10.12.17 Windermere Observer by Orange Observer

WINDERMERE

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VOLUME 3, NO. 2

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

Dressed for sweet success The Sugar Art Fashion Show benefits Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. PAGE 11.

FLASHBACK Olszewski wins Florida House District 44 seat

Ford’s Garage parks newest restaurant in Hamlin

The former Winter Garden commissioner replaces Eric Eisnaugle in Tallahassee.

Burger-and-beer joint Ford’s Garage is the next named tenant coming to the Hamlin community.

GABBY BAQUERO AND BRITTANY GAINES

Nearly a year after he finished his term as a Winter Garden city commissioner, Robert “Bobby” Olszewski has a new seat in government — Florida House District 44 representative. Olszewski, a Republican, defeated Democrat Eduardo Dominguez in a special general election Tuesday, Oct. 10. Olszewski garnered 55.66% (6,936) of the vote, compared to Dominguez’s 44.34% (5,525).

DANIELLE HENDRIX

ORANGE COUNTY

STAFF WRITER HORIZON WEST When you think of Ford’s Garage — the newest restaurant slated to join the Hamlin community — imagine a burger-and-beer joint combined with a 1920s service-station ambiance. Think of vintage Ford Model A’s and Model T’s in and around the restaurant, a penny wall by the bar and an overall atmosphere catered to the ultimate Ford fan.

SEE BOBBY PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN CONGRATS, SEMIFINALISTS! Orange County Public Schools is celebrating 35 seniors chosen as semifinalists for the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. Eight of these students attend West Orange County schools: Graham Jordan, Alexander Koller and Cassidy Nordmann, of Dr. Phillips High; Fernando Alvarez, Garrett Fullerton, Megan Galeski and Soo Min Kim, of Olympia High; and Sarah Tatum, of West Orange High.

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State Farm insurance agent Shannon Till, one of the Windermere High School Legacy Fund’s top sponsors, dressed as Richard Simmons and posed with Jane Dunkelberger for a photo at the school’s Totally Awesome ’80s Night last weekend. For more photos, see page 12.

SEE FORD’S PAGE 4

ARTS & CULTURE

Orange County: 3.1-mile stretch of Reams Road needs widening Reams Road Study 2: A 3.1-mile section of Reams Road is in the process of being widened to four lanes; however, construction likely would not begin until 2020 or 2021. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER ORANGE COUNTY Following a months-long study of Reams Road, Orange County Transportation Planning Division officials have determined the road, which

is already failing to accommodate daily traffic volumes in certain areas, is in need of additional lanes. During a community meeting Thursday, Oct. 5, officials presented their findings and proposed ideas, having recently

completed their study of the 3.1mile stretch of Reams Road from Summerlake Park Boulevard to Taborfield Avenue. “We have a lot of gaps in our complete street requirements,” said Blanche Hardy, project manager with the Orange County Transportation Planning Division. According to study documents, SEE COUNTY PAGE 8

Theater stages male, female versions of “The Odd Couple.”

PAGE 14.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

is Lenora Spence, consumer advocate, who will speak on consumer protection. Lunch is $20. worw.federated@gmail. com.

ST. LUKE’S UMC PUMPKIN PATCH 3 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends starting Thursday, Oct. 12, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando. The patch will feature a variety of pumpkins, from classic carving pumpkins and miniature pumpkins to a range of winter squashes and gourds. Prices will range from $1 to $30. All proceeds support youth ministries’ mission trips, camps and retreats. (407) 876-4991, Ext. *238, or youth@st.lukes.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHT 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Life Church Horizon West, 12005 Silverlake Park Drive, Windermere. Families can enjoy “Beauty and the Beast” and fellowship. (407) 734-3120. FALL FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Church of the Lakes, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Orlando. The family event includes crafts, a food and bake sale, car wash, activities such as hay rides, train rides and a raffle for Thomas Kinkade artwork and a television. pcol.org.

WEST ORANGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the West Orange Country Club, 3300 West Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden. Guest speaker

HEALTH AND HARVEST FESTIVAL 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. The event will offer free health screenings, fitness demonstrations and a fall family photo booth. healthywestorange.org. FRANKIE VALLI TRIBUTE SHOW BENEFIT CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts Center, 6500 Turkey Lake Road. Ticket proceeds will help with medical bills and recovery expenses of a DPHS student who was shot outside her home this summer. Cost for the Let’s Hang On show featuring music by Valli and The Four Seasons, are $10 to $20 and are available at dpchorus.com or at the door. (407) 355-3200.

NEHRLING GARDENS VOLUNTEER DAY 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Community members who would like to help clean up the gardens can email info@nehrlinggardens. org to register. Volunteers will cut limbs into smaller sections, haul debris and uncover plants. All are asked to wear long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes. Donations to the Fallen Giants Tree Fund can be made at nehrlinggardens.org. (407) 445-9977.

TUESDAY, OCT. 17

SOUTHWEST BOOK CLUB 7 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Join the Southwest Book Club to discuss this month’s selection, “The Japanese Lover” by Isabel Allende. The novel follows the

impossible romance between a World War II escapee from the Nazis and a Japanese gardener’s son, whose story is discovered decades later by a care worker who comes to terms with her past. (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, OCT. 19

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in The Attic of Building C at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando. This support group is for cancer fighters, survivors, caregivers and spouses or partners. Meetings include a time of sharing, spiritual and emotional support, as well as a different topic each month related to the key challenges associated with cancer. A guest speaker will present on Yoga for Cancer Patients. Call (407) 876-4991, Ext. 262, to register.

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Winter Garden AAU coach part of national college basketball scandal Jonathan Brad Augustine was named in a federal complaint that was part of a larger investigation that has rocked the college basketball landscape. STEVEN RYZEWSKI AND GABBBY BAQUERO OBSERVER STAFF

Courtesy photo

Chorus teacher spearheads concert for injured student Proceeds from the concert will fund medical expenses for Dr. Phillips High School student Emily Nelson as she recovers from a shooting incident. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR DR. PHILLIPS Fans of Frankie Valli

and the Four Seasons are invited to indulge in the some the band’s greatest hits from the 60s in an upcoming concert performed by the Frankie Valli Tribute Show. The four-piece band will be performing its popular show, “Let’s Hang On!,” as a benefit concert Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts Center. Concert-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy cherished oldies such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” “Who Loves You” and many more by the tribute band. The Frankie Valli Tribute Show will be headlining the concert, which is a benefit for Dr. Phillips High School student Emily Nelson. Nelson was shot four times in her back and face outside her home June 11 and is in recovery. The family of five — Emily’s mother, Andrea, and her three younger siblings — faces mounting physical therapy costs as the high-school junior learns to navigate with the use of a wheelchair and tries to recuperate as much use of her legs as possible. Upon hearing of the shooting, DPHS chorus teacher Chris Barletta shared a Gofundme page detailing the incident and financial strain the family has under-

gone following Nelson’s incident on his personal Facebook page. The end result was the idea to perform a concert in her honor and donate all proceeds to the family. “It was my idea,” said Barletta, also a singer in the tribute band. “I’m the chorus teacher here, but I’ve been traveling around the country for nine years doing a Frankie Valli Tribute Show. What happened was that I put her Gofundme page on my Facebook, and then the guys saw it, and we started talking about how we should do a benefit show for her at the school. So the guys all volunteered their time and the band volunteered their time to do the show for her.” The concert will open with a performance by the DPHS student jazz ensemble followed by a 90-minute performance by the Frankie Valli Tribute Show. Barletta hopes to have the show, which is selling tickets ranging in price from $10 to $20 based on seat location, sell out. “No one deserves that, so my thought was, if we do the show here, at least I’ll have a bunch of kids who’ll want to come see it to make fun of me because I’m their teacher,” he said. “So hopefully, it’ll be easier to sell tickets and also maybe the Dr. Phillips community will want to come and support one of our own. You know, we’re a family here of Panthers.” Tickets are available at bit. ly/2ybNZAg.

