10.21.21 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

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Runners lace up for 20th Windermere Run Among the Lakes. PAGE 10. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

Beginning of a new rivalry? Horizon High School earned its first victory against Lake Buena Vista. SEE PAGE 15.

Ocoee budget balanced We take a look inside the numbers of Ocoee’s budget. SEE PAGE 3.

YOUR TOWN

Addi’s park Lucinda Howard wanted Summerport neighborhood to make beaded bracelets to leaders approved funds help sick children 13 years ago. to build a park in honor of Today, she operates Beads 4 8-year-old Addison Sinclair, Beats, the organization who died in December she and her parents formed. 2020 after a long battle STORY ON PAGE 4. with cancer. SEE PAGE 4.

SIX NIGHTS OF SPOOKY FUN The city of Ocoee is offering six nights of fun Halloween events at the Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A.D. Mims Road, Ocoee. Ghost Light Production Inc. will present an interactive haunted show from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22 through 24 and 28 through 30 and is for ages 5 and older. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3lTgDhT. Proceeds benefit Special Hearts Farm. Other activities include a haunted glow hunt and costume party Oct. 22, pumpkin party Oct. 23, haunted show and $5 walk Oct. 24, movie night Oct. 28, trunk-or-treat Oct. 29, and a carnival and scavenger hunt Oct. 30.

The Sinclair family wants to fulfill daughter Addi’s dream of having a park next to their home in Summerport.

Still no boathouse resolution Windermere Town Council members are trying to reach an amenable solution to the town’s boathouse lease conundrum. SEE PAGE 6. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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HOOTennany Nehrling Gardens is ready to take flight with its Owl Prowl Art & Wine Wander event Oct. 23. SEE PAGE 4.

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

City manager Mike Bollhoefer announces resignation Bollhoefer’s 25-year career in Winter Garden began with a temporary position. JIM CARCHIDI ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Winter Garden City Manager Mike Bollhoefer announced, during the Oct. 14 City Commission meeting, that his tenure would be coming to an end. “I’d like to thank everyone here: the residents of Winter Garden and staff and this commission,” he said. “I’ve been here 25 years, and tonight, I’m turning in my 30-day notice.” Bollhoefer earned his bachelor’s

degree in accounting in 1992 from the University of Florida and his master’s degree in public administration in 2003 from Troy State University. He joined the city of Winter Garden in 1996 as a temporary employee and worked his way up to finance director and, ultimately, to city manager. Bollhoefer and his wife will be moving to Frederick County, Virginia, where he has accepted the position of county administrator. “My wife and I decided it was time for a change in our life,” he said. “We wanted to go somewhere with some hills, trees, more of a rural area; so it’s really more of a change of location and life.” Winter Garden Mayor John Rees proposed a motion to promote Assistant City Manager — Public Services Jon Williams to city manager. “I think anytime you can promote from within, it works well with all of your employees,” Rees said.

Williams’ new contract will be on a future meeting agenda and, upon approval, would take effect at the end of Bollhoefer’s 30-day notice. It would last six months, until the appointment of a permanent replacement. LAKEVIEW VILLAGE

Winter Garden’s Oct. 14 City Commission meeting included the first reading of a proposed ordinance to rezone 7.25 acres, along Story Road between South Lakeview Avenue and South Central Avenue, from R2 (residential district) to planned unit development for the construction of the Lakeview Village Estates residential project. Plans include 26 new singlefamily homes and three townhome buildings containing a total of 14 units. The project also would feature recreation areas, pedestrian walkways, landscaping and stormwater ponds. “Staff has spent three years working on this project,” Community Development

Director Steve Pash said. “We have worked diligently and changed elevations … every home must have an 8-foot-deep front porch. … There’s quality in the architecture, and it’s a housing type desired by many people.” “There are aspects of this that I absolutely love,” Commissioner Ron Mueller said. “The part I’m not in favor of is the townhomes. … We’re trying to move away from that higher density.” The goal of including townhomes was to allow the developer enough density to make money on the project without adding more duplexes to the area, Bollhoefer said. “They tend not to be as good in quality, they tend not to elevate a community,” he said of duplex designs. “We have the ability to approve or not approve other design requests,” Muellersaid. “If you’re arguing (that) if we don’t approve this, then we might get duplexes, it doesn’t really hold a lot of weight with me.”

The second reading of the proposal will be on the agenda for the Oct. 28 City Commission meeting. NO-BUILD OPTION

The commission also voted to approve a resolution supporting a no-build option for the Florida Department of Transportation/ Turnpike Authority’s proposed Avalon Road interchange. “Almost everyone spoke in opposition of this,” City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said of the Oct. 7 public meeting at Tanner Hall, in which residents rallied against the Avalon Road interchange. The no-build resolution cites the adverse impacts the interchange would have on Tucker Ranch Park, the Tildenville community and surrounding neighborhoods. It states: “The city strongly encourages that the FDOT/ Turnpike not design, construct or attempt to acquire or acquire any property for the project, and that the FDOT/Turnpike adopt the no-build interchange option.”

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

City of Ocoee Fiscal Year ’21-’22 T

he Ocoee City Commission approved the final Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget during its Sept. 22 meeting. Total revenues of $121,480,347 include $78,712,989 from the General

Fund, which marked a $9.8 million increase from the previous fiscal year. The budgeted property tax revenue of $975,000 represents an increase of $155,354.88 from last year. Tax revenue stands at $25,505,150 and accounts for 32.4% of the total General Fund revenue.

General Fund: $78,712,989 Stormwater: $3,794,411 CRA: $6,169,296 Water/Wastewater: $21,378,568 Solid Waste/Sanitation: $4,448,721 Other Fund: $6,976,472 Total: $121,480,347

TOTAL EXPENDITURES & DISBURSEMENTS General Fund: $78,712,989 Stormwater: $3,794,411 CRA: $6,169,296 Water/Wastewater: $21,378,568 Solid Waste/Sanitation: $4,448,721 Other Fund: $6,976,472 Total: $121,480,347

POLICE AND FIRE

The combined police and fire budget for FY 2021-22 totals $21.4 million, a 9.8% increase of $333,804 from the FY 2021 budget. The total increase for public safety in FY 2021-22 was $621,765.14. Part of this increase is due to the hiring of four new sworn police officers due to city growth and the increase in calls. A new help desk specialist also is being hired, along with an administrative assistant and a victim coordinator. The increase will fund all seven new positions. The FY 2022 capital budget includes replacing six marked police vehicles, seven laptops for the new positions, four new radios and marked vehicles for the officers, and an unmarked vehicle for the victims coordinator.

The set millage rate for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is 5.05, which represents a .1 decrease from the previous fiscal year. This means property owners will pay a $5.05 tax for every $1,000 worth of property value.

3.5%

This year’s Ocoee budget includes a 3.5% increase in employee salaries and an adjustment for workers not already earning $15 per hour.

GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 City Commission $173,289 $279,177 $279,377 City Manager $574,309 $619,924 $640,692 City Clerk $286,945 $373,385 $328,105 Finance $1,111,560 $1,180,688 $1,233,192 Human Resources $489,476 $631,308 $686,751 Legal $231,496 $337,500 $327,500 Planning $619,143 $851,522 $774,392 General Government $11,936,957 $15,338,153 $39,791,37 Public Works Admin $216,778 $225,035 $318,695 Support Services Admin $1,359,948 $1,761,896 $1,625,474 Maintenance Operations $737,077 $959,429 $976,257 Police $12,601,301 $13,198,267 $13,292,525 Fire $8,929,523 $7,996,594 $8,166,564 Street Operations $3,593,553 $3,285,996 $4,136,358 Parks and Recreation $2,844,023 $3,604,424 $3,667,587

GENERAL FUND REVENUE TOTAL: $78,712,989

Fines and Forfeitures $1,327,150 1.7%

Capital improvement projects include $2.25 million for the Wellness Park construction project and $750,000 for the Bluford Complete Street project. A total of $690,000 is set aside for park improvements, which will include $100,000 to replace the natural turf with synthetic turf at Withers-Maguire House, $170,000 to renovate the tennis court at Tiger Minor Park and $250,000 for the installation of a skate park to a designated park. $1.76 million is budgeted for wastewater field operations services improvements. Another $1.78 million goes to water field operations and $1.72 million goes to wastewater facilities.

FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL

Licenses and Permits $1,962,700 2.5% Charges and Fees $3,856,850.00 4.9%

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Taxes $25,505,150 32.4%

Cash Balance $17,538,389.01 22.3%

CATEGORY FY19 ACTUAL FY20 ACTUAL FY21 BUDGETED FY22 BUDGETED Regular salaries $4,051,588.57 $3,914,415.86 $4,023,260.17 $4,152,488 Overtime pay $304,415.62 $320,105.94 $437,110 $465,110 Incentive pay $22,692.80 $23,029.50 $36,063.39 $36,063.39 PTO buyout $0 $0 $30,000 $0 FICA taxes $316,645.80 $307,656.03 $320,000 $320,000 Retirement contribution $1,705,684.10 $1,633,090.84 $1,173,380.16 $1,208,581.56 Health insurance $18,973.40 $32,525.74 $30,000 $35,000 Unemployment comp N/A $1,033.60 $1,000 $5,000 TOTAL $6,420,000.29 $6,231,857.51 $6,050,813.72 $6,222,242.95

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Other Revenues $327,000 0.4%

Other Financing $3,556,916.68 4.5%

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

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BUDGET BREAKDOWN

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OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

Observer

Addi’s dream

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

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

ddison Sinclair’s bedroom window faced a small green space she thought would be perfect for a picnic table and a swing to enjoy while watching the sunset. Addi died Dec. 29, 2020, at age 8, after fighting cancer for more than half her life — but her family is determined to fulfill their daughter’s wish and fill the green space in their Summerport neighborhood with the amenities Addi loved. The neighborhood board has approved the fundraising efforts of Mark and Kara Sinclair and has agreed to handle the maintenance and liability of the park, to be named Addi’s Memorial Park. The Sinclairs didn’t hold a formal burial but still want to memorialize their little girl with the easy smile who loved her big brother, William; loved her collection of Disney princess dresses; and enjoyed being a Daisy Girl Scout, making crafts, creating stories, singing and dancing. “Addison always said that the area was missing a picnic table and a swing to watch the sunset on,” Kara Sinclair said. “We are hoping to incorporate both of these items, along with the park and the preexisting green space.” The current plan includes slides, a climbing structure, rock wall, picnic table, benches and a swing. The cost is $38,000. Some playground equipment was placed there several years ago, but it was removed for safety regulations, Kara Sinclair said, and there isn’t money in the Summerport budget to replace it anytime soon. The park will give the Sinclairs some comfort knowing their daughter’s dream is coming true; their life has been empty for the last 10 months. “We miss her laughter and her smile; we miss everything about her,” Kara Sinclair said. “The last few months have been terribly hard. We know the upcoming holidays will be brutal at times. The

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CONTACT US holidays were Addison’s favorite time of year, and (it’s) also the anniversary of her passing.” William, who was born 14 months before his sister, is doing as well as he can following Addi’s death, Kara Sinclair said. “He has been exposed to so much since he was only 5 years old when Addison was diagnosed,” she said. “We tried very hard to keep his childhood as normal and happy as possible, but we know the stressful years of her treatment and the unpredictability of our lives — followed by her death — is a lot for him to process. Our home is painfully quiet at times, and I know that he misses his sister. We are trying to adjust to our new normal of being a family of three. It’s hard. We are beyond proud of William.” Addi was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in August 2015, when she was 3. She underwent an aggressive 54-week protocol of treatment, surgeries and radiation and was in remission for only five months before the rare cancer returned. It returned eight times over the next six years. Addi endured 13 surgeries, three rounds of radiation, and many chemotherapy medicines, pokes and tests, and she even went to several naturopaths and explored many holistic therapies

Nehrling Gardens uncorks 2021 art, wine fundraiser The event will feature flora and fauna, drinks and light bites, and artwork galore. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Nehrling Gardens is holding its Owl Prowl Art & Wine Wander Saturday, Oct. 23, and it will give folks a chance to enjoy the outdoors and purchase a variety of art from local artists. The afternoon and early evening include a welcome drink at

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Jim Carchidi, jcarchidi@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Chris Martucci, cmartucci@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com

check-in, a beer station paired with pretzel bites at the main house, white wine paired with a cured meat-and-cheese selection by Bachhaus German Bakery, red wine paired with a tasty treat from Yellow Dog Eats in Gotha, fresh fruit-infused water, Tropical Moscato, and a selection of desserts from Publix bakery. Guests can enjoy music by the Mountain Brew Duo and Abstract in the Sky steel drums as they wander through the gardens as local artists paint. Four owl ambassadors will be on display by the Avian Reconditioning Center, and information on these winged creatures will be

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with her family. Throughout it all, the Sinclairs were determined to make the most of every day and every moment together. “The park makes sense to us,” Kara Sinclair said. “Her bedroom overlooks the area. This is where she played with her friends and we made so many memories. … We do think the park will be a perfect tribute because we know too well that childhood is such a brief period of time, even for the healthiest of kids,” she said. “Kids deserve to be kids. Kids deserve to play. All of our kids have had a crazy few years.”

IF YOU GO NEHRLING GARDENS OWL PROWL ART & WINE WANDER WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 WHERE: Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha TICKETS: $35 in advance, $45 at the door. Visit bit. ly/3vaQA8U SILENT AUCTION ITEMS: Visit bit.ly/2Z5T3WC INFORMATION: nehrlinggardens.org

available. “Our wonderful resident owls at Nehrling Gardens inspired this event last year, and it was embraced by all our artists and guests,” said Angela Withers, president of the Henry Nehrling Society Inc. “It’s a perfect way to

TO DONATE The Sinclair family has received about $3,000 on the givebutter.com fundraising page. To make a donation toward the $38,000 goal to build Addi’s Memorial Park, visit bit.ly/3mZOntz.

celebrate the fall — nature, music, art, wine, friends and, of course, our visiting owls from the Avian Reconditioning Center.” Items for bid will be on display in the art auction and silent auction portions of the event. They are organized and curated by Gaby West with theartofescapes. The auction will feature paintings, ceramics and other creations by artists such as Terry Mamounas, Tricia Newton, Daniel Longman, Stephen Withers, Steve Gordon, Mike Malloy and Lynne Polley. “There will be a wonderful selection of original art, including pieces painted in the gardens, and a number of outstanding artists painting during the event,” Withers said. All proceeds from the event go to the rehabilitation of the historic gardens and home to be enjoyed by the community.

