About 30 birds were killed with antifreeze and rat poison earlier this year. SEE PAGE 2A.
GASTON INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY
Brandon Jermaine Gaston, of Winter Garden, has accepted an invitation of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
NSCS is an honors organization that invites fewer than 10% percent of all eligible students nationwide to join each year. NSCS is made up of scholars from two-year, four-year and online institutions.
“We welcome Brandon Jermaine Gaston to our community of like-minded, highachieving nationwide scholars,” NSCS founder Steve Lo in said.
EGGS-CITING TIMES AWAIT
In addition to local churches o ering special services this Sunday, there are a plethora of options for Easter fun.
HORIZON WEST
n Dream Finders Homes Hippy
Hop 5K — 8 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden
n Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet & Greet — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden
n Crossline Community Church Easter Egg Hunt — 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Crossline Park, 17922 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden
n Spring Eggstravaganza — 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at The Learning Experience Windermere, 6290 Lake Smith Circle, Windermere
OCOEE
n Easter Eggstravaganza
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive
n Glad Tidings Church’s Egg Ocoee — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at the church, 2009 Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee
WINDERMERE/GOTHA
Dynamic duo
Jaime and Anne-Marie Douglas are the CEO and president of the Montierre Development team behind The Dynasty | Ocoee project. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
They really are a SCREA-UM
Thespians at Ocoee High School are bringing ‘The Addams Family Musical’ to the school’s recently renovated performing arts center. Shows take place April 16-19. SEE PAGE 6B.
Four baseball teams from West Orange and Southwest Orange are seeking postseason glory. SEE PAGE 1B.
Winter Garden lift stations will be renovated
The city will renovate 44 out of the 94 lift stations, starting with the ones in most need of renovations. SEE PAGE 6A.
PEAFOWL FACTS
Maureen Jacobson, also known as the “peacock lady,” shared some facts she’s learned about peafowl.
n They do not like loud noises.
n When they are squawking loudly, it serves as a warning signal to other peafowl of possible dangers.
n They love when people throw them snacks. The best snacks are black oil sun ower seeds, mealworms, raw unsalted peanuts and any kind of fruit that is chopped nely.
Oakland residents want answers for dead peafowl
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Oakland’s Maureen Jacobson constantly sees people coming down her street in hopes of finding peafowl.
She cares for the peafowl and collects their bright, beautiful feathers to give out to children or families coming down her street in hopes of catching a glimpse of about 10 peafowl that roam her street.
So when Jacobson heard in January 12 peafowl were found dead on Deer Island, an unincorporated area of Oakland, she was shocked and angry — even more so when she found out the number of dead peafowl had reached 30 in a matter of two weeks.
Jacobson said residents of Deer Island were seeking her advice and guidance; Jacobson is known as the “peacock lady.” She had done a plethora of research to help Oakland become a sanctuary for all bird species.
“I was very angry and I was upset,
Jacobson said a necropsy was conducted on one of the dead peafowl, and it was discovered that the peafowl was killed by antifreeze and rat poison. Otherwise, the peafowl were “very healthy,” she said. Through her research, Jacobson said she learned peafowl aren’t prone to having diseases.
“When there are 30 that just drop over, there’s a reason for that,” Jacobson said. “And when the toxicology report came back with antifreeze and rat poison, they knew that someone or some people were ending their lives. And that’s not an answer. The answer to thin out an area is to simply hire trappers to come in and bring them right down the road because we’re a sanctuary town. They could have just placed them right here and let them be free. They didn’t have to kill them.” She said since the 30 were killed, there have not been any other peafowl killed to her knowledge, which she attributed to people getting the word out about the incidents and wanting justice.
lution stating “owners shall refrain from intentionally hurting, wounding or killing the wildlife in the community” and “incidences where the life or health of the wildlife may be threatened or endangered” should be reported in a timely manner.
Jacobson said Deer Island residents wanted to speak to her anonymously and were hesitant to approach law enforcement as they were scared of repercussions.
“They were literally afraid that people would find out who they were and go to their homes, kill their animals, or possibly even harm their families and their children,” she said. “It is that deep.”
With Deer Island being unincorporated, Jacobson said jurisdiction did not fall under the Oakland Police Department but rather the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacobson said she’s been in contact with Matt Thorne, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office’s Agriculture Crimes Unit. She said Thorne is on the hunt for answers and will talk with witnesses or anyone who
Although Jacobson said she is going to take a step back now with law enforcement looking
tigation because she wants
Growing pains
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
Orange County voters in November approved a charter amendment to expand the number of commission districts from six to eight. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has undertaken a redistricting process to establish new district boundaries and incorporate two additional districts.
A redistricting advisory committee was formed in January to hold public meetings to gather community input, review data from the 2020 U.S. Census, propose the new boundaries and recommend adjustments to the existing districts, and submit a new mapping recommendation to the county commission in September.
Nicole Wilson is the commissioner for District 1, which encompasses almost all of West Orange and Southwest Orange and is one of the two fastest-growing districts in the county.
“I’m happy to make sure we’re doing everything we can to have fair representation across all the districts,” she said.
But she criticized the timing of the redistricting process.
“The conversation that was had at the Charter Review Commission … their analysis was based on population growth,” Wilson said. “I think my criticism is … we should redistrict in census years.”
The U.S. Census is taken every 10 years and is used for the basis of redistricting at every level of government, she said.
“The local decision to add two commission districts was done by the 2024 Charter Review Commission, a citizen-appointed panel,” Wilson said. “Their analysis was based on population. My concern is the data they have is outdated … from the 2020 census.”
Her hope is residents will pay attention to the process.
“I heard from people at the second and third meetings that they were no longer in District 1,” Wilson said. “Have people take a look at where their address is and where they fall on the map.”
To ensure fair and equal districts, about 60,000 people will be redrawn out of each district to create the two new ones, she said. She hopes the new maps will pull residents from around the edges of her district.
“We’re not an interior district,” she said. “We get to Lake County, and there’s no wiggle room. We get to Osceola County, and there’s no wiggle room. Try to nibble around the edges if possible. My feeling is people in District 1 just got finished with a pretty long and difficult election cycle, and it’s a lot to ask people to try and stay engaged. … People expect that (there) will be steady representation until 2028.
“I have a very protective feeling about some of these communities because we’ve worked on (projects) together,” she said.
Wilson said she’s concerned about keeping communities together, such as Hunters Creek, Williamsburg, Dr. Phillips and Horizon West. Scott Boyd, who served as District 1’s commissioner from 2008-16, is opposed to adding commission seats.
“It’s ridiculous, it’s needless, and I don’t really understand how the commission or their charter review com-
Orange County voters approved an amendment to increase the number of county commissioners from six to eight, so the county must add two more districts and redraw existing lines in a fair and equitable way.
mittee members thought this was a good idea,” he said.
Boyd said every district is different, and it’s difficult to redistrict communities.
“I’m not a fan of the new districts,” he said. “Having gone through it in the past, some parts of the county aren’t going to be lumped in with other districts. When I was a commissioner, I wasn’t happy about losing Orlo Vista, about losing MetroWest. I lost some of Ocoee, and the district got compressed to the point of being the wealthier side of the community.
“It’s going to be hugely important in how it all works together,” Boyd said.
“All six (commissioners) will lose 20-something percent of the area they currently represent. That’s significant.”
Because of the growth in West Orange and Southwest Orange, this area definitely will require another commission district, Boyd said.
“It’s been preferred to have one district voice,” he said. “You may have two now, you may have three. I think that could be interesting. I don’t personally think it’s efficient.”
What makes the most sense in West Orange County, Boyd said, is keeping Ocoee, Winter Garden, Oakland and Windermere together because those municipalities work well together.
“They’re very engaged with each other on what’s happening with each other,” he said. “Horizon West obviously has a huge community, a growing community, that would benefit from having one commissioner on the board.”
The redistricting absolutely is not necessary, he said.
“They’re just making an alreadycomplex situation more complex,” Boyd said.
COMMUNITY MEETING
REDISTRICTING 101
During the Nov. 5 General Election, voters approved Charter Amendment 6, which increased the number of Orange County Commission districts from six to eight, creating a nine-member County Commission consisting of eight commissioners and the mayor. The county is now engaged in this redistricting process of adding two more districts and redrawing existing lines in a fair and equitable way.
The goal of redistricting is to rebalance the population between commission districts so no commissioner is representing substantially more individual citizens than the other commissioners.
County citizens are invited to the community meetings to share their opinions on where the district lines should be redrawn on the map, keeping in mind population, municipality lines, historical and cultural communities.
The county will develop and adopt a revised county commission district map based on public input and three redistricting criteria: Equal population, Federal Anti-Discrimination Law and consideration of the “Traditional Redistricting Principles.”
Equal population is the most important of the redistricting criteria, according to Orange County, and is based on the constitutional concept of “One Person, One Vote” derived by the U.S. Supreme Court from the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Districts must be divided so they are contiguous and as nearly equal in population as practicable.
The traditional redistricting principles include compactness, contiguity, preservation of municipal boundaries, preservation of cores of prior districts, maintaining communities of interest and general protection of incumbents.
Orange County has formed a Mid-Decennial Redistricting Project Team, which consists of personnel from various county ofces, as well as a Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee. The MRAC will recommend maps re ecting eight proposed commission district boundaries to the Board of County Commissioners for its consideration and eventual adoption.
The Orange County Charter requires commissioners to adopt a plan redistricting the county into eight districts by Nov. 1. The redistricting committee has been meeting weekly since March to recommend map proposals for consideration by county commissioners.
The advisory committee meeting in District 1 takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the West Orange Recreation Center, 309 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden. The public is invited to attend and share input.
The first meeting to discuss maps is from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Orange County Administration Building, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. These discussion meetings are scheduled through August. To submit a proposed redistricting map, email District1@ocfl.net.
The county’s redistricting page has a calendar for meeting dates throughout the process at ocfl.net/redistricting. This website also contains detailed information about redistricting.
Courtesy of Orange County
Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said about 60,000 people will be redrawn out of each of the existing districts to create two new ones. However, the census data being used for this process is ve years old.
Meet the husband-and-wife duo bringing a $1 billion youth sports complex to Ocoee
EDITOR
Today, Jaime and Anne-Marie Douglas are the husbandand-wife, CEO and president leadership team who founded Montierre Development; the developer behind the $1 billion, 159acre youth sports complex dubbed The Dynasty | Ocoee coming to West Orange County.
However, their journey to leading the youth sports and sports tourism industry revolution came on the back of years of hard work, betting on themselves and — like The Beatles sang — getting by with a little help from their friends.
ORIGINS OF A DYNASTY
The benefits of playing youth sports are well-documented in a variety of academic studies and countless anecdotal testimonies. It just so happens the story of the Douglas duo’s journey to developing The Dynasty | Ocoee is another example of the many benefits of playing youth sports. In the case of the development of the regional sports complex coming to Ocoee, the benefit that deciding to play high school baseball gave CEO Jaime Douglas was the relationships he built through the sport and the opportunities that came his way directly and indirectly because of baseball.
