In 2010, a 15-year-old Sydne Mushaben was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She had to undergo chemo and radiation, and then was told by doctors she was in the clear.
9 months later, her cancer returned. This time, Mushaben’s treatment was three times the intensity and included a bone marrow transplant. During her treatment, Mushaben and her mother moved to New York into the Ronald McDonald house, leaving her brother behind with her father. After six months and successful treatment, Mushaben returned to her home in Florida. Three years later, Mushaben sought fertility testing to find out if having a child would ever be a possibility. After extensive examinations of her eggs and hormone levels, she was told it was a hopeless cause. “They said it would be easier to get my fifty-year-old mother pregnant than me,” said Mushaben. One year later, almost to the day, Mushaben came down with what she thought was the flu. Her mother brought her to the emergency room and was told by the doctor’s there that she was pregnant. Though she conceived a child against all the odds, Mushaben’s difficult journey toward motherhood wasn’t over. Due to severe morning sickness during her first trimester, Mushaben had to drop her courses at Saint Leo University and move home with her mother. Luckily, her second trimester was much easier than the first. During her third trimester, however, Mushaben was diagnosed with cholestasis of pregnancy. As a precaution for the baby’s health, Mushaben delivered her baby girl a month early. Even though bringing her into the world was extremely difficult, baby Charlotte was totally healthy and born at six pounds and fourteen ounces. Before getting pregnant, Mushaben completed two years of pre-medical studies at Saint Leo University. Earlier this month, she started classes again at St. Petersburg College with plans to transfer to the University of South Florida. She intends to eventually get a doctorate in pediatric oncology. As for Charlotte, Mushaben hopes “she’s happy, courageous, successful, and does what she feels is right in every aspect of her life,” she said. “I dream she will see the world and understand how others live. I hope she becomes an intelligent strong woman. I hope she makes a positive impact on other and society, and I dream that she never stops dreaming.”
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Sunday marked the third “Market on Main” farmer’s market of the year in Safety Harbor, Florida.
Market on Main is a weekly farmer’s market that happens every Sunday morning from late September into May along Main Street in Safety Harbor. Once a month, the market grows and has a special theme. Sunday was the larger market for January, which was themed “New Year, New You,” and promoted products and activities designed to help patrons get and stay healthy. Mercedes Ofalt is the director of Market on Main, and was optimistic for this week’s event despite looming weather and lower crowds. “This is very light, and you are not seeing us at our heyday. This is light in vendors because of the weather, people were anticipating that it was going to storm most of the day. And it’s also light in attendance, I think people are staying home.” In keeping with the message of health and wellness, there were free family yoga glasses, chair massages, essential oils to buy and even fitness themed T-shirts. One unique vendor to this farmer’s market was local LuLaRoe consultant Nicole Guthrie. LuLaRoe is boutique clothing featuring tops, dresses, and, most famously, leggings. The clothing is not sold in any physical stores, and can only be purchased through a consultant online or at a “pop up” shop like a party or, in this case, a farmer’s market. Other vendors include artisan dips for chips and pretzels, a local visual artist, handmade jewelry, and food options ranging from wheatgrass shots to hot dogs. Market on Main is happening weekly until May, then it will occur monthly until September. More information can be found at facebook.com/SHMarketonMain From to Ocean to Desert from Chelsea Matthews on Vimeo.
One thing nearly every Floridian has in common is a love of the beaches and ocean. Mountains and the desert, however, are a bit more foreign.
The weather and nature of the Florida coast is what brings hordes of tourists to the Tampa area every year. Whether they’re visitors from Canada trying to escape the cold or college students on Spring break, the warmth and atmosphere making for an ideal vacation destination. Across the country, Tucson, Arizona attracts a similar type of people. Like Florida, Arizona is known for warmer temperatures and gorgeous views. However, while visitors of Tampa Bay dream of flip flops and bikinis, most of those making the trip to Arizona make sure to pack their hiking boots. While the experiences are very different, both boast unique entertainment in beauty, which is why a native Floridian decided to see exactly what there is to see and do across the country. Making the trip first meant a drive to Orlando, Florida, and flying out from there to Colorado Springs, Colorado. From Colorado Springs was the second flight into Phoenix, Arizona and then a quick drive through the mountains to Tucson. After finally making it to the destination, the appeal of the west coast becomes clear instantaneously. The views alone are enough to take your breath away, and the occasional palm tree is enough to prevent complete culture shock. Cacti and desert landscape are everywhere, in stark contrast the lush plants, sandy beaches, and oceans of home. Once reaching Fourth Avenue in Tucson, the journey becomes all the more exciting. On nearly every street is a cool place to eat, artwork to look at or a piece of culture to soak in. After leaving Fourth Avenue is where the main event truly begins: the mountains. Driving to the top of “A” Mountain gives visitors a sweeping vantage point of downtown Tucson. Just after sunset, the glittering lights almost erase the memories of Florida’s shining waters.
This past weekend Dunedin, Florida presented the 20th Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival. Creators of jewelry, photographs, paintings, and more all gathered to showcase their artistry. In addition, food vendors came to feed festival goers and market their goods.
The seasonal Dunedin Downtown Market, which is a farmer’s market where patrons can pick up fresh produce and other foodstuffs, became a part of this event for the weekend only. Saturday, due to cold temperatures, most were packing up to leave around 1:00pm, while the event was scheduled to go on until 5:00pm. The sellers of fruits, vegetables, and other homemade treats were not the only ones effected by the weather. The entire festival was plagued by clouds, light periods of rain, and temperatures in the low 50’s. These conditions, while mild just about anywhere else in the country, are quite cold to native Floridians and likely deterred a large part of the audience for the art festival. Still, many patrons bundled up and ventured out to see what the area’s artists had to offer. While at the event, visitors could take in some live music on the stage in Pioneer Park. Near the stage were food trucks and booths, featuring vegan Jamaican food, Maine lobster, and perhaps for the brave out-of-town visitors, snow cones. Further down the path were booths featuring French desserts, Caribbean jerk options, and classic festival foods like waffles and hot dogs. For those looking for a more relaxing meal or to escape the cold, restaurants were open all throughout the downtown area. The Downtown Dunedin Art Festival was put on by Howard Alan Events and American Craft Endeavors. Similar festivals will be happening around the state of Florida throughout the year for anyone who missed out on this event, or enjoyed it enough to want to experience even more. |
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