05.20.21 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

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VOLUME 88, NO. 20

Victor Wright preps for Special Olympics. SEE 11. •

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

Strength of character Brilliant, resilient

The Observer congratulates the Class of 2021 graduates at all our local schools. of the Class of 2021 Some say the members But they also gained lost so much. That’s true. the celebration begin. Let ve. resol strength and

City OKs Habitat home project West Orange Habitat for Humanity will build four homes on the property located at 275 Center St. SEE PAGE 8.

YOUR TOWN CITY TO HOST PHOTO CONTEST West Orange seniors made their way down Plant Street as they were cheered on by friends and family.

May is National Preservation Month, and Winter Garden is sponsoring a Historic Preservation Photo Contest. The contest is open to all levels of photographers, and the top five winners will receive a $100 prize. The best photos will be displayed at an upcoming city-hosted exhibit. To submit photos and view sample list of local historic structures and buildings, visit downtownwg.com/ historic-preservation-month. Deadline for submissions is at 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 25. Because of its structures, buildings and landmarks, downtown Winter Garden is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. There are nearly 20 downtown historic buildings in its commercial district, 10 homes in its residential district and 13 landmarks.

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Sayonara, seniors! West Orange and Ocoee high school seniors celebrated at their respective parades. PAGE 4.

West Orange water polo coach Jennifer Dailer handed out hugs to a few students. Left: Ocoee students recorded the festivities during the parade.

Photos by Troy Herring and Amy Quesinberry

Amaris Hernandez was all smiles as she paraded through the parking lot at Ocoee High.

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THURSDAY,MAY 20, 2021

Windermere OKs agreement for new pavilion The Rotary Club of Windermere has been awarded a $1 million grant from the West Orange Healthcare District to construct an outdoor entertainment pavilion. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Windermere Town Council members have approved an agreement with the Rotary Club of Windermere regarding plans for a new outdoor entertainment pavilion. During their May 11 meeting, council members heard from Rotary members and residents as they discussed the agreement. Last summer, town leaders approved the pavilion’s concept plan, which included a functional stage space for events, a three-sided pavilion, a concession stand and storage. The West Orange Healthcare District awarded the Rotary

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Club a $1 million grant to fund the construction of the pavilion, which will be located in Windermere’s town square. The agreement between the Rotary Club and the town of Windermere lays out conditions negotiated between town staff and West Orange Healthcare District board members. Such conditions include both parties mutually agreeing on a project manager; holding two workshops for public input on design; a requirement to have Town Council approve the design at the 45% and 100% design phases; and allowing the Rotary Club to display its crest on the building. Additionally, the Rotary Club would have exclusive rights to concessions for Healthy West Orange and Rotary events only. Rotary member George Poelker said the idea for a pavilion began a few

years ago, as the club’s 50th anniversary was coming up. Rotary members thought it would be a nice gift to the town in honor of that anniversary. “There is still lots of room for public input, and we welcome that,” Poelker said. “We want to give the town what the town wants — that’s our overhead goal. For 52, years, we’ve been in Windermere making Windermere a better, more fun place to live, and we want to continue that for the next 50 years or more. That’s our goal.” Poelker said for the last few years, the main issue regarding the project was finding funding. However, receiving the grant from the West Orange Healthcare District’s Healthy West Orange initiative makes it possible. Resident Nora Brophy said she liked the idea of having a pavilion in the town square but was worried about the project’s footprint, as well as branding.

“It’d be wonderful to have a pavilion here,” said Brophy, who also serves as chair of the town’s Parks and Recreation Committee. “Initially, I thought this was just a pavilion, and then when I read this proposal, it seems like it’s morphed into the whole Town Hall area. … The big events like Pet Fest and Run Among the Lakes, we use every inch of that space out there. If that is turned into a park, we won’t be able to have those big events, so it would be kind of a shame to build the pavilion to have these events and then cancel the big events because we don’t have enough room for them.” Mayor Jim O’Brien reminded those in attendance that although the concept is in place, the opportunity for further public input remains. “Just because of what we’re working on tonight doesn’t negate all of those workshops and the opportunity for the public (input) and branding as well — sizing, colors,” O’Brien said. “We want to be as reasonable as we can. … These are certainly things

IN OTHER NEWS n Public Works Director Tonya Elliot-Moore presented the town’s new dirt road maintenance program. n Town Council members approved awarding a bid to West Orange Roofing to repair a portion of the Town Hall roof for $6,500. n Town leaders are planning to move forward with Windermere’s annual July 4 pancake breakfast.

we’re thinking about, as well.” Poelker added the branding is “very minimal” and there won’t be a name plastered across the front of the pavilion. Rather, the conceptual plan calls for two emblems — one for Healthy West Orange and one for the Rotary Club. “There’s lots of little details that need to be worked out still, and that’s fine and we know that,” he said. “(We’re focused on) building a useful, beautiful facility for all of the town to use.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

Oakland working on non-potable water plan The town’s goal is to provide alternative water for irrigation purposes. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Amy Quesinberry

Volunteers were ready for the first day of the Found Hope Outreach Center: kneeling, Mackenzie Alexander, left, Tyler Alexander, Caroline Hart, Nate Munson; standing, Keith Shatsoff, left, Jessica Alexander, Lead Pastor Dustin Alexander, DeAnne Munson, Rhoda Khan, Sue Robertson, Ruth Damron and Tim Faircloth.

Meeting the need More than 4,000 pounds of food and other items were handed out on the distribution center’s opening day. COMMUNITY EDITOR

Found Life Church opened the doors May 13 to its Found Hope Outreach Center, and Lead Pastor Dustin Alexander is thrilled with the success of that first day. The plan was to be open for three hours, but the need was so great that volunteers stayed an extra hour to make sure everyone received their food and other necessities. Opening the center on church property has been a goal since the Winter Garden church started in 2019. It was realized two years and a pandemic later, Alexander said. The church has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to serve as a food distribution center twice a month. Last Thursday, church volunteers served close to 250 people and gave away about 4,000 pounds of items. “We depleted our stock of almost completely what we had in our pantry, which we were thinking would last a month — which is fine,” Alexander said. “We didn’t know what the need would be. The incredible thing is the incredible families that really, really needed it. (At) our daycare, we serve a lot of families (who) have adopted and (are in the) foster family arena, and this is a big help.” In addition to produce, breads and other food items, the center gave away infant necessities, personal-care packages and clothing. By the end of the day, the church was running low on many of its items, but folks still walked away

with several bags of groceries. Alexander said the church is fortunate to have received grants through Second Harvest; items also were purchased at a discount, which stretched the dollars further. Second Harvest also sells pallets of random items at a deep discount, and the church was able to get laundry and dishwashing detergent and the baby supplies. “Second Harvest was so impressed with my wife’s proposal and the way she wants to do things,” he said. “We give you a list and let you shop, almost like a grocery store, for what you need for your family. Second Harvest … pushed our timeline a little bit quicker … to get us some grants that were available for additional food items because they really liked and believe in our model.” To ensure the church can continue its mission, Alexander is looking to the community for financial support. “We’re going to have to start knocking on doors of some businesses and getting some grants (and) available funds that are out there,” he said. “If we are going to meet this need, it’s a lot more than we really realized is out there. And I don’t think we have even scratched the surface.” The pastor is available to talk to anyone considering a sponsorship or donation, and he will give a tour of the facility if someone would like to see the operation. “We need to try and raise $100,000 so we’re fully funded for the next couple of years,” he said.

