02.20.20 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

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DISTRICT CHAMPS

Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 5, NO. 21

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Historic high jinks The Rosen JCC hosted a British Invasion event Feb. 8. SEE 6.

Church building new home in Hamlin The Grove Bible Chapel plans to open the doors to its new location later this year. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

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A local church in the Horizon West area soon will have a permanent home. The Grove Bible Chapel currently is in the midst of building its

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SEE CHURCH PAGE 5

Windermere said farewell to John Palmer Luff Jr. and Elizabeth “Bette” Luff — the last descendants of the historic Palmer/Luff family living within the town limits. PAGE 4.

SCHOOL ZONE

LUFF-TIME LEGACY

Dr. Phillips toppled Ocoee to take the title. PAGE 13.

Foundation Academy students got some cardio during a vibrant Color Run. SEE 9.

YOUR CALENDAR

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

MODERN ART MADNESS VOL. 2: THE RUSSIAN AVANT-GARDE Noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the SoBo Gallery, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Join local artist and art history lecturer Adrienne H. Lee in this new lecture series. She will dive deeper into the realm of modern art, discussing artists and “-isms” that often are overlooked. Session 1 is dedicated to the Russian Avant-Garde and the immense contribution these artists made to the art world. Tickets are $15 per person and $10 for Winter Garden Art Association members. For information, call (407) 3477996 or email info@wgart.org. To register, visit bit.ly/2On2etq

SUNDAY, FEB. 23

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

WINDERMERE COMMUNITY HUNGER PROJECT 4 to 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Windermere Preparatory School, 6189 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Windermere. At the Sixth Annual Windermere Community Hunger Project in partnership with Kensington Church, they will be packaging 50,000 healthy meals for hungry children and families in need. Join in, make an impact and provide hope for those who need it most. Currently, thousands of people all around the world face hunger everyday. Through this Hunger Project, you are helping feed those hungry bellies. For more information, visit bit.ly/2SSL740.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

LET’S MACRAMÉ FEATHER EARRINGS 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Update your spring look with stylish macramé feather earrings. Learn how to use the lark’s head knot individually and in pairs in this beginner’s macramé project. (407) 835-7323. SCOOP! 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Get the scoop on black inventors and discover common household items invented to make our lives easier, including Alfred L. Cralle’s ice cream scoop. (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

WOMEN BUILD WINE MINGLE 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the West Orange Habitat ReStore Showroom, 13369 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. West Orange Habitat for Humanity invites all the ladies of Central Florida to their Women Build Wine Mingle. Attendees will sip wine, network, mingle and make friends, all while learning how they can become involved in Women Build 2020. Women Build is a nationwide Habitat for Humanity movement that rallies women together to help build up their community. Each participant is asked to join a team of 10 to help raise funds and then join the entire group for an exclusive all-women build day this spring. Visit westorangehabitat.org/ womenbuild to learn more. Visit bit.ly/2STB9PJ to RSVP for the mingle event.

SATURDAY, FEB. 29

10TH ANNUAL TASTE OF WINDERMERE 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at The Grove, Windermere. Hosted by the Central Florida Women’s League, the evening includes food, drink and entertainment to benefit the league foundation’s community grants and scholarships. Tickets start at $90 and are available at one. bidpal.net. MUSIC IN THE LIBRARY: NATHI GCABASHE 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Hear Grammynominated musician Nathi Gcabashe, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer from Durban, South Africa. (407) 835-7323. WINDERMERE FINE ART SHOW 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 1, in downtown Windermere. Windermere Arts presents the Fifth Annual Windermere Fine Art Show This elite boutique event will showcase 85 fine art artists traveling from around the United States to quaint Windermere, and will be surrounded by live entertainment, food, wine/ beer and performing arts in a festive atmosphere around town square. Don’t miss this amazing event, which promises to be the best ever. The event is free and pet-friendly. For more information, visit windermerearts.com/ windermere-fine-art-show. If you’re interested in volunteering or joining the committee, call (407) 808-0665.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING 10 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., Orlando. The Orange County Retired Educators Association’s March program is “Prescription Drugs with Over-the-Counter Medication Safety,” presented by Jessica Daly. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to attend. (407) 843-6909 or ocrea-fl.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

ety of vendors. Sponsored by Orlando Health and Healthy West Orange. PET FEST 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Sponsored by the Animal Clinic of Windermere and hosted by Windermere Parks and Recreation. Includes the Doggie Fun Zone, police K-9 demonstrations, dog games and food trucks. Attendance is free. windermereparksandrecreation.com.

GROCERY STORE TOUR 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for the family. Space is limited; RSVP required at (407) 407-3046.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

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Lobsta LOVE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Sun Terra proposes Silverleaf plan The developer’s proposal for 563 acres in the Horizon West Town Center is a mixed-use community. DANIELLE HENDRIX

Karen and Rotary Club of Windermere President Don Hairston

Norma and Byron Sutton

alentine’s Day festivities were in full swing at Windermere Town Hall Friday, Feb. 14, during the Rotary Club of Windermere’s annual Lobster Laughter event. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the organization and includes a lobster dinner, cocktails, a cash bar, dessert and live show. This year’s event also was the perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day date. Performers from the Mad Cow Theatre put on a cabaret show for attendees to enjoy during dinner, and a silent auction took place throughout the evening.

The Olympia High School Shutter Society photography club was on hand to take and print beautiful photos for attendees. Below: Former Windermere Mayor Gary and Kay Bruhn, and Margaret and Dale Cox

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

KLA Schools to open new location DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

This fall, families in the Horizon West area will have a new option for early childhood education. KLA Schools of Horizon West is the newest addition to the South Florida-based KLA Schools family. The roughly 2.6-acre campus is being built at 8185 Summerlake Groves St. in Winter Garden, and pre-enrollment is open now. The school should officially open by the end of the summer. The early childhood education center offers developmentally appropriate programs inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy in an environment meant to inspire. “I would say we offer more of a modern-progressive approach to early childhood education,” said School Director Melissa De La Rosa. “With the Reggio Emilia philosophy approach, one of the things that is most important is that children are active participants and the protagonists in their learning. They develop skills needed to explore ideas and interests, as well as express their ideas in multiple ways. “We set up an environment that is aesthetically pleasing, but in addition it sparks their curiosity so children are constantly in an environment where they can inquire,” she said. “More than giving an answer (to a question), the idea is to throw the ball back into their court, that they’re finding those answers themselves. Children often will create theories, and the idea is they revisit those theories often — more than the teacher just imparting knowledge or giving an answer to them.” KLA Schools serves children

KLA Schools of Horizon West is coming to the Summerlake area this fall.

