10.03.19 West Orange Observer by Orange Observer

W EST O RA N G E

PIGSKIN & PIGTAILS

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

Milana ‘Hollywood’ Borrelli proves football isn’t just for boys. PAGE 15.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Number crunchers West Orange’s four municipalities approved budgets for Fiscal Year 2019-20. PAGE 3.

YOUR TOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUB HOSTING COSTUME DRIVE

Joy in the trials

The Hope Club at Horizon West Middle School is hosting a Halloween costume drive for a local elementary school. Costumes are due by Oct. 13. They can be dropped off at the front office, or donors can contact Tamara Zotti at trzot@ yahoo.com to arrange a drop-off. Costumes can be gently used or purchased and should be placed in a bag with the costume size written on the outside. HWMS is at 8200 Tattant Blvd., Windermere.

Family takes up arms in flood fight

Tim Freed

The First Academy lacrosse players Noah Nixon, Joshua Harvey, Jacob Forbes and Grant Pifer all shaved their heads as a sign of support for coach David Oliver, center, as he fights cancer.

Two homes have been abandoned along Lake Nally because of flooding. Stacey DeHart doesn’t want her home to be next.

Buffer poses problems in Dr. Phillips neighborhood

A Gotha resident is trying to save her home off Lake Nally from flooding and is asking for help from Orange County — a party she believes is, in part, responsible. Stacey DeHart and her family moved into their home off Lake Nally Woods Drive in November 2017. That following summer, rain started to come down, and SEE WATER PAGE 2 PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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IN FOCUS

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

Lacrosse coach David Oliver of The First Academy has the unwavering support of his players and his school as he battles cancer. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4.

A proposed 10-foot-wide hedge is causing ripples between some residents in the Brentwood Club subdivision and their Kilgore Road neighbors. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A GRAND TIME FOR ALL Sunset Park Elementary students enjoyed a special night with their grandparents. PAGE 11.

Some residents in Dr. Phillips’ Brentwood Club are at odds with their neighbors regarding a required buffer on the western property line. During a community meeting Monday, Sept. 30, at Sand Lake Elementary, more than 20 residents — some in the Brent-

wood Club subdivision and others residing west of it on Kilgore Road — gathered to discuss proposed rezoning and change determination requests. Orange County Planner Nicolas Thalmueller introduced two requests, which apply to Brentwood Club Phase 2, lots 8 through 28. The nearly 11-acre parcel is SEE BUFFER PAGE 4

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Water worries DeHart began to notice how high the water was getting. “In early summer, we started to feel like it was rising pretty rapidly,” she said. “I kept saying in my husband’s ear, ‘There’s something wrong. The water shouldn’t rise like this.’” In a year, the water level rose about 15 feet, DeHart said. A dock and gazebo belonging to her neighbor, Mary Fernandez, has been almost completely submerged underwater, while the water levels have reached the doorstep of Fernandez’s home. That family was forced to vacate its home two months ago. A second homeowner higher up along the bank, Zee Snody, also had to leave after water started encroaching on the garage. DeHart hopes she and her family won’t be the third household forced to leave. Today the water sits about three feet from her guest house beside the lake. “If (Hurricane Dorian) had come … we would have been in serious trouble out here — it would have been next-level,” DeHart said.

“I’ve got to stand up for it, because I can’t live my life knowing I let them get away with something criminal like this — it’s borderline criminal.” — Stacey DeHart

Ever since DeHart noticed the rising water, she has reached out to Orange County for help — asking it to pump the lake — only to be told the lake is private and not the responsibility of the county. In August, DeHart and her family sought legal counsel and had a letter sent to Orange County demanding help. The letter contends Orange County has impacted the water levels of the lake and, therefore, is obligated to fix the issues. “We believe that Orange County is currently and has been historically negligent in its handling of the drainage and flooding problems associated with Lake Nally by erroneously relying on the premise that Lake Nally is a private lake,” wrote James Washburn, of Shuffield Lowman Attorneys and Advisors, in the Aug. 7 letter. The same letter mentions a report by Environmental Research & Design Inc., dated May 31, 2007, that reflects knowledge of the flooding situation at Lake Nally. Proposed remedies were mentioned. “Inaction by the county is longstanding and continuous to this day,” Washburn wrote. STORMWATER STRUGGLE

According to a permit application sent to the St. Johns River Water Management District, dated Feb. 11, 1998, Orange County was allowed to construct a stormwater paving project that emptied water from Morton Jones Road into Lake Nally. That alone should make Orange County responsible, DeHart said but added that there is more that

Flooding issues persist at Lake Nally in Gotha, forcing some residents to leave their homes behind. Courtesy

ties the county to the lake. According to a master utility plan presented to Orange County in September 2004, the existing Braemar community to the east of DeHart’s home across the lake — known back in 2004 as the Gotha Estates project — includes a stormwater drain that also empties into Lake Nally. Other renderings submitted to the county for the same community that year show that fill was added into the lake along the shore to make room for an additional lot. Local developer David Boers, who grew up in Gotha and lives on Gotha Pond, said encroaching on the floodplain can affect where water goes. The changes approved by the county to the lake likely played a role in the flooding, he said, adding the project should have accounted for the nearby homes across the lake. “They’re saying it’s a private lake, but when you touch it and you contribute to it and you’re the county, just like (DeHart) owns the

lake, now they own it, too,” he said. “Nobody truly reviewed (the project) the correct way.” Boers said he’s experienced plenty of flooding himself on Gotha Pond over the years ever since Florida’s Turnpike was increased from four lanes with a grassy median to eight lanes. That’s caused stormwater to run from the highway into nearby wetland and into Gotha’s lakes, Boers said. DeHart noted the turnpike changes likely have contributed to Lake Nally flooding, as well. THE ROAD AHEAD

Orange County District 1 County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said staff is aware of the flooding issues at Lake Nally. “We understand and share concern with the residents regarding water levels in Gotha,” VanderLey wrote in a statement. “As you can imagine, it’s a very complex issue. There is a history of flooding in this closed basin, which has been exacerbated by record rainfalls last

year in the area — (15.42 inches above average in 2018). There is no magic bullet to solve this, but we have been engaged in this issue for quite some time, and we continue to work with county staff to assist.” But DeHart said the county has known about this issue for years and that it is time to find a solution. “In a nutshell, it’s mismanagement of stormwater, period,” DeHart said. “It’s a mismanagement that’s occurred in every possible way. “To me, there is right and there is wrong and this is, big picture, wrong,” she said. “I’ve got to stand up for it, because I can’t live my life knowing I let them get away with something criminal like this — it’s borderline criminal. You have wrecked people’s homes and, beyond that, the pollution that has occurred out here is next-level awful.” DeHart said she has a meeting scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7, with the county and plans to speak at the commission meeting Oct. 8.

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New numbers Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland and Windermere adopted new budgets and millage rates for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

est Orange-area cities and towns paved the way for another year as they approved final budgets and mill-

age rates for Fiscal Year 2019-20. Leaders in Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland and Windermere reviewed budget numbers and gave preliminary approvals over the past several weeks leading up to final approvals. WINTER GARDEN

Winter Garden leaders decided to hold the city’s millage rate flat this year to help account for upcoming projects and increased pay for employees. During the budget adoption hearing Thursday, Sept. 26, commissioners voted to keep the millage rate at 4.5 for a balanced Fiscal Year 2019-20 General Fund budget of $59.2 million. The increase is largely accounted for in the Public Works department, under which the Streets division budget increased to $15.4 million because of the $13.6 million budgeted for the Dillard Street redesign. This also includes $1.3 million for the trail realignment projects. “As you remember with last year’s budget, the millage at that point was 4.25,” City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said. “In anticipation of the state passing that new law to limit our ability on millages — they were going to reduce it — we increased our millage 0.25 points to cover for that expected loss. That didn’t pass, which surprised us all.” Bollhoefer said although the commission originally intended to bring the millage rate back down if the law didn’t pass, staff recommended maintaining the 4.5 rate for Fiscal Year 2019-20 because of increased expenses as well as future infrastructure and Parks and Recreation improvements. Although the current rate is maintained, ad valorem property tax revenue will increase by about $1,640,457 as a result of the 11.5% increase in Winter Garden’s property values. New costs received this year, Bollhoefer said, included negotiating contracts and improving benefits with the police and fire departments. The 2019-20 budget also includes a 3% cost of living/merit increase for employees, as well as the cost of providing a police officer in each school as required by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas

