03.31.22 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

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VOLUME 7, NO. 26

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Aloha! Water Spring throws Spring Luau. 15.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Shepherd’s Hope celebrates its 25th year The Winter Garden-based nonprofit celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, March 25. SEE PAGE 2.

YOUR TOWN CITY, COUNTY EXTEND CRA The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to extend the Winter Garden Community Redevelopment Agency for 10 years. The city of Winter Garden had approved the extension one month earlier at a City Commission meeting. The 10-year extension will allow the Winter Garden CRA to leverage the redevelopment success in downtown Winter Garden to benefit east Winter Garden. It is estimated that more than $20 million will be generated during this timeframe and at least 75% of these funds will be spent in east Winter Garden to revitalize the community. “The time has come for us to build up our community and continue to thrive here in east Winter Garden for the next twenty years and beyond,” said Jamie Holley, east Winter Garden resident, CRA Advisory Board member and president of One Winter Garden, an organization created to advocate for east Winter Garden and work within the community to bring everyone together.

DYNAMIC DUO Windermere High School junior Grace Utzinger has a hereditary disorder that makes it painful to move and causes dizziness. That’s where her service dog, Lincoln, comes into play. STORY ON PAGE 4.

CITRUS CRATE LABEL SHOW RETURNS

Amy Quesinberry

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is hosting its Citrus Crate Label Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, with dealers from all over Florida. The sale takes place outside the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, 1 N. Main St. Pick up a slice of Florida history for the home office, or classroom.

54 MILES IN HIS SHOES Chilly

air, sizzling show

EVENT HOST NEEDS VENDORS A local event organization is looking for community food vendors. Apartment 20 Events LLC is searching for food trucks for its Saturday, April 30, event in Hamlin. The events hosted by Apartment 20 showcase a variety of goods which are made and sold by local small businesses. The spring event will take place in Winter Garden. Registration is only $35 for vendors who wish to participate. Those who would like to register can do so at bit.ly/3tPS9KM. For more information, email to apartment20events@yahoo. com.

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Anthony Hodge completed Martin Luther King Jr.’s walk from Selma to Montgomery. PAGE 6.

Winter Garden Rotary’s Broadway and Beyond featured fantastic performances. PAGES 8-9.

20th annual Spring Fever

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society event begins April 2. SEE PAGE 3.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

ABOUT SHEPHERD’S HOPE Shepherd’s Hope offers a variety of services: n Casting n Orthopedic n Upper extremities orthopedics n Gynecology n The liver clinic (diagnoses Hepatitis C and cured more than 100 case of Hepatitis C) n Cardiology n Pediatrics n Pulmonology n Psychology n Back-to-school physicals n Partnership with the Victim Service Center n The organization also has access to different specialists. If it doesn’t run a clinic, specialists often will take a patient in their offices.

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Shepherd’s Hope currently needs help in these speciality areas: n Psychology n Nurses n Oral surgeons n Telemedicine off-site

Shepherd’s Hope celebrates 25 years of service

SHEPHERD’S HOPE 455 Ninth St, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 876-6699 WEBSITE: shepherdshope.org

UPCOMING EVENT CALL TO HOPE

WHEN: 7:15 a.m. Friday, April 22 WHERE: Double Tree Orlando Downtown, 60 S. Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando DETAILS: The Call to Hope event will share stories that demonstrate the need for free, quality acute and specialty health care programs. INFORMATION: shepherdshope. org/calltohope

The Winter Garden-based nonprofit offers services to those who need medical care but cannot afford it. Andrea Mujica

Disney Ambassador Ali Manion celebrated with Shepherd’s Hope President and CEO Pamela Gould, Board Chair Jamie Lynch and founder Dr. Williams Barnes.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The words “caring people, caring for people” resonated with those in attendance as Shepherd’s Hope celebrated its 25th anniversary Friday, March 25, at its Winter Garden facility. Staff members, volunteers, sponsors, partners and members of the community gathered together to recognize the importance of having Shepherd’s Hope’s doors open to those who need medical care but cannot afford it. The celebration began with a few remarks from President and CEO Pamela Gould, followed by Winter Garden Mayor John Rees, who read a proclamation before cutting the ribbon. The colorful ribbon was

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they should come when they are not feeling well. We are a safe space; we have been for 25 years.” Founder Dr. Williams Barnes felt humbled by all the organization has been able to do for the community in this quarter of a century. “Shepherd’s Hope has never been open and stop,” he said. “It’s always been (about) the next thing. So (we) are not going to be just looking back at the things we’ve done but energizing ourselves for what we’re still called to do.” Shepherd’s Hope currently is working to add mobile clinics as its next project. These will provide a way for Shepherd’s Hope to serve many underserved neighborhoods that are too far away from the current facilities. “If we could go to a partner location

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made of surgical masks of different colors, each containing special messages written by the Shepherd’s Hope staff. “This ribbon represents the tapestry of our team for care, the tapestry of the patients we serve,” Gould said. “All shapes, all sizes, all colors.” Since the nonprofit organization opened in 1997, it has provided more than 310,000 free patient visits thanks to the volunteer work of more than 3,000 licensed medical and general volunteers, three community hospital systems, 100 diagnostic and secondary providers, and various multi-faith partners. “Shepherd’s Hope is here to help,” Gould said. “If they are 200% on poverty, uninsured and underinsured,

one time a week or one time a month, and people know we are going to be there, we could help serve those communities a little bit better,” Gould said. The Winter Garden facility has allowed Shepherd’s Hope to offer continuum of care to the community. People who reach out to the organization with acute issues will have access to the Healthy Eating, Active Lifestyle program. This program provides patients with education on seed-to-table nutrition and lifestyle preventive practices so they can take better care of themselves after visiting the emergency room. Disney Ambassador Ali Manion was present at the event. She delivered some Disney magic as she announced Disney will be donating all the appliances needed for the HEAL program’s new kitchen.

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DEEP ROOTS All performances take place in front of Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. SATURDAY, APRIL 2 n 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: The Sandy Back Porch Band. The band performs traditional bluegrass the way it’s supposed to be played. Prepare to chuckle at their humorous gardening tunes.

SATURDAY n 9 to 11 a.m.: Right Flower, Right Season. Planting annuals and perennials. Cindy Christmas is a creative designer who loves to use color in the garden. Melissa Shepherd is a bedding plant expert at Disney.

n Noon to 12:45 p.m.: The Citrus Singers Girl Scout Choir. Scouts from different troops and different counties come together to perform pop parodies, patriotic favorites and holiday classics. n 1 to 4 p.m.: Astronomics. 1950s/60s band led by Les Soltesz performs classic rock ’n’ roll from Elvis to the Beatles and more. SUNDAY, APRIL 3 n 11 to 11:45 a.m.: 3mpowered. This female vocal trio sings covers of mainly pop songs. n Noon to 12:45 a.m.: Riley Resa. The singer/songwriter wrote her first song at 15 years old, and she writes and records her own music. n 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Orlando Gentlemen of Jazz & Dixieland. This group performs jazz, patriotic, spiritual and classic American pop songs everyone knows. These musicians have played for decades at Walt Disney World, on paddle-wheeled cruise ships on the Mississippi, in clubs in New Orleans, and as members of Rosy O’Grady’s Good Time Jazz Band at Church Street Station in Orlando.

n 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Landscaping with Natives. Don Kendzior, of Noah’s Notes and Mark Russell, leader of Sustainability Initiatives at Cherrylake and former director of horticulture at SeaWorld.

COMMUNITY EDITOR

2022 print and a 20-year anniversary version. The popular Chalkin’ it Up sidewalk chalk art contest takes place in front of Winter Garden City Hall. More than 50 artists will have a 6-by-6-foot square in which to create something related to nature or gardening. Prizes are being given in numerous categories, including a $400 People’s Choice award. Free entertainment will be located near the chalk contest at City Hall. A tent and chairs will be provided for guests to enjoy local musicians and singers. The Kid Zone will feature performers and about 20 booths with activities geared toward children with fun ways to learn about nature and the environment. This year, it will be located in the grassy area near Park Avenue. Butafrog Inc. returns with its butterfly habitat, and guests are invited inside the net to enjoy an experience with dozens of butterflies. The Avian Reconditioning Center will bring its educational display with live owls and other birds of prey and will present important information about Florida’s native and migratory raptors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. A free shuttle will run from the parking lot at the corner of Plant and Ninth streets. There will be no plant pick-up area this year. Carcara said club members are excited for the festival’s return. “Everyone’s elated,” she said. “We had a lunch last month and we talked strictly Spring Fever. Everyone was hopeful and happy and relieved that finally it’s back.”

n 1 to 3 p.m. - Growing Food in Your Garden. Robert Bowden is executive director at Leu Gardens and author of “Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.” Tom McCubbin is author of “Vegetables you can Grow,” an Orlando Sentinel columnist, radio and TV garden commentator, passionate vegetable gardener, and expert in everything gardening. n 3 to 5 p.m.: Stump the Experts — Ask Anything Garden Related. Florida Nursery, Grower & Landscape Association members who are professional horticulturists and growers from Central Florida. You get a free plant for stumping them! SUNDAY n 10 to 11 a.m.: Trees for Winter Garden, What to Plant & How to Take Care. Katy Moss Warner, former director of Disney’s horticulture, co-leader of the Winter Garden Heritage Tree Project and Bloom & Grow member. Wes Parrish, tree consultant for Winter Garden Heritage

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Oakland Town Commission welcomed three new officers to the police department.

Tubb Street and submitted to the town; multiple intersections were studied in that area as well. Marder said the only issue was the need for the turn lanes. Town Manager Steve Koontz said town officials have been discussing lowering the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph in this section of Oakland Avenue. This part of the road will be included in the future, when golf carts are allowed in designated areas. Koontz said the town does not plan to pave any of the dirt streets in that area. Furthermore, to address the speed limit on side streets, town staff is proposing 15 mph on all dirt roads and 20 mph on all paved roads other than Oakland Avenue.

n 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Planting a Pollinator Garden for Birds, Butterflies & Bees. Dr. Becki deNeui-Lynch, Bloom & Grow member, provides knowledge and experience on growing and maintaining a healthy habitat for pollinators in the backyard or landscape. Topics include nectar plants, host plants, habitat requirements and fun pollinator facts. Erin Matherne is a Bloom & Grow member who has lived in Florida for 15 years. Passionate about increasing the monarch butterfly population, she raised and released hundreds of Monarchs over the last few years. Now she’s learning gardening techniques that can attract other pollinators. n 1 to 3 p.m.: Caring for your House Plants. Van Donnan, professional plant geek and avid collector of house plants, especially philodendron, elephant ears and anthurium. Kathrein Markle, president of Wekiwa Gardens, specialist in new and unusual houseplants. n 3 to 4 p.m.: Best Landscaping Practices. Billy Butterfield, owner of Ameriscapes Landscape Management, lifelong dirt gardener who knows all about irrigation, pest management, lawn care, plant care and proper pruning. John Madison, owner of John Madison Landscapes, enthusiastic landscape professional, great designer, installer and maintainer of Florida landscapes.