Courtesy KLA Schools of Horizon West

KLA Schools of Horizon West features structured playgrounds and fields for extracurricular activities in its outdoor space.

from ages 3 months to 5 years old, and also will offer beforeand after-school programs for school-age children. And with the Reggio Emilia philosophy at the core of the curriculum, children are encouraged to formulate their own ideas, draw conclusions and convey knowledge in a collaborative learning environment. According to the KLA Schools informational handbook, “educators facilitate brainstorming discussions and offer opportunities for children to express their ideas and motives.” The goal is for children to develop skills such as problem solving, collaboration, sharing and understanding cause and effect. “That curiosity and love of learning is what’s going to take you through those years,” De La Rosa said. KLASchoolsisfocusedonawellrounded education. This includes

not only physical and cognitive growth and development, but also social and emotional. To help foster children’s developmental milestones, the Horizon West location will offer an art studio or workshop, a water exploration laboratory, children’s arboretum, p l a yg ro u n d s s t r u c t u re d by age group and fields for extracurricular activities. The program also values parents as partners in a child’s development and education, recognizing that parents are the first teachers. “We want to offer a warm and nurturing environment where parents and children feel like they belong,” De La Rosa said. “We’ve gotten a very positive reaction from our families. … They want their children to be able to participate in a program that allows them to create and innovate and express themselves in many different ways.” According to KLA Schools’

KLA SCHOOLS OF HORIZON WEST 8185 Summerlake Groves St., Winter Garden Phone: (407) 917-4343 KLA Schools of Horizon West is now accepting pre-enrollment for children ages 3 months to 5 years. For more information on the school, visit klaschoolshorizonwest.com or email horizonwest@klaschools. com.

website, collaboration between teachers, parents and children is an integral part of the educational experience. “We know that our environment will be able to provide a one-of-akind experience for the children in our area — that there is joy in learning,” she said. “That’s what we want to bring back, that joy in learning and the lifelong love of (learning). We really want to celebrate (children’s) work and have an environment that’s warm and nurturing and sparks their interest and curiosity.”

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Residential developer Sun Terra Communities’ project is on track to become the newest mixed-use community in the Horizon West Town Center. In September, Sun Terra submitted its first land-use plan for its 563 gross acres, located near 17511 Lake Ingram Road — just west of State Road 429. According to Orange County documents, the submitted plan includes a request to rezone the land from A-1 (Citrus Rural District) and PD (Planned Development District — Lake Ingram PD) to PD for a mixed-use project with a development program. The proposed development program could bring up to 2,926 residential units and 2,903,286 square feet of non-residential uses to the area. Non-residential uses include hotel, commercial, office and light industrial. Additionally, the plan calls for public schools and parks. Sun Terra is referring to the development as the Silverleaf PD. According to the community’s regulating plans, “the project is designed as a balanced, mixeduse community with vibrant places to live, work, learn, recreate and relax that fosters opportunities for healthy lifestyles and economic opportunity, along with the conservation and enhancement of the natural and built environment.” However, the proposed Silverleaf project is unique in that it will be divided into transect zones. Jason Sorenson, senior planner for Orange County, said these can be thought of as zoning districts. “They are used to describe the various uses and densities, usually decreasing as the distance increases from a centralized area of more intense development,” Sorenson said. “We have transect zones approved with The Grow, Sunbridge, Camino Reale, I-Drive District and the (not) yetadopted Pine Castle District.” There are four main transect zones included in Silverleaf’s regulating plan — T5 Center Zones, T4 Edge Zones, T3 Suburban Zones and T1 Natural Zones. This allows the community to transition from high- to low-density zones internally. In additional to residential and commercial space, Silverleaf also will incorporate open spaces, parks and intertwining recreational trails. Silverleaf also is being designed to connect with surrounding neighborhoods such as Hamlin. An elementary school and a middle school will be located on a lot north of Lake Ingram. The Silverleaf project went to the Development Review Committee on Feb. 12 and will head to the Planning and Zoning Commission next before reaching the Board of County Commissioners. Sorenson said those dates are not yet known.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Observer “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

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Sara Luff, Elizabeth “Bette” Luff, John Palmer Luff Jr. and Sayler Luff shared stories and caught up with family and friends at Saturday’s farewell party.

Last Luffs leaving town TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

t isn’t easy saying goodbye — especially when your family has called the same town “home” for a century. Dozens of family members and friends gathered at Windermere Town Hall Saturday, Feb. 15, for a surprise party to bid farewell to longtime Windermere residents John Palmer Luff Jr. and Elizabeth “Bette” Luff, who are moving next month to a pine tree farm in Madison County in northern Florida. The Palmer/Luff family helped establish Windermere as a town around 100 years ago. A member of the family always has lived within the town limits — until now. “It’s sad, but it’s kind of one of those things that we’ve inevitably seen coming,” said daughter Sara Luff, who lives in Oakland. “Windermere has changed a lot, as has all of Central Florida, and we always knew that they probably wouldn’t stay here in retirement. … It’s really sad, because I kind of feel like it’s the end of an era of us being in Windermere.” John Palmer Luff Jr. said that he and his wife chose to move elsewhere to pursue the rural feel that Windermere once had, when the waters of Lake Down were crystal clear and the town still felt untouched by the rest of Central Florida. “When I was growing up, this was paradise,” he said. “The friends and I all had boats at a real young age, and that’s how we got around. I couldn’t ask for any place better to grow up.” The suburban sprawl outside of the town limits now feeds heavy traffic through the roads. The town has changed — and will inevitably continue to change. “It was almost like looking for the old Windermere — that’s kind of what Madison reminds me of,” John Palmer Luff Jr. said. “This is so crowded now — I love Windermere the town, but what’s going on around us … it’s sending so much traffic. It’s a different place.”

Courtesy

In this historical photo, Ralph Kline, Minnie Kline, Lou Williams, Henry Williams and Letha Palmer Luff are taking a ride in the Wilhelmina.

A FAMILY LEGACY

The Palmer/Luff family history goes back to the town’s early beginnings, starting with Sara Luff’s great-great-grandfather and John Palmer Luff Jr.’s greatgrandfather, John Calvin Palmer. A carpenter and builder, John Calvin Palmer, and two friends, Dr. J. Howard Johnson and Howard Lyon, came to Florida in 1910 from Wauseon, Ohio. They soon discovered the Butler Chain of Lakes and fell in love with the area’s orange groves, tall trees and great fishing. The trio decided the area could become a winter retreat for their families. For $10,000, John Calvin Palmer purchased 2,000 acres that included the entire area of the modern-day town of Windermere. “Back then, nobody was buying swamp land in Florida in 1910 — nobody was doing that,” Sara Luff said. “It shows how he had a vision. He was very creative and innovative for his time, and then he came down here and saw a need. He said, ‘There’s no business here.’” As Windermere began to flourish, John Calvin Palmer wore many hats in the community he helped establish. He had served as its mayor, postmaster and Town Council member. He was a trustee of the Gotha-Windermere Special School Tax Sub-district, chairman of the Orange County School Board Budget Committee and helped found the Windermere

Citrus Growers Association and the Windermere Club Company. John Calvin Palmer’s daughter, Letha Kate Palmer, married civil engineer and land surveyor Harry Chandler Luff, thus creating the Palmer/Luff bloodline. “I’m proud to have come from them — those people got a lot done with their lives back then, they really did,” John Palmer Luff Jr. said. “I think their whole work ethic about everything was much bigger than what we have today.” “I like to tell my kids — I tell them all the time — ‘You come from Luffs,’” Sara Luff said. “Not that we’re better than anybody, but they’re creators and they’re innovators and they’re forward thinkers. ‘You need to look for opportunities and take them. … That’s how you leave a legacy.’” A NEW CHAPTER

John Palmer Luff Jr. said he and his wife were grateful that everyone came together to wish them well in their move to Madison County. “It was a total surprise — it’s great to see these people; I haven’t seen some of them in a long time, which is sad, and some of them came from way out of town,” John Palmer Luff Jr. said. John Palmer Luff Jr. and Elizabeth “Bette” Luff’s other daughter, Sayler Luff, said she was overwhelmed with the turnout at the party.

