School, community rally around ill teacher 5B
Writer takes religious journey in Greece
12A
Vol. 81 No. 25
In brief
Enjoy a movie, food trucks and more on Friday
Bring the family for dinner and afterwards, watch a movie under the stars at Ocoee’s Food Truck Friday and Movie in the Park event. Held the third Friday of each month at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, the June 20 event includes: an arts and crafts market from 5-9 p.m.; food trucks from 6-9 p.m.; free tours of the historic Withers-Maguire House, 16. E. Oakland Ave., from 6-8 p.m.; and the movie, “Frozen,” at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department at 407-905-3180 or visit www. ocoee.org.
Winter Garden, Florida
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Squeeze in 1st place
3B
Three Sections, 42 Pages
50 Cents
Residents oppose possible development in Windermere By Tony Judnich
A handful of residents who live in and next to Windermere told the Windermere Town Council on June 10 that a potential mixed-use development would destroy the town’s ambiance. The site of the possible development of about 55 single-family homes and 25,000 square feet of commercial space — collectively known as Windsong at Windermere — encompasses 36 acres at 1800 and 2042 Maguire Road. It is bounded by the unincorporated Orange County community of the Reserve at Belmere to the north, Windermere’s Willows of Lake Rhea subdivision to the west, Windermere
Road and the remnants of an orange grove to the south and a few private residential properties to the east. The owner of the 36 acres, Jain Family Holdings Ltd., of Orlando, recently submitted a request to Windermere that asks for the site’s future landuse designation to be amended from county rural to Windermere planned development. While the rural designation permits one home per 10 acres, the planned development category would allow a much more intensive use of the land. “Let’s find out the costs and what’s exactly being proposed” before moving forward, Windermere resident Raymond Kellett urged the council.
Kellett and other residents said a planned-unit development, or PUD, would destroy Windermere’s ambiance that stems in part from its dirt roads, massive tree cover and small-scale commercial development. Mayor Gary Bruhn said he and his fellow council members live in Windermere because of its ambiance, as well. The council also heard from a man from the Reserve at Belmere who said problems with bottlenecked traffic would increase if the potential development becomes a reality. But according to the (See Windermere, 2A)
Ocoee groups can apply for grants
Ocoee Community Grant applications will be available starting July 1 at www.ocoee. org and at City Hall. The deadline to submit applications is July 30. The Community Grant program provides grants of up to $500. Groups eligible to apply are Ocoee nonprofit organizations and civic groups, as well as non-profit organizations and civic groups from outside the city limits that benefit Ocoee residents. Completed applications should be mailed or delivered to City Hall, Community Relations, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee 34761. The applications are reviewed and ranked by the Community Grant Review Board, and the commission then makes the final decision. For more information, call 407-905-3100.
Camp offers lessons on environment
The first session in the Environmental Summer Camp program at Oakland Nature Preserve has begun. The theme of this year’s camp is “Going Native,” and each session focuses on the natural sciences, Florida history and prehistory and local plant and animal life. The second week is June 23-27 for campers entering third, fourth or fifth grade. The third week is July 7-11 for campers entering sixth, seventh or eighth grade. And the last week is for campers entering pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and will run from July 15-17 in the morning only. The one-week session is $100 with an ONP family membership or $125 for nonmembers, which includes a family membership. For more information about the camp sessions, call 407-905-0054.
Thairanet Lorenzana, 10, of Winter Garden, displays the paintPhotos by Tony Judnich ing she created at the Triple ‘A’ Multicultural Festival’s youth Florida Highwaymen artist R.L. Lewis paints a palm-tree frond during a youth arts arts clinic on June 13. Sharing the moment with her is Nouchelle clinic June 13 at the Triple ‘A’ Multicultural Festival in Oakland. In the background Hastings from Greater Orlando CARES. is 1 of his paintings of a peaceful, ocean-side scene.
Legends inspire at Oakland’s Triple ‘A’ Fest By Tony Judnich
With a gentle and earnest voice, 73-year-old R.L. Lewis posed a question to 15 budding artists gathered at the Town of Oakland Meeting Hall. “What is a miracle?” Lewis, one of the original Florida Highwaymen artists and a
member of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, asked the children. The kids sat quietly, looking up at the amiable gentleman who on June 13 was leading the youth arts clinic that opened the first of the two-day, town of Oakland’s 8th Annual Triple “A” Multicultural Festival.
“The miracle of this whole room right here is no two people think alike,” Lewis said. “So naturally, no painting is going to look alike. Be yourself: totally unique.” Lewis patiently demonstrated how to paint a palm tree against a sunny sky and a glimmering body of water. The children dabbled brushes
into different colors of paint and intently worked on their masterpieces. “As an artist, don’t overdo your paintings,” Lewis instructed. “If you’re doing water, do an implication of water. If you’re putting everything in, you’re making it boring for the audience. The only limitation is your imagi-
nation.” The children at the arts clinic were West Orange County kids who normally are not exposed to art, Oakland Avenue Charter School art teacher Mark Moreland said. And capturing the attention of these children and making the (See Oakland, 3A)
Plant Street Market gets more support By Peter M. Gordon Plant Street Market LLC, the private company funding the microbrewery and artisan market planned to replace a blighted apartment building at 426 Plant St., postponed its scheduled closing on the property from May to June because a lower-than-expected appraisal reduced the size of the mortgage available to the company. The group paid a $10,000 penalty to extend the closing date and raised an additional $400,000 to close the gap between mortgage and construction costs. It also eliminated some of the amenities in its construction
plan to reduce costs. At its June 12 meeting, the Winter Garden City Commission approved a city staff request to provide Plant Street LLC an additional $60,000 grant to match the Community Redevelopment Fund’s grant of $60,000 already reserved for the market. Commissioners also voted unanimously to spend up to $30,000 improving the pedestrian right-of-way near the property and make other improvements to Plant Street. Commissioner Bobby Olszewski said, “We (See Market, 11A)
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The West Orange Times is hosting a weekly I Love West Orange Photo Contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 gift card. To enter, email your photo, along with your name and city and a caption, to news@ wotimes.com; put I Love West Orange in the subject line. Winners can pick up their prize at the Times office.
Photo courtesy of Searles family
Sabrina Searles competes on her horse, Just My Lexus aka Scotch, in Mississippi in March. The teen is raising money to travel to Oklahoma for a show. For story, see 14A.
2A
The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Obituaries JOHNNIE GASKINS SR., 79, of Winter Garden, FL, passed away on June 9, 2014. He served proudly in the US Army and was a loving husband, father and grandfather for his family. Johnnie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Earline Gaskins on February 20, 2014. He is survived by his children: Johnny Jr., Alvin, Angela and Kayla; by his sister, Barbara; his brothers-in-law: Roy and Terril; his sister-in-law, Louise; his five grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. Visitation and Funeral Service were held on Monday, June 16, 2014, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden, FL. Visitation was from 11:30 AM to 12 Noon with the service to follow at 12 Noon in the funeral home chapel. Interment followed at the Winter Garden Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden, FL. ARTIE G. MORAN, 94, of Winter Garden, Fl. Artie died as a Christian on June 13, 2014, of natural causes. Born in Pelham, GA. Her family moved to Winter Garden in 1921. Living in Winter Garden for 83 years, she raised her family and retired from the Winter Garden Telephone Company in 1983, moving to Nashville, TN, in 2004. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Ocoee, Fl. Survivors: Daughter, Carrie M. Powell, Decauterville, TN; Son, Patrick N. Moran, Windermere, Fl.; Brothers; Ray Gillard, Montverde, Fl., Hubert Gillard, Winter Garden, Fl.; Sisters, Bessie G. Reynolds, Gotha, Fl., and Kathy G. Parkhill, New Smyrna Beach, Fl.; Granddaughter, Becky Bulla, Nashville, TN; Grandson, Zeb Bulla, San Diego, CA; and Great-Granddaughter Bethany R. Bulla, Atlanta, GA. A visitation will be held at the Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden on Friday June 20, 2014, from 6-9pm. With a Funeral Service at the Baldwin Fairchild Winter Garden Chapel on Saturday June 21, 2014, at 10am. With a Burial following at Winter Garden Cemetery. REX ALLEN BOWMAN, 68, Winter Garden, died Thursday, June 12. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden. CHRISTOPHER P. CARNEGIE, 50, Ocoee, died June 7. Robert Bryant Funeral & Cremation Chapel, Orlando. JOELY JANELLE COIL, 37, Gotha, died June 8. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden. MIGUEL ANGEL SENIOR CRASSUS, 52, Windermere, died Friday, June 13. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Gotha. DENISE ELAINE CRUZ, 54, Windermere, died May 31. Page-Theus Funeral Home, Leesburg. PAULINE EVERS FOSTER “POLLY” HUTSON, 93, Ocoee, died June 8. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden. ERICK JOEL UGARTE MARTINEZ, 17, Winter Garden, died June 6. A Community Funeral Home & Sunset Cremations, Orlando. WANDA AMELIA PATTERSON, 64, Winter Garden, died May 29. Marvin C. Zanders Funeral Home, Apopka. SHIRLEY RIPPE, 86, Winter Garden, died Friday, June 13. Robert Bryant Funeral & Cremation Chapel, Orlando.
CHARLES R. WHITAKER, 53, Ocoee, died June 5. Newcomer Family Funeral Home, East Orlando Chapel. ALBERTHA WOLLASTON, 90, Windermere, died Wednesday, June 11. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Gotha. PAUL YOUNG, 50, Winter Garden, died June 9. Gail & Wynn’s Mortuary, Orlando. RUTH KOTILA HENNE passed away at home in Winter Garden, FL, on June 7, 2014. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 2, 1918, she had many places she called home: Michigan, Alaska, California and Florida. Ruth was never a stranger for very long, developing long and lasting friendships wherever she lived. Ruth was first and foremost a devoted mother and grandmother. It is said a mother is her child’s first teacher, and she was just that. She taught her children to love God, nature, art, music, people and life in general. She spent her last 50 years in healing ministry as a Christian Science Practitioner. An accomplished artist since very young, she loved to share her artwork with family and friends. She will be missed by her daughters, Kim Stutsman (Larry), Winter Garden, FL and Merry Silverthorn (Ernie), Grand Rapids, MI; Stepsons, John (Judy) Henne and Bruce (Penny) Henne; grandchildren Tammy Lundman; Eric Beute; Brooke, Brandon and Blair Silverthorn; Aaron and David Henne; and nine great-grandchildren. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Sunday, July 13, at 5:30 at Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando. Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 915 N. Ferncreek, Ave., Orlando, FL 32803. Arrangements are being handled by Loomis Funeral Home. The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guestbook at www.loomisfuneralhomes.com. HAZEL JO HARRIS, 61, passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer. Hazel was an accountant. She obtained a degree in accounting and a Master’s Degree in Tax Law by many years of night classes at UCF. She had a passion to find a cure for cancer and was active in walks and other events. Hazel’s message to those left behind is, “She loved her family, she loved her Jesus, and they loved her.” She was a dedicated Christian, who lived her faith in actions rather than words, by kindness to people and animals, a forgiving spirit and generosity. If you knew Hazel, you knew when you saw her you would laugh together. This was true of her through the hard days, right to the end. Hazel is survived by her son, of whom she was so proud, Officer Brian Harris, Ocoee Police Department. Roger Pelt (Joanne), Dr. Gloria Bullman (David Cohen) are her surviving siblings. She was adored by her niece Joyce Almeida (Don), nephew Douglas Bullman (Angie) and their children Josh, Cassi and Zach Almeida, Emma and Bryce Bullman. Her cousin Joyce Ann Knowles (John) was a sister to her. Hazel is predeceased by both parents, Judson J. Harris and Esther Harris Greene; and siblings Sandra Harris Curd and Judson J. Harris III. Celebration of Life will be held at The Cottage at Lake Lilly, 701 Lake Lilly Drive, Maitland 32751, Friday, June 20th, 11:00. Donations can be made to Matthew’s Hope, 1460 Daniels Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787, (407) 8774673; or Hospice of The Comforter at www. ComforterFoundation.org.
Local police and fire reports
Vandal causes major damage
Two speed limit signs, a “No Exit” sign and part of a fence were pulled from the ground and crepe myrtle trees were damaged along Montgomery Avenue in Ocoee at about 2:50 a.m. June 5. “A surveillance camera at the front of the Admiral Pointe subdivision shows what appears to be a white male pulling the signs from the ground and damaging the fence,” Ocoee police said in a statement. “The suspect is with another male, who picks up the first sign and appears to want to stop the suspect from pulling another sign as the suspect throws the sign in the street. The suspect appears to be intoxicated as the video shows him stumble while walking along Montgomery Avenue. The total amount of damage is estimated at $1,000.” Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Ocoee Police Department at 407-905-3160 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS
or www.crimeline.org.
Winter Garden police
The Winter Garden Police Department reported 549 calls for service from June 5-11: Arrests — Adult, 47; juvenile, 5 Assault/battery — 8 Burglary (residential and business) — 14 Burglary (vehicle) — 6 Child abuse — 0 Criminal mischief — 4 Drug violations — 15 DUI — 3 Robbery — 0 Sexual assault/battery — 0 Thefts — 8 Vehicle accidents — 19 Vehicle thefts — 3 Missing/runaway adult — 0 Missing/runaway juvenile — 0.
Winter Garden fire
The Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department (stations 22, 23 and 24) responded to 84 calls for assistance from
June 8-14: Fires—1 Emergency medical calls—57 Vehicle accidents—7 Automatic fire alarms—7 Public assistance—1 Hazardous conditions—3 Calls for service—8
Oakland police
The Oakland Police Department reported 191 calls for service in May: Felony arrest — 1 Misdemeanor arrests — 7 Traffic stops — 200 Traffic crashes — 8 Business checks — 735 Vacation house checks — 33.
Ocoee fire
The Ocoee Fire Department’s stations 25, 26, 38 and 39 responded to 109 calls for assistance during the period of June 5-11: Fire—2 EMS—65 Vehicle accidents—5 Hazardous conditions—1 Public service—28 False alarms—8.
Windermere land-use amendment application filed by Jain Family Holdings, a traffic study found that Maguire Road has “adequate access and capacity for this property.” Another Belmere resident, Rick Montgomery, said he is supportive of the tax revenue the possible development would bring but is concerned about the project’s potential roundabout on Maguire Road. The developer and owners of the 36 acres “can propose what they want, but the five of us [council members] up here will decide what will go there,” Bruhn said. After further discussion, the council unanimously approved submitting the proposed landuse amendment to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for consideration. The state’s review will take at least 30 days. Some council members assured worried residents that they were not approving any specific aspects of the possible mixed-used development.
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(Continued from 1A) “There is nothing set in stone,” said Council Member Mike Pirozzolo, who also expressed hesitancy about the project. Council Member Richard Gonzalez said he’s OK with residential units being built on the property, but not commercial. He also said he is against sprawl and that commercial properties should be restricted to downtown Windermere. And Council Member John Armstrong flatly said, “I will not vote for commercial” uses on the 36-acre site, a remark that brought a smattering of applause from residents. If the state approves the land-use change, the council later would be presented with a rezoning request and proposed site plan for the property, said engineer David Evans, of Orlando, speaking on behalf of the property owners.