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Oakland leaders consider priorities The town is seeking government funds for two projects related to wastewater and alternative water. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The town of Oakland has two major projects looming and is hoping to receive legislative funds for both. Oakland Town Manager Steve Koontz updated the Town Commission in a presentation at its Oct. 12 meeting. The town has received close to $7 million in legislative support in the seven years it has been working on the wastewater system, and the main east-west spine is now through the town. The next request, Koontz said, is for funds to build a lift station that will be part of the town’s commercial segment. “It is very much a high-priority project,” he said. The other request is for the town’s alternative water project “to take some of the pressure off our potable water … and use (the alternative water) for irrigation purposes,” Koontz said. Several of the newer subdivisions — which includes about 600 homes — already have separate lines for this. “That one has some sense of urgency,” he said. “We have a consumptiveuse permit that dictates how much water we can use daily.” The issue is the town has a better chance of obtaining funds if it focuses on a single project; Koontz said he will work with consultants to deter-

IN OTHER NEWS n The commission passed an ordinance that allows the town to collect building permit consultant fees up front, reduces administration time and makes the process more customer friendly. n Commissioners approved the final plat and agreement with Oakland Presbyterian Church for an additional 10 feet of right-of-way on Starr Street. The Tractor Supply and Lakeside Church projects have provided right-of-way between Sadler Avenue and West Colonial Drive, and this transaction will allow completion of the road as a north-south connector. In return, the town will provide, among other things, sewer service at an estimated cost of $75,000. n The commission approved a Transportation Impact Fee credit of $124,544.93 for Lakeside Church. The total amount in fees is $184,400,19, leaving the church with a balance of $59,855.26 to be paid within 60 days. The church is building a campus on Starr Street and has provided 40 feet of right-of-way for the extension of Starr.

mine the best direction by Nov. 17. “One project has the momentum, the other has the urgency,” he said. “Both projects are important.” “The win-win is that they’re both good for the environment,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “But I think we have to lean on our … experts as far as … what we can benefit the most from.” A case can be made for either project, commissioners agreed. “The alternative water project is very important, because if we’re going to continue to have the growth we have, we’re going to max out of our consumptive-use permit,” Commissioner Rick Polland said. Koontz will share the consultants’ findings at the Nov. 9 meeting.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

Town delays boathouse lease agreement — again

per month. Other terms have occupants assume the cost of minor repairs to the structure surrounding their slip while the BAPTIST CHURCH OF GOD town would assume the cost of First Baptist Church Ocoee Church of God major structural repairs. Pastor Tim Grosshans Pastor Thomas Odom JIM CARCHIDI Boathouse occupant George ASSOCIATE EDITOR Poelker, who shares one of the 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee two-slip units, wanted the (407) 656-2352 (407) 656-8011 Windermere’s boathouse debate agreement to guarantee some form Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional will continue — at least for another of compensation to the current EPISCOPAL 9:45 AM Bible Study week — after the Town Council occupants for their surrender of Church of the Messiah 11 AM Contemporary declined a motion to approve boathouse ownership to the town. 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana new lease terms for the town’s “In my view, that remuneration is Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, five boathouses during its Oct. 12 to clear up any question whatsoever 2nd Campus: 7 PM meeting. about ownership,” he said. “I would First Baptists Church www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com Ownership of the 100-year-old like to see (remuneration) handled @ Horizon West structures has been in question for the same way, i.e., per boathouse METHODIST decades. Occupants only possess or per slip. I just think it ought to 15304 Tilden Road, quit-claim deeds, which transfer be consistent.” First United Methodist Winter Garden titles in real property to a grantee. Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien Church Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages The town also lacks documenta- expressed concern over the fairness 125 N. Lakeview Ave., www.FBCWG.org tion of ownership but your does own of a remuneration STARKE LAKE BAPTIST Winter Garden Advertise Services or Events formula. NGLICAN METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL the land on which the structures “How do we tell one person who CHURCH FIRST UNITED METHODIST PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO (407) 656-1135 on this page GLICAN COMMUNITY Starke Lake Baptist Church PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee sit. The town began leasing the weekly. put $10,000 into their boathouse CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, LLOWSHIP CHURCH Services: 9 AM Contemporary Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden Jeff Pastor Pritchard boathouses 20 years ago, each in the last year that they’re going to tor The Rev. CanonPastor Tim Trombitas (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, 11:15 AM Traditional This page appears the amount as someone 6 East Plant St, Winter with an initial 10-year term which weekly get theinsame POGarden Box 520 611 W Ave., www.starkelakebaptist.org Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM NDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Viewable on YouTube West Orange Times & Observer and or none into their automatically renewed for anothwho put little Web: fumcwg.org d us at: Theacf.net Ocoee CHURCH OF GOD online at OrangeObserver.com. er 10 years. In August, leases were boathouse?” he asked. (407) 656-2351 OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD NON-DENOMINATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF extended on a month-to-month APTIST “We did an appraisal for fair Pastor Thomas Odom www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org CHRIST Purpose Church Orlando basis while fair rental value market rent and demand; we didn’t To market advertise in the Church Directory 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner was assessed by Calhoun, Dreg- do appraisal for the value of each call 407-656-2121 oran email 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Baptist Church Beulah Rd, WinterVictory Garden gors & Associates Inc. Winter Garden structure, ” Council Member Tony Windermere, FL 34786 AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com EPISCOPAL -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org & Christian Academy 407-876-2112 Worship times: “The location is unique,” said Davit said. (407) 654-9661 CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM 9:00am Adult Sunday School 1601 A.D. Mims Rd,Ocoee appraiser Richard Dreggors, who Additional questions included 241 N. Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICE 11:00AM Sunday 10:00am WorshipService: 10:05 AM (407) 656-3097 Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM was present during the Oct. 12 lease availability for local resiwww.windermereunion.org Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM www.churchofthemessiah.com Sunday: 11 AM & 6 PM meeting. dents, in the event a current occuST BAPTIST CHURCH Saturday Service: 6 PM Dreggors noted the assessment pant does not renew his or her lease 7 PM E Plant St., WinterWednesday: Garden www.purposechurchorlando.org took into account the fluctuations and the length of new-occupant -656-2352 www.VBCOCOEE.com NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional in the depth of the water leases. A half-joking remark by 5 am Bible Study surrounding the boathouses and Poelker put the situation into per00 am Contemporary their proximity to the Butler Chain spective. DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana MIKE YOAKUM or Tim Grosshans of Lakes. “You guys think you’re getting PASTOR w.fbcwg.org Town Council members rid of this issue,” he said. “You’re Campus: P: 407.656.1520 discussed a new 20-year lease going to hear something about UNDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 agreement for the current boathouses almost every other NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM ndation Academy High School occupants, which placed rental month, in my opinion, forever.” 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden values on the number of boat slips Council members agreed to furw.FoundationWorship.com in each unit. According to the ther discussion of the lease terms -730-1867 terms: the first three slips, located during a Town Council Workshop in boathouses 1 through 3, each scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. would lease for $150 per month. 25, at Town Hall, 520 Main St., OCOEE, FL 34761 Four smaller slips, in boathouses Windermere. 4 and 5, each would lease for $125

Windermere Town Council will continue discussions at an Oct. 25 workshop.

