- Dr. Ifeyinwa Umeh prescribes more than medicine—she’s healing hearts and growing minds, one story at a time.
- Dave Mugnaini’s The Kid with Confidence—a children’s book inspiring kids to believe in themselves and try something new.
- Shamanic Rootz, uses music as both medicine and mission—blending reggae rhythms with messages of healing, joy, and self-discovery.
- Cruise the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market and discover this local’s fave finds!
- There’s always good news in the Garden.
The Doctor Will
Read to You Now
Dr. Ifeyinwa Umeh prescribes more than medicine—she’s healing hearts and growing minds, one story at a time.
Some of the most important medicine doesn’t come in a bottle—it comes with a bookmark.” For Dr. Ifeyinwa Umeh, that’s more than a sentiment—it’s a daily practice, woven into the way she cares for the children who walk through her doors.
It’s why her office looks—and feels—a little different from most.
When you walk into Pearl Pediatrics in Winter Garden, you notice it right away. Among the giggles of little ones and the soft chatter of parents, there’s a gentle invitation tucked beside the medical charts and stethoscopes—books.
To Dr. Umeh, every book is more than a story. It’s a building block. A door to a world where confidence grows, curiosity blooms, and children begin to see just how big and bright their future can be.
Her passion for literacy didn’t start in a clinic; it began as a little girl growing up in Africa, where she spent hours reading about far-off places. “I remember reading about America, state by state,” she says with a laugh.
By age 10, she knew she wanted to be a doctor, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, a healer, and inspired by the lives her father helps change. “The impact he made sticks with me,” she says. “He cared for the whole person. That’s what I want to do.”
Her journey eventually brought her across the globe. After meeting her husband in Nigeria, she moved to the U.S., completed her medical residency in St. Petersburg through USF, and planted roots in Windermere.
Her practice, Pearl Pediatrics, was born from her desire to care for children with love, excellence, and a strong sense of community. “They are my children,” she says. “I don’t just want to treat them; I want to support their whole well-being.”
A key part of Dr. Umeh’s whole-child approach is promoting literacy. Her in-office book program, lovingly known as Ola’s Books, is inspired by her daughter, Ola. A quiet little girl with a big imagination, Ola finds her voice through bedtime stories. “In Pre-K, she was shy and unsure,” Dr. Umeh says. “But reading gave her something to be proud of—something she could truly shine at.”
As Ola grew, so did her confidence, especially through the Accelerated Reader program at Foundation Academy. “It gave her meaning, purpose, and joy,” her mother says. And now family outings often lead to bookstores: “Barnes & Noble is our thing,” she says with a smile. “Reading is the foundation of our bond.”
That joy inspires Ola’s Books, where every child who visits Pearl Pediatrics is invited to take home a book—sometimes their very first one. “It’s the best part of their visit,” Dr. Umeh says. “You can see their faces light up.”
She sees the impact far beyond her office walls. “Reading opens doors. It supports school success, emotional health, and even long-term well-being,” she says. “It truly changes lives. Every day, I get to watch children grow—not just in height and health, but in hope.”
Oh, the Confidence
You’ll Grow!
Dave Mugnaini is on a mission to inspire kids to believe in themselves and try something new.
It started with a rhyme, a doodle, and a dream. At his kitchen table, Dave Mugnaini scribbled out a few playful lines—nothing fancy, just a rhythm and a feeling. But those scribbles grew into something bigger: The Kid with Confidence, a children’s book bursting with bravery, bounce, and the kind of magic that makes a kid believe they can do anything.
“I’ve always loved wordplay,” Dave says. “One day I just started writing—and suddenly I was telling a story I didn’t even know I had in me.”
A lifelong fan of Dr. Seuss, Dave found the inspiration came naturally—like green eggs to ham. And so, The Kid with Confidence follows a colorful cast of characters learning something new. Each time, they pause, breathe, and remind themselves: “It’s okay. I’m going to try something new today.”
Simple? Yes. But for many kids, powerful.“Confidence is something every child—and adult—needs,” Dave says. “No matter your background, if you believe in yourself, you’re better equipped to face whatever life throws at you.”
Since publishing the book, Dave has read to classrooms across Central Florida, hosted storytimes at libraries and shops, volunteered at Give Kids the World Village, and led virtual readings for students in other states. But it’s the quiet moments that matter most: like a mom who said her son loved the book so much they had to hide it so he’d read something else. Or the girl who raised her hand and answered a question in English for the first time ever.“That’s the kind of impact I dreamed of,” Dave says.
