07.06.17 Windermere Observer by Orange Observer

WINDERMERE

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Julia Benamati battles back from brain tumor. 11.

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West Orange is home to some of the best — and most unique — ice cream options in Central Florida.

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Ben Lewis, a junior at West Orange High School, was among 1,000 students to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience last month. More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers outstanding high-school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks, eat in the Cadet Mess and participate in academic, leadership, athletic and military workshops.

Hot-air balloon lands in pond near Disney According to Florida Highway Patrol troopers, a change in wind direction resulted in the pilot landing the balloon in the pond.

Windermere area welcomes new businesses

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

A hot-air balloon trip landed 16 passengers and a pilot in a retention pond off State Road 429 Monday, July 3. The pilot told Florida Highway Patrol that he was attempting to land the balloon — which was from Orlando

ORANGE COUNTY

Orangetheory Fitness will be the newest tenant in Summerport Village’s Cornerstone area, while Hawkers Asian Street Fare joins The Grove Orlando.

SEE NO ONE PAGE 4

ARTS & CULTURE

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

Residents in and near Windermere rejoice: New businesses are coming soon. Hawkers Asian Street Fare will be the next eatery to open in The Grove Orlando. And in

ORANGE COUNTY

t’s summer. It’s hot. But luckily for West Orange residents, there are

Tony Melendez learned to play guitar with his feet.

PAGE 7. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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plenty of options for a cool treat this summer.

SEE HAWKERS PAGE 6

In addition to ice-cream staples such as Allen’s Creamery & Coffee House in Windermere and Twistee Treat in Ocoee, this summer, locals

have new, unique options, including Snow City, which serves Thai rolled ice cream, and Winter Garden’s Frozen Cow, home of a new summer special called the Déjà Moo Split.

SEE PAGES 4-5

Courtesy photo

The Crispy Cantonese noodles are a crowd favorite at Hawkers.

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THURSDAY, JULY 6

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SATURDAY, JULY 8

HISTORY OF WINTER GARDEN 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at Heller Hall in the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, 21 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Hear about the unique history of Winter Garden and West Orange County in this program presented by Jim Crescitelli. Free. (407) 656-3244.

BUTTERFLIES AND HUMMINGBIRDS 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. This open day in the gardens will feature classes focused on gardening to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, led by native plant expert Alan Shapiro, as well as a plant sale of wild sage, native lantana, firespike and more. Classes are at 10 a.m. and noon; the plant sale is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit nehrlinggardens.org/event/.

FRIDAY, JULY 7

SING AND DANCE WITH ALINA CELESTE 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 7, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Internationally touring family musician and teaching artist Alina Celeste combines classic folk songs with simple and melodic original tunes. Ages 3 to 12. Seating is limited; registration recommended at (407) 835-7323.

PAINTING FOR THE SOUL 2 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Jeffrey Plettinck, 3D artist, modeler, designer and painter, will lead you through a meditative painting experience. Focus on relaxing and clearing

a path to creativity. Painting materials will be provided. Ages 18 and up. Suggested donation fee $15. Registration required at ocls.info or call (407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, JULY 10

BRADSHAW FUNDRAISER 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, July 10, at Crooked Can, 426 W. Plant St, Winter Garden. Ten percent of the proceeds from drink sales will be donated. A basket also will be set out to collect gift cards for groceries and gas. (407) 395-9520. BUILDING BOREDOM BUSTERS 3 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Beat summer doldrums by building fun boredom busters. Ages 6 to 12. Registration recommended. (407) 835-7323.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

DOWNSIZING FOR SENIORS 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. In this informative seminar, moving and real estate experts will guide you through the downsizing process as you prepare to unclutter and liquidate your possessions. Part of the Smarter Senior Seminar Series sponsored by Mike Flahaven, certified senior housing professional with Keller Williams Realty. Light refreshments will be served. Registration required. Contact Mike Flahaven at (407) 340-5291 or yourfloridahaven. com.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

WEST ORANGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at West Orange

Country Club, 3300 West Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden. Candidates in the District 4 special election will debate: Dr. Usha Jain, John Newstreet, Bobby Olszewski and Bruno Portigliatti. Lunch is $20. RSVP to rebeccatmellen@ gmail.com or (407) 230-5968.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

SATURDAY NIGHT OUT 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at the Rosen JCC, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. Parents can enjoy a night out while the center’s youth and early childhood staff watch children ages 18 months to 13 years, engage in activities and feed them dinner. Cost is $35 for the first child, $25 for the second and free for the third. Register at (407) 387-5330 or rosenjcc.org/sno.

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Town meetings could be livestreamed Windermere residents may soon have the option to watch Town Council meetings from the comfort of their own home. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Several months ago, Windermere resident Joe Foglia stepped through the double doors of the Windermere Town Hall, and a thought came to his mind: Why aren’t the meetings livestreamed? Foglia, who works as a sound engineer in the motion-picture industry, spends much time out of town and is unable to attend most Town Council’s meetings. “I’m personally always out of town working on shows, and I miss all the meetings,” he said. “It was becoming frustrating for me, because there were different topics they would present and, I wanted to educate myself and not rely on hearsay.” Foglia decided to conduct some internet research and present his idea to the council when he returned. He realized the project was entirely doable and decided to help the town set up a system with at least three motorized 1080p cameras with remote zoom capabilities. “We need to update Windermere, and we need to get it out more and get some more people involved in developing the community,” Foglia said. “By livestreaming (the meetings), we’d be able to reach people that really want to go and want to know what’s going on but can’t attend.” Years ago, Foglia said he considered broadcasting the meeting on a radio station, but with the advent of higher tech and costeffective, high-quality cameras, he reasoned that livestreaming the meeting is an opportunity the town should embrace. “A lot of people in the town are misled by hearsay, and they either miss the meetings or they don’t know what’s going on, or they may comment sometimes on something that is happening,” he said. The total estimated cost for the system is $36,563, which would include the cameras, network upgrades, a broadcast system and a user-friendly media streaming device that would allow the use of subtitles for the hearingimpaired, on-screen graphics that identifies each speaker, and the inclusion of a watermark with the town’s logo. WINDERMERE

Courtesy photo

This is what the new Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center on Health Central Hospital’s campus will look like.

Orlando Health breaks ground on new UF Health Cancer Center The new 30,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer center is expected to be complete by late summer 2018. DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER OCOEE Ocoee’s Health Central Hospital campus is set to expand again, as Orlando Health officials broke ground Wednesday, June 28, on what will become a new cancer center. The new Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center in Ocoee, at 30,000 square feet, will nearly double the size of the existing cancer center across the street. It is part of a $100 million project, $75 million of which is funded by the West Orange Healthcare District. Health care officials met the five-year capacity of the existing cancer center just two years after opening the doors in 2012. “Unfortunately, cancer continues to be one of the top killers nationally, across the state, as well as right here at home,” Orlando Health President and CEO David Strong said during the groundbreaking ceremony at Health Central last week. “Last year, over 1,700 people just in Orange County passed away due to cancer.” Orlando Health leaders emphasized the importance of convenience and accessibility to necessary medical services and treatments for patients, as well as support for their families. “There are three things that are really essential when you battle cancer, whether you’re the patient or a family member,” Strong said. “One is high technology — you want the latest tech-

nology, you want access to trials. Another is great compassion and staff that care about you. The final is convenience. When you’re sick, you don’t want to have to travel. … The wonderful news is that this facility will have all three of those.” The new center will feature expanded chemotherapy and radiation treatment areas, medical oncology services, surgical oncology consultations, laboratory facilities and cancer support community programs. Physicians and health care officials also hope to provide psychosocial therapy, nutritional counseling, some pharmaceutical services and complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and tai chi. Also announced Wednesday was the addition of a new cancer-fighting technology called MRIdian, from ViewRay technology. The technology offers a way for physicians to directly view and track the tumor during treatment, using simultaneous radiation therapy and magnetic resonance imaging. “This has been a dream of West Orange County residents for so long, and it’s finally coming to fruition,” said Tim Keating, vice chairman of the West Orange Healthcare District. “This is a terrific partnership, and we’re delighted to be a part of this milestone event today. … What we like most about this project is that it brings leading-edge cancer expertise right to our doorstep. With the arrival of (the new) UF

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Orlando Health President and CEO David Strong was excited about expanding the UF Health Cancer Center and introducing new services and technologies for patients.

