10.08.20 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

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VOLUME 87, NO. 40

INSIDE Windermere Prep celebrates 2020 Homecoming. SEE 18.

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Bigger than his body: Meet CFCA’s little star. 19. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Disturbing the peace Oakland leaders, Pulte Homes working to solve flooding issue in the town. PAGE 10.

Keeping the faith The Rev. Tom Rutherford continues to grow the Church of the Messiah in downtown Winter Garden and share the Christian faith with the community. SEE PAGE 2.

SCHOOL BOARD Prince Brown and Pam Gould vie for School Board District 4 seat.

PAGES 8-9

YOUR TOWN ORANGE COUNTY OPENS FUNDS TO NONPROFITS Certain Orange County nonprofit organizations that have taken suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for funding through the county’s portion of the federal CARES Act. The Orange County Commission has approved $2.8 million to be available through the county’s Social-Service Nonprofit Fund program, with Heart of Florida United Way managing fund disbursement. The program runs through Oct. 19. Eligible nonprofits include private, nonprofit social services/health and human services organizations. These organizations must be physically located in Orange County, operational and providing services to county residents as of Jan. 1, 2020. Political organizations and those not providing health and human services are ineligible.

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Park makes progress The Horizon West Regional Park is another step closer to reality as the county makes progress on finalizing its master plan. PAGE 4.

KEYS TO THE FUTURE West Orange Habitat for Humanity dedicates 38th home.

PAGE 3.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

CLERGY

Church celebrates 70 years AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Episcopal Church of the Messiah, near the heart of downtown Winter Garden at 241 N. Main St., started 70 years ago, when two women decided their denomination needed to be represented in West Orange. What began in 1950 as a small gathering of Christians at the American Legion Hall in Winter Garden has grown to the dedicated staff and parishioners of today who continue to worship. Although the pandemic halted any big celebrations, the Rev. Tom Rutherford, who has served as the church rector since 1996, said a small party was held to mark the occasion. CONTINUED GROWTH

Betty Barley and Dorothy Ficquette wanted to attend an Episcopal church closer than Apopka, Orlando and

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Clermont, so they and a few other worshippers gathered in 1950 in downtown Winter Garden. A month after the initial meeting, the church moved its services to space at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Sunday school classes were held on the front porch of George and Betty Barley’s house across the street. Future church services were held at the Gem Theatre, the dining room of the Edgewater Hotel, the Community Building (Little Hall) and the City Auditorium (Tanner Hall) on Garden Avenue and, ultimately, the space the church has called home for seven decades. In 1951, Father George L. Granger organized the Women’s Auxiliary and appointed Barley as president and Ficquette as secretary and treasurer. The following year, Granger baptized the church’s first infant, Lester Robert Philips. Later, in 1952, Mary Bess Girvin was elected the second president of the Church of the Messiah Women’s Auxiliary. The church’s second infant baptism was her son, James Steven Girvin.

In 1954, the church purchased three-and-one-half lots, more than three-quarters of an acre, along Tilden Street in the Orange Grove Subdivision. The new church seated about 112 people. The first service in its first official building was Nov. 14, 1954. In 1956, the church bought another one-and-one-half lots for another expansion. The first vicarage was built at the northwest corner of Main and Tilden streets in 1959. It was sold in 1967, and a new one was purchased on North Dillard Street that same year. A new parish hall building was completed in 1963. Messiah became a parish in 1972. A new education building was completed in 1975, and ground was broken in 1985 for a major expansion of the church building. When the new facility was constructed in 1985, church members donated pieces for the church, including many items they created, such as stained-glass windows and altars. They also purchased items — sanctuary lights, religious statues, crosses, pews and more — as gifts and in memory of loved ones.

1950-53: George L. Granger 1953-54: William L. Hargrave 1954-56: Roye M. Frye 1956-59: Edward J. Bubb 1959-61: Raymond W. Storie 1961-62: Lee A. Hanes (interim) 1962-70: Charles G. Warden 1971-77: Arthur L. Dasher 1977-95: James G. Radebaugh 1996: Warren E. Richardson (interim) 1996 to present: Thomas H. Rutherford

Rutherford, the church’s current pastor, became rector in 1996. That same year, he initiated the Blessing of the Animals, a tradition that continues today. In 1999, Children of the Messiah Preschool was started. CONTINUED SUCCESS

The church has continued to be an important religious beacon in the West Orange community. “In the past 20 years, we have ordained six people as deacons and five people as priests,” Rutherford said. “We have two in the pipeline who want to become a deacon. We have a woman, Laura Cook, who has been here since she was 8 years old, and … she’s in Wycliff Hall in

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Canada, attending seminary in Toronto on a full-ride scholarship.” He said Cook spent two years in Uganda working as a missionary in an orphanage after earning her master’s degree in education and has just begun her second of three years of seminary. In 2008, the Messiah doubled the size of its facility and built a new fellowship hall, offices, nursery, library and kitchen. The church has added an online service format and even offered a Spanish service for about a year. The church adopted a Haitian priest, Father Soner Alexandre, and his family last year, and Rutherford said Messiah has had tremendous success with its Creole and French services at 4 p.m. each Sunday. COVID-19 has forced Rutherford to make some changes, so in addition to the online presence, the church makes available a drivethru communion on Sundays. Some people aren’t able to leave their homes, so the church mails a month’s worth of communion to those who request it. “We’re like every other church — we’re looking and working and praying about how we can serve our people through this thing,” Rutherford said.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

A spacious and new kitchen awaits Vaquoda Bradford and her daughter, London.

‘Something we could call ours’ Vaquoda Bradford and her daughter, London, are preparing to move into their brand-new house in Winter Garden. COMMUNITY EDITOR

aquoda Bradford and her sister, Carol, have shared many dreams of cooking for their combined families and future husbands during the holidays. Bradford now has her own kitchen in which to tackle the big family meals following the recent dedication of her new home through West Orange Habitat for Humanity. The program and ribbon-cutting ceremony were held Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Dunbar Avenue home in Winter Garden. Before her 7-year-old daughter, London, cut the ribbon, Bradford was handed the keys to her new home. This is the local Habitat affiliate’s 38th home built in West Orange County.

Bradford is looking forward to getting her furniture moved in and her house set up, and London is excited about having her own slumber party in her own house, something she never has been able to do. The mother and daughter have lived with Bradford’s parents and four other family members since London was born, and the two always have shared a bedroom. “My parents nurtured, groomed and gave me all the tools to have a great start in life,” she said in her testimonial at the 2019 Rock the House. “Through my disobedience and rebellion, I made it tough for myself. I’ve been carless and jobless at times with a child to care for. “Not being able to provide a stable environment for a child is hard,” she said. “Wanting to do things with my child and take her

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places was a letdown when you don’t have funds.” Marilyn Hattaway, executive director of West Orange Habitat, said it has been blessing to work with Bradford. “We are incredibly pleased that the community supported our goal to build another home in east Winter Garden that will provide Vaquoda and her daughter with a safe and affordable home,” she said. “Vaquoda worked so very hard to fulfill her dream of owning a home, putting in more than 200 hours of volunteer labor alongside her friends, and community volunteers helped us exceed 960 total hours of volunteer construction.” Bradford works at Orlando Internal Medicine. She was selected for the homeownership program after demonstrating a need for affordable housing and her willingness to complete financial literacy classes and save for a down payment.

Photos by Amy Quesinberry

Vaquoda Bradford, daughter London and house-building sponsors Charlie and Karen Roper.

“When we met Vaquoda, we were so impressed by her perseverance and determination,” Hattaway said. “We knew she deserved a home that supported her independence.” Habitat for Humanity funded the build through local donations and funds raised by the ReStore in

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Courtesy Orange County

Horizon West Regional Park will be split into four zones — passive recreation, nature zone, active zone and lake zone.

Horizon West Regional Park heads to final design DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After more than a year of masterplan development, the 215-acre Horizon West Regional Park is ready to head into its first design phase. Orange County officials held a third and final community meeting virtually throughout September, offering constituents a chance to review the park’s latest plan developments and provide input. The park will be located adjacent to Bridgewater Middle School in Horizon West, near the interchange of State Road 429 and New Independence Parkway. It will consist of a passive recreation zone, a natural zone, an active zone and a lake zone. District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey said the park presents a unique opportunity in the Horizon West area to provide an array of amenities for the community. Because of the amount of input

and interest received from the community, she has secured $10 million for the park’s first phase of construction, she said. Although construction isn’t happening yet — currently planned to begin in winter of 2021 — the project is moving into Phase 1 design, with permitting and bidding slated to take place in summer 2021. “Most large parks are developed over a period of time,” said Joe Webb, director of park planning with AECOM. “The important thing is that they ultimate come together in a seamless design that holistically serves the community. … Right now, we are working on phasing and implementation strategies, funding options and partnerships, maintenance and operation recommendations, and, ultimately, the master-plan document submittal.” Since the last community meeting, the county’s team ranked the most-requested amenities and

included them in the development program, Webb said. “The design team then worked to find opportunities to best apply that program to this beautiful site to design with the natural features,” Webb said. “This is an amazing opportunity to preserve a piece of old Florida.” The park’s northeast portion will serve as the natural zone. Webb said this will include opportunities for nature-based education, walking and hiking trails, picnicking, and potential co-location of a library and a YMCA that will include aquatic facilities. The northwest part of the site is conducive to passive recreation,

Webb said. It would include additional nature-based education opportunities, a dog park, botanical garden, picnicking, and walking and hiking trails. Toward the center of the park is the active zone. Features and amenities include field sports; basketball, tennis and pickleball courts; a playground; splash pad; and the opportunity for a community recreation center that could include both indoor and outdoor venues for local performances. Finally, the southern portion of the park — adjacent to Lake Hartley — is conducive to water-based activities like fishing, canoeing and kayaking. There’s also a wooded area that could allow for more hiking and picnicking, as well as the potential for a disc golf course. The entire park will not come together at once. Currently, only the first phase of development is funded. Future phases of development are contingent on future funding allocations. In total, there are five planned phases of development for Horizon West Regional Park, Webb said. The initial dollars will fund the basic infrastructure for the park, such as sewer, water and utilities, as well as the first phase of access drives and parking. “Our hope is that by getting the initial infrastructure in place, we can encourage future funding from public and private entities for additional amenities,” Webb said. The second phase of development, Webb said, would begin adding major amenities such as the splash pad, playground, pickle ball courts, a large pavilion and a soccer field. A third phase would establish the botanical garden, dog park and baseball fields. The fourth phase would be highlighted by the addition of a community center and potential YMCA with aquatic facilities, as well as basketball courts and extension of the botanical garden. The fifth and final phase of would include tennis courts, a fountain and expansion of the community center. Currently, completion of Phase 1 is scheduled for fall of 2022. “Ultimately, the goal of the conceptual master plan is to serve the recreational needs of the community while preserving the natural character of the site,” Webb said.