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IF YOU GO “LET’S HANG ON,” AMERICA’S NO. 1 FRANKIE VALLI TRIBUTE SHOW WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 14 WHERE: Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts Center, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando TICKETS: $10, $15 or $20 WEBSITE: Dpchorus.com

HOW TO DONATE A friend of Andrea Nelson has set up an online fundraiser to help with medical and relocation expenses. So far, the campaign has raised $14,457 of its $50,000 goal. To donate, visit gofundme.com/ help-andrea-withemilys-care.

The college basketball scandal that has rocked the sports world and brought down one of the game’s most famous faces, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, has a local tie. Winter Garden resident Jonathan Brad Augustine, a wellknown figure within the local AAU and travel basketball scene and the former program director for 1 Family Hoops — an Orlando-based travel basketball organization — was among 10 people arrested and charged Sept. 26 as part of a wide-ranging federal investigation into corruption in college basketball. A complaint filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York names Augustine, along with four other defendants. The complaint alleges the defendants funneled money to would-be college basketball prospects and their families to secure their commitment to play for universities sponsored by Adidas. In return — in addition to playing for the universities sponsored by Adidas — the athletes would also retain the services of some of the defendants (in roles such as “financial adviser”) once the athletes turn professional. The defendants have been charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud and one count of money-laundering conspiracy. The inclusion of Augustine in the charges stems from his former role as the program director for the local AAU program, 1 Family Hoops. The program is sponsored by Adidas, which is believed to be the company in the complaint referred to as “Company-1.” Adidas also sponsors the sports teams at Louisville and Miami universities — college programs believed to match the schools outlined in the complaint because of the given descriptions, which include the schools’ states and student population size. The complaint alleges Augus-

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tine was responsible for getting the payments to the players and their families, with the implication being that he did so via a charity he ran. In particular, the complaint outlines a meeting that took place July 27 at a Las Vegas hotel. There, Augustine and Christian Dawkins — another defendant in the complaint — allegedly met with three other individuals to discuss the scheme. Video recording devices were concealed in the room prior to the meeting, and Augustine and Dawkins were joined by an undercover agent, an individual who has since become a cooperating witness and an assistant from one of the college basketball teams. In addition to the defendants verbally outlining elements of the scheme, at one point the undercover agent allegedly handed Augustine an envelope containing $12,700 in cash, which Dawkins explained: “will take care of July, of August.” The scheme is problematic because acceptance of cash payments or bribes would jeopardize and likely end the eligibility for any player who accepts, and therefore its existence defrauds the university offering the athletic scholarship to the player, unaware of the conspiracy. On Sept. 28, 1 Family announced via Twitter that Augustine had stepped down as program director. In a separate tweet, the AAU program refuted allegations that Nassir Little — a basketball player at Orlando Christian Prep who plays for 1 Family and is rumored to be one of the players referred to within the complaint — was offered or asked for any money. The statement went further, saying: “There is not one single player our program, nor family member of any player, that had any knowledge or discussion about payments being made in regards to making a college decision. We stand by this 100% and will allow the truth to come out as this process unfolds.” Repeated attempts to reach the law firm representing Augustine were not successful by press time Tuesday.

See the complaint at OrangeObserver.com

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Ford’s Garage coming to Hamlin

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com News Editor Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange Observer.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry,

THREE TO TRY

1 Courtesy photos

Ford’s Garage is a burger-and-beer joint designed with a 1920s Ford service station in mind.

innovation of Ford Motor Company and represents their history well.” Ford’s Garage is an official Ford Motor Company licensee, even down to the custom-stamped burger buns. From the first day of business at the original Fort Myers location, the buns were stamped in house with a branding iron. They are now stamped in a bakery and toasted at the restaurant, but the tradition continues as the brand grows. Brown estimates the Hamlin location should be open for business by June or July 2018. The hiring process will begin about six weeks before opening, and those interested can apply on the res-

taurant’s website, fordsgarageusa. com. “We knew we wanted to make it to the Orlando market, and for us with our brand, we want to be associated with innovative new things going on,” Brown said. “When we saw the vision for what Hamlin was going to become it was exciting for us to come into that market. I think right off the bat we (us and the developers) took an interest in what each other was doing, and we were able to get a really phenomenal site on the property. “The excitement that we have over coming to Orlando is bringing an energy to our company right now,” Brown said.

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

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44 representative. Olszewski, a Republican, defeated Democrat Eduardo Dominguez in a special general election Tuesday, Oct. 10. Olszewski garnered 55.66% (6,936) of the vote, compared to Dominguez’s 44.34% (5,525). Olszewski celebrated his victory at a volunteer and donor appreciation watch party Tuesday night at Craig Miller’s Field House in Dr. Phillips. As the polls closed at 7 p.m., a small handful of supporters gathered in the private room to wait for election results. When the results were posted online, a round of applause filled the room. Olszewski arrived, giving his gathered supporters a thumbs up as everyone greeted him with cheers. “I’m ecstatic that I get the opportunity to represent my hometown community up in Tallahassee,” Olszewski said. Olszewski said he spent most of the day working to get voters out to the polls. “I called voters, I walked the precinct, I waved signs, I did everything I could to get every last voter to the polls in District 44,” he said. He said his primary goal in taking the office is to make sure he

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

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The restaurant chain launched in 2012 in Fort Myers, a place where Henry Ford was known to hang out. Six other locations in Florida and Michigan have cropped up since then, and the Hamlin location will make the seventh. While the brickwork, dark colors, wood accents and handhammered copper bar tops are all standard features, Marc Brown — president of 23 Restaurant Services, which manages Ford’s Garage operations — said the company likes to make each establishment just a little different from the others. “We try to make each restaurant a little bit unique,” Brown said. “For us, it’s about appealing to all five senses. It goes to what you see, smell, hear, what your eyes are drawn to and the overall energy level. It starts with the cars that we bring in. Typically a location has anywhere from four to six vintage vehicles. All tables and bar tops are custom made. We do a penny wall behind our taps and have LED lighting; it all comes together to make a pretty unique place.” Ford’s Garage is focused on high-quality ingredients, Brown said, and is best known for its gourmet burgers. It also features a mac-and-cheese bar and incorporates local craft beers from each community it is planted in. With 40 beers on tap and another 150 — coined the Ford F150 Beer List — by the bottle, Ford’s Garage has branded itself as a burger-andbeer joint of which Henry Ford himself would be proud. “One thing we do to make our concept different is we focus a lot on the guest experience, in addition to what you can taste,” Brown said. “We put a lot into the buildout of our restaurants. We try to do it in a way that represents the

