03.10.22 West Orange Times & Observer

TIME TO SPRING FORWARD

You will have one more hour of sunlight in the evening starting Sunday, March 13, when daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night — or at 2 a.m. Sunday — whichever comes rst.

MEDICAL BANK NEEDS DONATIONS

The Medical Equipment Bank, sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Orange, is looking for a few items for the program. Needed are ve rollators (wheeled walkers) and a few wheelchairs. One of the club’s service projects is this ongoing program, where medical equipment is loaned, free of charge, to community members who lack insurance or otherwise are unable to get the equipment they need. To make a donation, contact Jim Hukill at jim@liftdisability.net or Rodney Jolley at rjolley01@gmail.com.

REGISTRATION

BEGINS FOR OCOEE SUMMER CAMP

The city of Ocoee’s summer camp program gives children an opportunity to explore new places and create memories that last a lifetime. Action-packed summer camp days are lled with adventures including eld trips, arts and crafts, swimming, games and sports.

The Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department will begin accepting summer camp registrations at the Jim Beech Recreation Center March 21 for Ocoee residents and March 28 for all others. The camp is open to children ages 6 to 12 and will be held in ve sessions from May 31 through Aug. 5.

For Ocoee residents, the cost of the camp for a two-week session is $150 for the rst child and $140 for each additional child. For others, the costs are $190 and $160. The registration fee is $25 per child. For more, call (407) 905-3180.

The pug life

Earl Brigham and his striped barber pole have been a staple in downtown Winter Garden for more than four decades. But his story goes far beyond his talent with a pair of scissors. Page 4.

Windermere-based Victoria’s Voice seeks to Save Our Kids

ANNABELLE SIKES

STAFF WRITER

The Victoria’s Voice Foundation hosted the “Save Our Kids” roundtable discussion to educate the community on the drug epidemic and its effects on Monday, Feb. 28, at the Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa.

Prominent figures from across the country convened to raise awareness, educate the community and present possible solutions.

“The drug epidemic is getting even worse,” VVF co-founder Jackie Siegel said. “This is real. There are invisible bullets that are killing our next generation.”

Keynote speakers at the event included David and Jackie Siegel, cofounders of VVF, owners of Westgate Resorts and Windermere residents; Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody; Michael Marder, co-managing direc -

tor and co-founder of Greenspoon Marder LLP; VVF Director of Education Michael DeLeon; Real America’s Voice national correspondent Ben Bergquam; Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma; Victoria Seaman, council woman in Las Vegas; and Legacy Health CEO Brandy Klingman.

VITAL SIGNS

The Siegels said they didn’t know how to notice and interpret certain signals their daughter, Victoria, who died from a drug overdose, was exhibiting.

Now, they want to make sure others don’t miss the same signs.

“I felt like my whole world crumbled,” Jackie Siegel said. “While I focused on my pain, I watched David find the strength to get up and find purpose for our daughter Victoria’s death, to make sure that no other child died the way she did.”

Gateways to substance abuse include low self-esteem, bullying, sexual behaviors, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, vaping and drugs.

Vital signs of drug use can be found in sudden weight loss or gain; change in sleep patterns; abnormal periods of extreme energy or chattiness; chronic upper respiratory issues; nosebleeds or sinusitis; or worsening dental problems.

TEACHING, NOT TELLING

DeLeon knows what children are thinking when they decide to take drugs. The former addict and exoffender blends his personal experiences with his educational program, “Steered Straight,” which aims to reach youth and young adults through motivational speaking, life-sharing seminars and interactive curriculum, to help youth follow positive, productive paths.

DeLeon said 90% of addiction begins between ages 7 and 17, and 90% of the addiction is built on trauma.

“The kids are suffering from what we did through COVID,” DeLeon said. “I don’t want to debate masks and vaccines. … Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, what we did in this country was take social connection

ABOUT VICTORIA’S VOICE

The Siegels’ lives changed forever June 6, 2015, when their daughter, Victoria, died from a drug overdose.

The 18-year-old was only one of the 129 Americans to die from a drug overdose that day in 2015.

Although the Siegels were in immense pain, they used their struggles to create something beautiful and to help others.

The Victoria’s Voice Foundation was started soon after to combat drug addiction through a series of programs, including Teen Talk Series, Social Media For Good and Victory Clubs.

Participating sponsors include Westgate Resorts, the Las Vegas Raiders, UFC, Wells Fargo and Mrs. America.

To make a donation to Victoria’s Voice Foundation, visit bit. ly/3CaRJRr.

away from children. We put them in isolation and all of the things that fed their support, their self-worth, their self-esteem, we took that away and then we made nicotine, alcohol and marijuana more readily available.”

FIGHTING FENTANYL

As a national border correspondent and former addict, Bergquam has seen the amounts of fentanyl that enter the country with his own eyes. However, he said biggest issue across America is the loss of its moral foundation.

“We have allowed moral relativism to take away the reality of right and wrong and good and bad,” he said.

Bergquam said sees the drugs come across the southern borders, the precursors coming from China and going into Mexico, where cartels then finish the product and bring it to the U.S.

THE OPIOD ANTAGONIST

Lemma believes the issue of the drug epidemic goes beyond political ideology. He said fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, and carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

“Somebody takes that drug, and it attaches to the neuroreceptors in the brain and basically tells people to stop breathing,” he said.

He was first introduced to NARCAN, also known as naloxone, by David Siegel.

NARCAN works as an opioid antagonist, with the ability to treat narcotic overdose in an emergency situation.

Lemma said first responders in Seminole County deployed NARCAN 700 times in the last year and brought 700 residents back to life.

“This is not a situation of trying to make bad people good but rather a situation of making sick people well,” he said.

When you need immediate medical attention, turn to the trusted experts right in your community. Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital is only minutes away, ready and committed to providing you the highest level of emergency care. For ER care, closer to you, choose Orlando Health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a 28.5% increase in drug overdose deaths in 2021, compared to 2020.

DOG DAYS OF WINDERMERE

Animal enthusiasts from across Central Florida ocked to the town of Windermere for its annual Pet Fest event Saturday, March 5. Locals enjoyed warm weather, a slight breeze, and dozens of dogs and other animals at the free event. Attendees enjoyed food trucks, pet activities, a police K-9 demonstration, live music, paw-some vendors and more.

Dogs raced through an obstacle course, children played in bounce houses, vendors promoted their business and engaged residents in activities, food trucks o ered sweet and savory bites, and hundreds of locals gathered to join in the festivities with their four-legged friends.

ANNABELLE SIKES

Week of the Family contests announced

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Students, get out your colored pencils and your laptops for a chance to win cash prizes in two local contests sponsored by Orange County Week of the Family. This year’s theme for both contests — art and essay — is “My Family Helps Me Achieve Endless Possibilities.”

Details and entry forms can be found at weekofthefamily.org/contests.

WRITE AN ESSAY, CREATE ART

Students in Orange County public, private and charter schools or those who are home-schooled are eligible to enter the essay contest. The deadline to submit an essay is May 31. The top essay writers receive $100, $75 and $50. Schools with the most entries also will receive the Mayor’s

Cup Award presented by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Winners are recognized at an awards banquet in the fall. They will receive an email letting them know they won and inviting them to the dinner.

Week of the Family is sponsoring this year’s art contest with The Education Guide. A total of $700 in cash prizes and theme park tickets will be awarded.

Winners are announced in the spring, and the awards ceremony is held in late spring at Crayola Experience Orlando.

The deadline for the art contest is April 11. For more information, contact Derek Berge at dberge@educationguide.pro.

The essay contest has been held for at least 16 years; this is the second year Week of the Family has sponsored the art contest with The Edu-

cation Guide, Koeppel.

The winning artwork in the 2021 contest included these local students in various age groups: Hanning Li, Bay Meadows Elementary, second place; Lucas Lopes, Frangus Elementary, third; Channing Li, Bay Meadows Elementary, first; Ashley Trickett, Gotha Middle, first; Emily Burnette, Legacy Charter High School, third.