WHAT: Spring Fever in the Garden, hosted by the Bloom & Grow Garden Society WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3. DETAILS: The two-day festival will have something for everyone: dozens of vendor booths with plants and plant-related merchandise for sale, a chalk art contest in front of Winter Garden City Hall, Kid Zone, nature arts and crafts, food vendors and live entertainment.

The 150-home subdivision will have lots of varying sizes and multiple green spaces near Lake Apopka.

One of the neighborhood entrances will be off Oakland Avenue at Jefferson Avenue — close to a major curve in the road — and planners discussed the need for a turn lane because of the blind spot. The town is embarking on a Complete Streets plan that will improve the aesthetics of Oakland Avenue, and this turn lane, estimated to cost $85,000, will need to comply with that look, Marder said. The turn lane will be paid for by the developer. Several residents had concerns about the project, the traffic it would bring to the town, speed limits on the side streets and safety on the West Orange Trail. Traffic studies were conducted on Jefferson Street, Briley Avenue and

Tree Project, passionate about Florida landscape and loves trees and palms.

IF YOU GO

Oakland Town Commission approves Briley Farms neighborhood

The Oakland Town Commission is paving the way for a new singlehome community with the approval of three ordinances at the March 22 meeting. The final second readings approved the annexation of 45 acres from Orange County to town of Oakland and the Comprehensive Plan from rural to low-density residential. The third, to take place at a future meeting, would rezone 70 acres of the property from A-1 Agricultural and R-1 Single-Family Residential to PD Planned Development. Briley Farms applicants propose to add a total of 150 homes on 115 acres in two phases off Jefferson Avenue near Lake Apopka. The 45-acre Phase 1 is east of Jefferson, and Phase 2, with 70 acres, is to the west of the street. According to the conceptual plan, smaller lots are proposed centrally on the site with larger lots on the perimeter and in the northern portion toward the lake. The property will include several small pocket parks, said Town Planner Jay Marder, and several tracts on the west side of the project are being dedicated to the Oakland Nature Preserve. The applicants are Jefferson R. Voss, Jefferson Rich Voss Trust and Voss Family Holdings LLC.

Have a question regarding plants, bugs, gardens or trees? These experts are there to provide the answers.

AMY QUESINBERRY

pring is here, and many folks are working on their backyard gardens and front yard landscapes. This weekend is the perfect chance to enhance and expand those projects with a visit to downtown Winter Garden when the Bloom & Grow Garden Society hosts its 20th Spring Fever in the Garden festival. After a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, the much-anticipated annual spring festival is back, and the garden club is ready to celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary with nearly 180 garden- and plant-related booths. Joyce Carcara, Bloom & Grow publicity chair, said the event has a new footprint this year and will extend farther along Plant Street. “We had to adjust because of the outdoor dining areas in that twoblock area that was really solid with booths (in years past),” she said. “We were able to move it down toward Park Avenue. In that respect, we hope that alleviates some of the crowding further down.” The space isn’t the only change this year. “We’re going to have more plant booths this year, and we have a wide variety,” Carcara said. “We have orchids and bromeliads, plumerias, air plants, fruit and citrus trees, desert roses … a nice mix, palms, house plants — and everything garden related.” To commemorate the festival, Bloom & Grow is selling several items at its booth, including hats; garden gloves; a sterling silver pendant featuring Flora, the butterfly sculpture placed last year near the interactive splash pad; and prints of the Tucker Ranch Oak. Two Spring Fever T-shirt designs, created by Andy Crabtree, are available — a

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

ASK THE EXPERT

Bloom & Grow celebrates 20 years of Spring Fever this weekend in downtown Winter Garden. ENTERTAINMENT TIMES

OAKLAND PD GROWS

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Oakland Police Chief John Peek introduced one member of the department with a new rank and three new officers. Roger Fischer was promoted to corporal. He has twice won the Crisis Intervention Team award, plus many service awards. The new additions are Detective Michael Bryant and officers Reynalis Rojas Mercado and Ralph Spzak. Spzak is a former New York officer, Bryant is retired from the Ocoee Police Department, and Rojas Mercado is a recent academy graduate. “We truly have to look for the right people of moral courage, civility, education,” Peek said. “We took our time and found, what I think, are the right people.”

IN OTHER BUSINESS n The Town Commission, after removing an item pertaining to Starr Street utility improvements, approved the consent agenda, which included the following: a termination of the Oakland Police Department’s current IT vendor and a transition to iVenture to handle all police IT issues and projects beginning April 4; a memorandum of understanding and working agreement for protocol in situations dealing with vulnerable adults, including the elderly; a bid award to Carr & Collier Inc., of Lake County, for the construction of Lift Station No. 6 near Catherine Ross Road at a cost of $509,700. n Commissioners approved two resolutions. The first shows the town’s support in the placement of a 1% Transportation Surtax referendum on the Nov. 8 countywide ballot for consideration by Orange County voters. The second supports the county’s Local Mitigation Strategy that addresses “natural, technological and human-caused hazards” that can “endanger … residents and other municipalities, threaten private business operations, and compromise quality of life.” n The commission learned the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has authorized the immediate treatment of hydrilla on 6,000 acres on the south side of Lake Apopka. n Commissioners Rick Polland and Joseph McMullen were sworn into office for their next four-year terms. n Stark read proclamations for Water Conservation Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month and Wear Blue Day.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

In lockstep: Service dog gives Windermere student independence

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

COMMUNITY EDITOR

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

henever you see Grace Utzinger, you’re sure to see her sidekick, Lincoln — whether it’s at the theme parks, in church or around Windermere High School. The 75-pound Australian labradoodle is Grace’s service dog and is trained to help her manage her Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which causes the teenager dizziness and daily chronic pain. “I have pain every day,” Grace said. “But the days I’m able to do things despite the pain are more frequent than the days I have to stay in bed. Without him every day would be a bad day. … He helps me with mobility and chronic pain management.” She said the dizziness has improved, and where she used to get dizzy several times a day, it now just happens four or five times a week. Lincoln is a mobility assistance dog, and his job is to wait until given verbal or physical commands. If Grace drops something, she tells him, “Pick it up.” If she becomes dizzy and pulls to one side, Lincoln, wearing his harness with a special handle, counterbalances that weight to keep her upright. He is an important part of her everyday life.

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer /Andrea Mujica, amujica@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

Amy Quesinberry

Years before Lincoln came into the lives of Grace and her parents, Robert and Lana Utzinger, Grace started complaining about pain. She was diagnosed with the EDS around age 10 and prescribed medication, but she didn’t like the way it made her feel. After dealing with the pain throughout her teen years, Grace started researching service dogs to see if there was one that would work for her. She discovered the Australian labradoodle had the characteristics she needed to support her — and then they found Lincoln. He was adopted at eight weeks about twoand-one-half years ago, and Grace immediately began the training. Last year, she started working with Danielle Blasingame of Diversity Canine, in south Orlando, to get him certified for AKC behavior classes and help with his training. EVERYDAY LIFE

Everyone at school knows Lincoln. He’s so popular he was even nominated to the Homecoming court, although he didn’t win. He has been to Homecoming and prom — and donned his tuxedo for the occasion. He has accompanied Grace to all of her band concerts and MPA band assessments, and if she’s wearing concert black, he has on his tux. The pair were together while Grace played clarinet with the band at the recent Horizon West Fest. Lincoln even has his own student

Grace Utzinger relies on Lincoln, her service dog, to help her daily, and where you see one, you will see the other.

ID, hall pass for potty breaks and photo in the yearbook. He and Grace also were nominated for “dynamic duo” in the Wolverine marching band. Several allowances have been made for Grace at school. She is allowed to leave six minutes early from her classes so Lincoln doesn’t get up in the commotion of classroom changes in the hallways. For upstairs classes, Grace and Lincoln take the elevator. During band practice in the classroom, he sits beside her like he does in every other class. He was desensitized to loud music and noises when he was a puppy, Grace said. When practice moves outside, he is nearby and ready to task when she asks him. Lincoln assists Grace several times a day. “If I drop, say, a water bottle or my phone or a pencil at school, bending will either make me dizzy or cause too much pain,” Grace said. “I’ll give him the command, ‘Pick it up.’ I trained him myself, so I got to pick his command word.” Retrieving dropped items isn’t Lincoln’s only job. “His main task is deep pressure therapy,” Grace said. “He is taught to put as much weight as possible on part of my body, mostly my legs. It’s most common that I’ll use him for my legs. And that works because the nerve fibers that detect pressure and pain are intertwined, so if you stimulate one long enough, it will block it from the pain nerve.” It’s hard to miss Lincoln when he’s around — he likely has on a bright

Jon Williams approved as Winter Garden’s city manager The City Commission officially approved Williams as the permanent city manager. ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

The Winter Garden City Commission voted unanimously to make Jon Williams’ tenure as city manager official at the Thursday, March 24, meeting. “Jon has done a very good job; everything I’ve been involved with, everyone I’ve talked to in the city, has agreed Jon has done a good job,” Mayor John Rees said. “So I would make a motion tonight that we go ahead and appoint Jon as our city manager, if there’s no other comments or concerns from our commission.” City Attorney Kurt Ardaman clarified the position would be subject to

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

AMY QUESINBERRY

MEETING LINCOLN

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the contract, but the motion would be to start the process. “I couldn’t agree more,” District 3 Commissioner Mark Maciel said of Rees’ statement. District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett also agreed, saying Williams has done “a great job.” District 2 Commissioner Ron Mueller asked his colleagues if they wanted to explore other possible candidates before making a decision. However, Mueller said he supported Williams’ appointment. “I didn’t know if we wanted to go through a formal process of looking at other candidates before we made the call,” he said. Although the commission could spend the time looking at other candidates, Rees said he believed the city had a good person for the job. “Time will tell, and I would just as soon move on,” Rees said.