ORANGE COUNTY: 4.04 mills

WINDERMERE: 3.74 mills

OAKLAND: 6.5 mills

OCOEE: 5.25 mills

WINTER GARDEN: 4.5 mills

MILLAGE RATES

High School Public Safety Act. Overall, the general fund personnel and operating expenditures will increase by 7% and includes $22.1 million in capital projects. This allocates resources to public safety, critical capital and infrastructure, according to city documents. OCOEE

For the another consecutive year, Ocoee residents will be seeing a decrease in their taxes. Ocoee leaders officially adopted the budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20, which includes a lowered millage rate of 5.25 — 0.25 mills lower than last year. The millage rate is 2.06% higher than the rolled-back rate of 5.1438 mills. The 5.25 millage rate balances the total budget at $83,314,449. “If you look back, earlier about 15 to 20 years and you look at what’s happening in our city, it’s amazing what’s changed in the city of Ocoee in the last 15 years, really,” Mayor Rusty Johnson said. Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen said she was pleased to see the decrease. “We had multiple discussions over the past meetings regarding different items residents want or have asked for,” Wilsen said. “I feel that we have been very fiscally responsible within our city, and I think our mission this year is to keep working on the Lakeshore Center and the downtown facility that our citizens asked for. I believe when we start a project, we should finish a project, and I think we’re moving along very well here.” This year, the city’s main focus is continuing revitalization of the downtown area, as well as fixing roads and surrounding sidewalks. This includes the first phase of the Lakefront Park improvements, as well as reconstructing a traffic signal at Fullers Cross and OcoeeApopka roads. “Our budget, we’ve lowered the millage rate for three straight years — really four straight years,” Johnson said, attributing it to economic growth and good management by staff. “That’s pretty much what it is — just keep doing what we’re doing to keep the city ahead of things. Economic growth came and has been here for the last year or two, and it started finally showing up on our tax rolls with all the (State Road) 429 corridor with what’s happening out there with expansion and things.” OAKLAND

For nearly a decade, the town of Oakland had a tradition of setting its millage rate one mill higher than it expected to need — to allow for adjustments when going through the budget process. Commissioners typically lowered it one mill by the final budget hearing.

The final millage rate was 6.75 for nine years. Last year, town commissioners lowered it to 6.65, and the approved rate for Fiscal Year 2019-20 is 6.5. The budget for the new fiscal year is $17.3 million for the town of about 3,300 citizens. Residents will see several physical changes in the town in the coming year, according to Town Manager Steve Koontz. The biggest upcoming project is the roundabout on West Oakland Avenue near West Colonial Drive. Although grant money is paying for a large portion of the project, the town still will invest $500,000 in impact fee funds toward the roundabout. “That’s where our biggest expense is going to be — $500,000 — that’s what we have budgeted for next year,” Koontz said. Construction is expected to begin next summer. Also slated to begin next year is the improvement plan for Speer Park. Among the first additions is a walking path from the park to the arts and heritage center, currently under construction along the West Orange Trail near the Town Square. This path will give park users access to public restroom facilities. The West Orange Healthcare District Arts & Heritage Center at Oakland is another of the town’s large projects, much of which has been paid for with significant grant monies. Water system enhancements are in the works, as well, Koontz said.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

2019-20 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES WINTER GARDEN

General Government Services: $9.03 million Other General Fund: $10.87 million Police: $12.1 million Public Services: $19 million Parks and Recreation: $8.2 million

TOTAL: $59.2 MILLION

OCOEE

Other General Fund: $21.67 million

General Government: $15.32 million

Police: $12.32 million

Parks: $1.52 million Recreation: $1.67 million

TOTAL: $52.5 MILLION

WINDERMERE

The town of Windermere set its 2019-20 budget and millage rate at a final hearing Monday, Sept. 23. Town Manager Robert Smith said the most significant difference from last year’s budget is the $5.2 million in tax revenue that will be used for the town’s new police department and administration building. That money will come from ancillary taxes such as the communication service tax and the half-cent sales tax and pay for temporary facilities and the loan the town is taking out for the cost of the project, Smith said The referendum for the new police department and administration building was approved in March, with construction set to start in June 2020, Smith said. “Every time we go into a budget session, our main goals are always to maintain the quality of life and the level of service — and also making sure that we’re maintaining the financial viability of the town,” Smith said. “Specifically, you try to control what goes out before you try to ask for more money coming in. I think we’ve done a great job in doing that. It shows in how we build our reserves and how we spend our reserves.” Windermere’s tentative millage rate was set at 3.7425 mills — the same rate approved for the last fiscal year. That rate would bring in $2,591,469 in ad valorem tax revenue. “We increased (the rate) last fiscal year, and the reason for that was we had a lot of things that we wanted to fund: a water master plan, a multi-modal path, we wanted to fix the sidewalks and put money toward Parks and Recreation,” Smith said. “(This year) we maintained our millage rate, but it’s seen as a tax increase, because we didn’t change it to the rolled-back rate.”

OAKLAND Other General Fund: $675,145 Police/Code Enforcement: $1,534,041

Special Projects/ impact fee budget: $3,170,271

Public Works: $659,763

General Government: $2,338,099

TOTAL: $8,377,319

WINDERMERE

Other General Fund: $566,452 Legislative, Administrative, Clerk and Financial: $1,423,098

Public Works: $1,955,494

Parks and Recreation: $86,500

Police: $2,171,790

TOTAL: $6,203,334

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Managing Editor / Tim Freed, tfreed@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez, egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com

‘MY SPIRIT IS 100%’ Coach David Oliver, center, has his lacrosse team backing him up as he battles cancer.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

he First Academy lacrosse Head Coach David Oliver may be fighting cancer — but he’s not alone. He was never alone. Earlier this year, Oliver was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma — news that he received after feeling pain in his legs toward the end of last school year. Tests in late April and early May showed some lymph node involvement, and an official diagnosis came in the following months. Chemotherapy treatments began in early September. Later that month, a group of at least 20 of his players surprised him after a class period with shirts that read “Coach Oliver Support Team” on the front and “No hair, don’t care” on the back. A few of the players even shaved their heads — a symbol of solidarity as Oliver continues to fight his cancer. “We’ve got prom in two weeks, I’m like ‘Guys, don’t shave your heads,’” Oliver said. “They’re like ‘We don’t care.’ So, unfortunately for their dates, they’re going to have cueballs.”

“It’s so humbling, and to me it’s a reflection of the community at The First Academy, the community at First Baptist of Orlando and just the community of God that just comes around people and gives them comfort and strength and joy. I’m joyful — to see all the young men and the people that are helping my family gives me joy.” Oliver said that the lacrosse team — and The First Academy as a whole — has always been a tightknit group. As a coach, Oliver said all he wants to do his shape his players into compassionate men and leaders. That influence has had a profound impact on lacrosse players like junior Josh Thomson, who said the team was eager to support Oliver in his time of need. “I’ve been playing for him since seventh grade — he’s like a second father to me; we all love him so much,” Thomson said. “We want to be there for him, so we’re letting him know, but also it’s amazing to see someone who’s always so strong about it. Every day he talks about how much God is doing in his life even though he has something as bad as cancer. He’s praising God. … It’s amazing.” Senior Cole Toenges said watch-

ing his coach walk that path and using it as a testimony has been inspiring. “I was just blown away by his confidence,” Toenges said. “When cancer comes on you, your first thought is ‘Why me? What’s going on here?’ I remember him saying to us that day “I’m grateful for this cancer.’ That was just something I was blown away by.” Oliver has spent most of his life pouring into others — making athletes stronger and ministering to his students. Over his 30-year coaching career, he’s worked with the USA basketball and soccer teams and even served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Orlando Magic from 1991 to 1997. The support Oliver has received from his family, The First Academy, his players and friends through God has put things in perspective, he said. “My hair is falling out, and I can’t reach down and put it back in my scalp — we can’t fix everything,” Oliver said. “My whole life I’ve been a fixer. I’ve been a coach. I’ve been Xs and Os. I’ve strengthened people. When my sons were sick and my wife was sick, I’ve always been the one to stand up tall