In other business, the council: • agreed to discuss at its next meeting on July 8 ways of memorializing the late Windermere Police Officer Robert “Robbie’ German, who was killed in March in the line of duty. Possible memorials could consist of naming or renaming a park or street after German or having a monument in his honor placed in front of the police station, council members said. • approved paying $119,000 to low bidder Sun Road Inc., of Oviedo, for Ridgewood Drive/Sixth Avenue drainage improvements. • approved the first reading of an ordinance that would regulate the distribution of unsolicited advertisements, many of which reportedly are often scattered on residential properties.
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Cancer Fund upcoming events People who want to support the Winter Garden-based Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund can: • dine at Al Fresco’s in Winter Garden on Tuesday, July 8. The fund will receive 10 percent of the proceeds. • enjoy a “Spirit Day” lunch and dinner at Beef O’ Brady’s in Winter Garden on Wednesday, July 30. • go bowling at Wekiva Lanes in Apopka from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 9. The cost, including shoes, is $20 per person. • visit Winter Garden’s Tasting Room “Making a Difference” event from 4 p.m. to closing on Monday, Aug. 25. • attend the 3rd Annual JCCF Charity Softball Tournament at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Braddock Park in Winter Garden. • attend the 4th JCCF Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 10. The cost is $60 per person and food, beer and wine is included. • attend the 5th Annual JCCF Charity Golf Tournament at the West Orange Country Club on Monday, March 9. The cost is $100 per player and $400 for a foursome. Lunch and dinner are included. The event also will feature a silent auction. Visit ww.jccancerfund.org for more information.
Catch an old film at Garden Theatre The Garden Theatre continues its Summer Movie Series at 160 W. Plant St. All movies begin at 7 p.m., and tickets are $5 general admission. Tickets are sold online at gardentheatre.org or beginning two hours prior to show times at the box office. Upcoming movies: • Thursday Vintage Favorites June 19, “Rebel Without a Cause,” 1955,
June 26, “The Philadelphia Story,” 1940, July 3, “Cassablanca,” 1942, July 10, “Cool Hand Luke,” 1967, • Friday Cult Classics June 13, “Animal House,” 1978, June 20, “Best in Show,” 2000, June 27, “Back to the Future II,” 1989, July 11, “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life,” 1983.
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Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times Officials recommend emergency supply kits
The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Ocoee Fire Department recommend the residents of West Orange County take a few simple steps to prepare for a hurricane or other disasters. Officials suggest putting together an emergency supply kit with essential items and store enough water for at least 72 hours. The list below includes some basic necessities: • Water – 1 gallon per person per day • Non-perishable food and non-electric can opener • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries • Flashlights (one per person) and extra batteries • First-aid kit, including manual • All prescription medications • Whistle to signal for help • Heavy gloves for clearing debris • Cooking/eating necessities, including cups, plates, utensils and paper towels • Copies of important family documents • Copies of driver’s license, passport, Social Security card and birth certificate • ABC fire extinguisher
Oakland
arts and sciences meaningful to them early on in their lives is vital, said Nouchelle Hastings, from the Greater Orlando CARES mentoring group. Oakland Town Commissioner Joseph “Patrick” McMullen agreed. He spearheads the festival as CEO and founder of the nonprofit HAPCO Music Foundation. “My organization is all about music, art and education — and enhancing kids’ lives,” McMullen said at the Meeting Hall. Lewis, of Cocoa, met McMullen a few years ago and has given art instruction to local children at previous Triple “A” festivals. Besides teaching, he continues to paint subjects such as orange groves, lakes and rivers, botanicals and seascapes. “His theme is to capture Florida as art history on canvas before it disappears,” said Lewis’
• Local maps • Cash (small bills and change) • Dust masks to help filter contaminated air • Personal sanitation items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) • Toilet paper and garbage bags for waste • Tool kit, including wrench to turn off utilities • Food and water for pets • Waterproof container • Battery for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors • Games for everyone • Special needs: baby formula, diapers, bottles and other infant supplies, extra eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries, special equipment for the physically challenged, diabetic supplies, serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers, pet supplies such as a cage, leash, food and vaccination papers. The leading cause of death during a hurricane is storm surge, but after the storm has passed the potential of injury and death is still present due to downed power lines, the use of portable generators, standing water and storm debris. Officials urge residents to pay attention to their environment.
3A
Mayor gives State of County Address
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs delivered her 2014 State of the County Address — themed “The Year of Transformation” — at Orlando’s Ballroom at Church Street on June 6. “The state of Orange County is strong and prosperous and continues to transform as we collectively excel and grow in a competitive global economy,” the mayor told an audience of more than 600 people. Since Jacobs took office, construction is up 5 percent and unemployment is down from 11.3 percent to 5.3 percent, with 77,042 new jobs recently created, county officials said. “The region is also now a magnet for life science and high-tech companies, as well as for tourists, with 59 million visitors coming to the region in 2013, generating $187 million in tourist development taxes,” Jacobs said. “Thanks to our blockbuster tourism sector, we’ve moved Orlando and Central Florida to the national and international stage for arts, sports, recreation and culture. We’re creating a richer future for our children and for generations to come.” Jacobs illustrated how the campaign, “Orlando, you don’t
know the half of it,” will aggressively raise awareness and transform the way the world perceives the region. The growth and transformation of central Florida’s infrastructure and transportation was a key portion of the address, which showcased SunRail and the continuing work on an Osceola County and Lynx connection, as well as the All Aboard Florida project that someday might tie into a new multi-modal hub at Orlando International Airport. The mayor’s vision for a new future for local children centered on the transformation seen in entertainment, sports and culture. For example, the Dr. Phillips Center will open by Thanksgiving. More than 70 attendees received a sneak peek of the venue during a walking tour of the construction site and the center’s offices following the State of the County Address. The tour came just days after a ceremonial beam rising at the Citrus Bowl, which is at the mid-way point of its renovations. Jacobs also explained how Central Florida is becoming a sports mecca with the new MLS soccer stadium coming to Orlando as well as the US Tennis Association
headquarters planned for Lake Nona. Jacob’s address then turned to issues affecting those in need of care. Task forces like the ones focused on domestic violence and youth mental health issues are transforming how the community views the stigmas associated with the victims while finding solutions that include the implementation of effective strategies and care, she said. During her address, Jacobs honored special guest Opal Shields, who has been an Orange County resident since 1916. Shields traveled by SunRail to the event with County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson from the Sand Lake Road Heart of Pine Castle Station. Of the many announcements during Jacobs’ address, she placed extra emphasis on the new uses of technology to better connect with the community. Unveiled during the event was the county’s new technological innovation — the OCFL News app and the new online Newsroom. Available now for free immediate download on Android and Apple mobile devices, OCFL News provides residents with breaking news and information
MAYOR TERESA JACOBS
about their government. Jacobs also touted the success of the OCFL Alert and the OCFL 311 apps, which she and county Chief Information Officer Rafael Mena recently presented to President Barack Obama during an invitationonly briefing at FEMA Headquarters on the use of technology during hurricanes and emergency situations. Both of these apps are also available for free download to Apple and Android devices.
(Continued from 1A) son, Robert L. Lewis III. The younger Lewis said his father’s numerous creations include paintings of Lake Apopka and Wekiva Springs, as well as ones for the towns of Oakland and Windermere. “In the early 1950s through the 1980s, a group of 26 African-American artists known as the ‘Florida Highwaymen’ used vivid and bright colors to display the beautiful, untouched Florida landscape,” according to the website, www.floridahighwaymenpaintings.com. “They painted from their garages and back yards on inexpensive Upson board, and then on the weekends they would travel and sell their Highwaymen paintings to hotels, offices, businesses and individuals who appreciated the artwork for around $25 a piece.” Today, an original Highway-
man artwork can sell for $5,000 or more, the website stated. Lewis III said there are 17 Highwaymen still living and that his father is the most prolific painter among them. On the evening of June 13, the Triple “A” Festival hosted an Honoree VIP Reception at the Oakland Town Center. Recognized for their service were the Rotary Club of Winter Garden and the late Mildred Dixon, who was the first black and first female Winter Garden city commissioner. Attendees of the second day of the festival, on June 14 at Speer Park, dealt with periodic, heavy rain showers, but still were able to enjoy an art fair, a health and wellness seminar and live music. On this day, the HAPCO Music Foundation awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a student from Palm Beach.
The town of Oakland celebrated its 8th Annual HAPCO African-American Arts Festival on Saturday. On hand to kick off the event at the Friday-night reception were, l-r, Winter Garden Commissioner Bobby Olszewski, Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark, Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn, Cindy Brown with Congressman Daniel Webster’s office and Oakland Commissioner and HAPCO Foundation founder Joseph McMullen.
Health Central Hospital and the Roper YMCA present:
Healthy Living Summer Family Fitness Day FREE Community Event • FREE giveaways Featuring: Dr. Melodie Mope of Summerport Family Medicine How to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion while enjoying summer activities.
Dr. Mitchell Supler, Neurosurgeon with the NeuroSpine Institute
Learn to recognize signs, symptoms and dangers of concussions.
Wheel Works of Winter Garden
Bike safety checks and helmet fit tests – bring your child’s bike and helmet!
House Blend Café
Meal planning and preparation can be fun for the whole family!
UF Health Cancer at Orlando Health
Protect yourself against the Florida Sun!
Health Central Hospital Rehabilitation Services
Recognizing signs and symptoms of sport related injuries and learn how to prevent them.
The Roper YMCA
Easy activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Plan to spend 10 - 15 minutes with each expert as he or she provides helpful tips to keep your family safe and healthy during the Florida summers.
June 21, 2014 The Roper YMCA |10:00 am – 12:00 pm 100 Windermere Road | Winter Garden, 34787
4A
The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
These Times Road-trippin’ through the Dakotas
By Amy Quesinberry Rhode
We take a family vacation each year — my two children, my husband and me — and if it’s not to Jekyll Island or the family cabin in the mountains of North Carolina, then it’s to a big-city destination like Boston or New York City. Last year, we tried something different. We told the kids the summer vacation was to North and South Dakota, and their responses were less than enthusiastic. The faces they made weren’t any better as they envisioned long drives watching tumbleweeds blow across the Great Plains. They also know, though, that every time we take a trip, we incorporate a side trip or two to do something silly — like stand on the geographical center of the United States or take photos by oversized statues or feed peanuts to wild prairie dogs — so, even if some parts of the vacation seem boring to them, there’s always something fun to look forward to. The silly side-trip this time was to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. The entire exterior of the building is decorated in corncobs. Corn! Of all colors! It was a-maize-ing and bushels of fun. We took the corn tour and bought corn souvenirs, like a corn magnet and a corn ornament and a flat penny with a corn image. Those are the items we always look for when vacationing. Our fridge and our Christ-
mas tree are covered with trip memories. We also keep our eyes peeled for what we call “penny cranks” — those machines that take your penny (and two quarters) and squish it flat and imprint your choice of several images. We have these little trinkets from all of our travels. And they’re small and cheap. Another trip “must-have” is a stamp in our national park passport books. The kids have had these little wire-bound books for years, and every time we visit a national park, we add a cancellation stamp with the location and the date. An even smaller souvenir — and free! Who doesn’t like free? We visited several such parks, including Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt. We were surrounded by God’s artwork, and best of all, the kids were enjoying it. We got close to animals like bison, burros and prairie dogs in their natural habitat; we admired the breath-taking expanse of the canyons and the beauty of a stack of round hay bales in an empty field; we toured a homestead similar to one inhabited by Laura Ingalls Wilder; we stopped at Devil’s Tower in the middle of Wyoming prairieland, where the gift-shop merchandise was alien-related because part of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was filmed there. I have to admit, I’m more of a big-city traveler myself, but this was one fantastic vacation. Where else can you experience the thrill of a burro sticking its head inside the car to nibble Cheetos off your son’s hand?
From our archives
Old Times
60 years ago
The Boy Scout troop sponsored by Oakland Presbyterian Church, with Ken Winter as Scoutmaster, spent a week at Sanibel Island and before returning home crossed over on the Tamiami Trail and went down to Key West. Winter was unable to make the trip, but his assistants, Jack Ross, Edwin Brock and Bob Willis, accompanied the boys. Scouts in the party were Otis George, Benny George, Bobby Williams, David Williams, Billy Arrington, Jim Aitken, Sam Lewis, Richard Thompson, Steve Holland, Fred Cassatt, Dick Townsend, Turtle Fowler and Fred Simpson.
45 years ago
The annual Winter Garden Rotary Club Ladies Night and Awards Dinner was held at the Ramada Inn. Incoming president is Hardie Webb, and outgoing president is George Howard, who was presented his pin by Robert Foster. Among the plaques presented by Howard were those to retiring directors Everett Farnsworth, Jack Veech, Ken Fritz and John Nowell, who acted as toastmaster of the event. Ernest Crawford took over as president of the West Orange Jaycees at installation ceremonies held in the Burgundy Room of the Winter Garden Inn. Other officers include Stan Smith, Don Jackson, Tom Goddard, John Rhodes, Jerry Baker, Bob Davis, Don Shaw and Don Ruud.
40 years ago
Selected for the All-Star team of the Wind-
ermere Little League were Jeff Bramer, Brent Keller, Chris McGregor, Timmie Carter, David Van Dyke, Todd Pacquette, Steve Pickens, Ricky Strube, Timmie Carr, Richard Kelley, Sam Brown, Greg Smith, Bruce Crabbe, Read Powell, Mike Trawick and Ken Calvert.
35 years ago
Gerry Cook presented Kim Ross with the first Bill Cook Award named for Mrs. Cook’s late husband. Former owners of the Winter Garden Laundromat, the Cooks washed the uniforms for the area high schools free of charge. The award is presented for “academic excellence, leadership and sportsmanship.” The Rev. James A. Harnish began pulpit duties for the new United Methodist Church congregation currently meeting in the Epicenter on Sand Lake Road. The Rev. Harnish, his wife, Marsha, and their two daughters moved into the new parsonage on Banyan in Sand Lake Hills.
25 years ago
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is celebrating the anniversary of 10 years of service with its pastor, the Rev. Jim Harnish. The West Orange Junior Service League held its annual meeting and luncheon on the Empress Lilly at Lake Buena Vista. Kay Sims presented a fashion show from her Among the Lakes Boutique modeled by members Mary Beth Asma, Joyce Swain, Alison Griffith and Gretchen Boyd. Dawn Willis, Publisher dawnwillis@wotimes.com
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The West Orange Times (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $21.50 per year ($35.00 outside of Orange County) by The Winter Garden Times, Inc., 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER send address changes to THE WEST ORANGE TIMES, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Opinions in The West Orange Times are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily those of The West Orange Times, its publisher or editors. Mailed letters must be typed and include the author’s signature and phone number. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for space and grammar and become property of the newspaper.
Photo by Amy Quesinberry Rhode
Adam Couch hopes this wild burro is only interested in the Cheetos as it sticks its head through the car window during a drive through South Dakota’s Custer State Park.
The Travelin’ Times
Are you planning a vacation to a special place outside of West Orange County this summer? Take The West Orange Times with you, feature it in a high-quality photo and email the picture to news@wotimes.com. You can also mail or drop off the photo: The West Orange Times, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden 34787. Emailed photos should be at least 200 dpi. Include the names of everyone in the photo, where it was taken and a phone number where we can reach you. The Times reserves the right to withhold publication of any photo. Call the newspaper office at 407-656-2121 with questions.
