05.13.21 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &

Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 88, NO. 19

YOUR TOWN YMCA TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD

FREE

More deals, more homes

Residents in need of food can participate in a free drive-thru food distribution in Ocoee from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 15. It is hosted by McCraney Property Company and will be held at Distribution 429, 635 Ocoee Business Parkway off Maguire Road. Participants can line up to receive fresh food including produce, poultry and dairy. Mayor Rusty Johnson and city commissioners will be on site as volunteers, along with the Ocoee Police Department. The event is in partnership with Orlando Dream Center and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

Legacy Charter students, faculty take the field for fundraiser. SEE PAGE 15.

OCOEE TO HOST FOOD DRIVE

The change will add more appropriations to the general fund, stormwater fund, water/wastewater fund and transportation impact fee. SEE PAGE 8.

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Striking out cancer

The YMCA of Central Florida is hosting two free food distribution events for families and individuals in West Orange County. Boxes of shelf-stable food items that can feed a family of four for up to 10 days will be offered on a firstcome, first-served basis. The program is in partnership with Healthy West Orange and U.S. Hunger. A total of 250 boxes of food will be given out at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at the Roper YMCA, 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden. At 1 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 300 boxes of food will be distributed at Dr. P. Phillips YMCA, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando.

Ocoee approves amendment to budget

Habitat hosts 2021 Rock the House. SEE PAGE 3.

Developers and investors are scooping up land for residential lots in the hot Horizon West real estate market. SEE PAGE 2.

MAP QUEST Courtesy photo

Time to shine As Miss Winter Garden USA, Emily Bray is gearing up to represent the city at the upcoming Miss Florida USA pageant in Orlando. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4.

Winter Garden Heritage Foundation unveils new exhibit. 6.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

Four land deals mean more houses in Horizon West Horizon West already is responsible for about half of all Orange County residential building permits issued, and the growth continues with four new land deals that will bring more homes to the area. As Orange County’s fastestgrowing community, Horizon West spans about 4% of the county’s total land area. It also boasts some of the highest home prices in Orange and Seminole counties. ORRA statistics show that during the first quarter of 2021, the average home price between Orange and Seminole counties together was $366,747. For the Winter Garden area, the average sale price was $432,810. For Windermere, it was $690,403. Here are some of the recent land deals made in Horizon West.

FINANCING AVAILABLE

SUN TERRA

According to Orange County documents, Oviedo-based residential developer Sun Terra Communities recently purchased 180 acres near Walt Disney World Resort for $16.3 million. Georgia-based homebuilder Ashton Woods will develop the site. Sun Terra purchased the site from Dallas-based Spring Grove, LLC. This is not Sun Terra’s first foray into the Horizon West market. In March 2019, Sun Terra also purchased more than 500 acres of undeveloped land near the Horizon West Town Center for nearly $42 million. There, Sun Terra plans to build a mixed-use project — called Silverleaf — with a development program that consists of 2,300 residential units, commercial and industrial uses, and an elementary and middle school. According to Sun Terra, Meritage Homes is currently under contract for the first phase of single-family lots.

TAYLOR MORRISON

In mid-March, Arizona-based Taylor Morrison Home Corp. locked in 160 acres in Horizon West for $18.8 million — or roughly $117,500 per acre. To be called Harvest at Ovation, the property is located near Walt Disney World Resort. The land acquisition will pave the way for 285 single-family homes and 161 townhomes along Hartzog Road, east of Avalon Road. The site is part of the Withers Planned Development, which has entitlements for 814 homes and townhomes, as well as a neighborhood center. Taylor Morrison and Toll Brothers are joining forces on developing the overall community. TOLL BROTHERS

A February land sale near the intersection of Hartzog and Avalon roads will bring a new Toll Brothers community to life. County records show investment firm DW Partners purchased 150 acres for $14.7 million for Toll Brothers to build 368 detached homes and townhomes on the site.

Westhaven at Ovation will offer a variety of one- and two-story home designs with hundreds of personalization options. The Bungalow collection includes singlefamily homes ranging in size from 1,837 to 2,142 square feet, while the Single-Family collection will offer luxury homes ranging from 2,102 to 3,800 square feet. The Townhome collection is set to offer townhouses between 1,700 and 2,036 square feet. Westhaven at Ovation will feature amenities such as a resortstyle swimming pool, fitness center, playground, dog park and more. It’s also surrounded by lakes and a nature preserve. “With a variety of versatile, allnew home designs, resort-style amenities and exciting nearby attractions, Westhaven at Ovation will offer residents the ideal Central Florida lifestyle,” said Brock Fanning, division president of Central and Southwest Florida at Toll Brothers. “We are excited to continue expanding our presence in Horizon West and look forward to welcoming home buyers to Westhaven at Ovation later this year.”

VARDE AND DREAM FINDERS

Finally, another big partnership between investment firm Värde Partners LP and Dream Finders Home will lead to more home construction in the Horizon West area. County records show Värde paid $21.5 million for 84 acres near Walt Disney World Resort, which will be developed by Dream Finders Home. The deal was part of Värde’s $250 million investment in national residential real estate developments. Of that, Värde devoted $100 million to Dream Finders Homes to acquire land in Florida and Colorado — including a focus on the Orlando area. “The U.S. housing market represents a significant investment opportunity for Värde, with compelling supply demand dynamics driven by low interest rates, demographic trends and secular shifts accelerated by COVID-19,” said Brian Schmidt, partner at Värde.

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DANIELLE HENDRIX

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

West Orange Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Marilyn Hattaway and Communications Manager Ashley Garrett Below: West Orange Habitat for Humanity President Alberto Herran and Vice President David Lewis

Charlie and Becky Roper, along with family and friends, had a blast hanging out together.

Where the heart is … M

embers of the community came together to support West Orange Habitat for Humanity during its Rock the House fundraising event Friday, May 7. The main portion of the fundraiser was held in a small watch-party format at Pilars Loft in downtown Winter Garden, while other supporters joined virtually from their computers at home. Attendees enjoyed drinks and a bite to eat as they participated in the live auction and listened to stories of how Habitat has changed lives. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

Rotary Club of Winter Garden members dressed up as characters from “Grease.”

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Anita Mangan, Ashley Mangan, Holly Hillson, Kerry Herzig and Cheryl Bryant

Beaming with pride Ocoee officials and representatives from WhartonSmith Inc. — the city’s contractor — were on hand to participate in a ceremonial beam signing for the new City Hall planned to be completed next May. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Ocoee city officials made the short trek from City Hall to the intersection of Bluford Avenue and McKey Street Tuesday, May 4, to celebrate a ceremonial beam signing for the new City Hall that is currently under construction. Inside the steel infrastructure that currently takes up most of the construction site, Mayor Rusty Johnson, the city’s commissioners, city staff and WhartonSmith Inc. — the city’s contractor — gathered for the moment. “We’ve been waiting a long

time to get to this point,” Johnson said. “I ride by every morning, and I say, ‘Finally,’ so we’re glad that it looks like everything is going great and everyone is doing good. We’re looking forward to when it’s finished (and) when we can get in it. “I think all of the commissioners are here — Commissioner Firstner, Commissioner Oliver, Commissioner Wilsen and Commissioner Brinson — so I don’t want to speak for them, but I can tell you that I’m real pleased to see this,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming, and we’re glad to be here.”

