12.10.20 Southwest Orange Observer by Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 6, NO. 11

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Horizon West home sales remain strong. PAGE 8.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Comply or face fines

YOUR TOWN

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings: “My worries have more to do with the spread of the virus and more and more people getting infected.” SEE PAGE 2.

Ocoee leaders OK fence variance

Peacock pride

Another section of fencing in the Roberts Rise subdivision was approved, while the city’s Operation Santa looks to bring cheer to the community.

Photo by Michael Cairns

BALLET TO PERFORM ‘THE NUTCRACKER’ The Central Florida Ballet is bringing a production of “The Nutcracker” to West Orange. Through its Nutcracker in Your Neighborhood series, the company will perform the Christmas classic at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at West Orange Park, 150 Windermere Road, Winter Garden. Attendees will enjoy outdoor seating in socially distanced pods. Program length is one hour. Tickets are $5. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit centralfloridaballet.com/ nutcracker-in-your-neighborhood.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

The Ocoee City Commission approved a final variance for a temporary fence at a property in the Roberts Rise subdivision during its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3. Applicant Roger Rullo filed for the fence variance for his SEE FENCES PAGE 6

HABITAT HEART

Fred Borsoni has served with the West Orange Habitat for 20 years. SEE PAGE 7. PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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Troy Herring

A Windermere couple has adopted and fed generations of peacocks and peahens on their property, and the birds have made it their permanent home. SEE PAGE 4.

SO LONG, COACH Longtime WPS football coach Jacob Doss is leaving the Lakers . SEE PAGE 15.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Deming signs executive order to fine businesses violating COVID guidelines The order allows Orange County to fine businesses $500 to $15,000. TROY HERRING AND AMY QUESINBERRY OBSERVER STAFF

An emergency executive order signed Friday, Dec. 4, by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings allows law-enforcement and code-enforcement officers to issue fines to businesses found to have violated COVID-19 protocols. The order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. “We have arrived at a critical juncture in our fight to contain the transmission of the novel coronavirus within our community, and I now find myself in a position that I must make an adjustment in our

FINANCING AVAILABLE

strategy,” Demings said in a press conference Dec. 4. “For weeks now, I have pleaded with our community to do the right thing to help us help you,” he said. “We have asked for voluntary compliance and following the CDC guidelines during this public health crisis. Overall, we have seen most of our residents and visitors voluntarily complying, but, unfortunately, we have a few businesses that refuse to comply — and it is time that we hold them accountable.” For businesses to remain in compliance with the executive order, they must maintain the following protocols: Make sure employees and guests maintain social distancing; ensure employees wear face coverings at all times; require guests to wear face coverings; place appro-

priate signage throughout the business to remind patrons and employees to wear masks; and incorporate physical markings to help individuals maintain social distance. The first violation of these rules will result in a fine of up to $500 issued by law-enforcement or code-enforcement officers, although a citation issued by a special magistrate would result in a fine of up to $1,000 per day for the first violation. That fine would increase to up to $5,000 a day for repeat violations. If a special magistrate finds one or more violations to be irreparable or irreversible, a fine of up to $15,000 can be imposed per violation. “It is to target the few bad actors,” Demings said. “I call them bad actors, because these are the ones who act like they can’t care

about the personal safety of others, when, in fact, they only care about their bottom line. They put profit above people. “The ones who are good actors and comply … need not worry about the penalties, for they are the ones who put people over profit,” he said. Demings said the county’s compliance teams have visited more than 5,600 businesses and have achieved an overall compliance rate of 98%. “The battle is not over,” he said, citing the daily rise in the number of positive cases. Dr. Raul Pino spoke at the press conference as well: “We are entering a critical phase of this pandemic, and you all have seen the national news. Fortunately, our county is in much better shape than other counties around the country. … (but) if we don’t keep (doing) what we are doing and increase what we are doing, we will be on the same level.”

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Businesses found not to be in compliance will be given instruction on what can be done to comply with the executive order and guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The team will re-evaluate the business, and owners will not be penalized if the compliance team concludes they have made attempts to comply. The teams will be evaluating businesses at all hours of the day. However, the most significant violations occur in the evening hours in establishments such as bars, and this is where the efforts will be concentrated, he said. “My worries have more to do with the spread of the virus and more and more people getting infected,” Demings said. “We’re trying to be proactive here, and while some businesses may perceive that this is punitive and we’re trying to close businesses down, it’s really the converse of that. What we’re trying to do is ensure that we are able to safely keep our businesses open. And that means compliance with what the researchers have clearly established as the best strategy going forward.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Henry Goehres, 104, received a card and balloon in honor of his birthday.