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A new angle on outreach The Windermere Police Foundation’s Cops & Bobbers event seeks to cultivate a relationship between residents and law enforcement officers. JIM CARCHIDI ASSOCIATE EDITOR

COPS AND BOBBERS

Windermere is most famous for its lakes, but on Saturday, Oct. 23, its fish will bring the community together. Windermere Police Foundation’s Cops & Bobbers event will use rods and reels to strengthen the ties between residents and their police department while providing a day of family fun after more than a year of COVID restrictions and event cancelations. “The first event was in 2019 and last year, of course, nobody did anything,” Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden said. “It’s just a really good time for us to get together with the kids and show some camaraderie.” The foundation is dedicated to fostering communication and positive relationships through community involvement that includes the National Night Out food truck event and bunk-bed builds — which enlists local volunteers to build beds for families in need. Cops & Bobbers applicants are divided into three age categories: 3- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 10-yearolds and 11- to 17-year-olds. Officers help with baiting, casting and reeling in the catch, which is then released. But according to Ogden, even older anglers sometimes need a hand. “We kind of cheat a little bit; we have some professional bass fishermen come in to support us,” he said. Professional support will come

WHEN: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 23 WHERE: Registration at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are welcome to call Captain Tim Bagwell at (407) 821-6101. INFORMATION: Those interested in signing up to fish can contact event coordinator Lori Sipek at lsipek@town.windermere.fl.us.

from event sponsor Get Hooked Bait and Tackle. “The 3- to 5-year-olds will be on the dock and fishing with our volunteers and the officers,” Get Hooked Bait and Tackle owner Captain Tim Bagwell said. “The 6to 17-year-olds — if they get signed up early — will have a chance to go out on a boat.” The expected turnout for this year’s event is between 60 and 100 participants. However, the call has been put out for volunteers willing to bring their boats and host some fishing tours. “I’d like for the kids to get out for about an hour, but if we’re limited on the number of volunteers bringing boats, we may have to limit it to 15 minutes,” Bagwell said. “The maximum we can put on each boat is about three kids, so we may have to limit the amount of time that they’re able to stay out on the water.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

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Can you memorize and recall a list of 300 random words? How about the order of two shuffled decks of cards? Fourteen mental athletes, as they’re called, will set out to do just that and more in hopes of winning the USA Memory Championships this weekend at the Rosen JCC in Orlando. The event, an Olympiad for thinking games that tests the mental acuity of competitors from across the country, was created in 1997 by Windermere resident Tony Dottino “to show people … there’s more that we can do with our brain than we ever thought possible.” The event is set up similar to a sports match, with memorychallenging tournament-style competitive events. The overall winner receives a trophy and is named USA Memory Champion. In any other year, the event would be open to spectators, but because of the pandemic, the audience is limited to family members. Students at Full Sail University are covering the event on the USA Memory Championship’s YouTube channel. In between competitions, guest speakers — such as a top neuroscientist from MIT and a man thought to have the best memory in the world — will take the microphone. There have been some interesting participants through the years, Dottino said. The youngest was 12, and the oldest was 70. He said high school students tend to do well in this competition. The 2006 winner was Joshua Foer, a journalist who covered the tournament the previous year and took an interest in developing his mental skills. Another previous competitor expressed his excitement when his 15-year-old daughter was a finalist. Three former champions are bringing some friendly competition to this year’s tournament: four-time winner Nelson Dellis, John Graham and Lance Tschirhart. But even those who aren’t proclaimed the 2021 memory champion still are winners, Dottino said. “It’s not about being a cham-

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pion; it’s about improving the memory skill as you age,” he said. “Memory is a skill that anyone can improve if they have the belief that they can improve, combined with the willingness to learn and practice. All of our champions began with what they defined as ‘ordinary’ memory ability.” With much practice, they trained their brains and expanded their mental capacity. “I was always enamored with thinking, ‘We’re only using a small percentage of our brain,’” Dottino said. “I hear people say, ‘The older I get, the more I forget.’ That’s not the case if you understand how to exercise the brain.” Memory is a skill, and there are ways to improve that skill, he said. “How many groups of people that I’ve addressed and talked to — they look for the pill, everybody wants the pill,” Dottino said. “There are exercises you can do to strengthen your brain … but you’ve got to do the work. My whole purpose of doing (the competition) is to say there’s so much more you can do if you want to take control of it.” Dottino’s son, Michael, a Winter Garden resident, has created an online course with mental challenges that stimulate the brain. To maintain a strong brain, people must pay attention to six elements: social interaction, mental challenges, sleep, emotions and stress, exercise, and nutrition. One exercise Dottino stresses is “remembering to remember.” “You need to think about what you want to remember at the time you want to remember it — not after you think you’ve put it in your brain,” he said. “For example, when you go to Disney and you park your car, the time to remember where you parked is when you park, not when you’re at the gate. “If we don’t remember and think about how we’re going to lock something in our brain, the changes of remembering it is decreased 90%,” he said.

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

THE EVENTS

n Speed Numbers — Mental Athletes have five minutes to memorize one page of computergenerated numbers which are presented in rows of 20 digits with 25 rows per page. n Speed Cards — Competitors commit to memory and recall a single pack of 52 shuffled playing cards in the shortest possible time. n Speed Poetry — Mental Athletes have 15 minutes to memorize a previously unpublished poem. They must recall the poem from the beginning by writing it down exactly as it was written.

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS n Words to Remember — Finalists have 15 minutes to memorize a list of 300 words. The list comprises concrete and abstract nouns, adjectives, and verbs. n Three Strikes You’re Out — Finalists have 15 minutes to hear and review facts about six different people, including name, date of birth, address, phone number, pet, favorite hobbies, favorite car and favorite foods. Finalists are randomly selected and ordered to begin recall of information. The six people are brought back on stage, but in a different order than they appeared. n Double Deck or Bust — Finalists have five minutes to memorize two decks of 52 previously arranged playing cards. The decks of cards are not mixed together and have different colored backs to distinguish them. n It’s Been a Long Time — About one month prior to the USA Championship, 2,500 bits of information is sent to all finalists to be used to test their long-term recall. Subjects previously tested include The Periodic Table, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Football Hall of Fame, and the Academy Awards. Topic categories range in difficulty from level one to four.

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QUALIFYING EVENTS n Names and Faces — Mental Athletes have 15 minutes to memorize 135 color photos of different people with a first and second name. Once the memorization period is over, competitors are given the same photos again without the names and in a different order.

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

Alexis Rios and Sayuri Castillo grabbed a selfie with their medals.

A total of 900 runners registered for the 10K and 5K events.

The humid morning air made running difficult but not impossible. Right: Runner Loren Burns was the first to finish the 10K in this year’s Windermere Run Among the Lakes.

Runners lace up for 20th Windermere run Runners, spectators and local businesses celebrated the return of the annual Windermere Run Among the Lakes 5K and 10K. The race celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 16, as a total of 900 runners registered for the morning’s events. Races began just after 7 a.m. at Town Hall, 520 Main St., and proceeded through scenic landscapes and along lakefront views. After the races, runners and attendees visited the exhibit area behind Town Hall where event sponsors offered water, food and the chance to mingle with the community. — JIM CARCHIDI

Event medals featuring a bottleopener were designed by Windermere Town Council Member Bill Martini and graphic artist Kimberly Head.