Mayor Rusty Johnson, center, signed alongside commissioners and city staff during the event. Troy Herring

Following Johnson’s speech, commissioners and city staff members picked up their markers to sign a piece of white vinyl that was then placed onto a beam facing McKey Street. The new City Hall — located just two blocks south of the current building — will be 46,552

square feet and stand at three stories. The new facility also will bring city services under one roof, with extra space to accommodate future growth. Overall, the new structure will cost $21,993,942 — construction ($17,255,537), furniture/fixtures/ equipment ($2.6 million), miscel-

laneous ($603,944) and project contingency ($1,534,461). The beam signing was the latest ceremony for the new facility; the city hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking in November 2020. Construction is scheduled to be completed in May 2022.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

Observer

Quest for the crown

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

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

mily Bray always has had a competitive spirit. From sports to pageants, the Winter Garden resident loves the thrill of competing on the court or on stage. When it comes to pageants, though, it’s bigger than just the competitive aspect — it’s about a heart for service to others. As the new Miss Winter Garden USA, Bray, 23, will represent the city at the Miss Florida USA competition this July in Orlando. There, she will have the opportunity to bring her love for the city she has called home for five years to the big stage.

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PASSION MEETS PAGEANTRY

Growing up in Missouri, Bray first entered into natural beauty pageants at a young age. Those were mainly based on personality, and a heavy portion of the competition consisted of the contestant’s interview. Over the years, Bray has done some modeling and also dabbled in pageants. When she was a student at the University of Central Florida, she took a few years off from pageantry. However, a common thread always pulls her back to it — her love for the Special Olympics, her platform. “Pageants have definitely molded me into an all-around person,” she said. “A heavy portion of it for me was focusing on the volunteer work. With pageants, you get to choose a platform near and dear to your heart, and I chose the Special Olympics. Since I was a little girl, sports have been my life, so it was a way for me to keep working in sports and keep participating but making sure everyone was included. “That’s what’s kept drawing me back to pageantry, was that it gave you a platform and something to where you feel it’s bigger than just yourself,” she said. “It was fun to dress up and go on stage, but a big portion of it was what kind of went on behind the scenes and the lives you’re able to touch.” Bray’s passion is advocating, raising awareness for and promoting organizations that support sports activities for those diagnosed with disabilities. Special Olympics does just that, as a global movement that offers programming in sports, health, education and community building for those with disabilities. Inclusion for all is important to her, too. Bray also volunteers with the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine special-needs prom, and she even once directed a pageant for girls with disabilities. “Inclusion was always a big part of my life, and what I like about the Special Olympics is that it includes everyone — no matter their age, gender and background,” she said. “It really focuses on what they can do rather than what they can’t do. … It focuses on their strengths. It helps them — not even just on the

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

Emily Bray is passionate about the Special Olympics organization and actively participates in volunteer work with the group.

stage or on the court — but it also helps them gain more confidence, and you can really see that after events and the friendships they’re able to make.” Although Bray took a few years off from pageants in college, serving others was something she wasn’t willing to put aside. At UCF, she served for a couple of years as director of philanthropy for the Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity. While she held the position, ZTA raised more than $130,000 to fight breast cancer. Bray also planned the first annual “Stand Up, Stand Out,” a women’s empowerment event with more than 300 women in attendance. MISS WINTER GARDEN

Not only does Bray get to bring her platform to the stage at the Miss Florida USA competition in a couple of months, but also she gets to represent the city she loves. Because of COVID-19, the road to her local crown was different. There were no local pageants. The interview and application process was done virtually. Bray couldn’t contain her excitement when she found out she was selected to represent Winter Garden. “Winter Garden is home to me, and I’ve really loved the community,” she said. “Everyone is so friendly and outgoing, and they really make you feel special, in a way. … They’re very proud of their heritage, and I really think it’s important to not let go of your history, so I was excited to represent the city.” For this year’s Miss Florida USA competition, the interview

SPONSOR MISS WINTER GARDEN USA Bray is excited to represent the city of Winter Garden and is seeking sponsorships as she embarks on this journey as Miss Winter Garden USA. Sponsors and advertisers will be featured in the Miss Florida USA program book. With the new competition element of each hometown delegate wearing an outfit that represents the heritage of the community she represents, Bray also is open to collaboration on costume ideas or a design assistant. Those interested in either sponsorship or design collaboration can contact Bray at misswintergardenus@gmail.com.

portion will be held virtually via Zoom. The rest of it will be in person. Contestants participate in photo shoots, events and dinners prior to the competition. Competition categories include the interview, athletic wear/ swimsuit and evening gown. Contestants are evaluated on physical fitness, stage presence, confidence, style, communication skills, personality and more. “One really neat aspect they added to the completion this year was a costume contest, and your costume has to represent your city,” Bray said. “I’ve been working with different businesses in Winter Garden to see the best way to represent the town. I think we’re going with a citrus dress, because Winter Garden was known for (its) citrus fields back in the day.” It won’t be Bray’s first time competing at Miss Florida USA, though. She competed in 2018 as Miss Mount Dora. This year, she is looking forward to getting back on stage and representing the city that has become her home. For now, she is focusing on acquiring sponsorships to help her along her journey as Miss Winter Garden USA. She is grateful for local businesses such as The Bronzing Palace and Salon Dulay, which are sponsoring her spray tan and hair services for Miss Florida USA, respectively. “I’m very excited for the pageant itself,” she said. “Because of COVID and everything, it’s definitely been an event I’ve been looking forward to. The first go-around with Miss Florida USA was amazing. That was a really fun year. … I’m really looking forward to … being able to be with the girls and meet everyone.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

New eatery cracks into Winter Garden food scene Owners Noel and Annie Arriola said Eggs Up Grill is opening with a focus on community. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

A new breakfast option is coming to Winter Garden in July with the opening of Eggs Up Grill, and the owners are eager to meet new customers who they hope will become friends. This is the first restaurant venture for Noel and Annie Arriola, who will serve breakfast, brunch and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. They will be located in the West Point Commons Shopping Center, 13750 W. Colonial Drive, at County Road 535. The Arriolas, who were MetroWest residents for 17 years before moving to Ocoee, chose Winter Garden for the restaurant because of its vibe. They are regulars at downtown Plant Street businesses, as are their two adult children, and their church is near their restaurant. “Probably 10 years ago, we were eating at a breakfast place in Virginia, and I was telling my wife, ‘You know, this would be a great thing to do later in our life,’” Noel Arriola said. “It’s a great opportunity.” And it’s quite a change from his 30-year career in technology and her 30 years in nursing. “When we discovered Eggs Up Grill, we knew right away it was a great match for us,” Noel Arriola said. “We truly align with the company’s core values of serving the community where you work and live. It’s more than just opening a restaurant for us. It’s the fulfillment of getting to know our neighbors, feeding them great food and finding ways to support them.” The Arriolas liked the company’s attention to community. “We don’t really call ourselves franchisees; we’re owner-operators,” Noel Arriola said. “You have (more of an) attachment to the customers when you’re the owner. You really care for the place. The owners said they want to create a place for locals to enjoy a meal and relax. And while they will rely on the standard Eggs Up Grill menu, they have added a few specialty items that have Florida-inspired flavors. Eggs Up Grill offers menu items including breakfast sandwiches, benedicts, omelets, pancakes, waffles, classic entrees, home-fry bowls and muffins. There are also lunch choices such as burgers, wraps and salads. The restaurant has a seating capacity of 125, but the Arriolas have chosen to limit it to 90 seats for now. It will have an automated menu system, and their goal is to serve the people within a 15-minute window after they’ve placed their order. “Our servers are trained to be very customer-service oriented,” Noel Arriola said. “Service is actually at the top of our list. We try to make friends out of guests. We try to know their names so when they come back …

hopefully we’ll call them friends. It’s nice from that perspective that you’re not only running a business but you’re getting to know people.” The new eatery will be focused on serving the community. The Arriolas look forward to supporting the charitable and ministry efforts of their home church, as well as schools in the area. “We’re just blessed,” Noel Arriola said. “Our two children have their own business. Health-wise, we’ve been healthy. And this way, we’re able to give back. … From that perspective, EUG really aligns with what we want to do, which is important to me.”