Tim Freed

and be the rock. With cancer, you can’t always do that. I’m just going to let people love on me and support me. … There’s some things we just can’t fix in our lives, and it’s OK not to be able to fix them. Other people can help us, that’s what I’m learning in all of this.” Oliver said he has four more chemotherapy treatments left, leading up to a rescan before his last treatment in mid-December. The Oliver family is praying for a nice Christmas present this year: that Oliver will walk out of the infusion center and ring the bell, signaling the end of his treatment. “I just hope people can be encouraged by walking through a trial and continue to have strength and to know you have people around you who are supporting you,” Oliver said. “I’m just very blessed. … You can still have joy in your trials.” If you ask Oliver how he’s doing, he’ll tell you that he’s already been healed. “My spirit is 100%, my body might be a little jacked up, but I’m already healed, so let’s go,” Oliver said.

Buffer debate divides DP neighbors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

zoned R-1AA, or Single-Family Dwelling District. It is part of a larger, 156-acre area west of Apopka-Vineland Road, from Darlene Drive up to Kilgore Road, that was part of a 1989 rezoning. As part of the 1989 rezoning, the Orange County Commission placed eight restrictions on the area, including a buffer on the west end of the area. “The restriction requires … a 35-foot area to be a natural vegetative buffer to the edge of the property line,” Thalmueller said. “It’s come to the county’s attention that while some of the lots do have a 35-foot buffer, many do not. Some have 20 feet, some are 15, some have zero feet.” This is where the rezoning request comes into play, Thalmueller said. However, he added it is confusing because the applicant, Jim Catan, doesn’t want to change the subdivision’s zoning district. Rather, the goal is to amend the restriction in question regarding

the 35-foot buffer. The rezoning is necessary to modify the 1989 BCC Condition of Approval No. 6 to reduce the required vegetative buffer width along the western property line from 35 feet to 10 feet. Similarly, the change determination request is necessary to modify the 1989 BCC Condition of Approval No. 3, which prohibits clearing and removal of vegetation on the western 35 feet. Catan, a Brentwood Club homeowner, represents a group of 21 homeowners affected by the restriction. He said he and his neighbors recently were made aware by the county their properties were in violation of the original setback requirement. For various reasons, their original vegetative buffers have been reduced for a number of years. He and fellow homeowners are proposing a 10-foot-wide hedge, which would preserve the buffer and provide more privacy between neighbors. However, the proposal includes shrinking the original

required 35-foot buffer to 10 feet. “We don’t want to put up a fence, because we don’t really think that’s keeping with the spirit of what our neighbors wanted,” Catan said. “We came up with another type of visual separator that gives a very dense buffer but also addresses all the concerns we have with the buffer. We agreed to build a hedge that’s going to grow 12 to 14 feet high and a minimum of 10 feet wide. This proposal is just asking to reduce this buffer by 25 feet — that’s it. These type of hedges are known to grow very, very fast. They’re privacy enhancing and privacy keeping.” On Kilgore Road, many neighbors abutting the western property line of Brentwood Club opposed the decrease of a 35-foot buffer to 10 feet. Some said there is wildlife everywhere, and it should be embraced. Others were worried about the maintenance of the hedge. “This has never really been an issue until recently,” said John Stephens, a Kilgore Road resident

since 1975. “If you put a hedge up, you’re only fooling yourself about the animal issue — they go where they want to. The vines will destroy it. I don’t have a problem with you putting the barrier up there. I think it would be nice, but who’s going to maintain it? Who’s going to be accountable, because right now, you all are supposed to be accountable for 35 feet.” Catan said Orange County would be responsible for enforcing the homeowners’ maintenance of the hedge buffer, adding the county currently is enforcing the original 35-foot vegetative buffer restriction. “We’re trying to give you a better, upgraded buffer,” Catan said. “What we’re asking for is better visual separation. We’re asking just in the end for something that does no harm to the Kilgore neighbors — we respect the Kilgore neighbors. We hope that we can fix this situation. For more information, contact Thalmueller at nicolas.thalmueller@ocfl.net.

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Daughter conquers bike, fear of failure

MICHAEL ENG PUBLISHER

wo years ago, Santa had left our daughter, Aria, a sparkling two-wheeler beside the Christmas tree. It was called Little Miss Matched, painted with every bright color you can imagine. It was perfectly suited for Aria’s aesthetic and personality. Santa knocked it out of the park. During Christmas break that year, I took Aria out to learn to ride. We didn’t have much luck — Aria puts enormous pressure on herself to do all things perfectly and can grow frustrated when that doesn’t happen right away. Whether out of embarrassment, pressure or expectations, she hates to fail. Soon, we decided to park the bike in the garage for another day. And there it sat. Aria preferred her scooter and, over time, had honed her balancing skills there. Every once in a while, I’d tell her she probably would be better at her bike if she ever wanted to try again. Finally, it happened — two years later. On her unexpected days off from school in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, Aria told me she wanted to try again. So, I pumped up the tires on Little Miss Matched, strapped a helmet onto her head and rolled her out to the alley behind our home. It was a shaky start, with sweat raining down my face as I, hunched over, held her up and ran her up and down the alley. Whenever I let go,

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the bike tilted over. Aria’s frustration grew — the bike just didn’t want her to ride it, she said. We talked about failure — that you actually learn more from failing than you do from succeeding. We talked about expectations — she never had ridden a bike, so why would she expect to be able to do it? And we talked about blocking out distractions — so what if younger kids already know how? We’re not worried about them. This isn’t a race. This time, instead of retreating, she hopped back on. Back and forth, more sweat, more awkward tilting, more frustration. The sun set, and the mosquitoes came out. But she wanted to keep going. She failed (learned) and failed (learned) and failed (learned) … until she learned! She started coasting by herself. Then after a few more alley lengths, she started pedaling. The next day, we ventured out of the alley and into the neighborhood. We conquered 90-degree turns, stopping and starting, and going up and down a hill. By day three, she was zooming everywhere. Here’s the thing: I know exactly where she got her fear of failure. In our family, the inside joke is Aria is my twin. We look alike (with our big, round heads), we’re both stubborn and take enormous pride in being excellent (read: perfect) at something. We don’t like to lose; it makes us uncomfortable when we can’t do something. But that mentality failed Aria two years ago — paralyzing her ability to learn a new skill. She hadn’t failed at learning to ride a bike. She simply failed at failing. I don’t know if Aria’s bike-riding journey carries the same significance as it does for me. My hope is that she understands her persistence ultimately led to her success — and that failing isn’t the same as failure.

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Third act.More like your

second childhood, Right?

It’s been years since all you had to think about was you. So, you’re going for it. Upping your game in cooking, grilling, entertaining. Spending hours mastering the art of relaxation. This new chapter in life is so good, can’t wait to see what you’re up to next.