“Most large parks are developed over a period of time. The important thing is that they ultimate come together in a seamless design that holistically serves the community.” — Joe Webb

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Town brewery on tap Windermere residents Dr. Joe Ata and Andy McGhee hope to have their brewery and taproom open by summer 2021. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A dream that has been brewing for years is coming true for two Windermere residents — and for all local craft-beer enthusiasts. Dr. Joe Ata and Andy McGhee are the masterminds behind Windermere Brewing Company, which was officially incorporated in 2018. The two have been brewing their beer at McGhee’s house. Following recent approval from the Town Council, though, they soon will have a special place to call home base. The taproom and microbrewery will be located at 111 W. Fifth Ave., and it will share some parking and a sanitation area with the adjacent marketplace. A microbrewery is typically defined as a small-scale malt-beverage production facility that produces fewer than 15,000 barrels of beer per year. Windermere Brewing Company was born in 2017 out of Ata’s and McGhee’s desires to make the town better and share their passion for good beer with others. “The town has such an amazing sense of community,” Ata said. “When you get into downtown Windermere, there’s something about the residents and neighbors. I want to make this place even better for all the residents … (and thought), ‘How great would it be if we had a brewery downtown?’ I’d always through about that. I dabbled in brewing a while ago but didn’t know much about it.” Shortly after, he met McGhee through neighbors. The group was hanging out at a friend’s house one

night when McGhee brought over some beer he had made. “What I used to make in college was terrible, but I thought, ‘I’m gonna try it,’” Ata said. “It was the most wonderful beer I’d ever had. I instantly said, ‘Holy cow, we need to sell this, it’s amazing.’” That’s when the two became business partners and brought Windermere Brewing Company to life. BREWING BUG

Years ago, Andy McGhee was bitten by the brewing bug. He’d also dabbled in brewing while in college, but it wasn’t until he moved to Windermere that his interest in it grew. “When I moved here, I really wanted to get back into it, so I asked for a nicer and larger home-brewing kit, not just your standard,” McGhee said. “I got it, and then I started getting very, very serious about it very quick, and that’s when the bug bit me. Really diving into the chemistry and biology

WINDERMERE BREWING COMPANY 111 W. Fifth Ave., Windermere OPENING: Summer 2021 WEBSITE: windermerebrewing.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ windermerebrewing INSTAGRAM: @windermerebrewingco DETAILS: Following siteplan approval, construction can begin. Visit Windermere Brewing’s website for more.

Danielle Hendrix

Windermere Brewing Company cofounders and beer enthusiasts Dr. Joe Ata and Andy McGhee are excited to bring their brewery and taproom to life in downtown Windermere.

behind it is fascinating, and that’s where I focus. … Joe made the business happen. I love brewing, I love the science of it. I’m definitely more on the production side.” Their hearts were set on finding a space to open a taproom and microbrewery in downtown Windermere. The search was long and arduous, and they had little success at first. Finally, they found a willing landlord — on land with residential zoning. The next task was to get it rezoned for commercial use. “We understand the concerns of the residents that were against it, but that was the highest and best use of that land, no questions,” Ata said. “(Andy and I) got on the golf cart and started knocking on doors in town. … We spent several weekends knocking on doors and … just trying to understand what people’s concerns would be and how we could address those. We knew when we started doing that and were getting really overwhelmingly excited responses that we had a chance to make it happen.”

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THE BEAUTY OF IT

Now that the two have obtained their conditional-use approval, the next step is to receive siteplan approval for their new, 2,519-square-foot commercial building during the Town Council’s Oct. 13 meeting. Once the site plan is approved, demolition of the existing house on site and construction of the microbrewery can begin. “The building we’re (looking to build) is very much so an homage to the town and what the town would have looked like in the 1920s,” McGhee said. “The vibe, interior and brand as a whole is we really celebrate the lake vibe here. It’s very much going to be that lakehouse feel when you walk in — but not … overly kitschy.” If all goes well, McGhee said they hope to have Windermere Brewing Company open and operating by summer 2021. McGhee estimates the company will have about 12 taps, which gives them room to do a guest tap or collaboration. His main goal is

to open with six core brands for the company — the flagships, he said — and expand their portfolio from there. “I am very much so big on the quality-control side of things, and I want to make sure our product is consistent from batch to batch and representative of what our brand is, and it really is quality ales and lagers,” McGhee said. “That’s very, very important to me.” The brewery also will offer outdoor seating and a family-friendly atmosphere. The goal is for it to feel like a community hub or meeting place, they said. “That’s the nice thing about opening a brewery here — we absolutely want to be good neighbors to the point where people that are close to the brewery A) know where I live and B) can have my cell if they have any concerns,” McGhee said. “We’ll fix anything. That’s the beauty of it.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

City of Ocoee FY ’20-’21 T

he Ocoee City Commission set both its millage rate and budget for FY 2020-21 during its final budget public hearing Wednesday, Sept. 23. The millage rate was officially set at 5.15 mills — down from the 2019-20 millage rate of 5.25 — and the total budget was set at $85,588,383 with a general fund of $52,988,188. The final total budget and general fund budget went up following adjustments after the tentative budget hearing Wednesday, Sept. 9. The operating fund — which includes the general fund, storm water, CRA, water/wastewater and solid waste/sanitation — for 2021 is $80,463,084, with the largest item being the general fund, which makes up 65.8% of the operating fund; the general fund also makes up 61.9% of the overall budget. While some departments saw cuts to their budgets — including street operations and fleet maintenance — many saw increases this year. The department that saw the largest increase was the police department — from $12,469,664 to $13,202,266, an increase of $732,602. “We have enjoyed a very

GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 City Commission $165,630 $257,579 $279,178 City Manager $620,809 $563,673 $619,924 City Clerk $285,515 $298,075 $373,384 Finance $1,170,590 $1,139,510 $1,180,687 Human Resources $476,287 $603,437 $631,309 Legal $161,784 $276,125 $240,000 Planning $752,744 $861,252 $851,523 General Gov. Services $13,515,097 $29,482,130 $15,338,154 Public Works Admin. $385,842 $212,702 $225,035 Support Services Admin. $1,422,353 $1,560,272 $1,761,896 Maintenance Operations $695,292 $714,456 $959,429 Police $11,044,337 $12,469,664 $13,202,266 Fire $8,203,021 $9,264,607 $8,094,273 Building $848,912 $1,072,527 $1,092,672 Cemetery $36,287 $56,950 $91,950 Street Operations $2,410,009 $3,533,307 $3,285,996 Fleet Maintenance $1,192,978 $1,227,798 $1,156,089 Recreation $1,396,004 $1,663,047 $1,687,944 Parks $1,162,876 $1,531,505 $1,916,479 TOTAL $45,946,367 $66,788,617 $52,988,188

healthy growth cycle for several years now, and while the pandemic has caused economic disruption and will likely continue to in the near future, there is reason for continued optimism for Ocoee and its citizens,” City Manager Robert Frank said. “We enter this year with optimism

that we will pull past the pandemic and continue our economic prosperity, and may take comfort in the fact that our hard work to be fiscally sustainable will get us through this remarkable period in history.”

— TROY HERRING

Capital requests: Street operations Vehicles: $25,000

Capital requests: Parks Vehicles (Two vehicle replacements): $54,000

Street lighting: $45,000

Equipment: $93,702 Sidewalk construction (Ingram): $75,000

Paving and drainage improvements (South Maguire Road, West Park subdivision, Waterside subdivision): $905,100

Equipment (Bobcat, sweeper/vacuum, etc.): $158,102

Capital improvements (traffic calming, gas line on Bluford Avenue, etc.): $150,051

Capital improvements (Inclusive playground, ball field fencing, etc.): $455,000

TOTAL: $1,293,853

Capital requests: Stormwater

Equipment (storage shed, Kaiser rotary deck mower): $84,100

Capital improvements (Coventry Pond pipe repair, Spring Lake drain well, etc.): $1,776,500

TOTAL: $1,860,600

TOTAL: $667,102

Maine Street Park interpretative signs: $50,000

Capital requests: CRA

Bluford and Geneva intersection improvements: $175,000

South Bluford streetscape: $383,500

North Blackwood Avenue roadway redesign: $350,000

Wellness park: $2 million

TOTAL: $2,958,500

5.15 The set millage rate for Fiscal Year 2021 is 5.15, which is down from last Fiscal Year’s rate of 5.25.

FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR MAJOR BUILDINGS Project name: City police gun range Description/Fiveyear total: Clean up old range ($100,000; 2020-21), Construct new range ($100,000; 2021-22) Project name: Police headquarters building Description/Five-year total: Administration privacy area and sound proofing ($150,000; 2020-21), interior remodel ($10,000, 202021), reconfigure control bay and CID bull pen ($100,000, 2020-21), reconfigure training rooms to support larger groups ($150,000; 2020-21) Project name: Withers-Maguire House Description/Five-year total: Annual museum exhibit display upgrades: support for rotating exhibits ($100,000; $25,000 in 2020-21/202122/2022-23/undisclosed year) Project name: City Hall campus Description/Five-year total: Site Development & Building; Civil Site Work; Parking; Site Plan and assigned features ($26,419,571 total; $22 million in 2020-21/rest in undisclosed time) Project name: Fire station Description/Five-year total: Fire Station - Permanent ($6.5 million; 2021-22)

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

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2020 ELECTION: MEET THE CANDIDATES

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4 V oters nationwide will head to the polls Nov. 3 for the presidential election, but Orange County voters also will have the opportunity to elect candidates for various local offices. This week, the West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer highlight the two candidates running for Orange County School Board District 4 — incumbent Pam Gould and challenger Prince Brown. Candidates’ responses have been edited for space and grammar. Unedited answers can be viewed in their entirety online at orangeobserver.com.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

PRINCE BROWN Of the three School Board seats on the primary ballot, this was the only one that was headed to a runoff. In your mind, what does that mean about District 4 and its voters? The results speak for themselves that over 16,000 voters have some serious reservations about the future of Orange County Public Schools under my opponent. What are the key differences between you and your opponent? Let’s list them: No. 1, I’m a parent of three currently enrolled students, while my opponent hasn’t had a child in school for nearly a decade. No. 2, I’m a spouse of a veteran Orange County Public Schools teacher. Any board member can correspond with teachers at a professional level, but when you’re married to one, you see how they’re impacted by the School Board’s decisions. The School Board’s decisions make a major impact on the life of every single OCPS teacher. No. 3, I am an educator myself and have spent years in the classroom, in front of students. No. 4, I am a public-health disease professional that has practiced this profession for over 27 years on the front lines while defending our troops in foreign wars as a U.S Naval officer. I am in the same boat as the families of students and teachers across Orange County who are deeply concerned about the future of school safety from a variety of threats. Many

times, we have seen the School Board make decisions that we question whether there is the interest of parents, teachers and students instead of special interest. With the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, we have seen firsthand the issues that arise when we don’t put the safety and well-being of our children first. Why should District 4 constituents cast their votes for you? Voters should elect me if they want to ensure that their representative on the School Board makes decisions that are backed by science. This is critically important moving forward in this pandemic so that we can get back to educating our children. In our district, we had both Olympia High and West Orange High shut down because of coronavirus outbreaks among those student populations. My opponent was directly involved by voting to open our schools without properly training and equipping the staff with the resources to protect our students, teachers and faculty from threats they shouldn’t be facing. As their representative on the board, I’ve been trained in epidemiology, public gealth and was chosen to train at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases long before biological weapons became a household word. I have children and a spouse actively attending Orange County Public Schools, so they will have someone who will share their voice every time to represent this community on the board.

