09.21.17 Windermere Observer by Orange Observer

WINDERMERE

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FREE

VOLUME 2, NO. 51

•

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Sisters set up for success Windermere’s Matti and Elli McKissock both have bright athletic futures ahead of them. PAGE 11.

Picking up the pieces

YOUR TOWN WOHS STUDENT HONORS 9/11

West Orange High School senior Katie Householder had a plan to remember 9/11 on the school campus, so she raised money to buy 2,997 American flags — one for each of the victims. Even though school and many 9/11 ceremonies were canceled because of Hurricane Irma, Householder still wanted to create her display. On Sunday, Sept. 10, she went to the West Orange campus and spent three hours placing the flags in memory of the 9/11 victims.

Photos by Danielle Hendrix

A group of students from Windermere Preparatory School had a blast singing along to Bon Jovi and Journey as they helped clean up around Windermere Town Hall.

Volunteers Nelson Bonet and Zach Taggert worked together to dump a load of debris onto a machine.

More than 100 volunteers from First Baptist Church Windermere and Windermere Preparatory School gathered to clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in downtown Windermere. SEE PAGE 4.

U.K. citizens warn of fraudulent company

FLATWARE FASHION

NEWS EDITOR

A group of concerned British citizens who have fallen victim to internet fraud perpetrated by a company called Pro Time Tours PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

*****************ECRWSSEDDM****

Inc. is working together to thwart an alleged con artist who lives in Windermere. The group comprises citizens who had the misfortune of handing over thousands of dollars to purchase music or sports tickets from the company’s website. One individual from the group,

Postal Customer

SEE UK PAGE 4

Beads for Beats, a nonprofit led by local teen Lucinda Howard, raises money to help children facing terminal and chronic diagnoses. BRITTANY GAINES

British police are investigating a Windermere resident who has allegedly conned at least 32 U.K. citizens. GABBY BAQUERO

The thread between beads and heartbeats

STAFF WRITER

Winter Garden jewerly-making couple crafts pieces from old silverware. PAGE 7.

DR. PHILLIPS As a young teenager, Lucinda Howard befriended a classmate who was battling cancer and decided she needed to help. “I’ve always had great health, but then I met someone in middle school who had cancer,” she said. “I just thought, ‘Wow, there are so many people who are going through this.’”

SEE BEADS PAGE 4

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

YOUR CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

WIDOWS GROUP 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1138 E. Plant St. Every third Thursday, spend time with other widows and share stories about loved ones. Ask questions about cleaning out one’s closet, who to call to hang a ceiling fan or if you have car trouble. Occasionally, a short video on coping is shown. Light snacks are available. Meet-up is free. (407) 877-6700.

WEST ORANGE HIGH FOOD PANTRY DRIVE 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on school days at West Orange High School, 1625 S. Beulah Road, Winter Garden. Donate non-perishable items to the school’s food pantry during this semi-annual drive. All goes to students and families in need. In addition to food and water, there is a need for new socks and underwear, backpacks and feminine products. (407) 905-2400.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

WEST ORANGE WOMEN 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Roy’s Restaurant, 7760 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando. There will be a set menu consisting of either mahi-mahi or braised short ribs plus sides and beverages. Cost is $28. Call or email Dottie Ansel at (407) 258-8155 or dotansel@aol.com.

ROTARY CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT 6 p.m. registration and training session, 7 p.m. event Friday, Sept. 22, at Co-op Ballroom in the Garden Building, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Presented by the Rotary Club of Winter Garden in conjunction with Big Stacks Poker League,

the event will benefit the West Orange Scholarship Fund and local charities. Prizes include $1,000, $500 and $250 Visa gift cards, golf foursomes and gift certificates. Cost is $50 pre-registration and $60 at the door. Register at (407) 8779400 or jkwg1@earthlink.net. WINDERMERE FAMILY FOOD TRUCK NIGHT 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, near Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Hosted by the Town of Windermere Downtown Business Committee, the event brings a variety of food trucks to the community. (407) 8762563.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

BAD PANTS BASH GALA 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando. For

this black-tie dinner and event, attendees are asked to wear the loudest, craziest, ugliest and baddest pants they can find. The evening includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a martini bar and wine tasting, plated dinner, live music and dancing and silent and live auctions. Event supports the Sunshine Kids Foundation. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at sskorlando.com. For more information, call (407) 876-2090.

MONDAY, SEPT. 25

TODDLER CARNIVAL 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Little ones can enjoy carnival games and a festive themed story. Ages 18 months to 3 years. (407) 8357323.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 26

SMARTER SENIOR SERIES: FINANCIAL WELL-BEING 10:30 a.m. at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. In this seminar, financial experts will discuss topics such as Medicare/Medicaid, veteran’s benefits, long-term care, wills/ trusts/estate planning and annuities. Registration required at (407) 340-5291.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

EXPLORING CHURCH AND CEMETERY RECORDS 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Discover what types of information are contained in these records, how to access them and how they can help enhance the family research. For more, call (407) 835-7323.

Join the team AND be part of the excitement...

Monthly events - Marketing programs Property services Easy, fun and convenient place to shop AND have a business Cheerful surroundings - Comfortable atmosphere - Community destination For more information call: 407-294-1494, ext. 107

Facebook.com/VisitWestOaks • WestOaksMall.com 250707

Proud Chamber Member for 20 Years

Be part of the excitement... Monthly events - Marketing programs - Property services Easy, fun and convenient place to shop AND have a business boutique Welcoming surroundings - Comfortable atmosphere - Community destination

407-294-1494

Facebook.com/VisitWestOaks

WestOaksMall.com

ER Online Scheduling. Choose Orlando Health.

Choosing treatment on my time for my minor emergencies is just a click away. Orlando Health, the leader in emergency care in Central Florida, has a new online scheduling tool that allows me to check-in and select an estimated treatment time so I can wait at home until my time to be seen.* And, with 6 conveniently located ERs, including Central Florida’s only Level One Trauma Center, you’ll have teams of highly trained physicians and top emergency care close when it counts. That’s why I choose Orlando Health.

TheEmergencyExperts.com * For patients with non-life and limb-threatening conditions.

251853

For more information on how to bring your business here call:

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

HOME INSURANCE

AFTER IRMA OCPS UPDATE IRMA MAKE-UP DAYS

Orange County students lost six days of school because of Hurricane Irma. Superintendent Barbara Jenkins waived two, and the state waived an additional two. Students will need to make up two days. Those will be Friday, Oct. 27, and Monday, Nov. 20.

After six canceled school days due to Hurricane Irma, Orange County Public Schools reopened Monday, Sept. 18. By early afternoon on Monday, OCPS reported that after a few transportation delays because of debris, schools appeared to be operating smoothly for the first day back. But that was not the case last week. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the district reported that 66 schools were without power, 75 schools had sustained some water damage, 28 schools had minor roof damage, 69 schools had fallen trees and debris littered around campus and 78 schools had IT systems down. Superintendent Barbara Jenkins waived two of the six make-up days, while the Florida Department of Education waived an additional two. Prior to the start of the year, School Board members approved a list of 10 make-up days. The two required make-up days for Irma will take place on Friday, Oct. 27; and Monday, Nov. 20. — BRITTANY GAINES

More than a week after Hurricane Irma hit Central Florida, residents are doing their best to return to normalcy.

s Duke Energy continues its power-restoration efforts in

DEBRIS REMOVAL

West Orange and residents scrape away the debris left in

Orange County opened 10 citizen drop-off sites. Residents may bring trees/ yard waste to one of the 10 locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Orange County only can remove debris from homes in private gated communities if a representative of the community, the president of the association or the association’s management firm, contacts the county.

Hurricane Irma’s wake, the community is steadily returning to its normal routine. By Wednesday, Sept. 13 — just two days after Irma passed through the state — most local businesses had reopened, and many employees returned back to work. But, even though routines had resumed, the storm left plenty of lingering questions regarding preparation, finances and more.

