Times& WEST ORANGE
Observer WEST ORANGE COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER FOR 109 YEARS
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
FREE
WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA
INSIDE
ARTS & CULTURE
ACTIVE
Sunset Park throws party for boys, fathers. PAGES 12A
Dr. Phillips High School thespians take stage for ‘The Drowsy Chaperone.’ PAGES 13-15A
This week, we activate our new fitness section. PAGE 4B
by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer OUR TOWN fifty shades of cray
Teens rush West Oaks movie theater A suspect also fired shots during the incident. No one was injured, and Ocoee police were able to arrest the shooter.
+ Rescue Rider raises $18,000 Based on a New Year’s resolution in 2007 and continuing through 2014, cyclist Sherry McMahon has ridden a total of 8,300 miles and raised more than $18,000 for animal-rescue efforts. Nicknamed the “Rescue Rider,” McMahon pledged to ride one mile on her bicycle for every dollar donated with a goal of 1,000 miles and $1,000 a year. On Jan. 18, she completed her goal for 2014 by pedaling 1,000 miles and raised more than $3,400, the largest annual amount to date. Support riders Allen Wooldridge and W.E. Harris rode the excess miles. Rescue groups that have benefited donations this year include Candy’s Cats; The Haven for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife; the new TREATS Program of Osceola County, which teaches prisoners to train shelter dogs at The Transition House; and Poodle and Pooch Rescue. For more information or to make a donation, visit rescuerider.com.
OCOEE — At least 100 teens rushed the movie theater without paying, late Feb. 14 at West Oaks Mall in Ocoee, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Office. As many as 300 had been causing a disturbance in the food court and theater area, according to Ocoee Police. Gunshots sounded as Orange County deputies and po-
lice from Ocoee, Winter Garden and Windermere arrived to quell crowds and control the situation. No injuries have been reported. “During this time, there was a shot fired and somebody was robbed,” said Lt. Paul Hopkins, of the Sheriff’s Office. “But the Ocoee Police Department jumped on that quickly and
were able to catch the gunman with the gun and make an arrest out of that.” An Ocoee Police Department official said officers had arrested one child for battery and resisting an officer without violence, and a second juvenile was under arrest on misdemeanor drug charges off mall property. Whether the latter offense was related to the theater incident is unknown. “Our main concern is this: These are middle- to highschool kids who have guns, who are shooting guns, who
are robbing people, driving stolen cars, and they have drugs in their car,” Hopkins said. “You need to know where your kids are at all times.” Anna Khavulya, director of marketing and specialty leasing at West Oaks Mall, said the teens — all younger than 17 — were trying to see R-rated “Fifty Shades of Grey,” released the previous day. This 2011 erotic romance novel-turned-film motivated the children to rush the theater after its personnel refused to sell them tickets as unaccompanied minors. Po-
lice escorted them from the mall property without incident, she said. “Furthermore, effective immediately, after 9 p.m. every day, all minors under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult while on mall property, and all unaccompanied minors will be escorted off the property,” she said. Video of the theater entrance at the time of the incident is available through the Ocoee Police Department,
SEE TEENS / PAGE 4A
SAGA SETTLED
AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE
by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer
Windermere approves Windsong revisions The approval includes upgrades to sewer pipes and a potential left-turn lane. WINDERMERE — The Windermere Town Council approved the third rendition of a Windsong at Windermere final development plan at its regular meeting Feb. 10. Construction will begin presently at the parcel, which is in the area of 1800 Maguire Road. To the east, across Maguire Road, are Down Yonder Lane and Wonder Lane. To the south are some small bodies of water. To the west is the back
SEE WINDSONG / 4A Courtesy photo
First-graders from Westbrooke Elementary School enjoyed a day on the big campus on a recent field trip to see West Orange High School’s production of “Peter Pan.” The first-graders even had a chance to meet members of the cast. For more school news, see Class Notes, page 9A. Courtesy of La Merc Photography
+ Ocoee senior wins scholarship Ocoee High School senior Andrew Kennedy was surprised with a music scholarship Feb. 7 during the fifth annual HapCO Sunshine Jazz Festival at Ocoee High School. The festival also featured clinics and performances by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, jazz singer LeNard Rutledge and the University of Florida Jazz Band.
I
WO This week’s winner is
Melissa Ginsberg. See the photo on PAGE 5B.
ice breaker by Peter M. Gordon | Contributing Writer
POLITICS by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer
Commission OKs Oakland residents Solar Bears facility seek county seats Officials confirmed the facility will be open to the public.
WINTER GARDEN — The Orlando Solar Bears Training Facility is coming to Winter Garden. With several members of the Solar Bears’ management in attendance, Winter Garden city commissioners unanimously approved plans to build a hockey training facility on land at 530-630 E. Crown Point Road. Community Development Director Ed Williams called this a significant development that will spur further development on the
site and in that part of the city. The 16-acre site will contain a two-story, 115,595-squarefoot training facility with two rinks, parking, stores and restaurants. Plans include a youth training facility for local teams that can also host highschool and college teams and tournaments. Williams said the developers will pay impact fees and other costs usually associated with the development. “I hope it’s open for people of West Orange,” Mayor John Rees said. “They are currently driving to Maitland.” The RDV Sportsplex is cur-
SEE HOCKEY / PAGE 4A
Orange County District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd plans to run for property appraiser, while Betsy VanderLey hopes to succeed Boyd. OAKLAND — Two of the next elects to public office in Orange County could be from a town of barely more than 2 square miles, Oakland. Both Orange County District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd and Betsy VanderLey, District 1 Planning and Zoning commissioner and chairwoman, live in Oakland and will be on the 2016 ballot for Orange County elections.
As of press time, VanderLey is the only candidate who has filed for Orange County District 1 commissioner, from which Boyd plans to move on to become Orange County property appraiser. Current Property Appraiser Rick Singh has filed for re-election. VanderLey has worked on Boyd’s past campaigns, and the two will have the same
SEE POLITICS / 4A
IN OTHER NEWS • Molly Rose raised several discussion topics: the town’s boat lift needing repairs and the possible lack of a need for the town to have a boat; a moving truck parked for months before a Windermere residence; and buying a generator for police use during power outages. • Richard Gonzalez recommended added training and bonuses for Dave Ogden and Town Manager Robert Smith. • Smith reported on recent charity events for the town, including the Central Florida NFL Alumni’s Caring for Kids fundraiser last month that raised more than $23,000. He also announced the Robbie German Memorial Softball Tournament and Family Fun Day for March 22. • Ogden will lead a group of town staff and council members to Washington, D.C., for a trip spanning March 13 to 16.
INDEX Arts & Culture.......................13A Classifieds..............................8B
Community Calendar..............2A Crossword...............................7B
History..................................17A Obituaries.............................17A
Sports.....................................1B Weather..................................7B
Vol. 82, No. 8 , Two sections
WOTimes.com
2A WOTimes.com
WEST ORANGE TIMES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
COMMUNITYCALENDAR THURSDAY, FEB. 19 Coffee and Connections — 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Holiday Inn Express, 7474 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. West Orange Chamber of Commerce members are invited to participate in this lightning round event, set in a speed-dating style, letting guests maximize business exposure in a limited amount of time. Complimentary coffee and hot breakfast items will be available, courtesy of the Holiday Inn. Space is limited to only one member per industry. The cost is $10 per person and must be paid in advance to reserve a spot. To register, visit wochamber.com/calendar/event_details/ coffee_and_connections4. Eco Movie Night: “Fabulous Frogs” — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. David Attenborough will take guests on a journey through the weird and wonderful world of frogs, shedding new light on these charismatic, colorful and frequently bizarre animals through first-hand stories, the latest science and cutting-edge technology. Frogs from around the world are used to demonstrate the adaptations and survival techniques that have made them the most successful of all amphibians. (407) 905-0054.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20 Caregiver Event — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Serenades Memory Care Assisted Living, 720 Roper Road, Winter Garden. Those in caregiving roles are invited to come experience an opportunity for self-care and to learn new skills to mindfully move through times of change. The event is presented by Mindfulness Trainer and Educator Chonteau Blake McElvin. To RSVP and (407) 614-8680. Preschool: Under the Sea — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Winter Garden Branch Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter
Garden. Preschool children ages 3 to 5 are invited to travel under the sea to discover all the treasures therein through activities, crafts and more. (407) 8357323. Where’s My Teddy? — 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the West Oaks Branch Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Bring a friend and listen to fun teddy bear stories, songs and more. Children ages 3 to 5 are welcome. (407) 835-7323.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21 Fact or Fiction U.S.A. — 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to test their knowledge and learn quirky facts about the United States of America, including stories, activities and crafts. (407) 835-7323. Orlando Wetlands Festival — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Fort Christmas Historical Park, 1300 N. Fort Christmas Road, Christmas. Guests will enjoy a day of fun and learning suitable for the whole family. The festival is free and open to the public. There will be workshops, field trips and other wetland related activities. The event will also feature live country music by Homer Stiles and more. Preregistration increases chances of winning free door prizes. To register, visit cityoforlando.net/ wetlands/wetlands-festival. Science Saturday: Walking the Watershed & Eating the Aquifer — 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. Join ONP Education Coordinator Maryann Krisovitch on an adventure through the preserve’s watershed. Discover how you can protect the water in your watershed from pollution. Learn where your drinking water comes from and then make an edible aquifer using ice cream and soda. This program is free for all ages. For more information, call (407) 905-0054.
To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 720 S. Dillard St. Winter Garden, FL 34787; or by email: news@wotimes.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.
Chamber Connection: New Member Orientation and Refresher — 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, 12184 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. Join the Chamber prior to Business After Hours to learn how the group “facilitates opportunity.” Guests will meet fellow members and ensure they are capitalizing on all the benefits included in Chamber membership. The cost is free to current chamber members. To register, visit the calendar at wochamber. com.
Senior Trip to Tampa Hard Rock — 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. The West Orange Seniors will depart from the Tom Ison Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. The cost is $15 per person. (407) 5924498 or (407) 450-1505.
SUNDAY, FEB. 22 Lent at Windermere Union Church — Sunday service takes place at 10 a.m. Feb. 22, through Sunday, March 29, at Windermere Union Church, 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Road. Examples of food eaten during Biblical times will be served. A showing of the film “God’s Not Dead” will also take place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. A concession stand will be set up by the church youth with various items such as popcorn and drinks. All profits will benefit the youth program. The public is invited to attend this free event. For more, visit windermereunion. org or call (407) 876-2112.
MONDAY, FEB. 23 CareerSource Job Search Assistance — 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Spend time with experts from CareerSource Central Florida, explore the services they provide and learn how to connect with employment opportunities using the Employ Florida Marketplace. CareerSource provides employment support services, educational opportunities, skill development workshops, career counseling, training and more. (407) 835-7323. Forget Me Not — 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the West Oaks Branch Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Preserve the memories of loved ones with EPOCH, a website that posts free obituaries. Library staff will provide assistance and answer questions. Computers and scanning equipment will be available. Guests are encouraged to bring photos and any information to
Food Truck Friday and Movie in the Park — 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Bring the family for dinner and afterward, watch Disney’s film “Maleficent,” beginning at 7 p.m. Several food trucks will offer gourmet treats, including Krispy Kreme hamburgers, lobster rolls, barbeque pulled pork, crepes, gourmet cupcakes, Swedish burgers and more. From 6 to 8 p.m., the friends of Ocoee History Preservation will give free tours of the historic Withers Maguire House, located at 16 E. Oakland Ave., Ocoee. For more information, visit ocoee.org or call (407) 905-3180. include in a tribute. For more, visit epochlegacies.org.
One and Only Magical Power.” Join the book club for crafts, prizes and fun. (407) 835-7323.
TUESDAY, FEB. 24 Bazaar Crafting — 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando. Each November, the church sponsors a bazaar/ marketplace where all proceeds go to missions and charity. The church invites women to meet in the Fellowship Hall to help make handmade items for the upcoming event. All supplies are provided. Guests should bring a bag lunch. (407) 876-5532. Coming Soon — 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Join the library in a world where teens enjoy movie trailers and cinema trivia, just in time for the 2015 award season. (407) 835-7323. Sunshine State Book Club — 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the West Oaks Branch Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. This month’s pick from the Sunshine State Readers List for third through fifth grades is David Pogue’s “Abby Carnelia’s
THURSDAY, FEB. 26 Budgeting Made Simple — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the West Oaks Branch Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Join representatives from Ledger 2 Ledger, Inc. to learn what a budget is, the purpose and benefits of following a budget, as well as tips to reduce expenses. (407) 835-7323. Business After Hours — 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at Royal Cypress Preserve, 10312 Royal Island Ct., Orlando. Members and guests are invited to network and build relationships at Toll Brothers’ newest luxury community. A wide selection of hors d’oeuvres will be provided, along with complimentary beer, wine, water and sodas. Bring plenty of business cards to exchange with other guests and submit for a chance to win prizes. The member advance payment is $5 per person, or $10 at the door. The cost is $20 for non-members. To register, visit the calendar at wochamber.com.
Goodwill Job Fair — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Orlando Job Connection Center, 3911 E. Colonial Drive, and the West Orlando Job Connection Center, 3200 W. Colonial Drive. Employers will be on site at each location to accept applications and conduct interviews for open positions. Applicants are asked to dress in professional attire and bring copies of their resumes. For more information, call (407) 872-0770 or (407) 745-5550. StarLite Film Festival — Thursday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 1, at the Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The theatre will feature micro-budget films – made for less than $200,000 – from around the world. This festival receives rave reviews from filmmakers, crowds and critics alike. For All-Access Passes, single tickets and a full festival schedule, visit starlitefilmfest. com.
FRIDAY, FEB. 27 Sydney’s Yard Sale — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, through Saturday, Feb. 28, at 12552 Scottish Pine Lane, Clermont. This yard sale will support the local charity “Read to Sydney.” Thousands of items have been donated to help expand reading and literacy programs throughout the community. Read to Sydney at (407) 247-8595.
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WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
2015 OCOEE COMMISSION
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CANDIDATE Q&As Editor’s Note: As the March 10 municipal election draws closer, the West Orange Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who are running for office in Ocoee, Winter Garden and Windermere. In this edition, we introduce the candidates for the Ocoee City Commission: District 2, Rosemary Wilsen and Michael Hopper; and District 4, Joel Keller and George Oliver III. Responses have been edited for space, not content.
FOR FULL CANDIDATE ANSWERS, VISIT WOTIMES.COM.
ROSEMARY WILSEN Why do you want to serve in the office you have qualified for? I have a genuine interest in the well-being of others, with no allegiance to any special-interest groups except that of my residents. Why do you feel you are the best-qualified candidate for this office? Having spent 10 years as a resident advocate prior to being first elected in 2009, I devoted my time and efforts to make Ocoee a wonderful place we call home. I have walked the neighborhoods, attended HOA meetings and responded timely to citizen concerns. I have been prepared and actively involved in Ocoee for more than 15 years and a vocal member of the commission for six years — all in the best interest of our residents.
What do you feel are the most important issues now that need to be addressed? • After receiving a $100,000 grant from the state in collaboration with the city of Winter Garden to study the State Road 429 corridor, we need to implement the plans that are developed. • Capitalize on Health Central’s $120 million hospital expansion. • Promote local business in connection to our new Lakeshore Center and the renovated Withers Maguire House. • Increase the capacity and expansion of our reclaimed water system with no rate increases. • Finish the long-overdue neighborhood park on Montgomery Avenue. • When State Road 50 is completed, the city will benefit from $120,000 in upgrades to the lighting on S.R. 50 from DOT. • We need to maintain an open mind to possibilities that will improve Ocoee with responsible steady growth.
• After benefiting from a state grant, the city needs to improve the corridor leading from S.R. 429 into downtown Ocoee, allowing Ocoee to create its own identity and business district. Another area of great importance that is to begin this year is the Orlando Avenue/Bluford Avenue intersection, which will eliminate the pool of water that gathers after a rain. What are your goals if elected? • We need to foster thriving businesses in Ocoee. Updating the infrastructure will support commercial and residential growth and best serve our residents while expanding our tax base. • We need to revisit the red-light camera program with independent studies to ensure the safety of our motorists and pedestrians is the primary purpose and not to generate revenue. • Continue to make the permitting process consumer-friendly with the E-permitting program.
BIO OCCUPATION: Program coordinator
for the Christian Service Center, Family and Emergency Services Program, located in Ocoee. She has been employed for the last 22 years with this agency. FAMILY: Husband of 35 years, Fred; two children RESIDENCY: Ocoee resident for more than 17 years; West Orange County for 33 years AFFILIATIONS: District 2 city commissioner six years; West Orange Healthcare District, governor-appointed trustee; Tri-County League of Cities board member (current); Woman’s Club of Ocoee board member (current); Lions Club of Ocoee member (current); Ocoee boards (Education Commission, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, Child Protection and Recommendation Committee)
DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 2
MICHAEL HOPPER Why do you want to serve in the office you have qualified for? As a lifelong native of Ocoee, I would like to serve in the capacity as District 2 City Commissioner for Ocoee. I have the vision, knowledge and level of professionalism the city needs at this point in time. I have raised two children here and would like to help in leading Ocoee in the direction of better economic growth not only in District 2 but (also) the entire city. Why do you feel you are the best-qualified candidate for this office? My qualifications consist of currently serving on the city of Ocoee Code
Enforcement Board, where I have served for eight years. I retired from what is now CenturyLink with 36 years of service. The majority of my career was in engineering and construction. I have managed and been in charge of million-dollar budgets, supervised company and contract employees and made tough decisions when necessary. I’m not one who rides the fence. What do you feel are the most important issues now that need to be addressed? Important issues at hand consist of the following: 1. Why are businesses and restaurants jumping over Ocoee? 2. Why is it so difficult to conduct business or open a new business in the city of Ocoee? (This is a recurring theme I hear from contractors.) 3.
Why is our beautiful mall dying a slow death? 4. Why is there no commercial growth along the south end of Clarke Road? Also, several roads need attention in the area of Ocoee Hills Road and Ridgefield Avenue, just to name a few. What are your goals if elected? My goals are to address these issues through a partnership with developers and land and business owners. Taking an active role in working with the West Oaks Mall’s advertising personnel and its management firm. I will work with staff to ensure all roads are in good condition, then formulate a plan to make necessary improvements where needed most. Also, I plan to research bond monies for city improvements.