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1001 W. Plant St., Winter Garden HOURS: 2 to 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month EMAIL: foundlifechurch@ gmail.com DETAILS: Preregistration and qualification is not necessary. HOW TO HELP: Because of the church’s partnership with Second Harvest, most of the food must be purchased through the organization. Monetary donations are the best way to help Found Life Church achieve its goal of feeding the hungry. Visit foundlifechurch.com, click the Giving tab and select the Found Hope Outreach Center as the designation.

“We don’t want to run out.” Monetary donations are preferred so the church can purchase the necessary food items. Second Harvest catalogs what is given to the church and keeps a list of recipients — solely to notify them of any food recalls. Folks do not have to qualify to receive food. “If you come in and say you need it, we don’t require anything,” Alexander said. “They fill out their shopping list when they walk in the door — ‘This is what we want for our family.’ Our volunteers mark what we get for each family, and we turn that in to Second Harvest.” The next food distribution day is Thursday, May 27.

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SEPTIC-TO-SEWER PROJECT

The town has awarded the construction bid for the Hull Avenue septic-to-sewer project to Cathcart Construction Company in the amount of $1,242,986. Oakland staff has worked for several years on this major project of getting homes removed from their reliance on septic systems and onto central sewer. The town sought outside funding so residents wouldn’t have to pay this expense, and more than $1.5 million in grant funding is identified. This money will build the gravity system to carry away sewage; the overage of funds will be used for impact fees and abandonment of existing septic systems.

n Emily Hanna, executive director of Bike Walk Central Florida, gave a presentation on the Best Foot Forward initiative pertaining to pedestrian crossings and safety. The program, which municipalities can join for an annual fee, includes intersection and sidewalks studies that yield low-cost solutions to improve safety at identified locations. “Sometimes people just don’t know where or how to comfortably ride and make them comfortable in their own community,” Hanna said. “We go and study a crosswalk: Do drivers buzz by or allow pedestrians to cross the road? … Oftentimes (the solution) can be as simple as new striping or a new sign.” Town Manager Steve Koontz said he will include this partnership in the next budget cycle. “I would like them to look at three areas of (West Colonial Drive),” he said. “We definitely have got some areas that we could use their expertise.” Oakland Avenue would be included in the assessment as well. n Commissioners passed the first public hearing of an ordinance pertaining to the burning and clearing of lands for construction or other specified reasons. The town created the regulation after several burns caused disruption and discomfort from smoke and ash, and town officials want to avoid that with other current and future development. The Oakland Nature Preserve, which holds periodic controlled burns for ecological management reasons, would be exempt. n Mayor Pro Tem Mike Satterfield read a proclamation declaring May 17 through 23 National Public Works Week in the town. Public Works Director Mike Parker introduced his staff to commissioners and said collectively, the employees represent about 350 years of public and private works experiences. He said the collective experience nine years ago was about 50 years.

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The town of Oakland is making strides toward providing nonpotable water to residents and businesses to meet irrigation demands, and the Town Commission heard an update on the progress at its May 11 meeting. Public Works Director Mike Parker said stormwater reuse is the only reasonable choice — reclaimed water, or processed sewage, is not a feasible option, he said, because it was either cost prohibitive or treatment providers couldn’t handle more demand. The 2006 Consumptive Use Permit issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District required the town to use a lowerquality water source for irrigation, but that has been a challenge, Parker said. Since 2013, all new construction in Oakland has included the installation of separate irrigation system piping. In the Oakland Trails neighborhood, construction in 2016, 305 homes were placed on the irrigation network with just one connection, which makes the possibility of alternative water a probability, Parker said. For the last five years, staff has worked to locate space for a treatment facility. The 5-acre project site is town-owned property in the Hull island development to the east of Hull Island Drive. Parker said the estimated cost is $3.2 million. “It’s not a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a ‘need to have,’” he said. “It’s mandated by the state.” An increase in water impact fees on new construction recently more than doubled in anticipation of this project, he said. CPH Engineers will serve as project manager.

IN OTHER NEWS

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THURSDAY,MAY 20, 2021

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

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

Photos by Troy Herring and Amy Quesinberry

Roz McCarthy cheered on her daughter, Laila McCarthy, as she made her way through the West Orange parade.. Left: Ocoee senior Deztinee Harris is bound for the University of Florida.

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 Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

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

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Ocoee senior Yelizabeth Chairez shared her excitement.

eniors at West Orange and Ocoee high schools marked the end of their high school careers at respective celebrations Wednesday, May 12. West Orange seniors took over Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden for the Sen’ya Later Parade. After meeting at the parking lot on the corner of Dillard and Plant streets, students decked out in their school’s colors — and some with faces painted — walked down West Plant Street as

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Family and friends lined Plant Street to celebrate West Orange’s seniors.

family and friends cheered them on. Just a few miles away, seniors from Ocoee High paraded through the school parking lot, making a final mark on the high school before graduation. The vehicles were decorated with signs, balloons, streamers and more, and the Knights wound their way from one side of the campus to the other while teachers stood on the sidelines and cheered. — TROY HERRING AND AMY QUESINBERRY

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West Orange seniors handed out hugs and high fives as they marched down Plant Street.