DROP-OFF SITES n Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive n Conway Water Treatment Plant, 3590 Manatee St. n Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave. n Fort Christmas Park, 1300 Fort Christmas Road n Harrell Road, 8503 Trevarthon Road n Meadow Woods Park, 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle n Northwest Water Reclamation Facility, 701 W. McCormick Road n Rose Place Park, 8200 Old Winter Garden Road n Across from Renaissance Senior Center, 3800 S. Econlockhatchee Tr. n West Beach Park Addition, 9227 Winter Garden Vineland Road n Zellwood Maintenance Unit, 3500 Golden Gem Road

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irma, there had been complaints from residents in the Horizon West area regarding construction materials left on job sites. However, Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said she did not hear of any reports of damage stemming from construction materials left on building sites in West Orange. “We haven’t heard of any damage, but people are still assessing,” VanderLey said. The commissioner said she spent most of the Saturday prior to the hurricane’s landfall making phone calls to builders, asking them to take extra precautions.

“I probably talked to every president of every builder in the state of Florida,” she said. “I probably made 50 phone calls to make sure people did what they were supposed to do.” One of the issues, she said, is that the landfills closed at 2 p.m. Friday, so after that time, the dump-truck drivers had nowhere to empty their trucks. “Another thing we identified is that, in many cases, many of the builders had already dumped their dumpsters, (but they were) filled by people in the neighborhood who saw it as an opportunity to get rid of their stuff,” she said.

“THE 4% TEAM” Only 4%

Selling? List with us and pay only 4% commission! COMMISSION FEE

— AMY QUESINBERRY

D EN

G F

S OR

E F

S OR

Homeowners whose singlefamily homes or townhomes received significant wind or tree damage from Hurricane Irma may need a reminder about how home insurance policies and home warranties work regarding damage caused by natural disasters. Paula Abney, owner of Abney Insurance Agency, 1155 Winter Garden Vineland Road, offered these suggestions. What happens if leaks are because of poorly built homes? If a new home that is still under warranty is discovered to have a leak by a windowsill or a ceiling that is found to be the result of faulty caulking, Abney suggested homeowners use their home warranties to avoid having to pay a deductible, especially because standard homeowner insurance does not include coverage for inherent defects that are the result of poor building. Homeowner’s insurance, she emphasized, only pays for sudden and accidental loss, such as hurricanes, fires, lightning, etc. However, homeowners should note home warranties typically do not cover damage to homes caused by natural disasters. How do the hurricane deductibles work? Most standard policies in Florida include hurricane coverage that is subject to a deductible that is determined by the estimated cost of your dwelling. However, because deductibles go by calendar year, if another hurricane hits and causes more damage, the homeowner would not need to pay a second deductible. “Some of those damages and leaks are caused by poor caulking of the window, while some are caused by winddriven rain, which is also covered under your policy,” Abney said. “So the ensuing damage inside usually is covered subject to your deductible, but you’re looking at 2% of the coverage of the dwelling. If you’re dwelling limit is $200,000, then you’ll have to pay the first $4,000 worth of damage before the carrier does.” Who bears the financial responsibility for townhome damage? Abney said in Florida, the answer depends on how the home is classified. She generally recommends those who live in townhomes to check the master policy to see whether the homeowner’s association covers the building itself, which can vary. — GABBY BAQUERO

E J

T US

MLS, Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow & beyond Multi award winning team, ORRA Top Producers

Orange Tree Golf Front

Professional photography & virtual tour NO hidden fees

D EN

Keene’s Point • Golf Front $599,000

Royal Estates • $569,900 Plus $10,000 buyer credit

L SO

D SO

15 D-

Keene’s Pointe • Lake front $2,150,000

YS DA SO

22 D-

YS DA

NO binding contracts

251418

Call Carlos Puerto & Susan Wilkinson Today!

We are NOT a limited service team

407-790-5331

Charles Rutenberg Realty

CarlosAndSusan@RealtorMoves.com

RealtorMoves.com

Dr. Phillips

Mabel Bridge

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Beads for beats

It takes a village

CONTINUED FROMPAGE 1

STAFF WRITER

That’s when she came up with the idea of making bracelets. Because her friend’s favorite colors were pink and purple, Howard made pink and purple bracelets to show her support. As more bracelets were sold, Howard realized she could expand her project to help more children suffering with terminal or chronic illness in Central Florida. Now, what started as a bracelet-making fundraiser has now turned into a nonprofit called Beads for Beats, and Howard is getting ready for the organization’s second annual Beads for Beats 5K EnduRUNce Walk. The walk originally was scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Dr. P. Phillips Community Park but was canceled because of Hurricane Irma. Howard said she is working with the park to secure a new date. “I’m just so excited,” Howard said. “The walk is huge (for us).” Howard’s organization raises money through donations and selling her bracelets to help support terminally and chronically ill children and their families in Central Florida. “We sell the beads to keep their heartbeats going,” Howard said. To expand her reach, Howard partnered with the Florida Hospital Foundation with the goal of helping provide support to more children in need. Through this partnership, Beads for Beats has helped six children and their families over the years. “I think it’s just very encouraging for them to know they’re not alone,” Howard said. Having watched his daughter expand her organization over the years, Ken said he was impressed with her efforts. “I’m proud and honored that she would work with family and friends to bring this to fruition,” he said. Howard said she’s hoping this year’s walk will be just as successful as last year. An estimated 200 people are expected to participate in the event, and the goal is to raise $10,000 for Beads for Beats. “You can run it, you can walk it, you can crawl it,” Howard said. “I just want people to come out because it just shows so much support.”

WINDERMERE Just 48 hours after Hurricane Irma passed through West Orange County, more than 100 volunteers put on their athletic clothes, grabbed rakes and gloves and braved the 90-degree heat. Despite the heat, the dust and grime, the relentless sun rays filtering through the leaves in the trees, they descended on First Baptist Church Windermere and got straight to work. Some were still without power and knew they would be going home after to a warm house and a cold shower. But it didn’t stop them from following the call to help others in their community.

BEADS FOR BEATS

WEBSITE: beads4beats.org EMAIL: beads4beatsinc@ gmail.com

IF YOU GO BEADS FOR BEATS 5K ENDURUNCE WALK/RUN WHEN: To be announced WHERE: Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd., Orlando REGISTRATION: The registration fee is $25 for adults and $10 for students between ages 11 and 18. Children 10 and younger can participate for free. To register, go to bit. ly/2vMgDDZ.

DANIELLE HENDRIX

A CALL TO HELP

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the volunteers from Windermere Preparatory School and FBC Windermere spent their morning and some of the afternoon cutting fallen trees, raking leaves, picking up branches and twigs and cleaning up around the church campus and the town. They weren’t asked to help — they just did it. “We wanted to be sensitive to making sure that people had their power back first, but we also wanted to prepare for the weekend,” said FBC Windermere Pastor Chuck Carter. “I just sent out an email to the staff and said, ‘Instead of working tomorrow, we’re going to come in and do yard work, and y’all can invite people that you know.’ So I think we’re at about 100 to 120 people here.” Members of Carter’s congregation arrived at 9 a.m. geared up to sweat and work hard. They unloaded cars filled with garden and landscaping tools — buckets, shovels, rakes, leaf blowers and gloves among them — as well as coolers filled with water bottles. Students from Windermere Prep soon joined them, and groups split off to tackle different areas of the church campus and downtown. Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn said the town had hundreds of downed trees, which were impeding progress in restoring

“Unfortunately, it takes a hurricane for us to get together like this, but for whatever it’s worth, it’s what this world is all about — coming together and helping each other.” — Deborah Garson, FBC Windermere member

power. To see community members organize a clean-up effort was wonderful, he said. “They’re all strictly volunteer; they did this completely on their own and just wanted to give back to the community,” Bruhn said. “It’s wonderful, and it’s taking away a lot of the work that our Public Works (has to do). It allows our Public Works to spend time doing things that are more demanding that require heavy equipment, and not cleaning up the minor debris that we’re seeing here. … You can see the man hours that are involved here.” CLEAN-UP EFFORT