As public gas systems are owned by the community and avoid stockholder pressure, customers are provided competitive costs Ready for your next act? See how natural gas can help and the assurance at www.NaturalGasGenius.com or #NaturalGasGenius that local dollars stay at home. And, as public gas systems Call 407.656.2734 ext. 307 or are controlled locally, visit www.LANGD.org to get started. they are better able to focus on Even in the midst of Florida’s surprise showers customer service. By maintaining close ties and thunderstorms, natural gas consumers and relationships within the communities they can rest easy, knowing they have everything serve, public gas systems have their finger on they need, no matter the weather. the pulse of their customers and, as a result, are able to successfully meet their needs. With an abundant supply of domestic natural gas, there’s no need to worry about running out For 60 years, the District team has proudly of fuel. Approximately 85% of natural served as a reliable and friendly provider of gas consumed in the U.S. is produced natural gas – the energy of the future – to a domestically. While this ensures reliability customer base that has grown to more than and access, it also reduces dependence on 23,000 in Apopka, Winter Garden, Clermont foreign sources, keeping America’s energy and surrounding communities, and these loyal dollars “at home.” customers are in good company. Today, 177 million American consumers turn to the clean, Plus, it’s friendly for the environment – tapdomestic, dependable and economical ener- ping into domestic natural gas reduces the gy source to fuel their homes, businesses and large carbon footprint that comes with fordaily lives. It’s genius. eign energy imports. Natural gas is also the cleanest-burning energy source available, Why “genius,” you may ask? On March leaving only water vapor and trace amounts 14, 2019, National Genius Day, the American of inactive elements behind. Natural gas Public Gas Association (APGA) launched a appliances produce approximately new campaign – “Natural Gas. Genius.” – a 45% less carbon dioxide and the total consumer marketing campaign that speaks energy consumption is 33% less than from the heart and mind of today’s homebuyer a similar home with all electric appliances. or remodeler. It’s refreshing, sassy and right on Saving the planet while saving your wallet? target with its target audience. In each compoNow that’s genius. nent of the campaign, APGA shares people’s experiences and stories that show how they Perhaps most importantly, the underground are transforming into providers of better living delivery system for natural gas has a remarkfor themselves and those they love because able safety record. Each year, the natural gas they are choosing natural gas. This transfor- industry spends more than $4 billion on safemation acknowledges the “genius” moves ty-related efforts. There’s no unnecessary risk people are making and encourages them to associated with energy sourced from natural do more with natural gas. gas, making it a safe, brilliant option for your family and the environment. Today, many homeowners see natural gas appliances as a luxury upgrade in their remod- Looking at the big picture, natural gas is more eling projects or new home purchases, and than just your monthly energy bill. Whether they’re right. But, while natural gas fuels many you’re making a homecooked meal for the of the everyday luxuries you’ve been waiting family or sending the kids to shower after socfor, it comes without an opulent price tag. cer practice, it’s always there when you need it. Consumer Affairs reports homeowners save On demand. 24/7. Safe, efficient power up to 30% on their utility bills each month for you and those you love? That’s after converting from electric to natural gas genius. appliances. Plus, gas appliances are faster, use less fuel and last longer. Easy living at To celebrate the “genius” of natural gas usage and to commemorate Public Natural Gas Week, a lower cost? Genius. District customers, as well as other members With cost-effectiveness also comes infallible of the community, are invited to stop by any reliability. Because natural gas is sourced of the District’s three offices from October from an underground pipeline, you never have 7-11, 2019 to enjoy refreshments, learn more to worry about access to energy when you about natural gas service and cost benefits need it. Natural gas is always readily avail- of natural gas appliances, and take home a able, even through power outages, storms and complimentary 2019 natural gas-themed hurricanes, because natural gas appliances – calendar. stoves, grills, water heaters, clothes dryers and much more – stay running without electricity.

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OBSERVED

OrangeObserver.com

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Chamber to host Horizon West primer The West Orange Chamber of Commerce is giving community members an opportunity to lunch and learn about the ever-growing Horizon West area. HORIZON WEST LUNCHEON

DANIELLE HENDRIX

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 WHERE: Valencia College West Campus Special Events Center, 1800 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando TICKETS: $46 per person for chamber members; $56 per person for non-members. Visit bit. ly/2nfg5Yk for registration and information.

With the rapid growth occurring in Horizon West, more eyes are fixed on the community now than ever before. That focus has the attention of businesses and community members alike, and it’s also why the West Orange Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its first Horizon West Luncheon since 2013. The master-planned community accounts for about 4% of Orange County, and in 2018 roughly 50% of all building permits came from the Horizon West area. However, the area still has more growing to do, and many local leaders and community stakeholders will gather at the luncheon to hear more about what’s to come. The purpose of the Horizon West Luncheon — which will take place Wednesday, Oct. 9 —

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is to educate chamber members and citizens on Horizon West, as well as to provide a primer both on the growth and development happening now and on what the future holds. “The concept will be focused on the growth of Horizon West,” said Krista Carter, vice president of the WOCC. “We’re going to talk a little about where it’s at right now and what to expect in the future, not only for people that live there but also for the businesses.” Four featured panelists, who are either stakeholders within or who have specific knowledge on the Horizon West area, will speak about the community in a question-and-answer format. The moderators for the event are former Orange County District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd and current District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey. “Both of them know so much … about this project because of their positions, and (I think) they’re the

Betsy VanderLey

Scott Boyd

best that can lead that conversation because of their deep knowledge of the area,” Carter said. The four panelists are Pam Gould, Orange County Public Schools District 4 School Board member; Olan Hill, assistant manager in the county’s planning division; Loren Bender, vice president of business operations and finance at Valencia College; and Ken Kupp, partner at Boyd Development. “Because Boyd Development is so integral in the development out there and owns so much of the property, obviously we wanted them at the table, because they’ve

spearheaded the development at this time,” Carter said. “Loren Bender is a panelist because Valencia has property out there. We know that higher education is going to be a key component of the development of Horizon West, so we brought him in, and the same goes (for) Pam Gould because of the fast growth and need for schools. Olan, he has been intimately involved in the planning stages of Horizon West and he has a great deal of knowledge on the process, the next steps and how everything comes to fruition.” Boyd and VanderLey will lead the question-and-answer session, which will consist of questions both curated by community leaders and from residents in attendance. The topics discussed will revolve around “everything Horizon West and then some,” Carter said. “Future business opportunities will definitely be discussed, as well as the demographics and what’s trending in that area,” she said. “A lot of it is going to deal with the phenomenal growth out there and then how to navigate that. (We’ll talk about) the connectivities of the roads, as well as the trails, transportation connection with the roadways, and we’ll also talk about the new business coming in and the regional park.” One dollar from each ticket sold will be contributed to the West Orange Foundation, which aims to support the communities involved in and served by the chamber.

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WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Night out on the town

Makayla Kepler was all smiles with Ocoee police officers.

James Grier was excited to sit up in a tractor.

he town of Windermere combined its monthly Food Truck Night with National Night Out Friday, Sept. 27. Hundreds of attendees enjoyed delicacies from local food trucks, live music by The Down Brothers, face painting, a visit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, safety education and children’s activities. The Ocoee, Windermere and Winter Garden police departments represented their respective municipalities, and children even got to sit on police motorcycles and inside the cruisers. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

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ONLINE

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Orange County Public Schools’ hurricane make-up day originally slated for Monday, Nov. 25, has been waived. During the Sept. 24 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins waived the make-up day to ensure the Thanksgiving week break remains intact for families and employees. Jenkins could only waive one of the two instructional days missed since there weren’t enough instructional minutes in the OCPS school year to waive more than one day. However, the hurricane season doesn’t end until Nov. 30. If needed, according to OCPS, Nov. 25 is still the second prioritized day that would be used. The district also proposed to switch the first prioritized make-up day from Friday, Oct. 18, to Thursday, Oct. 17. The school calendar and list of prioritized bad-weather days can be found at bit. ly/2okSRjB. Here are other highlights from the Sept. 24 School Board meeting: n School Board approves an amended 2020 State Legislative Platform n School Board proclaims October as LGBTQ+ History and Awareness Month n The district will recognize Disability History and Awareness Weeks n October is National Principals Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Bullying Prevention Month

War of the Wings and Friday Football Fun Windermere Preparatory School will be hosting a community event at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at the football field and cafe. Come out for a fun afternoon of wings and football. More than 10 different restaurants — including Gators, Buffalo Wild Wings and more — will be there for you to enjoy. Vote on your favorite wings in town. No need to register — just stop by and enjoy the afternoon with the family.

