Memory lane
He’s ba-ack! Witherspoon rejoins the Panthers.
RELAY FOR LIFE RETURNS TO LAKE BUENA VISTA
Following a hiatus because of COVID-19, Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista returns for a second consecutive year from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at District Fire Station No. 4, located at 1920 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista.
“We are so thrilled to be back for another year,” said Yamile Rivera, Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista co-lead. “With last year being our first year back on our home track, it was a great experience for us, and we raised a little bit (more than) $68,000. This year is even more special because we get to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the actual Relay for Life event and it’s lasting impact.”
The fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society will feature a day full of activities, live entertainment, games, celebration of survivors and caregivers, that will culminate with the most impactful moment of the event, a luminaria ceremony to remember the loved ones lost to cancer, ending with a fireworks display. For more information about the event, how to donate or volunteer visit bit.ly/41ZwT53 or contact Rivera at Yamile.rivera@ hgv.com or (407) 489-8356.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO OUR NEW PODCAST In partnership with Foundation Academy, the Observer is proud to present “Between Faith and Reason,” our new podcast. This podcast is a platform designed to enhance, challenge and inspire your journey as individuals, with your families and in your community.
In addition to myriad podcast guests, host Jeff Lawrence also hopes to shepherd a dialogue between our community and the podcast. If you have questions you want discussed, email Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver. com. Please put “Between Faith and Reason Podcast” in the subject line. You can listen at foundationacademy.net/between-faithand-reason or by searching for “Between Faith and Reason” in your podcast app of choice.
Sawyer Brown will headline the Windermere Centennial Country Fair, bringing country rock music to the stage.
Courtesy photo
Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
HCA Florida breaks ground on new ER
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Winter Garden’s Dr. Larissa Dub is thrilled to see the construction work being done on HCA Florida West Orange Emergency, a new freestanding emergency room being built in Winter Garden.
Dub, a psychological director at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, has been driving to Kissimmee for the past seven years to provide medical care.
With the new West Orange Emergency being built at 1320 Daniels Road, Dub will be able to serve her community.
“I’m really excited to be able to serve the community I live in and have an opportunity to continue growing relationships with the individuals that are part of my community,” Dub said. “We have a lot of resources and service lines we’ll be able to offer the patients in our community.”
Dub is one step closer to working close to home.
She, along with various other HCA Florida Osceola Hospital staff, celebrated the construction of West Orange Emergency during a ceremony Friday, March 14.
Construction on the facility began in September 2024, and the emer-
tinued investments in West Orange,”
Shimp said. “We fully get patients have choice, and that’s part of why we’re excited to be able to provide this here: to provide an additional choice if that patient needs it.”
As the largest network of health care providers, West Orange Emergency will be HCA Florida’s 13th freestanding emergency room across the greater Orlando metro area.
The $16 million, 11,570-squarefoot freestanding emergency room
“Being able to bring that closer to population densities and closer to home is such an important part of how we’re caring for our community,” Shimp said.
Winter Garden City Commissioner Chloe Johnson said she is excited to have HCA join the community and bring quality health care options to the city. She said HCA Florida’s presence in the community strengthens the local health care community.
“Having choices empowers indi-
cities across the United States and recognized as one of the best places to live, work and play. That is why HCA Florida chose Winter Garden as the area to build its next freestanding emergency room.
“Generally speaking, we have become a healthier population,” Shimp said. “However, the necessity to be able to have access to emergency services is still very prevalent. When we look across all systems, all markets within the greater
emergency department. Emergency services are and will continue to be an important component of how health care is provided within communities and in emergency situations, minutes, even seconds, end up counting.”
Shimp said by the time someone arrives at the emergency room, that person should be seen within five minutes by a physician or provider. For a majority of patients, it only will be about an hour-and-a-half between when they are seen to when they are discharged.
“The days of long waits in the emergency department end up being a thing of the past,” Shimp said.
Dr. Jonathan Ortiz said the emergency facility will be staffed with board-certified emergency medicine physicians and nurses skilled to handle a variety of medical needs.
“We’ll be here to treat a general to very specific ranges of news, from infectious diseases to strokes to broken bones, ear aids and chest pains but caring for families of all ages, especially our pediatric population,” Ortiz said.
The emergency facility will feature 11 rooms, one of which is a designated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and trauma room. There also will be diagnostic imaging, a CT scanner, -
Ortiz said patients at West Orange Emergency will have the same level of care as at a hospital-based emergency
Ramos
Representatives from the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, the city of Winter Garden and HCA Florida Osceola Hospital celebrated the construction of West Orange Emergency.
WAY BACK WHEN Maury Tillman
Before Isleworth was one of the most affluent golfing communities in the country, it was a fertile orange grove. And it’s where Tillman spent his childhood.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Editor’s note: Way Back When is a new feature that records and preserves the stories and memories of lifelong West Orange and Southwest Orange residents.
Maury Tillman recalls growing up in Isleworth as a young black boy and attending Windermere Elementary School when there was just one other black child — the janitor’s daughter. He comes from a family of citrus grove workers and remembers the sweet smell of orange blossoms, a childhood free of racism and the carefree days of his youth.
Tillman has shared memories of his younger years in an oral history project conducted by the town of Windermere, which celebrates its centennial this year.
LIFE IN ISLEWORTH
Tillman, now 58, was born at West Orange Memorial Hospital in 1966 and grew up in the community of Isleworth. His grandfather migrated to the area in 1932 as a teenager.
“Since that time, we’ve had three generations that were born and raised and died in Isleworth/Windermere,” he said. “I have lots of fond memories.
“As a kid, I remember running throughout the orange groves, the smell of the orange blossoms, because Isleworth was primarily orange groves, and our family lived in the midst of that, and the orange blossoms were always very present,” he said.
“All of my relatives worked in the orange groves, with the Chase family, in some capacity,” Tillman said. “My grandfather was a mechanic for all the trucks and different machinery for the orange groves. I had a great uncle who was a foreman who would drive the crewmen to the orange groves, a couple of my uncles and my father would drive the citrus to all the different locations. My grandmother was actually a maid to the Chase family that owned all the property in Isleworth and in the area, as far as the groves were concerned.”
Chase Groves Inc. owned 1,600 acres of groves along the shores of
the Butler Chain of Lakes.
Tillman and his family lived somewhere in the middle of it all.
Tillman’s grandmother also worked as a maid for the Bradford family of Windermere.
“She was a maid till practically she couldn’t do it anymore,” he said.
Tillman said he has fond memories of being a kid in Isleworth and Windermere, “living on property that’s surrounded by beautiful lakes, white sand roads and orange groves all around you, smelling the orange blossoms, pulling bananas off the trees, having your family all around you.”
His grandmother was called Big Mama, even though she was a small woman, and she kept a supply of cookies for her grandchildren.
“She would always have (Charles Chips) cookies delivered to her house,” Tillman said. “Looking back, how many people knew that Charles chocolate chip cookies were being delivered to people?”
He said he grew up thinking he “had the world.”
The Chases provided housing for the people who lived and worked in Isleworth.
“We called them the quarters,” Tillman said. “It was livable; I didn’t feel poor as far as other populations of African Americans.”
His great-uncle ran a small country store that sold soft drinks, cookies, chips and other snacks mainly to the migrant workers before they went into the groves.
He remembers his great-uncle, a citrus foreman, taking several family members to the grove and put them up in a tree to pick and bag the fruit.
“It taught me how to have a strong work ethic, not be afraid of hard work and (have) a great appreciation for those that were doing it for a living,” Tillman said.
GROWING UP IN ISLEWORTH
The orange groves also provided many opportunities for fun.
“The groves were our playground, the lake was our recreational pool,” he said. “That was just where we had fun.”
They fished in the lakes, they attempted camping in the woods, they played hide-and-seek, they sneaked into the abandoned pack-
inghouse and slid down the chutes.
As a student, Tillman went to Windermere Elementary, where his aunts and uncles also attended. He never did get up the courage to talk to the little black girl.
“I just happened to have a crush on her,” he said. “I just remember admiring her from afar.”
Tillman is grateful for his childhood.
“Just from a racial standpoint, being that we were a small community of blacks … among a community that was known for being affluent, I never felt any racism or any negative like, ‘You don’t belong here’-type feeling. It was unique because our family was nestled in Isleworth; we were kind of isolated from the general population of other African Americans who lived in Orlando.”
There is one story that sticks with him, even today. His schoolteacher had a big world map on the wall and told her students to ask their parents from where they came.
“I had no clue,” he said. “I didn’t go home and ask my parents. I just figured I would make something up. So, I go back to school the next day, the teacher’s going around the room. … ‘Tommy?’ ‘Oh, we’re from England,’ and she got to me, and before I could even make up where I was from, she said, ‘Oh, Maury, you’re from Africa.’
“I was taken aback,” he said. “I didn’t argue; I was just a little kid. But I was sad because the only images of Africa that I knew were either stuff I saw on TV like ‘Tarzan’ or National Geographic with people with bones in their mouths, and I’m like, ‘That’s not me.’ But as you grow up and learn true history, you learn you really are from there.
“It was an experience I will never ever forget because it made me understand the importance of know
The town of Windermere Centennial Committee is collecting stories and remembrances from folks who grew up in Windermere or who have an interesting connection to the town. About 23 already have been recorded, and they are being played in the lobby of the Windermere Police Department and administration offices. The Historic Board is looking to take over the project and keep it going. To participate, contact Chris Sapp at Chris@revel.realty.
your history,” Tillman said. “I don’t necessarily look at it as a negative thing; I look at it as an awareness thing and the importance of being able to see yourself through others wherever that may be. … That experience was humbling and eyeopening.”
The Tillman family attended Isleworth Missionary Baptist Church until the property was sold and members had to find another church.
“If you didn’t go to the church, you wouldn’t have any idea we were there,” he said. “If people asked, ‘Where do you live?’ and you say Windermere, you get this ‘Ohhh,’ as if we were affluent. And that carries over to this day. If someone asks me where I grew up and I say Isleworth, they’re like ‘Oooh.’ I feel like I have to tell them it’s not what it is now.
“They automatically thought you had money,” he said. “You didn’t feel poor at all. I think it was traditional Southern living. I remember my grandmother gardening; they grew the vegetables. Things that I would not dare eat now just were common — raccoons, possum, obviously fish
galore, rabbits, turtles. I remember my grandmother making turtle soup. We lived off the land, and it was all right there in Isleworth. It was just a unique experience for a kid.”
He remembers when Walt Disney World was opening and the attraction had giant spotlights shining in the sky.
“I remember looking up into the sky … and I thought they were angels just floating up there,” he said.
IT WILL ALWAYS BE HOME
“Windermere, Isleworth, it will always be close to me; I’ll always feel close to there,” Tillman said. “I live in Winter Garden, and I pass through there all the time. Whoever I’m with … they get tired of me saying, ‘I went to school right over there. That was the Reddi Market over there. That was the post office.’”
He’s glad to see the town of Windermere has kept its dirt roads and some of the old grand houses from his childhood still are standing. Tillman recently was back in Isleworth to help his Darden Restaurants CEO with some IT support.
“This was the first time I was in Isleworth since it is what it is today,” he said. “I was so excited. My mind was way beyond supporting the CEO of the company. After I was done, I probably spent another 45 minutes to an hour to see if anything resembled where I grew up. I recognized a few oak trees, but it was kind of surreal to see where it was just orange trees as far as your eye could see and (now) to see streets and mansions.”