Courtesy

Noel and Annie Arriola are opening Eggs Up Grill in the West Point Commons Shopping Center in Winter Garden.

n Craveable Bites — Blueberry toasted muffin filled with butter and grilled to a golden-brown perfection n The Founder’s Hash and Eggs – A breakfast classic made from corn beef hash with potatoes and onions n Shrimp and Grits Bowl — Sautéed shrimp, Andouille sausage, sautéed onions and Swiss cheese served atop fire-roasted tomatoes and spinach grits, with handcracked eggs and a side of garlic toast

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THREE TO TRY

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

There’s a map for that

FINDING YOUR WAY HOME

If you’ve ever wondered about the layout of Winter Garden’s streets and what was located where in the past, be sure to visit the WGHF exhibit that opens Thursday. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Locating a spot on a map nowadays is as easy as opening up your phone and clicking an app — but it wasn’t always this simple. In days gone by, the only option was a paper road map, which most folks usually folded up and kept conveniently in their car’s glove box. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is creating an exhibit that pays tribute to local mapmakers and their attention to detail in their products — which have guided residents, newcomers and vacationers along the streets for more than a century. The exhibit, “Finding Your Way Home — There’s a Map for That! A Cartographic Survey of West Orange County,” showcases several dozen maps from the foundation’s archives, from the earliest rendition of the city of Winter Garden to a downtown map recently produced by the city. Folks seem to have taken a real interest in local history, said Jim Crescitelli, director of operations and programming at the WGHF. “With so many people moving to the area, we get a lot of people buying property here, and they want to know the history of their property or subdivision,” he said. “People are very history oriented when they come to town and want to know the background. A lot

of times, we have a lot of maps that can locate what was there before. They really want to know the background of their choice of where to live.” One of the more colorful maps is the Sanborn Water and Fire Map of Winter Garden from 1924, which was used by insurance companies. Small pieces of paper were pasted onto the map as businesses and residences were added or changed. “Sometimes it was just a street addition,” Crescitelli said. “It was literally a pasted-on overlay.” This practice continued until 1960. The collection includes glossy scans of the 1917 and 1924 maps before any changes were made, so museum staff know what the original map looked like. “We refer to that all the time to find out what was previously there on that property,” he said. The museum has catalogued 279 maps and atlases, ranging from a 1923 sanitary sewer map, aerial photography maps and blueprints to plat maps and county and state maps. Many are donated from local residents, including Claude Hawthorne and Larry Grimes. There are property plat maps, including neighborhoods, such as the Troynelle subdivision, that were developed northwest of downtown Winter Garden along Lake Apopka. The Winter Garden Shores subdivision plat map had

— THERE’S A MAP FOR THAT! A CARTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF WEST ORANGE COUNTY WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through July 30; and by appointment WHERE: Winter Garden Heritage Museum, 1 N. Main St. INFORMATION: (407) 656-3244 Courtesy of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation

The state travel agency handed out official Florida road maps. This side features images from around the state, and the other is a typical road map of Florida.

handwritten notes all around it. One of the oldest maps in the museum collection is a copy of the 1879 map of Orange County by E.R. Trafford. It includes Oakland and Starke Lake but not Winter Garden or Ocoee, and it shows all of the area’s former train stops. An 1890 Fries survey map of Orange County shows all the small railroad communities that dotted their way across West Orange County, too. Sketch maps from 1904, 1907 and 1912 from the Orange County Comptroller’s Office — including those of downtown Winter Garden around the time of the city’s official incorporation — also are stored at the museum.

There are maps from every local municipality that was involved in the citrus industry, and there are maps from oil companies, chambers of commerce and state tourism agencies. The foundation has original blueprints from the 1940s development of Lake Apopka’s North Shore, as well as the blueprints of many structures found in West Orange County. Also in the collection is a reproduction of the town of Oakland’s 1896 map that was set up by the Orange Belt Railway. “It’s an enormous collection,” Crescitelli said.

The Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce issued this city map in the 1950s. The backside included photographs of the city’s amenities.

it’s Time to $ave

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

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HORIZON WEST BLOCK PARTY 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 14, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. The event will feature food trucks, kids games and activities, giveaways, prizes and more. ROTARY CLUB OF LAKE BUENA VISTA CHARITY GOLF CHALLENGE Registration begins at 7 a.m. Friday, May 14, at Celebration Golf Club, 701 Golfpark Drive, Celebration. The challenge will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m., with outdoor awards to follow play. For more information, visit rotarylbv.org.

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ONCE A YEAR

but our gratitude is endless.

but our gratitude is endless

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MEMORIAL Memorial Day Is OnlyDAY OnceISA ONLY Year

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

City OKs budget amendment TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

The Ocoee City Commission approved an ordinance regarding the amending of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget during its meeting Tuesday, May 4. The annual operation budget for the city was adopted Sept. 23, 2020. But since then, city staff identified the need for additional appropriations for the general fund, stormwater fund, transportation impact fee and the water/ wastewater fund. “They’re moving forward more quickly than we anticipated,” city Finance Director Rebecca Roberts said. “We have the funding available. We just need to get the funding more quickly than we had expected, so we’re here to ask for that funding.” At the time the budget was adopted, the general fund was set at $52,988,188. But now, city staff is asking for an additional $1,633,296 to cover the planned costs to complete the Oakland Avenue Phase II — Taylor to Bluford downtown project. The other items include an additional $4,975,000 for general government items. That includes an inter-fund loan of $4,250,000 to the stormwater fund to cover a portion of the costs to construct the master stormwater pond, as well as $725,000 for downtown property acquisitions. Finally, staff is requesting $56,000 for police operations to replace a K-9 unit vehicle that was damaged in an accident. For the transportation impact fee fund, adopted at $2,503,287, city staff is asking for $4,634,480 for the design and construction of the Clarke Road widening project. Meanwhile, the stormwater fund — adopted at $4,493,123 — is in need of $2,900,000 to cover the remaining costs of the master stormwater pond not covered by the inter-fund loan. Finally, the water/wastewater fund, adopted at $14,902,173, requires an additional appropriation of $1,358,000 to cover the

The City of Winter Garden Is Hiring !! As the City of Winter Garden continues to grow and thrive, we are seeking those interested in career opportunities who have a commitment to customer service excellence, a focus on making our citizens feel important, a motivated mindset, and a “can do” attitude. Our city has been nationally recognized by Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in America, by SmartAsset as the “Best Place to Raise a Family in Florida,” by NerdWallet as the “Best City for Young Families in Florida,” as well as many more. Apply for an opportunity with our City and become a part of the best small city in Florida and the nation!

BENEFITS Pension with 5 year vesting Medical Insurance (100% City paid employee -only coverage) City contributes $1,454.24 annually to your HSA account Vacation & Sick Leave and 10 paid holidays annually Educational Reimbursement City-paid Life Insurance & Disability Dental, Vision, & Other Supplemental Benefits Clothing allowance or uniforms supplied

HOW TO APPLY In Person at: 300 West Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787 Submit an Online Application: www.cwgdn.com Submit your Resume via Email to: WGRecruiter@cwgdn.com

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

IN OTHER NEWS n The commission approved an ordinance amending Articles 136-1, 136-2 and 136-3 of Chapter 136 of the City of Ocoee Code relating to sexual offenders and sexual predators.