Socially distanced

SHINDIG Above: Sporting their birthday bead necklaces, Henry Goehres and Dennis Turner shared a birthday moment that neither man will forget. Left: Children in the back seat of a car wave American flags to celebrate Henry Goehres’ and Dennis Turner’s birthday. Below: Dennis Turner, 70, and his wife, Sue Riley Turner, waved to cars passing by as they enjoy a unique birthday party. Several cars with signs and balloons honked along the road in front of Henry Goehres’ and Dennis Turner’s homes as a part of the day’s fun.

W Henry Goehres got a little help putting on his signature fedora.

hile the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has people socially distancing, neighbors and friends Henry Goehres and Dennis Turner decided to enjoy their birthdays in a new way — out in the driveway. Goehres, 104 and Turner, 70, celebrated their shared birthday Sunday, Dec. 6, as they sat with their immediate families under a tailgate tent set up in the driveway of Goehres’ home as locals drove by with balloons and signs to wish the two a happy birthday. Among those who rode by were members of the local VFA Post 4305. Goehres served in the U.S. Army during World War II, while Turner served in the Army in Vietnam. — TROY HERRING

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Observer

Birds of a feather

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

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

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

ll is quiet on Joel and Winnie Sharp’s property in Windermere — until he rattles the bag of Meow Mix. Then the scratching noises start, and, one by one, small, bright blue plumed heads appear over the second-floor balcony. Seconds later, as soon as the cat food treat hits the wooden deck out back, the commotion begins. They fly down from the roof and the balcony, they come from around the sides of the house, they trot up the steps from the yard and dig into their afternoon treat. The Sharps currently share their lakefront lawn and rooftop with 13 peacocks and peahens — although that number has been as high as 25. These birds have lived on Lake Butler since at least the 1950s. Joel Sharp estimates they have lived among four generations of peacocks. Winnie Sharp’s uncle lived next door, and she remembers visiting him as a child and being fascinated by the large birds and their occasional screams. About 50 years ago, she and her husband built their home, and the peacocks slowly migrated over to their house and never left. “The first night we spent the night here, we heard a loud noise, and I thought a plane had come through the roof,” Winnie Sharp said. “It was them. They stayed and made families.” At the end of their driveway, a painted sign declares the property Sharp’s Peacock Stables. Joel Sharp said the family decided on the name because there were horse stables there. The sign has been known to throw off residents. “People stop and ask if we have any for sale or we train them,” Winnie Sharp said. “No, they just live here.” The Sharps also have played the role of mama when a peahen left a few of her eggs behind.

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The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange and at our office. If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

TO ADVERTISE Photos by Troy Herring

Joel and Winnie Sharp share their property with about 13 peacocks and peahens.

“We took them in and incubated them in a little cage,” Winnie Sharp said. “We were in a meeting in Atlanta, and our children sent us a message and said the peacocks are hatching on the piano.” Although the peacocks live on the Sharp property, they don’t officially belong to the couple and are free to roam. However, the pheasants typically stay close to where they hatched, Winnie Sharp said. “People used to call and say, ‘Your peacocks are in our yard,’” she said. “They don’t belong to us. They just live here.” The birds have made themselves at home with the Sharps. They wander the grounds, drink from the bubbling water fountain beside the deck, eat flowers in the yard. They aren’t housebroken, she said, but they are good watch birds. At night, the birds fly up into one particular tall pine tree on the

east side of their property, hopping from limb to limb until they reached their desired height. After they lie down and settle in for the night, Winnie Sharp said, she can’t even tell they’re up there. “Once they get to the tree, they’re all quiet,” she said. “They hunker down, and you wouldn’t know there are 13 birds in that tree.” Every morning, like clockwork, the peacocks are awake and waiting for Joel Sharp — on what he calls the second-floor peacock deck — to feed them a breakfast of wild birdseed and sunflower seeds. They will feast on insects and lizards, too. COLORFUL COLLECTION

