Orlandoarea residents eager for New Year
January 24th, 2008, 4:09 am Hobby Shops
And they’re having all that fun even though Joanne Blanchette was diagnosed about 18 months ago with multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease that can rob the body of its coordination. “I just keep doing what I want to do and don’t let anything interfere,” said Joanne Blanchette, 54. “You have to have a positive outlook or nothing is going to work.” Throughout Central Florida, many other people also rang in the New Year with a hopeful eye toward 2008. At the same club, which threw a black-tie New Year’s Eve party, Marge Byrne partied with friends with little thought of the divorce she went through in 2007 after 31 years of marriage. “It’s going to be the greatest year of my life,” said Byrne, 61, who wore a white feather in a silver headband. “I’m finding out who I am. I want to be myself for a change and to do things I want to do.” Rose Forman, 16, a Seminole County high-school student, also had her share of troubles in 2007. Her father died in August, and she’s ready for a better 2008. She has a lot to look forward to. Rose, who works two jobs, needs just $1,000 more to buy her first car, a black Honda Civic coupe. She also is getting ready to take her SATs and start choosing a college. “I’m excited,” said Rose as she stopped to pick up some subs at a Lake Mary Publix in preparation for a New Year’s Eve with her Xbox and her sister. “I’m ready for a nice, brand-new year. I’m ready to move on.” Ricardo Serrano, 38, had no special plans for New Year’s Eve. He needed some rest after finishing work only a few hours before the start of 2008. Serrano, who lives in Lake Mary, is looking forward to finishing college and resuming a career as a photographer. For now, he also works two jobs and was looking forward to some rest. “I want to have some time for myself so I can dedicate it to my art and my family,” said Serrano as he stopped Monday evening on his route as a FedEx driver. Melissa, 32, and Jamie Blakely, 31, of Orange City were happy from a little champagne as they paused before going to the movies in Lake Mary. Later, they planned to ring in the New Year with friends in New Smyrna Beach. Melissa Blakley’s wish was simple: “health and happiness for my family and friends” in the New Year. “It’s a turning point for you to start over,” she said. “You see where you’ve been and where you want to go and say, ‘OK, I’m going to do it.’ ” “Then, in four days, you go back to the way it was,” her husband joked. University of Florida graduates Michelle Kahan and Zina Gabsi, both 23, had an immediate wish for 2008: They hope the Gators win today’s Capital One Bowl against the University of Michigan at the Florida Citrus Bowl. “We’re short-term,” Gabsi said after dinner at a Winter Park restaurant. “We’re still young.” Susan Jacobson can be reached at sjacobson@orlandosentinel.com or 386-851-7903. PHOTO: Luis Molinary (left) and Donna Taylor-Lewis waltz at Dance Orlando in Longwood on Monday. JACOB LANGSTON/ORLANDO SENTINEL.
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