WINDERMERE
Observer Serving Southwest Orange County
Dr. Phillips hosts tournament honoring Ian Supra. 15.
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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VOLUME 2, NO. 22
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
Three elected to Town Council
ARTS & CULTURE
Voters selected incumbents Bob McKinley and Jim O’Brien, and newcomer Richard Montgomery. SEE 2.
After Arnie STORY ON PAGE 4
West Orange theater director Ken Rush preps for final bow.
SEE PAGE 9
Windermere’s Park Avenue to expand this summer Road reconstruction to expand Park Avenue to the north will begin in June, with the goal of completion by August. DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER
Courtesy photo
“The way we view this event, it is absolutely a community event. It starts with Orlando and the Central Florida community, and it’s important to us that folks get to participate and embrace this tournament as their signature event.” — Marci Doyle, tournament COO
After five-and-one-half years of planning, Windermere’s Park Avenue is set to undergo reconstruction this summer to expand the roadway and relieve traffic congestion near Windermere Elementary School. SEE PARK PAGE 4
PALATES PLEASED
Local leaders: Proposed bill threatens city authority
YOUR TOWN 90 CANDLES
A state bill involving the installation of wireless communication infrastructure has unnerved leaders. GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER
Soon, city and county governments in Florida could have less authority over their public right-of-ways courtesy of a recently introduced bill making its way through the state Legislature in Tallahassee. The bill has been proposed in the Florida Senate as SB 596, and
ORANGE COUNTY
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Guests enjoy 2017 Taste of Windermere. SEE PAGE 10
its accompaniment in the House of Representatives is HB 687. Its goal? To prohibit governments from denying telecommunication providers — such as AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint — permits on the basis of zoning regulations. Translation: Municipal government officials essentially SEE BILL PAGE 5
The Rotary Club of Winter Garden surprised longtime member Ted Van Deventer with a cake to commemorate his 90th birthday. With him is Rotary President Krista Carter.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16
YOU R CALENDAR
OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
LITTLE PICASSO 4 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Preschoolers can let their imagination and little hands run wild with color, texture and more. Ages 3 to 5. (407) 835-7323.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
CROOKED CAN CELTIC FESTIVAL 4 p.m. Friday, March 17, through 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The three-day festival will include the Highland Games, Irish grub, live Celtic music and local vendors. Admission is free. (407) 3959520. GROOVE AT THE GROVE 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17, at The Grove Orlando, 4744 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. This event will feature live music by Blender and interactive games with GameTruck Orlando. For more, visit thegroveorlando.com. ROSEN JCC SPRING BREAK 2017 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 17, through Friday, March 24, at the Rosen JCC, 11184 S. Apopka -Vineland Road, Orlando. Open to students in grades kindergarten through eighth. Cost is $40 per day ($30 per day for JCC members). Betsy Schwartz, BetsyS@rosenjcc. org or (407) 387-2753.
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
INVESTIGATING THE WORLD OF INSECTS 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 18, at Nehrling Gardens,
2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Children ages 5 to 13 can explore Nehrling Gardens and the many insects that call Florida home. Practice the skills needed to become a junior entomologist, including how to identify different insects. Learn how to use these skills to investigate insect activity in your own backyard. Cost is $10 per child. Advance registration required at nehrlinggardens/ org/event/investigating-worldinsects.
O’Brien, McKinley and Montgomery elected Incumbents James “Jim” O’Brien and Robert “Bob” McKinley were reelected to the Town Council, and by the slimmest of margins, Richard Montgomery will join them. GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER
The results are in for the 2017 town of Windermere general election, and with a voter turnout of about 17%, incumbents James “Jim” O’Brien and Robert “Bob” McKinley have been reelected, and Richard Montgomery has been elected. With only four votes separating candidates Montgomery and Christopher Sapp, the race for the third open council seat was nearly too close to call. Montgomery — who took the lead over Sapp with 218 votes (21.35%) — will be serving his first term. Sapp received 214 votes (20.96%). O’Brien, who received the most votes of all four candidates with 325 votes (31.83%), will be serving his fourth term. “It feels good to have the support of the community, and we just look forward to doing the same type of projects we’ve been working on for the past three terms with integrity (and) transparency and just continue to make Windermere a great place to live,” O’Brien said. His first priority is to make sure the town continues improving walkability through the town, with a particular focus on the sidewalk on Main Street they have been working on, which will
WINDERMERE
MONDAY, MARCH 20
HEALTHY HERB 3 p.m. Monday, March 20, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Enjoy singing, dancing and fitness fun with Healthy Herb. Ages 6-12. Seating is limited. Registration recommended at (407) 835-7323. SPRING BREAK 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, through Saturday, March 25, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Help children develop a love for reading, writing and learning through a free week-long program. Children can participate in a basic coding class, create a 2D video game, build a bridge with K’NEX, develop computer skills and more. Ages 6 to 12. Space is limited. Registration required at (407) 835-7323. SPRING SHOWERS 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 20, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Dress for a mess as participants use hands-on activities to explore sunshine, rain and flowers. Ages 2-5. For more, call (407) 835-7323.
eventually reach Windermere Elementary School, he said. McKinley, who will be serving his second term on the council, won 264 votes (25.86%). “It feels great to know that the people have expressed that confidence in me,” McKinley said. “If the people want me there as a council member, I’ll be there. But if they had decided that they wanted somebody else, I would still be there to help in any way I can.”
Jim O’Brien
OTHER BALLOT ITEMS
Also on the voter ballot were three questions pertaining to the new town charter and the town’s borrowing limits. The first question asked voters if they wished to adopt a new town charter that excluded archaic wording and obsolete provisions. Exactly 75.61% of voters approved the new charter. The second and third questions concerned revisions to the town’s borrowing limits. Each question proposed an option for how to increase the town’s aggregate borrowing limits so that the town may fund more capital improvement projects in a single year. However, voters rejected both options: 52% voted no on the first question, while 63% also voted no on the second. “I thought that we had made a very viable and attractive option
Bob McKinley
Richard Montgomery
that limited exactly what our debt payments could be, but the voters rejected it,” said Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn. Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.
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DPHS brings home gold in first Central Florida Brain Bee Thirty-two students participated in the inaugural neuroscience competition, held Feb. 25 at the University of Central Florida. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER
Neuroscience competitions — called Brain Bees — are hard to find. When Bradley Cravens, a teacher at Dr. Phillips High School, first heard about them four years ago, he discovered there were none in the Central Florida area. “I first learned about (them) when a student at our school was interested in competing and wanted to start a neuroscience club at the school,” said Cravens, currently the advising teacher to the school’s new neuroscience club. But not just anyone can start a competition. They must be a member of the Society for Neuroscience. That’s when the University of Central Florida, which has a Society for Neuroscience chapter, stepped in. And it was UCF graduate student Joseph Bello who headed up the cause. Having never been exposed to neuroscience until later in his college years, Bello decided starting a Brain Bee in the Orlando area would be beneficial to students. “My goal was to expose highschoolers to neuroscience to spark their interest and get them to go to college,” said Bello, who plans to attend medical school. He began planning the competition in November and reached out to schools to gauge students’ interest. Four schools responded — Ocoee High, Dr. Phillips High, Freedom High and Edgewater High. To prepare the students for competition, Bello helped the students create after-school clubs where they could study and prepare for the Brain Bee. “We formed clubs earlier in the school year,” Cravens said. “First, meeting twice a month, then weekly, and finally a couple of times per week to prepare for the competition. The Neuro-
Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.
