09.24.20 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Meeting the knead One Horizon West couple is launching a new bakery from their home. SEE PAGE 5.

Boom, not doom

OH MY! WHAT BIG VOICES YOU HAVE! The show goes on for Windermere Prep’s opera students. SEE PAGE 14.

Ocoee OKs sale, annexation of parcels The property at 112 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee, has been sold to Forges Realty Group. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Although many industries have suffered mightily in 2020, real estate — and specifically West Orange real estate — isn’t among them. But how? SEE PAGE 4.

The Ocoee City Commission on Tuesday, Sept. 15, made a few decisions regarding the selling and annexing/rezoning of multiple parcels of land. The commission unanimously approved the sale of a SEE CITY PAGE 6

DeVore Design for Clock Tower Realty

This 4,290-square-foot home at 13924 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, was listed Sept. 10, for $589,900. It has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and a pool.

PIGSKIN PURPOSE Foundation’s Daniel Rosado is dedicating his season to his sister, Iris, who is battling a rare autoimmune disease.

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Windermere discusses boardwalk proposal Town leaders received resident feedback during two charettes regarding the plans for Fernwood Park. STORY ON PAGE 2.

YOUR TOWN SHOP & SAVE AT SIDEWALK SALE The city of Winter Garden is working to generate business at its downtown establishments with the Shop & Save Local Sidewalk Sale Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26. There will be outdoor sales racks, in-store promotions, and virtual sales through the store’s website and social media. Curbside pick-up and delivery by city ambassadors will be available. The sidewalk sale provides shopping savings while helping to save local businesses, while urging the community to “Love Local.”

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Town talks boardwalk proposal for Fernwood Park The town of Windermere is gauging residents’ interest in a conceptual boardwalk project the Parks and Recreation committee has proposed for Fernwood Park. Town Manager Robert Smith hosted a virtual charette Wednesday, Sept. 16, regarding Fernwood Park, its history and the Parks and Recreation committee’s suggested improvements. The committee has been working on brainstorming improvements for Fernwood Park for a few years, and it is proposing adding a boardwalk area as a new recreational amenity. Although the Town Council previously approved the conceptual design, Smith said it has not approved any amenity designs. That means the boardwalk has not been approved.

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Town staff decided to host the first of two charettes regarding Fernwood Park because of the amount of comments and some apprehension surrounding the proposed boardwalk. The committee’s purpose is to ensure the town is providing adequate recreational activities for residents and protect its natural resources, Smith said. “The total budget for the town of Windermere is $6 million a year, and most of that goes to public works, it goes to law enforcement, it goes to the fire department,” Smith said. “We’re pretty much left with counting on the volunteers and grants to get money to fund all of these amenities that the residents have come to enjoy not only at Fernwood but at the other parks, as well.” Fernwood is a public park with a private boat ramp for residents only. Smith said all the money that will be used to fund any amenities at the park will be coming either from Parks and Recreation or the town itself. “One of the goals

of parks and recreation is to attract people to these parks, whether it’s through active or passive recreation,” Smith said. “When Parks and Recreation committee took a look at this park, it’s mostly a passive recreational site. (They) came up with, ‘OK, we want to make sure this is a passive park.’” The boardwalk project proposed by the committee would extend from the existing dock and surround much of the park’s perimeter. There would be a pavilion or gazebo at the end, along with another access point, for people to enjoy viewing the lakes. But the size and scope of the boardwalk at the park has some residents worried, especially because some people use the park’s dock as a jump-off point to Bird Island — a longtime pain point for the town. “They understandably said, ‘Whoa, this is going to attract a lot of people — both residents and non-residents — to the area,” Smith said. “So you can understand that they are apprehensive to the size of this and to the fact that it’s going to attract a lot of

people to an area that’s somewhat hidden. … With every good positive, there’s a negative. It’s going to attract more people, it’s going to attract teenagers and kids, but it’s also going to attract people walking their dog, people trying to rest and look at the lake, so on and so forth.” Those attending the charette were encouraged to voice their opinions on the proposed conceptual design. Additionally, Smith presented a scaled-down version of the boardwalk submitted by a Windermere resident. “If we agree that the dock is the issue — the jumping-off point, the

“It’s going to attract more people, it’s going to attract teenagers and kids, but it’s also going to attract people walking their dog, people trying to rest and look at the lake, so on and so forth.”

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gathering point, the teen hangout point — if all that is true, then any increase in the size of the dock is just going to be an increase in the size of the problem,” resident Tom Stroup said. “There’s no other way to put it. For me, it makes no sense to do anything if we’re saying that A causes B and we make A bigger, then we’re going to cause more B. There’s no way around it.” Resident Jim Willard mentioned Fernwood Park today looks much like it did when he moved to Windermere 37 years ago. With its prime use as a boat ramp, Willard said, space is necessary for trailers to come in and out and for emergency vehicles to park. “When you take those needs together, you simply don’t have a lot of parking left — and certainly not enough to accommodate a very significant boardwalk that is going to inevitably attract a lot of nonresident use,” Willard said. The majority of residents opposed the boardwalk outright or preferred a smaller-scale version. A second charette took place Wednesday, Sept. 23, after press time.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Winter Garden approves plans for UCP of Central Florida’s new campus Courtesy photo

Tina and Rick Desin and their son, Riley, are spending as much time as possible as a family during Rick’s fight with liver cancer.

A courageous fight AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

ick Desin knows his liver cancer doesn’t give him long to live, but he and his family are making the most of the time they do have together. The Winter Garden family was vacationing in Tennessee two months ago when Desin started experiencing severe belly and back pain. The hospital’s original diagnosis was diverticulitis, and he was sent home with antibiotics and pain medicine. When he wasn’t responding to the medicine after four days, he made a visit to an emergency room in Central Florida — and was shocked to hear he has cirrhosis of the liver and two large tumors. The tumors turned out to be stage 3B liver cancer, and it is untreatable, his wife, Tina Desin, said. The tumors are too large to be removed and have grown into the main portal vein. “His treatment options are limited,” she said. “Should his body be able to tolerate the combotherapy we were presented, research data says it could possibly provide an additional eight to nine months.” The combotherapy is immunotherapy and Y-90 radioactive embolization. The IV infusion drug helps build immunities, and the radioembolization in a minimally invasive procedure that treats the cancer with beads filled with a radioactive isotope. “This procedure will most likely happen in mid-October,” Tina Desin said. “The goal of both of these targeted therapies is to impede growth or shrink the tumors and give us more time with Rick.” The family is taking this ordeal one day at a time, she said. “We have been together 23 years,

and I cannot think about what the future will look like right now,” Tina Desin said. “We remain faithful and steadfast in prayer. … We pray every day for understanding and protection for our son, Riley; strength, healing, mercy and comfort for Rick in the days, weeks and months to come.” Last week, the trio traveled north to spend time with his five siblings. This week, the Desins are preparing for the benefit Saturday afternoon at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge. It’s being organized by Sly and Jan Cawley, of Sly’s Wrecker, where Rick Desin is employed. The families have known each

RICK DESIN FUNDRAISER

Friends of Rick Desin are holding a fundraiser from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge, 700 S. Ninth St., and the community is invited to help support the family. Barbecue dinners ($10 for chicken or pork, $12 for a combo platter) will be sold throughout the event. A cornhole tournament takes place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. A 50/50 raffle, bake sale and silent auction will have items such as a television, computer theme park tickets, spa day, fishing trip, home décor and a knife. Tickets are $1 or $5 apiece. DJ Alec Cawley will play live music at the outdoor bar. GOFUNDME To make a donation on the fundraising page, visit gofundme.com/f/rick-desinsdefeat-cancer-fund.

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other since their sons played Little League T-ball together; the boys were classmates in school. “This fundraiser will be a huge blessing to our family,” Tina Desin said. “Rick is not able to work, will not start receiving Social Security Disability until March and does not have life insurance, so it will provide a means to pay his medical bills and his final expenses in the end.” The fundraiser originally was planned to raise money to replace the Desins’ roof — but West Orange Roofing stepped in and is providing the materials and labor free of charge. Now, the money raised will help pay for deductibles, copayments and other medical expenses. “To know Rick is to love him,” Jan Cawley wrote on a GoFundMe page she set up for the Desins. “He truly has a unique heart of gold, and he cares and loves deeply for others. If you are down or need to cry, he will make you laugh, while crying with you. If you need help with anything, he is there to lend a hand. He brings joy and happiness wherever he is. He is honorable, loyal and has integrity to a fault. Rick has such a kind and gentle spirit and is the most selfless man.” Cawley said Rick and Tina Desin are givers by nature and are constantly doing for others. She has gathered packages for overseas military troops, and he will go without himself to help others. “I’ve seen him feed a stray dog his lunch and him go without eating,” Cawley said. In response to the GoFundMe page, Tina Desin wrote in a Sept. 11 update: “Rick and I are overwhelmed with gratitude and want each of you to know how grateful we are for your generosity, kindness and love. ‘Thank you’ will never be enough to express how we feel. “We just can’t believe how many have given so unselfishly during this crazy 2020 that is difficult for so many,” she wrote.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Winter Garden city commissioners on Thursday, Sept. 17, approved United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida’s site plan for a new Winter Garden campus. The s i n g l e - s t o r y, 35,872-square-foot building will be located on .42 acres at 1441 Winter Garden—Vineland Road. The charter school will offer educational therapy services for 325 students. In addition to the building, UCP’s project will include parking areas, play areas, sports courts, landscaping and an expansion to an existing pond that extends into the south parcel. UCP’s current West Orange campus is located at 1297 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Suite 110. “This expansion will help us meet the growing need for our services in Winter Garden and the surrounding communities,” UCP officials said in a prepared statement. “The new campus provides our families, teachers, therapists and team members a permanent home that can sustain the growing demand for our services in West Orange County.” BUDGET APPROVED

Winter Garden’s final budget hearing took place Sept. 17 prior to the regular City Commission meeting. This year’s budget is based on a 4.50 millage rate,

“The new campus provides our families, teachers, therapists and team members a permanent home that can sustain the growing demand for our services in West Orange County.”

