world of magic and holistic practices. Opened on Halloween Day 2020, the name “The Stillroom” carries a touch of historical magic itself.The term harkens back to a bygone era when families relied on a designated space to store their most essential records, recipes, and remedies. The shop’s offerings are as diverse as they are captivating. Crystals, tarot cards, candles, and bath products adorn the shelves, each carrying its unique energy. The essence of the space, however, lies in its vibrant sense of community—a safe place where people can be themselves, learn, and connect with others on a similar journey.
“People will come in just to ask for advice, or they’ll share what’s going on in their lives,” April says. “We almost become therapists—we’re just there to listen. I’m here to teach people and to create a space where they know that they can come when they’re having a bad day. That’s my whole purpose.” As you wander through April’s curated collection, you’ll find herbs and products rooted in centuries-old practices, given new life through modern understanding. Her commitment to high-quality, ethically sourced products ensures that every item carries not just its physical properties, but also the energetic resonance of intention and purpose.
April’s teachings highlight the essence of energetic correspondences—how crystals, herbs, and candles can be harnessed to channel intentions. These energetic relationships form the core of The Stillroom’s offerings, allowing individuals to infuse their lives with purpose and positivity. Monthly meetups offer an informal gathering for like-minded souls to connect and share their experiences.
While misconceptions often surround practices associated with The Stillroom, April is keen to educate and illuminate. Her aim is to dismantle fears and stereotypes, inviting everyone to understand the natural connection between spirituality, nature, and the self. “People are scared of what they don’t understand. And if you’re constantly told that this is bad or evil, then that’s what you’re going to believe,” she says. “We’re not scary. My only hope is that people leave with a sense of well-being and maybe a little bit more peace.”
We’ll add one more: to discover a little bit of magic in the everyday.
Donut Dash 5K
Want a sweet reason to eat donuts? Circle November 4th on your calendar and join the Winter Garden Police Athletic League’s annual Donut Dash 5k event! Run or walk through downtown Winter Garden and Lake Apopka whilst enjoying a tasty treat, guilt-free. And the best part? Every donut you savor shaves precious minutes off your final run time. Join us for a fun-filled, donut-fueled day of fitness and community support.
For more info, click here
Local History
WG Fires
In the annals of Winter Garden’s history, fires have left an indelible mark, reshaping the town’s landscape and spirit.
Consider the inferno of 1904, ignited by the owner of a drug store and which consumed the heart of the business district, reducing much of the town’s commercial hub to ashes.
Another devastating blaze erupted in 1909, erasing the wooden structures that comprised the main business district. The town, however, refused to bow to adversity. Rising from the ashes, Winter Garden rebuilt, constructing sturdier edifices that mirrored its unwavering spirit.
The year 1912 brought not one but two fierce fires. The first razed the Orange Hotel and storehouses, scorching surrounding brick structures. In the same year, the flames claimed the packing house of W. L. Story and several other buildings.
In 1926, Winter Garden’s first brick hotel, the Shelby Hotel, met its own fiery fate, leaving the Edgewater as the town’s last standing hotel.
The year 1934 bore witness to a fire that gutted the Winter Garden theater and Bray’s Hardware Co, triggering a cascade of consequences that Winter Garden had to grapple with yet again.
Despite the scattered nature of these fires, one thread weaves them together—Winter Garden’s fortitude to rebuild and rise anew. As Winter Garden’s streets evolved, rising from the ashes time and again, the town’s history was forged in the crucible of fire and rebuilt with unyielding determination.
Market Watch
Crazy Gourds
The world of artistry can lead to unexpected passions and creative endeavors, and Gary Haynes is the perfect testament to this. His unique craft revolves around transforming gourds into stunning works of art, bringing a touch of whimsy and ingenuity to the market.