LILIA OAKEY WHITEHOUSE WATER SPRING ELEMENTARY

Although Water Spring Elementary only has been open for a couple of months, it is full of teachers and staff who are excited to be part of a new community. Water Spring staff chose fourth-grade math and science teacher Lilia Oakey Whitehouse as the school’s first Influencer of the Week nominee. Oakey Whitehouse loves teaching math and science, and finding new ways to encourage her students to succeed.

What do you love most about your school? I love that everyone, from the janitorial staff to the admin team, is student focused and wants the best learning environment for our students. What’s your favorite part of your job? My favorite part is coming up with creative ways for students to practice their math and science. What made you want to take on this job? I was extremely interested in being part of a new school team. (Principal Amy) Klaber and the entire admin team’s focus and passion for students and the school community as a whole made me eager to be a part of their school vision.

REPORT CARD ROLE: Fourth grade math and science teacher SCHOOL: Water Spring Elementary TIME AT THE SCHOOL: First year

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best? I am motivated by my students. I can’t expect them to be their best if I am not at my best. What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done for you? My first year of teaching, a student gave me a bag of her favorite snack, 11 pieces of Reese’s Pieces, and a handmade card. The student and her family did not have much, but she still insisted on giving me a gift. The candy and card have moved with me to every school and position I’ve worked at. What is the coolest place you have visited and why? The coolest place I’ve visited is Escalantes National Monument in Utah. I spend all summer hiking and backpacking and this monument offered almost a million acres of slot canyons and natural structures to explore. And it provided me lots of pictures (for) my rocks and minerals unit.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I’d want to be a polyglot so that language isn’t a barrier to my learning and teaching. Do you have any pets? What kind, and what are their names? I have two cats, Martin and Cha Cha, and one dog, Juno. I also foster kittens for Orange County Animal Services. If you could see any musician, band or artist live, who would it be and why? I would want to see BJ Thomas. He is my mom’s favorite artist, and I would love to have the opportunity to see him with her and hear her sing along. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

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OCPS waives make-up day

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WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Panther pride Stephen Dix Jr. and Courtney Afram-Gyening are Dr. Phillips High’s 2019 Homecoming king and queen.

Both teams enjoyed some friendly competition at the Homecoming teacher/student basketball game.

It was a Friday night under the lights to remember for seniors on Dr. Phillips High School’s Homecoming court Friday, Sept. 27. The Panthers played the Windermere Wolverines for their Homecoming game, but at halftime it was the court’s time to shine. Ultimately, the school’s panther mascot crowned Stephen Dix Jr. and Courtney Afram-Gyening the 2019 Homecoming king and queen.

TIM FREED AND DANIELLE HENDRIX

Dr. Phillips’ mascots were out in full force at the Homecoming teacher/student basketball game.

tudents at Dr. Phillips High School showed their school spirit and had a great time during Homecoming week. Faculty squared off against the students in friendly basketball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, with the coaches and teachers coming up with a win. Teams cracked jokes and had a blast during the game.

Stephen Dix Jr. and Courtney Afram-Gyening were crowned Dr. Phillips High’s 2019 Homecoming king and queen at the Homecoming coronation.

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C O N V E N I E N T L O C AT I O N S

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When your children get home from school, have a conversation. You may find out what’s really on their mind!

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Learn how to get started at HealthyWestOrange.org and join us on social media.

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9/30/19 12:02 PM

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 Evelyn, left, and Johnny Chastain bonded with their grandchildren Cattleya Lopez, center left, and Ema Alvarenga in one of the photo stations.

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eene’s Crossing Cougars and their grandparents all screamed for ice cream Wednesday, Sept. 18, for the school’s annual Grandparents’ Night Ice Cream Social event. Students and grandparents got to top off their frozen treats with sprinkles, candy, syrups and other sweets. Attendees also got to enjoy popcorn, board Keene’s Crossing Principal Sherry • • •photos A Fun Filled Dining Experience with Themed Tables • • • games and taking memorable Donaldson brought her grandson, at the photo booth. Kaden, to the ice cream social.

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WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

QT with the cuties Maria Leksell-Ching and Melissa Trimble helped at the event by running a store to benefit the PTO and the school.

Stella, 6, and Martha Price were spotted at the grandparents event.

Russ Smiley; Pierce Diviney, 6; Kathy Smiley and Margot Diviney, 8, weren’t afraid to grab some props in the photo booth. Right: Lucas Baker, 9, and his great-grandmother, Joyce Sternagel, had a great time at the event.

— TIM FREED

Nancy Garcia; Harper Lowe, 6 and Steve Garcia spent their Friday night together having fun.

Kendall, 7, and Donna Sipe checked out the photo booth.

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Sila Addison, 12; Amani Addison, 5; and Emma Kiamba played a game of Monopoly.

tudents at Sunset Park Elementary School enjoyed special, quality time with extended family at the the school’s Grandparents Game Night Friday, Sept. 20. Families made crafts, played board games, ate pizza and took photos in the photo booth.

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

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The villa at 6033 Lexington Park, No. 97, Orlando, 32819, sold Sept. 26, for $490,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,900 square feet. The price per square foot is $168.97. 314839-1

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The townhouse at 8369 Via Bella Notte, Orlando, 32819, sold Sept. 27, for $425,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,547 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.86. DELLAGIO

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The home at 8191 Via Vittoria Way, Orlando, 32819, sold Sept. 23, for $842,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,858 square feet. The price per square foot is $218.25.

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The home at 10026 Canopy Tree Court, Orlando, 32836, sold Sept. 23, for $527,500. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 3,553 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.47.

Windermere topped all

The home at 711 W. Second

The home at 8918 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Sept. 23, for $1.11 million. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,070 square feet. The price per square foot is $218.93. HIDDEN ESTATES

The home at 5423 Split Pine Court, Orlando, 32819, sold Sept. 24, for $394,020. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,540 square feet. The price per square foot is $155.13. PALM LAKE MANOR

The home at 5492 Palm Lake Circle, Orlando, 32819, sold Sept. 24, for $705,000. Built in 2009, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,029 square feet. The price per square foot is $174.98. The home at 5512 Palm Lake Circle, Orlando, 32819, sold Sept. 27, for $592,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,852 square feet. The price per square foot is $207.57. PHILLIPS LANDING AT BAY HARBOUR

The home at 8245 Lake Serene Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Sept. 23, for $475,000. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,208 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.07. SAND LAKE COVE

The home at 10344 Newington Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Sept. 26, for $670,000. Built in 1996, it has five bedrooms, three baths

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Town of Windermere estate sells for $1.55M

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WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

and 3,804 square feet. The price per square foot is $176.13. WATERS EDGE AT BOCA POINTE AT TURTLE CREEK

The home at 10545 Boca Pointe Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Sept. 23, for $695,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,063 square feet. The price per square foot is $171.06.

GOTHA

WINDERMERE CHASE

The home at 10172 Windermere Chase Blvd., Gotha, 34734, sold Sept. 25, for $467,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,253 square feet. The price per square foot is $143.56.

HORIZON WEST

HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 6730 Marmalade Alley, Winter Garden, 34787, sold Sept. 26, for $400,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,502 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.87.

Blvd., Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 25, for $775,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 4,403 square feet. The price per square foot is $176.02.

The home at 15548 Sunquat Drive, Winter Garden, 34787, sold Sept. 25, for $394,598. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,309 square feet. The price per square foot is $170.90.

WINDERMERE

KEENES POINTE

LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

The home at 7617 Lake Albert Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 25, for $505,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,663 square feet. The price per square foot is $137.87. OVERLOOK AT HAMLIN

The home at 5401 Bowman Drive, Winter Garden, 34787, sold Sept. 23, for $542,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,988 square feet. The price per square foot is $135.91.

Movoto.com

The home at 8918 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, 32836, sold Sept. 23, for $1.11 million. The first floor has the master suite and an additional bedroom with en-suite. The gourmet kitchen flows into the family room and nestled behind the family room is a media room with raised theater seating.

2006, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,426 square feet. The price per square foot is $185.83.

Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,321 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.03.