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

Prost! Winter Garden celebrates Oktoberfest

Konnor Jackson, Justin Baker and Yogi Mueller were dressed to impress.

rooked Can Brewing Company welcomed the fall season with its seventh annual Oktoberfest Oct. 15 through 17 in downtown Winter Garden. Attendees enjoyed beer, food and traditional Bavarian music and wore traditional costume to celebrate the event. — CHRIS MARTUCCI

We Are Winter Garden’s Chris Chan helped attendees whet their whistles with the Beer Puppet contraption. Left: Keri and Dennis Ferguson wore traditional hats.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

OCPS GIVEN 48 HOURS TO COMPLY The Florida State Board of Education issued an order to Orange County Public Schools Tuesday, Oct. 12, that gave the School Board 48 hours to document compliance to a mask optout option for parents. Among the findings, the Board of Education said OCPS’ masking/face-covering policy “does not comply with Florida Department of Health Emergency Rule 64DER21-15, Protocols for Controlling COVID-19 in School Settings.” That rule requires public schools to “allow for a parent or legal guardian of the student to opt the student out of wearing a face covering or mask at the parent or legal guardian’s sole discretion.” The School Board was given 48 hours to provide documentation or face financial penalties. School Board officials had to provide “the current annual compensation provided to all school board members.” All School Board members have an annual salary of $47,189. As of press time Tuesday, Oct. 19, OCPS had not changed its policy to include an opt-out option. OCPS’ mandate was put in place until Oct. 30.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

STEPHANIE JACKSON, WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Stephanie Jackson is Windermere Preparatory School’s new Lower School director. She has nine years of administrative experience and oversees the PK3 through grade 5 programs.

How long have you been with your school and what was your previous job before coming to Windermere Prep? I assumed my current role in the summer of 2021 following nine years in an administrative role at an independent school in Winter Haven. What are your job responsibilities? As the director of Lower School, I oversee grades PK3 through 5. This includes the day-to-day management of the division, as well as curricular programming and student services. What brought you to your school? The diverse student body and Windermere Prep’s status as a member of Nord Anglia Education were two important characteristics that drew me to the school. What do you love most about your school? I really love the people! The faculty, staff and our families are very much a community, and everyone works hard to make WPS a special place for children to grow and thrive. What is your motivation? I am motivated every day by the

FIRST ACADEMY CELEBRATES HOCO The First Academy is celebrating Homecoming with a plethora of activities this week, culminating Friday, Oct. 22, with a Homecoming parade, pep rally, fall carnival and football game.

smiling faces and the bright lights I see in our students’ eyes when learning clicks. It is magical! What is the most rewarding part of your job? I am in a position where I can contribute to really building an environment where every student can find success. What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy working with crafts and quilting, and reading. I have had the opportunity to live abroad and really love experiencing other cultures, so I travel as much as I can. Who was your favorite teacher in school and why? Mrs. Maria Kurchbardt, my high school art teacher. She really was a mentor for me and helped me grow creatively. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I have always been interested in the arts and continue to enjoy this field as an adult. What is your favorite children’s book? “The Black Cauldron” by Lloyd Alexander. This book introduced

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If you could have any superpower, which would you choose? My superpower would be the power of empathy, so that I could have a better understanding of people. As we live together in this diverse world, it is so important for us to be aware of the experiences that others live so that we can connect in positive ways. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? It really wouldn’t matter where, as long as I could be near my family. — JIM CARCHIDI

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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PREVIEW EVENTS

me to the world of fantasy. It continues to be one of my favorite genre choices today as an adult. If you could be any cartoon character, who would it be? Dora the Explorer, because she represents diversity and goes on adventures, just like me!

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Best of the best Castleview Elementary principal Dr. Julie Helton is a finalist for OCPS Principal of the Year. JIM CARCHIDI ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Dr. Julie Helton understands how education can change lives. Her 23-year career with Orange County Public Schools includes teaching and district-level experience. She currently is a finalist for OCPS Principal of the Year, but her motivation to educate goes beyond classrooms. “Helping people learn and grow can help people change their future,” she said. Helton’s desire to help stems from her desire to learn, which began when she moved to Florida from Cambridge, Ohio, at age 14. “My parents owned a restaurant, and it went under, and they were no longer able to make ends meet,” she said. Family members loaned them a condo in Naples, where they lived throughout her high school years. “I saw my parents really struggle with getting jobs that could pay the bills,” Helton said. “I didn’t want to have that kind of struggle, and I knew my way out would be to get an education.”

High school came with a different kind of struggle, which Helton overcame through the performing arts. “I was painfully shy,” she said. “I was interested in dance when we lived in Ohio, but it was a very rural area, and my parents couldn’t always take me, and they didn’t have a lot of money to put me in classes.” After moving to Naples, Helton put her basic dance knowledge to work by teaching younger age groups at a local studio to pay for more advanced classes. “It helped me to get on the dance team at my high school, which helped me to come out of my shell,” she said. Her experience led to academic success while reinforcing her desire to learn and teach. Helton earned a full scholarship to the University of Central Florida then earned a master’s scholarship through the Lockheed Martin/UCF Academy for Mathematics and Science. After earning her doctoral degree, Helton taught second grade at Durrance Elementary — now Sally Ride Elementary — from 1998 to 2004. She then served as curriculum resource teacher at West Creek Elementary from 2004 to

Jim Carchidi

Dr. Julie Helton leads training programs and mentors fellow OCPS principals.

2005. Her district-level experience began as senior administrator in the Curriculum Services Department from 2005 to 2009. She continued as director of multilingual services until 2011, when she accepted the position of assistant principal at East River High School. Helton served as principal at Winegard Elementary and Eccleston Elementary before helping to plan and open Castleview Elementary in 2019. “I had a great time doing that,” she said of opening Castleview. “I thought it was really fun to build a

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school from the ground up.” To inspire a sense of belonging, Helton takes inspiration from the “Harry Potter” books and sorts Castleview students into houses, where they work together to earn points. She also strives to foster self-confidence through the same outlets she found as a child. “Without the performing arts, I don’t know that I would have been able speak to a room full of parents or community members,” she said. “You don’t get enough of that opportunity during the regular school day, so I really try to offer various

outlets before and after school for the kids, so they can develop those talents.” Helton’s dedication to education includes helping her OCPS colleagues. She currently mentors three principals and leads training programs. “My goal is to give a lifeline to anyone new who needs support and has questions,” she said. After more than a year of COVID-19, Helton is looking forward to some normalcy on campus but cannot wait to see live shows again. Her favorite production, “Come from Away,” is based on the true story of airline passengers who were diverted from their destinations on 9/11 and the small Canadian town that welcomed them. “The cast is small, and each cast member plays several different roles,” she said. “People from the town and the people from the planes come together and make life work in this little space without knowing each other.” Helton appreciates the parallels between the production and her job — and how it all underscores her belief in the power of education. “One of the greatest things about being in the school system is that it’s society,” she said. “Theres so many different people, family structures, lifestyles, beliefs … and those things can bring us together. That’s what makes it so beautiful.”