In the 2021 essay contest, these local students were winners in their age groups: Gracie Dickson, Sand Lake Elementary, second place; Eduardo Barazarte, MetroWest Elementary, first; Sophie Casey, Bridgewater Middle, honorable mention; Mackenzie Ruel, Bridgewater, honorable mention; Ella Slattery, Bridgewater, third; Isabella Plumb, Bridgewater, first.

Other contests throughout the year include Grandparent of the Year and Family Table Time.

WEEK OF THE FAMILY Penny Koeppel and Renee Raper are co-chairs of Orange County Week

of the Family, whose mission is to strengthen family relationships each week of the year through education, wholesome activities, fitness and community service.

The organization celebrates 20 years next year. In 2003, two concerned mothers met with Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty to discuss strengthening families in their community. The idea for Week of the Family was born. Through their efforts, and with Crotty’s help, the first Week of the Family proclamation was signed Oct. 28, 2003.

Mayor Crotty gave his support, including a place to meet, staff members and resources to help bring together what some Orange County staff members called “the best example of citizens getting involved in the community.”

Since that time, Week of the Family celebrations have spread to numerous counties in Florida and communities in several other states. Events include free festivals, concerts, family history conferences, parent seminars

and service projects that serve as a reminder to families to spend time together and strengthen those relationships.

Companies that are passionate about families are welcome to partner with the nonprofit.

While Week of the Family is officially celebrated the first full week in November, Koeppel said they are trying to “bring it out of obscurity” by holding events and contests throughout the year.

The website, weekofthefamily. org, suggests activities families can do together. On Make Time Monday, families are encouraged to partake in activities that are free or low cost. During Talk About it Tuesday, parents are tasked with discussing timely topics. The rest of the week is devoted to What’s for Dinner Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Family Fun Friday, Just Serve Saturday and Soul Filled Sunday.

This year’s Week of the Family will be celebrated Nov. 5 through 12.

Dogs waited in line to attempt an obstacle course.

Creegan Canine Rescue hosted a puppy kissing booth.

The “That’s How I Roll” award winners stopped outside the Observer booth.

Arthur Cezario and Axel Mellstrom took a break after bouncing in the bounce house.

David Hodge and Bianca Vasquez enjoyed shaved ice with their white u y friend.

The Pet Fest also featured cats and other animals.

Right: This puppy was one of the many dogs up for adoption at the 2022 Pet Fest.

Lilly Horncastoe held her furry friend in her arms. Right: Candy’s Cats brought its four-legged friends to the event. ONLINE See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

FAMILIAR FACES

“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 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com

Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com

Sports Editor /Chris Martucci, cmartucci@OrangeObserver.com

Sta Writer / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com

Multimedia Advertising Executives / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com

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CONTACT US

Earl Brigham

WINTER GARDEN BARBER

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

When you walk into Earl Brigham’s Barber Shop, be prepared for lively conversation — even if it sounds and looks a little untraditional.

Brigham is deaf — he lost his hearing when he was 2 — so communication in his downtown Winter Garden shop is a combination of written notes, charades, hand gestures, facial expressions and American Sign Language.

Brigham has been a barber in downtown Winter Garden for 46 years — 17 of them in his Edgewater Hotel storefront — and he has longtime customers who don’t dare let anyone else touch their hair.

His clientele includes generations of men and boys who come into the barber shop for a cut and conversation. They take a seat in the leather seats, wait for him to put on the paper collar and let him know how much they want off. He already knows what cuts the regulars get.

Every haircut comes with one tradition, and all of his customers know when he takes off the paper collar, he will wad it up and toss it toward the small basketball hoop attached to the wall — near a framed photo of John Wayne.

It’s ironic that this friendly man knows so many people and names in the community. He didn’t know his own name until he was 9.

WHO AM I?

Brigham was born in Panama, one of five children. He lost his hearing when he was 2.

“I felt for a long time that it wasn’t fair that everyone else around me could hear,” he said. “I had to ask everybody what everyone was saying, and, of course, they would have to write it down, because nobody knew sign language.”

When Brigham was 6, the family moved to New York at the recommendation of several physicians who could not diagnose why he lost 100% of his hearing. They thought American doctors could do more for him, Brigham said. In the end, they could not.

The Brighams found their way to Florida after hearing about the Flori-

EDITOR’S NOTE: Familiar Faces is a new feature in which we spotlight people you have seen but whose stories you may not know. If you want to nominate someone for a future edition, please email Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@ orangeobserver.com.

da School for the Deaf and the Blind, in St. Augustine. At age 9, Brigham was enrolled in the school.

“At that point, I did not know my name, did not know the names of anything … did not know how to write … did not have a language,” he said. “The family had invented home signs, their own way of communicating.”

This was his first interaction with other deaf people, and seeing them interact through ASL scared him.

“First, when I went, it was very hard,” Brigham said. “I felt very alone and felt very scared. I didn’t know why their hands were moving. After a few months passed, I learned sign language and got used to it.”

He quickly caught up to his classmates academically and got involved in football, basketball and track at school before graduating in 1966.

The school taught various trades to students, and Brigham picked up barbering and drafting. He decided to become a barber when he learned about Orlando Barber College. He breezed through in three months instead of the normal six — even without ASL assistance.

“I would sit by somebody who was writing notes and write what they were saying,” he said. “I learned mostly by watching. Deaf people learn with their eyes. And the other students would help me. … It worked all these years.”

Following graduation, he took a job at a Pine Hills barber shop, and he stayed there for 10 years.

THE MOVE TO WINTER GARDEN

In 1976, when it was time for Brigham to move on, a customer suggested he open a barber shop in downtown Winter Garden. For 29 years, Brigham served clients at Earl Brigham’s Barber Shop in a space he rented across the street from his current location.

When the building owner wanted to expand his insurance company, Brigham needed another location. He found the perfect home in the Edgewater Hotel, which was undergoing major renovations. The hotel had a barber shop in the 1920s, and it was here that Brigham would make the space his own.

For about four months, while construction took place, Brigham continued cutting hair — in the driveway of his home.

“Customers couldn’t stand to be without him,” said Brigham’s wife, Robin. “They would just park in the yard and chitchat and wait for him. He had a chair in the driveway. We needed the income, too.”

Clients of all ages are devoted to Brigham — in some families, cus-

tomers span three generations. He always enjoys seeing clients who have moved away and return to visit as adults.

“They come back and say, ‘Do you remember me? You cut my hair when I was a boy,’” Brigham said.

FAMILY LIFE

Taking care of families has created a comfortable life for Brigham — but the most important family has always been his own. He has had his share of tragedy, including the death of his first wife, Patsy, after the birth of their fourth child, but found love again with his current wife, Robin. Together, they have seven children.

Brigham met Patsy during an evening out with friends; he taught her the alphabet over bowling and dinner. A few months later, he saw her again — and she started signing with him.

“She had been working on it,” he said, smiling.

They married in 1975 and had four children: Mandy, Tim, Ryan and Rachel.

Patsy and Robin became friends through their church, and Robin was there to take care of the three older Brigham children when Patsy was in the hospital giving birth and fighting for her life.

Robin had learned ASL years earlier when a family with a deaf son named Eric came to the church. One verse in Proverbs bothered her: “A wise man will hear and will increase in learning.”

“God just used that to show me that it was me,” she said. “I needed to learn ASL for Eric, never thinking I would meet Earl and it would become my life.”

The pair dated, which wasn’t easy to do with his four children and her one, but love won, and they were married in 1984. They had two more children together. When all of their children grew up and moved out, the Brighams moved to a smaller home in Oakland six years ago. Several of the children became sign language interpreters.

Brigham leads the deaf ministry at their church, West Orlando Baptist Church. He also has been to 28 countries ministering to deaf people. He closes up the barber shop for a few weeks when he travels, and when he returns his customers are more than ready for another haircut. Because no one else can touch their hair.