“I think it’s unbelievable that that many people are touched by my parents and are compelled to say goodbye to them and it shows how important they have been to this community,” Sayler Luff said. “It’s surreal and it’s sad, but I’m happy that they’ll be happy that this is a new chapter for them,” she said. Saturday’s event was an evening of reminiscing and reflection. Historical photos of the town’s old residents and way of life were propped up on easels in a retrospective display. A slideshow of more recent family photos over the years also played on loop from a projector. It even was a time of gifts — John Palmer Luff Jr. and Elizabeth “Bette” Luff were given a slice of wood that came from an old magnolia tree planted by John Calvin Palmer back in 1919 that fell late last year. On a wooden display base holding up the tree segment, an inscription read “Magnolia Grandiflora 1919-2019 Planted by Cal Palmer. Gifted to Bette and Palmer Luff by your Windermere Friends.” It was a reminder that Windermere isn’t just a down-home feeling, a chain of lakes or a network of quaint dirt roads — it’s the people that live there and the many lifelong friendships they make. “It truly feels like it’s a community made of friends — I hope that always stays here,” Sara Luff said. Elizabeth “Bette” Luff said it’s hard to say goodbye. But just like how John Calvin Palmer ventured to the Butler Chain of Lakes all those years ago, it’s time for a new beginning — a new chapter in John Palmer Luff Jr. and Elizabeth “Bette” Luff’s own history book. “Where does the legacy go from here?” Elizabeth “Bette” Luff said. “I’m sure our family would hope that legacy would continue — the caring of the town, the caring of the community. We’ll take that with us, we’ll take that community with us and hopefully expand it. “We’ve got pictures and memorabilia that we’ve left with the historical society here,” she said. “We hope that we’ve left a good mark here and that the person buying our home will feel that community and it will keep going on and on and on.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Project helps ponding water issue New inlets and pipes are fixing a long standing water issue along Bayshore Drive in Windermere. TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

A recent stormwater project is the latest effort by the town of Windermere to improve the quality of life of residents. The town saw the completion of a stormwater project last month to deal with ongoing stormwater drainage issues along Bayshore Drive. Public Works Director Scott Brown said the town had been hearing concerns about water collecting on one side of the road and running onto nearby properties.

Brown said the flooding issues were brought to his attention three years ago — though the problems could have existed longer than that, he said. Photos taken by residents showed water collecting on the street and helped the town work with an engineer and contractor to make the right fix. “We look for the residents to let us know of these issues — they’re the ones that live there,” Brown said. “It was several residents (who were impacted) — not only the ones adjacent to the inlets, but everybody that lives down at the

end of the street, because they still have to travel through it,” he said. “Coming in or coming out of that area impacted everybody from this point to the end — which I think there are probably a dozen or so more residents down that way.” The project, which began last November, involved building new ditch-bottom inlets on each side of the road connected by an underground culvert pipe 14 inches high and 23 inches wide under the street. Stormwater flows down into the inlets, is carried through another newly constructed pipe under a resident’s driveway and travels through a swale system along Bayshore Drive to a retention area about 450 feet away that drains into Little Lake Down.

“With the rainfall events that we’ve had since then, we’ve seen a drastic difference already in the result of the project,” Brown said. Brown explained that the water collecting on the roads is not only a nuisance to neighbors, it’s a safety issue. “When you have water standing in the middle of the night … our saying is, ‘Don’t drown, turn around,’” Brown said. “Say there (was) a culvert system existing there before. I’ve had this happen where a pipe rots out, the storm erodes that pipe and there’s a big gaping hole underneath this puddle of water in the middle of the road. You don’t know how deep that water is. … Be cautious — don’t drive through standing

water. That’s something we try to instill in everybody.” Another stormwater project already is underway along Park Avenue — across the street from Windermere Elementary School — to address ponding water on the side of the road. A similar system to the Bayshore Drive project is being installed using culvert pipe and a shallow swale system to convey the water into open drainage boxes. A sidewalk nearby also is going to be widened, moved a couple feet away from the roadway and connected to another portion of sidewalk. Construction began in December and should be completed by the beginning of May, Brown said.

Church coming new location at 5702 Hamlin Groves Trail, giving the church a place to meet during the week beyond just the weekly services. Since July 2017, the nondenominational church has leased the auditorium at Windermere High School for it services — the church’s first home was at Bridgewater Middle School back when the church was founded in August 2016. Lead Pastor Scott Pierre said the church is thrilled to finally have a permanent location under construction — that means no more setting up and tearing down for services in the temporary space each week. “We’ve been watching the Hamlin community area since 2010, thinking through and dreaming about church planting out there,” Pierre said. “An opportunity presented itself where our church was able to get involved in a land purchase and have the ability to build the facility there. “We’re excited to minister to that community,” he said. The new, 21,000-square-foot church facility will include a sanctuary space that seats 350 people, classrooms for children and space for youth-group meetings. It also gives the worship team a place to rehearse during the week. “Any time a church has a home, they can be a greater part of the community, whether it be outreach, whether we’re providing meals to people in the community or we’re offering classes for people walking through difficult stages of life,” Pierre said. “It gives us a lot more opportunity to have seven days a week worth of ministry versus one,” he said. Pierre said the church’s vision involves multiple like-minded locations along the I-4 corridor over the next few years. Another church already is planted in the Tampa/Brandon area, and the two locations hope to come together to plant another church in Lakeland. “It’s kind of a dream we have, but we’re taking it a step at a time and trusting the Lord and (we’re) just grateful for the opportunity to be involved in ministry in the community” he said. The Grove Bible Chapel, like many other churches, aims to follow God’s truth and apply it in an everyday way, Pierre said. “The thing that we try to do maybe that is a little bit different is we have a unique kind of high-impact worship service where we have about 30 minutes of worship and music and then we do a 45-minute, verse-by-verse study in the scripture,” Pierre said. “It’s taking that and applying that to our lives, and hopefully one of the main goals for us is we would be fruitful believers in Christ.” Pierre said the church plans to celebrate the launch of the new location in August, but will hopefully already be in the facility before then.