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY OCT. 21, 1971 Webb’s Pharmacy had two locations in West Orange County — the West Orange Shopping Center, in Winter Garden, and in the Ocoee Shopping Center. A 1971 advertisement in The Winter Garden Times offered a variety of products for less than a dollar, including throat lozenges for 77 cents, eye drops for 99 cents, a waterless shampoo for dogs for 48 cents, a two-roll pack of bathroom tissue for 19 cents and a large bag of assorted Halloween candy for 79 cents.

85 years ago

Mrs. Franklin W. Chase and baby son returned from Asheville, North Carolina. Birthday greetings to Jane Britt and Ella Sadler.

80 years ago

Franklin Cappleman was set to leave Sunday for Quantico, Virginia, for candidates’ class for a commission in the Marine Reserve.

70 years ago

The women of the Episcopal church met for organization with the rector, George L. Granger. Officers elected were Mrs. George Barley, president; Mrs. Hearn Ficquette, secretary and treasurer; and Mrs. Virginia Thomas, who was appointed to the altar.

50 years ago

Following a special buffet luncheon for local officials, a formal groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Winter Garden Inn to mark the beginning of a major expansion program. Local high school band members were part of a 1,076-member band scheduled to play Walt Disney World’s grandopening day. From Lakeview High: Robert Hall, Randy Dollar, Doug Donhey, Brett Engstrom, Dennis Matthews, Kevin Shepherd, Louis Chatham, Doug Ball, John Perko, Jerry Bolton, Mike Smith, Randolph

CROSSWORD

FROM THE ARCHIVES The Citrus Crate Label Show is captured in this setting from October 1998. The Winter Garden Heritage Museum had opened that year in the former Atlantic Coast Line railroad depot, and a bright orange-and-yellow tractor was placed in front, drawing the attention of collectors and passersby. The white fence posts at right outlined a parking lot that was to become, 17 years later, the site of the new Winter Garden Heritage Foundation History Research, Education and Visitors’ Center. The tall communications tower at the Sprint building had not yet been constructed, nor had the Chesapeake & Ohio caboose been placed next to the museum. The history of West Orange County is available to all those interested in the local legacy. Call (407) 656-3244 to schedule a research 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.

Chatham, Reid Revels, Tommy Bozeman, Johnny Harrell, Randy Hayes and Karen Tucker. From Ocoee High: Denny Johns, James Hazel, John McAdory, Randy Rogers, Barry Sommerset, Larry Sommerset, Ronnie Sargent and Bruce Dyer. Two special groups were the Herald Trumpet Group, with Rickey

Bullington and Todd Engstrom; and the Toy Soldier Group with Jon Bekemeyer, Mike Sanders and James McKey.

20 years ago

Dr. Albert Gleason, who celebrated a birthday with 200 family and friends, was still practicing medicine and his golf

HOROSCOPE COLUMN by Freddie Cheng; Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Bob of "Full House" 6 Jai ___ 10 Avocado dip, casually 14 Alternative to steps 18 Shut 19 Lower yourself? 20 Fall clumsily 22 Bring home from a shelter 23 Abhor 24 "Adios!" 25 Spy novelist Deighton 26 Unfair? 27 Chasten Buttigieg's husband 28 Platform for Siri 29 Like severe measures

32 Capri, e.g. 34 Meddles (with) 38 Forest floor growth 39 Barely make 41 Repeat 43 Ferguson in the royal family 44 Convene 45 Many Punjabis, religiously 47 May day focus 48 Rod for roasting 49 Spanakopita ingredient 51 "Trick" joint 52 Buddy 53 Typical trick-or-treater 54 Ballpark frank 55 Greek X's

59 "Weekend Update" show, for short 60 Tiny bit 61 Arctic Ocean hazard 63 Charged toward 65 Muslim leader 67 Period renting an apartment 68 Literally, "garlic and oil" 69 Worst in quality 72 "The Godfather" don Corleone 73 Certain airship 74 Open, as a gate 75 Brat 77 Winter hours in Colo. 80 Bed board

81 Atlanta-to-Miami dir. 82 Ground-breaking tool 83 What children rarely pick up quickly 84 Couple 86 (Back off, fellow cat!) 88 Elaborate celebration 89 Drs.' org. 90 Stick together 91 Any thing 93 Is the head of 95 Yuri who was the first man in space 97 "Guess I'm missing out" 99 French friend 100 One often has a point 102 Obi-Wan Kenobi por-

trayer Guinness 103 Visits informally 106 Apply 107 Blows it 109 Burn balm 111 ___-Caps 112 Ruled out 116 Whole bunch 117 Adjust to change 119 They say when 120 Astute 121 Hard to pin down 122 Lots and lots 123 "___ Gotta Have It" (201719 Netflix series) 124 Says "When?" 125 Helps with a crime

DOWN 1 Burn with hot liquid 2 Birch relative 3 VIRGO: Spending time at sea will make you happy, so buy that new boat and ___ 4 Unverified sense, briefly 5 Lunar New Year in Hanoi 6 Kind of committee 7 Feast that often includes poi 8 CANCER: Today could be irritating, so you may well ___ 9 Mamie Eisenhower's man 10 One may have horns and a beard 11 Not happy 12 Appropriate 13 LEO: A little greed is good today, so don't be afraid to ___ 14 Alarm clock, ideally 15 Wide st., often 16 Marmee's oldest daughter in "Little Women" 17 Ace 20 Grp. for Finland and France 21 Runs off to marry 26 PISCES: Some praise would lift you up, so say something self-deprecating and ___ 27 Conspire 30 Put in an order? 31 PreCheck org. 33 Get the picture 35 "American Idol" runner-up Clay 36 ARIES: You need to be heard, so speak your mind

swing at the age of 90. Bill Thompson, who had been a staple at Dr. Phillips High School since it opened in 1987, retired from the athletic director position.

and ___ 37 Full-bodied ale 39 CPR expert 40 "For shame!" syllable 42 "Cruella" star Stone 43 Liven (up) 46 Outs' counterparts 48 Short, funny performance 50 Like custard 52 "Goodies" singer 54 Mar, as a car 56 Waves down 57 How sardines are usually packed 58 Hollywood's Hayek 62 Entices 64 LIBRA: You have a big decision to make, so think of a factor that helps you ___ 66 Infiltrating spy 69 Animated cat in boots 70 Macbeth and Macduff, nationality-wise 71 Quaker's "you" 75 Alone at prom 76 Wanderer 78 Hot spot 79 Bob Cratchit's "tiny" son 85 Turntable speed letters 87 Contacts online, briefly 88 Gymnast's feat 90 Emergency 91 Misfortunes 92 Corn's place 94 Punk offshoot 96 Insight 98 They're longer than feet 101 "Please, I can do that" 103 Eats or drinks 104 Contribution of opinions 105 Observes 108 Gym set 110 Onion relative 112 Pilot's announcement, for short 113 Ignited 114 "I'd say," online 115 "How relaxing!" 116 Calypso offshoot 117 Director DuVernay 118 Touch with a napkin, perhaps

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.

"RY BTF CFRA XHXLB ARPX AVRKUD GTK'A UT BTFL ZWB, AVXK BTF'SS OX CFRAARKU WSS AVLTFUV BTFL SRYX."