Health Cancer Center, our residents will not only have better access to diagnosis and treatment, they will have the highest level of care.” The new cancer center is expected to be complete in late summer 2018. “The last couple of years I’ve been with the city of Ocoee it’s really been an amazing thing to watch what’s happening in the area,” said Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson. “One of the things I’m most proud of is this hospital and what it’s done for the community. … Our community is growing in leaps and bounds, and so is the need for advanced health care. Projects like this make our community one of the most desirable anywhere in Central Florida.”

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$100 million Total cost of Health Central expansion

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Current cancer center

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Radiation treatments*

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WINDERMERE

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writers Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange Observer.com Brittany Gaines, bgaines@Orange Observer.com Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Michelle Gentry, mgentry@Orange Observer.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com Ann Marie Vibbert, avibbert@Orange Observer.com Pam Zerblas, pzerblas@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Kathleen Carreiro, kcarreiro@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@Orange Observer.com Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER The Windermere Observer (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $40 per year ($50 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER send address changes to the Windermere Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787.

WHAT’S THE SCOOP?

CULVER’S

ALLEN’S CREAMERY & COFFEE HOUSE 523 Main St., Windermere PHONE: (407) 876-3558 HOURS: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays SIGNATURE TREAT: Allen’s Challenge

Allen’s Creamery & Coffee House has been a staple of downtown Windermere for nearly 10 years, and it’s known for its handmade waffle cones

Editor and CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman / David Beliles Publishers of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Plant City Times & Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Windermere Observer, Winter Park/Maitland Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record, Jacksonville Realty-Builder Connection, LWR Life, Season Magazine and Baldwin Park Living

and a variety of ice cream flavors that change on a regular basis. “We have to make cones almost every day or at least every other day,” said Anne Allen, one of the shop’s owners. Of all the flavors at the ice cream shop, the three most popular are Superman, toasted coconut and cookie dough. And for those looking for an ice-cream challenge, try conquering Allen’s Challenge — an 11-scoop ice-cream sundae with six different toppings — in under 15 minutes.

The Winter Garden Culver’s eatery features frozen custard, burgers and sandwiches, shakes, soups, salads and the popular cheese curds. The Midwestern fast-casual chain was started in 1984 by Craig and Lea Culver, in Wisconsin, where Craig combined a love for his mother’s homemade hamburgers with his favorite childhood vacation treat, fresh frozen custard. There are now more than 500 restaurants in 22 states.

SWEET JESSIE’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM 381 N. Clarke Road, Ocoee PHONE: (407) 704-6877 HOURS: Noon to 10 p.m. daily SIGNATURE TREAT: Vegan ice cream and banana splits

Sweet Jessie’s celebrated its first anniversary at its Ocoee location earlier this year and has about 200 different recipes for icecream flavors in its arsenal. At any one time, the shop will serve between 30 and 40 different flavors. Unique flavors to the shop include Cookie Monster, Blueberry Pancake and Zombie. Sweet Jessie’s also serves milkshakes, banana splits, root beer floats, butter brew floats and New Orleans-style shaved ice. Toppings include sprinkles, cookie bits, gummy bears, fruit, caramel or chocolate sauce, nuts and M&Ms.

SNOW CITY 8935 Conroy-Windermere Road, Orlando PHONE: (407) 217-7663 HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays SIGNATURE TREAT: Oreo or cheesecake-flavored Thai rolled ice cream

Snow City is more than just an ice-cream shop: It also sells Boba tea, Poke bowls and the latest trend in the world of icy treats, Thai rolled ice cream. Manager Jimmy Lee said the Oreo and cheesecake flavors are the most popular for the rolled

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13649 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 395-2225 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily SIGNATURE TREAT: Owner Tim Coleman said one of the signature summer treats at Culver’s is the Turtle Sundae. It features vanilla custard with hot fudge, hot caramel and pecans and is topped with a cherry.

No one injured in landing Balloon Rides — on the designated landing strip adjacent to the retention pond when the wind became an issue. The wind issue resulted in the pilot landing the balloon in the pond, troopers said. All 16 occupants and the pilot got out of the balloon. The occupants then were transported back to their destination. The retention pond is located off the southbound lanes of S.R. 429, near Walt Disney World at mile marker 7. Troopers said the

company is making arrangements to remove the balloon from the retention pond. Orlando Balloon Rides released a statement praising the pilot for making a “split-second decision to intentionally make a water landing this morning.” According to the statement, the cause for emergency landing was a change of wind direction at ground level just before touchdown, forcing the pilot to either risk contact with power lines or land the balloon in the pond.

ice cream, while the crowdfavorite varieties of Boba tea are Thai and mango. The shop opened across the street from The Grove Orlando, behind Black Rock Grill, six months ago. To make Thai rolled ice cream, workers pour a creamy icecream mixture and toppings on a flat-top freezing plate. Everything is mixed together before it is flattened into a square shape, rolled using a scraper and topped with anything from sweets to fruit or nuts. Snow City currently has 11 flavors of rolled ice cream, which comes in a large cup and includes toppings. Prices start at $5.50 for ice cream, $9.95 for Poke bowls and $3.50 for Boba tea.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

OBR officials added that all passengers are injury-free. An ambulance was called out of an abundance of caution for a 7-year-old boy who ingested some water, but he was treated and released at the scene, the statement said. “I’m absolutely thrilled our pilot had the skills and the training necessary to make that decision,” OBR owner Keith Fear said. “Our pilot, Russ Lucas, has over 2,000 hours of hot-air balloon pilot experience, and it shows. What happened today is certain-

ly not a routine situation, but he did what he needed to do to avoid something far worse and make sure everyone stayed safe. “We’re both relieved and sad for our passengers,” Fear said. “We’re relieved they are OK, but we know this has not been the fantastic experience we were looking for. We’re committed to making things right with them. While we understand this is unusual and may even be scary, we think our pilot absolutely made the right decision.”

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FROZEN COW ICE CREAM 1201 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 614-0497 HOURS: Noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays SIGNATURE TREAT: Owner Frank Rodriguez has created the signature summer treat called the Déjà Moo Split. It includes one sliced banana; the classic strawberry, vanilla and chocolate scoops; caramel, chocolate and strawberry sauces; whipped cream, cherries and a drizzle of caramel

TWISTEE TREAT 1500 Maguire Road, Ocoee PHONE: (407) 877-6888 HOURS: 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily SIGNATURE TREAT: Chocolate and vanilla swirl

The locally owned business serves 36 flavors — including the “21 Club” featuring adult flavors — of hand-blended ice cream made from Florida dairy and pure cane sugar with the addition of selected nuts, fruits and flavorings. There are no bovine growth hormones or high-fructose corn syrup. The ice cream is made using the batch-freezer method, which the owners say is an old-fashioned technique. The less air that gets into the ice cream, the creamier the product. Once the ice cream is frozen, the tasty extras are handblended in.

SCOOPS OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM STORE 99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden HOURS: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays PHONE: (407) 656-3369

1575 Maguire Road, Ocoee PHONE: (407) 656-6066 HOURS (through Aug. 12): Noon to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; noon to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays SIGNATURE TREAT: Chocolate soda

From the décor to the 1940s milkshake mixer called “Bertha,” the West Orange Creamery & Soda Fountain is all about paying tribute to an older era. And everyone who goes for ice cream knows that the ice cream sodas are the best in town. With anywhere from six to 10 different homemade sodas on tap every day, the West Orange Creamery & Soda Fountain boasts a wide variety

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

and chocolate sauces.

WEST ORANGE CREAMERY & SODA FOUNTAIN

Known for its iconic ice creamshaped stores, Twistee Treat is a popular stop for West Orange residents, especially once the sun goes down. Twistee Treat is often packed between 8 and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, according to associate Shanna Williams. The location offers 12 different ice cream flavors, as well as a wide variety of dips and toppings for customers to choose from, making for quite a few options. But of all the ice cream combinations available to customers, the chocolate-and-vanilla swirl is by far the most popular choice.

of ice cream sodas, but the chocolate soda is definitely the most popular among customers.

“We’re more of an olderpeople ice cream shop than a kiddie ice cream shop,” said owner Yomarit Eveland.