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FALL PROGRAMMING Commissioners approved an assortment of smaller fall activities. The new programming is intended to bring residents downtown and provide safe activities for the community without creating crowds in any specific location: n Shop & Save Local Sidewalk Sale, Sept. 25 and 26 n Harvest Sidewalk Sale & Stroll, Oct. 23 and 24 n Winter Garden Halloween Experience, Oct. 23 through Nov. 1 n Shop Local Small Business, Nov. 28 n Holiday Boutique Crawl, 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10

which has remained flat despite a decrease in major sources of revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic. The budget totals $70 million and accommodates a 2% costof-living increase for employees. It also operates under the guidelines that new capitalimprovement projects will be considered based on need and funding availability; requests for new positions are limited to public safety; and operating and capital budgets were reviewed to determine any potential cuts to expenditures. Projected revenues and other financing sources total nearly $77.5 million, according to city documents. Expenditures and disbursements total just more than $70.1 million, which includes $36.4 million to the General Fund personnel and operating expenditures — an increase of 2.4% — as well as $2.9 million for capital projects. According to city documents, Winter Garden’s total taxable value is expected to increase just more than 9.6% this year, resulting in about a $1.6 million increase from the previous year. However, because of COVID-19, sales tax and state revenue shortages also are a factor. City documents state that sales tax is projected to decrease from $7.4 million to $5.2 million and the state sharing revenue could decrease from $2.2 million to $1.5 million.

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Winter Garden resident Rick Desin has been given less than a year to live after learning he has liver cancer.

UCP of Central Florida’s new Winter Garden campus will be located on .42 acres at 1441 Winter Garden-Vineland Road.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Observer

Market remains hot in 2020

“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.”

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

his year, the coronavirus pandemic has slowed down just about every aspect of society — but the local real-estate market hasn’t been one of them. In fact, the housing market in West Orange County — and in the Central Florida region as a whole — has remained hot all year. Sales have been competitive despite economic uncertainty. And compared to August 2019, the average sales price has actually increased. Statistics from Stellar MLS — a multiple-listing service representing Orlando, Tampa and other areas of Central Florida — show that for the region, the average sale price for August was $319,146. In West Orange County, it’s a seller’s market through and through. With inventory so low and demand high, there are more buyers than there are active homes for sale. According to Realtor.com, Winter Garden’s current median sale price is $408,000. In Ocoee, the median sale price is $323,000, and in Oakland it sits at $470,000. For the town of Windermere, the median sale price is about $536,000. And in Horizon West, it’s $407,000. “I just think that we have such a growing area, there were still projects underway (pre-pandemic), and most continued,” said Jane Dunkelberger, a Realtor with UPSIDE Real Estate. “Schools are still being built, people are still getting jobs here, but it’s more of an industrial-service industry that I see continuing to rise. Unfortunately for theme-park industry workers, that’s kind of been on a pause. “The commercial/industrial industry is still strong here and giving a sense of job security for those in that sector,” she said. “Even in our West Orange County area, we were just starting to see the rise of commercial real estate.” In the face of a global pandemic, there has to be something motivating today’s home buyers. Multiple local Realtors believe there are two main factors playing into the competitive housing market in 2020: a shortage of inventory and low interest rates.

LOW INTEREST RATES

Dunkelberger said she believes historically low interest rates have played into the continued success of the local real-estate market. “People feel they’d be in remorse if they didn’t take action to pur-

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WHAT REALTORS ARE SAYING “They have to feed the economy some way, in my opinion, and I think real estate is one of the backbones of the economy.” — Tracey Forrester, Xcellence Realty Inc.

“The normal real-estate market hasn’t slowed down, and we don’t really see any signs of it slowing down.” — Mark Hide, Clock Tower Realty

“When you look at it on paper, you see that the interest rate is so low it’s making home ownership a reality for many of these hardworking families. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of it?” — Jane Dunkelberger, UPSIDE Real Estate

chase a home now as opposed to once interest rates decide to go back up,” she said. “I’ve seen them as low as 1.75%. When … you see that these people are taking advantage of it — and you know how much the rent around here costs — you know how much they’re going to save. When you look at it on paper, you see that the interest rate is so low it’s making home ownership a reality for many of these hardworking families. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of it?” According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, in August, Orlando homebuyers paid an average interest rate of 2.85% — down from 2.97% in July. Mark Hide, a Realtor and broker/managing partner at Clock Tower Realty, said MLS statistics are showing the current total sales volume up 19% compared to this time last year.

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DeVore Design for Clock Tower Realty

This 2,523-square-foot home at 2407 Orsota Circle, Ocoee, sold July 29, for $345,000. It has four bedrooms and three baths.

“Our inventory is low so we’re selling, the prices have been going up, and obviously the interest rates are still very low and have gotten lower, so I think that’s helped,” Hide said. “It took a little bit of time for it to sink in, but you’ve got people who are now willing to open their homes up to sell, and people are going out looking to buy.” Tracey Forrester, a Horizon West resident and Realtor with Xcellence Realty Inc., said she believes part of the reason for the low interest rates is to keep the economy going in otherwise tumultuous times. “They have to feed the economy some way, in my opinion, and I think real estate is one of the backbones of the economy,” Forrester said. “If people are losing their jobs and they’re paying these high interest rates, they can’t afford to stay in that house — therefore, there (would) be more foreclosures happening. So in order to avoid that, they have to keep interest rates low so that way people can afford to stay in their homes.” LOW INVENTORY

Although one may think that there would be a lack of buyer activity during this time, ORRA officials say the lack of inventory is another contributor to the hot market. “Starting off, no one knew what was going on, and people weren’t really going out, and we weren’t allowed to do open houses or anything like that,” Hide said. “Sales, for us, (are) up 15% over last year — the same period — and our agents are selling. The last two homes I’ve put up in Winter Garden within the last week, both have sold within one to two days.” And with the median home price trending upward but

inventory at a new low, the market remains competitive despite impacts from COVID-19. Housing economists consider a five- to six-month supply as an indicator of a healthy market balanced between buyers and sellers. Hide said he has been seeing about a two-month supply of homes locally. ORRA officials said they are seeing even less. “In fact, the availability of single-family properties within our most in-demand price ranges of $160,000 to $400,000 is startling — less than a single month of supply,” ORRA President Reese Stewart, RE/MAX Properties SW, said. “The normal real-estate market hasn’t slowed down, and we don’t really see any signs of it slowing down,” Hide said. “Looking at the home prices … the average sales price for our market is up 13% from last year. It is still a very hot market, and it’s been like that for quite a while — it was like that before COVID — but obviously it’s just continued.” Forrester said she was initially shocked by the strength of the real-estate market despite a pandemic. In fact, she said 2020 has been the most successful year in her six-year real-estate career. “If you ask any Realtor out there, every Realtor is super busy, and the mortgage industry is just going through the roof right now between home purchases and refinances,” Forrester said. “Things are moving, and when you see a home that’s priced right in a great location, there’s multiple offers on it. “I’m not an economist, but even past this election, I do see it going into 2021,” she said.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Meet & treat ON THE MENU

One Horizon West couple is sharing its love of handcrafted pastries and breads as Atlas Bakehouse. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Customers can preorder from the bakery website, atlasbakehouse. com, starting Sept. 27. Pickups are on Saturdays at their house in Horizon West; the address will be given upon ordering.

Courtesy photos

Amy Dunham and her husband, John, are opening Atlas Bakehouse, a cottage bakery specializing in hand-crafted baked goods and breads.

going to be limited, but over time, we’re going to be expanding as we figure out what works and what doesn’t,” Amy Dunham said. “We’re doing two weeks of soft openings so we can work out the kinks and logistics and see how pick-up works. After that, we’re offering the whole menu, and people can order multiple of whatever they want.” Once they find the right menu and expand, they hope to set up

shop at farmers markets in the area. “There’s definitely a need for it in our area, because you don’t find a lot of specialty bakeries around here,” Amy Dunham said. They hope local residents will give their baked goods a chance. “We want to expand their palates and show people how fun baking can be,” Amy Dunham said.

Mid-Florida Surgical Associates is happy to announce that Dr. Alexander D. Schroeder will be joining the practice. He will work with Dr. Jorge L. Florin, Dr. Christopher J. Johnson, Dr. Jason A. Boardman, and Dr. Joseph M. Armotrading II in providing state of the art surgical care to West Orange and South Lake County communities. Dr. Schroeder will see patients at the Ocoee, Clermont, and Horizons West offices beginning September 1, 2020. Dr. Schroeder received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Hamburg Medical Faculty in Germany. In 2014, he completed postgraduate research on minimally invasive hernia repair techniques. He then completed his residency at Creighton University School of Medicine. Dr. Schroeder’s interest and extensive study in minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques is due to the benefits they provide patients. Minimally invasive robotic techniques use small incisions, instead of larger incisions required in traditional open procedures. Small instruments are controlled by surgeons from a console in the operating room. Miniature high-resolution 3D cameras are fitted to the robotic set up, which allow the surgeon to control the instruments with more precision and have higher tissue visibility.