He grew up in a simpler time, and he cherishes those memories.
“We were not affluent by any means,” Tillman said. “We were just some little old country folk doing something with fruit.”
Tillman’s parents moved to Pine Hills when he was in the sixth grade, and he graduated from Evans High School in 1984. His aunts and uncles were some of the first students to attend West Orange High School when it opened. Most of his family lives in the Orlando area still today. Tillman is a resident of Winter Garden.
“I’m proud to say I grew up there and was born there,” Tillman said of West Orange County. “I’ll probably die in this area.”
Courtesy photos Above: Maury Tillman enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.
Left: Maury Tillman graduated from Evans High School in 1984.
Maury Tillman grew up in Isleworth on the Butler Chain of Lakes.
STORY TIME
Nostalgia hits home at country fair
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Walking around Windermere Saturday, April 5, people will be transported to a time of childhood fun at a classic country fair.
The smell of popcorn lingering in the air. The sound of people laughing as they can see the world below them from the ferris wheel. Lights from carnival rides will brighten the day.
But most of all, the Windermere Centennial Country Fair will remind people of the small-town’s 100year history while celebrating its bright future.
“The town’s history and future are built on families, so we wanted something that was core to its beginning,” said CT Allen, a Windermere resident involved in planning the Windermere Centennial Country Fair. “Family oriented and nostalgic at the same time. It wasn’t a long journey creatively to get to a Good Ole Country Fair, where families come together for fellowship, music, food, rides and, of course, the smells (of) popcorn, cotton candy, funnel cakes. Well, not sure if they had funnel cake in 1925, but who doesn’t love the smell of a funnel cake?”
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Although Cal Palmer, J. Howard Johnson and Howard Lyon incorporated Windermere, Florida, in 1925, the town’s history dates further back.
The Timucua Indians called the area known as Windermere home until Spanish settlers moved into the area in the 1500s.
The United States purchased the eastern half of Florida in 1821 from Spain. By 1845, the U.S. made Florida the 27th state.
With the U.S. Government offering incentives — such as giving away 160 acres to any person willing to cultivate five acres — to bring more people to the area, settlers started making Windermere their home.
Englishman Dr. Stanley Scott, whose father purchased 160 acres in Windermere in 1885, built his home on the shore of Lake Butler. He called the home Windermere, many believe, in honor of the famous Lake Windermere in England.
Not long after, the railroad came through, linking Windermere to Kissimmee by 1889.
But it wasn’t until Palmer and Johnson came along in 1910 and bought the approximately 2,000 acres for $10,000 S.S. Griffin and his wife accumulated through a tax certificate program.
Palmer and Johnson created the Windermere Improvement Company, playing a crucial role in the town’s development.
The small town’s population began to rise as more people arrived. By 1960, the population had increased to 596 residents from the 153 residents in 1930.
After moving his sawmill from Ohio to Windermere in 1911, Palmer built a sales office for Windermere Improvement Company, now known as the Cal Palmer Building located on the corner of West Fifth Avenue and Main Street. The Cal Palmer Building became Windermere’s first post office as he had been appointed postmaster. It also was the ad hoc seat for government from Windermere’s incorporation until Windermere Town Council moved into the Town Hall in 1945. The Cal Palmer Building was placed on the local historic register in 1992 followed by the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
In the early 1970s, Windermere saw another influx in population as California executives with Walt Disney World moved to Windermere. By the early 1980s, Windermere had a population of more than 1,200 residents. Now it has more than 3,500.
HONOR TO CELEBRATE
Residents have been hard at work finding ways to celebrate the town’s centennial since last May.
The Steering Committee has been creating events for a year-long celebration, including the Windermere Centennial Country Fair.
IF YOU GO
TOWN OF WINDERMERE
CENTENNIAL COUNTRY FAIR
WHEN: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5
WHERE: The Pines at Windermere, 3409 Maguire Road, Windermere
COST: Adults $35, children 3 to 12 years old $20, children under 3 free; additional costs for dunk tank, carnival games, food trucks, concession stand and beverages
DETAILS: Come for some family fun at the good ole country fair. There will be carnival games, rides and live music, headlined by Sawyer Brown.
INFORMATION: town.windermere.fl.us/centennial-celebration
Allen said it’s an honor to be a part of the Steering Committee.
“We love this town and all the folks who make it so special,” she said. “The individuals that stepped up have been a sheer joy to work with. We all have our special skills and knowledge, and everyone just connected from the very first meeting last May. I don’t consider us a committee anymore. We are all friends meeting every week.”
The committee has worked to ensure the fair has something for everyone. There will be carnival rides, a large ferris wheel, a giant swing, a 100-foot slide, a celebrity dunk tank, 14 carnival booths with prizes to be won and more.
Allen said a country fair is a piece of nostalgia for many, including her. She remembered the lights of the rides and the sounds all around her as she attended fairs with her family growing up, as well as the sticky fingers from the cotton candy.
With the centennial celebration, Allen said there has been an overwhelming response from the community to make the fair a success.
While walking around the fair, people can take notice of pieces of Windermere’s history, including Town Hall and Old Glory, a patri -
1984. Winning the TV music competition jump started their careers.
“We’ve been blessed enough to have 40 years worth of hits,” Miller said. “If you’re a Sawyer Brown fan, you’re going to know every word to every song we’re going to play. We really enjoy doing that and seeing the reaction, and for the most part, we always say they sing the songs louder than we do. We really want to honor fans with just really pounding them with hits.”
Now Miller spends half his time living in Nashville, but the other half of the year, he calls Windermere his home, making the Windermere Centennial Country Fair a hometown concert.
“It’ll be the closest place that after the show, I can go back to the house,” Miller said with a laugh.
“That’ll be pretty fun. It’s not a huge commute.”
He discovered the small-town charm of Windermere when he was working for Disney and drove through Windermere. He said like many other residents, he moved to Windermere for its lakes. A fan of wakesurfing, wakeboarding and waterskiing, he said living on the Butler Chain of Lakes is a dream come true for him.
But as an introvert, Miller said performing in front of his friends and neighbors will be “a little bit exposing.”
“I see our names on all signs and I’m going, ‘Oh, what have I done here?” Miller said, chuckling. “I really am excited (to play at the fair). I know all the neighbors are excited.”
The band’s country rock style will be fitting to end the country fair. The band’s loud and fast style of play will make sure Windermere is rocking, Miller said.
“If
Editor and
otically designed horse statue that was dedicated in honor of the late hometown hero U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon.
Although there have been many residents stepping in to volunteer, Allen said more always are appreciated, especially if they are high school students looking for community service hours.
Live music will be played throughout the fair, which is from noon to 7 p.m.
The Windermere Elementary School chorus will open the the fair at noon with Mayor Jim O’Brien.
From there, John Ashley & The Swamp Bandits, Handpicked and The Down Brothers will take the stage until the last act of the night, Sawyer Brown, performs.
Sawyer Brown will headline the show, coming on stage between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and closing out the fair at 7 p.m.
With Mark Miller, the lead vocalist of Sawyer Brown, being a parttime resident of Windermere, the Steering Committee jumped at the opportunity to have the band perform at the fair.
SOUNDS OF HOME
Miller was born in Ohio but moved to Apopka when he was in eighth grade. That’s when he met bandmate Apopka’s Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard, who was born and raised in Apopka. The two best friends went on to create Sawyer Brown.
While some bands might have put immense thought into what to title their musical group that could launch them into musical stardom, Miller and Hubbard’s approach was more simple.
The two had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and stumbled upon Sawyer Brown Road.
“We wanted almost like a fictitious name,” Miller said. “So there was Sawyer Brown Road in Nashville. We literally just took the name from the road. We literally just drove by it and said, ‘That would be a good band name.’”
Little did they know the Sawyer Brown band would see 40 years of success, starting with winning the inaugural season of “Star Search” in
“It’s humbling that you feel so blessed that the songs you sat at your kitchen table and wrote, people all over America are singing,” he said. “We always say we don’t have love songs, we have life songs and we see people enjoying that. … Playing at this country fair means as much to us as it would playing at Madison Square Garden.”
Part of the band’s success is the members’ friendships. Miller said it’s cool to have a longtime friend like Hubbard along for the ride, being in a band together, traveling and touring.
In the band’s 40 years, they’ve performed more than 6,000 concerts and released 24 albums.
“To continue to do this is really a blessing,” he said. “It’s something we don’t take for granted, and it’s pretty humbling.”
Each member of the band brings a set of talents that amplifies the band’s performances and music.
Hubbard grew up playing piano and singing in church and began writing songs when he was in college. He’s co-written several of Sawyer Brown’s hits and songs on the band’s Christmas albums.
Joe Smyth, who plays drums and percussion, is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and earned a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. He has played with the Nashville Symphony and is a respected percussion instructor.
Lead guitarist Shayne Hill, the youngest in the band, joined in 2004 after one rehearsal with the band. His family had a band growing up, and they toured across the western United States. He’s toured with Chely Wright, Avalon and LeAnn Rimes, among others.
“When we’re on stage, it’s a whole different mindset,” Hill said.
“You are a band, but you have one sound and that’s everybody working together to create this sound that the fans have heard on the radio. We want our songs to sound exactly like they do on the radio. I think that’s the thing we are most prideful in.”
One of Miller’s personal favorites from the band’s repertoire is “The Walk,” a ballad that became a hit in a time when no one knew the band for ballads. He said it changed the way the band was perceived in the industry.
His other favorite is “Some Girls Do,” a song that has defined the band, Miller said.
Both songs will be performed at the country fair.
1944
/ Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com
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Courtesy image
Mark Miller, the lead vocalist of Sawyer Brown, spends half his time in Windermere, making the country fair a hometown concert for him.
Celebrating Ocoee’s Centennial
1955-1965
CELEBRATING A CENTENNIAL
2025 marks a major milestone for the city of Ocoee as it celebrates its 100th anniversary of incorporation, which took place May 13, 1925. The city is hosting several centennial events this year, including two key events: n Centennial Celebration 5 to 10 p.m. May 9 — Join city officials for live entertainment, food, vendors and activities at Bill Breeze Park.
n Time Capsule Ceremony 6:30 p.m. May 13 — City officials will hold a special ceremony at the Withers-Maguire House to preserve a snapshot of the city for future generations. For information about the centennial, visit 100yearsocoee.com/historical-timeline. Residents taking photos during the centennial events are being encouraged to use the hashtag #100YearsOcoee when posting on social media.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
Transportation was becoming more popular in West Orange County by 1955, and cities, counties and the state needed to find a way to maneuver the growing number of vehicles on the small roads.
State Road 50 (West Colonial Drive) was constructed south of downtown Ocoee in 1959 and provided a direct east-west connection between the city and a growing Orlando. The development of S.R. 50 made Ocoee more accessible and attractive to developers who wanted to build affordable housing developments.
Florida’s Turnpike was the next major roadway constructed through Ocoee. This 309-mile freeway was extended through West Orange County in 1964, just south of the Ocoee downtown area, and provided Ocoee with needed north-south access.
The population of Ocoee was growing, and local newspapers were dedicating more ink to the municipality and the news it produced. Well before the invention of the internet and social media, residents relied on their weekly community news-
n In partnership with the
a
paper and the big daily for their dose of the social whirl.
