09.17.15 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

Times& WEST ORANGE

Observer WEST ORANGE COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER FOR 109 YEARS

THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

FREE

WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA

REAL ESTATE

TRIBUTE

SPORTS

New urbanism trend grows in West Orange. PAGE 1C

West Orange honors anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks. PAGE 8-10A

West Orange outduels Dr. Phillips in Ol’ Orange Crate Rivalry. PAGE 1B

OUR TOWN

DEVELOPMENT by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer

Relief high groundbreaking set Groundbreaking on-site will precede West Orange Country Club’s reception and the 60% design meeting.

+ W.O. Times adds new writer The West Orange Times & Observer has added a new staff writer to its editorial staff. Jennifer Nesslar joined the newspaper Sept. 8. She will cover news, features and sports. Nesslar holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies, along with a minor in English writing studies, from the University of South Florida — St. Petersburg. Before coming to the Observer Media Group, she served as an intern for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and B2 Communications. She also served as editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, The Crow’s Nest.

HORIZON WEST — Orange County Public Schools officials have announced the groundbreaking of the relief school for West Orange High School. Officials scheduled the groundbreaking to begin at

4 p.m. at the school site, with West Orange Country Club hosting a 5 p.m. reception and then a 6 p.m. 60% design meeting for the school, all Sept. 24. OCPS staff has encouraged families and children to at-

tend, especially considering a legacy piece of art they can have a hand in before it is on display in the new high school when complete. The 60% design meeting will be a followup to the commu-

nity meeting Aug. 12 at West Orange High School, where SchenkelShultz Architecture partner Dave Torbert reviewed the site layout and relevant statistics, such as a 2,776-student capacity, a parking lot with 860 spaces capable of stacking 557 cars and 85 buses and the property’s size of 332,982 square feet — about 6.64 acres.

by Jennifer Nesslar | Staff Writer

One hour with an innovator A Windermere Prep freshman interviewed Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Michael Eng

West Orange students Rachel Gregorie, Allie Mercedes and Jaimie Steck cheered for the Warriors in the Ol’ Orange Crate Rivalry game Sept. 11 against Dr. Phillips High School. West Orange pulled off a last-second victory to win the game, 41-34. For more photos, see page 15A and wotimes.com. For complete game coverage, see Sports, 1B.

UPCOMING by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Parks invite residents to celebrate 2015 National Public Lands Day WEST ORANGE — There is one day each September when volunteers throughout the country pack up their sunscreen and bug spray and take a trek to their local parks and preserves — not only to enjoy some time outdoors but also to participate in the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. National Public Lands Day has been recognized every year since 1994. Some of its goals are to educate Americans about the environment and natural resources, build partnerships between the

SEE PARKS / 6A

This week’s winner is

Ron Whitehead. See the photo on PAGE 5B.

SEE SCHOOL / 4A

EDUCATION

+ Teens graduate from OPD academy The Ocoee Police Department has graduated its 12th Teen Police Academy Class. Thirty-seven teenagers spent three hours a day for one week learning about a variety of law enforcement topics, including police equipment, the K9 unit and Crimeline; took a tour of the station; saw a Taser demonstration; and participated in a mock crime scene. They also learned about the traffic units and criminal investigations division. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit, Crime Scene Investigators, Aviation Unit (C.H.A.S.E.) and Crimeline “Speak Out” also participated. The Ocoee Teen Police Academy started in 2004 as an outreach program to educate teens about law enforcement and the Ocoee Police Department. The teens get to have positive interaction with officers while learning about the Explorer program, volunteer opportunities and law enforcement-related career paths. Multiple officers, Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Orange County Crime Scene Investigators volunteered to teach the program.

Although Eileen Fernandez — associate general counsel for OCPS — said the legal agreement between Orange County and OCPS prevents changes to most aspects of the school, some could change. Torbert said the color scheme in particular had not

BY THE NUMBERS

FINANCES by Peter M. Gordon | Contributing Writer

W.G. approves first reading of budget

Commissioners will consider the budget’s second reading at their Sept. 24 meeting.

al parks, seashores and preserves in Florida. 171: The number of state parks/trails in Florida. 99: The number of Orange County parks, preserves and recreation sites. 18,500: The number of jobs sustained by state parks in Florida. 175,000: The number of volunteers nationwide for National Public Lands Day 2014. $1.2 billion: Generated by state parks per year.

WINTER GARDEN — City commissioners unanimously approved a budget of more than $30 million for the next fiscal year and kept the millage rate flat at 4.250 for the sixth consecutive year. This budget includes no increases in taxes. The budget ordinances will become law if they pass the second reading at the next city commission meeting, scheduled for Sept. 24. City Manager Mike Bollhoefer discussed some items that he said generated questions from several commissioners. He said $400,000 of

Community Calendar..............2A Crossword...............................5B

Obituaries.............................23A Real Estate.............................1B

13: The number of nation-

the $500,000 budgeted for street improvements was currently reserved to cover part of the cost to redesign Plant Street around the West Orange Trail. Winter Garden applied for a grant to cover the rest of the cost. If the city doesn’t receive the grant, the money can be spent on other capital projects, such as redesigning Dillard Street. The budget includes an increase in city cemetery fees to create a fund to cover perpetual care after the last plot is sold. The goal is to

SEE COMMISSION / 4A

INDEX Arts & Culture.......................17A Classifieds..............................6B

Sports.....................................1B Weather..................................5B

WINDERMERE — The moment she found out Steve Wozniak was coming to Orlando, she wanted to interview him. Sarina Khemchandani, a ninth-grade student at Windermere Preparatory School, had interviewed high-profile people before, but never anyone as prominent as the co-founder of Apple. Khemchandani, a fan of Wozniak, read his book “iWoz” when she was 12. She found his contact information on his website and sent him an email requesting an interview. No response. Later, her father contacted Wozniak. It wasn’t until Wozniak had arrived in Orlando that he agreed to the interview, to the shock of the entire Khemchandani family. Sarina had less than a day to prepare. The family met Wozniak in the lobby of the Orlando hotel at which he was staying. Khemchandani set up a camera her grandmother gave her and began the interview, which has been picked up by prominent news organizations such as Business Insider, Daily Mail and TIME Magazine. “It was just so amazing,” Khemchandani said.

SEE WOZNIAK / 4A

Courtesy of Sarina Khemchandani

Sarina Khemchandani took a photo with Steve Wozniak directly after her interview with him.

Vol. 82, No. 38 , Four sections

WOTimes.com

WEST ORANGE TIMES

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

COMMUNITYCALENDAR THURSDAY, SEPT. 17 Chamber Business After Hours — 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at West Oaks Mall center court, 9401 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. Cost is $5 in advance and $10 at the door for chamber members and $20 for others. For details, call the chamber at (407) 656-1304. Understanding Health Insurance: From Coverage to Care — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Certified navigators will help individuals and families understand their benefits, connect with services and understand their financial responsibilities. For more details, call (407) 835-7323.

poker, a blackjack table, pizza, hors d’oeuvres, adult beverages and prizes. Cost is $50 if pre-registered and $60 at the door. Re-buys and addons are available. To pre-register, contact John at jkwg1@ earthlink.net or call (321) 388-8213. Proceeds benefit the West Orange Scholarship Fund and local West Orange charities. Empowered to Soar — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at West Orlando Christian Center, 1301 E. Bay St., Winter Garden. Bishop Jason Nelson will speak on Impartation through Worship. To attend, register for free at WestOrlandoChurch.tv. For information, call (407) 6565665.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 High Up, Deep Down, Digging All Around — 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Dig up some fun with stories, arts and crafts about the space around us. For information, call (407) 835-7323. Texas Hold-Em Poker Tournament — 6 p.m. registration and Poker 101 training session, 7 p.m. official start, Friday, Sept. 18, at American Legion Post 63, 271 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The Rotary Club of Winter Garden and Big Stacks Poker League are presenting the evening, which includes

Four-Person Scramble Golf Outing — tee-off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Windermere Country Club, 2710 Butler Bay Drive North, Windermere. The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Windermere is hosting the annual event to raise money for Ms. Minnie’s Kids, which provides after-

school programs and meals to underprivileged children. The $75-per-person cost includes lunch. For details and to sign up, call the church office at (407) 876-3480.

Most appropriate for ages 7 and up; limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, call 407876-6696 or visit www. OrangeCountyParks.net.

Empowered to Soar — 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at West Orlando Christian Center, 1301 E. Bay St., Winter Garden. Pastor Jeremy Dunn and Bishop Mark Moore will speak about Dream, Plan & Execute Empowerment Day. To attend, register for free at WestOrlandoChurch.tv. For information, call (407) 6565665.

Couponing Class — 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Do you want to learn how to save up to 50 percent or more on your grocery bill? Join Couponers United for a free informative class on couponing. Call (407) 835-7323 for details.

Science Saturday: Prescribed Burns — 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. Join Rosi Mulholland, of the St. Johns River Water Management District, to learn why Florida’s ecosystems require prescribed burns. Discover how these good fires can prevent bad fires and how certain animals and plants cannot survive without prescribed burning. Admission is free and open to the public. Email information@oaklandnaturepreserve. org or call (407) 905-0054 for more details. EcoSaturday: Butterfly Stroll — 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Tibet-Butler Preserve, 8777 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Orlando. Take a stroll around the visitor center area and identify the species and the native plants that attract them.

OUR TOUGHNESS IS YOUR STRENGTH.

Paranormal Investigations: Breaking the Myths — 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Journey into the unknown with the Beyond Investigators team for a closer look at the myths surrounding the paranormal. Get a hands-on tour of the equipment used in the field. For more information, visit thebeyondinvestigators. com.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 20 Back-to-Church Sunday — 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at West Orlando Christian Center, 301 E. Bay St., Winter Garden. Special guest speaker is Pastor Tonya S. Hall. For more information, call the church at (407) 656-5665 or email westorlandochurch@ gmail.com. Branching Out to Find Your Roots: Discovering U.S. Census Records — 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. The United States Federal Census has been conducted every

To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, please send by mail: 720 S. Dillard St. Winter Garden, FL 34787; or by email: news@wotimes.com. Photos are welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.

10 years beginning in 1790. Learn about what information is contained in each census and discover how to use all of the various bits of information from the census as clues to advance your research. For details, call (407) 835-7323. Luau by the Lake — 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Pines of Windermere, 3409 Maguire Road, Windermere. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Windermere, the event will include food, live entertainment a cash bar and a silent auction — all with tropical flair. Cost is $60 for individuals, $450 for reserved tables of eight. Go to windermererotary.org or call (407) 8101803.

MONDAY, SEPT. 21 SMART Start — 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Get hands-on early-learning adventures observing science, math and art in a sensory-rich environment. Dress for a mess. Ages 2-4. Seating is limited. Registration recommended by calling (407) 835-7323. D is for Dinosaur — 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. go on a dinosaur adventure using stories and activities while experiencing a good time together. For more information, call (407) 835-7323. Breastfeeding 101 — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Learn the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby. This class will address questions about how often a

newborn should eat, positions, latching, feeding cues and more. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 Windermere Toastmasters Club — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Seventh-day Adventist Church hall, 4100 McKinnon Road, Windermere. Guests are invited to learn to develop their oral communication and leadership skills and increase their self-confidence. For information, go to windermeretoastmasters.org.

WED., SEPT. 23 Single & Parenting — 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, 125 N. Lakeview Ave. The 13-week course discusses topics like “Parenting Goals & Expectations,” “Parenting Tools & Projects,” “Talking & Listening” and “Conflict & Resolution.” It is facilitated through videos and workbooks. Cost is $20; scholarships are available. Call the church office at (407) 656-1135 for more information. Following the Leprechaun’s Trail to Your Pot of Gold: Finding Your Irish Family Story — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Discover where to start in researching your Irish ancestry, how to assemble your personal tool kit and how to create your own treasure map. For details, call (407) 8357323.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

SURVIVOR STORY by Michael Eng | Executive Editor

PICKING UP THE

PIECES

The house is considered a total loss. Below: Beth Fitzpatrick’s highschool class ring survived the fire.

It’s been less than two weeks since Beth Fitzpatrick’s Winter Garden home was destroyed by fire. And so begins the long, difficult road to normalcy.

MY ROOF IS ON FIRE. I GUESS I NEED TO GO.

Fitzpatrick is not tech-savvy. She doesn’t bother with the latest and greatest (she still has an AOL email address), and most of the time, she keeps her phone silenced. So she missed the initial call from ADT — at precisely 4:10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. The security company then called Fitzpatrick’s mother, who lives just a few miles away. At 4:20 p.m., Fitzpatrick saw

“

the missed call and called ADT back. The operator told her there was a disturbance at her front door. That’s odd, she thought. She called her mother, who was already on her way over to check it out. She arrived to the Westfield home at 4:30 p.m. The dog, Sasha, was going crazy, so her mother took her from the home and went to pick up Fitzpatrick’s daughter, 11-yearold Diana, from Foundation Academy. Fitzpatrick, who works at Disney, began packing up her things to leave for the day. Then, the buzzing began. One missed call. A second. A third. All from neighbors. She was talking with some co-workers when she finally realized what was happening. Guys, she said. My roof is on fire. I guess I need to go. And with that, she left the office, climbed into her car and started driving. She didn’t speed or run any lights. She took her time. After all, this drive was the last few minutes before the devastation became real. “I didn’t want to see it,” Fitzpatrick said. “I didn’t know what I was walking into.” Innately logical and fiercely independent, Fitzpatrick then took out her phone and called her insurance company. And in a monotone voice, she told the representative: My house is on fire. I think I’m going to need to start something with you. As she turned onto Stoneybrook West Parkway — still miles from her home — she could see the smoke lifting toward the sky. In the days after the fire, Fitzpatrick learned there were 32 lightning strikes within a onemile radius of the house that afternoon. For the lightning strike at precisely 4:10 p.m., the coordinates were 0,0. Translation: A direct hit. That also means that the fire had been burning for 20 minutes before Fitzpatrick’s mother arrived and retrieved Sasha.

DON’T TELL ME NOT TO CRY.

Fitzpatrick and Diana have a tradition. If they’ve had a good week, on Friday night, they’ll eat dinner in front of the TV for a movie night. Then, Diana is allowed to come sleep in Fitzpatrick’s bed for the night. “She’s a bed hog, and she’s a little oven,” Fitzpatrick says, laughing. “But, it’s our thing.” The night after the fire, the two took up shelter in Fitzpatrick’s parents’ home. Diana already had gone to bed, and Fitzpatrick was busy surveying the roomful of donations that already had poured in from the West Orange community. It was then that the weight of it all began settling in on her shoulders. “I went to her and said, ‘Diana: Can I get in bed with you?’” Fitzpatrick remembers. “She said, ‘Really?!’” As the two snuggled, Diana, attempting to console her mother, said, Don’t cry.

The trunk itself, although an antique, was not a family heirloom. Her father wanted to save it, but Fitzpatrick thought otherwise. “If they restore everything in the house, it doesn’t make it so this did not happen,” she says. “He was getting emotional, and I told him, ‘You have to pull it together. Because if you’re falling apart, then I can’t.” The fire did claim some irreplaceable items. Diana’s letters to Santa didn’t make it. Neither did the family cat, Buckles.

IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF WE LEARNED NOTHING FROM IT.