VINEYARDS OF HORIZON WEST

WEST LAKE HANCOCK ESTATES

The home at 7753 Tangerine Knoll Loop, Winter Garden, 34787, sold Sept. 25, for $404,254. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,687 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.45.

The townhouse at 13770 Bressler Alley, Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 24, for $311,500. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,091 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.97.

SUMMERPORT

WATERMARK

SANCTUARY AT HAMLIN

The townhouse at 13939 Ancilla Blvd., Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 24, for $265,000. Built in

The townhouse at 9755 Amber Chestnut Way, Winter Garden, 34787, sold Sept. 26, for $325,000.

The home at 14321 United Colonies Drive, Winter Garden, 34787, sold Sept. 23, for $550,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,293 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.02.

WEST ORANGE OXFORD MOOR

The home at 5801 Oxford Moor

The home at 8292 Tibet Butler Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 26, for $1.44 million. Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths and 6,616 square feet. The price per square foot is $217.65. The home at 11819 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 27, for $600,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,449 square feet. The price per square foot is $173.96. RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 11649 Delwick Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 26, for $460,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,307 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.10. WHITNEY ISLES AT BELMERE

The home at 1324 Whitney Isles Drive, Windermere, 34786, sold Sept. 26, for $435,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,902 square feet. The price per square foot is $149.90.

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce American Social’s Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of American

Social, located at 7335 West Sand Lake Road, in Orlando. To learn more, visit www.americansocialbar.com/orlando/. Photo courtesy of WOCC.

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WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Hopdoddy

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce Wave Media Systems’ Ribbon Cutting

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of Wave Media

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

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He graduated from West Orange High School in 2017 and was a member of the water polo team. Alex was also a city of Winter Garden certified lifeguard. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave, Oakland, FL 34760, with Dr. Robert P. Hines Jr. officiating. A burial with full military honors at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida, starts at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. Alex’s funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, 1132 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

ALEXANDER TODD WARCHOCKI DIED SUNDAY, SEPT. 22, 2019.

Alexander Todd Warchocki, 21, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, from This week’s injuries sustained in aCelebrity motorcycleCipher answers accident in El Paso, Texas. One Solution: AlexPuzzle was born April 24, 1998, in Bryansk, Russia, was aweek’s resi“I came toand parenting the way most ofCipher us This Celebrity answers dent of Winter Garden since 2010. do – knowing nothing and trying to learn He is survived by his father,One Tim Solution: Alex is Bialik preceded in death by Puzzle everything.” – Mayim Warchocki, of Winter Garden, grandparents Daniel Terry “I came to parenting the way mostand of us Puzzle Two Solution: Florida; and his mother, Warchocki. do – Tammi knowing nothing and trying to learn “James was a gift to our Warchocki, of Garner Easton, PennsylAlex was a private first class in everything.” – Mayim Bialik vania;business. Kailey, his ... sister; Luke, It was an his honorthe toTerminal have High Altitude Area Puzzle Two Solution: brother; Neil and Carol Rechlin, Defense Battery (THAAD) servworked beside him.” – Kaley Cuoco his maternal grandparents; at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he “James and Garnering was a gift to our Daniel and Denise Kiernan and hard worker, business. ... It was wasdescribed an honorasto“ahave Darryl and Lynn Manning, his tough always put his worked beside him.”as nails–and Kaley Cuoco answers uncles andThis aunts.week’s Sudokumission first.”

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Puzzle One Solution: “I came to parenting the wayCelebrity most of us This week’s Cipher answe week’sCrossword Crossword answers This week’s Celebrity Cipher do – knowing nothing andanswers trying to learn ThisThis week’s answers ©2019 NEA, Inc. everything.” Puzzle One–Solution: Mayim Bialik Puzzle One Solution: “I came to parenting the way most of Puzzle Two Solution: “I came to parenting the way most of us do –Cipher week’sCrossword Crossword answers This week’s Celebrity do – knowing nothing andanswers trying to lea ThisThis week’s answers “James Garnertowas a gift to our knowing nothing and trying learn everything.” everything.” – Mayim Bia Puzzle One Solution: business. ... It was an honor to haveBialik – Mayim Puzzle the Twoway “I camebeside to parenting most of us do – worked him.” –Solution: Kaley Cuoco “James Garnertowas a gift to our Puzzle Two Solution: knowing nothing and trying learn everything.” business. ... It was honor to haveBi “James Garner was a gift to our business. ... Itan was – Mayim worked beside him.”Cuoco– Kaley Cuo an honor to have worked beside him.” – Kaley ThisTwo week’s Sudoku answers Puzzle Solution: This “James Garner was a gift to our business. ... It was besideSudoku him.” –answers Kaley Cuo week’s an honor to have worked This week’s

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HIGH

SPORTS

Onix Ortiz is going the distance as a runner at Windermere High School. Page 16.

HIT LIKE A GIRL

In Dr. Phillips football’s 42-6 homecoming victory over Windermere Friday, Sept. 27, junior Jalen Moore had the highlight of the night on a 109-yard pick-six late in the game. Nivon Holland had two touchdowns of his own — one receiving, one rushing. The win pushed Dr. Phillips to 4-2 (2-0) on the season, but more impressively the victory was the Panthers’ 46th-straight win in district — a streak that spans the last 12 seasons.

In Dr. Phillips’ big win over West Orange in volleyball action Thursday, Sept. 26, junior outside hitter Alexis Distasio racked up 11 kills and six digs, while junior right-side setter Alicia Virthe grabbed 10 kills, two blocks and five digs. Junior outside hitter Kaley Landis would add on 13 digs.

The First Academy’s volleyball team saw a big night from senior middle blocker Alexis Martin in the Royals’ 3-1 win over Trinity Prep Thursday, Sept. 26. Edwards picked up 18 kills, four blocks and four digs in the win. Junior defensive specialist/libero Emily Rhodes had a whopping 41 digs, while eighth grade outside hitter Ava Pierzynski had 32 digs and senior libero/outside hitter Elli McKissock had 17 kills and 26 digs.

In The First Academy’s 140-150 win over Windermere Prep in girls golf Thursday, Sept. 26, at Disney’s Magnolia Course, the Royals saw all four players shoot one under par in the match. Sisters Taylor and Ava Zeng, Bridget Ma and Annie Zhang all shot a matching 35 to lead the Royals to their 23rd win of the season (23-2). Meanwhile, for the Lakers, Yoko Tai shot two-under-par to record a 34 for Windermere Prep (7-4)

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

hen 12-year-old Milana Borrelli steps onto the field, she knows all eyes are on her. She sees the side-eye glances from opposing players, and she has heard every comment under the sun, from “What is she doing out here?” to “Girls shouldn’t be playing this sport.” In a sea of young boys, she is the lone girl playing a sport that has long been seen as completely off limits to the female persuasion, but that — and the comments — don’t intimidate her. She’s a linebacker for the Horizon West Wolverines 12U football team and she knows how to handle herself. “I don’t really like to talk smack, but when they do and when they get tackled, I get their respect pretty easily,” Milana said. “I keep it up inside and then I go out on the

Troy Herring

She may be the lone girl on the team, but Milana Borrelli destroys the competition on the football field.

Horizon West Wolverines’ Milana ‘Hollywood’ Borrelli, 12, shows that football isn’t just for boys.

SEE MILANA PAGE 16

Windermere Prep hosts Dad’s and Daughter’s Lift workout The Saturday morning session saw student-athletes at the school help lead their dads through exercises. TROY HERRING

The Olympia Titans snuck by West Orange and Timber Creek in their bowling tri-meet Wednesday, Sept. 25. The Titans finished with 2,282 points to the Warriors’ 2,276 and the Wolves’ 2,171. In the win, the Titans were led by Ryan Rutkiewicz, who bowled a game-high 241.

SPORTS EDITOR

Troy Herring

Hannah Allen, left, and her dad, Gary, right, enjoy a workout on Saturday morning.