Ocoee news filled the pages of The Winter Garden Times and the Orlando Evening Star. Here’s a snippet:
JAN. 14, 1955
The Ocoee Lions Club met in the clubhouse Monday night with the ladies as their guests. After a delicious steak dinner, the program chairman, Carl Reaves, showed a film showing the progress of refining and manufacturing of steel products.
The Ocoee Lions Club Auxiliary met with Mrs. J. Marsden, with Mrs. J.J. Vandergrift presiding. Plans were made for a bake sale at Lions Hall.
JUNE 1, 1956
The engineering firm of Sherlock, Smith and Adams of Florida Inc. relocated to the area to conduct preliminary surveys for the Florida’s Turnpike. A 13-mile strip beginning near Oakland and running southeast through Winter Garden, Ocoee, Minorville and Gotha, comprise the section of the turnpike to be surveyed.
JULY 25, 1958
Personals: Guests at the Hartle Bowness home this week were Mrs.
Lt. Col. Sam Salisbury. Pat Thornton received the science award from J.B. Hamer. Presentations were made at the graduation exercises at the Ocoee School auditorium. It was announced the immunization clinic would be closed during July because the building would not be available during that time. The nurse, Ruth Miller, also was taking her vacation at that time.
A West Orange Builders Inc. advertisement invited West Orange Countians to inspect an outstanding home value: a three-bedroom, one-bath home priced at $8,250, with only $250 down and $50.86 per month.
FEB. 5, 1960
Dorothy M. Thornton, by now using phone OL 6-2186, announced the Ocoee unit of the West Orange Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was making plans to sponsor a benefit card party at the Woman’s Club of Ocoee. The cost was 75 cents per player. Proceeds were to be used to assist the general auxiliary with its portable X-ray fund. The Ocoee Lions Club was again in charge of the Ocoee booth at the fair, with Elmer Badger as chair.
AUG. 12, 1960
Rilla Ann Tomyn celebrated her seventh birthday with a party at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Ray Stevens. An afternoon of party games, during which all were prize winners, was followed by ice cream, punch and a beautiful pink three-tiered birthday cake with animals marching around the tiers.
The families of Mary Griffin and Vivian Watson held a picnic at Rock Springs in honor of their birthdays. Randy Freeman observed his fifth birthday with a party at the home of his parents, the Clifford Freemans, on Starke Lake. A circus theme was followed throughout in decorations and refreshments, including a circus birthday cake, clown hats and miniature clowns given as favors.
JAN. 10, 1963
Bowness’ brother, Eugene R. Hubbard, his wife and four children from Washington, D.C. Mrs. C.M. Strosnider was attending the Home Demonstration Short Course in Tallahassee. Mrs. William Parker and adopted daughter Sumiko were recent guests at the Jack Marsden home.
Mr. and Mrs. H.M. McCloskey and daughters Margaret and Marion returned from a month’s trip visiting and sightseeing. They visited Mr. McCloskey’s brother in New York and his sister in Philadelphia.
Postmaster and Mrs. James N. Peacock returned from their honeymoon trip and took an apartment at the Stoutenburgs. Their wedding was an event of July 3 in Alabama. Mrs. Peacock was the former Miss Martha Calhoun.
Terry Barr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Barr, entertained Phil Sharon McGehee, daughter of the Frances McGehees, with a Coke party. Guests were Connie Britt, Joan Schley, Gloria Sargent, Sue Shaw, Orean Hall, Sally Latham and Karen Moran. Cakes and sandwiches were served.
JUNE 5, 1959
Dorothy M. Thornton, phone 1104 Red, announced students would be honored at Student Recognition Day at the Ocoee Methodist Church.
The Byron Dorough home was rented to be used as a parsonage for the new minister, expected in two weeks’ time.
The incoming and outgoing executive board of the Woman’s Club of Ocoee was entertained at a lovely luncheon at the home of Lucy Hawthorne with Mrs. Ralph Sims as co-hostess. A yellow linen cloth covered the luncheon table, and the centerpiece was yellow gladiolas with ligustrum.
Winners this year of the American Legion Citizenship Award were Patricia Hammock and Joe Worsham. They were presented by retired
Glo-Brite Fuel Oil, a division of the Apopka Bottled Gas Co., agreed to donate one cent per gallon for all fuel oil ordered by Jan. 19. The recipient, the Ocoee Junior Woman’s Club, would then give one-third of the profits to the Ocoee Youth Center.
JULY 30, 1965
L.L. Dudley, of Ocoee, was presented a plaque for distinguished service by the Ocoee Lions Club. Making the presentation was international counselor John “Tiger” Minor. A charter member of the Ocoee club, Dudley was co-chairman of the Lions’ exhibit at the Orlando Fair.
OCT. 20, 1965
Candidates for Homecoming queen at Ocoee High School were Leila Ann Bell, Doris Highburger, Myra Demastus, Nita Finley and Jane Cox.
DEC. 23, 1965
The Ocoee City Council approved an ordinance appropriating and allocating the revenue for the city of Ocoee. The anticipated revenue to the city was $170,596.79.
city of Ocoee, the Observer is publishing
10-week series examining each decade of the city’s history.
A 1959 advertisement invited residents to check out new homes being built in Ocoee by West Orange Builders Inc.
Some photos and information are courtesy of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Nancy Maguire’s book, “A History of Ocoee & its Pioneers.”
The Ocoee Minors Little League Owls team posed with their coach, Herb Daniels, in this 1962 photo: back, Ronny Nette, Chris Maltby, John Kendrick, Jimmy Lee, Wayne Atchison, Jay Dodge, Randy Maltby Mickey Maguire and Butch Cox; front, Mark Fletcher, Lex Barker, Tommy Sanders, Bucky Mason, Ed Skipper, Walter Jenkins, Allen Green and Terry Spence.
In 1965, Army Sgt. First Class John T. Lindsey Jr., left, whose parents lived in Ocoee, was given the oath of enlistment by Major Wade M. Dupuis, in Germany after reenlisting for three years. He graduated from Ocoee High School.
The majorettes of the Ocoee school band posed in their new uniforms in 1961: standing, Brenda Aycock, left, Susan Worsham, Sharon Vandergrift and Diane Cabaniss; and, kneeling, Linda Wise, left, and Connie Fischer.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business
The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership. Congratulations on Membership Milestones to 20
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 5-year anniversary of Overture 55+ Dr. Phillips
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 5-year anniversary of Overture 55+ Dr. Phillips. Located at 6410 Sand Lake Sound in the Dr. Phillips part of Orlando, Overture 55+ Dr. Phillips invites you to discover 55+ Senior Living in Orlando. Overture 55+ Dr. Phillips is a gorgeous apartment home with resort-inspired amenities and services focused on you. A location within walking distance of Phillips Crossing and just minutes from Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Overture allows you to enjoy maintenance-free living. To learn more, visit https://liveoverture.com/communities/ overture-dr-phillips/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 25-year anniversary of San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 25-year anniversary of San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant. With West Orange locations in Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere and Lake Buena Vista in addition to two other Central Florida locations, San Jose’s is a family-owned and -operated restaurant. They focus on fresh food every day to serve families and friends just as they serve their own families. All dishes are made from the heart and prepared with love using recipes that have been passed down from generations of the brother’s family. To learn more, visit https://sanjosesoriginal.com/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of First Wealth & Trust
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of First Wealth & Trust. Located at 504 W Plant St Stes 107-108 in Winter Garden, First Wealth & Trust continues First National Bank of Mount Dora’s way of building personal relationships with their customers so they can help them through all stages of life. From financial planning and investment management to estate planning and trust administration, they’re known for exceptional service, results and commitment to their communities. To learn more, visit https://www.fnbmd.com/winter-garden-clermont.
West
Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of The
Surgical Institute of Central Florida
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of The Surgical Institute of Central Florida. Located at 12363 W Colonial Dr in Winter Garden, The Surgical Institute of Central Florida is where innovation meets luxury, transforming lives through cutting-edge surgery, aesthetic artistry, and uncompromising care. Founded by Dr. Betsy Dovec (@drdovec), this 15,000-square-foot state-of-theart facility is home to @BodyByBariatrics, BodyByBeauty led by @towerpowermd, BodyBySkin Med Spa (@bodybyskinmedspa), and BodyByBride (@bodybybride)offering premier bariatric surgery, cosmetic surgery, aesthetic and med spa services, medical weight loss, and GI services under one roof. To learn more, visit https:// surgicalinstitutecfl.com/.
THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY - DR. PHILLIPS AND THURSDAY - HORIZON WEST
To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304
Hamlin beer festival returns this weekend
Legacy Events for Education and the Observer Media Group will present the second Hamlin Craft Beer Festival to benefit local teens.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
With the $15,000 raised from last year’s inaugural Hamlin Craft Beer Festival, Legacy Events for Education was able to provide scholarships to 24 local students.
David Terry, the president of Legacy Events for Education, wants to increase the impact of the Hamlin Craft Beer Festival by making it bigger and better this year.
“Come out and have a good time and raise money by accident,” he said. “We’re going to throw this huge festival, but the cool part is all those people out there having a great time are all raising money for a fantastic cause to fund scholarships for kids who give back to the community and leave their legacy on the community and educational programs for kids who are just trying to figure out what their legacy is going to be.”
This year’s Hamlin Craft Beer Festival, which is presented by Legacy Events for Education and the Observer Media Group, will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 29, at the Hamlin Green Space.
The adult-only festival will be double the size of last year’s festival, featuring more than 75 varieties of beer, ciders and other drinks from regional and national breweries. There also will be mixed drinks, seltzer, alcoholic water and more. Terry said there is something for everyone.
“We’ll have beer from all over the country,” Terry said. “There’s beer coming from as far as Minnesota. We’ll have a bunch of different local beers that you can go sample, and you can find out those are places you want to go visit, but we’ll have beers that people will never get a chance to try … because they’re not going to any of the other festivals.”
New to this year’s festival is a live band, Shyanne, a 1980s arena rock band.
“We’re going to make this the biggest party you can find in all of western Orange County,” Terry said.
As an adults-only event, Terry said parents will be able to go out and have fun with friends without having to worry about kids running around. Four-legged friends are allowed.
Part of the fun will be a giant interactive game zone featuring miniature golf, giant beer pong and cornhole.
Attendees also have the option to splurge for a VIP package. Those guests will be able to enter the festival an hour early, receive a commemorative T-shirt and have access to a shaded area with seating and restrooms. Rum Runners BBQ and Twisted Plates will provide light bites, including pulled pork, french fries and dessert.
LOCAL IMPACT
Terry said attending the festival will help Legacy Events for Education increase its impact on teens in the community.
In the past seven years, the nonprofit has given over $100,000 in scholarships to almost 100 students. Besides scholarships, the nonprofit
IF YOU GO HAMLIN CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
WHEN: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29
WHERE: Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden
COST: General admission $45, VIP $75, VIP designated driver $15, general admission designated driver $5
DETAILS: Enjoy more than 75 varieties of beers and ciders at this adults-only event. Four-legged friends are allowed. There will be live music, a giant interactive game zone and food trucks. All money raised will benefit Legacy Events for Education.