BIO OCCUPATION: Retired FAMILY: Wife of 11-and-one-half
years, Ann; two children, three stepchildren, nine grandchildren RESIDENCY: District 2 resident for about 40 years AFFILIATIONS: Currently serves on the Ocoee Code Enforcement Board; one of the original coaches of the Ocoee Bulldogs for the first 10 years; Ocoee Little League baseball coach; First Baptist Church of Ocoee
JOEL KELLER Why do you want to serve in the office you have qualified for? I would like to continue moving Ocoee forward. With the visioning plan in place, I would like to see us start to implement it. By moving forward with the plans for the growth of the State Road 429 corridor and the downtown area, as well as the CRA, we can improve the city. By growing these areas we can get more businesses, including restaurants, into the Ocoee area. This will strengthen our overall tax base keeping residential rates lower, as well as bringing new jobs for our residents. We are the fastest-growing city in a three-county area, according to the 2014 population estimates released by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. It is time to grow the business side of our city, as well. This way we can keep improving Ocoee and keep it
“The Center of Good Living.” Why do you feel you are the best-qualified candidate for this office? Proven record of fighting for the citizens and getting things done. Fought to keep Evans High School from moving, fought to keep the garbage transfer station off McCormack Road and fought to keep the Ocoee Fire Department. Since I have been on the commission, the CRA was put in place, fire department went to Advanced Life Support, new police headquarters, implosion of the Colony Hotel at 50 and Maguire, traffic light at Ocoee Hills, building of the Lakeshore Center and city visioning plan for downtown and the State Road 429 corridor.
we need to start working it. First by getting the infrastructure in place. We need to have sewer in the downtown area to attract businesses. Then by actively pursuing the businesses to make Ocoee their home. • Hiring an economic development director. We need a certified economic development director to pursue businesses for the S.R. 429 Corridor, the downtown area and the CRA. • Keep the Ocoee fire and police departments in Ocoee. One of the most important things a city can do is keep citizens safe. By having our own fire and police departments, they can be more proactive. They have a feeling of attachment and take a more active role on their free time, as well as their on-duty time in promoting the city.
What do you feel are the most important issues now that need to be addressed? • Moving forward with the visioning plan. Now that we have a plan in place,
What are your goals if elected? Moving forward with growth of our S.R. 429 corridor and downtown areas. Keeping our fire and police departments as part of the city of Ocoee.
BIO OCCUPATION: Business system ana-
lyst, Rotech Healthcare FAMILY: Wife, Laura; two children RESIDENCY: Resident of the district since May 1990 AFFILIATIONS: Commissioner District 4 (2006 to present), MetroPlan Advisory Council (2010 to present), Ocoee EAR Committee (1998), Citizens Advisory Council Ocoee Police Department (2000-2006), Planning and Zoning Board (20032006) and Sawmill Homeowners Association Board (1991-2006)
GEORGE OLIVER III Why do you want to serve in the office you have qualified for? The citizens of Ocoee and I feel that it is time for a change; we need positive forward economic progress. The citizens of District 4 have not had an effective voice in more than 10 years. I would like to be the eye, ears and, most importantly, the voice for the citizens in my district. I consider myself a community servant, not a politician. Therefore, I would like to serve my community by giving them the voice they so richly deserve. Why do you feel you are the best-qualified candidate for this office?
As I stated before, I don’t consider myself a politician but a community servant with the passion to serve the citizens in my community. I have spent most of my adult life in service to others, I have worked most of my adult life in service to our nation (U.S. Navy), Central Florida and Ocoee as an organizer, volunteer and public servant. I have also given over 10 years of service helping disabled veterans achieve a better quality of life. What do you feel are the most important issues now that need to be addressed? Retail economic development, effective leadership, education and diversity. What are your goals if elected?
• Retail economic development. Introduce a plan for more retail economic growth within and around the West Oaks Mall. My plan is a simple one: Partner with experienced developers and financial institutions with the ability to write and support municipal bonds for building projects. • Education. Building an educational facility by using the more than 300 acres in the northern section of the city. Invite institutions such as Valencia, UCF, UF, etc. to partner with the city to develop a facility that would feed into their programs of higher education. • Diversity. Bring about more diversity in city government and the city workforce. Introduce a plan that will create management opportunities for our citizens.
BIO OCCUPATION: Senior vice president,
GPS-Sports Inc. dba GPS-Solutions Inc. FAMILY: Wife of more than 21 years, Deborah A. Oliver; five sons RESIDENCY: Resident of the district since 2002 CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS: U.S. Navy; American Legion service officer, assisting veterans with service-related disabilities to receive medical and educational benefits (2014 to present); Washington Shores Community Development Board (1998); deacon and church leader of New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando (2000 to present); founder of the New Covenant Baptist Church Adopt-aPrecinct Program (2005 to present)
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TEENS / PAGE 1A
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but video from mall security is not available at this time, and Ocoee Police officials expect no further updates on the incident. Witnesses called 911 and described riots, running all over the theater and surrounding area, blocked doors, being locked in and death threats. Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.
of houses on Willow Gardens Drive in The Willows. To the north are Lake Rhea and the end of Glenbay Court in The Reserve at Belmere. Approval ultimately became contingent on three conditions: upgrades to the sizes of sewer piping in the plan; notifying the town on updates to certain aquatic aspects of the development; and paying for a left-turn lane, if the traffic engineers of the town and development team agree after completion of the 30th lot in the plan that such a lane would be necessary by traffic standards. “What we would like to propose … is that a condition be added that would allow us to hold a traffic study at the end of the first phase, in order to determine whether or not, based on traffic that is occurring, a turn lane would be necessary,” said David Evans, lead designer from Evans Engineering. “I like (Jim) O’Brien’s idea at the end of the project because, at that time, you’ve got home sites on the ground and people driving into the development, so if it is causing (excess traffic), the methodology is pretty simple. You have a road network that doesn’t have a turn lane on it yet, so we’re asking to mimic that and … at the end, to prove that we were right.”
IN OTHER NEWS • The commission passed the first reading of an ordinance to require a minimum distance of 5,000 feet between package stores. Orange County has an ordinance requiring that separation in the county, but Winter Garden does not. Commissioner Bobby Olszewski asked whether the ordinance would affect current businesses or only future businesses. Assistant City Attorney Dan Langley said the ordinance will not force any currently open package stores to move or close. Only new stores would be affected. The ordinance will bind the city to observe the separation in its boundaries from any package store on country land. A package store that opens on the county side of the city-county border will prohibit any package stores in the city from opening within the 5,000-foot radius. The second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 26. • The city annexed about 11.1 acres at 1205 E. Fullers Cross Road and rezoned the land to R-1B Residential District. Community Development Director Ed Williams said the developer planned to preserve wetlands on the property, add parks and bike trails, and provide access to the West Orange Trail. Because the plans include so much open space, the property will only include 26 lots instead of the maximum of 45 lots allowed. • The commission unanimously approved an ordinance carrying forward $24,778,157 appropriated but not spent during the last fiscal year into the current year. Revenues are allocated to specific projects. • The commission unanimously approved waiving special event fees and allowing the Rotary Club to sell alcohol at the Evening at the Pops event in Newton Park and Tanner Hall on March 14.
HOCKEY / PAGE 1A rently the closest ice rink to Winter Garden. Kevin Romeyk, project manager for the Solar Bears, confirmed the facility will be open to the public. Rees also asked whether the traffic study to examine the impact of the facility had been completed. Williams said the facility needed to be built and traffic moving to fully measure its impact. The lack of a study was not a reason to hold up development. Commissioners and city staff expressed support for the project. “Thanks to Mr. Siegel and the rest of the Solar Bears,” Commissioner Bobby Olszewski said. “It’s a special day for the city of Winter Garden.” City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said the facility brings “another exciting element to our city, enhancing our already great quality of life.”
POLITICS / PAGE 1A treasurer for the 2016 campaigns, Teresa Precourt Watkins.
SCOTT BOYD
Counting the local committees Boyd is not part of might be easier than listing the positions he holds in addition to being a county commissioner since 2009: vice mayor of Orange County, vice chair of the Central Florida Expressway Authority, vice Boyd chairman of MetroPlan Orlando, chair of the Value Adjustment Board, vice chair of Central Florida MPO Alliance, vice chair of the West Orange South Lake Transportation and Economic Development Task Force, board member of the Four Corners Area Council, board member of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Rather than disrupt his involvement in these bodies, Boyd said his campaign would help him see residents and know their struggles. “I deal with communities throughout the entire network,” he said. “It’s all part of my daily duties now, and I put in probably 50-plus hours a week doing that. It’s all just time management.” That kind of direct communication is what Boyd wants to use as property appraiser, he said. “One of the keys is communicating with residents,” he said. “Partnering with cities, towns and the county on that, as well as being a valuable resource, is very important and customer service in having a property appraiser engaged in the community. If you call in the previous week, we’ll try to make it happen to meet together.” The recession and recovery during his time as county commissioner and his experience as a real-estate broker have made Boyd familiar with many issues of property management and growth, Boyd said.
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Evans said traffic studies already had shown a turn lane would not be required, but Councilwoman Molly Rose said the study also had shown that the traffic was not far off requirements for a turn lane. Councilman Mike Pirozzolo said the turn lanes had not been necessary many years ago, when Maguire Road first had been planned, but with growth and development, they would become necessary. Two similar motions failed before the third passed. The first was identical to the approved plan except that the traffic study would occur after completion of the 26th lot. It failed, 2-3. The second replaced the traffic study condition with an addition of $100,000 to the developers’ upfront payment for town traffic improvements, but it failed to attain a second to open a vote. The third motion passed with the minimum of three affirming votes: council members O’Brien, Rose and Richard Gonzalez, who changed his vote from the first proposition. Councilmen Pirozzolo and John Armstrong maintained dissent, with Armstrong vowing before votes that he would not approve any plan without revisions to setbacks and lot sizes that the council had approved at its December meeting. “That includes parks, roads, trails, the municipalities within the district and, of course, countywide issues that affect everyone,” Boyd said. “It is an extension to me of duties as county commissioner.” Keeping people informed and identifying areas needing improvement are crucial to appraising property, Boyd said. “What we’ve done here with our communications is keeping people apprised of what is happening in their area,” he said. “We have tourism, agriculture, a big development industry and commercial here, the east side around UCF, there’s a lot of that I’d like to see tied in, not to get too specific so far out. My years on this commission and working in the community, I’ve strived to be an open door and find balance on the issues out there. Unfortunately, some are neighbor on neighbor, such as environmental protection issues.” Neighbors, past supporters and others will attend Boyd’s campaign kickoff fundraiser, starting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25, at Pilars, 146 W. Plant St., No. 120, in Winter Garden. “With the filing of the current appraiser over a month ago, I’ve got to get out there and start moving on it,” Boyd said. “I need donations — obviously the campaign will be expensive. Also, I need volunteers, supporters and to let everyone know I’m running and really gear up for the next 12 months.”
BETSY VANDERLEY
VanderLey has played roles such as volunteer in politics and notf o r- p r o f i t s because of the everyday effects, from roads and schools to garbage collection, she said. “I didn’t VanderLey anticipate ever running for office,” she said. “It was always that I’d help other people I believed in, like Commissioner Boyd and Marco Rubio, people like that I had a lot of confidence in.” But with an empty nest and Boyd’s encouragement,
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Zak Kerr
The family of slain Officer Robbie German accepted a Purple Heart and a promotion on his behalf.
Robbie German, who died from gunshot wounds suffered in the line of duty. His family accepted the awards on his behalf. Treadwell received a Chief’s Special Award, as did safety watch volunteers Bonny Elder and Katherine Bordelon and crossing guards Patricia Sanders and Ruth Marcus. Officers Robbie Harrison, George Gonzalez and Jeff Czwornog received Certificates of Appreciation. Ogden also recognized the entire force for unit citation. Travis Mathias and Craig McNeal received awards for 15 years of service to the town, as well.
MONEY MATTERS
“Unless they are looking to renegotiate the lot sizes — which I don’t think there’s any desire here from the developers — or the rear setbacks, my vote is no,” Armstrong said. “I know we approved that at a prior council meeting, but I’m not going to go for anything else. This is a final plan; it’s like saying I’m going to vote for something that I was already against.” Windermere residents from The Willows, such as Roger Ambuter, continued to raise concerns with flood plains and draining, the turn lane, sewers and general water management. Approval of the final de-
velopment plan occurred after spending more than two hours on Windsong once again, including multiple short recesses during negotiations and considerations. Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden and Deputy Chief Jennifer Treadwell presented awards to town police officers and locals aiding public safety in 2014. The awards included: Officer Ryan Miller receiving the Award of Merit, Sgt. Jayson Bonk named Police Officer of the Year and the Purple Heart Award and first department promotion to Officer One for
The council approved several items related to town finances, including a $5,000 compensation and classification study awarded to Burris and Associates, against which only Armstrong voted. Barracuda Building Corp.’s $6,990 quote for a barrier wall project on Ridgewood Drive and Sommer Sports’ $4,700 quote for event management of Windermere Run Among the Lakes passed unanimously. An $8,008.27 Athletic House quote for T-shirts for the run passed, with only Pirozzolo dissenting. Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.
VanderLey decided after two years of contemplation she had something to offer, including the experience of a transplant accepted into the community, seeing growth and how political decisions affect others, especially many years later, she said. “I’ve served on Planning and Zoning now for three years, and I realized through that about 80% of what goes to the board of county commissioners comes to Planning and Zoning first, because it’s land use,” she said. “I realized that I was able to make some very effective decisions there and some strong recommendations that I think serve the community well, and I actually liked it more than I anticipated and felt like I had something to offer.” VanderLey’s father, Jon, was mayor of Oakland; her mother, Kay, was president of Bloom & Grow Garden Society; and her daughter is a Blackhawk pilot, all indicative of a family that strives to achieve. “I looked at this and thought I could roll up my sleeves and do it,” VanderLey said. “It’s not some big epiphany, just I felt like this is the next step in community service, in a way. I think the West Orange community is extraordinary in how they put their arms around people from the outside and say, ‘Let me help you find a place in Rotary; let me help you find a place in the chamber; let me help you find a place in the downtown merchants’ board.’ They did that for my family.” As a result, VanderLey wants to share that embrace with Horizon West, in particular. “It could be sprawl, or it could be West Orange,” she said. “I want to make sure it becomes part of that West Orange vibe. When you ask people in Bithlo where they’re from, they say Orlando. When you ask people out here where they’re from, they say West Orange or Winter Garden or Windermere. They identify very strongly with it, and I want to make sure that happens as we grow.” Bike trails, cozy downtowns, community events and agriculture roots are what VanderLey wants Horizon West to adopt as West Orange adopts it, so that its people feel immersed in and part of West
Orange culture. But development processes in the county are difficult. “Right now, it takes almost 11 months to a year to get a plat approved in Orange County,” VanderLey said. “That is a period of time with developers having to hold that house and pay payments on that property before it can go to market. On the surface of it, it seems like I’m advocating for the developers, but if you think about it, the developers aren’t coming out of pocket to cover that cost. It’s getting passed off. So pretty soon, the price of a house goes up, because the holding cost was longer than anticipated, and Orange County becomes a market driver in a negative way on whether a house is affordable.” As a business developer and contractor who has worked for Disney, VanderLey knows the Orange County economic staples of tourism and development and how recession and recovery affected them, she said. “There’s a lot of other fledging pieces to that — the simulation industry, the medical — and those are great; I’m so glad those are here,” she said. “But they don’t rival the economic impact yet of development and tourism. I understand the business out there and what that brings to the table, and I’m grateful for it.” Other ventures include Home at Last, Habitat for Humanity and planning the first Oakland Heritage Day Festival when her father was mayor, VanderLey said. “A lot of different not-forprofits out here, and I’ve built a lot of great relationships with people who invest in the community, and so, I think that all those relationships and understanding how people want to see their community helps a lot, too,” she said. “I just felt like I could connect people, having been here such a long time. I think that’s a lot of what a commissioner does: they facilitate opportunity in the community, to make sure the infrastructure’s in place for that and to make sure you’re connecting the right people so they can make something remarkable happen.” A commissioner is also a cheerleader, a watchdog, an advocate and a proponent of
a proportionate budget for the growth in West Orange, VanderLey said. Part of the growing pains for West Orange is the conversation on two relief schools for West Orange High School, which VanderLey wants to refocus. “I’d really like to work with the school board to revamp how we site schools, because I think that’s gotten off the rails in some places — not just Orange County,” she said. “There was one that came through East Orange County that was in an entirely inappropriate place for a school of that size. I don’t think we can continue to eat up large amounts of property for schools. I think we need to look at, in particular cases, vertical types of applications, rather than being horizontal with a one-sizefits-all. I just don’t think there’s a community in this area that is exactly like another community in this area, so why is the school exactly like the school elsewhere?” Healing rifts between the school board and county commission would allow citizens to be heard and get the schools they need, VanderLey said. “My concern is when the school board comes in and says, ‘This is what we build, period.’ I think that’s a problem. You need to be creative with the size of property and to meet the needs of students.” Although VanderLey has had small fundraisers, her kickoff will come in warmer weather in Oakland. “I’m excited about the process and what the voters want to say,” she said. “There’s a lot of really engaged people in West Orange County. When they went through redistricting … nobody wanted to leave District 1, and District 1 was one of the areas that had to shrink because of population growth and will need to again next census because again we’re growing. Not only did no one want to leave District 1, people wanted to opt into District 1. It’s really neat — we hear so much about voter apathy and people not being engaged — it’s cool to live in an area where people are that engaged, and that’s … unique to District 1.” Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.
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“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” — Friedrich Hayek, “Road to Serfdom,” 1944
WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
5A
GOVERNANCE by Amy Quesinberry Rhode | Community Editor
Five dozen cameras tracking activity in Oakland Oakland leaders also are planning ceremonies to honor Commissioner Willie Welch and former mayors Bob Montgomery and Jake Voss.
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2011, there already were several cameras in place at the Oakland Police Department. The video quality was beginning to degrade, he said, and he wanted to add a few more locations around the station. “Additionally, we were working with the school to help upgrade their safety and security plan,” Thomas said. “As we continued to discuss this during staff meetings and with the improvements to our water distribution system and our public parks, we identified a need to include these additional sites.” Oakland is the first town of this size to have this many cameras, Thomas said. “You can come to Oakland; we’re a safe place,” he said.
TOWN HONORS LEADERS
Courtesy photo
Security cameras such as these have been installed in Oakland. police car patrolling past any of these locations to serve as a deterrent and said they can be used as an investigative com-
ponent, by providing video evidence, if a crime occurs at one of the sites. When Thomas was hired in
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OAKLAND — You can look at it two ways: You can see it as a safety measure or as a way to get caught doing something you shouldn’t. The town of Oakland has installed 61 cameras around the town to help protect the buildings, facilities and other public properties, said Oakland Police Chief Steve Thomas. They are in place at all town facilities, including parks, the water tanks and pump house, Town Meeting Hall, Town Hall and Historic Town Hall, Oakland Avenue Charter School, the police department and Public Works facilities. The total cost for the system, including hardware, software and installation, was $63,423; it was a budgeted item purchased from the town’s General Fund. The town will be responsible for all aspects of the system, from maintenance to monitoring. Town Manager Dennis Foltz and the department heads developed a list of staff who will have access to the cameras for monitoring. “The system is not designed for access by the public,” Thomas said. “We have no interest other than adding a measure of security to town properties. These cameras are placed on town buildings, facilities and public parks — where there is no expectation of privacy — for the purpose of discouraging the criminal element and allowing us the ability to better investigate any incidents that might occur at these public locations.” He likened the cameras to a
Police Chief Steve Thomas: These cameras are placed on town buildings,
facilities and public parks — where there is no expectation of privacy — for the purpose of discouraging the criminal element and allowing us the ability to better investigate any incidents that might occur at these public locations.