ABOUT EHLERSDANLOS SYNDROME Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a hereditary disorder affecting the body’s connective tissue that causes fatigue and joint pain. It is degenerative, and there is no cure. Collagen is a protein in the connective tissue that provides protection throughout the body. In Grace Utzinger’s case, her collagen is too stretchy, she said, so her body does not have a lot of support. Courtesy

Lincoln wears a tuxedo to all of Grace Utzinger’s performances.

ensemble, whether it’s his yellow harness, aqua vest or colorful bandannas. The Utzingers keep his tail dyed, too — it’s currently purple and blue — because it kept getting stepped on, Grace said. Grace is a junior at Windermere High and has narrowed down her field of college study to either

IN OTHER NEWS n The commission approved a memorandum of understanding with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to have the Ocoee Police Department rejoin the West Orange Narcotics Task Force. n Commissioners approved a binding lot combination agreement for 279 and 291 Gary Drive. The owner of 291 recently bought the neighboring 279 and requested to combine the two lots. n Winter Garden commissioners approved a drainage system repair partial reimbursement agreement

District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman agreed with Rees. “The real thing about managing a business or company is that people below you respect you and work with you, and like you, and I think that staff knows him and that’s a big statement,” Sharman said. The commission unanimously approved Williams as the permanent city manager, and many residents in attendance clapped in sup-

medicine or music. When she’s not at school or band practice, she frequents Walt Disney World, enjoys movie nights with friends and attends the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints youth group on Wednesday nights. And right beside her is her buddy and lifesaver, Lincoln.

with the Lakeview Reserve Homeowners Association. n Elected officials approved an authorization to dispose of surplus vehicles and equipment. n The commission approved the annual Spring Fever in the Garden event by the Bloom & Grow Garden Society. The event is set for April 2 and 3 in downtown Winter Garden. n Winter Garden resident Joseph Richardson asked the community to attend a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Crooked Can Brewing Company.

port of the decision. “I look forward to being here for a very long time,” Williams said. Williams has served as interim city manager since late 2021, replacing former city manager Mike Bollhoefer, who announced his resignation during the Oct. 14, 2021, City Commission meeting. Williams previously served Winter Garden as assistant city manager of public services beginning in 2018.

The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange. If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

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County Commission approves Avalon, Flemings improvements Horizon West residents living near Avalon and Flemings roads can breathe a sigh of relief: Improvements are coming. Orange County commissioners approved on March 22 the results of a design study on the troubled roads. That study — which focuses on a two-and-onehalf-mile segment of Avalon from Hartzog Road to north of Water Spring Boulevard, as well as a one-mile segment of Flemings from Avalon to the Lake County line — included a series of improvements that will help traffic flow and improve safety. On Avalon Road, those include two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, with a 22-foot raised grass median and a 10-foot multi-use trail and 6-foot sidewalk to improve mobility for bicycles and pedestrians. Roadway lighting and landscaping were both recommended. Similarly, the Flemings design would include two 11-foot travel lanes in each direction with a 20-foot raised grass median and parking on both sides. It also includes a 10-foot multi-use trail and 6-foot sidewalk to improve mobility for bicycles and pedestrians. Roadway lighting and landscaping were recommended. Avalon is currently a two-lane undivided rural roadway with a posted speed of 45 mph with no sidewalks or streetlights. Similarly, Flemings is a partially improved two-lane undivided roadway with a speed of 30 mph, with no connected sidewalk system and no streetlights. The study reported existing average daily traffic volumes on Avalon range between 12,000 and 14,000 vehicles per day. Design year 2047 traffic is expected to increase to 36,000 on Avalon and 33,000 on Flemings. Segments north of Avalon have been widened to four lanes already. Brian Sanders, assistant manager from the county’s transportation planning division, said segments to the south down to U.S. 192 are in a similar widening study. Development in Lake County in the past 15 years has had a pattern of progression from U.S. 192, pushing east toward the county line. Sanders said there is demand for east-west traffic to connect to Flemings and become part of the Orange County road network. In five-year crash data from January 2015 to December 2019, both corridors totaled for 60 crashes, with one single-car fatality and 23 injury crashes. The projects now advance to design, right-of-way acquisition and construction pursuant to the agreement. As part of that agreement, Flemings will be completed to the Lake County line by Jan. 1, 2026.

CITY OF

WINTER GARDEN IS HIRING!

Tired of commuting? Looking for more time to do the things you love? Work where you live and add to your quality of life. As our community continues to grow and thrive, the City of Winter Garden is seeking qualified individuals that exemplify the “Winter Garden Way” of providing top-notch service that residents expect, deserve, and appreciate. Candidates should possess a motivated mindset and a can-do attitude to find creative solutions, while always putting the citizens first. Winter Garden is a great place to both live and work. Explore the job opportunities and the impressive benefit package at www.cwgdn.com and click on Jobs at bottom of home page.

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STAFF WRITER

sion decided it would continue discussion at its Tuesday, April 5, meeting. “What was posted to the public was not correct, and I would ask for the continuance so we can bring this to the public, have some engagement and then make sure we get it right,” District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said. “I didn’t have all of the information in front of me correctly, so I think at the very least I need to be able to discuss all those things with the residents.” Whittall said the developer faces $60,000 per month in interest costs and blamed the confusion on not being able to meet with Wilson. “Commissioner, with all due respect, we did not meet, so the only thing I had to go on the last eight months was meeting with your staff, going by the code that’s signed by Orange County for 25 years,” Whittall said. “I did everything per code.” During discussion about the project, Whittall addressed concerns about the project, including building heights. County Director of Public Works Joseph Kunkel said some residents questioned the maximum five-story height allowed by the code, but staff said it is consistent with other approved complexes in the area. To address the concerns, the developer is exploring the possibility of using flat roofs.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Work in Your Own Backyard!

Confusion regarding a waiver also stalled discussion on a proposal for 324 apartments in Horizon West. ANNABELLE SIKES

ELYSIAN APARTMENTS

Confusion regarding a waiver request stalled discussion and, ultimately, a decision on the Elysian apartment proposal. Developers of the Elysian project hope to build 324 apartment units on 16.9 acres at the northeast corner of Avalon and Seidel roads. The complex would include 324 luxury apartment units, six four-story apartment buildings, four three-story carriage home buildings and a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse with an indoor sports court, pool and spa, theater room, and more. Apartments will range from $1,400 to $2,200 per month. Although earlier documents included a request for a waiver from Orange County Code to decrease the setback along Avalon and Seidel roads, at the March 22 meeting, Chuck Whittall, of Unicorp National Developments, said the developer had rescinded that request. However, the confusion derailed the conversation and, ultimately, the commis-

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Anthony Hodge, third from left, celebrates the end of his walk with his wife, Sharee Hodge, Jim Crescitelli, Lorraine Smith, Patricia Canterbury and Julie Butler.

understand what the people were going through in order to make that walk and to continue that walk. … They were marching for something important, marching for justice and freedom and equality. And I experienced that as I was walking up those hills and across those valleys. As I was going up those hills, I understood what (King) said.” Hodge gave that very speech in front of the capitol: “Last Sunday, more than 8,000 of us started on a mighty walk from Selma, Alabama. We have walked through desolate valleys and across some trying hills. We have walked on meandering highways and rested our bodies on rocky byways. …” As he spoke, several cell phones captured his speech and shared it on Facebook for friends and family back home. HILLS AND VALLEYS

Photos by Amy Quesinberry

Hodge completes journey from Selma to Montgomery The Winter Garden pastor walked the 54-mile route in Alabama to bring awareness to Martin Luther King’s famous freedom march 57 years ago. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Winter Garden Pastor Anthony Hodge spent last week re-creating the 54-mile walk for black voting rights from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama — just as marchers did 57 years ago — and he ended up on the steps of Alabama’s capitol building March 25 — just as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did on that date nearly six decades ago. And just like King, Hodge recited the “Our God is Marching On” speech on those steps. However, King made the journey with thousands of marchers — starting at 8,000 and ending up with close to 25,000. Hodge walked it alone. He called it a spiritual and emo-

tional journey. Hodge, founder of both Finding the Lost Sheep Ministry and Impact Ministry in Winter Garden, began his solo trek Sunday, March 20, and walked 15

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miles of U.S. Route 80 that first day. His wife, Sharee, and daughter, Miracle, followed in their car. “It was quite an experience,” Hodge said. “That walk, it allowed me to

Hodge admits what he endured during his walk — some inclement weather and traffic — was nothing compared to what the marchers faced in 1965 as they walked the 54 miles with King. He kept that in mind as he continued to put one foot in front of the other. He logged another 15 miles Monday, 12 Tuesday, seven Wednesday and five Thursday. He walked the remaining two blocks Friday. He went live on Facebook multiple times each day, updating his followers, reflecting on the moments and sharing King’s words along the way. He walked despite a tornado warning Tuesday night, and he walked along desolate and busy sections of the highway. “As I walk, I can see the crowd and the people seeing the crowd, and the crowd is representing something,” Hodge said. “And so as I walk, I am representing something. This is a spiritual journey for me. … And as the people saw the crowd, they knew a change was about to take place.” Hodge documented many historic sites along the Selma to Montgomery Trail, including the Edmond Pettus Bridge, the site of the Bloody Sunday beatings of civil rights marchers. He stopped at markers and signs along the way and turned to Facebook to share it with his followers. He pointed out each of the four campsites where marchers laid their tired bodies at night. He felt the aches and pains in his

own body, but he pressed on as he remembered those who walked it before him. It was not a smooth or easy walk, as Hodge discovered. “But they did it,” he said in one of his Facebook Live posts. “When you’re walking for a purpose, when you’re walking for freedom, when you’re walking for equality, when you’re walking for justice, nothing will stop you.” It was pure elation to finally reach those steps, he said. “It felt great,” he said. “It felt like something had been accomplished.” In addition to his wife and daughter, Hodge was accompanied by Lorraine Smith, Sharee’s aunt, and Patricia Canterbury, a family friend, for his final two blocks. “One of the main reasons (for walking) is to bring awareness back to America, back to the people about what happened in 1965 — due to the fact that voting rights are being threatened today,” Hodge said. “What the negroes did in 1965, and white people as well, people of good will came together to make this happen. And so my reason for walking was to experience the walking and to understand why they walked.” The Hodges were in Montgomery for more than a week, and prior to the walk they visited The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, which was built on the site of a former cotton warehouse where men and women performed slave labor in bondage. The museum was filled with haunting images of shackled black slaves, jars of dirt from dozens of lynching sites and staggering and numbing statistics. The final room was filled with headshots of famous and influential black people throughout history — including Charles R. Drew, for whom the former school in east Winter Garden was named. Hodge and his family also visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, informally known as the National Lynching Memorial, to commemorate the victims of lynching in America. These visits have Hodge even more determined to fight for justice. He has returned home, but he said he will continue to walk in Winter Garden to fight injustices. He also wants to make the Selma-to-Montgomery pilgrimage an annual event. Next year, he hopes to take more people to experience the journey with him.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Where’s the beef? Now, it’s in Ocoee! Southern Steer, located at the corner of Maguire Road and West Colonial Drive, offers a big selection of meats, marinades and ready-to-cook sides. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Steve Clapp always had an interest in beef and grilling, and now he’s sharing that passion with the community at the new butcher shop he and his wife, Ingrid, opened in February. Southern Steer Butcher Co. offers an assortment of fresh cut meats, homemade sausages, healthy side items and marinated meat selections. In addition, customers can choose from more than 100 craft beers, craft sodas and international wines; and extras such as cheese curds, thick-cut bacon, beef jerky, buffalo chicken dip and chicken salad. The meat, with no hormones and from mainly grass-fed animals, is purchased from Creekstone Farms in Kansas. The Clapps were eager to bring a butcher shop to West Orange County because there wasn’t one near their home in Dr. Phillips. If they wanted to buy a selection of meats, their choices were going to a grocery store or driving to Petty’s Meat Market in Longwood or one of the butchers in Winter Park. They also were looking for a change of pace. The couple opened North American Office Solutions in Orlando in 2001, starting in their house and growing the company to 100 employees. They sold that business in 2019 and were looking for another opportunity. “I looked at A/C companies, I looked at hair-cutting salons — and I was in Sarasota, and I walked into a place called Southern Steer, and

