WINTER PARK/MAITLAND
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 29, NO. 34
FREE
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
Are you ready? We sure are! INSIDE: Our special look at Winter Park-area high-school football teams. PAGE 15.
Mr. Murrell goes to Washington
YOUR TOWN PAPER EARNS RECOGNITION The Winter Park/Maitland Observer won four awards in the Florida Press Association’s 2016 Better Weekly Newspaper Contest. The Observer earned second-place accolades in the Feature Story/Non-Profile and Outdoor and Recreation Writing categories. It also won third place in Health, Medical and Science Reporting, and Local Government Reporting. The awards were presented during the FPA’s annual Florida Media Conference Aug. 11 in Naples.
Winter Park High School graduate Baxter Murrell, 19, just landed a job at the White House.
Glazed, but not confused
SEE STORY PAGE 4
Tim Freed
“It’s still surreal. To me, it’s really an honor to be given the opportunity to continue serving the country, even though it’s a small role.”
— Baxter Murrell
Community rallies to support division chief
ONE OF A KIND
A fundraiser has been set up to support Division Chief Jimm Walsh, who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Winter Park community is coming together to look after one of its own: Division Chief Jimm Walsh of the Winter Park FireRescue Department. The firefighter suffered a hemDivision Chief Jimm Walsh
SEE DIVISION PAGE 4
Winter Park art students showcased their summer creations at Crealdé’s annual ArtCamp show. 11.
Little Blue Donut Company, owned by Michael and Alyse Perfetto, is coming to Winter Park. TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Few things beat the deliciousness of a warm, sweetly glazed donut. Whether for dessert or for simply quelling your aching sweet tooth, a donut can work wonders. Luckily, for those in Winter Park who need options for sweets, the Little Blue Donut Company is bringing their assortment of donuts to town soon. What started as a simple exploration of a passion for donuts has turned into a viable business opportunityfor Michael Perfetto and his wife, Alyse. Fueled by their rabid cusSEE MMMMM PAGE 5
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OrangeObserver.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
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SATURDAY, AUG. 26
KWPB INVASIVE SPECIES ROUNDUP 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, Knowles Circle and Elm Avenue (look for the KWPB tent). Join an invasive species removal effort on Lake Knowles. Must be 12 years of age or older to participate. Please wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared to wade in
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Starring Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon Fri - Sun: 3:30PM, 6:30PM, 9:30PM Mon, Wed: 6:30PM, 9:30PM Tues: 6:30PM Thurs: 6PM
CHARLIE DECHANT AT BLUE BAMBOO 8 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park. DeChant’s jazz group returns to the Bamboo following another successful tour with Hall and Oates. Cost is $15. For more information, call (407) 636-9951 or visit bluebambooartcenter.com. FLORIDA FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave., Suite C, Winter Park. Catch the remaining three days of the four-day festival. The event will showcase six new musicals from around the country. The first act of each musical will be fully read and sung concertstyle, without staging, by varying casts of professional actors and musicians. For showtimes and tickets, call (407) 645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org.
Book to Big Screen:
LIFE OF PI Sat: 11AM
knee-deep water. Meet at at 7:30 a.m. for supplies. For more information, call (407) 599-3364.
MONDAY, AUG. 28
BOOK DISCUSSION AT THE UNIVERSITY CLUB 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. Participate in a book discussion on “The Graves Are Walking: The Great Irish Famine and the Saga of the Irish People,” by John Kelly. The author has written what Amazon called a magisterial account of one of the worst disasters ever to strike mankind: The Great Irish Potato Famine. The magazine “History Today” said it was an unusually vivid narrative of the famine’s enormity and the cruelty it inflicted on Ireland’s poor. For more information, call (407) 6446149 or visit uclubwp.org.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Woman’s Club of Winter Park, 419 S. Interlachen Ave., Winter Park. Find locally donated items, including clothing, home/ kitchen items and more. Proceeds will be used for charitable giving. A bake sale will be at 9 a.m., and lunch will be available from George’s Gourmet to Go. For more information, call (407) 644-2237.
Peanut Butter Matinee Family Film: SPY KIDS FREE for kids 12 & under! Sun: 12PM
Cult Classics: EL MARIACHI Tues: 9:30PM
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OrangeObserver.com
Still Bowling
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
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FDOT considers new median on 17/92 State officials say the median will make the stretch of roadway safer. TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Courtesy photo
The owners of Aloma Bowling Centers, Vincent Luccisano Jr., left, and Vincent Luccisano Sr., right, cut the birthday cake with the company’s founders, Ray and Lois Koehler. Aloma Bowl celebrated its 40th birthday with an event on Saturday, Aug. 19.
Aloma Bowl celebrated of its 40th anniversary with a 1970s-inspired party — complete with 1977 prices. TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
D
espite it being 2017, they partied like it was 1977. Locals showed up in droves to take in the 1970s-themed party being thrown at Aloma Bowl, where everything from the clothes to the prices harkened back to the days of disco and bellbottoms. A game cost visitors a mere 90 cents, while shoe rentals were 40 cents. Throw in 25 cents arcade games, along with cheap food and beer, and you have smorgasbord of entertainment. Although Aloma Bowl, and its sister sites Airport Lanes and Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center, spent most of the last week celebrating the 40th anniversary of the business, Saturday, Aug. 19, served as the culmination of the party. A business getting the chance to celebrate 40 years of operation is not something many can boast. But what keeps a company going for so long? If you ask Keith Baldwin, regional manager of the Aloma Bowling Centers, it starts with one simple answer — the customers. “The loyalty of the Winter Park community — they have been so supportive in our existence,” Baldwin said. “It’s just
that commitment and loyalty that we embrace, and that helps us be sustainable through all of these years.” During the last 40 years, Aloma Bowl has become an entertaining fixture in the community — known for its family friendly atmosphere and 32 lanes of bowling. Although most can’t imagine it ever going away, Aloma Bowl nearly closed earlier this year, when Oppidan Holdings LLC revealed plans to buy the property and replace it with an Orchard Supply Hardware store. But it was this moment when the community rallied together and helped save Aloma Bowl, much to the happiness of owners Vincent Luccisano and his son, Vincent Jr. “It was gratifying that a lot of people in the community came out with a ‘Save Aloma Bowl’ petition, so we take a lot of pride in that,” Luccisano Sr. said. “That deal has not been done, and we are going to be remaining here in operation in the Aloma location — hopefully for the long-term.” Winter Park High student Danielle Allison, who collected more than 2,300 signatures, started the petition. Ultimately, Winter Park city commissioners voted against the building plans. Despite the scare, Aloma Bowl’s history is largely filled with success. When it was opened in 1977 by
Luccisano Sr.’s father, Joe, and couple Ray and Lois Koehler, bowling was undoubtedly in the peak of its popularity. Originally coming down to Florida from New York as a means of diving into the tourism scene, Joe Luccisano decided to go into the bowling business after talking with a relative who was a pro bowler and friends with Ray Koehler. “They felt that the market was right for a bowling center, and they hit the nail on the held,” Luccisano Sr. said. “They could not have picked a better location.” Since taking over in 1983, Luccisano Sr. has seen the family business expand to the three current bowling alleys under the Aloma Bowl umbrella — while the alley in Winter Park has been renovated regularly to keep it up to date. Parts of the renovations involved getting better equipment, but also it concentrated heavily on the evolving tastes of customers. A lot changes in 40 years, and Luccisano Sr. believed the best way to keep people coming in was to make Aloma Bowl the place to bowl — and so far, it’s worked. “Aloma has always been our baby,” Luccisano Sr. said. “We upgraded to more suit people’s entertainment habits — the way they spend their entertainment dollars. It’s not just league bowling, they want to see more — they want good food, they want a good atmosphere, they want a comfortable and attractive place to spend their time. We made the investment … and it made our existing guests very happy.”