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

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Brittany Gaines

Bobby Olszewski took the oath of office after winning the District 44 seat in the Florida House.

represents his constituents. “I want to make sure all residents are represented and know that they have someone in Tallahassee who has their best interest at heart,” Olszewski said. In addition to thanking his family for their months of support, he also thanked voters. “I want to thank everyone who came out and voted for me,” he said. He also wanted to reassure those who didn’t vote for him that he still is dedicated to representing them in the capital.

“I truly have their best interest at heart,” Olszewski said. “I’ll do whatever I can to earn their trust and support.” Within an hour of receiving word of his victory, Olszewski took the oath of office and informed his supporters he would be reporting to Tallahassee Wednesday morning to begin work. The win marks a long road on the campaign trail for Olszewski — first in a race for the Orange County District 1 Commission seat and later for state District 44.

Of the 124,151 registered voters eligible to cast ballots in the District 44 race, only 12,475 (10.05%) did so. Leading up to Tuesday’s election, more Republicans turned out for early voting (1,114) than Democrats (708), according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office. Olszewski now will serve as the District 44 House Representative until Nov. 6, 2018, when all 120 House seats are again up for election. He replaces Eric Eisnaugle, who resigned earlier this year.

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GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Five individuals have filed to run in the Orange County mayoral race to succeed Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who has reached the eightyear term limit. The five candidates to have filed so far are Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Orange County School Board Chair Bill Sublette, nonprofit consultant Rob Panepinto, Jose Datil Colom and Robert Edward Melanson. Demings, Sublette and Panepinto cite similar goals when it comes the issues they wish to tackle first if elected â&#x20AC;&#x201D; issues focused on Orange Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notable economic and population growth. Demings, a Dr. Phillips resident and 36-year law-enforcement officer in Orlando, said he decided to join the race following â&#x20AC;&#x153;an abundance of requestsâ&#x20AC;? by the hundreds from Orange County citizens â&#x20AC;&#x153;looking for the next regional leader.â&#x20AC;? Demings, who was elected in 2008 as Orange Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first African-American sheriff, is now in his third term as Orange Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sheriff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My No. 1 priority in this community is to improve public safety. Secondly, to maintain and improve our economy, and thirdly, to be a bridge builder between business, ORANGE COUNTY

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citizens and government,â&#x20AC;? Demings said. Orlando resident Sublette, who was elected as OCPS chairman in 2010 and served eight years in the state legislature, prides himself on having championed several laws aimed at protecting consumers and the environment. Sublette emphasized he entered the race to continue Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legacy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wonderful legacy sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left behind, and I got in the race because I believe I can continue that legacy,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I also believe that we need someone with a proven track record in leadership whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shown theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re willing to fight for us and holds a positive vision and good agenda for Orange County.â&#x20AC;? Sublette cites growth management, transportation issues, crime reduction and infrastructure improvements as focal points and added that pedestrian- and bike-friendly neighborhoods also would be on his to-do list if elected. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Growth is here to stay, but we need to make sure we have the necessary infrastructure in place before we permit development and make sure we have adequate bike paths, sidewalks and walkable neighborhoods,â&#x20AC;? Sublette said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to tackle gridlock in our transportation system with

better planning and timing of our traffic signals. And crime is always a big issue in a community like ours because we are the No. 1 tourist destination in America, so we need to focus on reducing crime further.â&#x20AC;? But for Winter Park resident Panepinto â&#x20AC;&#x201D; president of Florentine Strategies and a nonprofit consultant â&#x20AC;&#x201D; affordable housing and economic diversification was the crux of his interest. Panepinto, a New York native who has been heavily involved in the business, start-up and nonprofit sectors of the community, emphasized that he joined the race to give Orange County citizens the option of voting for someone with a more varied professional background. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very difficult for a government, in and of itself, to resolve some of these issues, particularly in a community thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the stage weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need the government sector to work more closely with the business and nonprofit sector to really move forward on these issues. We really need people with a much broader background than folks with experience that is, by and large, focused on the government sector. We need broader expertise to move the community forward.â&#x20AC;? Robert Edward Melanson did not return phone calls before press time, and the number publicly listed for Jose Datil Colom is disconnected. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 28, 2018.

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School Board chair Bill Sublette and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings are among the candidates.

See more about Demings, Panepinto and Sublette at OrangeObserver.com

Five file as candidates for Orange County mayor

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Orange County Transportation Planning Division officials have proposed widening a 3.1-mile stretch of Reams Road to four lanes.

County to widen Reams Road

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between 14,100 and 16,800 vehicles travel the 3.1-mile section of Reams Road daily. From south of Summerlake Park Boulevard to the intersection of Floridian Place, the roadway already is failing to accommodate the traffic, Hardy said. If the roadway isn’t widened, Hardy said the department estimated the daily traffic volume would increase to between 26,700 and 29,900 vehicles by 2045. The study also noted 114 vehicle crashes had occurred between 2014 and 2017 on that stretch of Reams Road. However, 78 of those crashes took place near the intersection of Floridian Place. “Reams Road is a death road,” said resident Bonnie Welcome, who voiced concerns about the increasing traffic and accidents on the roadway. “It’s sad we have to see this so often.” Three different construction options were proposed during the meeting, but Hardy said the Transportation Planning Division’s first choice would be a

“It’s dangerous. You worry for your safety. You hope as you’re running out there that (drivers) see you.” — Rich McCaffrey

centered/hybrid alignment. This particular proposition would include widening the roadway to four lanes, inserting a median and installing a sidewalk on the south side of the roadway and a multiuse trail on north side. Although most people at the meeting expressed enthusiasm for the widening of the roadway, construction likely would not begin until 2020 or 2021, with an estimated completion in 2023. After learning of the proposed timeline, many were concerned about local wildlife, as roadkill is a common sighting along Reams Road. To decrease the amount of wildlife being killed in oncoming

traffic, the county installed flashing wildlife signs along Reams Road to caution drivers. Officials hoped these signs, coupled with the recent speed limit decrease to 45 mph, will help lower the number of animal fatalities. According to county documents, there already has been a 20% reduction in animal fatalities. However, the widening of Reams Road also could include a wildlife crossing to protect animals from oncoming traffic. Attendees also raised concerns about sidewalk space, inquiring if any more sidewalks will be installed prior to the completion of construction in 2023. However, Hardy said the county has no plans to install more sidewalks until the start of construction. “It’s dangerous,” said Rich McCaffrey, who frequently runs along Reams Road but refuses to bike on the road because of safety concerns. “You worry for your safety. You hope as you’re running out there that (drivers) see you.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

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OrangeObserver.com

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ALSO INSIDE: WINDERMERE HIGH: Totally Awesome ’80s Night. 12 THE ODD COUPLE: Theater stages male, female versions. 14

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SUGAR ART FASHION SHOW WHEN: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 WHERE: Orange County Convention Center’s West Concourse Hall, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando PHONE: (407) 6859800 DETAILS: The Sugar Art Fashion Show is produced by Satin Ice, the producer of The Americas Cake Fair. The team includes: Kevin O’Reilly, founder/ CEO of Satin Ice and The Americas Cake Fair; Faith Ferguson of Faith Ferguson Productions; Tina Wright, producer of the Sugar Art Fashion Show; and Endless Events. For more information on the Sugar Art Fashion Show and to buy tickets, visit cakefair.com/ sugar-art-fashion-show.

