10.26.17 Windermere Observer by Orange Observer

WINDERMERE

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Beer lovers rejoice at Windermere festival. 8. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Down the rabbit hole

YOUR TOWN FALL FEST BEGINS TODAY

Nemours Children’s Hospital celebrates its fifth anniversary with an ‘Alice in Wonderland’-themed gala. PAGE 13.

Holy Family Catholic Church’s annual Southwest Fall Fest will take place at 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 27; 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 28; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at the church, 5129 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando. The event includes rides, drawings, bingo, music and entertainment, beer garden and food court. Admission is free; four-day unlimited ride wristbands are $50. Single-day ride wristbands and tickets can be purchased at the festival. For more information, call (407) 876-2211.

Hog(warts) heaven

Discovery Church finds new home The church purchased 26.6 acres on West Sand Lake Road, a plaza that will house its Central Campus. BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER PHILLIPS Discovery Church’s Central Campus has been struggling with a lack of space for years as it has grown in membership. It’s been nearly eight years since senior leadership began searching for a new location, and three weeks ago, they found it. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the church purchased 26.6 acres

DR.

Brittany Gaines

This mechanical pig racing game was a huge hit at Bridgewater Middle School’s Fall Festival Friday, Oct. 20. The Harry Potter-themed festival featured a plethora of fall fun for students and their families. For more photos, see page 9.

SPORTS

SEE CHURCH PAGE 4

ARTS & CULTURE

District completes design of Bridgewater relief school Winter Garden artist creates custom art from old neckties.

PAGE 16. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

Orange County Public Schools showed parents the finished designs for Site 37-M-SW-4. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

HORIZON WEST The district shared *****************ECRWSSEDDM****

Postal Customer

the completed designs for the $37.8 million school designated to relieve the overcrowded Bridge-

water Middle School during a community meeting held Oct. 18. The new relief school, which starts construction in January 2018, will open August 2019. SEE DISTRICT PAGE 6

Dr. Phillips Soccer Club eliminates barriers for budding soccer stars. 23.

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THURSDAY, OCT. 26

YOUR CALENDAR

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

garden and food court. Admission is free; four-day unlimited ride wristbands are $50. Single-day ride wristbands and tickets can be purchased at the festival. (407) 876-2211

CUISINE CORNER: IMMUNITYBOOSTING POWERS OF TEA 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Get ready for cold and flu season by learning about the immunity-boosting powers of tea. Join Karon Cannon of Tea Craze to explore the benefits that drinking tea has on one’s health and enjoy a tasting of teas and herbs. Space is limited. Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

WEST ORANGE CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Sonata West, 420 Roper Road, Winter Garden. Join the West Orange Chamber of Commerce for an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Sonata West. Community guests and professionals are welcome to tour, participate in tastings at the High Notes Lounge and see the amenities in this state-ofthe-art community. For ticket information, call (407) 6561304.

THURSDAY, OCT. 26

SOUTHWEST FALL FEST 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 27; 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 28; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5129 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando. Event includes rides, drawings, bingo, music and entertainment, beer

WINDERMERE HIGH WOLVERINES TRUCK OR TREAT NIGHT 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in the courtyard of Windermere High School, 5523 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Orlando. Join the WHS community for fun and safe trick-or-treating, with treats provided by school clubs and sports teams. Food trucks and music are part of the event, too. President@windermereptso.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 27

WINDERMERE FAMILY FOOD TRUCK NIGHT 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, near Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Hosted by the Town of Windermere Downtown Business Committee, the event brings a variety of food trucks to the community. Attendees should take chairs or blankets, as well as an appetite. (407) 876-2563.

SATURDAY, OCT. 28

HALLOWEEN BOO BASH 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at The Grove Orlando, 4744 S. Apopka-Vineland Road., Orlando. Children can see eerie mad-scientist experiments in between trick-or-treating around the plaza. The event also will include games, contests and a costume parade. HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE AND HAYRIDE 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. The community is invited to this annual costume parade. Afterward, attendees can enjoy hayrides, stories, cookies and treats.

SUNDAY, OCT. 29

HOWL-O-WEEN PET PARTY 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with parade at 1 p.m., at Plant Street Market,

426 W. Plant St. Dress up your furry friend and join A Cause 4 Paws Rescue at its third annual pet costume contest and parade. (407) 810-3547.

TUESDAY, OCT. 31

BABY’S FIRST ART 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Baby can play, explore and create art pieces. Ages 6 to 18 months. Registration is required at (407) 835-7323.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1

FALL COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Olympia High School, 4301 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. Get more information about potential colleges and careers at this free event. Hosted by EduMatics. For more, visit edumaticsprogram.com.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Crowning achievements Dr. Phillips senior Tanner Ingle, a captain for the Panthers football team, was named the school’s Homecoming king.

oth Windermere Preparatory School and Dr. Phillips High School celebrated Homecoming with a plethora of events last week. Windermere Prep capped off a week of Homecoming festivities with the annual Homecoming football game and crowning ceremony Oct. 20. During halftime, the school presented its 2017 Homecoming court. Four couples were in the running for the coveted spot of royalty, but it was Radhika Parikh and Alex Mealey who were crowned queen and king at the end of the ceremony. Dr. Phillips High celebrated its Homecoming Game Oct. 20 with a rivalry win over Olympia High, 31-10. During halftime of the game, seniors Tanner Ingle and Windy Julssaint were crowned the school’s Homecoming king and queen, respectively. The Panthers also honored the memory of Anthony Solomon, a former student-athlete who died in 1989, between the first and second quarters.

Dr. Phillips senior Windy Julssaint was ecstatic when she was named the school’s 2017 Homecoming queen.

Seniors Radhika Parikh and Alex Mealey were crowned queen and king during Windermere Prep’s Homecoming. Left: The Windermere Prep princess and prince representing the sophomore class were Roberta Cunha and Matthew Kane.

— BRITTANY GAINES AND STEVEN RYZEWSKI

Dr. Phillips High honored the memory of former Panther Anthony Solomon between quarters of its Homecoming game. Solomon was a football and track star for Dr. Phillips who collapsed and died due to heart complications in 1989. He would have attended UCF on an athletic scholarship. The band bolstered the cheering section for Windermere Prep during the Homecoming game.

The cheerleaders led the Windermere Prep fans in a series of cheers during the game. Left: The mascots for Dr. Phillips High were hard at work keeping the fans pumped up as the Panthers defeated rival Olympia.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Residents: Reams Road, not development, should be priority Orange County held a community meeting Monday, Oct. 23, about a proposed project to build 21 townhomes.