All of the downstairs living areas at the Sharp house have at least one peacock on display. There are two large stained-glass pieces that catch the sun through the

back windows plus another small framed glass peacock in a window at the other end of the room. A few peacocks sit atop the piano, and more grace the Christmas tree. Figurines, bowls and candleholders in blues and greens also decorate the space. Many were gifts from friends, they said. Several vases contain hundreds of colorful feathers — mostly in various shades of blue, green and brown — that have dropped during the male molting period, which is the spring. The feathers tend to disintegrate over time, but the Sharps know come spring they can gather a fresh and bright handful to display, because their peacocks aren’t going anywhere. “This is their home,” Joel Sharp said.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Brazilian jiujitsu program launches at Dream Center Through collaboration between Gracie Barra Clermont, IronMen of God and West Orange Dream Center, children in Winter Garden can participate in a free jiujitsu program. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu, Dave Ogden always has been a passionate martial artist. It’s fitting, then, that the Windermere police chief also plays an integral part in establishing a free Brazilian jiujitsu program for children in east Winter Garden. The newly launched program has a home at the West Orange Dream Center, which is sponsored by Family Church. At the church’s east Winter Garden campus, Dr. Charles Cooper serves as the pastor. He also spearheads many of the Dream Center’s programs. Ogden and Cooper met through the IronMen of God ministry. While talking with Cooper one day, Ogden and others asked what he needed at the Dream Center. “He said, ‘I need mentors. I need men who are willing to come into the community who bring some expertise to come alongside some of these young guys,’” Ogden said. “He said, ‘I need Christian men to come in here who are willing to be mentors, willing to be leaders and are willing just to kind of share some of their specialties with the kids and with the young men in the community to get them on the right track.’” Ogden and other volunteers partnered with his old martial-arts school, Gracie Barra Clermont, to bring the program to life. Together, all involved have raised several thousand dollars to fund the program and required equipment, such as gis. “Brazilian jiujitsu is probably the most premier martial art now in the world,” Ogden said. “With the advent of UFC coming through, everyone wants to be part of the Brazilian jiujitsu grappling phase. Everybody engages in this, and it’s really good for kids. It does all the traditional things of martial arts. It promotes health and wellness, character building and development, and all those kinds of things. But the nice thing for me, as well,

is that it really does it from a Christian perspective.” Ogden and the team teach children all the fundamentals of jiujitsu and how to defend themselves using it. That consists mainly of body mechanics and understanding of positioning and leverage. There are some parts of the sport that require learning to strike and kick, but the main emphasis is on self defense and overcoming your opponent using leverage and skill. In the last 10 to 15 minutes of class, Ogden shares a message on characteristics such as integrity and character using biblical stories and a Christian perspective. The program had a soft launch in October, and, currently, the class takes place one Saturday each month. Ogden hopes to increase that to weekly classes.

“We’re still molding what the program is going to look like,” he said. “One of the things we talk about to the kids, as well, is … it’s about hard work and struggles and difficulties. Jiujitsu and grappling especially — there’s no tougher spot than wrestling and grappling and things of that nature. You will not work harder, get more exhausted, feel more pain or learn more about determination and heart than in those kind of sports, bar none. “What that is is a reflection of how life really is sometimes,” he said. “There’s so many great life skills we get to teach them. We’re really blessed to be able to do it because we enjoy it.” The overall goal is to make a difference in the children’s lives through teaching life skills and hard lessons while simultaneously being there to mentor them and par-

ticipate in a sport they love. So far, about a dozen children participate in the class, Ogden said, and he would like it to evolve into a competitive program for them. “These kids love it,” he said. “We sit down in there, and they’re attentive, they appreciate what we’re doing, they’ve got a smile on their face. … It’s about jiujitsu, and we do believe jiujitsu can bring a lot of great balance and empowerment to their lives, no doubt about it. “It brings in everything I’m really passionate about,” he said. “I really get an opportunity to leverage the things that I have a passion for — being a believer, being a martial artist and helping out the community. There’s nothing better that you can do than pull those three things together and make a difference in somebody’s life.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Fences approved

PROUDLY OFFERED BY ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT’S HEALTH SERVICES