ATTRACTION Nearly 4,000 students in Orange County are waiting to learn whether they have a spot in their magnet program of choice. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER ORANGE COUNTY With his sights
set on a musical career, Josiah Hall is anxiously waiting to hear back from the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet at Dr. Phillips High School. It’s been weeks since his audition, but he won’t hear back until mid-March. “It’s nerve-wracking,” Hall said about the wait. Hall, an eighth-grader at Lockhart Middle School, is one of nearly 4,000 students throughout Orange County Public Schools who applied for a magnet program for the 2017-18 school year. The application process began in November with a deadline set for Feb. 15. But with so many applicants — 3,906 to be exact — the district reported not all students will be placed into a magnet program. These programs, which range widely in subjects, provide students with an opportunity to focus on a specific field of study. The district currently has programs at six elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 22 high schools. But the high-school programs are by far the most popular. This year, 2,100 of the applications were for high-school programs, while 1,224 were for middle-school programs. Although the district does not rank its programs, some re ce ive fa r m o re applications than others, including the Visual and Performing
Arts Magnet and the Center for International Studies Magnet at Dr. Phillips High. The quality of Dr. Phillips’s magnet programs is so high that they both were recognized by the Magnet Schools of America. The VPA Magnet was named a Merit School of Distinction, while the CIS Magnet was named as a National Magnet School of Excellence. “The VPA Magnet Program offers students with an interest in the performing arts a place where they can excel in their
5 MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS Visual and Performing Arts: Dr. Phillips High Criminal Justice, Finance and Law: Boone High Medical Careers: Apopka High Center for International Studies: Dr. Phillips High Advanced Engineering: Apopka High BY THE NUMBERS 4,230 — applications received for the 2016-17 school year 3,906 — applications received for the 2017-18 school year 582 — applications for elementary-school programs 1,224 — applications for middle-school programs 2,100 — applications for high-school programs
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
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chosen field of expertise,” said Keith Galasso, director of the VPA Magnet at Dr. Phillips High. “Students become an integral part of a highly motivated and successful program, which helps build self-esteem and confidence.” For students such as Hall, getting into a magnet program could be life-changing. He’s been playing the bass clarinet since sixth grade, thanks to his mom. “My mom played bass clarinet in high school, and she said it was a fun instrument,” Hall said. Hall has big dreams of attending the Eastman School of Music for college and one day becoming either a music educator or professional bass clarinet player. But the first step of that dream is to gain more musical knowledge. “It’ll give me musical background that I might need for college, (such as) learning musical theory, how to play the piano, how to read music in a new clef,” Hall said about the VPA Magnet. Students are chosen for programs based on a lottery system. An initial lottery was held Feb. 24, with a second lottery scheduled for later in April. Those who do not get selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list. But the chances of getting chosen off the waiting list before the school year begins are slim. And once the school year begins, the waiting list is erased. In the case of the VPA Magnet at Dr. Phillips, students also are required to audition. Last year, Amaya Zhané auditioned to join the VPA Magnet at Dr. Phillips. After weeks of an agonizing wait, she got the news. She had been accepted into the program. “I was extremely happy to continue my training as an actress and really dive deep into my work,” said Zhané, a junior. “It’s helped me with my core classes, because I’m able to have a creative outlet and a healthy balance. It’s also helped me with connections in the community theater world and helped me learn so much more about the technical theater side of the magnet.” Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver. com.
Creative Outdoor Dining to Benefit Matthew’s Hope
Presents
MC for the evening Scott Maxwell
Sponsorship Opportunities Available The most creative table will be recognized for their efforts.
Entertainment for the evening Kay Francis
For more information and/or to reserve your table visit: www.matthewshopeministries.org/Annual-Garden-Party www.facebook.com/matthewshopeministries or call 407-905-9500
Saturday, April 22, 2017 6:00 - 9:00PM
LDI 233513
ORANGE COUNTY
science Alliance (club at UCF) visited participating schools and helped with tutoring and reviewed games in the weeks leading up to the competition.” On the day of competition — Saturday, Feb. 25 — 32 students competed for the title of Central Florida Brain Bee champion. There were three rounds of competition. First, the students sat through a written exam of 30 questions. Then, they examined human brain samples and various parts of human anatomy for identification. The scores were then tallied and the top 10 students advanced to the final round of questions given by a panel of judges. “I had a blast,” Bello said. “It was a great time. It was nice to see it come together. I didn’t know how it was going to play out, because I had to make everything from scratch. It was stressful, but it went perfectly.” The winner of the competition was from Dr. Phillips High— Olivia Creus. In addition to the top three students winning awards for their achievement, the scores from the top five students from each school were tallied for an overall team win. The team from Dr. Phillips High took that trophy home. “The bee was an incredible experience for our students,” Cravens said. With his first Central Florida Brain Bee complete, Bello already is looking ahead to next year. Two more schools already have expressed their interest in participating. The goal for next year’s competition is to raise enough money to send the winning students to the national competition, Bello said. To support the Central Florida Brain Bee, visit gofundme.com/ central-florida-brain-bee.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
Playing for
WINDERMERE
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.”
Palmer
Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor /
This week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill will be the first since the death of its namesake. Accordingly, event staff have several things planned to make the occasion memorable.
Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, AmyQ@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski,
STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR BAY HILL
T
his year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational is the first playing of the event following the death of its namesake last year. And as golfers and fans celebrate another year of one of golf’s signature tournaments, it will be the little things about Arnold Palmer many people miss the most. Volunteers at the tournament — some of whom are local residents of Southwest Orange — will miss the way he made a point of seeking them out to thank them. Fans will miss the effort Palmer made to sign every autograph he could. Groundskeepers at Bay Hill will miss observing his morning rides around the course in his golf cart with his dog. And spectators will miss the way Palmer had a go-to spot to sit in his cart —behind the 16th tee, overlooking the 18th green — and watch his tournament. Still, despite that element of sadness because of Palmer’s absence, tournament organizers are working hard to make this a special week in Southwest Orange. “Because there wasn’t an official (memorial) service here
TICKETS
sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com
For more information on this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, or to purchase tickets for the event at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, visit ArnoldPalmerInvitational. com.
Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange
Staff Writers Observer.com Brittany Gaines, bgaines@Orange Observer.com Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Courtesy photo
in Orlando for Mr. Palmer, we kind of feel like the tournament, as a whole, is serving as that,” tournament COO Marci Doyle said. “Specifically, there will be an opening ceremony that will really serve that purpose.” Among the many things that will take place, or have already taken place, include the unveiling of a 13-foot bronze statue of Palmer near the first tee. Throughout the tournament, Palmer’s golf cart will be parked at his famous vantage point where he liked to watch the tournament. There also will be signage scattered around the grounds during the event with “Did you know”-esque information about Palmer. And on Friday, Mach 17, green “Arnie’s Army” shirts will be sold to in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to the memorial themed upgrades to this year’s tournament, Doyle said the fan experience will be enhanced this time around. “We’re doing a number of things, just in general, to take the
Arnold Palmer enjoyed last year’s API with his wife, Kathleen “Kit” Gawthrop.
tournament to the next level,” Doyle said. Those upgrades include additional seating and the relocation of Palmer’s Patio from the fairway of the 18th fairway, where guests said the view of the action was poor, to the 14th hole, where they can now enjoy a view of five different golf shots. “We try to listen to the fans and what they want,” Doyle said. “If they want a better view of the golf, then they’re going to get it.” Players competing this week in the API also will be part of the memorial theme. Upon checking in, players will visit Palmer’s office and each will autograph some of the items that were sent prior to his death that he had not had a chance to sign. Similar to how golfers competing will be playing in Palmer’s memory, the volunteers for the API — widely regarded as some of the best among all the PGA Tour’s events — are determined to make this year’s event special.
“Our 1,400-plus volunteers have taken this on, and they see this as the opportunity to carry on his legacy,” Doyle said. “They take that very seriously.” Of those volunteers, Doyle estimates at least 80% are from Central Florida, with many hailing from Southwest Orange. And so, while the playing of this year’s API is a special occasion for the golf community worldwide, it will be especially so for the community that became Palmer’s adopted home. “The way we view this event, it is absolutely a community event,” Doyle said. “It starts with Orlando and the Central Florida community, and it’s important to us that folks get to participate and embrace this tournament as their signature event.” Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.
At peak school hours in the morning and afternoon, parents and town residents often find themselves in somewhat of a bottleneck when traveling around Park Avenue and Main Street. Traffic backs up during student drop-off and pickup times into the roundabout, which causes major delays and blocks emergency vehicles from reaching the town. Windermere Town Council held a workshop Jan. 24 to discuss three viable expansion options and select one. Town Manager Robert Smith said the town completed a pavement management index about a year ago because it did not have a capital-improvements program for maintenance and improvement of the road system. Based on data collected by contractors, the town ranked which roads should be repaired and when. Park Avenue was the first on the list. “We have been working on trying to resolve the stacking issue in front of Windermere Elemen-
tary for a long time,” Smith said. “It lined up perfectly because we received some impact fee money from Estancia and some money from the Rosser Reserve.” The $800,000 project — partially funded through impact fees — also will include a resurfacing from Main Street down to Windermere Country Club. The widening project will occur starting at Tryon Place east to Main Street. “I think this project is very important as we have been working on it for a number of years,” Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn said. “As with most projects of this magnitude, money is a key factor, and without the $200,000 in traffic impact fees that we received from Estancia, we would still be in the planning stages.” The three alternatives were widening to the north, widening to the south, or widening to both the north and south. Ultimately, Town Council members decided widening to the north would lessen the impacts to roads, trees and sidewalks. With that option, there is only one property affected — Windermere Elementary.
Landscaping impacts are minimal, and only three driveways total would be affected, Smith said. Additionally, the town will reconstruct 120 feet of the sidewalk, relocate the curb and add a curb and collection/ conveyance system to the south. If the town had decided to expand both north and south, eight total properties would have been affected, and both 11 driveways and a total of 1,190 feet of sidewalk would have to be reconstructed. Smith said some Windermere Elementary parents were concerned the sidewalk would end up closer than it currently is to the roadway, but he assures them that it will be the same distance away or farther. Curbing on the north and south will add an extra barrier there, and Smith said the town is looking into extending the school zone or 25-mph speed limit. “By choosing the north option, I believe we chose the best option for public safety,” Bruhn said. “We did not select the cheap option. We selected the best option that should permanently
Observer.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com Ann Marie Vibbert, avibbert@ OrangeObserver.com Pam Zerblas, pzerblas@Orange Observer.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@ OrangeObserver.com Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com
CONTACT US
The Windermere Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery. The Windermere Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden. If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.
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Park expansion will alleviate traffic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Michelle Gentry, mgentry@Orange
alleviate the safety and traffic issues we currently have. We also recognized that we want to keep the sidewalks a safe distance from the road as we have many students walking and biking to the school, so safety is our No. 1 concern.” Smith said the goal is to start the project at the beginning of June and have it done or substantially completed prior to when school resumes in August. There will be some slight traffic interruptions during that time with the construction, but ultimately, the town hopes to alleviate the current congestion issues. “We’ve partnered with the local community that will be impacted by this project, but again it will be a relief to a huge chunk of the town of Windermere,” Smith said. “If you drive through around 3 p.m. (now), you’ll be bottlenecked in that area, and it’s been a perpetual issue for quite some time that will be relieved after the summer break.” Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.
SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via email to Michael Eng, meng@ OrangeObserver.com.
WINDERMERE OBSERVER The Windermere Observer (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $29 per year ($40 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER send address changes to the Windermere Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Opinions in the Windermere Observer are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily those of the Windermere Observer, its publisher or editors. Mailed letters must by typed and include the author’s signature and phone number. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for space and grammar and become the property of
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Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.
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would be severely limited in the permitting process involving telecommunication providers’ applications to install equipment on utility poles — equipment that would enable 5G services for cellular technology. Given its potential to suppress government oversight on their own right-of-ways, the bill has disturbed some local leaders who believe it threatens the city and county governments’ jurisdictional power. “This bill is a flat-out subsidy for the telecommunications industry,” said Windermere Mayor Gray Bruhn. “It allows AT&T, Verizon and every wireless provider the authority to place small or micro wireless antennas and equipment on taxpayer-owned public structures and right of ways.” The bill, known as the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act, sets the terms in a manner that chiefly benefits the telecommunication providers and leads to a form of corporate welfare, argued Scott Dudley, the legislative director for the Florida League of Cities. “What they’re trying to do is preempt local government authority from having any type of zoning regulation with respect to the placement of these towers and ancillary equipment in the right of ways of cities and counties,” Dudley said. “They’ve also established an expedited permit review process where they can submit, say, 50 or 60 applications, and we would have a set amount of time by which we would have to respond to those.” The bill imposes a 60-day timeframe on the approval or
denial of applications for permits. If governments don’t take any action to deny or approve the bill in 60 days, it is automatically considered to be approved. The bill also calls for multiple prohibitions. One particularly contentious provision prohibits governments from charging providers routine maintenance fees or usage fees amounting to more than $15 per year. “In some other states where they have this (bill), it ranges from $2,000 to whatever the actual cost for that city is to prepare the permit and to deal with all that,” Dudley said. “So we end up paying for that. It’s corporate welfare. For the taxpayers, it’s unfair. Taxpayers should be outraged by it.” As per routine, a city or county conducts an engineering study to ensure a utility pole can handle additional equipment. However, another bill component — the Make-Ready provision — would free providers from the obligation of reimbursing the city or county for costs to conduct that study. “This bill requires a city, at its taxpayers’ expense, to develop engineering and other structural reports on the city’s own structures so that a wireless company may or may not decide to use for an antenna,” Bruhn said. If the study finds the telecommunication provider will need to pay a certain fee to upgrade the pole to make it capable of handling their equipment, the provider can then walk away — without any obligation to reimburse the city for its troubles. If passed, the bill will take effect July 1.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
Student with Asperger’s syndrome arrested
17th Annual
A physical altercation at West Orange High School led to the arrest of a freshman. But his parents argue the school handled the situation inappropriately, given their son’s disorders. GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER WINTER GARDEN Ashton Gelfand,
Sat. – April 8th • 9 am – 5 pm Sun. – April 9th • 11 am – 4 pm
a former ninth-grade student at West Orange High School, was arrested Thursday, March 2, after an altercation in his first-period class became violent. Fourteen-year-old Ashton, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, is now facing four misdemeanors and a felony. But his parents, Erica and Bryan Gelfand, maintain that the school employees grossly mishandled the situation. “He’s 14 years old and he still plays with Hot Wheels, you know,” said Erica Gelfand, Ashton’s mother. “Most kids at 14 don’t play with Hot Wheels anymore. So he just doesn’t understand.” District officials from Orange County Public Schools did not provide information regarding the district’s standard policy involving the handling of a child with behavioral disorders
In beautiful Historic Downtown Winter Garden Two Day Festival with many plant, nature and wildlife related vendors. Raffles and festival shirts will be available at Bloom & Grow booth at Plant St & N. Boyd St. Kidzone will host educational programs for children of all ages. Find out about the good bugs, water conservation and your environment. Check out the "Ask The Expert" booth for answers to your gardening questions. Live entertainment throughout both days. “Chalkin’ It Up” Sidewalk Art Contest will be held on Saturday. There will be a Natural Market located on S. Main St.