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ACROSS

1 Dog collar attachments 5 Piano practice piece 10 Org. that monitors workplaces 14 “That’s hilarious!” 18 Parrot 19 Tears down 20 Energy source 21 One making in-app purchases 22 Snatched a falling soft drink? (circle letter 11) 24 Meadow rodents 26 Person with a burning desire?

1 Pageant crown 2 Elicit a smile from 3 Acronym about bad data 4 Hybrid dog breed whose hair is usually curly 5 Whiteboard accessory 6 Strategic 7 Actress Aduba 8 Mississippi mouth 9 Jacob’s twin 10 Cause affront to 11 Switzerland, in France 12 ___-haw13 100% 14 Operates smoothly 15 Continent with the largest 17-Down 16 Mild oath17 See 15-Down 18 Test for future docs23 27 Melodies Schumer 54 Going nonstop Fork feature 29 2018 U.S. Open champ 55 Musician’s pace 74 Genealogy diagram 25 Evade Naomi 75 Brewski 57 Smart group 28 Bright light 30 ___ Bo 76 Pale purple 58 “My treat” 32 New wave band in red 31 City near Syracuse 59 Sheep that often have 79 Take in or let out hats 33 Followed 81 Stonework horns 34 “Back in the ___” 36 Strong-arm 83 United ___ Emirates 62 Any minute (Beatles song) 37 Unpretentious smiles? 65 Lil ___ X (“Old Town 84 Web developer’s code (letter 8) 86 Forest full of ferret rela- 35 Cigar ending? Road” rapper) 36 Shipping container 42 Glass fragment 66 With 68-Across, revolve, tives? (letter 9) 37 Oscar ___ hot dogs 45 For the birds? or what the indicated let- 89 Seattle ballplayer 47 Pot for clams ters do to form their wacky 91 Like the teapot of song 38 Japanese noodles 39 One-named Somali48 Settlement for bike 92 ___ & Young phrases? American model riders? (letter 3) 93 Legume-based dental 68 See 66-Across 40 Supposed monster’s 51 A football field is slightly 69 Wile E. Coyote’s fittings? (letter 4) loch larger than one 96 Overhauls explosive 41 Mlle., in Madrid 99 Have ambitions 72 Wanda Sykes or Amy 53 Place for a sail

42 What the dish ran away with 43 Dye for festive body art 44 Second president 46 1099-___ (IRS form) 49 Ricochet shot in billiards 50 Get on a soapbox 51 Not together 52 Pink, for a flamingo 56 ___ culpa 57 Twitch chat VIP 60 Palindromic title 61 Hooch maker 63 “So I was wrong!” 64 Ryan or Tatum 66 Taiwan’s official initials 67 Consume 69 Mortise insert 70 Grape or Strawberry candies 71 Secret meeting 72 Log dwelling 73 Some salamanders 75 Uncouth folks 76 Mary’s pet 77 “Dies ___” (Latin hymn) 78 Tomb-raiding Croft 80 Speed Wagon automaker 82 Sugary kernels 84 Word on a wife’s robe, perhaps 85 Stumble 87 What surrounds Aurora? 88 Western toppers 90 Cav or Celt 91 Appear to be 94 Flustered state 95 Aged, in a way 97 IHOP competitor 98 “Movin’ ___” (“The Jeffersons” theme) 100 Onetime U.S. airline 101 “The Thinker” sculptor 102 Good, in Guatemala 103 Humble reply 104 Recedes 105 Muddy ground 106 Winter wear 107 Baker’s dozen? 109 Secretive big cat 111 “The Bridge on the River ___” 113 Hole puncher 114 Soup with rice noodles 116 Pasta suffix

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“EGN PGK’O MSWA OG HNK SXSE DHGR VFDA EGNH XMGVA VFDA ... EGN BSK BMSKCA. SKP EGN BSK ZA SK SCAKO GD BMSKCA.” – VSNHS PAHK “TNM ZUEEND RNMJD TNMIHYBS. RNMJD GH U XGBBYI. TNM VMHD CUPY DN XENK KCN TNM UIY ... KCUD TNM HDUER SNI.”

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

02-20-20

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100 Invention protection 101 Hitter’s stat 104 Host with a mic 108 Florida bay city 110 Stole away 112 Book about a legend? 115 Battle supply for the North? (letter 1) 117 Post about how great your life is, e.g. 118 “This ride is fun!” 119 Rico’s role on “Modern Family” 120 Drizzling or pouring 121 Stage constructions 122 Feudal nobleman 123 Not quite right 124 She set sail in 1492

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Puzzle Two Clue: F equals Z

CYCLE by Rob Gonsalves and Jennifer Lim; CROSSWORD SPIN Edited by David Steinberg

Puzzle One Clue: W equals V

OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Gotha Middle opens applications for NJHS If your student is interested in applying to be in the National Junior Honor Society at Gotha Middle School, now is his or her chance. Stop by B217 for a paper copy of the application and turn it in by March 12. For more information, call the school at (407) 521-2360.

Jeans drive underway at Dr. Phillips High Dr. Phillips High School’s InterAct Club is collecting jeans for the homeless. One item commonly requested at shelters is a pair of jeans, which are comfortable in any season, can be worn multiple times between washes and also provide a sense of normalcy. Jeans are being collected in the media center and 1015 on the north campus.

Holy Family celebrates Catholic Schools Week

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

The Lions of Holy Family Catholic School roared their support for their school and all Catholic Schools during Catholic School’s Week. The theme for this year was “Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed.” “A Catholic education is a true blessing. Catholic Schools Week gives students and their families the opportunity to celebrate this gift,” Principal Sister Dorothy Sayers said. One of the highlights of Catholic Schools Week 2020 was Holy Family Catholic School students participating in a Walk-A-Thon, which raised more than $8,100 for the Orphans Rising Missions – A Project of the Religious Teachers Filippini. Orphans Rising is an organization founded to raise resources and awareness for children orphaned by AIDS. For more, visit filippiniusa.org.

BEN SOKOLOWSKY

DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL If you’re a part of the Dr. Phillips High family — especially an athlete — then you’ve run across Ben Sokolowsky. Lovingly referred to as “Coach Soko” by the members of his girls weightlifting team, Sokolowsky is in his 18th year at the school, where he works as a physical education teacher and PE department head. Sokolowsky also has developed multiple sports program, including turning the girls weightlifting team into a contender.