Now 76, Brigham knows retirement is imminent, but he loves working, he loves his barber shop, he loves the people with whom he is connected, he loves his ministry, and he loves serving God, Robin said.

“People write me notes (saying), ‘When are you going to retire?’” Brigham said. “And I say, ‘Never!’ and they say, ‘Yay, please don’t!’”

Brigham’s customers-turnedfriends can rest easy for now, knowing the red-and-white barber pole will remain affixed to the front of the hotel and the open

will stay

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sign

up.

Amy Quesinberry

Earl Brigham keeps his scissors sharpened and his combs sanitized as he awaits the day’s customers.

Courtesy photos Generations of families have relied on Earl Brigham for their haircuts. Earl Brigham has performed many rst haircuts.

City of Ocoee approves water infrastructure improvements

The city will use $10 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to replace outdated equipment.

CHRIS MARTUCCI

SPORTS EDITOR

What started as a routine approval of money allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act turned into a spirited debate for the Ocoee City Commission at its March 1 meeting.

Assistant City Manager Craig Shadrix appeared before the commission to present the list of projects that would be funded with the $24.17 million the city received from the federal government’s $1.9 billion stimulus passed in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Forty-two percent of the money, about $10 million, would go toward the salaries of public-safety workers such as firefighters and police officers; $2.2 million would go to a new lift station at Fullers Cross and Ocoee Apopka along with Clinger Cove; and $2.4 million to the expansion of electric rooms.

The biggest part of the funding would go toward improving the city’s water infrastructure, as part of a growing national trend. In an International City/County Manager’s Association survey from late 2021, 84% of local governments said they would invest in water infrastructure. If passed, this would be projected to produce $94 billion for businesses and up to $402 billion between 2027 and 2040.

Commissioners Rosemary Wilsen and Richard Firstner voiced approval for the plan because it would not use tax dollars.

“I’m pleased to see that infrastructure has become a major point of conversation lately,” Wilsen said. “Some of this is 20-year-old equipment that we’re replacing. If we don’t replace it with this, we’re going to replace it

IN OTHER NEWS

Mayor Rusty Johnson read a proclamation symbolizing the 25th anniversary of Shepherd’s Hope, a local organization that provides free health services to those who may otherwise be unable to a ord it.

The consent agenda passed unanimously. The items approved include a resolution of support for potential sales tax referendum to fund improving transportation infrastructure in Orange County; o cers to trade in for new rearms; and a new software to keep track of city facility rentals.

The commission approved a letter of intent to sell city property at South Kissimmee Avenue and West McKey Street to 2BPLATINUM LP for $300,000. The property is about 1.1 acres and is intended to be used to develop a two-level commercial space area.

with tax dollars. And you know what that means — (increasing) the milage rate.”

Commissioner George Oliver acknowledged the importance on the project but wanted more discussion about how the $10 million was allocated and also wondered if other areas can get some funding.

“I understand infrastructure is very important, and it’s a high-priority item,” he said. “I understand what you are doing with the lost revenue, as well, but if there’s no input from the commission that represents the people, then that seems to be problematic to me.”

Oliver and City Manager Robert Frank had a brief exchange over what should be done going forward. Oliver suggested a workshop to examine other areas that could be addressed. However, Frank disagreed.

“These are the projects needing to be done urgently,” he said.

The commission approved the bill by a 4-1 vote, with Oliver dissenting.

PLAN, IN THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY JEFFERSON R. VOSS, JEFFERSON RICH VOSS TRUST, VOSS FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC, AND OAKLAND LAND, LLC, BEARING PROPERTY TAX PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 20-22-27-0000-00-005; 20-22-27-0000-00-004; 20-2227-0000-00-009; 20-22-27-0000-00-036; 20-22-27-0000-00-021; 20-22-27-0000-00-078; 20-2227-0000-00-003; 20-22-27-0000-00-010; 20-22-27-0000-00-056; 20-22-27-0000-00-054; 20-2227-0000-00-020, AND MAKING FINDINGS, AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Location Map:

A public hearing by the Town Commission is scheduled to be held at the following time, date, and place:

DATE: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

WHERE: Town Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington Street, Oakland, FL

WHEN: 7:00 P.M or VIRTUALLY: See Join Zoom Meeting

Instructions below

All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to accommodate social distancing. Any interested party is invited to o er comments about this request at the public hearing or in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022, in writing to the Town of Oakland, PO Box 98, Oakland FL 34760, or by e-mail to ehui@oakland .gov. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal.

The time and/or location of public hearings are subject to change. Changes are announced at the initial scheduled hearing. Notice of any changes will not be published or mailed.

Any person needing special accommodations to attend a public hearing must contact Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at 407-656-1117 x 2110, at least 24 hours before the meeting.

This meeting will be held as an in-person meeting and attendees may also attend virtually through the Zoom Platform. Instructions below will allow you to join the meeting virtually:

Topic: March 22nd Town Commission Hybrid Regular Meeting (In-person and Zoom)

Time: March 22, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81926068378

Meeting ID: 819 2606 8378 Passcode: 9fzNH6

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Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

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BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352

Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary

Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana

2nd Campus: First Baptists Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden

Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee Church of God Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

Local couple finds YouTube success covering theme parks

West Orange couple Rick and Nikki Cochrane are the masterminds behind Rix Flix.

CHRIS MARTUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

It’s a bright, sunny Orlando afternoon as Rick Cochrane heads to Universal Orlando CityWalk with his wife of 26 years, Nikki, for his daily livestream vlog for his YouTube channel, Rix Flix — a clever play on Netflix.

Rick is easy to spot. He’s wearing his favorite color (yellow) and his trademark Hufflepuff hat. Rick uses his channel — which has amassed more than 93,000 subscribers — to deliver the inside scoop on Orlando’s theme parks, as well as those just outside of the area, such as Busch Gardens Tampa and Legoland. But he is most known for his coverage of Universal Studios, from which he broadcasts weekly livestreams.

Within minutes of arriving at the park, the Cochranes already have plenty of people saying hello and asking for selfies. So many people come up to Rick that he can almost be considered a walk-around character

Universal’s own unofficial mascot.

And to think: This all started as a fun hobby just give years ago.

“(We’re) very humbled by it all,” Nikki Cochrane said. “We thought it was just this little side thing, and it unexpectedly grew into this amazing situation.”

Her husband agrees.

“The success of the channel is far beyond what I would imagine for five years,” he said.

BIRTH OF THE CHANNEL

In 2017, prior to making their name as a theme park YouTubing couple, Rick and Nikki were living a simple life as a couple and parents in Winter Garden.

Both Rick and Nikki have an athletic background. Rick was a track star who specialized in the hurdles

and eventually competed for Florida State before graduating from the University of Central Florida. Nikki played soccer for 13 years. After their playing careers, Rick and Nikki began coaching youth soccer. And their two daughters, Courtney and Caitlyn, were star athletes when they attended West Orange High School.

But after the girls graduated and moved away, Rick and Nikki realized they were done with coaching. With Nikki at her job, Rick needed something else to do.

That’s when Rix Flix was born.

“I started it with low expectations, as just a hobby,” he said. “I didn’t start out thinking this was going to be my career. I was hoping after 10 years to have 5,000 subscribers — that was my ultimate goal. I wanted to have something in retirement to make a car payment.”

Being an Orlando native growing up in West Orange, Rick always loved going to the theme parks in the area, but grew a special attachment to Universal Studios.

And because most other creators focusing their content on Disney, Rick found his niche.

“The Disney (creators) would do special events at Universal, and then they go back to Disney,” Rick Cochrane said. “I was the one who spent the bulk of my time at Universal and occasionally went to Disney.”

As the channel grew, Nikki began helping with some of the editing tasks. Eventually, Rick coaxed her into making an appearance. And that’s when everything changed.

WORLDWIDE APPEAL

Part of Rick and Nikki’s appeal is their genuine, lovable, goofy personalities.