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Hawkers coming soon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Summerport Village, locals will soon be able to work out in their own Orangetheory Fitness gym. HAKWERS ASIAN STREET FARE

Tavistock Development Company has been working on the latest phase of The Grove Orlando for a few months and has announced three new tenants to date. The building, located on the southwest corner of Apopka Vineland Road and Conroy Windermere Road, will not only house a Starbucks and Regus — its newest tenant is set to be Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Hawkers is headquartered in Central Florida and serves Asian street food. The Hawkers team describes its atmosphere as “an experience-driven concept, and focuses on shared plates and encouraging guests to experience new flavors.” The first restaurant was opened in Orlando’s Mills 50 district, and three additional locations in Jacksonville, Neptune Beach and St. Petersburg have opened since. The new Orlando location will be its fifth, and another location will open in 2018 in Atlanta. According to Tavistock, Hawkers will occupy 4,500 square feet of ground-floor space within the 31,500-square-foot building. “The next few years are all about enlarging our footprint throughout the Southeast,” said Kaleb Harrell, co-founder of Hawkers Asian Street Fare. “We’re thankful to have had continued success throughout the state in the Jacksonville market and St. Petersburg, so we’re coming back to our hometown for the fifth opening. Our city is much different than it was when we opened in Mills 50 district back in 2011.

Meet Checkers (A379650), a sweet senior guy who is looking for his forever home. Checkers is very friendly and loving. He’s a mellow dog who enjoys attention. He is laid back and just needs a home where he can relax and be spoiled. He’s ready to go today, so double-jump over and adopt Checkers. Critter Corner showcases local animals available for adoption. If you run a shelter or animal rescue and wish to participate, contact Staff Writer Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com. For July, Orange County Animal Services will be celebrating “Freedom Felines and Patriotic Pooches” with only $10 adoptions. It’s the perfect time to gain freedom from loneliness. Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road in Orlando near the Mall at Millenia. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call (407) 836-3111 or visit ocnetpets.com.

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ABOUT HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FARE Hawkers aims to select the best of the street-food recipes from Asia and deliver them to consumers in a communal, casual environment. For more about Hawkers and to see its menu, visit eathawkers.com.

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WHAT IS A HAWKER? Hawker centres are open-air complexes in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Riau Islands that house many stalls, which sell a variety of food. They were originally set up as a more sanitary option to street-side dining places.

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“There are now multiple pockets and neighborhoods that are booming with diversity and the residents desire the experiencedriven dining that we provide,” Harrell said. “The Windermere neighborhood fits the bill for what we believe will be another amazing location.” Hawkers dishes are made to order using local and imported ingredients, and the menu changes with the seasons. Popular dishes include Hawkers baos, chicken egg rolls, grilled hawker skewers, signature wings, chicken lo mein, curry duck noodles, basil fried rice and kimchi fried rice. Hawkers has a weekday happy hour and offers imported and local wine, beer and saké. The atmosphere is fast-casual and communal, and design is inspired by the raw construction of hawker stalls in Asia. Tables are also inlaid with newspaper to “resemble the way street food is often served wrapped in newspaper from hawker stalls,” the release states. Tavistock anticipates The Grove’s newest building should be complete in the fourth quarter of 2017. ORANGETHEORY FITNESS

Summerport’s new Orangetheory Fitness gym will be the second new location to open in West Orange — the other is on Maguire Road in Ocoee. Orangetheory offers onehour workout sessions split into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Orangetheory workouts aim to help clients increase energy, burn more calories and get visible results. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Orangetheory focuses on group workouts and has locations in 45 states and 10 countries. Its training is designed to burn between 500 and 1,000 calories per session. Orangetheory Windermere will be located in Summerport Village’s Cornerstone sector. After turning onto Summerport Village Parkway, turn left into the Publix-anchored plaza. No definite timeline has been set yet for Orangetheory Windermere’s opening, although the aim is for it to be built and open by the end of the year.

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ARTS + CULTURE TRY THIS Brewery Yoga at the Crooked Can 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. This one-hour yoga class will be held on Crooked Can’s silo lawn and is open to anyone interested in yoga, from beginners to expert yogis. The cost is $10 per person, which includes a beer of your choice. For anyone younger than 21, the class is $5. For more information, call (407) 395-9520.

Feet of strength

Born without arms, Tony Melendez travels the world playing guitar with his feet. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER

LISTEN TO THIS

WINTER GARDEN

s a child, Tony Melendez dreamed of becoming a famous

singer. What he never imagined was that he would spend his life traveling the world

Sounds of Summer: Colors of Brass 7 p.m. Monday, July 10, at The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. This concert is part of the Orlando Philharmonic’s Sounds of Summer series. The concert will feature Sovereign Brass and will include popular pieces, such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Blue Bossa” and “March from The Love for Three Oranges.” Tickets start at $15. For tickets or more information, visit orlandophil. org or call (407) 770-0071.

ATTEND THIS

playing guitar — especially because he was born without arms. “It just kind of happened,” Melendez said. “I wasn’t even really looking to play the guitar. I just started messing around with it, and it just kind of worked.” The Missouri resident has traveled to 44 different countries sharing his talents and love of music with others. And at 7:30 p.m.

The Orlando Book Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. This daylong celebration of books will feature New York Times bestselling authors Adam Silvera and Jonathan Maberry as keynote speakers. The day includes writing workshops, book signings and the chance to meet more than 20 authors from across the country. The event is free. Attendees are asked to RSVP online at bit.ly/2u6Onf5. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.

July 12, he will bring his unique performance to Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden.

SEE STORY PAGE 8

“Music means a lot of things to me. It’s prayer. It’s financially helped me. You can dance with it. It brings you back to moments in time. It’s a friend. It’s just a lot to my life.” — Tony Melendez Courtesy photo

Tony Melendez plays guitar with his feet and will be putting on a performance on July 12 at Resurrection Catholic Church.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

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Meet Olympia setter Lorissa King PAGE 17

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At last! Work begins on relief school Officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new West Orange County high school Sept. 24. STORY ON 6 ARTS+CULTURE

The secret life of

MAYOR BRUHN West Orange High thespians dish up a spoonful of sugar.

PAGE 13

Welcome to your new hometown newspaper MICHAEL ENG

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YOUR TOWN SCOTT APPOINTS AREA RESIDENT Gov. Rick Scott announced Sept. 18 two appointments and one reappointment to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. Robert Gidel Sr., of Windermere, is the managing partner at Liberty Capital. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term that began Sept. 18 and ends Sept. 10, 2017. He joins Iris Gonzalez, of Tierra Verde, on the board.

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What you’re holding in your hands is the product of more than a year of planning. It’s the product of our wildest dreams — a bold step for a company that last month celebrated our 110th anniversary. Welcome, readers, to the first edition of the Windermere Observer, a sister paper of the West Orange Times & Observer, which has roots that date back to the Winter Garden Ricochet in 1905. For more than a century, our newspaper — through all its previous owners and iterations — covered the entire West Orange region with just one edition. Today, that changes. Put simply: West Orange has grown too large for one hyperlocal community newspaper. For longtime readers: this new Windermere Observer will cover Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill, Gotha and MetroWest, while the West Orange Times & Observer will renew its focus on Winter Garden, Ocoee and Oakland. As the 10th newspaper owned by the Sarasota-based Observer Media Group, the Windermere Observer will strive to deliver on OMG’s slogan: “You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.”

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No arms? No problem! Melendez was born without arms after his mother was prescribed thalidomide, a drug used to help alleviate morning sickness, while pregnant. Although he was fitted with prosthetic arms as a child, he rarely used them and eventually discarded them in favor of using his feet. Always musically inclined, Melendez began trying to play piano and the harmonica, with the help of his feet, and then he discovered the guitar. “I was able to play by ear and (play) simple music,” he said. He never took formal lessons but continued practicing using his feet. He adapted the guitar to use an open tuning as he progressed and even began writing his own music. Then in 1987, he had the chance of a lifetime — to play guitar for Pope John Paul. As he strummed the last chords with his toes, the Pope stood, applauded Melendez’s performance, kissed his cheek and told him to keep playing. “That moment took me to a global status,” Melendez said. “I wasn’t prepared for what was to come. I had so many invitations (to perform) come in right away.” After that day, Melendez’s musical career skyrocketed — more than he ever expected, he said. “Music means a lot of things to me,” he said. “It’s prayer. It’s financially helped me. You can dance with it. It brings you back to moments in time. It’s a friend. It’s just a lot to my life.” Although he loves sharing his story and love of music with others, he said not everyone knows what to expect when they first see him. “A lot of people who haven’t seen me before — they aren’t too excited,” Melendez said. “Then within the first couple songs, people are clapping, singing. Then later in the concert I’ll see tears, depending on the song. They’re moved; they’re involved.