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Three members of the town commission who have played a big part in shaping Oakland will be remembered by having their names attached to places of endearment. Commissioners approved the recommendations of the Naming Committee at the Feb. 10 meeting. Oakland has traditionally named amenities after town leaders. “We took a step back to look at how we name things in town to make sure we were naming them appropriately,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. The Westside Park pavilion will be named after Commissioner Willie Welch, the boat dock on Tubb Street will be named for former Mayor Jefferson “Jake” Voss, and the Speer Park gazebo will carry former Mayor Robert Montgomery’s name. Welch became the town’s vice mayor in 1979 and has served as an Oakland town commissioner for more than 30 years. On the dedication form, the
IN OTHER NEWS • The commission voted unanimously to make changes to its policy to comply with state law, and benefits will be extended to homosexual employees. • A change was made to the agreement the town has with homeowners’ associations. Such groups can hold their meetings for free four times a year at the meeting hall and must pay for any additional meetings. There will be no cost to meet at Historic Town Hall, as requested by Town Manager Dennis Foltz. “When you drive by at night and the lights are on and there’s a group meeting inside — man, you just feel like this is small-town America,” he said. • Mayor Kathy Stark read a proclamation recognizing February as National African American History Month. • Stark announced also that the State of the Town will be presented at 7 p.m. (refreshments at 6:30) Thursday, March 19, at the Oakland Meeting Hall. Residents are invited to attend. committee wrote that Welch was committed to the whole town but focused on senior citizens and low-income housing. He was so committed to road improvements in the town that he spent 15 years personally maintaining the roads with a backhoe. Foltz said the pavilion is perfect for Welch because he requested to have one added to the park for family reunions. A ribbon-cutting is sched-
uled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, with music by Anointed Ground Choir. A plaque and proclamation will be presented to the Welch family, and a monument will be unveiled. One of Jefferson “Jake” Voss’ favorite places to relax was at the boat dock at the end of Tubb Street, and now it will carry the late mayor’s name. Voss served in World War II from 1943-46 and became an active Oakland resident after marrying Jane Briley Voss. He spent his career as an educator for Orange County Public Schools. He was a town commissioner from 1969-73 and served two terms as mayor from 1991-96. A boat dock dedication will take place Oct. 24 during Oakland Heritage Day, just before the first boat ride of the day. A monument will mark Voss’ fishing spot, and the family will receive a proclamation and plaque. The late Robert Montgomery was called the mayor of Speer Park, but he was really more of a guardian angel, looking after the popular gathering grounds and making sure it was safe for youth and residents. He played an active role in the playground and gazebo construction at the park. Montgomery served as a commission in 1982 and as mayor from 1983-86. The dedication of the Speer Park gazebo will be tied into Oakland’s annual Santa Day and will take place at 1 p.m. Dec. 12. The Montgomery family will be presented a plaque and proclamation. Because he was so passionate about Model A Fords, the town is hoping to include a car display. Members of the Naming Committee are Valerie Gibbons (chair), Harmon Biehl, Nancy Ross, Fred Shepherd and Jane Voss. Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at aqrhode@wotimes. com.
6A WOTimes.com
WEST ORANGE TIMES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
COPS CORNER
AROUND THE WORLD by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer
WEST ORANGE
OAKLAND FEB. 1
EIGHT OUT OF 10
Courtesy photo
Authentic attire was a big part of International Night.
Central Florida Prep celebrates International Day GOTHA — Students at Central Florida Preparatory School culminated a month of focused study of international cultures with International Night 2015 on Jan. 23. “Each year, each of our grades chooses a different country to study,” Principal Sandy Graf said. “On the final day, that Friday, we do our International Night. We begin our day with an assembly and have ambassadors that say hello and goodbye in the language of the country. They share crafts, stories or something else about the country and get stamps for passports.” In the evening, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., family members visited to see displays of their children’s reports, projects and whatever else they did in the month, as well as sample authentic food from each of the countries studied, Graf said. “On the evening of, the teachers staff them and parents sign up for 30-minute shifts throughout the evening,” she said.
Which countries the students study is largely up to them, but with certain conditions. “We have a rotation where we cannot study the same country for more than three years— they are then tabled three years,” Graf said. “It depends, honestly. Sometimes, they have students going on vacation to those countries who can learn and bring back items. Sometimes, students can showcase their heritage. I have a teacher who comes from a really tiny country no one had ever heard of before and wanted to tell everyone about it.” The slogan for this year’s International Night was “We can all be friends.” The countries featured at this year’s event were Belize, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Lichtenstein, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and Syria, each with interesting facts and creations the students presented. Each year, staff members learn something they did not
know, said Graf, who learned from her students that Kuwait is the fourth-richest nation in the world. This event features not only the diversity of our planet but also the families at Central Florida Preparatory School, Graf said. “We have a very diverse population of students, a myriad of cultures from around the world, so I think this event is representative of that diversity,” she said. “We’ve done it for 20 years. We’re the only school in the area that does it.” This night is popular among staff members and parents of students at Central Florida Preparatory School, especially among fathers, who dubbed it their favorite night of the year, Graf said. It has been for the nearly 20 years of the event at Central Florida Preparatory School, said Lonie Patterson, the administrative and technology assistant and special events coordinator for the school. Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.
Florida’s Turnpike and West Colonial Drive. Drunken Driving. Around 1:42 a.m., an officer noticed a man make an illegal U-turn from the turnpike’s northbound off-ramp and drive on the median. The officer followed the car, which then sped quickly and swerved right with no turn signal. Upon siren and emergency lights, the driver tapped his brakes and then sped on, weaving into a bike lane and stopping just before he hit a sign. The driver opened his door and held a lighter in his left hand while rummaging for documents, including a broken license and paperwork that fell on the road. The driver denied drinking and pulled out his keys at the officer’s request but dropped them before he could put them on the roof. The officer shut the door and told the man to stay put. The man soon stepped out and began eating a banana, dropping some on the road before complying with requests to sit in his car. Officers asked him to get out for tests, so he did, dropping more banana before spiking it. The man said he had just one beer, and when asked when he last slept, he said, “I don’t sleep.” After he slurred many responses, he rated himself at eight on a 10-scale of drunkenness. During visual exercises, the man stopped following the officer’s pen as instructed, asked, “Are you serious?” and refused to continue that test. During the walk and turn, the man repeatedly
started before instructions ended, stepped off the line to say, “Y’all playin’ with me,” and refused to finish it or the one-leg stand. While he resisted arrest, the man said, “Y’all some [expletive] boys,” before officers could force him into a squad car. He kicked a car window before needing restraints. He continued kicking, violent threats and swearing through booking.
FEB. 3
SMASHED LIGHTS
4000 block of West Henschen Avenue. Criminal Mischief. At 10:29 a.m., a man noticed upon exiting his home that someone had smashed his headlights and left taillight. The value of the damage is around $600.
OCOEE JAN. 29
BURGLARIZED CAR
West Colonial Drive. Larceny. Officers met a woman who was robbed sometime in the morning. From her parked car in a store lot, someone stole her purse, wallet, driver’s license, two Social Security cards, birth certificate and ATM card, worth about $150 altogether. Although the alarm was active and the car was locked, there were no signs of forced entry.
FEB. 1
QUICK PEEK
600 block of Cardinal Street. Larceny. An officer met a man whose pickup was burglarized between 4 p.m. the prior day and 8 a.m. The driver’s door was ajar, and the glove compartment and center console were rummaged through, but nothing was missing, and police found no prints.
CALL STATS OCOEE FIRE The Ocoee Fire Department (stations 25, 26, 38 and 39) reported 79 calls for assistance from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4: Fires: 4 EMS: 50 Vehicle accidents: 5 Hazardous materials/conditions: 0 Public service: 12 False alarms: 8 OCOEE POLICE The Ocoee Police Department reported 974 calls for service from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4: Arrests (adult): 29 Arrests (juvenile): 3 Assault/battery: 11 Burglary (residential and business): 3 Burglary (vehicle): 11 Child abuse: 4 Criminal mischief: 1 Drug violations: 3 DUI: 7 Homicide: 0 Robbery: 0 Sexual battery: 0 Thefts: 7 Vehicle accidents: 17 Vehicle thefts: 3 Missing/endangered adult: 0 Missing/runaway juvenile: 0 WINDERMERE POLICE The Windermere Police Department reported 92 calls for assistance from Feb. 2-8. WINTER GARDEN FIRE The Winter Garden Fire Department (stations 22, 23 and 24) reported 79 calls for assistance from Feb. 1-7: Fires: 1 EMS: 55 Vehicle accidents: 5 Automatic fire alarms: 6 Public assistance: 3 Hazardous conditions: 2 Calls for service: 7 WINTER GARDEN POLICE The Winter Garden Police Department reported 473 calls for service from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4: Arrests (adult): 32 Arrests (juvenile): 8 Assault/battery: 8 Burglary (residential and business): 1 Burglary (vehicle): 3 Child abuse: 0 Criminal mischief: 1 Drug violations: 10 DUI: 5 Robbery: 0 Sexual assault/battery: 1 Thefts: 6 Vehicle accidents: 17 Vehicle thefts: 0 Missing/runaway adult: 0 Missing/runaway juvenile: 0
This Weekend Only!
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HORIZON WEST Horizon West is located between Disney World Resort and Highway 50 in Winter Garden.
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MODEL HOMES COMMUNITIES
Don’t miss one of the biggest new home showcases ever in Central Florida — this weekend in Horizon West. It’s FREE. And touring the 50 homes is EASY — all are located within a 5-mile radius within Horizon West. See townhomes, single family homes and lakefront estates. The latest designs and interior features. Fresh ideas and new floor plans. From the $200s to $1 Million. Pickup a Tour of New Homes map guide at any of the 25 model centers, or go to LiveHorizonWest.com for the map and more information.
Go to LiveHorizonWest.com for a map and more information.
Models Open Saturday 10-6, Sunday Noon-5 THE VILLA MILANO AT CASABELLA
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8 COMMUNITY GRAND OPENINGS! THE TREVISO AT OVERLOOK AT HAMLIN
For details about pricing, features, home availability and special incentives, ask the sales representative for the individual homebuilder.
Neighborhood W E S T O R A N G E L I F E | S C H O O L S | C L U B S | FA I T H
WOTIMES.COM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Left: The front elevation of Toll Brothers’ model at Casabella at Windermere. Below: A spacious floor plan is central to this Independence home.
Courtesy photos
Dark and light colors complement each other in this home by Royal Oak Homes. Right: Lush landscaping complements the homes in Carriage Pointe.
ON THE HORIZON by Amy Quesinberry Rhode | Community Editor
Breathtaking Tour Check out the latest in design, color and style and see what amenities are available in the area’s new neighborhoods during the 2015 Horizon West Tour of New Homes. Looking for a new home? Want some decorating ideas to update your bedroom or living room? Then be sure to take the 2015 Horizon West Tour of New Homes, taking place this weekend, Feb. 21-22. It is being touted as one of the biggest new-home showcases ever presented in Central Florida. This year’s event includes 50 model homes in 25 communities, eight of which are celebrating grand openings. Nine homebuilders are participating this year. The new home showcase is sponsored by the
WINTER GARDEN • 4. Summerlake, 8067 Pond Apple Drive — Single-family homes from the $250s. This community among orange groves and spring-fed lakes features amenities like a lakeside clubhouse with fitness center, resort-style swimming pool, walking paths and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Floor plans range from 1,796 to 4,276 square feet. KB Home, (407) 614-8994, kbhome.com • 5. Summerlake, Pond Apple Drive — Single-family homes from the high $200s. Residents of this master-planned community have access to such luxurious amenities as tennis and basketball courts, clubhouse and recreation center, resort-style swimming pool, dog park, walking trails and a zip line. An elementary school is on site. Lennar Homes, (800) 495-4394, LennarOrlando. com. • 6. Johns Lake Pointe, 564 Egret Place Drive — Single-family homes from $266,990 to $338,990. The community includes an amenity center with
Horizon West Coalition, a group of professionals who actively support the Horizon West area. All of the communities are within Horizon West, which is north of Disney World, south of West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden and west of Windermere. “Anyone who is looking for a new home or is interested in seeing the latest new home design trends and interiors should circle Feb. 21 and 22,” said Chip Webb, a member of the Horizon West Coalition. “There’s never been an event like this where you can tour more than 50 furnished model
pool, fitness center, tennis courts and playground. The energy-efficient homes range in size from 2,000 to 5,107 square feet on large homesites, and the neighborhood is adjacent to Johns Lake and Tucker Ranch’s future 200-acre park and preserve with nature trails, fishing The pool and and a canoe to relax. launch. Meritage Homes, (407) 545-3951, meritagehomes.com • 7. Hickory Hammock, 16201 Great Blue Heron Court — Single-family homes from the $280s to $1 million. This gated, master-planned village includes a pool, playground, fishing dock, tennis courts, walking trails and community center. Lake-view homesites are available. M/I Homes, (407) 947-4530, mihomes.com
homes within a five-mile radius. And with eight communities celebrating grand openings, all the latest designs and features will be showcased.” The Tour of New Homes will begin with a kickoff celebration at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Windermere Sound, located on Overstreet Road. Webb said many of the builders will have special incentives for buyers during the Tour of New Homes. “This is the best time to look for a new home in the Horizon West area,” Webb said.
• 11. Latham Park, Seidel Road — Single-family homes from the high $200s to $800s. Designer-inspired homes on conservation and lakefront homesites come in an array of floor plans and price ranges. The community has a pool and cabana, and homes combine energy-efficient building with a Florida lifestyle. Ashton Woods deck area of the Taylor Morrison model at Overlook at Hamlin create a place Homes, (407) 832-2294, ashtonwoods.com • 9. Avalon Reserve, 1258 utemen Loop — Single-family • 12. Lake Hancock Preserve, Avalon Road — Single-family homes from the high $600s. 8043 Pond Apple Drive — Sinhomes from the high $200s. One home remains in this gle-family homes, opening This brick-walled enclave of community that features February and March. Ten 66 homes is in its final phase walking and jogging paths, floor plans range in size from and includes a center pond nature trails, children’s play ar- 1,685 to 3,009 square feet, and and children’s playground. eas, two clubhouses with sevthe community offers such Seven floor plans range in size eral swimming pools, a boat amenities as two parks, picnic from 2,291 to 4,731 square launch and several neighbortables, tot lot and gazebo. feet. Royal Oak Homes, (407) hood parks, as well as tennis KB Home, (407) 587-3580, 614-2802, RoyalOakHomesFL. and basketball courts. Taylor kbhome.com com Morrison, (407) 905-4651, • 13. Independence, 5472 New taylormorrison.com • 10. Independence, 7719 MinIndependence Parkway — Sin-
gle-family homes from the $350s, townhomes from the $250s. Independence is a 1,300-acre master-planned community that welcomes residents with a grand entry boulevard highlighted by a 50foot clock tower and 512-foot reflection pond. Amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pools, sports courts, parks, playgrounds and conservation areas and features frontage on lakes Hancock and Speer. Choose from townhomes, estate homes or executive homes. Lennar Homes, (877) 205-1196, LennarOrlando.com • 14. Watermark, 9001 Seidel Road — Single-family homes from $229,990 to $475,990. New, energy-efficient homes make up this community, which has a clubhouse with a viewing deck, pool, interactive splash pad, fitness center, tennis courts, amphitheater and playground. Meritage Homes, (321) 418-3466, meritagehomes.com • 15. Summerlake Groves, 15521 Murcott Blossom Blvd. — Single-family homes and townhomes from the $260s. Golfers can appreciate this community, which backs up to the renowned Orange County National Golf Course and Lodge. Residents can enjoy golf course and wetland views and amenities such as a pool, cabana, playground, dog park and tennis courts. Neotraditional, Craftsman-inspired plans have either front- or rear-loading garages. M/I Homes, (407) 947-4530, mihomes.com • 16. Lakeview Pointe, Lake Hancock Road and Seidel Road — Single-family homes and townhomes from the $200s. A grand opening will introduce this community with a pool, clubhouse and passive park.