After his first season of pitching competitively, as a senior in high school, Jaime Douglas earned a spot on the Ohio Dominican University baseball team and managed to develop enough in one season for the NAIA program to show former UCF player Rich Wallace he had what it took to hop on the mound for the Golden Knights. All Wallace had to do was convince his summer ball teammate to head down to Central Florida. Wallace got Jaime Douglas to transfer to UCF, and after two seasons in Orlando, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 26th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. Douglas spent two seasons playing in the Angels farm system before spending the next four seasons playing for independent league teams.
Although playing professional baseball might sound like a dream
“We
come true, he didn’t make much money while playing in the minors. Fortunately for him and his bank account, the relationships he built playing at UCF helped land him different construction gigs during the offseason.
“Jaime has been in the world of construction since his days of playing professional baseball,” Anne-Marie Douglas said. “In his offseason, he would reconnect with an old college teammate (Matt Rhodes), who would always put him in contact with different construction specialty tradesmen and he would work different trades of construction … to make some extra money. Jaime was actually on the crew that poured the concrete for Fun Spot Orlando.”
Following his playing days, thanks to the off-seasons he spent working in a variety of construction trades, including HVAC, electrical and flooring, Jamie Douglas developed the requisite skills to thrive in the construction field. He joined Oviedo-based Wilson & Company General Contractors as a superintendent of construction.
Eventually, the Douglas duo moved to South Florida, started a family and founded their own construction company, Montierre Development.
“If
tive
“Working together has always been a family goal of ours but it was not always our reality,” Jaime Douglas said. “Anne-Marie was an emergency medicine and trauma nurse, and later a family and acute care nurse practitioner in Orlando and South Florida for more than 14 years prior to making the career shift and coming on full time with Montierre Development. She always worked with Montierre Development, since its day of conception, learning the ins and outs of the business … (sometimes) with a newborn or a few children in tow, to learn the field of construction and land development.”
After years of growing Montierre and their family — welcoming five children into the Douglas clan — Anne-Marie shifted from splitting her time as a nurse during the day and
developer at night to focusing fully on the family business. And as luck would have it, another former teammate of Jaime Douglas helped spark the creation of The Dynasty | Ocoee.
“Jaime and one of his best friends from the UCF baseball team, Mike Mercadante — our current vice president — were chatting one day about helping Mike expand a baseball academy he was working with in Ocoee,” Anne-Marie Douglas said. “Upon going to a meeting of the minds at Ocoee City Hall, Mayor Rusty Johnson mentioned a dream he’s always had of bringing baseball to Ocoee. … Before you knew it (we) were back at City Hall with an initial set of plans for the Ocoee Regional Sports Complex, which would later grow to become what we now know as The Dynasty | Ocoee.”
WHEN FAMILY MEETS BUSINESS
Today, the Douglases are living the dream of not only working together but also running their family business. Although there are challenges that come with the demanding hours and overlap of family and work, the two are grateful to be in this position.
“As a family, we thoroughly enjoy working together and building a better future for our and other families in the world,” the two said in a joint statement. “Being a large family — we have five children from newborn to age 8 — we find that we want to spend as much time together as possible. Working together was the best way for us to achieve that. We enjoy the challenges we face, we are grateful for the opportunities that are created, but most of all, we are are driven by the positive example of hard work, resilience, dedication and perseverance we are setting for our children and the world to witness.”
Having such a demanding schedule can cause blurred lines between their work and home lives. But thanks to the help of their team and their willingness to treat their business like a family by bringing the kids along, they
have created a dynamic that not only works but also is helping their business thrive.
“We do not necessarily believe that there is one set formula for work-life balance,” they said. “There are ebbs and flows, and you must make it work … to be successful. We are beyond grateful for the team we have helping us to build The Dynasty | Ocoee, as (they) allow us to better balance and be present in multiple aspects of our family life and work life. Often times, you will see us bringing our family along with us, as we want to set a positive examples for our children, of what believing in yourself, hard work and dedication can create.”
Jaime and Anne-Marie Douglas have enjoyed seeing their dream become a reality.
“The journey of making The Dynasty a reality has been one filled with passion, love of the game, innovation and breaking down barriers — in an industry that has done things one way for so long,” the couple said.
“The memories we have made along the way are ones that have made us stronger, more creative, happier, and overall, very fulfilled (because) we are creating a place where (we’re) bringing families together and prioritizing health, wellness and sports.”
The Dynasty is slated to begin construction this year and be completed in 2027. The couple is looking forward to the impact this project will have on the industry, the community and the athletes.
“We look forward to the positive impact this project will create for every single life it will touch,” Jaime and Anne-Marie Douglas said. “We look forward to the world of education and interaction The Dynasty | Ocoee will bring on a local and global scale. We look forward to helping to change the lives of youth (sports) athletes, spectators and patrons alike and creating an atmosphere of infectious positivity that will help to elevate each person The Dynasty touches for years to
amyq@OrangeObserver.com
Sports Editor / Sam Albuquerque, sama@OrangeObserver.com
Orange and Southwest Orange. If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our o ce, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.
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SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS
The $1 billion, 159-acre sports complex will be located on the southeast corner of Ocoee-Apopka Road and Fullers Cross Road.
of Montierre Development, AECOM and MDSX
and the Southside’s bou-
Celebrating Ocoee’s Centennial
1985-1995
CELEBRATING
A
CENTENNIAL
2025 marks a major milestone for the city of Ocoee as it celebrates its 100th anniversary of incorporation, which took place May 13, 1925.
The city is hosting several centennial events this year, including two key events:
n Centennial Celebration 5 to 10 p.m. May 9 — Join city o cials for live entertainment, food, vendors and activities at Bill Breeze Park.
n Time Capsule Ceremony 6:30 p.m. May 13 — City o cials will hold a special ceremony at the Withers-Maguire House to preserve a snapshot of the city for future generations.
For information about the centennial, visit 100yearsocoee.com/ historical-timeline.
Residents taking photos during the centennial events are being encouraged to use the hashtag #100YearsOcoee when posting on social media.
The city of Ocoee celebrated its 65th anniversary in 1990 and was in the middle of a decade that brought advanced health care to the city, as well as multiple large-scale forms of entertainment for residents, including the annual Founders’ Day Festival.
HEALTH CENTRAL HOSPITAL
Advances in health care were on the rise in the late 1980s, and by 1990, the area had outgrown West Orange Memorial Hospital, which opened in 1952 in Winter Garden with 40 beds to serve the then-rural community’s surgical, maternity and general health care needs.
In 1993, the Winter Garden facility closed and reemerged as Health Central at 10000 W. Colonial Drive, the site of former orange groves. The total cost of the project was $56.5 million. The hospital was both lauded and criticized for its ultramodern and futuristic architectural design featuring a bright red angular focal point out at the main entrance. The centerpiece of the 260,000-squarefoot hospital is a 9,000-square-foot, four-story atrium that connects the various elements of Health Central.
The new hospital — described as a medical mall because of its design — employed close to 400 professionals and support staff, and physicians’ offices were located near their patients in each department. The facility had 216 acute-care beds and a wide range of health care services under one roof in a comprehensive medical center. It boasted a 24-hour emergency center, the Special Deliveries maternity center, Kid Central pediatrics unit, outpatient capabilities and a helipad. Aside from being an acute care hospital, it also served as a retail pharmacy, vision center, catering service and physical therapy provider.
Health Central was a great community partner, too, offering programs to residents, including Senior Central, for the 55-and-older crowd; and the West Oaks Walkers, which included “mall walkers” to meet every morning to exercise indoors in comfort. A big program that expanded annually for many years was the School Nurse Program, which provided nurses in many of the area’s elementary schools.
A multi-million-dollar expansion was completed in 2003, adding 30 inpatient beds, an observation unit, a large recovery unit, spa-like women’s center, advanced cardiac care unit, and expanded emergency room and ambulance bay.
In 2012, the hospital became Orlando Health — Health Central
The
held its rst Founders’ Day in 1994 after taking it over from the Ocoee Lions Club and the Woman’s Club of Ocoee.
n In partnership with the city of Ocoee, the Observer is publishing a 10-week series examining each decade of the city’s history.
Hospital when it was purchased by Orlando Health. This allowed for many more facility upgrades and expansions on the campus. Four years later, the hospital embarked on a major expansion of the emergency department and opened a new patient tower.
In recent years, the hospital has opened a Heart & Vascular Institute, Digestive Health Institute, Cancer Institute and Primary Stroke Center; and offered programs relating to total joint replacement, spine surgery and bariatric surgery. There also are inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services as well as an outpatient center for laboratory services, radiology and diagnostic imaging.
Last year, the hospital was nationally recognized as a Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group and a High-Performing Hospital in five areas by U.S. News & World Report; and Leapfrog gave it a safety grade of straight A’s from 2022 to 2024.
OCOEE FOUNDERS’ DAY
Founders’ Day originally started with a “history focus” and was hosted by the Woman’s Club of Ocoee and the Ocoee Lions Club.
The city of Ocoee took over the event in 1993. On May 14, 1994, the city produced a program announcing the “First Annual Founders Day Celebration.”
It included a welcome and brief history of Ocoee by Ben Griffin, invocation by Pastor Lester Weldon, presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 217 and Scoutmaster Kathryn Boyer, national anthem by Jean Grafton, and acknowledgements and appreciation by Betty Salisbury Hager.
The opening ceremonies took place at the gazebo, which once stood southeast of the WithersMaguire House. The event included walking and bus tours, old-fashioned games, a chicken pilau lunch fixed by the Ocoee Lions Club and antique bicycle performers. Music was provided by Judie Lewis’ Moonlight Express, The Orange County Band, My Father’s House, Clarcona Elementary School and Gospel Jubilee Singers.
The walking tour stopped at points of interest, including the Withers-Maguire House, Ocoee Hotel, Bank of Ocoee, Marshall Block, Pounds-Salisbury House, Ocoee Christian Church, the site of Ocoee Inn, the first firehouse and a Confederate campsite.
Organizers hosted the first Founders’ Day 5K, which started and ended at West Oaks Mall, in 1998. By 2011, the city partnered with Chick-fil-A to put on the Chick-fil-A 5K and Kids Fun Run.
The event grew in size over the years, adding more concerts and a variety of activities — including carnival rides, games, a classic car show, fishing tournament, poker run, a marketplace with arts and crafts vendors, and a finale of fireworks — and eventually turned into a two- and three-day music festival.
The annual event has hosted big country names such as Tracy Lawrence, Sawyer Brown, Charlie Daniels, Clint Black, Aaron Tippin, Blake Shelton, Ronnie Milsap and Travis Tritt.