Near Town Hall, Windermere Prep students blasted Bon Jovi and Journey from a car speaker as they moved fallen branches and leaves to trash bags and bins. In front of FBC Windermere, children pitched in with rakes as the teens and adults cut up large branches and gathered more debris in buckets and bins of all sizes. Machines came by to pick up loads of debris and dropped it off in a collection pile nearby, as some church members walked around clearing pathways with leaf blowers. Near Central Park, church member Deborah Garson worked alone at some points with her rake, happy to help clean the back of the church. Garson, a 12-year Keene’s Pointe resident, had been on her way to work that morning when she noticed just how much work needed to be done around her. “I was on my way to work and

said, ‘God, what can I do?’” Garson said. “Here I am thinking about going to work, and then when I look around me I see work all around. Why am I going to work in the interior of an office when my exterior, my community and surroundings, needs work done? I decided to turn around and work on the outside first before I work on the inside.” She returned home, changed and headed to downtown Windermere with her rake and a supply of water. After seeing many people taking care of the church campus, she decided to begin cleanup near Central Park. “I just came back, and I see a lot of work to be done, helping the church and the community,” Garson said. “I went to the front of the church and said, ‘You know, God also walks through the back of the house.’ So we can’t always just focus on the front of the church, let me focus on the back. My background, too, is in the hotel industry, and we have to make sure that the back of the house is as clean as the front of the house.” As Carter walked around helping his church family clean up Irma’s aftermath he couldn’t help but think of the past Sunday’s message, where church leaders said there is a lot to be learned in the midst of a storm. “It’s really good to see people here who don’t have power still, haven’t had a shower or just had a cold shower and they’re out here doing this,” he said. “It’s just really encouraging. For us it really was an opportunity to be the church and to help our neighbors and come together and do this.” And Garson, who was in Jamaica in 1988 when Category 5 Hurricane Gilbert blasted through, agreed with his sentiments as she watched her community come together. “There is a need for us to help each other,” she said. “No one stands alone, and this is what we’re here to do. … It’s a community spirit that I can feel. Unfortunately it takes a hurricane for us to get together like this, but for whatever it’s worth, it’s what this world is all about — coming together and helping each other.”

U.K. residents search for answers CONTINUED FROMPAGE 1

Peter Zaffiro, of Bristol, United Kingdom, lost $1,371 while attempting to buy tickets to watch a rugby match between the British and Irish Lions that would take place in New Zealand. After complications arose with payment, Zaffiro was instructed by a company representative via email to send the money for the tickets through a wire transfer to an account with APS bank. Zaffiro complied and was told his tickets would arrive soon. But the tickets never came — despite constant assurances from the company representative over several months that the tickets would eventually arrive. In the end, Zaffiro never received the tickets and realized he had been scammed. Zaffiro has since taken efforts to follow up with British police, and he and several others have filed consumer complaints with the Orange County Consumer Fraud Unit and relayed their experience

to the Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I have no doubt whatsoever that I will not see any monies back,” Zaffiro said. “I am not doing this for a refund or as sob story. … I would like the authorities to catch these criminals and prosecute them so others are not scammed out of their hard-earned monies. It is too easy for these criminals to get away with this sort of crime and they know it, as not many people chase them as they feel embarrassed or ashamed that they have been conned and they would rather not say anything.” Zaffiro and others in the group also have traced the whereabouts of the individual listed as the owner of Pro Time Tours, Anthony KoU.K.oullis. “Pro Time Tours is a scam company, set up to con anyone and everyone they can out of money,” Zaffiro said. “In the U.S., they sell luxury holidays and adventures. In the U.K., sports and concert tickets. They feed off the fact

that people want these things and know they are difficult to get ahold of. The main person running this scam was convicted here in the U.K.” The company is listed on Sunbiz.org as having filed a change of address Jan. 10, 2017, shortly after having filed an annual report dated Oct. 24, 2016. The address change for the company owner, Anthony KoU.K.oullis, is in Windermere. The physical mailing address is 5401 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando. To date, British police in Hertfordshire County identified 32 individuals verified to have fallen victim to the company’s scam and one individual in the United States, Zaffiro said. “My only regret is that we here in the U.K. allowed these people running this scam to leave our shores and settle in the U.S.,” he said. “For this, I apologize, as it’s an export we could do without.” Attempts to reach KoU.K.oullis and Pro Time Tours were unsuccessful by press time.

WINDERMERE

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

The Windermere Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery. The Windermere Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden. If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 6562121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

TO ADVERTISE

For display or digital advertising, call (407) 656-2121. For Classifieds, call (407) 656-2121.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.

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

Observer Media Group Inc. 1970 Main St. • Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

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

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

County plans groundbreaking CERTUS Senior Living for new Lakeside Village Park plans new facility on

Conroy Windermere Road

Phase one of the 9.28acre park will feature a gazebo, a play area, a concrete walkway and an asphalt trail.

The proposed assisted-living facility will feature suites grouped into sections to give it a neighborhood feel. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER ORANGE COUNTY A 5.42-acre par-

STAFF WRITER

grading, landscaping and irrigation, Suedmeyer said. The estimated cost of construction is about $750,000, which includes the installation of a shade structure over the playground. Phase one of construction will focus entirely on the south end of the park. Phase two will encompass the area around Lake Spar. Construction of phase two is currently not planned for either this year or even 2018, Suedmeyer said. But once construction begins, phase two will include an open field area, extensions of the concrete and asphalt trails and a dock. Construction of the park mirrors the growth of the area, Suedmeyer said.

FULL BAR

2 FOR 1 WELLS OR MARGARITAS ALL DAY! 4-7PM HAPPY HOUR BEER & WINE SPECIALS!

LAKESIDE VILLAGE PARK GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY WHEN: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 WHERE: 10820 Village Lake Road, Windermere

“This park location is one of many neighborhood parks located throughout the Horizon West development to meet the needs for park space as the community is being built out,” he said. The groundbreaking ceremony will be hosted by District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey.

Get hooked on great Service!

HARDWARE

Trane Comfort Specialists. Quality Work & Customer Satisfaction is our #1 Priority Call us and catch a great deal!

407-470-7014

ALL-U-CAN-EAT ONLY $9.99 4-10PM

SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE

COLLEGE AND NFL GAME SPECIALS!

1319 Green Forest Ct, Suite 412 Winter Garden, FL 34787

- MONDAYS -

- TUESDAYS -

FISH TACOS

Sunday 11AM-9PM • Monday thru Thursday 4PM-10PM Friday and Saturday 11AM-11PM • Lunch specials Fri, Sat & Sun 11AM-4PM

Tank sold separately. Available by special order only at some locations.

500 S. Dillard St. www.DuncansACOrlando.com

Relief is just a Pellet Away!

250674

www.BatesNESS.com • 407-930-1136

Winter Garden, FL 34787

TESTOSTERONE PELLETS for MEN & WOMEN

Compassionate and Customized Care for Every Patient

Your Body in Balance Shelley C. Glover, MD

Bio-Identical Hormones Minimally Invasive Surgery Testosterone Pellet Therapy Vaginal Rejuvenation Specializing in all aspects of women’s health!

Make “IT” great again! Call Today!

352-243-6686 1725 E. HWY 50, Ste B Clermont

•

Now Accepting New Patients

352-243-6686 250566

• Hot Flashes • Memory Fog • Frequent Urination • Headaches • Joint Pains

407-656-2593

www.toolesacehardware.com

•

Low “T’ Symptoms • Decreased Sex Drive • Erectile Dysfunction • Lack of Motivation • Decreased Stamina • Muscle Weakness

on all Weber® Spirit® Gas Grills§

Bray Ace Hardware

- WEDNESDAYS -

BONELESS BUFFALO CHICKEN 250603

9467 W. Colonial Dr. in Ocoee

SAVINGS

While supplies last.

(BEVERAGES NOT INCLUDED)

FISH & CHIPS

NEW LOWER PRICE!