WINDERMERE

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng,

GABBY BAQUERO

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NEWS EDITOR

Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski,

A community meeting regarding a rezoning request for a proposed 21-townhome project received backlash after residents emphasized the problematic Reams Road. The request to rezone five acres of currently vacant land from its current zoning of Rural Residential District to Planned Development would allow the construction of a townhome complex named Windermere Springs at 13651 Reams Road. Although the six residents who attended the meeting had no qualms with the development itself, they repeatedly emphasized the trouble with approving more and more developments: traffic, flooding and the impact on wildlife. “My problem is that, from what I heard, (the county) is not going to do anything about Reams Road until 2024,” said Bonnie Wel-

sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com

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News Editor / Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Brittany Gaines, bgaines@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Michelle Gentry, mgentry@OrangeObserver.com Courtesy

If approved, the townhome complex would be located north of Reams Road, approximately 750 feet west of Greenbank Boulevard.

come, a resident at The Preserves in Windermere. “OK, well we’re in 2017, so for six years, we’re going to have all these buildings come in and all these parcels filled in but we already have flooding, even before Irma. “We’re just getting more and more and nothing’s being done about Reams Road,” Welcome said. “It’s not that we don’t like

“ … It’s not that we don’t like your community, or that we don’t like townhomes. We just don’t want anything else built until they get that water issue fixed because more pavement means no place for the water to go, so it’ll just keep flowing out onto Reams Road.” — Bonnie Welcome

your community, or that we don’t like townhomes. We just don’t want anything else built until they get that water issue fixed because more pavement means no place for the water to go, so it’ll just keep flowing out onto Reams Road.” The representative for the developer present at the meeting, Jonathan Huels, said, assuming it’s approved, construction wouldn’t begin until a year or two from now and that part of the proposed townhouse project includes a dedication for sufficient rightsof-way for the coming Reams Road widening. Furthermore, the developer is to help speed up the process in any way it can, he said.

“Also, in terms of funding, there will be both adequate public-facility payments made and impact fees paid in respect to this project that will be used to pay for the Reams Road expansion,” Huels said. “But it sounds to me like it’s a global issue, and it seems like there’s a solution coming.” So far, no builder has been selected and won’t be selected until the developer gets further into the process. Anyone with questions about this proposal may call the county’s case planner, Jason Sorensen, at (407) 836-5602, or email him at Jason.Sorensen@ocfl.net.

Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Krista Pierce, kpierce@orangeobserver.com Katie Rehm, krehm@orangeobserver.com

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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Church plants new headquarters CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

along West Sand Lake Road, a parcel known as Sand Lake Plaza — a purchase that had been in the works for nearly two years. “We’re headed south, because there aren’t many churches of our size in that direction,” said Central Campus Pastor John Parrott. “It’s going to give us the space we need.” Discovery Church currently has two additional campus locations — one on Winter GardenVineland Road and another on South Alafaya Trail. The church has operated at its location on

South Orange Avenue since 1993, and one of the primary issues it has faced with growth is parking, with only 100 spaces available for church members. At its new location on West Sand Lake Road, Parrott said the parking lot will be able to accommodate up to 1,100 vehicles. According to Parrott, the church plans to expand the plaza space at the site, with construction starting within the next six months. “We’ll be moved into the Sports Authority and build that out,” he said. “The goal is that we will be in there between 18 to 20 months.” As construction gets underway,

COPS CORNER

WINDERMERE SEPT. 23

Conroy Windermere Road. At about 2:10 p.m., an officer finishing up with a prior traffic stop on Conroy Windermere Road and Isleworth Country Club Drive was nearly struck by a driver in a two-door blue Honda. The driver of the Honda reportedly failed to slow down or yield to the officer’s parked patrol car. The officer returned to the patrol car to follow the Honda and checked the license plate number, which had been reported stolen out of Orange County. The officer initiated a traffic stop and questioned the driver about the license plate, who said he found it in the woods and attached it to his car

Parrott said senior leadership plans to sell the church’s current location on Orange Avenue. The church is officially calling the new location its new ministry center, and already, it’s having an impact within the community. Only days after acquiring the new space, Discover Church was contacted by local organizations looking for warehouse space to store supplies to be shipped to Puerto Rico. The church immediately opened its doors to help. “It’s functioning as a warehouse for goods that are being donated for the families and people impacted in Puerto Rico and sur-

because it wasn’t registered. The three other occupants in the Honda, including a 5-yearold, were reportedly unaware of the stolen plate. The driver was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, including not having a car registration or driver license. SEPT. 30

Conroy Windermere Road. An officer conducting an area check spotted a blue Kia with the headlights on parked adjacent to the guard shack within a residential subdivision. The Kia was in the exit lane but was not pulled up to the edge of Conroy Windermere Road to see oncoming traffic. The officer shined a flashlight into the vehicle and saw a woman sleeping in the driver’s seat.

The Kia’s engine was running, despite the driver’s unconscious state. The officer woke the driver, and the woman opened the car door, prompting the officer to detect the smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle’s interior. When asked if she was lost, the woman stated she was trying to reach the Dr. Phillips area and had come from Bloodhound Brew. The driver said she had consumed two drinks and agreed to perform field sobriety exercises. The driver failed to perform the exercises as instructed. She was arrested and transported to a DUI testing facility, where she provided two breath samples indicating blood toxicity levels of 0.198 and 0.201.

rounding islands, so we’ll serve as a warehouse for the next six months,” Parrott said. “We believe it’s God’s timing.” Looking ahead, Parrott said he’s excited to see what the church is able to accomplish in the coming years once it moves to its new location. “It’s not just having more space for our worship service,” Parrott said. “What we’re excited about is having a bigger impact in the local community. We see the space and land as an opportunity to have a ministry center and care center where we can provide mission work.”

WINTER GARDEN SEPT. 29

3300 block of Daniels Road. A law-enforcement officer responded to an electronics store and was informed an employee had attempted to steal a gaming device. According to information provided to the officer, a store cashier had admitted to keeping a receipt from a customer who had purchased a Playstation 4 earlier that day. The cashier then reportedly used the receipt he withheld from the customer to exit the store with another PS4. The suspect repeatedly offered to pay for the PS4 he had taken but was told it was “too late.”

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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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District unveils design CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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The future relief school for Bridgewater Middle will be located on 25.56 acres of land.

also will have two access points — one solely for buses and one for parents. Three bike racks will be included on the campus. Parents at the meeting directed questions to school officials involving bike trails and vehicular traffic, because there will be no direct access for parents via Winter Garden Vineland Road (County Road 535). Parents will need to turn onto Lakeside Village Lane. Jessma Lambert, the district’s facilities director, said the district will conduct a traffic study once the school opens to see if more new crosswalks, traffic signals or

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stop signs are warranted to manage traffic. The other issue parents brought up regarded bike paths for those students who instead ride to school. OCPS officials said the district will work toward a designated bike route. The district will be hosting a second presentation on the 100% design plans for parents who missed the Oct. 18 meeting. Another community meeting also will be held near the end of 2018 at the “40% construction update” meeting, where residents may voice concerns about construction traffic.