Courtesy photos

This soot-stained photo of Beth Fitzpatrick and her daughter, Diana, is now a family favorite. “I can’t stand to cry,” Fitzpatrick says. “But I told her: ‘Don’t tell me not to cry. You can tell me everything is going to be OK. But this is a huge, huge loss for us.’” Throughout the weekend, all the details began to surface. What about Diana’s airway-cleaning device for her chronic bronchitis? What about all the prescription medications — some that were just filled? What about the new eyeglasses? What about the utilities — cable, phone, water, electric? Little by little, Fitzpatrick began to tick things off the list. She went to Walmart with a friend to buy some necessities. As she approached the cashier, she noticed he was visibly nervous. “I’ll never forget Quincy,” she says. “I asked him why he was so nervous. And he told me he was new and that it was his first time working the register. “So I looked at him and said, ‘Well that’s OK, because my house burned down,’” Fitzpatrick says. “He didn’t know what to say, so I told him he just need to keep his good attitude and let everyone know he was new. “I’ve gotten pretty good at telling people my house burned down at the most inappropriate times,” she says, laughing. While talking to Bright House Networks, she explained her situation. At the end of the call, the representative reminded her to return the company’s equipment. Um, my house burned down, she reminded him. Embarrassed, the representative waived the $34 equipment fee. Similar fumbling occurred when she called Duke Energy, her health insurance provider and others.

“

WINTER GARDEN — This is what happens after your house burns to the ground. Your clothes and hair stink of smoke from the hours you stand, helplessly watching firefighters soak every square inch of the building that once housed you and your daughter. The intensity of it all paralyzes you. You don’t cry, you don’t pace, you’re numb. Suddenly, your street seems foreign, with neighbors lining the sidewalks and police cars blocking the entrance. You don’t know whether to stand, to sit, to climb back into the safety of your car. You don’t even know where to be. Someone shows you camera-phone footage of video of the famished flames licking at your roof. Hours later, you can’t remember whether you actually saw that with your own eyes or not. Your perception of time is warped. Some lady shoves a piece of paper in your face. You look at it, find the name of your home-insurance provider and scrawl your signature on the line. Fox News calls your personal cell phone. How the heck did they get your number? And then some neighbors hand you plastic shopping bags with clothes and a toothbrush and toothpaste. You don’t realize it until four days later, but that’s the best thing that happened that night. “I didn’t have to wake up and wonder what I was going to wear,” Beth Fitzpatrick says six days after a lightning bolt ignited a fire that burned her Winter Garden home to the ground. “Those are friends: They look out for you. And if you have clean underwear — that’s what’s really important. You have no idea how huge it is to have pajamas to sleep in and clothes to wear the next day.” The road to recovery and rebuilding will be a long one — likely a year. And Fitzpatrick is dealing with it all the best way she knows how — with logic, the occasional breakdown and plenty of her trademark sarcasm and killer sense of humor. “Life is good,” she says. “I have a job, my daughter is fine. … This really sucks. It was a home (paid) 100% by me, and I lost it all. Everything I’d worked (so hard) for. I’ve lost everything. But it’s going to be OK. There’s going to be lows, and the next 12 to 14 weeks are supposed to be the worst. … And to my neighbors: I am sorry about the smell.”

I have no greater words to offer than a very heartfelt thank you for all the incredible kindness and generosity that has been extended by my neighbors, the Winter Garden/Disney/Orlando communities, and our friends and family. Although my emotions have definitely caught up with me, I know this could be so much worse. I’m so very grateful that fire cannot destroy love. In big ways and small ways, that is exactly what so many people have extended to Diana and me. Thank you so very much.

— Beth Fitzpatrick

The Fitzpatricks’ dog, Sasha, survived the fire. Buckles, their cat, did not. “But, that’s the way you want it, right?” she says. “I would hate it if people have more firsthand experience with dealing with something like this.” After its evaluation of the fire, it seems promising that Fitzpatrick’s insurance company will consider it a total loss. That determination will yield two checks — one to rebuild and a second to replace the contents of the home. Four days after the lightning strike, momentum already was carrying Fitzpatrick forward.

I CAN’T PULL OUT MY THURSDAY EMOTIONS ON TUESDAY.

After your house burns down, a company called Emergency Services and Reconstruction surveys the damage and works with you to collect important or valuable pieces such as jewelry and heirlooms. Then, that all gets placed into a warehouse, where you’ll eventually come and survey the wreckage and identify what you want to try to restore. Restoration is expensive, so you only want to keep what’s truly irreplaceable. For Fitzpatrick, that day was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. But, when she visited the ESR office Tuesday, Sept. 8, to sign permits to begin working on the house, the representatives told her that while she was there, she also could take a look at the charred and smoke-damaged remnants of her home. That triggered her first anxiety attack. “My plan was to go see these items on Thursday — not Tues-

day,” she says. “I was not prepared for emotions on Tuesday. I planned for Thursday. Thursday! I can’t pull out my Thursday emotions on Tuesday.” She felt like Rain Man. She couldn’t calm down until a friend reminded her she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to do. If she wanted to wait until Thursday, then do just that. “Suddenly, a weight was lifted,” Fitzpatrick says. “It’s amazing how simple that was, but sometimes, you just can’t see the answer.” Nevertheless, two days later, Fitzpatrick was standing in the warehouse with her parents. “Seeing the items wasn’t too bad,” she says. “I stayed focused on what they were able to recover and am so grateful for what I have. I tried not to focus on what has been lost. Many things from Diana’s room were recovered right after the fire, but my side of the house had the most damage, so these things had come from my room.” Recovered items include jewelry that belonged to Fitzpatrick’s grandmother and aunt, some Ruby Ribbon clothes that hadn’t yet been taken out of the box and Fitzpatrick’s highschool class ring. ESR officials also pulled from the home an antique trunk filled with Christmas decorations. Many of the linens and ornaments weren’t salvageable — or at least not worth salvaging. However, Fitzpatrick chose to keep the Christmas stockings her aunt had made, along with a tree skirt.

One of Fitzpatrick’s favorite family photos now has soot marks on it. Call them battle scars. But after the fire, friend Angel Price took the photo, reframed it and added an inspirational quotation from Mahatma Gandhi: Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. Fitzpatrick also knows it comes from an amazingly supportive cast of family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and yes, even complete strangers, who have reached out in her greatest time of need. Neighbor Jackie Henley Kelley — who didn’t even know Fitzpatrick well before the fire — launched a GoFundMe campaign. To date, the campaign has raised more than $20,000. And then came the bags upon bags of clothes donations — enough to fill a small boutique. Fitzpatrick and her daughter took what they could use and now are finding places to donate the rest. “People have been so generous and kind,” Fitzpatrick says. “It’s both comfortable and uncomfortable, because people have done so much to help. I don’t want to let them down. “There are so many people who have donated that I don’t even know,” she says. “I don’t know you, and I may never meet you, but you are unbelievable. Thank you. It gives me chills. There are worse things happening all over the world, and people are still helping (me). It’s just overwhelming — the kindness.” As for the home, Fitzpatrick will rebuild. Crews are working on removing the unsalvageable pieces — burnt or water-damaged walls, studs, etc. Then, she’ll work with an architect to design the new home. “I’m entertaining the thought of changing the inside,” Fitzpatrick says. “It all depends on cost — because I’m cheap before anything else.” The process will take about a year. For now, she and Diana will live with her parents. But, when she’s ready, she’ll find a place to rent. Just another step forward. A few days after the fire, Diana came to her mom and asked if it happened because she was misbehaving. “This was an act of nature,” Fitzpatrick told her. “God did not do this to punish you, but He will help you learn from it. This is something bad that happened to us, and it would be a shame if we learned nothing from it.” Contact Michael Eng at meng@wotimes.com.

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

IN OTHER NEWS • The commission unanimously approved rezoning about 7.15 acres on the north side of Roper Road east of Winter Garden-Vineland Road and west of Daniels Road to city Planned Unit Development. This will enable Sonata West to build a 115-person assisted-living facility on the site. The facility will include a pool, pond, walking paths and other amenities. Commissioners also unanimously approved the site plan as recommended by staff. • Commissioners unanimously approved annexing and rezoning about 1 acre on the west side of Tildenville School Road north of

COMMISSION / PAGE 1A put enough money in reserve to enable the interest on the reserve fund to cover the cost of care. If no fund existed, city taxpayers would eventually need to pay the care bill out of city funds whether they owned a cemetery plot. Bollhoefer told commissioners the city increased the emergency dispatch budget because they are now responsible for Ocoee’s emergency dispatch in addition to Winter Garden and Oakland. Fees from Ocoee and Oakland will cover the additional cost. Winter Garden spends 52% of its budget on public safety, which includes its police and fire departments. The budget includes funds to hire four additional sergeants and one more crime-scene investigator. Winter Garden’s General Fund Budget for next fiscal year totals $30,844,011. Ad valorem taxes provide the most revenue: $14,725,513, or 48%. Sales tax, state revenue share and other government transfers make up 25% of revenue, or $7,696,904. Permits and fees, such as impact fees, bring in $4,125,276, or 13%, and service charges net $3,653,533, or 12%. The largest capital expense remains the $8,956,533 allocated from the Community Redevelopment Agency fund to build the downtown parking garage.

SCHOOL / PAGE 1A been decided then, but the architecture style must resemble that of SunRidge Middle School in Winter Garden. “On the front of the school, we have three access points to get into the school,” he said. “On the north end, which is the main access point where most of the traffic will come in, the plans are that will be a lighted intersection.” Officials said they would see what they could do about parents’ concerns of splitting rising seniors from their siblings for the first year of the relief school. Seniors otherwise rezoned for the relief school would remain in the West Orange High School Class of 2018, based on a past precedent of a vast majority of rezoned OCPS seniors preferring to stay in their graduating class. The rezoning of student areas would occur sometime in spring 2016, with some relocation transfers but no athletic transfers for sports that the new school might not be able to offer. OCPS policy dictates naming a principal and drawing school zones before the school receives its name. Officials said naming should occur sometime in December 2016 or January 2017. Torbert said the project has been in the design phase since May. Construction should begin in earnest by October and last until August 2017 — about 19 months — with the

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

West Colonial Drive and South of East Oakland Avenue The property owner plans to build a single-family residence on the property. • The commission unanimously approved the interlocal agreement with Orange County for the Watershed Atlas Project. The agreement will be renewed through May 31, 2019 for a total cost of $9,452, or $2,363 per year. • Commissioners unanimously approved spending $10,000 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for servers and other electronic equipment associated with police body cameras. Assistant Police Chief Bill Sullivan

FIREFIGHTERS CONTRACT

Commissioners unanimously approved a new contract city staff negotiated with the firefighters union. City officials and firemen praised each other for what they called a “professional” negotiation. The new three-year contract begins Oct. 1, 2015. Fire Chief Matt McGrew said they started negotiating the contract two years ago and made continuous progress. “We’re very proud to say we work for the city and the fire department of Winter Garden,” said Winter Garden firefighter and union local President Jason Schneider said. “We think it’s the best one around.” - BLUE BENCH TEASER Schneider andWOT other union members showed their appreciation by presenting the Mayor and commissioners with a carved wooden ax modeled after the axes they use to fight fires.

ROAD CONTRACTS

Commissioners unanimously approved a little more than $5 million in road improvement contracts with DeWitt Excavating to complete three different projects: improvements to the Park Avenue and Smith Street storm water systems, intersection improvements at Avaability for staff to move in around June 2017, he said. “All indications are that is going according to schedule,” he said. Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@wotimes.com.

said the body cameras are working well, and the additional software storage and docking station they plan to buy will help the force upload and search footage more efficiently. • The commission unanimously reappointed Dan Kuhl to the General Employees Pension Board. • Commissioners unanimously approved closing Central Avenue from Plant to Smith streets for Plant Street Market’s Oktoberfest Oct. 16, 17 and 18. • The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in City Hall Commission Chambers, 300 W. Plant St.

West Orange Times The West Orange Times (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $29 per year ($40 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 West Orange Times, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Opinions in the West Orange Times are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily those of the West Orange Times, its publisher or editors. Mailed letters must by typed and include the author’s signature and phone number. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for space and grammar and become the property of the newspaper. © Copyright 2015 Observer Media Group All Rights Reserved

The video is divided into three parts, with part three being the most popular with more than 42,000 hits on YouTube. This number does not include the people who view the video on the Daily Mail’s site, which secured rights from the Khemchandanis to post the video independent of YouTube.

THE INTERVIEW

Khemchandani asked Wozniak a variety of questions, ranging from his thoughts on Apple to education. Wozniak spent nearly an hour with Khemchandani. And his answers have attracted international attention. When Khemchandani asked Wozniak what role Steve Jobs played lon Road and Marsh Road/Stoneywhile Wozniak was overcoming hardbrook West Parkway, and at Avalon ware and software issues, Wozniak Road and Tilden Road. The project responded with an answer the Daily budget was capped for $907,351.19, Mail reported. and the two intersection projects “Steve Jobs, he played no role at all together will cost a maximum of in any of my designs of the Apple I $4,240,497.29. and the Apple II computer,” Wozniak Bollhoefer said the city bid the said in the interview. “He wanted to two intersection projects togethbe important, and important people er because Winter Garden is still in are always the business people.” the process of getting approval from But Wozniak was far from criticizOrange County for the Avalon and ing Jobs. Marsh roads project. The city would “Steve Jobs was my good friend, like to start the Avalon and Marsh inthe businessman,” he said. tersection project first but can start During the interview, other people at Avalon and Tilden if the agreein the lobby recognized Wozniak and ments for Avalon and Marsh take began to gather around, making the longer to finalize. room loud. Khemchandani tried to - 5.67x10.375 -Sept.traffic 17-ENG.pdf 9/14/15 1:21 PM The temporary light at1Avaignore the background noise, telling lon and Tilden Roads is projected to herself that she could edit the noise be up by the end of September. out later. Wozniak was polite about the commotion, starting his sentences over when he realized it was too loud. When Khemchandani asked Wozniak where he attended college, Wozniak said he went to a variety of schools. He downplayed the importance of needing to go to a big-name or Ivy League school and emphasized that the work of the student — not the prominence of the college they attend — determines success. Wozniak himself spent hours designing computers through trial and error. He thinks students who want to be successful should find something they are passionate about and work at it. Those students should go beyond the work they are assigned in class and required to complete.

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“Getting the advice from Steve Wozniak is so inspirational to so many students,” Khemchandani said. “It could even plant a seed for the next great innovation, like maybe a cure for cancer or a way to help the environment.”

REACH A STUDENT

Khemchandani has spent hours outside class pursuing her interests, which led to the interview with Wozniak. The interview was arranged for Khemchandani’s site, Reach a Student. In the fall of 2014, she started the program for students at Windermere Preparatory School. Students go to reachastudent.com, where they ask questions — anonymously if they choose — to other peer mentors. These mentors range in age from middle-school students to college-age WPS alumni, and they receive community service hours for the work they put into the site. Students ask questions about the rigor of challenging Advanced Placement classes, on-campus clubs, sports and other things about life at WPS. Khemchandani gives each of her mentors a pin, which they can wear on the blazer that is part of their school uniform. At the end of her interview with Wozniak, Khemchandani gave him a pin. Wozniak smiled and said that if Reach a Student was around when he was in school, he would have been a mentor. After she saw the success of the mentors, Khemchandani launched the blog and video portion of the site, which she said is the most popular part of the program. The blog also covers topics many students and parents are curious about. Her first high-profile interview was during a family trip to Hong Kong this summer. WPS had just been purchased by Nord Anglia Education, and many parents and students had questions about the company. The Khemchandanis found out that the Nord Anglia headquarters were located in Hong Kong, and she was able to set up an interview with Andrew Fitzmaurice, the CEO of Nord Anglia. Nord Anglia owns 42 schools across the world and is a publicly traded company on the stock market. After the interview, Khemchandani was inspired to keep the interviews going. “I think interviewing him gave me the confidence to push Reach a Student further,” Khemchandani said. The interview also helped the WPS community to understand the company that just purchased their school. “The parents had a lot of questions,” said her father, Sunil Khemchandani. Khemchandani felt her interview helped answer some of the concerns parents had about the change. Nord Anglia International School is in Hong Kong, so Khemchandani was also able to interview the principal, a teacher and a student at that school.