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n Mini-loaves: apple and cardamom babka; chocolate hazelnut babka; Earl Grey lemon; and pumpkin harvest with brown butter streusel n Scones: blackberry lavender white chocolate; and apple cinnamon maple with brown butter glaze n Cookies: chocolate chunk; and dark chocolate peanut butter n Morning bun n Seasonal fruit danish n Everything chive croissant n Sourdough cinnamon roll

Folks who enjoy baked goods and breads can satisfy their cravings at Atlas Bakehouse, a new local home-based cottage bakery. Amy and John Dunham will operate their new business from their Horizon West home and specialize in small-batch, handcrafted baked goods and breads. The couple is starting with a soft opening and offering brunch assortment boxes on Saturdays, Oct. 3 and 10. The boxes will give people a chance to sample a small part of what their full bakery will offer once they are up and running. The brunch box has cookies, scones and buns; and the deluxe brunch box adds two mini-loaves. The menu will change weekly and seasonally. As a teenager, Amy Dunham spent much of her time baking with her mother and grandparents. That passion continued throughout her college years, and several trips to Europe piqued her interest. “I was sort of the go-to for desserts in college,” she said. “I’ve always loved to bake.” She did not go to pastry school but was a baking apprentice in Washington, D.C. She also has provided fresh pastries and cupcakes for her friends’ special events. After years of hearing people tell

her she should be selling her baked goods and allowing people to taste her talents, Amy Dunham decided to take the chance. She has been trying different recipes and making specialty pastries, croissants and breads, and she’s even taking on the challenge of macarons and cronuts. Amy Dunham, an engineer, said this opportunity offers her a chance to show her creative side. John Dunham has a background in art, and this is giving him a chance to have a hand in shaping and decorating the baked goods, too. “He’s been very influential in doing a lot of that and coming up with the ideas, which has been fun,” Amy Dunham said. “He’s enjoyed it.” Their respective backgrounds make their bakery special, Amy Dunham said. “We’re just putting a lot of care into the food that we’re making,” she said. “It’s almost as though we’re baking for family — the care and love you put into baking for your family.” The Dunhams have two young children, so they had to come up with a schedule that balances family time and baking time. Their families live nearby, so finding someone to watch the little ones while the parents are baking has been easy. The Dunhams will spend the week preparing for the baking session, from Friday evening into Saturday morning. “Initially, our quantities are

Mid-Florida Surgical Associates has performed over 4200 robotic cases since 2011 and assisted Orlando Health in becoming a Robotic Center of Excellence.

For more information on the practice or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alexander D. Schroeder, please contact our office at Ocoee & Horizon West, 407.521.3600, or the Clermont office at 352.243.2622.

Learn more online at www.midfloridasurgical.com

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

City sells property CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

property located at 112 S. Bluford Ave. during the night’s first public hearing. In August 2016, the city acquired the property, which also included 100 S. Bluford Ave. It consists of two parcels containing seven original lots that form a rectangle of 178 feet along the east side of S. Bluford Avenue and 85 feet along the south side of Magnolia Street. The total land area is 15,000 square feet and cost the city $225,000. “Since we purchased the property in 2016, we did pick up a large area of land for undergrounding of electrical services for the Bluford Avenue improvements while it was our property,” City Planner Michael Rumer said. “Where the above-ground is open it does have a significant utilities easement on it, which kind of restricts some of the use of the property. “The future owner will beautify the property, and then there is a vision to work with — as we go forward, I’ll show you a plan that we did in-house with our urban design studio,” he said. “For potential properties like this within the city of Ocoee, we’re able to show property owners within our downtown the viability of parcels. What’s nice about this building is, as it currently sits, it is right up on the road.” The future development of the lot — which currently is the site of an aging commercial storefront building built in 1925 — now will be in the hands of Forges Realty Group. Forges originally made an unsolicited offer to purchase the property in late 2018, but the city held off because of a possible purchase of the adjacent properties. Those properties are no longer available. Forges is purchasing the property for its current appraised value, $195,000. The sale was met by appreciation from the commission — specifically Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen. “I’m excited to see some changes there,” Wilsen said. “That building is an eyesore.”

IN OTHER NEWS n The commission proclaimed Sept. 13 to 19 as National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, and Sept. 21 to 27 as Diaper Need Awareness Week. n The commission approved the appointment of Ashton Phillips, an Ocoee High School student residing in Winter Garden, to the Ocoee Youth Council. n The commission approved a public emergency medical transportation letter of agreement to secure funding for unreimbursed ambulance costs for Medicaid patients.

“That building has been there a long time,” Mayor Rusty Johnson said. The second big item of the night came following the sale, as the city unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning for a property located at 213 Bay St. The .3-acre parcel sits northwest of West Ohio Street, southwest of McKey Street and west of Bay Street and has one existing single-family residence. “The property is eligible under our code to be annexed in — it’s contiguous with the city limits and the property to the south, east and west is part of the city, with the only property to the north being a part of Orange County,” Zoning Manager Kiel Gajadhar said. “It’s located within our joint-planning agreement area with Orange County, and annexing this property will eliminate or reduce an enclave that we have there.” The Development Review Committee, Planning and Zoning Committee and city staff unanimously approved of annexing and rezoning the property — which will remain as an “R-1A” (singlefamily residence).

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All students at West Orange High School are learning virtually for two weeks after the discovery of at least 10 positive cases of COVID-19. The shift to LaunchED@ Home started Monday, Sept. 21; all face-to-face students and staff members can return to campus Monday, Oct. 5. Orange County Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County made the announcement Friday, Sept. 18, after being notified of the confirmed positive cases. At least two more cases are pending. According to DOH-Orange, 159 students and staff members have been identified as having direct contact with the people who tested positive and received FDOH quarantine letters. The announcement came on the heels of OCPS’ decision to allow marching band, cheerleaders, dancers and JROTC to perform at Friday night games after earlier banning their appearances. Although OCPS originally announced West Orange students would not be able to participate in extracurricular or co-curricular activities, Orange County School Board member Pam Gould said there is hope the football team could play this week, though a decision had not been made by press time Tuesday. If West Orange isn’t allowed to take the field, the Warriors will be forced to miss two more football games. It already had its first game canceled because of COVID-19 cases at Evans High, its first scheduled opponent. During the two-week closure, the campus will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, OCPS

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 p.m.- Awana 2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @Horizon West Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FBCWG.org Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 StarkeLakeBaptist.org

REAL ESTATE

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: Livestreaming Sunday @ 9 AM. Viewable on Facebook and Youtube

Isleworth estate sells for $5.9 million A home in the Isleworth

community topped all

Windermere residential real-estate transactions from Sept. 11 to 17. The home at 9832 Lau-

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

$5,925,000. Built in 2004, it has six bedrooms, seven

LEGADO

ermere, sold Sept. 11, for

Windermere Union Church 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd., Windermere (407) 876-2112 Adult Worship: 9 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. WindermereUnion.org

The home at 11532 Brickyard Pond Lane, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $450,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 2,853 square feet. The price per square foot is $157.73. Days on market: Three. The home at 6977 Nobleton Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $410,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 3,023 square feet. The price per square foot is $135.63. Days on market: 27.

rel Valley Drive, Wind-

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

baths, three half-baths, a pool and 11,100 square feet. The price per square foot

The home at 9212 Legado Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 16, for $525,239. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,062 square feet. The price per square foot is $171.53. Days on market: 23.

CHURCH DIRECTORY NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, CHURCH OF GOD Winter Garden Ocoee Church of God (407) 654-9661 Pastor Thomas Odom Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m. STARKE LAKE BAPTIST NGLICAN 1105 N. Lakewood NON-DENOMINATIONAL Ave.,Ocoee METHODIST CHURCH Sunday 7CHURCH p.m. OLANDO FIRST UNITEDBrazilian METHODIST Service: PURPOSE GLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee (407) 656-8011 CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, Saturday Service: 6 p.m. LLOWSHIP CHURCH Pastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden tor The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas purposechurchorlando.org (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, www.starkelakebaptist.org

EPISCOPAL

241 N. Main St., Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST Winter Garden 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m., Beulah Rd, WinterServices: Garden EPISCOPAL -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org 7 p.m. CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM ChurchoftheMessiah.com 241 N. Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICE 11:00AM

DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM

ST BAPTIST CHURCH E Plant St., Winter Garden -656-2352 NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 5 am Bible Study 00 am Contemporary DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana or Tim Grosshans w.fbcwg.org Campus: UNDATION WORSHIP NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages ndation Academy High School 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden w.FoundationWorship.com -730-1867

Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org

call 407-656-2121 or email HICKORY HAMMOCK TheAdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com home at 15878 Citrus Grove ORCHARD HILLS

Loop, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $499,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,505 square feet. The price per square foot is $142.37. Days on market: 36. HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES

MIKE YOAKUM PASTOR

The home at 15790 Sweet Limetta Drive, No. 213, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $545,990. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths and 3,652 square feet. The price per square foot is $149.50. Days on market: 34.