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TOUR / PAGE 7A Lake-view homesites will be available. For information and details, register at pulte.com/ lakeviewpointe. Pulte Homes, (888) 817-2219, pulte.com • 17. Black Lake Preserve, SunRidge Boulevard — Single-family homes from the $300s. Choose from among seven home designs, which include numerous standard features that other builders consider upgrades: posh master suites, luxurious baths and spacious open kitchens with granite countertops and raised-panel cabinetry. Living areas are designed with views of the water or lush conservation areas. The privacy-gated community has 91 oversized homesites, a tot lot and recreation area. Elementary- and middle school-aged children can walk to school. Royal Oak Homes, (407) 614-2802, RoyalOakHomesFL.com • 18. Overlook at Hamlin, 7719 Minutemen Loop — Single-family homes from the $270s to over $1 million. This 640-acre waterfront neighborhood is inspired by Old Florida and allows residents to enjoy miles of trails and boardwalks, dock their boat at the planned town center or relax on their front porch. Community amenities include a waterfront amphitheater, resort-style pool, clubhouse and pavilion, barbecue area and tables, splash park, sports lawn, fire pit and playground. Taylor Morrison, (407) 905-4651, taylormorrison.com • 19. Independence Estates, 14868 Lake Speer Drive — Single-family homes from the mid-$600s to $1 million. Only two lakefront estates are left in this community, which boasts a pool, clubhouse, playground and walking trails. Lakefront estates offer optional boat docks on Lake Speer. Ashton Woods Homes, (352) 406-5438, ashtonwoods.com • 21. Alexander Ridge Estates, 2016 Curia Road — Single-family homes from the high $200s. Spacious one- and two-bedroom homes feature open floor plans and covered porches and patios; the community includes a swimming pool, tot lot and sports field.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Lennar Homes, (866) 2036359, LennarOrlando.com • 23. The Cove at Hamlin, 5717 Hamlin Groves Trail — Single-family homes from the $260s. Old Florida meets modern convenience in this 640acre waterfront community, where residents can stroll or bike along miles of trails and boardwalks, dock their boat at the planned town center or relax on their front porch. Floor plans range from 2,753 to 4,882 square feet, and there are three new Urban Cottage models ranging in size from 1,938 to 2,444 square feet. Community amenities include a waterfront amphitheater, walking trails, resort-style pool, clubhouse and pavilion, barbecue area and tables, splash park, sports lawn, fire pit and playground. Taylor Morrison, (407) 905-4651, taylormorrison.com • 25. Orchard Park, Tiny Road and Tilden Road — Single-family homes from the $300s. A tot lot, pool, cabana, softball field, open play area and dog park are among the community amenities. Floor plans range in size from 2,127 to 4,276 square feet. KB Home, (407) 587-3580, kbhome.com • 28. The Reserve at Carriage Pointe, 2006 Sandy Garden Lane — Single-family homes from the low $300s. This private, gated community of approximately 90 homesites features eight one- and two-story floor plans, all of which feature large gourmet kitchens with GE gas appliances and luxurious owner’s suites. Homes range in size from 1,965 to 4,010 square feet. Amenities include a community playground. Taylor Morrison, (407) 905-4651, taylormorrison.com
WINDERMERE • 2. Casabella at Windermere, 4326 Isabella Circle — Single-family homes from the $800s to more than $1 million. This gated community features 79 homes from 4,400 to more than 6,900 square feet. There are six home designs, including the 5,349-square-foot Villa Milano, with two stories, five bedrooms, five full and two half-baths, a two-story foyer
countertops, smooth-finish walls and ceilings and fine detailing. Personalization options are also offered. Ashton Woods Homes, (407) 230-2323, ashtonwoods.com • 26. Windermere Sound, Penkridge Lane — Single-family homes from the mid-$200s, townhomes from the low $200s. This master-planned community includes such amenities as a swimming pool, cabana, tot lot and tennis and basketball courts. Lennar Homes, (877) 2049942, LennarOrlando.com • 27. Enclave at Windermere Landing, 11536 Chase Road — Single-family homes from $388,990 to $592,990. Energy-efficient homes range in size from 2,180 to 5,031 square feet. A park and pond are onsite, and the community is close to shopping, schools, medical facilities and employment centers. Meritage Homes, (321) 418-3521, meritagehomes.com
ORLANDO
and expansive lanai with pool and cabana bath. Toll Brothers, (407) 656-3200, CasabellaAtWindermere.com • 3. Ashlin Park, 7436 Winter Garden Vineland Road — Single-family homes from the high $200 to $600s, townhomes from the mid-$200s. This new community will offer a mix of homes, including single-family homes with frontload or alley-load garages, as well as townhomes. Amenities will include a clubhouse and pool and conservation areas. Ashton Woods Homes, (407) 335-0417, ashtonwoods.com • 20. Vineyard Square, 13701
Beringer St. — Townhomes from the $220s, single-family homes from the $320s. Three floor plans offer townhomes from 1,913 to 2,113 square feet. Amenities include a tot lot, passive park, pool and cabana. A few single-family homes are left, as well. KB Home, (407) 217-6968, kbhome.com • 22. Windermere Trails, 11835 Gold Creek Trail — Single-family homes from $324,990 to $419,990. Some of these home designs encompass nearly 5,000 square feet and up to eight bedrooms. There are also enormous game and
media rooms and outdoor living spaces in these energy-efficient homes. A dog park, playground and pool are located in the neighborhood. Meritage Homes, (321) 7327177, meritagehomes.com • 24. Peachtree Park, 8796 Peachtree Park Court — Single-family homes from the high $200s to $600s. Twenty-eight Key West-inspired homes are surrounded by a private conservation area. Houses range in size from 2,104 to 3,315 square feet and feature unique architecture and paver driveways. Inside, residents can enjoy granite
• 1. Royal Cypress Preserve, 10312 Royal Island Court — Single-family homes from the $400s. The new luxury-home community features resort-style amenities and low-maintenance living in one- and two-story home designs ranging from 2,700 to more than 4,000 square feet. Each home includes spacious living areas, gourmet kitchens and hundreds of personalization options. Model homes include Robellini Tuscan and Massiano Spanish Colonial. Toll Brothers, (407) 217-7777, RoyalCypressPreserve.com • 8. Royal Estates, 9412 Royal Estates Blvd. — Single-family homes from the mid-$300s. Open floor plans, gourmet kitchens, three-car garages, optional barrel-tile roofs and unique features such as coffered ceilings, planning centers, drop zones and zero-corner sliding glass doors are among the offerings in t his energy-efficient, estate-style homes. Water- and privacy-view homesites are available. Community amenities include a waterfront pool and cabana. Pulte Homes, (888) 284-5854, pulte.com
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CLASS NOTES + Auxiliary offers college scholarships Health Central Auxiliary, the volunteer association that supports Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, is offering $2,000 scholarships to high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in health care. A minimum grade-point average of 3.2 is required, and all applicants must be fulltime students. Scholarship applications are available at the Health Central information desk and the volunteer office, both located on the first floor of Health Central Hospital, 10000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. Applications are also available at Health Central’s long-term care facility, Health Central Park in
Courtesy photo
Students in Shannon Deveault’s fifth-grade class were recently treated to Breakfast with a Book. Students who read at least seven of the Sunshine State Books came in early for breakfast and book talks. It was an exciting time for students to share their favorite books and talk about the different books they’ve read. Students included Mackenzie Coultoff, Jason Moore, Lucas Mathers, Jessica Alderman, Felica DeQuiros, Brendon Murphy and Caden Lourdel.
Winter Garden, and in the student services offices at the following high schools: Dr. Phillips, West Orange, Central Florida Christian Academy, Olympia, Ocoee, Wekiva, Maynard Evans, Bishop Moore and Foundation Academy. The deadline for returning an application to the Health Central volunteer office is March 31. Scholarship eligibility is based upon need and ability determined by a selection committee. Qualified applicants are subject to interviewing. For more information, call auxiliary office at (407) 2961148.
+ Fla. Virtual School opens applications Reading coach Julie Hager thanks Mosaic Church for providing snacks for Tildenville Elementary’s Saturday school students. Students in grades two through five are working hard in a seven-week period to practice their skills in reading, math and science.
Florida Virtual School has begun accepting applications for its new FLVS Campus program, a free, online and on-campus learning option available for the 2015-16 school year to rising ninth-grade home-education students in the Orlando area. This approach to blended learning combines the flexibility of virtual education with a community-based learning center
for face-to-face instruction. Students will choose when they work from home and when they go to campus. They also will explore hands-on opportunities to meet course requirements. Florida-certified instructors create personalized curricula to meet all ninth-grade standards from the FLVS headquarters in Orlando. Students take an individualized, focused program to achieve what they need for advancement and college readiness. While they can work on their courses any time, students also schedule time on campus to meet with teachers and each other, as well as receive personal assistance helping them overcome any academic challenges. For more information on FLVS Campus, visit flvs.net/ campus. For more information on FLVS, visit flvs.net.
+ Former Spring Lake principal a state finalist Dr. Angela Murphy-Osborne has been named a finalist for Florida’s 2015 Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership (Principal of the Year). The awards recognize principals
and assistant principals for their exceptional contributions to their schools and communities. Murphy-Osborne is the principal of Palmetto Elementary School and was formerly the principal at Spring Lake Elementary, in Ocoee. The other two finalists are Peter James McCabe, Clay County School District; and Michael Thorpe, Santa Rosa County. Candidates for these awards were nominated by the superintendent from their respective school districts. In October, Murphy-Osborne was named the district’s nominee after she led Palmetto Elementary from an “F” letter grade to an “A,” according to the state grading system. She is in her second year at Palmetto. Previously, she worked at Spring Lake Elementary for more than a decade. Under her leadership, Spring Lake was designated a “Top Performing School” by the district and a Title I Distinguished School by the Florida Department of Education. This is MurphyOsborne’s second time as a state nominee. The state’s top administrators will be named in a ceremony at the Commissioner’s Summit for Principals on Feb. 23. The recipient of the 2015 Principal of the Year will be awarded a cash prize of $5,000 and an exclusive overnight stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite inside the Magic Kingdom park, along with theme-park admission for the winner and his or her guests, provided by Disney Youth Programs.
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JUMP AROUND by Amy Quesinberry Rhode | Community Editor
Things got a little topsy-turvy at the Parents Night Out.
W.G. gym hosts Parents Night Out Gymnastics USA, in Winter Garden, hosted a Parents Night Out event Friday, Feb. 13, so moms and dad could celebrate an early Valentine’s Day. More than 250 children attended and participated in a wide assortment of games and activities. They played Cupid’s Tag and Balloon Ping Pong, jumped in a bounce house and were treated to ice cream. Girls monkey around on the bars.
+ OCPS sponsors after-school snacks Through a sponsorship of the Afterschool Meals Program, a subcomponent of the Child Care Food Program, Lakeview Middle School now provides snacks and meals to children in after-school programs, the school district announced recently. The food is available at no separate charge. Lakeview Middle is located at 1200 W. Bay St., in Winter Garden.
It’s always good to stretch before performing on the beam.
The kids were excited to see how high they could jump during the Parents Night Out.
Come and experience an opportunity for self-care and to learn new skills to mindfully move through times of change. Presented by Chonteau Blake McElvin , a mindfulness trainer and facilitator.
www.chonteau.com
Are You In A Caregiving Role?
Friday, February 20, 2015 2pm-3:30pm
Serenades by Sonata West Orange 720 Roper Road Winter Garden FL 34787 Please RSVP to (407) 614-8680 to reserve your spot today!
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
CLUBHUBBUB OCOEE
+ W.O. Seniors The West Orange Seniors will host a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Tom Ison Seniors and Veterans Center, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. All attendees should bring a side dish. Free tai chi classes will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, and Thursday, Feb. 26, at the senior center. The seniors will take a trip to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa Saturday, Feb. 21. The group will depart at 7:45 a.m. from the Tom Ison Center. The cost is $15 per person. Bingo is held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. every Sunday and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. every Monday. Free arthritis chair exercises, sponsored by Health Central Hospital, take place at 8 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Every Tuesday, line-dancing classes are available at 10 a.m., with a minimum $2 donation, and free belly-dancing exercises are offered at 1 p.m. The seniors play cards from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. They also enjoy dominoes, walking, social activities, coffee and more beginning at
WEST ORANGE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS FROM FEB. 12 N-S: 1. N. Fortin – S. Landis 2. J. and R. Jett 3. A. Boney – B. Cox 4. Y. Peabody – M. Voorhees 5. M. and J. Chilton; E-W: 1. B. Binkley – R. Rickenbach 2. B. Shelton – M. Guthrie 3. L. and J. Pylman 4. B. and R. Blair 5. L. Hendry – L. Kupczyk.
9 a.m. each Wednesday at the center. Crafts take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, and chorus practice takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays. For more information about the West Orange Seniors and upcoming events, call (407) 592-4498 or visit westorangeseniors.yolasite.com.
+ Woman’s Club of Ocoee The Woman’s Club of Ocoee will hold its 91st annual Birthday Luncheon and Fashion
W.O. MASONIC LODGE NO. 165
Show at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at its historic clubhouse, 4 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee. The public is invited to enjoy catered lunch, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and fashions modeled by club members. The group asks for a donation of $20 per person. For more information and to reserve a seat, email bmwlady97@aol.com or call (407) 579-7977.
Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Chaplain of William P. Duval Chapter Bettie Jenkins, right, and Regent Jan Mercadante recently celebrated new patriot member Nancy Anderson, accompanied by her son, Scott Anderson.
WINDERMERE
+ Windermere Garden Club The Windermere Garden Club will host its annual Crazy Card Party and Luncheon Thursday, March 12. With funds from this event, the club has been able to support two University of Central Florida horticulture scholarships each year, contribute to historic school house restoration projects, help organize and complete teaching gardens at Windermere Elementary, donate to Nehrling Gardens, give children’s scholarships to Camp Wekiva and contribute to special requests from the local Windermere community. To celebrate “Twenty Years and Still Going Strong,” the club is excited to announce a special raffle this year — a chance to win a three-day, twonight getaway at Hammock Beach, a four-star resort located directly on the ocean and only two hours from Windermere. The Crazy Card Party always features a silent auction. No card-playing experience is necessary. Tickets are $20 per person. For information and to purchase tickets, call Bonnie at (407) 205-3655 or mail a check to Windermere Garden Club, P.O. Box 502, Windermere.
WEST ORANGE
+ W.O. Duplicate Bridge Club Jerry Clark, left, Paul Tinsley and Larry Williamson celebrated Tinsley’s acceptance of his 40-year pin as a member of the West Orange Masonic Lodge No. 165.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
West Orange Duplicate Bridge Club Director Lois Dennis announced the winners of the recent bridge tournament and celebrated their success.
Members Ray and Bettie Blair tied for first and second place, Marty Lesnik and Helen Parker tied for third and fourth, and Mike Ryan came in fifth place.
+ Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista The Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista inducted its newest member, OPMAX Support Services Financial Director J.M. Grisoli, at its meeting last Thursday. Grisoli, of Windermere, said it seemed like he was destined to join the group, based on past and present events that kept leading him toward Rotary.
+ Robinswood Garden Club Robinswood Garden Club President Wilma Lentz welcomed members to its recent meeting. Cookie Coykendall presented the horticulture on Black Berry Lily. This plant needs full sunlight and produces an orange and yellow blossom with black pimples. Coykendall also reminded the group to cut back rose bushes on Feb. 15 by two thirds to produce more blossoms. Betsy Talpalar presented the butterfly program. According to the North American Butterfly Association, the Butterfly Farm and Habitat Program was creat-
ed to inspire gardeners to create a paradise for butterflies, no matter how much yard space is available. Talpalar reminded the club to plant red plants and have water and nectar available for butterflies. There are more than 700 species that don’t require much work. The next meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Pine Hills Community Center, 6408 Jennings Road, Orlando. Sharon Zink will present a program titled Sustainable Gardens. Mary Dusek will provide refreshments.
+ W.O. Chamber of Commerce The West Orange Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Heather Papoulis to the team as the manager of membership development. Papoulis will be responsible for assisting the WOCC membership department in acquisition and retention of WOCC members. “I am extremely excited and honored to be a part of the chamber team,” Papoulis said. “I look forward to working with Leslie Skillman and Stina D’Uva, WOCC president, to help grow the chamber’s presence in Central Florida and help our members in facilitating opportunities among one another. Having been an active member for many years has allowed me
a greater understanding of the wonderful benefits of the WOCC and its goal to be the leading business advocate in Central Florida.” Papoulis brings years of sales, service and community relations experience to the chamber. She is a graduate of the University of Florida.
+ W.O. Masonic Lodge No. 165
The West Orange Masonic Lodge No. 165 presented donations to the Parent-Teacher Association of four local elementary schools as part of its Adopta-School charity program at a recent meeting. The schools selected include Tildenville Elementary, Dillard Street Elementary, West Orange Montessori Charter and Oakland Avenue Charter. In attendance to accept the donations were Parent-Teacher Organization President Kristy Konat, of Oakland Avenue Charter; Dillard Street Elementary Principal Katie Boyd; Andrea Kemeny, of West Orange Montessori Charter; and Principal Agatha Alvarez and PTA President Samantha Wheeler, of Tildenville Elementary. The event marked the start of the lodge’s expansion of its Adopt-a-School/Adopt-a-Teacher program, and members look forward to opportunities to support these four elementary schools.
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HAZARD, KENTUCKY. The West Orange Times visited Buckhorn Lake, near Hazard, Kentucky, with Dene and Ray Aldridge, of Orlando.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Stephanie Berry caught up on her West Orange news while at the Potomac River in front of the Lincoln Center.
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Oh, the places you’ll go … We always are accepting submissions for our Travelin’ Times photo contest. Entering is easy! Just snap a photo of you with the paper at your destination of choice and email it to Community Editor Amy Quesinberry Rhode, aqrhode@wotimes. com. Include the names of ev-
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eryone in the photo, where it was taken and a phone number at which we can reach you. You also can mail or drop off the photo to: West Orange Times & Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden 34787. Call the newspaper office at (407) 6562121 with questions.
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA. Winter Garden native Melodye Hendrix Flanagan and her husband, Jim, recently visited Durham to celebrate their first anniversary and packed their West Orange Times. They are pictured at Duke Gardens in front of the Roney Fountain. Originally installed at Trinity College (now Duke University’s East Campus) in 1901, the fountain was restored and moved to Duke Gardens as the centerpiece of the Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden in 2011.
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LAS VEGAS. Glenn and Teresa Cisney, of Ocoee, traveled to Las Vegas in October. They are pictured in The Venetian Luxury Hotel standing in the lobby in Las Vegas. GEORGIA. The West Orange Times made it to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. Pictured are George and Nancy Bekemeyer with daughters Jan Walls and Nancy Walker and her sons, Bryce and William.
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COME LAUGH, PRAY, LOVE
BOYS’ NIGHT by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer
Tom Hirukawa and his son Sho ate pizza while preparing their cards.
Before bingo began, boys fantasized about winning various prizes.
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Sunset Park fathers, sons enjoy bingo night Fathers gathered with their sons Feb. 13 at Sunset Park Elementary for Father-Son Bingo Night, where boys were excited to eat pizza and test their luck at bingo and raffles for prizes ranging from sports equipment to video games. Students from Olympia High School volunteered at the event, some serving pizza and pop while others aided raffles and tracked bingo numbers. For more, visit wotimes.com. Left: Jake Dyer won a soccer net.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
TAKING THE STAGE by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer
THURSDAY, FEB. 19 Open Mic Night — 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays at Pilars Martini, 146 W. Plant St., No. 120, Winter Garden. Popular Disney entertainer Billy Flannigan and Kelly DeWayne Richards encourage patrons to share their vocal talents. Entertainers range from the exceptionally talented professionals to novice regulars. (407) 369-8900.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20 “Splash” Art Gala — 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the SoBo Art Center, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Attendees will enjoy gallery exhibits, live artist demonstrations and silent and live auctions. Food will be provided by alFresco’s of Winter Garden. Participants also will receive complimentary drinks, entertainment, raffles and giveaways. Appropriate attire is festive black and white with a “splash of red.” The cost is $60 per person for Winter Garden Art Association members and $75 for the public. Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call (407) 347-7996. For more information, visit wgart.org.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20 Outside The Box “Southern Hospitality” — 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 13 to 22, at The Franklin Pearce Jr. Auditorium, 17404 Sixth St., Montverde. A laugh-out-loud farce and a standalone play in its own right, “Southern Hospitality” is the final play in the Sermonettes trilogy that began with “Dearly Beloved” and continued with “Christmas Belles” in Outside The Box’s 2014-15 season of Hope, Jones and Wooten. Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for kids and students. Andre Provencher (321) 663-2608 or Outside_ The_Box_Florida@Yahoo.com.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21 Nature Sculptures — 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Tibet-Butler Preserve and the Vera Carter Environmental Center, 8777 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Orlando. Using an endless range of natural materials found at the preserve, participants will create a unique, non-permanent outdoor sculpture using techniques from artist Andrew Goldsworthy, taught by guest instructor Jane Gravois. This event is most appropriate for ages 7 and up; it is limited to 20 participants. For more information, call (407) 8766696. Writing Workshop: Character Development and Motivation — 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Windermere Branch Library, 530 Main St., Windermere. Author and Writing Coach Vicki M. Taylor will discuss what it takes for a reader to understand story characters. She will teach how to get to know and build characters throughout the work. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.