250565

With a groundbreaking ceremony set for Tuesday, Sept. 26, Lakeside Village Park is coming to fruition after being in the works for nearly two years. The 9.28-acre park will be located at 10820 Village Lake Road in Windermere, nestled in between Village Lake Road, Iron Mountain Trail and Lake Spar. Construction of the park is set to take place in two phases, although construction on the second phase has yet to be scheduled. According to Orange County Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Suedmeyer, construction of phase one is expected to be completed within 180 days with the opening of phase one to be scheduled for sometime in April 2018. Phase one will include the construction of a gazebo, a play area, a concrete walkway, an asphalt trail and an open area. Construction of the park also will include stormwater swales, drainage structures and piping,

WINDERMERE

cel on Conroy Windermere Road is in the process of being amended from low-density residential to planned development — commercial to accommodate the construction of an assisted-living facility. In June, CERTUS Senior Living filed an application with the Board of County Commissioners with hopes of eventually building a facility at 7865 and 7753 Conroy Windermere Road, located just west of the Conroy Windermere Road and South Hiawassee Road intersection. “Clearly, there is a need in that area of Orange County,” said Samantha Hollister, president of CERTUS Senior Management. A community meeting regarding the amendment was originally scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13, but was canceled because of Hurricane Irma. According to Orange County documents, the development would include a 46,000-squarefoot assisted-living facility with 64 beds. If the amendment is approved by Orange County commission-

251503

BRITTANY GAINES

ers, Hollister said her company expects to start construction in early summer 2018 and open in spring 2019. The construction would cost an estimated $10 million to $12 million. The facility’s primary focus would be memory care. “It’s very focused on what their individual abilities are,” Hollister said. “It’s all about mapping their day in a way that will provide them with success and fulfillment.” Already, CERTUS has three assisted-living facilities in the Central Florida area that are set to open in the next six to nine months. One aspect all CERTUS facilities have in common is how the indoor space is configured. The suites are grouped into sections to give the facility a neighborhood feel. The proposed location on Conroy Windermere Road will include two neighborhoods that connect at an indoor town center. The county plans to reschedule the canceled community meeting for sometime in October. Following that meeting, the amendment will go through two public hearings — one at the Orange County Local Planning Agency meeting on Oct. 19, and a second at the County Commission Nov. 14.

Shelley C. Glover, M.D.

1725 E. Hwy 50, Ste B Clermont

Lena Holton, A.R.N.P.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

MILLAGE RATES n Required local effort: 4.222 n Discretionary: 0.748 n Additional voted millage: 1.000 n Capital Projects: 1.500 n Total: 7.470

GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES n Instruction: $1.1 billion n Pupil Personnel Services: $49.7 million n Instructional Media Services: $16.1 million n Curriculum Development Services: $72.1 million n Instructional Staff Training: $19.1 million n Instructional Technology: $15.6 million n Board of Education: $4.7 million n General Administration: $7.1 million n School Administration: $121 million n Site Acquisition: $8.2 million n Financial Services: $7.9 million n Central Services:$18.8 million n Student Transportation: $64.5 million n Plant Operations: $127 million n Plant Maintenance: $30.3 million n Administrative Technology: $58.6 million n Total Expenditures: $1.7 million n Reserves: $366 million n Total (including reserves): $2.1 billion

GENERAL FUND REVENUE n Federal Sources: $10.1 million n State Sources: $855 million n Local Sources: $775 million n Interfund Transfers: $21.6 million n Beginning Fund Balance: $413 million n Total: $2.1 billion

Orange County school district adopts $2.1B budget for 2018 Orange County Public Schools formally adopted the school district’s proposed budget and millage rate for the 2018 fiscal year. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR ORANGE COUNTY During its Sept. 12 meeting, school board members authorized the adoption of the 2018 budget intended to keep the district operating smoothly for the following fiscal year. The $2.1 billion operating budget, which makes its revenue projections based on a 7.470 millage rate this year, includes a 3.9% increase in total operating expenditures compared to the 2017 budget. Although it is 2.11% more than the rolled-back rate, the 7.470 total millage rate is a slight decrease from last year’s 7.811 total rate. The rolled-back rate is the rate that would have generated the district the same amount of property tax revenue earned last year and is made possible by an 8% increase in property values as reported by the Orange County property appraiser. The all-important millage rate plays a large role in the district’s

annual budget process, particularly in the general fund budget. The general fund budget, which stands at $2.1 billion this year, is the budget for the school district’s day-to-day operations, which is primarily fed by the Florida Education Finance Program, state sales taxes, local property taxes and revenue generated by the additional voted millage rate of 1.000. According to budget documents, about 74% of the appropriations from the general fund budget is directed toward costs for instruction and instructional support. But OCPS Chief Financial Officer Dale Kelly also said the district-paid portion of health insurance premiums for OCPS employees is projected to increase by 3.6% and the required contribution rates to the Florida Retirement System recently was increased by the state Legislature, resulting in a $3.6 million hit to the board’s budget this year. Also included in the budget as projected expenditures are $2 million on the addition of rubberized tracks at high schools over the next four years; $102.2 million for the expansion of the digital curriculum program; $65.2 million for the purchase of land for future schools; $25.1 million for school bus replacements over the next 10 years; $22.2 million for the moving and leasing of portables; and $6.4 million on capital funding for charter schools.

CAPITAL PROJECTS The primary sources of revenue for the capital projects fund, which is $1.71 billion this year, are the sales surtax, property tax and impact fees levied by the school district. The fund is primarily used for comprehensive renovations, the construction of new schools, capital renewal and debt service. n Comprehensive needs: 34.22% n District-wide Capital: 20.50% n Additional Schools: 10.63% n Educational Technology: 10.07% n Debt Service and Operations: 9.36% n Site Acquisition: 5.95% n Ancillary Facilities: 2.73% n Buses and Equipment: 2.29% n Portables: 2.03% n Safety and Security: 1.64% n Charter Schools: 0.58%

FUNDING REVENUE PER STUDENT OCPS expects to receive $7,940 in revenue per student during this upcoming fiscal year from federal, state and local sources – $3,796 of which comes from local revenue. Compared to last year, this entails a $212 increase in per-student funding. “We are still $78.17 below where we were in state funding back in July 2007,” said OCPS Chief Financial Officer Dale Kelly. “Fortunately, our citizens have voted in the special millage … which adds another $630 to the current year. So, overall, if you look at our per-student funding from last year to this year including the special millage, it’s a 0.2% increase.”

EXPENDITURES BY FUND n General Fund: $2.1 billion n Debt Service: $222 million n Capital Projects: $1.7 billion n Special Revenue: $156 million n Internal Service: $338 million n Total: $4.5 billion

1st Annual First Place Prize Guaranteed by Energy Vision

charity

CE ST 1 PLA

. 0 0 0 1

Smile! - Healthy Selfie Day has been extened through Saturday, September 23

Lake Harris Florida

Saturday, Oct 21st, 2017

at Hickory Point Recreational Facility

Show us your Healthy Selfie and use the #HealthySelfie hashtag anytime before midnight, Saturday, Sept 23 and you’ll be eligible to win an All-YMCA annual membership for the whole family plus other fun local prizes.

1 in every 7 boats, guaranteed payout

Also, catch us at the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market this Saturday and get a special selfie with Westly!

$100 per boat (nonrefundable) must accompany application. $20 optional big bass. Hickory Point Recreational Facility 27341 State Rd 19, Tavares, FL

It’s easy, fun and for a great cause: encouraging others to make good nutrition, fitness and lifestyle decisions. Healthy Selfie Day was created by Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to make West Orange the healthiest community in the nation. The West Orange Healthcare District, Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital and the Observer Media Group are all proud founding champions.

BBQ dinner after event • Rafﬂes , Giveaways and more! Proceeds help to support The Jimmy Crabtree Fund (501c3)

252115

Find out more at www.healthywestorange.org

NTEED

GUARA

252163

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

ARTS + CULTURE PAINT THIS Pastel Painting with PJ Svejda

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at The Art Room, 709 Main St., Windermere. The Art Room invites students to this lunch and learn workshop, where artists can explore the effects of painting with soft pastels. All levels are welcome. The cost is $120, which includes lunch, and an additional $35 for anyone who needs supplies. For more information or to register, call (407) 909-1869 or visit artroomorlando.com.