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The home at 15843 Sweet Lemon Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $351,500. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,150 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.49. Days on market: 54.

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The home at 5525 Cypress Hill Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $412,500. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,224 square feet. The price per square foot is $185.48. Days on market: Six. OVERLOOK AT HAMLIN

The home at 7513 Green Mountain Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $854,960. Built in 2020, it has six bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,817 square feet. The price per square foot is $177.49. Days on market: 130. PANTHER VIEW

The home at 9110 Pinch Shot Drive sold Sept. 15, for $500,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,683 square feet. The price per square foot is $186.36. Days on market: Three.

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OF GOD Church ofCHURCH the Messiah OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD

The home at 9302 Patrimonio Loop sold Sept. 14, for $475,495. It has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,779 square feet. The price HORIZON WEST per square foot is $171.10. Days on Advertise your Services ormarket: Events EDEN ISLE Four. The home at Earthgold on6413 this page weekly. Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 10, The home at 9254 Patrimonio for $422,000. Builtappears in 2003, itweekly has inLoop, This page the Windermere, sold Sept. threeWest bedrooms, two-and-one14, and for $450,699. Built in 2019, Orange Times & Observer half baths, a pool and 2,678 square it has online at OrangeObserver.com. four bedrooms, two-andfeet. The price per square foot is one-half baths and 2,779 square $157.58. Days on market: 23. feet. The price per square foot is To advertise in the Church Directory $162.18. Days on market: 286.

154.

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is $533.78. Days on market:

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

for $433,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,693 square feet. The price per square foot is $160.79. Days on market: 25.

$397,500. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,609 square feet. The price per square foot is $152.36. Days on market: 41.

The home at 12043 Observation Trail, Windermere, sold Sept. 10, for $385,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,224 square feet. The price per square foot is $173.11. Days on market: 11.

FENWICK COVE

The home at 2689 Glenbuck Court, Ocoee, sold Sept. 11, for $345,500. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,989 square feet. The price per square foot is $173.71. Days on market: 23.

WINDING BAY PRESERVE

The home at 7729 Bowery Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 13, for $510,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,164 square feet. The price per square foot is $161.19. Days on market: 83. The home at 7861 Bowery Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $520,210. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,164 square feet. The price per square foot is $164.42. Days on market: Zero. SUMMERLAKE

The home at 7645 Green Mountain Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $900,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,296 square feet. The price per square foot is $273.06. Days on market: 58.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 82 High Sale Price: $5,925,000 Low Sale Price: $119,500

The home at 15126 Southern Martin St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $560,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,641 square feet. The price per square foot is $212.04. Days on market: 203.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8254 Bryce Canton Ave., Windermere, sold Sept. 11, for $540,000. Built in 2016, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,330 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.71. Days on market: 100.

The home at 8016 Atlantic Puffin St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $383,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,488 square feet. The price per square foot is $153.94. Days on market: 28.

The home at 8775 Iron Mountain Trail, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $435,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,420 square feet. The price per square foot is $127.19. Days on market: 39.

The home at 15409 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for

The home at 9066 Overlook Pass Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 10,

by Jason Mueller; CROSSWORD NESTERS Edited by David Steinberg

1 Group for the 50+ crowd 5 Art ___ (building style) 9 Occasion 13 “The Stranger” author 18 Cinematic pig 19 W-to-E direction, on a compass or keyboard 20 Heart of the matter 21 Editor making a typo, e.g. 22 *Get cold feet 24 *Clue character in a blue dress 26 About 1% of the atmosphere 28 Give ___ (try) 29 Author Grafton

$374,950. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,225 square feet. The price per square foot is $168.52. Days on market: Seven.

30 Unexpected complication 31 Reacting to a sauna 33 Yankees’ Subway Series foes 34 Some legal actions 38 ___ Romeo 39 “Arigato” lead-in (hidden in “random order”) 41 Gibbon or bonobo 42 Choppers 44 Tardy 46 Canadian dollar coin’s nickname 50 Behavioral standard 52 Extend one’s military service

54 Tyrannosaurus ___ 55 Foe of the Fantastic Four 56 *”Descendants” star 60 Mo. when many people buy trees 62 “I ___ sleep a wink!” 63 Eugene’s state 64 Is defeated 66 Kitten quality 68 Future MBA’s exam 70 Stair post 72 Invoice stamp (Abbr.) 73 Discharged like a gland 77 Comic in a newspaper 79 Send via USPS, say 83 With full force

107 Skipper portrayer Hale 110 End of the line 113 City north of Oklahoma City 114 Motion of approval 115 Cookout spot 116 Individually, at a restaurant 119 *Reaction to cold or fright 122 *Way to quit suddenly 126 Parsley unit 127 Jungle predator’s sound 128 Hilo greeting 129 Capital on the Baltic 130 Golfer Yani 131 “Orinoco Flow” musician 132 Mary ___ Lincoln 133 Nervous

FORESTBROOKE

OAKLAND

PLANTATION GROVE WEST

The home at 357 Beacon Pointe Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 10, for $380,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,241 square feet. The price per square foot is $117.25. Days on market: One. The home at 811 Grovesmere Loop, Ocoee, sold Sept. 10, for $365,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,841 square feet. The price per square foot is $198.26. Days on market: Four.

JOHNS LANDING

The home at 508 Johns Landing Way, Oakland, sold Sept. 16, for $477,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,328 square feet. The price per square foot is $110.21. Days on market: 39.

PRAIRIE LAKE VILLAGE

The home at 2548 Tall Maple Loop, Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $280,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,829 square feet. The price per square foot is $153.09. Days on market: 108.

The home at 633 Strihal Loop, Oakland, sold Sept. 15, for $335,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,478 square feet. The price per square foot is $135.19. Days on market: 10.

OCOEE

COLUMBUS ADDITION

SAWMILL

The home at 560 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee, sold Sept. 14, for $313,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,113 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.13. Days on market: 17.

The home at 6749 Lumberjack Lane, Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $295,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,732 square feet. The price per square foot is $170.32. Days on market: Three.

CROWN POINT

The home at 3415 Stonegate Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 14, for

45 Business bigwig, briefly 47 Intersection point 48 Charged particles 49 Experts at CPR 51 Mila Kunis’ role on “Family Guy” 53 Models strike them 57 Approach 58 Subj. related to physiology 59 Some salamanders 61 Stereotypical junkyard dog 65 Sealy rival 67 Fill-in worker 69 Type of talk 71 Animals in a pride 73 ___ Club (warehouse store chain) 74 Release, as radiation DOWN 75 Small eatery 1 Alphabetic TV channel 76 Heinie 2 Sound of relief 78 ___ de Leon 3 Slugger’s stat 80 Three-___ race 4 Praline nuts 81 Cake that often has many 5 Prehistoric beast, informally layers 6 Harold’s “Ghostbusters” role 82 Oscar winner Tatum 7 Gulps down 85 Severe consequence 8 Capital of Canada 87 Impend 9 Film buff’s channel 89 “CSI” workplace 10 Annoyed 91 Olympus boss 11 “Is this necessary?” 96 Utah ski resort 12 Dilate 98 Mafia code of silence 13 “Ta-ta!” 99 African language group 14 Shape of the first letter in 102 Word after “human” or “curve” “Mother” 15 Large member of the deer 104 Meme feline family 106 Capital of South Dakota 16 Full-length 107 Teenage feeling 17 Funny Wanda 108 Common roller-coaster 84 “That’s obvious!” 19 Basketball great Miller features 86 *Snitch 23 “Sauer” sausage topping 109 Love very much 88 Peeved 25 Ryan of “NewAmsterdam” 111 ___ Says (children’s game) 90 Tasseled topper 27 Peddle 112 Paul, in Rome 92 ___ Domini 30 Veer 115 “Hot Fuzz” star 93 Mean giant 32 At a distance 117 Lump of earth 94 Tennis great Edberg 33 Duke Ellington classic with 118 What Ritalin treats, for 95 Dog biter a colorful title short 97 2020 film about a cartoon 34 Calrissian of “Star Wars” 120 One is always wrong dog 35 “That’s ___ excuse ...” 121 Mme., across the Pyrenees 100 Car-stealing video game 36 Semester 123 Baby goat franchise, for short 37 It may be stainless 124 Item “laid” by a bird in 101 Country next to Pakistan 40 Esther’s adopted father each starred entry 103 Temporary stillness (I’M A CODER anagram) 125 “Hooray!” 105 Diana Rigg’s character 43 A Great Lake on “The Avengers”

SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 10

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“BXC KCNYJI N MKTBCK MKTBCY N OJJP TY BJ ZJKSCB N OJJP NIV BXC KCNYJI N KCNVCK KCNVY JIC TY BJ KCUCUOCK TB.”

– BJU MJFZC

“BYUUEGF PG D INDYUEAYRRK XNZEFGNX ZYEU NRNHDUNZ TK ZBEVEU ... LNRBZ XNAEGN TN DZ D TDG UP CLPT XNUDERZ TDUUNV.”

– FDK UDRNZN

Puzzle Two Clue: X equals D

RAVENNA

The townhouse at 10455 Spring Arbor Lane, No. 69, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $347,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,881 square feet. The price per square foot is $184.48. Days on market: 28.