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THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

Make a Difference in Your Community

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The City of Winter Garden is currently seeking volunteers

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Celebrating decades in business is a rare feat for any company, but reaching 95 years seems nearly impossible. However, R.C. Stevens Construction Co. in Winter Garden is celebrating the milestone as a commercial and industrial construction company in the area and beyond. For 37 years, Tim Keating — the sole owner since 2007 — has been with R.C. Stevens, and although he’s not related to founder Ray Stevens, the relationship between his family and Stevens’ is deep. That’s why he considers himself as extended family. “I consider myself third generation, and my son works with us now, so (if) everything goes according to plan, he’ll be involved with it — maybe a fourth generation,” Keating said. “It does mean a lot … being a closely held family-type company is special; we’re not a corporate behemoth by any means.” SORT OF A FAMILY TRADITION

The company was founded in 1926 by Raymond C. Stevens, a pioneer in the design-build construction process — and best friend to Keating’s grandfather. Back then, Stevens’ hobby was building sailboats, and Keating’s

CH-CH-CHANGES

Throughout the years, much has changed for the company — especially as it related to the technology used and the speed in which things could be processed. Keating recalled how big of a deal it was when the company purchased its first computer in the early 1980s. “Back then, we didn’t have computers; everything was done on a ledger book, so I remember buying computers, and I remember making computers,” Keating said. “I remember the first one we bought was a Tandy Computer that had the

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grandfather — who worked at a paint and glass shop — gave Stevens credit so he could get the proper paint for his boats. From there, a relationship formed, and Keating’s grandfather eventually founded Keating Glass on Division Street in Orlando. Before his father died when Keating was only 7, he passed along a few words of advice to a young boy who thought he was going to follow in his father’s footsteps. “He always told me, ‘You can do better,’ because I just assumed I was going into the glazing business,” Keating said. “And then I ended up starting my career here in ’84.” When Keating first started at the company, Allyn Stevens — Ray Stevens’ son — referred to Keating as the “boy contractor,” because of Keating’s boyish face, and he spent most of his time estimating and project managing in the fourperson office. Keating and David Smith bought the company from Allyn Stevens in 1996. Keating later bought Smith’s stock in 2007.

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Founded in 1926, the Winter Garden-based company has long been a staple in the community.

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R.C. Stevens Construction Co. celebrates 95 years

two floppy drives that you bought from RadioShack. For companies, it was still a big step to computerize everything.” With the technology came a more simplified process that required less paper and more digital files. In the beginning, an architect gave a client two sets of plans, which then had to be given out to all of the subcontractors so they could do their work. It was a logistics nightmare, Keating said. Now, plans can be sent easily by email to subcontractors for their takeoffs and quotes. Additionally, safety measures also have improved. At R.C. Stevens, that has helped the company achieve diamond designation year over year on the ABC STEP Safety Management System, a benchmark survey that measures safety processes and policies on 25 key components. With big projects going on — including the Exchange in downtown Winter Garden — there’s a lot going on at R.C. Stevens. And after 95 years, there’s a lot that has gone right, but Keating attributes the company’s success to one specific trait. “You’re all about making a buck, but at the same time there is more to it than that — there’s the relationships that you build,” Keating said. “I believe the Stevenses, and now the Keatings — and R.C. Stevens as a company, as a whole — build relationships.”

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R.C. Stevens is celebrating 95 years of growth and work in the West Orange community.

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THURSDAY,MAY 20, 2021

Winter Garden leaders approve final plat for Habitat for Humanity The approval will bring four single-family homes to 275 Center St. 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

CHURCH OF GOD

TROY HERRING

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

SPORTS EDITOR

IN OTHER NEWS n The commission approved the waiving of the formal procurement process and approved a construction services agreement with R.C. Stevens to construct and install the Winter Garden Butterfly Garden Project in the amount of $199,675.

In a short meeting Thursday, May 13, the Winter Garden City Commission approved a final plat — for the West Orange Habitat for EPISCOPAL n The commission approved Humanity — and a site plan for a Church of the Messiah Mead & Hunt to provide defuture Pet Suites Winter Garden. 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden sign services for East Winter The property — .34 acres in Garden water main improvesize — located at 275 Center St. Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, ments in the amount of will soon become the site of four2nd Campus: 7 PM $72,372, which includes a 10% residential lots built by Habitat First Baptists Church www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com contingency. that will house four single-family @ Horizon West homes arranged in a tandem-style METHODIST 15304 Tilden Road, n The commission approved a layout. Two of the homes will face First United Methodist Winter Garden special event for theAmerican Center Street, while the other two Church Legion’s Memorial Day Special will face an interior courtyard, Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Event at Veterans Park, which according to city documents. www.FBCWG.org Winter Garden will take place from 7:30 to Because tandem housing is (407) 656-1135 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 31. a special exception use per the Starke Lake Baptist Church Services: 9 AM Contemporary property’s RNC-2 zoning district, Pastor Jeff Pritchard STARKE LAKE BAPTIST Advertise your Services or Events NGLICAN METHODIST Habitat received a special excep11:15 AMMETHODIST Traditional NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH FIRST UNITED PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO PO Box 520 611 W Ave., on weekly. GLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee ordinance is the city just can’t go tion permit to this allow page construction CHURCH Viewable on YouTube13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, LLOWSHIP CHURCH Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden of the tandem housing last Sep- out there and say, ‘We’re allowing tor The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas (407) 656-2351 (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, the streets to allow for golf carts.’ tember.This page appears weekly inthese NON-DENOMINATIONAL 6 East Plant St, Winter Garden www.starkelakebaptist.org Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org NDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM West Orange Times & Observer and We have to first demonstrate that After Habitat’s final plat earned Purpose Church Orlando Web: fumcwg.org d us at: Theacf.net CHURCH OF GOD unanimous approval, the com- these streets are safe for golf carts. online at OrangeObserver.com. 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD Victory Baptist Church UNITED “We’re trying to include more mission motioned to approve the APTIST Winter CHURCH GardenOF Pastor Thomas Odom CHRIST & Christian Academy communities … and several of the site plan for a property located at To advertise in the Church Directory 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST (407) 654-9661 WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH subdivisions along Fullers Cross 12100 W. Colonial Drive, which 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner 1601 A.D. Mims Rd,Ocoee call 407-656-2121 or email 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Beulah Rd, Winter Garden willAdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com be the site of Pet Suites Win- Road, and really the only way to do Windermere, FL 34786 (407) 656-3097 EPISCOPAL -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org SundayWorship Brazilian Service: 7 PM that — and allow those to be safe ter Garden. 407-876-2112 times: Sunday: 11CHURCH AM & PM OF 6 THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM 9:00am Adult SundayService: School Saturday 6 PM Currently, the property features — is we’re going to have to create 241 N.7 Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICEWednesday: 11:00AM PM 10:00am Worship an 11,283-square-foot building — little golf-cart zones where they Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.purposechurchorlando.org DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM www.windermereunion.org www.VBCOCOEE.com www.churchofthemessiah.com which had been used as an event pull onto the main road until they ST BAPTIST CHURCH space — that the company propos- get onto the side roads again,” he E Plant St., Winter Garden es to renovate while redeveloping said. “So they have to be designed -656-2352 NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional the parcel to accommodate a pet- in such a way where we can slow 5 am Bible Study resort facility, according to city the cars down at those points, so 00 am Contemporary documents. The redevelopment we can justify that they’re safe — DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana MIKE YOAKUM includes reconfiguring a portion that protects them from a liability or Tim Grosshans PASTOR w.fbcwg.org of the existing parking lot and add- position.” Campus: P: 407.656.1520 Along with the safety measures, ing an outdoor pet play area, while UNDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 also installing a new stormwater one of the long-term goals is to NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM and sewer infrastructure — such connect east Winter Garden to the ndation Academy High School 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden downtown area safely, Bollhoefer as a walled pond and lift station. w.FoundationWorship.com said. -730-1867 GOLF CART PLAN PUT ON HOLD “There is no safe way — at this A new resolution to establish new point — to cross Dillard Street,” 1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. areas throughout the city for golf Bollhoefer said. “When we do the OCOEE, FL 34761 cart use was once again pushed three lanes on Dillard Street with back, after City Manager Mike three roundabouts, you’ll be able Bollhoefer asked the commis- to cross with the golf carts at those ORDER YOUR sion for additional time to go over roundabouts in a safe time. So details. CUSTOMInMADE that’s why we’re still working on it • Custom Furniture, Farm Tables, 2020, Matthew's Hope experienced a 300% increase in the number of “We’re going to have to table and making adjustments and actuBarn Doors, and More CHRISTMAS weekly visits with those finding themselves homeless in• our community. this one last time … there are some ally improving it as we go along.” Repaired, Refinished and GIFTS NOW! changes that we’re still looking The commission will discuss Repurposed Wood Furniture Here is a brief Snapshot of what that looked like. ” Bollhoefer said. “Once again, the resolution at its next meeting, Check out the custom • Gently Used Furniture and New & at, Used the difficulty with this golf cart scheduled for Thursday, May 27. made silent auction items Visits: 13,630 Items Personal Hygiene Household Items: 139,300 Total Weekly Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MatthewsHopeChest/ that will be available at LV14252