Courtesy photo

AN EVENING WITH TONY MELENDEZ WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Resurrection Catholic Church, Gleason Hall, 1211 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden. TICKETS: Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for high-school students and $5 for children ages 13 and younger. INFORMATION: (561) 779-1266

It’s not a boring concert.” And he occasionally gets awkward reactions to his lack of arms. “I’ve gotten mixed reaction,” he said. “Some little kids are sometimes scared that I have no arms. I’ve had the uncomfortable situation where a person puts out their hand to shake my hand, and I don’t have one. But a lot of people are OK with it. And if they spend more time with me, it gets easier and better.” But in the midst of the concerts and traveling, Melendez said he has learned to balance it with spending time with his wife and children. “The balance is hard because I do miss birthdays of my kids or maybe something they’re involved with,” he said. “It is hard, but we just have to love and trust each other.” He said that it’s his faith in God that keeps him going every day. “I really do feel like I’m being sent to do a mission of hope and that’s really what I try to do,” he said. “Is it easy? No.” Although he’s used to an armless life, there’s still one thing he longs to do. “I want to embrace my wife and my kids — a real hug,” he said. “I’ve lived my whole life not being able to embrace them.”

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Join us in congratulating Dr. David Boers for being voted TOP DENTIST in Windermere 2016 by Orlando Family Magazine

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After playing in a soap-filled bounce house, Anabelle Silipino, left, and Mary Neilson were both covered in bubbles.

Independence celebrates July 4th

Joshua Kincaid, 6, managed to pull a wood block from the Jenga stack without making the pile tip over. Attending the event for the first time, Yolanda Alzate arrived early at the firework viewing area to get a good seat.

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he Independence community in Horizon West kicked off the July 4 festivities early with its Independence Fireworks Spectacular event Saturday, July 1. Held at the Commons at Independence, the event featured a variety of food trucks, a kids zone with several inflatables, a DJ and a fireworks show.

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Flapjacks for the Fourth R

esidents gathering in downtown Windermere were decked out in red, white and blue Tuesday, July 4, for the town’s annual Fourth of July pancake breakfast. Mayor Gary Bruhn, sporting a patriotic tie, greeted residents as Town Council members held down the fort filling pancake orders of all flavors — plain, chocolate chip and sprinkle-filled among them — outside. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

Windermere Town Council members and volunteers enjoyed making pancakes. From left: Council Member Al Pichon, Mayor Gary Bruhn, Jacob O’Brien and Council Member Jim O’Brien.

West Orange Healthcare District’s Norma Sutton, right, and her mother, Dorothy Taylor, dressed in red, white and blue.

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com Barbara and Joseph Brigoni brought their son, Eduardo, to enjoy some breakfast.

Left: Alexandria Cotton and Brooklyn Collier enjoyed their pancakes.

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Stephen Withers had a great time at the breakfast with Sarah Withers and his grandchildren, Lucy and Madeline.

JULY 6, 2017

HIGH

SPORTS

Sutton Janata has played for the Wildfire team since its inception and has distinguished herself as an exceptional shortstop. Page 12.

Two Olympia High baseball alumni have earned spots in two high-profile showcases. Nick Gordon, the top prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization, will play in the 2017 All-Stars Futures Game July 9, broadcast on MLB Network. Jesse Winker, an outfielder who has been called up twice this season by the Cincinnati Reds and currently is playing for the Louisville Bats, has been named to the Triple-A All-Star Game July 12.

Nolan Lang, a rising senior infielder for Northeastern University and an alum of Dr. Phillips High, announced via Twitter that he will compete for Germany in the U23 European Championships next month in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Lang has played summer baseball in Germany the past two summers.

The All-Star Game for the Florida Collegiate Summer League is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 8. The game will take place at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.

A rainy week meant the Winter Garden Squeeze played just three contests from June 25 through July 2, winning two of those games — the Squeeze beat Leesburg 8-6 June 25 and 8-0 June 29. At 9-9 so far this season, Winter Garden is in a tie for third place in the FCSL standings. For more, visit OrangeObserver.com.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR GAINESVILLE

he hat and T-shirt Michael Byrne wore the evening of June 28 commemorated the national championship he had helped win one day earlier — the first national championship for the Florida Gators baseball program. The shorts, though — the shorts had a familiar "O" for Olympia High School, where Byrne was a standout pitcher for the Titans during his varsity career. Byrne is one of three players with local roots on the Gators team that won the College World Series June 27, defeating LSU 6-1 in Game Two of the championship series in Omaha. A day earlier, in Game One, Florida had held on for a 4-3 victory. Joining Byrne as local alumni

Courtesy of Tim Casey/University of Florida Athletics

Ryan Larson, left, and Michael Byrne — local alumni of Dr. Phillips High and Olympia High, respectively — hold the NCAA Championship trophy in their hands after the Florida Gators beat LSU in the College World Series.

Dr. Phillips’ Ryan Larson, Olympia’s Michael Byrne and TFA’s Garrett Milchin, of Windermere, are part of the Florida Gators’ baseball team that won the College World Series June 27.

SEE NATIONAL PAGE 15

Player shows determination in journey back to the diamond When doctors found that Julia Benamati had a rare brain tumor last fall, it was the beginning of a scary time that the Dr. Phillips youth and her family won’t soon forget. STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

In the latest update of the Perfect Game Class of 2019 High School Rankings, The First Academy’s Joseph Charles, a pitcher, was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the nation.

Lying in a hospital bed last November after having had surgery to remove a rare childhood brain tumor, Julia Benamati’s mind could have been any of many places. Between the visits from family and friends, though, her thoughts

DR. PHILLIPS

Steven Ryzewski

Dr. Phillips’ Julia Benamati plays for the Central Florida Coyotes and is excited to prepare for the fall travel ball season.

would inevitably drift back to one central question. Julia, 11, wanted to get back out on the softball diamond. “Everyday it was, ‘When can I go back to softball? When can I do something that’s going to terrify my parents?’” said Christina Benamati, Julia’s mother. SEE COYOTE PAGE 14

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Sutton Janata The Windermere Wildfire 14U team is hot off a recent USFA state championship and now is preparing for the USFA World Series in Panama City. Sutton Janata has played for the Wildfire team since its inception and is an exceptional shortstop with hopes to join West Orange High’s softball team upon beginning her freshman year this fall.

THE BASICS AGE: 14 YEAR: Incoming freshman SCHOOL: West Orange High HEIGHT: 5-foot-4 POSITION: Shortstop TRAVEL TEAM: Windermere Wildfire 14U — Janata

My dad got me into tee ball when I was 4 or 5, and I always wanted to play because my brother played baseball so I was like, “Oh, I want to be like him!” What’s your end goal with softball? My goal is to play college softball. I don’t really have a dream school, but I’ve always wanted to play at Florida.

What was going through your mind when you guys won? It was very exciting, and all the pressure of winning the state tournament just like flew off, and it was really fun to beat the team and win the state title.

Is there any advice you’ve been given that sticks with you out on the field? To slow the game down so it doesn’t speed you up and it’s not as fast. Play-by-play, where to go when you get the ball, know where you’re going before you get the ball so you know exactly what play to go and how to make it.

What are you most excited about for World Series? It’s like a whole week tournament, so we’re going to stay in a condo on the beach. So after we play a game, we’re going to go hang out on the beach and stuff, so I’m most excited for playing that whole week with the team.

What’s your favorite quote? “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” My dad told it to me, he tells the team a lot. If you’re losing, it’s not over, and you have to go back and keep fighting.

Sometimes you come back and win, so it’s not over until it’s over. What’s the team dynamic like? When we’re up on a team we’re very energetic and out there, like, “We want to play, we want to win.” Sometimes when we’re losing, we get down, but then we get fired up, like we want to beat this team. It’s very energetic, and we’re loud in the dugout and talking on the field. Any favorite musical artists at the moment? Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato. They’re really what I listen to. What’s your all-time favorite meal? Probably steak, mashed potatoes and corn, and maybe chocolate milk right there. We used to have that once in a while, like on a special occasion, at my house, and I’ve always savored it. Do you have any pets at home? We have a dog, Oreo, who’s a Morkie (Maltese and Yorkie). If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably Hawaii. I don’t know, it just seems so amazing — beautiful sunsets, and the beaches just seem awesome.