CONFECTIONARY FASHION ARTISTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

One sweet show Designs pleasing to the eye — and the palate — will debut on the runway at the Sugar Art Fashion Show, which also benefits Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

hen high heels adorned with gum drops and purses decorated with modeling chocolate hit the runway, it brings

a whole new meaning to the phrase “have your cake and eat it, too.” Edible fashion is a real thing, and The Americas Cake Fair is bringing it to Orlando — New York-fashion style.

SEE STORY PAGE 16

Sketch by Ashley Holt

n Ana Elisa Salinas n Ashley Holt n Carolina Gonzalez-Lara n Chris Aranda Team (Chris Aranda and Mary Carmen Gonzalez) n Colette Peters n Jasmine Jones n Johan Hamstra n Joshua John Russell n Katherine van der Biest n Lisa Mansour n Lisa Menz n Laura Saporiti n Marilyn Bawol n Milly Pimentel n Sanaa Manah n Teri Tarbox n Vanessa Greeley n Vanille Couture (Willie Soto and Liliana Cuellar)

TIE

Courtesy photos

This bright and colorful outfit from last year’s Sugar Art Fashion Show wowed guests. Right: This outfit from last year’s show featured a lot of chocolate.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

BLACK

TIE

Toya Johnson, Liliana Lopez and Shannon Till represented State Farm.

Julie Sadlier and Jane Dunkelberger put on their best poses with the MTV moon man.

Windermere High Legacy Fund’s ‘Totally Awesome ’80s Night’

Left: Chellie Gentile and Tania Mendez hold up their raffle tickets. Below: Jackie and Danny Paltjon loved the bright and colorful photo booth.

T Don and Judi Millman, far left, Shannon and Mark Deveault, Maria Leon, Jorge Reyes and Michelle and Patrick Mungall were happy to support the school.

Nick and Teasha Isasi rocked their ’80s hairstyles.

ONLINE See more photos at

OrangeObserver.com

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

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Jessica and Sean Kendall had a great time dancing the night away.

he MTV moon man, neon lights, cassettetape centerpieces and a groovy photo booth all made for a colorful night during the Windermere High Legacy Fund’s Totally Awesome ’80s Night. Guests gathered at the West Orange Country Club Saturday, Oct. 7, for a night of dancing, dinner and fun raffle prizes. All in attendance dressed in either cocktail attire or their ’80s best — including a Richard Simmons look-alike. Proceeds will benefit Windermere High’s new Academic Consortium of Scholars program, which encourages students to perform well academically with the incentive of exclusive school apparel and recognition.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

JOSH RECOMMENDS

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY

“Phantasmagoria VIII: The Chains of Fire”

“THE ODD COUPLE”

Through Oct. 29. Prolific American playwright Neil Simon brought the messy Oscar Madison and fastidious Felix Ungar to the stage in 1965, winning the Tony for “Best Author of a Play.” “The Odd Couple” went on to enhance Neil Simon’s “comic hit-maker” reputation — first as a successful film and then as a TV series. But our comic playwright did not stop there. Simon brilliantly revised the play for a female cast in 1985. Add to this the clever folks at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, who have decided to present these opposite personalities in repertory with both male and female casts. (Too cool for school!) There’s even a discount if you see both plays! Call (407) 877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org.

Courtesy photo

“PHANTASMAGORIA VIII: THE CHAINS OF FIRE”

Through Nov. 4. Phantasmagoria is Orlando’s own version of a Grand Guignol theatrical troupe, the original seen in Paris in 1897. Following in Guignol’s “creepy, graphic, brutal and bloody” footprints, Central Florida’s Phantasmagoria is the physical manifestation of Sanford’s theatrical genius John DiDonna. Our troupe comes off as a well-rehearsed rabble of “Steampunk Survivors” more dangerous than a band of traveling gypsies. They are joined on-stage by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Wilde, M.R. James and others. Trick or treat yourself to the all new “Phantasmagoria VIII” at the Shakespeare Center. Call (407) 476-5121 or visit phantasmagoriaorlando.com

“THE (COMICAL) HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES”

Through Nov. 19. The Bard and his “minions” have chosen to give us Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in a cheeky — make that very tongue-incheek — version of Sir Arthur’s world-famous detective in one of the writer’s most famous novellas. Even Sir Arthur would find the humor in this version of Sherlock Holmes’ investigation of the Baskerville family where, one by one, the male heirs are dropping dead. Directed by Orlando Shakes’ comically inventive Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, (who is truly brilliant at this Monty Pythonesque theatricality), the play is made even more fun as three actors play a dozen roles. Call today for your tickets at (407) 447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org.

8 p.m. Oct. 15. With a six-decade career and 200plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings “Crazy” and “Red Headed Stranger.” Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician as well as being an author, actor and activist. He has created 10 new albums, released a New York Times’ bestseller book, headlined Farm Aid, launched his own cannabis company and was honored by the Library of Congress with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song (Nelson was the first country artist to receive the distinguished award). 2016 saw the release of “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,” earning him a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Premium tickets are available for this concert at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

JOSH GARRICK

Josh Garrick, a West Orange resident, is a fine-art photographer, writer and curator. He holds a master’s degree in fine arts from Columbia University. He was the first nonGreek artist in history to exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer named June 27 as “Josh Garrick Day” in perpetuity.