He’s now dreaming up sequels—The Kid with Kindness, The Kid with Courage—but for now, he’s focused on spreading this first message far and wide.
Because confidence is contagious. And sometimes, it starts with a single sentence.
Rooted in Reggae
Shamanic Rootz uses music
as both medicine and mission.
When you talk to Cacique, frontman of the band Shamanic Rootz, you can feel the music before you hear it. It’s in his voice, his presence, his purpose. “Music has always been a part of me,” he says. “Growing up on the island of Jamaica, it was everywhere—in our culture, our conversations, our celebrations.”
Some of his earliest memories include singing karaoke duets with his “eccentric aunt,” learning early on how music connects people. But it wasn’t until he joined a local performing arts group that things really shifted. “That’s where I found direction,” he shares. “Stage presence, rhythm, lighting, sound—it helped me see a path forward.”
That path led to the formation of Shamanic Rootz in 2016, where music became more than performance—it became purpose. The band’s signature sound blends vibrant reggae tones with conscious lyrics rooted in mindfulness, self-awareness, and global healing. Their message is as powerful as their beat: Music can be medicine.
Cacique’s stage name reflects his mission. “A cacique is a tribal leader. A shaman is the healer,” he explains. “In Jamaica, those are the ones people turn to for wisdom, guidance, and stories. That’s who I aim to be through music.”
For him, the creative process is spiritual. “Writing is like meditation,” he says. “Sometimes the words and melodies just flow—I’m just the vessel.”
His mission? To educate, uplift, and connect. “I want people to feel joy, healing, and freedom when they hear my music,” he says. “To remember they already have the power within.”
Even in difficult times, he stays grounded. “When the fire burns low, I go inward. I keep learning, keep growing. My thirst for knowledge—that’s my anchor.”
And his definition of success? “It’s not about luxury. It’s about happiness. I came from the diaspora of Jamaica. I survived it all. And now, I get to create music that heals. That’s a blessing.”
His advice for anyone holding a dream close? “Start now. Don’t wait. The journey of 10,000 steps begins with one.”
Shamanic Rootz
performs live at the Embassy
The Local/Em Agency team enjoys a mini office concert.
Market Watch
With Britt Robles
Cruise the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market and discover this local’s fave finds!
Hanger Steak – HM Cattle Co.
Fresh from Florida pastures to your plate. This is meat that’s never seen a freezer.
Birdhouse Topper for PVC Fence Post — Crazy Gourds
Boring vinyl fence, meet personality. Birdhouses in colors for every palette.
Sugar Cane Juice with Lime – 30A Coconut Hut
Freshly pressed to order and finished with a squeeze of lime. Exactly what you want on a hot day.
The biggest opening we’ve seen all year has already arrived: PopStroke is driving things forward in Hamlin. This Orlando-based mini-golf and entertainment hotspot marks its second location in the city, giving locals a new place to putt, play, and enjoy a little friendly competition.
Daniel Gabor’s Alpine Bar & Grill is bringing German and Alpine-inspired dishes to Ocoee, offering a taste of cozy European comfort.
Coffee lovers have something to look forward to as Filigree Coffee is stepping out of HomeState Brewing this fall and into its own stand-alone space next door—same caffeine, same craft beer vibes, just a little more room to stretch.
Habibi Lebanese Grill has taken over the former Poke by Gochi spot, serving falafel, kabobs, hummus, salads, and more for anyone craving bold Mediterranean flavors.
Deeply Coffee is now brewing next to Sizzlin’ Greens and RH Pilates, perfect for a morning pick-me-up or post-workout boost.
Hot Dog Therapy is expanding in Oakland with the new Oakley’s Trailside Treats, offering Nathan’s hot dogs, ice cream, refreshing beverages and snacks for families on the go.
Meanwhile Boa Bowls is dishing up açaí bowls, dragon fruit bowls, smoothies, and coffee to brighten any morning
And finally, Pita Mediterranean Street Food in Ocoee is dishing up gyros, hummus, falafel, and more, bringing Mediterranean flavors straight to the neighborhood.
Last, but not least, shout out to West Orange Habitat for Humanity for naming Austin Arthur as its new president, continuing to build stronger communities one project at a time.