I asked, ‘Did you ever think about moving to Winter Garden?’” Steve Clapp said. “They were thinking about franchising, so we are franchise No. 1.” The next step was to decide where to open their butcher shop. “We wanted to be close to Dr. Phillips but not where the theme parks are,” Ingrid Clapp said. “We wanted to reach Windermere, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips. That’s where all our friends and community are.” Southern Steer offers specials daily. Shoppers can get special deals on ground beef on Mondays, chicken on Tuesdays, marinated steak tips on Wednesdays and shrimp kabobs on Fridays. The specials vary on Thursdays and weekends. To know what the specials are and to take advantage of them, customers can go to the butcher shop’s website and sign up to get on the text and email list. The Clapps also give discounts to first responders, military personnel, teachers and seniors. Ingrid Clapp said she and her husband buy their specialty products, such as goat cheese and goat cheesecake, from Windmill Acres Farm in Ocala. They also work with Lake Meadows Farms and Troyers, an Amish shop, in Sarasota. “We want to be a specialty store and support local distributors,” Ingrid Clapp said. For customers interested in meal prep, Southern Steer has started prep classes, where groups of up to 10 can register to make 10 meals that feed four to five people each. Individuals can vary ingredients and substitute for allergies. The next classes are April 20 and 21, and folks can register on the website.

Photos by Amy Quesinberry

Ingrid and Steve Clapp opened the first Southern Steer Butcher Co. franchise in Ocoee last month.

Another option is to order meals ahead of time with the five-day meal-pack plan. This also can be done on the website; pickup is April 7. Steve and Ingrid Clapp are proponents of Project 52, in which they partner each week with different West Orange County organizations to give back. “Part of doing this is to give back to the community,” Ingrid Clapp said. “When we had our last business, we went into it like we wanted to make money but also give back.”

So far, the Clapps have partnered with Matthew’s Hope and Edgewood Children’s Ranch. They also have given meat to the Little League and Babe Ruth leagues in Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Ocoee and Winter Garden, and they have reached out to the fire departments in Ocoee and Winter Garden. “We give them the meat, and they always have their grills out,” Steve Clapp said.

Sip & Stroll

SOUTHERN STEER BUTCHER CO.

11024 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 20, Ocoee PHONE: (407) 347-8796 WEBSITE: Southernsteer.com HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays

West Orange Country Club April 4th I 5pm - 8pm Tickets: $60

Scan to Purchase Tickets Event starts following the Best Ball Golf Tournament at the West Orange Country Club

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business Song & dance West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Kingdom Culture Church

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Kingdom Culture Church. Located at 12201 W. Colonial Drive in Winter Garden, Kingdom Culture is a multi-cultural multigenerational spirit-filled Christian church that aims to help people passionately pursue a life of heaven on earth. They desire to serve our local communities and help them become faith-filled, hopeful and joyful places to live. To learn more, visit www.kingdomculturefl.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Tran Chiropractic

Congratulations to Winter Garden Smiles The Chamber of Commerce on West their Orange new office, located at 1317 Ambassadors celebratedRd.,the Winter Garden Vineland Suitegrand 110 opening Tran Chiropractic. in Winter of Garden. Winter GardenLocated Smiles General Dentistry the at 11920and W.Pediatric Colonial Drive serves in Ocoee, Windermere, Ocoee,fulfills and Orlando area.to Tran Chiropractic its mission To learn more about Winter Smiles empower communities toGarden live rich lives from the inside out. With hundreds of hours of advanced training and more than 17,000 patient visits, Dr. Tran is uniquely qualified to treat the pain that interferes at home, work and play. People trust him for help with headaches, neck and back pain, and car-accident injuries. To learn more, visit www.tranchiro.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of The Hangry Bison The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of The Hangry Bison. Located at 250 W. Plant St in downtown Winter Garden, The Hangry Bison is a burger concept run by longtime Orlando restaurateur Joe Liguori. His menu includes a range of appetizers, signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, bourbon and beer and whiskey flights. The restaurant also holds a Hangry Hour Monday-Thursday 4-7 p.m. and Friday 4-6 p.m. and offers brunch. Liguori and his team also partners with local breweries and distilleries to host events for important local causes. To learn more, visit www.thehangrybison.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Smile for a Lifetime Ribbon Cutting Celebration at

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Congratulations Winter Garden on Ambassadors tocelebrated the Smiles 10-year their new office, located at 1317 Winter Garden anniversary of Smile for a Lifetime. A Vineland Suite Brewer 110 in Orthodontics Winter Garden. program Rd., of Fravel Winter Garden Smiles General and Pediatric at 1291 Blackwood Ave in Ocoee, Smile Dentistry serves the Windermere, Ocoee, and for a Lifetime provides scholarships for Orlando area.support. To learn about which Winter kids in need of orthodontic treatment and financial Themore program, Garden Smiles ensures that Fravel Brewer’s high-quality care is available to all, has sponsored the orthodontic care of 39 patients. They anticipate treating their 40th Smile for a Lifetime patient this year. To learn more, visit www.fravelbrewer.com/community/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Azteca D’ Oro - Winter Garden Ribbon Cutting Celebration at

The West Orange Chamber of Congratulations to Winter Garden Smilesthe on Commerce Ambassadors celebrated their new office, located at 1317 Winter Garden grand opening of Azteca D’ Oro’s Winter Vineland Rd., SuiteLocated 110 inatWinter Garden. Garden location. 3130 Daniels Winter Garden Smiles General and Pediatric Road in Winter Garden, Azteca D’ Oro Dentistry serves the Windermere, Ocoee, and Mexican Restaurant is committed to Orlando area. To learn more about Winter offering their guests the finest foods from Mexico, unsurpassed service, a family Garden Smiles atmosphere and a place to enjoy an authentic Mexican Fiesta. To learn more, visit www.visit aztecadoro.com.

The West Orange Chamber Offers 4 Networking Groups:

he Winter Garden Rotary Club hosted the annual Broadway and Beyond event Saturday, March 26, at Newton Park. The event raised money for local nonprofit organizations. Longtime Disney performer Billy Flanigan served as the night’s emcee, and guests were treated to a series of performances from a six-member dance troupe, and Broadway, off-Broadway, Disney and local artists including Flanigan, Rebecca Krainik, Qiana Miles, Sarah Whittemore, John B. deHaas, Carol Stein, Grant Norman and Tom Sardinia. The Orlando Youth Chamber Ensembles and Gymnastics USA kicked off the evening with pre-show performances. Winter Garden Rotary Club President Jo Barsh, previous president Eric Roukey, Winter Garden Mayor John Rees and Orlando Health Horizon West President Brian Wetzel spoke at the event. — ANNABELLE SIKES

Billy Flanigan performed a number with the Winter Garden Rotary Club’s dancers.

A night time performance by a professional from Gymnastics USA was one of the highlights of the evening.

SUMMER

FUN GUIDE The most comprehensive guide to summer camps and activities in West Orange county

COMING THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Summertime is all about fun and frolic! Kids are out of school, and it’s the long break that every child looks forward to. But this long break can create havoc for a parent’s work schedule. From science camps to acting classes, the 2022 Summer Fun Guide will give parents lots of ideas on what the kids will be doing when school is out.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Horizon West To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

Orange 377732-1

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Winter Garden Rotary Club members Austin Arthur and Michelle Meachem volunteered at the event. Left: Qiana Miles sang several original songs from her five-track EP.

Heather Lanuti-Watkins, Theodore Watkins and Russell Watkins made the evening a family affair.

Sarah Whittemore showcased her vocal talents at the event.

Two Festival shirts available this year! Two day festival in Historic Downtown Winter Garden 20 Year Anniversary Tee Shirt

Limited Edition Year of the Monarch Tee Shirt

Presented by Bloom & Grow Garden Society • Co-Sponsored by the City of Winter Garden

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Rebecca Krainik performed one of her favorite songs from her role as Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde.

Broadway performer Grant Norman performed a show-stopping number from ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’

You are cordially invited to our 66th Annual

Easter Sunrise Service

April 17, 2022 at 6:30am

· Outside in front of the Mosaic at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

· Easter message with prayers and music. · Sermon by Jeff Pritchard of

Starke Lake Baptist Church.

· Continental breakfast to follow Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home For additional information, please call 407-293-1361

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REAL ESTATE

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Isles of Osprey estate sells for $4.6 million A

home in the Isles of

The home at 4914 Indian Deer Road, Windermere, sold March 21, for $690,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,412 square feet. Days on market: Two.

Osprey community in

Dr. Phillips topped all West Orange-area residential

The home at 5245 Beach River Road, Windermere, sold March 23, for $482,500. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,079 square feet. Days on market: Three.

real-estate transactions from March 18 to 25. The home at 5434 Osprey Isle Lane, Orlando, sold

WATERLEIGH

The home at 8996 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $804,350. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,911 square feet..

March 22, for $4.6 million. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, six-andone-half baths and 10,676 square feet of living area. Days on market: 375. These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange. DR. PHILLIPS DELLAGIO

The home at 8191 Via Vittoria Way, Orlando, sold March 25, for $1.15 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,870 square feet. Days on market: 12. PARKSIDE

The home at 8757 Brixford St., Orlando, sold March 24, for $1,050,000. Built in 2013, it has seven bedrooms, six baths and 5,351 square feet. Days on market: Seven. The home at 7927 Chilton Drive, Orlando, sold March 21, for $1,020,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,106 square feet. Days on market: Five. SOUTH BAY

corcoran.com

The home at 5434 Osprey Isle Lane, Orlando, sold March 22, for $4.6 million. This Mediterranean-style masterpiece is situated on a .92-acre lot with 145 feet of water frontage on Lake Chase.