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OrangeObserver.com

Developer proposes commercial, apartments in Oakland project

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

SATURDAY

JUNE 12, 2021

Representatives from OneEleven Residential held a community meeting last week to get Oakland resident feedback on a 22-acre piece of property west of Florida’s Turnpike.

A VIRTUAL INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

9:00AM (EST) FREE EVENT

highest-end user that we can get.” Developers are proposing 240 apartments bordering the turnpike Oakland residents participated on the north side of the property. in a community meeting May 13, One road would run through curious about a mixed-use project the property, and all traffic would proposed on West Colonial Drive enter and exit at Colonial — and REGISTER NOW AT just west of the Florida’s Turnpike. the idea is to create a walkable The developer, OneEleven Resi- community between the residendential, held the meeting at the tial and commercial. Oakland Meeting Hall in two sesThe Parkinson’s Expo will feature presentations from medical experts on The apartment buildings would sions to gather feedback from resi- be high quality, they said, with four treatment options, the latest in research, managing the non-motor dents. stories, an elevator and enclosed aspects of the disease, and more. Special virtual movement breaks with OneEleven Chief Executive John hallways; monthly rent would be Zeledon and Senior Managing in the $1,300-to-$2,000 range. skilled instructors will take place throughout the day to keep you moving. Director Erik Halverson presented Halverson said the apartment This event is presented to the community at no charge thanks to the following partners: their proposed plan. They have complex would produce about been working with town staff for quadruple the tax base that a store EXCLUSIVE PRESENTING SPONSOR about eight months — and went such as Target does in the Winter through numerous alterations — Garden Village at Fowler Groves. “to develop a site plan we believe “They’re not simply rental units the town is looking more favorably but someone’s home,” Zeledon to,” Zeledon said. said. “We want residents to feel PLATINUM SPONSORS DIAMOND SPONSORS The 22.5-acre property is bound proud of where they live.” by Colonial to the south, the turnOneEleven also is working on pike to the north and businesses to a connection to the West Orange the east and west. Trail as well. GOLD SPONSORS: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota • Pro-Motion Notions • Trulieve “There is a lot of traffic, a lot of Zeledon and Halverson both Sponsorship Opportunities Available. visibility, close to major arteries,” worked for national development Zeledon said. “From a mixed-use firms before forming OneEleven REGISTRATION REQUIRED. perspective, this is ideal. Over the Residential so their scope of work If you are unable to register online call 941-926-6413 ext. 105. long-term, that will be a very, very was closer to home. Their most viable piece of land for what the recent project is a development FOR A FULL LIST OF SPEAKERS AND TOPICS VISIT NEUROCHALLENGE.ORG/EXPO town is wanting us to do.” near Lake Ivanhoe. The town of Oakland created a OneEleven will act as the projGateway Corridor District in 2014 ect builder too, and the developers that provides strict guidelines for said they are excited to work within development along the town’s the guidelines of the Gateway Cortwo main thoroughfares, Oakland ridor District. Avenue and Colonial. “We’re going to ride this all the “Within the immediate adja- way through,” Zeledon said. cent areas, there are two industrial The land is former planted pine uses, our site, Palm Casual and two space, so the trees were planted to gas stations — we are buffered by be harvested. Halverson said they FInR-HEomEe effectively commercial uses,” Zel- will not be taking out any specites edon said. men or legacy trees. Developers Estima The proposed site plan calls for plan to keep a pine-tree buffer of We have a Large Selection about 50% commercial space in 14 to 20 feet between the apartof Slabs: Pantry, Home front (to the south) and 50% resi- ments and the turnpike. LE TAB RAC Grown, Assorted Styles, RET dential in the back. The next step for the developers Wheat Frosted, Reed Glass, RS DOO EEN SCR to Halverson said the commercial is to present a formal application Laundry market is fragmented right now town staff. We have a large selection of slabs: because of the pandemic, which The meeting was a requirement Pantry, Homegrown, makes it difficult to pinpoint what of the town of Oakland as part of NOW AVAILABLE!! will be the best businesses for the the development review process. Assorted Styles, commercial portion. The developers must go through Wheat Frosted, When Zeledon and Halverson public meetings before the Reedglass, ANY DBL DOOR, SWAP were asked if they intend to seek Appearance Review Board, PlanLaundry unique businesses or big-box ning & Zoning Board and Town OUT or PRE-HUNG UNIT stores such as Target and Walmart, AfterCommission and must meet town Mirror Wrap Halverson replied: “We want the code prior to approval. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY,MAY 20, 2021

Members of the Class of 2021 throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange will celebrate their respective graduations in the next few days. Seniors at Windermere High School kicked off the 2021 graduation season with their commencement ceremony Monday, May 17. Here is the schedule for the rest of the ceremonies for local schools: n West Orange High School: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at Amway Center n Olympia High School: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at Amway Center n The First Academy: 6:45 p.m. Friday, May 21 n Central Florida Christian Academy: 7 p.m. Friday, May 21 n Foundation Academy: 6 p.m. Monday, May 24 n Dr. Phillips High School: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Amway Center n Ocoee High School: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Amway Center n Legacy High School: 10 a.m. Friday, May 28, at Legacy High School n Windermere Preparatory School: 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 1

BRANDI ANDERSON

INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY Becoming the physical education teacher is how Brandi Anderson originally ended up at Independence Elementary, but she has since discovered her passion for teaching art — her current role. Anderson is well-loved by her students and respected by colleagues for her enthusiasm for teaching and encouraging students to allow their creativity to shine — no matter their artistic level.