Puzzle One Clue: X equals H

zillow.com

The home at 9832 Laurel Valley Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 11, for $5,925,000. This 11,100-square-foot estate features views of Lake Butler and golf course frontage on Isleworth’s 15th hole.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

09-24-20

OBSERVER

SUNNY SLOPES

REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

The home at 529 Woodson Ave., Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $168,800. Built in 1964, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,224 square feet. The price per square foot is $137.91. Days on market: Six. WILLOWS ON THE LAKE

The home at 519 Herring Gull Court, Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $455,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, two-andone-half baths, a pool and 3,735 square feet. The price per square foot is $121.82. Days on market: 20. WYNSTONE PARK

The home at 2615 Cedar Bluff Lane, Ocoee, sold Sept. 11, for $285,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,709 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.76. Days on market: Four.

WEST ORANGE

LAKE CAWOOD ESTATES

The home at 13702 Lake Cawood Drive sold Sept. 14, for $755,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,022 square feet. The price per square foot is $187.72. Days on market: 11. WEST ORANGE

The home at 12886 Lake Sawyer Lane, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $875,500. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths, a pool and 3,390 square feet. The price per square foot is $258.26. Days on market: Three. The home at 13349 Lake Butler Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $542,500. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two-and-

one-half baths, a pool and 2,940 square feet. The price per square foot is $184.52. Days on market: 218.

LAKEVIEW RESERVE

The home at 45 Lakeview Reserve Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $313,543. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,782 square feet. The price per square foot is $175.95. Days on market: Four.

WINDERMERE ISLEWORTH

The home at 6342 Deacon Circle, Windermere, sold Sept. 16, for $4,575,000. Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, five-andone-half baths, a pool and 7,008 square feet. The price per square foot is $652.83. Days on market: Zero. The home at 6055 Louise Cove Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $2.8 million. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths, a pool and 7,073 square feet. The price per square foot is $395.87. Days on market: 493. The home at 6126 Payne Stewart Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $1.4 million. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,848 square feet. The price per square foot is $491.57. Days on market: 130. KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 11910 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $546,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,974 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.59. Days on market: 81. RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 11031 Galway Isles Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 16, for $524,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,551 square feet. The price per square foot is $205.41. Days on market: Two.

MCALLISTER LANDING

The home at 1674 Juniper Hammock St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $489,500. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,000 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.17. Days on market: 100. STONEYBROOK WEST zillow.com

The home at 213 S. Highland Ave., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $630,000. This new custom home, built by Bartley Construction, is a craftsman-style home in downtown Winter Garden.

SUMMERPORT BEACH

The home at 5347 W. Lake Butler Road, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $650,000. Built in 1963, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,688 square feet. The price per square foot is $241.82. Days on market: 503.

WINTER GARDEN

BANANA BAY ESTATES

The home at 13567 Banana Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $475,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,460 square feet. The price per square foot is $193.09. Days on market: 126. BLACK LAKE PRESERVE

The home at 14559 Black Lake Preserve St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $422,900. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,638 square feet. The price per square foot is $116.25. Days on market: 92.

COURTLEA PARK

The home at 607 Courtlea Cove Ave., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 17, for $520,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,319 square feet. The price per square foot is $156.67. Days on market: 30. FOXCREST

The home at 910 Home Grove Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $569,900. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,792 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.29. Days on market: One. DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN

The home at 213 S. Highland Ave., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $630,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 3,039 square feet. The price per square foot is $207.31. Days on market: 316.

Pat Sharr Realty 407-948-1326

MultiMillion Dollar Producer www.patsharr.com ● patsharr@aol.com

THE WEST

3 BD./2.5 BA. IF YOU LIKE ENTERTAINING THIS HOME IS FOR YOU!!! Take a look at this home before it is gone, located in Ocoee Curb appeal is a plus with lush landscaping which is just a beginning of what is inside. Step into the foyer with glowing wood flooring, to the right are two guest bedrooms centered around the guest bath. Dining room that is currently being used as a very unique Man Cave features a custom made BAR, natural pine wood, complete with Kegerator, custom built-in shelving, TV and pine bar stools all that STAY!!! The open living/family room has plenty of room for entertaining with sliding glass doors that completely open to hide behind the wall of the extended paver patio, patio furniture, gas grill and canopy STAY! The kitchen is a dream, granite counters, breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, gas cook top, 2 built-in ovens, microwave and refrigerator. Off of the living area is a guest half bath. Master bedroom adjoined by master bath, his/her granite vanities, shower and walk-in closet.***GATED COMMUNITY*** ASKING ONLY $350,000

ORANGE CHAMBER

WINTERMERE HARBOR

The home at 2062 Harbor Cove Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $520,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,570 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.66. Days on market: Zero.

NETWORKING

YOU NAME THE DEAL!!!

GROUPS: TUESDAY

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida Ribbon Cutting The West Orange Chamber Ambassadors were excited to celebrate the Ribbon Cutting of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida’s new 25,000sf store, located at 14190 W. Colonial Dr, in Winter Garden. To learn more about Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, please visit, www.goodwillcfl.org/

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

GET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY!!!

4 BD. 4 BA. **PRIME LOCATION IN WINDERMERE**A BUYER’S DREAM** Step inside and be amazed at the BEAUTY of this home. Professional wall paintings, beautiful tile with inset in the foyer, glowing wood flooring in living/dining/family room and office with French doors and private entrance. Features include wood burning fireplace, screened lanai, heated pool/ spa with rock fountain, granite countertops, walk in pantry, custom his/her closets, and BONUS room with wet bar, snack bar, and balcony with panoramic views!Conveniently located to 429,408, turnpike, shopping, restaurants and Fowlers Grove. GATED COMMUNITY WITH 24HOUR GUARD... ASKING ONLY $790,900

HORIZON WEST

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ALOT FOR SO LITTLE!!! Are you looking for a great PICTURESQUE WOODED LOT? This lot is located in Mascotte with Highway 50 Lot Frontage of 102, Lot Depth is 215 ft. No HOA, located in the County. Mature landscaping with beautiful trees, perfect place for a new home or possible business. This could be a great investment for future use, don’t miss the opportunity today to own this 1/2 acre. Seller is MOTIVATED!!! ASKING ONLY $69,000

Church of The Messiah 70th Anniversary The West Orange Chamber Ambassadors were excited to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Church of The Messiah, located at 241 N. Main Street, in Winter Garden. To learn more about Church of The Messiah, please visit, www. churchofthemessiah.com

OFFERS 4

WINTER GARDEN--3BD/2.5 BA. POOL HOME .This home has so much to offer, SPLIT bedroom plan, EAT-IN kitchen, Living room with BRICK fireplace, formal dining room, two guest bedrooms centered around guest bath. Sliding glass doors off the living room to the SCREENED lanai with the HALF BATH for the pool. Sparkling open in-ground POOL and PRIVACY fenced yard! The kitchen features all the APPLIANCES, under cabinet lighting, plant shelves, pantry and BREAKFAST nook overlooking the landscaped back yard The MASTER bedroom features sliding glass doors leading to a PRIVATE lanai to enjoy the peace and quiet or to enjoy a good book. Master bath features a JETTED garden tub, SEPARATE shower and dual sinks, plus walk-in closet in the bedroom.Inside Laundry room with washer & dryer that stays! THIS HOME IS A ONE OWNER!!! ASKING ONLY $ 314,000

NEW PRICE

The home at 15205 Book Club Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $340,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,486 square feet. The price per square foot is $136.77. Days on market: 41.

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The home at 15132 Spinnaker Cove Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $355,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,153 square feet. The price per square foot is $164.89. Days on market: Three.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Buying a Home or Looking to Sell?

Broker/Owner

The home at 13909 Eylewood Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $380,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,041 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.96. Days on market: Seven.

To learn more and to register participation visit wochamber.com/ ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Matthew’s Hope Chest Creations Grand Opening WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the opening of Matthew’s Hope Chest Creations serving the needs of the “structurally challenged” in West Orange County. Matthew’s Hope Chest Creations is located at 1027 Dillard Street, in Winter Garden. To learn more, visit www.matthewshopeministries.org/hopechest-creations.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Smart Fitness’ 5th Anniversary WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the 5th Anniversary of Smart Fitness, home of the 20-minute workout. Smart Fitness is located at 324 Moore Road in Ocoee. To learn more, visit www.gosmartfitness.com. For more information about joining the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com

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OBSERVER

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE ARCHIVES Clarence Eugene Heidt (1912-87) and Doris Tyson Heidt are shown on their Sept. 7, 1941, wedding day at the Alturas Methodist Church in Alturas, Florida. Clarence Heidt worked for his father at the family feed store on Main Street in Winter Garden. During World War II, he was stationed at Tampa’s Drew Field as an aircraft instrument technician. Following his discharge, Heidt grew citrus and raised cattle. He is a descendent of Solom R. Heidt, who was born Dec. 20, 1838, in Effingham County, Georgia, and served in the Confederate Army.

Blackmon’s Five and Ten Cent Store moved from the Edgewater Hotel building to its new storeroom in the Roper Building, formerly occupied by Bumby Hardware Company. The fighting Red Devils of Lakeview High met Titusville, marking the dedication of Walker Field, Winter Garden’s new $10,000 athletic field. It is named in honor of Mayor George Walker, baseball player, through whose efforts the field became a reality.

80 years ago

Construction was starting on 50 modern homes planned for Winter Garden, announced Charles W. Irrgang Jr., owner of part of what is known as Shadow Lawn subdivision. Frank Roper returned from a business trip and visit to the New York World’s Fair.