THE ORLANDO BIG BAND — “SWINGIN’N WITH THE BIG BAND”

7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. The Orlando Big Band, a vintage 1940s orchestra, transports us to an era when America produced some of the greatest music of all time. Hear the music of Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman and Cab Calloway for one night only as this 20-piece orchestra recreates the ’40s big-band sound at the Bob Carr Theater, 401 W. Livingston St. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

LAST CHANCE ON YOUR FEET! — THE GLORIA ESTEFAN MUSICAL Oct. 17 to 22. This inspiring, true story about two people who believed in their talent — and each other — has become a ‘cross-over’ sensation. From super-stardom to life-threatening tragedy, “On Your Feet!” takes us inside the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who faced adversity, and found a way to end up on their feet. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

Double trouble SWEET & “The Odd Couple” opens this weekend at the Garden Theatre and features both a male and female version. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER

The Garden Theatre is doubling down on all the oddities as it prepares for opening night of “The Odd Couple.” The play was written by Neil Simon in 1965 and tells the story of friends Oscar and Felix who become roommates, despite their opposite personalities, after Felix is thrown out by his wife But Simon didn’t stop there. In 1985, he rewrote the tale from a female perspective. So, when the Garden Theatre leaders decided to add “The Odd Couple” to its season this year, they didn’t want to choose between Simon’s two versions and decided to showcase both at the same time. “When you have a limited number of shows you can produce in a season, we thought it would be great for our audiences to be able to see both of Simon’s takes on this story rather than choose,” Artistic Director Rob Winn Anderson said. For an added twist, the theater appointed a female to direct the male version and a male director for the female version. “In determining that we were going to take on these two versions of this Neil Simon classic, I thought that it would be very interesting to have an ‘opposite sex’ (director) at the helm,” Anderson said. “This has been

WINTER GARDEN

a crazy and challenging experiment across the board for my two accomplished directors, and I am excited to see them bring these plays to life.” THE MEN

For Mark Ferrera, getting to star in the original 1965 classic was something he had always wanted to do. “It’s quite exciting,” said Ferrera, who will play the role of Oscar. “Every actor has these roles you really want to do, and this was always in the back of my mind. This play is a masterpiece. It’s the classic from whence everything else sprung.” When he learned he had received the role, Ferrera said his original reaction was apprehension despite his 35 years of working in theater. “You go from scared to death that you’re going to fall on your face to now, I’m getting excited,” he said. Starring along Ferrera is Stephen Lima, who will play the role of Felix. For Lima, getting to star alongside Ferrera was a chance he couldn’t pass up. “He’s a big player in this town,” Lima said. “He has that theatrical sense that this show needs.” One of the biggest challenges of the show, Lima said, is working out the many comedic moments. “You have to be dedicated for those moments; you have to go for the jokes,” he said. “You have to find what rings

true in that moment. But the audience is the final piece of the puzzle that has to come in.” THE WOMEN

For Marty Stonerock and Peg O’Keef, learning they would star together in the female version of “The Odd Couple” was the main reason they decided to take on the roles of Olive and Florence, respectively. “I followed her career for a very, very long time,” Stonerock said about O’Keef — a sentiment that O’Keef reciprocated. Although the female version was written in 1985, Stonerock said the content is still relevant today. “I love the story of starting over again,” she said. “I feel a lot of women can relate to that. After a breakdown, you rely on your girlfriends.” For O’Keef, getting to star in Simon’s female version has given her a new appreciation for his work. “It is really remarkable how much is retained (from the original version),” she said. And according to both stars, the fact that they’re performing alongside the male version is exciting. They are thrilled to bring their version to life on the Garden Theatre stage. “(The Garden Theatre) is a jewel box with a fascinating history,” O’Keef said. “So we’re really excited and ready to go.”

IF YOU GO “THE ODD COUPLE” WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Friday, Oct. 13, to Sunday, Oct. 29. WHERE: Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 877-4736 TICKETS: Tickets cost $29 for adults, $25 for seniors and students. Patrons may receive $5 off each performance ticket using the code ODD5OFF if both the male and female shows are purchased at the same time.

Courtesy photo

Your Body in Balance

STYLISH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

The Sugar Art Fashion Show is returning to the Orange County Convention Center Friday, Oct. 13, to wow guests in attendance with extravagant outfits and costumes made almost entirely of edible piecework. When the models hit the runway, the edible art is immediately brought to life. It’s something that those in attendance will literally eat up, said Food Network star and Orlando resident Emily Ellyn. “You’ll feel the magic behind the scenes, because it permeates the whole show,” Ellyn said. “Everyone is excited to be there, to learn, to collaborate. This business is not cutthroat. It’s literally sweet. You’re working in cake and confections and learning from one another.” Ellyn got involved with the fashion show during its last run, when a friend connected her with Kevin O’Reilly, president and CEO of cake-fair producer Satin Ice. “This fashion show is well done, like a New York runway,” Ellyn said. “(Stylist) Melanie Pace and I will come in, there will be fashion banter, and we’ll explain the rules. ... Artists have picked a movie and they’re going to show a clip from the movie. They take those components and music behind it and create this outfit that these women are wearing and walking down the runway with.” While some non-edible components are necessary and permissible, the majority of each outfit is made entirely of edible material, such as chocolate, sugar and edible Flexique fabric. “What it really comes down to is the appeal, and the excitement behind the show is knowing this is going to be a legit fashion show,” Ellyn said. “The designers are going to be amazing and the outfits stunning, but the added element that it’s made out of edible material is mind-blowing.” CONFECTIONARY CREATIONS

Dressing models in edible outfits is a delicate, time-consuming task — especially if wardrobe malfunctions and chocolate melting on the runway are to be prevented.

THE CAUSE The fashion show is a ticketed event, and a portion of all proceeds will go to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Tickets are $125, and for each one purchased Second Harvest can provide up to $90 worth of groceries for struggling families, seniors, kids, veterans and others. “There’s a tie-in there to celebrate our community, as well as give back to it,” Ellyn said of the partnership. As a nonprofit organization, Second Harvest collects, stores and distributes donated food to more than 550 feeding partners in six Central Florida counties. Those living in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties are eligible to receive help from Second Harvest. The food bank is also a member of Feeding America, the largest charitable domestic hungerrelief organization in the nation. For more on the food bank, visit feedhopenow.org.

Ashley Holt is a pastry chef, former model and cake artist who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She also runs her own business, Sugar Monster Sweets. She and fellow cake artist Joshua John Russell — Atlanta-based corporate pastry chef of “in2food” — are coming to Orlando to display the costume they created based on the film, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” “It all starts with the idea and the concept of what we want to make,” Holt said. “Through reverse engineering, you find a way to make it possible, and sometimes that’s the hardest part because you come up with a grand idea and you think, ‘How am I going to pull this off?’” The two pulled the inspiration for their costume from different scenes in the movie. They are working on a large boa made of wafer paper flowers, and the model’s clutch will be fitted with an ostrich head made of modeling chocolate. The rest of the outfit includes a striped bodysuit with a hoop skirt and a purple wig. “Working so hard on a project, having this vision in your head and seeing it come to life — especially on someone — it’s a piece of art that will be worn by someone, and I’m looking forward to that,” Holt said.