LISTEN TO THIS Jazz in the Park

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the Oakland Town Center, 221 N. Arrington St., Oakland. On the fourth Friday of every month, the town of Oakland and HapCO Music Foundation will host an evening of jazz in the Town Center. This month’s event will feature jazz musician Otto Gomez. Food from Melts on Main Street will be available for purchase.

TRY THIS The Creative Landscape

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at SoBo Gallery, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Artist Wayne Bennett will teach participants how to look at landscapes creatively. This is a workshop for photographers with advanced knowledge of their equipment. Registration is $150 for members and $175 for non-members. For more information or to register, call (407) 347-7996.

Photos by Brittany Gaines

Jan Stephens’ specialty is working with wire, a skill she uses when transforming forks into bracelets. She created a bracelet from a fork, shaping the fork tines around a turquoise stone. One of Keith Stephens’ specialties is hammer work, which involves creating patterns on metal using nothing but a hammer.

FASHIONABLE

FLATWARE Winter Garden residents Jan and Keith Stephens use items such as spoons, forks and knives to create unique jewelry.

BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER

WINTER GARDEN

ows of glittering bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings cover almost every inch of counter space in Jan Stephens’ studio. The art of creating jewelry is one she’s been deeply involved in for years. Her specialty is working with wire, and it’s one she has perfected over the years. Every piece she creates requires no glue or additional materials to hold pieces together. Jan weaves wire so the pieces will

never come apart — a process that can sometimes take hours or even days to complete. Until three years ago, her husband, Keith, never expressed an interest in joining her jewelrymaking venture. Then he discovered the art of forging metal. “He was very good at it to start with,” Jan said. “After that, he just took off.” He’s now mastered the art of folding copper — a process that requires carefully heating and hammering copper sheets to creSEE PARTNERS PAGE 8

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Brittany Gaines

BRACES

FINANCING FOR EVERYONE

INCLUDING XRAYS*

INVISALIGN®

NO REFERRAL NEEDED!

Confidence Starts WITH A SMILE

your child a beautiful smile that will benefit them for a lifetime.

Dr. Alan Wong, DMD

407-703-2744

CLERMONT

APOPKA

•

Dr. Ana Garcia, DDS www.TheModernSMile.coM

BUSHNELL

“Se Habla Español”

251921

Give

FREE CONSULTATION

PARTNERS IN DESIGN

250606

Jan and Keith Stephens invented a press to manipulate silverware into the appropriate shapes for jewelry, such as bracelets and rings.

$7.00

CRIT T ER CO R NER

OFF* per full

dinner! Expires 12/28/17

Unlimited meats, gourmet salad bar, made to order pasta, full bar, and decadent desserts.

407.477.7771 • BlackFireBull.com Must present this coupon to receive offer. Reservations encouraged. Tax and gratuity not included. Cannot be combined with any other coupons, specials or discounts. Not valid during Holidays.

8594 Palm Parkway | Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836

We have a playroom for your children so they can play while you savor!

code: wo

250123

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

ate small folds in the metal. “It’s almost like metal origami,” Jan said. For Keith, the process is more about manipulating the metal than creating jewelry. “I enjoy seeing the metal move,” he said. “The jewelry is the benefit.” One of Keith’s copper bracelets can take four to six hours to complete, depending on how many folds he decides to include. When making a new piece, Keith said he waits for inspiration to strike. “You’re just sitting there, and something will come to mind,” he said. Jan’s process is similar as she relies on the gemstones for each piece to guide her inspiration. “I create each design around the stone to determine the way I think it will look best,” Jan said. In addition to making all varieties of jewelry, the couple also teaches classes at their home. “Once you learn how metal will move, you can use the techniques we teach for more complex projects,” Jan said. One of the most popular classes involves transforming silverware into jewelry. The couple delved into silverware jewelry a few years ago and discovered that the process often requires a combination of both of their skill sets. While Keith hammers designs onto flattened spoons that are then turned into rings, Jan transforms forks into bracelets.

WRAPSODY JEWELRY STUDIO PHONE: (706) 540-5834 WEBSITE: wrapsodyjewelry. com CLASSES: Classes are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month and include beginner, intermediate and advanced wire classes and silverware jewelry classes.

“It was just a natural thing for me to wrap fork tines around stone,” Jan said. However, getting spoons and forks to bend perfectly into bracelets and rings was no easy task — typically requiring hours of hammering with imperfect results. To solve this, the couple invented a press that allows them to both flatten and bend silverware into the desired shape. Now, a project that would have taken hours only requires a few minutes. Any pieces that are not used are placed in Jan’s treasure box. “There’s nothing that goes to waste,” she said. And she’s almost always on the hunt for more silverware. Flea markets and antique stores are usually the best places to look, she said. But whether its silverware jewelry, Jan’s signature wire work or Keith’s copper bracelets, there’s always one rule by which they abide. “It’s all handmade,” Keith said.

Meet Raisin! Raisin (A384779) is one of the sweetest cats. She is 1 year old and is such a cuddle bug. Raisin loves to be pet and will purr up a storm. She is a very affectionate and loving cat. As long as she is around you, she’ll be thrilled. Raisin is ready for immediate adoption. Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road in Orlando, near the Mall at Millenia. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call (407) 836-3111 or visit ocnetpets.com.

For September, make your pet the star of the show and participate in Orange County Animal Services’ “Petflix” adoption promotion. All adopters will get a themed goody bag. Adoptions will be the standard fee of $55 for dogs and $40 for cats, and cat adoption fees will be reduced to $10 on Tuesdays. Fees include sterilization, vaccinations and a microchip.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Give Kids The World Village

Black & White Gala E

xtravagant lighting and dÃ©cor, cocktails, acrobatic and dance performances and hundreds of giving hearts were all part of Give Kids The World Villageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 29th annual Black & White Gala Saturday, Sept. 16. GKTW Village is a 79-acre, nonprofit resort in Kissimmee that provides vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The gala is one of the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest annual fundraisers, with a turnout of more than 1,000 guests and community leaders who know and love the cause behind GKTW Village. In the past, the gala has raised more than $650,000 for the village each year.

*DUDJH 0DPD )LWQHVV 0RQGD\V 30 30 6DWXUGD\V $0 $0 :LQWHU *DUGHQ 9LQHODQG 5RDG :LQWHU *DUGHQ )/

FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS )UHH /DXQFK 3DUW\ 6WDUWV Call 407-347-7977to RSVP (Please a voicemail) 6DW leave 6HSW WK DW

251946

3XUFKDVH VHVVLRQV DW JPDPDILWQHVV FRP VWURQJ PURCHASE SESSIONS AT GMAMAFITNESS.COM/STRONG

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â DANIELLE HENDRIX

407-654-3777 â&#x20AC;¢ www.appleac.com

250697

License # CMC 056836

149 Woodland St. â&#x20AC;¢ Winter Garden, FL 34787 | License & Insured Tina Wong, 2017 Mrs. Florida America Tatiana Sidorova and Jonathan Blount chatted during cocktail hour.

So local, it feels like your garage!

Becky Prejean and Michelle Merrill were excited to be attending the gala.

Call Today! IN WINTER GARDEN

407-654-3037 www.stoneybrookweststorage.com stoneybrookwestss@cfl.rr.com

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Fenn, left, and Alfred and Roya Boustany are avid supporters of Give Kids The World Village.

ONLINE

IN OCOEE

407-905-7898 www.maguireroadstorage.com

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

maguireroadstorage@cfl.rr.com

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

250591

Pamela Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids The World Village, thanked guests for their support.

DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN

David W. Boers DDS PA Gabriella Alford, DMD

Honest, Skillful and Experienced Dentistry

REDECORATING?

Most PPO Insurances Accepted

î&#x201A;»eSacredOlive.com

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

Call (407) 905-0406 for FREE pick-up

or bring smaller items to the ReStore!

(407)656-6457

1805 Maguire R., Suite 159, Windermere, FL 34786

249831

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at...