XHWKGXL VTSBYRXSG

"FLCEJT L KEVSN XLAYTPZIJN LJN RSSHEJT L HEUUHS XEU HEYS L REDF ZIU ZR BLUSP EJ KZDU WHLASD ALJ XS L XSJSREU." CETTZ KZPUSJDSJ Puzzle Two Clue K equals M

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clues P equals M

SUDOKU

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

10-21-21

OCTOBER 21, 2021

SPORTS

HIGH

Legacy Charter senior wide receiver Jaden Oyola has 522 receiving yards, 200 rushing yards and seven combined touchdowns. Page 16.

West Orange’s cross country teams traveled Oct. 15 to Tallahassee to compete at the FSU Invitational and came away with good results. The girls team earned a ninth-place finish out of 27 teams. Ella Klyce finished 11th out of 232 runners and 37th out of 931. The boys finished 29th. Both teams compete Oct. 23 at the Metro West and East Conference Championship.

The First Academy’s elementary school Gold Volleyball team emerged as champions in the 2021 Elementary League volleyball tournament Oct. 18. The tournament featured other area private schools.

Olympia’s swim teams did well at the West Metro Swim & Dive Championships, with the girls team taking fourth and boys team finishing second. Senior Nick Tsai finished first in the 100-yard breaststroke, with a time of 1:03.98. The Titans will compete Oct. 25 at the Class 4A, District 7 championships.

Windermere, West Orange and Olympia’s bowling teams competed against one another Oct. 14, with West Orange emerging victorious in the best-of-five Baker matchup on the boys side. West Orange scored a high of 173 to win with Windermere taking second. Olympia finished third. Windermere took first on the girls side, with Olympia finishing second.

Basketball tryouts have been announced for many schools, as the focus shifts from the gridiron to the hardwood. Olympia announced its tryouts would take place Nov. 1 through 3. West Orange will host tryouts Nov. 1 and 2.

Horizon High coach Dennis Thomas ‘enjoyed’ his first Gatorade bath after the Hawks earned their first win in school history.

First time for everything In a battle of the area’s two newest high schools, Horizon High earned its first victory with a 43-6 win over Lake Buena Vista. CHRIS MARTUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

orizon head coach Dennis Thomas finally was able to taste the shock and euphoria of a Gatorade bath after six tries at earning a victory. Seven turned out to be the lucky number for him and his team as they downed fellow first-year program Lake Buena Vista 43-6 Friday, Oct. 15.

Photos by Phillip Pacheco

Horizon High’s offense rumbled for 43 points against fellow newbie school Lake Buena Vista High.

SEE NEWBIES PAGE 16

Trailblazer: Meet West Orange’s first female football PA announcer Thai Floyd is the voice you hear at the Warriors’ junior varsity football games. CHRIS MARTUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

West Orange High JV football PA announcer Thai Floyd and her family have a rich history in football.

It all started with a Facebook post. While perusing her Facebook news feed one day, Thai Floyd saw a post by West Orange High School head football coach Mike Granato advertising for a public address announcer for the Warriors’ junior

varsity home games. Her response? “First woman in history?” Five minutes later, she was surprised to see a lot of people respond with support and encouragement. “They were saying ‘Yes! Do it! Do it!,’” Floyd said. “I then said, ‘Well, I guess I’m locked in.’” Floyd certainly had the back-

ground for the position. Besides being a Class of 2015 graduate from West Orange, she also was raised around the game of football. Her father, William Floyd, played fullback for Florida State and was part of the Seminoles’ 1993 National Championship-winning SEE THAI PAGE 16

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

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

Jaden Oyola Jaden Oyola is a senior wide receiver the Legacy Charter Eagles football team. So far in the 2021 season, Oyola has 522 receiving yards and five touchdowns, which ties the team lead for touchdown receptions. He also has 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He originally hails from West Chester, Pennsylvania, a town west of Philadelphia. In addition to football, Oyola also plays baseball and basketball for Legacy.

What’s great about going to school at Legacy? I enjoy the environment — everybody always has a good attitude and likes to help out.

THE BASICS AGE: 17 SCHOOL: Legacy Charter GRADE: Senior SPORT: Football POSITION: Wide receiver

What do you enjoy about playing for Coach (Trent) Hopper? Coach Hopper is a great coach. He has taught me a lot of things — basically everything I know. It feels good to play with the group we have.

Phillip Pacheco

Horizon High School came out ready to play against Lake Buena Vista last week.

the church. Since then I’ve had a calling to help people. I have some of the characteristics like leadership, talking to people and understanding them and where they come from.

What’s your favorite catch you’ve made? Last year in the playoffs versus Windermere Prep, we were down a touchdown. I ran a slant and caught the ball. The defender tried to pick me up and slam me, but I stood up and gained another 30 yards. Hearing the crowd go crazy was amazing.

What’s one thing about fall that you like? The weather. A lot more people come out and support the team, as well. Favorite Halloween candy? Kit Kat. Favorite TV/Netflix show? “Outer Banks” or “Stranger Things.”

Because you play both baseball and basketball in addition to football, which sport do you like best? Football, because I have more of a heart for football. Although with baseball, I have the skill level to where I could potentially go next level with it as a potential career.

Favorite sports team? Philadelphia Eagles. How does being from Pennsylvania and near Philadelphia influence your personality? I have a tough skin. It takes a lot for me to be broken, which helps out a lot on the football field. I’ve played through injuries, cuts, scratches, bruises. If you need me, I’ve got you.

What are some of your goals for the future? I have some D-II and D-III colleges looking at me right now, but my main goal is to win states as a team.

Universal or Disney? Favorite ride? Universal — Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rock It or VelociCoaster.

Outside of sports, what are some of your hobbies? Helping out in my church, debating, going to the gym, parties; normal high school stuff.

What’s an interesting thing about you that no one would expect to know? Everybody looks at me and thinks I am this tough guy, but I have a big heart for everyone.

Why do you want to be a pastor? In sixth grade, I became devoted to

— CHRIS MARTUCCI

Family. Family. Athlete of the Week Sponsored by...

Newbies battle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

After coming close in games against Mount Dora and Colonial, Horizon was able to put things together and earn that win against the Vipers. “It feels amazing,” Thomas said. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to feel. We’ve been close … but it feels amazing to get that first win. Hopefully, we have many more.” In a game where one team was going to emerge with its first win, the Hawks used a strong first

Chris Martucci

The Hawks rely on a potent running attack.

half to pull away. Two first-half touchdown runs from freshman Devon St. Clair powered Horizon to a 36-0 halftime lead. St. Clair finished the game

Thai Floyd breaks barriers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

team before moving on to the NFL for seven seasons. He won a Super Bowl in 1994 with the San Francisco 49ers and is currently a color commentator for the Seminole ISP Sports Network. Her older brother, William Jr., played high school football for Olympia, and her younger brother, Jaden, played for West Orange. He is currently a defensive back for Florida State. “We used to be outside playing ball against each other,” Floyd said. “I learned how to run routes so that I could compete against my brother. I always say if I were a man, I would probably be in the NFL right now, because I love the game so much.” Even so, that did not mean there weren’t any nerves before announcing her first game. “I had not done a lot of live things, so that was the part that made me nervous, but my foot-

ball background helped,” Floyd said. With a degree in journalism from Florida A&M University, her mom’s alma mater, Floyd had experience in journalism-related fields such as radio. But getting comfortable with PA announcing took some time. “It requires you to constantly pay attention, and you have to do a million other things, so it’s not as easy as people would assume it is,” Floyd said. “You’re the eye in the sky. Sometimes, there is a group of players going in for the tackle, but you don’t get numbers. It’s difficult, but it’s rewarding and fulfilling.” Floyd said she enjoys the community’s support and encouragement, which has boosted her confidence with each game. She also is aware of the impact she is having — particularly on other women — and she saw it firsthand during JV team’s home game against Ocoee Oct. 6.