TICKETS: legacyeventsfored. org/hamlin-craft-beer-festival
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135
Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
also provides programs and classes on financial literacy, resume writing, interview skills, soft skills and more.
Last year, students who received scholarships from the nonprofit had more than 6,000 hours of volunteer work completed.
“At last estimate, we had (more than) 40,000 hours of volunteerism recognized through our scholarship program,” Terry said. “It’s kids who started their own nonprofits. Kids who do 500, 600, 700 hours of volunteerism just in the four years of high school. … I do (more than) 1,000 hours of volunteerism as the president and executive director of Legacy Events for Education, but every year, when I get to get on stage and hand checks to those kids, I end up crying because these kids put me to shame for the things that I do for the community. They’re incredible. They’ve given just so much of themselves, and they’re all going to do amazing things.”
These students go on to make a lasting impact in the community. For example, Terry said one scholarship recipient, who was recovering from anorexia, started a hotline with a few other teens to help those with eating disorders.
“All I want to do for these kids in our scholarship program is be able to say, ‘Thank you for being you, thank you for giving to the community, and thank you for leaving a part of yourself here while you go out to do great things in the rest of the world,’” Terry said.
The educational programs Legacy Events for Education provides already has reached 125 families in this fiscal year.
“With the help of all the people that are attending the festival, the sky is the limit for what Legacy can accomplish and the number of kids that we can reach,” Terry said.
NOTICE OF ONLINE PUBLIC AUCTIONS TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT, AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
HOSTED BY:
GEORGE GIDEON AUCTIONEERS, INC. 2753 N. HWY 441, ZELLWOOD, FL 32798 (407) 886-2211 www.ggauctions.com
Items may be inspected at Gideon Auctioneers: During Business Hours from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. for vehicles CHECK
First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org
Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org
Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM
Oliver, Wilsen sworn in to new terms on Ocoee City Commission
IN OTHER NEWS
n During the staff report and agenda review section of the March 18 Ocoee City Commission meeting, City Manager Craig Shadrix requested and received approval for the removal of item No. 5 — which would have authorized city staff to execute agreements for the installation of a second celebratory Centennial mural on the side of the building at the northeast corner of the Bluford Avenue and McKey Street intersection — from the regular agenda because of an existing code violation at the location. The item will be brought back to the commission once the property is in compliance with city code.
n The commission appointed District 2 City Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen as mayor pro tem — replacing District 1 City Commissioner Scott Kennedy, who served in the role in 2024. Since 2007, the mayor pro tem — which is a vice mayor role that sees the elected person would serve as acting mayor in the absence of the actual mayor — rotates between the commissioners annually.
n In accordance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations, which states that state or local police officers must go through immigration enforcement training and be 287(g) deputized to enforce Form I-205 administrative arrest warrants issued by ICE, the commission approved the Ocoee Police Department’s request to have one sworn officer become 287(g) deputized to comply with the 287 (g) Task Force Model Memorandum of Agreement.
n The commission unanimously approved assignments of commission liaisons to various city boards, maintaining the same assignments from 2024 for 2025. Mayor Rusty Johnson will continue serving as the liaison for the Human Relations Diversity Board and the Personnel Board. Commissioner Kennedy will remain the Citizens Advisory Board for the Police Department and MetroPlan Orlando Municipal Advisory Committee liaison. Commissioner Richard Firstner will serve as the Citizens Advisory Board for the Fire Department liaison, while Commissioner George Oliver III will remain the liaison for the Education Incentive Board. Shadrix will serve as liaison for the West Orange Chamber of Commerce.
Incumbents Rosemary Wilsen, representing District 2, and George Oliver III, representing District 4, return to their seats on the Ocoee City Commission.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
Ocoee City Commissioners Rosemary Wilsen, representing District 2, and George Oliver III, representing District 4, were officially sworn into office at a ceremony prior to the beginning of the March 18 City Commission meeting.
Wilsen, who ran unopposed, was joined by her daughter and husband as she took the oath, while Oliver, who defeated Ages Hart to reclaim the District 4 seat for a fourth time, hosted supporters, local leaders and a host of his Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers for a pre-ceremony celebration and call for unity after
West Orange chamber
Best Fest is Thursday
Dozens of booths will offer bites from some of the best local restaurants, bars, caterers and breweries.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
Some of West Orange County’s top eateries and dining establishments will dish up their tastiest menu items, and bars and breweries will serve a variety of beer, wine and spirits, at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s Best Fest 2025 — The Taste of West Orange.
The 20th annual event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Bill Breeze Park at Starke Lake,125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. About 800 attendees are expected to enjoy the evening on the lawn.
Chamber President and CEO Stephen Lewis is ready for a fun evening with the community.
“It’s exciting whenever we can bring businesses from across West Orange County together to showcase not only the best restaurants but the best businesses,” he said. “It’s a business expo, so it’s exciting to bring the best restaurants and businesses out.
“We love this event because it’s the
NEWS BRIEFS
BRACY SIBLINGS TO RUN FOR THOMPSON’S SEAT
A sister and brother will face one another for the late Geraldine Thompson’s seat in the Florida Senate.
FOREST LAKE GOLF COURSE
largest community-facing event,” he said. “We always want to showcase the best of the best. And to do that in this community at this beautiful venue, Bill Breeze Park — it’s always nice to get the businesses of the community to introduce themselves to current or future customers. I’m so very excited about it.”
New this year is the addition of several businesses, including Winter Garden Vibes, which will bring its cart for onsite interviews. Owner Chris Chan will conduct interviews with some of the sponsors and several Chamber leaders, and he also will interview a few vendors and attendees.
Deejay Matthew Leiva, with MissingLink Entertainment, will provide music throughout the evening and also will announce the results of the Best of the West Voting Contest.
Attendees can vote for the Best Food, Best Beverage, Best Business Booth and Best Dessert. Winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to Best Fest are $50 in advance and $65 at the gate.
Participating food and drink vendors are Candy Dezign Studio, Chick-fil-A Ocoee/Winter Garden, Crooked Can Brewing Company, Culver’s of Winter Garden, Gochi Japanese Kitchen, Hawkers Asian Street Food, Jag Cantina, Kelly’s
a contentious campaign.
“We have to be able to truly embrace the spirit of forgiveness, regardless of whatever someone has done to us,” Oliver said to the crowd before his swearing in. “We are responsible for how we treat others, not how they treat us. We are responsible for that, and this is the road toward unifying. When we all start to realize that it’s about forgiveness and coming together as a community, then we can start down … the journey of unity, the journey of grace, the journey of giving one another the benefit of the doubt and extending grace to one another. The same grace that God gives us every single day.”
By a 3-2 vote, the commission approved a special meeting at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, March 27, to vote on an update to the seventh amendment of the ground lease agreement between the city and Forest Lake Golf Club LLLP that would formalize a mediated settlement agreed by the two parties. This would result in Forest Lake Golf Club ceasing operation of all aspects of the golf club and facilities located on a city-owned land at close of business April 30. As part of the same motion made by Wilsen, the commission also authorized city staff to release a request for proposal to solicit Forest Lake Golf Club LLLP’s replacement as permanent operator of the golf course. Following the vote, the commission was asked to select an interim operator from three local vendors — Down to Earth, Hampton Golf and Tamarack Golf — to take over the course’s operations from May 1 to Nov. 2, when a permanent replacement operator is chosen via the RFP process. However, the commission instead voted unanimously to delay the vote until the March 27 special meeting due to a lack of information they deemed vital for a decision.
IF YOU GO WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 27
WHERE: Bill Breeze Park at Starke Lake, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee REGISTRATION: bit.ly/4hIbIu7
Homemade Ice Cream, KFC, King of Pops, Little Greek Fresh Grill Winter Garden, Long Drink, Pammie’s Sammies, Pilar’s Martini & Loft, PRP Wine International, San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant, Schweini’s Delicatessen, Skyline Chili of Orlando, Sonny’s BBQ, Southern Steer Butcher, Texas Roadhouse, The Peach Cobbler Factory, Windermere Brewing Co. and Uno Pizzeria & Grille. Businesses taking part in the Best
photo
Fest are Addition Financial Credit Union, AdventHealth, Bright Future Electric, Christian Brothers Automotive Ocoee, C Solutions IT, City of Ocoee, Clean Cans, Computer Business Consultants, Fairwinds Credit Union, First National Bank of Mt. Dora, Florida Blue, Foundation Academy, Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, Go Travel, HAPCO Music, Horizon West Happenings, Kalos Services, Lakota Wellness, Matthew’s Hope Ministries, Metro West Nursing & Rehab, MissingLink Entertainment, Observer Media Group, Orange County Potty’s, Orlando Orthopaedic Center, Orlando Valkyries, Synovus Bank, TopQuote Insurance, Triko App, Two Men and a Truck, VyStar Credit Union, West Orange Habitat for Humanity, and Winter Garden Vibes.
Florida state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis on Friday, March 21, announced her intentions to run for the District 15 seat. She will face her brother, former Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy, who ran unsuccessfully against Thompson in 2024. Thompson died Feb. 13 from complications following knee surgery. Randolph Bracy announced his candidacy the day after her death via an Instagram post.
“The answer is yes, I will be seeking election for District 15,” Randolph Bracy said. LaVon Bracy Davis made her announcement flanked by her mother, LaVon Wright Bracy, as well as members of Thompson’s family.
“Today, I stand with deep gratitude, purpose and reverence for a pioneer who paved the way — Sen. Geraldine Thompson,” LaVon Bracy Davis said in her announcement. “With the blessing of her beloved family and a heart full of purpose, I am proud to announce my intentions to run for Florida State Senate District 15.” District 15 includes a large portion of Orange County, including Ocoee, Oakland, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Apopka, Eatonville and parts of Orlando. LaVon Bracy Davis said her candidacy is not in opposition of her brother but rather a pledge to represent District 15.
“I love my brother, and I wish him well,” she said. “I am not going to be running ‘against’ anyone. I’ll be running for the people of Senate District 15.” Randolph Bracy said his sister’s announcement dishonors his family’s name.
“This is a sad day for the Bracy name,” he said. “My sister choosing to run against me dishonors our father’s legacy in every way possible. … I will not disparage our father, who believed in this family, by debating my sister in any format. People know my record, and I will continue to walk and live in the light, by putting the people over power.”
Randolph Bracy had served four years in the Florida House followed by six years in the state Senate. LaVon Bracy Davis has served as Florida House District 40 representative since 2022.
A date for a special election to fill the District 15 has not yet been set.
TWO MISSING LOCAL TEENS FOUND SAFE
Two missing teenagers were found safe last week.
The Ocoee Police Department reported 16-year-old Alisander Xavier Henderson missing Wednesday, March 19. He was found one day later.
A few miles away, parents of Horizon High student D.J. Betancourt, 14, reported their son missing. He was last seen Wednesday, March 19, but was found Friday, March 21, after a good Samaritan reported seeing him. According to information gathered by the Observer, Betancourt left his family’s home upset and did not have his cell phone with him. He also did not have any spare clothes or money.
Sam Albuquerque
Above: Ocoee City Commissioner George Oliver III was joined by his Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers during his swearing-in ceremony following his election win.
Left: Ocoee City Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen, who ran unopposed, was joined by her daughter and husband for the swearing-in ceremony.
An estate in the Phillips Landing community in Dr. Phillips topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from March 3 to 9.