The home at 8731 S. Bay Drive, Orlando, sold March 24, for $925,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 4,610 square feet. Days on market: Two.

HORIZON WEST

ENCLAVE AT BERKSHIRE PARK

The home at 7254 Londale Blvd., Windermere, sold March 24, for $520,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,147 square feet. Days on market: 10. HAWKSMOOR

The townhouse at 16178 Treadwell St., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $455,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,818 square feet. Days on market: Four. INDEPENDENCE

The home at 7031 Fence Line Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $651,000. Built in 2006, it has

four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,698 square feet. Days on market: Six. LAKESHORE

The home at 15493 Shorebird Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $1.36 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,626 square feet. Days on market: 104. LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The home at 8271 Topsail Place, Winter Garden, sold March 25, for $798,415. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,811 square feet. Days on market: 114. LAKEVIEW POINTE

The home at 14135 Larkspur Lake Drive sold March 23, for $651,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,680 square feet. Days on market: Two.

The home at 14119 Lakeview Park Road, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $500,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,950 square feet. Days on market: One. ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 4225 Oak Lodge Way, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $620,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,442 square feet. Days on market: Three. SUMMERLAKE

The home at 15217 Southern Martin St., Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $731,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,113 square feet. Days on market: 11. SUMMERPORT

The home at 4448 Indian Deer Road sold March 21, for $777,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,658 square feet.

The home at 8966 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 25, for $785,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,416 square feet. The home at 8918 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 25, for $734,306. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,769 square feet. Days on market: 27. The home at 8059 Tavernier Alley, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $612,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,472 square feet. Days on market: Four. The home at 9576 Jacques Alley, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $530,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,216 square feet. WATERMARK

The home at 10463 Austrina Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $498,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,204 square feet. Days on market: 10.

$PVME JU CF DBODFS

Show your support to the area’s public and private high school graduates in the Class of 2022 Special Section! Earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating. That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an extra special Graduation section. In it, we will celebrate seniors at all 13 of our area’s public, private and charter high schools.

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WINDERMERE SOUND

The home at 7336 Penkridge Lane, Windermere, sold March 22, for $740,000. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,476 square feet. Days on market: Eight. WINDING BAY

The home at 15088 Mayberry Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $550,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,440 square feet. Days on market: Four.

OAKLAND

LONGLEAF AT OAKLAND

The townhouse at 2216 Gopher Tortoise Terrace, Oakland, sold March 25, for $365,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,482 square feet. Days on market: 14. TRAILSIDE STATION

The home at 1071 Stationside Drive, Oakland, sold March 25, for $400,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,787 square feet. Days on market: Three.

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2780 Norway Maple Court, Ocoee, sold March 21, for $525,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,656 square feet. Days on market: 10. MCCORMICK WOODS

The home at 3364 McCormick Woods Drive, Ocoee, sold March 23, for $435,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,938 square feet. Days on market: Two. MEADOW RIDGE

The home at 449 Douglas Edward Drive, Ocoee, sold March 21, for $575,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,388 square feet.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

SUSAN GROGAN

The home at 1910 Rushden Drive, Ocoee, sold March 21, for $485,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,506 square feet. Days on market: Seven. WILLOWS ON THE LAKE

The home at 495 Autumn Damask Court, Ocoee, sold March 25, for $549,900. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,495 square feet. Days on market: 206. The home at 1804 Sparrow Song Lane, Ocoee, sold March 21, for $510,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,109 square feet. Days on market: 36.

WEST ORANGE CASA DEL LAGO

The home at 12210 Montalcino Circle, Windermere, sold March 21, for $2,863,788. Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 6,248 square feet. CASABELLA

The home at 3975 Isabella Circle, Windermere, sold March 24, for $2.23 million. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,357 square feet. Days on market: Four. PROVIDENCE

The home at 13333 Zori Lane, Windermere, sold March 21, for $600,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,521 square feet. Days on market: Two. TILDENS GROVE

The home at 5304 Tildens Grove Blvd., Windermere, sold March 22, for $1,392,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,751 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WINDERMERE

LAKE BUTLER ESTATES

The home at 3417 Bay Meadow Court, Windermere, sold March 24, for $779,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,681 square feet. Days on market: 12. SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 12

MONTH-LONG COMMUNITY EVENTS IN DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN

Projection Art Show on City Hall Kids Art Sessions at Farmers Market Art Exhibitions of All Ages En Plein Air Competition Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest Downtown Art Scavenger Hunt 373882-1

Fridays on the Plaza Live Music Art Night VIP Immersive Experience and More!

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The home at 6037 Roseate Spoonbill Drive, Windermere, sold March 23, for $715,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,659 square feet. Days on market: 20.

ARTIST

WESTCHESTER

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WINDERMERE LANDINGS

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

REAL ESTATE

OBSERVER

LAKE OLIVIA RESERVE

MCALLISTER LANDING

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

OAKLAND PARK

WINTER GARDEN

The home at 928 Lake Brim Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $1,003,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,777 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

The home at 1324 Lake Olivia Lane, Windermere, sold March 21, for $2.35 million. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,222 square feet. Days on market: Nine. The home at 656 E. Sixth Ave., Windermere, sold March 25, for $844,500. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,196 square feet of living area. Days on market: 88. BLACK LAKE PARK

The home at 515 First Cape Coral Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 25, for $512,500. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,365 square feet. CANOPY OAKS

The home at 617 Canopy Estates Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $1.05 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,624 square feet. Days on market: Five. CARRIAGE POINTE

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana 2nd Campus: First 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

The home at 1903 Redmark Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $690,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,435 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

CHURCH OF GOD

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

LAKE COVE POINTE

The home at 637 Lake Cove Pointe Circle, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $680,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,915 square feet. Days on market: Eight.

e m o c l e W

EPISCOPAL

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

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Contemporary 11:15 AM Traditional Also viewable on YouTube

LAKEVIEW TERRACE

OXFORD CHASE

The home at 14897 Ellingsworth Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 25, for $700,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,453 square feet of living area. Days on market: 98. STONE CREEK

The home at 1918 Sherbourne St., Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $429,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,624 square feet. Days on market: Five. STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 1910 Black Lake Blvd., Winter Garden, sold March 28, for $505,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,479 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three. STOREY GROVE

The townhouse at 11133 Bookmark Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $402,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,717 square feet of living area. Days on market: 16. WATERSIDE

The home at 16797 Broadwater Ave., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $1.18 million. Built in 2022, it has seven bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths and 6,289 square feet of living area.

HSERFE$R RUOY 100 The home at 418 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $629,000. Built in 1952, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,652 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

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Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

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For those ready to take advantage of our Moving Forward Program, the following is a partial list of assistance available through our Program.

Transitional Housing Mental Healthcare Counseling Montessori Preschool & Daycare Educational Opportunities Resume Building & Employment Opportunities Legal Assistance Credit Counseling & Debt Reduction

The home at 997 Huntspoint St., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $1.16 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,025 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

REFRESH YOUR

The home at 3298 Hanging Tide St., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $780,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,617 square feet. Days on market: Six.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Moving Forward Program Offerings

The home at 1553 Juniper Hammock St., Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $700,000. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,204 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER The event featured many guests, including Dave and Haleigh Graziotti.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Proudly serving West Orange for over 40 years.

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oundation Academy hosted its annual Legacy Golf Tournament Par-Tee Sunday, March 27, at the Golden Bear Club in Windermere. The school celebrated its 10th year of the golf tournament in 2021 and added the Par-Tee, an event the night before with an auction, entertainment and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Foundation Academy President Dave Buckles kicked off the event with a speech. “We are very blessed with our leadership that we have but we are even more blessed by you,” he said. Luanne Lumpkins, director of family enrichment and cultural development, has helped organize the tournament since she came to Foundation six years ago. Athletic Director Lisa Eaves said the event has helped raise money for a variety of improvements, including renovating the bathrooms at the athletic complex, purchasing new equipment for the concession stand, installing a camera for game film, new bleachers for the gym, batting cages, senior banners, pop-up dummies for football, helmets for lacrosse and more

Dillard St.

50/Colonial Dr

Daniels Rd.

Foundation tees off fundraiser with Legacy Golf Tournament Par-Tee F

Located in the Windtree Professional Center (Behind KFC)

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TOWN OF OAKLAND NOTICE OF CHANGE OF USE ZONING MAP DESIGNATION PUBLIC HEARING THIS WILL BE A HYBRID IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL MEETING The Town of Oakland will hold a public hearing to consider rezoning certain property generally located generally north of Oakland Avenue and south of Lake Apopka, containing approximately 69.83 acres.

Above: Bill and Donna Gavin enjoyed fresh lemonade. Left: Lauren Nadeau and Jacob Torrey sported smiles as they walked through the club’s doors.

ONLINE

ORDINANCE NO. 2022-05

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN’S OFFICIAL ZONING MAP DESIGNATION FROM A-1, AGRICULTURE (COUNTY) AND R-1, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, TO PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT WITH A MASTER PLAN, IN THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY JEFFERSON R. VOSS, JEFFERSON RICH VOSS TRUST, VOSS FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC, OAKLAND LAND, LLC AND PULTE HOME COMPANY, LLC, A MICHIGAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY., BEARING PROPERTY TAX PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 20-22-27-0000-00-005; 20-22-27-0000-00-004; 20-22-27-0000-00009; 20-22-27-0000-00-036; 20-22-27-0000-00-021; 20-22-27-0000-00-078; 20-22-27-0000-00003; 20-22-27-0000-00-010; 20-22-27-0000-00-056; 20-22-27-0000-00-054; 20-22-27-0000-00020, AND MAKING FINDINGS, AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.. Location Map: A second and final public hearing by the Town Commission is scheduled to be held at the following time, date, and place::

See more at OrangeObserver.com

— ANNABELLE SIKES

Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC®

IRT-1848G-A

Financial Advisor

edwardjones.com

DATE: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 WHERE: Town Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington Street, Oakland, FL WHEN: 7:00 P.M. or VIRTUALLY: See Join Zoom Meeting Instructions below

17301 Pagonia Road Ste Member SIPC 100 All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to Clermont, FL 34711 accommodate social distancing. Any interested party is invited to offer comments about this request at the 407-654-4915

public hearing or in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11th, 2022, in writing to the Town of Oakland, PO Box 98, Oakland FL 34760, or by e-mail to ehui@oaklandfl.gov. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the Financial Advisor Financial Advisor edwardjones.com edwardjones.com proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal. Member SIPC 17301 Pagonia Road SteSte Member SIPC 17301 Pagonia Road 100 The time and/or location of public hearings are subject to change. Changes are announced at the initial 100 Clermont, FL 34711 Clermont, FL 34711 scheduled hearing. Notice of any changes will not be published or mailed. 407-654-4915

Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC® Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC®

407-654-4915

Any person needing special accommodations to attend a public hearing must contact Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at 407-656-1117 x 2110, at least 24 hours before the meeting. This meeting will be held as an in-person meeting and attendees may also attend virtually through the Zoom Platform. Instructions below will allow you to join the meeting virtually: Topic: April 12th Town Commission Hybrid Regular Meeting (In-person and Zoom)

Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC® Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC® Financial Advisor

17301 Pagonia Road Ste 100 Clermont, FL 34711 407-654-4915

edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Bruce Young, CFP®, CRPC® Financial Advisor

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

373880-1

MONTH

REPORT CARD

POSITION: Physical Education Department head; strength and conditioning coach; girl’s weightlifting coach TIME AT SCHOOL: 14 years

ROPER YMCA 100 Windermere Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-8816

ymcacf.org

JOIN TODAY

Character Matters. An education should not only develop intellect, but also character.