SARINA’S JOURNEY

Nord Anglia encourages students to be ambitious, and WPS Headmaster Thomas Marcy said Reach a Student does just that. “Sarina is an exceptional young person,” he said. Other administrators agree with Marcy. “It’s an honor to have been a part of Sarina’s journey,” said Mary Beth Davis, WPS middle-school director. “I had the opportunity to get to know her and watch her grow into a confident, talented young lady. She has left a legacy on our campus with her commitment, drive and quest for excellence.” In addition to answering student and parent questions, Khemchandani likes to interview successful people to inspire students — whether they are the cofounder of Apple or a hard-working student at WPS. The interview with Wozniak also has drawn attention to the Reach a Student site. Students from other schools have asked to start a Reach a Student for their school. Some students have contacted Khemchandani, sending her a list of famous people they want her to interview. Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@wotimes.com.

Times WEST ORANGE

CONTACT US The West Orange Times is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery. The West Orange Times also can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange County and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden. If you wish to subscribe to the West Orange Times, visit our website, WOTimes.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@wotimes.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@wotimes.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@yourobserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry Rhode, aqrhode@wotimes.com Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@wotimes.com Staff Writer / Zak Kerr, zkerr@wotimes.com Staff Writer / Catherine Sinclair, csinclair@wotimes.com Advertising Executive / Kim Edwards, kedwards@wotimes.com Advertising Executive / Cyndi Gustafson, cgustafson@wotimes.com Creative Services / Tony Trotti, ttrotti@wotimes.com Customer Service Representative / Sarah Felt, sfelt@wotimes.com

“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

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MOVE WOOD, ADD WOODS by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer

PARKS / PAGE 1A public sector and local community and improve public lands for outdoor recreation. “Often what defines us as a nation and as a community is our shared commitment to the lands around us,” said Zach Prusak, Central Florida Conservation Director for the Nature Conservancy Florida. “A part of this commitment is on-the-ground action. It is important to recognize those who work to manage the sites and the many volunteers that act as stewards of these lands.” Prusak said it has been medically proven that spending time outdoors relaxes and invigorates the mind and body. “Some of the best medicine is immersing yourself in the natural world around you,” he said. In West Orange County, there will be two events in celebration of National Public Lands Day next weekend that are open to parks supporters of any age and walk of life. BILL FREDERICK PARK AT TURKEY LAKE 3401 South Hiawassee Road, Orlando (MetroWest) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 Bill Frederick Park is hosting its sixth annual event for National Public Lands Day. Admission and children’s activities are free. “It’s grown quite a bit since the first one,” said Naomi Nelson, coordinator of the event, who has been on staff all six years. “I think our vendors are getting better and better every year.” One of the most popular activities at the Bill Frederick Park event is an area where children and adults can interact with farm animals. Representatives from SeaWorld also will be on-site with a few of their Animal Ambassadors. The mobile butterfly exhibit is another favorite. Active families can hike, bike, swim, play sand volleyball or play disc golf. Those looking for something a little more restful can learn to fish from a local expert.

Windermere Council approves dock relocation The eastern shore of Lake Butler will gain several cypress trees from the measure.

Courtesy photo

A representative from Oakland Nature Preserve will be at Bill Frederick Park to offer an educational program called “Be Bear Aware.” “He teaches knot-tying and what type of lures to use, and (families) really enjoy that,” Nelson said. Another unique activity will be the “Out on a Limb” tree climb. An expert will guide children and adults as they use ropes and safety gear to climb a tree. “He found a really good tree in the park that was perfect for demonstrating tree-climbing,” Nelson said. Food vendors will be at the event, but attendees can also rent a pavilion and host their own barbecue. There will be a first-come, first-served tree giveaway, so that families can take a piece of nature home with them. JOHNS LAKE CONSERVATION AREA 880 Avalon Road, Winter Garden 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Johns Lake Conservation Area just opened a few weeks ago, and National Public Lands Day will be its first event. “We wanted the people to be more familiar with the property,” said Nancy Rodlun, community outreach coordinator for Orange County. “We

really think it’s going to be a fantastic place for people to come and picnic and have access to Johns Lake.” Attendees can participate in educational activities, such as a fishing tutorial for all ages, and view wildlife. The conservation area is good for birding because it is set along the Apopka Flyway, which is a migration path for many water birds, Rodlun said. There also will be opportunities to serve. Volunteers are needed to help build the picnic area, tables and parking area, right across from the kayak and canoe lodge. Johns Lake is an Orange County Green PLACE property, meaning it is particularly environmentally sensitive. Guests can enter their photos from Johns Lake or any other Green PLACE area in the Orange Audubon Society’s photo contest. Winning photos will be featured in Orange County’s 2017 nature calendar. To submit photos, email orangetogreen@ocfl.net. Attendees are asked to pack a lunch and RSVP to carrie. mohanna@ocfl.net. Those who RSVP by Sept. 18 will receive a T-shirt. Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@wotimes.com.

WINDERMERE — After much discussion among involved parties, the Windermere Town Council and the public, the council unanimously approved relocation of a dock at 13 Chase Road with conditions. Those conditions include providing at least 10% more than the appropriate vegetation as required by Orange County law and planting cypress trees of no less than 3 inches in diameter every 10 feet along the affected shoreline, stemming from Councilman John Armstrong’s similar initial suggestion. The idea is to have a visually appealing, ecologically appropriate array of trees along that part of the shoreline. Concerns about the dock location on the eastern shore of Lake Butler pertained to people walking to use the dock — particularly children — just after a sharp turn of traffic onto Chase Road from Main Street and another significant bend in Chase Road immediately thereafter, as well as what vegetation would be in the area in what amounts. Orange County officials approved relevant permits sometime Sept. 3 for the property owners involved to relocate the dock, but Windermere Town Council had held final approval.

LOT SPLITS

The council unanimously approved two lot splits: one at 133 Main St. and another with stipulations at 728 Forest St. The council discussed at length portions of town

IN OTHER NEWS • The council approved appointment of Shawn Diedrich to the Development Review Board and Avani Desai to the Long Range Planning Committee. • The final budget hearing for Windermere’s coming fiscal year is scheduled for Sept. 21. • Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn read two proclamations. One declared September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; the other declared October Sandhoff Disease Awareness Month. Sandhoff Disease is a rare recessive carrier lipid

law that pertain to splitting lots and found some parts too ambiguous or deficient, such as pieces regarding 50-foot lots, properties built across multiple lots and certain plats dated before June 10, 1975. For these particular aspects of lot splitting, the council passed the staff recommendation to subject the splits to the approval of Town Manager Robert Smith until the council takes further action on the matter.

ROADS

Two right-of-way use agreements received council approval. One was for a new single-family home at 729 Main St.; the other was for Windsong at Windermere. Public Works Director

storage disorder in which a progressive destruction of the central nervous system usually leads to death, virtually always in children. Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden spoke about Sandhoff disease, which took the life of his child. • The council passed a revision to its fire protection assessments and service charges, removing provisions about a certificate of occupancy for property to be assessed. • Town Manager Robert Smith said an update regarding town annexation plans would be available sometime within the week.

David Grimm said important construction projects should be done by Sept. 18, allowing time to finish before the fiscal year ends or next fiscal year’s budget is finalized. Grimm said nothing can really prevent problems with puddles and dips in dirt roads from rain, which often causes dangerous silt blooms in the surrounding lakes from runoff. The council will need to decide whether to pave certain areas, which could save money longterm, based on costly repairs to dirt roads from frequent rains, Mayor Gary Bruhn said. Councilman Richard Gonzalez was absent from the meeting. Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@wotimes.com.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

TROPICAL GETAWAY by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer

Windermere Rotary plans charity luau

The annual event at The Pines at Windermere supports local causes. WINDERMERE — The Rotary Club of Windermere is ready to offer its annual slice of the only state farther south than ours. Rotarians will host the Luau by the Lake from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20, an island-themed party of food, music and fun at The Pines at Windermere on Big Lake Down. With its predecessor, Lobster and Laughter, Luau by the Lake has a history of 12 years of raising thousands of dollars for local charities. Along with Windermere Rotary’s annual golf tournament and Festival Among the Lakes, this event has helped to generate more than $800,000 in those dozen years for Health Central Alzheimer’s Center, Edgewood Children’s Ranch, Habitat for Humanity, Home at Last, Freedom Ride and other charities. Students from Olympia and West Orange high schools, Foundation Academy and Windermere Preparatory School will help with the event, which features crab cake appetizers before a catered sit-down dinner at 6 p.m. The menu includes beef tenderloin, grilled chicken, whole lobster, grilled vegetables, coconut rice, Hawaiian cole slaw, Mai Tais, beer, wine and pineapple. “We’re on a lake, but the dinner will be served inside,” club member

ROTARY CLUB OF WINDERMERE LUAU BY THE LAKE WHEN: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 WHERE: The Pines at Windermere, 3409 Maguire Road, Windermere TICKETS: $60 person; $450 per table of eight INFORMATION: WindermereRotary.org Judy Black said. “We do have activities at the lake as the sun goes down.” One such activity is the Luau by the Lake silent auction, which includes items such as art, memorabilia and golf, restaurant and hotel packages, Black said. “There will be live entertainment,” she said. “We will have an interactive Hawaiian show with a bonfire and fire dancers lakeside.” Guests also can partake in limbo or jam to some island music. The cost per person is $60, and the group rate to fill a table of eight is $450. “Dress in casual island attire,” Black said. “Don’t dress up — flip-flops are fine.” Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.

IN MEMORIAM by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer

Dedications honor fallen officers County and local officials gathered to remember Deputy Scott Pine and Officer Robbie German. WINDERMERE — Orange County Fire Rescue, Ocoee Police Department, Orlando Police Department, Apopka Police Department and, of course, Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Windermere Police Department. These were just some of the agencies whose staffs gathered twice in about an hour with dignitaries and community members the morning of Sept. 14, each on opposite ends of the northern edge of The Grove Shopping Center. They paid tribute to two officers killed six weeks apart last February and March, about a half-mile apart in the vicinity of Apopka-Vineland Road (County Road 435), just east of Windermere. First was a dedication to Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine along Apopka-Vineland Road at its intersection with Conroy Windermere Road. “By naming this roadway in tribute to our and your beloved Deputy Pine, it will serve as a remembrance to … everyone who passes by,” Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said. “(It is) a visible reminder to our citizens that Scott’s dedication to public service and a reminder of our profound gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice rendered while protecting the citizens of Orange County.” Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund stats show one law enforcement officer killed per 60 hours in the U.S. “There have been 46 different occasions here in Orange County,” he said. District 1 Orange County Commissioner S. Scott

Windermere Town Council, staff and police were present for the ceremony and the Germans. Boyd said the county would try to ensure parks would be available to generations of children such as Pine’s. Pine enjoyed playing with his children in parks to the extent that county officials will name multiple parks after him. Bridget Pine, Scott’s widow, said she and their three children still strive to figure out life without him, their hero, and thanked their community for helping them to remember him. “While sitting at the dinner table the other night, Haley said that she doesn’t understand why she only had six years with her daddy,” Bridget Pine said. “She began to cry and said, ‘It’s just not fair.’ In the next sentence, Ryker said, ‘I can’t remember my daddy.’ Maddox? He only knows his daddy by a picture.” Those gathered at Pine’s dedication walked hardly a third of a mile to arrive at German’s, at the intersection of Conroy Windermere Road and Horizon Circle. Windermere Mayor Gary

Photos by Zak Kerr

Bridget Pine, Scott Pine’s widow, shared the struggles she and their children still face.

Bruhn recalled awaking before 5 a.m. March 22, 2014, to a phone call that shocked his system, knowing it was bad news. “On this very spot, (German) reported two teens walking down the road …

because (he) was concerned these youths may have a problem or be at risk,” Bruhn said. “He had been back to work just three days after being cleared to work since … requiring surgery while responding to an incident where an autistic young man had charged him. After that incident, his first thought: ‘How is that young man?’” More than 14,000 vehicles per day will pass the signs, which should remind us to give thanks for our blessings, Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden said. “My son … loved what he did for the five years he (was a police officer),” German’s father, Tim, said. “We’re grateful for the quality of life this community provided for him. … For almost 18 months, Windermere residents have placed flowers, crosses … showing how much they considered Robbie to be a part of their community. … Windermere has modeled exactly what communities should do.” Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@ wotimes.com.

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A moment of silence and the ringing of the bell honored all who lost their lives at Winter Garden’s ceremony.

Deputy Police Chief Bill Sullivan spoke after the memorial was unveiled at Winter Garden’s ceremony.

A Day to Remember

Members of the Vietnam & All Veterans of Central Florida group attended Winter Garden’s ceremony.

The white flowers planted near the Winter Garden memorial are called September Morn.

Left: The police and fire honor guards presented the flags at Winter Garden’s ceremony.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

WINTER GARDEN

Boy Scout Troop 6 from Windermere saluted the flag.

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn gave a welcome and opening remarks.

The city of Winter Garden dedicated its new 9/11 memorial in the small park at Main and Cypress streets adjacent to the Fire Department Headquarters. Police and fire personnel were present for the somber ceremony, which remembered the thousands of first responders and individuals who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001. The honor guards from Winter Garden’s fire and police departments hoisted the state and American flags to the half-mast position, and WGFD chaplain Joshua Sauers gave the invocation and opening message. Also speaking were Fire Chief Matt McGrew, Mayor John Rees, Deputy Police Chief Bill Sullivan, police chaplain Ray Minger and special guest Jimmy Brown, a Winter Garden resident and former New York City

Larry Kreitner, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, enjoyed Golden Pond’s annual barbecue.

WINDERMERE

Later in the evening, Mayor Gary Bruhn led a service behind Town Hall, around the 9/11 memorial that features a beam from the World Trade Center. Fist Baptist Church of Windermere’s choir provided music. Windermere police officers and Ocoee firefighters were in attendance, as well as some family members of 9/11 victims. “I’ve had people that tell me we should move on,” Bruhn said. “You tell that to the almost 3,000 families who lost loved ones that day. “No — Windermere will never forget, and neither should you, and neither should America,” he said. Bruhn had a moment of silence with residents who lost loved ones in the 2001 attacks.

MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 10A

Winter Garden Fire Rescue’s Mike Gurney and Tim Hickman enjoyed lunch at Golden Pond.

Golden Pond’s Tekeisha Morgan caught up with Winter Garden Fire Chief Matt McGrew.

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Brian Nelson played “The Minstrel Boy” and “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes at Windermere’s service.

The morning started at Dr. Phillips High School, where members of the school’s Air Force JROTC honored the anniversary of 9/11 with a solemn ceremony outside of the school’s South Campus. The event included a flag-raising ceremony and the playing of the national anthem and taps by the high school’s marching band. Dr. Phillips student Mia Norton performed “God Bless America.” The featured speaker was retired U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Dana Gowen, a Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Guests also included members of the Orlando Police Department and local veterans.