The home at 9049 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, sold March 7, for $4,750,000. Built in 2003, it has six bedrooms, sixand-one-half baths and 8,015 square feet of living area. Days on market: 16. The sellers were represented by Chris Christensen, Compass Florida LLC.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
BAY HILL
The home at 6000 Tarawood Drive, Orlando, sold March 5, for $3,200,000. Built in 1986, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 6,252 square feet of living area. Days on market: 266.
The home at 8923 Tibet Bay Drive, Orlando, sold March 3, for $950,000. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,730 square feet of living area.
BELLA NOTTE AT VIZCAYA
The home at 8327 Via Verona, Orlando, sold March 4, for $680,500. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,556 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.
PHILLIPS LANDING
The home at 9049 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, sold March 7, for $4,750,000. Built in 2003, it has six bedrooms, six-and-onehalf baths and 8,015 square feet of living area. Days on market: 16.
SAND PINES
The home at 7511 Megan Elissa Lane, Orlando, sold March 5, for $585,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,689 square feet of living area. Days on market: 133.
SPRING LAKE VILLAS
The home at 7019 Villa Estelle Drive, Orlando, sold March 3, for $402,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,436 square feet of living area. Days on market: 149.
VISTAS AT PHILLIPS COMMONS
The townhouse at 6847 Sperone St., Orlando, sold March 6, for $280,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,540 square feet of living area. Days on market: 102.
WINDHOVER RESIDENCES
The townhouse at 6200 Peregrine Court, Orlando, sold March 6, for $293,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,348 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
HORIZON WEST
ENCLAVE
The home at 11769 Hampstead St., Windermere, sold March 3, for $1,500,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,979 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.
ENCORE AT OVATION
The home at 13737 Werrington Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 7, for $650,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,074 square feet of living area. Days on market: 560.
HICKORY HAMMOCK
The townhouse at 15605 Orange Harvest Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $419,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,708 square feet of living area. Days on market: 141.
HORIZON ISLE
The home at 13172 Dendy Way, No. 9, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $593,714. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,207 square feet of living area. Days on market: 44.
INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES
The townhouse at 14177 Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $356,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,249 square feet of living area. Days on market: 127.
LAKE REAMS TOWNHOMES
The townhouse at 12662 Langstaff Drive, Windermere, sold March 3, for $365,000. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,200 square feet of living area. Days on market: 89.
LAKES OF WINDERMERE
The home at 12507 Overstreet Road, Windermere, sold March 4, for $750,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,768 square feet of living area. Days on market: 53.
PANTHER VIEW
The home at 14969 Winter Stay Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $990,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,443 square feet of living area. Days on market: 84.
PARKVIEW AT HAMLIN
The townhouse at 15112 Grove Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $489,990. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,881 square feet of living area. Days on market: 17.
RAVENNA
The townhouse at 7790 Bowery Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 4, for $450,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,840 square feet of living area. Days on market: 34.
STOREY GROVE
The townhouse at 11049 Suspense Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $430,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,000 square feet of living area. Days on market: 174.
SUMMERLAKE
The home at 14822 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold March 6, for $587,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,705 square feet of living area. Days on market: 106.
The home at 14650 Bahama Swallow Blvd., Winter Garden, sold March 5, for $549,900. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,197 square feet of living area. Days on market: 89.
The townhouse at 15588 Blackbead St., Winter Garden, sold March 6, for $407,817. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,559 square feet of living area. Days on market: 74.
WATERLEIGH
The home at 8714 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 5, for $1,125,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,910 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.
The home at 16459 Point Rock Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 4, for $590,000. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,500 square feet of living area. Days on market: 47.
WATERMARK
The home at 14627 Winter Stay Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $642,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,072 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.
WESTHAVEN AT OVATION
The home at 13037 Tollcross Way, Winter Garden, sold March 6, for $537,500. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,160 square feet of living area. Days on market: 189.
WICKHAM PARK
The townhouse at 12979 Calderdale Ave., Windermere, sold March 6, for $385,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,545 square feet of living area. Days on market: 97.
WINDERMERE LANDINGS
The home at 11615 Snail Kite Way, Windermere, sold March 7, for $540,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,139 square feet of living area. Days on market: 34.
WINDING BAY PRESERVE
The townhouse at 10527 Spring Arbor Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 4, for $430,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,868 square feet of living area. Days on market: 121.
Courtesy photo
The home at 9049 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, sold March 7,
views
Big Sand Lake. The sellers were represented by Chris Christensen, Compass Florida LLC.
Courtesy photo
The home at 8714 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 5, for $1,125,000. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from March 3 to 9. The sellers were represented by Sherri Palmer, EXP Realty LLC.
OAKLAND OAKLAND TRAILS
The home at 1769 White Feather Loop, Oakland, sold March 7, for $455,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,835 square feet of living area. Days on market: 18.
OCOEE
BRENTWOOD HEIGHTS
The home at 1404 Snowden St., Ocoee, sold March 7, for $300,000. Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,653 square feet of living area. Days on market: 156.
GREENS AT FOREST LAKE
The townhouse at 2514 Sweet Viburnum Way, Ocoee, sold March 3, for $347,500. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,570 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
KENSINGTON MANOR
The home at 1741 Palmerston Circle, Ocoee, sold March 6, for $425,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,177 square feet of living area. Days on market: 29.
PRIMA VISTA
The home at 622 Aldama Court, Ocoee, sold March 7, for $499,900. Built in 1974, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,849 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.
VILLAGES OF WESMERE
The townhouse at 2104 Bent Grass Ave., Ocoee, sold March 6, for $405,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,944 square feet of living area. Days on market: 152.
WYNWOOD
The home at 3483 Sandalwood Isle Way, Ocoee, sold March 3, for $479,990. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,447 square feet of living area. Days on market: 164.
SOUTHWEST ORANGE
ROYAL LEGACY ESTATES
The home at 9502 Royal Estates Blvd., Orlando, sold March 3, for $945,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,231 square feet of living area. Days on market: 203.
WINDERMERE BUTLER BAY
The home at 2925 Butler Bay Drive N., Windermere, sold March 6, for $1,800,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,100 square feet of living area. Days on market: 106.
RESERVE AT BELMERE
The home at 1548 Lake Rhea Drive, Windermere, sold March 3, for $1,131,350. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,413 square feet of living area. Days on market: 83.
WINTER GARDEN
CROWN POINT SPRINGS
The home at 1426 Spring Ridge Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 5, for $480,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,600 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.
DANIELS LANDING
The townhouse at 159 Deepcove Road, Winter Garden, sold March 7, for $295,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,236 square feet of living area. Days on market: 55.
GOLF CART DISTRICT
The home at 218 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden, sold March 4, for $535,000. Built in 1923, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,162 square feet of living area. Days on market: 60.
MAGNOLIA WOOD
The home at 1433 N. Fullers Cross Road, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $1,130,000. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,138 square feet of living area. Days on market: 194.
STONE CREEK
The home at 1563 Loch Avich Road, Winter Garden, sold March 5, for $438,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,541 square feet of living area. Days on market: 128.
STONEYBROOK WEST
The home at 15503 Amberbeam Blvd., Winter Garden, sold March 7, for $475,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,732 square feet of living area. Days on market: 14.
VALENCIA SHORES
The home at 702 Valencia Shores Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 4, for $655,000. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,990 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.
WINTER GARDEN SHORES
The home at 506 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, sold March 6, for $772,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,241 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.
redfin.com
The home at 1433 N. Fullers Cross Road, Winter Garden, sold March 3, for $1,130,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from March 3 to 9. The sellers were represented by Carlos Aznar, One Real Estate World.
redfin.com
The home at 622 Aldama Court, Ocoee, sold March 7, for $499,900. It was the largest transaction in Ocoee from March 3 to 9. The sellers were represented by David Wald, Founders Realty Group.
CONGRATS GRADS!
SPORTS
HIGH 5
1
The rosters for the 2025 Cure All-Star boys and girls basketball games were announced and 10 area seniors were included across the four rosters. On the two girls teams were Dr. Phillips High’s Sariah Johnson and Kiarra Orphelia, Ocoee High’s Jaylla Williams and Jayla Weiser, and Horizon High’s Sienna Astorino and Amaya Mitchell. On the boys rosters, Olympia High’s Cameron Perry and Nick Blake were joined by Windermere High’s T.J. Drain and Sean Owens. The game was played after press time March 26 at Dr. Phillips High School.
2
The Ocoee High football team announced four new additions to its coaching staff for the 2025 season. Former Apopka High varsity football assistant coach, freshman team head coach and recruiting coordinator Jett Davison has been tapped as the Knights’ next offensive coordinator.
Joining Davison’s offensive staff is Bryce Belanger, who is being elevated from junior varsity offensive coordinator to varsity quarterbacks coach, and Phil Agard, who returns to Ocoee as its new wide receivers coach following a season as running backs coach at Lake Minneola High. On defense, the Knights have added Richard Belanger, a veteran coach of more than 20 years, as the new linebackers coach.
3
Former Dr. Phillips High girls basketball player Trinity Turner has capped off a successful first season as a member of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs by earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team. Turner not only led Georgia in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game, but became the first freshman to do so since 2004.
4
Dr. Phillips Little League is hosting a free umpire skills clinic for its Majors, Juniors and Senior Division Little League families.
The clinic will be at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 6 on the Julian Field at the new Dr. Phillips Little League Ball Complex, 10496 Bissell St., Orlando. RSVP by March 30 at bit. ly/4iCneZi.
5The First Academy baseball continued its dominance over spring break by sweeping the four games of the 2025 Aggie Classic in Pensacola; scoring 45 runs in the tournament Leading the way for TFA from the batter’s box was Remo Indomenico, an Oklahoma State signee, and Austin Pierzynski, a UAB signee. Indomenico went 7-for-17 with a batting average of .412, six runs batted in, 10 runs scored, two home runs and six stolen bases, while Pierzynski hit for an average of .417 (5-for-12), had an on-basepercentage of .625, drove in eight runs, scored four runs and stole six bases.
On the mound, junior pitcher Josh Garcia and senior pitcher Thomas Achey had the two best outings from the four games. Garcia threw seven strikeouts in a five-inning no-hitter win against Noble High (Oklahoma), topping the Bears 14-0. Achey struck out eight batters and allowed just two hits in his five innings of work in TFA’s 6-0 win over Booker T. Washington High (Oklahoma).
Reload not rebuild
Despite losing more
than half its starters from 2024’s historic team, Horizon High softball team’s young guns and veteran leaders have the Lady Hawks off to 10-1 start.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
Regardless of the sport, one of the most tried-and-true ways of identifying whether a team is merely great or if it has the make-up of a champion is not by seeing if it wins games or by how much it wins said game. Instead, the mark of a team truly hunting for a championship is how many different ways it can win games.
Can a team win by physically dominating its opponent? What about by out-thinking them? Outscoring the opponent? Not letting the opponent score? Can a team gut-out a win when nothing is going its way? When the referees are out to get you?
Although there is plenty of ball left to be played, one local team has shown the capacity to win games in a variety of ways this spring sports season: the Horizon Lady Hawks softball team.
“We’re a really well-rounded team,” said Horizon senior Mackenzie Duncan, a Penn State signee.