In 2020, the city changed the event name to Ocoee Fall Music Festival. In recent years, the city broadened its musical genres and now offers rock and rap music on Friday night and country music on Saturday. Audiences have been entertained by Tone Loc, Vanilla Ice and Bret Michaels.
The event temporarily was switched to a spring festival, but this year it returns to the fall. It will be held at Bill Breeze Park near the Ocoee Lakeshore Center.
NOTABLE NEWS
1986: In January, Tiger Minor Park was dedicated to honor John “Tiger” Minor. He was Ocoee’s mayor, city commissioner, Lions Club district governor, a professional baseball pitcher, school bus driver and dedicated community volunteer.
1990: Near the end of the year, the connection between Ocoee and Orlando was further secured when the western extension of State Road 408 was completed. The tollway, also known as the East-West Expressway, connected the Florida’s Turnpike south of State Road 50, through downtown Orlando and to the University of Central Florida in the east. The nal piece of the Ocoee connectivity story would arrive in 2000 when State Road 429, also known as the Western Expressway connected U.S. 441 in the north and Interstate 4 just south of Walt Disney World.
1991: The bingo scene from the movie “My Girl” was lmed in Ocoee at the Ocoee Christian Church on the corner of Bluford Avenue just south of McKey Street.
1993: The Sons of Confederate Veterans was founded with 11 charter members. They were interactive with reenactor groups and other community events. They hold fundraisers to support gravesite crosses for the veterans of the Confederate Army and to go toward the restoration of the Florida Confederate ags in Tallahassee.
1994: The 18-hole Forest Lake Golf Club opened on the north side of Ocoee.
Some photos and information are courtesy of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Nancy Maguire’s book, “A History of Ocoee & its Pioneers.”
Sta members celebrated the opening of Health Central in 1993 by forming a large hospital symbol on the lawn.
A colorful image of Health Central was featured on many magazine covers, including Texas Architect.
city of Ocoee
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
METHODIST
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org
125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135
Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
Winter Garden lift station renovations will cost $154,283
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the waiving of formal procurement procedures and hiring of Control Services LLC to replace routers and renovate 44 lift stations.
Assistant City Manager Steve Pash said the city has budgeted money to renovate 94 lift stations throughout the city to replace outdated routers, modems and antennas, and enclosures, as well as update the communication software.
The project approved at the April 10 meeting covered 44 of the 94 lift stations. Pash said the 44 stations are the ones in most need of renovations.
It will cost $118,220 to hire Control Services LLC to install the equipment, which costs $36,055, for a total project cost of $154,283.
IN OTHER NEWS
n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved the site plan for 630 Garden Commerce Parkway, subject to conditions. Quality Playing Cards, the applicant, is planning to construct a single-story 17,090-square-foot o ce/warehouse building and connect the building with another located at 620 Garden Commerce Parkway, which the applicant also owns. Additional improvements include parking and enhanced landscaping.
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH
PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee
Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com
Pash said the equipment has been installed at one lift station that had 329 communication failures in January.
“There’s been zero since we got this software equipment update,” he said of the lift station.
n Commissioners unanimously approved a nal plat for Lakeview Village Estates. The nal plat will include 26 new single-family residential lots and 14 new singlefamily townhouse lots as well as common area tracts on the 7.251 acre property located on the west side of South Lakeview Avenue.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Pash said the renovations will reduce the overtime hours associated with repairing lift stations by 80-90% when all 94 stations are complete.
Pash said the project is expected to be complete in its entirety this year.
GENERAL RV PLANS APPROVED
n The purchase order for construction phase services for the Crest Avenue Wastewater Treatment Facility with AtkinsRealis in the amount of $3,497,610 was unanimously approved.
Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.
This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at OrangeObserver.com.
The City Commission unanimously approved the site plan for 740 Garden Commerce Parkway, subject to conditions.
General RV, the applicant, is planning to construct a 42,070-squarefoot office/maintenance building. The site also will consist of outside RV storage and parking that will be screened with enhanced landscaping and a 6-foot, precast wall.
n A purchase order for one-year continued use of Thioguard for odor control at lift stations 23 and 47 was unanimously approved in the amount of $417,000, which includes a 10% contingency.
To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com
This site plan runs concurrently with the General RV site plan at 12565 W. Colonial Drive, which the commission also unanimously approved at the meeting.
The site plan at 12565 W. Colonial Drive is for an expansion for General RV. The proposed project includes the construction of a 39,065-square-foot recreational vehicle sales office with limited vehicle storage and parking on the proposed 5.15 acre lot.
Site improvements include the completion of Garden Commerce Parkway, stormwater management, landscaping and parking.
PROPERTY RIGHTS AMENDMENT
n The City Commission read a proclamation for the Pink Trumpet Tree. The Bloom & Grow Garden Society in partnership with Duke Energy has planted more than 150 Pink Trumpet Trees in schools, hospitals and parks throughout Winter Garden between 2022 and 2024 as part of its Plant it Pink program. More than 850 Pink Trumpet trees also have been given away to residents.
place at the commission’s April 24 meeting.
DROP SAVERS POSTER CONTEST Commissioners read a proclamation for Florida’s Water Conservation Month, which is the month of April. The city then honored winners and honorable mentions in the 2025 Drop Savers Poster Contest.
Donna Corbus, sustainability and community liaison for the city, said 67 students in Winter Garden participated in the contest, but no students from Division 2, which is second- and third-graders participated.
The commission unanimously approved the first reading of an amendment that would add a new property rights element to the city’s comprehensive plan.
The state requires local municipalities to adopt the amendment.
The new property rights element “provides goals, objectives and policies to confirm that the city respects judicially acknowledged and constitutionally protected private property rights” and ensures private property rights are considered in the city’s decision-making.
The second reading and public hearing of the amendment will take
Zane Brushwood, a first-grader at Dillard Street Elementary School, was the Division 1 winner. Emmalynn Elliott, a fifth-grader at Creation Village World School, was the Division 3 winner. Yasmine Makaron, a sixthgrader at Foundation Academy, was the Division 4 winner. Emma Quintana, a junior at Foundation, was the Division 5 winner.
Honorable mentions were given to Dillard Street Elementary’s Nathan Welch and Foundation’s Claire Helmick, Emma McCleary and Avery Olesen.
Easter eggs take flight at Celebration Among the Oaks
The town of Oakland hosted thousands of people at its annual spring festival event, Celebration Among the Oaks, at VanderLey Park.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 12eventgoers were able to explore the various vendor booths, listen to music from a live deejay and kids participated in the various games and activities — such as hula-hoops, photos with the Easter bunny and egg hunts.
The event concluded with a helicopter dropping 40,000 eggs onto the lawn of VanderLay Park.
Windermere council OKs signage variance
The variance allows company on Main Street to have larger signage than approved in town code.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Windermere Town Council approved 2-1 a variance request for 603 Main St. Council members Tony Davit and Mandy David were absent from the April 8 meeting, and Council Member Brandi Haines dissented.
The variance will allow Dijon Real Estate LLC and CIG Companies and Magnifica LLC to have a ground sign of 27.4 square feet, which is larger than the permitted 20-square-foot ground sign.
According to documents from the Development Review Board, the ground sign already was constructed with an area of 27.4 square feet, which is not in compliance with Town Land Development Code, and without the required building permit. The request is an after-the-fact variance request.
IN OTHER NEWS
n A proclamation for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week was read, and the Centennial Committee presented a donation of $20,000.
n Council members were given a presentation on the town of Windermere Fiscal Year 2023-2024 audit.
n A reading and public hearing on an ordinance regarding noise from permitted construction was tabled to the May 13 Windermere Town Council meeting.
n Windermere Town Council approved 3-0 the Fourth Avenue/ Magnolia Street, ood-risk reduction subrecipient grant agreement.
Publishing: Thursday, May 22 Ad
Families: Place a personal congratulatory ad.
Schools: Recognize your graduating class.
In a letter from CIG Companies and Magnifica, Brian Henley, a partner with the company, said the sign was “not designed as traditional signage but rather as a complementary art piece for the corner.” It features a “depiction of the lion and the lamb, with no wording representing Magnifica or CIG companies.
“Its intent is purely aesthetic and to enhance the environment at the corner, providing a meaningful and visually appealing landmark,” the letter states. “The monument/sign was strategically placed further back from the corner to ensure it does not impede visibility or traffic flow at the roundabout.”
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
The Easter Bunny spent the event taking photos with families at the gazebo.
Brittany Ostendorp, of Bountiful Balloons, made a turtle ballon animal for a family at Celebration Among the Oaks.
Photos by Sam Albuquerque
Children ran their hearts out during a game at the Celebration Among the Oaks event.
Orange County shares ideas for safer Hamlin Groves Trail
A community meeting was held April 1, and dozens of residents attended to hear about the improvements and share their opinions.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
Orange County District 1 Commis-
sioner Nicole Wilson held a community meeting Tuesday, April 1, to give Horizon West residents a look at what features will be implemented to make their Hamlin Groves Trail neighborhood safer.
The meeting was held in one of the theaters at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas in the Hamlin community, with dozens of residents in attendance.
Orange County’s Traffic Engineering Division is conducting a study to address traffic calming and pedestrian/bicycle safety along Hamlin Groves Trail. The study will evaluate measures to better manage vehicular speeds, enhance safety for all users,and provide safer pedestrian and bicycle crossings.
County staff and project consultants presented findings from the study and discussed potential solutions under evaluation. Proposed near-term improvements include new crosswalks, restricted crossing U-turns and rectangular rapid-flashing beacons. Long-term improvements include roundabouts and new traffic signals.
“Horizon West is special,” Wilson said. “It was created with the idea of viable walkable communities. … The goal is to see if people truly are committed to a walkable community and how do we create that safely?”
The corridor being studied is about one mile long, and there are no crosswalks between New Independence Parkway and the intersection at Porter Road.
Jamie Krzeminski, senior transportation engineer with HDR Engineering, said the study looked at the traffic potential going out 20 years. As part of the study, the team collected traffic and crash data.
Turning movement counts were collected along Hamlin Groves Trail at New Independence Parkway, Midsweet Lane, Shoreside Way, the Publix Super Markets driveway, Waterbird Road, Gwinnett Drive, Newtonia Street, Shonan Gold Drive, Calamondin Drive and Porter Road. Volume and speed counts were collected between the Publix driveway and Waterbird Road and between Shonan Gold Drive and Calamondin Drive.
Existing daily volumes were taken from a 2023 Annual Average Daily Traffic report at two locations: Porter Road to Gwinnett Drive (19,574) and from Gwinnett Drive to New Independence Parkway (20,604). Those numbers are expected to rise
to 30,000 and 32,000, respectively, by the year 2045.
A total of 78 vehicle crashes were reported from 2018 to 2022, with 53 reporting no injuries, 24 reporting injuries and one reporting serious injuries. Thirty-two percent were left-turn crashes, and 18% were rearend crashes.
There was one bicycle crash and about a dozen pedestrian incidents.