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Labeled Site 37-M-SW-4, the future middle school will have a capacity of 1,213 students. School officials hope site 37 will alleviate the severe crowding at Bridgewater, which has 2,256 students enrolled as of October 2017 with a capacity of 1,040. According to the school’s site plan, site 37 will be located on 25.56 acres south of Tattant Boulevard, directly east of Berkshire Place Townhomes and west of Winter Garden Vineland Road. At the meeting, school officials informed the roughly 15 parents in attendance that the school will have four buildings encompassing 172,000 square feet arranged around a central courtyard, as well as space for about 12 portables for potential future use. The building to the north of the courtyard will have the administration office where the main entry will be located, student labs and an art room. The building to the east will be a multipurpose building that will hold the cafeteria, music suite with three rooms dedicated for band, choir and orchestra, and a covered dining area. The building to the south will be a three-story classroom building for all the grades with 10-foot wide corridors and an administrative suite on each floor, and the building to the west will have the gymnasium. The parking lot for parent dropoff and pick-up will have 174 parking spaces and be able to support a 232-car queue line. The school

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Foundation father part of Emmy-winning team Kevin Larson worked as part of NBC and Golf Channel’s telecast team last summer at Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

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(Hall of Fame golfer) Gary Player walked up and waited at the bus stop with us and regaled us with stories for 45 minutes,” he said. “The things you would run into (in Rio) were just other-world.” Larson, who works for Golf Channel in addition to other contract work, said he has focused on golf for the past two decades because of the challenge it creates. “Golf is particularly challenging, because there are 54 balls in play — there’s 18 ‘fields’ and it’s unique that way,” Larson said. Larson presented the Emmy trophy as part of a show-and-tell at Foundation Academy, where his boys attend school. There, wideeyed Lower School students had plenty of questions about what he did to earn the award — and how they, too, could one day work in television. Perhaps that was the best part, after all. “The kids think it’s the cat’s meow,” Larson said.

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For Kevin Larson, the work, itself, always has been the reward. Throughout a career in television that dates back to 1983, when he was a student at the University of Florida, Larson has had some pretty unique gigs. He was the news director for a local television station, directed commercials for a time and, later, did professional sports contract work with the Orlando Magic and the Tampa Bay Rays, among others. Most recently, since 1996, he has worked on the digital graphics side within golf telecasts and, if anything, the travel was his reward — jetting off to Britain to work on-location for The Open or to Rio de Janeiro for last summer’s Olympics. It was never about winning an award. Still, when an award came earlier this year in the form of an Emmy for his role as part of the NBC/Golf Channel remote team covering golf at the Rio Games — well, that wasn’t too bad, either. “It was really cool,” Larson said, adding the award is heavier than it looks on television. “This is the first time I’ve been on one of those (award-winning) crews, and so that’s a special feeling to know that I got there. It’s really cool, and it’s kind of embarrassing — all the fuss.” Even before he learned he and the team he was a part of would be recognized with the industry’s highest honor, Larson — who lives in Ocoee with his wife, Brenda, and their two sons, Ben and Sam — felt the Rio experience was one of the high points of his career. “It was awesome to be a part of that,” Larson said. “I had not been to that part of the world, and it was neat seeing all these athletes and seeing something that big come together.” For Larson, one of the biggest thrills of the experience actually came while he was off the clock. “I was waiting for a bus, and

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Four relief schools planned for Horizon West Orange County Public Schools recently held a 30% design community meeting for Site 49-E-W-4, one of the four planned relief schools for the area. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

It’s no surprise Orange County Public Schools currently has four relief schools in the works in Horizon West, one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas. One of those four schools, currently known as Site 49-E-W-4, is an elementary school located on 15 acres in Village H within the Storey Grove development off Avalon Road. It has a program capacity of 830 students and is intended to relieve Independence and Keene’s Crossing elementary schools. To date, Independence has 1,022 enrolled students with a program capacity of 786, while Keene’s Crossing has 1,247 enrolled students and a capacity of 812. According to a presentation shared at the 30% design community meeting held Oct. 11, construction of the campus is set to begin in 2018, with the opening planned for May 2019. The site plan shows the building will be two stories, and the site will include basketball courts, a tot lot, playground, two-acre field and parking lot with a capacity of 125 cars and, if needed, room for future portables. “OCPS has a design standard that a place where portables could be located is identified before the school is built and utilities are put in, so that if portables are needed,

it’s just a matter of hooking them up and we won’t have to rip up the ground to get the utilities over there,” said OCPS spokeswoman Lauren Roth. “So portable sites are always included on new plans but that doesn’t mean there will be portables on the site.” However, with the rapid growth of Horizon West, it can be expected the new elementary school will have a need for portables eventually, Roth said. OCPS is working with Orange County and developer Lennar Homes to widen the road located west of the school site and extend Water Springs Boulevard to Avalon Road. The entrance to the parking lot will be via Water Springs Boulevard. “We continue to work with Orange County on that, but that’s really between the developer and Orange County on how fast they get the road infrastructure in,” said Pamela Gould, District 4 School Board member. “That road is going to get extended to just past the school, but that development is coming later.” The road network also will need to accommodate a second school planned directly west of Site 49-E-W-4. The second school — a middle school set to open in 2023 — is intended to relieve a relief school for Bridgewater Middle School that nearly has completed the design process.

November 10-13, 2017

Jordan Wagner, left, and Danielle Glover, center, clanked their mini-beer mugs as friend Ryan Foster looked on.

Windermere crafts ultimate beer fest

Wops Hops’ brewer Phillip Mejia goofed off as he poured a beer for a thirsty visitor.

orters, IPAs, and ales — whatever style of beer you can think of — were ready and available Oct. 21 at the fourth annual Windermere Craft Beer Fest on Saturday in downtown. Tent after tent lined Main Street in front of City Hall as locals took in the craft beer of 23 different Central Florida breweries. It was a festive atmosphere as band Spayed Koolie played, while visitors packed the street. — TROY HERRING

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Siesta Key Beach

Halloween Boo Bash Saturday, October 28

5-8 pm GOT SAND?

OPEN FRI. & SAT. UNTIL 9 PM

Live Music every day!

Something for Everyone!

Headliners include:

• Food, Drink & Retail Vendors

Reverend Barry & Funktastic

• 60 ft. Party Tent

Soul, Kettle of Fish, Jah

• Master Sculpting Competition

Movement, One Night Rodeo

• Quick Sand Speed Sculpting

Mad Science and our live DJ will be spooking up the fun in The Grove’s Halloween Boo Bash. Kids can get up close with eerie experiments while the DJ hosts games, contests and a costume parade. Trickor-treat throughout The Grove shops.

Fun Activites for Kids & Adults! Free Amateur Competition • Sand Sculpting Lessons The Learning Curve • Art & Science Lab

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See the full festival schedule at SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Wingardium Leviosa! Potter theme lifts Bridgewater fest to new heights T

See more at OrangeObserver.com

Eric Martinez, left, Caitlin Peters, center, and Natalie Maragliano enjoyed dancing to “Cupid Shuffle.”

— BRITTANY GAINES

Frankie Hass, a sixth-grader, scaled the climbing wall that was set up at the festival.

Daniel Mancuso, left, and Adrian Garcia participated in the band’s performance of Harry Potter-themed music during the festival.