Family. Family. Friends. Friends. Community. Community.

How did you get into softball?

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

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Coyote calling CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Julia had been feeling ill for weeks leading up to her surgery. Greg and Christina Benamati, of Dr. Phillips, took their daughter to different doctors, ruling out one possibility after another in the process, until finally they arrived at a neurologist in early November. On Nov. 2, Julia underwent an MRI, and that’s when the doctors found the source of the problem — a golfball sized tumor on the back of Julia’s head, on her cerebellum. Julia was admitted to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children that night. “There was just complete disbelief that this was happening,” Greg said. That night, the Benamatis watched Game Seven of the World Series together in Julia’s hospital room — Julia rooted for the Cubs. Two days later, on Nov. 4, she went under the knife. Doctors believed Julia had juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, a rare childhood brain tumor that — in most cases — is benign. After the surgery, which went off without a hitch, it would be a few days before doctors could conclude it was benign. While Greg and Christina worried, Julia daydreamed of being back out on the field, playing second base — or maybe catcher. And then there was her skateboard, which had been collecting dust since she had been admitted to the hospital. The steady stream of visitors that frequented Julia’s room included teachers from school, teammates from the Central Florida Coyotes — her travel softball team — and her coach, Jes Willis. Three days passed before the good news came: The tumor was benign and had not spread. Although doctors said Julia would need to return for MRIs every three to six months until adulthood, she was cleared to begin her recovery — something she took to with a vengeance. “She clearly did not want

to be there (in the hospital),” Christina said. “(Julia) did what they asked her to do … and they let her go two days early.” Returning home did not mean an immediate return to the diamond. Because of the tumor’s location, Julia’s coordination and balance had been affected — doctors marveled that she had been able to run bases in the weeks before she was admitted. So, she began a physical therapy regimen. Physical therapy wasn’t all bad — Julia took a liking to the parts that involved playing on the monkey bars — but it was still something the local youngster was determined to power through. There was a concern by the doctors regarding whether she would fully and wholly recover her athletic abilities, but that wasn’t going to discourage Julia. “The therapist was really surprised (at her progress),” Greg said. “Since the first visit, she saw that she was coming back really fast.” While she was rehabbing, Julia didn’t stay far away from the field. Her coach trained her to keep the scorebook during games, allowing her to be present in some capacity. “You had to pay attention and watch every play,” Julia said. “I was glad to be around the team.” Finally, in March, Julia was cleared to return to the Coyotes. For her parents, it was an occasion that was equal parts exciting, prideful and terrifying. For Julia, there was the minor inconvenience of being rusty with the basics. Things came back to her, though, and at a weekend tournament early in May, she hit two triples on the same day — proof that she really was on her way back. Now, as she continues to progress, she’s excited to get back to work preparing for the Coyotes’ fall season. She’s on the road to recovery, and softball gets at least some of the credit. “There was no question that was a motivating factor,” Greg said.

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who will soon be fitted for championship rings are Dr. Phillips High alum Ryan Larson, a senior outfielder for the Gators, and Garrett Milchin, a freshman infielder and pitcher from Windermere who started his varsity career at West Orange High before completing it at The First Academy. For Larson, a regular starter and a member of the Florida teams that had made the College World Series in 2015 and 2016, previously, the third time truly was the charm in Omaha. "It was an awesome way to go out, that's for sure," Larson said at the Gators' championship celebration Wednesday on campus. "It's quite a feeling. ... Maybe, not right now, it hasn't set in, but in maybe 10 or 20 years — you can only be the first person to do something once." On the season, the former Panther hit .279 with 53 hits and 24 RBIs. Byrne had one of the best seasons for a relief pitcher in all of college baseball in 2017, setting a program record for saves with 19 on the year. His emergence as the closer for a national championship program is all the more remarkable considering the former Titan arrived in Gainesville as a preferred walk-on as a freshman. "I didn't even know if I was going to come here (to Florida) at first — I thought I was going to go to a smaller school," Byrne said. "My dad told me 'if you want to be the best, play the best and come to the SEC.' So that's what I did." Milchin, who played his senior year at The First Academy, had a freshman experience that will be hard to top. And, even though he has been with the program for just one year, the significance of what he has been a part of is not lost on the Windermere native. "It means a lot — so many great players have come through this program," Milchin said. "I learned a ton. It was a completely new experience and it was completely different from high school (baseball)."

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

DPLL continues dominant district display STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Dr. Phillips Little League was a perfect three-for-three in District 14 tournaments following last week’s conclusion to the tournaments for 11-year-old and 10-year-old All-Stars. The tournaments, which took place at Winter Garden Little League and Ocoee Little League, respectively, saw both teams from DPLL top opposing teams from Winter Garden in district championship games June 27. Combined, the two teams had just one loss between them, as DPLL’s 11-year-old team went a perfect 5-0 during the district tournament and the 10-year-old team went 5-1. The Dr. Phillips 10-year-old team’s one loss came at the hands of WGLL in pool play — a 10-0 defeat that Manager John Cone thinks may have been a net positive in the end. “They were extremely motivated (after the loss),” Cone recalled. “(Losing to Winter Garden) woke our kids up a little bit.” When the two teams met again for the championship June 27, it initially looked like the boys from DPLL would return the blowout in kind, leading 10-1 through three innings. Winter Garden clawed its way back into the game, but in a thriller, Dr. Phillips managed to hold on for the victory. “I can probably say that, at any level, that was the most exciting baseball game I’ve ever been a part of,” Cone said. The DPLL 11-year-olds had a slightly easier go of it in their championship, beating Winter Garden 9-2. In total, Dr. Phillips outscored opponents 63-14 during the district tournament —

In total, Dr. Phillips Little League’s 11-year-olds outscored opponents 63-14.

Courtesy photos

Dr. Phillips Little League’s 10-year-old team lost just once during the district tournament.

hitting seven home runs over the five-game stretch. “We played really good defense,” Manager Jamie Jacobs said. “One through 12, each kid contributed at one point or another.” Both teams now will advance to their respective Section 5 Tournaments at Maitland Little League

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this weekend. The 10-year-olds will compete against St. Cloud, Apopka and Delaney Park for a trip to the state tournament, with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The 11-year-olds will compete against Oviedo and Delaney Park in a pair of games Saturday.

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National champions

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Dr. Phillips Publix pilots meal-kit program The Southwest Orange location is one of the first two to offer the new program. DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER DR. PHILLIPS Not much of a cook?

Not a problem. In following suit with similar meal-kit programs such as Blue Apron and HelloFresh, Publix recently launched a test run of offering kits of its own, called Aprons meal kits. The grocer launched the meal kits under its Aprons department, which includes recipes, cooking schools, event-planning services and instore demonstrations. “The test started late February (to) early March 2017 in two Publix locations, one in Orlando and one in Tampa,” said Dwaine Stevens, media and community relations manager for Orlandoarea Publix stores. In Tampa, customers can find the new meal kits at the Shoppes of Citrus Park, while Orlando customers can find them at The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, in a case near the store entrance. “We’re kind of like pioneers of the program, which is kind of cool,” said Dinorah Ortiz, meal solution specialist for the Dr. Phillips Marketplace Publix. “It’s popular, we’ve been getting good feedback.” The idea behind such meal

packages is to offer a quick, graband-go solution to meal planning and preparation. There are different kits for different meals, and each is stocked with all ingredients and instructions necessary for creating the meal. Customers simply go into the store, pick out and purchase the kit they’d like, and then take it home for preparation and serving. All ingredients are pre-portioned, and each recipe can yield between two and four servings. At the Dr. Phillips location, the case holds 45 grab-and-go bags, and six recipes at a time are featured each week. “On Wednesdays, when we do our big builds to roll out new recipes for the next day, we build between 70 to 90 bags,” Ortiz said. “Every Thursday, six new recipes roll out from the pool of recipes Publix has. It’s all portioned out, all you have to do is follow the recipe.” The kits are available in three levels of preparation: simple, simpler and simplest. Simple prep kits require six or fewer steps, simpler kits require four or fewer, and the simplest ones — also called “heat and eat” — require only one or two steps. A “heat and eat” kit can yield a meal of beef bratwurst and sauerkraut with potato salad and baked beans, while one with six steps can help create a meal of Caribbean chicken wings with roasted tropical potatoes. Other supermarkets such as Fresh Market, Kroger and Whole Foods also have introduced their own meal-kit creations. In fact, Nielsen consumer studies report-