“The loyalty of the Winter Park community — they have been so supportive in our existence.” — Keith Baldwin
Florida is hoping to make a part of U.S. 17/92 a bit safer for residents of Winter Park this year by installing a raised grass median on the roadway just south of Orange Avenue. The Florida Department of Transportation introduced the project during a public hearing Aug. 10 at the Winter Park Civic Center. The median would be placed near a railroad crossing. “It’s going into the area we call ‘SunRail phase one,’ and we are running 32 miles right now … and there are certain areas along ‘phase one’ that we have identified that might need some attention as far as safety upgrades at the crossings,” FDOT Project Manager Steve Olson said. “We’ve had over the years some instances there where cars have been struck at that crossing. If you look at the dynamics of it, it’s an open median right now, and it ends at a certain place. But just because there are painted stripes on the pavement doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s where it ends.” Olson also said there have been issues of traffic getting congested at the crossing, which also has led to cars stopping on the train tracks — another major safety issue. The hope is a raised median would help traffic flow along that section of roadway and reduce what the FDOT refers to as “conflict points” — locations along a road where the paths of two vehicles can cross legally but not at the same time. The points are possible spots of frequent crashes. According to FDOT research, there are as many as 32 individual conflict points at a typical two-lane, four-way intersection. FDOT believes the median would help reduce conflict points. Currently, the plan is still in the early stages, but if approved, the design will be complete by the fall before construction starts sometime during the end of the year. The projected cost for the construction of the median is to be around $65,000, which is being fully funded by the FDOT. The median is part of a larger plan that also includes a quiet zone in the area of the crossing. The project in its entirety, which includes modifying roadways in that 32-mile stretch of roadway, will cost $13 million — $4.5 million of which will be contributed by local government, and the rest will be matched by FDOT and other sources. The development of this crossing has personal resonance for Olson, who recalled witnessing a crash that occurred at the track. “Everybody was fortunate all the way around,” Olson said of that crash. “Nobody was hurt and yes, people were delayed in their travels, but that shows that some mitigation or some form of safety improvements are need in that area.”
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OrangeObserver.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
Straight to the top TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ever wonder what it’s like to work in the White House? Just ask 19-year-old Winter Park High School graduate Baxter Murrell. The Winter Park native accepted a job at the White House this summer, capturing the once-ina-lifetime career opportunity just a year after he was old enough to vote. Murrell will be working in the White House’s office of management and administration, helping with the internship program and volunteer operations as a staff assistant. He will be building a sense of community among the interns, creating networking events and coming up with other fresh ideas. He starts Aug. 28, and Murrell couldn’t be more excited. “It’s very surreal to be 19 and employed by the White House,” Murrell said. “I think it’s a pretty tremendous achievement.” CARPE DIEM
Murrell’s opportunity stemmed from an internship for which he applied in March. The Winter Park High School grad submitted a résumé, letters of recommendation and a professional policy memorandum before playing the waiting game. Murrell got word he had been accepted shortly after, during his first year at Mercer University in Georgia. He was chosen along with 137 other interns throughout 32 states. “I got an email one day from the White House, and it just said, ‘Congratulations,’ with a big exclamation point,” Murrell said. “I was in the middle of a meeting with student government at school. I ran out of the meeting, called my parents, and we cried on the phone together.” It’s hard to put the following 11 weeks living in Washington, D.C., and working at the White House into words, Murrell said. The one that keeps coming to Murrell’s mind is “surreal.” He spent evenings bowling in the Truman Bowling Alley. He watched Marine I land on the
White House lawn — his plaid tie and dark gray suit jacket flapping from the propeller’s gusts. He met President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and many other officials. He celebrated the Fourth of July on the White House lawn surrounded by members of Congress, beneath the most spectacular fireworks display he had ever seen. “It really was like celebrating Christmas at the North Pole,” Murrell said. “You’re celebrating the country’s independence from the country’s house. It was fireworks like you’ve never seen before. It doesn’t compare to anything you might find in Winter Park. … I remember standing there, as it got dark and once the fireworks started, just in awe.” As an intern, Murrell ushered governors and senators to appointments and meetings, heard leadership seminars and had the chance to tour “The Highest Court in the Land.” Noticing his drive and creative thinking, White House officials offered Murrell a job two weeks before the internship ended. “I’m still processing it,” he said. “It’s still surreal. To me it’s really an honor to be given the opportunity to continue serving the country, even though it’s a small role. It’s a humbling feeling.” AN OLD SOUL
It’s impressive to see Murrell land a job at the White House at only 19, but the young Winter Parker always has been an old soul — wise beyond his years, said Murrell’s father, Robert. The young Baxter was carrying mature conversations with adults as far back as age 5, and was getting invited to birthday parties for fifth-graders when he was only in kindergarten. “I’m very proud of him, super excited for him,” said Robert, adding that what his son accomplished was entirely on his own. “What a great experience and a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing. It’s so well deserved for Baxter.” Murrell used the same determination and drive to pursue his passion for community service during his high school years. He served
WINTER PARK/MAITLAND
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 Associate Publisher / Tracy Craft, tcraft@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Tim Freed, tfreed@OrangeObserver.com Tim Freed
Baxter Murrell is working for the White House at age 19.
on the city of Winter Park’s Keep Winter Park Beautiful and Sustainable Board, helping craft the city’s aesthetics while exploring environmentally friendly endeavors. As a Boy Scout, Murrell went for a tremendous goal to obtain his Eagle Scout status: filling 400 bags with supplies for homeless people in Central Florida. The project, known as Baxter’s Bags, is still running and has raised more than $18,000 and distributed 500 backpacks. “The Boy Scouts actually thought it was too ambitious and that he needed to cut back and that he’d never be able to accomplish it,” Robert said. “They said ‘Why don’t you do 50 backpacks?’ He said, ‘Well, because I called the Coalition for the Homeless, and there’s 400 people on average on a busy night. … I don’t want to leave anybody out.’ It took him a little longer, but he was able to put 400 backpacks together.” BIGGER DREAMS
The path ahead for Murrell is still coming into focus. Currently enrolled at Mercer University, he plans to continue taking online classes while working full time at the White House. He plans to return to school after about a year of work and also dreams of going to law school. He understands the importance of getting a college degree, he said, adding that he plans to wait and see how the next year pans out.
Division chief suffers stroke CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
orrhagic stroke earlier this month. “Just as recently as this morning, I was able to visit with Jimm,” Fire Chief Jim White said at the Winter Park City Commission’s Aug. 14 meeting. “As most of you are aware, Chief Walsh suffered a hemorrhagic stroke last Wednesday morning in a staff meeting in our station and was immediately treated and transported to Florida South, where within 20 minutes, he was in the CT and out.” Doctors located the problem and performed surgery. “He has the best opportunity for a complete recovery,” White said. “He’s working through recovering — they’re determining where and what they’re going to do with regards to physical therapy, etc.” But it didn’t take long for the community to come together to show their support. A GoFundMe
page was started by Eric Wheaton of the fire department shortly after the incident to help pay for medical expenses and ongoing physical therapy. A total of 206 family members, friends and residents have contributed to the page, raising $44,218 in an 11-day span as of Tuesday afternoon. A tribute to Walsh also has been set up in city hall for residents to sign and write messages. “Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers,” Jill Hamilton Buss wrote. “Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.” “Stay strong and get better
every day,” Cindy Giles wrote. “We need you back at the city! My prayers and support are with you and your family. God bless you!” The support from the residents has been overwhelming, White said. “It’s obviously a very shocking and very serious condition that he experienced,” he said. “We appreciate all the help. The Winter Park community has again been amazing. I’ve been inundated with offers of whatever. Trust me: We will be back in touch with you all at some point in time. This is a marathon, not a sprint. We want to get Jimm back where he can be
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. We want to get Jimm back where he can be with his family and his children and as productive in everything as he possibly can be under the circumstances.” — Fire Chief Jim White
But while the journey ahead is still being shaped, a dream is clear on the horizon. Someday, Murrell hopes to serve in the White House in a much greater capacity — as president of the United States. Being the leader of the free world has been an alluring dream of Murrell’s all throughout high school. He was even voted “most likely to become president” by his senior class. As Murrell walked the White House grounds and shook the President Trump’s hand, the dream never seemed so tangible, so real. There’s a great deal of mystique and mystery surrounding the president’s home, Murrell said. Walking the hallways and rooms that have housed presidents for more than 200 years brings back that “surreal” word once again, he said. But it isn’t the historical sense of place or the extravagant accommodations that makes Murrell want to be the leader of the free world. It’s not the bowling alley, helicopter rides or unlimited access to the nation’s most sacred spaces. Rather, he dreams of crafting policy that makes his country a better place. “I think the president has the greatest power to make change,” Murrell said. “I’m really about helping others, especially the homeless. I think someone sitting in that seat and holding that power has the greatest ability make some type of influence.”
