May 2011

Brothers Jay and Jie Lin emigrated from China nearly 21 years ago. They began working in the restaurant industry after settling in New York City’s China Town. They soon relocated to Florida to help their cousins open and operate their restaurant. After years of learning and successfully running other restaurants they decided to collaborate on a joint venture. Last month, with over fifteen years experience in the restaurant business, the brothers celebrated the Grand Opening of their own restaurant, Mongolian Buffet; located east of the Suncoast Parkway and just off SR 54 on Pointe Village Drive in Lutz.

Read more: Mongolian Buffet Offers Multicultural Cuisine for the Whole Family

Some people just jump in and get busy when help is needed. Barry Poppel certainly fits that description. Poppel, 62, a retired CPA, and a member of the Trinity Rotary Club, devotes much of his leisure time to helping those in need.

His volunteer work covers a wide range, even internationally. Poppel, along with Carol Kinnard (former Trinity Rotary Club president), represented their club on an expedition to Honduras during the Pure Water for the World (PWW) International Mission, an effort to save children living in Central America from illnesses related to drinking contaminated water. PWW is a non-profit organization that provides clean, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education in developing countries. Poppel is passionate about the seriousness of the world's water situation, saying that 3,500 children die in the world each day because of inadequate drinking water. He now organizes week-long trips to Honduras once or twice a year, thanks to a grant made possible by Trinity Rotarian Keith Fulton. Poppel says, “Pure Water was founded by a Rotarian and much of our support over the last 16 years has come from Rotarians.”

Read more: One Man's Volunteerism Inspired by Dad and Son

“Capturing Precious Moments”

Laurie Walsh is like many other mothers I know.  She is creative, compassionate, nurturing and hardworking.  She is a dedicated mom of four boys between three and nine years old and she wants what is best for them.  Like many others, Laurie works tirelessly to create a balance between work life and family life.  In order to maintain that balance and to be true to herself and her passion, Laurie has opened L.A.W. Photography, Inc. in Tarpon Springs, FL, where she focuses on creating beautiful photographs that capture the images of your family and loved ones in everyday life and during special occasions.

Read more: L.A.W. Photography, Inc.