Maryke Lee (left) and Kathy Aber with the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, behind them.
At Meteora, l-r: Mary Hayes, Julia Evans and Kathy Aber.
CITY OF OCOEE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE NINETEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT PLANNING AREA AGREEMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Ocoee proposes to amend the following interlocal agreement: the Ocoee-Orange County Joint Planning Area Agreement (JPA), as amended. This agreement sets forth logical areas that could be annexed into the City and appropriate land uses for annexed parcels. The proposed amendment to the agreement will change the JPA Future Land Use designation for two (2) parcels from Low Density Residential (LDR) to High Density Residential (HDR). These parcels are identified as parcel number 20-22-28-0000-00-005 & 20-22-28-0000-00003, located on the north side of Orlando Avenue. The parcel of land is approximately 16± acres.
Tim Boros holds a copy of The West Orange Times above the harbor on the island of Patmos.
With Mykonos behind them are, l-r, Debi Jordan, Nick Wunder and Patricia Friel.
The OCOEE CITY COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment on TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2014, AT 7:15 P.M. or as soon thereafter as practical. The public hearing will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers located at 150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee.
Sandra Stine (from left), Charlotte Donaldson and Kim Shelly hold their paper in front of the Olympic Stadium in Athens. This venue hosted the first Modern Olympic Games, and it is at the same site where ancient Athenians had a stadium built in 330 B.C.
The complete case file, including a complete legal description by metes and bounds, may be inspected at the Ocoee Planning Department located at 150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, Florida between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. The Ocoee City Commission may continue the public hearing to other dates and times, as it deems necessary. Any interested party shall be advised of the dates, times, and places of any continuation of these or continued public hearings shall be announced during the hearing and no further notices regarding these matters will be published. You are advised that any person who desires to appeal any decision made at the public hearings will need a record of the proceedings and for this purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting at (407) 905-3105. Beth Eikenberry, City Clerk
Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times 5A
6A The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Students receive scholastic awards
Members of the American Legion Hugh T. Gregory Post 63 presented the American Legion School Award to Dillard Street Elementary students Ethan Lugo and Payton Wilson on June 2. This medal represents the highest honor awarded to American youth by the America Legion. It is given to students who demonstrated the exemplary standards of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism and scholarship among their peers.
Give blood at legion event
American Legion Hugh T. Gregory Post 63, in conjunction with Florida’s Blood Centers, is conducting a blood drive from 2-7 p.m. on July 3. The blood van will be in front of the post at 271 W. Plant St. in downtown Winter Garden. Each pint of blood donated equals three lives saved. Donors receive free movie vouchers. The post will be open with drinks and snacks available.
Donations being collected for research center
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation has set up a donation Reaching a milestone Jeff Brinkman, a member of American Legion Hugh T. box at Savoree on downtown Gregory Post 63, has reached a personal milestone of 5 Plant Street. The new History gallons of blood donated to Florida’s Blood Centers. He Research and Education Center is being constructed next to the began donating on a regular basis in 2007. Heritage Museum and will be dedicated to preserving local history and educating residents and newcomers about the area’s past and present.
From the WGHF archives
One hundred years ago, items extolling the wonders of guada beans were appearing in Florida newspapers. Ads in the personals offered three seeds for 25 cents, and we can believe that many people hoped to cash in. Also known as the Solomon Islands gourd, they tasted like zucchini squash and, grown on a strong trellis, could produce 2-foot-long pods. That’s quite a meal! Guada thrives in the unrelenting tropical heat and, with a new summer just a few days away, now may be a good time to slip on some gardening gloves and get some in the ground. The Winter Garden Times of Oct. 2, 1913, shows Ben F. Davis of Winter Garden displaying some of his beans, ‘the largest of which measures 44 inches in length.’ How many people sent 2 bits to Ben, hoping to duplicate his marvelous harvest?
Children can ride in their own parade July 4
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is celebrating the 11th year of the “All-American Kids Parade and Breakfast” on Friday, July 4. Fewer than 100 children participated in the event’s first year, but last year more than 500 patriotic kids joined in. Each year, free decorations are provided for the participants to decorate their bikes, wagons and Bluegrass concert scooters or themselves. Because series at of the large number of children Garden Theatre anticipated this year, the heritage The Garden Theatre is offer- foundation is asking the commuing a blueegrass concert series featuring local acts and nationally touring groups. Scheduled to perform between now and Sports, fitness Aug. 3 are Russell Moore & II- camps for youth Ird Tyme Out (June 21, 8 p.m.), The Orange County OrlanThe Roys (June 28, 8 p.m.), do Magic Recreation Center Chris Henry & The Hardcore at West Orange, 309 S. West Grass Band (July 5, 8 p.m.), Crown Point Road, Winter GarThe Gatorbone Band (July 12, den, is offering weekly sports 8 p.m.) and the Sweeney Family and fitness camps for youth Band (Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. and Aug. ages 9-14, Monday through 3 at 2 p.m.). Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 Tickets range from $15 to p.m. The cost is $25 per week. $25 and can be purchased at For more information, call gardentheatre.org/concerts or at 407-254-9304 or visit www. the Box Office at 407-877-4736. orangecountyparks.net. Group rates of up to 25 percent • Cardio Fit and Fun Week: off are available by calling 407- June 16-20, includes activities 877-4736, Ext. 208. such as boot camp, Zumba and The theater is at 160 W. Plant walking with pedometers; St., Winter Garden. • Sports Around the World: June 23-27; • All Sports: July 7-11, a variety of sports and games; • Gamers Camp and Fun Week: July 14-18, arcade, board and Wii games, inflatables and more; • Golf Camp: July 21-25.
Duplicate bridge
N-S: 1. J. and R. Jett 2. M. and J. Chilton 3. L. Nieman – M.A. Cummings 4. H. Parker – M. Lesnik 5. E. and T. Quinn; E-W: 1. S. Kmiec – M. Ryan 2. A. Snook – B. Young 3. M. and D. Larson 4. J. and B. Hebert 5. E. Kalember – N. Velden
nity for help with donations. Anyone with red, white, blue or bling for the children to use for decorations can call the WGHF or drop off decorations at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge on Bay Street, Winter Garden History Center downtown or Grace’s Gifts on Main Street. To arrange a pick-up or for more information, call the Winter Garden History Center at 407-656-3244. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., and children eat free. The parade starts at 10 a.m., and par-
ticipants should like up at 9:45 at the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay St. This has become a fun July 4th tradition for the citizens of Winter Garden and is a great way to begin celebrating Independence Day. The morning also includes entertainment, activities and a chance to have children’s fingerprints identified. The event is sponsored by the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, WGHF and the downtown merchants.
Winter Garden graduates
Seniors invited to socialize
Melinda Graham has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Rebecca Dingman Root has earned her Master of Science degree in healthcare administration from Utica College, Utica, N.Y.
College graduates from Winter Garden
Kevin Klauk has earned his Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Kaylee Elizabeth Hoover has graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise science and physical education at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md.
Senior Time is a program geared toward seniors, and it meets each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the West Orange Neighborhood Center for Families (Mildred Dixon Activity Center). Participants can enjoy activities, exercises, games, reading time and snacks. The center is located at 303 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden. For more information, call 407-905-5100.
Summer sports offered at i9
Boys and girls ages 4-14 can register for indoor basketball at Bridgewater Middle School and flag football and instructional soccer at Foundation Academy with i9 Sports. All skill levels are welcome, and there are no tryouts. Practices are held once VBS set at a week prior to the game. Methodist church The summer season starts First United Methodist Church July 12. For information or to welcomes children to attend Va- register, go to www.i9sports. cation Bible School July 21-25 com or call 407-288-8422. from 9 a.m. to noon, at 125 N. Lakeview Ave. in Winter Garden. The event is open to chil- Bingo at Elks dren ages 4 through 5th grade. The Winter Garden Elks A $10 donation is requested, but Lodge offers bingo games on those who cannot donate are still Thursdays at 6 p.m. The pubencouraged to register their chil- lic is invited to participate. The dren. Register online at www. Elks Lodge is at 700 Ninth St., fumcwg.org/children. Winter Garden.
Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times
Knowing Thy Neighbor: Laura Camien By Jane E.B. Simmons Special to The Times
fore moving in 2011 to Central Florida from New York City. “Since moving to Winter Garden, I have continued writing screenplays and making short films. I just finished writing my first feature-length script — ‘One Dead, One Dying’ — based on the true story of the Brookline Massacre in 1932,” Camien said. She is a member of the Orlando Screen Writers Meet Up Group that gathers every other Saturday in downtown Orlando. “Our group is open to all who have an interest in writing screen plays. Each member is dedicated to giving individual attention to each other’s work by helping to improve their craft by tutoring others,” she said. In New York City, she had been writing and producing plays with friends, and one in particular — called “[title of show]” — by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen went on to find success. Camien was the original producer of “[title of show]” and then partnered with Kevin McCollum, who produced the show off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. It won an Obie Award. McCollum is known for, among things, “Rent,” “Avenue Q” and “In the Heights.” Then at the Lyceum Theatre, they again produced “[title of show],” and that on-Broadway production was nominated for a Tony Award. Camien moved to New York City from Manhattan, Kansas, in 1996. In New York City, “I began working for the off-Broadway show Blue Man Group,” Camien said. “I was lucky enough to be part of the Blue Man Group’s core team that grew the small show into an international brand. As the company grew, I was responsible for PR globally — overseeing agencies in all of the cities in which the show was performed, media training the Blue Men, strategizing on story opportunities and representing the company.” Highlights of Camien’s successful effort include “representing Blue Man Group at the Grammy Awards, the EMMY Awards, the Hollywood Bowl and at the Royal Variety Performance for Her Royal High-
Why is award-winning filmmaker Laura Camien altering her body by consciously losing a lot of weight this year after purposely gaining a lot of weight last year? “I’m interested in exploring the subtle ways in which we ‘discount’ people who do not fit the ‘perfect’ visual mold,” Camien told The West Orange Times. Camien is starring in a film that portrays a day in the life of a woman in two scenarios — one where she is overweight and one where she is slim. The name of her film is “Relative Density.” “I gained weight to film last year, and I’m in the process of slimming down this year to film scenario two of ‘Relative Density.’ I plan to film this second part this fall. I then will submit it to the film festival circuit, hoping it will merit awards,” she said. “My hope is the film will encourage dialogue about the ways in which people rush to snap judgments about others solely on their physical attributes.” “I think certain characteristics get assigned to people who are even a little heavy — ‘lazy,’ ‘unintelligent’ or ‘unsuccessful,’ etc. But it’s even more hurtful when a person is written off completely as if they are not worth knowing. I once had a hairdresser tell me that his boss assumed I was ‘nothing special’ until I lost 15 pounds. Once I’d become slimmer, the man couldn’t stop tripping over himself to attend to me. I was the same person all along, of course.” Camien won several awards for her last short film — ‘For Closure’ — which she wrote and produced, and in which she also performed. ‘For Closure’ has been featured in various festivals around the country, including the 2013 Central Florida Film Festival. “I was honored to be selected for several awards for the film and my performance in it, including the Indie Award for Acting and the Best Actor Film Festival’s Grand Prize,” Camien said. She has been writing and producing stage shows and plays for many years, even be-
ness Queen Elizabeth in England.” In working with the Blue Man Group: “I learned to market and promote everything from theatre shows, albums, tours, toys and children’s museum exhibits, to much more. It was an incredible journey with incredible people, and still is,” Camien noted. The original press agent for the Blue Man Group show, Manny Igrejas, became a mentor to her. “Manny is an incredibly hard working and intelligent ‘old school’ publicist who took pride in teaching me the ropes, all the while teasing me about my Kansas upbringing – suggesting that somehow I always had ‘a pie coolin’ on the windowsill, just like my grandma use to do.’ He had me in stitches. But after he saw how quickly I learned from him, he changed his tune and started lovingly calling me Eve, as in Eve Harrington from the play ‘All About Eve.’ I was lucky to work with him,” she said. “Knowing Manny Igreias, and the founders of Blue Man Group, changed the course of my life in the most remarkable ways.” After just 12 years following her move from Kansas, Camien established her own business. In 2008, she established Bridge Club Productions. She calls herself an entertainment professional specializing in marketing/public relations, producing and writing. “On the marketing and PR side, I have been fortunate to keep Blue Man Group as one of my primary clients, continuing to work for them on the New York City, Boston, Orlando and Berlin shows, as well as the show onboard the Norwegian Epic cruise ship,” she said. Clients include Blue Man Productions, Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando Resort, Blue School in New York City and Students for Education Reform. More information is on www.bridgeclubproductions.com. “I came to Florida because my longtime boyfriend, Wes Day, is a Blue Man. A few years ago, Wes was offered a position in the Blue Man Group show at Universal Orlando, after performing for
many years in the show in New York City. Since I am able to work remotely for most of my work, the decision to embark on a Florida adventure together was an easy one for me,” Camien explained. “We met while working in New York, where he was performing at the Astor Place Theatre. He is an incredible actor and a very kind and funny person. He made me laugh every time I saw him. We were friends for years until, eventually, it grew into more,” she said. “When looking for homes, we fell in love with Winter Garden. We are so impressed with how active the community is and how much the city works to enhance all our lives. We found a lovely old mid-century home with lots of character and simply couldn’t be happier here,” she said. “Our city friends can’t believe how well we’ve taken to the lushness in Florida. We love Mother Nature’s incredible beauty all around us here in Winter Garden. Plus, there are all kinds of cultural gems to enjoy, especially The Garden Theatre. Wes and I feel very grateful for all the experiences Film producer, actress, scriptwriter and Blue Man Group that have lead us here.” publicist Laura Camien.
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The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Preserve helps school boost FCAT scores
In 2012, only 59 percent of Oakland Avenue Charter School (OACS) students scored 3 or higher on Florida’s Science FCAT. In 2013, 88 percent of students scored 3 or higher — a 29 percent academic gain in one year. This year, OACS achieved the second-highest Orange County Public Schools FCAT Science scores. Principal Pam Wolfcale and lead science teacher Heidi Beck attribute this impressive rise in academic achievement to the partnership between OACS and the Oakland Nature Preserve. For the past two years, OACS students have spent one school day per week at ONP participating in lessons collaboratively created by OACS and ONP education staff. Lessons were designed to meet Florida’s
education standards, as well as connect children to Florida’s natural environment. “Florida’s entire life science unit is out there” at ONP, Beck said. “More importantly,” Wolfcale said, “is the professional development provided to teachers. They learn that using the environment to teach science is not as difficult as it looks. Oakland Nature Preserve staff show teachers how practical it is and inspire them to bring it back to the classroom. It is about accessibility, understanding and relating science to real life.” Beck is so convinced of the value of the OACS/ONP partnership that she helps to teach the ONP After-School Science Club and Summer Environmental Day Camps in her off hours.
The weekly trips to ONP not only improve student learning, but also spark interest in the environment. Beck said the same children who attend weekly school trips to ONP also opt to participate in the ONP AfterSchool Science Club year after year, and repeatedly sign up for ONP’s Environmental Summer Day Camps. Wolfcale and ONP Managing Director Barb Gugliotti are excited about the results of this partnership — both academic achievement and environmental stewardship — and have begun investigating ways to expand it and increase FCAT scores in other subject areas. For more information about the partnership, contact Wolfcale at pwolfcale@oaktownusa. com or Gugliotti at director@ oaklandnaturepreserve.org. Take a leisurely stroll down the ONP boardwalk to the lake.