Danielle Hendrix

Each week Publix rolls out six featured recipes for its Aprons meal-kit program.

ed that in the last year, meal kits in nationwide grocery stores generated $80.6 million in sales, up 6.7% over the previous year. Additionally, Nielsen found that “one in four U.S. adults has purchased a meal kit either in the store or for delivery during the last year, with 70% going back after making their first purchase.” And according to Food Dive, a food industry and new analysis publication, marketing studies estimate that meal-kit delivery services will generate upward of $1.5 billion in sales during 2017. But unlike competitors Blue Apron and HelloFresh, Publix currently does not offer a delivery service for its meal kits. Store Manager Jay Farley said all of the recipes have been suc-

cessful, with some even taking off more than others, and the feedback from customers has been quite positive. “It took off really quickly, and this is a very big industry out there,” Farley said. “We have a very loyal customer base, and the feedback we’ve gotten is that they’re very excited to see Publix step into this as well and offer our level of service and our level of quality with something that’s also fast and convenient. We live in such a fast-paced world, and I think the faster we can take care of our customers, the happier they’re going to be.” Publix is currently selling the kits ranging from $9.99 to $37.99, depending on tier level and ingredients included.

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teacher to being in the choir and the WMU. Becky was also a member of the Red Hat Society. For fun she loved to garden; she had a green thumb and could grow anything. She also loved to go fishing, often being the only one to catch fish. Becky is survived by two daughters, Iris Peterson, of Winter Garden, Florida, and Rebecca Jeancola (and Dan) of Maitland, Florida; one

DORIS W. YOAKUM DIED JUNE 13, 2017.

GUY MITCHELL LUNDY DIED TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017. Guy Mitchell Lundy died at home with his wife by his side on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at the age of 60 after a long illness. Guy was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Orlando in 1960. He graduated from Maynard Evans High School in 1974 and was self-employed until going to work in 1980 for Walt Disney World, where he became a metal worker/ mechanic/scuba diver. He medically retired from Disney after 27 years. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father and great friend to many. He enjoyed 20 years’ worth of coaching football for the WFA (Women’s Football Alliance), the IWFL (International Women’s Football League) and the Pop Warner Ocoee Bulldogs football team. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Robin; son, Kevin; daughter, Allison (Peter Stewart); two grandchildren; sister, Shirley Loch; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service is planned for late July. Baldwin Brothers of Apopka is handling arrangements. Visit his memorial page at baldwincremations.com.

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Doris W. Yoakum was born Sept. 4, 1927, to Earnest W. and Louise (Moss) Welford, in Lucedale, Mississippi. She grew up as the only child of a Pentecostal pastor and learned to play the piano while quite young. By the age of 9, she was accompanying church services her father led. She would later attend Central Bible College of the Assemblies of God. On Sept. 8, 1945, she married William E. “Bill” Yoakum II. They had five children. With Bill working for the Army, the family moved around early on, living in Newport News, Virginia; Hagerstown, Maryland; and Belleville, Illinois, before settling in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1963, they moved to Orlando, Florida. Doris did secretarial work at Madison County Hospital in Alabama and later on for an air-conditioning contractor in Orlando and for the Letourneau Corporation in the construction equipment business. Doris also accompanied her husband, Bill, who led worship at several churches the family attended over the years. She played both piano and organ. In addition to her involvement in music ministry, Doris also taught Sunday school, led Pioneer Girls and served as president of the Christian Women’s Club of Orlando. Doris was a wonderfully gracious woman and was beloved by many. She and Bill did volunteer work in the area of adult literacy in Maryland, and in West Orange County, they delivered meals with Meals on Wheels and served as nurturers with Habitat for Humanity. Since 1987, they were active members of Cornerstone Community Church in Winter Garden, where Doris again served with the worship team. In their retirement years, Doris and Bill enjoyed traveling widely across the continental United

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States and to destinations including Australia, England, Hawaii and Alaska. Doris spent her final three years at Golden Pond Assisted Living Center in Winter Garden, where, despite the onset of dementia, she maintained her wonderfully gentle and gracious spirit. She continued to be active in church until she went on to be with the Lord she loved on June 13, 2017. She was preceded in death by her son, Mark Jeffrey, in 1985 and her husband, Bill, in 1998. She is survived by her sons, William E. III “Bud” and his wife, Kathy; John F. “Jack”; Michael and his wife, Crystal; and her only daughter, Susan Hartman and her husband, Steve. She had 10 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

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Julia Rebecca “Becky” Holton, 88, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving family. Becky was born on Jan. 7, 1929, in Linadale, Florida, the daughter of the late Lee Allen Halford and Lillie Mae (Yoemans) Halford. Becky was the wife of the late Richard Alison Sanders and the late John Franklin Holton. Becky was a banker for more than 30 years. She started with the First National Bank of Winter Garden and retired from Wells Fargo. She was a very active member with the Beulah Baptist Church; she held just about every position at the church, from Sunday school

stepson, Gary Holton of Shoreline, Washington; three grandchildren; one step-grandchild; four great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Faye Albritton (and William) of Willow Oak, Florida. She is preceded in death by her son, Richard A. “Ricky” Sanders. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Beulah Baptist Church, 671 Beulah Road, Winter Garden, Florida, officiated by her beloved nephew, David Cravey. This will be followed by burial in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Beulah Baptist Church Building Fund. Becky’s arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home, 1132 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, Florida.

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CHURCH DIRECTORY

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 6:30pm. 407-876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org

Non-Denominational HAVEN OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 13520 Foxcrest Blvd. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Services 9:30 and 10:30AM 407-952-0510

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

This page appears weekly in the Windermere Observer and online at orangeobserver.com.

To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email sfelt@orangeobserver.com

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W EAT HER

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

FORECAST THURSDAY, JULY 6 High: 92 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 20%

FRIDAY, JULY 7 High: 91 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 60%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, July 6

6:34a

8:28p

Friday, July 7

6:35a

8:28p

Saturday, July 8

6:35a

8:28p

Sunday, July 9

6:36a

8:27p

Monday, July 10

6:36a

8:27p

Tuesday, July 11

6:37a

8:27p

Wednesday, July 12

6:37a

8:27p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JULY 8 High: 91 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 60% Eleven-year-old David Hinshaw took this photo, which he calls “The Pine Cone Picture,” at TibetButler Preserve. David lives in the Manors of Butler Bay community in Windermere. The Windermere Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize. To enter, email your photo, along with your name, city and a caption, to amyq@orangeobserver.com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

July 9 Full

July 16 Last

July 23 New

RAINFALL Tuesday, June 27

0.00

SUNDAY, JULY 9

Wednesday, June 28

0.00

High: 89 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 60%

Thursday, June 29

0.00

Friday, June 30

0.00

Saturday, July 1

0.00

Sunday, July 2

0.00

Monday, July 3

N/A

See other winning photos at OrangeObserver.com

YEAR TO DATE:

JUNE TO DATE:

2017 16.73 in.

2017 10.17 in.

2016 23.02 in.

2016 8.10 in.