ONLINE

Sixth-grade teacher Renee Williams, right, and her daughter, Ashley, came dressed in their best Harry Potter attire for the event.

here were sightings of Hogwarts uniforms and magic wands Friday, Oct. 20, at the Bridgewater Middle School’s Fall Festival. The festival’s theme was Harry Potter, and attendees even got to hear a Harry Potterthemed performance from the school band. A Quidditch field was set up for students to enjoy, in addition to a variety of carnival games, inflatables and food trucks.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

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The Restoration Series: A few words with:

Scott Billue

rking with How long have you beenlywo ng out into the goi ual the homeless? I waslocactatio ns for many years before

woods and day labor e out socks & underwear, Matthew’s Hope. I would tak cold weather. Matthew’s ing dur then beanies & gloves 2010 after some of Hope was founded in March Warning Shelter to eze Fre a ted hos I d. friends and it became dangerously col house the homeless when hope k like? Originally the What did that loo ther, wea afe uns ing dur was to just keep people safeneeds and a meal. maybe provide some basicd the need was much greater than However, it was discovere ed to offer ser vices one day a week expected. We then expand a 24/7/365 ministr y ser ving the and that has now turned into. MH now assists with medical, homeless of our communityhealth care. We’re a facilitator of dental, optical and mental want to get an education and/or rejoin opportunity to those who MH now offers legal assistance and the work force. In addition,ff help individuals to attain ID’s, Birth financial guidance. Our StaSocial Security Cards. There are 15 Certificates, Licenses and time RN, and a Montessori Preschool. Transitional Homes, a full est Workshop where our structurally Then there is the Hope Chrefinish, restore and repurpose wood challenged friends repair, furniture as well. These pieces are furniture, and build custom , giving our guests opportunity while then made available for salet the ministr y. creating income to suppor e and intention ht… explain. Our hop Hiding in plain sig and selfnce nde epe ind a life of is to move everyone towardthem more comfortable being sufficiency, not just make addictions and/or mental health homeless. However, due to

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

not always issues, we know that this is e the remaining, hid to out set we So e. sibl pos our community, in more chronic homeless of hed by offering plis om acc is is plain sight. Th rcuts, showers weekly ser vices such as hai visits with our kly wee e, vic ser y ndr lau and d pantry and Staff Nurse, a visit to our foo thing needs. clo and e ien provision for hyg why anyone ON AS There really is NO RE every possible need as g dlin han pan be uld sho Hope for those who is met through Matthew’s nding in, there is ble by d An p. truly want hel eless and less fear less harassment to the hom in sight gives our by the public. Hiding in pla appearance from community a ver y differentto homelessness. other cities when it comes

s been atest accomplishment ha d. In nge What do you think the gre cha seeing lives ing to MH? Actuallyfree funding nt me ern for you since comsav gov of ing ed while remain

drug test. That some cases, literally need to drug test, then we or fail, if we are s and restriction. If we feel the Pas ernment funded agency. could not be done as a gov p. hel l wil we able to help, into tell people? Don’t gbuy Anything else younotwogivuld anythin of real value. or ney mo out e eone into your panhandling and do rmation of any kind, let som Never give out personal info es they are hungry, offer to meet them at a car or home. If someone statl get them a meal and then tell them about local restaurant and you wil community outreach. Matthew’s Hope, your local l be having our u? Matthew’s Hope wilich What’s next for yo will be taking place wh iser dra Fun ty Harvest of Hope Garden Par ving our offices, mo be l wil after that we on November 18. Shortly our new location on Story Rd. This location e, formally known pantries and Hope Chest to m Orange Technical Colleg is just across the street fro n, we will be relaunching our Harvest of as Westside Tech. In additio & Aquaponics/Areoponics Greenhouse. ndation Hope Chemical Free Garden the street from our Firm Fou Conveniently, this is down ter on 9th Street. God has been good to us cen Preschool and Outreach ter than ever! and Matthew’s Hope is bet

We proudly support Matthews Hope because they are taking the call to care for the community seriously. Caring for people has a way of identifying limitations, if you wait to have enough time, resources or patience you will never do anything. That’s why we are partners with Matthews Hope, they mix what little we give with the small gifts of others and through the love of God multiply it to the ongoing blessing of many. It is hard to imagine all that must happen for a guest between their first visit to Matthews Hope and the first night of sleeping in their own place. But it is exactly those in between places that Scott, the staff and volunteers dare to go with people. Walking that long journey requires an amazing amount of energy, resource and tireless love that admittedly Matthews Hope cannot do alone. So we try to help with money, time and prayer. To be perfectly honest it’s not enough and we could be giving more, but that angst is the great value of Matthews Hope. It pushes people forward. Whether we are giving or receiving we are moving forward into God’s love and loving God’s people. The work is not easy and it should never be done alone, but the reward is producing more people who are able to love and I wanna live in a community like that. - Pastor Adam Barcott New City Church

Grace •Compassion •Understanding Administrative Offices 523 S. Woodland, Winter Garden, FL 34787 407.905.9500 MatthewsHopeMinistries.org Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries

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ALSO INSIDE: Nemours Children’s Hospital: Life in Color Gala. 13 Pet Allilance of Greater Orlando: Furball 2017. 15

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Celebrating the

ROARING 20 This year Shepherd’s Hope is traveling back in time to the 1920s for its annual Famous Faces Masquerade Ball, in celebration of 20 years of service.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR WEST ORANGE

he story of a local, volunteerstaffed health care clinic for families in need begins 20 years ago on the beaches of

Sanibel Island. It was the summer of 1996, when Dr. William S. Barnes — the pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church — received the calling from God to reach out to families in need of health care that otherwise didn’t have the means to obtain it.

SEE ANNIVERSARY PAGE 12 ROARING ’20S FAMOUS FACES GALA WHEN: 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 WHERE: Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando TICKETS: $250. Guests can also enter a drawing to win prizes such as $10,000 cash. WEBSITE: shepherdshope.org/masquerade-ball

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Harbor House Central Florida’s Signature Purple Door Luncheon

t Harbor House of Central Florida’s Signature Purple Door Luncheon, four local community advocates were honored for their efforts in serving victims of and speaking up against domestic violence. The annual luncheon, held this year on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Rosen Centre Hotel, honors these champions of courage. Among those honored were Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley, Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Ted Maines and the Muslim Women’s Organization.

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Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer, Harbor House CEO Michelle Sperzel, Judge Fred Lauten and Harbor House Board President Tony Cardoza looked forward to the luncheon.

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Anniversary of hope Upon his return to the church, he and the congregation began to piece together a plan to bring the vision to life. Twenty years later, that vision — Shepherd’s Hope — continues to thrive and provide health care to uninsured or underinsured Central Floridians. “No one could have anticipated the true community impact,” said Marni Stahlman, president and CEO of Shepherd’s Hope. “Everyone involved back at that point at inception knew they were in a compassionate, heartfelt mission to try to create access to health care services for the uninsured. (Today) the need is still the same — the folks that need our services need them today as much as when we first started. It’s as pertinent and resilient as it was from the beginning.” Shepherd’s Hope first opened its doors in 1997 and runs on donated time and finances to provide necessary medical care to lowincome families. At its inception, the demand was so overwhelming that families would make long treks to be seen for free.