Amidst the challenging days of the pandemic, Gary found himself searching for a creative outlet. Inspired by his grandfather’s memory of gourd birdhouses, he decided to experiment with the idea. The first creations, made from cans, didn’t quite hit the mark, but the vision persisted. After sourcing gourds from various farms, Gary transformed the natural wonders into stunning works of art and decor. The gourds’ sun-drying process, which hardens their shells to resemble wood, set the stage for his craftsmanship. With meticulous hollowing, cleaning, and painting, each gourd took on a unique personality. From birdhouses to bird feeders, Halloween decor, and holiday-themed pieces, each one boasts a touch of individuality. Gary’s creativity doesn’t stop there; he incorporates wire, leather, and copper, giving his art a distinct flair. “I would say that I am more of a craftsman than an artist,” Gary admits.
As he continues on his artistic journey, Gary is inspired by the joy his art brings to others. Through his art, he strives to repurpose and breathe new life into natural materials that would otherwise be discarded. His gourd creations call to mind the beauty that can be found even in the simplest of things.
Charitable Spotlight
Blatantly Honest Foundation
Despite enduring relentless bullying throughout her adolescence, Makaila Nichols refused to succumb to adversity. Instead, she channeled her experiences into creating the Blatantly Honest Foundation. Through education, conversation, and encouragement, Blatantly Honest is on a mission to eradicate the stigma surrounding bullying and other pressing social issues. Makaila says, “I wanted to turn my story into a book that could aid other kids and teens experiencing similar issues.”
Mike Stewart worked closely with Makaila to help amplify her vision:
“Supporting Makaila and her first published book, Blatantly Honest, was an easy decision for our family. Through our partnership with Makaila, we were able to provide several elementary schools with a copy of her book. The book was also a great resource for our son, Michael, as he navigated through the constant social pressures in his formidable years. Makaila was graciously able to share her advice and experiences with our son, which helped him better understand the book and its content,” Mike says.
“The openness and honesty that Makaila shares in the book is so relatable and provides lifelong lessons that can be incorporated with today’s youth. We highly encourage all parents and youth to read the book and continue to share an open dialogue as your children develop into young adults.
“We are so proud of Makaila and her courage and will continue to support the Blatantly Honest Foundation and her endeavors to educate every child on the importance of understanding the social pressures and experiences in today’s society.”
Get involved!
blatantlyhonest.org
321-250-1500
October 2023
There is always good news in the garden!
Ohhhh, Winter Garden. We’d be remiss if we didn’t address the recent closings of some of our beloved favorites. First Winter Garden Pizza Company, then NY Bagel & Deli, and now The Modern Host Life? Say it isn’t so!! Running a business isn’t for the faint of heart, but it makes us sad to see mom and pop shops shutter their doors to rising rents and waning demand. If we want small businesses to thrive, we must support them!
So pull out your wallets and drive over to Double O’s Coffee (@doubleoscoffee), the newest quick-serve, drive-thru coffee company in Ocoee provides the iced or hot beverages you love at the speed you need.
If coffee isn’t your thing, Dreamy Tea (@ dreamytea.orlando) is bringing Filipino-influenced boba to Winter Garden later this month.
Ginger’s Baking Co (gingersbakingco) is making whoopie trendy again. Whoopie pies that is! The bespoke baking shop opened in the Smith & Main building to rave reviews.
Speaking of cookies, we know you’ve already visited the newest Crumbl Cookies (@crumblcookies) in Hamlin.
We saw you in line! In non-food related news, Gatorlilly’s (@gatorlillys) in downtown WG finally open their doors!
What goes best with that new-to-you outfit? A fresh blow out from Blo Blow Dry Bar (@blowintergarden), of course.
Which will have you looking fresh for the new Oakland Farmer’s Market, held the second and fourth Thursdays from 10am – 2pm.
And last but not least, say hello to KaiPod Learning (@KaiPodCo), a new way to educate. KaiPod’s small group, in-person learning center at 855 E. Plant Street is designed specifically for online, hybrid, or homeschool kids in 3rd-12th grade!