244380

ONLINE

June 30 First

50 “Mode” lead-in 52 Creature with great vision 54 ___ out (eat and then some) 55 “___ Stop the Rain” (1970 hit) 56 Lathery 57 Lakes of Scotland 58 Hairy television cousin 61 Kindergartner’s stick ‘em 63 Emulate a 52-Down 66 Brig. gen.’s underling 68 Landers giving advice 69 Some city transports 70 Incredibly stupid or silly 71 Love letter 73 In the military, they’re just plane folks (Abbr.) DOWN 74 By ___ of (using effort) 1 Couch 75 Sao finisher 2 Sound from a fan 76 Organ attachment 3 Doesn’t feel very well 77 What hams do on stage 4 Skier’s tool 78 Is obviously very angry 5 Godzilla creator 79 Attractions for moviegoers 6 One who is serious about 81 Letters with curves casting? 83 Island of New York 7 Future Mrs. 86 Prefix for night 8 Suffix for world record 88 Material for a commercial holders roof, sometimes 9 It has a wet bottom 91 Point guard vis-a-vis 10 Threefold center 11 Perched 92 Crepes for a Russian 12 Sleep disrupter 93 Lacking none 13 Any bothersome insect 94 Freeway, compared to an 14 ___ ‘n’ cheese alley 15 Company’s catchphrase 96 Be a time-waster 16 Drag one’s feet 98 Tristan’s beloved 17 One type of woodwind 99 Dieter’s choice 18 King’s honorific 100 Enhancer’s accessories 24 Igloo dweller 102 City in Idaho 25 Word with jet or charger 104 Onetime Soviet news 31 Dictation expert agency 32 Smidgen 105 Starting word of “The 33 Egypt’s Anwar Raven” 34 Under attack 106 Like a completed triath35 Mythical blood of the gods lon leg 36 Extensive grassy plain 107 Top-shelf 37 Little fellow 108 They may butt heads 38 Tool for a carpenter or 109 State of the agitated dentist 110 The animated Shrek is 39 Type of Christmas tree one 40 Basket willow 111 Tide variety 41 En ___ (as a group) 113 Loop trains 45 About to fall off the vine 115 They help people beat the 46 Cold War country, for heat (Abbr.) short 116 Bon ___ (witticism) 49 Kitchen potato tool 103 Like 99 but not 100 104 Sweeney the bizarre barber 106 Lawgiver of Athens 107 Loni or Harry of TV 112 Battery part 114 English king whose name is difficult to rhyme 117 Regatta racer 118 Like many cars for sale 119 Barbarian of film 120 Actress Sorvino 121 Male and female 122 “A ___ formality” 123 “Ignore the dele” notations 124 Small part of a long process

ACROSS

magazines 28 Not yet hardened, as 1 Make a trade cement 5 Is a horse whisperer 29 Type of club in school 10 Ensnare 30 Small guitar, briefly 14 PC operating system of 31 Sedimentary rock layers the 1980s 33 Utter 19 State that has the Pro 34 Pool hall staple Football Hall of Fame 39 Group that follows a team 20 It provides a licorice 42 Brilliant achievement flavoring 43 Completely change the 21 Lariat material style of 22 Suspect’s cover story 44 Priest of a Celtic religious 23 Dentists’ chairs or places order with pumps 47 Hard-rock link 26 What some sports com48 Bony fish like a herring mentators offer 49 Forecast involving 27 Places with many military wetness

51 Acre’s inhabitants 53 365 billion days, astronomically 54 Some bed linen units 59 Stories that are unlikely to be true 60 Kind of storm 62 Noisy owls 64 “... slithy toves did ___ and gimble ...” (“Jabberwocky” line) 65 The significance of candles on a cake 66 Work in tandem, as organisms 67 ___-Mart Stores, Inc. 69 They protect baby clothes 72 Lead reindeer

75 Early settlers 80 Bring together 82 Period of frivolous news stories 84 It may offer a welcome 85 A guy pushing stuff? 87 Oatmeal abnormality 88 Wrap of old Rome 89 Blow up, as a photo (Abbr.) 90 Prepares flour, in a way 92 Object of many sports 94 A life essential 95 Ranked in a tournament 97 Lady of great wealth 101 “My country, ___ of thee ...” 102 Mint-family members

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“MD ZUDJ ADJ MD WOBB DUBGBSW LG UDMALUX; MAB TOREDEG MALUX LG MD ZUDJ JATM MD RD JLMA DUB’G WOBBRDY.” – TUROB XLRB

Puzzle Two Clue: Y equals M

GETTING ONE’S ILL by Timothy B. Parker

Puzzle One Clue: K equals B

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

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7-6-17

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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This week’s Sudoku answers

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2017

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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STAYING ALERT DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

WHEN AT HOME

Although it might seem like common sense, one of the best ways to prevent home or auto theft is to ensure all doors and windows are locked, and all valuables are secured and out of sight. In a vehicle, McCosker recommends putting purses or bags in the trunk. For those with garage-door openers, be sure to bring them into the house at night if you’re not parking in the garage. If burglars can break into a car with your garage-door opener in it, McCosker said, it’s like giving them a key to the house. Never leave a key under a potted plant or door mat — two of the most common places burglars look to find spare keys. Additionally, strike plates installed into door frames will prevent a door from being kicked in. With windows, ensure that they

are always locked and keep the blinds closed and shades or curtains down at night and when you plan to be out of town. The idea is to shield what’s inside from a potential burglar. WHEN ON VACATION

Many break-ins occur when homeowners are on vacation or during the day when homes are unoccupied. One of the first steps to take in preventing such breakins is simple: See something, say something. McCosker said the police department recommends getting a trusted neighbor to check your mail before you leave on vacation — that, or ask the post office to stop service during that time. Additionally, have your neighbors check for any newspapers or ads that get placed on the doorstep, and put any lights on a timer so they’ll switch on and off. SEE SUMMERTIME PAGE 20

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ith extended summer and holiday breaks comes an increase in the amount of time people spend outside their homes and vehicles — therefore leaving them unoccupied and more vulnerable. According to Orange County Sheriff’s Office records, auto burglaries increased 32% in 2016. Just recently, several neighborhoods in Ocoee and in the Independence and Summerport Village subdivisions have experienced vehicle break-ins. Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Steve McCosker added that there is always a trend in increased criminal activity, such as car or home break-ins, during times when kids are out of school. Whether you plan to go on vacation or stay in town this summer, local law-enforcement agencies have myriad security recommen-

dations to help keep residents safe and alert to suspicious activity.

AWARDS

Summertime generally comes with an uptick in auto and home burglaries. Here are some precautions to take to assist in the prevention of break-ins.

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Summertime security

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Being good neighbors with others is actually crucial in helping prevent crime. Knowing your neighbors and what their routines are allows everyone to look out for each other. “Home security really relies a lot on being a good neighbor and having a good community,” McCosker said. “People in a community know what’s out of place or what’s wrong, and by them contacting the police, we have a better chance of apprehending somebody or preventing crime from happening.” In Ocoee’s jurisdiction, the police department also serves watch orders. Homeowners can call the department to let them know when they will be out of town, and an officer will drive by the residence to check on it. And especially in the age of social media, McCosker said that people often neglect to think twice about what they post on social media while on vacation. “We caution people about posting they’re on vacation or checking in at locations on Facebook that give the appearance that they’re on vacation,” he said. “Especially if their Facebook page is public, we caution them against posting that they’re traveling or out of town, especially if they’re gone for an extended time. You just advertise that no one’s home to protect your house.” If you see something, say something: If there is a suspicious person on your property or around the neighborhood, or if you think your vehicle or home has been

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quality purchased. Resolution is important, because low resolution can capture what’s going on around the house but might not be clear enough to identify a suspect in a break-in. “Look at the resolution and make sure what they’re purchasing is going to capture what they’re looking to secure,” McCosker said. TOP TECHNOLOGY “Placement is also important. A Summer is also a popular time lot of times we get images of peofor homeowners to purchase and ple in or around people’s properinstall home-security systems. ties, but the cameras aren’t at a Although installing security level where we can see their faces.” equipment is another step in the And with alarm systems, many right direction, McCosker warns police departments encourage against having an inflated sense of using audible alarms rather than security because of new technolo- silent ones. An alarm going off will gy. You could be less likely to have automatically alert the neighbors your home burglarized, but that that something is going on in a security signage in the front yard home and draws attention to it, isn’t always going to be enough to McCosker said. deter a would-be thief. If you are looking into buying a If you are in the market for secu- home-security system, the United rity-related equipment — wheth- States Federal Trade Commission er it be cameras, alarms, signage, recommends doing your homerecorders, access controllers or work before you buy. Get refersomething similar — do your ences from trusted friends and research and know what you’re family members and check out getting before you buy a product. the companies online. Verify the With cameras, it might be contractor’s licenses are current tempting to buy one of the cheap- and in good standing, and get est options on the market, but written estimates from multiple cameras are only as good as the companies. Finally, be sure to read the fine print and know your contract, and ask your local police and fire “Home security really departments whether you need to register your system and if there relies a lot on being a are fees for responding to false 720 Celebration A good neighbor and having alarms. In OCSO’s jurisdiction, for example, there is no charge for Celebration a good community.” 720 Celebration up to three falseSuite alarms. Avenue, 100,However, Facebook.com/Cen FL 34747 Celebration fees increase and range from $50 Facebook.com/Century21Celebration Multi-Lingu — Ocoee Police Deputy to $200 per occurrence depending Chief Steve McCosker Multi-Lingual on how often it happens after.Offices in Celebra Offices

broken into, call the police. “The police departments would rather go do 100 calls where something’s not going on rather than respond to one person who’s been burglarized,” McCosker said. “Call early if there’s a gut feeling that something doesn’t seem right.”