Today, the organization runs five medical clinics. It also just broke ground on what will be its first permanent, 10,000-squarefoot medical facility, to be located near Maxey Elementary in Winter Garden. “We had our first patient on Valentine’s Day (in) 1997,” Stahlman said, tracing back to Shepherd’s Hope’s first day in operation 20 years ago. “It was at the West Orange vocational tech center, and that’s one of the cool parts about the new building coming around, because it’s a block from where we saw our first patient.” MAKING THE DREAM WORK

When Shepherd’s Hope first opened, the concept of a free health care clinic in the state of Florida was virtually nonexistent, Stahlman said. Barnes received God’s calling while walking along the beach line, but the direction as to bringing it to fruition took a little more thought. “The community coming together in this elaborate array of partnerships among hospitals, individual providers, nurses, busi-

Orlando Police Chief John Mina and Apopka Police Chief Mike McKinley were happy to attend.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

nesses, schools, faith partners — everybody embraced this,” Stahlman said. “Today, there are 92 free clinics, including Shepherd’s Hope, across the state.” Those eligible for services have income at or below 200% of the poverty level, are uninsured and not eligible for governmentassisted health care programs, according to the organization’s website. Doctors, nurses and other volunteers donate their time to regularly staff each of the organization’s five health centers, which typically are open several evenings each week. Area hospitals partner with Shepherd’s Hope to provide routine laboratory and radiology services, and some health agencies provide specialty services for patients needing more advanced care. “Shepherd’s Hope leads Florida both in the number of patients we see annually and the number of clinics,” Stahlman said. “I think everyone (involved at inception) envisioned they would make an impact and the mission was designed to help anyone that needed access to health care, but

I truly believe they couldn’t have foreseen how extensive and far reaching and impactful that walk on the beach that day would be 20 years later.” ROARING ‘20S

This year’s theme for the Famous Faces Masquerade Ball — the organization’s largest annual fundraiser — is the Roaring ‘20s, in honor of its 20th year in operation. While the gala itself is in its 17th year, it serves this time as both a fundraiser and a celebration of Shepherd’s Hope’s two decades of service. Responsible for raising 30% of the organization’s operating budget, the masquerade is a significant event each year. Without it, Stahlman said, they wouldn’t be able to extend their mission as far as is needed. “It really is a very essential component of our operations every year,” she said. “There really is a purpose, and while they’re there enjoying the festivities, we never lose sight of the fact that the purpose of us gathering together is to raise the dollars to support the mission.”

BY THE NUMBERS

17 This is the 17th annual Famous Faces gala

20 Years Shepherd’s Hope has been in operation 30 Percentage of Shepherd’s Hope’s operating budget the gala funds 95 Cents of every dollar goes directly to patients and programming

237,000 Free medical visits offered since 1997

This year’s gala features a gourmet dinner, fine wine and spirits, costume contests, live and silent auctions, dancing and more. Guests are encouraged to dress in their jazz-age best and take a trip back in time to the era of “The Great Gatsby.” “We want to to be able to keep doing what we’ve been doing, because we know it works, and it saves people’s lives,” Stahlman said.

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Genevieve Cooper, Jessie Motley and Julie Tindall all matched in purple.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

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Jay Marsh, Lisa and Robert Utrey and Dana and James Bledsoe were happy to be attending the gala.

Nemours Children’s Hospital’s

Life in Color Gala T

he ballroom was illuminated with every color of the rainbow and “Alice in Wonderland” characters on stilts roamed around during Nemours Children’s Hospital’s fifth birthday celebration and gala. Themed “Life in Color” and held at Rosen Shingle Creek on Friday, Oct. 20, the gala served as both a fundraiser for the hospital and a celebration of its fifth birthday in Orlando. Nemours provides pediatric care to children throughout its Central Florida network.

Jennifer and Andre Hebra and Brian and Hope Anderson were ready for a fun-filled evening.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Justin Demola and Kari Czajkowski grabbed a photo with “Alice in Wonderland” characters.

Former WFTV Channel 9 anchor Greg Warmoth held the microphone for Natalie, a Nemours VIP honoree, who read off her wish.

Mauricio Bedoya and Johanna Yepes, of MLB Residential Lending, stopped for a photo with a volunteer who helped them make their hats.

ONLINE

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

The Art of Medicine Gala

BLACK

Cynthia Strollo had her eyes on Dr. Cindy LaRoe’s clownfish painting.

Travis and Danielle Payne enjoyed the evening out.

Dr. Kim Ireland, Dalida Couturier and Janet and Ryan Warwick brainstormed Halloween costume ideas at this year’s gala. Art of Medicine founder Ken LaRoe, his wife Dr. Cindy LaRoe and Jonathan Wolf thought the gala had a strong turnout.

ONLINE

he Art of Medicine Gala blended color with charity at the Orlando Museum of Art Oct. 21. Presented by the Collage Company and First Green Bank, the event auctioned off pieces of artwork to benefit the University of Florida Trauma’s Concussion and Sports Neuromedicine Program to invest in brain injury research. One such painting was from honoree Dr. Cindy LaRoe, who suffered a brain injury during a biking accident and later found comfort in painting. The night included live and silent auctions, an awards ceremony, performers and a buffet dinner. — HARRY SAYER

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Dr. Mark Trolice, also known as Mark Romeo, crooned for the arriving crowd.

Jillian Price and Israel Escobedo donned colorful costumes and strolled throughout the gala.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando

Furball 2017

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Oreo the kitten got plenty of attention from attendees throughout the night.

Pet Alliance of Central Florida Chairman of the Board Doug Glicken, Betenia Almeida, and Dan and Christine Kittinger enjoyed drinks.

Cinde Smith played with one of the kittens up for adoption.

eople and pets of all stripes filled the Rosen Shingle Creek on Saturday, Oct. 21, for the 26th annual Furball. The event, hosted by the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, was themed “Smiles, Always” and raised money to support shelters that house thousands of cats and dogs each year. Prizes from the live auction included an Animal Kingdom VIP expedition, a Queen of Versailles mansion tour and 10 seats in a Mardi Gras Parade float at Universal Orlando Resort.

Sivan Rettew, Ashley Montgomery, Clara Winborn and Jennifer Graven dressed their best for the evening.

Karen Rossi and Lars the Husky posed for pictures together.

— HARRY SAYER

Right: Quantum Leap winemaker Norman Saley supplied drinks for the fundraiser.

ONLINE

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

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Virginia Conlon, age 98, a recent resident of Ocoee, Florida, and a former longtime resident of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Conlon, and her son, Charlie Conlon. She is survived by her devoted sister, Ada Robinson, and she was loved by numerous nieces and nephews. She touched many lives as an educator while teaching in the Oak Park School District until her retirement in 1984. Graveside services were held at Oak Grove Cemetery, Milford, Michigan. Memorials may be made in her name to the Salvation Army. For further information, phone Lynch & Sons, Milford, at (248) 684-6645 or visit LynchandSonsMilford.com.

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Holy Family Catholic School’s sixth-grade Reach Out Committee recently spearheaded a Hurricane Maria Relief Donation Drive. The committee, including Zach Wolsonovich, Tatum Cempella, Antonio Adornetto, Analise Blomberg and Madison Lester, collected truckloads of supplies for the residents of Puerto Rico who continue to struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Car loads of goods, including bottled water, toiletries, canned and dry food, baby formula, blankets, pillows, first-aid kits, paper products and over-thecounter medicine, were delivered to various local donation collection sites. Two school families, the Wolsonovich and GonzalezPerez families, took a U-Haul full of supplies to the Enlaces por el Norestre.

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“Home of the area’s first certified therapy dog. Feel free to stop in and say hello to Charley Girl!”