Training Available for Entry Level Positions COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • Planner I & II • Code Enforcement Technician • Code Enforcement Supervisor

FACILITIES

costs of planned projects that have moved forward ahead of schedule, and to reimburse the R&R fund for unforeseen expenditures relating to the force main rupture at Clarke Road and the failure of a clarifying rod, according to city documents. The motion carried unanimously. CITY SET TO SELL LAND TO VMG

During the regular agenda portion of the meeting, commissioners approved allowing city staff to proceed with negotiating a contract with VMG Construction regarding the company’s interest in purchasing and developing land in downtown Ocoee. The property — located at 2 N. Bluford Ave. — originally was purchased by the city in 2017 for $344,000. The city planned to enter into a public-private partnership with VMG then, but after COVID, that plan changed. VMG stepped back, and GPK emerged as a replacement suitor. However, GPK ultimately decided against the purchase after it was unable to purchase the surrounding parcels, Assistant City Manager Craig Shadrix said. Now, VMG is asking to buy the property outright and utilize the building design that was originally planned — which includes a two-story development that will feature commercial and restaurant space. The proposal is for VMG to buy the property for $389,000. “We’ve looked at this, and we believe that this is a fair-market price,” Shadrix said. “And we are requesting that you authorize us to proceed with negotiating a contract, which of course would have to come back to the commission as a public hearing pursuant to the charter, which requires real property sales valued at over $100,000 to be noticed as a public hearing and advertised pursuant to the conditions of the charter. This is another opportunity to generate some quality new construction in the downtown.” After a few questions from the commissioners, the motion carried with a 4-1 majority, with Commissioner George Oliver dissenting because no appraisal would be done on the property. Mayor Rusty Johnson approved the development, which is expected to be a $5 million investment for Ocoee’s downtown. “It’s a benefit to the city that we have somebody come along and offered us this,” Johnson said.

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• Park Service Workers (all levels)

PUBLIC SERVICES • Public Services Superintendent • Water & Wasterwater Plant Operators (all levels) & Trainees • Public Utilities Workers I, II, & III (Wastewater Collections, Water Distribution, Stormwater, & Streets positions) • Solid Waste Workers (all levels)

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The City of Winter Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Winter Garden is also committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Office Hours:

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

REAL ESTATE

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The home at 1725 Hempel Ave., Windermere, sold May 7, for $715,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,742 square feet. The price per square foot is $410.45. Days on market: 96.

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The home at 3414 Current Ave., Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $627,903. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 2,921 square feet. The price per square foot is $214.96. Days on market: Zero.

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

REAL ESTATE

WINDERMERE TRAILS

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana 2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

CHURCH OF GOD

The home at 8787 Iron Mountain Trail, Windermere, sold May 3, for $675,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,917 square feet. The price per square foot is $172.33. Days on market: Three. The home at 11811 Otterbrooke Trail, Windermere, sold May 6, for $608,000. Built in 2013, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,113 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.82. Days on market: Three. WINDING BAY

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

The home at 16036 Micelli Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $429,600. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,908 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.73. Days on market: Zero.

EPISCOPAL

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

OAKLAND

JOHNS LANDING

The home at 520 Largovista Drive, Oakland, sold May 7, for $1,623,453. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,222 square feet. The price per square foot is $310.89. Days on market: 45.

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Contemporary 11:15 AM Traditional Viewable on YouTube

OCOEE

MCCORMICK RESERVE

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

The home at 3554 Heart Pine Loop, Ocoee, sold May 5, for $352,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,022 square feet. The price per square foot is $174.09. Days on market: Three. WATERSIDE

The home at 2885 Cullens Court, Ocoee, sold May 4, for $397,500. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths,

a pool and 2,642 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.45. Days on market: Zero. WESTYN BAY

The home at 758 Postrio Way sold May 5, for $369,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,702 square feet. The price per square foot is $136.57. Days on market: 11.

WEST ORANGE TILDENS GROVE

The home at 5251 Tildens Grove Blvd., Windermere, sold May 4, for $1,350,000. Built in 2006, it has six bedrooms, six-andone-half baths, a pool and 6,799 square feet. The price per square foot is $198.56. Days on market: 25.

WINDERMERE HARBOR ISLE

The home at 9082 Harbor Isle Drive, Windermere, sold May 5, for $1,625,000. Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,790 square feet. The price per square foot is $339.25. Days on market: 34. ISLEWORTH

The home at 5056 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold May 5, for $2,450,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,225 square feet. The price per square foot is $579.88. Days on market: 34. LAKE DOWN WOODS

The home at 2022 Down Woods Lane sold May 7, for $900,000. Built in 1989, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,542 square feet. The price per square foot is $254.09. Days on market: One.

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2021

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

TEXT

“MHM” TO 4 1 4 4 4 TO DONATE

This is a secure site for giving

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CALL (407) 656-2121

or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com

The Observer will celebrate the area’s public and private high school graduating classes of 2021 with a special section!

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WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE?

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Moving Forward Program Offerings

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

LAKE OLIVIA PRESERVE

The home at 1423 Lake Olivia, Windermere, sold May 5, for $1.7 million. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,265 square feet. The price per square foot is $322.89. Days on market: 337. TUSCANY RIDGE

The home at 9167 Panzani Place, Windermere, sold May 6, for $846,500. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 4,945 square feet. The price per square foot is $171.18. Days on market: 207.

WINTER GARDEN AVALON ESTATES

The home at 11036 Avalon Ridge Way, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $620,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,046 square feet. The price per square foot is $303.03. Days on market: 94.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 67 High Sale Price: $3.2 million Low Sale Price: $120,000

CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 15620 Golden Bell St., Winter Garden, sold May 3, for $500,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,240 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.32. Days on market: Four. COVINGTON CHASE

The home at 515 Copperdale Ave., Winter Garden, sold May 3, for $401,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,328 square feet. The price per square foot is $172.25. Days on market: Three. COW TRAIL

The home at 12960 Reaves Road, Winter Garden, sold May 3, for $1,280,000. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool

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and 3,637 square feet. The price per square foot is $351.94. Days on market: Four.

OAKLAND HILLS

FULLERS CROSSING

The home at 1863 Americus Minor Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $418,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,545 square feet. The price per square foot is $164.24. Days on market: Four. JOHNS LAKE POINTE

The home at 751 Marsh Reed Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 7, for $462,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,088 square feet. The price per square foot is $149.61. Days on market: Seven. OAKGLEN ESTATES

The home at 542 Hearthglen Blvd., Winter Garden, sold May 3, for $404,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,029 square feet. The price per square foot is $133.38. Days on market: Three.