“We have a lot of different strengths, a lot of different aspects of our team can be the reason we win a given game. Even though we lost a lot of players from last year’s team, we’ve kind of reloaded with this group of
underclassmen who have came in and stepped into those voids. They know what they’re doing out there, and I feel like their hard work and talent has really allowed us to gel really well this year. … Obviously, (us) veterans have been the leaders of this team, but it’s been really nice to see some of the underclassmen step into those roles and also be leaders.”
Over 11 games in the 2025 season, the Hawks have a 10-1 record and are led by three veteran players. Duncan — the most accomplished player in program history — who is not only an intimidating force from the pitcher’s circle, currently sporting an ERA of .75 with 85 strikeouts in 46.2 innings pitched this season, but also is a major threat from the batter’s box, hitting .400 with 10 RBIs and two home runs. Senior pitcher Addison Lamb, who has an ERA of .37 with 39 strikeouts in 19 innings of action and junior outfielder Lila Hernandez, who boasts a ridiculous on-base percentage of
SEE HAWKS PAGE 2B
State-title-winning coach reclaims spot
hoops
Ben Witherspoon, who brought the Panthers their first boys hoops state championship, returns to Southwest Orange County after three seasons as a D-I assistant.
SAM
ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
Legendary Panthers boys basketball coach Ben Witherspoon is returning to Dr. Phillips High School after spending the last three seasons as a D-I college hoops assistant coach.
“I’m excited to get back,” Witherspoon said. “We’re looking to build this program the right way and get back to winning the way we did when I was last here. We want to actually take the program to heights even higher than before. We’ll do that by building on the same foundations we did before, and that starts with being the ultimate teammate. That
is all about being completely unselfish, having a genuine commitment to team success and playing with a level of desperation and toughness that’s just unmatched and relentless.
“Approaching everything we do with a growth mindset is another big part of our foundation,” he said. “Our team will understand that there are going to be challenges along the way, but that’s what we want because we grow through challenges. That growth mindset was a big part of our success as a program a few years back, and it will remain that way moving forward.”
Following a pair of stints as an assistant coach at Montverde Acad-
Despite being sidelined with a season-ending injury, West Orange girls lacrosse’s Addison Petch set career-bests with 39 goals and 53 total points in just nine games. Page 2B.
Sam Albuquerque Horizon High softball has picked up right where it left off last season thanks to young guns like Paisley Hernandez, left, and veteran leaders Mackenzie Duncan, Addison Lamb and Lila Hernandez.
Addy Petch
Despite being sidelined with a season-ending injury, a fractured fibula, West Orange High girls lacrosse player Addy Petch had yet another great season for the Warriors, having bagged a career-high 39 goals and dished out a team-leading 14 assists. Petch also set another careerhigh with 53 total points — in just nine games. For comparison, she scored 29 goals in 16 games as a sophomore and 26 goals in 19 games as a freshman.
The junior midfielder, who has been a vital part of this West Orange program for the past three seasons, recently announced her commitment to continue her LAX career following high school at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
It feels great to be named Athlete of the Week! I have put in so much work this season, and I am honored and happy that it is paying off.
What do you enjoy the most about lacrosse?
I enjoy being a part of a team and leading as a junior captain. The thrill and adrenaline of playing drives me in every game.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from lacrosse?
I have learned to never take anything for granted after my season-ending injury. I have also learned to be selfless (because) I am playing for something greater than my own stats.
What is your favorite lacrosse memory?
I honestly could not pick one favorite memory. Lacrosse brings me so much joy, and I love every moment. l look forward to high school season all year.
Who is your favorite athlete?
My favorite athlete is former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, because Michigan is my favorite football team, and I loved watching him lead Michigan to a National Championship in person.
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
I don’t like to eat too much before games, because I feel like I can’t run as fast. But I love to have a Snickers and energy drink before most games.
THE BASICS Age: 16 Sport: Girls lacrosse Grade: Junior School:
West Orange High
What is your go to pre-game hype song?
My favorite hype song is “Paper Planes” by M.I.A.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Digital design because I love making art and graphics.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
I would take a boat so that I could leave the island, a lot of gas to fuel the boat and my phone to keep me entertained.
What is your favorite movie?
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” because it is hilarious and my parents always make jokes, referencing that movie when I “fake being sick” so I don’t have to go school.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
J. Cole because he is my favorite musician. One of my favorite songs by him is “Love Yourz” because of the meaning behind it. I even want to get a tattoo of the song title.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I would go to the Jurassic period so I could see dinosaurs.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Trust God’s timing, because everything happens for a reason. I would tell my younger self this because I feel like I used to think many things were unfair. But now I have realized there are many hard things that I went through in life that served a purpose.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be? Were there any decisions that you made that you wish were different?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Black Panther because that is my favorite Marvel movie, and I think his speed and strength is so cool.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would choose healing, so I could cure people when they are injured
If you could travel to three places in the world, where
The first place I would travel to would be Hawaii, because I think it is so beautiful and I have always wanted to go there. The second place would be Africa to see all of the animals. Third would be Greece because the buildings and style of living is beautiful.
What is your most controversial food take? I like to eat pickles and potato chips together.
Does pineapple belong on Pineapple 100% does not belong on pizza. I prefer plain cheese or pepperoni.
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Hawks softball off to flying start
.600 and has scored 18 runs and stolen 22 bases.
“It’s been a really big honor for me that coach has trusted me since my freshman season to be the leadoff hitter and really set the tone for our offense,” Hernandez said. “It really feels like every time I get on base in that opening inning, we always score a run. It’s like the whole team gets this energy to open a game, and we all start doing what we can to get me home. I know that being that first person in the batter’s box is a really important job for our team, so I try really hard to do my part and get on base to set us up for a good start to the game.”
Coming into this season, that was all Horizon was expected to bring to the field after losing six starters from a historic 2024 team that reached the state semifinals and won a regional championship. However, in its fourth year of existence, the Horizon softball program brought a little more than just their trio of stars to their 2025 team.
YOUNGRY
Nobody would have batted an eye if this Hawks team would have taken a step back following a 23-win season. It even would have been completely acceptable if Horizon had called this season a rebuilding year and focused on development over results.
But coach Steve Lenzi and his Hawks don’t rebuild. They reload.
“Coming into the season, obviously, I knew what kind of players we were losing and the kind of players coming into the program from middle school,” Lenzi said. “I knew there was some talent, but it’s definitely been a bit of a surprise how quickly the younger girls have come along. Obviously the headline is Lila’s little sister, Paisley Hernandez, who has been incredible for us, coming in as a freshman and being our threehole hitter. What has also stuck out to me this year is our overall team speed. We have a lot of girls who can run, and that helps when we try to play small ball. … Another player (who has) been a great surprise for us is Brooke Grafton, who is a junior but is a first-time starter. She’s been stepping up for us as well.”
With the emergence of the younger Hernandez sister — who leads the team in batting average (.457), hits (16), RBIs (13) and extra base hits (6) — fellow freshman Maryn Neely, who is hitting .394, has scored 13 runs and drove in nine, and sophomore Morgyn Welch, a .419 hitter, Horizon has six players with a .394 batting average or higher and six players with 11 or more hits through 11 games. The Hawks also have stolen a total of 71 bases — with the Hernandez sisters combining for 33 and Neely bagging 15.
When you put it all together, it is hard to find a lot of holes in this Horizon team. The Hawks have two experienced and ubertalented pitchers — with a third in Paisley Hernandez waiting in the wings — a combination of six to seven bats that can bunt, hit for contact or go long, a collective overall team speed that haunts its opponents and a group of veteran leaders that have experience on the biggest stage.
PLAYING LOOSE
Still, like most coaches, Lenzi isn’t letting his team’s early season success shift their focus away from putting in the work, day in “Obviously, we’re very fortu -
nate,” Lenzi said. “I think we have the best overall and complete pitching staff in the state. We have a ton of speed because of the freshmen and first-year players (who) came in, which means we can run the bases better. We can do a little more small-ball stuff. But ultimately, we can improve significantly in our hitting; it’s probably our weakest point. I also want to see us get tested a little bit more, which will start to happen on this side of the schedule through the rest of the year. I know we’ll be able to lean on our pitching and speed. You know what they say: ‘Speed doesn’t slump.’ But we still have a ways to improve before we reach our goal.
“The No. 1 thing we need to do to hit our goal is we need to get tested,” he said. “I need to get the younger players experience in those tighter games. We have the talent to be great, but we’re just so young that we might see one of these freshman get put in a pressure-filled spot, and I need to make sure they’re ready for it because if it happens in a state championship game, it’s different. So, that’s ultimately the things we’re focusing on, along with putting in the attention to detail on things like bunting and our short game, which are going to be crucial for us against some of the more talented pitchers.”
Although Lenzi is worried about the inexperience of his roster, one factor that gives him solace as the season progresses is his veteran trio has managed to create an overall team culture that can be best described as loose.
“We don’t play with any pressure on ourselves,” Lila Hernandez said. “Coach Steve definitely harps on that a lot, just play loose and stay within yourself. We’ve just taken that as sort of our mantra: play loose, play fun and play your game. We really have taken a mentality of not putting all this pressure on our shoulders to win the game in one at bat or one play. Just take it one play at a time and when you do that you play confidently. That’s when you’re at your best.”
That mentality not only has allowed for a loose environment but also has created a culture that has allowed these young players to thrive quickly.
“Coming into my first season, I was just looking forward to playing for the first time with Lila and taking it all in, because I know we only have two of these,” Paisley Hernandez said about her expectations for her freshman season. “As the season has gone on and I’ve been able to develop and grow, thanks in large part to having Lila to lean on, I’ve also been able to really enjoy everything we’ve been able to do so far. One of the biggest reasons for our success is how much we do in our practices. Our practices have really played a big role in preparing me because, yes, we work hard but also because of the fun we have as a team. We’re a big family. That’s why it’s easy to grow, the environment is loose and makes me feel like it’s OK for me to not put pressure on myself and ask questions and build confidence.”
Photos by Sam Albuquerque Horizon High freshman Paisley Hernandez, left, has shown the family legacy of stellar softball play for the Lady Hawks established by older sister Lila Hernandez is in good hands for years to come. Over a combined 65.2 innings pitched, Horizon High softball’s first four-year letter-winners Mackenzie Duncan, left, and Addison Lamb have been unhittable from the circle, allowing just six earned runs for a combined ERA of 0.64 and 124 combined strikeouts.
Foundation baseball tops Lake Highland
After two innings without getting a batter on base, Foundation Academy baseball’s bats came alive in the bottom of the third inning and catapulted the Lions to a 10-0 March 24 home win over visitors Lake Highland Prep.
Junior outfielder Gavin Badua broke the deadlock and was the first Foundation player to reach base in the third and what followed was seven Lions crossing home plate in the inning to give the home team a commanding lead that would remain for the rest of the game.
Leading the way for Foundation was freshman pitcher A.J. Zimmerman, who struck out six batters and allowed just two hits over four innings pitched. From the batter’s box, it was a team effort that guided the Lions to a third double-digit scoring output of the season — with eight players getting one hit and five driving in at least one run.