for all children of all ages.
Presented by Bloom & Grow Garden Society and Co-sponsored by the City of Winter Garden
or provide an official response before press time. According to the arrest report, the altercation began when the substitute teacher instructed Ashton to refrain from using foul language in the classroom. However, Ashton refused and responded with more profanities, this time directed at the teacher. The substitute teacher then came over to him and “smacked” Ashton’s hand, knocking the laptop out of his hands, Erica Gelfand said. However, the arrest reports states the teacher simply tried to remove Ashton’s laptop. “And Ashton got angry because, A, the sub hit him,” Erica Gelfand said. “And, B, he didn’t understand why the sub was hitting him. C, he knocked his computer out of his hand, which is something we would have to pay for if it had broken. … So he told me, ‘Mama I told him, Imma kick yo’ [expletive].’ And he said that’s when the sub called for the front office.” The front office sent Vice
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“He’s 14 years old and he still plays with Hot Wheels, you know. Most kids at 14 don’t play with Hot Wheels anymore. So he just doesn’t understand.” — Erica Gelfand, Ashton’s mother
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denied to comply, leading the SRO to forcibly remove him from his seat. At this point, according to the narrative, Ashton picked up his desk and held it up in an aggressive manner in a perceived attempt to strike the SRO and Russell. “Because the desk went flying, the SRO said he tried to hit her with the desk,” Erica Gelfand said. “So through all of this, (Ashton) finally ends up being peppersprayed. And so they finally get him down to the front office after they pepper-spray him, and that’s when I come in and hear him literally screaming at the top of his lungs.” After the altercation, he was transported to the hospital because of elevated blood pressure. Two hours later, he returned to West Orange High School. There, they told Ashton and his mother they would be taking him to the Juvenile Assessment Center. At about 7 p.m., she received a call from the JAC, informing her that her son was not yet allowed to come home. The following morning, Friday, March 3, a court hearing was held to determine the charges against Ashton. The charge of assault with a deadly weapon was dropped. The remaining charges are battery on a school employee, assault on a school employee, assault on a law-enforcement officer, resisting an officer without violence and disruption of an educational institution. Ashton now has a court date March 22. He has since been suspended and will not return to West Orange High. Instead, he will attend Olympia High.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.
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Principal Anthony Russell to the classroom. Vanessa Garland, the school resource officer, came in shortly after. Garland, who was aware of Ashton’s issues, called Erica Gelfand to alert her of the situation. Erica Gelfand, who lives about 10 minutes from the school, said she was on her way. But by the time she arrived, the situation had already escalated. “So as I’m coming into the school, all I see is an ambulance and a fire truck,” Gelfand said. “And I’m thinking in my head, ‘Please don’t be for my child.’ And I get there, and rest assured, the fire truck and ambulance is for my child. I walk in, and all I hear is Ashton screaming, ‘I told them to leave me alone. They wouldn’t leave me alone.’” According to Ashton, Russell was aggressive from the minute he arrived, along with the SRO, who allegedly grabbed Ashton by the arm upon entering the classroom, attempting to yank him out of the desk. Ashton kept his grasp on the desk, she said, causing “the desk to go flying” when the SRO managed to pull him out of it. Then, she grabbed him by the side of his neck and shoulder, causing Ashton to push away, Erica Gelfand said. However, the events are told differently in Ashton’s arrest report. According to the narrative, the SRO, while standing in the doorway, used verbal commands to get Ashton to leave the classroom. He refused. She then walked over to him and again asked him to come with her and leave, but he again refused. The SRO then “used a touch to comfort or console” Ashton, followed by a “firm, strong touch prior to escalating to a higher level.” But Ashton continually
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OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
Leadership changes coming to the Garden Theatre
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Executive Director Alauna Friskics will leave the Garden Theatre this year to join the Orlando Fringe.
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11 years since Alauna Friskics became part of the Garden Theatre family, but now she’s preparing to say goodbye. Friskics, the executive director at the theater, has accepted the position of executive director at Orlando Fringe. “The Garden Theatre has been part of my core identity for (more than) a decade,” Friskics said. “Choosing to leave an organization I built from the ground up is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.” Friskics joined the Garden Theatre in April 2006 just prior to the theater’s renovations. Prior to applying for the job, she had never ventured into Winter Garden, she said. But once she did, she fell in love with its small-town charm. “I drove out here on day to check it out and see what weas going on,” Friskics said. “I just thought this was the sweetest community. And from the second I started (working at Garden Theatre), I was fully and wholly embraced by the community.” As the theater underwent renovations, Friskics watched as the
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arts community in Winter Garden blossomed. “The community was so hungry for arts; they were so ready for it,” she said. Since then, the theater has grown into a $1.4 million operation. “We’ve come a long way in the nine years we’ve been open,” Friskics said. With such a passion and love for the Garden Theatre, Friskics never imagined leaving. But when the executive director position at Orlando Fringe opened up, it caught her attention. “I wasn’t looking to leave (the Garden Theatre) at all,” she said. “But the more I explored it, I thought it would be a fun and different challenge for me.” When Friskics originally moved to Orlando, it was because of a one-time volunteer experience she had with the Orlando Fringe. She even helped coproduce the festival in 2002. “I have a long history with Orlando Fringe and a long love with the Fringe,” she said. Although she’s excited about the new opportunities with Orlando Fringe, her transition from her current position into the new one won’t happen overnight. She will make the transition over the next four-and-one-
FRISKICS’ FAVORITES MOMENT
The grand opening of the Garden Theatre on Feb. 29, 2008. “It was a full house of people dressed in formal wear,” Friskics said. But the highlight of the opening was the story of the yellow dress that was on display. It was the dress that Ron Sikes’ mother had worn when she first met Ron’s father. They had met at the Garden Theatre. SHOWS
“Little Shop of Horrors” “Singing in the Rain”
half months to ensure the Garden Theatre is in the best hands possible when she leaves. “It’s very important to me that the person we find is the right fit not just for the organization but for the community,” Friskics said. Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.