In District 4, growth will continue to be an issue, and new schools typically open at or near capacity — and are then overcrowded within just a few years. Is there any possibility in changing this dynamic? If so, what is that? My opponent, who has held this position for years, saw the unsustainable growth, yet she offered no comprehensive plan to stop school overcrowding. We have a fleeting number of new schools that have been built or are in the process of being built and have exceeded maximum capacity before the doors even open. A prime example is Windermere High, which opened just three-andone-half years ago but has over 4,000 students. Summerlake Elementary – and the new high school on Seidel Road that has not even opened – have portables. The pipeline for new schools is so backlogged that we don’t have the resources available for our students, and that is just wrong. I have a wife and kids enrolled in OCPS schools, and I hear how the crowded campus setting impacts their daily life. I know that we have to make sure that we are planning with smart growth and making decisions that benefit the students and teachers in the classroom. We can’t build at breakneck speed without having proper planning in place for the education of our children. During the pandemic, some families have opted for private, charter or virtual options for their students. How should the district

respond to trend to encourage families to keep their children in OCPS schools? As a Black American father, I know and have experienced, firsthand the challenges that students face and also (believe in) empowering parents to make the best choice in educating their children. We must have multiple options for parents to educate their children, whether it’s face-toface, LaunchEd or a hybrid of both. When we’re not following an action plan or procedure that should have been in place, you get the chaos that we’ve been witnessing. I applaud the faculty and staff across Orange County that have done their absolute best to provide our children with an education under these trying times, but I will be there to be a voice for the teachers, the parents and, ultimately, the students to make sure they have the best resources possible and weather through the remainder of this pandemic. If you had a magic wand, what three issues would you change immediately at OCPS? No. 1, that decisions are made with student and teacher safety as a top priority. No. 2, begin projects with an “end” in mind. Let’s stop being reactive and be more proactive. Lastly, we need to keep proactively looking at the best use of OCPS property countywide and reducing the need for portables. If elected, how will you ensure transparency and open com-

Age: 57 City/town: Winter Garden Family: Married to wife, Darlene, for 24 years; three children Education: Graduate of University of Florida and University of South Florida Qualifications: Credentialed college professor and classroom teacher, veteran U.S. Naval officer and commissioned public health service officer

munication with your District 4 constituents? I’m married to an OCPS teacher and the father of three students enrolled in OCPS schools, so I understand the importance of clear and timely communication from leadership. I’ll make sure my lines of communication always remain open. I can tell you I’ve dealt with some of the frustrations firsthand. For example, on one occasion, when a constituent emailed the current District 4 board member in July, she received an impersonal “away on vacation” automatic response that has been left on from March. Teachers and students deserve a School Board who are actively engaged and involved with the very people they represent and not afraid of leading during a crisis.

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

Of the three School Board seats on the primary ballot, this was the only one that is headed to a runoff. In your mind, what does that mean about District 4 and its voters? When there are three active candidates in a race, it splits the vote in normal circumstances. While I did win the majority of votes in every precinct but three out of 38 — and I won the overall primary — it was just shy of the required 50-plus-1 vote needed to prevent the runoff. The election happened during very tumultuous times, all while the School Board was navigating through the shift in learning models, state’s executive orders and the community’s fears. It was very difficult to get accurate information at the forefront of the community. I believe this uncertainty and the lack of ability to assemble the large community forums I normally host had an impact. What are the key differences between you and your opponent? I have been an extremely active leader in this community for (more than) 30 years. My executive, board and community leadership roles have allowed me to have the pulse on and often lead the solutions for health, human services and education challenges. For more information, please take a moment to review my LinkedIn profile: bit.ly/3iD2Reu.

Why should District 4 constituents cast their votes for you? Over my tenure, I have advanced the opening of 19 new schools; increased career and technical certifications and training by 271%; improved career-transition opportunities for students with disabilities; started Generation WOW to provide young women with mentors, leadership skills and opportunities; been a thought leader in programs (such as) the Guidewell Mental Health Think Tank, which resulted in my introducing mental health first-aid training to the school district; and spearheaded the Farm to Table program with OCPS Food and Nutrition Services. In the coming term, I will continue to champion new schools and programs that will enhance the educational experience for our students; advance mental health and school health programs and initiatives to keep our students and staff safe; further my work with local organizations to impact early learning so some children don’t start kindergarten lagging behind their peers; and champion new experiential and career-pathing programs, including a sixth- to 12th-grade polytechnic school, as well as academies/programs in energy, autonomous vehicle and medical sciences and certifications. In District 4, growth will continue to be an issue, and new schools typically open at or

near capacity — and are then overcrowded within just a few years. Is there any possibility in changing this dynamic? If so, what is that? I am constantly seeking new ways to fund school construction and operations. Our state does not have the same taxing structure like so many others in our union. While this is a great benefit for individuals and families, it limits the resources for investment in education. The allocations of these tax resources are in the hands of our state legislature. Local solutions have helped — like the local 1 mill and halfpenny sales tax — advance schools but on their own are not enough to solve the deep funding shortages. It is not just the cost of the facility but ensuring there is enough funding to operate all the programming and support services each school needs. I continue to look for opportunities to cut costs. One example was championing the waiver of tolls on school buses that resulted in substantial annual savings for the district and made the routes more efficient. During the pandemic, some families have opted for private, charter or virtual options for their students. How should the district respond to this trend to encourage families to keep their children in OCPS schools? I am a believer that every parent needs to act in the best interest of their child. That

said, OCPS continues to offer programs, experiences and opportunities for students that are not duplicated in one place elsewhere. As we recover from this health and economic crisis, I encourage parents to look closely at the menu of options to see if they would like to re-evaluate their choices. I am proud to say that the OCPS schools in my district are all high performing in academics, extracurricular activities and social opportunities. If you had a magic wand, what three issues would you change immediately at OCPS? I do believe in magic; after all, we all live in the shadow of a magical castle. Now, all we need is unlimited resources. I would like things to change more instantaneously. There are many great initiatives, but they roll out in a very measured manner often slower than I would like to see. Technology during and before this crisis has been a blessing and a curse. We have provided greater access, but that also increased the number of apps students and families need to learn. The technology needs to continue to be enhanced and streamlined. There are too many places to go to get information. Lastly, I would want to instantly bring every child’s reading ability to their grade level or better. Strong reading and language skills will set the course for success for every student. Magic can happen if we all work together. Please

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Age: 57 City/town: Windermere Family: Married to husband, John, for 32 years; two adult sons, Gregory and Matthew Education: Bachelor’s degree from Cedar Crest College Qualifications: Incumbent; years of senior executive experience, including as CEO of Shepherd’s Hope

volunteer to read or tutor at your local school. Education is the great equalizer! If elected, how will you ensure transparency and open communication with your District 4 constituents? I will continue to provide information, even when I know it is not the answer that people are wanting; host staff and community table talks where the guests set the agenda for the conversation; post updates on social media and newsletters; and share my email and cell phone: pamela.gould@ ocps.net and (407) 968-3508. I chose to serve and believe easy access to me is important.

2020 ELECTION

PAM GOULD

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Oakland leaders search for answers after cemetery floods Downpours on Sept. 27 and 28 dumped 4.4 inches of rain in Oakland. The worst flooding occurred at the Oakland-Tildenville Cemetery. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Ed Gardner stood at Geraldine Gardner’s gravesite in the Oakland-Tildenville Cemetery, staring at the wet ground. He was there just three weeks ago to bury his mother, and last week, he was there taking in the devastating effects of the overnight rainstorm that flooded the cemetery Sunday, Sept. 27, and continued into Monday, Sept. 28. Half of the cemetery, located north of West Colonial Drive in Oakland, was underwater, and the town of Oakland has since been working to get the water pumped out and find a permanent solution. Oakland recorded 4.4 inches of rain overnight Sunday and another 1.5 inches Monday — causing severe flooding situations in multiple areas of town. The worst occurred at this cemetery, where several dozen gravesites were underwater. One vault, belonging to the Rev. Mose P. Holmes Jr., lied at an angle, its top slightly askew. “The ground had already been saturated from more than 4 inches of rain during the past month, and low-lying areas were inundated when the storm passed through,” town officials explained on the town’s Facebook page after the flooding. The Oakland African American Historic Cemetery was not affected, the town said. The town has been working with Tildenville Missionary Baptist Church, owner of the OaklandTildenville Cemetery, since the flooding occurred. “The town takes this matter very seriously, as the Oakland-Tildenville Cemetery is a resting place for our community’s beloved family members,” the town wrote on its

Amy Quesinberry

Water still pooled in portions of the cemetery days after the rain stopped.

Facebook page last week. “Pulte, the owner of the neighboring development and adjacent road, is currently pumping water from the cemetery. Town staff is on scene offering emergency assistance to the developer. Due to the serious and sensitive nature of this flooding issue, the town has called upon the developer to swiftly work on a permanent solution.” Pulte issued its own statement: “Following the tremendous rainstorms that happened overnight and the resulting flooding discovered at the site this morning, our development team quickly implemented actions to remove standing water. Today, we also met with the town and the water management district to discuss long-term actions to address the flood-prone nature of the area, and have additional meetings scheduled to work toward a more permanent solution. While our community is not the source of the water, we share in the community’s commitment to preserving this historic site and being good neighbors where we build.”