What do you love most about your school? I definitely love my co-workers here in the PE department, as well as the staff and faculty in general. What was it that brought you to Dr. Phillips? When I was at UCF, I did my internship at Southwest Middle School. I was under Mike Barefoot, and he actually got the job at Dr. Phillips, and I took his job at Southwest Middle School. The principal when I was interning was Gene Trochinski — who became the principal over at Dr. Phillips — and a few of the administrators came over from Southwest, so I had a lot of familiarity with them. It was a natural jump — it was a no-brainer when the PE position opened. What is your favorite part of the job? I get to be in a place that I love most — and around things that I love most, which are athletics. I’ve taught every subject at this school

REPORT CARD POSITION: Physical education teacher, physical education department head, girls weightlifting head coach TIME AT SCHOOL: 18 years

— basketball, volleyball, team sports and weightlifting now — so I get to dress athletically, and I’m in the weight room or gym, and I get to stay physically active. And I get to promote physical fitness, which is the most important thing to me in my personal life, and I get to do it as a job — it’s great. I still see kids who are now 30 years old, and they’re like, “I’m still lifting weights because of you.” It’s lifetime fitness. What do you like doing in your spare time? I still do go to the gym, and I love movies and the gym, but most of my free time is spent around my 4-and-a-half-year-old son — he keeps me running around. I’m coaching his T-ball team, and he is playing soccer, also. I almost work harder at home than I do here. I get home, and he doesn’t care if it’s been a hard day, he’s like, ‘Daddy, let’s play.’ Do you have any fun talents that no one knows about? I did take some acting courses in college at FAU, and I know the

instructor always wanted me to come out to the plays and try to act, but I never did that — that was the career I always thought I should pursue. I did get cast on a TV show that I just couldn’t take, because I couldn’t take the time off of work — a crime re-enactment show years ago. I wish I could have pursued that. If you could meet anyone in the world — past or present — who would it be and why? I am very into music, and I grew up in the ‘90s, and I was really into grunge music and the late singer of the band Alice in Chains, Layne Staley — who I named my son after. He would be a pretty good one. — TROY HERRING

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

W I N D E R M E R E P R E PA RATO R Y S C H O O L

PROSPECTIVE FAMILY

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OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

COLOR GRIND

Leeley Waters, Elisa Souza and Haven Brookins finished the race strong.

— TIM FREED

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Eva Elder, second place; Alyvia Clark, first place; and Liani Gaud, third place, were the top three female runners. Left: Mehari Van Der Rite, first place; Andrew Nyland, second place; and Matthews Nicoletti, third place, were the top three male runners.

oundation Academy students raced for glory across the Tilden Road Campus and were covered in color along the way at the Love FA 2020 Boosterthon Color Run Friday, Feb. 14. Students in grades six through 12 celebrated Valentine’s Day by competing in the fun run.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

The Genio family — Marco and Kim and their daughters, kindergartner Lillian and third-grader Adriana — looked sharp in the photo booth.

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Sweetheart steps I t was a night of crafts, laughs and grooving at the Sand Lake Elementary Sweetheart Dance Friday, Feb. 7. Sand Lake Elementary Stingrays hit the dance floor in the cafeteria, which was decked out in pink and red hearts on the walls and ceiling. Students also enjoyed snacks, limbo, spending time with friends and making memories at the photo booth. — ERIC GUTIERREZ

BAPTIST

Jane Bullion and her daughter, third-grader Keira, were all about the props at the photo booth.

EPISCOPAL

All Souls Episcopal Church Bay Lake Elem in Windermere 12005 Silverlake Park Dr Sundays: 10 a.m. AllSoulsFL.org

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First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans (407) 656-2352 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional, 9:45 a.m. Bible Study, 11 a.m. Contemporary Wednesday: 6 p.m. - Awana 2nd Campus Foundation Worship High School (407) 720-1867 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages FoundationWorship.com

From left: Joe Carlucci; second-grader Jenna, fifth-grader Justin and fourth-grader Jordin Carlucci-Harris; and Shannon Harris all looked dapper at the dance.

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SPORTS

Windermere Prep tennis player Carissa Ruiz continues to develop her game. Page 12.

The Dr. Phillips girls wrestling team continued its domination on the mat as the Panthers secured their fourth consecutive state title Saturday, Feb. 15. The Panthers had first-place finishes from Jessica Corredor (100-pound class), Juliana Diaz (117-pound class) and Armelle Oliantus (162-pound class), while Skyy Gowan (184-pound class) and Aaliyah Hyacinthe (222-pound class) finished runners-up in their divisions.

BASEBALL BREAKDOWN

In Windermere Prep boys soccer’s 1-0 win over Lakeland Christian in the FHSAA Class 3A, Region 2 semifinals, sophomore midfielder Johan Dale came up big for the Lakers when he scored on a penalty kick with fewer than four minutes left in the game.

The Ocoee boys track and field team dominated during the Mount Dora Christian meet Saturday, Feb. 15, as the Knights clocked in at first with 156.5 points — 54 points better than second-place Lake Brantley. In the win, Buford Ross IV took home first in the 110 hurdles (17.91) and in the triple jump (37-1). The Knights also won first in the 4x400 with a time of 3:37.60

The West Orange High boys track and field team took first at the Seminole Invitational Saturday, Feb. 15. The Warriors finished with 91 points — 27.5 points ahead of Apopka — and were led by first-place finishes by Matthew McDoom in the 100 meters (11.21) and Joseph Stravato in the 300 hurdles (40.39). The Warriors also took the 4x100 title.

In Windermere girls basketball’s 31-10 win over Newsome in the Class 7A, Region 2 quarterfinals Thursday, Feb. 13, junior guard and team captain Abigail Crain picked up 13 points, while senior forward Caitlin Davis tacked on six points and seven rebounds. The win comes after the Wolverines (19-5) defeated Haines City to win the Class 7A, District 6 championship.

Troy Herring

With Evan Welsh at Windermere, and Jay Welsh and Ryan Welsh at West Orange, things will be interesting this season for the baseball-loving family.

Family feud The Welsh family always has come together through baseball, but now they’ll be stepping onto the field on opposing sides of the West Orange/Windermere rivalry. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

hen Evan Welsh took to the mound during Windermere High School baseball’s fall ball game against West Orange last year, things were different — much different. For the junior righty, he was just starting his first year with the varsity team, but that wasn’t the only thing that stood out during this game. Standing 90 feet away at third base was Jay Welsh — West Orange High’s first-year head coach, and Evan Welsh’s dad. Meanwhile, over in the box at first base, Evan’s older brother, Ryan Welsh — the Warriors’ pitching coach — watched the game. So there Evan Welsh was, pitching against his dad’s team — a program he was familiar with — at a school that he could be attending had it not been for the creation of Windermere High School. “It was surprisingly normal to

an extent, because I’ve been at this field forever and we do bullpen on this mound, and just hearing both of their voices was nothing new,” Evan Welsh said. “Pitching, I felt comfortable and I felt hungry to get those guys out — to get his team out — more so than usual.” Up in the stands sat the rest of the Welsh clan, including Evan Welsh’s mother, Chris Ann Welsh, and sister, Erin Welsh. The two also FaceTimed in the oldest Welsh daughter, Megan Welsh — who currently is studying at the University of Florida. But what’s it like for Chris Ann Welsh to watch a game and know that she has loved ones on both sides of the field? “To tell you the truth, with Evan being my fourth child and we have been doing travel sports forever … it’s kind of more fun to watch him now,” Chris Ann Welsh said. “I think if it was 15 years ago it might have been a little different, but it’s a fun rivalry. Of course you want them both to do well — it’s just hard when they’re playing against

each other, so I’ll cheer for my son, of course … because it’s all about the kids, really.” BASEBALL TRADITIONS