The study identified multiple nearterm needs, he said, including safe crossing opportunities across Hamlin Groves Trail, consistency of crosswalks and stop bar pavement markings, median opening adjustments and varied maintenance.
“There are eight full median openings between New Independence Parkway and Porter Road,” Krzeminski said. “The median openings are quite wide as multiple vehicles try to stack up in that area. That’s one thing we’re trying to (eliminate).”
The study looked at what already has been developed along the corridor, and staff worked with Orange County to determine what types of businesses were proposed to come in.
One solution is to close some of the eight median openings and add a restricted-crossing U-turn with Z crossing, which is a pedestrian crossing pattern where pedestrians are rerouted to cross the major street in a “Z” shape, typically to avoid conflicts with high-volume right-turning vehicles. These would have additional features such as rectangular rapidflashing beacons.
Krzeminski said such features are proposed at Shoreside Way, Waterbird Road and Newtonia Street.
Other possibilities include raised crosswalk and pedestrian warning symbol pavement markings, and advance rumble strips, Krzeminski said.
Long-term improvements would include multilane roundabouts and traffic signals.
The benefits of roundabouts are reduced vehicle speeds, improved flow, shorter crossing distances for non-motorized users, fewer conflict points, improved corridor access management and aesthetics, and improved safety for all users, according to a slideshow presentation at the meeting.
Roundabouts are proposed at the Publix driveway and Gwinnett Drive.
After the presentation, the floor was open for comments.
Wilson said Horizon West’s road network has been built in segments as the community has been developed so the county is having to retrofit many of the roadways and intersections.
Centennial celebrations continue at Ocoee’s Family Fun Day
Following the city of Ocoee’s annual Chick- l-A 5K run, Parks and Leisure services hosted a family fun day event from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12, at Bill Breeze Park. Ocoee’s Family Fun Day featured a variety of vendors, free games for the kids — such as rock climbing, an in atable obstacle course, lawn games and more — and performances from the Ocoee High and Ocoee Middle bands.
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Damavandi
Right: Jim Washington, of the Ocoee Fire Department’s Citizen Advisory Council, passed out informational pamphlets on re safety to event-goers.
Oakland water system needs upgrades
A study has revealed more capacity is necessary to handle the influx of new neighborhoods and customers.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
The Oakland Town Commission at its April 8 meeting learned the results of a water system capacity evaluation in a report prepared by Kimley-Horn, engineering planning and design consultants. The recommendation is to add a second 500,000-gallon ground storage tank and a fourth 1,500-gallons-per-minute high-service pump at the water treatment plant.
Commissioners accepted the report and directed staff to plan for certain improvements.
In a report to the commission, Public Works Director Mike Parker explained the upgrades are necessary because of the rapid growth in service area in the last five years. The town asked two of its consulting firms to assess the water system capacities and make recommendations.
CPH will address the commission with its findings at an upcoming meeting.
Kimley-Horn representatives conducted a site visit in April 2024 for a visual equipment inspection.
At the time of inspection, the water system operated with a treatment capacity of 2.392 million gallons per day, which services about 1,600 connections, or 5,600 persons. As of Feb. 1, the number of services has grown to 1,736 connections, or 6,076 people — and continues to grow.
“We will very soon have new customers in the final phase of Oakland Park, new customers in The Grove, new customers in Briley Farms, new customers in Bay View, new customers in The Harvest and new commercial customers in The Exchange,” Parker wrote. “Do you see the issue here?”
Kimley-Horn found the town’s water system needs immediate upgrades to provide sufficient capacity to handle anticipated flows through the end of the study period.
Parker said it also was recommended the town perform a feasibility study to interconnect with the city of Winter Garden’s system for an emergency interconnect.
“This will help aid the town with planned maintenance events, construction activities and emergency situations such as unexpected water-
main breaks,” he wrote.
“While these improvements will come with a hefty price tag, they must be addressed before any large-demand projects are approved for construction,” Parker said. “Raising impact fees or applying for grants will not take care of the problem, nor will raising the monthly utility charges to all customers be a good solution. Compelling the developers to pay for these improvements is the most effective way to deal with it.”
The entire project could take two to three years to complete. A KimleyHorn representative said the new capacity would take care of the town’s needs “for a very long time.”
ROUNDABOUT CONCERNS
Commissioners heard from two residents concerned about the roundabout at the intersection of Oakland Avenue, J.W. Jones Road and Old County Road 50. Kevin Cox said he has seen other roundabouts that are overgrown with weeds and hopes Oakland will maintain this one once the landscaping and the acorn sculpture are added. His desire is for the town to keep the landscaping low enough for drivers to see other vehicles as well as the pedestrians and cyclists who are on the West Orange Trail, which runs
through the area.
Mayor Shane Taylor explained the reason for the roundabout at that intersection.
“The thought was it didn’t work with a traffic light; it doesn’t work with stop signs,” he said. “I think there’s a learning curve on the roundabout that everyone goes through. … When FDOT surveyed the area … is it conducive to a roundabout. Even though they cost more in the beginning, it’s cheaper in the long run than putting in a stoplight as far as maintenance.
“As for the acorn and the masonry wall that will go around it, I feel myself that having that as a placemaking entrance into the town from the west is important for us,” Taylor said. “I’d like to see something similar as a placemaking entrance as you come in from Winter Garden.”
Town Manager Elise Hui said a landscaping plan for the roundabout has not been completed, and she suggested Florida-friendly, drought-resistant plants.
“We’ve been looking forward to that (roundabout completion), and it won’t be an eyesore,” Commissioner Sal Ramos said. “We’ll make sure of that. I am concerned about the pedestrians. … I think the acorn is going to stop some of the traffic down … but there
IN OTHER NEWS
n The Oakland Town Commission approved the software for the building permitting program.
n Town Manager Elise Hui announced the town has made an o er for the town clerk’s position and was awaiting background checks.
n Human Resources director Melody Oliver said advertisements have been made for the positions of utility clerk and utility technician.
n Lynn Dattolo, community outreach manager announced the town’s second car stroll May 17. Vehicles of all makes, models and years are being accepted. Call (407) 656-1117 for information.
are a lot of bikers and walkers, and people driving around it don’t know if they should stop for them.” Another resident, Scott Hren, questioned safety because of the number of cyclists who speed down the trail and the streets.
Oakland Police Chief Darron Esan said he has a plan to keep the roundabout safe for everyone.
“Those stop signs are not enforceable by us, but we’ll do what we can to educate (people),” he said.
Larissa, left, Hannah and Rose Noel enjoyed the Family Fun Day event at Bill Breeze Park.
The Ocoee Middle School Jazz Band performed a variety of songs during Family Fun Day.
Arrod
took a second to smile for a photo while taking his turn up the rock climbing wall.
Ahome in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from March 24 to 30.
The home at 5518 Worsham Court, Windermere, sold March 28, for $6,175,000. Built in 2003, it has ve bedrooms, sevenand-one-half baths and 8,203 square feet of living area. Days on market: 205. The sellers were represented by Monica Lochmandy, Isleworth Realty LLC.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
BELLA NOTTE AT VIZCAYA
The townhouse at 8745 Via Bella Notte, Orlando, sold March 27, for $525,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,010 square feet of living area. Days on market: 97.
SOUTH BAY
The home at 9120 S. Bay Drive, Orlando, sold March 25, for $1,600,000. Built in 1994, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,519 square feet of living area. Days on market: 108.
VIZCAYA
The condo at 8712 The Esplanade, No. 19, Orlando, sold March 26, for $485,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,730 square feet of living area. Days on market: 143.
HORIZON WEST
CARRINGTON
The townhouse at 8757 Via Tavoleria Way, Windermere, sold March 24, for $430,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,974 square feet of living area. Days on market: 31.
DEL WEBB OASIS
The home at 13648 Fresh Ivy St., Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $620,000. Built in 2024, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,707 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.
HAMLIN POINTE
The home at 16717 Victoria Grove Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 27, for $541,807. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,836 square feet of living area.
HARVEST AT OVATION
The townhouse at 14038 Scarlet Aster Alley, Winter Garden, sold March 28, for $454,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,785 square feet of living area. Days on market: 405.
INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES
The home at 7135 Ticklegrass St., Winter Garden, sold March 27, for $750,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,347 square feet of living area.
The home at 15787 Avenue of the Arbors, Winter Garden, sold March 27, for $590,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,093 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.
The townhouse at 6644 Pasturelands Place, Winter Garden, sold March 25, for $437,995. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,328 square feet of living area. Days on market: 181.
The townhouse at 14203 Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $350,00. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,266 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.
LAKE REAMS TOWNHOMES
The townhouse at 12202 Langstaff Drive, Windermere, sold March 24, for $393,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,545 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.
The townhouse at 12557 Langstaff Drive, Windermere, sold March 27, for $355,000. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,280 square feet of living area. Days on market: 35.
LAKES OF WINDERMERE
The home at 12931 Droxford Road, Windermere, sold March 25, for $680,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,050 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.
The home at 12706 Bideford Ave., Windermere, sold March 27, for $665,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,967 square feet of living area. Days on market: 47.
The home at 12919 Freeman St., Windermere, sold March 24, for $540,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,151 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
PALMS AT WINDERMERE
The home at 14297 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold March 25, for $1,341,633. Built in 2024, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,222 square feet of living area. Days on market: 251.
The home at 14304 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold March 28, for $1,123,743. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,764 square feet of living area. Days on market: 87.
The home at 14273 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold March 25, for $1,137,874. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,663 square feet of living area. Days on market: 144.
PROVIDENCE
The home at 6215 Little Lake Sawyer Drive, Windermere, sold March 27, for $1,750,000. Built in 2005, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 5,110 square feet of living area. Days on market: 234.
NEWBURY PARK
The townhouse at 8539 Leeland Archer Blvd., Orlando, sold March 24, for $319,600. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,251 square feet of living area. Days on market: 78.
OSPREY RANCH
The home at 15549 Gentle Rain Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 28, for $599,302. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,693 square feet of living area.
SERENADE AT OVATION
The home at 17006 Clear Mind Alley, Winter Garden, sold March 28, for $545,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,083 square feet of living area. Days on market: 57.
The home at 17036 Clear Mind Alley, Winter Garden, sold March 26, for $514,990. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,836 square feet of living area. Days on market: 198.
The home at 16033 Mangrove Road, Winter Garden, sold March 28, for $490,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,029 square feet of living area. Days on market: 191.
WESTHAVEN AT OVATION
The home at 14255 Spring Garden Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 26, for $900,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,256 square feet of living area. Days on market: 41.
WESTSIDE VILLAGE
The home at 12761 Westside Village Loop, Windermere, sold March 28, for $653,250. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,463 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.
OAKLAND
JOHNS COVE
The home at 816 Johns Point Drive, Oakland, sold March 28, for $1,440,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,450 square feet of living area. Days on market: 26.