Most times the sounds coming from the weight room on Windermere Prep’s campus are that of weights hitting the floor and music loud enough to make the walls vibrate. But on Saturday morning, there was something a little bit different. The sounds of weights hitting the ground still rang out, but above that there was laughter. This wasn’t a normal workout for some of the school’s female

athletes — they were participating alongside their fathers in a dad/ daughter workout, and for many of them it was a chance to enjoy watching their dads get a challenging workout in. “It’s pretty funny,” junior Hannah Allen said with a laugh. “My dad, I’ve never really seen him work out like this so it’s funny. He’s all cardio — he bikes — and he hasn’t done weights in 10 years he said, isn’t that crazy? He’s sweating everywhere — he’s sweating on SEE WORKING OUT PAGE 16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

WEST ORANGE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Working out with dad

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Onix Ortiz

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

A senior on the cross country and track teams at Windermere High, Onix Ortiz is a familiar name for those who follow the high-school running circuit. Ortiz has consistently found himself atop individual standings at meets, as he and the Wolverines dominate out on the course.

When did you first get into running? I’ve actually always been active in running, because I used to play basketball. For conditioning I’d run two miles every other day — it was nothing crazy. But my first time running competitively was actually ninth grade — I was at West Orange High School.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Windermere High School YEAR: Senior SPORT(S): Cross country, track and field EVENT (FOR TRACK): 400m to 2-mile

I was constantly improving, but my sophomore year it was mentally exhausting because I was working so hard. I just put in so much work on the track, and I found myself running the exact same time for over a month — and for almost the entire track season. I ended up finally running the times that I wanted … and when I broke two minutes in the 800 it was amazing and that’s when I felt like all the hard work paid off. I’m just glad I have a coach who is super supportive and she definitely helped me out during that process.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since you first started running? I feel like there are a lot of things actually. I never really saw myself as a mile guy. I didn’t know much about track in ninth grade — at least not at the beginning of the year — and my coach told me I was going to be running the 4x800, and I was like, ‘Two laps? That doesn’t sound too hard.’ My first time running it I ran a 2:12. but I felt like I wasn’t even trying, so I felt like I had so much more potential in the 800. Then my first time ever running the mile I won the race — it was a freshman/sophomore mile — and I was a freshman and I won the race going sub-five (minutes). My mile has gone from 4:58 freshman year to 4:17 that I ran in my junior year.

me and it’s gross.” The morning’s hour-long workout was actually partly the brainchild of Allen, who one day was talking with Micah Kurtz — the school’s director of athletic performance — about her dad, which sparked the idea in Kurtz’s mind to do a dad/daughter workout “I was like, ‘Yeah! There’s always fun stuff like daddy/ daughter dances and what’s better than working out?’” Allen said. “It’s really fun.” The fun aspect of the morning was something that popped up for everyone, but for Kurtz it went beyond that. Female athletes like Allen — who is a member of the cheer and weightlifting teams — put in a lot of work for their sport and make an effort to get better and they deserve to be recognized for that, Kurtz said. There’s also something special about the weight room that brings people together — it’s a place where stereotypes can be smashed. It’s why he thought a dad/daughter workout would be a positive event to put on. “I truly think that the weight room is one of the best areas to

become a better person and to learn about teamwork and working together and overcoming obstacles,” Kurtz said. “We have a great group of kids and students — especially females that do a great job in our workouts. “There’s still that stereotype that girls shouldn’t lift heavy weights — it’s not true,” he said. “I want to empower the females that strong is in, and then have them invite their dads to show what they have been doing, and I think the dads have a newfound respect for how hard their daughters work.” The routine itself is what Kurtz called a “dynamic warm up” that featured three different tiers — all of which included three to four different exercises. Tier One included the bench press, trap bar deadlifts and medicine ball reverse lunges, while Tier Two featured chinups, dumbbell squats and medicine ball slams. Tier Three consisted of rack rows, push ups, side raises and dumbbell rows before finishing off with some ab exercises. Through the workouts the dads in the weight room really did get to see the kind of work their daughters have put into their craft, and the change seen

Milana shines

— TROY HERRING

field and I use it. “It doesn’t really matter what other people say, it’s really just what your goal is and how you perceive it,” she said. While there are the naysayers and doubters, the comments directed her way often are positive, with parents coming up to her and talking about how cool it is that she’s out there doing her thing. And then there are her teammates — which includes her brothers Merek and Malec — who see her as an equal on the football field. And watching her take things head on is the Wolverines Head Coach Brandon Borrelli — Milana’s dad. He’s seen her overcome obstacles and grow into one of the best defenders on the team. “She is the best tackler on the team,” Borrelli said. “I have 24 guys on my team and one girl and she is the best tackler. She’s killing it and I couldn’t be any prouder of her.”

What has been the biggest highlight moment for you? I would say my biggest athletic highlight would be district 4x800 this (past) junior season for track, where our relay broke eight minutes. We ended up running 7:57, and it was the most hype race when our anchor crossed the finish line. It was super exciting, and it was hands down one of the best races — I will remember it forever.

GRIT AND GUTS

Overcoming the stereotypes that come with being a female athlete is one thing that Milana has done since she was a kid — though she originally started in another male-dominated sport. Back home in Oregon, a then-

Is there ever a moment during a race where you mentally wear down? How do you overcome that? This (past) junior season I just felt like

is always rewarding, said Justin Tanner — whose daughter, Kelsey, is a member of the cheer and weightlifting teams. “Kelsey has been working out all year — through the summer actually — with Coach Kurtz and she was a little apprehensive at first, and I told her, ‘Just give it time,’” Justin said. “Before you knew it she was here four to five days a week working out religiously.” Going from cheerleading to weightlifting has been a unique experience for Kelsey, but it’s a change that has really grown on her. “The first practice we had I didn’t know what to expect,” Kelsey said. “We started these new workouts we had never done before, but I just really eased into it and it’s just really fun for me.” With work and other adult responsibilities, just having time to spend with their daughters was something that made Saturday morning even more special. “It’s great daughter/daddy bonding and it’s great to see how connected they are to the school,” said Dr. Gary Allen, Hannah’s father. “And you get to meet some of their other friends and family — it’s a good sense of community building.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

7-year-old Milana decided to try wrestling, because it was what her brother had participated in. It was there, in wrestling, where she developed her competitive nature. For Brandon and Denise — Milana’s mom — it was a platform to teach her how to win, lose and overcome obstacles to get to her end goal. “As I got older I realized that I usually got second all the time, and I realized I didn’t want to be second — I want to be first,” Milana said. “So then I recently won my first state title in Florida for boys and girls, and I’ve also been to a couple of national tournaments and finished top-three in all of them.” The success in wrestling would eventually give way to football three years ago. The reason she gave for starting is the same reason why she continues playing now. “I have a mission to empower people to do what they love,” Milana said. “It’s not easy coming out here as a girl and doing everything with guys — I’ve been doing that all of my life. I’m just trying to empower women, because we can really dominate.” After playing two years of football in Oregon, the Borrelli family

moved to Florida last year. Milana still had that hunger to get out and play football, so they signed her up with Horizon West. Just as before with a new team, Milana had to come into a situation where she was the only girl on the team and once again there was some questioning of her being out there. “I got those looks and I got those comments — that’s always what you get,” Milana said. “Then you put your first impression out there — then they’re like, ‘OK, well I take back what I said.’” Milana went from being questioned to being one of the most respected players on the team, and has been affectionally nicknamed “Hollywood,” because — as Milana puts it — she “shines brightest under the lights.” With the Wolverines’ season well underway, you can expect Milana to shine as she hands out crushing blows to both opposing teams and to the stereotypes she has dedicated her life to fighting. “I always have a mission and that’s to make my point and be myself,” Milana said. “I don’t really get caught up in that drama — I just go out there and deliver my part and hopefully everyone else will. I’m different and nobody is going to stop me.”