THURSDAY, FEB. 26 “Life on the Trail Art Exhibit” Reception — 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Winter Garden City Hall lobby, 300 W. Plant St. Original renderings of local artists’ interpretations will cover the walls of the lobby. This exhibit includes more than 25 pieces of art in various mediums and processes that portray everyday life on the West Orange Trail, from biking and running to scenery and sunsets by the trail. For more information, call (407) 656-4111.
Courtesy photos
“The Drowsy Chaperone” features plenty of song and dance for spectators’ enjoyment.
Better to Have Lived Than Left
More than 100 members of Dr. Phillips High School’s Theatre Magnet will perform “The Drowsy Chaperone” this weekend. DR. PHILLIPS — About 110 cast, crew and orchestra members of the Dr. Phillips High School Theatre Magnet have worked since December on “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a two-act musical set in a New York City apartment. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 19-21 and 3 p.m. Feb. 22 at the school’s performing arts center. “It’s one of those fun ones you can not think about and just enjoy,” Director Roberta Emerson said. “I like the narrator — Man in Chair — who takes us through his favorite musical, which happens to be a fictional musical. He loves it for his own personal reasons that you find out toward the end of the show. It’s following this guy who is enamored with this musical and wants to take us on this ride of how glorious Broadway shows used to be back in the Golden Age.” The show is a mostly lighthearted commentary on theater and its progress through the years, which is relevant for theater buffs of this age, Emerson said. “It’s probably more on the
Gangsters Quinn Belnap, left, and Juan Ayala give Feldzieg, played by Javan Zigo, an earful. lighthearted side, but there are definitely moments in it that come to something serious, both for Man in Chair and for the characters within it,” she said. “I never pick shows that have one kind of surface. I talk a lot with the students about finding the other side of something, so even if something’s funny, what about it is actually kind of tragic?” Man in Chair is a somewhat tragic character as a lonely
old man in his poor New York apartment taking the audience through this musical, but at the same time endearing and loving, she said. “We tried to build an appropriate one-bedroom New York City apartment,” Emerson said. “We fought for days about … the masking of the window. Finally, we were like, ‘Who is this Man in Chair guy and where would he live in New York City?’ We finally decided to put walls against the
IF YOU GO “The Drowsy Chaperone” WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 19-21 and 3 p.m. Feb. 22 WHERE: Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts Center, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando TICKETS: $10-25; INFORMATION: dphs.ocps.net or (212) 541-4684 backdrop, as if his apartment faces another apartment, like so many people in New York City, because that’s the only thing they could afford. This guy, divorced, by himself, listening to musicals — there’s something very tragic about the way he’s living, and that represented it.” This show fit her students’ abilities, such as vocal capacity and character drive, so much that there were not enough parts to go around. “There’s a double cast, so the leads will switch off each night,” Emerson said. “For this one, we did that because we have a lot of students who fit the roles and could do the parts.” There are about 30 members of the cast, another 30 on the crew and around 50
SEE DROWSY / 14A
FAITH by Amy Quesinberry Rhode | Community Editor
Faith inspires art teacher
Lana Wilken bases the theme of her studio off a biblical premise that “if we allow God to guide us, He will make beautiful things out of our pain, mess-ups and failures.” OAKLAND — For Lana Wilken, it was paint and brushes that brought her through a dark time in her life. Her grandparents died within a year of each other, she and her husband were divorcing, her best friend moved north, and then her father died. “I really felt like everything I loved was taken away,” she said. So she prayed — hard and often — for a new way to support her three children, for simplicity in her life, for a place to live, for a closer church. “Literally, I started to see the world in a different light; I saw
it in two dimensions,” Wilken said. “I would be driving home and looking at the road and have to pull over because I thought I was hallucinating. I was seeing the world in flat shapes instead of three-dimensional objects. When I would get home, I would draw what I saw and, to my surprise, ended up with some pretty amazing artworks. “I didn’t know it at the time that God was giving me lessons in perspective drawing and vanishing points, something I only came to learn later as I embraced my newfound art skills,” she said.
The changes Wilken prayed for were becoming reality, and eventually she was living in Oakland and painting murals at her new church, Mosaic, in Oakland. “Painting and creating for the church was a way for me to thank and honor God for getting me through my hard times,” she said.
LANA’S PROTEGES
On a recent weekday afternoon, brothers Isaac, Joseph and Noah Griffin showed up at Wilken’s house to create chalk
SEE WILKEN / PAGE 15A
Lana Wilken’s studio, in Oakland, is always open for children to stop by for an impromptu lesson.
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BALANCING THE BUDGET
The production budget is about $20,000. “I think we hit just under it, thankfully: rights, royalties, all that stuff; we pay for set construction,” Emerson said. “The kids do all the fundraising: They fundraise for the entire season, usually the year before, and ticket sales will also go into what we have. We do a big gala, coming April 11, where a lot of our revenue comes in, but all the money is definitely fundraised by all the children.” Bill advertisements also help fund shows, and companies have seen great help for their businesses through the ads, with publicity for the performances in return. This is especially true for musicals, which draw more revenue and interest, she said. “They also will do a lot of fundraisers where Universal Studios will call and ask for a group of kids to play actors or screaming fans — extras, basically — which is appropriate because we’re right across the street,” she said. “So it’s easy for them, but that’s a fundraiser … that goes into our programming and production.”
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DROWSY / PAGE 13A in the orchestra, Emerson said. Auditions occurred in mid-December, and rehearsals began in the second week of January. Graduates of the program such as James Erwin have helped junior Kelly Garcia with set design as the technical director, and the set is 100% student-built, she said. “There was a big conversation about how to make the apartment a Broadway (theater) that makes the show come alive,” Emerson said. “They pull props out of the stove, and the counter changes to something else. I’ve seen productions where they make different entrances or different props, and I was adamant about using what was already in the apartment to make the show come alive, because it’s
the show in his head.” Because the show is meant to represent Broadway’s golden age, effects are mostly simple, but student Alexandria Klote designed lighting for the show. “She has a very good eye for dramatics, and that’s what the show needs, coming in and out of reality, and the lights really dramatically represent that,” Emerson said. “There’s a plane — I don’t want to give away how the plane gets on stage, but the plane gets on stage.” This performance is one of five per year in the big theater of the school’s performing arts center, with three in its black box studio each year, as well, Emerson said. Most of the funding is a result of students fundraising throughout the year, from first-year crew members to seniors and leads, all amazing talents, she said. “We have Brooke (Schellpfeffer), who’s playing Janet,” Emerson said. “She’s a senior going off to college. We have Katiana (Gonzalez), also a senior, playing The Drowsy Chaperone doing … work that I am privileged to see her do before she goes off. Her double, Emilie Sheetz, is a freshman and is just amazing. I can’t wait to see who she’s going to be in the next three years, because if she’s doing that now, what’s she going to be doing in three years? “Oliver (Davids) does great work playing Robert. Adalberto (Borroto) playing George — he was very scared of this whole musical theater thing,” she said. “Now he has just blossomed. I can’t be more proud of the show. The fearlessness these young kids are going about this with is inspirational to me.” Fearlessness is something Gonzalez learned via inspiration from Emerson. “Ms. Emerson … would send the cast and technical directors these texts texts of inspiration,” Gonzalez said. “She would send things like, ‘Acting is more than just performing — it’s being.’ That really changed the way I performed and the way I took acting. Following that, she
Courtesy photo
Oliver Davids plays blindfolded Robert Martin next to Brooke Schellpfeffer, playing Janet Van de Graaff. gave us monologues … and that was the first time I was able to become that being, and it changed me as an actress. I was able to become 10 times better in my own eyes. I felt it more, and just her putting that perspective in our heads helped everything.” In her time at Dr. Phillips, Gonzalez has realized anyone can steal a show, regardless of role, and been able to get through tough times as an actress and in daily life, she said. She has learned how to become her character and be less stiff and more carefree, especially as The Drowsy Chaperone. “This is one of my dream roles — has been for a while,” Gonzalez said. “It would be a challenge because she’s just such a goofy character. I think
I just wanted to go back to just being able to be free on stage and being able to do literally whatever I wanted without being judged, because that’s what the character would do, because she’s drowsy the whole time.” Her favorite part is her solo, because her character really lets go and immerses in her character within the character. “I feel like that’s my favorite part because not only am I playing Drowsy, I’m really playing Beatrice, because she’s like, ‘Now I get to shine and I get to be the spotlight,’” Gonzalez said. “I really dig that. I think it’s really groovy that I get these two characters and get to just attack it on stage.” Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.
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You can publish your legal notice in the West Orange Times! We are your convenient, comprehensive source for legal advertising in Orange County. Working with the West Orange Times, you’ll receive: • Full compliance with all Florida Statute and postal regulations governing legal notice. • Competitive rates and online verification of your notices. • Superior customer service with advanced electronic process and e-filing capability with the Clerk’s office. • Customized accounting processes to best meet your specific needs. To submit your legal notice, simply email to legal@businessobserverfl.com with “Orange” in the subject line. This will filter your email directly to our office.
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art and practice drawing. Also there were Laney and Cadence Cope, who worked with pastels, and Emily Powelson, who sat at a side table recreating a fruit arrangement in a glass bowl with bright colors on black paper. Lana’s Art Studio is actually a converted garage. The young artists who show up can claim a kind of ownership since,
CLASS ACT Wilken has taught art at Family Christian School for two years and is also available by appointment to teach home-school groups. She offers a variety of sessions at her home studio, too. She will teach “The Art of Sidewalk Chalk” to ages 6-12 on Tuesdays, March 10-31. The cost is $10 per class, or $29 when paid in full on or before the first day. This is in preparation for the Bloom & Grow Garden Society’s upcoming Spring Fever in the Garden, which has a sidewalk chalk art contest. Teen and adult classes, “Set the Spirit Free,” will be on Thursdays. From March 5 through May 28, she will open the studio on Thursdays to charter school students for $5 per student plus a $25 supply fee. Once a month, she holds a Saturday specialty workshop, like learning to paint sunsets or making glass-bottle luminaries, at $25 per person or $40 per family. In the summer, she holds weeklong camps for $150 and then has open-studio time on Tuesdays for children ages 6-12. Another summer camp allows students to create a storybook cast of superheroes based on the words of God. She also has plans to offer an art app camp “to embrace the electronic age by introducing the kids to artistic-enhancement apps to take the place of games.” For budding Picassos who can’t pay the registration fees, Wilken has been known to barter services to provide instruction for recreational artists. To connect with or learn more about the Christian artist and her artwork, go to lanawilken.tumblr.com or email her at lana@lanasartclass.com. Anyone who likes her Facebook page will receive her schedule updates.
chances are, they have added their personal flair to the random writings on the inside of the garage door or to the carefree paintings that cover the garage floor and walls. “It’s an evolving, eclectic art,” she said. A huge board is filled with the children’s artwork, too, and they proudly include their afternoon work. Why is this art studio so popular with the young set? “I think because I really try to teach in the way ‘God taught me,’” Wilken said. “There is a forgiving spirit here that many kids don’t get when taking a more technical or structured art class. It’s a lot of hands on, trying out, experimenting with and then, finally, learning to see something beautiful in your art — even if it’s not how you wanted it to turn out.” If a student makes a mistake, she said, “We call it, ‘Oops, I arted.’” As the kids sat around the table last week, with pencils in hand, Wilken started the music, and they were asked to practice hatch marks, circles and swirls until she turned off the music. After this exercise, she brought out the pastels and had them coloring and blending. The art teacher — dressed in paint-splotched, comfortably ratty jeans that complemented the casual atmosphere — walked around the room, offering advice, giving praise and sharing hugs. There is nothing formal about this impromptu lesson, and Wilken wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m never going to be Crealdé, but some of these pieces they create could be from Crealdé,” she said of the Winter Park-based art school. “They
PAINT LIKE A PRO If you ever feel inspired to paint the sunrise in Florida, here are five things Lana Wilken says to pay attention to before you begin:
1. Before we can even
golden “rectangles.” Why is this? (Hint: It has to do with waves.)
AMERICAN SNIPER
4. Eventually the sun is high
JUPITER ASCENDING
enough that the “broad gradient of golden pink” is no longer spilling into the ocean.
3. As the sun rises higher, this water reflection goes “up,” the water getting closer to the horizon line, until eventually it is a continuous “streak” of light from the sun to the shore. Notice they are still like little learn how to do things and can do more because they can just play with it.” Her hope is that children will discover their natural talents earlier than she did as an adult in her 30s. She wants them to have options in their extracurricular activities and to know that many professional careers require creative abilities. The theme of this art studio is “Beauty for Ashes,” she said, and is based off a biblical
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The golden rectangles steadily climb into the horizon line and disappear. And a perfectly round ball of beauty detaches from the ocean.
5. Finally comes the most important observation of all: God’s absolutely beautiful and majestic nature is revealed as His sun makes its appearance out of nowhere and rises high into the heavens, to bring us light to see. premise that “if we allow God to guide us, he will make beautiful things out of our pain, mess-ups and failures.” This premise holds true whether it’s the literal artwork that is created from recycled products or “a metaphor for the healing spiritual and emotional peace that the art studio inspires.” Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at aqrhode@wotimes. com.
Lana Wilken is holding a four-week session on “The Art of Sidewalk Chalk” March 10-31. The class will prepare students to participate in the sidewalk chalk art contest at the Bloom & Grow Garden Society’s Spring Fever in the Garden. Classes are from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays for children ages 6-12. The cost is $10 per class, or $29 when paid in full on or before the first class. To register, go to m.loopsurvey.com/AeHqcIS2oo
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Students learn to draw with pastels in Lana’s Art Studio.
LEARN TO DRAW WITH CHALK
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see the sun, we know it’s coming because of the bright reflected light on the underside of the clouds. not only do we see the reflected light in the clouds and the obvious bright round ball of fire that is growing out of ocean along the horizon, but we also see a definitive “golden” reflection on the water. (What shape is it? Yes, kind of rectangular!) But it only looks like that at the shoreline! Nearer the sun, it is more of a broad gradient of golden pink that spills into the ocean.
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from the archives
OLD TIMES
75 YEARS AGO
Sunday afternoon, at the little cemetery at nearby Beulah, a throng of more than 500 Winter Garden citizens traveled to pay their last respects at the interment of the body of first mayor A.B. Newton, known affectionately as the Godfather of Winter Garden. Throughout the world, Rotary clubs are observing Rotary Week Feb. 1824, its 35th anniversary. In a special report to Rotary headquarters by W.F. Cappleman, charter member, the activities of the Winter Garden Rotary Club were presented. It was admitted to the Rotary International
in 1926 with a membership of 21.
45 YEARS AGO
The West Orange Memorial Hospital Auxiliary presented a check for $5,000 to help defray the cost of the hospital’s new intensive-care unit. The money was raised through the Snack Shop and Gift Shop, run at the hospital by the auxiliary. The check was presented by Pat Smith, president, and Dorothy Wurst, immediate past president, to Robert Barber, hospital administrator, and Julian Nally, hospital board member from Gotha.
special thanks to
Winter Garden Heritage Foundation Family and friends gathered to celebrate William Singleton Maxey’s retirement as principal from Charles R. Drew High School in 1965. Front row, from left: Geneva Grant, Eva Holt and Grover Walton Jr. Back row, from left: Juanita Harris, Mizell Triplett, Grover Walton, unknown and Hattie Mitchell. Maxey and his wife, Juanita Coney Maxey, came to Winter Garden to the Winter
City of Ocoee General Election Tuesday, March 10, 2015 CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSION DISTRICT #2 Mike Hopper Rosemary Wilsen CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSION DISTRICT #4 Joel F. Keller George Oliver III View sample ballot at www.ocfelections.com Polls are open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 pm and are accessible for people with disabilities. You will be asked to show both Photo and Signature Identification. Need assistance regarding marking your ballot? Bring a family member, friend, or ask a poll worker. You are entitled to assistance at the polls, except from your employer or union representative. For Absentee Ballot, call 407-836-2070 Early Voting March 2-6, 2015 at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 119 West Kaley St., Orlando, FL 32806. Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm. Polling Locations for Precinct #2106 (District 2) OCOEE LAKESHORE CENTER – 125 N LAKESHORE DR, OCOEE From Silver Star Rd and Bluford Ave, go south on Bluford to Oakland Ave, then left on Oakland to poll on left corner of Lakeshore Dr. and Oakland Ave. Polling Location for Precinct #4106 (District 4) JIM BEECH RECREATION CENTER - 1820 A D MIMS RD, OCOEE From Clarcona Ocoee Rd and Wurst Rd, go east on Wurst to A D Mims Rd, then left on A D Mims to poll on left, next to the wastewater treatment plant. From Clarke Rd and A D Mims, go west on A D Mims to poll on right. Registration Book Closing To vote in this election, you must be registered on time. Books will close on February 9, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office for more information at 407-905-3105.
Garden School for the Colored in 1937. He served as principal. It was later named Winter Garden Junior High School. The school was eventually moved and expanded and rechristened Charles R. Drew High. Mr. Maxey served as principal for 28 years until his retirement in 1965. He died July 20, 1980. Mrs. Maxey taught for 45 years, retiring in 1982. She died March 11, 2009, at 103 years of age.
40 YEARS AGO
A most unusual honor has come to Lakeview High School. Word reached the school and the community that three graduating seniors have been accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The successful candidates are John R. Fain Jr., Michael P. Kostoff and James B. Taylor. Playing in the Mixed 4-Ball Best Ball Tournament, Norma McMillan made a hole-in-one on the 16th hole at West Orange Country Club. She was playing with Jack Veech and Frank and Linda Dillon.
Be sure and stop by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s new History Research and Education Center to view the exhibit in honor of Black History Month. “Despite the Obstacles,” on display in Heller Hall, documents through photographs the efforts toward educating African-American students in the decades before integration. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which seeks to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences, is celebrating its third decade with the debut of its new History Research and Education Center.
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OBITUARIES Methodist Church and designated JCCF, 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Please visit AimatMelanoma.org to learn more about Melanoma. Services entrusted to Collison Carey-Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.