JOHNS LANDING
The home at 619 Largovista Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 28, for $670,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,728 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.
OAKLAND PARK
The home at 1179 Wilder Oaks Way, Oakland, sold March 26, for $937,239. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,773 square feet of living area.
OCOEE ARDEN PARK NORTH
SILVERLEAF OAKS AT HAMLIN
The home at 6239 Argent Wood Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 26, for $1,089,631. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,643 square feet of living area.
SUMMERLAKE
The home at 8134 Tropical Kingbird St., Winter Garden, sold March 27, for $470,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,801 square feet of living area. Days on market: 35.
TRIBUTE AT OVATION
The townhouse at 15375 Burgtheater Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $430,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,693 square feet of living area. Days on market: 71.
VINEYARDS AT HORIZON WEST
The townhouse at 13805 Bressler Alley, Windermere, sold March 28, for $485,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,093 square feet of living area. Days on market: 34.
WATERLEIGH
The home at 12853 Charmed Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 26, for $695,990. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,113 square feet of living area. Days on market: 74.
The home at 16310 Wind View Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 26, for $619,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,181 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.
The home at 2738 Norway Maple Court, Ocoee, sold March 25, for $525,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,429 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four. The home at 2844 Alder Berry Blvd., Ocoee, sold March 28, for $460,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,194 square feet of living area. Days on market: 131.
JESSICA MANOR
The home at 1907 Jessica Lea Lane, Ocoee, sold March 25, for $295,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,008 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.
OCOEE COMMONS
The home at 814 Kazaros Circle, Ocoee, sold March 26, for $570,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,054 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.
REMINGTON OAKS
The home at 2071 Applegate Drive, Ocoee, sold March 26, for $460,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,980 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.
ROBERTS RISE SUBDIVISION
The home at 710 Kellys Cove, Ocoee, sold March 24, for $490,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,145 square feet. Days on market: Two.
TWIN LAKES MANOR
The home at 1218 Russell Drive, Ocoee, sold March 25, for $300,000. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,355 square feet of living area. Days on market: 30.
Charlie Lube
The home at 10409 Trout Road, Orlando, sold March 24, for $3,750,000. It was the largest transaction in Southwest Orange from March 24 to 30. The sellers were represented by Carla Rivera, Carla Rivera Realty.
JOIN LAKE APOPKA NATURAL GAS DISTRICT IN CELEBRATING NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH
April is National Safe Digging Month, a nationwide initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of safe digging that can prevent unnecessary damage to underground utility lines. At Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD), safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to keep our communities safe and informed by spreading awareness of the importance of practicing safe digging.
Spring is here and for many it’s the perfect time of year for home improvement projects. Whether you’re landscaping, installing a new fence, or breaking ground on a larger project, one crucial step should never be overlooked: calling 811 before you dig.
Why Call 811?
In the United States, an underground utility line is damaged, on average, every six minutes. Striking a buried gas, water, or electrical line can cause service disruptions, costly repairs, or even serious injury. Fortunately, a simple call to 811 or an online request at Sunshine811.com can help prevent these concerns. !e process is easy, free, and required by law in Florida.
Safe Digging Tips
To ensure your next project is both safe and e cient, keep these key tips in mind:
1. Plan Your Project: Before contacting Sunshine 811, gather speci c information about your digging project, such as your address, type of project, timeline and more.
2. Contact Sunshine 811: Once you have all project information ready, contact Sunshine 811 online at Sunshine811.com or by phone at 811.
3.Wait the Required Time: A er you submit a ticket, member utility operators have two full business days to mark the location of underground facilities on your property.
4. Con rm Utility Responses: Follow the progress of each member utility by viewing the positive response codes they use to explain your dig site.
5. Con rm the Marks: Once the two full business days have passed, con rm that all member utility companies have responded to your ticket.
6. Dig with Care: Now that the buried facilities on your property have been marked or cleared, it’s time to start digging!
For additional information, visit Sunshine811.com/6-steps-to-safe-digging.
A Commitment to Safety and Community Beyond Safe Digging Month, LANGD is committed to protecting our customers, contractors, and community members year-round. As a trusted energy provider for over 65 years, we continue to promote safety best practices while delivering safe, a ordable, and reliable natural gas to homes and businesses in Apopka, Clermont, Winter Garden, and surrounding areas.
!is National Safe Digging Month and beyond, join LANGD and Sunshine 811 in making safety a priority. For more information about natural gas services, safety tips, and how LANGD can support your energy needs, visit www.langd.org or contact our team at (407) 656-2734 or EnergyChoice@langd.org.
SPORTS
HIGH 5
1
Former Dr. Phillips High star basketball player Riley Kugel announced his commitment to play his senior season of college basketball at UCF. Kugel spent the last season at Mississippi State, averaging 9.3 points and 3 rebounds.
This is the second time the 6-foot-5 guard has transferred, spending his rst two seasons of college as a member of the Florida Gators, alongside former Panthers teammate Denzel Aberdeen.
2
The Windermere High football program is hosting its rst youth camp for elementary and middle school student-athletes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the school.
Run by the Wolverines’ coaches and players, elementary-aged campers will focus on the development of their general football skills in the rst session of the camp, from 9-11:30 a.m. The middle schoolaged campers will focus on position-speci c skill development in the afternoon session from 1-3 p.m.
To register for the camp, visit bit.ly/4jasvYl.
3
Former Olympia High football quarterback Joe Milton, along with a seventh-round pick, has been traded from the New England Patriots to the Dallas Cowboys for a fth-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Milton, who graduated from Olympia in 2018, was a threestar prospect out of high school and signed with the Michigan Wolverines. After three seasons in Ann Arbor, he transferred to Tennessee in 2021 and started 29 games over three seasons for the Volunteers.
4
Lift Disability Network and Gymnastics USA announced a community partnership agreement. This agreement between the local gymnastics facility and the nonpro t organization re ects a shared commitment to providing inclusive opportunities for children, particularly to those with special needs, in a safe and positive environment.
“For years, Gymnastics USA has been incredible supporters of Lift Disability Network, contributing to many of our events,” Lift Disability Network Executive Director Jim Hukill said. “We are excited that they have chosen to deepen their commitment by partnering with us in such a meaningful way.”
5
In both the boys and girls Water Polo District 5 championship games, Dr. Phillips High took on West Orange High in a pair of nailbitters. In the boys title match, the Warriors fell to the Panthers, 14-13, thanks to a four-goal, sixassist performance by junior Alejandro Delgado. West Orange junior Cash Vickers scored three goals and had one assist in the e ort. Warriors senior Cole Beracoechea also added four goals and two assists.
On the girl side, the Lady Panthers fell to West Orange in a penalty shootout, 4-2, to take home the district crown after being tied at 10-10 at the end of regulation. Leading the way for the Warriors was senior Bailey Dunn, who scored six goals and had three assists. While DP’s senior goalie Maran Harris scored a pair or goals and had one assist.
Extra innings
Four West Orange, Southwest Orange teams are in prime position to make deep runs in the playo s.
West Orange boys volleyball wins first Metro Conference title
The Warriors won six consecutive sets in three games to claim the program’s first West Metro Conference boys volleyball championship.
SAM
ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
The West Orange High boys volleyball team dominated the West Metro Conference tournament by sweeping its three, best-of-three matches and claiming the program’s first West Metro championship. “It’s just a really crazy feeling to win this,” Warriors senior Samuel Souza
said. “I really can’t describe the feeling with words, but it’s a lot of exhilaration and excitement. I’m really proud of this team and how we came together this season. Against all the odds, we’ve been
to make even more history.”
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
The spring high school
season is in high gear as postseason play is underway in most sports. As is often the case in West Orange and Southwest Orange, the area’s baseball teams once again are making some serious noise and have shown to be legitimate contenders not only for district championships but also for regional and even state titles this season. With district tournaments set for their championship games Thursday, April 17, and opening games of the regional tournaments starting Monday, April 21, let’s take a look at which area teams are primed to make a deep run this postseason. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
TOP TEAMS
THE FIRST ACADEMY
ROYALS (20-4)
Class 2A, District 6
MaxPreps Class Ranking: No. 2
Best results: 11-3 win vs. Jupiter High (18-7), 11-1 win vs. Timber Creek High (17-8), 7-0 win vs. and 8-5
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Thomas Achey, pitcher, senior. One of the Royals many arms, Achey has an ERA of 1.98 ERA over 28.1 innings pitched and has thrown 47 strikeouts with an opposition batting average of .194. Blake Fields, outfield, senior. With a team-leading batting average of .462 and on-base percentage of .569, Fields is one of the most dynamic hitters in the area. In 24 games played this season, he’s scored 35 runs, drove in 21 runs, hit four home runs and stolen 12 bases. Remo Indomenico, outfield, senior. An Oklahoma State signee, Indomenico has continued to show his high-level abilities from the batter’s box this season, hitting for an average of .457, driving in 30 runs, scoring 33 runs and hitting five homers.
POSTSEASON OUTLOOK
As the top ranked baseball team in the area, second-ranked team in its classification and 40th-ranked team in the nation, The First Academy Royals are one of the most talented and prepared teams heading into the postseason. Considering the experience its players have in the playoffs — having reached the state semifinals last season — the litany of dangerous bats throughout its lineup and a deep rotation of pitchers that can challenge any lineup in the state, it’s fair to say the Royals are the favorites to emerge from its region and compete for a state championship yet again.
The win over the Hawks in the finals not only secured the conference title for the Warriors but also avenged one of their few losses this season.
West Orange baseball’s Kas Ocasio’s impeccable play at shortstop for the Warriors makes the senior standout an impact player. Page 2B.
Sam Albuquerque Foundation Academy senior Riley Gibson (No. 9) entered the batter’s box in the Lions 10-0 win against Lake Highland Prep.
David Jester
The First Academy catcher Austin Pierzynski (No. 12) blasted the ball to second base.
Thomas Lightbody| TK Photography
West Orange High senior pitcher Parker Hohnstock (No. 22) dialed up a pitch against Dr. Phillips High.
Sam Albuquerque
Windermere High pitcher Joey Waddingham (No. 25) awaited the call from his catcher. SEE FOUR PAGE 2B
Senior middle hitter
Nathan Martin (No. 10) celebrated a kill with his West Orange High teammates.
Sam Albuquerque
Kas Ocasio
As the West Orange Warriors baseball team nished its 2025 regular season campaign with a 19-6 record — the most wins the team has accumulated since 2017 — one of the unsung heroes leading this club can be found making one of the most di cult positions in the sport seem like a walk in the park.
Although senior shortstop Kas Ocasio has been e ective in the batter’s box for the Warriors o ense, hitting .289, scoring 16 runs and often setting the tone o ensively as one of the early bats in the lineup, it’s his leadership and range defensively that has truly made him a vital piece to the special season West Orange has put together.