Witherspoon returns to DP
emy — including the 2013-14 season, where he helped lead an Eagles team that included current NBA players Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell to an undefeated national championship season — and a few seasons as the head coach at Cypress Creek High, Witherspoon was tapped to take over as the next head coach of a Dr. Phillips program coming off a 12-15 season in 2018-19. The young coach quickly turned the program around, leading the Panthers to a 20-8 record and a district championship in his first season. He followed that by leading the 24-3 Panthers to their first boys hoops state title in 2020-21 and a second trip to the state-title game in 2021-22 — losing by one point to the Columbus High Explorers, who went on to win four-consecutive state championships led by future Duke Blue Devils and twin brothers, Cameron and Cayden Boozer — finishing both seasons nationally ranked.
The Embry-Riddle alum’s threeseason stint as DP coach was the
most successful in program history.
It’s no wonder the Panther faithful are buzzing at his return.
“Coach Witherspoon is well known in the Orlando basketball community,” Panthers Athletic Director Jason McDaniel said. “He brings a lot of opportunities for Dr. Phillips High to expand and grow our men’s basketball program. One thing that is vital in sports is community.
Coach Witherspoon has the ability to bring our basketball community together, and that is what we need at this time.”
Witherspoon left Dr. Phillips following his third season with a combined record of 70-17 to become an assistant coach at UCF. During his time as DP coach, Witherspoon coached 10 future college basketball players, including McDonald’s High School All-American and current TCU center Ernest Udeh Jr., former four-star recruit and current Mississippi State guard Riley Kugel, and former three-star prospect and current Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen.
As a member of the UCF coaching
staff, Witherspoon helped lead the Knights to 19 wins in his first season and a first-round NIT win over Florida. After a second season at UCF, Witherspoon spent last season as an assistant coach at Mercer University.
Witherspoon will replace Antonio Cunningham, who is pursuing opportunities within administration at Orange County Public Schools. Cunningham took over from Witherspoon in 2022-23 and finishes his three-season tenure as Panthers coach with a combined record of 33-44.
“DPHS Athletics is excited to have Coach Witherspoon back, as he brings a wealth of knowledge from the college (game),” McDaniel said. “We would like to thank Coach Cunningham for his commitment to the (program) for the last three years.”
Witherspoon’s résumé as a high school coach alone is more than enough reason for Panther Nation to be excited for this next chapter of the boys basketball program. But also, when you consider the added experience he’s gained over the past three seasons as a Division I college
basketball coach, players and fans alike must be giddy when considering the future of this program.
“My time in college will really help me at the high school level,” Witherspoon said. “Having an understanding of the current landscape of college basketball is a massive benefit for our players, because I’ll be able to help guide them through the process, which has changed dramatically even from my last year at Dr. Phillips, especially when you consider elements like the transfer portal, NIL and the way high school kids are being recruited or should I say not being recruited. … The other aspect of coaching in college that will be a benefit to our program is how I go about player development. That will look a lot different now, because I have such a better idea of what a college player looks like, what a player needs to do to not only get to that level but (also) be successful at that level.”
When Witherspoon left the program in 2022, he told the Observer it felt like the right time to pursue his goal of coaching in college. Now that he is set to return to the high school level, his reason for returning echoes his thoughts from three years ago: The time was right.
“I’m really excited to be a head
coach again at a place where we made some history, a place where I know that I love the community and the school,” he said. “The administration in place now at Dr. Phillips has been awesome. Our principal (Jackie Ramsey) is fully invested in building our program back to where it was and beyond. Our athletic director, Jason McDaniel, is great and has shown that he’s on top of everything, and has been taking our athletic program to the next level these last couple of years. … So, looking at the opportunity to come back, it felt like the timing was right. I knew I wanted to be a head coach again — I love having my own program and being able to make an impact on young people by helping them grow as students, as people and as players. That was the primary motivation for making the move and then the timing just worked out perfectly that the Dr. Phillips job was available. Then it just came down to having a good enough relationship with the administration here that they thankfully chose me to be the next head coach.”
Witherspoon will be formally introduced to the players and media Monday, March 31, at a press conference at the school.
Foundation Academy baseball freshman A.J. Zimmerman struck out six batters and didn’t allow a run in the home win.
Left: Senior Rylee Gibson secured the out at first base for Foundation Academy.
Middle infielder Logan Melde is a force for Foundation Academy. Sophomore
LEAH FENTON SUMMERLAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Leah Fenton is a school assistant at Summerlake Elementary School. She works at the front desk and is the first person families visiting the school see when walking into the school. Fenton also serves as the ADDitions coordinator, ensuring any school volunteers are vetted properly.
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“Leah is the welcoming face of Summerlake Elementary, the first point of contact for families registering, collecting sick children or delivering forgotten items,” Principal Delaine Bender said. “Beyond the front desk, she orchestrates the ADDitions and Parent in Education programs, verifies chaperone approvals, supervises lunch duty, and tackles countless administrative tasks essential to the school’s daily operation. Leah’s consistent smile and exceptional service create a supportive environment for students, staff and families. Her ability to handle diverse responsibilities allows teachers to dedicate themselves fully to instruction. Summerlake is truly fortunate to have her.”
What brought you to your school?
After staying home for 12 years after my children were born, I was looking for an opportunity out of the house. I’m very grateful to Ms. Bender for giving me this opportunity after being home for so long.
What do you love most about your school?
My coworkers are great! We have fun together which makes the day pass quickly. They also always step in to help (one another) whenever possible.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The kids are the most rewarding part of the job. I love getting to know their individual personalities.
What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?
If I didn’t work for OCPS, I think organizing, staging and getting homes ready for sale would be a great fit for me. I love the process, and moving to a new home is an exciting time.
Who influences you?
My kids influence me. I try to model behaviors I want them to emulate as they grow to be good, kind humans. I also try to treat the kids at school with the same respect I’d want others to treat my own children.
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?
My favorite teacher was my fifthgrade teacher, Mrs. McGrath. She let us stay after to help her decorate her classroom and grade tests. We felt like she trusted us, and she was always kind.
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
My favorite children’s book when I was young was “The Babysitter’s Club” series. I loved that each book focused on a different character. My
REPORT CARD
POSITION: School assistant TIME AT SCHOOL: Four years
favorite book to read to my kids was “Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You” by
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy baking and traveling with my husband and two sons.
If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could dine with anyone it would be RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), because she had a brilliant mind, and I’d love to listen to her discuss some of her most interesting cases.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower, I’d choose to be able to understand and speak every language, because I only speak English, and I’m intrigued by people who can speak multiple languages. It would also make communication with locals when traveling to new places easier.
If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?
If I could only listen to three bands it would be Fleetwood Mac, Dermot Kennedy and Dave Matthews Band. I love Dermot Kennedy’s lyrics, and the other two remind me of my childhood and high school.
What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?
My go-to lunch was turkey and cheese with mayo. My favorite snack was chocolate chip cookies (still is!).
What is your favorite holiday and why?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, because you have time with family and the anticipation of the upcoming holiday season, but the stress that sometimes follows hasn’t set in yet.
Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?
My best friend in school was Suzanne. We met the first few days of high school, played basketball together and have remained friends for 30 years! We live far apart now, but we still keep in touch.
What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? I played JV basketball in high school but definitely no accolades there!
Nancy Tillman.
LIZ RAMOS
A group of Water Spring students took photos on the 360-degree photo booth platform.
Andressa Colombo, Diana Mafra and Fernanda Bombardi were three of many volunteers who made the semiformal a magical evening for the eighth-graders.
Water Spring Middle Principal Brian Sanchez Corona smiled for a photo with volunteer members of the school’s PTSO.
Karin Villalobos and her two sons took a photo at the Water Spring Middle semiformal.
Water Spring Middle eighth-graders danced the night away at the school’s annual semiformal.
JODI LYNNE FULMER
DIED NOV. 21, 2024.
Jodi Lynne Fulmer passed peacefully on Nov. 21, 2024, at OHSU-ICU in Portland, Oregon. She was 54 years old when a brain aneurysm took her life.
Jodi was born July 17, 1970, in Winter Park, Florida. She graduated from West Orange High School in 1988 and from Rollins College, where she was a writing center director assisting master’s degree candidates in achieving excellent written expression and composition skills. Jodi loved reading and learning and was known to be the “quiet scholar” among her close family and friends.
Jodi had moved to Oregon more than 10 years ago and was a district manager and, as of recent, a store manager, for the Book Warehouse bookstore franchise. She was with the company for 20 years.
Jodi was well-traveled through many of our states — from Maine to Florida, North Carolina, California and Oregon, to name a few.
Jodi also had been to England, Italy and Reykjavik. Her knowledge in art history — taught by a well-known art historian who taught at West Orange High School — was a catalyst for Jodi to learn more about art, architecture and cultures abroad.
Jodi and her family enjoyed their time together traveling to local beaches and the Florida Keys and enjoying a family home in Windermere on Lake Butler where she enjoyed swimming and, most of all, working on her tan for the season.
Jodi was baptized and active in her church at the First United Methodist Church in Winter Garden. She was a Herald Choir member and a handbell player at the church, and she played the French horn with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Surviving family include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gloyce and Rebecca Fulmer; her brother, James “Jason” Fulmer; and her aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, of Windermere, Winter Garden and within the Central Florida region. She is greatly missed by all.
Final arrangements officiated with Riverview Abbey Funeral Home, 319 S. Taylors Ferry Road, Portland, Oregon 97219, care of Tonya Witham; (503)244-7577.
Litteral hanging up choir robe
The children’s choir director at Oakland Presbyterian Church is retiring from the position after 38 years.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Bonnie Litteral wanted to put on a children’s choir Christmas program so badly in 1986 that she offered to do it free of charge at Oakland Presbyterian Church.
The church agreed, and after the first of the year, Litteral, who had volunteered for the position of children’s choir director, became a paid employee. She remained in the position for nearly four decades, teaching little children how to stand and breathe and carry their voices while performing a song.
Litteral is retiring after 38 years of leading young singers on the stage of the church sanctuary. Her sidekick for the last 32 years has been piano accompanist Connie King, who also is retiring from her volunteer position.
“A lot of the children, many who have gone through the program, their parents were the original cast in that original program,” Litteral said. “I said, when I start teaching the grandchildren, it’s time to go.”
Her own son and two grandchildren have performed as members of the children’s choir.
Litteral’s first production was “A Night for Dancing,” and it featured the children portrayed as the animals that visited Mary and Joseph’s manger.
Litteral hosted the popular music camp in the summer — and she doesn’t mind bragging that two of her former students have made it to the professional level.
“We have Whitney Abel, who was in our first music camp, and she’s now an actress,” Litteral said.
Another former choir member is Andrew Kennedy, a professional musician.
COMMUNITY IN SONG
Litteral came to the church in 1985 with her two little children in tow, and she approached the leaders about starting another children’s choir so her little ones could have the experience.
At that time, there was an adult choir led by Dan Gordon, director of music, plus Mark Garlock
on organ. When Litteral saw how many children were participating in singing during the week of Vacation Bible School, she talked to Gordon about starting a young choir. He wasn’t interested in leading it. But she certainly was.
“When I first got hired, I think my salary was $1,800 for the entire year,” she said. “The program started with 25 kids sitting together, and we would sing and play games, and I had them for about an hour on Wednesday nights.”
The first summer music camp was held in 1992, and the program was “The Greatest Show on Heaven and Earth.”
“(Connie and I) would cast the shows together, and when we audition the kids … we always ask, ‘What part would you like to do?’” Litteral said. “Sometimes it was surprising to me the kid who would want the lead role. … The thing that I most enjoyed was the kids who were too afraid to speak out when they were younger who wouldn’t say a one-liner or even come to the microphone, but (years later) they were comfortable and would have a speaking part.”