Mollie M. Strickland, age 90, of Winter Garden, died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. She was born on Nov. 8, 1926, in Coffee County, Alabama. She is survived by her four children, Shirley Davis, Helen Sanders, Jannie Gurney and Greg Strickland; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-greatgrandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents, five siblings and her husband, Lonnie “The Conductor” Strickland. The funeral service was held at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

EPISCOPAL

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:30pm. 407-876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org

Non-Denominational HAVEN OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 13520 Foxcrest Blvd. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Services 9:30 and 10:30AM 407-952-0510

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

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WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY OCT. 19, 1967 Original local photographs were becoming popular in The Winter Garden Times in 1967, but most of the pictures were of general topics, such as clothing styles and the latest health or war news. An Oct. 19, 1967, photo announces the latest in women’s fashions: bloomers to replace skirts.

70 years ago

After making a recent survey of the city, Hoyle Pounds, chief of the Winter Garden Fire Department, reported he finds the city in a deplorable condition, declaring the town needs a general cleanup. “I find all kinds of fire hazards in the business district,” he said. The Winter Garden Welfare League gave a buffet supper in the Edgewater hotel dining room at $1 per plate. Everyone was invited to enjoy the food the ladies will prepare.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

50 years ago

The Citrus Helicopters Inc. was founded to take care of the groves under the Roper Growers Cooperative System. In addition to spraying and other work over the groves, the choppers are available for private charter. The Winter Garden City Commission changed hands, as Mayor Wilson Griffith administered the oath of office to Mayor George Barley and three commissioners, Everett Farnsworth and C.H. Johnson, starting new terms, and James Jackson, beginning his second term. Residents of Winter Garden were saddened by the death of Cecil Moorman, who was killed in action in Vietnam. He was a 1966 gradu-

This week’s photograph takes us to the community of Gotha, located five miles southeast of Winter Garden. Once a quiet agricultural and horticultural outpost, Gotha’s center at the intersection of Hempel Avenue and Gotha Road now hums with activity and traffic amid original houses, commercial structures and a church constructed in 1913. It was originally settled and developed by German families beginning in the early 1880s. By 1925, a brochure extolled its charms as “the delightful town among the pines and orange groves.” The wooden building above once served as Gotha’s first post office built in 1883 by the colony’s founder, Henry Hempel, but was demolished in 2003 when Orange County nixed plans for a “pioneer park” that would have preserved a number of historic county structures such as this.

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.

ate of Lakeview High School, where he was very popular with his fellow students and was active in basketball, football and FFA. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation.

30 years ago

tours of eight of Oakland’s oldest homes. A centennial station was set up in the Oakland Post Office to offer a specially designed cachet.

The town of Oakland marked its 100th birthday beginning with a parade through the center of town and continuing throughout the day with a fish fry and

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Indicate the TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS to be scored in the tie-breaker game:

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Participants in the Subway / West Orange Times & Observer / Windermere Observer Contest should select the team they feel will win each game and clearly check their choice. Fill out the entry form circling your selections for the games along with your name, address, and telephone number. Limit one entry per person. $50 GIFT CARD from SUBWAY will be presented to the person who selected the most game winners correctly. In the event of a tie between entries, score of the tie-breaker game will determine the winner. If total points are a tie as well, winner will be drawn from hat. All entries must be received by Saturday 10/28/17 12:00 PM to be eligible for that weeks drawing.

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WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OCTOBER 26, 2017

SPORTS

The First Academy’s Rolous Frazier III scored four touchdowns against Trinity Prep Oct. 13. Page 24.

HIGH

Windermere High teams enjoy big week

The Wolverines’ boys golf, girls golf and volleyball teams each earned landmark achievements.

The Olympia volleyball team defeated Oak Ridge, Dr. Phillips and Freedom in the Class 9A, District 5 Tournament last week. The trio of wins improves the Titans to 14-9 on the season. Olympia hosted Newsome High in the regional quarterfinals of the Class 9A Playoffs, with the conclusion after the time of publication.

Steven Ryzewski

The Wolverines defeated Edgewater and West Port in the Class 8A, District 5 Volleyball Tournament last week, earning its first playoff berth. STEVEN RYZEWSKI

Other volleyball district tournament results included Windermere finishing as the runner-up in Class 8A, District 5 and The First Academy finishing as the runner-up in Class 5A, District 6, from which Windermere Prep was eliminated in the semifinal.

Dr. Phillips High honored the memory of former Panther Anthony Solomon between quarters of its Homecoming Game Oct. 20. Solomon was a football and track star for Dr. Phillips who collapsed and died due to heart complications in 1989. He was to have attended UCF on an athletic scholarship.

SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Photos by Steven Ryzewski

Neemias Cordeiro, left, Nicholas DeFreitas, Rafael Guerrero, Sakura Nagakubo and Sebastian Navarro (front) all love playing for Dr. Phillips Soccer Club.

Soccer success story Anchored by its core principles, the Dr. Phillips Soccer Club has grown from just three participants to more than 60. STEVEN RYZEWSKI

Matt Milano, a rookie linebacker for the Buffalo Bills and a Dr. Phillips alum, recorded his first career interception Oct. 22. Milano intercepted a ball thrown by Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston in the Bills’ 30-27 victory over the Bucs. Milano had four tackles on the game, also.

Winter sports are beginning for the FHSAA. Girls soccer practices began last week, with boys soccer practices having begun Oct. 23. Next week begins practice for girls basketball.

SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

To best understand the Dr. Phillips Soccer Club, and how the youth organization has grown from just three players to more than 60, it helps to understand its philosophy — and its greatest success story. The club, started by Rafael Navarro and his four sons in 2011, aims to make the game available to any child who wants to play, regardless of socioeconomic status, boasting some of the most affordable prices in Central Florida. DPSC puts player development at the forefront, and the staff seeks to teach kids the game the right way, emphasizing discipline and respect along the way. The organization’s leaders also

want it to be a vehicle through which local youth in the Dr. Phillips, MetroWest and Windermere areas can cultivate a fit and active lifestyle. That part is of particular importance to the Navarro famSEE SOCCER PAGE 24

Dr. Phillips Soccer Club coaches Rafael Navarro, left, Eduardo Martinez, Gonzalo Sepulveda and Nicolas Navarro all work to create a family-atmosphere within the club.

Windermere High has no seniors, and all its sports programs are brand new. But that hasn’t prevented three upstart teams for the Wolverines from having some breakout success this fall — especially during the period from Oct. 17 through Oct. 23. Windermere’s boys and girls golf teams, as well as the Wolverines volleyball team, each hit landmarks. First, on Oct. 17 at Forest Lake Golf Club, freshman Louis Giovacchini and junior Grant Drogosch each carded a 71 to lead the Windermere boys golf team to a first-place finish at the Class 3A, District 7 Tournament. The next day, again at Forest Lake, junior Sonia Mistry carded a 71 and junior Janelle Silguero carded a 72 to help lead Windermere’s girls team to its own firstplace finish. Collectively, the two district titles were the first in the school’s history. In the Class 3A, Region 3 Tournament Oct. 23 at Orange Tree Golf Club, the Windermere boys placed second, advancing to state as a team. The girls team placed third, coming just short of state. On the volleyball court, the Wolverines navigated their way through the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Class 8A, District 5 Tournament at Ocoee High — defeating Edgewater and West Port — to earn a place in the district final against East Ridge. Although Windermere (11-8) came up short in the district final, falling to East Ridge 3-1 Oct. 19, the Wolverines nonetheless earned the program’s first playoff berth by finishing as the district’s runner-up. "It means a lot — I'm so proud of the team that we've built and how the girls came together," head coach Layla West said. Windermere played its first playoff game Oct. 25 at Hagerty, after the time of publication.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

Gators offer pair of DP sophomores STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Steven Ryzewski

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Stephen Dix, left, and Brandon Fields both were excited to have received scholarship offers from the Florida Gators last week.