WORKING TOWARD A SOLUTION

Pulte had three pumps at the cemetery that Monday to pull the water away from the gravesites. The worst-hit area was in the northeast corner of the cemetery, which has seen flooding in the past. Town Manager Steve Koontz said the town has been working to facilitate conversations between Pulte, the Florida Department of Transportation and the St. Johns River Water Management District. “I’m not trying to lay blame,” Koontz said. “I’m trying to find solutions and find the right persons to do the right task to get it fixed permanently.” Koontz met with members of the Oakland-Tildenville Cemetery Board to hear the board’s concerns and share the steps the town is taking to help fix the issue. Sharon Ranson is president of the cemetery board; other members are Eugene Taylor, Don Holley and Kay Wade Wright. “I wanted them to know the town was giving them our full support,” he said.

Ranson said the cemetery board had three priorities when it met with Koontz. They asked the town to meet with the families of the deceased and tell them what will be done to remedy the situation; find out who is going to pay for the damages at the cemetery; and discuss FDOT’s involvement. “We already know that 70% or more is coming from Pulte,” Ranson said. “We never had flooding before, even with hurricanes. We had trees knocked down, but we never had flooding. We hope Pulte will come in and put in a better drainage solution.” Ranson’s family also has a plot in the cemetery. “The best way to do it is to work with the (town) and the company,” Ranson said. “We’ll take it one step at a time and give them a chance to work on the plan. Right now, the board is neutral. We’re behind the families. We’re staying positive and working on a positive outcome. “We believe in working in a positive manner,” she said. Folks flocked to the cemetery early last week to survey the damage and see if their loved ones were in the flooded area. ‘AN OPEN WOUND’

Frances Cannon has buried her parents, her brother, aunts, uncles and cousins in the Oakland cemetery. She said she is heartbroken over seeing many of their graves under water. “That’s their home; that’s their bed,” she said. “That’s where they are for eternity. My mom didn’t know how to swim when she was on this earth, and now she’s underwater.” Cannon said she hopes the drainage issues can be fixed soon. “When they built the homes in that development next door, that’s when this started taking place,” she said. “For many years we have buried our loved ones out there and never seen this.” She said she has learned that several people have spoken with an attorney about filing a classaction lawsuit. For now, she said, she is waiting to see what happens before taking any action . “We’re praying that everything will turn out to be the best,” she said. Gardner said he already has joined the class-action lawsuit. He doesn’t want anyone else to suffer like he has.

For Gardner — whose father and brother also are buried in the cemetery — the grief has been compounded by several factors. He was unable to visit his mother prior to her death because of pandemic restrictions, and then at her graveside service, a pool of water from previous rains had to be pumped from his mother’s vault before her casket could be lowered. “It was still a struggle to let her body be at rest, so that was heartbreaking,” he said. He just wants to see the issue resolved. “I think it’s a drainage problem, and a site development problem,” Gardner said. “The cemetery looks like it’s a drainage pond for the development. … They’re going to have to correct that drainage problem. I would like to see no more bodies (buried) out there until that’s corrected. And if it can’t be corrected, they need to move those bodies to another location.” Orlando resident Sasha Gipson started an online petition to gather signatures after the flooding occurred. She is related to nearly a dozen people buried in the cemetery, and she said many of them were under water following the heavy rains. “Me and my auntie were both down for days after going to the cemetery,” Gipson said. “It was devastating. … It really tugged at my heartstrings.” By Monday, almost 700 citizens had signed the petition, and many said that they had relatives — parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, brothers and sisters and children — buried there. “Resting places need to be protected,” one person wrote. “Our loved ones’ final resting place is all we have left besides our love and memories.” “My loved ones are here,” wrote another. “It’s like an opened wound.” “No family should have to see their loved ones’ final resting place like this,” a third person wrote. Gipson said Monday she will hear the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting (after press time) between the town, cemetery and family representatives before deciding what to do with the signatures. “There are certain protocols we have to go through,” she said. “It’s not an overnight process, but we do expect it to be done in a timely and respectful manner.” To sign the petition, visit sign. moveon.org/petitions/protectoakland-cemetery. Ranson estimates there are more than 400 people buried there. “That’s disturbing their peace out there,” Ranson said of the deceased. “We buried them in peace, and we want them to stay in peace.”

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OBSERVER

REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Weatherstone on Lake Olivia estate sells for $1,595,000 A

home in the Weath-

GOTHA

erstone on Lake Ol-

The home at 10230 Windermere Chase Blvd., Gotha, sold Sept. 30, for $440,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,724 square feet. The price per square foot is $161.53. Days on market: Two.

ivia community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 The home at 9632 Weatherstone Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 28, for $1,595,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, six baths, two half-baths, a pool and 7,239 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $220.33. Days on market: 80. These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

WINDERMERE CHASE

HORIZON WEST ASHLIN PARK

The home at 11617 Sprawling Oak Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 29, for $410,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,232 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.69. Days on market: 66. HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 6275 Hamlin Reserve Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $403,500. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,410 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.43. Days on market: Seven. HAWKSMOOR

The home at 16161 Parkwyn St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $448,195. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,466 square feet. The price per square foot is $181.75. Days on market: 135. INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 15614 Espalier

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The home at 9632 Weatherstone Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 28, for $1,595,000. This home sits on 4.68 acres and features waterfront living on Lake Olivia.

Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $1,359,799. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 6,114 square feet. The price per square foot is $222.41. Days on market: Zero. The home at 14604 Avenue of the Rushes, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $1,150,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,839 square feet. The price per square foot is $237.65. Days on market: 184.

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LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 7504 Derexa Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 25, for $439,900. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths, a pool and 2,469 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $178.17. Days on market: 25. LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The home at 15523 Shorebird Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $1,234,920. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four-and-

one-half baths and 4,771 square feet. The price per square foot is $258.84. Days on market: Zero. MCALLISTER LANDING

The home at 1516 Juniper Hammock St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $485,500. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,446 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.89. Days on market: 292. SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 12

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

The home at 6127 S. Hampshire Court, No. 2, Windermere, sold Sept. 30, for $1,325,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths, a pool and 5,947 square feet. The price per square foot is $222.80. Days on market: 179.

REAL ESTATE

The home at 11109 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 30, for $1,207,500. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 5,225 square feet. The price per square foot is $231.10. Days on market: 207. realtor.com

The home at 16726 Broadwater Ave., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $782,000. It was the largest sale in Winter Garden from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1.

OVERLOOK AT HAMLIN

The home at 7725 Minutemen Loop, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $519,333. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,914 square feet. The price per square foot is $178.22. Days on market: Three. The home at 5578 Thomas Square Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 25, for $490,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,241 square feet. The price per square foot is $151.19. Days on market: Nine. RESERVE AT CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 15473 Sandfield Loop, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $598,800. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,010 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $149.33. Days on market: Four. SUMMERLAKE

The home at 15150 Southern Martin St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $684,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,729 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.43. Days on market: 23. The home at 15625 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 25, for $425,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,930 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.05. Days on market: 52. WATERLEIGH

The home at 9862 Beach Port Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $608,113. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,911 square feet. The price per square foot is $155.49. Days on market: Zero. The home at 8703 Bayview Crossing Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $440,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,842 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.82. Days on market: 23. The home at 16442 Admirals Cove Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $420,211. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,924 square feet. The price per square foot is $143.71. Days on market: 58. The home at 16779 Oakboro St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $417,678. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three

baths and 2,113 square feet. The price per square foot is $197.67. Days on market: 38. The home at 9596 Waterway Passage Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $412,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,117 square feet. The price per square foot is $194.62. Days on market: 26. WATERMARK

The home at 9219 Holliston Creek Place, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $560,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,656 square feet. The price per square foot is $210.84. Days on market: Six. The home at 14939 Guava Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $467,895. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,935 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.42. Days on market: 37. The home at 9881 Summerlake Groves St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $434,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,485 square feet. The price per square foot is $174.65. Days on market: 40. WEST LAKE HANCOCK ESTATES

The home at 14585 Black Quill Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 25, for $645,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,060 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.87. Days on market: Three. WINDERMERE ISLE

The home at 13548 Gorgona Isle Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 25, for $485,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,957 square feet. The price per square foot is $164.02. Days on market: 69. WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8806 Crescendo Ave., Windermere, sold Sept. 25, for $635,000. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,353 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.88. Days on market: 71. The home at 11861 Cave Run Ave., Windermere, sold Sept. 30, for $545,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,917 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.14. Days on market: Three. The home at 8929 Blue Mesa Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 25, for $518,000. Built in 2012,

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 118 High Sale Price: $1,595,000 Low Sale Price: $120,000

it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,299 square feet. The price per square foot is $120.49. Days on market: 163.

OCOEE

EAGLES LANDING

The home at 302 Eagles Path Crossing, Ocoee, sold Sept. 25, for $421,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 3,390 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.19. Days on market: 10. MEADOW RIDGE

The home at 2839 Maria Isabel Ave., Ocoee, sold Sept. 29, for $420,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,519 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.73. Days on market: 15. OCOEE

The home at 618 E Silver Star Road, Ocoee, sold Sept. 28, for $430,000. Built in 1927, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,677 square feet. The price per square foot is $160.63. Days on market: Six. PLANTATION GROVE WEST

The home at 11022 Groveshire Court, Ocoee, sold Sept. 29, for $405,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,464 square feet. The price per square foot is $164.37. Days on market: Three.

WEST ORANGE

LAKE CAWOOD ESTATES

The home at 13717 Lake Cawood Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 28, for $715,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,951 square feet. The price per square foot is $180.97. Days on market: 43.

WINDERMERE

LES TERRACES

The home at 848 Gayle Mill Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $495,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,228 square feet. The price per square foot is $222.17. Days on market: 12. PARK PLACE AT WINTER GARDEN

The home at 141 S. Park Ave. No. 5B, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $576,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,432 square feet. The price per square foot is $236.84. Days on market: 144.

The home at 2722 Ingeborg Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 28, for $465,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths, a pool and 2,619 square feet. The price per square foot is $177.55. Days on market: 143.

REGENCY OAKS

WINTER GARDEN

STONEYBROOK WEST

BAY ISLE

The home at 14411 Hampshire Bay Circle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $590,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,010 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.13. Days on market: 48. BLACK LAKE PARK

The home at 552 Seaside Cove St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $425,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,290 square feet. The price per square foot is $129.18. Days on market: 63. GARDEN WEST

The home at 705 Garden West Terrace, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $706,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,679 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $263.53. Days on market: 72. OAKGLEN ESTATES

The home at 524 Hearthglen Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 25, for $357,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,446 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.95. Days on market: 15. OAKLAND PARK

The home at 865 Tilden Oaks Trail, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $599,103. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,442 square feet. The price per square foot is $245.33. Days on market: 97. The home at 866 Tilden Oaks Trail, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $598,328. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,677 square feet. The price per square foot is $223.51. Days on market: Zero.