DR. PHILLIPS

firefighter who was working at Station 10 at the base of the World Trade Center when the Twin Towers fell. Brown, James Cox, Brian Sanders and Tren Trendafilov — the four men who traveled to NYC four years ago to retrieve the 700-pound piece of steel beam and return it to Winter Garden — unveiled the memorial, which sits on a black granite pedestal. The ceremony was punctuated by a moment of silence and the ringing of the bell to honor the lives lost 14 years ago. At lunchtime, Golden Pond Communities celebrated local paramedics, police officers, military personnel and health care professionals at its annual Chicken Wings and Hamburger Cook-Out at its Winter Garden facility. Representatives from local agencies enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs and other goodies while dining with some military veterans and other Golden Pond residents.

West Orange County honored the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with several different tributes and services throughout the day.

10A

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

The Dr. Phillips High School event included a ceremonial flag-raising of the Stars and Stripes.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Dr. Phillips High School Air Force JROTC’s Damion Bryant and his fellow cadets were honored to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Orlando Police Master Police Officer Darrell Wring attended the Dr. Phillips ceremony.

Retired U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dana Gowen was the featured speaker at this year’s Dr. Phillips High School ceremony. Dr. Phillips High School student Mia Norton performed “God Bless America.”

* At mile marker three along the twenty-two mile West Orange Trail sits a community draped with spanish moss and old Florida charm. Set amongst acres of open fields, scenic lakes and a blooming community garden, Oakland Park is located just minutes from Winter Garden, Downtown Orlando and lots of local shopping. To find out more, stop by our information center or visit us online.

PRE-DESIGNED AND CUSTOM HOMES FROM THE $300s - $1 MILLION+ Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

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Dr. Phillips High School Air Force JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Rick Proctor works hard to organize the ceremony every year.

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Local veterans were honored during the halftime festivities.

West Orange, Dr. Phillips fans fill stadium for rivalry matchup

Left: DP’s Darius Cook led his team’s fans with a megaphone in hand.

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The Ol’ Orange Crate Rivalry certainly lived up to the hype Sept. 11, giving West Orange and Dr. Phillips football fans a thrilling game that came down to the final seconds. Ultimately, the Warriors claimed the crate with a 41-34 win over the visiting Panthers. Of course, no good rivalry game is complete without two raucous fan bases screaming wildly for their teams. And West Orange and DP fans certainly didn’t disappoint.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

THESE TIMES

For one weekend, we were 18 again There was so much love in around so some people could the room — 40-somethings better see the images. Many from all walks of life back said they were grateful that together again. These people social media had yet to be form the core of my being; invented. some I’ve known since my Both of our Homecoming school days at Dillard Street royalty were there — Mike, Elementary, many I met at now a pastor; Michelle, Lakeview Junior High looking like she was and still others I bejust crowned yestercame friends with at day. Several of our West Orange High. cross-country runners, My 30-year high Boyd, John, Brian and school reunion was Carl, attended, telling earlier this month, tales of out-of-state and it was truly like meets and wrong-way going home. Even driving. Other sports though I grew up here teams and the cheer AMY and still live here. and dance groups QUESINBERRY were well represented. We’ve grown toRHODE gether. We’ve laughed Three of the four class and cried together. officers, Mike, Heather We’ve loved and lost together. and Terry, came. We’ve made lasting memoScott, a fellow wordsmith, ries together. And so much gave a sentimental toast of it came rushing back that about growing up in such a weekend as friendships were special time. renewed and strengthened. In the 1980s, there was very There were extra wrinkles, a little school choice, so you little more gray hair (or a little went where you went — the less hair of any color), anSocs learned to get along with other inch or two around the the Greasers; and the jock, middle — but none of that the brain, the outcast, the mattered. We weren’t there to princess and the rebel discovmake comparisons between ered they weren’t so different then and now. after all. Stories and memories It’s interesting how the were shared: which football older we get, the more incluplayers looked the best in sive we get. Classmates who the cheerleading outfits for probably never made eye the Powder Puff game, who contact in school were talking connected on the senior class like old friends and having a trip to Gatlinburg, whatever good time together. happened to so-and-so. It was fun to gather the Pictures were shared. Class- night before at the Friday mates gathered around the football game with former memorabilia table to look at Warrior football standouts photographic reminders from Randy, Kenny, Joe, Mike three decades ago when the and Bret as they watched a world was our oyster. A pair new generation of gridiron of reading glasses was passed stars. Susie, the fourth class

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officer, was at the game, too. Former art instructor Rod Reeves joined the crowd in downtown Winter Garden afterward. Another teacher, Pete Abatiello, came to say hello Saturday night. The memorial board was a somber yet important reminder of classmates we had lost. But we celebrated the presence of Bret, a classmate we almost lost to a heart attack last year. Illnesses and surgeries haven’t stopped others, either. The reunion was a different kind of homecoming for me, as I got to visit with people, like Bret, Valerie and Vince, whose family medical stories I have written for the West Orange Times through the years. Some people might say that Facebook has ruined the “specialness” of class reunions, but I say it has done the opposite. Knowing so much about our classmates made it all the more fun to talk in person after so many years. Being connected on social media keeps the familiarity present, no matter where we happen to be living now. On Saturday night, we were all back home again. The deejay was spinning our familiar ’80s music but also pulling people together on the dance floor with songs to Wobble and Whip and Nae Nae to. It was a time to relax and to reminisce, a weekend of first friends and first crushes. For one evening, we were 18 again, we had a lifetime ahead of us, and we were laughing in the purple rain.

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This ion t c e s l a i c spe K N I P n o prints r!

+ Meal apps due by Sept. 30 Parents of Orange County Public School students can begin submitting a Club Lunch Meal Benefits Application for the 2015-16 school year. Completion of this form helps OCPS qualify students to receive school meals at a reduced, free or paid rate. It also assists with qualifying schools to receive additional resources for classrooms, technology and even supper meals. The number of students eligible for meal benefits has increased by more than 3% in the last three years to an alltime high of 65.8% in Fiscal Year 2014. Since a new application is required each school year, OCPS has made its online application process easier. By visiting OCPSMealApp. com, families can fill out one application that will cover all students in the household. Information submitted on the application is confidential and will not be shared without consent. By submitting an application prior to the start of school, students can begin using their benefits as soon as possible. Regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture, the OCPS food

School is off to a great start for fifth- and sixth-graders at Humphreys Junior High. For their first writing assignment, they drew cartoons about homeschooling and then shared them in class. They are also studying world history and geography, learning Greek and Latin root words and reading many books. After Christmas, they will write a research paper about a country. service program operates under strict nutrition guidelines for all meals served. Fruits and vegetables are provided with each meal every day, and whole grains are used in breads, pizzas, rice, etc. There are no fried foods or any foods high in fat, sugar or salt. These guidelines, paired with widely known, brand-name products, allow OCPS FNS to serve students healthy, great tasting meals. For more information about OCPS FNS, contact Lora Gilbert, senior director of OCPS Food and Nutrition Services, at (407) 317-3963 or lora.gilbert@ocps.net.

+ Area students earn college kudos Four West Orange County students were named to the dean’s list at Virginia Tech for the spring semester. Brianna J. Harb, of

Windermere, is a senior majoring in international studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.Emma D. Tum Suden, of Orlando, is a sophomore majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering. Karan P. Kotadia, of Orlando, is a junior majoring in general engineering. Eric A. Bruning, of Orlando, is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. The school is in Blacksburg, Virginia.

+ Retired O.C. educators to meet The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., Orlando, for a program on the Orange County History Center. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join. For more, call (407) 677-0446.

Arts&Culture WOTimes.com

QUICK

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

SPOTLIGHT by Michael Eng | Executive Editor

HITS

SAT., SEPT. 19 Ballroom Dance Competition — 6:30 p.m. VIP pre-party and 8 p.m. general admission at Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando, 6050 Universal Blvd., Orlando. Community Based Care of Central Florida is hosting the Dance, Dream & Inspire dance and fundraising competition to benefit children in foster care. Cost is $125 for VIP tickets, $26.45 for the show only. Purchase tickets at DanceDreamInspire.com. Contact Debbie Leion at (321) 441-2322 for information. Between the Brushes — Children’s class will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Art Room, 709 Main St., Windermere. Children in grades kindergarten and up will create a fantasy tree on a 12-inchby-16-inch wrapped canvas. Cost is $35. Reservations required, (407) 909-1869.

When she’s not on the road promoting her new EP, Lindsey Bryant performs locally at Orlando First Baptist and at Walt Disney World.

Courtesy photo

Mixed Media Collage with Artist Christine Peloquin Weekend Workshop — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, at the SoBo Art Center, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Intermediate Level. Collage technique using paper, fabrics, found objects, charcoal and acrylic to create an original portrait or landscape. Students will explore new mixed media techniques, learn how to re-purpose prior work and find their authentic voice. Cost is $155 for members and $175 for non-members. (407) 347-7996 or wgart.org. For more, visit christinepeloquin.com. Painting Dots with Seurat — 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Learn about famous artist Georges Seurat and create a work of art using his method of separating color into individual dots. Ages 6-12. For information, call (407) 835-7323. The Grove One-Year Anniversary Party — 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4750 through 4757 The Grove Drive, Windermere. The event at the shopping center will include a mobile game truck with a 4D Theater Simulator and Xbox and Wii games; plus life-size games such as checkers. For more, visit thegroveorlando.com.

MONDAY, SEPT. 21 Artsy Toddler’s Program — 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. The program is designed for ages 2 to 4, and toddlers can sing songs and read stories. Call (407) 835-7323 to register.

TUES., SEPT. 22 Stress Buster Coloring Hour for Adults — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Life got you stressed? Unwind at the library. Adults are discovering the relaxing, stress-reducing and meditative benefits of coloring. All supplies are provided. For men and women ages 18 and up. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.

Get Down & Giddy Up Although her debut EP released just one month ago, Dr. Phillips resident and First Academy alum Lindsey Bryant already is turning heads in the Country Music Capital of the World.

ollowing her high-school career at the First Academy, Lindsey Bryant was on the standard path into adulthood. With diploma in hand, she had enrolled at Southeastern University in Lakeland. But, just two weeks before classes were supposed to start, Bryant felt something tugging her in a different direction. She was a born performer — first taking the stage in her church’s Christmas production at age 5. As a teen, she had begun writing her own songs. She realized: It was now or never. And yes, college would still be there. Now, eight years later, Bryant has a hit on her hands. Her self-titled debut EP, released Aug. 11, entered the iTunes country charts at No. 18 — just ahead of Taylor Swift’s “Fearless.” Better yet: It cracked Billboard’s Heatseekers — South Atlantic chart at No. 9. “Lindsey is immensely talented vocally and in her storytelling ability as a songwriter,” says Michael Martin, vice president of members services for ASCAP. “We are excited about her future in country music and that she’s a part of the ASCAP family.” Perhaps bailing on college plans was a bit of a gamble. But, what better person to bet on than yourself? “It’s my first solo country record, and bottom line, this makes me feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” Bryant says. “It’s confirmation that I’m doing exactly what I should be doing.”

STRIP AWAY YOUR CAMOUFLAGE

Bryant’s path to her most recent success as a performer can be traced all the way back to her roots as a toddler born

on the West Bank of the Mississippi River just outside New Orleans. Her parents — Jon, a Baptist music minister, and Annette, a piano teacher — instilled in her a love of music. “I sang along to cassettes before I ever spoke,” Bryant says. Her father’s job had the family bouncing around throughout the South, including stints in Georgia, easter Tennessee and, later, West Monroe, Louisiana. Yes, that West Monroe, of “Duck Dynasty” fame. Bryant sharpened her chops performing at her father’s churches. She took some time away from the stage before returning after the family moved to Winter Garden and her father took a post at First Baptist Orlando. “My dad had a singer who moved away,” she remembers. “He gave me a shot as a leader.” That’s also when Bryant started putting pen to paper. “Songwriting was a hobby,” she says. “It was a way for me to sort through feelings I had.” This hobby caught the ear of a Christian recording artist and led Bryant to a gig as a touring backing vocalist. Disney also hired her as a performer, and when she wasn’t on the road, she was using her singing and dancing talents to entertain thousands in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom and providing a voice to characters such as Ariel, Peter Pan’s Wendy Darling and even Cinderella. “I’ll forever be grateful to Disney; it just took me to a new level of physicality and connecting with people as a performer,” Bryant says. Bryant’s first opportunity to showcase her own songs began in 2011 through a songwriting partnership with two other Orlando-based musicians. Together, the three re-

corded a benefit for album for military personnel that took them on a tour around military bases in Europe. Later, the trio released a pop-country EP and led to an opening slots for Montgomery Gentry and the Eli Young Band and opportunities to perform in venues such as Orlando’s Amway Arena and Boston’s Fenway Park.

FAR ENOUGH THAT WE COULD SEE THE STARS

After that trio disbanded, Bryant regrouped and in December 2014, decided finally to launch her solo career. “I keep a list in my phone of song ideas,” she says. “Lyrics and stuff like that.” She teamed up with vaunted Nashville songwriter Cindy Morgan and Grammy-winning producer Pete Stewart to refine her ideas into a collection of five radio-ready, pop-country tunes that are both insanely catchy and reflective of Bryant’s personality. “The folks in Nashville are so good, and the songs are incredible,” she says. “As a new singer-songwriter, I was open to collaborating to make the music the best that it can be.” In February, she spent a week in Nashville to lay tracks for the EP. Six months later, she hosted an invitation-only release party for family and friends at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. “That was the first time my name was on a marquee,” she says, smiling. “I love that (venue); it was the perfect size for this.” Bryant cites a wide range of influences, including the Rascal Flatts, Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne and Keith Urban. “I sense, in country music

Courtesy photo

right now, people want fun, upbeat songs — not heartbreak,” she says. “Lyrically, country music is all about storytelling. People can connect and relate to a country song.” And as her career continues to blossom, Bryant plans to keep that authenticity in her music by keeping her inspiration close. Her husband, Bryan Guillot, and his father serve as her PR and marketing team. Together, they are working to promote Bryant’s EP and secure more performing opportunities. Bryant and Guillot met through their fathers, and the two have been inseparable since their first date more than five years ago. One of the EP’s tracks, “Name Changer,” is a love song to Guillot. And, of course, Bryant carries her husband’s first name with her as part of her stage moniker. “It’s a great partnership,” Bryant says. “I’m the artistic one, and he’s all business, so it works out well. We complement each other.” And what if it doesn’t work out? Bryant says she’s ready for that, too. “Here’s what I said when we started: ‘What’s worse than failing? Not trying,’” she says. “When I wake up at 50 years old, I want to know I gave this my best shot. If I do that, I’ll be completely happy.” Contact Michael Eng at meng@wotimes.com.

BUY THE MUSIC

Lindsey Bryant’s self-titled debut EP was released Aug. 11 and earned spots on both the iTunes country and Billboard’s Heatseekers — South Atlantic charts in its release week. The EP is available for download on iTunes and Amazon and streaming on Spotify. For more information, visit lindsey bryantofficial.com.