The history of baseball in the Welsh family starts with Jay Welsh, who’s been a part of the game for quite a while. Through the years, he’s served varying positions at schools like Lake Nona, Ocoee and Celebration, before eventually becoming the pitching coach over at LakeSumter State College. With baseball being so prominent in the Welsh household, it’s no surprise the sport caught on with Evan and Ryan Welsh — though there were some concerns on Jay Welsh’s part that Evan could be burnt out with all the baseball he had played at such a young age. “By the age of 6, he had already been to 100 travel-ball tournaments following his brother,” Jay Welsh said. “I felt like maybe he might be a little bit soured on baseball, but what had happened with Evan is, since he grew up in a baseball household, he began to set himself apart because he had a higher baseball IQ than a lot of kids and that led to some early success.” SEE WELSH PAGE 12

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Head coach: Larry Oldham 2019 Record: 1-20 Key players: Keenan Milroy, Brandon Nguyen, Eric Rodriguez Season preview: “I’m excited, because the team just has so many good people on it, and there’s just a special bond with this team,” head coach Larry Oldham said. “I’ve been head coaching for 11 years, but now when you don’t have as good a team, it’s more like a ministry, it’s more like I want to teach them about the game and about life. We only have 11 on the team, so these kids have to interchange positions quite a bit, and I just love their attitude.” DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL Head coach: Ray Evans 2019 Record: 20-7 Key players: Brandon Fields, Noah Sullivan, Derek Lopez Season preview: “As of right now, we are starting with a team full of Band-Aids,” head coach Ray Evans said. “We have a lot of guys who are not starting the season who are injured or not able to play, so I’m starting a lot of young guys. We’re coaching them every single day — it’s not like you can take a breather and the guys can kind of run the show themselves.” FOUNDATION ACADEMY Head coach: Chase Newman 2019 Record: 12-11 Key players: Braden Holcomb, Dylan Rose Season preview: “It was six seniors who graduated, so we are definitely a bit of a team in transition — very young,” head coach Chase Newman said. “I’m looking forward to it, and I’m excited, and hopefully this year is a good year to establish the program and we can gain that interest. The community is growing around the school, and hopefully we can tap into that growing community and show that we are building the program the right way.” SEE PAGE 12

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Carissa Ruiz A sophomore on the Windermere Prep girls tennis team, Carissa Ruiz is an integral part for Lakers head coach Mandy Rosenfield. A student at the school since first grade, Ruiz is now in her third season with the varsity team, and is looking forward to making this season one to remember.

When did you first get into tennis? I was about 3 years old and my parents were the ones who put me into it. I used to live in Europe, so I started there and then we moved to Wisconsin and I still continued it there, and then we moved to Florida and I still play throughout the year.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Windermere Preparatory School GRADE: 10th AGE: 16 SPORT: Tennis DOMINANT HAND: Right

especially with tennis; since it’s such an individual sport, you’re blaming your mistakes on yourself and they keep bringing you down, but you just have to play your best game.

What has been your favorite thing about playing at Windermere Prep? I think the environment is really nice — we have a great team, and we have known everybody for a long time. All of our teammates are really close, and even though it is an individual sport, we still have a great team of boys and girls.

When you do hit those hard streaks during a match, how do you mentally overcome that? You just have to move past the past points and look forward, try to strategize and just try to look for your opponent’s weaknesses and open the court.

Since you first started playing tennis, what would you say has been the biggest change that you’ve seen in yourself? I’ve definitely improved a lot. More people have come to this school and there are so many great players, so you start off with a small group of people and as more people come — the better they are — and you get to hit with them and play a lot more, then you just improve. I feel like I have improved by playing with so many great people.

What is the most challenging part about playing tennis? The most fun aspect? The most challenging part is definitely the mental side of it, because I’m very hard on myself, so it can be difficult sometimes to get yourself out of a negative mindset. The best part about tennis it is just fun — playing and serving, and hitting hard. Is there a highlight moment during your time at Windermere Prep? Definitely in eighth grade — when I first got on varsity — I was on line five and for that entire season I was undefeated, (so) that was a really good year for me. And our entire team did really well that year and we all went to states and it was really cool, because we won districts and regionals.

What would you say are the best words of advice you’ve been given about tennis? Tennis is a very mental sport. Obviously you need to be fit, but you have to be the best that you can be — no matter what — and not get into your head as much. Your worst enemy is yourself —

— TROY HERRING

Welsh family rivalry born CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Along their baseball journeys, both Evan and Ryan Welsh heard the same little phrases that their dad would say to help them with their struggles. At the plate, Jay Welsh would tell them to “squish the bug” — referring to when a hitter pivots their back foot during a swing — while on the mound he would say, “pound the zone and challenge hitters.” The words of advice always were helpful, Evan Welsh said. “I remember especially for one of my starts I was in the bullpen kind of throwing erratic and missing my spots,” Evan Welsh said. “And then my dad came over and calmed me down and gave me some pointers like, ‘Stay in sync,’ and, ‘Follow through and finish on your pitches.’”

LEGACY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Head coach: Jack Chambless 2019 Record: 11-16 Key players: Justin LaGasse, Jacob Worley, Brandon Correia Season preview: “This is — by far — the deepest and best roster we have ever had at Legacy,” head coach Jack Chambless said. “We have 17 players, and in any other year, the most we have had is 13. Our starting nine, I would put them up against any other Class 2A team in the state, and we also have a deep bench this year. Our pitching is going to be very deep, our team speed is terrific — I fully expect our team to make it to regionals and to challenge for a spot in the state playoffs this year.” —

FAMILY RIVALRY

OCOEE HIGH SCHOOL Head coach: Chad Hall 2019 Record: 15-12 Key players: Charles Kwarteng Season preview: Last season was a big one for the Ocoee High baseball team. The Knights won the program’s first district title in a 7-6 walkoff win against Lake Minneola. This season, the Knights will be without several members of last year’s team, as eight seniors — including go-to player Hylan Hall — graduated. Luckily for Ocoee, the Knights have talent coming back, which includes Charles Kwarteng — who leads an offense that helped the Knights outscore opponents 146-109 during the season.

When Jay Welsh took the West Orange High job, it wasn’t exactly an easy decision. It was a job that made sens, but there was a possible downside for Jay Welsh. “The hardest part was considering that he might not come over and what I might miss in terms of his baseball career,” Jay Welsh said. “But ultimately, I felt like I’d be able to do both — continue to train him, continue to work with him and see him when I can see him.” Over the last two seasons, Evan Welsh established himself on the junior varsity team while developing friendships at Windermere High. Long story short, he was comfortable and didn’t want to leave Windermere. While Evan Welsh stayed at Windermere, Ryan Welsh made the decision to go a different route with the game by joining his dad on the West Orange staff. “I had one year left of eligibility when I left my last school — I’m at UCF now — and I was like, ‘OK, I can try to walk on and continue my career,’ but I just decided I might as well hang it up and coach with my pops,” Ryan Welsh said. With Jay and Ryan Welsh now in place at West Orange and Evan Welsh looking to play a reliever role at Windermere, things are in place to make the first West Orange/Windermere game — which takes place Friday, March 27, at WOHS — one to remember for the Welsh household. “That’s going to be fun,” Ryan Welsh said. “I think West Orange and Olympia was always the biggest rivalry, but now that Windermere has come along, I think the biggest rivalry is West Orange and Windermere.”

OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL Head coach: Chuck Schall 2019 Record: 23-6 Key players: Alex Britton, Titan Kamaka, Mitch Harding Season preview: “I think a lot of our success is going to hinge on our inexperienced pitching staff — we have some pretty good arms that are developing, but not a lot of experience there. We also have a couple of positions ... but I think our biggest key is how our pitching is going to develop throughout the year. It’s hard for me to have expectations, because it’s just hard to predict how we are going to pan out as a team.” — head coach Chuck Schall THE FIRST ACADEMY Head coach: Scott Grove 2019 Record: 20-9 Key players: Riley Parker, Greg Pettay, Brett Kelly Season preview: Last season, The First Academy won 20 games and claimed the Class

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4A, District 3 title over Trinity Prep. The Royals have the talent to once again win 20 games. The lineup features UNC-Greensboro commit Brett Kelly — a senior centerfielder — who will help lead a Royals’ team that last year powered by opponents on the mound and at the plate. WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL Head coach: Jay Welsh 2019 Record: 13-11 Key players: Anthony Garcia, Ricky Reeth Season preview: “We have a solid team,” head coach Jay Welsh said. “We’re very deep in all areas, but I keep reminding our players that baseball is not like football and basketball where you can show up and have the best team and sometimes impose your will. We have to execute, and we have to play as a team. If we can do those two things, I think we can compete with anybody.” WINDERMERE HIGH SCHOOL Head coach: Eric Lassiter 2019 Record: 24-5 Key players: Carson Montgomery, Tyler Ostendorf, Jason Grant Season preview: “I think our offense is really going to be the best it has been since we’ve been a school — we have 10 or 11 guys that I feel like, if you plug in there, we have a chance to really score some runs,” head coach Eric Lassiter said. “I’m a big pitching and defense guy, and just traditionally since we have been at Windermere we haven’t had what you would call a juggernaut offense, so it is exciting on that point to where you never feel like you’re out of a game.” WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Head coach: Keith Walsh 2019 Record: 11-10 Key players: Pablo Delgado, Austin Tanner Season preview: “I always ask them to be good teammates, work hard and be coachable — those are the three things (I want) whenever we step onto the field,” head coach Keith Walsh said. “The group of kids that I have are incredible. They get along, they feed off each other, they’ve had energy through the first couple of games and they’re picking each other up — it’s been the kind of energy and excitement that you look forward to every day when you go out there.” — head coach Keith Walsh.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Four schools walk away with district titles Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Windermere Prep and CFCA all brought home championships Friday, Feb. 14. SPORTS EDITOR

In Class 7A play, Dr. Phillips topped Ocoee to claim the 7A-3 crown, while Windermere edged Osceola to win the 7A-6 title. In the smaller divisions, Windermere Prep pummeled The Master’s Academy to take the 3A-4 championship, and CFCA beat out Mount Dora Christian in a tight contest to win the 2A-10 title. Each school sealed places in the FHSAA playoffs in their respective classes, while Ocoee, The First Academy and West Orange all earned at-large bids. DR. PHILLIPS CONQUERS ‘DISTRICT OF DEATH,’ STORMS PAST OCOEE

When all the chaos died, it was Dr. Phillips head coach Ben Witherspoon who stood with a look of disbelief on his face. There — on the court at Apopka High School — he watched his players continue to celebrate around him, while he held his

OTHER SCORES n Class 2A, District 10: CFCA 54, Mount Dora Christian 49 n Class 7A, District 6: Windermere 46, Osceola 43

daughter in one arm and the district title trophy in the other. His Panthers, who at one point had been down 15-4, rallied in the second half to beat Ocoee — and Witherspoon’s former mentor in Knights head coach John “Sarge” Siers — 58-53 to claim the Class 7A, District 3 championship on Valentine’s Day. “It’s indescribable,” Witherspoon said. “To have a vision and talk about doing this right here since I got the job and since I met these guys in June — they all told me, ‘We want to win a district championship.’ And for them to just believe in me and do it, I’m just lucky to have these guys.” Following a big three from senior Abdoulaye Thiam, the Panthers (19-7) were up 50-42 — their biggest lead of the half — with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter. Thiam’s performance was a catalyst for the Panthers. He picked up a game-high 31 points — 24 of which came in the second half. The Knights (20-7) wouldn’t go down easily, however, as senior shooting guard David Green hit from deep — his second in a row — to pull Ocoee to within five points at 50-45. Green hit five three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, while scoring 17 of his 25 points in the quarter. With 15.6 seconds left in

Troy Herring

Abdoulaye Thiam, center, held up the district trophy as he celebrates with teammates.

the game, the Knights crept to within two points when Green hit another three to cut the Panthers’ lead to 55-53, but clutch free-throw shooting from Thiam, Denzel Aberdeen and Juneau Anicette — who went 5-for-6 in the last 40 seconds — helped the Panthers put the game out of reach. The win for Dr. Phillips seals a spot in the FHSAA Class 7A State playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Region 1. The Panthers host Evans at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. “We’re really good in our own gym,” Witherspoon said. “We shoot the ball pretty well there and we’re pretty comfortable there. The No. 1 motivator for us was getting home games ... that’s why this is a huge win.”

LAKERS TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AGAINST THE MASTER’S ACADEMY

Windermere Prep continued its dominating run to the postseason Friday night, as the Lakers dispatched The Master’s Academy 75-58 in the Class 3A, District 4 championship game. “I’m so proud of all of our guys — I thought we had a great team effort and I was just extremely proud of guy No. 1 to No. 15,” said Lakers head coach Brian Hoff. The Lakers (25-3) came into the title game having beaten Crooms Academy in the quarterfinals before taking out Orangewood Christian in the semis. From the opening tipoff, the Lakers were firing on all cylinders, and at one point were up by as many as 21 points — thanks largely to the scoring of Fanbo Zeng and Jouldan

Velez, who scored 23 points and 11 points respectively. Despite the Lakers’ early lead, The Master’s Academy (21-7) did not relent and went on a 13-0 run that stretched from the middle of the third quarter and into the fourth. By that time, the Lakers’ lead shrunk to just eight points, and Velez — the team’s unanimously chosen captain — was brought back into the game despite having four fouls. “I thought Jouldan Velez was huge down the stretch,” Hoff said. “He’s a calming force for us. His poise and his leadership are so vital for our team.” With the win, the Lakers locked up the second seed in Region 1 of the FHSAA 3A tournament, and will take on The First Academy at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at home.

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TROY HERRING

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020 SHIRLEY ANN LAIT DIED FEB. 15, 2020.