The home at 649 Willets Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $448,500. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,380 square feet. The price per square foot is $132.69. Days on market: Eight. The home at 2496 Baronsmede Court, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $469,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,184 square feet. The price per square foot is $112.09. Days on market: Seven. The home at 15062 Masthead Landing Circle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $359,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,198 square feet. The price per square foot is $163.33. Days on market: Two. STOREY GROVE

The home at 10136 Storey Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 25, for $390,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,720 square feet. The price per square foot is $143.38. Days on market: 88. VALLEY VIEW

The home at 9509 Quiet Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $612,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,627 square feet. The price per square foot is $376.15. Days on market: 71. WATERSIDE ON JOHNS LAKE

The home at 16726 Broadwater Ave., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 29, for $782,000. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths, a pool and 4,892 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.85. Days on market: 14. WINTERMERE HARBOR

The home at 13026 Lakeshore Grove Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $555,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,731 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.75. Days on market: One.

BUTLER BAY

The home at 12820 Butler Bay Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 25, for $735,000. Built in 1989, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,247 square feet. The price per square foot is $173.06. Days on market: 302. KEENEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S POINTE

The home at 11873 Vinci Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 30, for $1,315,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 5,028 square feet. The price per square foot is $261.54. Days on market: 199.

realtor.com

The home at 618 E Silver Star Road, Ocoee, sold Sept. 28, for $430,000. This lakefront estate was the largest sale in Ocoee from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1.

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Return to form The Winter Garden Art Association held its seventh annual Top Choice Awards exhibition and reception with safety measures in place. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ONLINE

Gary Shaver was proud of his piece, titled “Prestige.”

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

CHANGING by Leonard Williams; CROSSWORD MONEY Edited by David Steinberg

111 Sedona or Sportage 112 “OMG, I’ve heard enough!” 115 With 118-Across, oftencriticized move by a central bank ... and a hint to the starred answers’ last words 118 See 115-Across 123 Work boot feature 124 Gradually destroy 125 Certain digital payment 126 Danson in “The Good Place” 127 Cuts, as a trunk 128 Razor sharpener 129 Hybrid utensils

1 Hard to manage 7 Wood used in yachts 12 Honolulu locale 16 Political commentator Navarro 19 City southwest of Chicago 20 Egyptian peninsula 21 Morbid Greek personification 23 *Completely wasted (Iraqi dinar) 25 *Pool for a robin (Thai baht) 26 Clip-___ (some sunglasses) 27 Geological unit of time

28 Nutritional initialism 30 Arroz con ___ 31 *Range rover? (Albanian lek) 37 Doo-___ music 40 2019 Super Bowl 41 Preview video 42 Exuberant Spanish cry 46 Disney park in Florida 49 Consume 50 “So relaxing!” 53 *Uncaring response (South African rand) 56 It may be smoked 58 Forwards 59 Adverb on a tourist map

60 Professor, to a student 61 Three, at a casino 62 Edgy lead-in 65 *Prepare to get photographed (Mexican peso) 68 Stay in a tent 72 Java neighbor 73 *Pasta sauce base (Indian rupee) 77 Rejections 78 Event featuring 43-Down 82 Screen name 83 Fish with a largemouth variety 85 Hosts, as a guest 88 Play very loudly

89 *Untrustworthy sort (Omani rial) 92 Jr., to a Sr. 93 “Dios ___!” 95 Online admin 96 Command that doesn’t get soldiers’ attention? 97 Railway needs 100 Food thickener 102 Stark father in “Game of Thrones” 103 *Unparalleled grouping (South Korean won) 109 It may determine one’s grade 110 Cute doggie

DOWN 1 Prom hairstyle, perhaps 2 Sign gas 3 They go across 4 Large tea dispenser 5 About four cups 6 Popular web portal 7 Drug that’s dropped 8 Breath of fresh ___ 9 Protein synthesis molecule 10 Capital near the Great Sphinx 11 One celebrating Holi 12 Where to play the ponies (Abbr.) 13 Tuna type 14 Plucky person? 15 Incomplete 16 In any way 17 Unacceptable 18 Kilauea powder 22 More adept 24 Ltr. attachment 29 Kind of farm with gel 32 Capital of Ukraine 33 “Holy smokes!” 34 Book before Nahum 35 ___ Vogue 36 Reno Aces’ league, aptly 37 Trousers measure 38 Takeout request 39 Inclined 43 Speedway vehicles 44 “Dynamite” K-pop group 45 Many years ___ 47 Dedicated poems 48 Fruity pastries 50 Prefix for biography

51 Hubbubs 52 Tortoise’s competitor 54 Like some mobile purchases 55 Old episode 56 One may have metal teeth 57 Conditionally free 60 Encountered 63 Singer Rawls 64 Engine supercharger 66 Humble texting abbreviation 67 Organic cereal brand 69 Working steadily 70 Online admin 71 Zoom alternative 73 Margarine containers 74 Norway’s largest city 75 Like much gossip 76 Cable sports award 79 Like herons and hornbills 80 Desist’s partner 81 Blew it 84 Sontag or Sarandon 86 “13th” director DuVernay 87 Tennis match component 89 Pepsi’s archrival, informally 90 Theater box 91 Body wrap venues 93 Reddish purple 94 Post-ER stop 97 ___ Haute 98 Frays 99 Soak (up) 101 Streaming device choice 103 Neither right nor obtuse 104 Enticed 105 Stews in anger 106 Motion pictures? 107 Beguiling tricks 108 Org. co-founded by Du Bois 112 Rank 113 Ridicule 114 Signs, slangily 115 Wis. winter setting 116 Farm ruminant 117 “Owner of a Lonely Heart” band 119 Negative conjunction 120 Wedding words 121 Focus of some rallies 122 However, briefly

be entertained.” Self said the piece Olson awarded Best of Show this year — Anna Zucker’s “Matylda” — is a bright, colorful and lighthearted picture. He noted that right now, it’s exactly what the community needs — the brightness and fun of local artists’ creative spirits. Additionally, those who saw the exhibition have been encouraged to choose their favorite and cast a vote for the People’s Choice award. “Being in an art gallery is an escape from everything else,” Self said. “The real value of what’s happening here … is it’s the community of the artists themselves. This place is packed and rich with artists. That’s the real community you want to connect with here. … It’s a creative energy that comes out of putting talented people together.”

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.

“M HDUA BOFRJ-NZ ... M’UA LAAR VDMRV NZ FRJ LDILMRV AUAKGXPAKA. MO’B VKAFO. M HDUA MO. MO’B PMHFKMDNB.” – PFRRMLFH LNKABB “AXZ XAYN TX K AXZ FAXR RDGZ’H PXKAP XA, K RXWYTA’Z FAXR RDGZ ZX TX GOXWZ KZ KC K TKT.”

– PIXLPI VGLYKA

Puzzle Two Clue: O equals B

Jennifer Wiggins showed off her piece, “Love is in the Air.”

“Matylda” by Anna Zucker won the Best of Show award.

Puzzle One Clue: X equals W

Kara Ardaman and Elizabeth McKinney showed off some colorful wall art.

The excitement in the air at SOBO Art Gallery during the Top Choice Awards exhibition reception was palpable. After all, it had been months since the last in-person exhibition took place. Guests donned masks, sanitized their hands at the entrance and meandered a one-way path through the gallery as they perused the pieces on display Thursday, Oct. 1. For guests and artists alike, it was good to be back. The annual Winter Garden Art Association’s Top Choice Awards call for artists to bring forth their best work. This year’s exhibitionwas judged by Terry Olson, director for Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. SOBO Art Gallery Executive Director Phil Self said only a certain percentage of entries could be accepted for display and judging this year. “Artists work for months on some of their artwork, and we are only able to display about 55 pieces in our gallery out of over 250 submissions for jurying into this annual exhibition,” Self said. “We want to create a show that is friendly for all ages. We’re not trying to create a museum-like show, so you’ll see some pieces in there are fun or a bit sarcastic, but the idea is that it’s a great place for people to come, stop in and

SUDOKU

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

10-08-20

OBSERVER

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

THROWBACK THURSDAY OCT. 5, 1967 The Winter Garden Times printed random clothing styles each week so West Orange County residents could stay fashionable and modern. In 1967, both genders could dress hip. For the males, the doubleknit cotton pullovers with turtlenecks or contrasting dickey fronts “add up to a neat but rugged look for the ‘in’ crowd.” For the females, the pantsuit and vest create “a snappy sports ensemble.”

85 years ago

Saturday specials for grocery shoppers listed the following: Pillsbury flour, 24 pounds for $1.10; beef roast, 10 cents per pound; spare ribs, two pounds for 25 cents; Maxwell House coffee, 30 cents per pound; Irish potatoes, 10 pounds for 15 cents; canned milk, six tall cans for 35 cents; steak, all cuts, 15 cents per pound.

80 years ago

Spurred from reports from northern sources that Florida may expect an early influx of winter visitors, work was being rushed to complete modernizing improvements at the Edgewater Hotel, and the new coffee shop was opened. Jaycees sponsored a Barnyard Dance at the City Auditorium, proceeds of which will be used to construct new bleachers at Walker Field.

75 years ago

The Winter Garden Welfare League sponsored a picture show, “On Stage Everybody,” with Jack Oakie, at the Winter Garden Theatre. Clicking with the progressive spirit of Winter Garden, Bob Kerr announced he was planning to open a marine sports equipment store and already had the franchise on Dunthy boats, outboard motors, sailboats, powered dinks and rowboats.

FROM THE ARCHIVES This young angler is Janis Dickerson, proudly showing off the fish she just caught in Lake Apopka. The photo is dated “1943-1944,” and the description notes the fish weighed 20 pounds — or is that a fish tale? The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation has meticulously catalogued thousands of photographs documenting life in and around Lake Apopka, now the fourth largest lake in Florida. Citizens are welcome to research the collection. Call (407) 656-3244 to make an appointment.

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.

70 years ago

50 years ago

A jook dance was planned at the Winter Garden VFW home, located midway between Ocoee and Winter Garden.

Betty Burch received checks on behalf of the West Orange Youth Center from Dr. Otho Watford, president of the Winter Garden Rotary Club, and Charles Hawthorne, president of the Winter Garden Lions

Club. They represented proceeds from the recent donkey softball game at Walker Field. Johnny Nowell, of the Rotary Club, pushed C.H. Johnson, of the Lions Club, along Plant Street in a wheelbarrow as payoff for a wager on the donkey softball game.