“We try to be fun and informative; sometimes, we’re a little goofy at least I am,” Rick Cochrane said. “Nikki’s Dean Martin, and I’m Jerry Lewis.”

Nikki agrees.

“I’m the lady behind the camera

or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com

rolling her eyes,” Nikki Cochrane said.

As the channel grew, guests began recognizing Cochranes when they were in the park. They appreciate every interaction.

“It makes me feel I’m doing something positive to make people happy,” Rick Cochrane said. “That is one attribute of becoming a YouTuber that was completely unexpected. It was not a thought in my head that I would be a recognizable figure around the parks — people from all around the world being happy to meet me.”

In addition to meeting fellow Americans, the Cochranes have been recognized by travelers from Switzerland, France, Poland, Ireland, Germany and Australia just this year.

“It’s so humbling, and we’re grateful to meet them,” Nikki Cochrane said. “It’s such an opportunity to meet such amazing, wonderful people from around the world. It restores your faith in humanity again, because there are sweet, kind, beautiful people out there. It was an unexpected wonderful gift to have such awesome subscribers.”

The Cochranes say the COVID-19 pandemic also helped grow the channel. Because people weren’t allowed to travel, they instead went to YouTube to satisfy their theme park cravings.

“People couldn’t come to the parks, and many were really appreciative of the content I put out during lockdown,” Rick Cochrane said.

In addition to the videos, Rix Flix also offers a collection of merchan-

CHECK OUT THE CHANNEL

Rick Cochrane’s videos are available on his YouTube channel, youtube.com/c/RixFlix. For more information, visit myrix ix.com.

dise, including T-shirts and Christmas ornaments, on its website.

EXPANSION PLANS

As Universal Studios prepares to welcome the new Epic Universe park tentatively in 2025, the Cochranes also have plans to expand the channel more as they approach the highly coveted 100,000 subscriber mark.

Rick said he is hoping to get Nikki onto the channel full-time rather than being an occasional guest. He already has started getting their daughter, Courtney, involved with the channel by helping him out with the occasional merchandise search video.

“Our main goal is 100,000 subscribers for now,” he said. “That’s all I’m focused on.”

Nikki said they also hope to have a property they could lease out as an Airbnb.

However, no matter how much the channel grows, the Cochranes know the secret to their success lies in the authenticity of the content — just a mom and a dad vlogging.

TOWN OF OAKLAND

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ANNEXATION OF 44.45 ACRES

THIS WILL BE A HYBRID IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL MEETING

The Town of Oakland will hold a public hearing and proposes to adopt an ordinance to annex property located in the north-central area adjacent to Lake Apopka in the Town of Oakland, Florida, containing approximately 44.45 acres, as follows:

ORDINANCE 2022-03

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FLORIDA, ANNEXING BY VOLUNTARY PETITION CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY JEFFERSON R. VOSS, JEFFERSON RICH VOSS TRUST, AND VOSS FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC BEARING PROPERTY TAX PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 20-22-27-0000-00-005; 20-22-27-0000-00-004; 20-22-27-0000-00-009; 20-22-27-0000-00-036; 20-22-27-0000-00-021; 20-22-270000-00-078; 20-22-27-0000-00-003; AND 20-22-27-0000-00-010, AND LOCATED CONTIGUOUS TO THE TOWN OF OAKLAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 171.044, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND OTHER CONTROLLING LAW; REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND TO INCLUDE SAID PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; DIRECTING THE TOWN CLERK TO RECORD THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ORANGE COUNTY AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND A MAP; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON - CODIFICATION AND THE TAKING OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

A

All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to accommodate social distancing. Any interested party is invited to o er comments about this request at the public hearing or in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022 in writing to the Town of Oakland, PO Box 98, Oakland FL 34760, or by e-mail to ehui@oakland .gov. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal. The time and/or location of public hearings are subject to change. Changes are announced at the initial scheduled hearing. Notice of any changes will not be published or mailed.

Any person needing special accommodations to attend a public hearing must contact Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at 407-656-1117 x 2110, at least 24 hours before the meeting.

This meeting will be held as an in-person meeting and attendees may also attend virtually through the Zoom Platform. Instructions below will allow you to join the meeting virtually:

Topic: March 22nd Town Commission Hybrid Regular Meeting (In-person and Zoom)

Time: March 22, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81926068378

Photo by Chris Martucci

Rick and Nikki Cochrane are recognized often at Universal Orlando Resort.

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today.

House Bill 1557: Just the facts

MICHAEL ENG EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

During Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 1006 (which designates strawberry shortcake Florida’s official state dessert) Monday, March 7, at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, a reporter who asked a question about House Bill 1557 — dubbed by bill critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — drew the governor’s ire.

“Does it say that in the bill?” DeSantis asked the reporter regarding the moniker. “I’m asking you to tell me what’s in the bill, because you are pushing false narratives.”

Although the entire bill totals more than 1,300 words, opponents have seized on 22 of them: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3.” DeSantis said critics and some media are not being honest about this clause, which applies to children who are between ages 5 and 7. Here at the Observer, we believe our duty is to present facts and let our audience decide how to interpret them. So in that spirit, I present to you House Bill 1557: Parental Rights in Education in its entirety.

HOUSE BILL 1557

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

An act relating to parental rights in education; amending s. 1001.42, F.S.; requiring district school boards to adopt procedures that comport with certain provisions of law for notifying a student’s parent of specified information; requiring such procedures to reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children in a specified manner; prohibiting the procedures from prohibiting a parent from accessing certain records; providing construction; prohibiting a school district from adopting procedures or student support forms that prohibit school district personnel from notifying a parent about specified information or that encourage or have the effect

of encouraging a student to withhold from a parent such information; prohibiting school district personnel from discouraging or prohibiting parental notification and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being; providing construction; prohibiting classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner; requiring certain training developed or provided by a school district to adhere to standards established by the Department of Education; requiring school districts to notify parents of healthcare services and provide parents the opportunity to consent or decline such services; providing that a specified parental consent does not wave certain parental rights; requiring school districts to provide parents with certain questionnaires or health screening forms and obtain parental permission before administering such questionnaires and forms; requiring school districts to adopt certain procedures for resolving specified parental concerns; requiring resolution within a specified timeframe; requiring the Commissioner of Education to appoint a special magistrate for unresolved concerns; providing requirements for the special magistrate; requiring the State Board of Education to approve or reject the special magistrate’s recommendation within specified timeframe; requiring school districts to bear the costs of the special magistrate; requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules; providing requirements for such rules; authorizing a parent to bring an action against a school district to obtain a declaratory judgment that a school district procedure or practice violates certain provisions of law; providing for the additional award of injunctive relief, damages, and reasonable attorney fees and court costs to certain parents; requiring school district to adopt policies to notify parents of certain rights; providing construction; requiring the department to review and update, as necessary, specified materials by a certain date; providing an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Section 1. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (8) of section 1001.42, Florida Statutes, to read:

1001.42 Powers and duties of district school board.—The 64 district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all 65 powers and perform all duties listed below:

(8) STUDENT WELFARE.—

(c) 1. In accordance with the rights of parents enumerated 68 in ss. 1002.20 and 1014.04, adopt procedures for notifying a student’s parent if there is a change in the student’s services or monitoring related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical heawlth or well-being and the school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student. The procedures must reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children by requiring school district personnel to encourage a student to discuss issues relating to his or her well-being with his or her parent or to facilitate discussion of the issue with the parent. The procedures may not prohibit parents from accessing any of their student’s education and health records created, maintained, or used by the school district, as required by s. 1002.22(2).

2. A school district may not adopt procedures or student support forms that prohibit school district personnel from notifying a parent about his or her student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, or a change in related services or monitoring, or that encourage or have the effect of encouraging a student to withhold from a parent such information. School district personnel may not discourage or prohibit parental notification of and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being. This subparagraph does not prohibit a school district from adopting procedures that permit school personnel

to withhold such information from a parent if a reasonably prudent person would believe that disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, as those terms are defined in s. 39.01.

3. Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.

4. Student support services training developed or provided by a school district to school district personnel must adhere to student services guidelines, standards, and frameworks established by the Department of Education.

5. At the beginning of the school year, each school district shall notify parents of each healthcare service offered at their student’s school and the option to withhold consent or decline any specific service. Parental consent to a health care service does not waive the parent’s right to access his or her student’s educational or health records or to be notified about a change in his or her student’s services or monitoring as provided by this paragraph.

6. Before administering a student well-being questionnaire or health screening form to a student in kindergarten through grade 3, the school district must provide the questionnaire or health screening form to the parent and obtain the permission of the parent.

7. Each school district shall adopt procedures for a parent to notify the principal, or his or her designee, regarding concerns under this paragraph at his or her student’s school and the process for resolving those concerns within 7 calendar days after notification by the parent.

a. At a minimum, the procedures must require that within 30 days after notification by the parent that the concern remains unresolved, the school district must either resolve the concern or provide a statement of the reasons for not resolving the concern.

b. If a concern is not resolved by the school district, a parent may:

(I) Request the Commissioner of Education to appoint a special magistrate who is a member of The Florida Bar in good standing and who has at least 5 years’ experience in administrative law. The special magistrate shall determine facts relating to the dispute over the school district procedure or practice, consider information provided by the school district, and render a recommended decision for resolution to the State Board of Education within 30 days after receipt of the request by the parent. The State Board of Education must approve or reject the recommended decision at its next regularly scheduled meeting that is more than 7 calendar days and no more than 30 days after the date the recommended decision is transmitted. The costs of the special magistrate shall be borne by the school district. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, including forms, necessary to implement this subparagraph.

(II) Bring an action against the school district to obtain a declaratory judgment that the school district procedure or practice violates this paragraph and seek injunctive relief. A court may award damages and shall award reasonable attorney fees and court costs to a parent who receives declaratory or injunctive relief.

c. Each school district shall adopt policies to notify parents of the procedures required under this subparagraph.

d. Nothing contained in this subparagraph shall be construed to abridge or alter rights of action or remedies in equity already existing under the common law or general law.

Section 2. By June 30, 2023, the Department of Education shall review and update, as necessary, school counseling frameworks and standards; educator practices and professional conduct principles; and any other student services personnel guidelines, standards, or frameworks in accordance with the requirements of this act.

Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

TOWN OF OAKLAND

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP DESIGNATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PUBLIC HEARING

THIS WILL BE A HYBRID IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL MEETING

The Oakland Town Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a proposed change to the Town’s Future Land Use Plan Map Designation of its Comprehensive Plan of the following property generally located in the north central quadrant of the Town of Oakland, containing approximately 44.45 acres.

ORDINANCE 2022-04

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE TOWN’S FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP DESIGNATION OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FROM “RURAL” COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN) TO “LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL” IN THE TOWN OF OAKLAND’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY JEFFERSON R. VOSS, JEFFERSON RICH VOSS TRUST, AND VOSS FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC, BEING ORANGE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER PARCEL NUMBERS 20-22-27-0000-00-005; 20-22 27-0000-00-009; 20-22-27-0000-00-036; 20-22-27-0000-00-021; 20-22-27 0000-00-003; AND 20-22-27-0000-00-010, WITH AN APPROXIMATE SIZE OF 44.45 ACRES; MAKING FINDINGS, AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

A second and nal public hearing by the Town Commission is scheduled to be held at the request of the property owner/ developer at the following time, date, and place:

OAKLAND TOWN COMMISSION

DATE: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

WHERE: Town Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington Street, Oakland, FL

WHEN: 7:00 P.M or VIRTUALLY: See Join Zoom Meeting

Instructions below

All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to accommodate social distancing. Any interested party is invited to o er comments about this request at the public hearing or in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022 in writing to the Town of Oakland, PO Box 98, Oakland FL 34760, or by e-mail to ehui@oakland .gov. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal.

The time and/or location of public hearings are subject to change. Changes are announced at the initial scheduled hearing. Notice of any changes will not be published or mailed.

Any person needing special accommodations to attend a public hearing must contact Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at 407-656-1117 x 2110, at least 24 hours before the meeting.

This meeting will be held as an in-person meeting and attendees may also attend virtually through the Zoom Platform. Instructions below will allow you to join the meeting virtually:

Topic: March 22nd Town Commission Hybrid Regular Meeting (In-person and Zoom)

NAYA DORKINS, INNOVATION MONTESSORI OCOEE

Naya Dorkins, a registered nurse, joined Innovation Montessori Ocoee during the height of COVID and has worked long hours, evenings and weekends to keep the community informed and healthy. As if being a school nurse in the time of COVID didn’t keep her busy enough, she also formed a basketball team and then agreed to be the coach. She said this is one of the highlights of her life.

What brought you to your school?

Becoming a school nurse has always been the desire of my heart. I know my purpose is to be a nurse and to influence the lives of children and youth. The pandemic opened the door for me to become the school nurse for this school.

What do you love most about your school?

I love how my school cares for our students. You can feel that each staff member truly cares for their students. Our school gives children the environment to flourish and feel safe to be themselves.

What is your motivation?

My motivation is to give the next generation hope. I am motivated at the thought of children and youth being free to pursue and reach their goals. My heart is, and will always be, for the betterment and success of future generations

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is to build connections with the students and see them happy and motivated to be the best humans they can be.

What are your hobbies? Basketball, cooking, laughing and

REPORT CARD

POSITION: School nurse TIME AT SCHOOL: Second year at the school and with OCPS

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

self-care. Can I make taking naps a hobby? I’d love to try.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I own a basketball academy and spend most of my free time running my business, coaching basketball, training basketball players, watching basketball, studying basketball. To sum it up, basketball consumes my free time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

My favorite teacher was my secondgrade teacher. She was my favorite teacher, because I knew and felt that she genuinely loved her students.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

I wanted to be in the WNBA and be a nurse. I reached one of those goals and hope to train a bunch of players who make it to the WNBA or NBA.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book was “The Rainbow Fish,” by Marcus Pfister. I loved that book as a child, because it was visually appealing.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

My superpower would be to know

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

every winning lottery and Powerball number. I would use the money to help people with whatever the need. You can help solve issues for thousands of people with finances. If the needs of people are met, there would be more peace. If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why? Deeper Worship (the worship team at my church); William McDowell, because his music always re-calibrates my focus on what matters most in my life; and Chris Brown, because I love to dance!

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

I loved PB&J sandwiches; still do. I looked forward to having pizza every Thursday, though.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love Christmas for the reason why we even celebrate the day, spending time with my family, and I get to watch basketball all day long with my loved ones.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend has always been my little brother. We talk every single day!

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

Of course, basketball was my activity of choice. I won and received countless awards, honors and accolades. My favorite would’ve been academic all-star, where I was noticed for my excellent academic achievement and being an all-star in basketball. It was the best of both worlds!

AMY QUESINBERRY

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

Students from West Orange and Windermere high schools hit the dance floors for Children’s Miracle Network for their respective dance marathons last week.

At West Orange High School, students danced, played, enjoyed snacks and raised money for six hours Friday, March 4, in the Warrior gymnasium. The Warriorthon was the culmination of a year-long campaign to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. Students participated in a cake walk, listened to CMN families share their stories, played giant floor games, put each other in the makeshift jail and danced throughout the night. West Orange raised $32,391.56 for CMN.

The next day, Windermere High School students danced the night away for the cause at the school’s annual Dance Marathon. The marathon was the culmination of a yearlong campaign that raised $105,000 for CMN and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Windermere attendees engaged in fun games such as Uno, Jenga, volleyball and basketball, ran through a blow-up obstacle course, participated in a photo booth, and showed off their funky dance moves to help the children in need.

AMY

—

QUESINBERRY AND ANNABELLE SIKES

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Benjamin Mahon dressed as a king in royalty attire for the Windermere event.