Celebrate National Great Outdoors Month
June is National Great Outdoors Month. Orange County is fortunate to have a remarkable location to enjoy the great outdoors. Oakland Nature Preserve is a place to explore the natural wonders of Florida’s diverse wildlife community. Watch from the end of the boardwalk as an osprey plucks a wriggling fish from the waters of Lake Apopka. Witness ant lions capturing ants in their ingeniously designed pit traps on the sandy upland Orange Trail. Go at dusk and catch The winning team includes Oakland Avenue Charter School Principal Pam Wolfcale a glimpse of the elusive red (from left), Oakland Avenue Charter School lead science teacher Heidi Beck (center) fox in the hammock along the and Oakland Nature Preserve Education Coordinator Shane Overstreet. Green Trail. Observe a gopher tortoise right outside the education center chowing down on Prickly Pear cactus pads Summer camps at Oakland church – thorns and all. Oakland Presbyterian Church • Lego Camp is July 14-18 Expand your great outdoor Put your name is offering camps this summer from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The experience at ONP by breathon park brick for children. For more informa- cost is $125 for students entering ing in the lemony fragrance Commemorative bricks tion, contact Tiffany Goggans first through eighth grades. of the lavender flowers on the are being sold and will be at 407-656-4452 or Tiffany@ • “Malice in the Palace” music Passion Vine or crush the leaf placed in a walkway at oaklandpres.org. camp is July 28 through Aug. 1 of a Hercules Club and smell West Side Park in Oak• Vacation Bible School is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is the strong analgesic that pioland. July 7-11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. $100 for children entering secneers used to treat toothaches, Bricks vary in size, ond through sixth grades. The cost is $10 for ages 5-12. earning it the name “toothache color and cost and can tree.” Get familiar with a be engraved with three to Southern Magnolia by touchCamp offers lessons on environment eight lines of writing, as ing the smooth, waxy surface well as clip art. The town of the large green leaves and Sessions are about to begin entering third, fourth or fifth is taking orders until Septhen the contrasting fuzzy unin the fourth annual Environ- grade, and the theme is “Adtember, at which time it derside. mental Summer Camp program aptations.” The third week is will have the commemoONP’s trails are great not at Oakland Nature Preserve. July 7-11 for campers entering rative bricks etched and only for a leisurely stroll, but The first three sessions for sixth, seventh or eighth grade. laid along the path. The also for joggers and serious students entering first through The theme for older campers overall sidewalk will rerunners who want to get fit eighth grades will run from is “Survivor Kid.” quire about 400 bricks. without the drawbacks of auMonday through Friday from The last week is for campFor more information, tomobile fumes. For the more 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and is lim- ers entering pre-kindergarten call Town Hall at 407artistic outdoor enthusiast, ited to 20 campers per week. or kindergarten and will run 656-1117. take a sketch pad or camera The last session is three days from July 15-17 in the mornto capture images. Or bring a from 9 a.m. until noon. ing only. This is the first year The theme of this year’s ONP is offering a camp for this camp is “Going Native.” age. The theme is “Growing up Each session focuses on the Wild.” The one-week session is natural sciences, Florida history and prehistory and local $100 with an ONP family plant and animal life. membership or $125 for nonThe first week, June 16-20, members, which includes a is for campers entering first family membership. THE POWERFUL CHOICE IN For more information about or second grade. The theme is “Habitats.” The second week the camp sessions, call 407Main: 407-654-0155 ELECTRICAL is June 23-27 for campers 905-0054. CONTRACTING Fax: 407-654-1455
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outdoor activities at the nature preserve, call 407-905-0054 or e-mail director@oaklandnaturepreserve.org.
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Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times 9A
Ocoee woman completes training
Navy Seaman Recruit Heather Soper, who is a 2013 graduate of Ocoee High School, recently graduated from U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
City seeks photos for calendar contest
The city of Ocoee is accepting submissions through Sept. 15 for the city’s annual Calendar Photo Contest. The public is invited to give it their best shot and enter photos that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Ocoee. Winning photos will be published in the city’s 2015 Community Calendar, and photographers will be given photo credit in the calendar. Amateur and professional shutterbugs are invited to submit color pictures of people at work or play in Ocoee, Group provides food aid scenic or historic places around On June 7, volunteers with Winter Garden-based Burundi Christian Ministries packed town, or a favorite snapshot of a container of 190,000 nutritious meals, as well as medical supplies, clothing and other life in the city. There is a limit of three photo items, for people living in Burundi, in East Africa. The packing took place at the Gibbs & entries per photographer. The Register shop at 340B Story Road, Ocoee. format must be 8-by-10-inch print, 600 DPI TIF or JPEG file on CD. Photographs can be mailed or delivered to City Hall, Community Relations, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL, 34761. Photos will be selected on the basis of originality, creativity and the quality of reproduction. Photo entry forms are available at www.ocoee.org or by calling 407-905-3100.
Enjoy a movie, food trucks and more on Friday night
Residents donate hair for cancer patients
On June 8, Windermere resident Judy Derderian organized ‘From Hair to Eternity’ at First Baptist Church Windermere on Main Street. She gained sponsors for each inch of hair donated, personally donated 35 inches, and inspired 12 other women and girls to donate toward wigs for cancer patients. Money collected at the event will help the small East African country of Burundi, which is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. Donors who gave their hair included, l-r, Derderian, Dina Olson Martin, Deb Kolterjohn, Kristie Morgan, Patricia Buchanan, Alexis Morgan and Susie Olson.
Hospital to offer pastoral care course
Groups are encouraged to seek grants Beginning July 1, Ocoee Community Grant applications will be available at www. ocoee.org and at City Hall. The deadline to submit applications is July 30. The Community Grant program provides grants of up to $500. Groups eligible to apply are Ocoee non-profit organizations and civic groups, as well as non-profit organizations and civic groups from outside the city limits that benefit Ocoee residents. The city awards the grants to acknowledge excellence and to further the contributions these local or-
ganizations bring to Ocoee. Completed applications should be mailed or delivered to City Hall, Community Relations, 150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761. The applications are reviewed and ranked by the Community Grant Review Board, a group of residents appointed by the Ocoee City Commission. The board makes a recommendation to the commission on which organizations to fund, and the commission then makes the final decision. For more information, call 407905-3100.
Ocoee PD to teach self-defense
Churches announce Bible School Ocoee Police Department of- schedules
ficers will present a free self-defense awareness and familiarization exchange class for women at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 10. This one-time, three-hour presentation is limited to the first 15 eligible participants. Officer Patera Scott, who is the class’ lead instructor, has been serving with the Police Department since 2009. Officer Scott will be utilizing the S.A.F.E. curriculum approved by the National Self Defense Institute. Participants must be at least 13 years old. Preference will be given to Ocoee residents, but others may fill available seats. For more information or to register, contact Officer Scott at (407) 905- 3160, ext. 3024 or patera.scott@ocoee.org.
Bring the family for dinner and afterwards, watch a movie under the stars at Ocoee’s Food Truck Friday and Movie in the Park event. Held the third Friday of each month at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, the June 20 event includes: an arts and crafts market from 5-9 p.m.; food trucks from 6-9 p.m.; free tours of the historic WithersMaguire House, 16. E. Oakland Ave., from 6-8 p.m.; and the movie, “Frozen,” at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department at 407-905-3180 or visit www.ocoee.org.
Ocoee High Class of 1974 reunion
The Ocoee High School Class of 1974 will hold its 40-year class reunion in the fall. Contact Vicky Whitehurst-Walker at elegantv@cfl.rr.com, Jeff Griffin at 407694-0320 or Andrew Jenkins at 407-4564997 to update contact information.
Starke Lake Baptist Church welcomes children to attend its Vacation Bible School from 6-8 p.m. June 23-27, at 611 W. Ave., Ocoee. The theme is “Agency D3: Discover. Decide. Defend.” The event is free to the public, and a family night will be hosted on the final night of VBS, Friday, June 27. Register on a Sunday or Wednesday at the church, or register the first night of VBS. For more information, call 407-656-2351. West Orlando Baptist and Child Discovery Center invites children to its free Vacation Bible School from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 21-25 at 1006 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee. The theme is “Agency D3: Discover. Decide. Defend.” Register the first night of VBS, but come at least 20 minutes early. Call 407-9059508 for more information. Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church will have Vacation Bible School July 7-11 from 6-8:30 p.m. at 201 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee. The theme is “Wilderness Escape Camp.” Children will camp out with Moses and the Israelites, and learn about the Ten Commandments and crossing the Red Sea. Dinner will be offered at 6 p.m. with a $3 donation per person. The program will start at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Call 407-293-0700 for more information.
Police Academy to start soon The Ocoee Police Department will host its Annual Teen Police Academy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14-18 at High Point Church, 476 Ocoee Commerce Parkway. The program is free and covers numerous law-enforcement topics. It is open to teenagers who are 13-18 years old and have no felony convictions.
ATTENTION
All participants will receive a free Ocoee Teen Police Academy shirt. Individuals interested in the program must complete a registration form, which can be downloaded at www.ocoee. org. For more information, contact Officer Patera Scott at 407905-3100 ext. 3024, or patera. scott@ocoee.org.
Health Central Hospital’s Pastoral Care Department will present a free pastoral care training course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Gleason Room of the hospital, 10,000 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. The course is open to all communities of faith and to the public, and is designed for healthwww.butlerboatrental.com care workers, chaplains and people who provide home or hospital visits. Bilingual Services (Spanish English) Those who complete the program might be called tor help people eeves who are Licensed Acupuncturist Massage Therapist hospitalized and minister tohirOpraCtOr the terminally ill and Gentle ChiropraCtiC haS Been eFFeCtiVe treatinG: their families, individuBack Pain • Headaches • Shoulder Pain • Neck Pain als and families in sudden 10:30 a.m. Evangelistic • Arthritis • PainfulDomingo/Sunday Joints • Stiffness • Numbness crisis and the grieving or Miercoles/Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Life Groups 1080 S. D illarD S t . W inter G arDen , Fl bereaved. Registration is • Hip Pain • Cold Viernes/Friday 7:30 p.m. Youth Hands/Feet Most insurance accepted • Lic. # MM1720, MA32524 • Arm/Leg Pain • Bursitis due by August 1. For more information, call 407-296-1815.
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10A The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Police chief praises investigator By Tony Judnich
Windermere Police Chief David Ogden has great admiration for new Police Detective John Allen. At the June 10 Windermere Town Council meeting, the chief said Allen quickly helped solve an April 30 home-invasion/kidnapping case on Lake Butler Boulevard. This incident occurred just before 11 p.m. April 30. Lawenforcement officials said when the homeowners arrived home in their carport/garage area, they were met by three masked men holding handguns. The suspects forced the homeowners into the house, bound their hands with zip ties and put pillowcases over their heads, officials said. The suspects repeatedly threatened the residents, disabled the home’s alarm and telephone and damaged comA new Eagle For his Eagle Scout project, Brice Howard (above, 2nd from left) built a raised-deck puters, mobile phones and platform with benches to be used as a meeting area at Camp Ithiel in Gotha. He said other electronic equipment the project took 140 man-hours and approximately $1,800, which was raised through carwashes at the Subway restaurant on Maguire Road in Ocoee. With him are Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn (2nd from right) and his parents, Rhonda and Brent Howard. Windermere residents The scout, a member of Troop 223 in Windermere, is the grandson of Jerry and Mary named to dean’s lists Jennifer Murphy, of WinFrances Howard. dermere, was named to the dean’s list for the 2014 spring semester at Denison University, in Granville, Ohio. Murphy is a member of the Denison class of 2015. Kali Funk, of Windermere, was named to the dean’s list for the 2014 spring semester at the University of Delaware, At right, Howard in Newark, Del. sits at the deck he built. Howard said he chose Ithiel for his project ‘because Local man I spent a lot of time earns degree in middle school goWindermere resident ing to youth groups Joseph D’Ambrosi gradat Camp Ithiel and uated magna cum laude the property, and with a degree in theatre its owner has been May 17 from Messiah close to my family College in Mechanicsfor many years.’ His burg, Pa. Eagle Court of Honor was held May 11.
that would permit communication to summon help to the house, officials said. They said the suspects remained fully clothed and masked the entire time and eventually stole $1,800 in cash and $25,000 worth of jewelry. No one was injured, and ultimately the suspects stole one of the homeowner’s vehicles and fled westbound, officials said. The vehicle was left abandoned at the northwest corner of State Road 535 and Lake Butler. On May 12, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested the three suspects on various charges. Allen is “one of the best investigators in the area,” and his investigative skills were crucial in capturing the suspects, Ogden said at the June 10 council meeting. On Ogden’s Facebook page, the chief said Allen has more than 33 years of law-enforcement experience. Allen “has spent numerous
years in specialized investigative assignments such as Homicide Unit, Intelligence Section, Sex Crimes Division, Child Abuse Division and Narcotics Unit, and was recently assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and was a supervisor for many years,” Ogden stated. “John’s vast experience and knowledge in handling investigations is part of our vision of building the most professional team here at the PD. He brings the highest level of experience that this department has seen and a new position. Once John gets settled in, we will be reviewing current and old cases.” Ogden also said on Facebook that, “John is very excited to be part of our small-town police force. He said that he wanted to finish his career in a small town like [where] he started and ‘getting back into the community where I have the opportunity to get to know everyone and really help people.’”
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Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times
Market
(Continued from 1A)
have always wanted to develop Plant Street to Park [Avenue]. It’s an investment in the city that will benefit any business.” Commissioner Kent Makin said he “supported the project 100 percent,” and Commissioner Bob Buchanan said, “Most people I talk to can’t wait to see this project.” Representatives from Plant Street LLC said that with this additional support from the city, they expect to close by the end of June and start construction in July. In other business, commissioners: • postponed a vote to rezone 426 Plant St. until the July 10 meeting, after Plant Street LLC has closed on the property. • postponed a vote rezoning 33.79 acres at the southwest corner of Beard Road and Ninth Street and a vote on rezoning 14.14 acres at the West Orange Business Center. • annexed 3.412 acres of land at 17901 Marsh Road at the request of the property owner. The second reading of the annexation ordinance will be June 26. • approved an ordinance vacating draining and utility easements between the lots at 695 and 711 Garden Commerce Parkway. The lots’ owner, Thermo King, wants to build one office building on the two lots, which will eliminate the need for an easement between them. The second reading is scheduled for June 26. The commission also approved the site plan for the property. Thermo King provides transportation refrigeration parts and services for trucks and trucking companies. • approved a site plan for LVS Project Inc. at 721 Garden Commerce Parkway. LVS Project is a truck scheduling business that matches drivers with loads. While the building will mostly house office operations, 18-wheelers might occasionally park overnight in the lot. The new plan meets the city’s screening and buffer requirements for truck parking. • approved a site plan for 1630 Avalon Road to build a Ladybird Academy Day Care Center, which is expected to house up to 90 children. The company expects the increase in new home construction in that area will create a demand for day care.