HOW TO HELP Residents looking to contribute to the Jimm Walsh GoFundMe page can visit gofundme.com/chief-jimmwalsh-medical-fund.
Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representative Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com
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Observer Media Group Inc. with his family and his children and as productive in everything as he possibly can be under the circumstances.” Jimm began his career with the Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department in January 1998. Originally serving as a fire inspector, he rose through the ranks of firefighter, engineer, captain, and into his current position as division chief. Prior to being promoted to division chief, he served as a union officer in Local 1598. He has instructed numerous classes across the nation and has served as the fire officer program manager and special operations and truck company instructor for the Central Florida Fire Academy.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
tomer base, the Perfettos are taking their craft from the food truck to the storefront. “We just started developing a stronger-than-we-expected following,” Michael Perfetto said. “A lot of people were asking us about if we’ll ever have a store, or if we currently had one, or if we planned on one. As things got moving along we just started looking, and it’s almost come to be.” The new store, which will open sometime in October, will be located at 223 W. Fairbanks Ave. — the site of the recently closed Scratch restaurant. Choosing the location for the store came after searching around the Orlando area for the right place, though the Perfettos knew where in the city they wanted to start their business. “I checked out several areas of town, and then I fell back to where I’m comfortable with Winter Park — it seems like a good place,” Perfetto said. “I was looking to be in the Winter Park area more so than other parts of Orlando. Space is hard to come by there in the right size and configuration — the timing worked out for us, and we just decided to go for it.” Taking a chance for their business is nothing new for the Perfettos, who dropped their previous jobs to start up the Little Blue Donut Company food truck in March 2016. In the 20-plus years the Perfettos have lived in the Orlando area, Michael started his own company before selling it off to a large corporation — where he would go on to work for 10 years. After leaving his job, the Perfettos decided it was time to mix things up. “We were tired of the life we
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
LITTLE BLUE DONUT COMPANY OPENING: October 2017 ADDRESS: 223 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park FACEBOOK: @littlebluedonuttruck
had with my other company, and we just kind of really liked donuts, so we decided that we would start sketching out plans,” Perfetto said. “It didn’t start out as something we were considering 100%, then all of a sudden, when we put it all down on paper and started looking at it, we decided, ‘OK, let’s start drawing out a truck and we had the truck built — that’s kind of how it came. I left my other job and we decided to do donuts full time.” Before setting up their food truck, the Perfettos never actually had any experience with donuts. The couple did their research and experimented to perfect their donuts. It was a difficult process but one that was worth it in the end. From that process came the variety of different donuts that Little Blue Donut Company offers today — which includes sweet, savory, salty and even spicy donuts. One of the biggest perks of having a physical store with more space is that it will help bolster and expand the menu, Perfetto said. It also will allow them to mix up some of their donuts week-toweek. The perks of having a stationary location for the first time and an expanded menu have customers ready for the opening of the new shop. “They’re excited,” Perfetto said. “I’m surprised at how many people mention it to us when we work.”
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OrangeObserver.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
Winter Park bids farewell to longtime parks director After 25 years, John Holland is calling it a career.
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Who puts the “park” in Winter Park? For 25 years it’s been Parks and Recreation Director John Holland. But if you ask the humble city staffer who really shapes Winter Park’s peaceful green spaces, you’ll get a different answer. Holland soon will enter his retirement from his post as head of parks and recreation following his last day Sept. 15. His retirement ends a 25-year career in Winter Park, where he’s helped shape what residents see today. In that time, Holland has had his hands in many projects: overseeing the renovations of the Winter Park Golf Course; the creation of a Central Park Master Plan; the revitalization of Mead Garden in tandem with the Friends of Mead Garden; the construction of a new Winter Park Community Center; and a deal with Orange County Public Schools for a new track and football field at Showalter Field. “What a wonderful job to have,” Holland said. “Getting paid to be in charge of parks and recreation — that’s unbelievable. I probably would have paid them to do it.” Holland grew up in Stamford, Texas, a little town of 5,000 people with a landscape of red clay, cacti and Mesquite trees. “Being from west Texas, there wasn’t a whole lot of landscaping,” Holland said with a chuckle. “I thought adding more was a good idea.” The outdoors have been part of Holland’s life since his youth. He remembers the trips he took to Taos, New Mexico, at age 15 with his best friend, Jerry. “His family had a cabin up in Taos,” Holland said. “We’d go up there catching fish and climbing mountains. We’d do things that parents wouldn’t even consider now. My friend’s dad was a pastor. He would take Jerry and (me) up into the mountains and dump us off and say, ‘I’ll meet y’all down here at the end of the week.’ We were teenagers up in the woods fishing, catching our food and walking a few miles every day. It was unbelievable.” Holland said he is grateful to have had the opportunity to help others make those memories in Winter Park. “Everybody has a memory growing up of parks and rec – they’re favorite park or what they
“Getting paid to be in charge of parks and recreation — that’s unbelievable. I probably would have paid them to do it.” — John Holland
used to do in the park or going to the park,” he said. “It’s part of growing up. You can’t grow up without parks.” Holland followed in the footsteps of his brother, Jim, who went on to become the director of parks and recreation in Aspen, Colorado. Holland first came to Winter Park as an intern from Texas Tech University, where he earned his bachelor’s degrees in park administration and landscape architecture. He spent three summers as an intern in Winter Park from 1971 to 1973. He worked as a grounds director at Abilene Christian College after his graduation before being offered a job in Winter Park in 1975 as the city horticulturist. He worked his way up to the title of director of parks, forestry and cemeteries before leaving in 1980. He went to work for a national chemical corporation as a grounds specialist before spending almost 10 years working at Weller Pools, where he designed swimming areas for Wet ‘n Wild, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress hotel. He returned to parks and recreation with a director job in Lake Mary from 1990 to 2000. Holland finally came back to Winter Park in 2000. “The unique thing about Winter Park is the involvement of the residents,” Holland said. “There’s not a town around that I’m aware of that has as much resident involvement as Winter Park. “Winter Park is Winter Park because of that involvement,” he said. “It’s not because of the politicians; it’s not because of the residents. It’s the residents who are so closely watching over everything going on here.” Holland also expressed great gratitude toward city staff, the Friends of Mead Garden and especially City Manager Randy Knight. For Knight, the feeling is mutual. “John’s been an invaluable member of our team for the last 20 years,” Knight said. “Everybody loved John. He could walk into a room and talk with anybody.”
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Tiffany and Quan Nguyen had a blast at the Taste! Central Florida event.
Party on a plate Universal Studios had a stunning display at its table, themed after the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.
C
entral Florida residents got to wine and dine while supporting a good cause at the Taste! Central Florida event Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The event featured a silent auction and 40 local restaurants, breweries and wineries, including The Ravenous Pig, 4 Rivers, The COOP and Marlow’s Tavern from Winter Park. All proceeds benefited Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
James Petrakis, Nick Sierputowski and Julie Petrakis, of The Ravenous Pig, brought the restaurant’s famous cuisine to the Taste! Central Florida event.
Marlow’s Tavern served its Jack Daniels glazed pork belly with Turnpike grits and a pickled peach relish.
— TIM FREED
Kraem Luy, Memorie Knipping, Robert Horrocks and Pierson Robbins, of 4 Rivers, served a smoked Texas brisket with creamy parmesan grits and a cabernet reduction.
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The Ravenous Pig served its smoked shrimp shooters.
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ONLINE See more photos at OrangeObserver.com
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Like many hospice patients, Judy believes that the companionship of a beloved pet is better than any medicine. That’s why Cornerstone became the first hospice in the state to implement Pet Peace of Mind—a national program designed to keep her and Zeus together through every step of her end-of-life journey. Cornerstone dedicated itself to being in Judy’s corner. And thanks to Pet Peace of Mind, Zeus could, too. B:6”
See if you qualify and learn how to apply at www.T-Mobile.com/lifeline or call 1-800-937-8997.