IN OTHER NEWS n The commission approved the consent agenda, which featured the purchases of new Motorola radios for the police department and the acquisition of property located at 180 N. Bluford Ave.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

property — located at 622 Roberts Rise Drive — to erect a 6-foot fence along the right side of the home as a means of privacy and to cut down on foot traffic from the undeveloped lot just to the east of the subdivision. There currently is a 6-foot fence around most of the property, but there is a section without fencing. The issue required approval because the Ocoee Land Development Code includes requirements regarding residential fencing the 6-foot-tall fence wouldn’t meet. “A fence is allowed in the front if it is a 4-foot fence and seethrough, but the code just doesn’t allow a 6-foot-high privacy fence for the front,” Ocoee Zoning Manager Kiel Gajadhar said. This is the third and final fence variance for this specific section of the subdivision; the commission heard the first last month regarding the home across the street at 615 Roberts Rise Drive. The other variance will be taken by the subdivision. Through the city of Ocoee’s Neighborhood Matching Grants Program, it will build an addition of the fence within the city’s right-of-way — replacing the short wire fence there now. Just as with the previous variance request, city staff could not approve it, while the Planning and Zoning Commission did with the stipulation that if the city requires its removal within five years, the city would cover the cost of its removal. The subdivision’s sec-

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tion of the fence is owned and maintained by the Roberts Rise subdivision. Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen, who represents District 2, where the property is located, said she was pleased with the new fence being put into place. “They have an issue there,” Wilsen said. “They have an issue with people coming over the fence. When I was looking at our (photos), it looks like there are tire tracks back there. There are cars that are going back there besidespeople walking. … I have no problem with this.” HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Although the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to Ocoee’s annual Christmas parade, it doesn’t mean the city won’t be celebrating the holidays. Throughout this month, the city’s Operation Santa will spread holiday cheer as Santa makes his way around the city with the Ocoee fire and police departments. Along with bringing smiles, both departments also will be collecting toys for children along their routes. “This year, we have a very interesting time because we probably have a lot of folks who are out of work, and we still want to have a lot of joy for our children in the community who may not be getting the gifts that they normally would,” Wilsen said.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

‘A Habitat soul’ Fred Borsoni can be found most days on the construction site of the latest West Orange Habitat for Humanity home being built. COMMUNITY EDITOR

A handmade Adirondack chair adorns the front porch of every West Orange Habitat for Humanity home dedicated in recent years. Those wooden chairs are created by Habitat volunteer Fred Borsoni, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin. However, Borsoni does more than build the seats in his spare time — the 80-year-old has volunteered his time helping with the construction of the homes for 20 years. He moved to Central Florida from Maryland in 2000 and was looking for something to do in his spare time. “Someone told me … there was a West Orange Habitat for Human-

“I think the youngest is about 65, 67. I’m 80, and we have other people in our little group, some even older, even 85. … That’s what’s keeping me from sitting down on the couch and not doing anything. It’s very helpful to do that.” — Fred Brosoni

ity, and I found them working on a house in Oakland,” he said. “Jack Fain was there, and he said, ‘Come on,’ and I started working. … I’ve been with them ever since.” For 10 years, Borsoni served as volunteer construction manager, stepping down when a permanent one was hired. He continues to work with people each Wednesday and Saturday — and the occasional Friday — starting at 8 a.m. “We’re all up in our age,” he said. “I think the youngest is about 65, 67. I’m 80, and we have other people in our little group, some even older, even 85. (It’s) a really nice group of people who always did things together. … That’s what’s keeping me from sitting down on the couch and not doing anything. It’s very helpful to do that.” West Orange Habitat Executive Director Marilyn Hattaway said the organization is grateful for Borsoni’s dedication. “Fred isn’t a big talker — but he’s a big doer,” Hattaway said. “He gets work accomplished alone or with a team. He just wants things done right when building our Habitat homes — no shortcuts, no quick fixes. And everything must be exact.” Borsoni said he has performed every job possible on the homes, from roofing and laying tile to electrical and plumbing.

Amy Quesinberry

Fred Borsoni started volunteering with West Orange Habitat for Humanity when he moved to Florida 20 years ago. He served as construction manager for 10 years.

Part of his role is to join the construction team and construction manager Randy Stuart in welcoming corporate, church and group volunteer teams that show up on the job site. He has led many teams in the building process. “Fred has a Habitat soul, believing in our ministry,” Hattaway said. “He has a Habitat heart, as he builds for each family personally, and he has Habitat hands with the experience to solve construction challenges.” He has worked with teams of all ages, including this summer’s Collegiate Challenge Team of 15 students from Boston’s Curry College. After recognizing their

desire to help others and build a community, Borsoni was eager to share his construction knowledge and skills. They, in turn, shared their “college building dance” with him, and they all practiced on the house’s foundation. Hattaway said team members have stayed in touch with him and Habitat after their experience. “He has given time, talent and treasure to build homes with pioneers of our organization like Jess Green, Bill Criswell and others with a vision,” Hattaway said. “We stand on his shoulders and theirs as we grow.” “I made a commitment to help,” Borsoni said.