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Building character since 1958

ONE OF ORLANDO’S TOP PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Building a Foundation for Life A Private Christian School Serving Grades Pre-K - 12

Three Beautiful Campuses, All-Christ Centered, One Great School. PLANT ST. CAMPUS

LAKESIDE CAMPUS

8464 Winter Garden Vineland Rd. Orlando, FL 32836 Grades Kindergarten - 4

What do you like to do in your spare time? It may sound cliché, but I enjoy working out! I still love the game of basketball and try to play when I can. One of my favorite things to do is to take a bike ride with my family into downtown Winter Garden on a Saturday morning, enjoy breakfast and a latte, and then ride back! Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? In high school, I took a media class, and although it was fun, I wasn’t as talented as some of the other students. The work I produced was good, but the teacher treated it as if it were great. He really praised my effort and affirmed the qualities in me that would serve me in life and not just the media class. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? Now, I’m telling my age, because there was no WNBA at the time. So when I was in elementary school, I wanted to be the first girl in the NBA. If you know the movie “Love and Basketball,” I was that girl in school! Becoming a veterinarian was my back-up plan.

at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

E s TD. 1958

125 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Grades Pre-K - 6

a new max in the weight room or the report of consistently hitting the ball further in softball games. It is all music to my ears!

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER Do you have an “unsung hero” 375637-1

The YMCA of Central Florida is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening our community.

What brought you to your school? In the early 2000s, I started my own training company, Trinity Fitness, where I trained local teams and athletes. I was put in contact with Coach Brad Lord, who was the football coach at the time, and began training his football team. Almost immediately I was hired by the volleyball coach, basketball coach and baseball coach to train their teams, as well.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Hearing feedback from students, parents and coaches on the improvement they have experienced or seen. Sometimes, it comes in the form of

VISIT YOUR LOCAL Y! DR. P. PHILLIPS YMCA 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd Orlando, FL 32819 407-351-9417

Christie Thompson is the physical education department head at Foundation Academy. She teaches physical education, fitness, yoga and varsity sports conditioning classes. She is also the strength and conditioning coach, as well as the girls weightlifting coach. Thompson won FA Teacher of the Year in 2019 and 2020 and won Teacher of the Year this year through the American Legion Post 63.

What do you love most about your school? The teachers and staff; they are all amazing! I can say that as a co-worker and as a parent!

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What is your motivation? My initial motivation was to create and establish a year-round training program for all the athletes — something FA has never had. Now, my motivation is to give the best of what I have to offer these amazing students, in whatever form that is: training, coaching, teaching, listening and sharing whatever wisdom I can pass along as God gives me opportunities.

TILDEN CAMPUS

15304 Tilden Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Grades 7 - 12

Lakeside Campus now K through Grade 4!

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Can you be more Pacific? F

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE

What is your favorite children’s book and why? I can’t really say I had a book in particular, but a type. I loved mysteries and haunted stories like R.L. Stine books. What are your hobbies? I don’t have as much time as I used to but I like to write. I used to draw and play the drums. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would love to control things with my mind. I guess that would be along the lines of a Jedi. Think of how much I could get done.

Right: Elementary students were thrilled at the opportunity to meet Moana. Below: Nadia, Epic, Ataliya, Saige and Andre Martin made the luau a family affair.

amilies and friends at Water Spring Elementary said “Aloha!” at the Spring Dance Luau Friday, March 25. Otter attendees wore flipflops, leis, flowered T-shirts, sunglasses and sunscreen to the early-evening event on the lawn outside the Horizon West school. Participants enjoyed pizza, snacks and water out of coconuts as they engaged in games, dancing, a raffle and more. Water Spring families had the opportunity to win two tickets to the Crayola Experience, Beats headphones and a gift certificate to Flour and Love Bakery as part of the raffle.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be? Michael Jackson. I have been a huge fan since I was a kid. Andy Mineo. He has great Christian lyrics, and his music has that hip-hop sound I crave now and again. Earth, Wind and Fire. I was brought up on classic soul music, and EWF embodies the best of that era. Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch? Michelle Evans. We have been friends since eighth grade, played ball on the same middle school and high school team and played some AAU ball together. Yes, we stayed in touch even to this day. It is pretty neat to see our kids playing together. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? In high school, I served on the Student Advisory Committee. I was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and in my youth group at Bell Shoals Church. I played varsity basketball and track and field. I competed at the state level in high jump my sophomore year.

Rory Osterman played in a sandbox on the lawn.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

Above: Students munched on melting cheesy pizza as one of the food options at the event.

Students dressed in Hawaiian inspired clothing complete with creative accessories.

Left: Families and friends joined together to participate in the Spring Dance Luau.

ONLINE

— ANNABELLE SIKES

See more at OrangeObserver.com

WE THINK BEYOND TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

TO TRANSFORM LEARNING

Show us your Moves for Westly’s Dance Challenge!

International Baccalaureate Diploma & Certificate Program Collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School, Program and UNICEF International Baccalaureate Diploma & Certificate Differentiated Curriculum PreK-3 to Grade 12 Collaborations with MIT, Thefor Juilliard School, and UNICEF Differentiated PreK-3 to Grade 12 Award winningCurriculum Fine Artsfor programs Award winning Fine Artsoffers programs Athletic program that over 21 different sports for

(407) 905-7737 (407) 905-7737 info@windermereprep.com info@windermereprep.com windermereprep.com windermereprep.com

Get ready to bust a move! Westly’s Dance Challenge is April 22 – May 1, so put on your dancing shoes,

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SCHEDULE SCHEDULE A A TOUR TOUR TODAY! TODAY!

learn the official choreography, get your free dance swag bag, and enter to win an awesome grand

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY MARCH 18, 1982 Sam’s Union 76 gas-tirebattery station advertised its giant tent sale in the March 18, 1982, issue of The Times, calling it the “greatest sale on Earth.” Customers could get deals on Union batteries ($37.76), Union 76 motor oil ($15.76), steel radial tires ($44.95), and 10 gallons of gas were given away every hour. The station was owned by Winter Garden residents Sam and Merlynn Wright and was located at the northeast corner of West Colonial Drive and Avalon Road in Winter Garden.

85 years ago

E.M. Tanner, Winter Garden city clerk, started moving into the new City Hall, another asset made possible by PWA funds. The old City Hall, which had been in use since about 1922, was turned over to the fire department for its use for the next 12 months.

80 years ago

Orchid of the Week was given to Mrs. H.E. Fowler Sr., who was knitting her 34th sweater for the Red Cross. Miss Dewey Vick was re-elected mayor of Oakland. Mr. Harold Henschen, on the Town Council since 1917, was re-elected, and Carson Mink prepared to start a new term. Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Irrgang Sr. entertained members of the younger married set. A buffet supper was served at midnight. Mr. and Mrs. Irrgang were planning to return to Chicago next week.

FROM THE ARCHIVES The home at 612 S. Boyd St. in Winter Garden was constructed around 1922. The Griffith family lived here from 1928-1947: Joe and Tennie Griffith raised five children here, Noel, Marjorie (seen on her bicycle in this 1942 setting), Wilson (former city mayor), Robert and Donald. The house originally stood in the center of the block. Joe Griffith owned one of the first radios in the area, and, on Sundays after church services, friends and neighbors would gather on the Griffith front porch (not enclosed at the time) for churned ice cream and the radio news. Joe’s crystal radio had no speakers, although an antenna was affixed to the roof. The setup featured earphones, and the people would take turns listening. After the broadcast they would each share the part of the news they had heard.

70 years ago

The Windermere Players presented “The Zinnia Circle,” a three-act play by Pamela Horrell, at the clubhouse. Playing lead roles were Hardy Sullivan, Dr. Paul Ducharme, Evelyn Keers, Betty Grady, Mickey Korrohan, Valerie Scott, Joe Burch, John Naboris, Col. E.L. Brackney and Sandy Huppel.

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.

Lakeview Junior High cheerleaders attended the WorldInternational Championship finals in Chicago. Making the trip were Lisa Reagan, Mary Ballant, Karen Julian, Rena Heckman, Kris DeKeyser, Jennifer Maynes, Robin Barber, Terri Hahn, Monique Clowes, Susan Janis and Coach Lois Moores. Construction continued on four

major pavilions in Epcot Center Mexico, World of Motion, the Universe of Energy and Spaceship Earth — all part of Epcot Center, Walt Disney World’s vast new showplace for today’s nations and tomorrow’s achievements. Four thousand construction workers were pushing hard to complete the $800 million addition by its Oct. 1 opening. Dillard Street Elementary students Jodi Fulmer, French horn;

Stacey Bryan, clarinet; and Lynn Trombly, clarinet, were chosen for All-County Honors Band.

30 years ago

One of Winter Garden’s most prominent citrus industry leaders, the late L.F. “Mr. Frank” Roper, was honored at the 68th annual Government Day Luncheon and Florida Citrus Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Roper was described as “a most interesting

and dedicated pioneer who had a compulsion for quality citrus and who helped Florida to become a world power in citrus.” The Orlando Fire Department recognized three young men — West Orange High students Clayton Studstill and Matt Hodges and rowing coach Keith Carsten — for their role in saving the lives of two fishermen at Turkey Lake.

crossword

celebrity cipher

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT by Gary Larson and Doug Peterson. Edited by David Steinberg 122 “Give it a ___!” (“Enough!”)