The Observer has stayed in constant contact with us during this uncertain time. They have been a solid foundation for which our brand can maintain top-of-mind status. Joe Cioffi Director of Marketing Foundation Academy

trusted

foundationacademy.net

Let’s partner to grow your brand, call 407-656-2121 or advertise@orangeobserver.com

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Westpointe Elementary wins Green Schools award Westpointe Elementary in MetroWest received $1,000 as the third-place winner of Orange County Public Schools’ seventh annual Green Schools Recognition Program. OCPS celebrated 14 schools for their efforts to conserve energy and water, reduce waste, improve health and well-being, enhance school grounds, and incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. One of the growing movements in this crop of applicants demonstrated the value of rescuing food. Rather than throwing away unopened food, various schools placed collection bins in convenient places for students to share their unwanted items. This was a win-win initiative. The bins of collected items kept unnecessary waste out of the landfills and fed another student’s craving for that item. At the end of the week, schools donated items to local food pantries. The top winner was Audubon Park School, which received $5,000, while second place went to Blankner School, which received $3,000.

Windermere High School parking spot painting scheduled for Oct. 10

After postponing the annual tradition, Windermere High School will host its parking spot painting Saturday, Oct. 10. To maintain social-distance protocols, the painting will be done in two shifts. Students in odd-numbered spots will paint from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., while those in even-numbered spots will paint from noon to four. Students should remember to take plenty of water and sunscreen and wear a mask.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

KIERSTEN BERTSCH

OAKLAND AVENUE CHARTER SCHOOL Kiersten Bertsch is a former student at Oakland Avenue Charter School, and now she is teaching health and art at her alma mater. She has had a lifelong love of reading and education and is happy to be working alongside her former instructors.

What brought you to your school? I used to attend OACS, actually! I just really loved it as a kid and have good memories here! What do you love most about your school? The staff. They’re all so very kind and supportive! Even though things are tough right now, they make it a little bit easier. Why did you want to teach at OACS? I am an alumna of the school, as are my sisters, so that certainly influenced my decision. I also knew a fair amount of the staff already. What is your motivation? I set goals for myself that I want to work toward, and I think about them every morning and night. It may sound strange, but I tend to think of the future as me already being there and looking back on where I am now. Although, if we’re talking about my motivation for work, it’s definitely seeing and interacting with all the precious kiddos. Sometimes, they say just the sweetest things, and it melts my heart.

REPORT CARD

What do you like to do in your spare time? I draw a lot and work on digital art, but I also play video games, write and read often. Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? That’s a tricky one. If we’re talking at OACS I have two: Mr. Patrick, the art teacher when I was here, and Mr. Black, my third-grade teacher. Mr. Patrick was always just really nice and supportive, and I really loved art class. He inspired me to keep working on my art. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? I honestly always wanted to be a teacher. I remember writing that down for an assignment in first grade. I just really liked school back then and loved all of my teachers, so they inspired me. What is your favorite children’s book and why? This one might be cheating, (because) it’s a book with several stories in it, but it’s called “The Children’s Book of Home and Family.” I still have it and read it every

now and then because the stories, while short, are very interesting. They always had good morals and were typically based off of legends. They weren’t written like a typical children’s book, so my family would have to read them to me, but they were short enough that they kept my attention. What are your hobbies? Making art is my main hobby, as I do it all the time. I find it very relaxing, but I’m also into gaming. That usually inspires me to make more art or write a story. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? That is a very tough one! Probably the ability to shape shift. It would be so cool because then I could turn into anything I wanted, even giving myself wings so I could fly. It’s like having two superpowers in one! — AMY QUESINBERRY

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

POSITION: Health and art teacher TIME AT SCHOOL: A few months

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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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

For the love of dance Windermere High student Ava Madara’s journey in BroadwayWorld’s Next On Stage dance competition is over now, but she shared what she learned from the one-of-a-kind experience. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

“I think it’s such a good outlet of expression, and being on stage, for me, is just the most raw form of myself.” — Ava Madara

Since she was a little girl, Ava Madara’s heart has belonged on stage. The Windermere High senior has been dancing since she was a toddler, and her love of the arts expanded as she discovered singing and acting through musical theater. It’s paid off, too: Ava recently finished in the top five of BroadwayWorld’s Next On Stage: Dance Edition competition. Sponsored by LaDuca — which creates shoes specifically for dancers — the competition shines a spotlight on talented, young musical theater dancers. BroadwayWorld announced the contest in August, inviting students to submit videos of themselves dancing to a song from the musical theater canon to enter. Ava competed in the high school age group. It was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “I always look at BroadwayWorld, I’m always on Playbill, I’m always searching all these musical-theater websites to see if

Courtesy photos

Ava Madara has been dancing since she was a toddler.

there’s any auditions or scholarship opportunities,” Ava said. “I saw this and I was like, ‘Oh, I have to put in a video.’ It’s the first time they’ve ever done this.” The contest received hundreds of entries, and those moving on to the next round each week had a weekend to record and submit a new song within a specific theme for the next round. Among the pieces Ava submitted as she moved on to each round were her takes on “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” from “Sweet Charity,” “An American in Paris” and “Mein Herr” from “Cabaret.” Each week was a surprise as Ava and her family waited to hear whether she would be moving onto the next round. She first made it into the top 15. “(My family and I) would freak

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out at the computer when they’d announce my name,” Ava said. “It’s a little nerve-wracking sometimes, because you’re like, ‘Am I going to make it? Am I not going to make it?’ I was so grateful to be in the top 15. To keep hearing my name over and over again each week was really cool. It was a really nice feeling.” Once it got down to the top 10, BroadwayWorld featured weekly live shows on Facebook with Broadway judges, who provided feedback. “Hearing Broadway choreographers even say my name and acknowledge me and give me feedback on my dancing — that was such a rewarding feeling as a dancer,” she said. “I just never thought I’d be in contact with Phil LaDuca, and the fact that he

watched and critiqued my dancing is just amazing.” Overall, Ava made it into the top five — a feat in and of itself. Although she didn’t make it into the top three, she is grateful for the opportunity to compete and learn from the best. “I got such amazing feedback from Broadway directors and choreographers who were in the competition, and I think getting that exposure was really amazing and really helpful for starting my musical-theater career as I leave high school,” Ava said. “To make it to the top five is insane, nonetheless. … I think it’s such a good outlet of expression, and being on stage, for me, is just the most raw form of myself.” Now, Ava is focusing her efforts on applying to her top schools for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater. She also hopes to minor in both dance and business. Her advice to others in her shoes is to pay attention to your storytelling on stage. “My biggest advice is show who you are on the camera, because one of the biggest things the judges would tell everyone is, ‘We know you have the turns, we know you have the jumps, we know you have the technique.’ It’s (more about) ‘Who are you, and what are you giving when you perform? How are you really selling this performance and showing who you are?’ I thought that was really helpful. How you’re telling the story is the most important part. And I really took that to heart when filming my videos as the weeks went on.”

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

BAPTIST

METHODIST

2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @Horizon West Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FBCWG.org

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 StarkeLakeBaptist.org

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: Livestreaming Sunday @ 9 AM. Viewable on Facebook and Youtube Students representing the middle school SGA enjoyed themselves during the parade.

Windermere Prep celebrates Homecoming

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

tudents, staff and faculty at Windermere Prep capped off a fesNON-DENOMINATIONAL tive Homecoming week with Purpose Church Orlando their annual parade and pep 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, rally Friday, Oct. 2. Students CHURCH OF GOD Winter Garden along the curb sat 6 feet Ocoee Church of God (407) 654-9661 apart while wearing their Pastor Thomas Odom Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m. STARKE LAKE BAPTIST while cheerleaders, Advertise your Services or Events NGLICAN 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL masks, CHURCH Sunday 7 p.m. FIRST UNITEDBrazilian METHODIST Service: PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO the Lakers football team and weekly. on this page 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 other school groups paraded 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, around the campus. Followingweekly in the This page appears 6 East Plant St, Winter Garden www.starkelakebaptist.org Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM NDAY SERVICE EPISCOPAL 10:00 AM the parade, students enjoyed West Orange Times & Observer and Web: fumcwg.org d us at: Theacf.net CHURCH OF GOD a virtual, pre-recorded pep online at OrangeObserver.com. Church ofOCOEE the Messiah CHURCH OF GOD UNITED CHURCH OF rally. During that pep rally, the APTIST 241 N. Main St., Pastor Thomas Odom CHRIST To advertise in the Church Directory winners of the Homecoming 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST Winter Garden WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner call 407-656-2121 court were announced: Ninth- or email 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m., Beulah Rd, WinterServices: Garden Windermere, FL 34786 AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com grade prince John Rafferty EPISCOPAL -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org 7 p.m. 407-876-2112 Worship times: CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM and princess Priyana Bhatta; 9:00am Adult Sunday School ChurchoftheMessiah.com 241 N. Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICE 11:00AM 10:00am Worship 10th-grade prince JT Rattigan Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM www.windermereunion.org www.churchofthemessiah.com and princess Danielle Work; ST BAPTIST CHURCH 11th-grade prince Charlie E Plant St., Winter Garden Holden and princess Giselle -656-2352 NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional Torres; and 12th-grade prince 5 am Bible Study Nolan McCall and princess 00 am Contemporary Ana Leitao, a member of the school’s InternaDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana Maria Leitao. tional Thespian Society, had fun participating MIKE YOAKUM 316889-1

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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

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PASTOR

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PEOPLE HELPED: 2,929 I NEW GUESTS: 243• Gently Used Furniture and New & Used Check out theTOTAL custom Bubble-makers were popular for many clubs that made silent auction items Household Items participated in Friday’s Homecoming parade. Haircuts: 1,190 Medical Care: 1,040 Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MatthewsHopeChest/ that will be available at Manicures: 76 the Garden Dental Party onCare: 48 Visit our Workshop Location at 611 Business Park Blvd. #101, Winter Garden FL Drivers Licenses: 23 Meals: 7,105 November 9!! 407.905.9500 • 8am-4pm Mon - Fri • 8am-3pm Saturday

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WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE? Winners of the 2020 Windermere Prep Homecoming court included ninth-grade princess Priyana Bhatta and prince John Rafferty; 11th-grade princess Giselle Torres and prince Charlie Holden; 12th-grade princess Maria Leitao and prince Nolan McCall; and 10thgrade princess Danielle Work and prince JT Rattigan.

OCTOBER 8, 2020

HIGH

SPORTS

Tristan Tucci is a senior captain of the West Orange High School volleyball team. Page 20.

Maddox’s moment

Olympia cross country’s Kai Komatsu had a big day at the West Orange Invite Saturday, Oct. 3, in Winter Garden. He finished in first place with a time of 16:41.36 — less than a second better than Harmony’s Joel Jean. Komatsu’s finish helped push the Titans to an overall first-place finish. Other area schools in the top 10 included Dr. Phillips (second place), Windermere (seventh place) and West Orange (10th place).