• approved the final plat for Oakland Park Phase 2B. • approved the final plat for Waterside on Johns Lake Phase I. This phase will have 139 lots on 52 acres. Mayor John Rees expressed concern about whether or not the Orange County School Board’s construction plans can keep up with increased population density. City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said most of these projects were initially approved two years ago. The developers agreed to pay higher impact fees to ensure they would have sufficient elementary and middle schools built to serve residents. • approved blocking Plant Street between Central Avenue and Main Street for the Kids All-American Parade on July 4. Mayor Rees said, “It’s a good event. We all agree.” • reappointed John Benoit III and Jack Litteral to the Code Enforcement/Nuisance Abatement Board. Both men expressed interest in remaining on the board for another term. The city received seven applications from citizens who also wanted to serve on the board. Even though commissioners decided it was best to reappoint the incumbents, Commissioner Buchanan said, “I hope the people that expressed an interest will stay with it.” Commissioner Olszewski asked City Clerk Kathy Golden and other staff to follow up personally with those who expressed interest. He said: “A few years ago we couldn’t find anyone to serve. Now we are getting very qualified candidates.” • appointed Matt Moore to
the General Employees Pension Board to replace resigning member Marguerite Kennington. • confirmed Phil Cross as the fifth trustee on the Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension Board for a two-year term. • appointed Kelly Purdy and Benjamin LaTorre to fill vacancies on the Election Canvassing Board. They were the only residents who submitted an interest form for the open positions. • approved a request from Community Development Director Ed Williams to allow West Orange Habitat for Humanity to begin building a house for a wounded veteran while the group pursues a zoning variance request for the property. Usually construction wouldn’t start until the zoning variance was granted. Since this variance would only require a foot and a half less setback than normally allowed, and time was of the essence, the commission allowed construction to proceed. Director Williams expected the Zoning Board to approve the request after a formal review since it has approved similar requests in the past. During the comments from commissioners, Mayor Rees read a letter from Orange County Sherriff Jerry Demings thanking the commission for helping the family of slain Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine by waiving their utility fees for six months. Deputy Pine was a Winter Garden resident killed in the line of duty in February. The next meeting is June 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Winter Garden City Hall.
Y honors Roper, Burshan at annual meeting The YMCA of Central Florida recently recognized its 2013 leading volunteers and donors at the organization’s annual meeting held at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. Barbara Roper, Winter Garden philanthropist and Y champion, received the first Metropolitan Advocacy Award. The Metropolitan Advocacy Award is a new award that recognizes a volunteer leader who has devoted his or her life to the Y cause. Roper has dedicated more than 100,000 hours of her time to the Y cause across a span of 40 years. She served as the first woman to chair the YMCA of Central Florida Metropolitan Board in 1980-81, and she later served as chair of the YMCA’s national board. Her YMCA involvement has spanned the globe; she continued to advocate for the Y worldwide as a U.S. representative for the YMCA’s World Alliance in Geneva, Switzerland. Each Y family center honored its respective Volunteers of the Year, as well. Lori Burshan was recognized at the Roper YMCA,
and David Knight was honored at the Dr. Phillips Y. Additional honorees included Lou Carrion (John W. Sterchi Award), Steve Wingo (Ronnie Walker Unsung Hero Award) and Joe Cleveland (YMCA Mind Connect Award). Ten community leaders were elected to serve two-year terms on the YMCA of Central Florida Metropolitan Board of Directors, as well. 2013 YMCA Metropolitan Board Chair Glen Davis highlighted the Y’s past-year achievements in the three focus BARBARA ROPER areas of youth development, healthy living and social respon- event. The Y also thanked and sibility. Davis also discussed the organization’s 2014-2018 Long honored its top major donors: Term Strategic Plan, which will the Roper family, Winter Park include expansion of current Health Foundation, Darden, facilities and a new facility in Wayne Densch Charities, Florida Hospital, Orange County Clermont. The evening also included a Government, city of Orlando, special video presentation hon- Harris Rosen, WESH-TV, Tavoring the Y’s spotlight partner: istock, Walt Disney World, OsDr. Phillips Charities. DP Chari- ceola County, Lockheed Martin, ties board members Jim Hinson, The Bert Martin Foundation, Ken Robinson, Dr. Ann Manley, Bank of America, Pepsi, MicroEva Tukdarian and Dr. Marga- soft, Munroe Regional Medical ret Miller were present for the Center and Frank DeLuca.
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The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Tour group follows in footsteps of St. Paul in Greece
By Kathy Aber
How do you pick a vacation destination? Many people are planners, while others take off on a whim. Some have a bucket list of must-see places to methodically check off. And there are those who can relax and recharge with just a few days on a sunny beach. This year, my vacation planning started in October when a friend called with an idea for an overseas trip. The destination seemed right and so did the timing. Just after Easter, I joined 39 individuals connected to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, setting off on a special trip to Greece and Turkey. I was looking for an adventure but also an educational experience and spiritual journey that would add perspective to day-to-day living. I was not disappointed. Led by the church’s senior pastor, Dr. Bill Barnes, the sturdy travelers left April 26 for Thessaloniki, Greece, to begin retracing the footsteps of St. Paul on his missionary journey through Greece with stops in some of the Greek islands and Ephesus in Turkey. Some were seasoned travelers, but for others this was their first trip abroad. This trip was not for the faintof-heart. The 10-day excursion included two travel days and eight days of sightseeing with stops in Amphipolis, Philippi, Neapolis, Thessaloniki, Veria, Meteora, Kalambaka, Delphi, Athens, Corinth, Cenchraeae, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete and Santorini. Each day the group rose early and ate a hearty breakfast to start a day of walking archeological sites and cobblestone streets, climbing to the top of ancient amphitheaters and visiting Biblical locations, as well as historic and scenic sites. Aliki, our tour guide, provided excellent lectures on history, archeological restorations and mythology with Biblical references to put the day’s destinations into context. Beginning in Philippi, the tour visited archeological excavations for the foundations of two churches dating back to 4th and 5th century A.D., as well as those of a large marketplace and a speaker’s platform, or bema. This is the place St. Paul stood when he defended himself before the magistrates. There is a small crypt dating from the Roman period, where tradition holds that Paul and Silas were imprisoned. The acropolis of Philippi is above the marketplace and features a theater that seated 5,000 people. Just outside of Philippi, Paul and Silas found a place to pray near the riverside, where Lydia was converted and baptized with her household. She was from Asia Minor, and her conversion is considered the establishment of the first Christian church in Europe. This event took place near the River Krenides (Acts 16:13-15). At this place, the St. Luke’s group prayed and Pastor Barnes rebaptized each person with water from the river. Some of the group agreed to share their reasons for joining the journey and described their most memorable moments. Several agreed Lydia’s baptism site was the highlight of the trip. “My mother’s name was Lydia,” said Laura Forleo. “I heard the story of Lydia told by my grandfather: ‘Lydia, a merchant of purple, whose heart was
The group gathers near the bema in Corinth, l-r: front, Patricia Friel, Linda Bookbinder, Kim Barnes, Christina Sauers, Cindy Schneider, Charlotte Donaldson, Barbara Lynch, Kathy Aber, Lori Pierson, Liberty Goetsch, Gary Goetsch, the Rev. Stephen Cotten; 2nd row, Carlos Sterin, Kathleen Mccorvie, Mary Bryant, Wanda Adams, Karen Bonnette, Kay Wiley, Mary Hayes, open by the Lord to respond to what Paul was preaching.’ My mother could not make the trip to Greece because of her age, so I did it for both of us. It was a wonderful experience to be blessed by Pastor Bill at the site where Lydia was baptized by St. Paul.” Fellow traveler Charlotte Donaldson also found this site the most meaningful because “we reconfirmed our own baptism where the first person [Christian convert on European soil], Lydia, was baptized by Paul just outside of Philippi. It was just a wonderful feeling to reflect on the meaning of baptism and the dedication of the early Christians.” Edward Schultz III agreed: “I thought our baptism in the north of Greece was a great memory. The river was very nice, and Bill made a great time for us all.” There, too, the group saw still-intact sections of ancient Roman highway — the Via Egnatia — that Paul traveled from Turkey to Greece and through Macedonia. Dr. Sandra Stine described her experience: “I wanted this trip since I got so much out of the one [Pastor Barnes led] to Israel. This was like Part II for me. I had seen where Jesus was/is and since had been reading about Paul and wanted to see how the church started. Most meaningful was actually seeing how the Bible came alive. Philippi was especially moving since I saw the layout of the town. I saw the bema where Paul preached and the agora [central spot or gathering place in an ancient Greek city] so I could visualize where the owner of the slave girl with the demon would have been, how Paul expelling it would threaten his livelihood and that the magistrate was in the same area with the prison across the way. I walked where Paul walked on the Egnatia Way.” The group then visited Neapolis (Kavala), a picturesque port, where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. In Thessaloniki, a prominent city in Macedonia, Paul taught in the synagogue and converted many Jews but fled in the night to Veria, also known as Berea (Acts 17:10-12), when nonbelievers created an uproar. There, the group stopped at St. George’s Basilica, which is be-
A view of the harbor in Santorini from the town of Fira.
Maryke Lee, Laura Forleo, Joline Krolicki, Dr. Sandra Stine; 3rd row, Helen Bussey, Bill Decarme, Jeff Sauers, Pam Burnette, Kerby Decarme, Chris Bonnette, Julie Evans; back row, Nick Wunder, Debi Jordan, Tim Boros, Kim Shelly, Dr. Bill Barnes, Terry Mccorvie, Nita Stine, Edward Schultz III and Garry Schneider. Not pictured, photographer John Wyne Jr.
In Meteora, there are 8 operating Byzantine monasteries built atop these craggy pinnacles. lieved to be built over the site of the synagogue. Meteora, a rock forest in western Thessaly, provided a glimpse into the rough terrain traveled by Paul. There are seven operating Byzantine monasteries built atop these rocky pinnacles, and a visit to one of these was another tour high point. Terry McCorvie said: “Kathleen and I joined the trip because we wanted to see Greece, not just as a tourist destination, but through the eyes of the apostle Paul. The most memorable site was Meteora. The giant, jagged rock formations created by an ancient river are a spectacle to behold, but when you see the old monasteries hidden at the top of the massive rock, you can hardly believe your eyes. (Of course, a The theater at Philippi was built to seat 5,000 spectators. close second highlight was the amazing Greek food.)” (the oldest section of the city, the Book of Revelation in A.D. At Delphi, considered by near the Acropolis), Olympic 95. early Greeks to be the center stadium, House of Parliament • Crete, the center of the of the world and also the reli- and Tomb of the Unknown Minoan civilization (2700gious center, the group viewed Soldier. 1420 B.C.) — Europe’s first ancient treasures like the 5thA cruise of the Aegean Sea advanced civilization, which is century bronzed charioteer in took the group to: evidenced by the magnificent the museum, listened to the • Mykonos, famous for its Palace at Knossos. Sandra Stine fabled stories of the Oracle at whitewashed buildings that was impressed by the Minoan Delphi and ascended up the lead to an azure-blue sky. civilization and its intelligent hillside on the Sacra Via to the • Ephesus in Turkey, a Greco- architecture. Athenian Treasury, the theater Roman city with tremendous • Santorini, one of the most and the Temple of Apollo. archeological treasures includ- spectacular of the Greek IsThen, the troupe went on to ing the monumental Library lands, where dark volcanic Athens and up to Mars Hill, of Celsus, which held 12,000 cliffs ascend to the whitewhere Paul gave a sermon to the scrolls 1,800 years ago, and a walled buildings in the town of men of the city (Acts 7:23). 24,000-seat amphitheater where Fira. Travelers reach the sumSandra Stine, who recalled St. Paul gave his epistle to the mit by cable cars to take in the the sight, said: “I walked his Ephesians; and the home of St. marvelous view. same steps up Mars Hill in Ath- John the Apostle and Christ’s The final day of the trip was ens. I got a sense of the letters mother, Mary. spent exploring ruins in Corinth, he wrote to the specific areas he • Patmos, home to the Greek where Paul had many converts visited. That was just cool! (I Orthodox Monastery of St. (Acts 18:8-10), and visiting teach disciple classes, so seeing John (a UNESCO World Heri- the temple, marketplace, muhelps relate to it better).” tage site) built in 1088. St. John seum and bema where Paul Other Athens’ stops included the Apostle was exiled there for stood before Gallio defending the Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka 18 months, where he also wrote against the charges brought by the Jews. As we traveled the highways and stopped at the places visited by St. Paul and learned about the ancient times, customs and cultures of the area, we could start to imagine the challenges, adversities, faith and commitment it took to be a missionary in those days. When we learned that 95 percent of Greek citizens are members of the Orthodox Church, which is the official state religion, and heard the religious fervor in the voices of the guides, you could feel the impact of St. Paul and his disciples 2,000 years ago. While many in the group knew each other, others, even church members, were strangThe library of Celsus at Ephesus in Turkey.
ers at the start of the trip. Within a few days everyone felt included, new friends and old were laughing, sharing stories and building new relationships. For me, this was a highlight of the experience. The esprit de corps of the travelers was fantastic. There was a pervasive sense of unity, consideration, camaraderie and helpfulness. “It was nice getting to know more of the church members, and I loved the songs we sang on the bus,” said Sandra Stine. Some of the group brought family along — mothers with daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts and friends. “Having this opportunity with my mom, sister and aunt was even more special,” Stine said. “Sharing wonderful times with family always is.” Julie Evans also came on the trip with her mother, Mary Hayes, and said how special it was to travel together. “We knew that Pastor Bill was a very engaging teacher,” Charlotte Donaldson said. “When we heard that lots of our friends were going and that we’d learn about how Paul helped the growth of the early church — it just seemed that we could not miss this opportunity.” The group had a reunion two weeks ago to share photos, videos and more stories — unanimously agreeing the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime memory. For an encore, some are already signing up to tour the Holy Land with Pastor Barnes next April.
Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times 13A
OF TOMORROW EDGE Fri & Sat 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:50 Sun - Thurs 1:15, 4:15, 7:15
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The Garden Theatre is holding a one-hour orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 7-9 p.m. for those interested in vol-
JERSEY BOYS Fri & Sat 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:55 Sun - Thurs 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
R
MAGUIRE RD.
General $8.00 Child (2-12) $6.00 Senior (60+) $6.00 Matinee (before 5pm) $6.00 3D is an additional $2.00 per ticket
THESE SHOWTIMES FOR:
FRIDAY, June 20 thru THURS, June 26 THE BEST MOVIE VALUE IN WO COUNTY
immersing themselves in the history, culture and food (and wine). They stayed with a family in Magione and ventured out daily with family members serving as tour guides. They experienced 34 cities and villages and agreed their favorites were Civita di Bagnoregio, Corton and Gubbio.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe will participate in the Annual Global “Rosary Relay for Priests” on Friday, June 27, at 12:30 p.m. following the 12:05 Mass. His Holiness, Pope Francis, is giving his Apostolic Blessing to all priests and those joining in this event. The church is at 8300 Vineland Road, Orlando. For more information, call 407-239-6600.
TURBO Wednesday 10 am 22 JUMP STREET Fri & Sat 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 9:55 Sun - Thurs 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 Fri & Sat 1:40, 4:40, 7:40, 9:55 Sun - Thurs 1:40, 4:40, 7:40
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INCOME TAXES Enrolled Agent Master of Science in Taxation
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57 N Lakeview Avenue, Winter Garden.
EquEStRian CEntER
A wide range of horses and ponies are available for lessons and hacks, catering for beginners to advanced riders. Stable management and specialized training courses available. Opening hours are 9 am until 7pm each day.