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

75 years ago

70 years ago

Commander Albert C. Valdes of the Hugh T. Gregory Post 63, American Legion, was named

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

85 years ago

A health committee was formed in Oakland to organize the community for the mass X-ray survey that was coming in the early fall. The committee comprised Mayor Dewey Vick, Mrs. John Hancock, the Rev. T.G. Tate, Mrs. R.T. Sith and F.W. Ross.

to the Music and Contests Committee for the year 1950.

50 years ago

Dick Lindsey was promoted to varsity basketball coach at Lakeview High School. He was a member of Coach Vel Heck-

man’s football staff as defensive backfield coach and was the JV basketball coach.

30 years ago

Winter Garden Lanes was under new ownership and management with Georgia

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Corporation in Atlanta. Patsy Wedding, general manager, said the bowling alley will be a clean and friendly family place. It continued to honor coupons from the new Jaycees coupon books.

THROWBACK THURSDAY SEPT. 12, 1952 In the 1950s, photographs weren’t as commonplace in newspapers as they are today. The front page of the Winter Garden Times for Sept. 12, 1952, was packed with information and news for readers. The main story announced the upcoming road projects for the new Ocoee-Apopka Road and the Oakland-New Road 50; and other stories shared the winners of the Chamber bass-fishing contest, the need for substitute teachers at Lakeview High School, church news, a robbery at Jim Russ’ Bar at Plant and Main streets, and all the admissions, discharges and births at West Orange Memorial Hospital.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Orange County Public Schools officials are another step closer to determining rezoning options for upcoming relief schools. During a Sept. 15 Rule Development Workshop, School Board members reviewed these options for relief schools scheduled to open next fall. Nothing has been officially decided yet, although the board members made their recommendations. In West Orange County, that includes Site 80-H-SW-4 (relief for Dr. Phillips and Freedom high schools), Site 113-H-W-4 (relief for West Orange and Windermere high schools), and Site 65-M-W-4 (relief of Bridgewater Middle School). At the Sept. 15 workshop, the School Board determined that the following options will be advertised for a public hearing and vote: Site 80-H-SW-4 Option 1, Site 113-H-W-4 Option 2, and Site 65-M-W-4 Option 1. For Site 80-H-SW-4, Option 1 would have projected student enrollment numbers in fall 2021 at 1,792 for the relief school, 3,529 for Dr. Phillips and 2,966 for Freedom. Relief high schools open with no senior class. Of the community response OCPS received regarding the two options, parents overwhelmingly supported Option 1. For the other relief school and relief middle school, Site 113-H-W-4 Option 2 and Site 65-M-W-4 Option 1 would share a building through the 2022-23 school year. That means some of the middle school students would be temporarily housed in a separate wing of the relief high school until Site 65-M-W4 is built. Additionally, Site 113-H-W-4 Option 2 would include some changes to the rezoning for West Orange High. These will move to a public meeting for discussion and vote Oct. 13.

MALLORY DANIELS, HOPE CHARTER SCHOOL Mallory Daniels is the recipient of the 2020 Hope Award, given to the best overall student at Hope Charter Middle School. One student is chosen each year for the top honor based on academic effort, character, attitude, compassion, participation in school athletics, activities and positive influence. Mallory has been involved in soccer, basketball and volleyball.

What does the Hope Award mean to you? The Hope Award means a lot to me in many different ways. It shows that all of my hard work in and out of school actually paid off in a way. It even goes to show that I may not be that popular, but I still work hard and have friends who love me and care about me. It inspires me to give everything I face 110% of my effort. I am so honored to have earned this award out of my entire middle school class. It means the absolute world to me, and I am so glad to have been chosen. What is your favorite class in school? My favorite class this year as a freshman would have to be World History. I love my teacher, and the classroom environment is so relaxed, so I feel comfortable, even encouraged, to contribute my thoughts and ask questions. I always get a good laugh from that class; it really helps me to stay interested, and I never know what random topic we will start to talk about next. We even took a “What kind of cheese are you?” quiz! Apparently, I’m mozzarella.

REPORT CARD

What do you want to do as a career? While many of my classmates already have a career in mind, I haven’t quite decided yet what I want to do. I do know though that I’m really interested in science, animals and how things work/how they are put together. I hope to someday go swimming with sharks and go to see all the beautiful coral down by Key West. Maybe after seeing that, I’ll be able to really find my passion and know what career I want. What music do you listen to, and what books do you read? I love reading! Some of my favorite books are “Wings of Fire,” “Harry Potter,” “Hunger Games” and the first book of a trilogy called “The Knife of Never Letting Go.” I also really recommend the book “Because of Mr. Terupt” to any middle-schooler/preteen. It really taught me some powerful life lessons. I also really loved the book series “Mouseheart.”

night, and it holds a special place in my heart. I also loved the Magic Treehouse stories when I was little. I even made a map of my backyard showing all of the dangers and secret treasures and where our magic treehouse lied, waiting to be taken on yet another adventure. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? It would be super strength, because right now I have a very weak back, hips and knees, making me at risk for a lot of injuries. So, if I had super strength, I wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore What do you love most about Hope Charter? The teachers. I also love the fact that we wear uniforms so I don’t have to worry about what outfits I should wear. I also like the sport communities, especially in soccer.

What was your favorite children’s book and why? My favorite book as a child was “You are My I Love You.” My mom read that book to me almost every

— AMY QUESINBERRY

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

GRADE: Freshman SPORTS: Soccer, basketball, volleyball

Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

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School Board makes rezoning recommendations

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OBSERVER

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Performers to return to OCPS sidelines A message to OCPS principals from superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins gave the all-clear to restart programs that were left out of Friday Night Lights. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

It’s been a long and frustrating journey for Orange County Public Schools parents and students who have been fighting to get marching band, cheer, dance and JROTC back onto the sidelines for Friday Night Lights. When OCPS announced it wasn’t going to be allowing members of the different groups participate during football games this season in late August, parents and students around the county erupted with a torrent of rage and confusion to the decision. Although football and other sports would be allowed to finally get their seasons underway after a lengthy delay due to COVID-19, many took to social media to voice their displeasure — including a group of OCPS parents who formed the “All for One, One for All for Friday Nights Lights” group on Facebook. High-schoolers participated in a rally Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Lake Eola, and West Orange High School senior Sarah Paquette — a marimba player and a percussion section leader — started a petition that garnered more than 7,000 signatures. It seems the sentiment hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“After review of the data, we are comfortable with allowing cheerleaders, pep bands, dancers and color guard to attend the game if desired,” OCPS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins said in a message sent to district principals late last week. Although there are no specifics as to how the plan will go into action, it’s believed the decision will be left up to each school. In an email obtained by the Observer, Windermere High School Principal Douglas Guthrie said the programs only would be allowed to perform at home games, while each group would be limited in participants, including 20 for cheer, 20 for dance and 60 for marching band. But regardless of the specifics, the news was met by excitement from both parents and students. “I’m so excited,” said Patti Tozzi, whose daughter, Sydney Tozzi, is a senior on the West Orange High dance team. “I felt like, ‘Wow, our voices were heard,’ and we were able to use our voices for our children, and our children used their voices as well — they did their part in the fight to be heard.” For Paquette, the news came as a shock. “It really seemed like they

File photo

weren’t going to go further than that — they gave restrictions to football players and they gave band a little more freedom, and I kind of thought that was where they were going to end,” Paquette said. “I was completely not expecting them to release that decision — it’s really unexpected.” However, despite the news, there still remains the issue of facing schools possibly being shut down because of outbreaks on campus. Most recently, West Orange High was the latest school to be shutdown as 10 positive cases of COVID-19 shifted the school entirely to LaunchED@Home — which started Monday, Sept. 21, and will run through Friday, Oct. 2. There were 159 students and

staff members who were identified as having direct contact with individuals who tested positive. Because of the shutdown, it appears West Orange football team will lose out on two more football games — after having its game against Evans canceled because of cases on Evans’ team. There is hope, however, said Orange County School Board member Pam Gould, that the team could possibly still play this week — though a decision had not been made by press time Tuesday. If West Orange isn’t allowed to take the field, it will be a bittersweet moment for those parents and students at the school. “We were just kind of bummed,” Patti Tozzi said. “We were so excited that we were going to be

the game versus Boone on Friday and they could start getting prepared to have that experience again, but then we got word pretty quickly that was definitely not happening. But I do look at the other schools who are going to have that and the kids that get to enjoy their Friday Night Lights in the next few weeks, and I’m so excited for them.” Even when marching band is allowed to perform Friday nights, it will look different this year, said both Paquette and Michelle Territo — whose daughter, Josie Territo, is a senior drum major at West Orange. The band only has had two rehearsals this year, and with missing band camp and the lack of time, there probably won’t be a halftime show — meaning bands will probably just stick to playing the normal songs during a game. “It is an issue at this point — we’re halfway past September, and usually, the kids would have been practicing their show for at least a month-and-a-half,” Michelle Territo said. “It’s not like, ‘OK, go, band.’ You have to teach 200 people a show, so I’m not sure how that will work out, but I know at least they were very happy about being able to play together.” In the end, for seniors such as Paquette, it doesn’t matter how they do things in the band. All that matters is that they’re allowed to do it just once. “Band is my family, and I think it’s really important that we have at least one performance together — one game together,” Paquette said.

WE’RE IN THE

ZONE

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EVERY THURSDAY

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As students head back to classes - online or face-to-face - families are walking a tightrope, trying to balance safety with continued academic growth. The Observer School Zone will be your source in West Orange with the latest school news, photo galleries and what’s happening during these crazy times.