The fundraising team at West Orange has worked hard to bring in as much money as possible for the Children’s Miracle Network: Cate Calvert, left, Megan Holtz, Piper Cristello, Joey Dooley, Bradley Steele and Daven Dold.

Myles Murillo, center, and his family shared their journey with Children’s Miracle Network at the West Orange event. With Myles is his father, Alan Murillo, left, and Casey Wilson, member development director of Knight-thon at the University of Central Florida.

Della Stachnik and Lily Elliston took part in a blow up axethrowing game at Windermere.

ORANGE HISTORY

THESE OLD TIMES FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

FROM THE ARCHIVES

85 years ago

Arrangements were made with John R. Van Arnam’s Radio Barn Dance to bring Uncle Ezra Jones and his Radio Gang to Winter Garden under the sponsorship of the Junior Drum and Bugle Corps.

55 years ago

Winter Garden Mayor Wilson

Gri th proclaimed March 12-18 Girl Scout Week at a Court of Awards and Thinking Day program presented by members of Cadette Girl Scout Troop 379: Kelly Vick, Kathy Ellis, Karen Daniels, Ann Duppenthaler, Jennifer Burch, April Hull, Donna Eyring, Sarah Arnold, Pat Ashley and Jill Pitchford.

50 years ago

Lakeview High School experienced a protest by black students stemming from the suspension from school of a basketball player who was involved in a ght incident the previous weekend. Principal Dunn instructed the group to return to class. From that point on, throughout the week, there were tensions, student confrontations with o cials, parent conferences, demands, suspensions and widespread unrest.

The Winter Garden Inn made plans to have its rst 30 new rooms ready by March 15, when several reservations had been made.

40 years ago

The nine winners of the annual Sixth-Grade Essay Contest, sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Ocoee, were honored at a luncheon attended by 52 members and guests at the clubhouse on Lakewood Avenue. The students writing the best essays on “What To Do About Drunk Drivers,” were Veronica Palen, Cindy Gibson,

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation honors the West Orange Memorial Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary for Women’s History Month. The hospital, constructed after an areawide special tax district was established, rose in 1952 in the triangle of land formed by Dillard Street, Division Street and Surprise Drive — the former site of an Army camp. Mrs. Smythe and Mrs. Wurst are shown in the gift shop operated by the hospital. The auxiliary performed many tasks geared toward the comfort of patients, visitors and sta The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

Melisa Chancellor, Michael Fairman and Tonya Hudson, of Spring Lake Elementary; and Lisa Swinson, Jennifer Skipper, Tammy Mayberry and Michelle Rodgers, of Ocoee Elementary.

30 years ago

Marjorie Masson, of Windermere, was scheduled to show her watercolors of native wild owers and plants at Local Color IV, the art show sponsored by the West Orange Arts and Historical Asso-

ciation. Dawn Marciano, president of the Central Florida Art Association, planned to exhibit her paintings of Colorado.

20 years ago

Frances Watts, of Ocoee, a longtime resident and activist, celebrated her 80th birthday at a surprise party given in her honor by her children at the Ocoee Community Center. She was a former school crossing guard, president of the West Orange Senior

Citizens Club and member of the Ocoee Computer Club. Mayor Scott Vandergrift proclaimed March 7 Frances Watts Day in the city. Bay Hill residents Ty Tryon, 17, and Charles Howell III, 22, were among the youngest pro players in the 2002 Bay Hill Invitational. Tryon was a student at Dr. Phillips High School.

THROWBACK

THURSDAY

MARCH 16, 1972

In spring of 1972, local children were anticipating the arrival of a three-ring circus in Winter Garden. The Winter Garden Times ran an advertisement announcing the circus would be set up at Walker Field, and a photo of a performing elephant and a posse of clowns ran at the top of the front page of the March 16 issue.

The event was sponsored by the Lions Club, and tickets were for sale at Winter Garden Hardware, Modern Stationery, Webb Pharmacy and Goodyear.

By Luis Campos

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

“RFDRUF JPUU AF P EDJB CXPE DE XWGC

DE XWPX. ... GK TDO WPYF XD JPUU AF PMTXWGMH, JPUU AF P JWPAFUFDM.” – AFPX UDPK

Puzzle One Clue: Y equals V

“UWNMP LKZPTEWK FLE L GPLNAMVNU, UWDMKI EWNU FBW UMDPZ AW JLXP NE

LUU ULNIB LKZ ABP FWTUZ JNHB

GTMIBAPT.” – GCTWK LUUPK

“HZYV NYBR JWBX POYP JWMOY

BVPYEUWV HBU JOGY, ‘HZBR’U RZY

DWOVR WX JOCOVS?’ O JWCYP RZYN

TWRZ.” – FWNYPOBV KYXX EWUU

© 2022 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle Two Clue: H equals C Puzzle Three Clue: F equals C

sudoku

Complete

T-MINUS 10 by Amanda Rafkin and Ross Trudeau. Edited by David Steinberg

SPORTS

HIGH 5

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER WINS 2022 ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

1

West Orange County wrestlers performed well at the state championships during the weekend of March 5 in Kissimmee. The First Academy’s Daniel Ward became the second Royal wrestler to medal at the competition, nishing seventh in the 138-pound division.

Windermere’s Kurt Vollenweider failed to make the nals. On the girls side, Dr. Phillips’ Juliana Diaz took home her third consecutive state championship in the 120-pound weight class.

Windermere’s Sophia Lahik took seventh. 2

Ocoee’s track-andeld team traveled to Miami to compete in the Sam Burley Invitational. The girls team nished second out of 50 teams, and the boys took sixth. The girls 4x400 relay team of Miracle Johnson, Alyia Green, Lourdes Safford and Jarvia Car took rst place while breaking the school record in the process. Green won the individual 400 meters, as well. On the eld, Ma’kayla Davis took rst in the triple jump, Leilany Laureano won the shot put, and Claudia Ramirez won the high jump.

The Metro West Conference named its All-Conference soccer team, and Horizon led West Orange County schools with three representatives on the team: goalkeeper Daniel Porto, defender Chase Duerksen and forward Christian Rodriguez. Lake Buena Vista’s Scheidley Dorange and Olympia’s Richard Labanca also were named to the team. Horizon coach Brad Duerksen was named Metro West Conference Coach of the Year, as well, for leading the Hawks to the state playo s in their rst year as a program.

3

Courtesy photo

Scottie Sche er won his second PGA win in three starts at this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, which took place last weekend at Bay Hill.

Perfect weather and a perfect competition marked the 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Golf Club during the weekend of March 5.

By the end of play, Scottie Sche er clinched his second PGA win in three starts at the tournament. Sche er scored even in the fourth round to hold on to victory by only one stroke at 5 under par. Norway’s Viktor Hovland, USA’s Billy Horschel and England’s Tyrrell Hatton nished right behind, each tied for second at 4 under par.

Other competitors in the competition included top golfers Rory McIlroy and reigning Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. Sche er was down eight shots entering Saturday but overcame that de cit to win the tournament.

— CHRIS MARTUCCI

Dr. Phillips and West Orange faced o on the baseball diamond for the rst time this season Feb. 28, with DP emerging victorious, 1-0. The Panthers scored a run in the fourth inning and only allowed four hits to the Warriors. Dr. Phillips now gets set to take on the undefeated First Academy March 12 at TFA.

4

Panthers fall to Columbus in final

Ocoee High School pitcher throws no-hitter in debut

Age-group swimmers competed at the Florida Age Group Championships from March 3 to 6 in Jacksonville. Southwest Stars’ Kaden Kiefer won the boys 11-12 1,000-yard freestyle and took second in the 500 and 200 breaststroke. The 11-12 girls swept all four relays in the competition.

5

Windermere Lakers Aquatics’ Rylee Erisman won the girls 11-12 100 butter y, and Jacob Tsai won the boys butter y. The 13-14 boys 200 free relay also took home the gold medal.

Dr. Phillips High could not complete its comeback March 5 against Columbus.