Riding School Options • First Time Riding • Returning to Riding • Already Riding • Horse Owner 4316 Avalon Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787 1 (407) 512 6042 Breannapickens@aol.com
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VETERANS American Legion Post 63
Every Sunday
Volunteer opportunities in West Orange County
Garden Theatre orientation
“ H o m e m a d e S a n d w i c h e s a n d S n a c k s A v a i l a b l e ”
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Steven Olszewski, 9, loves the Scoops ice-cream store in downtown Winter Garden and wanted to share it with his grandparents, who were visiting from out-of-town. They always take a 4-generations photo when they all get together, so this year’s picture was taken at the ice-cream counter. With Steven (far right) are, l-r, Edward Olszewski of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Marian Olszewski of Hialeah; and Derek Olszewski of Winter Garden.
The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program is in great need of volunteers to drive local cancer patients to and from their lifesaving chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. An integral part of treating cancer successfully is making sure cancer patients receive their treatments, but many find making transportation arrangements is a challenge. The American Cancer Society provided more than 3,100 cancer patients with rides to treatment in Florida last year, but there is a critical need for new volunteer drivers to keep up with the demand for transportation. “There is a great need for people to help by picking up cancer patients from their home and transporting them to their nearby treatment centers,” said Heather Maloney, mission delivery specialist. “If you have a car and even one hour a month, you can make a real difference in someone's life by becoming a driver." Drivers use their own vehicle to drive patients to and from treatments. The schedule for volunteers is flexible, and treatment appointments take place weekdays, primarily during business hours. To become a volunteer driver for Road to Recovery, call the local American Cancer Society office at 407-581-2512. Cancer patients seeking more information about the Road to Recovery program can call 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
PG
W. HWY 50
Sharing a treat
American Cancer Society needs drivers
MALEFICENT Fri & Sat 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 9:50 Sun - Thurs 1:30, 4:30, 7:30
407-877-8111
Five friends have traveled all over the world, and their latest trip took them to central Italy on a 2-week, all-inclusive tour. The travelers, l-r, Dan Becker of Bay Hill, Will and Rosemary Gates of Winter Garden and Denny and Carolyn Blankenship of Clermont toured Umbria and Tuscany,
PG-13
w w w . w e s t o r a n g e 5 . c o m
( 1 B L K . O F F H W Y . 5 0 )
A world tour
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Fri & Sat 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 9:50 Sun - Thurs 1:10, 4:10, 7:10
PG-13
unteering as ticket-takers, ushers, greeters and concessions. Those in attendance will also take a tour of the theatre. High school community service hours can be earned by volunteering. Those 16 and older are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Garden Theatre at 407-877-4736.
Health Central Park
Volunteers are needed at Health Central Park, 411 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, to assist with the spiritual and religious needs of the elderly residents and to assist with community trips, one-on-one visits and other recreational classes. Large-print reading materials are also needed. Contact Judy Skilton at 407-296-1656 for additional information.
Oakland Nature Preserve
Students can earn community service hours while helping the preserve with various projects. Families and groups are welcome to help, too. The Garden of Weedin’ volunteers meet every Monday at 8 a.m. Join this devoted group of volunteers to work on restoration projects. To get involved at ONP, call 407-905-0054 or visit www. OaklandNaturePreserve.org.
Nehrling Gardens
Open garden and volunteer days are on the first and second Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule a tour on another day, contact info@ nehrlinggardens.org.
WELLTRAX A Physical and Educational Center for Wellness
Summer Series of Fitness & Fun! Join us this June and July for
Tuesday Morning Bootcamps Thursday Evening Group Walks! Call now & register for a discounted rate! Ask about our Monthly Family Field Day
407-654-WELL (9355)
55 N. Dillard St. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Check out our website for all our events: www.welltrax.com
271 West Plant St, Winter Garden
BINGO
OPEN HOUSE
Doors Open 2 pm Games 3pm
Stop by for Coffee and Conversation. A luncheon menu will be available.
1701 Adair St. Ocoee
407-592-4498
Weekly on Wednesdays from 11am to 3pm
14A
The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Teen rider raising money to ship partner to nationals — Sabrina Searles is washing cars for donations Sunday at Tijuana Flats.
By Amy Quesinberry Rhode When Sabrina Searles was 4, she entertained herself by playing with the barn kittens while her older sister worked with a horse and trainer. It didn’t take long for the younger one to became interested in horses, too, and that year, the siblings received a four-legged Christmas present — a horse named Penny, which was perfect for beginning horseback-riding lessons. Now 17, Searles, of Winter Garden, has spent most of her childhood on the backs of several horses, becoming a talented rider and competitor and filling the house with ribbons, trophies (17 of them) and belt buckles (four). Earlier this month, she and her 4-year-old horse — Just My Lexus aka Scotch — earned a Youth Show Grand Champion Halter Gelding trophy from the Circle G Classic in Mississippi. The teen is a rising senior at West Orange High School and spends a great deal of time in other parts of the country collecting awards at national competitions.
She said she has competed in more than 100 shows; she was about 8 years old at her first competition. She keeps up with schoolwork through email but is required to take her tests at school. Two more horse shows are coming up in August, and the rider and her parents, Marty and Marisol Searles, are trying to raise funds to offset the cost of shipping Scotch to Oklahoma — about $8,000. They are planning a carwash for this Sunday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Tijuana Flats on West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden. To get to the American Quarter Horse Association’s World Champion Show in Oklahoma City, Searles had one year to accumulate enough points to qualify. She did it in three months, receiving most of her points in two qualification classes: Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat. The HUS class is judged primarily on the horse’s movement and manners. Hunt Seat is an equitation class, meaning it’s mainly judged on the ability and style of the rider. Searles is currently eighth in the nation for Youth Hunter Under Saddle 18 & Under. When asked what she likes most about riding horses, she answered, “The chal-
lenge.” Her performance has advanced to the level where she is starting to compete against former trainers at shows, and she says the “competitive spirit” is fun. She enjoys riding different horses, too, “because they all have different personalities,” but Scotch is all hers. She has had him for about 10 months. The horse lives in Reddick, just outside Ocala, at JB Show Horses, and her trainer, Jenny Baker, cares for him. Baker’s parents, Helmut and Judy Lekschas, bred and raised Scotch. Searles goes up to Reddick a few times a month. When she’s not riding Scotch or the family horses, Searles is working as a hostess at Texas Roadhouse, earning money to cover as much of her show and travel expenses as she can. Anyone wanting to help Scotch get to Oklahoma can send donations to Sabrina Searles, 13750 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 350 #127, Winter Garden 34787. Anyone wishing to follow her journey can find her on Facebook, where she will provide regular updates. She and Scotch will compete for two days during the nine-day program Horseback riding is a passion for 17-year-old Sabrina and then head to Tulsa, Okla., for a 10-day Searles, and it has garnered her many awards, including this one. world show.
Last year, Sabrina Searles competed in regional championships in Jacksonville riding Zips Coosa Cala aka Freckles. She was accompanied by, l-r, her parents, Marty
and Marisol Searles; trainer Jennifer Baker; Patrick Harris, Brian Williams and Elizabeth Williams.
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Local hoops teams hone skills in summer league
Briefs
By Steven Ryzewski
Squeeze atop Florida League standings
The Winter Garden Squeeze won four of five games last week and are in first place in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Full coverage on B3.
Local alumnus makes ESPN’s Top Plays
Auston Bousfield, an outfielder for Ole Miss and former West Orange Warrior, made ESPN’s nightly “Top 10 Plays” on its flagship SportsCenter program for Sunday. Bousfield made a Willie Mays-style catch for the Rebels in their College World Series Game against Virginia. The play was ranked No. 5 for the day. Ole Miss fell to the Cavaliers, 2-1.
Stats weren’t being kept and wins and losses weren’t the ultimate goal — but as Thursday’s summer league basketball game between West Orange and Osceola entered the final minute of play and the Warriors trailed by just a basket, that all went out the window momentarily. West Orange fell to the Kowboys, 71-70, but the value of having play stopped for a timeout with 27 seconds left in a live game was one that Warriors coach Eric Jones — who helps put together the summer league each year — says can’t be overstated. “Any time you can work on situational tests … that is always beneficial for kids’ knowledge enhancement,” Jones said. “Any time you can get that, that’s valuable.” The West Orange Summer
League runs each summer over the course of five weeks and this year it has 12 teams participating, including West Orange, Olympia, Ocoee and Foundation Academy. Each week, four host sites are selected with three teams participating at each location. Three games take place (at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7p.m.), with each team playing both opponents. The league offers coaches and players an opportunity to increase continuity within the program and get inexperienced players real game experience. “It’s an opportunity for us to get everybody involved,” Ocoee coach Rob Gordon said. “It’s not really about winning and losing at this time of the year, it’s more about developing the player and seeing what role they might be able to play for us come the regular season.”
Because the results are deemphasized during summer play, coaches can experiment with lineups and strategies and increase the confidence of their bench unit. “It’s vital to a successful program. … You’re only as good as your bench,” Jones said. “Your assistant coaches get to coach more during the summer.” The value isn’t limited to up-and-coming young players or role players, either. Grant Riller, a rising senior for the Knights, had a breakout season in 2013-2014 before an injury cut his campaign short and Gordon says the talented guard has been making the most of his summer. “He [Riller] has taken his game to a whole other level to where he was as a sophomore, or even a junior,” Gordon said.
Photo by Steven Ryzewski
The Ocoee Knights took on Leesburg on June 12 in sum(See Basketball, 2B) mer league basketball. Ocoee won, 74-58.
FHSAA mandates helmets for girls LAX
Local youth golfers shine at tournament in Kissimmee
The Dr. Bob’s “Mistake Free Golf” Junior Classic took place at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club in Kissimmee from June 7-9 and two local youth golfers had strong showings. Bebe Bouahom of Windermere placed second in the Boys 15-18 division and Thammalack Bouahom of Windermere placed second in the Boys 11-14 division at the event.
– Board is open to national bowl game in football By Steven Ryzewski
Collectively, it makes for a winning combination for people like David Miller — proprietor of Hagan O’Reilly’s Pub in Winter Garden. This year’s World Cup is the second that Miller and his staff at Hagan’s have experienced since the restaurant opened its doors and, if it’s anything like the 2010 World Cup, it’ll be another welcome boon in business. “We were very busy — it was standing room only,” Miller said. “As long as the U.S.A. and England and some of the major teams stay in … it’s probably a 30 to 40 percent boost in business.” Miller, a soccer fan himself, has a unique view of the changing attitudes toward the world’s most popular sport here in West Orange County. Because of his establishment’s pub theme and décor — along with plenty of televisions and drink specials — it has become a popular location for locals to catch soccer games aside from the World Cup. It’s not uncommon, Miller said, for a strong crowd to frequent Hagan’s on a Saturday morning to catch a prominent match between European clubs in one of the game’s more prestigious leagues. All in all, the local business owner seems to have his finger on the pulse of the growth of interest in the game and what it is about the soccer crowd that
The Florida High School Athletic Association announced a significant change to one sport and the possibility of a significant development in another last week. Citing safety concerns as its primary reasoning, the FHSAA has decided to mandate that girls lacrosse players wear helmets, starting with the 2015 spring season. The decision is at odds with the policy of US Lacrosse, the governing body of the sport, which does not require female athletes to wear protective headgear. In a statement, FHSAA spokesperson Corey Sobers said that although there were members from US Lacrosse present at the meeting where this was decided and that both sides were taken into account, it was the view of the organization’s board of directors that this was a necessary preventative measure. “The Board does not want to wait until a catastrophic injury occurs to make this type of decision,” Sobers said. “There were representatives from US Lacrosse at the Board meeting and there has been data reviewed but the emphasis, above all, is on the safety of student-athletes and the Board felt that this step made sense.” Sobers stated that the FHSAA has not decided upon what type of helmet will be required and that once it has, that information will be made public. Sobers said that although this is a significant change, the game of girls lacrosse in Florida will essentially remain the same. “The FHSAA realizes that there are differences between the way the game is played between boys and girls lacrosse but there are no changes to the actual rules of girls lacrosse,” Sobers said. “It will be officiated the same way with the same rules and the lone difference is to offer protection to the
(See Soccer, 2B)
(See FHSAA, 2B)
Winter Garden Runners welcome newcomers
The Winter Garden Runners are encouraging interested individuals to join them on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:15 a.m. or Saturdays at 7 a.m. for runs on the West Orange Trail. The group meets in front of Tri & Run in Downtown Winter Garden and usually runs roughly five miles. More information can be found by liking the group’s Facebook page, www.facebook. com/WGRunners.
Kids golf free at trio of local course through program
Celebration Golf Management is hosting its fourth annual Kids Play Free program now through October 4 at nine local courses, including two in Winter Garden and one in Windermere. The Golden Bear Club in Windermere, along with Stoneybrook West Golf Club and the Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden will all participate in the program. The program allows youth between the ages of 5 and 16 to play for free if accompanied by an adult golfer. For more information, contact chief operating officer Kenny Nairn at 407-5661045, Ext. 4604, or knairn@ cgmgolfproperties.com.
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Courtesy of Orlando City Soccer Club
A crowd of more than 20,000 attended Orlando City Soccer Club’s championship victory last season, setting a record for the USL PRO league. The club, which is set to transition to Major League Soccer in 2015, is one of several embodiments of the growth of soccer locally.
Soccer’s growth spurt – 2014 World Cup highlights growth of game in Central Florida, West Orange County By Steven Ryzewski Peter Moore’s phone has been blowing up lately. Since the 2014 World Cup started last week in Brazil, the director of boys soccer for Florida Rush Soccer — and also the boys varsity head coach at Ocoee High School — has been getting seemingly non-stop inquiries from parents who want to get their kids in the game. It’s just one of many ways in which, every four years when the World Cup takes place, our traditionally footballcrazy area goes crazy for the game that the rest of the world refers to as football. Of course, it’s not simply a fleeting phenomena — the game is growing throughout Central Florida and in West Orange County. Whether it’s participation in youth programs, an increased talent level in the prep game, fans flocking to local bars to watch games or the impending transition of Orlando’s minor league soccer franchise to Major League Soccer, the growth of the game locally is
evident and Moore has the numbers to prove it. “The Rush, which started nine years ago with probably 20 teams, is probably going to go on this year with over 35 teams,” Moore said. “We started with four fields and now we’re up to nine.” Apparently, nine fields isn’t quite enough for the local youth soccer powerhouse. Moore said that as the program continues to grow it may have to look into additional fields and locations. And the Rush is just one of several strong youth programs throughout the region. Collectively, those programs have had an effect beyond just the youth level, as the high school talent level has gone up — again with tangible results. “I think, overall, the level [of play] has gone up,” Moore said. “Since the Rush has started, Ocoee has had a final four team [in the FHSAA state playoffs], West Orange has had a state final team.” Though it continues to grow, youth soccer is no new phenomena — after all, the term “soccer mom” became a part of popular culture for good reason. Those youth soccer players grow up and often continue to follow the game. Polls by ESPN have shown that MLS and Major League Baseball are on par in popularity with younger demographics and millennials seem to embrace the game and its international influence.