The home at 15210 E. Oakland Ave., Winter Garden, sold May 6, for $1,150,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,640 square feet. The price per square foot is $315.93. Days on market: 307. OAKLAND PARK

The home at 967 Densdale Lane sold May 4, for $1,312,500. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,205 square feet. The price per square foot is $312.13. Days on market: 175. OXFORD CHASE

The home at 734 Oxford Chase Drive sold May 6, for $1,080,000. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,655 square feet. The price per square foot is $232.01. Days on market: 75. PARK PLACE

The townhouse at 473 Geranium Park Way sold May 4, for

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

$646,700. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,432 square feet. The price per square foot is $265.91. Days on market: 75. STANTON ESTATES

The home at 257 Stanton Estates Circle sold May 3, for $769,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,920 square feet. The price per square foot is $263.36. Days on market: Three. STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2101 Black Lake Blvd., No. 7, Winter Garden, sold May 5, for $800,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,779 square feet. The price per square foot is $211.70. Days on market: One. WESTFIELD LAKES

The home at 132 Blue Stone Circle sold May 6, for $525,500. It has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,774 square feet. Price per square foot is $189.44.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

Of Orange County Public Schools’ 13 Top Talent showcase winners, five students represent West Orange-area schools. Hosted by the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, the showcase gave the spotlight student performers and artists in a virtual “live” setting Friday, May 7. Viewers could vote for their favorite contestants throughout the show. At the end of the show, the contestant with the most votes in the performer category and the artist category was announced as the Fan Favorite. Each vote cost $1, and proceeds went toward arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty and homelessness across the country. Additionally, the first 5,000 Fan Favorite votes were matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor. The West Orange-area winners include: Alexandra DiCastro, West Orange High — Second place, modern dance Ashley Trickett, Gotha Middle — Third place, artwork Hana Checketts, Olympia High — First place, artwork Shannon Song, West Orange High — Second place, artwork Beatriz Fonseca, Dr. Phillips High — Third place, artwork

OCPS RECEIVES NAMM RECOGNITION For the fourth consecutive year, Orange County Public Schools has received a Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation, which celebrates and promotes the value of music education. The honor recognizes OCPS’ commitment to provide music access and education to all students.

LESLIE OLSON BOUNDS

KEENE’S CROSSING ELEMENTARY Leslie Olson Bounds joined the team at Keene’s Crossing Elementary in 2012 as a kindergarten teacher. She finds joy in watching her former students continue to learn and grow on their journeys in education — some even up through their high school graduation and beyond. Olson Bounds has been serving as an intervention specialist this year and will retire at the end of May.

What brought you to your school? I started teaching with Orange County Public Schools in 1985, working primarily in the Pine Hills area. My husband and I moved to Summerport in 2006, and when I saw they were building a school literally three minutes from my house, I just had to apply. What do you love most about your school? Having it located in my neighborhood has shown me firsthand the importance of a community-based school and its impact on the students in their sense of ownership and pride. It’s not just a school; it’s their school. What is the most rewarding part of your job? It’s always amazing to me to see this group of 5-year-olds at the beginning of the school year — timid but eager to learn — and after 180 days of schooling, seeing these confident students walk out my classroom full of ambition and new skills, prepared to go forward in their educational career. You can imagine my happiness when I get college graduation announcements from students from long ago.

REPORT CARD ROLE: Intervention specialist; former kindergarten teacher TIME AT SCHOOL: Nine years

What do you like to do in your spare time? Usually, my husband and I love to travel, but this past year has curtailed that … for now! I am retiring May 28, and as the world starts getting more normalcy restored, we will once again resume our travels. Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Mrs. Bowman, at Robinswood Middle School. She worked hard to make sure her students had just as much passion for learning as she did for teaching. She was a delight, and hopefully some of her skills rubbed off on me. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Because I wore braces, I initially wanted to be an orthodontist. I realized they literally change lives by changing smiles. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “The Boxcar Children” by Gertrude Chandler Warner. It’s a great series about orphan children and their adventures.

What would you say is your biggest inspiration and why? I was fortunate to have a family of strong women set the example for me. My grandmother was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, and my mother was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. They both instilled a strong work ethic and positive values in me from the beginning. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation. I grew up as a “Star Trek” fan, and the transporter always fascinated me. The ability to “beam” anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye would save me a lot of TSA time at the Orlando International Airport. If you could listen to only three bands or artists for the rest of your life, who would they be and why? I am a product of the 1980s, so I can listen to George Michael, Elton John or Queen all day long with no problem. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

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

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Jennifer Thomas’ students show off their book containing their thoughts about this past school year.

Courtesy photo

Windermere Elementary students featured in ‘Hidden Faces’ Teacher Jennifer Thomas compiled her fifth-grade students’ writing and art into a published book. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Jennifer Thomas asked her fifthgrade students at Windermere Elementary School to put their thoughts about this last school year together, and the result is a hardbound book containing their drawings and stories about the pandemic.

“I thought it would be a good idea to have one day,” Thomas said. “They were super excited about it. I told them I wanted them to write about what the year was like for us, but I also wanted something about being kind — using kind words and things like that.” Students brainstormed to come up with the name.

“They named it ‘Hidden Faces: The Year of the M.A.S.K.’ — MASK stands for Making All Students Kind,” Thomas said. “They came up with that all on their own. … They did a really good job. I was so proud of them. And I did figure one day their kids would ask, ‘What was this town like back then?’” The students expressed their thoughts in drawings that included images such as a COVID-19 virus, a masked Earth, tissue boxes and toilet paper, and a

scene in the school lunchroom. Their stories ranged from dealing with smelly masks and sitting apart at lunch to learning to rely on words instead of facial expressions. “They talked a lot about having their temperature taken at school and having to sanitize everywhere they went,” Thomas said. “They talked a lot about being kind … not knowing what others are going through. We’re all together at school, but we don’t know what they’re going

home to. Some (parents) might have lost their job. They’ve also been disappointed that, in fifth grade typically, every year there’s a huge fifth-grade party, and this year’s there no party and no field trips.” One student wrote: “There are no welcome hugs, high-fives or fist bumps. Instead, we stand at least three feet away from each other and wave.” Another used humor and tried to look on the bright side: “The mask keeps my mouth and nose warm.” “They each just wrote about what 2021 has been like for them,” Thomas said. “The biggest complaint that I’ve seen throughout is a lot of them were upset about lunch. Out of all the things, that’s what they were most upset about.” The colorful and creative books were published through Student Treasures, and copies went home with students. “They were so excited,” she said of the students seeing their books for the first time. “It was really cute watching them look at it. I think that it was bound together as a book was great. I think they really liked reading each other’s thoughts. It was neat to see each other feeling the same way without talking about it.”

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WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

85 years ago

Calvary Baptist Church was founded in 1953 on South Dillard Street and operated a school for many years. In May 1975, students at the school marked the end of the academic year with a nod to American freedom. Lady Liberty is flanked by two attendants in Colonial garb. Can anyone help identify these students? Call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244.

40 years ago

J.C. and Dixie Prosser announced they were closing their Texaco Service Station on South Dillard Street at the end of the month after 17 years. When the Texaco opened in 1964, the Phillips 66 station across the street also was new, and the only other buildings south of them on Dillard were the bowling alley and the Roper Bros. building. Ocoee Christian Church marked its 100th anniversary with a dinner, games and music. The church was established in Ocoee pioneer Gen. Temple Withers’ home. He was responsible for the construction of the church. The stained-glass windows were shipped from Belgium to New York and then Jacksonville, down the St. Johns River

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Mac alternatives 4 Seattle Storm, e.g. 8 Parody 13 Some CEOs’ degs. 17 Crow’s noise 18 Plummets 19 Broadway star McDonald 20 Pixar robot 21 *Get food ready for one’s H.S. equivalency exam? 24 Pueblo material 25 Martin the Gecko’s company 26 Leg day units 27 Scattered 29 Pancake eaten for din-

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. to Sanford, then by oxcart to Ocoee. An exciting possibility emerged for Winter Garden to realize major improvements to its historic downtown through the nonprofit Main Street Winter Garden.

20 years ago

Former customers of Ben Kelly who have been missing his friendly smile and expertise at the Medicine Shoppe now can visit him in the pharmacy at Publix Super Markets on Maguire Road, Ocoee.