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

THE MASKED

SINGERS Senior Sophia Bresciani plays a modernized Little Red Riding Hood.

Windermere Prep is heading into its second opera season with performances of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and ‘Lucinda y Las Flores de La Nochebuena.’ IF YOU GO WINDERMERE PREP OPERA WHEN: The first show took place at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the second and final show takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 WHERE: Cypress Center for the Arts, 6189 Winter GardenVineland Road, Windermere SOCIAL DISTANCING: To maintain social-distancing protocols, performances can be viewed through a livestream at live.windermereprep.com or via the school’s YouTube channel at bit.ly/2HmN3Qg. WEBSITE: wpsarts.teampages.com

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Putting on a production during a pandemic means things will look a little different this year for Windermere Preparatory School’s fine-arts department. But, as the saying goes, the show must go on. The Lakers are celebrating their second opera theater season by hosting two one-act opera performances on both Sept. 23 and 24. The first act, Seymour Barab’s “Little Red Riding Hood,” tells the traditional story of the girl and her encounter with a hungry wolf. The second act is Evan Mack and Joshua

McGuire’s 2016 opera, “Lucinda y Las Flores de La Nochebuena,” which translates to “Lucinda and the Christmas Eve Flower.” Set at Christmastime, it tells the story of a young girl who is faced with a

decision of following the path of what is right versus what is easy. Emily Tousek, high-school director of choirs and International Baccalaureate music at the school, said she chose these operas because they are designed for young audiences and families. “(Opera) really exposes (students) to something different that they wouldn’t necessarily get anywhere else,” Tousek said. “Other than Opera Orlando, there’s not really an outlet for students to do opera at the high school and even younger levels. It really gives our students opportunities they other wise might not have access to, and it helps overall in performance education.” After two months of preparation, six actors are taking the stage to bring both stories to life. The path to production hasn’t been an easy one this year, but the students couldn’t be happier to be back on stage. Each actor did a lot of work on his or her own to learn their roles prior to meeting for in-person rehearsals, which only began a

Senior Cole Jackson brings the character of The Wolf to life.

Photos by Danielle Hendrix

month ago. To be able to rehearse and perform safely, everyone is required to wear a mask and maintain distance from one another. For the actors, that also means singing through masks. “When you’re singing, the air has to be able to flow well, and it’s kind of hard with the masks,” said Maria Gullesserian, a senior who plays Lucinda in “Lucinda y Las Flores de La Nochebuena.” “We have to show our emotions with our eyes and bodies instead of our full faces.” Throughout the production, none of the actors touch. In fact, Tousek said, they hardly touch each other’s props. Used props are wiped down and disinfected. If they cannot be wiped down, they must sit untouched for 48 hours. Nearly every prop has a double for that reason. “We’ve got hand sanitizer, we’ve got wipes, we’ve got spray, we have set-up places,” Tousek said. “We’re not blocking them super close to each other and are making sure they’re staying somewhat distanced. … Obviously we are masked, which has provided challenges because some masks are easier to sing in than others — the thicker the mask, the harder to sing. That’s been a learning curve, especially for the kids.” “No matter what struggles we face, theater and opera performing will always come through,” said sophomore Jayson Goldner, who also will star in “Lucinda y Las Flores de La Nochebuena.” “Some schools aren’t even able to perform right now, and we’re lucky enough to be able to still,” Maria said.

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

HIGH

SPORTS

Dr. Phillips senior Alexis Distasio will continue playing volleyball at Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, after she graduates. Page 18.

In CFCA football’s dominating 68-0 win over First AcademyLeesburg Friday, Sept. 18, senior Wilkerson St. Juste picked up an earthshattering six rushing touchdowns on the night — accounting for 36 of the Eagles’ 68 points. The win pushed CFCA to 1-1, and the Eagles will return to play against Trinity Christian Academy on Friday, Sept. 25.

The Legacy Charter football team moved to 2-0 on the young season with a 29-6 win over Eagle’s View Friday, Sept. 18. The Eagles’ defense stifled the Warriors and was led by senior Wyatt Powell, who picked up 11 tackles, one sack and four tackles for loss.

In the first Citrus League Invitational at The Ritz Carlton golf tournament Wednesday, Sept. 16, The First Academy’s Bridget Ma took home first place, with a score of 72 (E). Ma’s performance, alongside a strong showing from the team as a whole, pushed the Royals to a first-place finish with 295 points. Windermere Prep came in second, with its highest finisher being seventhgrader Angela Wang, who shot a 76 (+4) and finished tied for fifth place.

Daniel Rosado has found new meaning on the football field as he dedicated his senior season to his sister, Iris Rosado.

IN IT FOR IRIS After his sister was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in April, Foundation Academy senior Daniel Rosado has dedicated his final year of high school football to her. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

t’s often said you can tell a lot about a person by his shoes. If that old adage holds any truth, then Daniel Rosado’s football cleats tell the story of a young man fighting on the field for both his team and his sister — Iris Rosado.

The First Academy’s Mohit Balaji shot a 68 (-4) to claim a share of the overall boys golf title at the Citrus League Invitational at The Ritz Carlton golf tournament Wednesday, Sept. 16. The Royals finished in second place behind Bishop Moore Catholic.

The Dr. Phillips volleyball team put in work against rival West Orange in a 3-0 (2513, 25-13, 25-21) sweep of the Warriors Tuesday, Sept. 15. Leading the way for the Panthers was senior setter Olivia Osuna, who recorded a game high 38 assists. Senior right-side hitter Alicia Virthe added 14 kills and five digs. The Panthers followed up their win with a 3-0 victory over University.

Troy Herring

A couple of weeks prior to the Foundation Academy football team’s season-opener, Daniel Rosado reached out to a friend at East Ridge — the school from which he transferred in January. That friend, a former teammate, always had customized cleats for every occasion. But Daniel Rosado wasn’t just looking for any old design. He

wanted a design to honor his sister who, since April, has been battling anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disease. “I knew the first game of the season I wanted to do something somewhat special,” he said. “I knew it was my Senior Night, and I knew it was the first game Iris was going to see me play in a while. So I reached out to him and I said, ‘Hey, let’s get a pair of cleats, glitter them out in blue, put my sister’s logo in the back and then have them say Brain on Ice and #IrisStrong on the front.’” SEE BROTHERLY PAGE 16

Welcome back, band, cheer, dance and JROTC

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

When I stood on the sidelines at Apopka High School’s football field last Thursday, things felt both familiar and completely alien at the same time. I was there to cover Ocoee’s

big opening game to start the season, but while things on the field gave me a peace I’ve not felt in months, in the stands, the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could be easily seen. I had never been to a game at Apopka before last week, but I’ve always known the folks up there love their football and often pack that stadium all the way to the press box. But Thursday, the stands were mostly bare, and the glaring absence of the marching band, cheer team and dance team was obvious. The off-field pageantry was gone, and the atmosphere that should have been there was only

filled in by my own memories of bands blasting fight songs and cheerleaders leading crowds. Sure, there was a speaker set up in the far end zone, which blasted pre-recorded music and cheers, but it wasn’t the same — it lacked the soul of the real thing. With every first down or touchdown, there was a smattering of applause by those in attendance and quick blast of music from the loud speaker, but otherwise, most of the noise came from the players and coaches on the sideline. Being able to hear myself actually think is always disconcerting, but at a football game? It’s absolutely surreal.

Although other sports are dealing with similar issues — such as the sparse crowd at the Dr. Phillips/West Orange volleyball game I covered earlier in the week — those sports aren’t as associated with other groups such as cheer and band. If I’m being honest — as someone who has played music since middle school — getting to hear a live band perform is one of the best parts of a traditional Friday night. That’s why when Orange County Public Schools announced it was completely locking out band, cheer, dance SEE SPIRIT PAGE 17

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Alexis Distasio A senior outside hitter on the Dr. Phillips volleyball team, Alexis Distasio is hoping to make her final year as a Panther count, despite the shortened nature of the season because of COVID-19. Luckily, Distasio will have more playing time post-DP: She will continue her playing career at Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

When did you first start playing volleyball? I started volleyball in the sixth grade. I started getting into it because a bunch of the girls at my school — like Olivia (Osuna) and Kaley (Landis) — were playing volleyball, and I just wanted to try it out for myself and see if it was a good sport for me.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Dr. Phillips GRADE: Senior AGE: 17 SPORT: Volleyball POSITION: Outside hitter CLUB: OTVA

all the time if you’re not winning and you’re not doing good — so trying to be positive and have an open mind.

What has kept you playing volleyball for so long? I think how competitive it is — it’s really fun. You just get a lot of adrenaline when you’re playing, and it makes it better when you’re playing with your best friends.

Did you ever expect your senior season to go the way it has gone so far? Obviously, I wasn’t expecting this (pandemic) to happen, and I didn’t know if I was going to have a season for the last year, but we expect to be really successful this year. We have a really good, well-rounded team, and I’m really excited to see what we do.

What is your favorite part about playing outside hitter? The most challenging part? My favorite part is also the most challenging part. Being an outside, you have to be very well-rounded. You have to be able to fix everything, and you don’t only have to hit — you have to pass and play defense. Being a well-rounded player is honestly very helpful, and I’m very grateful for that, but it’s also super challenging because a lot of the other positions are very reliant on you.