He is motivated by the stories he has heard from members of Habitat’s Family Selection Committee, such as the boy whose family lived in such a small space that he had to sleep in the same bed as his mother and grandmother. “It seems like most of us think that owning a home is almost normal,” he said. “And then I see the faces on the homeowners after we give them the keys, and that makes all the difference. It’s looking at someone who never thought they would own a home of their own.”

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

REAL ESTATE

Encore at Ovation home tops Horizon West sales A home in Encore at

Ovation topped all

Horizon West residential real-estate transactions from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6. The home at 13178 Spring Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 27, for $623,240. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, five baths and 3,830 square

ENCLAVE AT HAMLIN

The home at 15317 Calming Balsam Alley, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 27, for $385,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,992 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $193.27. Days on market: 66. ENCORE AT OVATION

The home at 13178 Spring Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 27, for $623,240. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, five baths and 3,830 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $162.73. Days on market: One. HAMLIN RESERVE

$162.73. Days on market:

The home at 15390 Sugar Citrus Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $477,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,795 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $170.66. Days on market: Five.

One.

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feet of living area. The price per square foot is

HORIZON WEST

ENCLAVE AT BERKSHIRE PARK

The home at 7313 Colbury Ave., Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for $378,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,234 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.20. Days on market: Four.

The home at 16735 Olive Hill Drive, Lot 220, Winter Garden, sold Dec. 30, for $398,809. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,608 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $152.92. Days on market: Five. HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 15874 Citrus Grove Loop, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $620,000. Built in 2015,

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OrangeObserver.com

it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,859 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $160.66. Days on market: 19.

The home at 14286 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 27, for $430,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,533 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.76. Days on market: Zero. The home at 14220 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $425,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,426 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $175.19. Days on market: One.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 6759 Pasturelands Place, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $364,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,698 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $134.91. Days on market: Seven.

The home at 14850 Black Cherry Trail, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $310,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,834 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.03. Days on market: 25. The townhouse at 14927 Driftwater Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $297,500. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,997 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $148.97. Days on market: 93.

MCALLISTER LANDING

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The home at 13178 Spring Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 27, for $623,240. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6.

The townhouse at 15303 Avenue of the Arbors, Winter Garden, sold Dec. 2, for $283,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,766 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $160.25. Days on market: Seven. The townhouse at 14207 Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $227,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,152 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $197.05. Days on market: 11. LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 7484 Tattant Blvd., Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for

$425,700. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,464 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $172.77. Days on market: 31. The townhouse at 12922 Vennetta Way, Windermere, sold Dec. 1, for $275,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,644 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $167.27. Days on market: Three. LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 12651 Haddon Drive, Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for $372,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,151 square feet of living

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The townhouse at 1176 Orange Season Lane, Winter Garden, sold Dec. 1, for $285,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,012 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $141.65. Days on market: 49.

The home at 6109 Lewis and Clark Ave., Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $323,500. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,720 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $188.08. Days on market: 33.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

SNAPSHOT

Total Sales: 33 High Sale Price: $623,240 Low Sale Price: $195,000

area. The price per square foot is $172.94. Days on market: Two. LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The condo at 11562 Amidship Lane, No. 102, Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for $195,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,161 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $167.96. Days on market: Eight.

The home at 735 Caterpillar Run, Winter Garden, sold Dec. 2, for $443,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,701 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $164.01. Days on market: 59. ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 14469 Cedar Hill Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $444,900. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,937 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $151.48. Days on market: 60. ORCHARD PARK

The home at 14049 Pecan Orchard Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $390,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,115 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $184.40. Days on market: 31. SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 10

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 p.m.- Awana 2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @Horizon West Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FBCWG.org Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 StarkeLakeBaptist.org

REAL ESTATE

ROYAL ESTATES

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: Livestreaming Sunday @ 9 AM. Viewable on Facebook and Youtube