The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation and Dr. Phillips Inc. granted $43,000 to West Orange Habitat for Humanity to construct a home, and Health Central Foundation Inc. received $30,000 to offset nursing and clinic costs at 25 local schools.

36 Brady’s former bunch, informally 37 Common NASCAR sponsor 40 ___ v. Wade 41 See 60-Across 43 “Look before you leap,” e.g. 44 Headquartered (in) 46 Toxins 50 Billabong competitor 52 Get ready, informally 54 Computer whizzes 55 Lil ___ X 57 *What a sleepy H.S. senior might take? 59 Indeed.com or Monster 62 Lion’s pride? 63 Vulgar people 64 Bollywood’s home 65 Bawl 67 Large water pipes 68 Harvesting tools 71 Art on a temple, perhaps? DOWN 74 ___ lightly (be cautious) 1 Main MD 78 Phonies 2 I Spy and 20 Questions 79 Scorekeepers’ marks 3 Honeybunch 81 Squid liquid 4 Stuffed shell? 83 Nwodim who portrays 5 Yellowstone herd Dionne Warwick on “SNL” 6 Selma’s state (Abbr.) 86 Suffix with “senior” 7 NYC arena 88 Free version of a fun app 8 Like begging puppies 89 Makes a scapegoat for 9 Gas dispensers 90 Spork point 10 Poetic tributes 93 Reign over 11 “... ___ lack thereof” 94 Smooch that preserves 12 Certain contractions lipstick note? 75 Acorn, for one 13 Coped 95 Really bothers 76 Thor’s dad 53 Child in a certain 14 *Flunking a coll.-level 98 Doll with a 2021 model blended family 77 Player of a low string studio class? that has vitiligo 56 Hoppy brews, briefly instrument 15 “The Sandbox” playwright 101 Scintilla 57 Marcie’s nickname for 80 “Hear ye!” shouter Edward 102 Rachel Maddow’s Peppermint Patty 82 Lather, ___, repeat 16 Early bloomers? network 84 Goatee’s spot 58 Sixers legend 18 iPhone-unlocking option 103 Upscale Honda 60 Greek letter that rhymes 85 Singer whose fans are 20 Peace’s counterpart 105 Ashen with 41-Down called Claymates 22 Coming down the ___ 108 “Have a Good Trip” drug 61 Rush around wildly 87 Some PrideFest letters 23 They clear whiteboards 109 Sagacious 91 Deplete 63 Articles’ slants 28 Powdery mineral 110 Chemistry particle 66 *Toast for aspiring docs? 92 *M.A. hopeful’s test, 29 Actress Bonet 113 The ___ (Boston nickwhen taken on a Utah body 30 Toasted breakfast treat 69 Like some cows and name) vows of water’s shore? 114 First punch in a one-two 31 Climbing gear that a 96 Tony winner Stroker 70 Dealing with 115 Mystery in the sky, briefly boulderer eschews 72 Outburst from Scrooge 97 Personal website section 32 College party drinks 116 “Hamilton” star Phillipa 73 Lower your seat? 99 “That wasn’t true” 117 ___ poke (soccer kick) 35 Pumpkin, for one

STUDY BREAKS by Amanda Rafkin and Ross Trudeau; Edited by David Steinberg

ner, maybe 30 Uses mala beads 32 Arthur of “Maude” 33 Goes kaput 34 Louvre Pyramid architect 35 Duck, duck, ___ 36 Betrays at recess 38 “Nothing to ___ here!” 39 *Removed a score from one’s college app? 42 “Gift” for talking 45 “By yesterday!” 47 External 48 Dill, e.g. 49 “The Devil Wears ___” 51 What may end on a high

MAY 16, 1974 It’s nearly graduation time for high school seniors, and in 1974, some of the best gifts were Kodak electronics. The Focal Point Camera Store advertised its selection in The Winter Garden Times. Choices included the Kodak Pocket Instamatic with Magicubes flash cubes; a Kodak Carousel 750H Projector, for showing off those vacation slides; the Kodak Ektasound Movie Projector, with easy channel threading, rapid access to any scene and a beautiful tape-deck styling; and the Kodak Ektasound 140 Movie Camera, for making video memories. The camera store was located in the Tri-City Shopping Center in Winter Garden.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The operetta “Up in the Air” was presented by members of the Lakeview High Glee Club. Margaret Smith was musical director, and Albert Valdes, stage director. The list of characters included Marjorie Griffith, Leroy Cross, Ned Vick, Helen Ficquette, Gay Caudle, Ward Britt, Hazel Henschen, James Grice, Alice Roper, Marie Smith, William Palmer and Frank Kannon.

30 years ago

THROWBACK THURSDAY

100 “Shucks!” 102 Goya’s “The Naked ___” 104 Lead-in to “Vegas” 105 Goody Two-shoes 106 Feature of this crossword 107 Wanda Maximoff, aka the ___ Witch 109 Have an eye-opening experience? 110 Stage remark 111 Deadens 112 “We’re only practicing,” and a hint to reading each starred answer 118 Plait 119 Ejects 120 “The game is ___!” 121 (Ow! My udder!) 122 Detective’s assignment 123 Follows orders 124 Prosperous period 125 Number of partners for a monogamist

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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“UJUDNHWSN KRI ZKUXD WLC IZWDN -- XZ’I LKW NWY RDU. XA X LRIC’Z AXJU-AWWZ, X LWYBSC’Z HU LKW X RT.” IRHDXCR PRDVUCZUD

“GKN LJLNE GTVXHNL, IRLNL’P TA TXILNATIVJL YKHNPL KG TYIVKA. ... DRLA EKH YKBL IK T NKTCOXKYM, ITML T CLIKHN.”

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Puzzle Two Clue: M equals K

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue P equals C

SUDOKU

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

05-13-21

MAY 13, 2021

SPORTS

Dr. Phillips senior Noah Sullivan led the Panthers at the plate in batting average, hits, RBI and extra-base hits. Page 16.

HIGH

Legacy helps battle cancer

Several local schools had solid showings at the FHSAA Class 4A track and field state meet Saturday, May 8. Windermere had top-10 finishes in the 4x100m (fifth) and 4x400m (fifth), while Stone Rivers finished eighth in the long jump. For Dr. Phillips, the Panthers saw Emmanuel Pierre (eighth) and Daniel Demontagnac (eighth) pick up top-10 finishes in the 200-meter and triple jump, respectively, while the 4x100 and 4x400 teams both finished fifth. Ocoee’s Dylan Wade finished third in the shot put, while Tramari Smith finished sixth in the 400-meter run. Finally, Olympia’s De’Andrea Robinson finished fifth in the discus and sixth in shot put.

A charity softball game between the Legacy Charter softball team and faculty raised money for Your Fight is Our Fight. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

The Ocoee girls track and field team showed out during the FHSAA Class 4A track and field state meet Saturday, May 8. Miracle Johnson finished state runner-up in the 200-meter run, while finishing fourth in the 100-meter run. Meanwhile, Alyia Green finished eighth in the 400-meter run, Ma`kala Davis finished fifth in the triple jump, and Leilany Laureano picked up a fourth-place and seventh-place finish in the shot put and discus.

The Dr. Phillips baseball team’s season came to an end Friday, May 7, in an 8-5 loss to Osceola in the state playoffs. Despite the loss, the Panthers got a productive night out of Jeremiah Granastein, who picked up a double and two RBIs on a 1-for-4 night.