Coming into your senior season, was there anything you were hoping to work on? I’m going to try to work on preparing myself for club season and college. I know defense is a really important part of the game, and I feel like I could personally work on that.

What was the hardest thing that you had to learn when you first started playing volleyball? It took the most time for me to learn how to have more confidence in myself and knowing that I have a whole team to support me.

What happens after you graduate? What are you most excited about? I committed to playing college volleyball at Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, so I’ll still be playing and furthering my academic career in Massachusetts. I’m really excited to see how much I’ve grown as a player, and I’m really excited to play with new girls that I’ve never even met before. I’m really excited to see what happens.

Beyond your own position, what is the most challenging part about volleyball? Keeping a strong mindset the whole time, because it’s very hard to be positive

— TROY HERRING

Troy Herring

The Rosado family — Roberto, Omaira, Iris and Daniel — has found an escape in football.

Brotherly love CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

The logo — which he created while Iris was in the hospital — is a ribbon that is half blackand-white zebra print and half purple. The zebra print pattern represents NMDA, while the purple represents epilepsy. Daniel Rosado didn’t let onto the surprise but told Iris Rosado, 14, he had something in store for her — which was met by a sort of skepticism. “He had told me he had done something for me, but usually when he says that, it’s usually because he’s taken something from me or he is going to prank me or something,” Iris Rosado said. “I think it was two weeks ago, he came inside the house and told me he had something for me and he showed me the cleats, and it was pretty awesome.” IT WAS A NORMAL DAY

On a regular Thursday in April, the Rosados were going about their life with a normal fashion. Then, the unexpected happen. Omaira Rosado — Daniel and Iris Rosado’s mother — was sitting downstairs when she heard a loud “thump.” That sound was Iris Rosado walking into a wall in her bedroom because of an awareness seizure. She was taken to the hospital to be tested for COVID-19 and then sent home. “I felt normal, but my mom questioned me after I ran into the wall, and I didn’t realize anything that was wrongy,” Iris Rosado said. Daniel Rosado remembers being at his then-girlfriend’s house when he got the frantic phone call from his mother about what had happened. She was hyperventilating and crying, and he thought maybe some-

thing had happened to his dad — he never guessed his sister had a seizure. He rushed to Southlake Hospital — beating the ambulance that was carrying his sister. “I never got to see Iris when she was admitted, because my mom got there the same time as the ambulance, so they only allowed my mom in considering I wasn’t the parent and I wasn’t 18,” Daniel Rosado said. After she was released the following day — Friday, April 17 — Iris Rosado had a grand mal seizure that caused her to stop breathing for about 15 seconds. She was taken to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital, but her tests came back normal. After a second visit to Arnold Palmer — due to psychotic behaviour — Iris Rosado was treated with medication, but there was still no diagnosis. However, results from a spinal tap that was done eventually revealed that she had what was called anti-NMDAreceptor encephalitis — the diagnosis came in on Saturday, May 2. The rare autoimmune disease affects only two in every 1,000,000 people, and it’s caused by a person’s own antibodies attacking the body. “Her cells produced these antibodies, and what they do is they attack the receptors of her brain, so it causes her brain to go ‘on fire,’ which means her brain tries to fight,” Omaira Rosado said. “The brain goes on fire, because it doesn’t know how to fight its own people inside the body, and then the antibodies fight the brain as if that part of her body does not belong there.” The side effects of this specific disorder include psychotic behavior, hallucinations and the inability to speak and walk — all

things Iris Rosado has experienced. Daniel Rosado recalled it being like she was dealing with split-personality disorder, but for Iris Rosado, it was like dealing with a constant case of déjà vu. “I would lose track of everything, and my mind would go and think of other things and go blank, and I would just lose focus,” Iris Rosado said. “It felt like déjà vu. I was dizzy, and it was like I was thinking about multiple things.” TREATMENT

Iris Rosado was placed in the ICU At Arnold Palmer and immediately started treatment the day of her diagnosis. She was there from from May 1-11. There, she had a transplant of antibodies — known as a plasmapheresis — to remove the bad antibodies from her body. Since her diagnosis, Iris Rosado has been taking different medications to help her deal with the disorder. She also has undergone intravenous immunoglobulin therapy on a monthly basis — which will last a full year. The medicines make her tired, and she doesn’t do as much as she used to, but they have helped her relax, she said. And there’s hope that the disorder can right itself, as anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis is reversible. For Daniel Rosado, this year has been stressful and difficult, but there’s also been the silver lining of growing closer to his sister — to whom he has dedicated his final year of high school football. Things won’t be easy, but he knows the fight now is worth the effort. “In certain aspects, it was (difficult),” Daniel Rosado said. “Mentally, it was hard to bounce back into the game, but at the exact same time — even though my mind was on other things — it was a big relief for me to finally be able to get the feeling of putting on the helmet.”

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JULIE DENISE CRAWFORD MCWATTERS DIED AUG. 22, 2020.

Julie Denise Crawford McWatters, 42, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, passed away Aug. 22, 2020, at Cornerstone Hospice in Ocoee, Florida. Julie was born in Winter Garden, Florida, on June 8, 1978, to Thomas and Teresa Crawford. Julie graduated from West Orange High School and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Quest Church. She enjoyed the beach and fishing. Her passion was cooking. She often used her cooking

skills to volunteer at charity events. She also enjoyed watching Ohio State football with her Dad. Julie is survived by her husband, Thomas McWatters; her children, Kaitlyn Crawford and Ryan Stalvey; granddaughter,

Kelsey Waples; parents, Thomas and Teresa Crawford; and her maternal grandmother, Margaret Crawford. Julie is also survived by her loving rescue dog, Daisy Mae. She is predeceased by her brother, Nathan Crawford; paternal grandparents, Vince and Mimi Crawford; and her maternal grandfather, Junior Crawford. A private funeral service was held Aug. 27, 2020. Burial was at Winter Garden Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida 32778.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

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Forever in our Hearts. We miss you.

Spirit returns to Friday nights and JROTC from the football season, I felt a mix of emotions that ranged from, “OK, I guess we need to keep these kids safe,” to, “But we need them, because you can’t have Friday night without them, and they deserve the chance to play.” I wasn’t the only one who debated this, but over the course of a few weeks, parents and students in those programs blew up social media and rallied in the name of these overlooked groups. I covered the rally at Lake Eola where students and parents fought through an hourlong rain storm to voice their desires to return to the field. On Thursday, while I photo-

at home games, and each will be limited — 20 cheerleaders, 20 dancers and a pep band consisting of 60 members. Many marching bands in the area consist of more than 200 student-musicians, so they will have to adjust to this limitation. My hope is upperclassmen will be considered a priority. But at this point — just like with the sports itself — something is better than nothing, right? All I know is I’ve been spoiled my whole life with games filled with music, cheer and pageantry, and although life continues to be wildly abnormal in every other way, many folks are looking forward to the pomp and circumstance so integral to the Friday Night Lights tradition.

341851-1

graphed and live-tweeted the Apopka/Ocoee game, I was thinking about these students — especially the seniors, many of whom will never perform again. Then, a text set my phone off with some news that I did not expect. A friend of mine had just spoken with Doug Patterson — OCPS’ senior administrator for athletics & activities — and the district was going to allow those groups to once again become part of game-day traditions. Right now, there aren’t many specifics, but a screenshot of an email sent by Windermere High School Principal Douglas Guthrie could give us an idea of what schools will look at doing. In the email, Guthrie said groups will be allowed to only perform

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student physicals $30

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OBSERVER

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TELEMEDIC INE AVAILABLE 407-960-218 8 Quality healt hcare at your finge Seven Days rtips, a Week 9am-7pm

On-site services include X-Rays, IV rehydration, drug screens, work & DOT physicals, auto accident evaluation & injury care, and FDA Approved Covid-19 Testing

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Office Now Open 9am-7pm, 7 Days a Week

“It’s not too late to be counted!” IT’S ABOUT EVERYBODY It’s crucial that every person in your household is counted.

IT’S IMPORTANT Your healthcare and hospitals, nutrition programs, housing, schools, childcare, law enforcement, roads, businesses, support for families, parks, and other local programs depend on an accurate count in order to get our fair share of federal funding.

IT’S SAFE, SECURE AND SHORT The federal law, through the U.S. Constitution and the Supreme Court, protects personal data for the Census. While staying safe at home, fill out your 2020 Census questionnaire. It only takes a few minutes to complete. Orange County

For more information, visit: www.my2020census.gov | OCCompleteCount@ocfl.net

@OrangeCountyFlorida

Every Body Counts!

“ ¡No es demasiado tarde para ser contado!” SE TRATA DE TODOS Es esencial que cada persona en su hogar sea contada.

ES IMPORTANTE Su atención médica y hospitales, programas de nutrición, vivienda, escuelas, guarderías, servicios de seguridad pública, carreteras, negocios, apoyo para familias, parques y otros programas locales dependen de un recuento acertado a fin de asegurar que recibamos nuestra porción justa de los fondos federales.

ES SEGURO, CONFIABLE Y CORTO La ley federal, a través de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos y la Corte Suprema, protege la información personal para el Censo. Mientras permanece seguro en su hogar, complete su cuestionario del Censo 2020. Solo toma unos minutos completarlo.

Orange County

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Para más información, visite: www.my2020census.gov | OCCompleteCount@ocfl.net

@OrangeCountyFlorida

¡Se Trata de Todos!