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You may qualify based on your income or if you’re currently eligible to receive public assistance such as Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you’re a resident of federally recognized Tribal Lands, you may qualify for additional discounts.
Sara Stansberry and Trish Eakin made their rounds at the Taste! event.
866.742.6655 // cornerstonehospice.org Cornerstone is committed to caring for all hospice patients regardless of payer source or ability to pay. 100% covered by Medicare & Medicaid
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Discounted wireless service is provided under the Lifeline assistance program. Lifeline is a government assistance program that provides only eligible consumers with discounted service that is nontransferable and is available for only one line per household. A household is defined, for purposes of the Lifeline program, as any individual or group of individuals living at the same address that share income and expenses. T-Mobile offers Lifeline service only in areas where the company has Eligible Telecommunications Carrier status. You may find more information about Lifeline and other wireless services available from T-Mobile USA, Inc. at www.T-Mobile.com.
WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
CULTURE FOR YOUR CALENDAR
OrangeObserver.com
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
AUG. 27
JOSH GARRICK
THROUGH AUG. 27
AUGUST WILSON’S ‘FENCES’ Winner of the Pulitzer, Tony, and Drama Desk Award among many others, “Fences” is August Wilson’s 1950s chapter in his 10-play “Pittsburgh Cycle” chronicling the evolving African-American experience through the 20th century. In Mad Cow’s brilliant production, the cast brings Broadway magic to the play’s universal themes of family, love, betrayal and the American Dream. Please do not miss the lifeenhancing theatrical greatness in this highly recommended production. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call (407) 2978788, Ext. 1.
AUG. 25 AND 26
‘TITANIC THE MUSICAL: IN CONCERT’ Presented by CFCArts Community Choir and Symphony Orchestra, the Tony Awardwinning “Titanic the Musical: In Concert,” follows the powerful and moving stories of the people onboard the legendary ship’s fateful voyage. Featuring a stellar cast of Central Florida actors, a 100-voice choir, a 45 piece orchestra and the unique staging only Central Florida Community Arts can create, tickets are $50, $25, $15 and $10. Call (407) 937-1800 or visit cfcommunityarts.com.
‘OPERA ON PARK’ WITH SOPRANO WENDY BRYN HARMER Opera Orlando’s “Opera on Park” presents Metropolitan Opera Soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer at 2 p.m. at the University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Ave. Ms. Harmer is a singer at the summit of her career, including performances and broadcasts for the Metropolitan Opera, the Seattle Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Opera and San Francisco Symphony. Ms. Harmer will be joined at the piano by Robin Stamper, managing director for Opera Tampa. Tickets at $30 are available at Operaorlando.org/ opera-on-park or by calling (407) 512-1900.
AUG. 30
WINTER PARK CHAMBER BUSINESS SHOWCASE 2017 Grow your business network while you learn from local experts at ‘Business Lab Sessions’ at the free Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase. Meet the leaders from more than 50 Winter Park businesses at 4 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St. Everything — including the parking, admission and food — is free. RSVP to Ally Stricker at (407) 644-8281 or visit WinterPark. org.
THROUGH SEPT. 11: ‘A CHORUS LINE’
I’ve seen some great productions on the “intimate” stage at the Breakthrough Theatre, and I am still in disbelief as to how Breakthrough handles the all-singing, all-dancing “A Chorus Line.” I’ll keep it simple. “A Chorus Line” is among the greatest musicals of all time, and what Wade Hair and company have created is a small miracle. This up-close-and-personal performance is one powerhouse number after another, and the amazing cast gives you every note of the “Chorus Line” experience. As word gets out, this small theater will sell out of tickets at $12 to $20. Call (407) 920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com.
AUG. 31 TO NOV. 13
EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FEST The 2017 Epcot International Food & Wine Fest is bigger than ever, with 35 food kiosks; live music daily; culinary demos, seminars and book signings from celebrity chefs; beverage tastings by expert mixologists; signature breakfasts; and dancing and dining at the “Grand Tasting Events.” Of the booths around the World
Showcase, I asked some inthe-know foodies, what is the one item not to be missed in 2017? The answer is a resounding sweet from the “Chocolate Studio” — the Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel. Visit epcotfoodfestival.com.
THROUGH SEPT. 10
‘THE AMISH PROJECT’ The Mad Cow Theater is founded on the belief that “Theater is
a dynamic and powerful means of social understanding.” That belief is tested to the limit in Jessica Dickey’s “The Amish Project,” which begins with the headline, “Man Enters Amish School-house and Opens Fire.” Ms. Dickey conveys the voices and emotions of people dealing with this unthinkable act and movingly coveys these horrific personal expressions through the voice of a single actress. Call (407) 297-8788.
CONTACT JOSH GARRICK AT JOSHGARRICK9@GMAIL.COM.
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Visit Our Our Showroom Visit ShowroomFeaturing... Featuring...
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OrangeObserver.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
WET NOSE REPORT
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These tips can help keep your dog safe in summer Don’t let your dog become 7 overheated when exercising. This is especially true for
the brachycephalic (short-nose) breeds, such as bulldogs.
Move indoors and use a dog 8 treadmill to walk or run your dog. You also can play games
SHERRI CAPPABIANCA
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ROCKY’S RETREAT
We are officially in what many people call the “dog days of summer.” The past month or so has seemed more hot and humid than in previous years, leaving most people I know anxiously waiting for October and cooler air to arrive. Even though I’ve written about summertime exercise safety for dogs before, I think it’s worth repeating. Dogs can easily get overheated and can get sunburned — some breeds more easily than others. Heat exhaustion is quite common in dogs and can happen even if your dog is simply playing in the backyard. What can you do to keep your dog in shape during the summer while keeping him safe? Here are some tips. obviously, walk your dog 1inMost early in the morning or late the day, after the sun goes
down. If you choose the latter, be mindful that sidewalks may still be hot.
Avoid outdoor exercise on 2 days with high humidity. If the humidity is too high, your
dog won’t be able to cool himself, and his temperature can quickly rise to dangerous levels.
shorter, more frequent 3Take walks. Avoid hot surfaces such as 4 asphalt. If necessary, protect your dog’s feet with dog boots.
presents
Refrain from extensive run5 ning or exercising your dog using your bicycle. When exercising, make 6 sure you keep your dog well hydrated, and look for signs of
like hide and seek or keep-away. These games provide mental stimulation, an important component of exercise.
If you take your dog to the 9 beach to play, watch the hot sand and make sure your dog has lots of fresh water to drink and a shady spot to lie down to rest. Swim, swim, swim! (That 10 being said, avoid the lakes around here during the heat of
the summer.) If your dog doesn’t know how to swim, doesn’t like the water, or you don’t have access to a pool, give us a call. We can help! Think twice about shav11 ing your dog’s fur. Their fur not only helps keep them warm
in winter but also helps protect them from overheating and sunburn in the summer.
Learn the signs of heat12 stroke. Early signs include heavy panting, rapid breathing,
excessive drooling, and bright red gums and tongue. If your dog begins to exhibit any of these signs, cool him down immediately. If you use your common sense and look for alternative ways and times to exercise your dog during the hot and humid summer months, he will be able to maintain his fitness levels throughout the summer. And that will make for a happy dog and a happy you. Sherri Cappabianca, an expert in the field of canine health and fitness, is the author of two books on canine health and co-owner of Rocky’s Retreat, an intimate and personal boarding, day care, hydrotherapy and fitness center; and Barking Dog Fitness, Fitness for Dogs. For more, visit rockysretreat.com or barkingdogfitness. com.
dehydration. Signs include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, heaving panting, weakness and excessive drooling.
August White Linen Sale!
$20 OFF your 1st purchase of $100 or more.
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Must present ad at time of purchase.
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WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
OrangeObserver.com
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
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RIBBON CUTTINGS:
Zaxby's
Steven Alch grabbed a quick photo of his daughter, Peyton, showing off some of her artwork during the exhibition.
13TH ANNUAL
The exhibition featured work created by students at the Summer ArtCamp.
WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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— TROY HERRING
See more photos at OrangeObserver.com
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t was a night of art and, ultimately, a culmination of the hard work put in by young student artists. The 35th Summer ArtCamp Student Exhibition included works ranging in form and medium — representing work done throughout the summer camp. Although most of the work was done by students between the ages of 8 and 12, the show included pieces done by students from as young as 4, all the way to 17. The show will remain open through Sept. 2.
ONLINE
Crealdé students showcase work at 35th summer show
Zaxby's held its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on July 24. Check out their new location: 6503 University Blvd, Winter Park, FL!
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WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
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community history exceptional service DePrince, Race and Zollo (DRZ) is an employee-owned, $5.2 billion, institutional value equity investment firm. Their mission is to create and remain a small, focused, independent firm committed to providing superior performance and exceptional client service to the institutional marketplace. They believe their mission statement is the strategic cornerstone of the firm’s longterm success.
PAID ADVERTORIAL
DePrince, Race & Zollo
For more than 10 years, DRZ has had the privilege to call Winter Park home. Their office on Park Avenue is home base to 37 employees, 16 of whom reside in Winter Park with their families. The firm is very proud of their roots in the city, as nearly all of their financial peers hail from larger municipalities such as Boston, Chicago and New York City. They regularly hosts clients and brokers for meetings at their office, many of whom have never visited or heard of Winter Park. DRZ loves to see the delight of their clients when they discover our charming city for the first time.
Charity begins at home
Recognizing the importance of the firm’s independence, the founders implemented an equity transference program to key employees in 2001 and 2011. The program provides breadth and depth to the firm’s ownership. Today, they have 13 employee equity owners. DRZ also annually supports the following, outreach events and/or organizations: American Diabetes Association of Central Florida, Habitat for Humanity, Conductive Education Center of Orlando, Arnie’s Army, Support Our Scholars, Morningstar, Toys for Tots and Special Olympics Florida. The City of Winter Park is happy to present the 2nd Quarter 2017 Business Recognition Award to DePrince, Race & Zollo. We are happy to have their firm as an integral part of our community. Congratulations!
250 South Park Avenue | Suite 250 | Winter Park, Florida 32789 407-420-9903 | drz-inc.com
September 3, 2017
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After its first year in business, DRZ managed >$1 billion for 29 clients. Over the past 22 years, they broadened to $5.2 billion in assets across six strategies for 72 clients.
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Thier average client tenure is 10 years, which is remarkably above industry standard. The firm’s mission statement has created “an organizational culture where our portfolio managers and analysts’ interests are best aligned with the interests of our clients.”
In March 1995, DRZ’s three principles, Gregory DePrince, John Race and Victor Zollo, left Sunbank Capital Management and formed DePrince, Race and Zollo as an independent investment management corporation in Orlando, Florida.The firm became registered with the SEC as an investment advisor on March 22, 1995, and on April 3, they humbly opened their doors to the institutional marketplace with just seven staff members, launching its flagship Large-Cap Value strategy. Within the next five years, DRZ launched its Small Cap Value and Micro Cap Value disciplines, and hired 10 additional employees. The founders, John Race and Victor Zollo, met while attending Rollins College. Upon graduating, they married their college sweethearts,and instead of returning to their northeastern homes, they planted their roots in Winter Park. Today, Victor serves as a Trustee of Rollins’ Board of Directors, and John is the chairman of the Crummer Graduate School of Business’s Board of Overseers. Their Director of Client Service Kurt Wood serves on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, chairs the Investment Committee, and serves as the Treasurer of the Winter Park Health Foundation.
WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
OrangeObserver.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
W EAT HER
I LOVE WINTER PARK
FORECAST Sandi Le Piane, of Winter Park, submitted this stunning photo of the Emily Fountain in Winter Park’s Central Park. The Winter Park/ Maitland Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured in the newspaper. To enter, email your photo, along with your name, city and a caption, to tfreed@ orangeobserver. com; put “I Love Winter Park” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.
FRIDAY, AUG. 25 High: 90 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 90%
High: 88 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 80%
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Thursday, Aug. 31
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Friday, Aug. 18 0.00 High: 87 Low: 75 Saturday, Aug. 19 0.00 ChanceOne Senior Place, VITAS Healthcare, & Honor Flight Central Florida Present Sunday, Aug. 20 0.00 of rain: 80% Monday, Aug. 21 0.26
4th ANNUAL Tuesday, Aug. 22
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YEAR TO DATE:
AUG. TO DATE:
2017 21.73 in.
2017
2016 39.12 in.
2016 6.40 in.
1.23 in.
A Patriotic Musical Salute Honoring Veterans Save the Date:
Save the Date: 4th ANNUAL
Friday, Sept 22, 2017, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
One Senior Place, 715 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL
One Senior Place, 715 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL
RSVP & Info 407-949-6733
FreeMusical Event - Salute Everyone welcome!Veterans A Patriotic Honoring
RSVP & Info 407-949-6733
Save the Date:
Free Event - Everyone welcome!
Friday, Sept 22, 2017, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
One Senior Place, VITAS Healthcare, & Honor Flight Central Florida Present
104Altamonte Word that ends a prayerFL 49 Like a spider’s web One Senior Place, 715 Douglas Avenue, Springs, 4th ANNUAL SPREE by Timothy CROSSWORD BUYING B. Parker 105 Deli creation 52 It’s not good to be in its
RSVP & Info 407-949-6733
106 Theater backdrop 111 Four things bought in bags 115 A bundle of nerves 116 Participate in a hunger strike 117 Respond to a rooster’s crow 118 ___ vera 119 Nay follower 120 Skip town 121 Moisten, as grass 122 Definitely not straight
Free Event - Everyone welcome!
One Senior Place, 715 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL
RSVP & Info 407-949-6733
Free Event - Everyone welcome!
28 “What a great discovery!” 29 “And while ___ the 1 “Ahem!” relative subject ...” 5 Reporter who travels with 30 Baby cradle? troops 31 Lively, agile and active 10 Already cut, as lumber 33 ___ step of the way 14 Kind of bar that serves 34 Causes to be bogged Asian delicacies down 19 “... and to ___ good night!” 35 Entirely, to Caesar 20 Gadget with which to 39 Mythical god of war point and click 40 Dusk, to poets of old 21 States of anger or bad 41 Hollow center? feelings 43 Two things bought in 22 “Crocodile Rock” singer boxes John 50 Spooky and uncanny 23 Five things you buy in cans 51 Offhand “Didn’t see you 27 “Shop ‘til you drop” there” episode 53 The O’Hara estate of
Saturday, Aug. 26
RAINFALL
MONDAY, AUG. 28
Friday, Sept 22, 2017, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
ACROSS
7:55p
Aug. 29 First
High: 87 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 80%
A Patriotic Musical Salute Honoring Veterans
©2017 Universal Uclick
7a
MOON PHASES
One Senior Place, VITAS Healthcare, & Honor Flight Central Florida Present
Save the Date:
Sunrise Sunset
SUNDAY, AUG. 27
4th ANNUAL
Friday, Sept 22, 2017, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday, Aug. 25 Sunday, Aug. 27
SATURDAY, AUG. 26
One Senior Place, VITAS Healthcare, & Honor Flight Central Florida Present
A Patriotic Musical Salute Honoring Veterans
SUNRISE / SUNSET
literature 54 Et ___ (and others) 55 Furry TV alien 56 “And ___ we go!” 57 Theologian and pastor R.C. 59 Fisher’s gadget 60 Completely fit to drive 62 Bangkok language 63 Ruin partner (var.) 64 Four things you buy in jars 71 “This is ___!” (crimebuster’s shout) 72 Apt name for a Dalmatian 73 Thing headed for a bull’s-eye 74 Big ___ (MLB great David Ortiz) 75 Aspen hills
DOWN
78 ___ into (attacks verbally) 79 “... more, ___ merrier!” 82 Common Bartlett’s abbreviation 83 Author Morrison 84 Place for gold or coal 85 Goodbye in France 87 Two things you buy in buckets 91 Alternative to premium 93 Paid athlete 94 Varied mixture of this and that 95 Urban renewal target 96 Academy Award 99 Kind of metabolism 101 Garment for Caesar 103 On leave, for a sailor
1 Common thing for a quarterback to do 2 Feed the hogs or feed for hogs 3 Derogatory remark or drunkard’s remark 4 It’s broken at the finish line 5 Down Under fowl 6 Engine 7 Like some eyebrows or animal tails 8 Exxon before it was Exxon 9 God of Latin 10 Elegant cat 11 Tree-lined area 12 Teeny go-with 13 Grp. that monitors chatter 14 Troubadour’s six-stanza verse 15 Painful stomach problem 16 Shopper’s attraction 17 Falcon-headed Egyptian deity 18 Hotel relatives 24 Hershey competitor 25 Pearl seeker 26 2 or 3, e.g. 32 “The Raven” poet 33 “... ___ saw Elba” 35 “You got a better ___?” 36 Playwright Coward 37 Gangs protect theirs 38 Japanese kimono sash 39 Feeling sore in one’s muscles 40 Sandy shade 42 Home Depot rival 44 Impressive, airy hotel lobbies 45 “7 Faces of Dr. ___” 46 Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary 47 N.Y. city on the Allegheny River 48 Your brother’s daughter, to you