DOWN

ACROSS

37 Carriage controls 39 “The Neighborhood” 1 Baghdad’s land 5 Some email attachments actress Tichina 40 Megaphone noise 9 Chances to swing 42 Available to rent 15 Common rug shape 44 Dessert with a crumbly 19 Layered skirt topping 20 Goddess associated 45 Traffic signal in Pennwith peacocks sylvania’s Pretzel City? 21 Shredded 48 Attendance no., often 22 Blush at a romantic 49 Leaves unmentioned dinner, say? 51 Alternative to Robin23 Osceola’s people 25 Character that kicks off hood the Macy’s Thanksgiving 52 Word before “business” or “deal” Day Parade? 27 Furthest off the wall? 55 Sacred 29 Reeves of “John Wick” 57 H’s, to Plato 58 Not exciting 30 Top of a Nutella jar 59 Act as a go-between 31 Showy flowers 61 Group of eight 34 Desert sanctuaries

64 High-IQ crew 65 Low-tech indicators of air speed and direction? 70 God with 99 names 71 Sweater option 72 Hemingway or Borgnine 73 Deck chair strip 74 Ran in the wash 76 Remove gently 79 Cathedral seat 80 “I have it!” 83 Sausage from Stuttgart 84 “To a ...” poem 87 The singing “Big Mouth Billy” fish, e.g.? 90 Scanner brand 92 Lot for campers 94 Lunchroom stack 95 Lit up the room,

figuratively 96 Big caper 97 Saunter 99 Stumped 100 Traditional or Roth plan 101 Justice Elena 104 4-Down appliances 107 Bodyguard for a beleaguered biblical figure? 111 Designed to reduce engine pinging 115 “___ fair in love and war” 116 Usher 117 Throw for a loop 118 Idris of “Luther” 119 Totally bungled 120 High on weed 121 The best

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58 Words to live by 59 City NNE of Paris 60 Wife’s mother, e.g. 62 Virus watchdog org. 63 Puff on a joint 64 Diminutive blemish? 65 Insect with a paper nest 66 In plain view 67 Anesthetized 68 Fortunetellers 69 Natural ‘dos 74 “The cause of and the solution to all of life’s problems,” per Homer Simpson 75 What everyone wants on their side 77 Out of town 78 Figure (out) 81 DIYers’ sets 82 Land unit 84 Norwegian Nobel Institute’s city 85 Fawns’ moms 86 Tie up loose ___ 87 Short albums, for short 88 Potato pancake 89 Howls at the moon 91 Pale lager 92 Toss again, as dice 93 Like a practical alternative 95 Mugs for 74-Down 96 Muslim headcover 97 Shout before “Polo!” 98 Fake news source, with “The” 99 Cause trouble 102 Expert pilots 103 Burst of wind 105 Like Z, in the alphabet 106 Keen on 108 NYC-to-Miami dir. 109 Three, in Rome 110 Since Jan. 1 112 Spanish cheer 113 Walter Cronkite’s longtime network 114 Second half of a candy bar?

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “K VDX’A ACKXN TDL EPX WPNG TDLU NKVH’ VUGPWH TDLU DBX. ACGT XGGV TDL AD HLOODUA ACGW KX ACGKU VUGPWH.”

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Puzzle Three Clue: L equals B

40 years ago

Puzzle Two Clue: X equals B

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue: B equals W

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

3-17-22

MARCH 31, 2022

HIGH

SPORTS

Dominique Johnson-Floyd grabbed four interceptions in Horizon High’s flag football win over Lake Buena Vista. Page 18.

Lifelong pursuit

Mike Granato, head coach of the West Orange High School football team, has resigned from his position with the Warriors. He has accepted the position of defensive coordinator for Coffee High School in Douglas, Georgia. During his time at West Orange, he led his team to be district champions twice, and the Warriors also were regional finalists. Granato leaves with a record of 18-6. The football team’s Class of 2022 has 11 college signees so far.

The Olympia boys volleyball varsity team accumulated three sweeps in consecutive games during the week of March 21. The Titans played against Ocoee, Wekiva, and Dr. Phillips, scoring 3-0 in all three games. The JV team also procured two sweeps, scoring 2-0 in games against Ocoee and Dr. Phillips.

Windermere High boys lacrosse varsity team beat West Orange High, 16-0, at a home conference game March 25. The next games for the team will be today, March 31, against Dr. Phillips High, and April 1 against All Saints’ Academy. The JV boys team also got a win against Vero Beach High, 8-0. That team will face Dr. Phillips March 31.

The Dr. Phillips baseball team defeated two state-ranked opponents during the week of March 21. The varsity team scored a 6-4 win against Lake Brantley and a 9-7 win against Apopka. The team will play against South Lake High March 31.

Rinaldo Santos’ students presented him with a signed frame for him to display his new belt

FAST FACTS n More than 2.9 million people practice BJJ around the world. n One in a 1,000 white belts will become a BJJ black belt. n Only 10% of people who practice BJJ will make it to blue belt. Out of that 10%, only 1% will make it to black belt. n There are only 171 people who have achieved a sixth degree black belt in BJJ. Some already have died.

Ocoee High School senior Eric Gilreath took first place in javelin, setting a new school record at 156.3 feet.

Photos by Andrea Mujica

Winter Garden Brazilian jiujitsu instructor Rinaldo Santos recently received his sixth-degree black belt in the martial art. ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

or Rinaldo Santos, Brazilian jiujitsu isn’t just a sport. It’s a way of life. And now, after more than three decades living BJJ, he has achieved a rank few ever reach. Santos, who owns Carlson Gracie Central Florida in Winter Garden, recently received his sixth-degree black belt. Only 171 people have achieved the rank. Twenty-four BJJ black belts traveled from different cities and countries to witness Santos’ transition. Even Carlos Gracie Jr. — son of the late Master Carlson Gracie Sr., Santos’ first instructor — attended the ceremony and presented Santos with his sixth degree. SEE SANTOS PAGE 19

Instructor Rinaldo Santos explains the Mata Leao move, a strategical choke against an opponent during a fight.

SouthWest Stars Swim Team Get to know the Observer’s members make a splash newest sports reporter THIS OAR THAT

ANDREA MUJICA

When I was little, my favorite thing to do was listen to my dad tell stories. Every day on our way to school, my dad would come up with a story to keep my brother and me entertained. To this day, he has a way of narrating a story with such emotion,

you actually believe you are a part of it. My love for writing was born from those story times in the car. Because of my dad, I fell in love with the idea of sharing my words with others. For years I struggled to figure out what stories I wanted to tell; nothing I wrote felt good or relevant enough. Growing up, I realized the stories I wanted to tell were not my own but rather belonged to others. I was naturally curious, and that cinched it: I wanted to become a journalist. I moved to the United States when I was 18 years old. Before I left my home country (Venezuela), I already had been accepted to study journalSEE WRITER PAGE 18

Four middle school girls from the local club swim team recently took first place in all four relays at the Florida Age Group Championships. ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

Annabelle Sikes

Mariana Landim, Isabella Taliaferro, Megan Speidel and Reese Robinson are as close out of the water as they are in.

The four members of the SouthWest Stars Swim Team’s 11- and 12-yearold girls relay made a splash in history for Winter Garden-based SouthWest Aquatics Center as they swept all four relays at the Florida Age Group Championships earlier this month. Not only did the girls dominate their relays, but they also were the SEE SHINING PAGE 18

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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

Dominique Johnson-Floyd Since she was 6 years old, Dominique Johnson-Floyd has watched her brother Jaden Floyd play football at West Orange High and now at Florida State University. Now as a freshman at Horizon, Johnson-Floyd plays running back, wide receiver and kicker for the flag football team. She grabbed four interceptions against the Lake Buena Vista Vipers March 21. On March 25, she caught a 40-yard touchdown to tie the game with less than a minute left and added another catch for the conversion and the 7-6 win over West Orange.

What got you into flag football? A lot of it was my brother, because he was the star of West Orange. He was known and popular for football, and then he started to get offers and everything. It wasn’t only about sports. He also did plays and always helped other people out. But I just always loved football ever since I was 6. I grew up with football.

THE BASICS Age: 14 Position: Running back, wide receiver, kicker Grade: Freshman Team: Varsity School: Horizon High

What do you love about the sport? I really like getting interceptions and basically having opportunities so I can make a big play. What’s the best thing about your team this year? Seeing improvement. Our first game, everyone was worried, but once we were on the field and got the game over with and were back on the bus, everyone was so happy. It was a pre-season game, and even though we lost that game, everyone was so happy. We were all cheering each other on. What’s your favorite movie? “A Dog’s Purpose.” I love dogs so much. It was such a good movie. It was good, because it was not just based on one dog; it was multiple dogs’ lives. What Netflix series are you binge-watching right now? I don’t really watch Netflix. I just watch anything on YouTube. Favorite hobby? Playing sports, drawing, playing with clay. If you had a superpower, which one would it be? Probably teleporting to other places or flying.

What’s a fun thing about being the running back, wide receiver and the kicker in the flag football? Normally, we have this one play where we have two running backs, and it’s me and my friend, and we made a handshake to hype each other up. I actually have a touchdown from being a running back on a running back play; it was really good. We do (the handshake) before we get in the play. Sometimes, we change it up, so the other team doesn’t know what we are doing. Compare playing defense and offense. Which do you like/ enjoy the most? I think offense, but then defense is really good, too. My coach always says that defense is what’s going to win you the game. Like, on defense, you can have an interception and then score or stop the ball. I really like offense, too. What’s your favorite class this year? Basketball and ceramics. Because (ceramics class is) a time where you can be free and have your own time, I can use my hands and do my own thing. (And) in basketball, I can play around with friends and also play basketball. What type of music do you like listening to? Rap or pop. What’s your favorite thing your team does during practice? Whenever we do scrimmages and we go against each other, that is really fun. Does the team have any rituals to do either before or after a game? Yes. So, basically Coach Ethan Mankoff will say, “Fly,” then we say, “High,” and we do that two more times before he says, “Hawks,” and we end with, “Let’s go!” So we get everyone hyped, and then we go into the field. If you were on a deserted island, what three things would you have with you? My phone, a friend so I am not alone and maybe some survival tools to chop down a tree or something. Best vacation place you’ve been at? St. Thomas or Aruba. — ANDREA MUJICA

Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

only relay team to take first place from the team. Coaches Kristen Foley and JT Land helped to lead the girls to victory. “I am so proud of these girls — not just for winning all four relays but for their positive energy and attitudes over the course of this meet,” Foley said. “These girls are the future of our team, and right now, the future looks very bright.” POOL PARTNERS

Favorite food or dessert? French fries.