Drew Kendall Butler
Drew Kendall Butler, age 52, left his earthly body bound for Glory on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 after an 18-month battle with malignant metastatic melanoma. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Carolyn Butler of Ocoee, and they surely welcomed him with open arms. Born in Orlando, Drew lived most of his life in Ocoee. He was an avid fisherman and loved to golf. He was an outstanding baseball player. He always said some of the best times of his life were spent on a baseball field. His 1979 year of Warrior Varsity Baseball included very special times with special people who were in his heart always. His love of the game eventually led him to coaching Little League, where he helped shape countless young lives. Just being outdoors made him happy. He never met a stranger and had one of the kindest hearts around. His battle with melanoma fortified his faith, and his desire was that his journey be an education and encouragement to others about the dangers of skin cancer. Drew is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Julie Jackson Butler; two children, Jackson Kendall and Justin Carter; sister, Kim (Frank) Morris; brothers, Davy ( Lisa) Butler and Kevin (Joanna) Butler; lifelong friend, Jeff Whitehead; adoring in-laws, Joyce and Larry McWilliams; aunts, uncles, cousins and many nieces and nephews, including Kelton Butler, who was one of his favorite fishing buddies. Visitation will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, with a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Both will take place at First United Methodist Church Winter Garden, 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Drew’s honor to either the Ocoee High School Drama Troupe #6893, 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee, Florida 34761; or the Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund, checks made out to First United
Luetta V. Mathis
Luetta V. Mathis, of Ocoee, died Feb. 2, 2015. She was born Oct. 6, 1931, in McDougal, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Abbie J. Sr.; and son, Roy A. Sr. She is survived by her children, Brenda Fox, of Ocoee, Abbie J. Jr., of Center Hill, Troy, of Ocoee, and Donna and Bryan Hewitt, of Astatula; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 greatgreat-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
sion, in World War II. Gene graduated from Monmouth College in 1951, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Gene married the love of his life, Marie Ruppert Lynch, in 1952. He farmed in Raritan, Illinois, for 35 years. Gene and Marie relocated to Winter Garden, Florida in 1987. He was a Realtor for 27 years. His partner in real estate was Marie. Gene was a member of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden, Florida. Gene was a member of the Knights of Columbus — 4th Degree. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Winter Garden, Florida. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Gene was the treasurer, for many years, for his homeowners association. Gene is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marie; one son, Mark Missavage; one daughter, Sharon Gallop (Cary); and grandchildren, Carly and Shannon Gallop. Gene is survived by one sister, Dorothy Missavage; one brother, Leonard Missavage; and one sister-in-law, Laura Missavage. Three brothers, Joseph W. Jr., Charles and Richard Missavage, precede Gene in death. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Winter Oak Funeral Home, 1132 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 1211 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Winter Garden. Gene will be interned at a date to be announced, at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, in Monmouth, Illinois.
Allie Jack “Jackie” James Sneden Eugene (Gene) Henry Missavage
Eugene (Gene) Henry Missavage, 88, of Winter Garden, passed away on Feb. 14, 2015, in Orlando, Florida. Gene was born in Royalton, Illinois, to the late Joseph W. Sr. and Mary Ann Missavage. Gene proudly served our country in the United States Marines, Sixth Marine Divi-
DIFFERENT... COME SEE
Allie Jack “Jackie” James Sneden, 84, of Winter Garden, passed away Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at her home. She is the daughter of the late Cora Lee and Albert James
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and wife of the late Thomas C. Sneden. She was also preceded in death by her son, Thomas C. Sneden Jr., and sister, Betty Jo James McMann. She was a visiting nurse in Hollywood, Florida, for several years and worked for about 10 years for Fred Hunter Funeral Home. She attended First Baptist Church of Winter Garden for 30 years and taught Sunday School for many years, as well. She was currently a member of West Orlando Baptist Church. Jackie was also a member of the Red Hat Society. She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie C. Sneden Brown; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Norma Lee Kunselman Cobb and husband, Bobby Joe, and Patricia Sue Kunselman White and husband, John. A celebration of her life will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at her residence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Orlando Baptist Building Fund, 1006 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee, Florida 34761. TRACEY BRANTLEY, 48, of Gotha, died Jan. 24, 2015. Compass Pointe Cremation Services, Orlando. BRUCE EDWARD CLARK, 58, of Winter Garden, died Jan. 31, 2015. Postell’s Mortuary, Orlando. JERRI CHRISTINA LYLE, 53, died Feb. 11, 2015. A Celebration of Jerri Christina Lyle’s Life will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Ocoee Christian Church, 15 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee. GEORGE SIDLEY, 60, of Winter Garden, died Feb. 6, 2015. Gail & Wynn’s Mortuary, Orlando.
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Sports
YOUTH | HIGH SCHOOL | GOLF | COMMUNITY
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Tennis standout Kaden Funk extends streak to 32 consecutive wins. 2B SPONSORED BY MAIN STREET MOWERS
WOTIMES.COM
SIDELINES + FHSAA finalizes realignments The Florida High School Athletic Association released its finalized new districts and alignments for the next four years in boys and girls basketball as well as girls volleyball on Monday. A few weeks ago, tentative new districts were released, and teams were given an opportunity to appeal. The districts released Monday are final for the next four years and the changes for the three different sports are generally uniform. Class 8A District 3 currently includes Apopka, Evans, Ocoee, Olympia and West Orange, but starting with the 2015-16 season, it will be similar to recently realigned football districts, whichinclude just the Blue Darters, Trojans, Warriors and the Wekiva Mustangs. Olympia moves to Class 8A District 5 with Dr. Phillips, along with Cypress Creek, Freedom and Oak Ridge. Ocoee will move down to Class 7A and compete in District 5, along with East Ridge, East River, Lake Howell and Lake Minneola. Windermere Prep’s basketball program had tentatively been moved up to Class 4A but was bumped back down to 3A for the finalized districts, where it will remain in the same district as rival The First Academy. Moving up a classification for basketball are Foundation Academy and Legacy, which will both compete in Class 3A District 5. CFCA remains in Class 2A District 6. Complete listings of the new districts can be found at fhsaa.org.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
BOYS BASKETBALL by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
Three area teams fall in regional semifinals CFCA, DP and Windermere Prep all lost in the second round of the state playoffs, ending the hoops season in West Orange. ORLANDO — With 2:02 to play, a bucket in transition by Windermere Prep senior Michael Stones cut The First Academy’s lead — which had been as many as 10 points — to just one point. It seemed like the Lakers, who had lost to the Royals in all three previous meetings this season, might have had a chance to edge their district rival the one time it mattered most. But TFA senior Fletcher Magee had other plans. Magee, who finished with a game-high 19 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 to play
that gave the Royals all the momentum they would need to secure a 53-43 victory in the Class 3A Region 2 Semifinals on Feb. 17. It was a tough break for the Lakers — and they weren’t alone in their disappointment. The coverage area for the West Orange Times & Observer started the day Feb. 17 with three teams remaining in their respective regional tournaments of the state playoffs. But, by 8:45 p.m., basketball season was over in West Orange County. Central Florida Christian Academy (Class 2A) and
Dr. Phillips (Class 8A) also fell in their regional quarterfinal matchups. All three teams were involved in district-championship rematches, and all three were on the road. The Panthers, who were just five days removed from knocking off Evans, the No. 1 team in the state, in the Class 8A Region 1 Quarterfinals, could not overcome a 14-1 run by the Boone Braves to start the fourth quarter. The underdog Braves knocked off Dr. Phillips, 47-39. The CFCA Eagles saw their season come to an end after
Steven Ryzewski
The First Academy’s Fletcher Magee, seen here guarding Windermere Prep’s Parker Davis, hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining to help elevate the Royals past the Lakers. host Agape Christian sprinted out to a 23-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back. The Eagles saw their season end with a 73-53 defeat.
wrestling by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
+ West Orange, Foundation ranked Miracle Sports released its first statewide softball polls this week, and both the West Orange Warriors and Foundation Academy Lions are recognized. The Warriors, off to a 4-0 start, are No. 7 in the state in Class 8A, and the Lions, off to a 2-0 start, are No. 6 in the state in Class 2A.
+ Windermere Prep shines The Windermere Prep baseball team traveled south to open up the 2015 season, playing games in Miami, Coconut Creek and Delray Beach, and returned home with a 3-0 record. The Lakers defeated Florida Christian, 5-3, North Broward Prep, 6-3, and American Heritage 14-6. Windermere Prep belted 6 home runs over the trip.
SEE BASKETBALL / 3B
BOYS SOCCER
by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
Warriors finish as runners-up After advancing to penalty kicks for the second time in as many days, West Orange fell to Cypress Bay in the Class 5A Final.
+ NWBA event coming to W.G. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association will have its fourth annual All-Star Invitational Tournament this weekend at the West Orange Recreation Center in Winter Garden. Games will be played at the Winter Garden location, at 309 S. West Crown Point Road, as well as at the Silver Star Recreation Center in Orlando. Games will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
CFCA, which won just one game a season ago, finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 23-7 mark. The Eagles will
Photos by Steven Ryzewski
Olympia and Dr. Phillips, who have met twice this season already in the regular season and at the Metro West meet, will meet once more at the Class 3A District 2 meet Feb. 25.
RIVALS REUNITE Two weeks separate the Metro West Conference meet and the Class 3A District 2 meet on Feb. 25 — both of which have similar fields that include all four coverage-area programs. Things are heating up on the mat as the varsity wrestling season transitions from the regular season to district tournaments and beyond. The four programs covered by the West Orange Times & Observer — Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, Olympia and West Orange — are in a key stretch of the season, amid a twoweek break between the Metro West Conference meet, which took place on Feb. 11, and the Class 3A District 2 meet, which will take place on Feb. 25 at Edgewater High School. The respective fields for the two events are similar. West Orange (175.5 points) Ocoee’s Jules Joseph took first place at the Metro West meet took the top spot at the Met- at 195 pounds. ro West meet, edging Apopka (171) on the last match of the means a lot,” Iannuzzi said. the first-year grappler for day — the heavyweight cham- “This is who you’re closest coming through in a prespionship between the War- with, and this is who you see sure-packed situation. riors’ Ishmael Hollis and the all the time … (the Metro “It’s a tenacity — (Hollis Blue Darters’ Marvin Woods. West meet is) that last thing has) got the wrestler mindHollis, a first-year wrestler for before what really matters.” set, for sure, and he’s a fighthead coach Kristen Iannuzzi’s Iannuzzi, who played role er,” Iannuzzi said. program, scored a pin to seal in convincing Hollis, a seRounding out the eightthe victory for his teammates nior football player who will team field at the Metro West at the gathering of neighbor- play at the junior college Conference meet, which was ing programs. level in the fall, to come out held at West Orange this year, “(Winning Metro West) for the program, praised were Edgewater (151.5) in
third, Dr. Phillips (98.5) in fourth, Ocoee (96) in fifth, Olympia (92.5) in sixth, Evans (61) in seventh and Wekiva (22) in eighth place. For Ocoee, a fourth-year program under head coach John Parmenter, the fifthplace finish — and two individual champions (Jules Joseph and George Schanck), is a program best. “It’s the best we’ve done (at Metros),” Parmenter said. “We had five guys that placed, which was a team record for us. I’m pleased with our progress.” As the respective programs all now turn their attention toward the District 2 meet, which also will include Edgewater, Apopka, Forest (Ocala), Wekiva and West Port (Ocala), positives from Metros can be building blocks to bigger things. “I think (our success at Metros) gives us something to shoot for — we know what we have to improve, where we have to improve and what we have to maintain,” Parmenter said of Ocoee’s chances at districts. Dr. Phillips coach John Miller was pleased with the Panthers’ fourth-place finish, especially considering
SEE WRESTLING / 2B
MELBOURNE — The good fortune the West Orange Warriors had enjoyed throughout the state playoffs in penalty kicks finally ran out at the most inopportune of times — in the FHSAA Class 5A Boys Soccer State Championship. The Warriors fell to Cypress Bay Feb. 14 in the state final in penalty kicks, 2-1 (4-1 PKs), after the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime periods. West Orange, which had not missed a penalty kick attempt in wins against Evans in the Class 5A Region 1 Semifinals and Freedom in the State Semifinals a day earlier, missed two on Saturday, opening the door for the Lightning to take the title. Head coach Scott Fisher said it was a tall task for his boys to play contests on consecutive days that went to double-overtime — and beyond — and that fatigue might have cost them a bit in the end. “First half, we had a little bit of energy, but as the game progressed, we just got worn out,” Fisher said. “It’s a little
SEE WARRIORS / 3B
Photos by Steven Ryzewski
Fernando Torres and the Warriors fell to Cypress Bay in the state final.
2B
WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
SPONSORED BY MAIN STREET MOWERS
KADEN FUNK The Olympia Titans boys tennis team is off to a strong start at 4-0 this season, and leading the way was junior Kaden Funk. The reigning Class 4A Singles Champion from 2014 won all three of his singles matches during the first week of the season and has won 32 consecutive matches, dating back to his freshman season. How does it feel to have gotten off to a strong start to your junior season? It’s really good — it’s positive to see. Last year, I did really well at states, and I feel like this year we’re out for blood. Not just me but the whole team. So we’re coming out this year really excited and hoping to play some really good tennis. What’s it like to win state as a sophomore? It was a great experience. I felt like I learned a lot — not only on the court but also outside of the court. It was also great to represent my school and my friends and the guys on the team. Would it be fair to assume that one of your goals for this season is to repeat as a state champion? Of course, that’s always a goal. But, within that, I have a couple smaller goals that I try to work toward every day. What are your hopes for the team? Definitely a goal of ours is to go to states (as a team), and I think we’re in line to do that this year. … We’re looking hopefully to place in the top three this year. You don’t necessarily have to play varsity tennis to be successful in the sport, so what do you like about playing for Olympia? Tennis is such an individual sport that when you put in the aspect of high-school tennis, it’s for something bigger than yourself. It’s more of a team atmosphere, and you go out there and have fun with your guys. When did you pick up tennis, and when did you become passionate about it? From a really early age, I think 7, I started playing tennis, and I just started playing tournaments. I stuck with it, and I like it. With the busy schedule that you play for USTA competition, what are some cool places you’ve been through tennis? I’ve been to California. It was a great experience. … We went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and that was a great experience. … Just kind of all over the United States. During the school day, which class do you like the best? I would say my
favorite class in school would probably be psychology. It plays a big role in how we think and how we act, and tennis, as everyone knows, is really mental. What do you think you’d like to do for a career? I think I want to go Ivy League for tennis, but I don’t quite know. I think I want to go business or medical (for a field of study). Do you have any hobbies? I live on a lake, so I wakeboard a little bit. Hanging out with my friends and then just going out on the boat is a fun thing to do. What’s your favorite sport — aside from tennis — to watch on television? I would say football — my brother goes to Auburn, and I love watching them on TV. Your older brother and sister are both playing sports in college. Does that motivate you as you navigate through your high-school career? It’s just positive to see that my siblings are very successful in their sports, and it’s a good atmosphere that we have in our family. Athletically and also in school, we just all do very well. It’s just a level of excellence that I seek to pursue.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
New Olympia football coach introduced ORLANDO — Parents and players for the Olympia football team got a chance to meet the program’s fourth coach Feb. 10, when new coach Kyle Hayes was introduced at an after-school meeting. Hayes got an opportunity to talk with the players and parents in attendance about his background and coaching experience from more than a decade in South Florida, his vision for the program and what he sees as the importance of helping to develop the boys on the team off the field. Titans Athletic Director Lauren Bradley also spoke about the hiring process and made some announcements to those on hand about the team’s schedule for 2015 and its upcoming Spring Game. Olympia will take on Wekiva on May 26 in its Spring Game.
Steven Ryzewski
Kyle Hayes, the fourth coach in the history of Olympia’s football program, met with players and parents for the first time last week.
SIDELINE SCENE
Second state final appearance highlights W.O. soccer’s culture Although a title remains elusive for a boys team sport, the West Orange community has a program it can be proud of with boys soccer and its remarkable six-year run. MELBOURNE — It was Here’s all you need to know supposed to be a rebuilding about the Warriors boys soccer program over the past six year. seasons: The Warriors have After graduating 13 seniors made the state playoffs every from the 2013-14 team’s rosyear since the 2009-10 seater, West Orange boys soccer son, have won five consecuwas supposed to be rebuildtive district championships ing this season. District rivals and have played for two state saw an opportunity on which championships. they might capitalize. For a school that Of course, that’s not previously had never how it played out. had a boys team The Warriors made sport play for a state it all the way to the championship, that’s FHSAA Class 5A State impressive. Championship match Sure, both this year’s over the weekend, team and the 2012-13 falling in a game that team would love to took all 80 minutes of STEVEN have a ring. regulation, 20 minutes But the one thing I of overtime and penal- RYZEWSKI like to remind everyty kicks to settle. Sure, the young men on the one about with high-school sports and the playoffs for team and their supporters each respective sport is the were bummed about a 2-1 fickle nature of single-elim(4-1 PKs) defeat at the hands ination tournaments. So of Cypress Bay — a dynastic often, games between two program in Class 5A that evenly matched teams can go has won four of the last five either way, and this weekend state titles and also beat West was no exception. Orange in its only other state Saturday’s state chamchampionship appearance in pionship could have gone 2013. either way — but, then again, But everyone — from the so could have Friday’s state players to the parents to the semifinal against Freedom, coaches to the community at a game the Warriors won in large — should be proud. penalty kicks. This program has achieved State titles are a funny one of the most valuable thing, and sometimes, the things you can achieve in ball just doesn’t bounce your high-school sports, and it’s way, as the cliché goes. But, not a state-title banner. It’s a what programs can control winning culture — a consisand aspire to is to be good tency of success.
Photo by Steven Ryzewski
Warriors junior Luke Shafer celebrates after successfully kicking the winning penalty kick in the FHSAA Class 5A State Semifinal on Friday against Freedom. The win sent West Orange to its second state championship match in three years. each and every year. It’s something West Orange has accomplished for the better half of a decade now, and something senior Felipe Silva, who has started in two state-championship matches, was able to put in perspective even after a crushing defeat. “We made it this far; that’s all that matters … it’s a big accomplishment for our team,” Silva said. “It’s a great chance to be part of a team that can make it to the state finals (twice) … to be a part of a team like this, it’s an honor. I’m sure our school is proud of us.” It is, and so is the West Orange community.
+ DP boys hoops continues streak
Speaking of winning culture and consistency in excellence,
WRESTLING / PAGE 1B Dr. Phillips placed ahead of Olympia, which beat the Panthers in a regular-season dual meet. Miller said the two-week period between Metros and districts, while problematic for scheduling purposes, gives his staff and his athletes a chance to hone in on minor adjustments that could make the difference at the district meet. “That’s maybe an advantage because I saw some things in the Metros, which if I work with a couple kids hard enough, and they put some effort in, that may just help us out,” Miller said. “I looked right at a couple of kids, and I said, ‘I expect you to do better than what you did, and we have two weeks to make it all work.’” Among Miller’s bunch is arguably one of the best wrestlers in the state in sophomore Dylan Meeks. Meeks was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler and won all three of his matches by pin in the first round. The Panther sensation and reigning individual state champion is 19-0 this season with all of his victories by pin — and Miller says Meeks is still improving.
the Dr. Phillips boys basketball program extended its absurd run of 20-win campaigns to 22 consecutive seasons — and it did so in style. The Panthers notched their 20th win of the 2014-15 campaign by defeating the No. 1 team in the state, the Evans Trojans, on the road — for the second time this season. The string of 20-win seasons predates current head coach Anthony Long, who has been at the helm for 13 of the 22. To my earlier point, Dr. Phillips has not won a state title in boys basketball yet. But that culture of being good, each and every year, and getting young men to buy into a system each and every year, is something to which every high-school program can aspire.