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Tom Petty and the Heartbroken

AMY QUESINBERRY

used to poke fun at all the women who cried when Elvis died. Then my musical love passed away last week, and now I understand. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been in my life since I was 14 years old. Immediately after the news of Petty’s death broke, I started receiving sincere condolences through texts and phone calls and Facebook messages from friends, former co-workers, my mother, even an ex-brother-in-law. Everyone knows the enormity of my fandom. Grief is a tricky beast, and sometimes it doesn’t make any sense. I felt a heartbreaking loss, and I never even met the guy. But, boy, did his music speak to my heart. Tom Petty’s way of weaving lyrics together is magical and poetic. I can remember family trips up to our North Carolina cabin, and to pass the time on the long

drive, I wrote the lyrics to his songs in a spiral-ring notebook; the cover was rust-colored, the corners bent from traveling every year with me. Yes, I still have it. It wasn’t enough to hear his words; I wanted to see them, too. Writing down lyrics in the early ’80s wasn’t like it is now. Pre-Google, I had to listen to the cassette tape phrase by phrase, over and over — “What IS he SAYING?” — sometimes never quite figuring them out. I didn’t have headphones either; I just knew my family wanted to hear every TP song 87 times in a row. And hear me sing them all with great passion. Before online ticket sales were a thing, local fans had to go to Infinite Mushroom in the Colonial Plaza or to Robinson’s at Fashion Square Mall, both in Orlando. Sales typically started at 10 a.m. on Fridays, and one tour I was either in school or at work, I don’t remember the year, so Mother offered to go early and stand in line so I would have good seats for the show. She stood there for two hours making small talk with other Petty fans. And she got my tickets. I once went into the Levi’s clothing store near Fashion Square Mall looking for something inexpensive to buy. Why? With every purchase, you got a

Amy Quesinberry

One of Tom Petty’s final Florida visits was to Tampa in May.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers poster promoting their 1985 Southern Accents tour. The sales clerk was kind and just gave me one. Yes, I still have that, too. My children were introduced to Tom Petty at an early age. They have known his music their entire lives. It makes me smile to hear my son and daughter sing the lyrics to one of his songs. I raised them right! It was a special moment for me when I got to share my Tom Petty experience with them while on a family vacation in Michigan. They were about the age I was when I first heard his music. We actually arranged a portion of our trip to be able to see the Heartbreakers in concert. I’ve seen him with best friends, significant others, co-workers, a sister. I’ve gone to his concerts all over Florida. I’ve danced and sung and felt the camaraderie alongside tens of thousands of fans — 21 times. Nothing compares to the sound

of an arena full of Petty fans singing in unison. It’s truly a nirvana moment. His concerts always included at least one song that he stopped singing and let the crowd take over. What a rush; a real sense of community and fraternity. And to experience a Petty concert in Gainesville, his hometown, is a right of passage. I’m glad I did that when I had the chance. I own more than a dozen T-shirts from tours through the years. I might have slept in one the night he died. My Petty love goes beyond concerts. I have books, vinyls, cassette tapes, CD collections, VHS tapes and DVDs. If he was on “Saturday Night Live,” I recorded it. If he did an interview on MTV, I recorded it. When he performed at Live Aid, I recorded it. If he was the topic of a book, I bought it and read it. A few years ago, I saw an ad selling a plastic figurine of Tom

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

Petty from his guest appearance on “The Simpsons.” I (sort of) jokingly posted on my Facebook page that whoever bought it for me would be my best friend for life. A week later, it arrived at my house, a gift from my cousin, Pam. At one time, my phone’s ringtone was TPHB’s “You Got Lucky.” My key ring, Petty’s Gibson Flying V electric guitar, is a concert purchase. The band’s logo — that same guitar piercing a red heart, the band name emblazoned on an attached ribbon — is the background of my office computer, too, something my former boss, Andrew, set up for me years ago. I’ll never change it now. It’s hard to open Facebook now and not see a Petty tribute posted by one of his fans. People still are trying to process this heartbreaking loss. Yellow Dog Eats in Gotha offered a special wrap last Wednesday in Petty’s memory. In the third quarter of Saturday’s Gator game, the packed stadium erupted into “I Won’t Back Down,” and the sound was breathtaking to this Petty fan. A special “Saturday Night Live” episode from 1979 played last weekend, and a young Petty performed two of his hit songs with his Heartbreakers behind him. I have played Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers music ever since his death. All it takes is a push of the play button, and it’s like he isn’t gone. He will live on in my mind and heart. ’Til I see you again … the waiting is the hardest part.

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Everett Dexter “Ed” Montgomery, 84, was born April 29, 1933. His parents were Ollie Ozelle Pitts and Clarence Erskine Montgomery, who preceded him in death. Everett’s military buddies dubbed him “Ed” by his initials, and he was called Ed from there on. Ed was with the 20th Fighter Bomber Wing in the U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War. He was assigned to the Royal Air Force Base, where the Americans were reopening this closed air based in Wethersfield, England, to accommodate air defense during the Russian Cold War. Ed was assigned to munitions, which included caring for a part of the atomic bombs. During his time there, he became a sharpshooter. He also completed high school while in the Air Force. He was very active in churchrelated work while in England with military buddies and the local people. In 1996, Ed and his wife, Jeanell Goff Montgomery, took a journey to England to “walk down memory lane.” Ed got to see five or six people he had met while serving in England from 1951-1955. After military service, Ed completed his B.S. degree in religious education from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. During his last year of college, he and Jeanell married on May 30, 1958. They both completed their B.S. degrees. Then they moved to New Orleans, where Ed got his master’s degree from New Orleans Theological Seminary in religious education. For 10 years, Ed worked as a music/education director in Southern Baptist churches. In 1968, Ed felt led into the hospital ministry. He completed a B.S. degree in hospital administration from Oklahoma Baptist University in Oklahoma City. He worked at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma

City for six years, as personnel director one year, and then he was promoted to assistant administrator for the next five years. The next 14 years, he was an assistant hospital administrator for medical services at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Following this, he spent two years at the Leake County Hospital and Nursing Home in Carthage, Mississippi. This is where he got his start in nursing-home work. He then accepted a position as administrator of the West Orange Manor Nursing Home — now known as Health Central Park in Winter Garden, Florida. He began his work in 1990 and retired in 1997. Following his retirement, he enjoyed doing interim administrative work at several nursing homes until he experienced a stroke. Helping other people was one of Ed’s sterling qualities and spiritual gifts. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters and their spouses (Louise Rains, John; Robbie Newel, Charles; Fay Streeter, Forrest); his brother, Clarence, and his wife, Alva Maxie. Ed had an older brother, Lamar, who was killed by a land mine in Morotai Island in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. All of the five living children in Ed’s family were married more than 50 years. He is survived by his sons, Brent and his children, Bryce and Alyssa; Stuart, wife Vicki and their sons, Cullen and Carson. Services will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida.

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sisters, Gail (Chuck) Burchardt and Ruth (Elton) Clark; grandsons, Brian Hendrix II and Justin Hendrix; great-granddaughter, Holly Hendrix; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Hendrix will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, at Starke Lake Bap-

EDWIN T. PREMO JR., 84, of Winter Garden, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

MICHELLE L. ROUNDS-MONTELEONE, 46, of Windermere, died Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

KATHLEEN MURRAY, 58, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017. Baldwin Brothers, Apopka.