West Orange softball’s Ailey Schyck went off at the plate in the Warriors’ 10-5 win over Osceola Thursday, May 6, in the opening round of the state playoffs. In five plate appearances, Schyck went 2-for-5 with four RBIs, and scored two runs herself in the win.

In The First Academy softball’s 6-0 blanking of Melbourne Central Catholic in the first round of the state playoffs Wednesday, May 5, pitcher Hannah Harper was lights out. The junior pitched a complete game and recorded 11 strikeouts while only giving up three hits.

‘WE DO WHAT O WE DO’

Troy Herring

As Windermere Prep kicks off spring football, firstyear head coach Brian Simmons is ready to put his mark on the program.

It’s a game for the ages: The Legacy Charter softball team versus a group of the school’s faculty in an all-out war on the softball field Tuesday, May 4. In the middle of it all, inside the pitcher’s circle, stands Katherine Barnard — the Eagles’ head softball coach, who finds herself pitching against the same players she coaches. With about every other pitch, Barnard lets out a smile, partly induced by the silliness and fun on the field. She also peeks into the crowd, who came out not only to to support the team but also support a good cause. Unlike years before, this game is being played to raise money for Your Fight is Our Fight as a part of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Strikeout Cancer initiative. “I was hoping, but you never know … I knew we would have a decent turnout, but when I started seeing all of the people and all of the cars, it really just filled my heart with so much joy,” Barnard said. “I know they may have come for different reasons. But just to know that they came and they knew the money was going to a good cause — it meant a lot. It really did.” A couple of months ago, Barnard, a member of the NFCA, received an alert that the organization was restarting Strikeout Cancer. Barnard wanted to be involved — especially after SEE EAGLES PAGE 17

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

n the football field at Windermere Prep, Brian Simmons runs some of the football program’s younger athletes from one side of the field to the other. For the last two weeks, Simmons — now the head coach of the Lakers — has been working with his team through several practices as spring football is well underway, and although it’s far from his first, it’s definitely a new experience. After joining Windermere Prep in 2016 under former head coach Jacob Doss, Simmons worked his way from linebackers coach and defensive SEE SIMMONS PAGE 16

Troy Herring

Legacy softball coach Katherine Barnard throws a pitch during the charity game.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

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

Noah Sullivan Dr. Phillips senior Noah Sullivan made his final season with the school’s baseball team count as he led the Panthers at the plate in batting average, hits, RBI and extra-base hits. After graduating, he will continue his playing career at USC-Upstate.

When did you first get into baseball? It basically started right when I was born, honestly. All of my brothers played baseball, so that’s just what I’ve been doing since I was born.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Dr. Phillips GRADE: Senior AGE: 18 SPORT: Baseball POSITION: Third base, pitcher

What has kept you in the sport for so long? Probably just the game itself. It’s always a challenge — you never have it figured out in baseball. You’re always chasing something — whether it’s hitting or pitching or whatever.

summer. But coming into the season was exciting, to say the least. Everybody just wanted to be there, be around the boys and hanging out and playing baseball again.

What is your favorite part about playing baseball? What’s the most challenging part? My favorite part is definitely hitting — that’s my favorite. The most challenging thing is definitely the failure and being able to control yourself through those hard times and those slumps, but just trying to ultimately figure it out at the end of the day.

Did you have any goals coming into the new season? The biggest thing was just leaving a legacy, (because) my family has been here almost a decade. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get it done as a team, which was probably the worst part. You led the Panthers in multiple hitting categories this season. How do you approach hitting? The biggest thing is just having a simple approach — not thinking too much at the plate; and picking a pitch to do damage on and get some runners in, whether it’s a sac fly or just moving them over or whatever it is to help the team win.

How do you get past a tough game or a slump? The biggest thing is there are more things outside of baseball. You have friends, and you’ve got family, and you’ve got so much outside of baseball, as well as God. Last season ended prematurely because of COVID-19. What was it like for you and the team coming into this season? It was hard last year. I actually, unfortunately, couldn’t play because I was hurt, but I got to play in the

What was your favorite part about playing at DP? Probably just the family environment. Once Coach Evans got there, I think it kind of changed the culture for the better. Everybody was a lot closer, and it felt like a family. You’re going to USCUpstate to play baseball in the fall. What are you most excited about? (I’m excited) for the level of play. Upstate has come a long way the past two years with the new coaches, and they’re really heading in the right direction. — TROY HERRING

Troy Herring

Simmons takes charge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

coordinator to his new role as the head coach — which he assumed in December 2020. “What I believe in is teaching from the ground up, so teaching the fundamentals and foundations of football,” Simmons said. “Whether you’re playing Pop Warner, middle school, varsity, college or pros, those foundational things shouldn’t change, so that’s where we kind of start practice at. “Just because a kid played for us one or two or three years, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “We’re approaching the start of spring ball as if a kid has never played football before. I think that is what you do: You don’t take anything for granted. I tell my coaches, ‘Let’s not tell our kids what to do, let’s teach them what to do,’ and there is a significant difference between the two.” A PHILOSOPHY OF FOOTBALL

To understand Simmons’ coaching approach to football, you have to go back to his time as a football standout at New Bern High School in his hometown of New Bern, North Carolina. There, the talented defensive player — who also played basketball, baseball and track at the school — found success under

“Just because a kid played for us one or two or three years, it doesn’t matter. We’re approaching the start of spring ball as if a kid has never played football before. I think that is what you do: You don’t take anything for granted.” — Coach Brian Simmons

Family. Family. Athlete of the Week Sponsored by...

head football coach Chip Williams, the man who helped shape how Simmons approaches the game today. “He has, probably, the most influence over my coaching and kind of my coaching style than anybody,” Simmons said. “He was a tough, hard-nosed guy who treated every player — I don’t care if you were the first player or the last player on the roster — the same. “He expected the most out of his players, and to be honest, the better player you are, the probably harder he was on you,” he said. “I’m kind of the same way, but I also like to joke around and have fun with my kids, because I always tell, them, ‘Listen, this is high school football. If you can’t have fun now, when will you ever be able to have fun in life?’” After graduating, Simmons maintained that notion of taking the game seriously while also having fun at the University of North Carolina. There, he was a four-year letter-winner on the football team, a team captain for the 1996-97 season and a consensus first-team All-American. Simmons’ success for the Tar Heels led the linebacker to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1998 Draft as the 17th selection. He played for the Bengals until 2006 before finishing his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2007. During those years in the NFL — and in the years after as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars — Simmons’ idea of having fun while being serious was further cemented into his understanding of the game. It also helped him better separate what each level of football was really meant to represent for a player. “It is high school football — it’s not the NFL,” Simmons said. “I’ve been to both. One is purely

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Although he has had several years with the Lakers, taking over a program is different than working as an assistant, so there have been some adjustments, Simmons said. “It’s just all the administrative stuff that you have to do — emailing the kids, doing the schedule and just that kind of non-football related stuff, but I already knew that was coming from my days in college and being around a lot of coaches and being a scout,” Simmons said with a laugh. “Everybody thinks they want to go up in football, but the higher you go up in level in the building, the more things you have to handle that’s not related to football, so I understood that part of it.” Although winning is generally a priority for a lot of coaches going into the new season, for Simmons, it’s more about the journey than the destination. You have to start somewhere before you can go anywhere. “Winning is at the end of it,” Simmons said. “Everybody says, ‘What’s your goal? To win.’ Well, you tell me how you’re going to win — winning doesn’t just happen. I’m more focused on the process of what we need to do in order to have a chance to win, rather than I am on just winning. I want our kids to have the mindset of, ‘We do what we do,’ and then that will take care of the scoreboard.”