What brought you to your school? I previously taught for five years at Dream Lake Elementary as a P.E. (paraprofessional). Toward the end of spring in 2016, I was seeking employment as a P.E. teacher in Orange County Public Schools and graciously received an interview from (Dr. Angela MurphyOsborne) here at Independence Elementary. What do you love most about your school? No matter the student population of our school, it has always been a tight community between parents, staff and students. Over the years that I have been at IES, we have grown tremendously and also had rapid declines in student population. Our largest year, we had (more than) 1,300 students, while (at) our smallest, we were just under 700. We are always looking out for each (other) regardless of circumstance! What is the most rewarding part of your job? The list could be endless! However, the most rewarding part of my

REPORT CARD

job is watching a student light up when they have success with their art. In elementary school, a class full of students can all be at different levels artistically. I remind them constantly to compare only your work with your own. When they see what they can accomplish no matter their skill, their excitement is why I push myself so hard. Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Mrs. Re-Darling, my art teacher in high school. I took every art class my school offered, and she taught them all. She allowed me to explore all different facets of art in a most exciting way. She told me when I graduated that I needed to be an art teacher. I thought she was crazy to think that at the time, and yet here I am. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? When I was 7, I took my first trip to Disney. As we walked into Magic Kingdom for the first time, my mother said that I turned to her and exclaimed, “I want to be an Imagineer when I grow up.” I

will consider it a success as I work as an art teacher 10 minutes from the back door of Disney World! What is your favorite children’s book and why? I adore fantasy novels, and the first book series I read outside of assigned school work was the sixth Harry Potter book. I have now read the series more times than I can count. J.K. Rowling writes with such vivid detail, and I love how each book seemed to match the age of the main characters. Who would you say is your biggest inspiration and why? My biggest inspiration professionally speaking is Walt Disney. His work ethic, his imagination and his business mind all inspire me to be a better artist and teacher. My personal inspiration is my Nana, because she has never treated a single person with disrespect and always puts everyone else first. I strive to be a version of both. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

ROLE: Art teacher; former P.E. teacher TIME AT SCHOOL: Five years

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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OBSERVER

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Wolverine Legacy Fund awards scholarships

Wolverine Legacy Fund President David Terry, left, Leave a Legacy Scholarship winner Izabella Pacheco and fund board member Karen McGouirk

The Wolverine Legacy Fund presented 21 scholarships totaling $12,750 to Class of 2021 seniors.

he Wolverine Legacy Fund awarded a total of $12,750 in scholarships to 21 Windermere High School seniors during its Senior Scholars Awards ceremony, held Wednesday, May 12, at Cinépolis in Hamlin. According to President David Terry, the Wolverine Legacy Fund received 69 applications for scholarships. Ten students

were awarded a $1,000 Leave a Legacy Scholarship, and 11 students received a $250 TeacherNominated Scholarship. 2021 Leave a Legacy Scholarship winners include Ryan Athay, Jacob Coleman, Jordan T. Crawford, Caleb Roper Foarde, Samantha Jo Lambourne, Vivian Long, Amanda Aiman Marzouk, Ryan Millman, Izabella Pacheco

and Nicole Wang. Teacher-Nominated Scholarship winners include Emma Monica Acosta, Olivia Alberti, Amer Amer, Havin Baik, Matheus Chagus Broder, Delaney Paige Loos, Christopher Moux, Hendrix Paterson, Kellie Murray, Suzanne Rison and Isabella Scramoncin.

— MICHAEL ENG

WE THINK BEYOND TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

TO TRANSFORM LEARNING

100% College Acceptances in 41 states, DC, and 5 countries including Brown University, Vanderbilt University, Case Western Reserve University, University of California, Berkeley Eleven students in the Class of 2022 recognized as National Merit Scholars • International Baccalaureate Diploma & Certificate Program • Collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School, and UNICEF

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Caleb Roper Foarde is one of this year’s Leave a Legacy Scholarship recipients. Left: Delaney Paige Loos was elated to receive a Teacher-Nominated Scholarship.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY,MAY 20, 2021

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY MAY 25, 1945 The U.S. Treasury posted advertisements in newspapers around the country during World War II. Victory Volunteers were in local communities recruiting people to buy war bonds. “Only by your purchase of more bonds and bigger ones in this double drive will you be doing right by the men who fight,” the ad read in The West Orange News. Local businesses George S. Merchant, Edgewater Hotel, Cappleman Brothers, Rexall Drug Store and Hoyle Pounds sponsored the newspaper ad, which announced each household’s quota based on income. For instance, if the average monthly income was $250, the personal war bond quota was $187.50 (cash value).

85 years ago

The canning kitchen in Winter Garden was to open at once. The toll for this year for vegetables and fruit was one out of each five cans and for meat, one out of each seven. The senior class, the ninth graduating class from Lakeview High, left as its memorial a sidewalk reaching from the drive at the side of the auditorium to the south door of the main rear entrance. The walk was about 75 feet long and 5.5 feet wide. Jane Jones presented her pupils in piano recital: Margaret Ficquette, Nydia McAdams, Jimmie Lee Dillard, Faith Voight, Sarah Elizabeth McMillan, Eleanor Nolan, Jannette Johnson, Margaret Cappleman, Harriet Pounds, Jean Sadler and Christine Kitchen.

80 years ago

The local theater received New York publicity: “The Winter Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, Florida, is the first to buy the as-yet-unmade movie version of your ‘Hellsapoppin,’ which has been running these many years at the Winter Garden, in New York.” Professor Lambert spoke to the Rotary Club. The law professor of Stetson University told the club that Hitler was out for world conquest, and Lambert urged full aid to Britain.

CROSSWORD

FROM THE ARCHIVES This week’s nod to Historic Preservation Month features the McMillan house, located on North Lakeview Avenue in Winter Garden’s residential historic district. Malcolm Yulee McMillan built this unique home in 1918. Impressed with a sloping roof line he had seen on a house in Daytona Beach, he drove there with his contractors to show them what he wanted for his new Winter Garden residence. A disagreement arose as to whether the McMillan roof should be straight-sided or sloped, and the partnership with his contractors subsequently ended; a new builder was able to honor McMillan’s wishes. McMillan was a citrus and vegetable grower and local Realtor. The home still stands, owned by a descendent of Winter Garden pioneer J.L. Dillard.