METRO WEST CONFERENCE MEET RESULTS (only coverage-area placers listed)
CHAMPIONS: Brian Draper, Oly. (106 pounds); Andreas Sabates, WO (120 pounds); Tyler Ingle, Oly. (152 pounds); George Schanck, Oc. (170 pounds); Chris Briscoe, WO (182 pounds); Jules Joseph, Oc. (195 pounds); Dylan Meeks, DP (220 pounds); Ishmael Hollis, WO (Heavyweight)
Steven Ryzewski
Kade Randall, of West Orange, defeated Olympia’s Todd Ryland’s for third place at 132 pounds. “Dylan’s wrestling very well … where he is today and where he was a year ago, he’s just a different person,” Miller said, adding that the sophomore has improved his strength and speed. Given the way district and Metro fields align, the twoweek stretch is unique in that many of the wrestlers know each other and will wrestle one another twice in a matter of weeks, given the similar fields.
Although the teams are all seeking victory on the mat, the proximity of the programs and the culture of the sport, mean the successive gatherings of neighboring programs is a unique point in the season. “It’s a good thing,” Parmenter said. “As soon as the match is done, we put that behind us, and we actually go out to eat with these guys.” Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com.
RUNNERS-UP: Orlando Carillo, WO (106 pounds); Jamel Clue, DP (120 pounds); Rakeem Gordon, Oc. (126 pounds); Jeff Noel, DP (132 pounds); Terell Wallace, WO (138 pounds); Matt Mora, WO (145 pounds); Heresh Maharaj, Oc. (160 pounds); David Hellinger, DP (182 pounds); Brandon Rodriguez, Oly. (195 pounds) THIRD-PLACERS: Roberto Koncz, WO (113 pounds); Charles Tillery, WO (126 pounds); Kade Randall, WO (132 pounds); Kai Do, DP (138 pounds); Logan Keopal, WO (152 pounds); Doug Howard, Oly. (160 pounds); Roy Mooney, WO (195 pounds); Tajh Glemaud, DP (Heavyweight)
WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
girls basketball by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
Olympia wraps playoff run in regional semifinals The Titans could not overcome an 18-1 run by the host Boone Braves and finished the season with a 22-7 record. ORLANDO — The Olympia girls basketball team saw its season come to an end Feb. 10 at the hands of the host Boone Braves. The Titans fell to the Braves in the Class 8A Region 1 Semifinals, 50-32. Olympia fell by double-digits after trailing Boone (1910) by just one point, 21-20, at halftime. With 3:22 left in the third quarter, the Titans trailed 28-26, but an 18-1 run by the Braves put the contest out of reach for Olympia. “We got stuck,” head coach Robert Carmody said. “We’re a transition team, and I think (Boone) game-planned really well for us in terms of not letting us do what we want to do.” Sadie Desroches led Boone with 20 points. Olympia was led by Tiana Spikes’ nine points and an additional eight points from Mackenzie Loos. Despite the defeat, the season was a success for the Titans in Carmody’s first year at the helm. Olympia fin-
Photo by Steven Ryzewski
Taylor Hair and the Olympia Titans could not overcome a tough Boone Braves team in the Class 8A Region 1 Semifinals on Feb 10. ished with a 22-7 record and matched its deepest playoff run as a program (the Titans also advanced to the regional semifinals in 2011). “It’s hard to go out, but only one team gets to finish the season with a win,” Carmody said. “It’s not going to be us this year, but maybe
we’ll build to that.” Olympia was the last remaining team from the coverage area of the West Orange Times & Observer, and, with its defeat, girls hoops season officially has come to an end in West Orange County. Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com.
FOOTBALL by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
Panthers, Warriors announce loaded schedules for 2015 The two programs, playoff teams in Class 8A in 2014, have both loaded up their schedules for next season with impressive opponents. STAR-STUDDED SCHEDULES The West Orange Warriors and Dr. Phillips Panthers announced their 2015 varsity football schedules this past week, and there is no shortage of big-name opponents for either team. All games are tentatively set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. WEST ORANGE 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 28: vs. Foundation Academy Sept. 4: vs. Winter Park Sept. 11: vs. Dr. Phillips Sept. 18: at Trinity Christian Sept. 25: at Jones Oct. 2: at Apopka* Oct. 9: at Lake Nona Oct. 16: vs. Evans* Oct. 23: Bye Oct. 30: at Wekiva* Nov. 6: vs. Ocoee DR. PHILLIPS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 28: at Wekiva Sept. 4: at Lake Mary Sept. 11: at West Orange Sept. 18: vs. Apopka Sept. 25: vs. Mainland Oct. 2: at Oak Ridge* Oct. 9: Bye Oct. 16: at Freedom* Oct. 22: vs. Olympia* Oct. 30: vs. Cypress Creek* Nov. 6: vs. Evans Note: * denotes district game.
Both the Dr. Phillips Panthers and the West Orange Warriors announced their 2015 varsity football schedules last week, and fans of both teams can look forward to some exciting matchups this fall. The theme for both schools, which had established themselves among the elite programs in the Central Florida region, is a tougher lineup in 2015 than in 2014. The Panthers, who advanced to the Class 8A Region 2 Championship before falling to Manatee, 24-21, are set to play a particularly grueling and front-loaded slate. Dr. Phillips, which was a perfect 10-0 in the regular season in 2014, will open the season with three consecutive road games — all against playoff teams from a season ago. The Panthers will take on the Wekiva Mustangs (formerly a 7A program but will play in Class 8A this fall), Lake Mary Rams (advanced to regional semifinals) and West Orange (advanced to regional semifinals), all on the road in what will undoubtedly be playoff-like atmospheres. Dr. Phillips returns to the friendly confines of Bill Spoone Stadium after its clash with the Warriors — only to have the reigning state-champion Apopka Blue Darters awaiting it. Games against Mainland (state semifinalist in Class 6A) and the Panthers’ district-opener
BASKETBALL / PAGE 1B
WARRIORS / PAGE 1B
return the heart of their lineup for the 2015-16 season. Standouts Dante Treacy, Jared Treacy and Ajay Green are all underclassmen. Windermere Prep ends the season with a 19-10 record. The Lakers will return key players such as Parker Davis, Xion Golding and Corbin Merritt for the 2015-16 campaign but will miss seniors Matt Hein, Isaiah Curry, Michael Stones and Xeo Golding. Dr. Phillips’ win over Evans secured a 22nd-consecutive 20-win season for the Panthers, who finished with a 20-9 record. Although DP will return all but three players next season, those three players — Jonathan Laurent, David Stephen and Wilkins Desir — will be missed by coach Anthony Long and company. Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com.
rough, sometimes, playing these back-to-backs. I’m proud of the guys — to come out (and play) two double overtimes, penalty kicks; two nights in a row. That’s a lot of heart.” West Orange struck first in the game’s 38th minute on a goal by Felipe Silva, assisted by Paul Mansingh. Cypress Bay responded on a goal in the contest’s 55th minute by David Reyes. Cypress Bay has now beaten West Orange twice in the state championship, having done so also in 2013, 1-0. Saturday’s defeat was quite a reversal from the feelings of jubilation the Warriors experienced just 24 hours earlier. A stop by junior goalkeeper Alec Holland in the eighth round of penalty
against Oak Ridge (playoff qualifier in 2014 in Class 7A) follow. The good news is, after that, the remaining four games are all games Dr. Phillips should win handily. For West Orange, the season opens with a “Battle of Winter Garden” of sorts, taking on nearby Class 2A foe Foundation Academy. The first of three home games to open the season, the Warriors then will face Winter Park and Dr. Phillips in the following weeks. West Orange last played the Wildcats in the Class 8A Regional 1 Quarterfinals in 2013, a loss, and has not played Dr. Phillips since 2010, also a loss. The Warriors then will play a pair of road games against Trinity Christian (2014 Class 3A Champion) and Jones (playoff team in 2014 in Class 4A). West Orange continues a four-game road trip at district rival Apopka, its opener in district competition, and then takes on an up-andcoming program in the Lake Nona Lions. An Oct. 30 matchup with the Wekiva Mustangs, new to Class 8A after formerly competing in Class 7A, may well be a playoff play-in contest, and, as has been the norm in recent years, the Warriors will close the season in the Shield Game against Ocoee; this time at home. Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com. kicks against Freedom, followed by a successful attempt by junior Luke Shafer, secured a thrilling win for West Orange to advance to Saturday’s final. The Warriors, who were thought to be in a rebuilding season, finished with a 14-2-4 record and a second trip to the state title game in three years. West Orange also has won five consecutive district championships and advanced to the state playoffs for six consecutive years. “We accomplished a lot,” said Silva, who was a starter for the Warriors in both the 2013 state championship and Saturday’s game. “People weren’t even expecting us to win district, and we came all the way to the state finals — that’s something to be proud of.” Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com.
3B
ACTIVE WOTimes.com
WELCOME
‘Active’ page will feature fitness, outdoor activities, more
A while back, around the time I first took the position as sports editor at the West Orange Times & Observer, I was confronted with a bit of a dilemma. It was a good problem — but a problem, nonetheless. You see, with between three to four pages to work with each week for our Sports section, I found pretty quickly that fitting our vibrant, passionate and hyper-competitive high school sports scene into those confines was going to be tough. Then, of course, you have youth sports teams that merit coverage, whether it’s a Dr. Phillips Pop Warner team playing in the Pop Warner Super Bowl or the Windermere Wildfire softball team and all the success they’ve had. So, I realized pretty early on that our Sports section was going to be packed to the brim with content each week. Which is a good thing. The problem became a matter of what I was to do with all the other news and goings-on that were sports- or athletics-related. You don’t have to know much about West Orange County to know that there is a ton going on that relates to sports, fitness and recreation. There are running trails, 5K events, 10K events, marathons, triathlons, adult softball leagues, adult soccer leagues, some of the state’s best golf courses, beautiful lakes for fishing, gyms opening seemingly once a week with a myriad of differentiating fitness disciplines from yoga to CrossFit and so much more — all right here within our coverage area! In short, it became pretty apparent to me and to our staff that the desire to live an active lifestyle is something shared and valued across our coverage area here in West Orange. That realization is the inspiration behind our new “Active” page — so, welcome! The first thing I want to say about this new page is that it’s yours, the readers. The fun part about starting something new in the community newspaper business is that, although you can plan for what you want it to be and how you want it to look, it will inevitably become what it will ultimately become organically. That is to say, this page will be influenced by and tailored to this community and the readers who choose to engage it. That said, we hope this page becomes your go-to spot for information about recreation events, classes and leagues; columns and advice from local experts on topics ranging from strength training to improving your putting game on the links to easy fitness tips for everyday parents and professionals. We hope to share photo galleries from local events, such as 5Ks and mud runs, and we hope to tell feature stories that fit within these parameters from the community. My email address is sryzewski@wotimes.com, and I’d like to take this chance to formally invite our readers to reach out. If you have an “Active”-related story that could use telling, an event or competition that is coming up, or even a question you might to like to have answered by one of our guest columnists, let me know. — Steven Ryzewski
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor
READY FOR
BATTLE
Courtesy photos
BattleFrog Central Florida, which has grown rapidly in popularity since its launch in early 2014, will take place in West Orange County on March 14-15.
T
he race manager for BattleFrog Central Florida remembers her first obstacle course race pretty well. She walked it, along with a co-worker. Still, just the experience of participating in that type of event, a niche of obstacle races that is growing wildly in popularity, had a profound effect on Jillian Fiorentino. Soon after, Fiorentino found herself doing races all around the state on most every weekend she could. Through her involvement with Florida-based Mud Run Fun, she started doing promotions and, through that, she linked up with the retired Navy SEALS who launched BattleFrog a little more than a year ago with an event in Atlanta. Now, the Dr. Phillips resident is helping put together the upstart obstacle course race’s first event in Central Florida — which will take place March 14-15 right here in West Orange County at Rock On Adventures, south of Winter Garden. “I just fell in love with it,” Fiorentino said. “(Obstacle course racing) totally changed my lifestyle. I was not active until I walked my first mud run. … It’s made me want to go out there and run; it’s made me
want to go out there and train.” Of course, she’s not alone. Harold Simpson, an Ocoee native and retired member of the U.S. Marines, said he has been hooked by the races as a way to trim down after the travel-heavy nature of a past job resulted in some unwanted weight gain. “I was a fugitive officer; I used to travel all over the United States bringing fugitives back to Florida, and I got up to 215 pounds,” Simpson said. “I hate to run, so I knew that the obstacles would add a little kick to it because, when I was in the Marine Corps, we had obstacle courses, and I loved them. I started doing (obstacle course runs) and I’m down to 170 now — I lost about 45 pounds.” Simpson, who turns 51 in March and plans on participating in BattleFrog next month, has a 13-year-old daughter and said he must stay in shape to be around as long as possible. “I’ve got to try and prolong my life as best I can,” Simpson said. “You can do your best to stay healthy for your loved ones.” BattleFrog was launched in early 2014 by retired Navy SEALS and held six events that year. Based in Miami, the obstacle course race makes the
LOVE IS IN THE AIR More than 400 runners gathered together on the morning of Valentine’s Day to participate in the Winter Garden 10K. The run was hosted by Tri & Run of West Orange and took its participants through the streets of historic downtown Winter Garden. Proceeds benefitted the Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund. Dave Woodward had the top overall time at 35:37; Rose Stasiowski was the top female competitor at 41:27. Other top finishers included Ean Ormsby (36:31), Mathieu Morrison (36:36), Monica Hickey (44:55) and Michele Young (45:47).
most of its military ties at its events, with ceremonies and swear-ins for different branches of the Armed Forces, but it also markets itself as having something to offer for everyone. The two-day Central Florida event will have a 15K race, a 5K race and two youth races. Beyond the actual races, though, will be other events to add to the celebration-like atmosphere. Fiorentino said the BattleFrog Central Florida event will host a swear-in for members of the U.S. Air Force and that Savannah Maddison, the South Florida teen who launched the Savannah’s Soldiers letter-writing campaign to deployed servicemen and servicewomen, also will attend. There will even be a wedding. Part of the allure beyond the competition aspects of obstacle course races is that the events bring people from all walks of life together. “It’s cool because nobody knows what anybody else does … that’s what great about BattleFrog — everybody comes together and nobody cares about what your career is,” Fiorentino said. “You could
IF YOU GO BATTLEFROG CENTRAL FLORIDA WHEN: March 14-15 WHERE: Rock on Adventures, 17701 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden DETAILS: Obstacle course race featuring a 15K race, a 5K race and two kids’ races WEBSITE: battlefrogseries. com have someone that is getting sponsored to do the race because they can’t afford it, and you could have someone that’s making like $150,000 a year. And we’re all unified at this event.” Registration for the Central Florida event is ongoing, with certain discounts in effect until Feb. 28. A portion of the profits from BattleFrog go to the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Navy SEAL Museum. Prize money is awarded to top finishers. For more information about the race and its founders or to register, visit BattleFrogSeries. com. Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com.
WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Thurs., Feb. 19 Fri., Feb. 20 Sat., Feb. 21 Sun., Feb. 22 Mon., Feb. 23 Tues., Feb. 24 Wed., Feb. 25
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Melissa Ginsberg caught this heron fishing in a pond at the corner of Blackwood Avenue and Colonial Drive in Ocoee.
MOON
The West Orange Times & Observer is hosting the weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize. To enter, email your photo, along with your name and city and a caption, to aqrhode@wotimes. com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line. Winners can pick up their prize at the Times office.
PHASES
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CRYPTOQUIZ Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a renowned dancer. Using the hints W=O and G=N, decipher the clues to name the dancer.
1. F V P J X W W G Q E D J 2. E G Y K B W R W V W T S 3. V ’ E T ’ S E 4. L Y W B X S N J E Y K J B 5. L K E G T W This dancer has been called the “Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance”:
SUDOKU
5B
Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box.
CROSSWORD ROLE TO PLAY by Gary Cooper ACROSS 1 Slacken off 6 “New York ___ of Mind” 11 Tailor 19 All-stops train 20 Hawk’s weapon 21 Long slender cigar 22 Player 24 Unwholly? 25 Cowboy topper 26 Make malicious remarks 28 Microscope part 29 Hog sound 30 “He’s ___ nowhere man ...” 32 Attempt, in basketball 35 Exuberant cries 38 Wizards 40 Cairo cobra 43 Farm mother 45 Blood system letters 46 Ready to tie the knot 48 Meditative martial art 51 Inferior dog 52 Ladled meal 54 Trouble saying “S” 55 It may be clogged 57 Korea Strait port, formerly 59 Mountain passes in India 62 Not even 63 Garage and yard events 64 Entertainment center item 66 Is sore 68 Blood red 70 Lead on Broadway 71 Law firm VIP 74 “___ bigger and better things!” 75 Clothing 78 Very practical 79 Some brown shades 82 ___, rattle and roll 83 Crime report initials 86 Express one’s view 88 Aired unfresh things 89 Petting 91 Legendary singer Johnny 93 Learned one 94 Bobby, the hockey legend 95 Private pupils 97 Silly, self-conscious smile 99 Before, before words 100 ___ many irons in the fire 101 Exiter’s exclamation 102 Angle that’s less than 90 degrees 104 Animal’s restraint 106 Ex-Ugly Duckling 109 Symbols of industry? 111 A stone’s throw away 112 Sally Ride’s org. 115 ___ Novo (Benin’s capital) 117 Amtrak announcement 121 Bits of dust 125 Go different ways 127 Think too highly of 128 Ravi’s instrument 129 Glitterati, e.g. 130 Bearing
©2015 Universal Uclick
131 Take place as a result 132 Sandwich spots, briefly DOWN 1 “Sound of Music” setting 2 Dory or dinghy 3 Land measure 4 Arm decoration 5 Syllable omission 6 Offend the nose 7 Spigot 8 “Oh, were it not true!” 9 Merchant ship capacity 10 Constituting the full quantity 11 Sauna setting 12 English noble 13 Add to a poker pot 14 Large water conduits 15 A squirrel’s collection of nuts, e.g. 16 ___ Aviv, Israel 17 Building annex, sometimes 18 Romano of sitcom fame 23 Government official abroad 24 Black-eyed edible 27 Bothersome type 31 Scottish landowner
33 Device that records fluctuating voltages 34 Bald-spot cover 35 Hornet relatives 36 “It’s ___ time!” 37 Hardy brown-and-gray bird 38 Accident 39 Kin of a llama 41 Lots and lots 42 ___ Beta Kappa 44 Seize forcibly 47 Large 49 Commotion 50 More out of one’s gourd 53 Have some 56 Contract signers 58 Closest 60 Drive-___ window 61 Brief quarrel 65 Mineral-bearing stuff 67 Scissors cut 69 Inner ear? 72 Evoke, as a response 73 Give a new title to 75 Dandy’s neck wrap 76 Seven Wonders lighthouse 77 Everyone except the clergy
80 Kin of a tsunami 81 Disparaging look 84 Prepare to pop the question 85 “___ before beauty” 87 Clairvoyance, for short 90 Kind of sandwich 92 Straight man? 96 Starchy foodstuff 97 Keep up, as a conversation 98 Got more guns 103 Feature of a murder mystery 105 Rare baseball hit 107 Bat haven 108 Nigerian dollar 110 Photo ___ (camera sessions) 111 Mollusk-shell material 113 Check out groceries 114 Sax type 116 Table scraps 118 Colorado skiing destination 119 Contra- relative 120 Soap-making ingredients 121 Herd of whales 122 Fifth, for one 123 Kind of sleep 124 Always, in a sonnet 126 Greek “T”
6B
WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS by Michael Eng | Executive Editor
Isleworth home sells for $2.65 million A home in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all residential real-estate transactions from Feb. 6 to 12. The home at 5092 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 9, for $2.65 million. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, an oversized pool, spa and 6,115 square feet of living area on .93 acres. The price per square foot is $433.36.