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ARTS + CULTURE Ken Rush: “I demand a lot. I treat my kids like professionals. All the kids are taught to do everything so they learn to respect all the people in the show. We do collegiate-level work, not high-school theater.”
LISTEN TO THIS Jazz, Joel & John 8 p.m. Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18, at Calvary Orlando, 1199 Clay St., Winter Park. The concert features the best jazz standards and arrangements of some of Billy Joel’s and Elton John’s greatest hits with performances by the 150-piece Central Florida Community Arts Symphony Orchestra and CFCArts Big Band. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit CFCArts.com/jazzjoeljohn or call the box office at (407) 937-1800, Ext. 710.
TASTE THIS
St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Festival Ken Rush, director of the West Orange High Theater Department, announced his retirement shortly after Christmas.
Brittany Gaines
FINAL BOW After nearly two decades, Ken Rush is leaving the West Orange High School Theater Department. Rush had led the storied program for nearly 20 years. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER
O
WINTER GARDEN
nly six hours to showtime, and the theater hummed with activity. Two girls sat on the stage putting fake flowers in vases. Another group of girls — armed with paintbrushes and cans of black paint — carefully painted a rectangular design onto one of the walls of the set. Several students taped a black curtain across the front of the stage. The stage and house lights flicked on and off as the tech crew tested various lighting patterns. Two dancers kicked and twirled across the stage practicing a particularly tricky dance combination. The metal plates on the bottoms of their shoes clacked against the stage floor with their
every step. And right in the middle of everything sat Ken Rush, giving out instructions, inspecting a pile of props and answering the dozens of questions from his students. Since 1998, Rush has been a prominent figure at the West Orange High School Theater Department. But only 78 days remain until his 19-year legacy at the school comes to an end. “It’s a moving and emotional thing for me,” Rush said about his upcoming retirement. PROFESSIONAL QUALITY THEATER
Prior to coming to West Orange, Rush helped open the North East School of the Arts — a Magnet school in San Antonio, Texas. Once the school was off the ground, he and his family decided to return to Florida.
“I called the principal (at West Orange High) and asked him if he needed a theater teacher,” Rush said. “He told me that their theater teacher had just come in a half-hour earlier and resigned. So I came in and took over the department.” From day one, the bar he set for his students was high. “I demand a lot,” he said. “I treat my kids like professionals. All the kids are taught to do everything so they learn to respect all the people in the show. We do collegiate-level work, not highschool theater.” Textbooks are nonexistent in Rush’s classroom. His philosophy is that students learn through working on productions. It’s part of the department’s motto of Professional Quality Theater, or PQT as they call it. SEE RUSH PAGE 11
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, March 17; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 18; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Crooked Can is hosting its second annual Celtic Festival, which will feature a beer garden, Celtic food, arts and crafts, Celtic music and Highland games. The festival also will feature a performance from Off Kilter starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 18. For more information, visit crookedcan. com.
TRY THIS
Holi Festival 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Bill Frederick Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. Every year, Hindus celebrate the start of spring with their Festival of Color — or Holi Festival. The Indian Horizon of Florida is sponsoring this year’s festival at Bill Frederick Park, which will include a variety of Indian foods, Bollywood music and lots of colored powder. Parking costs $10. For more information, call (407) 814-7501.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
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Jaime and Margaret Halupka took a motherdaughter date and delighted in sampling the fine wines.
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Axum Coffee General Manager Josh Taylor and his wife, Kelly Taylor, happily manned the Axum Coffee tent — one of the the more than 25 eateries serving food samples and fine wine at the festival.
See more photos at OrangeObserver.com
Indulge in all the food and beverage samples you desire from your favorite West Orange spots. That's right, your Best Fest wristband grants you unlimited samples of all your favorite foods and drinks from 60+ vendors, all for one admission price! To purchase tickets and for vendor information, visit wochamber.com
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BIG APPLE-BOUND
Rush’s day usually starts around 6:45 a.m. and ends between 7 and 11 p.m., and he’s known to put in weekend hours for his productions. “As a school, we know how lucky we are (to have him),” said Assistant Principal Sheri Robb. For the students performing under Rush’s direction, their experience often sets them apart at college. “When they go to college, they’re often the star of their program,” Rush said. But despite their success, most of them never forget it was Rush who gave them their start. “They became lifetime friends,” Rush said about his former students. “They’re always there for me, always there to text or call. Their successes are my successes. I’m very proud of them.” He still can remember the first time he watched one of his former students performing on Broadway. “I cried,” he said. A glass trophy case sits in the hallway outside the theater auditorium, glittering with the department’s many accomplishments. For Rush, one of the d e p a r t m e n t ’s greatest achievements was getting invited to the Florida State Thespians’ annual festival. Only a select few number of schools are invited to perform a show at the festival,
Talk of retirement is nothing new for Rush. He has a reputation in the department for threatening to retire every year. But this year was different. It all started when his wife, Sara, moved to New York City for the year to be closer to their children and grandchild. “I told her if she could live through a winter, and if she liked it, then I would move up there, too,” Rush said. When Christmas rolled around, Rush knew it was time to make a decision about retirement. The more he thought about it, the timing seemed to be right. “We’re losing half of the department to Windermere (High School),” Rush said. “The kids will be going through a transition already, so this seemed like a good time to bow out.” But the biggest factor in his decision was his family. His granddaughter, Elliot, is already 2 years old, and he doesn’t want to watch her grow up from across the country. So he made the announcement shortly after Christmas break. “It felt like a load off my chest,” he said. Once he retires — his last day is June 2 — he said he plans to leave teaching for good. Instead, he wants to get back onto the stage. “I plan on doing some auditions to see if anything happens,” he said. “I might look into being an extra at the Met or for TV shows.”
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
ONE FINAL SHOW
To celebrate its invitation to perform “42nd Street” at the Florida State Thespians festival, the department decided to put on an encore performance at the school from March 9 to 12. It was to be Rush’s final show. But Rush’s students and colleagues felt that wasn’t enough. They put their heads together and decided to put on one more show. It will be the final farewell for their beloved director. But he won’t be directing this one. Instead, he will be starring in it. The name of the show has yet to be announced, but it is scheduled to open in May. In the meantime, the school is working to choose Rush’s replacement. There has been talk of promoting Tara Whitman, who has worked with the department for more than a decade as a choreographer and is currently the associate director of the department. So far, nothing has been officially announced, but Rush did voice his support of his associate director. “I feel confident leaving the department in her hands,” he said. With only 11 weeks left to go until June 2, Rush said he is looking forward to enjoying his new life of retirement in the Big Apple. “I’m ready, but I’m nervous about it,” he said. “I know I’m going to miss the students, so I have mixed emotions about it.” Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.