The townhouse at 9006 Via Di Canti, Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for $450,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 2,417 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $186.18. Days on market: 79. SOUTHBRIDGE VILLAGE

The townhouse at 6390 Southbridge St., Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for $266,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,632 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $162.99. Days on market: 16. SUMMERLAKE

The home at 8112 Summerlake Groves St., Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $325,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,872 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $173.61. Days on market: 123.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

SUMMERPORT

The home at 4418 Indian Deer Road, Windermere, sold Dec. 1, for $415,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,162 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $131.25. Days on market: 145.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, CHURCH OF GOD Winter Garden Ocoee Church of God (407) 654-9661 Pastor Thomas Odom Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m. 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m. (407) 656-8011 Saturday Service: 6 p.m. purposechurchorlando.org

WATERLEIGH

The home at 16754 Harper Cove Drive, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $434,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,040 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $212.75. Days on market: 16.

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m., 7 p.m. ChurchoftheMessiah.com

The home at 15874 Citrus Grove Loop, Winter

The home at 16796 Oakboro St., Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $375,495. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,216 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.45. Days on market: 33. The home at 10131 Audubon Trace Alley, Winter Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $326,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,685 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $193.47. Days on market: Five.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY SUPPORT

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r Garden, sold Nov. 30, for $620,000.

The townhouse at 16507 Outter Grove Alley, Winter Garden, sold Dec. 1, for $300,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,814 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.38. Days on market: 20. WESTSIDE VILLAGE

The home at 12724 Westside Village Loop, Windermere, sold Nov. 30, for $565,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,909 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $194.22. Days on market: Seven.

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The townhouse at 12998 Kegan St., Windermere, sold Dec. 2, for $230,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,360 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.12. Days on market: 25.

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The home at 8782 Crescendo Ave., Windermere, sold Dec. 3, for $530,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths, a pool and 3,428 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $154.61. Days on market: Five.

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

Voting opens for Observer photo contest We received some amazing submissions to our Show Us Your Strength Photo Contest, and now, it’s time to vote for your favorite school! The voting period opened Dec. 4 and continues until 10:59 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. Vote on the contest website, orangeobserver.com/showus-your-strength. The winning school, which will receive $2,500, will be announced Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Healthy West Orange, for partnering with us to host this contest. For more information, call us at (407) 656-2121 or email Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver. com.

JEREMY CAMPBELL

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jeremy Campbell serves in various capacities at Central Florida Christian Academy, and each allows him to have a positive impact on the lives of his students. Whether he is walking the hallways or coaching on the football field, Campbell prioritizes and is motivated by ensuring the success and well-being of each student at the school — academically, athletically and spiritually.

What brought you to CFCA? Initially, it was just being able to impact kids. I knew the Central Florida area well from my playing days over in Daytona. Being on campus and seeing the amount of kids that come through here on a daily basis between the school, the church and the youth leagues in the area, I knew this was a place where I could get in and impact the next generations to come. What do you love most about your school? I love the diversity here. You get all races, nationalities, all walks of life. As a school, we are extremely diverse, and I think that in my position, I have to be able to be well rounded and be able to communicate with them. Just being there for them is one of the things that I love most.

Windermere Prep to present dance showcase

Windermere Preparatory School dance students will take the stage for An Enchanted Evening of Dance at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, and Friday, Dec. 11. This virtual dance performance can be viewed online at live.windermereprep.com. The showcase will feature on-campus and hybrid middle- and high-school dance students.

What is your motivation? My faith: That’s first and foremost. I think God has

REPORT CARD TIME AT SCHOOL: Four years ROLE: Dean of students, assistant athletic director, head football coach