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“I was in the booth, and one of the cheer coaches came up to announce the JV team. Her daughters were in there, and they went, ‘That’s so cool!’ about me announcing,” Floyd said. “It feels good to know that I’m inspiring people to know that women have a place in sports.” Going forward, she hopes to continue to do that. “I’m the first (to do the job as a woman), but I hope I’m not the last,” Floyd said. “It’s indescribable to think about. I want to inspire those moving forward in my career as well.” Although she has only just begun, Floyd eventually will be moving on to work as a media correspondent for the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a college athletic conference comprising primarily of historically black colleges and universities in the Southern United States.

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weren’t going to win; they were going to give the home crowd something to cheer about. And Romero was just the guy to deliver that. Romero took the ball and burst upfield, avoiding several wouldbe tacklers as he saw he was home free. “These kids have been working so incredibly hard — not just in practices and games, (but also) to learn the sport of football,” Rienzi said. “To see one of these guys break free and get that monkey off our back — I felt so great for them, the school, the community because they have been waiting for something like that.” With no chance of the playoffs in sight for either team, they are looking to build some momentum into the offseason. Horizon plays Davenport, another firstyear program, Oct. 22 at home; while Lake Buena Vista goes on the road to play Mount Dora.

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Mason Hendrickson and Brady Ruth put the Vipers inside the 20-yard line, with a chance to score before halftime. Although they were not able to score, it showed how much the team had grown over the season, especially at the quarterback position. “What I love about Josiah is not only is he coachable, but he’s willing to (provide) input and he studies the game of football, so it’s like having a coach out on the field,” Rienzi said. “He’s had to learn a bit on the fly, but I think he’s doing a great job being the kind of leader that we need.” McNair had a stretch during which he completed several consecutive passes between the last drive of the first half and the beginning of the second. Most of those catches went to Hendrickson, who had big catches for 27 and 35 yards during the game to set the Vipers up with good field position. “Mason is such a leader that he’s fine … with whatever we need to do,” Rienzi said. “He’s a true leader and is someone that has stepped into that role for a team that is young and inexperienced.” On its last defensive drive of the game, Lake Buena Vista was able to force a turnover on downs to give the offense one last chance to make something happen before the game was over. It didn’t matter if the Vipers

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The Hawks finished with 276 rushing yards in the game — more than double their season average of 126.8 rushing yards per game. “It’s what we want to do,” Thomas said of the ground game. “We want to pound the ball (on) you, because it’s devastating mentally when a team can do that.” Even with the early-season success, Thomas added there was still even more room to grow as the team waits for its weight room to open. “We’re so young … if we stick around and gel together, we’re going to be a good team,” he said. “If we get in the weight room, our running game is going to look so much better.” On defense, Horizon was able to keep Lake Buena Vista in check for much of the game, getting three sacks on Vipers quarterback Josiah McNair and forcing a turnover. Sophomore linebacker Bo Kenney finished the game with 11 tackles to lead the team while junior Josiah Thomas got two sacks on McNair. The defense had a bend-butdon’t-break mentality. Lake Buena Vista was able to get into the red zone twice, but both times, the Hawks kept the Vipers out of the end zone. Lake Buena Vista’s only points came in the final minute of play, when Andres Romero broke free for a 61-yard run. That score marked Lake Buena Vista’s first scoring play of the season. Lake Buena Vista head coach Joe Rienzi said getting that score was important for the team’s confidence. “We’re a young team … in the sense that our kids are picking up football for the first time ever and are playing a varsity football schedule,” Rienzi said. “Every single week, they’re learning and growing, and they’re starting to see those results come together. I’m glad that we have some momentum to build on going into the last couple weeks of the season.” On their last drive of the first half, the Vipers put together one of the best drives they had all season. Key catches from

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Cell 407-466-4738 protection. If Ifit meets your approval,REMOVAL please sign and fax This proof is for your protection. it meets your approval, please sign and fax back to 407-889-4121. Serving All of West Orange County DATA & PASSWORD Fully Licensed and Insured Roof Repairs and Replacement Instructions have closely as possible. Instructions have been407-654-2395 followed asbeen closely as possible. followed as Tel

ON TARGET

RECOVERY

Apopka Chief • 407-886-2777 • Fax: 407-889Apopka Chief •Fax 407-886-2777 • Fax: 407-889-4121 407-654-2986 OBSERVER REDThe PAGES TFN 407-656-8920 www.WestOrangeRoofing.com WIRELESS & WIRED NETWORKING Call 407-656-2121 to reserve your ad www.Firetechextinguisher.com FREE ESTIMATES 364845

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RED PAGES. MADE FOR WHERE YOU LIVE. HERE! TO ADVERTISE CALL 407-656-2121 OR VISIT ORANGEOBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

ay Ch eer iday olid are Hol Shar

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Book Drop-off Locations Need ed

The French Cafe 5855 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Ste 160

Every holiday season for the past 24 years, Reading Reindeer has gifted new books to underserved families in West Orange County. This is only possible thanks to the continued support of our community. If your business, school or group is interested in hosting a collection site for our 2021 book drive, please contact us at (407) 656-2121 or abrunelle@orangeobserver.com for more information.

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OBSERVER

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S ’ E R THE ! E R MO

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Flip the page for more sales and specials!

DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN

Seasonal Decorations & Light Displays

Halloween Light Show on City Hall Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays, 7-9 pm Live Music, Shows, & Pop-Up Street Performers Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays, 6-9 pm Moonlight Movie – Monsters University (2013, G) Saturday, October 23 Family Activities, 6:30 pm Movie, 7:10 pm Downtown Pavilion Hay Maze at City Hall Spooky Caboose at the History Center Friday, October 29

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downtownwg.com

Harvest Sidewalk Sale & Stroll Saturday, October 23 - All Day Fall-Themed Merchandise, Food, Drinks Interactive Movies at the Garden Theatre Hocus Pocus (1993, PG), October 10 Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, R), October 30 & 31 (Purchase tickets at gardentheatre.org)

Celebrate Outdoor Dining Month at Expanded Patios Fall-Themed Farmers Market

PRESENTED BY

Proceeds benefiting

Saturday, November 6, 2021 8:00 am – 10:00 pm DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN, SAM WILLIAMS LITTLE LEAGUE COMPLEX, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK • FIELD GAMES OF BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, FOOTBALL, PICKLE BALL, VOLLEYBALL AND SOCCER (8:00 am – 4:00 pm)

• Old-Fashioned Family Fun • LIVE MUSIC – 5 STAGES (11:00 am – 10:00 pm) • Heritage Displays • Hay Maze and Fall Festivities • Health & Harvest Festival

LEARN MORE

• Masonic Lodge Fall Festival and the Arts

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