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.

20 years ago

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society was awarded the Kellogg Award for Civic Achievement by the National Council of State Garden Clubs Inc. The national

award was given to just one garden club, and Bloom & Grow was recognized for its Path of Life at Chapin Station. Marilyn Johnson, human resources specialist for the city

FANTASTIC BEINGS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM by Paul Coulter; 109 “Finally!” Edited by David Steinberg 113 Recoil in pain

ACROSS 1 Kindle download 6 Be behind financially 9 South American people who built many roads 13 Gave one star, say 18 Destiny 19 Basketball great who was one of the Heatles 22 Hockey game venue 23 Contract provision about increasing an offer on a home (notice letters 8 to 10 in this answer) 25 Discover 26 Art of chopping boards? 27 “Didn’t I tell you?!”

28 Bleed in the laundry 29 Carnitas or barbacoa foods 30 At the drop of a ___ 31 Prefix with “surgery” or “economics” 33 “Westworld” network 34 Actress Phylicia 38 Color named for a nut (... 9 to 12) 44 Stage presence? 45 Certain Native American gathering 46 Squirrel away 47 Treating very harshly (... 7 to 11)) 51 Chess club’s purchases

52 Cut down 53 “Huzzah!” 54 Casting requirement? 56 March 17 VIP 59 Circular chart shape 61 Adolescent 65 Relative of Siri 66 Rid of errors 69 Like the conga drum’s origins (... 3 to 5) 71 Piper who picked peppers 72 Complete reversal 73 Venoms 74 Called the shots 75 Marx brother whose real name was Arthur 76 2,000 pounds

77 Wall St. debut 79 “Dee-lish!” 82 “Cheers” regular 84 Archipelago off South America (... 8 to 10) 91 Baffled 92 Romantic hopeful 93 Milky gems 94 Tax list (... 10 to 14) 98 Test the limits 99 Seven, on a sundial 100 In shape 101 “Wheels” 102 Buck ___, first Black MLB coach 105 Blog feed letters 106 Aggravate

of Ocoee, was honored for coordinating a blood drive for city employees and elected officials on behalf of recently retired City Manager Ellis Shapiro, who was ill.

57 Tool thrown at a trendy bar 58 Fossil preserver 114 State something differ59 Objective ently (... 3 to 7) 60 Overlooks 118 Kofi in Ghanaian history 61 Certain Caribbean islander, 119 Lent a hand colloquially 120 “Pong” company 62 Canon camera series 121 Tilts 63 ___-friendly (green) 122 Clothing line? 64 Woman who takes three 123 “Don’t just give up!” vows 66 “How obvious!” 124 Camera setting 67 In-flight guess, for short 68 Earthy color DOWN 69 Appropriate 1 Barely make, with “out” 70 Where to wear a flipper or 2 Sunbathe 3 Animal that technically isn’t a slipper 74 Online chuckle a whale 77 Beloved celebrity 4 “Rubaiyat” poet Khayyam 78 The “p” in mpg 5 African desert 79 “Right on!” 6 Santa’s reindeer, e.g. 80 Wrinkly fruit 7 First name? 81 Lion’s share 8 Blows it 83 It holds a sail 9 Speck of land 85 Abbr. before a founding 10 Boston Celtics’ org. year 11 TV journalist Katie 86 Palindromic play about 12 Per se robots 13 “Come no closer!” 14 Side length squared, for a 87 Major Brazilian city, familiarly square 88 Busiest airport in Ga. 15 Kid who may be both 89 Uncommon clover claspopular and unpopular sification 16 Dressed like a judge 90 Prosperous periods 17 “Cheers” star Ted 91 Inane 20 What keeps champagne 94 Frank acknowledgment cold 95 Transform, in sci-fi 21 Artist Matisse 96 Follows as a result 24 Hardly at all 97 Get cozy 31 Bryn ___ 98 Way from point A to 32 Circus cries point B 34 Foolhardy 101 Like a spiteful remark 35 Advil target 103 Volunteer’s words 36 Stash away 104 Glasses piece 37 Partner of the five W’s 106 Any thing 38 Small horse 107 “Awesome!” 39 ___ Jima 40 Certain guy in a personal 108 Windsor ___ (tie-tying option) ad (Abbr.) 110 The “A” in BA 41 Boot tip 111 Hit at, as a gnat 42 Flips out 112 Poi source 43 Made nervous 115 Beer that may be hazy, 45 Sports org. with a Tour briefly 48 “Science Guy” Bill 116 Lord’s Prayer start 49 Grouches 50 Lotus position’s discipline 117 Pekingese sound 55 Bear’s home

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“W HEFZYJ’C HUXI ZIDD UAEFC UHCEXD’ CXUWZIXD UJY LEEY EJ DICD UJY DCFLL ZWBI CVUC -- W KFDC MUJC CE UHC.” HVEM GFJ-LUC

“CFKJ X TMKC OV, CFGH CGB XJHKMKBHXJT NSM ZK CGB HFGH ZOBXL CGB LSYSM GJW YXNK CGB TMGP.”

VKHK HSCJBFKJW Puzzle Two Clue: P equals Y

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue B equals K

SUDOKU

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

05-20-21

MAY 20, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

Winter Garden Little League announced its All-Star teams Saturday, May 15. The TOC team consists of Brock Bennbassat, Jazdyn Burke, Julian Carr, Justin Cozzocrea, Chase Dempsey, Liam Devito, Parker Flanigan, Colin Hodge, Zayden Hoffman, Connor Kosmider, Logan Myers, Brady Saul and Liam Walker. The 10-yearold team includes Isaiah Acevedo, Mason Burden, Jackson Hawk, Grant Leonard, Keye Magnuson, Aston Mooney, Kadan Ocasio, Noah Rickles, Peyton Rider, Xavier Rivera, Victor Valencia, Cassius Vines and Ethan Ward. The 11-yearold team includes Mikey Batiste, Davion Bradley, Maddox Brown, Cooper Howell, Liam Lee, Owen Magnuson, Tyler Puhr, Tosh Raymond, Frankie Rivas Ortiz, Blake Sanders, Josiah Steele, Janson Tanko and Seth Tischler. Finally, the 12-year-old team will feature Alexander Atikin, Malachi Beedle, Patrick Bingham, Landon Casey, Enzo Fatone, Ben Freemeyer, Connor Leonard, Justin Margelos, Kai Ocasio, Jack Patterson, Brailyn Perez, Javier Rivera and Nick Tanko.