On 61 total chances as a elder, Ocasio has only committed two errors and has a .967 elding percentage. That type of consistency in the middle in eld has led to attention from various collegiate programs from around the country and made Ocasio one to keep an eye on as the Warriors begin their playo push.
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
It feels great knowing all my hard work is being recognized.
What do you enjoy the most about baseball?
I enjoy the feeling of getting the barrel of the bat on the ball.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from baseball?
I’ve learned how to handle failure.
What is your favorite baseball memory?
THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Baseball Grade: Senior School: West Orange High
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
A machete for defense and food purposes, a fire starter so I could stay warm and cook my food, and a flare gun so I could leave the Island.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
LeBron James because he is the greatest of all time.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I’d go to the future to see how my life pans out and so I could find out if I needed to fix anything I did wrong.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to be more disciplined and listen to my parents more.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
What should I do differently?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Spider-Man because I like his story.
Who is your favorite supervil-
Four local baseball teams prep for postseason play
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
FOUNDATION ACADEMY
7)
Class 2A, District 6
MaxPreps Class Ranking: No. 21 results: 5-3 win (10 innings) at Mount Dora High (17-7), 5-4 win vs. Glenwood High (AL, 24-4-1) and 5-4 win vs. Winter Springs High
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barak Boston, infielder, senior. Since returning to the lineup, after missing eight games because of an injury in March, the Army West Point signee not only has picked up where he left off from the batter’s box, but also he has led the Lions to a 7-1 record — as of press time, Tuesday, April 15. In 17 games, Boston is hitting for an average of .477, he’s driven in 14 runs, scored 22 runs, hit one home run and stolen 17 bases.
Riley Gibson, pitcher, senior. As Foundation’s ace, The Citadel signee has managed to have an ERA of 1.54 over 36.1 innings pitched and has thrown 38 strikeouts while allowing a .214 opposition batting average.
Jose Taveras, catcher, junior. The Lions leader in hits with 28, RBIs with 24 and home runs with two, Taveras has been a much-needed dynamic bat in the Foundation lineup and a quality defender behind home plate, filling the void left behind by last year’s starting senior catcher Matthew Hazelwood.
POSTSEASON OUTLOOK
Despite a worse record compared to last season’s historic 25-win team, this Foundation club is prepared to make some noise this
postseason after a much tougher schedule. All seven of the Lions losses this season came to teams with winning records — including big time local contenders such as West Orange High and Bishop Moore Catholic. This tougher path to the postseason will be vital to the Lions run having to get past TFA and others in their region.
WEST ORANGE
WARRIORS (19-6)
Class 7A, District 4
MaxPreps Class Ranking: No. 15
Best results: 2-1 win at Windermere (19-6), 6-3 win vs. Foundation (18-7) and 5-2 win at Horizon High (14-11).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nick Caso, pitcher, senior. One of the many arms in the Warriors pitching staff, Caso has had a stellar senior campaign with a 4-0 pitching record, an ERA of 0.51 over 27.2 innings pitched, 29 strikeouts and .167 opposition batting average. Angel Martinez, infielder, junior. As a key bat in the middle of the Warriors lineup, Martinez has hit for team-high average of .390, while also leading West Orange with an on-base percentage of .526 and 16 RBIs. Sims McClusky, pitcher, senior. A Coker University signee, McClusky has been the Warriors ace pitcher this season. With a team-leading 44 strikeouts over 45 innings pitched, he has an ERA of 1.56 ERA, an opposition batting average of .177 and a 5-0 pitching record.
POSTSEASON OUTLOOK
West Orange has the deepest pitching staff in the area — and maybe even in the entire state — and with the new best-of-three series format in the regional
BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
n District championship games, April 17
n Regional quarter nals Class
1A-4A, April 21-23
n Regional quarter nals Class
5A-7A, April 23-26
n Regional semi nals Class
1A-4A, April 28-29
n Regional semi nals Class
5A-7A, April 30-May 3
n Regional nals Class 1A-4A, May 5-6
n Regional nals Class 5A-7A, May 7-10
n State Final Four Class 1A-7A, May 14-21
playoffs taking effect this year — instead of the one game format — the Warriors have a huge advantage that could propel this senior-heavy team to a deep postseason run.
WINDERMERE WOLVERINES (19-6)
Class 7A, District 5
MaxPreps Class Ranking: No. 6 Best results: 9-3 win at Lake Brantley High (15-9-1), 13-6 win at Bishop Moore Catholic (18-7), 4-3 win vs. Winter Park High (22-3), 4-2 win vs. Timber Creek (17-8), 7-3 win vs. Spruce Creek High (23-2) and 4-2 win vs. Hagerty High (21-3-1).
PLAYERS TO WATCH Connor Fink, pitcher, senior. One of the few senior leaders on this young Wolverines team, Fink has been steady as can be stepping into the role of ace for this pitching staff. Over 40 inning pitched he has an ERA of 2.98 and has thrown 51 strikeouts while holding opposition batters to a .235 average. Randy Ruiz Jr., outfielder, junior. With a .358 batting average, 18 RBIs, 28 runs and six home runs, the son of former MLB player Randy Ruiz Sr. has continued to show why he’s one of the area’s top college baseball prospects. Joey Waddingham, pitcher/ infielder, sophomore. After breaking into the team as a freshman last season, Waddingham has been getting it done in the batter’s box and on the mound for the Wolverines. As a hitter, he has a .379 batting average, has knocked in 14 runs and scored 12. From the mound he has a 1.94 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched with a 4-1 record, 26 strikeouts and a .221 opposition batting average.
POSTSEASON OUTLOOK
After breaking through last season, reaching the state championship game and falling by one run in extra innings, Windermere lost more than half its starters in the field and its top pitcher on the mound to graduation. What’s more, the Wolverines also saw the only coach in program history, Eric Lassiter, step down. Still, at 19-6 and with wins over some of the states top programs — such as Spruce Creek, Hagerty and Winter Park — the Wolverines, under new coach Brian Adkins, seemed to have skipped the rebuild and instead have reloaded. Expect more of the same type of excellence in the postseason for the boys on the diamond from Windy City.
David Jester
The First Academy baseball celebrated a home run by senior Blake Fields (No. 17).
Sam Albuquerque
West Orange High catcher Brooklyn Hicks celebrated a sacri ce y against Windermere High.
Thomas Lightbody| TK Photography
Windermere flag football tops
Olympia to kick o district playo s
To kick o the girls high school ag football playo s, the Windermere Wolverines shut out the visiting Olympia Titans, 26-0, and claimed their spot in the Class 4A, District 5 playo s semi nals against No. 1 seed Horizon High.
The Wolverines (8-5) took a 12-0 lead over the Titans (8-3) in the rst half on the back of two touchdown passes by senior quar-
terback Riley Allen and kept the momentum going in the second half scoring two more times.
Windermere traveled to Horizon to face the 14-1 Hawks in the district semi nals after press time, April 15, for a chance to reach the championship game and clinch a spot in the 4A regional playo s, which are set to start Wednesday, April 23. — SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Warriors claim
school’s
now they’ve shown that and shown just how good they can be.”
“I feel great; I’m just happy we won,” senior Leonardo Perreria said. “We played our hearts out and left everything we had on the court today. I feel great, and I’m happy we won; ultimately, that’s all that matters. I was nervous there at the end of the second set, because we made a few mistakes that could have cost us the set, but we didn’t get mad at each other and just stayed focused on building each other up and winning each individual point. This win just shows that when we work together, we’re a team that can get a win against anyone out there.”
Led by Souza and this group of eight seniors, the season West Orange has put together is more than just surprising when you consider the type of obstacles the Warriors have had to overcome over the past few seasons.
“Bringing home this program’s first West Metro title is a fantastic feeling, because of how much this group of guys have been able to overcome,” West Orange coach Royal Webster said. “They deserved this. The way this group has stuck together over the years is incredible. I am their seventh head coach in the last four years. These guys have deserved better, and
As of press time Tuesday, April 15, West Orange has managed to post a record of 15-3 — tied for the most wins in the program’s history. And with four games left in the regular season, the entire Class 3A, District 4 playoffs and the 3A regional playoffs left to play, the Warriors are on the path to make even more history — especially when you consider they are ending the regular season in red hot form, winning six consecutive games and only losing one of their last 19 sets.
“We’ve been playing well lately, and this win was definitely the kind of game we needed to give us confidence in the final stretch of the regular season,” Souza said. “We really need to end our season on a good note, and this win helps us do that. It will definitely help us to keep pushing and give us belief that we can keep this special season going.”
This group will look to continue to add more accolades to cement its place in the Warriors’ history books.
The Warriors hope to close the regular season with a few more wins before district playoffs, set to begin April 28, and regional playoffs.
first West Metro title
Sam Albuquerque
The West Orange High boys volleyball team claimed its rst West Metro Conference title after topping Horizon High in straight sets.
The Windermere High defensive front forced Olympia High QB Baylie McCoy (No. 14) to go on the run throughout the game.
Olympia’s defense made the stop on this Windermere High o ensive possession.
Titans’ athlete Valecia Foster (No. 4) looked to turn the corner on a jet sweep.
Windermere High quarterback Riley Allen (No. 12) led the Wolverines o ense to a district quarter nal win over Olympia High.
Junior Olivia Forde (No. 6) returned an interception in the rst half of Olympia High’s district playo loss.
DORETTE BOGLE
WINDY RIDGE K-8 SCHOOL
Dorette Bogle is the school nurse at Windy Ridge K-8 School. She works to support student success while managing their health needs and daily care. Over the years, Bogle said she has been recognized for her contributions in creating a safe and healthy environment for the students.
“Nurse Bogle has been with us for (more than) 20 years caring for our most fragile students with exceptional disabilities,” Principal Karen Chunoo said. “She works with a team of professionals to ensure that our students receive the medical care and support they need to receive a high-quality education here at Windy Ridge. Nurse Bogle has created lasting relationships with our families and cares for all her students as though they were her family.”
What brought you to your school?
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
I’ve always loved “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. Its message about selflessness and generosity resonates deeply, and it’s a book that continues to teach valuable lessons at any age. I’ve read “The Giving Tree” to all my grandchildren.
I was drawn to Windy Ridge (K-8) School because of its strong sense of community and commitment to the children. The students’ well-being comes first. The opportunity to work alongside passionate educators (who) inspire students to reach their full potential made it the perfect fit for me.
What do you love most about your school?
If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Michelle Obama. Her advocacy for health and wellness, and youth empowerment is inspiring. I’d love to hear her insights on leadership and resilience. I would also encourage her to bring Barack (Obama) along.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
At Lake Apopka Natural Gas, we’re helping families connect to affordable, reliable, and efficient natural gas, with appliances that pay dividends for years to come. Studies show a home with natural gas has a 6% greater resale value than an all-electric home.
www.langd.org
I love the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. The students, staff and families create an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to grow, both academically and personally. Everyone’s best is encouraged.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing students develop confidence and care in themselves. Watching them overcome challenges and succeed — whether in academics, skill sets, health or personal growth — reminds me why I chose this amazing profession of nursing.