The choir grew as children were having fun and wanted their friends to join. They learned how to sing hymns and service music such as the doxology and Gloria Patri. They sang in church worship services and performed in a Christmas pageant and during Palm Sunday.
But times change, and Litteral had to change with them. In recent
years, she has switched to teaching the kids praise songs, and she has found that children want shows that don’t have many lines or that can be read off a script.
Litteral said she is excited about the coming year when a new program debuts for families and children of all ages. The church will offer a rotation of classes, some musical, led by Becca White, Kids and Family director.
Arthritis has slowed down Litteral, so it’s time for someone new to lead.
“In order to be a good teacher … teachers never sit,” she said.
“You have to be up, you have to be walking. … You don’t just say, ‘Do this.’ You’re up dancing with
them, showing them how to hold an instrument. With the physical part of the job, I don’t feel like I’m giving the kids the (experience) they deserve.”
What’s next for Litteral? She told her husband, Jack, she would like to be a substitute teacher.
“I think I’m going to try my hand at subbing so I can still be around kids,” she said.
King is grateful to have accompanied the children’s choir when her grandson was involved. She didn’t expect to stay 32 years, but she said she was ready to leave when Litteral announced her retirement.
“I was going to retire when my grandson aged out, but he’s 37 now,” King said.
Bonnie Litteral, left, and her accompaniment, Connie King, have worked with the children’s choir at Oakland Presbyterian Church for 38 and 32 years, respectively.
Amy Quesinberry Price
Courtesy photo
One of the first meetings of the children’s choir was in 1986 with, l-r: back row, Jack Litteral, Amy Terrell, Ashley Boyd, Lisa Litteral, Beth Wincey, Melissa Rayburn; front row, Sara Ecklebarger, unidentified, Bert Valdes, Jimmy Dunn, Adam Geltz, Brandi Bouch, Brooke Griffith and Finn Bouch.
Paws-itive impact
District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson began her Day of Service initiative to get the community involved in supporting various organizations.
LIZ
RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Nicole Wilson, District 1 Orange County commissioner, grabbed Shadow’s leash and was ready to go. She headed to the grassy area by the lake beside Orange County Animal Services. Shadow, a dog waiting to be adopted at animal services, immediately started smelling everything. Wilson and Shadow made their way around the lake, enjoying the beautiful weather, with Shadow only being distracted by ducks a few times and other dogs. Shadow was one of four dogs Wilson walked while volunteering for two hours Friday, March 14, at Orange County Animal Services as
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
To share places to volunteer or learn how to get involved, email district1@ocfl.net.
part of her monthly Day of Service.
“It’s going to be an ongoing monthly project where we are signing up to actually come out of the office and go serve the community as volunteers, understanding that we have so many needs in the community,” Wilson said. “We’re going to see those things firsthand and get our literal hands dirty.”
Wilson wanted to start Day of Service to be able to showcase the
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
different volunteer opportunities across the county. She plans to continue having Days of Service until her term ends in 2028.
“The things that we work on sometimes — while they’re not considered hyperlocal, we want people to know because they take care of all the needs for the entire county,” she said.
Wilson had her inaugural Day of Service at Orange County Animal Services because it’s an organization “near and dear” to her heart. She has two rescue dogs herself, and she volunteered for animal services for a few years before she had children.
“These are people who care so much and devote their time every day, not just a special day, but every day to taking care of all of our animals,” Wilson said. “They are the voice for the voiceless, and they take care of the needs big and small of vulnerable creatures that we all love. To come back as a commissioner and really fight for them during budget session during policy making is an absolute honor.”
For future Days of Service, Wilson said she’s looking for feedback
ENVISION 2045 OCOEE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN –A LARGE-SCALE UPDATE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE OCOEE’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN ITS ENTIRETY CASE NUMBER: CPA-2025-001
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN , pursuant to Article I, Sections 1-8 and 1-10, and Article V, Section 5-9, of the City of Ocoee Land Development Code, that on Tuesday, APRIL 8, 2025 , at 6:30 P.M. or as soon thereafter as practical, the OCOEE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING at the City of Ocoee Commission Chambers, located at 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Florida, to consider the adoption of the City’s new Comprehensive Plan, entitled Envision 2045 Ocoee Comprehensive Plan, which repeals and replaces the 2002 Comprehensive Plan in its entirety, in accordance with the requirements of Part II, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes.
Interested parties may appear at the public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed action. The complete case file may be inspected at the Ocoee Development Services Department located at 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Florida, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. The Planning and Zoning Commission may continue the public hearing to other dates and times, as it deems necessary. Any interested party shall be advised of the dates, times, and places of any continuation of these or continued public hearings shall be announced during the hearing. No further notices regarding these matters will be published. You are advised that any person who desires to appeal any decision made at the public hearings will need a record of the proceedings and, for this purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting at (407) 905-3105.
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk
from the community on where they should volunteer. Her team already has been providing input on what they’re passionate about and where they would like to volunteer.
Wilson and her staff have volunteered in the past for Hope Along the Way, Central Florida Diaper Bank and other organizations.
Wilson said she would like to have a group volunteer at other Orange County divisions, such as the Orange County Environmental Protection Division and Orange County Neighborhood Services Division, because they have an impact on the county as a whole.
“We’re going to highlight as many of those as possible,” Wilson said.
Anyone is welcome to join Wilson on her Day of Service.
Horizon West’s Pat Ferguson accompanied Wilson at Orange County Animal Services as a volunteer. He met Wilson during the election and wanted to get more involved with the community by volunteering, he said. The Day of Service gave him an opportunity to meet new people.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
Orange County Animal Services is the only openadmission shelter in the county, meaning the shelter doesn’t turn away any animal. It accepts all animals regardless of their temperament or health. The shelter offers an adoption program; volunteer program; foster care program; community outreach and education; spay and neuter voucher program; and a trap, neuter, return program. According to the organization’s website, as of March 25, the shelter was housing 176 dogs and 57 cats. To adopt or foster animals or to volunteer, visit orangecountyanimalservicesfl.net.
Publish Date: March 27, 2025
The most comprehensive guide to summer activities in West Orange County
It might only be March, but it’s time to start thinking about summer camp registration!
Coming Thursday, April 3
Summer Fun is your ultimate resource for camps and programs in and around West Orange county. We’ve even broken this guide down by category so you can find the perfect summer camp activity for your child.
Volunteers with District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson and staff members of Orange County Animal Services came together to help animals.
Liz Ramos MetroWest’s Melanie Mejia loves dogs, so she was excited to volunteer at Orange County Animal Services.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
80 years ago
Dr. B.H. Lawson entertained with one of his famous chicken suppers honoring the current football squad and prospective players for the next year.
75 years ago
The West Orange Athletic Association’s Board of Directors invited the public to a meeting in the Florida Power Lounge to thoroughly air the question of relocating the football field from Walker Field to Lakeview High School grounds.
55 years ago
More than 250 happy egg hunters turned out in search of the golden egg and 90 dozen colored eggs donated by the Winter Garden Lions Club. Age-group winners were Kim Hodge, Susan Kurtz, Tod Orie, Charlotte Faulk, Craig Crawford, Alisa Sanders, Patricia Von Waldner and Larry Crosby.
Penny-Saver Stores in Ocoee and Winter Garden advertised an “Easter Parade of Values,” with men’s dress shirts for $1.98, boys’ suits — just like Dad’s — starting at $9.98, ladies’ pantyhose for 79 cents, two pairs of girls’ shoes for $5 and ladies’ shoes priced at $1.66 and $2.66.
Officers of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Winter Garden, Gloria Pearce, Doris Grimes, Blanche Williams, Laverne Peavey and Barbara Lewis, welcomed their featured speaker, Congressman Lou Frey.
50 years ago
Winners in the baton-twirling competition at the Orange County Championships, held at McCoy Air Force Base, were Angie Smith, Kae Armstrong, Laura Patrick and
Water freely flowed from Lake Down into Wauseon Bay and Lake Butler after deep dredging beneath a railroad bridge was completed on March 27, 1923 — 102 years ago.
In 1887, John Dawe named Windermere for a long, narrow body of water of the same name located in England’s Lake District. Dawe was an Englishman who arrived here from Boston to serve as the general manager of the Florida Midland Railway that stretched from the Winter Springs area south through Windermere to Kissimmee.
Railfans interested in Central Florida’s railroad history will find a wealth of information at the Central Florida Railroad Museum in downtown Winter Garden. Make plans to visit!
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.
Sarah Fogarty, under the direction of Terri Breeze Moorhead. Windermere marked its 50th anniversary — and America’s Bicentennial — with a weeklong schedule of events. The Rotary Club was in charge, and members were growing extra facial hair to celebrate.
40 years ago
A major step was taken by Publix Super Markets when its Food World stores became Publix gro-
cery stores. The new Publix in the Tri-City Shopping Center in Winter Garden held a grand reopening sale.
20 years ago
Windermere residents and motorists got their first glimpse of the downtown project in progress with the delivery of pallets of bricks, to be installed along West Main Street.
Orlando Regional Medical Center named its newest hospital
Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Before, babies were born at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women. The Orange County School Board adopted the attendance zone for the new Ocoee High School. The plan included transferring 285 students from Olympia High School to West Orange High School. After parents complained their Olympia students should be permitted to continue at Olympia through graduation, the School Board decided to allow this.
THROWBACK
THURSDAY
MARCH 20, 1969 In spring 1969, Easter was just around the corner,
By Luis Campos
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West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Triko App
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Triko App. Operating out of Clermont and online, Triko App is a service marketplace that connects clients and contractors through blind auctions, offering transparent pricing and eliminating hidden fees. Triko Work enables service providers to bid on jobs, paying only for successful conversions or receiving feedback if they lose an opportunity - never for unreliable leads. We solve the problem of inflated costs and poor-quality leads, creating a fair and efficient marketplace for all. To learn more, visit https://trikoapp.com/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Funding Love
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Funding Love. Operating out of Clermont, Funding Love is an adoption non-profit that serves adoptive families and birth moms post-placement. To learn more, visit https://www.fundinglove.com/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of The Haven at Lake Britt
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of The Haven at Lake Britt. Located at 15145 Havencrest Cir in the Flamingo Crossings part of Winter Garden, The Haven at Lake Britt is an upscale apartment community just minutes from Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy tranquil views of Lake Britt and lush preserves while being close to vibrant Flamingo Crossings. Their modern community offers a variety of floor plans with luxury finishes, resort-style amenities, and spacious balconies with views of Disney fireworks. Residents can unwind by the pool, stay active in the fitness center, and enjoy entertainment in the 11,000-square-foot clubhouse. To learn more, visit www. livethehaven.com.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of the new location of Abney Insurance Agency
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of the new location of Abney Insurance Agency. Located at 502 S Woodland St in Winter Garden, Abney Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency. They represent many carriers, allowing them the opportunity to find the best product and pricing for their clients. They are a family-owned firm that offers home, auto, business, motorcycle, RV, boat, mobile home and life insurance. To learn more, visit www.abneyagency.com.
The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership. Congratulations on Membership Milestones to
THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY - DR. PHILLIPS AND THURSDAY - HORIZON WEST
To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304
