Things To Do In SW Florida

The small chapel — with white clapboard siding and bell tower steeple — is like a piece of a picturesque New England town tucked amid the cars, offices and fast-food joints along busy State Road 436.

First built in 1885, the Altamonte Chapel near Forest Avenue in Altamonte Springs is one of the oldest structures in Seminole County. Former presidents Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland attended services in the chapel.

But now its prominent bell — rung countless times by pulling a long rope during weddings and Sunday services over decades  — is on the verge of collapse. The steeple needs to be replaced. And the chapel, showing its age, needs serious renovation, according to its owners.

To maintain the chapel’s historic character, the restoration would require a meticulous and careful process likely to cost tens of thousands of dollars, according to members of the Altamonte Chapel’s Board of Directors.

The group recently started seeking bids from contractors. It also set up a GoFundMe account — titled “Save the Altamonte Chapel Bell” — to raise $50,000 toward the project. read more

Walt Disney World has been a regular destination for Tim Bishop and his family for years, but that’s all over now.

The 56-year-old Toronto-area real estate agent is crossing Florida off his travel list and taking his money elsewhere.

“Any Canadian who has a lick of national pride should be rethinking their U.S. travel plans as a simple gesture of the middle finger to Trump,” Bishop said in a text message. “It’s unfortunate because I’ll miss visiting my American friends for the next four years.”

As President Donald Trump threatens sweeping tariffs and belittles Canada as the “51st state,” Bishop is part of a social media movement urging Canadians to spend their money at home or in more supportive countries.

That could be bad for business in Florida. Canada is the Sunshine State’s top source of international visitors with the Maple Leaf flag flying proudly in snowbird enclaves and license plates from Ontario and Quebec signaling winter’s arrival.

About 3.3 million Canadians flocked to Florida in 2024, making up roughly 2% of total visitors, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing organization. Orlando alone received more than 1.2 million Canadian visitors in 2023, the most recent data available. read more

By Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate.com

The conventional wisdom about private mortgage insurance (PMI) has long been that borrowers should try to avoid it. PMI is a requirement for conventional mortgage borrowers who put down less than 20% on a home — and it’s just one more cost squeezing first-time homebuyers.

Yet, in recent years, private mortgage insurers have lowered their rates.

“I am a big fan of mortgage insurance — and it’s kind of a dirty word. When you talk to customers, they don’t tend to like it,” says Emanuel Santa-Donato, senior vice president at Tomo Mortgage. “But if you look at the actual cost of the mortgage insurance relative to being able to put down 3% or 5%, it is quite advantageous. That money could be used elsewhere.”

What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

PMI is a requirement for conventional mortgage borrowers who make a down payment of less than 20% on a home. Although the borrower pays for coverage, PMI protects not the borrower, but the lender. Should the borrower default, or stop paying, the loan, the lender receives a payout from the PMI carrier. read more

By Rachel Christian, Bankrate.com

Many people think $2 bills are rare, but in reality, there are millions still in circulation, and they continue to be printed. However, while most $2 bills are only worth their face value, certain ones can fetch thousands of dollars on the collector’s market.

This article will explore which $2 bills are worth the most, why they hold their value and how you can determine if your $2 bill is worth more than your next paycheck.

Which $2 bills are worth the most?

Not all $2 bills are valuable, but certain editions stand out due to their rarity, historical significance or printing errors. But similar to the most valuable coins, it’s extremely unlikely that you would ever come across these bills in your daily life. As you’ll see, bills printed in the 1800s tend to be the most valuable.

1862 and 1869 legal tender notes

The earliest $2 bills, issued in 1862 and 1869, feature a portrait of Alexander Hamilton (who was later replaced by Thomas Jefferson). These notes are highly sought after by collectors thanks to their historical importance and limited availability. read more

Easter isn’t until April, but the hunt is on for eggs.

As a devastating outbreak of bird flu thins chicken populations and market forces drive grocery prices up, the breakfast and baking staple has become pricier and harder to find.

The average price of a dozen eggs has nearly doubled since last year and hit a record high of $4.95 in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Price tags are even heftier in some places or if you want jumbo, organic or free-range varieties that have prices that top $6 or even $9 a dozen.

The spike has contributed to an overall rise in grocery prices, which increased half a percent last month, the Labor Department’s consumer price index report released this week found.

Some grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s and Kroger, have placed limits on the amount of eggs shoppers can purchase in an attempt to address the shortage.

Why are egg prices so high?

The primary factor behind the jump in egg prices is an avian flu epidemic, which has led to the deaths of more than 21 million chickens, including 13 million in December alone. read more