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CELEBRITY CIPHER
By Luis Campos way Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from 56 Mr. Lincoln, informally 57 Chases off, as gnats quotations by famous people, past and present. 58 Written agreement Each letter in the cipher stands for another. between two sovereigns “WOA XPTTKATW WOKCZ J ZPU MJC 60 Activity done on two runners SH KT SVKYA J MBAJC WVPMG. 61 Quite ancient 62 Use a word processor 63 A question of identity SACWT, TMVJWMOAT JCS DPS – 64 Oblong yellow fruit (var.) 65 “Argo” film extra WOJW’T DJCBU.” 66 Fixed chicken? 67 Savory meat jelly – NBJGA TOABWHC 68 Indian bread 69 Alternative to a clothesline “LDY IDCAAYUSY, ZDYUYKYM RWV 70 Century divs. 75 How James Bond doesn’t like his martini IMYCLY CURLDNUS, NF LW 76 Cuckoo, south of the border XYMFYKYMY CUE XVFD CZCR LDY 77 ___-two punch 78 Chauffeured auto UYSCLNKY KWNIYF.” 79 Abrupt ending to a pinball game – CUUY JCUIMWHL 80 Feature of summer 81 Dollar, in many places ©2017 NEA, Inc. 84 Postal delivery 85 Shocked and horrorstricken 86 Payable now Complete the grid so that every row, column 88 Less populated and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 89 Prize ribbon’s top inclusively. 90 Distinctive styles 92 Breakfast staple 96 Actor Milo 97 Like a new penny 98 Woody thicket 99 Bland or trite 100 Provide laughs for 101 Fancy word for swollen 102 Not just overweight 103 Bible book after John 105 Sun-baked, as desert ground 107 Maryland seafood specialty 108 Rouse to anger 109 Computer desktop signpost 110 Get some face time with 112 No longer attached 113 Uber alternative 114 ___ and improved Puzzle Two Clue: H equals F
WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
Puzzle One Clue: X equals W
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SUDOKU
©2017 Andrews McMeel Syndicate
8-24-17
AUGUST 25, 2017
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Troy Herring
Quarterback Dale Thomas barks out the play call during play.
GO WILD!
The swarm is back Bishop Moore hopes to continue its recent success with another strong season. TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Last season didn’t quite end the way the Hornets had wanted. After squeaking past Merritt Island and Palm Bay in the first two rounds of the state playoffs, Bishop Moore ran out of time as it fell to American Heritage in a 20-7 loss. The Hornets still had a strong season, going 11-2 overall and winning the district, but it was going to be difficult to match that amazing 2015 season — where the Hornets won the state championship with a 14-1 (9-0) record. But make no mistake: Although the championship two years ago was big for the school and community, coach Matt Hedrick is not reminiscing about the past. As the new season starts up, it’s all about the “now” and seeing his players become a unit. “I’m looking forward to the season in terms of seeing if we can get these guys to really come together — and how these kids develop as players and young men,” Hedrick said. “It’s always exciting to figure out what kind of chemistry and culture you’re going to have — seeing if you can do something special.” With many key players returning this year, the Hornets should find themselves back at the top of the district and duking it out in the state playoffs. On the offensive side of the ball, senior running back Trilion Coles, a three-year starter and leading rusher, will play a vital role in
Football is back at Winter Park High, and the Wildcats are looking for another district title. SEE PAGE 16. Troy Herring
Winter Park’s Cullen Honohan, left, and Cameron Brown, right, are ready to help lead the Wildcats to another district title.
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THE NEW RULES The FHSAA is rolling out two new systems for playoff qualification this fall — one for Classes 1A through 4A and another for Classes 5A through 8A. To get the best possible teams in the playoffs, the FHSAA’s leadership elected to do away with districts in the lower classifications and significantly alter the district format in the higher classifications. In the lower classifications, there are no more districts — just four regions. The top four teams from each region — decided by a new points system — will make the 16-team field for the state playoffs in those classifications. In the upper classifications, coaches and administrators wanted to preserve the tradition of the district structure, so a compromise was made. Districts were kept, and — as it was in the past — district champions from the 16 districts in each classification still make the playoffs and host a first-round game. However, instead of the district runner-up also making the playoffs, the other 16 teams (four from each of four regions) that will compete in the state playoffs will be determined by the point system. This means that a loaded district could, theoretically, have three teams make the playoffs and that a weak district may only have one team make the playoffs.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
Wildcats are ready O
Welcome to Observer Preps!
TROY HERRING
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ut back on the campus of Winter Park High, players run through their drills. The heat and humidity makes everything sticky, but there they are in full pads — facing off against one another and Mother Nature. Practicing in such weather is always grueling, but probably the worst part for players is the wait before the season itself actually starts. Players crave for real game time when they can finally put all that practice to the test and line up against an actual team — and no one sees this more than head coach Tim Shifflet. “The kids have been working hard,” Shifflet said. “We get excited when the season starts, because after a while you get tired of hitting each other — you have to find some other color jersey to hit.” The Wildcats finally enjoyed some live action last Friday when they hosted — and beat — Edgewater in the annual Kickoff Classic at Showalter. Despite it being the first time players have been able to line up against an actual opponent, the game still didn’t count where it matters the most — the standings. The start of the regular season Friday, Aug. 25, against Lake Nona is when things get serious, and Shifflett will break in some new guys in hopes of another solid year. “After last year’s success, we’re trying to build on that,” he said. “This is a new group of guys, so they have to make their mark. They’ve worked really hard and done everything we have asked of them since the end of last season — which is really when we started training for this season.” Last season, the Wildcats went 9-4 overall and won the district with a 4-0 record. After backto-back wins against Wekiva and Timber Creek in the state playoffs, the Wildcats run came up short in the third round against Seminole in a 48-31 loss. Many players from that districtchampionship team graduated, leaving Shifflet with five returning starters on offense and four returning starters on defense.
STEVEN RYZEWSKI
A
Troy Herring
Wildcats’ quarterback Cameron LeGree points downfield toward a receiver as he scrambles out of the pocket.
On offense, Shifflet will look to seniors such as quarterback Cameron LeGree, receiver Brian Gomez and offensive lineman Donovan Barden to run the balanced attack. Behind center, the offense will run through the well-versed LeGree, who put up impressive numbers last year. In 163 pass attempts, LeGree completed 108 tosses that went for 1,258 yards while picking up 12 touchdowns to seven picks in the process. Those numbers gave LeGree a 96.1 quarterback rating. Out wide, LeGree will have a few options in the passing game to help get the Wildcats down the field. Receiver Brian Gomez had one heck of a year last season during which he caught 37 passes tfor 272 yards and three touchdowns. He had one of the longest catches of the season of 73 yards. Senior Cameron Brown, who nabbed six receptions last year for 67 yards and a touchdown, will join Gomez as another possible threat down field. A fun fact about Brown: He threw one pass last season, which was completed for a 44-yard touchdown. In the backfield, Shifflet will switch out a few running backs, but big man Paul Coutinho will be the guy carrying most of the load. Coutinho, who stands 6-foot1 and weighs 230 pounds, is a wrecking ball. During his sopho-
more season last year, Coutinho rushed 36 times for 118 yards and found the end zone five times. On the defensive side of the ball, Shifflet is working with an even more inexperienced crew. Leadership for the Wildcats will come in the form of the linebacking core of senior Juanye Tillman and junior JJ Valle-Smith. In his junior year, Tillman crushed offenses at the outside linebacker position with his 74 total tackles and 1.5 sacks — which culminated in 18 sack yards lost. Included in his solid year was a blocked punt, one quarterback hurry and two passes deflected. At the safety position, senior Cullen Honohan will agitate opposing receivers and stymie the passing game. In 12 games last season, Honohan picked up 95 tackles — five of which were tackles for loss. He also grabbed himself a pick — which he returned for 30 yards — while assisting on a sack and notching a quarterback hurry. “Every year is really about the seniors and the captains — and how they want to go out,” Shifflet said. “I let my seniors and my captains dictate, and we coach them up, and they’re going to go out there and play on Friday night and hopefully at the end of the day, we end up back where we were last year.”