18A

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

BACK TO LIFE by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

Carver creates tikis from dead palms Laz Ninou’s background in ice carving provided the basis for his tiki sculptures. He carved one from a dead palm in the yard of one Winter Garden family. WINTER GARDEN — One recent Sunday afternoon, Melissa Adams and her son sat on their front lawn and watched as a dead palm was brought back to life. Laz Ninou and his chainsaw, blowtorch, sanders, ladder and milk crate were strewn around the yard, which had become an outdoor workshop. Five hours later, Ninou was covered in sawdust, and everyone had gotten more than their daily dose of Florida sunshine. But a tiki-style sculpture of a mask and fish stood in the place of the dead Washingtonia palm, which had suffered from Fusarium wilt: a fungus that has been killing palms of this species in Florida for about eight years but has been particularly widespread recently.

It has wiped out the entire population of Washingtonias, also known as Mexican fan palms, in some Orange County neighborhoods. Adams had three of the palms in her yard, but when one wilted, she didn’t want to just cut it down. Instead, she asked her son to contact his friend, Ninou, who she knew carved wood and ice professionally. “I’ve had people stop and say, ‘That’s such a great idea — I wish I had thought of that,’ because so many of the trees here have to be cut down,” Adams said. “It’s kind of heartbreaking to lose a tree that is so tall.” Ninou estimates he has carved 100 tikis this year, but Adams said he was excited for the project at her house because it was the first time he had carved a palm that was still rooted in the ground.

LAZ’S STORY

Catherine Sinclair

The tiki carving in Melissa Adams’ yard is about 6 feet tall.

Ninou was raised by a working single mother, so he often had to cook for himself growing up. But he enjoyed getting creative in the kitchen and was interested in the restaurant business, so when he was old enough to work, he got a job as a dishwasher. One day in the late 1980s, a chef at the hotel where Ninou was working inspired him to pursue culinary arts. “He stood in the main floor of the kitchen with his arms crossed, with a very confident stance,” Ninou said. “I knew that day I wanted to be a chef. I was 19 years old. As a dishwasher, I knew I had a long way to go, but I was determined.” Ninou proved his dedication by helping the cooks and other chefs in the kitchen whenever he had a chance. The lead chef noticed and

Courtesy photo

Laz Ninou has carved about 100 different tikis this year. transferred Ninou to a job in the kitchen. When the general manager of the hotel decided to take a job at Olive Garden, he invited Ninou to go with him. “For the first time, I felt valuable coming from a broken home,” Ninou said. “Little did I know that I would carve myself out of the streets with a carving knife in one hand and a chainsaw in the other.” Ninou stayed at Olive Garden a few years, but when he saw Universal Orlando Resort’s executive chef on the news one day, he was inspired to point his career path in that direction. He left

his full-time job at the restaurant for a risky, seasonal job at Universal. “When the season ended … a full-time position was available, and I got the job because of my time, energy and effort that I gave,” Ninou said. “It was not a lucky break. I worked for that one.” Ninou then met a garde manger chef who worked on the cold side of the kitchen, responsible for ice carvings, fruit carvings and food arrangements. The artistic elements amazed him, so he took every opportunity he could to learn how to create these kinds of pieces from the chef.

Ninou had finally achieved his dream and worked as a garde manger chef in various hotels. But in 2005, he decided to start working full-time as an independent ice carver. The ice sculpting industry is different now than it was when Ninou started. The hand-carver is no longer in such high demand because machines are able to do the work instead. “In September 2014, I had to reinvent myself, and I started carving tikis,” Ninou said. “I carve palms, cypress and cedar … I incorporate my ice skill designs with the tikis.” Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@wotimes.com.

SEE MORE LAZ To view more of Ninou’s work or commission him for a carving, visit facebook.com/ niceworkbylazaro.

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• Encouraging Goal Setting • Building Confidence • Instilling Self-Discipline • Raising Grades • Improving Physical Fitness

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

G N O L T O O F ANY SEPTEMBER ONLY

LIMITED TIME ONLY. Additional charge for extras. Plus applicable taxes. Calories refer to sandwiches prepared according to standard recipe on Italian or 9-grain wheat bread. Visit Subway.com for full nutritional information.

27 th Annual

presents the…

Top Weekend College & Professional

FOOTBALL CONTEST $

Weekly Winner will receive a

50 Gift Certificate

from Subway

Congratulations to last week’s Winner!

Charles Kendall of Clermont

SUBWAY CATERS CALL 1-877-360-CATER(2283)

www.subwaycatering.com

WINTER GARDEN

13202 W. COLONIAL DRIVE

407-656-4141

APOPKA

250 E. THIRD STREET

407-889-5222

Vehicle, Boat & RV Storage 910 Carter Rd. • Winter Garden, FL 34787 www.playtimestoragefl.com

Your ad here! Call

407-656-2121

720 S. Dillard St • Winter Garden, FL 34787

q San Francisco at Pittsburgh q q Detroit at Minnesota q q Miami at Jacksonville q q Dallas at Philadelphia q q Seattle at Green Bay q

COLLEGE q Georgia Tech at Notre Dame q q Auburn at LSU q q Ole Miss at Auburn q q BYU at UCLA q q Nebraska at Miami q

MONDAY NIGHT TIE-BREAKER

Indicate the TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS to be scored in the tie-breaker game: NY Jets at Indianapolis Participants in the Subway / West Orange Times & Observer / Windermere Observer Contest should select the team they feel will win each game and clearly check their choice. Fill out the entry form circling your selections for the games along with your name, address, and telephone number. Limit one entry per person. $50 cash and 1 Party Platter from Subway-Ocoee/Winter Garden will be presented to the person who selected the most game winners correctly. In the event of a tie between entries, score of the tie-breaker game will determine the winner. All entries must be received by Saturday 9/19/15 12:00PM to be eligible for that weeks drawing. Email Entries to Contest@wotimes.com or mail or drop off to 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL 34787. Box available at the front door.

Name __________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________

For All Applications

407-656-3495

13178 W. Colonial Dr. • Winter Garden, FL 34787

Annual

Turkey

Shoots!

OCOEE LIONS CLUB October 17, Nov. 7 & 21, Dec. 12

SIGN-UPS START @ 8:00 AM $3.50 A ROUND Concession stand • 50/50

Next door to the West Orange Girls Club 881 Ocoee Apopka Rd

Come join the fun! OCOEELIONSCLUB.ORG facebook.com

t Don't forge ! to register

Address _________________________________________ City/State/Zip ____________________________________ 181707

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Serving West Orange County since 1937. Get the good stuff at NAPA

Batteries

PROFESSIONAL

Sept 17 - Sept 21

GLENN JOINER & SON, INC.

THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

RAIN

WEST ORANGE

(INCHES)

WEATHER

TUES.

Sept. 8

0.03

WED.

TEMPERATURES

Sept. 9

0.00

Thurs., Sept. 17 Fri., Sept. 18 Sat., Sept. 19 Sun., Sept. 20 Mon., Sept. 21 Tues., Sept. 22 Wed., Sept. 23

THURS.

Sept. 10

0.00

FRI.

Sept. 11

0.00

SAT.

Sept. 12

0.25

SUN.

Sept. 13

0.33

MON.

Sept. 14

0.00

SEPT.

HIGH 81 84 85 89 89 89 88

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES Thurs., Sept. 17 Fri., Sept. 18 Sat., Sept. 19 Sun., Sept. 20 Mon., Sept. 21 Tues., Sept. 22 Wed., Sept. 23

FRI.

TO DATE .89

SUNRISE 7:12 a.m. 7:12 a.m. 7:13 a.m. 7:13 a.m. 7:14 a.m. 7:14 a.m. 7:15 a.m.

SUNSET 7:30 p.m. 7:29 p.m. 7:28 p.m. 7:27 p.m. 7:25 p.m. 7:24 p.m. 7:23 p.m.

SUN.

SAT.

LOW 72 73 74 73 72 72 72

MOON PHASES

Sept. 27

Sept. 5

(2014: 3.16) Sept. 12

YEAR

TO DATE

42.08 (2014: 33.34)

HIGH

LOW

Sept. 21

Ron Whitehead submitted this amazing shot of a recent launch. “We enjoy our view of the missile launches,” he says.

The West Orange Times & 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 and city and a caption, to aqrhode@wotimes.com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

A NEW newspaper serving Southwest Orange County.

COMING

ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

OCT 1st!

181681

Call us at 407-656-2121 Email us at subscribe@wotimes.com or advertising@wotimes.com

CROSSWORD TAKING MEASURES by Gia Kilroy

CRYPTOQUIZ Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a popular fashion designer. Using the hints E=A and X=D, decipher the clues to name the designer.

1. R J E K U C E K U 2. X Q S S H 3. K L E X H F I V L E K 4. P I X H W A B E W J 5. K E R R I I M X I Y W

This designer started off their career designing hand-knit sweaters:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each difficulty row, column Sept 17 (Medium, rating 0.58) and box.

7 3

8 3

6 6 3

6 3 9

8 7

2 1

3 Sept 17 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.58)

ACROSS 1 SeaWorld favorite 5 Bursts into tears 10 Women of distinction 15 Shrek, for one 19 Lopsided victory 20 Writer George or T.S. 21 Supreme Court justice Kagan 22 Muddy the waters 23 Amateurish 25 VIP vehicles 27 Indian in the British army 28 From then until now 30 Stop sign’s shape (var.) 31 Water around a castle 34 Glaswegian, for one 35 Big deli sandwich 36 Magnificent 40 Israeli port 43 Member of the AMA 47 Basic unit of Romanian currency 48 Ab strengthener 50 Tongue-flicking critters 52 Divine for water 53 It may be slung in a sling 54 Quarter of a ruler 57 Words of wonderment 58 Bone below the femur 61 Has a bite 62 Like carbon monoxide 64 Hawaiian Islands offering 65 Arctic transport 67 Sleeps briefly 69 Whale or dolphin 71 Rises on hind legs 73 Flunking a polygraph 76 Sans ___ (font type) 77 Tiny spot 80 Ripped 82 Plug of tobacco 85 Flock’s place 86 Bacteria in uncooked food 88 Sunbather’s “catch” 90 Overwhelmingly 91 Canal location 92 32.19 kilometers 96 Commit an 84-Down 97 Sonar kin 100 Art print, for short 101 Ambled 103 Bighead’s problem 104 Sonnet section 106 Crannies’ counterparts 108 Voiceover person 110 Cheese in balls 112 Prefix for “physics” or “physical” 114 Move like a gazelle 115 It’s often read in the basement 119 Noted Fifth Avenue hotel (with “the”) 121 Igneous-rock producer 125 Superior skills learned by study 127 It might be a lot 130 “Gimme a break!” 131 Sister of Calliope 132 Information storage unit, with “micro”

133 Sackcloth material 134 On the ___ wavelength (in accord) 135 “Blowin’ in the Wind” singer Bob 136 Ice-cream utensil 137 Mother sheep DOWN 1 Scepters’ go-withs 2 Philandering fellow 3 The point of a tooth 4 “Make yourself ___” 5 Drone, e.g. 6 Chicken ___ king 7 Toupees 8 Armstrong or Pasteur 9 Awful smell 10 Bit of editing 11 Self-proclaimed “greatest” of the ring 12 A short note 13 Methuselah’s father 14 Fried lightly 15 River to the Atlantic 16 Cymbal’s bigger cousin 17 Cambodia moola 18 “When all ___ fails . . .” 24 City on the Saone and Rhone

26 Indian instrument 29 Ring-tailed animal 32 Way into a mine 33 Churchgoer’s donation, perhaps 36 Narrow strips of wood 37 Danger, for Pauline 38 Carpenters visit them 39 Panamanian boxing great Roberto 41 Matter-of-___ 42 Temporary, as a committee 44 Awful dancer’s problem? 45 Milo of the movies 46 Tree sap 49 “She loves me” decider 51 Famous battle participants 55 TV sports award 56 Located at a place 59 Day of the month 60 With mouth wide open 63 Chocolate candy source 66 Upright, as posture 68 Form a lap 70 Part of a mileage rating 72 Grouch’s look 74 Standard thing 75 Holy ___ (chalice) 77 Pet-collar targets 78 Rental document

79 Fashionable Calvin 81 Hose material 83 “Key ___” (Bogart film) 84 Computer mistake 87 “What’s gotten ___ you?” 89 Leaf under a petal 93 Hunter of literature 94 Any Dogpatch dweller 95 Like the Sahara 98 Detail one’s deductions 99 Surrenders, as territory 102 Emotional TV fare 105 Made some lace 107 Fills positions for 109 Military helicopter 111 Like Old King Cole 113 From the geologic time before life 115 Comedian’s cache 116 ___ code (phone call need) 117 Forward part 118 Money in Tehran 120 With the bow, in music 122 Got bigger 123 Viral pic 124 Nile slitherers 126 Airport info, initially 128 However, in verse 129 Nope’s opposite

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Here's My Card AIR CONDITIONING

BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO SERVICE CONTINUED

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED

CERTIFIED BUILDING SYSTEMS

TFN

Ask About Our

1000

CASH GIVEAWAY

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WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8AM - 5PM

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MORE THAN JUST

TIRE VALUES

352-516-7860 or 352-404-9205

MYWAY LIEN & RECOVERY COMPANY

• Bridgetone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

Mechanic’s & Storage Liens

GET CLEAN TITLE IN 31 DAYS - LICENSED TITLE CLERK

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Processing and Legal Fees $390.00

Includes: Title history report, legal owner & lien holder & theft search. Notice of claim of lien certificate mailed to all parties. If address changed local law enforcement agency will be notified. Newspaper advertising for auction date. Auction at law office. If lien is not satisfied, clean title will be issued by private tag agency, same day service, fast clean title fee. Just send us your work order, copy of your repair MV License by fax or email.

• ALIGNMENT • BRAKES • SHOCKS • OIL & LUBE SERVICE • NEW & USED TIRES • REPAIR & BALANCING • ROAD SERVICE • WE INSTALL LIFTS!

Andrew T. Katsanis

“Your Local Financial Advisor”

Down payment of $200 and remaining balance due when clean title is issued.

Phone 407-970-3060

Fax 321-226-5000

mywaylien@gmail.com

MV03215

Mobil 1 Oil

www.mywaylien.com

Serving Central Florida Since 1989

TFN

RAMON CORTON PH.

407-877-3686

Erectile Dysfunction

FX. 407-877-8718 13620 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden, FL 34787

“Your Complete Service Center” 10 West Story Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787

Drugs May Be Dangerous To Your Health

www.visionmotorsinc.com

REG# MV-01095

FREE book by doctor reveals what the drug companies don’t want you to know!

Phone 407-656-6646

Richard Hudson • Reggie Hudson

32 East Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Bus. 407-877-0534 Fax. 877-222-5656 Cell. 352-242-7063 andrew.katsanis@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com

HEALTH SERVICES

ramon@visionmotorsinc.com

TFN

FREE DELIVERY, Visit our Website for Monthly Specials www.certifiedbuildingsystemsfl.com 407-380-7133

• Member of BBB • South Lake Chamber of Commerce • Florida Home Builders Association

CRAWFORD TIRE SERVICE, INC.

Amsoil Synthetic

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Quality Workmanship from Start to Finish

AUTO SERVICE

• •

Offer ends 8/31/15

RENT TO OWN

Dr. Kevin Hornsby, MD will mail the first 37 men that respond to this ad a free copy of his new thirty dollar book “A Doctor’s Guide to Erectile Dysfunction.” He’s so sure this book will change your life he will even pay the

CLEANING SERVICES

Imperial Maid Service

postage and handling. If the popular pills don’t work for you, regardless of your age or medical history (including diabetes and prostate cancer) you owe it to yourself and your lady to read this book.