PAUL R. BELLEW DIED FEB. 9, 2020.

Paul R. Bellew, of Clermont, Florida, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Born in San Diego, California, Paul grew up in Long Beach, California, before moving to Central Florida. Paul was the son of the late Robert and Ruth Bellew, of Long Beach. Paul was a retired merchandising executive, having worked at companies, including Walt Disney World, Madison Square Garden and Dollywood. Paul is survived by his

wife, Joyce; three children, Jim Stout (Chris), Deb Goode (Kirk) and Brian Stout (Colleen); his brother, Jack Bellew; and sister, Pat Doolittle; along with five grandkids; two greatgrandchildren; four nieces; and one nephew. The family will hold a private service at a later date.

GLORIA JEAN BERNDOBLER DIED FEB. 10, 2020.

Gloria Jean Berndobler, 93, of Winter Garden, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 with her loving husband of 58 years by her side. Mrs. Berndobler was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Gurdon, Arkansas, to Dessie Stone. She was the oldest of eight children. Mrs. Berndobler is survived by her husband, John Berndobler; daughters and sons-in-law, Lynda and John Chesney, and Jan and Alex McMichael; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and five grand-cats. Mrs. Berndobler moved to Florida in the 1950s as a single parent and supported her family by working at Martin Marietta as a line leader for the electric assembly operation. She was one of the first single females to purchase her own home in Central Florida. In 1961, she married John Berndobler, and together, they built a life focused on serving the Lord and others. Over the years, she was an active member of several Central Florida Baptist churches, with Beulah Baptist Church as her final church family. She was a member of Campers on Mission, dedicated to build-

Shirley Ann Lait passed away on Feb. 15, 2020, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Ray N. Lait. She is survived by her daughter, LeeAnn (John) Claflin; sons, Alan (Susan), Mike (Casey), and Jack (Cindy); grandchildren, Liz, Brett, Brittany, Michael, Leah, Sarah and Jensen; and great-grandchildren, Tessa, David, Charlie, Emma, Reese, Bodhi, Dillard and James. Shirley was born March 1, 1930, in Wichita, Kansas. She moved with her family to San Angelo, Texas, where she graduated from high school and then on to Long Beach, CA, where she

attended Long Beach Community College. After a whirlwind romance, she married Ray on April 7, 1951, in Long Beach. Shirley was a child of the depression, a self-proclaimed tomboy who loved sports and the outdoors. She was an animal lover and avid reader. She was a wonderful friend and neighbor, always ready to listen and lend a helping hand. She had a beautiful smile and never met a

Survived by her fiancé of 11 years, David Cloutier; children, Ryan Dyal and wife, Dianne; Nathan Dyal; and Matthew Dyal and wife, Linda; sister-inlaw, Mary “Be” Moore; and six grandchildren, Dakota, Jordan, Kyleigh, Teirnny, Alexander and Ethan.

Predeceased by her husband and father of her children, James Story; and brother, Michael Moore. The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, cancer.org, (850) 297-0588. 2619 Centennial Blvd. Suite 101, Tallahassee, Florida 32308; and/or the National Audubon Society actionaudubon.org. Skip & Trey Young with Family Funeral Home are assisting the family with their arrangements, (850) 926-5919 and familyfhc.com.

Carmen Alva, 86, of Ocoee, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Eunice Marie Vazquez Rosado, 37, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Gotha.

Mellissa E Carter, 34, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. Winter Oak Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

James Ronald Rankin, 77, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. DeGusipe Funeral Home, Ocoee.

DEBRA MOORE DYAL STORY DIED FEB. 13, 2020

ing churches for small communities. She assisted the construction team with completing drywall projects and trained many others how to do this work. She helped build 17 churches in several states. She also supported Greater Orlando Baptist Association with Fair Ministries with providing to the needs of traveling carnival fair workers. She was an owner of Advanced Welding & Manufacturing, their family business where she was the business manager. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Beulah Baptist Church, with Pastor Casey Butner officiating. Interment followed at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home of Winter Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 671 Beulah Road, Winter Garden, Florida 34787.

Debra Moore Dyal Story, 61, of Crawfordville, passed away February 13, 2020. She was born Sept. 11, 1958, in Winter Garden, Florida, to her parents, Jesse and Peggy Moore. She moved to Crawfordville in 1983 from Ocoee, Florida, and worked as the Office Manager for Bob McKeithen & Son’s Roofing for 25 years. Debra was an avid outdoors person; she loved bird-watching, butterflies, the beach, gardening and flowers, and enjoyed deer-hunting and deer-watching in her yard.

JAMES DONALD LANTZ JAN. 19, 1929 TO FEB. 12, 2020

Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 29, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, Oakland, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be given to Oakland Presbyterian Church, Oakland Nature Preserve, Florida Native Plant Society or Florida Nature Conservancy. Further information: Woodlawn Funeral Home.

stranger. Shirley was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who was totally involved with her family and the biggest fan of all her children and grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at Winter Garden Cemetery, 13636 Lake Butler Blvd., Winter Garden. Pastor Rusty Belcher will officiate the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Carolina Veterinary Assistance and Adoption Group, 394 Cook Florist Road, Reidsville, North Carolina 27320; cvaag.org. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden, is assisting the family.

Chance Austin DuVall, 24, died Tuesday, Feb. 11 2020. BaldwinFairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Norma Jean Shoultz, 74, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS: TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Coldwell Banker The Rager Group’s 1st Anniversary Cutting WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 1st Anniversary

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ace Relocation Systems’ 20th Anniversary WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 20th

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Kura Design Pools’ Ribbon Cutting

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, P.A.’s 50th Anniversary WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 50th

of Coldwell Banker The Rager Group, located at 4 S. Tubb Street, in Oakland. Coldwell Banker The Rager Group is a community service focused Real Estate company, committed to customer satisfaction and exceeding expectations. Giving back to the community is their way of saying thank you for choosing Coldwell Banker The Rager Group for your Real Estate needs. To learn more, visit www.TheRagerGroup.com.”

Anniversary of Ace Relocation Systems, an Orlando moving company that treats each and every customer as if they were their only customer! Ace Relocation Systems is located at 2507 Investor’s Row, Suite 400, in Orlando. To learn more, visit acerelocation.com/locations/orlando-moving/.

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WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon

Cutting of Kura Design Pools, your luxury custom pool builder in Orlando, serving Lake Nona, Ocoee, Winter Garden, and the surrounding areas, located at 2751 Old Winter Garden Rd, in Ocoee. To learn more, visit www.kuradesignpools.com.

Anniversary of Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, P.A., 2019’s Leading Real Estate Law Firm located at 215 N. Eola Drive, in Orlando. To learn more, visit https://lowndes-law.com/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Eat The Frog’s Ribbon Cutting WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Eat The Frog Fitness, the only small group training program that combines Olympic inspired training, cutting edge technology, and the science of your body for the most advanced workout in the market, located at 16406 New Independence Pkwy #110, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit https://frog.etffitness.com/wintergarden_ps_ws/.

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