Bishop Moore sets sights high keeping the Hornets’ scoreboard lit up. During his junior campaign last year, Coles ran for 857 rushing yards on 96 carries — a whopping 8.9 yard per carry. Coles was also one of the biggest scoring threats on the team as he made his way into the end zone on 20 different occasions —19 rushing, and one receiving. “Trilion is really dynamic — he’s a great athlete,” Hedrick said. “He’s a fantastic runner, but he is also a dual-threat kid, so he can do other things in terms of catching the ball out of the backfield and splitting out wide.” Along with Coles in the backfield is junior running back Jake Kiefer, whose 6-foot-1-inch,
195-pound frame pummeled defenses last year. On just 29 carries, Kiefer ran for 228 yards as he averaged 7.9 yards per carry. The big guy also helped by contributing three touchdowns throughout the season. Leading the offense is senior quarterback Keanu Kong, who after splitting last season at the position, will be taking over full time. For a player who split last season, Kong put up some pretty impressive numbers. In 81 pass attempts Kong completed 41, which went for a total of 579 yards — averaging 14.1 yards per pass. Throw in the five touchdowns to two interceptions, and he posted a solid 84.3 quarterback rating.
A big help in opening up holes for Coles and Kiefer — and offering protection of Kong — will come from one of the most experienced squads on the team: the offensive line. The Hornets have three starters returning to help tame opposing defensive lines in seniors Eric Seidelman and Andrew Cannon, and junior Andrew Butler. Out wide, receivers such as senior Caleb McMillan will be looking to run circles around opposing defensive backs. McMillan was a key playmaker for the Hornets, hauling in six touchdowns on 14 receptions for 409 yards — an average of 29.2 yard per catch. Along with his play at the receiver position, McMillan
s an editor at a newspaper, you will inevitably run into problems. It comes with the job. Sometimes, though, we are lucky enough to run into “good problems” — and we like good problems. A year ago, at our sister papers — the West Orange Times & Observer and the Windermere Observer — we ran into one such good problem. Basically, we had so much high-school sports content that we wanted to include in our coverage that it was making it hard to keep our sports page balanced with other, non-preps coverage. The solution was ObserverPreps.com, a web-based platform that is part of the larger OrangeObserver.com website and focuses solely on local high-school sports. After our acquisition of this paper this past spring, we began making plans to incorporate our schools covered by the Winter Park/Maitland Observer into Observer Preps. To that end, Winter Park High, Edgewater High, Bishop Moore Catholic High, Orangewood Christian School, Trinity Prep and International Community School all have been added to ObserverPreps.com. You’ll be able to search for stories and photo galleries by school. You also will find updates on local alumni who are in college or the pros, hirings of coaches and athletic directors, recruiting updates and more. As with anything we do, we want to hear from you — the reader — on what we can do to best serve the community, so feel free to send any questions, comments or story ideas you might have to Steven Ryzewski, senior sports editor, at steven@observerpreps.com.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
also ran seven times for 114 yards and three touchdowns. On the opposite side of the ball, the Hornets have a few more fresh faces than the offense but is led by a returner in Evan Anderson. The senior and defensive captain anchors down the middle of the field at linebacker. “He’s a really good player for us and is kind of our leader on defense,” Hedrick said. Last year, Anderson was a tackling machine, as he racked up 53 total tackles — 36 assisted, 17 solo — while grabbing a pick and forcing a fumble. Another key in the backfield will be junior safety Channing Stotts. As a sophomore, Stotts collected 28 tackles — 17 assisted, 11 solo —
and grabbed an interception. Unlike the offensive line, the Hornets’ D-line will be breaking in a few new guys on what is probably the youngest group on the team. Despite whatever “weaker” spots may be on this year’s squad, the overall talent is there for the Hornets. “It’s crazy to say, but I want to try and go undefeated every year,” Hedrick said. “It’s not because I want to be undefeated so I can say we’re 10-0, it’s because I think if you’re only going to get 10 games, then you should try and win every one of them. But the bigger goal, obviously, is to win a district championship — which is going to be a big task this year.”
WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
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2017 Football Preview F
or teams in the Winter Park, Maitland and Orlando area, the road to Camping World Stadium isn’t far. The metaphoric road from Week One to the FHSAA State Championships, though, is another story entirely. The FHSAA’s “Road to Orlando” begins Aug. 25 with the opening week of the regular season, and there are local teams with aspirations of ending the season at Camping World Stadium. Even for the teams who may not be state title contenders, though, this fall promises to be a memorable season.
BISHOP MOORE HORNETS
Home games on campus — 3901 Edgewater Dr., Orlando COACH: Matt Hedrick 2016 RECORD/NOTES: 11-2, won district, lost in regional final District (2016 champ): 5A-13 (Bishop Moore) DISTRICT OPPONENTS (2016 RECORD): Eustis (5-6); Jones (10-2);
Poinciana (1-9); Tavares (2-8)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Trilion Coles,
senior (running back); Jake Keifer, junior (running back); Keanu Kong, senior (quarterback); Evan Anderson, senior (linebacker); Channing Stotts, junior (defensive back) FUN FACT: Bishop Moore alum Parker Boudreaux, who started his college career at Notre Dame, has transferred to UCF. SCHEDULE Aug. 25 — vs. Edgewater Sept. 1 — at Lake Brantley Sept. 8 — at Archbishop Spalding Sept. 15 — vs. Poinciana* Sept. 22 — vs. South Sumter Sept. 29 — at Jones* Oct. 6 — at Melbourne Central Catholic Oct. 13 — at Tavares* Oct. 27 — vs. Eustis* Nov. 3 — vs. Seminole
TRINITY PREP SAINTS
Home games on campus — 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park COACH: Mike Kruczek 2016 RECORD/NOTES: 1-8 Region: 3A-R2 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Josh Nemec, senior (wide receiver); Alec Holler, senior (tight end); Chris Cayo, senior (running back); Spencer Fetter, junior (quarterback) FUN FACT: Trinity Prep head coach Mike Kruczek, who is in his fifth season leading the Saints, was formerly the head coach at UCF and has also coached as an assistant in the NFL.