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As a result, the school’s theater department is known throughout West Orange for its quality work. “People have moved to this area just to be part of this program,” Rush said.
and West Orange High has been invited to perform numerous times. This year, the organization asked them to perform their fall show, “42nd Street,” at the festival, which will be held March 14 to 18 in Tampa.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
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Rush ready to slow down
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WINDERMERE OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
The Gift of Life founder and Mrs. Windermere Rosie Moore, Miss St. Augustine Ashley Daniello and Danielle Manning stopped for a photo with The Gift of Life mascot bear.
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Superhero support
Nicole Temples and Connie Purvis dressed as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while Daisy Temples wore her Batgirl shirt.
Marcus and Kaleb Moore loved getting into the theme and being goofy.
ONLINE See more photos at
OrangeObserver.com
DAY CAMP 2017
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undreds of Batmen, Spider-Men, Deadpools, Harley Quinns and dozens of other superheroes and villains descended upon Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake Saturday, Feb. 25, for The Gift of Life’s Super Hero Run. The annual race benefits The Gift of Life, an organization that offers hope, encouragement and support to parents of premature babies. — DANIELLE HENDRIX
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
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Family owned & operated 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd. • Ocoee, FL 34761 Maitland | Sanford | West Orange
THESE OLD TIMES THROWBACK THURSDAY MARCH 5, 1954
FROM THE ARCHIVES Pioneers from the Deep South brought African-Americans as slaves to the Oakland area in the mid-1800s. Their descendants eventually settled in the town’s southwest quarter, where they established churches and a school. A dedication plaque on St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church (now the Cathedral of Prayer, Praise and Power) states that the congregation was established around 1844. The church, pictured here in 1988, was built about 1881 at the corner of Oakland Avenue and Nixon Street. It was remodeled in 1914 and rebuilt in 1991.
“We have the largest chapel in West Orange County.” Owned and operated by the Romano family.
When the Winter Garden Times was published in 1954, the city was much smaller, and advertisers weren’t worried about residents not being able to find their businesses. Vague terms such as “on New Highway 50” or “rear of Dickson’s store” were used, and sometimes only “Winter Garden” was included. People still knew where to go.
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80 years ago
40 years ago
70 years ago
35 years ago
One of the best dramatic classes in the local school system is at Lakeview High under the direction of Albert Valdes, Spanish and English teacher. “Be It Ever So Humble,” a three-act play, was presented in an almost professional atmosphere.
45 years ago
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We are Proud to offer: • A Celebration of Life Service • Traditional Burial and Cremation Services • Prearranged Funeral Services
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which seeks to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences, is celebrating its third decade with the debut of its new History Research and Education Center.
The Helpy Selfy Laundry, located at 120 E. Maple St., is one of Winter Garden’s newest industries, operated by Hoequist and Rouse.
Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden
407-656-2233 • www.baldwinfairchild.com 428 E. Plant Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787
EPISCOPAL
FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The recently announced Winter Garden citywide improvement campaign, Project Pride, has gathered strong momentum as gifts and pledges begin to come in. A key group of merchants have agreed to serve as block captains, making calls on other businessmen to enlist their support. The group includes Bob Ellis, Flip Sterns, Tommy Zeigler, Ailine Arney, Mabel Fenwick, Hank Hinson and Charles Hatchell.
The city of Ocoee will honor Lillian Maguire at a dedication ceremony in front of City Hall. City officials will unveil a plaque signifying the people’s appreciation for her generosity in making the land available for the new Ocoee Municipal Complex.
Low lake levels are revealing many things, including an old Studebaker hauling wagon from a once-deep lake in Gotha. Keith and Craig Spears and Bruce Alderman devoted three weeks to pulling the wagon out of the mud.
10 years ago
The foundation was poured for the first building of the new West Orange High School with Principal Dr. Dan Buckman on hand. Publix Supermarket in the TriCity Shopping Center is closed. The new store in the Winter Garden Regional Shopping Center is officially open.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 6:30pm. 407-876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org
LUTHERAN
ZION NEW LIFE CHURCH 16161 Marsh Road Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-5751 Bible Study 8:30AM, Family Service 9:30am, Pastor Roberto E. Rojas, Jr.
Non-Denominational HAVEN OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 13520 Foxcrest Blvd. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Services 9:30 and 10:30AM 407-952-0510
Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.
This page appears weekly in the Windermere Observer and online at orangeobserver.com.
To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email sfelt@orangeobserver.com
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WINDERMERE OBSERVER
WEST ORANG E HISTO RY
14
MARCH 16, 2017
SPORTS
HIGH
Hannah Eden’s walk-off home run propelled the DP softball team to a big victory. Page 16.
Dave Jester
Dave Jester
Olympia senior Leila Sorrells competes for possession.
West Orange High’s boys and girls teams competed.
A SUPRA STRONG LEGACY STEVEN RYZEWSKI
SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
The inaugural Ian Supra Memorial Tournament took place last weekend to honor the memory of former Dr. Phillips water polo All-American Ian Supra.
T
ORLANDO
he inaugural Ian Supra Memorial Tournament took place last weekend at the YMCA Aquatic Center on International Drive and went off without a hitch. Water polo teams from near and far — as far as 240 miles in the case of Miami’s Ransom Everglades — participated in the two-day tournament, a partnership between the Dr. Phillips water polo program and the Ian Supra Memorial Foundation. Ransom won the 12-team boys tournament, with Dr. Phillips placing second. Olympia won the 10-team girls tournament. “We’re very excited that they chose to come to our tournament — it’s a great tournament for a first-year tournament,” Dr. Phillips water polo coach Leo Ramirez said. “The best teams in Central Florida were here representing, and the best team in the state (Ransom Everglades) was here representing. “It ran super smooth, and we’ve gotten nothing but compliments,” he said. “We want this to be not only one of the best tournaments in the state, but one of the best tournaments in the country.” Against Ransom in the championship, the Dr. Phillips boys team hung tough through nearly three quarters, with the match tied 5-5 late in the third. From there, though, the Raiders went on a 7-0 run to close the game. “I was very happy with the way we played — I wish we had one quarter left,” Ramirez said of his Panthers. “That is the best team in the state we just played.” On Monday, Dr. Phillips administrative dean John Magrino confirmed some of the tournament’s other successes in a release. “We were able to contribute a significant amount to the Ian Supra Memorial Foundation,” Magrino said. “Attendees were incredibly generous as well, purchasing Supra Strong items and donating funds that all go to a great foundation that assists children and families struggling with cancer.” Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.
1
5
Dr. Phillips girls lacrosse coasted past Apopka March 13, 202, improving to 11-0 on the season. Elyse Decker had four goals for the Panthers.
2
The Olympia boys tennis team handed Dr. Phillips its first loss of the season March 10 at the Lake Cane Tennis Center. Two days earlier, the Titans girls team defeated the Panthers 4-3.