What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?
If I weren’t in the field of nursing, I would probably be a writer or motivational speaker. I’ve always loved storytelling and inspiring others to see their potential.
Who influences you?
I’m influenced by the strong, compassionate leaders (of all ages) around me. I see the most amazing qualities of thoughtfulness, understanding and strength in my kids and grandchildren. I’ve also had the privilege of working with many individuals throughout my career who possess qualities that foster strength and insight. Their dedication to building quality, safety and wellness for our students and staff motivates me to continually strive for excellence.
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?
My favorite teacher was my high school English teacher, Ms. Lee. She encouraged me to think critically and express myself through writing. She made learning engaging and pushed me to believe in my abilities. Because of her, I am an avid reader today.
REPORT CARD
POSITION: School nurse
TIME AT SCHOOL: 25 years
TIME AT OCPS: 27 years
I’d choose the ability to pause time. There’s never enough time in the day to do everything, and having a moment to reflect or get ahead on tasks would be a game-changer!
If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?
I’d choose Jennifer Hudson for her empowering music, Bob Marley for his timeless messages of unity and peace, and Stevie Wonder for his incredible storytelling through song.
What was your go-to lunch and snack as an elementary student?
My go-to lunch as an elementary student in Jamaica was a beef patty with coco bread with a side of fruit (mango). For a snack, I always loved cheese crackers — they were the perfect mix of salty and crunchy!
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas is my favorite holiday, because it’s a time for family, gratitude and giving. The joy and warmth of the season always bring my family in the best way.
Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?
Michelle was my best friend in school. She was someone who always made me laugh and supported me no matter what. We’ve stayed in touch over the many years, and it’s been amazing to see how our friendship has grown into a sisterhood.
What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?
I was on my high school’s track team, the debate team and a few volunteer organizations. Along with lots of track medals and accolades, I received a leadership award in my senior year, which was a proud moment for me.
— LIZ RAMOS
Water Spring Middle thespians present
‘Guys and Dolls Jr.’
Water Spring Middle School thespians presented the junior version of the classic New York City-based gangster musical, “Guys and Dolls” at the school’s stage. The trio of performances opened on the evening of April 4, followed by a matinee show and the closing performance April 5.
Leading the musical fable of broadway were directors Scott Beck, Chris Livten and Melissa Letven — along with
their 10-person behind-thescenes crew. On stage, Daniel Semprum Rojas and Sahara Bennin portrayed the musical’s lead roles of Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown, while Emily Fernandez and Santiago Angulo Paez played the lead supporting roles of Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide.
The 46-member cast dazzled audiences with a variety of song and dance numbers throughout its rendition of the broadway hit. — SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Daniel Semprum Rojas, left, and Sahara Bennin portrayed the lead roles of Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown.
Right: Water Spring Middle thespians presented the junior version of classic New York City gangster musical “Guys and Dolls Jr.”
Emily Fernandez, playing the role of Miss Adelaide, and the Hot Box Girls performed the song, ‘A Bushel and a Peck.’
Murilo Juchem, portraying Nicely-Nicely Johnson, opened the play while holding a copy of the Southwest Orange Observer
Fun, macabre ‘Addams Family’ hitting Ocoee High School stage
Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday and Pugsley are joined by their kooky family and friends in the
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
They’re creepy, and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re altogether ooky — they’re the cast of Ocoee High School’s “The Addams Family.” And they will be hitting the stage this week.
Enjoy a fun musical with the quirky and macabre Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch and the other zany characters from the television series and films — taking place in Ocoee’s newly renovated theater space with an improved theater department, said instructional coach Xan Kahn. Her husband, Kris Kahn, is the theater teacher and director, and the two have collaborated to bring this show to the school.
Xan Kahn said she is excited to bring such a large cast to the stage.
“This is one of the largest productions Ocoee has produced in a long time,” she said. “So many students are getting to perform in a show for the very first time. We have about … 40 cast members and another 20 crew members and another 30 to 40 band members, so about 100 involved in the production.”
Kris Kahn selected the show in the fall after he spent some time getting to know the students, learning the culture of the campus, and learning what would be the best show for showing off their skill set and what would garner interest, Xan Kahn said.
Kris Kahn was at Cypress Creek High School for 13 years until he was asked to come to Ocoee “to breathe some life into it,” Xan Kahn said.
“He’s pretty much starting from scratch,” she said. “And we’ve recently been approved to be a technical school magnet. It’s just trying to get the enrollment in to choose to come here and choose to become part of the program. We’re seeing that pay off.”
This production marks the debut of Ocoee High School’s newly renovated theater and the new and improved theater department. As a result of
these enhancements, Ocoee High will be opening its 2025-26 school year with a Technical Theatre Arts Academy, partnering with companies such as Walt Disney World Live Entertainment, Universal Studios, The Sewing Studio and AEO FX Makeup for mentorships, workshops and exclusive apprenticeship opportunities.
The thespians were treated to a guest visitor recently when Rachel Potter went to the school to give the cast a pep talk and discuss her experiences as a professional Broadway performer. Potter has played two roles on Broadway: Wednesday from “The Addams Family Musical” and Glinda from “Wicked.”
Kris Kahn’s background is in professional theater and performed at Walt Disney World for 20 years before switching careers and teaching full time. He and Potter worked together in the early 2000s at Disney, so he reached out to her, and she agreed to visit Ocoee High.
The partnerships also have allowed for makeup special-effects training from AEO and student training and set work from Walt Disney World Live Entertainment.
“We do have a costuming and makeup class,” Xan Kahn said. “We’re one of the only high schools in Orange County that offer that.”
This also is one of the largest sets Ocoee has built in several years.
“It’s a very physically imposing set with multiple levels, and I do know there will be some kind of dragon monster,” she said.
“(Audiences) can expect that it’s very fantastical, it’s a lot of fun,” Xan Kahn said. “There’s some really great costumes and really beautiful lighting design, because we have a new lighting system. A lot of productions we had on-off lights, and now we can change colors.”
“The show is quirky, and we think the students will relate to it understanding differences and family dynamic,” she said. “Plus, they’ll find it funny and fun.”
In “The Addams Family Musical,” Wednesday falls in love with a “normal” boy, leading to funny chaos as the two families meet. With catchy songs and eccentric characters, the musical celebrates the importance of family and embracing one’s uniqueness.
Giancarlos Delgado, a junior, plays Gomez, the patriarch of the Addams family, and he said he is looking forward to experiencing the finished product.
“This show is an absolutely wonderful show, and while it is so physically and vocally demanding, when
we put it all together it is nothing other than fun,” he said. “Getting to just watch this group of friends and family put this show on is so enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to audiences getting to watch this beautiful cast.” He wanted to be Gomez because of the character’s quick wit, and he relished the chance to grow as a performer with the list of challenging songs.
Armani Bennett, also a junior, hits the stage as Morticia and is ready to get into costume and bring the character to life.
“She embodies femininity and dominance, making her an intriguing character to portray,” Bennett said. “I wanted to tackle Morticia, because she’s unlike any character I’ve played before, both personalitywise and vocally. I’ve always delved into soprano characters, but with her, I get to sing more in my lower register, which is cool.”
Bennett’s favorite song is “Just Around the Coroner,” because she gets the chance to be cheeky.
“It’s one of few scenes where I get to step out of being stoic,” she said. “With this song, the audience is her confidant because she’s struggling
with her husband lying to her and her daughter getting married, yet she finds comfort in what she loves — death.”
Pugsley is played by freshman Malherbre Thermidor, and he’s looking forward to playing the comedic role and getting a lot of laughs out of the audience.
“He’s definitely a character that lets me go about playing him how I want,” he said.
His favorite song is “Pulled.”
“I love the second half where it’s all fun and upbeat, and the screaming is so fun to do,” Thermidor said.
Sophomore Noah Zulkifli plays Wednesday.
“I’m most looking forward to performing the songs,” he said. “Wednesday has been, by far, one of the most, if not the most, vocally challenging role I’ve ever done, and I’m thrilled to be able to put my skills to the test and perform her songs.”
He said the character is unlike any he’s played before but it suits him best.
He’s looking forward to hearing the songs “Secrets,” “Trapped” and “One Normal Night.”
Windermere Garden Club gets crazy at game event
CAST AND CREW
n Giancarlos Delgado: Gomez Addams n Armani Bennett: Morticia Addams n Colby Salvatore: Uncle Fester
n Eryana Collier: Grandma n Noah Zulki i: Wednesday Addams n Malherbre Thermidor: Pugsley Addams
n Jonathan Medacier: Lurch n David Thompson: Mal Beineke
n Haylen Casey: Alice Beineke
n Micah Staples: Lucas Beineke n The Addams Ancestors are played by Amani Aguirresaenz, Justena Armstead, Bresaia Brewer, William Bulgin, Madison Caputo, Tahina Cajuste, Hayden Chesteine, Noen Cotes, Sophia Covey, Najee Crespo, Yaliza Diaz, Molly Dunagan, Neyemie Franck, Jade Gains, Daniela Garricks, Abby Horvath, Elyanna Irizarry, Jayda Lucien, Kersline Lully, Preston Marquez, Raegan Martin, Peyton-Ashley Method, Amaris Rodriguez, Marianna Rodriguez, Alessandra Roque and Khloe Strickland.
n Kris Kahn: Director and head of sound
n Nate Caldwell: Musical director and chorus conductor
n Abdianys Paul: Choreographer n Marianna Rodriguez and Alessandra Roque: Dance captains
n Emily Marsden: Stage manager
n Jayci Massey and Lillyann Cothern: Assistant stage managers
n Audrey Walker and Marley Hazzard: Sound technicians
n Mari Wright: Head of lights
n Barbie Thompson: Head of props n Lorna Saint Hilaire: Props assistant
n Stormé Jones: Head of wardrobe
n Rihana Campbell: Head of makeup
n Greg Roberts: Head of run crew
n In the run crew are Madison Simmons, Xander Dewitt, Daina Cales-Morales, Troy Walding Jr., Armondo Hernandez, Mia Muguia and Mikayla Joseph.
n Xan Kahn and Molly Dunagan: Publicity
n Lauren Tannen: Pianist
n Jennifer Brown-Rolle and Bernard Hendricks: Orchestra directors
n Performing in the orchestra are Liyana Marc, Aliya Kishun, ChristNerlain Bredy, Veda Anderson, Marcus Occess, Ja’Mari Taylor, Antwon Pouncy, Jasiah Sonnier, Jonathan Pierre Louis, Priyanka Mills, Tristan Jean-Louis, Isabella Gerena, Cheyenne West-Legildy, Hannah Cain, Bethany Adams, Riley Jones, Christian Finley, Georgie Greene, Essynce Carmona, Omari Shaw, Tanner De La Cruz, Jesus Alvarado, Madison Johnson, Fedeline Norzelus, Quincy Thebaud, Jason Hernandez-Ortega, Amy Huynh, Kevon Tulloch, Marcus Jiao, Andy Pierre-Louis and David De Souza. n Glen DiGirolamo: Graphic design n Haley Hostetter: Scenic design artist n Isabella Baez, Isabella Porto and Camili Paiva: Scenic artists
Courtesy photo
Armani Bennett, back left, Giancarlos Delgado, Jonathan Medacier and Eryana Collier; and, in front, Malherbre Thermidor, left, and Noah Zulki i are ready to make audiences laugh this week.