PETER VINCENT SWANZ III, 74, of Orlando, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017.

GLORIA JEAN GRIFFIN, 68, of Oakland, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. Postell’s Mortuary, Pine Hills, Orlando.

DAVID F. ODOM, 73, of Ocoee, died Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

DOMINIC M. TARDIF, 23, of Ocoee, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

LINDA M. HARRISON, 69, of Ocoee, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

JOYLYN L. RHEINGRUBER, 84, of Windermere, died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, Ocoee.

PANSY JEWEL WALL, 84, of Winter Garden, died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Cremation Choices, Minneola.

CASSANDRA LOUISE LEIGHVARD, 36, of Ocoee, died Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Postell’s Mortuary, Pine Hills.

ROBERTO PEREZ ROTGER, 61, of Windermere, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

DORIS VICTORIA WHYLIE, 85, of Ocoee, died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. Postell’s Mortuary, Pine Hills, Orlando.

DEONATH DEONATH, 72, of Ocoee, died Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha. JOHN B. GEORGE, 78, of Ocoee, died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

JOANN WATKINS CAUTHEN DIED FRIDAY, SEPT. 29, 2017.

JoAnn Watkins Cauthen, 81, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed into glory Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in Opelika, Alabama, of natural causes. She was born Sept. 29, 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama, to Elmer and Lela Watkins. She is predeceased by her parents, brother Ira Watkins and sister H. Faye Beard. JoAnn grew up in a loving family, the youngest of three children. From her birth she had a vivacious personality and many friends. Her family attended a community church, where she met Jesus. After graduating high school, she fell for the love of her life, Wiley, and they married on March 23, 1957. They lived in Hutchinson, Kansas; Jacksonville, Florida; and Auburn, Alabama before settling in Orlando, and finally Winter Garden, Florida. In the years 1959-63, God blessed them with three children. Extraordinarily gifted in welcoming others, she created a home where much love grew. She was an avid volunteer in PTA, Little League, the YMCA, Junior Sorosis and the Winter Garden Bloom & Grow Garden Society, among others. Her passions were enjoying family and friends, studying the Bible and researching and sharing natural health solutions. She never met a stranger and genuinely made everyone she knew feel special. She made friends easily and enjoyed each one. Continually educating herself, she was particularly

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delighted to learn new technology from her grandchildren. One of her myriad strengths was organization, which she gracefully used in many ways, including planning annual reunions with three different friend groups over the last two decades. Wiley attributes a substantial amount of his business success to her warm social skills. Though the only work she ever refused to do was shine his shoes, she lovingly polished his rough edges and made him a better man. He describes her as the one who helped him grow from an acorn to a tree, teaching him how to build relationships and love others well. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Wiley Mitchell Cauthen; children, Wade Cauthen (Susan), Loisann Fowler (Randy) and Carol Ingersoll (Richard); grandchildren, Sarah, Jeremy, Benjamin, HannahJoy and Hope Fowler, and Tiffany, Janie (Augsburger), Abbie (Franchino) and Maddie Ingersoll; and great-grandchildren, Ruby and Hanes Augsburger. For service details, visit dignitymemorial.com.

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Thomas Allen Hendrix Sr., age 81, of Ocoee, passed away Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. He was born on Jan. 20, 1936, in Booneville, Mississippi, to the late Howard and Retha Hendrix. Mr. Hendrix was a member of Starke Lake Baptist Church, Ocoee, and a longtime member of the Ocoee Lions Club. He owned and operated Tom Hendrix Mowing for 29 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dorothy Ann Hendrix; sons, Allen Hendrix Jr., Jeff Hendrix, Keith Hendrix and daughter-in-law, Sandy Hendrix; brother, Wayne (Doris) Hendrix;

tist Church, Ocoee, with Pastor Jeff Pritchard officiating. He will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, at the Lakeshore Community Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Mr. Hendrix to the Ocoee Lions Club, Starke Lake Baptist Church or Vitas Innovative Hospice Care. Services entrusted to Collison Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 3806 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park. (407) 678-4500. Please leave condolences at collisonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

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THOMAS ALLEN HENDRIX SR. DIED MONDAY, OCT. 9, 2017.

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SPORTS

Dr. Phillips freshman Brendan Valdes won the Metro Conference West Championship. Page 20.

HIGH

They’ve got SPIRIT 5 FANATIC FILE

TITANS SIXTH MAN Olympia High Twitter: @titans_6th_man Traditions: The “Tom Cruise in Risky Business” look of an oversized white button-down shirt, sunglasses and socks; chanting “O-T” while using arms to form the letters

The Windermere volleyball team swept West Port Oct. 4, improving to 8-3 on the season. Ava Czyzewski had 12 kills and five aces for the Wolverines.

DP 12TH MAN Dr. Phillips High Twitter: @DPdocehombre Dual-identity: Also known as the “Blue Zoo.” Chant: “Awwww DP.”

Dr. Phillips cross country senior Isabela Bartczak finished second in the prestigious “Elite” division race at the FSU Invitational last weekend in Tallahassee, recording a time of 18:29. The time was Bartczak’s best of the season.

Emma Zhao, a golfer for The First Academy, has been named to the 2017 Transamerica Scholastic Junior All-America Team by the AJGA.

The Orlando Touchdown Club recognized Windermere Prep’s Rahsaan Lewis Oct. 9. Lewis scored three touchdowns in the Lakers’ win against Clearwater Academy International.

Dexter Rentz, a sophomore receiver for the Ocoee football team, was called on to play cornerback in light of an injury and turned in a performance for the ages in the Knights’ 14-8 win over West Port Oct. 5. Rentz intercepted five passes that night, including four in the fourth quarter — one of which sealed the victory for Ocoee, its first of the season.

Steven Ryzewski

Some original members of the Windermere “X-Men” are excited about creating traditions and cultivating school pride at Windermere High.

As much as anything else at a high-school sports event, student cheering sections are a part of the experience. They pump up the home team, intimidate the visitors and — most importantly — bring the energy. STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

xistential question: If a highschool sports game takes place between two rivals and there aren’t dozens of rowdy students going wild, did it really happen? Well, sure it did — it just wasn’t nearly as fun or memorable as it could have been. Cheering students have long been a part of the high-school sports experience, but increasingly, they are organized — whether they are doing so through social media channels, through an official student club through the school, or both. In West and Southwest Orange County, that manifests itself in the form of well-known chants and hand/arm gestures, coordinated costumes (Hawaiian night, anyone?) and the occasional channeling of LeBron James through his famous “baby powder toss.” “We’ve had a lot of fun with it,” said Doug Nikhazy, a senior at West Orange High and the president of the school’s 12th Man club. Other local clubs include Olympia’s “6th Man,” Dr. Phillips’ “Blue Zoo” or “12th Man,” The First Academy’s “Blue Crew” and upstart Windermere High’s “X-Men.” The benefits for the home team

Troy Herring

Olympia High’s “Titans Sixth Man” club kept the energy high during the football team’s game Oct. 5 against Winter Park.