Call Toll Free (800) 960-4255 or www.MensMedicalClinic.com

HOME SERVICES

50-80% OFF RETAIL • NEW • NAME BRAND

407-720-3556

www.imperialmaidservice-fl.com Email: imperialmaidservice@yahoo.com Facebook: imperialmaidservicefl

Chad Stevens (407) 508-2848

RESIDENTIAL

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

www.mattressbyappointment.com Mattress By Appointment Central Florida

Queen Sets ........ starting at $150 King Sets .............. starting at $275

COMPUTERS

Brand new in plastic with full warranty!

“QUALITY SERVICE THAT COMES TO YOU”

Expires 12/31/15.

UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE REMOVAL TFN

FLAT RATE GUARANTEE

PET SERVICES

bluekitecomputers.com

Puppy Dreams Pet Hotel

407.374.0233

Your pet’s home away from home

sales@bluekitecomputers.com

DATA & PASSWORD RECOVERY

a unique no-cage facility daycare and overnight boarding

SOLVING PROBLEMS SINCE 1990

WIRELESS & WIRED NETWORKING

(407) 654-8885

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www.puppydreams.com

CONSTRUCTION 4/28/16

Travis Hamric Branch Manager

TRAYWICK'S GARAGE

TFN

1045 S. Vineland Rd. •Winter Garden • New and Used Tires • Alignment • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More

407-656-1817

1081 9th Street Winter Garden, FL 34787 Mention this ad for

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TFN

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Bob & Edie Gentile 561-744-7016

sunbeltrentals.com To advertise your business please contact us at

advertisenow@wotimes.com

407-656-2121

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Here's My Card PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

FIRE TECH

BUSINESS DIRECTORY ROOFING

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTINUED TFN

EXTINGUISHER

HealthcareReform.Expert

SERVICE

Residential • Commercial • Tile • Metal

Laughlin Insurance, LLC

Ocoee, FL

Need Health Insurance? Call To See If You Qualify For A Subsidy!

Danny Motes

Need Medicare? 9+ Companies Represented

Cell 407-466-4738 Tel 407-654-2395 Fax 407-654-2986

Tom Laughlin

TFN

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www.Firetechextinguisher.com

Local: Toll Free: Email: Website:

(407) 928-2887 (844) 928-2887 tom@healthcarereform.expert www.healthcarereform.expert

407.614.5962

Email: keithksj@cfl.rr.com Ocoee, FL 34761

Keith Keller President CCC1325778

REALTORS

UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE Winter Garden’s REMOVALPremier Roofing Company Since 1978 Serving All of West Orange County DATA & PASSWORD Fully Licensed and Insured Roof Repairs and Replacement RECOVERY 407-656-8920 WestOrangeRoofing.com WIRELESS & WIRED NETWORKING FREE ESTIMATES

4125 N. Hiawassee Rd, Orlando, FL 32818

TFN

Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

Every Sunday

BINGO 407-592-4498

171396

Doors Open 2 pm Games 3 pm

MISCELLANEOUS CON'T

GARAGE SALE CON'T

TREE & LAWN

STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS or ALCOHOL? Addicted to PILLS? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assessment. 855-995-3142 9/17fcan

GARAGE SALE - Friday 18th & Saturday 19th, 8AM-5PM. 1075 Highgate Blvd., Winter Garden, Hyde Park Community. 71 Years of life. Items: Medical lift chair, Medical Supplies, Tools, Rainbow vacuum sweeper, Blonde leather hide a bed couch with matching loveseat, Dining room table & chairs, Other furniture, Guitar, 18 volt dealt drill w/battery charger, Toolbox, Skill saw, Vintage saber saw, Started pistol .22, Vintage were ever ink pens, Records, Pocket knives, Watches, Floral arrangements, Kitchenware, Rod iron garden bench and much more. Call if you need directions or have questions: 407-6257790. 9/17gm

LLOYD LAWN SERVICE. Lawn Cutting, Weed Eating and Edging, Hedge Trimming, Grass Clipping Removal/ Blowing, New Mulch Replacement, Flower Bed Weeding, Minor Tree Trimming, One Time Cutting Serv. Avail., SOD Replacement. PRESSURE WASHING. llongley54@gmail.com. 321-278-6981. 10/8ll

EMPLOYMENT

1701 Adair St. Ocoee

S.E. Dollen, LLC.

Winter Garden's longest established electrical contractor serving Central FL since 1983. All Service Techs are LICENSED Journeymen and Master Electricians. For professional results and competitive rates

call 407-656-5818 EC 13001719

KEEP MORE MONEY FOR YOURSELF! Visit: www.MyOwnPathToSuccess. com 800-756-3871 10/15rl MISCELLANEOUS A TEACHER Mom & Devoted Dad (she36/ he40) seek to adopt. Will provide LOVE, excellent opportunities. Expenses paid. Kristie & Gabe. 1-888869-8068(Adam B. Sklar, Esq., FLBarNo. 0150789) 9/17fcan PROBLEMS WITH the IRS or State Taxes? Wall & Associates can settle for a fraction of what you owe! Results may vary. Not a solicitation for legal services. 877.330.3429 9/17fcan ATTENTION VIAGRA Users! VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. No Prescription Needed! Discreet Shipping. Call Now 1-800-224-0305 9/17fcan DISH TV Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) SAVE! Regular Price $34.99 Call Today and Ask About FREE SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 888-986-4858 9/17fcan A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR FOR BREAST CANCER! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention, & support programs. FAST FREE PICKUP 24 HR RESPONSE - TAX DEDUCTION -855-398-4992 9/17fcan

W. Hwy. 50 at Dillard

LOOKING FOR skilled Targeted Case Managers to provide case management to children, adolescents and adults. Please refer to website @ www.atm-tcm.org for requirements and qualifications. 10/8al HELP WANTED Landscape and Aquatic Maintenance Biosphere Full Time M-F (407) 656-8277. Biosphere@biospherenursery.com 9/17bs AVIATION GRADS work with JetBlue, Boeing, Delta and others- start here with hands on training for FAA certification. Financial aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-314-5838 9/17fcan DRIVER TRAINEES Needed NOW! Become a driver for Werner Enterprises. Earn $800 per week! Local CDL Training 1-877-214-3624 9/17fcan DRIVERS - IMMEDIATE Openings Now! Home Every Week, Excellent Pay/Benefits, 100% No Touch Freight, 75% Drop & Hook. Class A CDL w/ 1 Yr. Exp. Req. CALL TODAY 888-2198039 9/17fcan CAN YOU Dig It? Heavy Equipment Operator Career! We Offer Training and Certifications Running Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497 9/17fcan ATTN: DRIVERS - $2K Sign-On Bonus We Put Drivers First! Earn $55K/ yr + Bonuses Family Company Beautiful Trucks CDL-A Req - (877) 2588782 www.drive4melton.com 9/17fcan

signfacts.com

MOVING SALE: Big items (Living Room, Dining Room), Master bedroom furniture, Hutch, Curio cabinet, Plus miscellaneous decor (pics, knick knacks, etc.) 901 Leawood Way, Winter Garden. Sept 19, 7AM-2PM. 9/17sf ITEMS WANTED

GARAGE SALE TODDLER CAR seat $14.95, Jumperoo $19.95, Computer cords $1, Potty $7.95, Sports balls $1 each. Babylady 407-731-4248 9/17bl DOUBLE JOGGING stroller $89.95, Walker $14.95, Wagon $19.95, Tikes police car $29.95, High chair $24.95. Babylady 407-731-4248 9/17bl

YARD SALE - 1028 Spring Landing Dr., Winter Garden, Crown Point Springs subdivision - Friday & Saturday from 8AM-2PM. Household items, Furniture, TV's, Jewelry, Dishware, Clothes washer and more. 9/17gh ESTATE SALE - Friday & Saturday, 8AM-2PM. Furniture, Appliances, Household items, Kitchen supplies, Sewing stuff, Crafts, Fishing boat and a lot more. 8286 Stone Rd., Apopka. 9/17mb

2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD PREMIUM

APARTMENT FOR RENT WINTER GARDEN - 1BR $735, 2BR $785, 3BR $975 on Lake Apopka. Water/Sewer included. 407-656-7162. 9/25tfn REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Only 39,000 miles $19,995

SOUTHERN TRUST AUTOGROUP

407-654-6767

www.STAG1.com 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS SEDAN

JUST LISTED!!!

PAT SHARR Realty

Good running driving cars from $1800 Call Billy 407-948-2723

407-948-1326

Only 44,000 miles $7,995

SOUTHERN TRUST AUTOGROUP

407-654-6767

407-656-2121

This week’s Cryptoquiz answers 1) Charivari, 2) Duffy, 3) Ready To Wear, 4) Body Splash, 5) Raccoon Dogs. Marc Jacobs

13178 W. Colonial Dr

Winter Garden

NOW PURCHASING

SCRAP

BATTERIES 407-656-3495

2015 Toyota Avalon

Just over 1K Miles! 1 Owner, Very CLEAN. Full Balance of Factory Warranty $30,495 call 407-654-5313 ThurstonAutoSales.com

This week’s Sudoku answers

PETS

2014 RAM 1500 BIG HORN

NIFTY REWARD

LOST young Calico cat. Right half face yellow, white on chin, chest and pads. Feline on weekly medication.

Only 7K Miles! Clean CARFAX Balance of Factory Warranty $29,885 call 407-654-5313 ThurstonAutoSales.com

407-656-7898 (407-656-7898)

This week’s Crossword answers

PREEMIE CLOTHES, Electric/battery swing $39.95, Jumperoo/walker $39.95, Bathtubs $1, Gates $9. Babylady 407-731-4248 9/17bl AUTOMOBILE BOOSTER $9.95, Diaper genie $84.95, Graco stroller $19.95, 40 bath towels $1/$3 Babylady 407-731-4248 9/17bl

AUTO FOR SALE

AUTO FOR SALE CON'T

www.STAG1.com

LOCAL LANDSCAPE Supply Co. seeking store manager/worker. Multi-faceted job with full benefits. Call 352-326-5432. 9/17mn

TOWNS OF Westyn Bay - Garage Sale, September 19 & 20, 8AM-2PM. 600 Fortanini Circle., Ocoee. 9/17lw

407.656.7986

CHECK OUT OUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE @ WOTIMES.COM Call 407-656-2121 or email: classifieds@wotimes.com Subscribe today for $29.00 at: subscribe@wotimes.com

2005 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER

FREE

TO GOOD HOME

8 month old male, longhaired Chihuahua. Great with children. White with Coffee colored spots. This dog is puppy pad trained and he is an in-door dog. He is the most loving dog I have ever had. If interested please call after 5:00 p.m.

(407) 383-0487

FOUR KITTENS ready for adoption! $65 each. Includes: spay/nueter & all medical. Bottle fed, born August 11, 2015. sr9/17

26K Miles, 2 Slide Outs Great Floor Plan with 1 and 1/2 Baths. $46,995 407-654-5313 ThurstonAutoSales.com 2007 FORD F250 S/D DIESEL LARIAT 4X4

Only 79,000 miles $23,995

SOUTHERN TRUST AUTOGROUP

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www.STAG1.com

Visit us Online at www.WOTimes.com

2015

WOTimes.com

WEST ORANGE TIMES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

181680

REAL ESTATE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 , 2015

WOTimes.com

BRIEFS

+ Toll Brothers unveils new design WINDERMERE — Toll Brothers announced recently a new home design, the two-story Marcello, at Casabella at Windermere, a gated community of 79 half-acre estate home sites. The 5,740-square-foot design features an open floor plan with four bedrooms and three-and-one-half bathrooms. Guests are welcomed by a two-story foyer with a double circular staircase. Three grand archways offer views of the covered lanai and two-story living and dining rooms. The gourmet kitchen is highlighted by a center island and raised snack bar that overlook the breakfast area and family room. The master bedroom suite features a large private bathroom and dual walk-in closets. Some of the additional features include a second-floor game room, an oversized laundry room, study and additional storage areas. The Marcello is priced from $925,995. “There is great demand for the Windermere lifestyle, and we are pleased to offer this expansive new home design to buyers,” said André Vidrine, Toll Brothers Central Florida Division senior vice president. Priced from the low $800,000s, homes at Casabella at Windermere range from 4,328 to more than 6,800 square feet and come equipped with features such as granite countertops, walk-in closets, tile roofs, paver driveways, 10-foot first-floor and 9-foot, 4-inch second-floor ceilings, 8-foot doorways, covered lanais and more. For more information, visit Casabella at Windermere Sales Center at 4326 Isabella Circle in Windermere, call (407) 656-3200 or visit CasabellaAtWindermere.com.

+ Skorman buys Collina home sites MONTVERDE — Bella Collina is pleased to announce Skorman Construction is the newest builder to buy a handful of single-family lots in the newly re-launched Bella Collina private club community. Skorman Construction Inc. brings more than 35 years of Florida commercial and residential real-estate experience to the Bella Collina development. Founded in Miami, the father-and-son Skorman Construction team is known for building everything from hotels, shopping centers, office buildings and single-family luxury homes. The Orlando-based company has built numerous custom homes in the Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Windermere, and company vice president Kevin Skorman envisions the new Bella Collina as Central Florida’s next great private golf and lakefront community. Hooman Hamzehloui, of Masters Realty, one of Bella Collina’s private real-estate agents brought in to market the community, is representing Skorman’s new estate homes currently in the planning and permitting stages. “Bella Collina’s going to

SEE BRIEFS / PAGE 5C

DEVELOPMENT by Steven Ryzewski | Sports Editor

Mixing it up HORIZON WEST — Sometimes, on his way to work at the restaurant he owns with his wife, Matt Landis forgets his glasses. A small problem that could be a real inconvenience — the Landises’ 33 & Melt Grilled Cheese Bar is an increasingly busy establishment, after all — Landis opts to return home and retrieve his glasses rather than to go without. He’ll run home even if he has arrived at work. Of course, considering the Landises live in an apartment at The Retreat at Windermere in Summerport Village, directly above their restaurant in a mixed-use development, running home isn’t too arduous of a task. Indeed, living in the luxury apartments located in a suburban — and longtime rural — part of West Orange and being able to have a lifestyle reminiscent of that in an urban area is one of the reasons Landis and his wife, Carrie, have been so taken with their living situation. “It’s the benefit of city living and a suburban setting,” Carrie Landis said.

Often referred to as town centers, mixeduse developments such as those popping up in Horizon West and other areas of West Orange are increasing in popularity and highlighting an incorporation of urban lifestyle into suburban settings.