In West Orange softball’s 4-3 win over East Ridge in the Class 3A, Region 2 semis, Tabitha Perry came up huge. Her double in the top of the sixth inning put the Warriors up 3-2 to help West Orange advance to the region final, where they fell to Lakewood Ranch 7-2.

In Windermere Prep softball’s 5-0 win over Pierson Taylor in the regional semis Tuesday, May 11, Mia Williams went 3-for-4 and Gracie Wallace pitched a complete game while striking out 10.

First Academy junior Hannah Harper was a dual threat for the Royals softball team all year. Page 12.

FINAL FOUR-BOUND

Gracie Wallace winds up for a pitch. Left: Madison Carr celebrates with a hug for pitcher Gracie Wallace.

A go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 11th by Madison Carr to score Gracie Wallace pushed the Lakers to a regional title and the first state semifinal appearance in school history. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

hen Madison Carr stepped up to the plate in the top of the 11th inning of the Class 3A, Region 1 final Friday, May 14, all eyes were on her. With Gracie Wallace on second following a double to center field, this was Windermere Prep’s chance to strike in a game that had largely been a pitcher’s duel all night between the dominant Wallace and TFA’s ace pitcher Hannah Harper. A well-placed ball could

put the Lakers back on top and possibly push them into the state semifinal. As Harper’s pitch approached the plate, Carr leaned back and struck with confidence — sending a screamer into centerfield and bringing in Wallace to give the Lakers (24-1) a 4-3 lead in a moment that brought an explosion of noise from the dugout and visitor’s bleachers. It also proved to be the hit that would make history; it ultimately ended up being the goSEE LAKERS PAGE 12

Wright prepares for 2022 Special Olympics USA Games

Recent West Orange High School alum Victor Wright is hoping a solid showing at this year’s Special Olympics competitions will catapult him to the 2022 USA games.

TFA softball’s Katie Bonnett recorded a triple and two RBIs in the Royals’ 4-2 victory over Cornerstone Charter in the Class 3A, Region 2 semis Tuesday, May 11. Hannah Harper and Mollie Duling each went 2-for-3.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Despite giving up nine runs in the fourth inning, The First Academy baseball team made a big comeback during its 12-11 win over Trinity Catholic in the Class 3A, Region 2 semifinal Tuesday, May 11.

Photos by Troy Herring

Windermere Prep and TFA battled it out through extras before the Lakers eventually pulled out the victory.

Courtesy of Thomas Lightbody/TK Photography

Victor Wright is currently working with the Lake Gators Swim Team.

There’s not a challenge too big in the mind of Winter Garden’s own Victor Wright. Even as Wright’s sensitivities — caused by his Asperger’s syndrome — were overwhelming him as a child, he managed to find ways to cope thanks to the therapy he went through. But nothing has helped the now 19-year-old as much as his time in the pool as a swimmer.

Wright’s grit and determination in the pool led to him joining the swim team at West Orange High School, and in this last year, he did something no one with special needs had ever done at the school: Letter in swimming. “We’re very proud … that was a very big deal for us,” said Henry Wright, Victor Wright’s father. “We ordered his jacket already, so we can’t wait to get that on his jacket as a great keepsake.” SEE WRIGHT PAGE 12

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Hannah Harper

TFA junior Hannah Harper has been a dual threat for the Royals softball team this season — both at the plate and in the circle. As a pitcher and batter, she leads her team in every single category — including RBI, batting average, ERA and strikeouts. She will be playing at the University of West Florida in the fall of 2022.

When did you first get into softball? My mom played through her childhood, and I started right when I could — about 5 years old. So my mom really got me into it. I tried other stuff before, but it didn’t really fit well, but when I started softball, I kind of just jumped right in. What has kept you in the sport for so long? It’s really something that I can’t get tired of, honestly. I tried basketball and other sports like that, and it just got boring at some point. I don’t know, softball is just interesting especially as a pitcher, which I also started when I was really young. You can kind of control the game almost, and you can make an impact on your team individually. What is the most challenging part about pitching? I’d say the most challenging part is it feels like — a lot of the time — the game is really riding on you to perform well. It could have an impact on some people’s mental health, but if you’ve been doing it for a while, you get used to it. How do you push through a rough patch? The thing that I normally do — especially with hitting — is you just have to keep practicing and practicing more than you have been. Usually, slumps end up happening when you haven’t been practicing as hard or you haven’t been going every day to hit and pitch. I’ve found that going every day just to practice and get out of it really helps.

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ahead run that gave the program its first regional title and state semifinal berth. “I’ve not been hitting well recently, but when that moment came, I knew I had to drive it,” Carr said. “I had to keep my eye on the ball, and I had to just get a hit — I knew that. It’s so crazy, I can’t even explain it. I got so emotional when it happened, because I knew this team could do it — I knew we could make it.” After Wallace recorded two strikeouts — she finished with a whopping 21 Ks on the night — and a pop out in the bottom of

Most pitchers are not particularly good hitters, but you lead the team in just about every hitting category. What is your approach to hitting that has helped you? My coaches have been telling me this forever — especially my travel coach: “Pitchers think; batters react.” When I’m pitching, of course I have to think about what I’m throwing to the batter and everything. But when I’m hitting, I just kind of look for the one I want and take it.

Wright back at it in pool

Is there a highlight moment for you during your time at TFA? I’d say Montverde this year was probably a big game for us, because TFA has never beaten Montverde before. We just went into it super strong, and we ended up pulling out a win. It was just big for the team, and it was a big turning point — we ended up having a better season after that.

never done before, but she makes everything really fun.” Since February, Victor Wright has trained two days a week with the team — swimming between 800 to 1,000 meters a session. Along with his time there, Victor Wright also trains every Tuesday at Rosen with a group of Special Olympians. Eventually, he will add three days of training at the Roper. With all that training the hope for Victor Wright is to dominate at this year’s Special Olympic events in Florida — including the county, regional and state meets — and ultimately make it to the Special Olympics USA Games, which will be held in Orlando in 2022. To do so, he will have to bring home a few first-place finishes, but Victor Wright is ready for the challenge. “I know it is going to be very, very hard to make the team,” Victor Wright said. “I must turn up my training workouts, listen to my coaches and take it very seriously. It would make me very happy to make the team — I know it would make my WOHS swim team happy, Special Olympics of Orange County happy, and mainly my mom and dad really happy.”

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Along with getting his varsity letter, Victor Wright also came home one day last week with an award in his backpack. As it turned out — much to his parent’s surprise — he had been bestowed the Bill Cook Award for academic excellence, leadership and sportsmanship for the 2020-21 academic school year by Principal Matthew Turner. For Victor Wright to earn such an award meant a lot to the Wrights, who have long been about seeing their son be included in the daily goings on at the school. “He’s won a few awards — he was student of the month just a few months ago, which was a big deal for us, as well — but I was blown away, because I didn’t even know the award existed, and I think it was an honor,” Henry Wright said. “You know, my whole thing was for Victor to be included, so inclusion is so, so important for us.” And although the award is cool in its own way, Victor Wright has his sights set on something a bit bigger: Qualifying as a swimmer for the 2022 USA Special Olympics.