No matter what the team’s record, a scholarship offer from the Florida Gators always will have a special meaning for high-school athletes who grew up in Florida. And so, for Dr. Phillips sophomores Stephen Dix and Brandon Fields — a linebacker and running back for the Panthers, respectively — the news that Gators coach Jim McElwain wanted them enough to extend an offer was music to their ears. “I was looking forward to getting that offer (from Florida),” Dix said. “It was one of the ones that

I really wanted, considering that I want to stay in Florida to play football, mostly.” Dix can add the offer from the Gators to those he already has received from other Division I programs: Mississippi State, Tennessee, Indiana, FAU, Bowling Green and Mercer. Dix has been a standout all season for the Panthers. Including Dr. Phillips’ 31-10 win over Olympia Oct. 20, Dix has 87 tackles and nine sacks. Fields adds the offer from Florida to a list that includes UCLA, FAU and Vanderbilt. For Fields, beyond the recognition from a college football brand that he and

Soccer

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Rolous Frazier III

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Rolous Frazier III has been a standout all season for the The First Academy Royals, who are undefeated at 7-0. In addition to four touchdowns in a single game against Trinity Prep Oct. 13, Frazier leads the Royals with 721 rushing yards — good for an average of 8.2 yards per carry.

What was it like to be a part of the team’s 57-41 win over Trinity Prep, during which you scored four touchdowns? The game was incredibly exciting. Fans love to see offensive, high-scoring games. I felt great, I felt like I really couldn’t be stopped. I was trying to get a touchdown every time. Are you surprised at how well you’ve done this fall? Not really — I had high expectations coming in, so I’m just trying to meet those goals and trusting my team and my (offensive) line to get those goals accomplished.

What’s your favorite class? I like learning new stuff, like religion stuff, and we have a religion class here where I’ve learned a lot.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: The First Academy YEAR: Junior AGE: 16 BIRTHPLACE: Tallahassee HEIGHT: 5-foot-7 WEIGHT: 165 pounds POSITIONS: RB, DB

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about this fall in school? Learning how the seasons happen and how the Earth’s tilt affects everything in science.

Which college and NFL teams are your favorites? College: My mom was FSU, so FSU. In the NFL, it don’t really matter — I like (following) players more than teams.

What do you think you would like to do for a career after college? I’d like to get into coaching or be a sports agent. What’s your dream car? I would say a Lamborghini Aventador.

Of which win are you most proud? I’d say the Trinity Prep game. We did great — the offense was unstoppable, and the defense stepped up in key moments. It was an exciting game.

If you’re stranded on a deserted island with a Blu-ray player and can bring only one movie, which movie would it be? Either “Furious 7” or “Transformers: The Last Knight.”

What does this team have to do to be successful in the playoffs? Mostly mental stuff — knowing where to line up, knowing how to take a certain angle on this play or that play. Which NFL players do you admire? For a running back, I’m quick and short, so I like watching De’Anthony Thomas. On defense, Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson.

What do you like the most about attending The First Academy? There’s not too many kids — I know some high schools have thousands of kids. The teachers here actually help you a lot.

Family. Family. Friends. Friends. Community. Community.

What’s your favorite shoe/ apparel brand? Nike — they’re creative on their stuff, the colors and schemes, and I love their jackets. — STEVEN RYZEWSKI

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other Floridians grew up with, the offer carries weight because of his status as a two-sports star. Field is also a standout for the Panthers baseball team. The Gators baseball team, which won the College World Series earlier this year, already had offered the Orlando native. That makes Florida the second school to offer him in both sports, joining Vanderbilt. At this point, Fields said it is his intention to play both sports at the next level. “I’m really to excited about doing both,” Fields said. “It’s been a dream for me my whole life.”

ily, because they’ve seen it work firsthand. Mateo Navarro, the youngest of Rafael Navarro’s sons, was obese as a child — and he was bullied because of it. His father and his three older brothers set out to use soccer as a remedy, and — thousands of hours of training later — not only is Mateo Navarro no longer obese, but he is training with the professional soccer team A.C. Perugia in Italy. That success story within the nuclear Navarro family has served as a model through which they hope to similarly impact other local youths. The proof of the effectiveness has been in the program’s growth. “It’s been a long process, but it’s been a good process — the local community has helped us out a lot,” said Nicolas Navarro, Mateo’s older brother and one of the program’s lead coaches. “We try to keep it as familyfriendly as possible. As word got out, we started getting more and more players.” The club’s competitive travel teams play in the Florida Elite Youth Soccer League and, over the years, there has been on-the-field success to mirror the organization’s growth. Last year, DPSC’s U14 team was invited to play at the World Futsal Tournament at Disney, where it placed third. The club practices at Edgewood Children’s Ranch, its home since 2015. Before that, the club bounced around looking for a permanent practice space. Although Nicolas said the partnership with Edgewood has been a blessing, the club also hopes to continue to grow. “Our goal is to find another facility where we are able to offer more training so we can

Steven Ryzewski

Dr. Phillips Soccer Club practices at Edgewood Children’s Ranch.

NEED TO KNOW: DR. PHILLIPS SOCCER CLUB Website(s): DrPhillipsSoccerClub.com and CoachNavarro.com Facebook: facebook.com/ drphillipssoccerclub Phone: (407) 361-4165 Practice location: Edgewood Children’s Ranch, 1451 Edgewood Ranch Road, Orlando

help more kids,” he explained. Another goal is to find more sponsors for scholarships. There already are scholarships offered by DPSC, but currently they are an out-of-pocket expense of the coaches. DPSC has begun its fall season, but any families interested in getting their youngsters involved are encouraged to reach out. Keeping in line with the club’s larger philosophy, new players ages 4 to 17 always are welcome to get involved. “There’s open-registration, and there’s no contract,” Nicolas Navarro said. “We want kids to join soccer any time of the year — it doesn’t stop.”

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Meet Olympia setter Lorissa King PAGE 17

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 1, NO. 1

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

At last! Work begins on relief school

407-470-7014

Officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new West Orange County high school Sept. 24. STORY ON 6 ARTS+CULTURE

The secret life of

MAYOR BRUHN West Orange High thespians dish up a spoonful of sugar.

SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE

PAGE 13

Welcome to your new hometown newspaper MICHAEL ENG

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR

YOUR TOWN SCOTT APPOINTS AREA RESIDENT Gov. Rick Scott announced Sept. 18 two appointments and one reappointment to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. Robert Gidel Sr., of Windermere, is the managing partner at Liberty Capital. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term that began Sept. 18 and ends Sept. 10, 2017. He joins Iris Gonzalez, of Tierra Verde, on the board.