407-876-6708

chainoflakesdental@gmail.com davidboers.com

249829

13369 West Colonial Drive â&#x20AC;¢ Winter Garden (Between 9th and Dillard Street, Behind Taco Bell) www.westorangehabitat.org

125 N. Plant Street Winter Garden

Chain of Lakes

Donate your gently used furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures, building supplies to the ReStore!

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm â&#x20AC;¢ Sat 8am to 4pm â&#x20AC;¢ Closed Sunday

Book a Private Tasting Event Today!

Accepting New Patients

250643

Cook like a Gourmet Chef using our premium extra virgin, infused olive oils and decadent balsamic vinegars!

All forms of Restorative and Cosmetic Procedures: Oral Surgery â&#x20AC;¢ Root Canals â&#x20AC;¢ Crowns Veneers â&#x20AC;¢ Partials â&#x20AC;¢ Dentures

“Because You Care” “Family Owned & Operated” Family Owned & Operated

795

All Inclusive A l l I n c l u s i v$e D iDirect rect Cremation Cremation $795

three lOcatiOns FOr M a iyOur t l a n d cOmFOrt 9001 N. Orlando Ave. West M a iOrange t l a n d , F L 3 2 7 5 1Sanford

Maitland

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

9001 N.Orlando Ave. 1400 Mathew Paris Blvd. 905 Laurel Ave. West Orange S a n FL f o r32771 d Maitland, FLM 32751 Sanford, 1400 a t t h e w P aOcoee, r i s B lFL v d34761 . 905 Laurel Ave. Ocoee, FL 34761

Sanford, FL 32771

(407) 695-CARE (2273)

(407)695-CARE (2273)

250684

www.D GDusipE w wEw. e G u sFi punERAl e F u n e rH a l omE H o m.eCom .com “Cremation Choices offers an affordable alternative to expensive funeral homes and cremation services in the Central Florida area.”

Homer Donald Spivey, 85, of Webster, Florida, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. He was born on Jan. 26, 1932, to Homer and Agnes Medders Spivey. On the day before his 16th birthday, he began his 51-plusyear career at the Winter Garden Citrus Co-op, later known as Louis Dreyfus Inc. Donald was a hard-working, God-fearing family man who took pride in watching his family grow. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent many years afield with his children and grandchildren teaching them to hunt and fish. His family traditions will continue, even in his absence.

675

Plus Container

352-394-8228

We offer a non-traditional setting for families to feel comfortable when planning for themselves or their loved ones. For more information and a complete list of prices, please visit our website: www.cremationchoicesfl.com

“We have the largest chapel in West Orange County.” Owned and operated by the Romano family.

407-614-8350

“That’s My Wish”

For the celebration of a lifetime, let us plan every detail.

Direct Cremation for:

795.00 Call for details

Jeannette was a devoted mother to three boys, attending and cheering at all their sporting activities. This support and love for her family carried on as she cheered for her grandchildren and, most recently, her greatgrandchildren. An active member of Oakland Presbyterian Church, she and Bobby Joe served as directors of Youth Fellowship for many years; and in past years she was a member of the sewing group. She enjoyed traveling, documenting each trip in detailed photo albums and scrapbooks. Her favorite pastime was genealogy.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Frankie Adams. He is survived by their children, Donald E. Spivey and wife Cathy, of Webster, Florida, Ronald E. Spivey, of Pearson, Georgia, and Rene Cloud and husband Randy, of Clermont, Florida. He was blessed to have 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren with one on the way. He also had seven stepchildren, many

She researched and documented her family history, tracing their lineage back into the 17th century. Her favorite place to spend time was in her flower garden of their North Carolina cabin. She enjoyed her monthly lunches with her high school classmates as recent as last month. Jeannette was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bobby Joe; and her son, Randy. She is survived by her sons, Craig (Gayle), of Sebring, Florida, and Mark (Arden), of Windermere, Florida; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland, FL 34760; (407) 656-4452. A graveside service will be held at Oakland Cemetery on the same day at 1 p.m. for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be made to Oakland Presbyterian Church. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home is assisting the family.

nieces, nephews and friends that filled his life with joy. Donald was the oldest of six children. He is survived by his four brothers, Dallas (Pal) Spivey and wife Joyce, of Bryson City, North Carolina, Dolan Spivey and wife Frances, of Gotha, Florida, Dorsey (PeeWee) Spivey, Daniel (Butch) Spivey, both of Pearson, Georgia; and sister, Darlene Spivey, of Winter Garden, Florida. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at The Lakeside Church, 100 Countyline Court, Oakland, FL, 34760, officiated by Pastor Jason Hitte. Visitation with family will begin at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held immediately following the service at Woodlawn Cemetery, Gotha, Florida.

Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden

“Home of the area’s first certified therapy dog. Feel free to stop in and say hello to Charley Girl!”

www.winteroakfuneralhome.com

1132 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • LIC #F080822

We Proudly offer: • Traditional Burial and Cremation Services • Prearranged Funeral Services

407-656-2233 www.baldwinfairchild.com 428 E. Plant Street Winter Garden, FL 34787

250688

You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

EPISCOPAL

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:30pm. 407-876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org

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

New Beginnings start at... Matthew’s Hope is a ministry first and foremost demonstrating the love, hope, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ in all we do; and a facilitator of opportunity for those who chose to move forward toward a life of independence and self-sustainability. Free of all Government Money/funding

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

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

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

Grace •Compassion • Understanding Matthew’s Hope assists with all of the following... Medical, Dental, Optical, Mental Health Care, Legal issues, Transitional Housing, Food & Hygiene Pantry, Florida Id’s, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards & Benefits, VA Benefits, Clothing, Shoes, Bicycles, Food Stamps, Phones and more.

Administrative Offices • 407.905.9500 523 S. Woodland, Winter Garden, FL 34787 MatthewsHopeMinistries.org Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries

The Only Locally based Homeless Ministry serving West Orange County since 2010!

251241

250561

One block north of Citrus Tower

www.cremationchoicesfl.com

Jeannette Sadler Griffith, of Oakland, Florida, passed away on Sept. 14, 2017, at the age of 89. Jeannette was born in Orlando in 1928. She was the daughter of Frances and James Calvin Sadler and the granddaughter of James Hardy Jr. and Matilda Tilden Sadler. The Sadler family was one of the pioneering families of the towns of Tildenville and Oakland. Jeannette was proud of her heritage, including her greatgreat-grandfather, Judge James Gamble Speer, who among many other notable achievements contributed to the naming of Orlando and founded Oakland Presbyterian Church, where Jeannette has attended her entire life. Jeannette attended Tildenville Elementary and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1946, where she met Robert Joseph Griffith (Bobby Joe), whom she married in 1949.

HOMER DONALD SPIVEY DIED WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13, 2017

Direct Cremation

921 S. US Hwy 27 • Minneola, FL

JEANNETTE SADLER GRIFFITH DIED THURSDAY, SEPT. 14, 2017.

250679

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Irma’s mess persists for high-school programs The storm may be gone, but the scheduling and conditioning issues created by the hurricane’s path through Central Florida are still being felt.

Mighty McKissocks

HIGH

SPORTS

Gabriel Vazquez was one of 15 swimmers recently named a Scholastic All-Star. Page 12.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Hurricane Irma may be no more, but its effects linger. And while the impact that the storm has had on high-school sports is certainly not the most important aspect of its larger fallout, that impact has created some notable challenges for local coaches, programs and administrators. With Orange County Public Schools closed from Sept. 8 through Sept. 15, no games or practices were held. Only local volleyball teams returned to action last weekend, with a handful competing in the Winter Park Classic at the Orlando Sports Center and others competing at a tournament in Tampa. Given the once-a-week nature of its schedule, football is the sport that has been most dramatically affected by the storm and corresponding scheduling challenges. With few exceptions — including Legacy Charter’s away game at St. Edward’s in Vero Beach Sept. 15 — no football games were played in Central Florida last week. This latest round of postponements compounds what has already transpired this season. Many teams were unable to play during Week Two because of a band of thunderstorms that rolled through Central Florida Sept. 1 — and many of the games that were played were called final at halftime. As for Week Three, many teams were able to successfully move their games up one day ahead of Irma, from Sept. 8 to Sept. 7. As a result, there are teams around Central Florida and the state who, despite it being Week Five, are preparing to play just their second or third game of the fall. FEW GOOD OPTIONS

This has created myriad issues, from the need to make sure district games are played to the complications cancellations may mean in the new point system environment, not to mention that coaches and administrators want to do their best to make sure the studentathletes get as close to a complete season as possible. One option — adding an extra week to the regular season and SEE AFTER PAGE 12

Neilly Ross, 16, a student at Windermere Prep, won first place and became a world champion at the 2017 IWWF World Water Ski Championships in Paris earlier this month. Ross won the Women’s Tricks category with an overall score of 1007.89 (final round score of 10,220).