When did you start playing football? On an actual team, this year. But I’ve known how to throw a football since I was 7.

Shining superstars

Mariana Landim, Isabella Taliaferro, Megan Speidel and Reese Robinson are the smiling faces behind the incredible turn of events. The relays kicked off with the 200 IM. The girls were seated fourth, so they said they were aiming for third. That’s when their collective thought process changed. “We heard a team cheering close to us before the event, saying, ‘Who’s gonna win? We’re gonna win!’” Speidel said. “And it just motivated us to want to win and swim harder.” And so they did. All four girls earned best times, going a little under or over 30 seconds, for a time of under two minutes, just barely out-touching the other teams. “We had crazy energy; we were all just screaming for each other, because we all wanted each other to do really good,” Taliaferro said. Landim said she thought the relay was the perfect recipe for success. “I felt like it was a strong relay, because all of us were in our strokes that we are really good at and that we like, and we are all really close so we push each other to be better,” she said. In the second relay, the 200 freestyle, the event was not as close, with the girls winning by a couple of seconds. After the third relay, the 400 IM, the coaches decided it was time for a pep talk. “After our third relay win, one of our coaches said, ‘Three relays is epic, but four would be legendary,’” Taliaferro said. “And that’s what really kicked in, because on our last relay, we were like, ‘OK, we got this. Let’s go.’” The girls were exhausted, saying they all had recently finished individual events but knowing they

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

ism at the Andres Bello Catholic University. On Oct. 12, 2012, when I boarded the plane that took me to the U.S., my heart was racing. For the first time in my life, I was headed toward the unknown. As I watched my hometown fade away through the window, I had no idea that would be one of the last times I would ever see it. My plan was to take a sabbatical year to study English as a second language in Charlotte, North Carolina. Politically, things had started to destabilize in Venezuela, so one day over the phone, my parents told me they were moving to Orlando. So, I started to apply to colleges here. I was accepted into Rollins College to study English and literature. During my second year, I transferred to the University of Central Florida. Two years later, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in creative writing. While studying at the Nicholson School of Communication, I wrote stories for the school’s newspaper, Nicholson Student Media. There, I wrote my first sports stories.

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FLORIDA AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

The meet in Jacksonville consisted of four days of swimming prelims and finals. The girls also swam individual races in addition to their relays, totaling to six or eight events. “I feel like to just be there at such a high-level championship is just incredible,” Landim said. Although the girls said the experience was exhausting, it was also something they loved and would never forget. For some, it was their first time at the meet. “I thought going to FLAGS was a huge accomplishment, and I didn’t think I would go, much less, place so high, so I’m very happy about that,” Robinson said. As the newest and youngest member of the group, Robinson said she wants to get better and improve. “The girls really push me to always do my best,” she said. Speidel, who has only been swimming for two years, said she was able to meet a lot of new people their age who swam, and saw familiar faces, as well. She said the highlight of her individual swims was beating a familiar opponent in breaststroke.

SOUTHWEST STARS

The SouthWest Stars program is a club swim team at the SouthWest Aquatics Center. The year-round competitive team offers professional coaching and technical instruction for swimmers of all ages and abilities, with the club team being divided into groups by both age and skill set. The girls said they practice two hours a day, six days a week, and sometimes they have dry-land training for strength and conditioning, too. This makes the team a big commitment for not only the swimmers, but for their families, as well. “All of our coaches are really nice,

200 IM Relay: 1:59.81 200 Freestyle Relay: 1:49.08 400 IM Relay: 4:29.72 400 Freestyle Relay: 3:56.09

THE SWIMMERS

MARIANA LANDIM Age: 12 School: Water Spring Middle Years swimming: Eight Favorite stroke/event: Backstroke ISABELLA TALIAFERRO Age: 12 School: Bridgewater Middle Years swimming: Eight Favorite stroke/event: IM MEGAN SPEIDEL Age: 12 School: Bridgewater Middle Years swimming: Two Favorite stroke/event: Breaststroke REESE ROBINSON Age: 11 School: Bridgewater Middle Year swimming: Eight Favorite stroke/event: Freestyle

so I think that helps us keep going every day — just knowing that they’re there to make us as good as we can be,” Taliaferro said. The girls’ parents agreed, saying the coaches are “amazing.” “They’re not only knowledgeable in the swimming world, but they’re very involved with the kids on a personal level,” Kara Robinson said. “They know everything about strengths, weaknesses, family, school. They just really care.” The Robinson family was one of the original families of the only 12 kids who were part of the team when it started more than 20 years ago. “Their goal as a team is not so much creating Olympians, but creating well-rounded young adults who are going to enjoy swimming for the rest of their lives,” she explained of her experience with her children. Daniella Taliaferro agreed. “Swimming can be very individualized, but they make it feel like a team effort,” she said. As far as goals, all four girls expressed interest in continuing swimming by attending colleges such as the University of Florida, known for training notable athletes including Caleb Dressel and Ryan Lochte. The young girls said they also see the Olympic trials and the Olympics in their future.

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were going into the last one, the 400 freestyle, gave them the energy to push through. “All of us seem to go faster when we are tired,” Taliaferro said. “Not because we save up our energy but because our mind set changes as we reach the end.” When they finished first for the fourth consecutive relay, the girls said all they could hear was the roar of the crowd with their entire team and coaches cheering. “It was so unreal,” Taliaferro said.

THE RELAYS

When I think of my life, I think of it as a film strip, and in every frame, there’s sports. One of my earliest memories is playing catch with my dad. We used to go to a park near our house and throw a baseball every Sunday, while my mom sat on a chair close to us. Sometimes, she also played, and those were the best days. Every week, I looked forward to those Sunday afternoons, playing catch and swinging a bat. I loved it. The first frame of my film strip is tennis. I played for almost a decade during my elementary and most of my middle school years. Back then, I would go to all the swim meets my brother had. Cheering from the benches was fun, but I yearned for the competition the sport encompassed so much that I decided to try swimming. That’s where the second film strip of my life began. During my years as a swimmer, I learned what it means to push yourself to the limit, to keep going even though Shannon Till, Agent your lungs hurt, because every Fowler’s Grove 3279 DanielssinRd Winter Garden, FL 34787in gle stroke counts. There’s a gap Toll Free: 855-742-1591 my competitive sports life between www.shannontill.com my last years of high school and my first year of college, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t continue

playing sports and watching them. My last film strip involving competitive sports came during my years at Rollins, where I discovered rowing. Coming from Venezuela, I never knew rowing was a sport. I remember receiving an email inviting all freshmen to try out. It was then I found a sport that is as beautiful as it is demanding. Rowing was the first sport I played that required you to train and compete as a team. I loved that every day you train as one boat, not as separate individuals, and that every person in the boat has one another’s back from the first stroke to the last. I am the oldest of five siblings — all of them athletes in their own sports. My family’s weekends have always revolved around the sports we’ve played. That is why I am so humbled and honored to be able to combine both my passions, telling stories and sports, and pour them into my role of sports reporter at your community newspaper. We’re all in this together. And so, there you have it West State FarmI am has adelighted long tradition Orange. to share of being there. That’s one reason your amazing sports stories, celwhy I’m your proud to support West ebrate athletes and immerse Orange county.. myself in this vibrant sports comGet to a better munity. Let’sState roll!.

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OrangeObserver.com

Santos

A CONVERSATION WITH SANTOS Can you practice BJJ at home? Like I say to my students, you can practice almost everything, especially the self defense, with no problem at all. You just need to watch out how you (practice) it and with who, so it does not escalate into a real fight because you can end up really hurting the person. It’s a sport you should mostly do in the studio.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

What’s your favorite BJJ move? The name in Portuguese is “Mata Leao,” which means lion killer. Three things people should consider if they decide to learn BJJ? If the school is legit — that’s very important. The United States has so many instructors from everywhere in the world, so you have to make sure your instructor is black belt-certified. The personality of your instructor. You want someone who can deliver their knowledge well and has the patience to teach. The environment of the school, which is dependent of its leader. When you learn jiujitsu, you want a safe environment to learn, with a nice chemistry between the coach and the students. Courtesy photo

Master Carlson Gracie Jr. traveled all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to give Santos his sixth degree black belt.

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Kathryn Bowyer Hardwick passed away on March 3, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was 99 years old. She was born on Oct. 25, 1922, to J.C. and Gladys Bowyer in Winter Garden, Florida. She was predeceased by both parents and her half-sister and half-brother, Agnes Waterman and Jimmy Waterman. She is survived by son, Carl; two stepsons, Jeff and Danny; stepdaughter, Julie Bales; and five step-granddaughters. She was employed by the Navy for 29 years, at NSD Pearl Harbor, NAS Sanford and NAS Jacksonville. She was a member of the Holiday Hill Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class. A grave side service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha, Florida.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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“He gave me my first degree,” he said. “He always thought red belts were for old men, and he wanted to be young forever. He was like a second father to me.” Santos arrived to Winter Garden in 2008, and a year later opened his school, as he recalls thinking he saw much potential in the area. One of his students, Andrew Martin, said he is grateful to be able to train with Santos. “I trained for months, and it didn’t dawn on me,” Martin said. “It’s like looking for a pitching coach for your kid and finding out that Nolan Ryan is giving pitching lessons behind the public library.” Now, Santos must wait seven years for his red and black belt.

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“You always have to have somebody above you to put on your new belt,” Santos said. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Santos discovered BJJ in his early teen years. He met Gracie Sr. through friend Angelo Santa Cruz, who studied with him at Colegio Sao Jose in Petropolis, Brazil. Gracie Sr. was the oldest son of Master Carlos Gracie Sr., known as one of the first developers of BJJ. Carlos Gracie Sr. learned the martial art from Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka known for being one of the first mixed martial artists who arrived in Belem, Brazil, in the early 1900s. Santos started to train with Master Carlson Gracie Sr. at the Crezio Chaves School when he was 16 years old. It took him nine years and eight months to receive his first black belt from his instructor. “I am the third generation of (Carlson’s) black belts,” Santos said. In BJJ, there are five primary belts. Practitioners of the sport start with the white belt then progress to blue, purple, brown and black. Each belt below the black has four degrees, and the black belt has a total of six degrees. Following the black belt, BJJ practitioners can pursue red and black; red and white; and finally, the red belt. For years, Santos only had his black belt — with no degrees. In Brazil, the sport doesn’t award degrees. “Once you are a black belt, you’re a black belt,” Santos said. He struggled with the decision of pursuing black belt degrees; he didn’t want to surpass his instructor. But during a visit from Carlson Gracie Sr., Santos talked to him about getting the degrees, and he decided to do it after receiving his instructor’s approval.

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