CHRIS MARTUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

It was a sinking feeling as the final buzzer sounded for Dr. Phillips as the Panthers watched Columbus celebrate its first state championship in its history.

Riley Kugel bent over his knees as all the emotions of the game came flooding out of him. A couple of teammates surrounded him. Most of the other guys stood shocked as Columbus celebrated on the other side of the court. Head coach Ben Witherspoon also seemed like he had a hard time computing what had happened.

Perhaps no bigger image of what the team was feeling came from sophomore forward Jordan Tillery. He sat slumped against the padding of the basket.

Indeed, the Panthers had come far,

Hunter Sandbrick’s first career start went about as well as he could have imagined.

CHRIS MARTUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

It seemed like an ordinary day on the baseball diamond as the Ocoee Knights got set to take on Celebration on their home field.

With two consecutive wins following an opening-day loss to Winter Springs, it felt like another win could be on the horizon.

It also was junior Hunter Sandbrick’s first time on the mound for the Knights; he played as an outfielder his first two years. As he got warmed up and ready to go, there was something in the air that told him the day was going to be special.

After six innings, Sandbrick was sitting on a 6-0 lead and, most amazingly, a potential no-hitter. Down went the first out without much trouble. Then, the second.

Then, finally, the third and final out.

In his first career start, Sandbrick had thrown a complete game nohitter — along with five strikeouts.

If it had not been for the lone walk on his box score, it would have been a perfect game. As his teammates

West Orange sophomore Aubrianna Sturm is a major piece of the Warriors softball squad. Page 14.

Courtesy photo

Hunter Sandbrick is in his rst season as a pitcher after playing out eld.

Chris Martucci Denzel Aberdeen gave everything he had to bring his team back.

Aubrianna Sturm

Aubrianna Sturm is one of West Orange’s top players on the softball team and has played a part in the team’s success at the start of this year and last year. Sturm has been one major piece of a core group of players that has led West Orange to wins in ve of its rst six games one year after going to the regional nal. She has proven to be one of the top catchers in the district, adding 2 RBIs to the team e ort with a .333 batting average.

What are some of the things you’re most proud of through making the softball team?

Making the team and pushing myself every day to get better. Also, persevering through struggles such as not getting to play and not getting in my head about it. The key is being mentally tough and to keep going.

What drew you to softball?

I was 8 years old, and they gave us these forms to join baseball and softball. I would always jump from sport to sport — ballet, dance, basketball, karate, soccer — so I decided to give it a try. I talked to my dad, and he was all for it, so I went out. I grew an attachment to the sport and kept playing all the way up to now.

What’s a fun thing about being catcher and what’s something challenging about it?

My favorite thing about being catcher is being able to see the field and anticipate everything. If you’re calling the pitches, you control how the game goes. The challenging part is while you are in control, you have to see things that many people don’t. Contrast that with playing outfield.

(Because) I know pitches, I can watch the catcher in the outfield and see what they’re calling, then shift accordingly to anticipate where the ball might go based on the pitch.

You guys are off to a good start so far. What has been a key reason for that?

It keeps us going, because in preseason, it was kind of shaky. However, we knew that once the season started, we could get into

DP loses in final

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but the silver medals weren’t their goal. But, the result shouldn’t mar a season full of grit, determination and talent.

THE BASICS

AGE: 16 GRADE: Sophomore

SCHOOL: West Orange SPORT: Softball

POSITIONS: Catcher/outeld

that level where we’re winning consistently and eventually make it to states.

What’s the team chemistry like? We all feed off each other when we see one person doing well. We want to compete and get to their level. We’re all really close and hang out with each other every day after school because of practice, always talking with each other. It’s a great bond that we have, and we all know what we have to do when it comes to being out on the field.

What’s your favorite class so far this year? My AP Environmental class, because my friends are in that class and we get to work in groups a lot. It’s a really fun class.

What do you eventually hope to study in college?

I’m leaning toward the medical field, but then I find something else I think I might want to do. It’s a little up in the air right now.

Favorite movie?

“Spider-Man: Far From Home.”

I liked all the old Spider Mans coming back together, and the re-creation of the Gwen Stacy death scene from the final Andrew Garfield Spider Man movie where MJ is falling but Andrew got redemption by catching her this time. They portrayed it very well, too, by bringing all three universes

What is a TV or Netflix show you’re watching right now?

I just finished “Euphoria,” and I thought it was cool. I wish it ended a little differently, because it was sad, but it was

Disney or Universal?

Universal, because the rides are more thrilling. I like fast roller coasters, and Universal has plenty of them. My favorite ride is the Hagrid motorbike ride just because of how fast it gets.

If you were trapped on a deserted island, what three things would you have with you?

My dog, a refrigerator to have with me and then a boat to get off of the

Most recent book you’ve finished?

“They Both Die at the End,” because the perspective would switch

In the state final Saturday, March 5, the Panthers were down eight in the final minute of play. However, they clawed their way back to within one. And with one second left, they had a chance.

With their last gasp, the Panthers got the ball to Denzel Aberdeen, who hoisted the ball up to the basket. But it bounced cruelly off the rim.

From the start, DP was overwhelmed by Columbus’ attack, led by the Boozer brothers, Cameron and Cayden, sons of former NBA player Carlos Boozer. That attack, plus some questionable no-calls and defensive breakdowns, was a big reason why the Panthers struggled to find their rhythm on offense.

“We didn’t play well offensively throughout the game,” Witherspoon said. “We struggled to make plays and make shots. Defensively, we weren’t disciplined enough in points. We were pressing some — but not the way we needed to — and doing things we talked about not doing. We weren’t disciplined when we needed to be.”

Aberdeen and fellow senior Kugel both led the team with 17 points, with the other member of their Big 3, Ernest Udeh Jr., adding six.

Columbus found its stride early in the game, with the Boozer brothers leading the way to a 13-9 lead after the first quarter. DP found itself in territory it had not seen since the regional final against Windermere. Even then, it didn’t feel quite like this.

Having taken that punch to the mouth, the team regrouped in the second quarter and kept the game close by making defensive plays and getting turnovers when they needed to. DP took the second quarter, outscoring the Explor-

ers 8-6 on the backs of Kugel and Aberdeen.

Going into halftime, there was still a chance for them to win.

Witherspoon believed his team was going to win the game at the end.

“I told them we were going to win,” he said. “I still believed we were going to win the game.”

That belief got things started on a good note in the third quarter as Jackson Slater scored on a layup, marking the first points for the Panthers not scored by Kugel, Aberdeen or Udeh. The energy seemed to pick up after that, but Columbus answered back with a run of its own, putting itself back up 32-27 at the end of the third.

Just as it seemed like the game was over with one minute to go and Columbus up 44-36, the momentum swung toward DP. After Columbus missed a free throw, two quick threes from Kugel and Aberdeen tied the game.

With overtime looking likely by the second, a reach-in call on Dr. Phillips gave Columbus a chance to

take the lead. The Columbus player made one free throw, but with no timeouts and only a second left, it was going to take one big shot to give DP the win.

Throughout the night, it seemed as though Columbus was getting the benefit of more foul calls than the Panthers were. One play involved Aberdeen on the receiving end of contact that looked more than a little excessive, but no call was made. Dr. Phillips had eight fouls called on them the whole game compared to only four for Columbus.

With one second left, Aberdeen took the shot to give the Panthers a miracle win.

Even with the wounds of the loss still raw, Witherspoon said he could not be more proud of what the team has built over his three years.

“It’s been great, taking over for a 12-15 team, winning the first district championship in school history, then winning the first state championship in school history,” Witherspoon said. “With all the things we’ve dealt with this year, how hard our schedule was, it’s harder to do it a second time. To be right there is not the ultimate accomplishment, but a great accomplishment.”

Aberdeen, Kugel and Udeh now will move on to the next level with all three looking to play top-tier Division I basketball next year. Aberdeen and Kugel will stay in the SEC at Florida and Mississippi State respectively, while Udeh will be going to Kansas.