In Olympia football’s 26-23 comeback win over Oak Ridge Friday, Oct. 2, quarterback CJ Brooks Jr. threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-21 passing. Two of Brooks’ touchdowns — one to Victor Jones Jr. and the other to Krubel Aylay — came in the final five minutes of play to lead the Titans to their second win of the season.

Danny Stutsman was all over the field for the Foundation Academy football team in its 44-0 win over Faith Christian Friday, Oct. 2. Stutsman had 189 yards through the air and two touchdown grabs. On the defensive side of the ball, the senior recorded a 45-yard pick-six, one sack and nine total tackles. The win moved the Lions to 4-0 on the season.

Troy Herring

CFCA seventh-grader Noah Maddox may share the field with bigger, stronger guys, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a key player for the Eagles.

In West Orange volleyball’s 3-0 (24-26, 17-25, 2125) loss at the hands of Oviedo Thursday, Oct. 1, sophomore outside hitter Maddie Smith had a solid showing for the Warriors. She picked up 13 kills and 29 digs on the night. The loss dropped the Warriors to 2-2 as of press time Tuesday.

The First Academy boys and girls golf teams picked up wins over Windermere Prep Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club (par-36). The boys team was led by Mohit Balaji, whose 2-under-par (34) gave the Royals a narrow 144-146 victory over the Lakers. Meanwhile, the girls 146-152 win was led by Olivia Lu’s 1-under-par (35).

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

here were nerves when Noah Maddox walked onto the field for the first time as a member of the Central Florida Christian Academy football team. The score that night ended up being forgettable — the Eagles fell 31-24 to Zephyrhills Christian Academy despite outscoring the Warriors in the second half. But there was one moment the seventh-grader won’t forget. One simple play served as an introduction to one of the program’s most promising young players.

Standing back in the secondary, Noah Maddox — all 5-foot-6, 135 pounds of him — stood with cleats firmly rooted in the earth below him. Then, he made his move. “Coach had me playing nickel, and he sent a nickel blitz on that play,” Noah Maddox said. “When he came down, the quarterback kind of fumbled that snap a little bit, and when I came out I knocked the ball out, and it went right into the hands of our outside rush. That was a really good feeling.” That single play would be the realization of a dream for Noah Maddox. SEE MADDOX PAGE 20

Community support boosts Horizon West Wolverines Despite the ongoing pandemic, the youth football and cheer organization has seen a spike in participation. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

In these uncertain times, fewer sources of escape have taken a bigger hit than sports. Throughout the year, seasons at organizations such as Little League and Babe Ruth were outright canceled, while amateur and professional sports leagues struggled to get back to their respective fields of play. But that’s not the case for the Horizon West Wolverines cheer

and football organization. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. While other organizations were unfortunately shut down for the year, Horizon West managed to not only keep the program running but also thriving in its second year of existence. “The numbers have grown exponentially, even though we are in the middle of a pandemic,” said Nick Torani, the organization’s vice president and director of athletics. “Last year, we were struggling for kids on 14U, and

this year, we’re in a good spot. I think that the name of the league has grown throughout the community, and you have some kids that have come over from other leagues, because our organization is pretty well-run.” The organization began its signups earlier in the year in late February, so those looking to participate already were ready to go. Outside of two or three folks canceling because of the pandemic, everyone else has come back, and the numbers for all of their age groups — 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U — are about maxed out, Torani said. File photo

SEE HW PAGE 20

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Tristan Tucci Tristan Tucci has been involved with volleyball from a young age, and now the senior libero is making the most out of her final year as a member of the West Orange High volleyball team — of which she was named the senior captain of before the season started.

How did you first get into volleyball? I’ve been around volleyball my whole life — my mom played, and my sister played. When I was (4 years old), I remember (being) in the gym at Leesburg High School preparing with the volleyball players. My mom used to coach, and my sister used to play on the team. I started playing competitive club at 7 years old, and I’ve been playing ever since.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: West Orange High GRADE: Senior AGE: 18 SPORT: Volleyball POSITION: Libero

there and pass some free balls so my middles and outside can get their hitting reps. One time, I passed 1,000 free balls.

What has kept you motivated to stay in the sport for so long? I honestly just really do love playing volleyball. When I get into a game, it’s just fun, and I have a great time. I don’t even remember anything else besides what I’m doing on the court. I love the intensity of wanting to win so bad and getting so excited getting a point and being with my friends.

Since you’ve been at West Orange, is there a highlight moment that stands out? I think if I go 20 years into the future and I look back at my time at West Orange, I’ll always remember when we went to Arizona for a tournament — it was probably the most fun I’ve had in a travel tournament ever. What has the biggest change that you’ve seen in yourself since your freshman year? I think just truly stepping up as a leader. I think when I was a freshman, I knew I could run court and knew what I was doing, but I also didn’t want to step on people’s toes. When I moved to West Orange my sophomore year, Tori Baum was the libero — amazing libero, I love her — but she was the leader of the team. I looked up to her because she knew how to run the team — she was the head lady, and I was like, “That is going to be me.” I think that I really did grow into that role, especially this year. I feel like that is me.

What is your favorite part about playing libero? What’s the part you hate the most? I feel like I’m kind of a leader on my team in the sense that I’m on the court, and I’m leading the team — “Remember to do this,” and “Hey, we’re going here.” I’m constantly talking to the girls and trying to keep us engaged and keep us going — I think that’s truly one of my favorite parts. I think the worst thing about being libero is having to do free-ball passing in practice. I cannot tell you the amount of times that I’ve had to sit

After you graduate, what’s the plan? I haven’t decided yet, but I’m weighing out my options — I have some offers … just leaving it to decide when I want to decide. I haven’t really picked where I want to go yet. If I tell you one thing about myself, it’s that I’m a very free spirit — “You’ll figure it out when you get there, and you’ll cross that road when it comes.” That’s just how I kind of take life. — TROY HERRING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Right now, the football and cheer teams are going into their fifth week of games — out of eight — and the organization has taken every step to make sure they are safe, Torani said. Precautions such as temperature checks before and after practice and spraying down equipment with sanitizer has become the norm this season. Meanwhile, at games, everyone who comes in has their temperature checked and is required to wear masks and practice social distancing. “They see the precautions that we are taking, and we’ve been lucky — there is no doubt about it,” Torani said. “We talk to the kids a lot about making sure you’re taking care of yourself, because we have kids who go to school and we have some who are homeschooled — so we have a mix of kids.” Another big change is that the Wolverines no longer play their home games at Deputy Scott

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After years of playing youth football, everything was different at CFCA. Varsity football was completely different from what he knew before. “The first practice was just a surreal feeling,” Noah Maddox said. “Everybody is bigger, everybody is stronger, and everybody is faster, and the calls are coming in from the sideline.” Something important also happened during that practice that caught Campbell’s attention as he watched. “He’s small — he’s not great in stature, but he has a heart and a passion that is second to none,” Campbell said. “Our first day in pads, I had Noah playing Mike linebacker, and he stood Wilkerson up in the hole. Again, that was Day One, and Wilkerson said he wanted to take it easy. …

But Noah, he stood in the paint with him, and at that point I knew he was going to help us.” Originally, Campbell was going to have Noah Maddox just play on special teams, but that play sealed his place as a legitimate player for the Eagles. Campbell placed him in at linebacker and running back. Since that first practice, Noah Maddox has made friends on the team and has quickly grasped the game, thanks to long hours of study and consistent work. Two to three days a week, he wakes at 5:30 a.m. just to work out in the weight room before school. That work has paid off so far through the season. Noah Maddox has three fumble recoveries and two caused fumbles to go along with seven total tackles on defense. He also picked up the first touchdown of his high school career against First Academy-Leesburg. There’s no telling how the rest of the season will go, but so far, it’s been everything he dreamed his first year of varsity ball would be. “My playing time has wildly exceeded my expectations,” Noah Maddox said. “At the beginning of the season, I thought maybe I would get a few reps on special teams, but to be able to come out and actually get good, solid reps on offense and defense is amazing.”

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Noah Maddox first started playing football when he was 7 years old, but it was the years leading up to that age that really helped him develop into a competitor, said Justin Maddox — Noah Maddox’s father. “He’s always been special from the time he was young,” Justin Maddox said. “He started martial arts when he was 4 years old — he did Brazilian jiujitsu — and I think that has a big thing to do with his personality. It seems like the game is never too big for him, he doesn’t seem to get more nervous, and he seems to get more focused. … It’s really helped him shine in the opportunities he’s had so far.” But when Noah Maddox began to take to the football field, it was easy to see that there was something clicking there, Justin Maddox said. On defense, Noah Maddox had a nose for the ball, while on offense, he would pick up three to four touchdowns a game. A few years later, Noah Maddox was dominating on the Ocoee Bulldogs youth football team. This is where CFCA head football coach Jeremy Campbell comes into play. “It was around this time last year, when he was playing for the Bulldogs — I knew he was special then,” Campbell said. “(With)

Pine Community Park — home of the Windermere High football, soccer and lacrosse programs. Orange County Public Schools is not allowing the park to be rented for youth sports this year. Instead, the Wolverines rent the football field at Central Florida Christian Academy. But every bit of change on and off the field has been navigated successfully, thanks to a supportive parent base, donations and a boost in participation as it relates to coaches and the organization’s own board. Along with adding a few extra members to the core board, the organization added multiple community board positions for parents and others looking to help with marketing, fundraising and operations. “That’s probably the biggest reason why we have had so much success, because of the board and the community wanting to help,” Torani said. “We’ve had PPE donated, we’ve had bacterial killer that we spray on our bags every night, we have hand

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them being on campus, I was able to see him firsthand, and I was able to work with some of those Bulldog coaches and give them some things to help develop Noah. Also, Noah is a part of our 7-on-7, and with his training — he trains all the time — he has been identified early as a kid who is passionate about this game.” When Noah Maddox realized the 2020 youth football season wouldn’t happen, the decision was made — after talks with Campbell — to attend CFCA.

sanitizer donated — the parents and the community have been great helping us through this.” Fundraising had been the biggest challenge of the year. There are growing pains with having more players involved in the program — including a need for more equipment and helmets. Throw on renting the field, and it can get pricey. Luckily, a few members in program work for Gatorade, which offered a substantial amount of help to make this season happen. All the help that has come its way, combined with learning from last year’s lessons, has put the Wolverines cheer and football program in a strong position, and it’s all captured in the organization’s new motto. “‘One team, one family, Wolves,’” Torani said. “That’s kind of a motto that the parents kind of came up with, because we were like a traveling family last year by the end of it. It has become a very family-oriented organization.”

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JULIA “JUDY” (“MIMI”) GATEWOOD BRITT DIED SEPT. 29, 2020.