DR. PHILLIPS HERITAGE BAY OF PHILLIPS LANDING
The home at 8807 Oak Landings Court, Orlando, sold Feb. 9, for $398,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,465 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $161.46.
PARKSIDE
The home at 7921 Chilton Drive, Orlando, sold Feb. 12, for $625,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,306 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $189.05.
GOTHA CITRUS OAKS
The home at 9321 Lake Lotta Circle, Gotha, sold Feb. 12, for $174,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,964 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $88.59.
The home at 9419 Comeau St., Gotha, sold Feb. 10, for $130,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,114 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $116.70.
METROWEST HAMPTONS AT METROWEST
The condo at 6627 Queens Borough Ave., No. 108, Orlando, sold Feb. 12, for $97,500. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,107 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $88.08.
HORIZONS AT STONEBRIDGE PLACE
The condo at 3224 Dante Drive, No. 308, Orlando, sold Feb. 9, for $110,000 (short sale). Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,206 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $91.21.
MADISON AT METROWEST
The condo at 2558 Robert Trent Jones Drive, No. 1427, Orlando, sold Feb. 11, for $100,000. Built in 1995, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,150 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $86.96.
VENTURA AT STONEBRIDGE COMMONS
The condo at 6451 Old Park Lane, No. 407, Orlando, sold Feb. 11, for $118,500. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,112 square feet of living area. The price per
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The home at 5092 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 9, for $2.65 million. It features four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths, an oversized pool, spa and 6,115 square feet of living area on .93 acres. square foot is $106.56.
MONTVERDE The home at 17652 Ninth St., Montverde, sold Feb. 12, for $131,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,144 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $114.51.
OCOEE FORESTBROOKE
The home at 268 Wallrock
Court, Ocoee, sold Feb. 10, for $219,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,529 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $86.60.
HIDDEN OAKS
The home at 407 S. Cumberland Ave., Ocoee, sold Feb. 10, for $167,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,612 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $103.60.
PRESCHOOL PRE-ENROLLING WWW.MATTHEWSHOPEMINISTRIES.ORG WWW.MATTHEWSHOPEMINISTRIES.ORG
The home at 1915 Prairie Sage Trail, Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $182,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,777 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $102.42.
SPRING LAKE HILLS
The home at 703 Spring Lake Circle, Ocoee, sold Feb.
PRESCHOOL PRE-ENROLLING
422 E Henschen Ave • Oakland, 34760 $230,000 No HOA. Beautiful home with a great location on a 1/2 acre. New roof, A/C, freshly painted inside and out and plumbing. Just a couple blocks from the West Orange Trail, Oakland Charter School and the community playground. Open floor plan. Come see today! Katie Claflin 407.375.6341 • L A Grimes Agency Realtors
WWW.MATTHEWSHOPEMINISTRIES.ORG
Pat Sharr Realty
407-656-7947 MultiMillion Dollar Producer www.patsharr.com patsharr@aol.com
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HONEY STOP THE CAR!!! That is what you will say when you see this 3 Bdrm. 2 Ba. IMMACULATE CONDITION!!! This home features a tiled foyer with tray ceiling. Open floor plan consisting of your living/great room with sliding glass doors leading to the privacy fenced back yard, to your left is dining area, kitchen and breakfast bar. Kitchen comes complete with pantry and all appliances, all window coverings stay too! Just off the foyer is the hallway with two great bedrooms and full bath. This home also features, granite countertops in kitchen, breakfast bar and baths. Inside laundry, dual sinks in master bath and 2-car garage, paver driveway. Walk to the W.O. trail, minutes from downtown Winter Garden. Original Owners...Nothing to do but move in and bring your furniture!!! Asking Only $229,000
WHAT IS YOUR OFFER???!!!
This 3 bdrm.1Ba. Cute as a button, and ready to movein. Completely remodeled. New doors and windows, new drywall with foam insulation, new wood cabinets, all appliances stay, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave! Laminate flooring throughout, all electric and plumbing has been replaced, new front and back porch ... Completely painted inside and out. Ideal for a first time home buyer or someone wanting to down size. Fantastic location...Walk to downtown, walk/ride the West Orange Trail... ***No HOA *** corner lot*** if you have been looking for a home in Winter Garden with a great location this is it! Don’t delay, see it today!!! Asking only $175,000
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The home at 200 16th Ave., Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $80,500 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1957, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,352 square
feet of living area. The price per square foot is $34.23. The home at 1419 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $38,000. Built in 1945, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 700 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $54.29.
RE JU DU ST CE D!
9/25/14
markhide@remax.net
The home at 1362 Olympia Park Circle, Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $250,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths, a pool and 2,120 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.92. The home at 1358 Olympia Park Circle, Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $225,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,738 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $82.18.
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This is a rare find!!! 3 Bdrm. 2 Ba, split plan, living/ great room, kitchen, breakfast nook, inside laundry room, screened lanai, privacy fenced yard and 2 car garage. The home is like new!!! Just painted inside, new roof, new porcelain tile installed, new light fixtures in foyer, dining and breakfast nook. Kitchen has all new stainless steel appliances, range, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. New washer & dryer. Asking only $179,000.
WEST ORANGE TIMES
WOTimes.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
12, for $119,900. Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, one-and-one-half baths and 1,216 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $98.60.
VILLAS AT WOODSMERE
The town house at 2294 Aloha Bay Court, Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $156,950. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,540 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $101.92.
WEST ORANGE BAY LAKES
The home at 8764 Granada Blvd., Orlando, sold Feb. 12, for $275,000. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,350 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.02.
LAKEVIEW HEIGHTS
The home at 9090 Rose Lake Shore Lane, Orlando, sold Feb. 10, for $130,000. Built in 1950, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,068 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $121.72.
PEMBROOKE
The home at 2820 Ripton Court, Orlando, sold Feb. 11, for $224,500. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,904 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.91.
ROSEVIEW
The home at 318 Red Rose Circle, Orlando, sold Feb. 6, for $125,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,479 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $84.52.
WESMERE
it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,350 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $175.37.
and 4,575 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $131.15.
LAKE DOWN ESTATES
The home at 6139 Orta Court, Windermere, sold Feb. 9, for $1,463,064. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths, a pool and 4,773 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $306.53.
The home at 10870 Bayshore Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 12, for $1,535,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,693 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $327.08.
LAKE REAMS TOWNHOMES AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE
The town house at 12462 Langstaff Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 12, for $197,500. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,560 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $126.60.
LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE
The condo at 11565 Mizzon Drive, No. 203, Windermere, sold Feb. 10, for $156,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,442 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $108.18. The condo at 8276 Maritime Flag St., No. 109, Windermere, sold Feb. 9, for $152,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,161 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $130.92.
PRESTON SQUARE
The town house at 11341 Evesham Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 12, for $189,900. Built in 2008, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,113 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $170.62.
RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND
The home at 546 Saddell Bay Loop, Ocoee, sold Feb. 6, for $255,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,859 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $137.17.
The home at 11008 Wadsdale Court, Windermere, sold Feb. 6, for $820,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,257 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $192.62.
WINDERMERE
TILDENS GROVE
KEENE’S POINTE
The home at 6019 Caymus Loop, Windermere, sold Feb. 12, for $587,500. Built in 2003,
The home at 5335 Tildens Grove Blvd., Windermere, sold Feb. 9, for $600,000 (short sale). Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool
STONEYBROOK WEST
The home at 1916 Black Lake Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 9, for $340,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,719 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $91.42. The home at 14046 Fox Glove St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 9, for $335,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,988 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $112.12.
WATERSTONE
WESTOVER CLUB
The home at 9567 Westover Club Circle, Windermere, sold Feb. 6, for $500,000 (short sale). Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,184 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $119.50.
SUMMERLAKE
CROWN POINT SPRINGS
LAKEVIEW RESERVE
The home at 89 Zachary Wade St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 6, for $217,800. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,834 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $118.76.
The home at 14803 Bahama Swallow Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 6, for $295,531. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,986 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $148.81. The home at 14855 Bahama Swallow Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 11, for $290,490. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,986 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $146.27. The home at 8113 Tropical Kingbird St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 9, for $259,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,000 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $129.50.
INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES
ORCHARD HILLS
WESTCHESTER PLACE
WINDERMERE RESERVE
The home at 7144 Horizon Circle, Windermere, sold Feb. 11, for $720,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,120 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $174.76.
WINDERMERE TRAILS
The home at 8613 Crescendo Ave., Windermere, sold Feb. 12, for $405,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,450 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.39.
WINTER GARDEN ALEXANDER RIDGE
The home at 2091 Cestius Road, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 12, for $399,140. Built in 2014, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,259 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $93.72. The home at 2204 Romanum Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 6, for $269,740. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,032 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $132.75.
Courtesy photo
The home at 10870 Bayshore Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 12, for $1,535 million. It features four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,693 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $327.08.
The home at 1047 Depot Court, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 10, for $191,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,742 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $109.64.
The home at 14452 Pleach St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 11, for $176,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,448 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $121.55.
The home at 4355 Old Sycamore Loop, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 6, for $287,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,203 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $130.28.
The home at 618 Coke Ave., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 6, for $43,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1920, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 980 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $43.88.
“I Care About Our Community, its History and its Future.” Kimberly Suedmeyer 407-963-4186
BELLE MEADE
The home at 15427 Belle Meade Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 10, for $375,000 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,558 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $105.40.
7B
Kimberly@TheRealEstateCollection.com
www.SuedmeyerTeam.com
100 West Plant Street, Winter Garden FL 34787 (O) 407-656-7814 Located in the heart of Historic Winter Garden
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Classifieds 010 ANNOUNCEMENTS
MOLLY MAID HOME CLEANING SERVICE, no nights or holidays, company car provided, call 407-877-0184. 2/26sh
REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS Florida & Puerto Rico Properties Feb 20-27 Nominal Opening Bids from $500 for details visit: williamsauction.com 800.982.0425 FL Broker: Williams & Williams Re Lic 1032049. Auctioneer: Williams & Williams Auc Lic AB2784 2/19fcan
040 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED NOW! Become a driver for Werner Enterprises. Earn $800 per week! Local CDL Training. 1-877-214-3624 2/19fcaN Heavy Equipment Operators In High Demand! Get Hands On Training And National Certifications Operating Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Average $18-$22 Hourly! Veteran Benefits Eligible! 1-866-912-0572 12/19fcan Busy production body shop in Ocoee now hiring EXPERIENCED auto body technician. Competitive pay to match experience call 352-702-1268 or apply within 332 Maguire Road Extension Ocoee Fl. 34761
Free Downloadable E-Book. How to s t a r t yo u r ow n o n l i n e b u s i n e s s. www.SunsetVistaGroupBooks.com 3/19tj
090 MISCELLANEOUS AIRCRAFT DISPATCH Grads work with JetBlue, Southwest, PSA and others- start here with 10 week training for FAA certification. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-314-5838 2/19fcan Flight attendant careers start here. Learn how to land job in the friendly skies and prepare for training by the airlines. Five information packed days in Orlando. Call AIM 1-888-242-3630. 2/19fcan Struggling with DRUGS or ALCOHOL? Addicted to PILLS? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assesment. 1-855-972-6607. 2/19fcan DISH TV Starting at $19.99/month (for 12mos). SAVE! Regular price $34.99. Call today and ask about FREE SAME DAY installation. CALL NOW! 855-588-1161. 2/19fcan WELDING CAREERS. Hands on training for career opportunities in aviation, automotive, manufacturing, and more. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM 1-877-206-7679. 2/19fcan TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920's through 1980's Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg, and Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1-800-401-0440. 2/19fcan
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Toddler bed/Mattress $19.95, Crib/Mattress $39.95, Toddler Carseat $14.95, Walker $14.95, Bouncers. Babylady 407731-4248 2/26bl
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Large Stroller $14.95, Infant Car seat $9.95, 4 step slide $24.95, Toybox $14.95. Babylady 407-731-4248 2/26bl
A cute female kitty approximately one year old is available for adoption. She's an orange tabby with beautiful green eyes and is spayed and current on vaccinations. Please call/text 407-223-0034. bk2/26
Wonderful Windermere Estate Sale - Friday 20th from 8AM to 1:30PM, Saturday 21st from 8AM-3PM, Sunday 22nd 10AM3PM. 9329 Brinbury St. (off Reams Rd). Jewelry, coins, patio furniture, washer, dryer, leather sofa, ping pong table, pictures, collectables, bar stools, kitchen table, dining table, end tables. House for sale or rent. 407-325-6257. 2/19ss Yard Sale - 38 W Vining St, Winter Garden. Friday 20th & Saturday 21st 8AM-3PM. Lots of everything. 2/19rj
9B
620 APARTMENT & DUPLEXES WINTER GARDEN - 1BR $695, 2BR $745, 3BR $935 on Lake Apopka. Water/Sewer included. 407-656-7162. 9/25tfn
170 EMPLOYMENT WANTED Looking for cleaning jobs, organizing, running errands, dog walking, pet sitting, etc. References. 352-874-0857 or 407-6543450 2/19kn
200 ITEMS FOR SALE
The City of Winter Garden is currently seeking applicants for various positions
Woodlawn Memorial Park - $10,900. Two crypts and two crypt plates. Mausoleum Unit: 74 Elevation D. Crypts: 1 and 2. $10,900 for both crypts and crypt plates. 407-654-0724. 3/3kj
Job descriptions and applications are available online.
www.wintergarden-fl.gov
240 GARAGE SALE
Phone: Fax:
Toddler beds, Walkers, Slides, Car seats, Toys, Strollers, High chairs, Toyboxes, Baby clothes, Riding toys. Babylady 407-7314248. 2/26bl
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The City of Winter Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This week’s Cryptoquiz answers
1) Blue Moon Cafe 2) Anthropology 3) L’Ag’Ya 4) Stormy Weather 5) Shango. Katherine Dunham
This week’s Sudoku answers
130 MEDICAL Attention Viagra Users! Viagra 100mg, Cialis 20mg. 40 pills + 4 FREE for only $99. No prescription needed! Discreet shipping. Call now 1-800-224-0305. 2/19fcan
160 GENERAL EMPLOYMENT Prestigious academy in Montverde, Florida is currently hiring an A.M. dishwasher. Candidate must be able to lift over 50 pounds. Candidate must have strong sanitation skills, team player and have hospitality attitude. Schedule: off Tuesday and Sunday. Weekly hours 7:30 am to 3:00pm. Saturday 8:30am-6:30pm. Must be able to pass background check and drug test. Company offers major medical plan, eye and dental plans, paid holiday, vacation, sick time, retirement. Competitive salary. Apply in person Montverde Academy, CR 455, Montverde, FL. 2/19gh
CHURCH DIRECTORY BAPTIST
This week’s Crossword answers
Full time position. Looking for friendly person, equipped to handle daily office duties as well as sales and customer service. Work in a fast paced, but casual, family oriented atmosphere. Saturdays required but no evenings or Sundays. Reliable transportation a must. Apply in person at: 17175 West Colonial Dr., Oakland (just west of Winter Garden), between 8AM and 10AM, Monday thru Friday, no emails or calls please. 2/19kc
Sundays 9:45 am - All Ages at Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Road - Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407.730.1867
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH
611 West. Ave., Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 Email: starkelakebaptist@gmail.com
CHURCH OF GOD OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com
CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd. Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 6:30pm. 407876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org
CATHOLIC RESURRECTION CATHOLIC CHURCH
1211 Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. Winter Garden. 407-656-3113
DIETARY AIDE - PT for a 100 bed skilled nursing facility in Winter Garden. Please fax resume to 407-877-2639 or call 407877-6636 ext. 29. Applicants are subject to drug test, background check and reference check. EOE DFWP 2/19qh
CHRISTIAN 2015
NOW PURCHASING
SCRAP
BATTERIES Winter Garden
125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 Sundays 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary Awana - Wednesdays - 6pm Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus:
“FOUNDATION WORSHIP”
DIETARY COOK - FT for a 100 bed skilled nursing facility in Winter Garden. Experience Required. Please fax resume to 407877-2639 or call 407-877-6636 ext. 29. Applicants are subject to drug test, background check and reference check. EOE DFWP qh2/19
13178 W. Colonial Dr
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
To advertise in the Church Directory please call 407-656-2121 or email sfelt@wotimes.com
407-656-3495
S.E. Dollen, LLC.
Winter Garden longest established electrical contractor serving Central FL since 1983. All Service Techs are LICENSED Journeymen and Master Electricians. For professional results and competitive rates
call 407-656-5818 EC 13001719
WEST ORANGE CHURCH OF CHRIST 1450 Daniels Road Winter Garden 407-656-2770 www.cocwo.com
METHODIST FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times: 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM Blue Christmas Service: Dec. 21, 4pm Christmas Eve Services: 5, 7 & 11pm www.fumcwg.org 407-656-1135
PRESBYTERIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE LAKES, USA
Conroy-Windermere Rd. @ Lincoln Ave. Sunday School 9:00AM, Worship 10:30 407-291-2886 Worship on Wed. 7:00 - 7:30 PM “Come hear the Gospel” Rev. Ferdinand Brits www.pcol.org
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org
WEST ORANGE TIMES
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