GROWING TREND

A manifestation of a decades-long trend away from malls and sprawling shopping centers with large parking lots, mixed-use developments such as the one in Summerport — sometimes called town centers — are increasing in popularity. For a master-planned community such as Horizon West, the vision for which dates back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, this idea was always part of the equation, said Dr. Bruce Stephenson, a professor at Rollins College in Winter Park whose research and teaching focus on the intersection of regional planning, environmental protection and urbanism. “When the (Horizon West) plan was put together, the idea was not just to let it sprawl out,” Stephenson said. “It would be coherent and create centers and defined places where the idea would be that, within a certain pedestrian distance, you’d have the idea of live-work-play.” Already in Horizon West, that vision is in the process of manifesting itself in the Summerport Village, which is not complete yet and includes plans for office developments, and in the Lakeside Village, further down County Road 535; which is significantly further along and also features apartments and town homes in close proximity to its Publix-anchored development. The planned Hamlin development envisions another town center for residents of its neighboring residential developments, with the twist of being located alongside a lake. The phenomenon is not limited to Horizon West in Orange County, either. The Rialto development in Dr. Phillips incorporates luxury apartments, dining and office space, and the Ocoee City Commission has approved plans for City Center West Orange, a massive mixed-use development along State Road

The Retreat at Windermere development features retail on the first floor with apartments above. 50 and Bluford Avenue. Branching farther into Central Florida, there are popular developments including Avalon Park in east Orange County, Baldwin Park (Orlando), Oviedo on the Park, the Winter Springs Town Center, Laureate Park in Lake Nona and SoDo (Orlando). All have enjoyed varying levels of success, with Stephenson suggesting Avalon Park as being similar, if not further ahead in its development, to Horizon West and noting that Laureate Park, with its myriad employment options tied to its proximity to the “Medical City” (including UCF’s Medical School, the new VA, Nemours and other medical and research facilities), has done particularly well. Of those mentioned, nearly all incorporate elements of what is often referred to as new urbanism: a movement that champions walkable neigh-

Photos by Steven Ryzewski

One of the core values of new urbanism is being able to walk to a grocery store, as some residents do at Lakeside Village in Horizon West.

MIXED-USE / PAGE 2C

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WEST ORANGE TIMES

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

also be a factor for older buyers in an area such as DeLand. Speaking as an academic, Stephenson suggested younger generations — Millennials, in particular — have new home-buying habits and preferences. “Generationally, younger folks, they’re not moving to suburbia,” Stephenson said. “There’s a percentage of the population, I’m guessing 35%, who want places where they can live and walk to things and not have to get in the car.” The notion that suburban developments such as the villages in Horizon West provide the best of both worlds — safety and an urban feel — is already a huge lure for some young families.

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borhoods with retail, dining and employment destinations as part of the neighborhood as opposed to being sectioned off. Being able to walk and retrieve groceries is one of the biggest practical ideals of the movement — although that is not always the case in some of the developments — as is an entrepreneurial atmosphere that favors independent shops and eateries. After decades of suburban areas being defined by unchecked sprawl, many of the mixed-used developments that are making headway into West Orange are taking cues from urban principals of the past — and nearby successes — that de-emphasize the importance of cars. “I had a piece on ‘why Winter Park works,’ and if you look at the original plan for Winter Park from 1883, they show the train station with circles to show five minute walks — the whole town was designed to be a 15 minute walk from the train station,” Stephenson said. “All these plans are designed on historical precedent from a period when the auto was an option, not a necessity.”

AN IMPERFECT VISION

Although areas such as Summerport and Lakeside Village in Horizon West provide a stark contrast to suburban developments of decades past, incorporating some facets of new urbanism, they are not necessarily perfect fruitions of the vision. Moving toward true walkability always has been difficult in Florida — a state known for housing many of the most dangerous places in the nation for pedestrians to walk (the Metro Orlando leads the nation in pedestrian deaths). Jim Ward, Orange County’s coordinator of sustainable development, also notes that although many of the developments around the county have been successes in terms of number of units constructed and the occupancy of those units, the village center part of the ideal is sometimes lost in the shuffle. “(Developers are) looking for the low-hanging fruit, the chain commercial companies, and they want to be next to a road with big traffic,” said Ward, who has worked for Orange County for 12 years and helped put together one of Horizon West’s recent code updates. “Those neighborhood-embedded locations don’t have that drive-by volume they’re seeking, so, inevitably, the pattern that we’ve

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As is the case with so many things, ideas such as mixeduse developments usually come to fruition only if there is a market demand for them. To that end, Sharon Voss, president of the Orlando Regional Realtors Association, said the driving forces here are not new. “Even before this (trend came about), people always wanted to be close to church, school and shopping,” Voss said. “The builders have gone into building these Baldwin Park-type of areas and they find that they are convenient. People want to be out. (Some) don’t want to be in the city, but if they put this whole thing together, then I think that goes over pretty big, too.” Proximity to such developments is usually important to younger home buyers, Voss noted, but added that it can

PAT SHARR

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explode,” said Skorman, a University of Miami graduate who moved to Orlando 20 years ago with his father, Marc Skorman. “The thing I love most about the development is where else can you walk into a place where all of that world-class infrastructure is already in place? Where else can you walk into a community with an unbelievable clubhouse like the one they have? Or the golf course and all of the beautiful rolling hills and the private lake? Very rarely can you be a part of a community where all of that beauty is already in place.” Skorman Construction joins a growing lineup of builders buying lots and starting to build new custom homes at Bella Collina. Bella Collina’s other builders include Phoenix Companies, R.L. Vogel Homes and Dave Brewer Inc., and Legacy Custom Built Homes. Bella Collina offers three residential villages with lots ranging from $149,000 for golf-frontage homes to more than $500,000 for lakefront lots on private Lake Siena. “Skorman Construction has experience building some of Florida’s finest homes and we’re thrilled to make them a part of the new Bella Collina,” said Randall F. Greene, of DCS Investment Holdings, owner and operator of Bella Collina. “Skorman’s investment in our community is further evidence Bella Collina is positioning itself as Florida’s premier new private waterfront and golf club community.” Bella Collina is a 1,900acre private island and private club community known for its iconic 75,000-square-foot Tuscaninspired clubhouse. For more information about Bella Collina, visit BellaCollina.com or facebook.com/BellaCollina.

SO KRISTI LOWERY

BUYING A HOME? SELLING YOUR HOME?

IT’S THE EXTRAS THAT COUNT!!!

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A HOME WITH A POOL/SPA, 4 BDRM. 2 BA. IN WINTER GARDEN? LOOK NO FURTHER!!! IMMACULATE condition, OPEN concept, SPLIT bdrm plan, formal living, formal dining, family rm, breakfast nook, all KITCHEN appliances STAY, pantry, breakfast bar. From the family rm you have French doors leading to the huge SCREENED LANAI (42x30) pool/spa, partially fenced and storage shed. MASTER bdrm adjoined by MASTER bath with dual sinks, GARDEN TUB/ SEPARATE SHOWER. Inside laundry rm, OVERSIZED 2 car garage and LUSH landscaped YARD. WALK to the West Orange Trail, DOWNTOWN Winter Garden. OH, YES IT IS A GATED COMMUNITY!!! Asking only $260,000.

A PLACE TO BEGIN!!!

WOW!!! 3 bdrm. 2 ba. 2 story condo!!! EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE***freshly painted***NEW TILE IN FOYER***CERAMIC TILE IN GREAT ROOM, DINING AREA, KITCHEN, AND BATHS***just professionally cleaned***WINDOWS have been professionally cleaned*** NEW CARPET HAS JUST BEEN INSTALLED on stairway and both bedrooms upstairs*** NEW BLIND installed in upstairs bedrooms*** THIS HOME COMES COMPLETE WITH, RANGE, REFRIGERATOR, DISHWASHER, DISPOSAL, WASHER AND DRYER*** 2 privacy fenced patio’s***COMMUNITY POOL*** SO CONVENIENT to shopping and all major highways*** You can BUY this cheaper then you can rent!!! NOTHING to do here but MOVE IN...THIS IS A MUST SEE!!! Asking Only $100,000

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR 5 ACRES, NO HOA AND A FABULOUS HOME??? LOOK NO FURTHER!!! Take a look at this great home with 4 bdrms. 3 baths, formal living/dining, family room, kitchen with breakfast nook, split bedroom plan, inside laundry room, covered screened large lanai, attached 2 car garage, huge metal building 3 roll up doors, perfect for a workshop, or a car enthusiast or a great MAN CAVE... Plus covered storage, and 2 storage container’s. The home has just been remodeled new porcelin tile, kitchen has been update with quartz counter tops, new oven/cooktop, bathrooms updated, new plumbing 2014, new water heater 2014. Electronic front gate. Great access to the 429,408 and turnpike. Asking Only $450,000

BRIEFS / PAGE 1C

REAL ESTATE VALUES ARE RISING! Curious about the VALUE of your Home?

Pat Sharr Realty 407-656-7947 MultiMillion Dollar Producer

witnessed is the (development) owner coming and asking to move the commercial area from the center of the neighborhood out to the arterial, so that now the last remnant of walkability is gone.” Summerport includes both an example of the good and the shortcomings of these newer developments. Although The Retreat offers one of the core tenants of urbanism — residential units built vertically over retail space on the ground floor — it also has its Publix-anchored shopping center detached from the village’s center and located at the arterial intersection of Country Road 535 and Ficquette Road. Follow-through, then, is another important element of this trend and something of which folks such as Stephenson are cognizant while remaining optimistic. “I’m hopeful,” he said. “I think all the new urbanism stuff is great because they’ve taken all the historic knowledge that we had and threw away after World War II and reclaimed it. They’re taking those principles and applying it to new urbanism.” Indeed, developers are drawing from lessons learned not only from decades past but also even years past. As newer mixed-use centers pop up, those developers and planners have the opportunity to look at other recent developments in Central Florida to see what has worked well. “The downfall of town centers around Central Florida (such as) Celebration and Baldwin Park has been on the retail side,” Kevin Meredith, Boyd Development’s sales and marketing specialist, said in an earlier interview pertaining to the Hamlin development’s town center. “But what Hamlin has that those don’t is accessibility by roadways from State Road 429. (A consulting firm) helped us get comfortable with that idea that you can do an urban town center as long as there’s that accessibility in a suburban setting.” Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@wotimes.com.

180621

JUST LISTED!!!

CONVENIENT LOCATION!!!

PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS!!! WHY PAY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN PLACE? MINUTES FROM PLANT STREET, HWY 50. This is perfect for a business has reception area, 3 offices, conference area, storage, kitchen, 2 car garage plus plenty of parking in the back with paver driveway. This would be a great real estate office, title company, attorney office. Zoning was changed from residential single family to commercialstore/office. Zoning now is R-NC/RESIDENTIAL. This property could be easily re-zoned back to residential with 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Kitchen, Family/great room, laundry room and 2 car garage. Asking Only $315,000

SHORT ON SPACE? TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!

***TRADITIONAL SALE*** LOCATED IN COURTLEA PARK*** 5 bdrm. 4 ba. 3074 sq.ft. of living!!! FORMAL living room, dining room, family room, MASTER BEDROOM and 3 of the other bedrooms are located on the first floor. UPSTAIRS is BONUS room, bedroom and full bath. KITCHEN features 42” cabinets, GRANITE countertops, all STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES STAY!!! Conservation area in back, NO REAR NEIGHBORS!!! Walk, ride your bike on the WEST ORANGE TRAIL to downtown WINTER GARDEN!!! CUSTOM BUILT BY TAYLOR MORRISON HOMES!!! Asking only $310,000

PE SA ND LE IN G

WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR? This 4 Bdrm. 3 Ba. is priced to Sell!!! Enter through double glass doors to glowing wood flooring, open floor plan, with formal living, formal dining, family room, kitchen, informal dining area, 3 way split bedroom plan, inside laundry room and French doors from the family room leading to the paver screened lanai with sparkling salt pool and spa...Kitchen features Granite counter tops, Stainless Steel appliances and 42” cabinets, all appliances stay including washer and dryer. Master bath has garden jetted tub, his/her vanities and separate shower. Also features paver driveway, 3 Car Garage and security system with camera’s. Great access to the West Orange Trail. Asking Only $315,000.

HONEY STOP THE CAR...THIS HOME HAS JUST BEEN PAINTED ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND LOOKS FABULOUS!!! Step inside to this 3 Bdrm. 2 Ba. beauty with living room, dining area, eat-in kitchen, split bedroom plan, covered lanai, 2 car garage and privacy fenced yard. KITCHEN has been REMODLED comes complete with ALL APPLIANCES!!! SAMSUNG STAINLESS STEEL FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR, RANGE, BUILT-IN MICROWAVE AND BOSCH DISHWASHER!!! Glass back splash, pantry, wood cabinets!!! Very open floor plan, master bedroom and bath has been updated, new sink/vanity, upgraded tile in shower... SLIDDING GLASS DOORS LEADING TO privacy fenced back yard, oh yes I forgot to mention the FENCE IS NEW also!!! See this beauty before it is gone!!! Asking Only $ 160,000.

THE DREAM OF A LIFETIME!!!

FANTASTIC BUY ON THIS 2-Story, 4 Bdrm. 3Ba., 3 Car Garage, No rear neighbors instead you have a Pond with Fountain. Located in the Gated community of Stoneybrook!!! Dramatic 2-Story Entry Foyer, Formal living and Dining, EatIn Kitchen is a dream, with 42”cabinets, island, breakfast bar and all appliances stay!!! Family room w/gas fireplace, game room/office or 5th bedroom is on the 1st floor. Master and other 3 bedrooms are upstairs. Master Bedroom features, a gas fireplace, sitting area, tray ceiling, master bath has dual sinks, garden tub, separate shower. Beautiful view of the pond and fountain w/ access to the screened lanai from the family room and kitchen.This is a must see!!! Asking only $410,000.

WHAT IS YOUR OFFER???

4 Bdrm. 3 Ba. Corner lot, this home is block and brick construction, frame on 2nd floor, updated tile flooring in living/ dining, family room and kitchen. Bedrooms have updated carpet. Beautiful see through brick fireplace in living room and family room, kitchen has range and refrigerator, bonus room over garage with open living room, kitchen, bedroom and bath. Upstairs would make a perfect living area for mother-in-law comes complete with range and refrigerator. Get your golf cart and ride to downtown Winter Garden, ride your bike or walk to the West Orange Trail, perfect location... If you have been looking for a great place this is it... Asking Only $265,000

2049 W. Landstreet Rd. Orlando, FL 32809 407-440-2804 181243

JUST LISTED!!!

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WHAT CAN YOU BUY FOR

CLERMONT

$250,000-300,000? OCOEE OFFICE Scott Taylor 407.925.2526

Lucy Martinelli 407.721.0264

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ASKING PRICE: $299,900 BEDROOMS: Four BATHROOMS: Four SQUARE FEET: 3,203 NEIGHBORHOOD: Sunburst

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room, four-bath home with a three-car garage and pool on one-third acre on a cul-de-sac street. the living room, dining room, master bedroom and den are adjacent to the foyer entrance. Off the kitchen/family room combo are the other bedrooms and a large upstairs bonus room with a full bathroom. LISTING AGENT: Colleen DonlevyBurns, Avalar Real Estate Services

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of light inside and offers views of the pool and private landscaped backyard from just about every room in the house. This home features fresh paint inside, carpeting in the bedrooms, wood and ceramic tile in living areas, and all appliances stay. LISTING AGENT: John Toms, Weichert Realtors Hallmark Properties

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301 F East Washington St

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723 Sunburst Cove Lane, Winter Garden

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SunRidge Middle, West Orange High DESCRIPTION: This renovated home features four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and about 2,200 square feet of living space. The home features wood flooring, mosaic inlays and French doors adorn the formal living room. The formal dining room, kitchen and fam-

ily room feature stylish travertine flooring, custom fans, pendant lighting, and volume ceilings. The new gourmet kitchen comes complete with all-new stainless-steel appliances, a gas range, granite countertops, 42-inch cabinetry, center island, and eatin area with bench seating. The family room is accented with natural stacked stone, Napoleon wall fireplace and more. All bathrooms have been remodeled. LISTING AGENT: Michael Long, Watson Realty Corporation

WINTER GARDEN

Wood Look Tile

WEST ORANGE TIMES

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

BUSINESS by Catherine Sinclair | Staff Writer

STEEL the Show

Florida Metal Craft has been one of the top metal fabrication companies in the state since it was founded in the 1930s. WINTER GARDEN — The retro typeface of Florida Metal Craft’s name on the building’s brick wall is a reminder that the company has occupied 47 S. Dillard Street for three generations. Although technology and the typical projects completed there have changed over the years, some things haven’t — such as the struggles of welding and cutting in what co-owner Tom Burnett calls a “10,000-square foot oven.” Tom Burnett and his brother, Rob, inherited the business from their father and grandfather. Florida Metal Craft has always been “No. 1” in the community — ever since the advent of the telephone, when the business’ phone number was simply “1.” That was the number that founder

Louis Iserman requested. Whether Grandpa needs help with his lawnmower deck or Grandma’s favorite cast iron pot needs repair, Florida Metal Works prides itself on being able and willing to help the community with small, everyday projects. But the bigger contracts with municipalities and corporations are what sustain the company. “People bring in blueprints and we tell them, ‘Yes we can’ or ‘No we can’t,’” Tom Burnett said. “But I think we’ve got a pretty good reputation in the area and in the industry for thinking outside the box.”