Julia “Judy” (“Mimi”) Gatewood Britt, 79, of Oakland, Florida, passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2020. Judy was born Aug. 20, 1941, in Orlando, Florida, to the late Virginia Lawrence Gatewood and the late Ainsworth Dudley Gatewood. She was the youngest of three daughters who grew up in the Delaney Park area of Orlando. She graduated from Boone High School, where she was a cheerleader and on the homecoming court. In 1965, she married Air Force Lt. Ward Pinkston Britt, of Winter Garden, Florida, and

together they enjoyed their early life in the Air Force raising their three daughters. After moving to Abilene, Texas, Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Miami, Florida, they were able to move their family back home to West Orange County, where they once again were surrounded by family and friends. Judy enjoyed playing team

DR. MARC A. HALL DIED SEPT. 26, 2020.

Dr. Marc A. Hall, D.V.M., 73, of Winter Garden, Florida, went to Our Lord on Sept. 26, 2020. Dr. Hall opened his small animal practice, Ocoee Animal Hospital, in June 1976. He served many clients and their beloved pets until retiring in 2015. A 1971 graduate of Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana, Dr. Hall went on to complete more study and authored journal articles during an intern program at the University of Minnesota. He worked for two successful small animal practices in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Cincinnati, Ohio, before deciding to open his own clinic in West Orange County, Florida. At that time, there were few other veterinary clinics in Central Florida. He later was president of the Central Florida Veterinary Association and a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Association. He remained a member even after retiring and attended annual courses to further his understanding of small-animal care. He liked learning and keeping up with his profession. Marc was the fourth child of nine born to Carl and Margaret Hall, Wolcott, Indiana. The Hall

kids are: David, Diane, Marsha, Marc, Nina, Nancy, Karla, Kris and Kent. The six girls and three boys came every year or so, and the farmhouse was full and busy. Growing up on a farm, Marc loved animals even as a child — and pilled chickens with pebbles, shocked his mother by bringing two live skunks home and raised lots of parakeets in the family’s basement. He walked his 4-H pigs while practicing his tuba for high school band. He was a mischievous, curious youngster and liked to play tricks on his siblings. Marc’s sense of humor never left him, and he always had a joke or story to share. Becoming a veterinarian was always his desire growing up, yet he retained his Midwest values and humility throughout life. Marc died of aggressive small-cell cancer of the lungs, which metastasized to his liver, and congestive heart failure. Marc was Catholic and had a

tennis at West Orange Country Club. She was also a member of the West Orange Junior Service League and a founding member of Bloom & Grow Garden Society. When Judy and Ward became empty nesters in 1985, they left their home to become “Berliners” in a five-year transfer with Pan Am to West Germany. While there, they traveled to many parts of the world, including Africa, Egypt, Austria, Pakistan, France and Italy, creating some amazing stories and memories to share with family and friends. They were even fortunate enough to witness the destruction of the Berlin Wall and to chisel out their very own piece.

After the birth of their grandchildren, Ward and Judy moved back to West Orange County where family, friends, golf and traveling filled their lives. “Mimi” will most be remembered for her passion for creating memories with her family; spending time with her beloved sister and best friend Gretchen; and hosting family gatherings at home as well at their vacation homes in New Smyrna Beach and Robbinsville, North Carolina. “Mimi” was truly a one-ofa-kind woman, mother, sister, wife, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ward P. Britt; her daughters, Muffet Britt Young (David Young), Heidi

deep faith practice. With retirement, he became a member of St. Vincent de Paul, which runs a food pantry for those in need at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Pine Hills, Florida. Marc was married to wife Denise for 51 years. His three children are Erin Hall (Atlanta, Georgia), McKenzie Hall (partner Allynne, Tampa, Florida) and Neil Hall (wife Andrea and three dearly loved grandchildren Sydney, Wesley and Paige, Tavares, Florida). Donations can be made to St. Andrew Catholic Church, 801 N. Hastings St., Orlando, FL 32808 for St. Vincent de Paul charitable works or needs of the church in care of Father Leo Hodges, Pastor. During this time of Covid pandemic, a private family funeral mass and interment were held.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Britt and Geegee Britt Burmeister (Craig Burmeister); her four grandchildren, Erin Bailey Hoover, Zachary Bailey, Delaney Young and Addison Young; and her great-granddaughter, Arden Bailey Hoover. She is also survived by her sister, Gretchen Shuman. A celebration of her life will be a private family service held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bloom & Grow Garden Society or the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation.

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Observer Media Group reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in an Observer Media Group publication to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

FREE MARIJUANA DELIVERY 342468

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This week’s Crossword answers

2020

This week’s Crossword answers

AUTO SERVICE

AUTO SERVICE 342455

AUTO SERVICE

LV11098

This week’s Crossword answers

340601

2020

TRAYWICK'S 2020

BRAKE PAD SALE

BMW 3 Series

179.95

Mercedes C-Class

BMW 5 Series

199.95

Mercedes E-Class

$ $

179.95

199.95

Full Synthetic Oil Service ONLY

89.95

Includes up to 7 quarts Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Parts and Labor. of Full Synthetic Oil. Tax and recycling fees are extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 10/31/20

GARAGE

TFN

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

407-656-1817

Explore the

TFN

CLASSIFIEDS for great deals. To place an ad call 407-656-2121

342456

See store for details

342466

STRESS

FREE

Financing

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

HERE’S MY CARD - BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO SERVICE

POWER WASHING

LV11098

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

REALTORS

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

352-217-0072

REG# MV-01095

GemoftheHillsExteriors.com

342467

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

DEAD ON

ROOFING

FIRE TECH

TARGET

342452

Richard Hudson • Reggie Hudson

EXTINGUISHER

SERVICE Ocoee, FL

The Observer Business Directory

Danny Motes

Call 656-2121 to reserve your space

UPGRADES & REPAIRS

Cell 407-466-4738 Tel 407-654-2395 Fax 407-654-2986 TFN Call today to reserve your space

342463

TFN

341599

Phone 407-656-6646

334091

Residential & Commercial Cleaning Concrete, Pavers, Screen Enclosures Gutters, Rust Removal, & Decks

www.Firetechextinguisher.com 407-656-6075

CLEANING

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

FREE ESTIMATES

342465

TFN

GIVE USAACALL CALLAT: AT: GIVE US 954-995-5191 954-995-5191

342457

A healthy touchfrom fromour our family family to A healthy touch toyours yours

BUSINESS R U O Y W O R G rve your space

Schedule Schedule your FREE your FREE estimate!!

EMAIL US AT: OROR EMAIL US AT: Excellenceatcleaning1@gmail.com

Excellenceatcleaning1@gmail.com

se Call today to re 407-656-2121

estimate!!

WE CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL YOUR

WE HOME CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL YOUR AND OFFICE CLEANING NEEDS!! HOME AND OFFICE CLEANING NEEDS!!

Your ad here!

407-656-2121

OrangeObserver.com

FLOORING

AUTO SERVICE

K'S TRAYRWAIC GE GA

TFN

R From CA talled

ter Garden 1045 S. Vineland Rd. •Win nment • New and Used Tires • Alig • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More

407-656-1817

OPERATED –

268 407.296.9622 407.877.6

l: gsairsystems@cfl.rr.com www.gsairsystems.com emai e #CAC1814407 Licens

Battery Testing and Replacement

on Call for a FREE estimate t. Equipment Replacemen ed credit

We offer financing with approv

Transmission and Engine Repair

Scheduled Maintenance

Ray Cornell Jr. Doug Gallinger

301016

Licensed & Insured - State

• Quality • Service • Sales • Installation • Commercial • Residential

y Full

Working Owners

www.r-dauto.com

Computerized Diagnostics

WATERPROOF

$ 99/ sq. ft.

930 Carter Rd #202 Winter Garden, FL 34787 Telephone: (407) 614-3827 om rdtransautorepair@cfl.rr.c

FLOORING T E • WAT E R P R O O F CARPET • LAMINA

407-614-5027

Ocoee, FL 34761 11159 W Colonial Dr. • g.com IntegrityLaminateFloorin

Estimates

HOME SERVICES

3.3" x 1" starting at $28.00 3.3" x 2" starting at $33.00 3.3" x 4" starting at $55.00

ORLANDO PREMIUM SHUTTER ers!

The best shutt The best prices! With the best warranty!

298995

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 8AM

MADE IN THE USA

CALL FOR YOUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION TODAY!

Serving Orlando & Surrounding Areas

iumShutters.com

407-415-7185 • OrlandoPrem

- 5PM

PAINTING

See store for details

407-656-4707

SA LE Full Synthetic BR AK E PA Dedes C-Class Oil Service BMW 3 Series Merc

ww w.b udg etu pul lit. com

ONLY

89.95

301027

STRESS

302117

• All Engines $200.00 each each • All Transmissions $100.00 • Tires $15.00 and up • Batteries $25.00 • Warranties on all parts sold!

FREE

Custom measured, designed, manufactured and installed by shutter experts.

FL 34787

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL

Financing

179.95 179.95 edes E-Class BMW 5 Series Merc $ 199.95 $199.95

/ sq . ft.

Tires and Alignments

Tune-Ups and General Repair

In House Towing Available

en, 881 S. 9th Street • Winter Gard

Three Business Card Sizes to choose from:

3 59

...

Fully Installed From...

AUTO SERVICE

Includes up to 7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Parts and Labor. Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Expires 3/31/19. Not valid with any other offers. Tax and recycling fees are extra.

PEST CONTROL

Center” “Your Complete Service en, FL 34787 Gard ter Win Rd. y Stor t 10 Wes 1095 ie Hud

Richard Hudson • Regg

“A luxury everyone can afford!”

Beef • Chicken • Ribs • Pork • • Small & Large Orders • Catering

Style BBQ! We make Old Fashioned, Texas s Women and Children. A portion of

TFN

PET SERVICES

l Puppy Dreams Pet Hoe te

Willie J. Fulmore Owner

the profits help to fund Homeles

407-469-0060 17436 7th Street •FL Montverde, 34756 7 pm day • 11 am until Open Friday and Satur

CONSTRUCTION

from hom Your pet’s home away ty

301015

Tires • Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG

302828

CATERING

Willie’s Bar-B-Que

a unique no-cage facili boarding daycare and overnight

(407) 654-8885

TFN

703 S. Vineland Rd. 7 Winter Garden, FL 3478

301030

TFN

Phone 407-656-6646 son

301029

REG# MV-0

301017

Full LAMIN y In stall ATE ed F rom

. ft.

9 / sq

Ins

301025

-FAMILY OWNED &

$...

PET

301021

AIR CONDITIONING

LV11098

Y INESS DIRECTOR

- BUS HERE’S MY CARD

301035

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

301014

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

Color included on all ads! Publishes every Thursday, and deadlines Friday the week prior.

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

OrangeObserver.com

341924-1