3
The 14-andunder team from SouthWest Stars in Winter Garden went to the Florida Age Group Championships this past weekend and won first place — marking the first time in nearly two decades that a team other than Bolles or Sarasota Y Sharks has won the event. Also, the Stars won the Florida Swimming Sportsmanship award.
4
The Olympia girls water polo team won all four of its matches during the twoday Ian Supra Memorial Tournament at the YMCA Aquatic Center on International Drive, winning the championship.
5
An 11-1 win over Evans March 13 marked the fifth consecutive victory for the Olympia High baseball team (8-1-1). During the five-game stretch, the Titans have outscored opponents 41-12. Francis Villaman is leading Olympia at the plate with 14 RBIs and 10 extra-base hits this spring.
Photo by Steven Ryzewsi
Dr. Phillips sophomore Isaac Teran looks on during the Ian Supra Memorial Tournament.
TRIBUTE VIDEO:
To see the tribute video to Ian Supra that was played for those in attendance on Saturday before the tournament’s championships, visit bit.ly/2njoCI8.
Dave Jester
The Olympia Titans won the girls bracket at the Ian Supra Memorial Tournament.
ONLINE
See more photos at ObserverPreps.com
16
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
Dr. Phillips High promotes Batchelor to head coach
SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES
Hannah Eden One moment, the Dr. Phillips softball team was on the cusp of dropping the second of two games last week against district rival Boone. The next, a two-run, walk-off home run by junior Hannah Eden had the Panthers (9-4) celebrating an exciting victory. Eden finished her big game having gone 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs.
How did it feel as the ball left your bat on what became the walk-off home run? It felt really good. At first, I wasn’t sure it was going over, and there were two outs — so it was a little crazy. Have you ever hit a walkoff home run before?
Dan Batchelor will replace Anthony Long after spending six years as an assistant with the program.
THE BASICS SCHOOL: Dr. Phillips YEAR: Junior HEIGHT: 5-foot-4 POSITION(S): C, 3B HITS/THROWS: Right HOMETOWN: Orlando
STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
The Dr. Phillips High athletic department did not have to go very far in its search for a replacement for longtime boys basketball head coach Anthony Long. Last week, on March 10, Dr. Phillips Athletic Director Steven McHale announced he had promoted longtime assistant Dan Batchelor to head coach. Batchelor, who had been an assistant under Long for six seasons, played collegiately at Emory University. Before his time began with the Panthers, Batchelor also worked as an assistant at Apopka and Olympia. “I’m excited about it and I’m ready to get to work,” Batchelor said. In a release, McHale said the in-house hire was more than just an easy transition. “Dan is very much deserving of this promotion — his loyalty and knowledge of game is perfect for the direction we are headed,” McHale said. “He’s committed to Dr Phillips and looking forward to building our program and preparing young men for the next level in life.”
I’ve had a walk-off hit, but not a home run. It was my first home run. How did it feel to get that victory in an important district game? It was really great to know that we beat Boone, because we haven’t beat them since I’ve been here. I feel really good because the team is just doing better. What do you like about catching? You get to be involved every play and you don’t get distracted. What’s the best hitting advice you have received? “Trust your hands and don’t worry about everything that has to go into it.” Of the games left on the schedule, which one do you have circled on your calendar? I’m looking forward to playing Apopka again (April 12) because it was a close game (the last time they played, an 8-5 loss for Dr. Phillips).
David Jester
Dan Batchelor is excited to lead the Dr. Phillips boys basketball team.
The retirement of Long following the 2016-17 season compounds the loss before the season of longtime assistant Jason Lee, who took a job at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando. Batchelor said his time with Long impressed upon him the importance of attention to detail and discipline within a program. It will be different roaming the sidelines without his two good friends, he said. “I’m going to miss coaching with Anthony … he’s been an important person in my life,” Batchelor said. “The three of us (Batchelor, Long and Lee) are still very, very close friends.” Batchelor, already a teacher on campus at Dr. Phillips, will now get to work on a number of
fronts, including setting up an offseason schedule, building a staff and pinpointing areas of focus for each individual player that is returning. On that front, Batchelor is optimistic about a team that will return four of five starters, including rising senior Daniel Love — one of Central Florida’s most gifted scorers. And even though the head coach has changed, the Panthers’ expectations will remain the same. “We have four goals every single year: win the Metro, win the district, win the region and win state,” Batchelor said. “Those things don’t change at DP.” Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.
GAME FILM: LAKERS LACROSSE
Do you have a college softball program you like to follow? Alabama softball, because their catcher (sophomore Reagan Dykes) is awesome.
T
he Windermere Prep boys lacrosse team halted a three-game losing streak March 8 with a road victory at Freedom High. The Lakers topped the host Patriots 12-6. A pair of seniors led Windermere Prep, with Patrick Hunter scoring four goals to pair with two assists and Mitchell Darrow recording three assists to pair with a goal. Freshman goalkeeper Jack Mayfield had seven saves. The victory brought the Lakers to 7-5 on the season, while dropping Freedom to 2-9. After some time off for spring break, Windermere Prep returns to the field March 23 on the road against North Broward Prep (4-4),
What do you think you would like to be when you get older? Either a physical therapist or an elementary teacher. Do you have any other hobbies or interests besides softball? I’m involved in the band through the magnet program. I’ve played the trombone since I was in sixth grade. Friday night football games are the best part.
Family. Family. Friends. Friends. Community. Community.
What’s your favorite Netflix show to watch on a rainy day? “Grey’s Anatomy.”
— STEVEN RYZEWSKI
Robert Brand was locked in on defense for the Lakers.
ONLINE
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— STEVEN RYZEWSKI
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Laker alumni square off
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
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STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
Windermere Prep Athletic Director Jacob Doss can recall when the varsity baseball team on campus was new and needed players so badly it included seventh-graders on its roster. Less than a decade later, when the No. 1 ranked Florida State baseball team (13-3) came to Orlando for a pair of games against the UCF Knights (133) March 7-8, Doss and other Windermere Prep staff got to see two alumni square off — nearly in a literal sense. Chase Haney is a sophomore pitcher for the Seminoles, and Rylan Thomas is a freshman first baseman for the Knights. Both
Rylan Thomas is making quite an impression in his first season with the UCF Knights.
former Lakers, who spent one season in 2015 as teammates, play regularly for their respective programs. “That’s a huge deal for us,” Doss said. “It was a very marquee matchup — those are some of the top teams in the country right now. And these kids are playing. They’re seeing some pretty significant action.” The two nearly squared off when Haney was on the mound March 7. Haney pitched an inning of relief for the Seminoles and recorded the final out of that inning with Thomas in the on-deck circle. On the season, Haney has made seven appearances as a reliever and allowed just one run, earning one win. Thomas, meanwhile, is hitting
.396 for UCF with 17 RBIs and four home runs. Against Central Michigan this past weekend in a series the Knights swept, Thomas went 8-for-11 at the plate with 12 RBIs and four home runs. “It just makes you so proud,” Doss said of the way the Laker alumni represent the program. Another local alum, West Orange’s Andrew Karp, pitched four innings as the starter for FSU in the March 7 game. Though this year’s varsity team at Windermere Prep is in a bit of a rebuilding mode, with a 5-5 record so far this spring, there are at least two more Division I players in the Lakers’ roster: junior Mason Russell is committed to Duke and sophomore Michael Bacica is committed to South Carolina.