Join The Winter Garden Squeeze for this week’s games: Sunday, June 22
Winter Garden Squeeze vs. College Park Freedom 1:00 pm
Wednesday, June 25
Winter Garden Squeeze vs. Deland Suns 11:00 am
Friday, June 27
Winter Garden Squeeze vs. Leesburg Lightning A fund-raiser for Cancer Foundation to cure kids cancer 7:00 pm
All games played at West Orange High School • 1625 Beulah Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787
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2B
The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Basketball
(Continued from 1B)
“Just more explosive, much more consistent and much more mature, overall.” Riller — who has garnered interest from a variety of college programs including Florida Gulf Coast and Florida International — showcased a balanced attack in Ocoee’s 7458 victory over Leesburg on Thursday, draining 3-pointers while having success driving the lane, also. Thursday marks the final week of regular season play for the summer league, with games at West Orange, Apopka, Olympia and Wekiva. The Warriors will host Foundation and Lake Minneola, Apopka will host Lake Brantley and Leesburg, Olympia will host Dr. Phillips and Osceola and Wekiva will host Boone and Ocoee. The following Thursday, June 26, will play host to end Photo courtesy of Brian Boylan of season tournaments, with Bridgewater M.S. track relay teams shine at competition groups of four teams meeting Photo by Steven Ryzewski The Bridgewater Middle School girls track team had a strong showing at the Orange at three separate locations for a round of semifinals and then West Orange hosted Osceola in summer league basketball County Track Fest on May 18. Both the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams medaled at championship games. on June 12. The Warriors dropped a close contest, 71-70. the competition, with the 4x400 team (Sami Campion, Kaleigh Ritti, Adeena Ademu John and Megan Ramza) finishing second in the county, besting 26 of the 27 other teams.
FHSAA
head area that lessens impact if there is some type of collision (whether that be the ball, stick, body contact).” The board for the FHSAA also decided to move forward in its openness toward a proposal by Paragon Marketing to have one of its teams partici-
(Continued from 1A) pate in a national postseason bowl game in football, similar to the National High School Invitational in basketball. According to the release, Florida’s highest ranked team nationally would compete in a televised game against an out-of-state opponent based on rankings
Soccer converts casual followers into fans. “It’s gotten much more popular — especially [during] World Cup time,” Miller said. “We get a lot of people that just come because they know they want to be some place where it’s going to be exciting — where people are going to be into it and the crowd is going to be cheering. … “They want to be where people are having fun.” It’s a similar theme to that of the growth in popularity of Orlando’s professional soccer team, the Orlando City Soccer Club. The franchise is currently playing its fourth season in the area and its final season before it transitions to the MLS in 2015. Part of the club’s meteoric rise in fan interest — specifically for a minor-league franchise — has been the atmosphere at the games. The atmosphere reached new heights when Orlando City hosted last year’s USL PRO Championship, which the club won, in front of a league-record crowd of more than 20,000 spectators. The presence of what is soon to be a team in the United State’s premiere soccer league — along with plans for a sparkling, brand new stadium for the club in downtown Orlando in 2016 — is something Moore believes will continue to have rever-
and a selection committee. The statement said that Florida’s participation in such a game, which would likely air on the ESPN family of networks, is contingent upon Paragon’s securing of sponsorships and interest from other states. (Continued from 1B)
berations throughout the region. “That’s going to just spur the growth even further,” Moore said. “I strongly believe that when the MLS first formed that they should have put a team in Orlando and not in Tampa or Miami because of the radius they could have.” As of Tuesday’s publication date, viewership for this year’s World Cup has been setting records for soccer in this country. West Orange County is included in the Orlando market, which according to a tweet Tuesday morning from ESPN, is one of
the five strongest markets so far (along with Washington D.C., San Francisco, Boston and New York). The game is growing, with the excitement of Team USA’s thrilling victory over Ghana on Monday — a game whose deciding goal came on an assist from Graham Zusi, a Longwood native and Lake Brantley High School alumnus — only adding to it. It’s much to the liking of longtime soccer enthusiasts, people like Miller, who said he only has one complaint. Miller said with a smile, “I wish it was every summer.”
The Florida Force Seventh Grade team, pictured from left to right: (top row) Coach Don Sandargas, Dakota Rivers, Jamal Baugh, Jay Soto, Anthony Reyes, Dante Love, Visual Russell, Coach Miguel Carrasquillo, (bottom row) Drew Michael, Nigel Brown, Reece Gustafson, Miguel Carrasquillo and Robby Sandargas.
West Orange Times Archive Photo
The Florida Force Eighth Grade team, pictured from left to right: (top row) Head coach Andrew Gustafson, Brandon Walters, A.J. Green, Dejuan Lockett, (bottom row) Jose Placer, Tyrieke Blakeney, Dante Treac and Beau Bridges.
Ocoee, in black, takes on Dr. Phillips in boys soccer last season. Ocoee coach Peter Moore believes the talent level has risen locally in the high school game.
Photos courtesy of Tammy Gustafson
Pair of youth basketball teams thrive in Clearwater The Seventh and Eighth Grade Teams for the Florida Force youth basketball program had quite a weekend at the USSSA Battle at the Bay in Clearwater. Both teams won the championship in their respective divisions at the event, held from June 6-8, with the eighth grade team doing so competing in a ninth grade
division against teams from around the state. The teams — which are sponsored by Ace Hardware in Winter Garden and Bank First — have several local players from Winter Garden and Windermere. The teams compete in AAU, USSSA, USBA and YBOA competitions.
Photo Courtesy of Mitra Sorrells
Local rowers heading off to college The Orlando Area Rowing Society (OARS) recently announced that it will have five seniors from local schools who will be continuing their rowing careers in college. The five rowers pictured, are, l-r, Alex Harding (Olympia), Harvard; Patrick Hansen (Windermere Prep), Harvard; Allison Zimmerman (Olympia), Louisville; Justin Figueroa (West Orange), Jacksonville; Brandon Montague (Olympia), Washington College.
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Windermere Prep names Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Sydney Pollock, a rising senior softball player at Windermere Prep, was recently named the school’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year. Pollock is committed to play college softball at Southern Mississippi after one last season leading the Lakers.
Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times
3B
Squeeze take first place with series win – Five-game win streak ends with Sunday loss to Winter Park
By Steven Ryzewski
SHANE CROUSE
Former West Orange pitcher sets out to begin pro career – Shane Crouse made just one appearance for Squeeze before being drafted by Cincinnati Reds By Steven Ryzewski
Shane Crouse’s stay with the Winter Garden Squeeze this summer was certainly brief — but for good reason. Crouse, a former pitcher for West Orange who had just wrapped up his sophomore season at Lake-Sumter State College, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 24th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 7 and left the team last week to begin his pro career. Getting the phone call from the Reds that day, surrounded by friends and family, completed one major step of a long journey for Crouse that included a detour to have Tommy John surgery his senior year with the Warriors. “That’s not just the rehab, that’s hard work that I’ve had since I was three years old when I started baseball,” Crouse said. “That’s all I ever dreamed of was getting that call.” In the time since, Crouse — who had been committed to Miami before his injury — battled back while pitching for Chipola State College and then Lake-Sumter, under head coach Josh Holt. In addition to work ethic throughout the process, Holt said the one thing Crouse always has had going for him is a knack for throwing the ball awfully hard. “The number one thing Shane has is arm strength — his velocity has always been there,” Holt said. “He’s a couple years removed from that [rehab] process and I’ve told scouts … ‘I think his best days are ahead of him.’” Crouse left for Arizona on Friday, where he will be playing for the Reds’ affiliate in the Arizona Summer League. Upon arrival he will sign a contract with the Cincinnati organization, the terms of which he has already agreed upon with the ballclub. The former Warrior said he spent the days between the draft and his departure with his family and friends, enjoying the euphoria of the milestone achievement before setting off to get back to work. “I know starting tomorrow it’s hard work and working my way up,” Crouse said this past Thursday. “You got to make sure you really want it and I really wanted it.” Crouse tossed just two innings for the Squeeze, but says his short stint with the team left an impression, nonetheless. “There are some great guys on that team,” Crouse said. “Great coach … [Squeeze coach Ruben Felix] gave me some advice … I had just met him but he gave me a lot of great advice.”
The Winter Garden Squeeze rattled off a five-game winning streak last week that has them atop the Florida Collegiate Summer League standings entering the third week of play. After taking the series finale against DeLand on June 8, the Squeeze (7-3) swept a pair of weeknight games against Leesburg that set up a weekend series against defending champion Winter Park with first place on the line. Winter Garden won games on Friday and Saturday, both on the road at Alfond Stadium in Winter Park, before falling at the series finale at home on Sunday. The series victory has the Squeeze a full game ahead of the Diamond Dawgs (7-5) as they prepare for a mid-week series against Sanford. Photo by Steven Ryzewski “It’s good just so the kids can know that we played good Andres Leal, left, is congratulated by Chaz Boyer after scoring a run for the Squeeze against DeLand on June 6. against the defending champs,” Winter Garden coach Ruben Felix said. “Winning two-of-three like we just did this weekend is big for us.” The Squeeze outscored their opponents 30-12 during the winning streak before Sunday’s 8-4 loss. Though Winter Garden looked sloppy at times in the defeat, Felix isn’t overly concerned that the loss might derail his ballclub’s momentum of late, noting that his players had grinded out an impressive 5-4 win the night before. “We were kind of sluggish — day game after a night game,” Felix said. “That happens even at the big-league level.” Though there’s no place like home and the Squeeze have enjoyed solid fan support so far in their first season of existence, the Winter Garden ballclub is making it known that it is not to be trifled with on the road. The Squeeze are 4-1 on the road so far this season and 3-2 in home games at West Orange High School. Heading into the series with the River Rats, the final remaining team that Winter Garden is seeing for the first time this season, and then a weekend set against College Park, the group Photo by Steven Ryzewski of strangers that came together Andres Leal is called safe at third base while head coach Ruben Felix looks on during a game on June 6 against Dea few weeks ago is starting to Land. come together as a formidable ballclub. “We’ve really meshed as a team,” catcher Andrew Mogg said. “It’s really fun — especially when we’re winning.”
What’s ahead — Next three home games:
West Orange alumnus Mogg away on mission trip
Squeeze catcher Andrew Mogg, a junior at Virginia Tech who played his high school ball locally here at West Orange, will be leaving the team for two weeks for a good cause. Mogg departs for a mission trip in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, as he and others from City Beautiful Church in downtown Orlando will be ANDREW MOGG helping to build a wall around a school. Mogg had been a part of pitcher and a batter who “Crusha mission trip two years ago that ed” it for the team during the helped to lay the groundwork previous week of play. for the school, which serves Leading Winter Garden at a poor village in the Domini- the plate this week was Matcan Republic, and is eager to thew Reyes. Reyes, a Midland, go back and continue to lend a Texas native who is a rising helping hand. senior second baseman for the “An opportunity like this is University of New Mexico, hit just too hard to pass up,” Mogg .526 on the week with 4 RBIs said. “Down there they’d die to and 5 runs. have the opportunities we have On the hill, Chris Fee was and that just shows you how stellar in earning his second win blessed we are.” of the season. Fee, an Olympia Mogg is one of many bright alumnus and rising senior at spots for Winter Garden early in St. Andrews Presbyterian Colthe season, hitting .353 with 5 lege, pitched six innings withRBIs and a pair of doubles. out surrendering an earned run and while allowing just two hits in the Squeeze’s 11-3 win over Who’s Crush-ing it? In honor of Crush, the mascot Leesburg. Fee has an ERA of 0.71 for the Winter Garden Squeeze, each week we will highlight a through two starts this season.
Wednesday vs. Sanford, 7 p.m. Sunday vs. College Park, 1 p.m. June 25 vs. DeLand, 7 p.m. The buzz: Sanford is the only team the
Squeeze have yet to see and last season’s runner-up. Winter Garden will look to continue its winning ways against the Lightning and Suns.
L o o k f o r o u r J u l y 4 t h s p e c i a l s e c t i o n in The West Orange Times July 3rd issue To advertise in this special section call 407-656-2121 or email advertising@wotimes.com • jcrouch@wotimes.com • dsheehy@wotimes.com
4B
The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
Children’s Lighthouse
Ms. Mimi is leading VBS-Weird Animals this week at Children’s Lighthouse.
Lakeview Middle ‘Oh, the Places She Will Go!’ was the theme borrowed from Dr. Seuss to celebrate the retirement of Margo Hoffman, who recently ended an illustrious 44 years in education. Many colleagues offered congratulatory remarks, gifts were presented, and a delicious luncheon added flavor to the event. Teachers and staff escorted Hoffman as she took her final walk down the sidewalk, decorated with colorful streamers and well wishes written in chalk, to her packed camper that was parked and waiting in front of the school. The Lakeview Middle School family will miss Hoffman and wishes her good health and blessings throughout retirement and an awesome time in each of ‘the places she will go.’
Thornebrooke
Tildenville
‘If I Could Be Teacher for a Day...’ All students at Tildenville Elementary wrote to this prompt and 24 were selected to ‘shadow’ a teacher for a day. Students were chosen based on their writing skills and shadowed many staff members including teachers, the principal, PTA members and the technology coordinator. Kelsey Grunick shadowed Pre-K teacher Mrs. Karr.
Ocoee Middle
The Ocoee Middle School FFA Alumni recently held a carwash to help benefit the Ocoee Middle School FFA. The owner of Frank’s Place allowed the alumni to sell pork plates and raffle tickets and have a carwash. All proceeds were donated to the Ocoee Middle School FFA and to the Toys For Tots. Helping at the carwash were, l-r, Jessie Sorenson, Callie Cramer, Emily Lewis, Kylie Cox, Ms. Anderson, Payton Valenzuela, Sydney Russell, Georgianna Dixon, Makayla Cobia and Gage Valenzuela.
Westbrooke
Thornebrooke Elementary 5th-grade students who competed at the county oration competition enjoy their trophies with Principal Christopher Daniels: Spencer Hernandez, left, who placed 2nd, and Madeline Bedford, who placed 1st and earned a spot at the state/ regional competition.
The 2014 Tomyn Award winners for ‘Top Student’ in the 5th-grade class at Westbrooke Elementary are Amanda Jacobson, left, and Jack McGarry, who were also President’s Gold Award winners for Outstanding Academic Excellence. They both had top academic years while pursuing athletics outside of school. Amanda trains Level 8 in Optionals Gymnastics at Orlando Metro, and Jack plays baseball for the OTown Select 11U team.
Whispering Oak
Montverde Academy’s music conservatory commences in fall The Montverde Academy Music Conservatory will initiate its inaugural curricula in the fall semester. MVA Headmaster, Dr. Kasey C. Kesselring, said: “I enjoy learning, and sports are exciting, but the arts are my passion. Students will now have the opportunity to focus that much more on developing their skills with hopes of a collegiate scholarship…” Montverde Academy Fine Arts Chair Aubrey Connelly will serve as the director of the conservatory. Dr. Lillian Green, a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory of Baltimore, Md., will direct the advanced strings program. The conservatory will include students from all of the acad-
emy’s three school divisions and place a special emphasis on its strings instrumentation instruction. Violins, violas and cellos will be provided for schoolchildren at each division. Brandon Bangle, Upper School instrumental teacher, will manage musical instruction for both the middle and lower school divisions training program. Mary Mincey, who has assisted Connolly in the past with various MVA musical concerts and competitions, will support the conservatory with its choral groups, piano instruction and emergent keyboarding methods. Students accepted to the conservatory will maintain five academic classes each morning, have a break for clubs and lunch
and then return to the music building to resume coursework. Students will schedule their core courses in the morning so their afternoon will be dedicated to musical direction and rehearsal. MVA Music Conservatory students will convene four days a week in various musical forums (vocal or instrumental) that will explore and educate an array of musical conceptions. For information on faculty, visiting clinicians, auditions and more, go to Montverde. org/MAMC. The conservatory is still accepting qualified candidates for the fall. Although students will possess a broad range of instruments and musical styles, they will focus their study regime on their primary instruments of choice.