are obvious, as their classmates bring the energy of any game up several notches, while also creating an intimidating environment for opponents. For the students in attendance, too — many of whom tend to be student-athletes on different teams who want to support one another — it can be a unique and exciting way to show some school spirit and get connected. “I look forward to games — it’s like a reward for working hard all week,” said Grace Gregorie, a

senior at West Orange and member of the 12th Man. Coordinated efforts to support campus teams can be a pretty important factor in creating school pride — it’s why there is already a student section club at the new Windermere High, even before the school has a home stadium. “I thought it was kind of important to draw everyone together and unite the student body,” said Debbie Siegel, a junior who came SEE BRING PAGE 20

X-MEN Windermere High Twitter: @WindermereXmen The beginning: This brand-new student club is looking to instill some campus pride for the Wolverines. WEST ORANGE 12TH MAN West Orange High Twitter: @Westorange12 Traditions: Dressing like “rednecks” for rivalry games against Olympia; configuring hands into “WoW” and chanting “West Orange County”; tossing baby powder into the air at football home games BLUE CREW The First Academy Twitter: @TFABlueCrewClub Dual-identity: The TFA Blue Crew has also adopted the tag “Cramer Crazies” for volleyball and basketball games, in honor of the school’s new on-campus gym, known as the Cramer Family Field House.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017

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Brendan Valdes Brandon Valdes may just be a freshman, but he already is making his name as a rookie sensation for the Dr. Phillips boys golf team. Valdez shot a 66 at the Metro Conference West Championship Oct. 2 at West Orange Country Club, winning the event as an individual.

What was it like to win the Metro Conference West Championship as a freshman? It feels good, especially as a freshman. … It feels nice beating all my friends — I know a lot of the people out there.

good. It was September of last year. Which course in Central Florida is your favorite? Orange Tree. It’s tight and it plays my game. I like the greens — the greens here are good.

As someone who is only 14 years old, what is it like competing in the varsity ranks against opponents who might be 17 or 18 years old? It’s been fun. They hit it a lot past me, because I’m not that far of a hitter, but the short game is all that matters.

THE BASICS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

AGE: 14 HEIGHT: 5-foot-7 SWINGS: Right HOME CLUB: Orange Tree Golf Club BEST ROUND: 66 TOURS: AJGA, Florida Junior Tour (FSGA)

to Windermere from Olympia, where she was on the girls lacrosse team and involved in 6th Man. Siegel is also a member of the upstart club responsible for coining the term “X-Men” — something she said came to her in a dream. Similarly, Jonathan Ye came to Windermere from West Orange, where he recalled joining 12th Man as having been an important step in his being active on campus. “That was a very big part of getting to know the school and getting involved,” Ye said. To date, the most successful event for the X-Men was the school’s first varsity volleyball game against Olympia, where the student section took on a Hawaiian look as they cheered on their Wolverines. Although there’s nothing to stop students from labeling themselves with a nickname and operating a part of the school itself, many of these clubs — such as the ones at West Orange, Windermere and Olympia — see benefits to working with the school and having a faculty sponsor/adviser. “The way we kind of pushed it was that we can help with funds, you can officially be in the yearbook,” said Lauren Bradley, the faculty adviser for 6th Man at Olympia and the Titans’ former athletic director. “It was kind of convincing them that having some adults helping you is a good thing.” Different clubs handle things such as dues and leadership differently. Olympia has two options for members: an option that includes the club’s T-shirt and a pass to games or an option that just has the T-shirt. At West Orange, the only “dues” are paying for your T-shirt. For the X-Men, a lot is still up in the air as the club launches. One notable positive about these organizations is that they support more than just football — though Friday nights are surely a good place to see a bunch of rowdy students populating a supporter section. In the fall, volleyball games are a popular destination for these clubs, and their presence makes a difference to the athletes on the court. Olympia volleyball draws particularly well in terms of student turnout, and Bradley said Titans longtime head coach Mitch Sadowsky has done a good

If you could play a round at any course in the world, where would you play? Probably St. Andrews (in Scotland), because it’s where golf started, and I’ve never played a links course. Is there a golfer you admire or enjoy watching play? Phil Mickelson — I like his short game. He likes to always hit that high shot. I like his game. What are you thinking you would like to study and pursue for a career? Probably dermatology. I had eczema when I was a kid, and I want to help people if I can that have eczema.

Which of the neighboring schools do you most enjoy facing off against? Olympia — definitely Olympia.

If it is a rainy Saturday afternoon and you have nothing to do, what is a movie or television show you could put on and watch all day? Probably one of the superhero movies (or shows), I like those. “The Flash.”

So far as the junior tours, which performance of yours has been the most memorable so far? It was my first win in the Florida Junior Tour. I played against a kid who was really, really good at the time. I shot a three-under in the last round and was the only person to play a round under-par in that tournament. It felt pretty

If you could have the keys to any car and an open road to drive it on, which car are you picking? Bugatti Chiron. I’m not sure how to say it, so I’ll just say “chi-ron.”

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Kicking OFF A NEW Season!

CULTURE CLASH Go to a sporting event between West Orange High and Olympia High, such as the volleyball game between the two schools earlier this fall, and you might notice two distinct looks: kids from one school in an exaggerated “redneck” look, and kids from the other as doppelgängers for Tom Cruise in “Risky Business.” It’s all part of the rivalry between the Warriors and Titans, with West Orange as the “rednecks” and Olympia as the “preps.” “We gave them their title, and they give us our title,” said Doug Nikhazy, president of West Orange’s 12th Man club. “It’s a rivalry thing, but we’ve embraced it, and it’s kinda cool. My favorite game of the year is always Olympia.”

job over the years of building a relationship with the club. The strong volleyball turnout isn’t limited to Olympia, either. At TFA, the “Blue Crew” has adopted a secondary moniker to celebrate the school’s new Cramer Family Field House — students at Royals volleyball and basketball games are now the “Cramer Crazies,” a nod to the famous Cameron Crazies at Duke University For someone such as TFA standout Matti McKissock, who plays high-level club volleyball, there’s just something different about a rivalry varsity game from a big-time club matchup. “High-school games are a lot different, because there is a lot of pressure from your peers on you, watching,” McKissock said. “During club, your friends don’t know if you’ve won a tournament or lost a tournament or if you play or don’t play.” That pressure, in fact, can even be a good thing — especially for players who intend to move on to big-time college programs and compete at that level, too. “Anybody can play an 8 a.m. travel (baseball) game in the morning with nobody watching,” said Nikhazy, also a standout for the Warriors baseball team and an Ole Miss commit. “What happens when the lights turn on and everybody is sitting there staring at you … that’s where you see a player’s character.”

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Windermere Preparatory School (WPS) is a private college preparatory school educating students from Pre-K3-12. WPS is located on a 48-acre campus in Southwest Orlando, and its curriculum culminates with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). In addition to their challenging academics, currently up to 75% of WPS students are also involved in an athletic sport.

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