Last year, when COVID-19 shut down just about everything, Victor Wright was left with few options of where and how he practiced his swimming. Both the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center, as well as the Roper YMCA, were shut down — leaving Wright going through his swim motions either in the pool in his backyard or at the family’s place in New Smyrna Beach. In addition, Victor Wright also lost out on swim time with the Special Olympics throughout 2020. Victor Wright got to enjoy his final season on the West Orange team in the fall, but with the lack of actual training during the year, he fell behind a bit. Once the season was completed, Henry Wright was looking to get his son with a team so he could get some proper training done. Ultimately, he connected with the Lake Gators Swim Team — which swims out of the National Training Center in Clermont. “I’m having a lot of fun with the team,” Victor Wright said. “I’m the youngest on the team — training with lots of experienced swimmers. Coach Cindy has been working with me in the pool one-on-one. She has me doing swimming drills I have

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the 11th, one of the first people to give her a hug was Carr, who had caught all 11 innings for the Lakers’ star pitcher. As hugs were handed out and tears shed, head coach Wes Pollock walked around with a grin, as he held up four fingers — signifying where the Lakers’ next stop was going to be. “I can’t tell you what it has done for the school — it has put Windermere Prep on the map,” Pollock said. “Windermere Prep has been OK over the years in softball, but never to this degree. These girls are a special group.”

As a pitcher, you play in just about every single game. How do you prepare yourself — physically and mentally — to go through that kind of a grinding schedule? Physically, it’s a lot of stretching. We do the TENS unit here at TFA, which really helps — it shocks your arm. Mentally, I think about the game — honestly — all day, every game we have. I think about it all day, and I come to the locker room, and we play games as a team and just bond a little bit. It makes me feel better about going into the game.

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Mia Williams, left, gets a high five from Meredith Workman after a play.

Coming into Friday night’s game, Pollock knew this regional final would be a low-scoring affair. Wallace had been lights out all season and had accrued a 23-1 record, an ERA under 1.00 and 285 strikeouts through 143 innings — which accounted for all but one inning played this year. Meanwhile, for the Royals (20-7), Harper had recorded 194 strikeouts and held an ERA of 1.32 through 153.2 innings of work. Through most of the game, the pitching prowess of both held up, though there were some shaky moments. In the first inning, Madison Workman singled on a line drive to right, scoring Carr — who got on base earlier thanks to an error by TFA second baseman Mollie Duling — and giving the Lakers the early 1-0 lead. The Lakers later put runs on the board in backto-back innings in the fifth and sixth, when Ariana Lara scored on a groundout by Zoe Pistel to bump the lead to 2-0 in the fifth, before an RBI-single by Wallace scored Emma Turiano to go up 3-0 in the sixth. Despite Wallace getting into some trouble in the game — she walked four and hit four batters — she was able to mostly work herself out of jams when they arose, except in the sixth and seventh. The Royals put one on the board, when Duling scored

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Sue Jones Norton, 80, a lifetime resident of Killarney, Florida, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021. Survived by her husband, Jerry; her children, Susan, James, Barbara, Thomas, William, Lisa and Deanna; her seven grandchildren; and her seven greatgrandchildren. Celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday May 27, at the Winter Garden First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sue’s honor to the Methodist Children’s Home, checks payable to FUMC.

Richard P. Mueller, 88, of Winter Garden, died Friday May 14, 2021. Winter Oak Funeral Home ans Cremations, Winter Garden.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

on a sac fly from Rachel Sheridan. Then — as if a switch was hit — the momentum shifted. With a runner on and only two outs left in the seventh to save their season, Camille Mackedon stepped up to the plate and absolutely hammered a ball over the left field wall to tie the game at 3-3 to the vociferous cheers of the homeside fans. Wallace knew she had to take control of the moment. “I was just like, ‘I’m not losing; I came here to win and I’m going to do whatever I can to win,’” Wallace said. “So I just tried to stay in it and hoped my team would stay in it, and they did.” Wallace would get through the inning with no more damage done. As the mood change could be felt around TFA’s Payne Stewart Athletic Complex, Pollock took his girls aside and reminded them it took mental toughness to get to this point, and they were going to need that from here on out. “I’ve said all year we’ve worked on our mental toughness,” Pollock said. “We dodged another major

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021

BETTY JEAN FUTRELL WOODSON DIED APRIL 30, 2021.

Betty Jean Futrell Woodson, a long-time resident of the Ocoee area, died April 30, 2021, at her home, surrounded by family. Born on Dec. 24, 1930, in Mayfield, Kentucky, to Paul and Roxie Futrell, Betty was the youngest of nine children. She married Sherman Ray Woodson in 1950 and had three children, Paul Thomas, Carol Price and Cynthia Diane. Betty retired from both General Electric Corporation and Orange County Sheriff’s Department of Corrections. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved God and her church. Betty had a smile that would light up a room and a wit that could bring down the house. Betty is survived by her son, Paul Thomas Woodson (Svetlana); her daughters, Carol Woodson Sims and Cynthia Woodson

bullet, but we’ve been dodging bullets through the regular season and the playoffs — we don’t wither, we don’t cave.” His team buckled down and brought Pollock’s words to fruition as the Lakers’ pitching, defense and hitting showed up when they needed it the most through the four-extra innings played. Outside of Carr’s big hit in the 11th, the biggest play of the game for the Lakers was had by outfielder Piper Hofmann in the bottom of the ninth, when she rocketed a perfect throw to Carr at home to get Katie Bennett out at the plate on what would have been the game-winning run for TFA.

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BLAIR M. JOHNSON Boyd; her grandchildren, Gregory M. Sims (Cheryl), Leighanne Sims Burchfield (Thomas); her great-grandchildren, Genevieve, Isabelle, Roxie, Grant and Harris; and bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Columbus, Georgia, and Ukraine. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sherman (1998), and her dear son-in-law, John (2015). Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Starke Lake Baptist Church, 611 West Ave., Ocoee 34761. Memorial gifts may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson. org.

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against Episcopal School of Jacksonville (23-5). That game was scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, at Legends Way Ball Fields in Clermont, after press time. Regardless of the outcome, Pollock’s team has made memories he never will forget — and a chance to help his girls build a legacy. “It means the world to them to get to the Final Four, and now, it’s anybody’s ballgame,” Pollock said. “It’s just been an incredible experience, and they’ve made it a special season for me as a coach, and I think it is memorable for Windermere Prep.”

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