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Lake Butler | $2,690,000

Wonderful lake house primely located on one acre of manicured grounds with 113 ft of sandy shoreline. 5,400 sf offers luxurious master suite, office and bonus room. Resort style backyard with stone patio, heated pool and spa, summer kitchen and boat house.

Winter Garden | $425,000

High and dry homesite among the rolling hills of West Orange County. Spacious 5 acres is cleared, leveled and ready for building. Fenced with cypress wood rail. 2 driveways, well and electric on property. Easy access to Turnpike and close to Winter Garden Village.

Butler Chain of Lakes | $1,250,000

Classic 1930’s lake house in the heart of Old Windermere. Lovingly restored preserving original windows, wood floors and cypress siding while incorporating updated island kitchen and bathrooms. Open pool, sandy beach and grandfathered boathouse.

Dr. Phillips | $455,000

Remodeled 4/3 pool home on 2/3 acre cul de sac lot. Expansive back yard with no rear neighbors. Designer eat-in kitchen with custom cabinets, granite countertops and stainless appliances. New wood floors, carpet and fresh paint.

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Summerport | $309,000

3 bedroom home with office is meticulously maintained and move in ready. Unbeatable back yard slopes to a beautiful pond with amazing sunsets. 2,000 sf interior displays neutral tones, fresh paint, new carpet and lovely window coverings and fixtures.

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Lake Butler | $1,950,000

Unique opportunity to own this panoramic waterfront on Lake Butler. 100 ft. of sandy shoreline, exisiting seawall and brand new boat house with boat and double jetski lifts and LED lighting. Western exposure offers nightly sunsets and Disney firework displays.

WIndermere | $724,500

Mediterranean pool home located at the end of a quiet lane just outside of Windermere. 4,500 sf includes grand island kitchen, high ceilings and abundant windows. Guest quarters includes full kitchen, bedroom, living room and separate entry.

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Isleworth | $1,580,000

Elegant Isleworth Villa with gorgeous Butler Chain lake views. Lives large with designer island kitchen, luxurious master suite and custom office. Grand gathering room opens to pool, spa and lush gardens. Florida breezy with wood and stone floors and plantation shutters.

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REAL ESTATE

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Estates at Lake Clarice home sells for $1.299M LAKEVIEW POINTE

MICHAEL ENG

The home at 7095 Spring Park Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 22, for $444,140. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,452 square feet. The price per square foot is $128.66.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

home in the Estates at Lake Clarice

community in Windermere topped all West

OASIS COVE II AT LAKESIDE VILLAGE

Orange-area residential

The town house at 8210 Mystic View Way, No. 2803, Windermere, sold June 16, for $230,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,067 square feet. The price per square foot is $111.27.

real-estate transactions from June 16-22. The home at 13225 Lake Clarice Drive, Winder-

SUMMERLAKE Courtesy of thealpha-group.com

mere, sold June 19, for $1,299,999. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths,

GRANADA VILLAS

The home at 8192 Terrazzo Court, Orlando, sold June 22, for $234,000. Built in 1986, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,132 square feet. The price per square foot is $206.71.

a pool and 4,655 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is

MILLIONAIRE’S ROW

$279.27.

The home at 9657 Kilgore Road, Orlando, sold June 20, for $460,000. Built in 1972, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,541 square feet. The price per square foot is $181.03.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 82 High Sale Price: $1.299 million Low Sale Price: $80,250 REO/Bank Owned: Three Auction/REO: One Short Sales: One

SAND LAKE POINT

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY LAKES AT GRANADA

The home at 8640 Lago Court, Orlando, sold June 20, for $299,250 (auction/REO). Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,090 square feet. The price per square foot is $143.18. BELLA NOTTE AT VIZCAYA

This Estates at Lake Clarice home, at 13225 Lake Clarice Drive, Windermere, sold June 19, for $1,299,999. This Justice and Wood Builders home features a zen garden with pergola and fire pit, as well as hardwood floors and a wrought-iron staircase.

The town house at 8425 Via Bella Notte, Orlando, sold June 20, for $280,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,313 square feet. The price per square foot is $121.05.

The home at 10045 Brandon Circle, Orlando, sold June 22, for $394,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths, a pool and 2,221 square feet. The price per square foot is $177.40.

and 3,839 square feet. The price per square foot is $160.20. INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 14730 Speer Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $790,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths, a pool and 4,305 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.51. The home at 5928 Grassy Point Road, Winter Garden, sold June 22, for $365,640. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,152 square feet. The price per square foot is $116. LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

The town house at 7310 Brightland St., Windermere, sold June

LAKE SHEEN RESERVE

The home at 9866 Nokay Drive, Orlando, sold June 22, for $440,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,693 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.39. LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The condo at 8168 Boat Hook Loop, No. 702, Windermere, sold June 20, for $165,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,161 square feet. The price per square foot is $142.12.

The home at 7840 Winter Wren St., Winter Garden, sold June 22, for $305,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,004 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $152.20. THORNHILL

The home at 9424 Channingham Lane, Orlando, sold June 20, for $505,500. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,854 square feet. The price per square foot is $131.16. VINEYARDS

The home at 13754 Ingelnook Drive, Windermere, sold June 20, for $330,000. Built in 2014, it has

GOTHA

WINDERMERE CHASE

The home at 820 Little Hampton Lane, Gotha, sold June 19, for $375,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,302 square feet. The price per square foot is $162.90.

HORIZON WEST

EDEN’S HAMMOCK

The home at 5534 Remsen Cay Lane, Windermere, sold June 19, for $615,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths

redfin.com

This Reserve at Lake Butler Sound home, at 11049 Ullswater Lane, Windermere, sold June 21, for $1.125 million. This home features an outdoor kitchen with fireplace that overlooks the private landscape and pool.

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16, for $250,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,984 square feet. The price per square foot is $126.01.

The home at 14624 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold June 16, for $440,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,484 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $126.29.

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245324

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feet. The price per square foot is $196.08.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 11590 Claimant Circle, Windermere, sold June 20, for $459,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,875 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.65.

BALMORAL

The home at 9120 Balmoral Mews Square, Windermere, sold June 21, for $749,000. Built in 1998, it has six bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,497 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.56. BUTLER BAY

The home at 3142 Butler Bay Drive N., Windermere, sold June 16, for $870,000. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,434 square feet. The price per square foot is $160.10. BUTLER RIDGE

The home at 5028 Autumn Ridge Lane, Windermere, sold June 16, for $415,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,256 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.95. CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 15652 Granlund St., Winter Garden, sold June 21, for $352,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,184 square feet. The price per square foot is $110.55. ESTANCIA AT WINDERMERE

The home at 1289 Estancia Woods Loop, Windermere, sold June 22, for $1,057,661. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,394 square

KEENE’S POINTE

LAKE BUTLER PARK

The home at 78 Forest St., Windermere, sold June 19, for $704,150. Built in 1957, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,991 square feet. The price per square foot is $235.42. LAKE CYPRESS COVE

The home at 6004 Marleon Drive, Windermere, sold June 20, for $620,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,936 square feet. The price per square foot is $157.52. OXFORD MOOR

The home at 5620 Oxford Moor Blvd., Windermere, sold June 20, for $642,500 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,154 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.66. RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 11049 Ullswater Lane, Windermere, sold June 21, for $1.125 million. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,960 square feet. The price per square foot is $226.81. WINDERMERE

The home at 12100 McKinnon Road, Winderere, sold June 16, for $745,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, six baths and 4,201 square feet. The price per square foot is $177.3.

See more more West Orange real estate transactions at OrangeObserver.com

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The home at 9228 Outlook Rock Trail, Windermere, sold June 21, for $445,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,011 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.79.

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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*Taylor Morrison received the highest numerical score in the proprietary Lifestory Research 2016 and 2017 America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder study. The 2016 study based on 39,079 new home shoppers from Jan-Dec 2015, and 2017 study based on 31,764 new home shoppers from Jan-Dec 2016 in the United States. Your experiences may vary. Visit lifestoryresearch.com. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. All information (including, but not limited to prices, availability, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Please see a Taylor Morrison Sales Manager for details and visittaylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. © June 2017, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. CBC1257462 All rights reserved.

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