With those three soon to be out of the picture, Witherspoon is anxious to get back and develop the next great group. Tillery is, as of now, DP’s likely centerpiece, with Cameron Miles being another key returner next season.

Sandbrick excellent in debut

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mobbed him on the mound, Sandbrick finally began to realize the magnitude of the moment.

“I went to the game not thinking much of it, that we were going to win, and it just came up to being a no-hitter,” Sandbrick said. “I wasn’t throwing balls in warm up; I was hitting my spots, everything was there and feeling good. I got in the game, no pressure, and felt great.”

After four innings of work, it started to become apparent just how good of a game he was throwing. When Celebration’s bench start yelling and calling out at him

to try to throw him off, Sandbrick knew he was on the precipice of something special.

And whatever the Storm tried to do to rattle him didn’t work.

“I was focused on myself, trying to focus on throwing strikes, let them hit the ball to my teammates and let them take care of the rest,” Sandbrick said.

Sandbrick did more than just throw a no-hitter. On offense, he got two hits and an RBI to contribute to the Knights’ 6-0 victory.

Justin Godek led the way with two hits and two RBIs.

After Sandbrick spent his first two years as an outfielder, Ocoee Manager Chad Hall approached

him about the possibility of becoming a pitcher.

“He was saying he liked my arm from the outfield and that we should try pitching,” Sandbrick said. “It seems to have paid off. I’m an in-between guy on the mound

I have a pretty nice slider, but I also try to throw pretty fast.”

Sandbrick said he models his game after the New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom.

With his first career start and first career no-hitter out of the way, Sandbrick is not satisfied with just one.

“I want to have another no-hitter,” he said.

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Photos by Chris Martucci

Riley Kugel continued his playo hot streak by scoring 17 points for the Panthers and was key in their late comeback against Columbus.

JAMES EAGLE CLOUGHLEY

DIED THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022.

James Eagle Cloughley, Florida Citrus Grower, 65, of Vero Beach, Florida, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with Glioblastoma, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. He was born in Orlando, Florida, in 1956 and spent his childhood in Winter Garden and his adult life in Vero Beach and Labelle, Florida.

He was a graduate of Lakeview High School in Winter Garden in 1974. He attended the University of Florida, where he completed his Associate in Arts Degree. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida Southern College in Citrus and Horticultural Science in 1978. Shorty after, Jim began his citrus career with ABC Citrus Caretaking/Fruit Company in Orlando, Florida, which would be the beginning of more than 40 years in the citrus industry.

Jim and his wife, Kim Modesitt Cloughley, married in Boca Grande, Nov. 30, 1985, and have been married for 37 years. They have two children, James Grant Cloughley and Miles Griffin Cloughley; and two grandchildren, Merritt Jean Cloughley and James Graham Cloughley.

Jim moved to Vero Beach in 1986 to work for Jack M. Berry Inc., where he later became President of the company. He moved to Labelle, Florida, in 1994, where we spent the rest of his citrus career. While in Labelle, Jim was President of the Labelle Private Drainage District. He was an active member of Gulf Coast Citrus Growers Association, Florida Citrus Production Managers Association and served as team lead for Southwest Florida Citrus Health Management Area. Jim was fully devoted to the Florida citrus industry.

As a Christian, Jim was an active member of First United Methodist of Winter Garden. After relocating to Vero Beach, he transferred his fellowship to First United Methodist of Vero Beach in 1986. Jim was strong in his faith with the Lord and always encouraged others to seek guidance in prayer and strengthen their faith.

Jim was a pilot and avid sports-

man. His lifelong passions were flying, hunting, fishing and the Florida outdoors. He enjoyed weekends with friends at Bluegrass Hunt Club, family trips to the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas and the views of the American frontier. Jim and the Cloughley family have vacationed in Boca Grande for over 40 years, where he loved to fish Charlotte Harbor. Jim enjoyed reading daily on his back porch and listening to live music.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kim; and his devoted sons and their spouses, Grant and Allison Strazzulla Cloughley, of Vero Beach, Florida, and Griffin Cloughley, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Jim was the much-loved grandfather to Merritt and Graham Cloughley. Jim is also survived by his two sisters, Ellen and Dr. David Jackson, of Stuart, Florida, and their children, Dr. David Creston and Kelli Jackson; Katy and Andrew Lovelady and grandchildren, Madison, Sebastian and Maci Jackson; Jackson and Austin Lovelady; Megan and Henry Daufeldt of Lake Mary, Florida, and his Aunt Janet Cloughley, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Donald Grant Cloughley and Margie Eagle Cloughley.

Memorial service will be held

10 a.m., Friday, March 11, at First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, 1750 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960, with a reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made at VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960; or online at www.vnatc.org. Donations can be made also to First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, 1750 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960; or online at firstvero. church.

BARBARA MAY “BARB” LAHDE DIED WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23, 2022.

Barbara May “Barb” Lahde, 83, of Ocoee, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.

She is survived by her adoring husband of nearly 65 years, Elmer “LeRoy” Lahde, of Ocoee; daughters, Sheila Wright and Mandy Mathis, both of Ocoee; son-in-law Robert (Susie) Kari, of Ocoee; grandchildren, Brandon (Lauren) Kari, of Ocoee, Brianna (Jacob) Loucks, of Howeyin-the-Hills, Miranda (Jeffrey) Justice, of Winter Garden, and Meghan Mathis, of Ocoee; as well as 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by sisters Marlene St. Pierre, Shirley Sullivan and Joan Aho; and by beloved daughter Vickie Kari.

Barb was born to Albert “Blackie” and Beatrice St. Pierre on Feb. 2, 1939, in International Falls, Minnesota, and moved to Florida in 1972 from Virginia, Minnesota, when her husband, LeRoy, began working as an electrician for NASA and, later, Walt Disney World.

In 1984, the Lahdes opened the former Brass Rail Saloon in Winter Garden, which they owned until 1999. Barb also worked for a time in the meat department for Publix Supermarkets. She was best known for her sense of humor, her famous jalapeño-heavy chili, Million Dollar cookies and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in a manner which was uniquely hers.

A celebration of life will be held at Quest Church at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

Arrangements by Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

THE REV. DR. WALTER MCSWAIN FOWLER SR. DIED MARCH 3, 2022.

The Rev. Dr. Walter McSwain Fowler Sr., 89, of Ocoee, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2022, at his home.

Rev. Walter was born on July 8, 1932, in the town of Union, South Carolina. He is the son of the late Victor L. Fowler and Jeanette Eva Sanders Fowler.

Prior to entering the ministry, Rev. Walter had a successful career as a field technician and technical service manager with Kittengers, Underwood Corporation and Olivetti. He also served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia, and Fort Benning, Georgia, for two years during the Korean War. Rev. Walter was called into the gospel ministry and received his Certificate of License in 1967. In 1968, he received his Certificate of Ordination in Holopaw, Florida.

He continued his ministry studies of the word of God at Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida; receiving his Bachelor of Theology in 1969, Bachelor of Divinity, 1970; Master of Theology, 1973; and his Doctor of Ministry, 1976. He served for 37 years as the Pastor for Oak Level Baptist Church in Ocoee, Florida. He is predeceased in death by former wife, Sally; son McSwain

Fowler Jr.; and stepson, Thomas L. Sapp.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mildred Louise Fowler, of Ocoee; his daughter, Diane Christian, of Apopka; granddaughter, Shantel Adams, of Apopka; grandson, Jeremy Fowler, of Deltona; granddaughter, Emma Fowler, of South Carolina; stepdaughter, Sharon Mills (Bob), of Winter Garden; and daughter-in-law, Darleen Sapp.

The family will receive for viewing and visitation relatives and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. March 12, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. at Starke Lake Baptist Church, 611 West Ave., Ocoee, FL 34761.

A private military burial service will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The family respectfully requests that masks be worn during the service.

Rev. Walter’s arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations.

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