The Olympia volleyball team had a strong showing at the Winter Park Classic at Orlando Sports Center last weekend, winning three of its four matches. The Titans defeated Melbourne Central Catholic 2-0, Winter Park 2-0 and Dr. Phillips 2-0 before falling to West Orange 2-1 in an exciting match. The Titans are 5-3.

Taylor Oldham, a former standout for the CFCA baseball team and Dr. Phillips native, had a memorable day Sept. 8 in a playoff game for the Florence Freedom of the independent Frontier League. Oldham homered twice for the Freedom in Game Three of a Divisional Playoff series, with the second homer coming as a walk-off home run to win the game.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

atti McKissock remembers coming to watch volleyball games at The First Academy, long before she ever put on a Royals uniform. She came during her seventhgrade year, right around the time she had picked up the sport, and watched from the stands with a certain level of infatuation as the girls she idolized darted across the hardwood and leaped for a kill. The Royals won the state championship that fall, in 2012, and Matti remembers admiring one player, in particular. “The setter, Kali Funk, I think just watching her,” Matti said. “She left a big impression on me, and her leadership on the court was impeccable.” Fast-forward five years and, instead of watching the senior setter for The First Academy from the stands, Matti is the senior setter for the Royals. It is her fourth year with the program and her third with her younger sister, Elli McKissock, as a teammate. SEE SISTERS PAGE 12

The Windermere girls golf team beat Olympia Sept. 18, 174-200. Laila Delgado shot a 42 for the Wolverines, while Victoria Hwang shot a 35 to lead the Titans.

Steven Ryzewski

Matti McKissock, left, did not start playing volleyball until she was 13. A year later, she convinced her younger sister, Elli, to give the game a try.

Windermere residents Matti and Elli McKissock are standouts for The First Academy varsity volleyball team.

Dr. Phillips senior cross-country runner Isabella Bartczak placed first overall at the Embry Riddle Asics Classic this past weekend with a time of 19:37.84.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Sisters thrive on the court

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Together, they were part of the team that won an FHSAA State Championship last fall — the program’s first since that 2012 team. This fall, the Windermere residents are the starting setter and libero for the Royals, a team that refuses to accept the notion that it should rebuild after graduating several key members of the 2016 squad. The sisters are leaders for the team at The First Academy (6-4), with Matti leading the team in kills (75) and blocks (16) while Elli is far-and-away the team’s best defender, with 151 digs to her credit. And to think one of the sisters had to be poked and prodded to even give the sport a chance. “I didn’t like it at first — my main sport was basketball, just because all my friends were playing it,” Elli said. Volleyball certainly has worked out for Elli. In addition to her state championship ring, the sophomore has also committed to play in college for the Florida Gators. It is a bit of validation for something her older sister saw in her years ago, when the two were doing drills in the backyard. “We forced her to play,” Matti said with smile. “I knew she was

Gabriel Vazquez Gabriel Vazquez was one of 15 swimmers recently named a Scholastic All-Star by the SouthWest Stars’ Scholastic All-Stars Award program. The program is to encourage school and pool balance, said head coach Justin Correia. Vazquez received the award for obtaining his senior sectional time standards in addition to maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA at school. “He has done a great job and is one of our up-and-coming swimmers,” Correia said.

When you found out you got the Scholastic All-Star award, what was your reaction? I was like, ‘Cool.’ I want to get good grades in school. I don’t want to be failing. I want to do good at swimming, so I go fast. There’s nothing more to it. Why do you love swimming? Definitely the people I swim with and wanting to get better. Being in the pool with my friends and racing against each other is fun. What are your swimming goals for this year? Get better times. There are a couple of meets I want to qualify for, so I definitely want to go for those qualifying times. What are your swimming strengths during meets? Definitely shorter distances. I

THE BASICS TEAM: SouthWest Stars Senior FAVORITE STROKE: Breast stroke YEARS SWIMMING: Three

After the storm

consider myself pretty good at IMs. I’m trying to get better at some of the freestyle events.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Why did you decide to start swimming three years ago? I wasn’t really my idea. I had finished gymnastics, and I didn’t know what to do. So my mom said, ‘I want you to do something. I want you to try swimming.’ So I tried it, and I started to really like it.

moving the entire FHSAA State Series Playoffs back a week — will not work because of availability issues with Camping World Stadium, where the FHSAA Football Finals will be played Dec. 7 to 9. The next week, the facility will begin prepping for bowl season, beginning with the AutoNation Cure Bowl Dec. 16. So, in a case with few desirable options, administrators are doing their best to adapt. Orange County Public Schools announced Sept. 13 that its solution to the games lost Sept. 15 would be to move those games to Monday, Oct. 9. Corresponding with that change, OCPS games scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, have been moved up one day to Thursday, Oct. 5. Games scheduled for Friday, Oct. 13, remain unchanged. Teams that did not have a bye week originally scheduled for Oct. 6 or Oct. 13 will be playing a total of three regulation football games in nine days.

What was your best event when you did gymnastics? Rings. It was fun. How is ninth grade going so far? The teachers treat you a lot more adult-ish than in middle school. How did you survive Hurricane Irma? I just played video games. We lost power Sunday night, so we stayed at someone’s house. But we got power back the next day.

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

— BRITTANY GAINES

THREE GAMES, NINE DAYS

For local teams, this gauntlet of games is no more pronounced

Athlete of the Week Sponsored by... Shannon Till, Agent Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd Shannon Till, Agent WinterGrove Garden, FL Daniels 34787 Rd Fowler’s 3279 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 Winter Garden, FL 34787 www.shannontill.com Toll Free: 855-742-1591

Family. Friends. Community.

We’re all in this together. We’re all in has thisatogether. State Farm long tradition ®

State Farm hasThat’s a longone tradition of being there. reason of being one reason why I’m there. proud That’s to support West why I’m county.. proud to support West Orange Orange Get to acounty.. better State®. Get to a better State . ®

251136

www.shannontill.com

Shannon Till, Agent Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. Fowler Groves 3279 Daniels Road Fowler’s Grove 3279• Daniels Rd State Farm® has a long tradition Winter Garden, 34787 Winter Garden, FL FL 34787 Toll TollFree: Free: 855-742-1591 855-742-1591 of being there. That’s one reason www.shannontill.com www.shannontill.com Hablamos Español

why I’m proud to support West 1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL Orange county.. 1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL ® Get to a better State .