Students in Mr. Tomasek’s class at Whispering Oak Elementary are learning about volume by creating a house made out of rods and connectors. After the students assembled their structure they were asked to find the volume of it. This hands-on approach helps deepen the students’ understanding of this often-difficult concept. Sitting in their creation are Joseph Weiner, Laila McCarthy, Alyssa Stehle, Shannon Song, Sarah Paquuette and Stone Rivers.
Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times
5B
Windy Ridge community helps favorite teacher fight cancer
Windy Ridge students, l-r: front, Mia Patterson, Sydney Wald and Madison Crowley; and back, Ederlyz Rodriguez, Maya Weber, Jessica Crook, Leah Mayo and Jackie
Crook, delivered the 1st of 3 checks to Amy Selikoff on her birthday with the proceeds from their Hope Loomers fundraiser.
so many communities around us,” Selikoff said. “We have the Windy Ridge community, so that’s 1,200 students and 200 staff, but that’s not really 1,400 people – it’s their families too.” The community has provided what seem to be countless opportunities to give to Selikoff, and she continues to list them by saying, “there’s more.” On Fridays, Windy Ridge allowed the students to donate $1 to wear a hat or sunglasses. At track meets, parents donated food and drinks to sell and gave her all the money. A lot of the funds raised were given to her on her birthday, creating a very special day for the teacher. “When I got to school that morning there was a picture of me when I was 12 – hundreds of them, everywhere, all over the school – and it said, ‘Hi my name is Mrs. Selikoff and it’s my birthday today,’” she said. “Even the eighth graders who I had last year had their dance-celebration night, and they had some money left over, and they gave me that money. They could have spent it on a pizza party or something like that, but they gave it to me.” Care packages have been sent along with stacks of gift cards and all the best chemo
find humor in her situation and carries a positive attitude. She is currently going through chemotherapy treatments to shrink her tumor and will have surgery sometime in the fall. At that time, she will return to Windy Ridge for her 10th year to continue teaching seventhgrade civics. Selikoff is used to a very active style of teaching, always on her feet and working hands-on with the students. Since March, she has completely changed her way of doing things in her classroom. Although she says she isn’t good at staying in one place, she and the students have both adapted very well. She created a group project for the last two weeks of school, allowing her to save her energy but still provide a meaningful experience for the students.
products, such as a neck pillow, fuzzy socks, a blanket, “queasy drops,” hats and more. Some of the most elaborate gifts received were from people she had never even met before, including numerous checks from anonymous gift-givers. “It’s really honestly so humbling because you want to think that people are going to step up, and then when they do you’re just like, ‘whoa,’” she said. “Like the Tampa [Bay] Rays, they gave us nine free tickets behind home plate for my birthday. Just awesome stuff like that.” Selikoff received the call from her doctor during her planning period at school, informing her that she has cancer. She confided in her friend Kim Hawkins, whose office is connected to her own. “I went down and told the school secretary, and I was just kind of in shock,” Selikoff said. “They’re like, ‘do you want to take the day off?’ I said ‘absolutely not, no.’ So, I didn’t take the day off, and I kind of just went on in this Twilight Zone reality, you know, that we still find ourselves in. Still, I’m like, ‘I don’t have hair, that’s super weird.” Even though it has been difficult, Selikoff manages to
“Basically, for the past quarter and a half of school, I didn’t stand up for more than 15 minutes at a time; I took a lot more breaks,” Selikoff said. “And I think some of that is probably actually good for me just in terms of professional development because I stop talking and the kids get to interact with one another, which I think is a really valuable thing, as well.” She said: “I believe in excellence. The way that you have excellence is personal accountability and high standards.” She expects this not just from her students but also from herself, something that having cancer cannot take away. She continues to hold herself accountable and strives to give her students the best education possible, with her many friends in the community by her side.
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Amy Selikoff, a seventhgrade civics teacher at Windy Ridge School, was faced with the life-altering diagnosis of Type 3A breast cancer in March. Since then, the school community has raised more than $8,000 on her behalf – and the giving continues. Selikoff has a strong passion for her job and her students. Her impact on her seventh-grade students and well-appreciated teaching ability is apparent, with almost an entire school banding together to make sure she gets healthy. “Everybody’s been so generous and so wonderful, and it’s kind of our tag line – ‘Cancer sucks but people have been awesome,’” Selikoff said. “I mean, I don’t want cancer. If I could not have cancer, like I would choose that. But I mean, there have been so many people coming out of the woodwork to love on us, to bless us.” A fundraiser called Hope Loomers was created for Selikoff and put together by one of her students’ younger sister, Mia Patterson, who is in the fourth grade. She had the idea to create rubber-band bracelets to sell around the school. She enlisted many other students to help out with the initial goal of $300. The dedicated students ended up raising $1,045 for the beloved teacher. The supplies were donated by Patterson’s parents, and the proceeds were split between Selikoff and the school nurse, sick with a severe case of Lyme disease. “If she raised $20, I would have been thrilled, and that was rather my expectation,” said Katia Patterson, Mia’s mother. “Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, Mia had talked a group of classmates into making bracelets during recess and the inventory grew and grew and grew. She loomed before school, in the car, in front of the TV, before bedtime and everything in between. Apparently, her friends were doing the same.” A second-grade teacher at Windy Ridge, Crissanne Sharp, arranged for her students to sell water bottles, snacks and Gatorade at the track before school at the Morning Mile, a program where kids can come to school early to walk around the track and accumulate miles. They also asked Patterson if they could sell loomed bracelets at the same time. They raised $1,000 for Selikoff. “I helped with the sales at the track before school and became a familiar face in the morning,” Patterson said. “One day, just after packing up, a little girl ran up to me, breathless, a dollar bill wadded up in her fist. ‘Is it too late to help?’ She asked. ‘No it’s never too late,’ I replied.” The child and her brother asked their dad for money to donate, but he said no. “But then a little twinkle appeared in her eye, and she said, ‘but we found a dollar in my room, anyway!’ I gave her the pick of the litter. And that was the spirit that made this all possible.” The entire Windy Ridge community has come together to help create something positive from a frightening situation. Numerous teachers, parents and so many students who have never even had Selikoff
as a teacher are all looking for ways to contribute and make her feel loved. “I have to give a shout out to the teachers because they allowed their students flexibility in their schedule to do these things,” Selikoff said. “Our doctors are like, ‘we haven’t seen support like this in general.’ It’s incredible. I’ll walk down the hallway, and there are pink shirts everywhere; they made Wednesdays where people wear those shirts. There’s this staff photo that we took, and there’s just a sea of pink.” Selikoff is not only a teacher but also a roller-derby player, a world traveler, a public speaker and a lover of hospitality – always accepting new people into her home with her husband, Nathan. She carries enthusiasm to all aspects of her life, and even though she has been forced to change her daily activities, she says “nothing intimidates me now.” But coming from a woman who once rode her bike 1,000 miles across the country, it doesn’t seem like she was ever easily intimidated. The fundraiser that kicked off the enormous amount of giving within the community was started by Selikoff’s rollerderby league, Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls, on gofundme. com. She has kept a list of everyone who has donated on the site and tallied at least $3,000 from students and their families alone. The site has raised $17,960 in total so far. A T-shirt campaign was also started to help support Selikoff by Windy Ridge’s assistant principal, Pam Crabb, whose husband owns a T-shirt print shop. They based the design off of Selikoff’s roller-derby name, Pirate-i-tude. The front says “Team Selikoff, Windy Ridge School” and has a breast cancer ribbon with a Jolly Roger skull on it, “an homage to something that I really love,” Selikoff said. The back of the shirt reads “Fight like a girl with Pirate-i-tude.” She estimated they gave her more than $2,000 from the sales. Selikoff and her husband have received generous assistance from members of their church community, as well. They attend Grace Church, which meets at Conway Elementary School. Selikoff said the pastor’s wife began bringing them two to three meals every week and has been doing so for the past four months. If she is not able to bring a meal, she gives the family gift cards or Publix gift certificates. “The thing is, for us, we are really fortunate to have
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6B The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
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Thursday, June 19, 2014 The West Orange Times 7B
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035 SCHOOLS AND INSTRUCTION
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160 GENERAL EMPLOYMENT Live-in Boys Dorm Parent. Duties include enforcing school rules, monitoring study hall, checking dorm chores daily, organize dorm activities. Must be able to work weekends and holidays as needed. Montverde Academy inquire within. County Road 455 Montverde. 6/19gh
Averitt Express New Pay Increase for Regional Drivers! 40 to 46 CPM + Fuel Bonus! Also, Post-Training Pay Increase for Students! (Depending on Domicile) Get Home EVERY Week + Excellent Benefits. CDL-A req. 888-362-8608 Apply @ AverittCareers.com. Equal Opportunity Employer - Females, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. fcan6/19 The Lakeside Church seeking experienced preschool director. Credentials and certified, start early July. 407-614-3760. 7/3dd
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EPISCoPAL CHURCH oF THE ASCEnSIon
4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd. Orlando, FL 32819. 1 block south of Conroy-Windermere Rd. on right. 407-876-3480 Sunday Services 8:30am,10:30am. and 6:30pm. Sunday School for all ages 9:30am and Children’s Chapel at 10:30am. Childcare provided. www.ascension-orlando.org
LUTHERAn PEoPLE oF FAITH CHURCH 220 Windermere Rd, Winter Garden Serv. 8:30am & 10:45am 407-877-3937 www.PeopleOfFaith.ORG
METHodIST oCoEE oAKS UMC
201 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee, FL. 8:30am Traditional 10:00am SS Sunday: 9:45am Interactive 11:00am Contemporary. Monday night services at 7:00pm. Pastor Eric McCrea 407-293-0700
FIRST UnITEd METHodIST CHURCH
125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times: 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM www.fumcwg.org 407-656-1135
PEnTECoSTAL GRACE WoRSHIP CEnTER
Temporarily meeting at Baldwin Fairchild of Winter Garden 428 East Plant Street Winter Garden, FL 34787 Pastor Ricky L. Faircloth
PRESBYTERIAn oAKLAnd PRESBYTERIAn CHURCH
218 E. Oakland Ave. Oakland, FL 407-656-4452 www.oaklandpres.org Near exit 272 off the FL Turnpike Worship at 8:45 am and 11 am Sunday School for all ages at 9:45am. Nursery provided during worship. Dr. Robert P. Hines, Jr., Pastor. Call about our preschool.
PRESBYTERIAn CHURCH oF THE LAKES, USA
Conroy-Windermere Rd. @ Lincoln Ave. Sunday School 9:00AM, Worship 10:30 407-291-2886 Worship on Wed. 7:00 - 7:30 PM “Come hear the Gospel” Rev. Ferdinand Brits www.pcol.org
UnITEd CHURCH oF CHRIST WIndERMERE UnIon CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org
8B The West Orange Times Thursday, June 19, 2014
West Orange Real Estate
To advertise in Real Estate please call 407.656.2121 or email: jcrouch@wotimes.com or advertising@wotimes.com
Pat Sharr Realty
BUYING A NEW HOME? SELLING YOUR HOME?
407-656-7947 MultiMillion Dollar Producer
407-948-1326
www.patsharr.com patsharr@aol.com
PE SA ND LE IN G!
Broker/Owner
PLEASE CALL ME!
WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?
This is a dream come true!!! Gated Community/Lake Access!!! Gorgeous 2-story with master bedroom on the first floor!!! Step into this impressive dramatic 2 story foyer. Formal living room with plenty of room for big comfortable chairs & sofa, spacious but intimate dinning room, entertain in uncrowded comfort in the spacious family room with surround sound! Laundry room and half bath. Eat-in kitchen complete with island, desk and french doors leading to the LARGE screened lanai and spa. Upstairs you will find the loft perfect for a playroom, office or study area!!! There are also 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and the media room that features a large screen, comfortable chairs and everything needed to watch your favorite movie. Easy access to turnpike, 429, 408 and the West Orange Trail!!! Asking Only $365,000.00
MOTIVATED SELLER! BRING OFFER!!!
SO LD
!
Take a look at this residential vacant lot located in Ocoee and no homeowners association...Build your dream home!!! City of ocoee utilities, water and sewer... Motivated seller...Bring offer's!!! Asking only $30,000.
WOW!!! 2.28 ACRES! NO HOA!
A STEAL FOR THE MONEY!!!
Fantastic buy in Valencia Shores one of Winter Garden's choice neighborhoods!!! This home feature's 2 master suites!!! Take a look at this 4 bdrm., 3 ba. foyer, living room with wood burning fireplace, dining room, family room, Florida room/ bonus room, inside laundry room, sparkling pool, fenced back yard, 2 car garage. This home is a dream, kitchen has been completely remodeled with stone counter's, solid wood cabinets all appliances stay, all window coverings stay!!! Asking Only $279,900.
J SOUS LD T !
J SOUS LD T !
Bring your builder today!!! Take a look at this rare find 2.28 Acres ready to build, some the the trees have been removed and have been trimmed. Conveniently located on Fuller's Cross Road with easy access to 429, 408 and the Turnpike. This is the time to build your dream home. Zoning is R-NC/Residential neighborhood center, single/2 family, property would have to have special exception for school, church or office. Asking only $250,000.
LISTED ONE DAY!!!
Great buy on this 3 bdrm., 1 Ba., Living room, dining room, inside laundry, kitchen comes complete with all appliances, all blinds stay. Laminate flooring in living, dining and hall, bedrooms have carpet, tile in kitchen, bath and laundry. Fenced back yard with open patio. Asking only $73,000
GATED COMMUNITY...SUBDIVISION PRIVATE LAKE ACCESS TO JOHNS LAKE! Beauty surrounds you in this 4 brm. 3 ba. located in Oakland. This home shows like a model! Formal living and dining, family rm with electric fireplace, surround sound, kitchen complete with all high grade stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, beautiful wood cabinets, dry bar and wine cooler. Split bdrm plan, flooring consists of wood and tile. Bonus room on 2nd floor w/full bath is perfect for guess room, playrm or office. Large screened lanai, heated pool, paver's, all patio furniture stays!!! What more could you ask for???Asking only $405,000
Selling your home?
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Call, text or email your address
7/31/14
MARK HIDE 407-832-7332
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Southern Stewart Title
Allison Garner- Thoma, CLC (407) 378- 2340 Kelley Timson, LTA (407) 378- 2341
markhide@remax.net
www.stitle.com
446 W. Plant Street, Suite 4 • Winter Garden, FL 34787 Office (407) 656-9800 • Fax (407) 656- 9852
www.orlandorealestateliving.com
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We insur e
JoAnne Quarles, C.L.C.
your treas u
re, one closing at a time!
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office 407.654.8811 • mobile 407.758.4479 • fax 407.654.4885 12184 W. Colonial Dr, Ste 102 • Winter Garden, FL 34787
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