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a business and purely a profession, and the other one — which is high school football — should be about representing your high school, playing with your friends, and going out on Friday nights and having fun.”

“thE stonE thE buiLdErs rEjECtEd is now thE CornErstonE.” –Psalms 118:22

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OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

RALPH RAY BAYS DIED SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021.

GERALD JOWERS CELEBRATION OF LIFE

A life well-lived deserves to be celebrated, and that’s exactly what we are going to do. Please join the Jowers family in celebration over the loss of an unforgettable man, H. Gerald Jowers, at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at the Downtown Winter Garden Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. Let us not forget his contagious smile, his zest for life, nor his infectious laughter.

Ralph Ray Bays, 93, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. Ray was born on March 17, 1928, in Oak Hill, West Virginia, to the late Ralph and Mary (Cole) Bays. Ray was a very hard worker and loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ray attended First Baptist Church of Winter Garden for many years. Ray is survived by his daughter, Dianna (Malcolm) Rittenberry; five grandchildren, Erik, Josh, Brian, Sarah and Ian; five great-

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grandchildren; and one sister, Nora Jane Marshal. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden with Military Honors to follow. Services are entrusted to Winter Oak Funeral Home.

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WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

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Troy Herring

Legacy’s charity game raised $1,400 for Your Fight is Our Fight.

everything that took place in the last few years. Last year, Gail Cooper — an administrative assistant at the school — lost her battle with breast cancer, as did Barnard’s niece, Jennifer Fish, at age 35. Fish originally was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2013. She went through two rounds of chemotherapy before the cancer went into remission. But in December of 2018, the cancer returned. After a year of fighting, she succumbed to her illness in 2019. “She and I were very close — we were more like sisters, definitely not aunt and niece,” Barnard said. “Being able to do something in her honor and in her name — it feels good to do that.” Through Strikeout Cancer, participants could choose any organization as a beneficiary, and originally, Barnard decided to give the proceeds from the game to the American Cancer Society. But that changed when Carly Mewhorter — a close friend of Fish — founded Your Fight is Our Fight in April.

Mewhorter’s organization — which is so new that it is still waiting for its tax-exempt status — will use the money to make chemo care packages for patients at local infusion centers who are battling cancer, Mewhorter said. “It’s been great,” she said. “The camaraderie the coaches and the team have together is just cool to watch. It’s competitive, but it’s all for a good cause. It’s been pretty amazing — the turnout — and I think we’ll be able to do a lot of great things because of the turnout and the people.” By the end of the day, the softball program had raised $1,400 for an event Barnard said she plans to keep going. “We’re really hoping to make this something that we do every year — same thing,” she said. “I also partnered with Thrivent — it’s a financial company — and they actually do action teams, so they helped me fund this a little bit … so it actually helped me pay up front for some of the stuff. It was just kind of cool how everything fell into place, but this is definitely something that I want to carry on — I want to do it every year.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

MEET THE CGI WINDOWS & DOORS FINALISTS & VOTE FOR THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Hialeah-based CGI Windows & Doors, part of the PGT Innovations family of brands, recently selected four standout individuals from across Florida to be awarded with a $1,000 cash prize as part of its “CGI Heroes: Celebrating Strength” contest. The annual event recognizes Florida residents who have gone above and beyond to help others. Read about each finalist below and help choose the grand prize winner who will receive an additional cash prize of $5,000. Voting starts now! Tori Mason, Janet Woods, Bethany Keime, and Drew Rogers were all nominated and selected as statewide finalists for their commitment to assisting others. Giving back to the community has always been part of the company culture at CGI Windows & Doors. That philosophy fueled the launch of the inaugural CGI Heroes contest in 2020 and its expansion to a statewide contest in 2021.

TORI MASON is a school resource officer with the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office in the Destin/Fort Walton Beach region. The law enforcement officer is passionate about helping kids and serving others. She is a single mom who dedicates her time to serving on the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, instructs at the Teen Driver Challenge Program, and recently launched a fellowship of Christian Police Officers. Mason is known for going above and beyond to assist students at whatever school she is assigned to and creating safe learning environments and positive interactions between herself and students. She regularly fundraises for families in need and can always be found helping her fellow officers or community members.

JANET WOODS is a dedicated volunteer with the 9463 Foundation and South Florida Rest, organizations that

support first responders in Florida. She’s been making personalized quilts and hand delivering them to families of fallen officers in conjunction with the 9463 Foundation as a volunteer for close to ten years. “I don’t think there’s a quilt I make that doesn’t have a tear drop on it,” she says. A retired legal secretary, she moved to Florida ten years ago and ever since she has been volunteering at the foundation and also with South Florida Rest (aka Canteen), an organization that hydrates firefighters and police officers while on call at emergency scenes. “We bring water, Gatorade, snacks and food to first responders who are at the scene of an accident, a fire, a SWAT call or wherever they need us,” she says. When she’s not making quilts or helping hydrate first responders, she’s sewing masks. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic she made more than 9,300 masks and donated them to police and fire agencies, hospitals and others all over the country with patriotic or specific meaningful fabrics.

BETHANY KEIME is a self-proclaimed heart warrior from Cutler Bay. At 17 years of age, the Florida native was a senior in high school with a promising dance career and her whole life in front of her, when she was diagnosed with the number one killer on school campuses and leading killer of student athletes: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Her life changed forever when she fatefully learned that hers would be a lifetime of medication, testing, and treatments, including having a defibrillator implanted into her chest. Seven years later, she came to terms with the diagnosis and decided to do something positive about it. She launched the HeartCharged Instagram page to spread awareness, built her own website, and created her own 501C-3 nonprofit, HeartCharged. She puts on community heart screenings, donates defibrillators, and speaks at schools. And she’s even helping to change the law. “We just got a law passed in Florida to get CPR and AED training for high school students, which can prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest,” Keime says. “Next year, we’re working on getting heart screenings for all kids in Florida. Many heart conditions have no recognizable symptoms. With screenings, deaths can be prevented

DREW ROGERS is the Operations Fire Chief at Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) in Ocala. A firefighter for 20 years, he’s made it his mission to inspire and mentor others who may be headed down the wrong path. “I joined the fire service from a little bit of shaky background,” Rogers says. “I wasn’t sure where I was going in life and at times, like a lot of kids, I made some bad choices, but becoming a firefighter changed my life, and I want to do that for others.” He’s been instrumental in operating the mentorship program at MCFR; he secured funding and support to build a 7,000 square foot gym to help cadets stay fit to pass their physical ability tests and for his crew to stay mentally and physically fit; and he works tirelessly with students at the fire career academy to help them find a career path they can stay on for life. “A lot of our chiefs are great at many things – analytics, spreadsheets, power point presentations. For me, the biggest thing I am good at and enjoy the most is building a culture of wellness and community to support our firefighter family in whatever ways possible.”

CGI Windows & Doors accepted nominations from April 6 through April 22 and four winners were selected by the CGI team. The grand prize winner will be selected through an online voting campaign beginning May 13 and ending on May 28. To learn more about the individual contest winners, and to vote for the grand prize winner, visit cgiwindows. com/heroes. The grand prize winner will be announced on June 1 on CGI’s social media channels. “These four Florida residents represent the definition of a community hero,” said Bob Keller, President of the Southeast Business Unit for PGT Innovations. “Their clear dedication to servant leadership, generosity, and compassion made them stand out among hundreds nominated across the state. Our team is honored to highlight their accomplishments and recognize them for the ways they are serving their communities.”

VOTE FOR THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER

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