going to be really good. I just wanted her to try it, and she ended up loving it.” Indeed, Elli’s abilities on the court —particularly on defense — led current head coach Dan Hedger to describe her as “naturally gifted.” “I like getting after it, going for it — the feeling of getting a perfect dig when no one thinks you’re going to be able to get that ball,” Elli said. Elli chose the Gators from a handful of offers that included other high-profile programs such as Texas, Washington, Clemson and Miami. Matti had been committed to Clemson previously but chose to decommit after a coaching change there. She now holds offers from Clemson, Duke and Georgia Tech. Hedger is in his first year as the head coach for the Royals but has been an assistant with the program for three years. Over that time, he had developed an appreciation for the differences between the two girls. Matti has a more focused, process-driven approach to the game, while Elli plays a little more loosely, with an energy and free spirit about her. “They both have very different personalities — the way they play the game, but they both

than it is for Dr. Phillips and West Orange. The Panthers will now host Wekiva (Oct. 5) and Apopka (Oct. 9) within three days of one another — two teams with state title aspirations. The following game Oct. 13 is against Freedom which is Dr. Phillips’ district opener. The Warriors (1-2) already had Jones scheduled for the Oct. 6 slot and rival Apopka scheduled for Oct. 13 — both of whom are expected to be playoff teams and even state-title contenders — but the Sept. 15 game now will be played Oct. 9 against Timber Creek, a perennial playoff contender from the county’s east side. “It’s going to be real tough,” Warriors coach Bob Head said. Even for a team like Olympia (2-1), which has a bye Oct. 13, the challenges of playing a game on a Thursday (against undefeated Winter Park) and then preparing for a Monday evening game (against undefeated Cypress Creek) over the weekend are tough — especially for a campus which does not have access via public transportation. “It’s tough,” Titans coach Kyle Hayes said. “Cypress Creek (Olympia’s Oct. 9 opponent) runs a single-wing (offense) and a lot of misdirection. To try and get our kids in here on a Friday and a Saturday (to prepare) is going to be tough. Busses don’t run by the school, so we might have to carpool.” To accommodate some of these woes, the FHSAA has declared that teams can practice on Sundays if their district approves. It also has suggested the eight-game minimum of the new point system may be waived on a case-by-case basis. GETTING BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS

Another issue coaches are

share this joy in the game that I love about them,” Hedger said. “I love the way they approach the game.” Hedger said although much of the attention last year during the state-title run understandably went to seniors such as Brynna Deluzio, currently a freshman outside hitter for the University of Colorado, he is not certain the Royals would have risen to the mountaintop without the strong play of the McKissock sisters. “We wouldn’t have been to that level without them,” Hedger said. And although the girls fondly remember that experience from last November, they are focused on the present and proving wrong those who have written off the Royals this fall. “I definitely think we have a chip on our shoulder this year,” Matti said. “Everyone is kind of underestimating us this year, thinking that we’re not going to be as good as we were last year. … We have a lot to work for and we have our eyes on the prize.” College careers at Division I programs may await the McKissock sisters, but for now they’re doing their best to cherish this last go-around as teammates for the Royals. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” Matti said.

LENDING A HAND Just because they could not practice does not mean local teams weren’t busy during the days following Hurricane Irma. While many may have been busy helping their families and neighbors, as many coaches encouraged, some got involved in the clean-up efforts in the community. In Windermere, the Windermere Prep football team helped clean up around downtown, receiving thanks from Mayor Gary Bruhn. “They worked their tails off that morning,” Lakers head coach Jacob Doss said. Additionally, the Windermere Prep staff of head coaches gathered together in the days following the storm to clean up the campus’ athletic facilities. “Almost every head varsity coach came out and showed up and repaired all of our windscreens and that kind of thing — it was awesome,” Doss said.

dealing with this week as players returned to practice was player conditioning after most programs had not met for oneand-one-half weeks. “Believe or not, a week off from a conditioning standpoint, is tough on a team,” Hayes said. Staffs around the state are trying to balance getting kids back into game shape while also trying not to over-exert them, precisely because they may have fallen out of game shape. The issue is prevalent enough that the FHSAA sent out a release last week, cautioning coaches. At the very least, the kids seem to be enthusiastic about getting back to work. “This is one of the first times since I’ve been coaching where kids are calling and texting and wanting to practice,” Windermere Prep coach Jacob Doss said.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

Titans return home to host Mustangs

WINDERMERE (0-3) AT ST. CLOUD (1-2), 7 P.M. The Wolverines scored their first points in program history during their loss to University Sept. 7, and they will look to build upon that against an opponent that is one of the more manageable games on their schedule. The Bulldogs are fresh off a big win against Gateway and are led on offense by quarterback Colt Smith — who has touched five touchdown passes — and receiver Seth Johnson — who has been on the receiving end of three of those. Charles Robinson keys St. Cloud’s ground game and is averaging 145 yards per game rushing. THE FIRST ACADEMY (3-0) AT CALVARY CHRISTIAN (2-0), 7 P.M. This early-season battle of unbeatens will feature the Royals traveling to face a Calvary squad that has allowed just 6.5 points per game so far in lopsided wins over Admiral Farragut and Northside Christian.

Blair M. Johnson

Attorney At Law • 407-656-5521 425 South Dillard St. • Winter Garden, FL 34787

WEKIVA (2-1) AT OLYMPIA (2-1), 7 P.M. This promises to be a physical matchup, as two teams that thrive on defense will take the field. Both are looking to bounce back after losses Sept. 7. In particular, Olympia’s offense, which has had ups and downs early in the season, will have to solve a Mustangs defense that is allowing just 5.3 points per game. Conversely, the Titans defense, which has played well overall, will need to curb the trouble it has had allowing big plays early in games. Quarterback Alex Laccabue whips it around for the Warriors to the tune of 429 passing yards over two games and six touchdown passes. River Wood (80 rushing yards per game) is the team’s featured back, but Calvary employs a deep bench of ballcarriers — seven players have at least two carries through two games. D’Andre Ferguson is the top choice of Laccabue when he drops back, catching three of the six touchdown passes he has tossed.

Proudly serving West Orange County for over 36 years.

www.blairjohnsonlaw.com

Batteries For All Applications

407-656-3495

13178 W. Colonial Dr. • Winter Garden, FL 34787 THIS WEEK'S GAMES: SEPTEMBER 23-25 All entries must be received by Saturday 9/23/17 12:00 PM to be eligible for that weeks drawing.

OBSERVERPREPS.COM GAMES: THURSDAY n Northside Christian (1-1) at Foundation Academy (0-2), 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY n West Orange (1-2) at Cypress Creek (2-0), 7 p.m. n East Ridge (2-1, 0-0) at Ocoee (0-3, 0-0), 7 p.m. n CFCA (1-2) at Cocoa Beach (0-1), 7 p.m. n Evans (3-0) at Winter Park (3-0), 7 p.m. n South Sumter (0-3) at Bishop Moore (2-0), 7 p.m. n Trinity Prep (1-0) at Tavares (2-1), 7 p.m. n Orangewood Christian (1-1) at First Academy-Leesburg (1-2), 7 p.m. n BYE — Legacy Charter (0-3)

• Real estate: Contracts, Closings, Short Sales, Deed in Lieu • And other matters 250633

• Wills/Advance Directives • Estates • Corporation/LLC • Commercial transactions • Landlord/Tenant

COLLEGE th Annu al 2 9 Presents the…

FOOTBALL CONTEST WIN $50 Gift Card to

q Oregon at Arizona State q q UCF at Maryland q q TCU at Oklahoma State q q UCLA at Stanford q q Mississippi State at Georgia q

PROFESSIONAL q Oakland at Washington q q NY Giants at Philadelphia q q Miami at NY Jets q q Tampa Bay at Minnesota q q Baltimore vs. Jacksonville q

MONDAY NIGHT TIE-BREAKER

Indicate the TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS to be scored in the tie-breaker game:

Dallas at Arizona

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! • Linda Wall (9/9-9/11) & Jacob Garber (9/16-9/18)! Email Entries to Contest@ orangeobserver.com or mail or drop off to 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL 34787. Box available at the front door.

Name ___________________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip _____________________________________________________________

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 GIFT CARD from SUBWAY 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. If total points are a tie as well, winner will be drawn from hat. All entries must be received by Saturday 9/23/17 12:00 PM to be eligible for that weeks drawing.

Follow Your School...

Kicking OFF A NEW Season!

• Photo Galleries • Interviews • Team of the Week • Videos & More

Facebook ....Observer Preps

Twitter .........@ObserverPreps Instagram ...@observerpreps

To advertise or subscribe email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com or call 407-656-2121

OUTSTANDING PARTNER of the week

The First Academy is a Christ-centered, college preparatory school serving students from Preschool through grade 12. Families love TFA for the safe environment, world class teaching and learning, and life changing spiritual formation. TFA boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and award-winning technology, arts, and athletic programs. Schedule your tour today!

www.TheFirstAcademy.org • 407-206-8602