EDGEWATER EAGLES
Home games on campus — 3100 Edgewater Dr., Orlando COACH: Cameron Duke 2016 RECORD/NOTES: 0-10 District (2016 champ): 7A-4 (Ocoee) DISTRICT OPPONENTS (2016 RECORD): East Ridge (6-4); Hagerty
(9-2); Lake Howell (5-5); Lake Minneola (1-9); Ocoee (7-4); West Port (4-5) PLAYERS TO WATCH: Joe Miller, senior (linebacker); Quondarrius Whitfield, senior (wide receiver); Jay Ward, junior (defensive back); Malik Prioleau, junior (defensive back) FUN FACT: Edgewater made three consecutive appearances in the state championship in the early 2000s, falling to teams from Miami in 2002, 2003 and 2004. SCHEDULE All games at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 — at Bishop Moore Sept. 1 — vs. Colonial Sept. 8 — vs. Olympia Sept. 15 — vs. Ocoee* Sept. 29 — at West Port* Oct. 6 — at Lake Howell* Oct. 13 — vs. Lake Minneola* Oct. 20 — at East Ridge* Oct. 27 — vs. Hagerty* Nov. 3 — at Boone * — District opponent
ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN RAMS
Home games on campus — 1300 W. Maitland Blvd., Maitland COACH: Bill Gierke 2016 RECORD/NOTES: 3-7 SSAC Division (2016 champ): Coastal League - Central Florida Division (Windermere Prep) DIVISION OPPONENTS (2016 RECORD): CFCA (4-6); Lake Mary
Prep (1-8); Legacy Charter (6-4); Windermere Prep (10-1) PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ian Stone, senior (quarterback/safety); Drew Bane, senior (wide receiver); Logan Petit-Fere, senior (defensive back/wide receiver); Troy McPeak junior (running back/linebacker); Kyle Bowman, junior (tight end/ linebacker) FUN FACT: Coach Bill Gierke has hired son, Jeff, and former Edgewater standout Jeremiah Schwartz as assistants. SCHEDULE: Games at 7 p.m. unless noted. Aug. 25 — vs. Cocoa Beach Sept. 8 — vs. The Master’s Academy Sept. 15 — vs. CFCA* Sept. 22 — at TFA-Leesburg Sept. 29 — at Lake Mary Prep* Oct. 6 — vs. Legacy Charter* Oct. 12 (Thursday) — at Windermere Prep, 4 p.m.* Oct. 20 — vs. Cornerstone Charter Oct. 27 — SSAC Playoffs Nov. 3 — SSAC Playoffs
SCHEDULE: All games at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 — at Holy Trinity Sept. 1 — vs. Cocoa Beach Sept. 8 — vs. Episcopal Sept. 15 — at Keswick Christian Sept. 22 — at Tavares Sept. 29 — vs. Satellite Oct. 13 — at The First Academy Oct. 20 — at Deltona Trinity Christian Oct. 27 — vs. Halifax Academy Nov. 3 — at Space Coast
PLAYOFF CALENDAR CLASSES 1A-4A Regional semifinals: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 Regional finals: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 State semifinals 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 CLASSES 5A-8A Regional quarterfinals: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 Regional semifinals: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Regional finals: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 State Semifinals: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 2017 FHSAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS (ALL CLASSIFICATIONS) December 7-9: Times TBA Location: Camping World Stadium — 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando
Photos by Troy Herring
WINTER PARK WILDCATS
Home games at Showalter Field — 2525 Cady Way, Winter Park COACH: Tim Shifflet 2016 RECORD/NOTES: 9-4, won district and lost in regional final District (2016 champ): 8A-3 (Winter Park) DISTRICT OPPONENTS (2016 RECORD): Boone (5-5); Colonial
(2-7); Timber Creek (8-4); University (1-9) PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cameron LeGree, senior (quarterback); Brian Gomez, senior (wide receiver); Cameron Brown, senior (wide receiver); Juanye Tillman, senior (linebacker); Cullen Honohan, senior (safety) FUN FACT: Winter Park head coach Tim Shifflet was a member of the staff for the UCF football program under former coaches Mike Kruczek and George O’Leary. SCHEDULE: All games at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 — at Lake Nona Sept. 1 — at Oviedo Sept. 8 — vs. Wekiva Sept. 15 — at Colonial* Sept. 22 — vs. Evans Sept. 29 — at Timber Creek* Oct. 6 — at Olympia Oct. 13 — vs. University* Oct. 20 — vs. Boone* Nov. 3 — at Lake Mary *— District opponent
SIDELINES
*— Division opponent
Stranger in a football land My first dive into the football culture of Central Florida.
TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
I
’ll be honest, big-time football is not something with which I grew up. Like most kids growing up in small-town North Carolina, I had a basketball goal set up in my backyard — which I used almost every day. Instead of dreaming for football glory in the NFL, I wanted to hit that game-clinching shot to give my Wolfpack their first national championship since that magical run in 1983 — you
know the one, where Jimmy V. ran around trying to find someone to hug. Despite those early dreams, I went on to develop a deeper love for football to the point that even it eclipsed basketball in my eyes. Although my family and I became regulars at N.C. State football games, it wasn’t until I started grad school at the University of Alabama before I got a taste for the big time (Roll Tide). My three years living in Tuscaloosa were eye-opening. I had grown up hearing about the intensity of football in the Yellowhammer State, from both news media and family who live in the state, but that didn’t do it justice. My first game at BryantDenny Stadium garnered an attendance of more than 100,000 people, and the first
high-school game I went to at Central High — in Tuscaloosa — was completely packed. That Central team had talent that was being recruited by the Tide at the time. Never in my life had I been to a high-school football game where the stadium is built to hold thousands and fans get to take in seriously impressive talent. Fast-forward to the present, and I’m back in the same situation. When I arrived in Winter Park to take my job as associate editor at this paper, there was a lot I wanted to do. Covering football was at the top of my to-do list. After taking in preseason games at Winter Park High School and Bishop Moore — which as a side note, I didn’t know preseason high-school football was a thing — I already can tell you that I’m beyond
excited to cover football in Orange County. The newly renovated Showalter Field at WPHS is quite the home-field advantage for the Wildcats and a testament to the level of dedication the community has to the football program. There’s also just an atmosphere about the place that oozes tradition and passion, and I got all of that within a quarter of play against Edgewater. The sound of WPHS’s impressive and large marching band reverberated around the stadium, while the chants from cheerleaders on the sideline intertwined with the clack of shoulder pads on the field. It was a cacophony of beautiful noise. After taking in the first quarter, I jetted over to Bishop Moore to cover their game against Timber Creek, which had a few surprises. The first surprise is that a private school has such a dominant football team.
Believe it or not, none of the private schools back in my home county of Wayne has football — unless it’s of the round ball variety. Most of the private schools in the state that do are in the bigger cities such as Raleigh and Charlotte. Not only did Bishop Moore dominate, but also the crowd was incredibly impressive. Fans of the Hornets came out in full force, filling up the home stands for a preseason game. In what amounts to a scrimmage, Hornets fans treated it as if it was the last game of the season. Also, just like Showalter, the facilities at Bishop Moore are impressive and an obvious clue to football’s dominance in the state. Although I’ve only made it to two games — preseason games at that — I could not be any more excited to take in football at the several schools that are in our coverage area. I hope you, like me, are ready for some football.
WINTER PARK / MAITLAND OBSERVER
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017
MEET SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMEONE.
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Puzzle One Solution: “The wussiest thing a guy can do is drive a clean truck. Dents, scratches and mud –and that’s manly.” Winter Park/Maitland Observer reserves the right to classify edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement Friday, June 9, 2017 at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the *It is the – Publisher. Blake Shelton
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Friday, June 9, 2017
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439 Lake Howell Road, Maitland, FL 32751
www.CreeganGroup.com
247428
Current Listings for SALE
TITLE & CLOSING SERVICES A local, veteran owned company
At the Mortgage Firm, we have many lenders to shop the best rates and products that are right for you. •Conventional Loans as low as 3% down •FHA, VA and USDA Loans •Jumbo Loans •Condominiums •Foreign National Loan Programs •No closing cost options available •Self Employed borrowers with only 1 year tax return •Asset based loans •Loans just out of Short-Sale or Foreclosure
Get started today!
Christian Plocica GetCall started today!
At (321) 972-9454 to learn more. MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR | NMLS 988542
w w w. r e c s f l .co m
Are You Selling or Refinancing Your Home? Call us today for a closing cost quote! Title Insurance, Escrow and Closings
Our staff includes top closers with decades of experience in the central Florida market. Our company was built with a reputation of excellent service for our clients and we hope that you will become one of them.
We look forward to seeing you at the closing table! 1011 E. Colonial Dr., Ste 408 Orlando, FL 32803
7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Ste 140 Orlando, FL 32819
407-440-5025
407-615-8550
We service the entire state of Florida.
Call Christian Plocica
At (321) 972-9454 to learn more
MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR • NMLS988542
FAMILY FIRST FIRM Protecting you. Your family. Your future.
The Family First Firm is a boutique law firm established in 2009. Our firm is dedicated to helping our clients protect themselves, their families, and their legacy through wills and trusts, advanced directives, Medicaid qualification, Veteran’s benefits, and probate. (407) 574-8125 1212 Mount Vernon Street, Orlando, Florida 32803 Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM
www.familyfirstfirm.com 247429
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