Maria Lewis-Natter reacted to winning during a game of Bunco.
Vicki Hearst, left, and April Harris paused for a photo in front of some historical photos framed to honor the town of Windermere’s 100-year anniversary.
1936-2025: Smith
Stan Smith grew up in Oakland, graduated from Lakeview High School and was a member of the Winter Garden Elks Lodge for 56 years.
EDITOR
If Stan Smith was working on a project, you knew the final product was going to be perfect. He expected and delivered nothing less — whether it was the community display at the Central Florida Fair, the work he did at Continental Can Company or the elaborate Christmas displays in which he expected his neighbors to participate.
Stanley Norman Smith, also known as Papa Stan to generations of family members, died April 1, 2025. He was 88.
Mr. Smith was known for his attention to detail, his love for his community and his affinity for bluegrass music. He introduced his daughters, Pam Smith and Angie Smith, to the musical genre at an early age, and the family traveled the tour circuit with the bands.
“He loved bluegrass, and he followed all these people through all the festivals,” Pam Smith said.
This is how he liked to spend his six-week summer vacation.
“And if we weren’t at a bluegrass festival, we were in our popup camper at the Yogi Bear park,” Angie Smith said.
Mr. Smith was a lifelong lover of music. As a student at Lakeview
CELESTE MOORE ALLIGOOD
DIED MARCH 31, 2025
Celeste Moore Alligood, or Mimi, as most people affectionally called her, was born on March 21, 1934, to O.M. Moore and Rosa Swain Moore, in Lake Wales, Florida, and was the youngest of two daughters, following Juanita “Nita” Moore (Hicks).
Educated in Lake Wales, she graduated from LWHS, where some of her activities included: lifeguard at Big Lake Wales, school plays, class officer, captain of the cheerleaders, softball, co-captain of the basketball team (which won the Ridge Championship her sophomore year), and editor of the award-
placed importance on family, Elks
High School, he was the marching band captain and played French horn prior to graduating in 1954. He also was known to spend decades in one place: He was a machinist foreman at Continental Can Company for 32 years, was a member of Winter Garden Elks Lodge No. 2165 from 1970 to 2025 and served as secretary for 24 years. He liked being in charge, and in addition to his service as Elks secretary, Mr. Smith was president of the West Orange Jaycees in the 1960s — helping build the original Kiddie Korral children’s playground in Newton Park — and PTA president at Tildenville Elementary School when one of his daughters attended there. Another daughter went to Dillard Street Elementary School, and he loved helping the
winning school newspaper “The Orange and Black.”
After graduating from high school, Celeste attended the University of Florida and became an avid Gators fan. She transferred to Florida Junior College of Jacksonville, where she received an
PTA with the school carnivals, Halloween parties and other campus activities.
He also was the master at organizing events, especially during the holidays. He built floats for the annual Winter Garden Christmas parades for the lodge, and he headed up his neighborhood’s front yard tree display.
“Dad would build, paint and set up our front yard with displays,” Pam Smith said. “All the lights were green and blue, and he spent hours and hours to make sure they were working and hung perfectly on our house.”
When the family lived on North Boyd Street in Winter Garden, Mr. Smith planned the Christmas Tree Lane, which included every house on the block.
Associate in Arts degree, and later attended the University of North Florida. Following college, she worked at Florida Power Corporation in Lake Wales as biller of large accounts and clerk. She also wrote a column for the company’s newsletter, “Power Lines.”
Later, life was full with her marriage to Bob Alligood and having children, Randy and Robyn, the delight of her life. They brought her six wonderful grandchildren, Ellie, JR, Julia, Katya, Alec and Andrew. She also has two greatgrandchildren, Nikki and Samuel. She loved serving the Lord at Family Church’s Windermere campus, where she sang in the choir and
“Both sides of the street had Christmas trees in the front yard, and he would take out his tape measure from the edge of the road and mark in their yards where to put the tree,” Pam Smith said. “He would stand in Larry Walker’s house at the top of the street and look (north) down the street and make sure they were all aligned perfectly.”
He was the committee chairperson for all the family events and Christmas parties. Family reunions were themed with skits, and Mr. Smith created an itinerary, set up practice time throughout the weekend for his grandchildren and made sure the music was perfect. He designed all the reunion T-shirts that were worn through the years, and he kept the designs in a file on his computer.
Mr. Smith was a stickler for organizing photos, whether they were taken during the holidays or at family reunions and vacations. Pam Smith said her dad spent hours making CDs of photos from weddings, birthday parties, baby showers and other events; added bluegrass music; and mailed them to family and friends.
“We have all had to sit in front of his TV and watch them over and over,” she said. He made all the photo albums for the Elks national conventions too.
As a lifetime member of Elks Lodge No. 2165, Mr. Smith had a hand in a variety of activities, many of which raised money for the community. He was involved in the parades, charity ball, turkey shoots and other fundraisers. He also ran the Americanism awards program at several local elementary schools.
was active in the senior shut-in program, as well as other Sunday School responsibilities.
Other activities filling her time were acting in TV commercials; real estate agent; inventions; 18-year Dale Carnegie instructor (one of the first four women instructors); developer of a brand-new Dale Carnegie program aimed at building confidence, self-esteem and family bonding; and chairman of all high school class reunions.
Celeste was preceded in death by her parents, O.M. Moore and Rosa Swain Moore; and sister, Juanita Hicks.
Surviving family members include her children, Randy Alli-
What he loved most about the Elks organization was its community involvement.
“It was all about how much we could do for this community; raise money and help his community,” Pam Smith said.
Every spring, from 1974 to 1989, Mr. Smith was in charge of the community display at the Central Florida Fair. His exhibits were so meticulously prepared the club won numerous first-place ribbons and trophies.
His daughters said he worked hard on these displays. If he was showcasing honey, he made sure the lights behind the jars were perfectly lined up so fair-goers could see the honeycomb. Every piece of fruit in the display was wiped down to make it shine.
Fellow Elk member Bob Szollosy has known Mr. Smith since the former was in FFA at Lakeview High and they worked together on the fair booth. They later served together at the lodge in 2010 when Smith was secretary and Szollosy was exalted ruler.
“The main thing was he was all about doing right for the community and the Elks Lodge,” he said. “He was just one of those people who was just always there for you.”
Mr. Smith’s family, including Katie Smith, his wife of 42 years, and his children, are planning a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, at West Orlando Baptist Church, 1006 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee. Friends and family will gather from 10 to 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge, 700 Ninth St., Winter Garden.
good and wife, Jennifer, and Robyn Alligood; grandchildren, Ellie Berrios (Michael), JR Alligood (Morgan), Julia Deuschle (Jon), Andrew Alligood (Kayla), Katya Alligood and Alec Alligood; and greatgrandchildren, Nikki Berrios and Samuel Berrios.
A Celebration of Life was held at 11 a.m. April 16, followed by a lunch reception at Family Church’s Windermere campus, 300 Main St., Windermere, Florida 34786.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts be made in her memory to local and foreign missions at Family Church, website: ourfamily.church.
Courtesy photos Stan Smith was a lifelong supporter of the community and Winter Garden Elks Lodge No. 2165.
Left: Stan and Katie Smith enjoyed 42 years of marriage.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
90 years ago
Four community schools staged a joint “play day.” Windermere was victorious at the event held at Gotha School that included a spelling bee and games provided by the Orlando Recreational Department. Also participating were Beulah and Vineland schools. Mattie Farmer, principal of Gotha School, directed the program.
85 years ago
Mrs. O.L. Sands, of Ocoee, entertained the members of the Ladies Aid Society at a Tacky Party April 1. All those not dressed in tacky attire were ned.
80 years ago
Stamp No. 35, good for ve pounds of sugar, was to expire June 2. No new stamps were being validated until May 1.
At a meeting held in the Florida Power Corporation Lounge with Harold Britt, chairman, plans were formulated for the April drive to collect clothes folks didn’t need for overseas war relief. The United National Clothing Collection called for citizens to clean out their closets and send what they have to the schools or post o ce. The Boy Scouts were assisting in the collections.
55 years ago
Melody Ann Schick was awarded rst prize in the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce’s sign beauti cation contest with the theme, “Sunny Places — Friendly Faces.” She received $50 from chamber President Lew Warden. TM Communications told Winter Garden residents there was a good chance they could have cable television in their homes by the next year.
50 years ago
Delta Burke, Miss Florida 1975, agreed to participate in the
During the decades when almost a dozen mighty citrus packinghouses lined the railroads that crossed West Orange County, anyone capable of working could nd employment in the citrus industry. Because harvests were seasonal, workers often had “down time” until the juice plant on Ninth Street began operating year-round. The photograph shows the interior of the vast Winter Garden Citrus Growers Association plant on Second Street, located on the Tavares & Gulf Railroad track. Women comprised the vast majority of West Orange County’s citrus packers, and many are seen in this setting engaged in sorting, grading and packing oranges. Several local “packing women,” as they referred to themselves, told Winter Garden Heritage Foundation sta they often worked in the plants in order to save up “pin money” to buy Christmas presents for their families.
To share your family’s packinghouse experience, call (407) 656-3244.
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.
Windermere Heritage Day Parade in May and to judge the 50th Anniversary Men’s Beard Contest.
Windermere talent excelled again when Windermerian Mike Hurley and his musical group, Arthur, Hurley and Gottlieb, nished a successful engagement at Walt Disney World.
The Lakeview High School PTA honored four teachers, Rod Reeves, Nancy Yuronis, Joe Nigro and Joyce Banker, for their
outstanding contributions to students.
45 years ago
Rutledge Bradford, of Windermere, an eighth-grade student at Lakeview Junior High School, won high honors at the annual horse show at Rocking Horse Ranch in Altoona. Other area participants were Kathleen Greer, Beth Chase, Paige Winters, Virginia Spigener and Rebecca Sharp.
20 years ago
Nehrling Society board members met at Palm Cottage Gardens, owned by Barbara Bochiardy, to discuss fundraising to preserve and redevelop the property into a public garden and educational center.
For the second time in ve years, Steve Marbais was named president of the Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association. The Ocoee resident started his business, Marbais Enterprises, in 1986.
THROWBACK
APRIL 10, 1975 Spring had sprung, and the Badcock Furniture and Appliances advertisement in an April 1975 issue of The Winter