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Chase Haney is a sophomore pitcher for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team.
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W EAT HER
18
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OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
FORECAST
I LOVE WEST ORANGE
THURSDAY, MAR. 16 High: 64 Low: 44 Chance of rain: 0%
FRIDAY, MAR. 17 High: 72 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 0%
SUNRISE / SUNSET
Sunrise Sunset
Thursday, March 16
7:35a
7:35p
Friday, March 17
7:34a
7:36p
Saturday, March 18
7:33a
7:36p
Sunday, March 19
7:32a
7:37p
Monday, March 20
7:30a
7:37p
Tuesday, March 21
7:29a
7:38p
Wednesday, March 22 7:28a
7:38p
MOON PHASES
SATURDAY, MAR. 18 High: 77 Low: 55 Chance of rain: 10%
Winter Garden resident Erik Rittenberry submitted this beautiful photo illustration. Rittenberry calls it, “Foggy Morning in Oakland Park.” The Windermere Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize. To enter, email your photo, along with your name, city and a caption, to amyq@orangeobserver.com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.
Mar. 12 Full
Mar. 20 Last
Mar. 27 New
RAINFALL Tuesday, March 7
0.00
SUNDAY, MAR. 19
Wednesday, March 8
0.00
High: 76 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 0%
Thursday, March 9
0.00
Friday, March 10
0.00
Saturday, March 11
0.00
Sunday, March 12
0.00
Monday, March 13
0.00
See other winning photos at OrangeObserver.com
YEAR TO DATE:
MARCH TO DATE:
2017 2.97 in.
2017
2016 5.94 in.
2016 0.01 in.
0.01 in.
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ONLINE
Mar. 5 First
“known as” 97 Jackson of country music 98 Total 101 Temporary gigs for good typists 108 Isle near Curacao 109 Flawed clothing abbrs. 110 Lean on the horn but good 111 Part of the human ear 112 Red Sea peninsula 113 Dairy farm sounds 114 ___ lazuli (blue shade) 115 Gather together in the boardroom 116 Mythical woodland deity 117 Award from a certain cable sports network 118 Set into motion, as a law 119 Schools of whales
DOWN
©2017 Universal Uclick
ACROSS
27 Hider of a criminal, e.g. 31 Where a boxer might be 1 Pillow covering trained? 5 Constantly takes breaks 32 Ground-double link from work 33 Took the metro 10 Place for a nice soak 34 Ace or jack, e.g. 14 Oscar candidate 35 What’s bound to happen 19 Sashes in Japan 36 Cause for alarm? 20 Give qualities or abilities 37 Mysterious part of the to Nixon tapes 21 Title for a Turkish military 40 Common spud leader (var.) 43 Sax variety 22 Waterslide 44 Lobbed ball trajectories 23 Many food bank contain45 Fish part ers 46 Dundee’s trainee 24 Like a proper knife 47 Satire that’s a bit harsh 25 Moderately quick gait 50 Hurry and then some 26 Rustic digs in the woods
52 Far from healthy 53 Outcast of biblical proportions 54 Some family tree members 55 Escort in a theater 56 Silent “yes” 57 Alias initials 58 Component of brass 59 Mom’s twins? 60 Double Eagle coin, for one 69 As ___ as Methuselah 70 Fowl quarters 71 “Ick!” relative 72 ___-town (Midwestern town nickname)
73 Word with Puffs or Krispies 76 Orange juice solid 77 Admire and more 80 Steam suppressor 81 Remove, as a 43-Down 83 Least swift 85 Lager kin 86 Location, as for building 87 Bothersome burden 88 Food sticker 89 Up and at ‘em 91 Where pigs kick back 92 The humanities 93 Exits or leaves 94 Kind of rat or ox 96 Word with “ran” or
1 Cola starter 2 One way to be taken? 3 From then on 4 Heart and soul 5 To a ___ degree 6 Waiting with phone in hand 7 Jewish month before Nisan 8 Wrath 9 Centrifuge’s role 10 One of several in a war 11 Hold the same opinion 12 Hammer-hurling superhero 13 Great hockey feats 14 Yield to another’s wishes 15 Make sore by rubbing 16 Major horn 17 Concerning the ears 18 Landlord’s expectation 28 Traffic problem 29 Bed alternative 30 Buggy go-with 35 White sheet on very cold water 36 Spanish dictator, once 37 “Gee” relative 38 Poker pot part 39 One on the jury with you 40 Opposite of tis 41 Let happen 42 ~
43 Downloadable bit of software 44 Mingling with 45 Low male singers at the opera 48 Resin in adhesives and paints 49 Quaff of the Middle Ages 51 “I don’t think so!” sound 54 Word heard in bootcamp, sometimes 57 Bound collection of maps 58 Blast with a ray gun 59 Barely defeats 61 Who might be to blame 62 Big name in VR 63 Lounges around 64 Be a tree pruner 65 Fishy attraction? 66 Ceremonial elegance and splendor 67 Alarming meal? 68 Certain duck 73 Use swear words 74 Words with “step” or “don’t bet” 75 Each one has its limits 76 Silent street performer’s forte 77 Transferable to another owner, in law 78 Juan and Johnson 79 Need to pay back 82 Multiple body trunks 83 Ermine in the summer 84 Flavorful 90 Steep, cold ramp 92 Bright star of Aquila 93 Like a boxer’s eyes, sometimes 94 Like some weights 95 State of agitation 96 Cornered 97 “___ in the bucket” 99 Lover of Shakespeare? 100 Rolled back from the shore 101 Receiver’s catch 102 Solo, opera-style 103 Litter member 104 Deity wielding a bow 105 Lively enthusiasm 106 Big name in auto supplies or wine-growing 107 Big-time failers of Breathalyzer tests
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.
“XBPWM PSPJN PJ DBSL ACUN E FESG IO VNI P EA. P GEZB PG BDBSLVNBSB VPGN AB.” – UIHPW OESSBHH “NKA JFJEK PGNKLYJP EJTA IGE HGFFJAT NL NKA YJXA LX GU GPNLF GUT J XLVUT LVN GPNJUD PLVYT CA G XLFH LX SFGMAF.” – YJGH UAAELU Puzzle Two Clue: M equals Y
ASSEMBLY REQUIRED by Timothy B. Parker
Puzzle One Clue: M equals G
CROSSWORD
©2017 NEA, Inc.
SUDOKU
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
©2017 Andrews McMeel Syndicate
3-16-17
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Garage/Moving/Estate Sales
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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers
Continued Growth
Puzzle One Solution: “Being Irish is very much a part of who I am. I take it everywhere with me.” – Colin Farrell
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This week’s Sudoku answers
Puzzle Two Solution: “The Irish Catholic side was married to the life of an actor and I found out acting could be a form of prayer.” – Liam Neeson
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2017
WINDERMERE OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
OrangeObserver.com
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