We’re all in this together.

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Since the 1980s — far longer than he has been mayor of Windermere — Gary Bruhn has collected and sold movie memorabilia. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4

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THE GROVE ORLANDO BOOGIES AT BIRTHDAY BASH

What you’re holding in your hands is the product of more than a year of planning. It’s the product of our wildest dreams — a bold step for a company that last month celebrated our 110th anniversary. Welcome, readers, to the first edition of the Windermere Observer, a sister paper of the West Orange Times & Observer, which has roots that date back to the Winter Garden Ricochet in 1905. For more than a century, our newspaper — through all its previous owners and iterations — covered the entire West Orange region with just one edition. Today, that changes. Put simply: West Orange has grown too large for one hyperlocal community newspaper. For longtime readers: this new Windermere Observer will cover Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill, Gotha and MetroWest, while the West Orange Times & Observer will renew its focus on Winter Garden, Ocoee and Oakland. As the 10th newspaper owned by the Sarasota-based Observer Media Group, the Windermere Observer will strive to deliver on OMG’s slogan: “You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.”

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Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn strikes the only suitable pose when holding a glass from “The Godfather.”

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

WEEK 10 PREVIEW

WEEK NINE REWIND SSAC PLAYOFFS BEGIN BISHOP SNYDER (4-4) AT WINDERMERE PREP (7-0) 4:30 P.M. FRIDAY As the No. 1 seed in the Coastal League bracket of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Playoffs, the Lakers will host the Cardinals in the Coastal League Quarterfinals. Bishop Snyder, which is in the greater Jacksonville area, had just one common opponent with Windermere Prep — Harvest Community, which the Lakers defeated 33-14 and the Cardinals lost to 20-6. Bishop Snyder is averaging 20 points per game to Windermere Prep’s 47.

Steven Ryzewski

Olympia’s Shane Hooks is tackled by Dr. Phillips’ Demarquis Cummings while hauling in a reception.

Panthers win another district title SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR DR. PHILLIPS The Dr. Phillips football team topped its biggest rival Oct. 20, securing a 10th consecutive district championship in the process. The Panthers (6-2, 3-0 district) celebrated their Homecoming by defeating the Olympia Titans (4-4, 2-1 district) 31-10. Dr. Phillips led 17-3 at halftime. Then, Olympia’s Joe Milton found Jordan Underwood for a touchdown toss early in the third quarter, and the game was suddenly a one-possession affair. However, that is when the Panthers turned it up a notch, as they have often done in the third quarter this season. First, Dr. Phillips scored on a touchdown run by BeSean McCray within moments of the Titans’ score. Then, on their next possession, the Panthers scored on a long run by Devodney Alford. By the time the third quarter ended, Dr. Phillips had extended its lead to 31-10 — the game’s eventual final score. “We knew they would come back with those athletes they have over there. … I hadn’t seen a group that good in a long, long time,” Panthers head coach Rodney Wells said of Olympia. “They came back within seven, and within a few plays, BeSean (McCray) had answered, and we did a great job from there.” Undefeated in the district at 3-0 and with only Cypress Creek (2-6, 0-3 district) remaining as a district opponent, the win

sealed a district title for Dr. Phillips, because the Panthers will have a tiebreaker advantage over Olympia and Oak Ridge in the unlikely event all three finished tied. The run of district titles for Dr. Phillips predates even Wells’ time as the program’s head coach — a significant achievement not lost on the veteran coach. “It means a lot — it’s history and it’s culture and it’s an expectation,” Wells said. “We’re big on winning the district because, that way, you’re most likely to have playoff games at home. That’s the key.” — STEVEN RYZEWSKI

WINDERMERE PREP COMPLETES UNDEFEATED SSAC REGULAR SEASON

The Windermere Prep Lakers (7-0) jumped on the Santa Fe Catholic Hawks (3-5) early Oct. 20, racing out to a 35-point lead en route to a 55-15 win. Windermere Prep scored 21 points in the first quarter, alone, by way of a pass from Kai Patterson to Khadry Jackson, a two-yard run by Ismael Cortes and an 80-yard punt return from Rahsaan Lewis. Although their offense gets most of the attention, the Lakers defense turned in another solid performance and held the Hawks to 15 points. Windermere Prep has given up an average of just 11 points in the regular season.

WEEK NINE SCORES n Dr. Phillips 31, Olympia 10 n Liberty 51, Windermere 0 n The First Academy 42, Agape Christian 8 n Windermere Prep 55, Santa Fe Catholic 15

OTHER OBSERVERPREPS.COM RESULTS n West Orange 45, Evans 14 n Foundation Academy 35, Bishop McLaughlin 7 n Foundation Academy 28, Carrollwood Day 22 (Oct. 16) n CFCA 47, Avant Garde 0 n Legacy Charter 52, TFA-Leesburg 30 n Winter Park 27, Boone 7 n Edgewater 41, East Ridge 21 n Trinity Prep 56, Trinity Christian 12 n Orangewood 53, Cornerstone Charter 0 n BYE — Bishop Moore (6-1), Ocoee (1-7)

— NATE MARRERO

Cypress Creek (2-6, 0-3 district) at Dr. Phillips (6-2, 3-0 district), 7 p.m. Thursday Once again, the Panthers hope to go undefeated within their district when they host the Bears. Cypress Creek, which has not won within the district, has lost six consecutive games after opening the season with two wins. Oak Ridge (4-4, 2-1 district) at Olympia (4-4, 2-1 district), 7 p.m. Friday The Titans found themselves on the cusp of the playoff picture in their region before last week’s loss to Dr. Phillips, making their final two games mustwins to keep those hopes alive. Oak Ridge junior quarterback Malik Davis has been impressive throughout the fall, tossing 20 touchdowns and averaging nearly 200 yards per game through the air. That effort has helped to offset a rushing attack that has underachieved. The First Academy (7-0) at Lake Highland Prep (6-1), 7 p.m. Friday The Royals have their slot in the FHSAA Class 3A Playoffs virtually locked up, but that doesn’t make this matchup with the Highlanders — who compete in Class 4A — any less intriguing. Elijah Lucas (10 rushing touchdowns) leads Lake Highland’s ground attack while Jake Stanley and Briton Allen (three receiving touchdowns each) have been two of the favorite targets of Thomas Furry (eight touchdown passes).

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Kicking OFF A NEW Season!

Troy Herring

Windermere (0-8, 0-5 district) at Celebration (0-8, 0-5 district), 7 p.m. Friday The Wolverines’ second-to-last game of their inaugural season is, undoubtedly, their best chance at putting some points on the scoreboard and competing. The Storm have not scored this season and allow 36.25 points per game. Dr. Phillips (2-6) at Timber Creek (3-4), 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30 A make-up game from Hurricane Irma, this matchup with the Wolves will give the Panthers their second Monday night football game of the season. Timber Creek is in the midst of a bit of a down year, but the Panthers still will have to reckon with containing Wolves junior running back Peter Hayes-Patrick. HayesPatrick, the younger brother of FSU’ Jacques Patrick, has averaged 106 yards per game on the ground and 5.3 yards per carry this fall.

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