OLD DAYS

The Burnetts’ grandfather, Lawrence Iserman, started Iserman and Company in 1933,

Much of the work at Florida Metal Craft is done by hand with small machines.

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

Brothers Tom and Rob Burnett inherited the leadership of Florida Metal Craft from their grandfather and father. across the street from Florida Metal Craft’s modern-day location. He moved to the current building in 1955 and changed the name to Florida Metal Craft in 1960. In those days, most of Florida Metal Craft’s projects served the citrus industry. Iserman was known for developing a machine that could grade the oranges according to diameter, as well as a specialized edger to trim overgrown aisles of orange trees. “He came down here at the right time,” Tom Burnett said about Iserman. “The harvesting equipment and the processing was becoming increasingly (common).” Around the time of World War II, there was a U.S. Army base at Johns Lake. Iserman was offered an extra gas ration if he took soldiers out on the lake for leave. That’s how he met a soldier named Louis Burnett, who ended up marrying Iserman’s daughter, Helen. Louis and Helen became the parents of Tom and Rob. Tom and Rob went to Lakeview High School. Rob grad-

uated from the University of South Florida as an engineer and started working at the family business in 1972. Tom followed a few years later, after graduating with a business degree from the University of Florida.

TIME FOR A CHANGE

In the 1980s, the hard citrus freezes forced Florida Metal Craft to find a new niche in the community. “We were able to weather that and turn our direction more toward the theme parks,” Tom said. The company had been on Disney’s radar since the parks were in their early construction phases, but Louis Burnett had turned down an offer for a contract with Disney because he didn’t think he could balance that type of project with his booming citrus service business. Disney approached Florida Metal Craft again after the freezes, and Tom and Rob agreed to create pieces for the theme parks. They have finished a number of projects for

Disney since then, including a kiosk at the China Pavilion in Epcot and the pineapple leaves at Bongos Cuban Cafe in Downtown Disney. Another project of which the Burnetts are particularly proud is the control module for a nuclear submarine simulator for the U.S. Navy. It had to smoothly yaw, pitch and roll — mimicking the motions of the sea. “It almost brought tears to my eyes watching that thing because … for as much as that thing weighed, it was the most fluid, perfect motion,” Rob said. “It was amazing that it did what it was supposed to.” Currently, Florida Metal Craft is working on a project at Orlando International Airport, and the company commonly does work for water-treatment plants. But Florida Metal Craft always will be glad to serve its clients just down the street. “The city of Winter Garden is one of our best customers,” Tom said. Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@wotimes.com.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

REAL ESTATE by Michael Eng | Executive Editor

Isleworth estate sells for $2.5 million A home in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions for Aug. 21 to 27. The home at 5127 Latrobe Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 27, for $2.5 million. Built in 1991, it has six bedrooms, seven baths, a pool and 6,550 square feet. The price per square foot is $381.68.

GOTHA

DR. PHILLIPS

ALISO RIDGE

AVALON AT TURTLE CREEK

The home at 10526 Holly Crest Drive, Orlando, sold Aug. 27, for $409,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,280 square feet. The price per square foot is $179.39.

BRISTOL PARK

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 84 High Sale Price: $2.5 million Low Sale Price: $24,000 REO/Bank Owned: 24 Short Sales: Four

The home at 9156 Aliso Ridge Road, Gotha, sold Aug. 25, for $223,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet. The price per square foot is $93.74.

FALCON POINTE

The home at 4041 Shadowind Way, Gotha, sold Aug. 21, for $250,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,898 square feet. The price per square foot is $131.72.

The home at 9261 Wickham Way, Orlando, sold Aug. 25, for $459,900. Built in 1994, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,050 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $150.79.

OAKLAND

EMERALD FOREST

TOWN OF OAKLAND

The home at 10447 Big Tree Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 25, for $455,000. Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths, a pool and 3,700 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $122.97.

SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 410 W. Oakland Ave., Oakland, sold Aug. 25, for $67,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,105 square feet. The price per square foot is $60.63.

FOREST OAKS

The home at 1522 Ison Lane, Ocoee, sold Aug. 21, for $104,000 (short sale). Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,456 square feet. The price per square foot is $71.43.

MCCORMICK WOODS

The home at 3464 McCormick Woods Drive, Ocoee, sold Aug. 25, for $270,000 (short sale). Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,587 square feet. The price per square foot is $75.27.

MEADOW RIDGE

Courtesy photos

The Isleworth home at 5127 Latrobe Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 27, for $2.5 million. It features six bedrooms, seven baths, a pool and 6,550 square feet of living area.

SILVER BEND

The home at 516 Douglas Edward Drive, Ocoee, sold Aug. 21, for $340,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,487 square feet. The price per square foot is $136.71.

The home at 1648 Cassingham Circle, Ocoee, sold Aug. 24, for $153,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,406 square feet. The price per square foot is $108.82.

NORTH OCOEE ADDITION

VILLAGES OF WESMERE

OCOEE

The home at 262 11th Ave., Ocoee, sold Aug. 25, for $43,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,492 square feet. The price per square foot is $28.82.

The town house at 339 White Dogwood Lane, Ocoee, sold Aug. 24, for $244,500. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,944 square feet. The price per square foot is $125.77.

COVENTRY AT OCOEE

RESERVE

WESMERE

The home at 7402 Ripley Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 24, for $327,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,108 square feet. The price per square foot is $155.12.

The home at 27636 Wimbledon Court, Ocoee, sold Aug. 25, for $200,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,958 square feet. The price per square foot is $102.15.

VIZCAYA

The town house at 1010 Crestwood Commons Ave., Ocoee, sold Aug. 25, for $164,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,404 square feet. The price per square foot is $116.81.

The home at 8613 Saint Marino Blvd., Orlando, sold Aug. 24, for $775,000 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, five-andone-half baths, a pool and 4.695 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.07.

Creek Blvd., Ocoee, sold Aug. 21, for $249,900. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,692 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.70.

CRESTWOOD HEIGHTS

CROSS CREEK

The home at 523 Bridge

COURTLEIGH PARK

VALENCIA HILLS

The home at 423 N. Hart Blvd., Orlando, sold Aug. 27, for $62,000. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 897 square feet. The price per square foot is $69.12.

The home at 8138 Lesia Circle, Orlando, sold Aug. 25, for $198,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $129.84.

MARBLE HEAD

WELLINGTON FOREST

The home at 247 Wescliff Drive, Ocoee, sold Aug. 21, for $232,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,765 square feet. The price per square foot is $131.44.

RESERVE AT MEADOW LAKE

WEST ORANGE

The home at 7855 Canyon Lake Circle, Orlando, sold Aug. 21, for $314,900 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,446 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $128.74.

CINNAMON BAY

OAK MEADOWS

The home at 937 Saint Croix Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 26, for $150,000. Built in 1983, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,272 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $117.92.

The home at 8534 Morehouse Drive, Orlando, sold Aug. 25, for $761,300. Built in 2015, it has seven bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,256 square feet. The price per square foot is $144.84.

CRESCENT HILLS

The home at 1925 Saint James Court, Ocoee, sold Aug. 21, for $198,500. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,922 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $103.28.

The town house at 1384 Glenleigh Drive, Ocoee, sold Aug. 27, for $182,500. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 1,969 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $92.69.

PARKSIDE

The home at 2130 Whitfield Lane, Orlando, sold Aug. 27, for $400,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1990, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,036 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $131.75.

The home at 3131 Blakely Drive, Orlando, sold Aug. 21, for $225,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,133 square feet. The price per square foot is $105.49.

WINDERMERE RIDGE

The home at 3667 King George Drive, Orlando, sold Aug. 25, for $565,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,880 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $145.62.

The duplex at 219 Alston Drive, Orlando, sold Aug. 21, for $124,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,467 square feet. The price per square foot is $84.53.

Please contact me today for your private showing of these beautiful homes!

Theresa Blahut, GRI

Broker Associate Regal Real Estate Professionals Direct 407-590-0004 Theresa@RegalRealtyOrlando.com

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WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

BELMERE VILLAGE

The home at 11756 Via Lucerna Circle, Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $325,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 1,937 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.79.

BUTLER RIDGE

The home at 5101 Autumn Ridge Lane, Windermere, sold Aug. 24, for $305,000 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,480 square feet. The price per square foot is $122.98.

ENCLAVE AT WINDERMERE LANDING

The home at 11664 Hampstead St., Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $512,500. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,934 square feet. The price per square foot is $130.27.

ISLEWORTH

The home at 6235 Cypress Chase Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $1.75 million. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,427 square feet on .79 acres. The price per square foot is $322.46. The home at 5144 Fairway Oaks Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 25, for $1.625 million. Built in 1996, it has5,348five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,348 square feet on .5 acres. The price per square foot is $303.85.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 5933 Caymus Loop, Windermere, sold Aug. 24, for $475,000 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,766 square feet. The price per square foot is $171.73.

LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The town house at 12864 Salomon Cove Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 24, for $212,500. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,644 square feet. The price per square foot is $129.26.

The home at 12656 Haddon Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 27, for $250,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,460 square feet. The price per square foot is $101.63.

LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The condo at 8264 Maritime Flag St., No. 206, Windermere, sold Aug. 27, for $167,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,455 square feet. The price per square foot is $114.78. The condo at 8264 Maritime Flag St., No. 109, Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $146,000. Built in 2008, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,161 square feet. The price per square foot is $125.75.

WESTOVER CLUB

WINDERMERE TRAILS

SUMMERPORT

WINTER GARDEN

VINEYARD SQUARE

The home at 6763 Bridgewater Village Road, Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $355,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,009 square feet. The price per square foot is $117.98.

Park Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $295,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,074 square feet. The price per square foot is $95.97.

den, sold Aug. 21, for $66,150 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1975, it has four bedrooms, one bath and 1,163 square feet. The price per square foot is $56.88.

The home at 1024 Harbor Hill St., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $290,500 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 3,235 square feet. The price per square foot is $89.80. The home at 2608 Shirehall Lane, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 24, for $259,900. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,133 square feet. The price per square foot is $121.85. The town house at 1236 Priory Circle, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $199,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,798 square feet. The price per square foot is $110.68.

GLENVIEW ESTATES

LOVELESS & SEWELL

SUMMERLAKE

The town house at 7617 Sutherton Lane, Windermere, sold Aug. 24, for $201,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,480 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $135.81.

The home at 2677 Stanton Hall Court, Windermere, sold Aug. 27, for $439,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,670 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $164.42. The home at 4357 Indian Deer Road, Windermere, sold Aug. 27, for $410,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,044 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.69. The home at 13945 Bluebird Pond Road, Windermere, sold Aug. 26, for $290,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,413 square feet. The price per square foot is $120.18. The town house at 13824 Ancilla Blvd., Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $182,500. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,155 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.01.

STONEYBROOK WEST

WICKHAM PARK

The home at 8782 Lookout Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $515,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,450 square feet. of living area The price per square foot is $149.28. The home at 8800 Crescendo Ave., Windermere, sold Aug. 24, for $377,233. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,078 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $122.56.

MANORS AT BUTLER BAY

bourne St., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 27, for $185,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,260 square feet. The price per square foot is $146.83.

The home at 9447 Westover Club Circle, Windermere, sold Aug. 21, for $400,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,568 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $155.76.

AVALON RESERVE

The home at 1037 Vinsetta Circle, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $438,773. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 4,731 square feet. The price per square foot is $92.74.

The Emerald Forest home at 10447 Big Tree Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 25, for $455,000. It features five bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths, a pool and 3,700 square feet of living area.

The home at 980 Glenview Circle, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 27, for $175,000 (REO/ bank owned). Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,419 square feet. The price per square foot is $123.33.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 409 Courtlea Creek Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 27, for $422,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,424 square feet. The price per square foot is $123.25.

The home at 14757 Old Thicket Terrace, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 27, for $280,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,709 square feet. The price per square foot is $103.36. The home at 14603 Whittridge Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $290,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,224 square feet. The price per square foot is $130.40. The town house at 5746 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 27, for $218,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,080 square feet. The price per square foot is $104.81.

COURTLEA PARK

LAKE AVALON GROVES

CAMBRIDGE CROSSING

The home at 1085 Spring Mill Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $475,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,495 square feet. The price per square foot is $135.91.

COURTLEA OAKS

The home at 429 Courtlea

The home at 17660 Davenport Road, Winter Gar-

The home at 201 Railroad Ave., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $24,000 (REO/bank owned). Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 950 square feet. The price per square foot is $25.26.

ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 14118 Magnolia Ridge Loop, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $458,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,922 square feet. The price per square foot is $93.05.

OVERLOOK AT HAMLIN

The home at 5407 Bowman Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 26, for $478,058. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,010 square feet. The price per square foot is $119.22.

PLEASANT PARK

The home at 325 S. Highland Ave., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 26, for $299,900. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,840 square feet. The price per square foot is $162.99.

STONE CREEK

The home at 1938 Sher-

Call me first, I would love to help you!

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Times& WEST ORANGE

Observer

100 West Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (O) 407-656-7814 Located in the heart of Historic Winter Garden

JoAnne Quarles, C.L.C.

The home at 8789 Eden Cove Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 26, for $291,999. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,113 square feet. The price per square foot is $138.19.

m sure, one closing at a ti

DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE!

180401

www.TheRealEstateCollection.com

your trea

WATERLEIGH

Buying or Selling a Home in the West Orange or South Lake Area?

“I Care About Our Community, its History and its Future.”

We insu re

The home at 15661 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $367,490. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,265 square feet. The price per square foot is $112.55. The home at 14625 Bahama Swallow Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 21, for $317,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,796 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $113.38. The home at 15433 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 25, for $303,990. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,455 square feet. The price per square foot is $123.82. The home at 15499 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 24, for $277,990. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,982 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.26.

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WEST ORANGE

180391

office 407.654.8811 • mobile 407.758.4479 • fax 407.654.4885 12184 W. Colonial Dr, Ste 102 • Winter Garden, FL 34787

REAL ESTATE SPRING 2015

Adverising deadline: October 15, 2015 Publishes: October 29, 2015

180418

30,000 Distributed in the West Orange Times & Observer and the new Windermere Observer and will appear on www.WOTimes.com The Guide will have additional distribution to builders and real estate offices across the community and will feature the beautiful properties and homes of West Orange County Communities.

Circulation: 15,000

For More information call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@wotimes.com

181686

WINDERMERE

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

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