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PREP FOOTBALL RECAP

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

Foundation Academy gets first WEEK PREVIEW win over TFA in 21-14 victory n DR. PHILLIPS (4-2) AT WEKIVA (5-1) Dr. Phillips (4-3) is coming off of a Homecoming blowout win over Windermere to move above .500. This week will be a stiff test for the Panthers, who travel up to Apopka to take on a powerhouse Wekiva (5-1) team that’s coming off a blowout loss to Edgewater. The loss was the first of the season for the Mustangs, who are likely going into this week’s game wanting a rebound. The Mustangs are led by former Panther’s quarterback Brenden Cyr, who has thrown for 757 yards and eight touchdowns this season. To add to the offensive power, the Mustangs will look to a stable of backs in Amari Thomas, Larry Preston and Chad Davis Jr.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

s soon as the scoreboard hit 0.0, Foundation Academy football players and coaches rushed to each other in a frenzied celebration. After years of losing to The First Academy, the Lions (5-1) finally broke the streak and beat the Royals 21-14 Friday, Sept. 27 — claiming their first-ever victory over TFA (1-5) on the football field. “It means more to the school than the program,” said Lions Head Coach Brad Lord. “We’ve been in dogfights with them before … when we first started playing them they blew us out, but we’ve lost some tight ones with them and then tonight we came out on the up end.” Things didn’t start off smoothly, however, for the Lions as quarterback Henry Austad was picked off by safety Jalen Middleton at the 27-yard line. The Royals would make the Lions pay for the mistake, as senior Lake Ellis exploded for a 73-yard touchdown down the left side of the field on the first play of the game for TFA. The PAT would put the Royals up 7-0 less than three minutes into the game. While the Lions’ offense had issues early on, they’d be set up deep in Royals’ territory thanks to a fumble on a bad snap at TFA’s own 16-yard line with less than five minutes to go in the first quarter. A few plays later and Austad would find pay dirt on a short, 1-yard touchdown run, before the PAT tied the game up at 7-7. Austad would run for two touchdowns and 64 yards on 13 carries, while tossing for 201 yards on 14-of-19 passing. In the second quarter, Foundation would pull away a bit, thanks to a 15-yard touchdown run by Dharius Seth Daniels with 8:18 left in the half, before Austad dived toward the pylon with 16.8 seconds to go — picking up his second rushing touchdown on the night — to make it 21-7 going into the break. The second half would be a story of defense and blunders for both teams. On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions saw tons of production from sophomore Bryan Thomas (11 total tackles, one sack and two hurries) and freshman Edward Byrd (10 tackles). Danny Stutsman and Michael Lemieux-Bott added nine and eight tackles of their own. Toward the end of a scoreless third quarter, TFA would drive down the field on the Lions’ defense, before being stuffed on third-and-1 at the Lions’ 1-yard line. Down 14 and being as close as you can be to the end zone, the Royals decided to go for it on fourth down — fumbling the ball away at the Lions’ 5-yard line. The Royals would get the last score of the game when a long

OTHER WEEK SIX SCORES n Windermere High 6, Dr. Phillips 42 n Bye — Windermere Prep

Photos by Troy Herring

Dharius Seth Daniels stared down defenders as he moved the ball downfield for the Lions.

Chris Mayer

Cameron Friedman secured the ball tightly as he was tackled.

Terrence Mosley II flew past a pile of players at the line of scrimmage.

run by Middleton set up a 5-yard touchdown run by senior running back Michael McFayden with 5:52 left in the game. The PAT to make it 21-14 would be the last of the night’s scoring. Foundation would bleed out the rest of the clock — thanks in part to a 40-yard toss from Austad to Matt Puchalski — and finish off the game in victory formation. “They’re a hard team to play — they run that Wing-T like butter and I knew it was going to be a tough game,” Lord said. “But our kids toughened up and played well.” The Lions will return to action Friday, Oct. 4, as they travel to Windermere Prep (1-4) for a 4:30 p.m. start, while the Royals will have the week off to recover. DEFENSE COMES UP BIG IN OLYMPIA’S 13-12 WIN OVER OAK RIDGE

The biggest plays in Olympia High’s 13-12 victory over Oak Ridge Friday, Sept. 27, covered the shortest amount of yardage. The Titans stopped Oak Ridge on a pair of two-point conversions — the final one coming with 7:20 remaining as the Pioneers looked to take their first lead — and then forced a turnover on downs with 42 seconds left to secure their second consecutive Class 8A, District 5 triumph.

Olympia (2-3, 2-0), which has won two straight games after an 0-3 start, also stymied Oak Ridge (0-5, 0-2) during the opening quarter on a fourthand-1 play from the Titans’ 5-yard line for good measure. The Titans were coming off a bye week after defeating district counterpart Windermere High 42-3 Sept. 13, and Friday’s game seemed to be headed in a comfortable direction, as well, when Olympia took a 13-0 lead late in the first half. In a penalty-filled contest that featured 11 flags in the third quarter alone, the Titans scored a touchdown on the game’s opening possession when quarterback Garrett Velin passed to Victor Jones Jr. in the end zone from 6 yards out. The extra point was no good at the 8:09 mark. Olympia started a drive at the Oak Ridge 23-yard line early in the second quarter — following a high center snap in punt formation by the Pioneers — but three plays netted minus 1 yard and the Titans missed a 41-yard field goal. However, senior Ashton Payne-Tonge notched a defensive score with 2:30 remaining before halftime. Payne-Tonge, who made the initial contact with Oak Ridge quarterback Kolton Richards when the Pio-

neers came up short on fourth down in the first quarter, intercepted Richards in the flat and went 35 yards for a touchdown. Colby Kintner added the extra point for a 13-0 lead, but Oak Ridge answered on Richards’ 8-yard TD pass to Demetrius Sanders with 22 seconds left. A two-point pass fell incomplete, leaving Olympia ahead 13-6 at halftime. Olympia reached the Oak Ridge 14-yard line midway through the third quarter, but the drive stalled and Kintner was just wide on a 32-yard field goal. Bryant Casteel had an interception shortly thereafter at the Pioneers’ 30, only to have that possession end with a punt. Oak Ridge got within 13-12 when Junior Muratovic entered at quarterback and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Pioneers went for the lead, but Olympia’s Andre Saleem came off the right edge and hit Muratovic from behind while he looked for a receiver. The Pioneers briefly thought they had gone ahead when Sanders took a punt to the end zone with just over three minutes left, but offsetting penalties negated the return. Oak Ridge’s final drive subsequently ended with 42 seconds to go when the Pioneers were stopped short on a fourth-down reverse at their own 26. — CHRIS MAYER

n FOUNDATION ACADEMY (5-1) AT WINDERMERE PREP (1-4) — (4:30 P.M.) After weeks of blowout wins, the Lions (5-1) were tested against The First Academy last Friday and still pulled off the 21-14 win. This week, the Lions will take on a rested Windermere Prep (1-4) team that is coming off of a bye week. Windermere Prep is a young team with potential, but this year is a rebuilding season, so the Lakers have had struggles so far — especially on defense, where they’re giving up just over 26 points per game. Offensively, the biggest threats the Lions will face come in the form of senior receiver Ross Fournet — who has three receiving touchdowns and almost 300 yards receiving through five games — and freshman running back Jackson Bennett, who has rushed for two scores and 284 yards. n UNIVERSITY (1-4) AT OLYMPIA (2-3) After an 0-3 start to the season, Olympia (2-3) is on a hot streak as of late with the Titans reeling off back-toback wins over Windermere and Oak Ridge. This week, the Titans will take on a struggling University (1-4) side that hasn’t won a game since Week 2 — a 26-21 victory over Windermere — and currently holds a three-game losing streak. Offensively, the Pioneers have had issues scoring points — scoring less than 14 points per game — while the defense has given up points in droves — allowing a little over 41 points per game. n THE FIRST ACADEMY (1-4) — BYE After a tough 1-4 start to the season, TFA will get a break this week to regroup and prepare for its upcoming matchup with Trinity Prep (43) Friday, Oct. 11. n WINDERMERE HIGH (1-4) — BYE Windermere (1-4) has had a difficult go at it since a 29-0 win over Cypress Creek in the first week of the season. Luckily for the Wolverines, they get this week off to rest up and get ready for East Ridge (3-2) Friday, Oct. 11.

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318133-1

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