put me here for a reason. It wasn’t an easy decision to come over here, but through tons and tons of prayer, He opened some doors. I think that me being here is His word, and He’s put me in positions and opportunities to impact the youth — and not only the youth but the staff we have here. … Obviously, my family, too. My daughters go here. They’re 5; they’re in kindergarten. … Seeing their growth, the teachers that love on them here, and being able to walk the hallways and know they’re safe is also a huge part of it/ What is the most rewarding part of your job? One thing that I love is growing young kids into young adults and seeing them walk across the stage. Being here four years now, this graduating class kind of came in with me, so seeing the growth that they’ve made from a personal standpoint — from their faith to their athletics to academics — that’s all the reward that I need.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Not necessarily a teacher, but a coach — Coach Jared Zito, my high-school coach, he really changed the game for me. I didn’t play football until I was a junior. He really taught me that football is more than just a sport. In my high school, it was a family atmosphere. That’s something that he preached from Day 1, and it really stuck with me. He really affected me, and I try to mimic some of the things that I do here from him. And also Coach (Dabo) Swinney while I was at Clemson. Coach Swinney is phenomenal guy. I was part of the regime as he got in and took over. … His faith, how he keeps that relevant in the programs and the way he carries himself is something that I’ve always taken with me.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? When I was a kid, I was a basketball guy. I played basketball all throughout when I was little and in high school … so the NBA was the gig back in the day. I (also) always wanted to be a police officer or just anything where I can help. I’m all about helping people, whether it’s kids or adults. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I was going to be helping in some way. What was your favorite book as a child? My favorite book that I read was probably “The Outsiders.” I felt that it related to the things I was going through in that time — my middle-school and early junior-high years — and then seeing the movies. That book has really stuck with me through the years. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Are time travel and freezing time superpowers? If I had that, it would be great, because I could go back and fix a lot of the things I messed up on in life. Also, with my kids, I could pause (time) and enjoy the different moments and things like that. — DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

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.

SHOW US YOUR

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Now is your turn in picking a winner. Which one is your favorite? Head over to OrangeObserver.com to vote. The voting period ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. The winning school will receive $2,500 from Healthy West Orange

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Foundation Academy expands footprint Foundation celebrated the groundbreaking of its Tilden campus expansion project. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

In 2007, Foundation Academy started something big when it opened its Tilden Road Upper School campus. Now, it’s time to continue the growth, said Luanne Lumpkins, the school’s director of advancement. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, school staff, students, donors and members of the community gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Foundation’s Tilden campus expansion. In late October, the Winter Garden City Commission approved the school’s master site plan. Over the next few years, Foundation plans to develop an additional 105,000 square feet as the second phase of its school buildout plan. This would consist of education buildings, a maintenance building, field house, cafeteria and additions to existing buildings. Currently, the focus is on expansion of the gym and a classroom building, as well as necessary infrastructure to support these additions in the future. That includes roads — including a new entrance out to Mann Road — and paved parking. The 13-year-old Tilden campus sits on 67 acres and currently serves about 450 students, Foun-

Danielle Hendrix

Carol Grosshans and Dave Buckles accepted a framed proclamation from Winter Garden Mayor John Rees.

dation Academy President Dave Buckles said. “About two-and-a-half years ago when we started seeing the growth not only in the community but also in our school, we had to plan how to deal with that growth,” Buckles said. “We started with an expansion of 19,000 square feet that will allow us to put 200-plus students in that area. We have modulars right now on our property that have to go away — it was under a special exception — so this expansion

will allow us to relocate those students plus enroll additional students. “What that allows us to do … is provide this Christ-centered education that allows kids to thrive … and also have the opportunity to excel at AP and dual enrollment classes,” he said. “The classroom expansion will be specialized-science based, so we’ll take our STEAM programs to the next level.” When complete, Foundation will have room for between 100

and 150 more students at the Tilden campus. The gym expansion will provide space for a brand-new, state-of-the-art weight room, Buckles said. With the relocation of the weight room, Foundation can expand its current locker rooms to better accommodate students. “In the future, as we go to build a cafeteria or fine-arts center or other classrooms, we won’t have to go through all of the permitting process and site-plan approvals … to build these buildings, because all of the roads, all of the parking will be in place,” he said. “That’s a big part of the project.” Working through the process — and in a pandemic, nonetheless — was nerve-wracking for Foundation’s administration. Student enrollment was a concern when COVID-19 hit, but Buckles said the school was fortunate that enrollment only dropped by about 3%. The school also is seeing record numbers of families inquiring and taking tours. Buckles added that none of this would be possible without Foundation’s families, community support and donors. “I came to Foundation Academy six years ago, and it was right on the tail end of the recession, and the economy was starting to rebound,” Buckles said. “I’ve

been a member of the church that our school is a ministry of for 20-plus years — I actually sat on the planning committee for this property as a church member. … I’m very passionate because I see what these kids get to experience by being a part of Foundation Academy and creating this culture. I find joy in seeing the joy. It’s really been exciting, and it’s been a lot of work.” Lumpkins told ceremony attendees that the groundbreaking and official start of construction is the culmination of years of hard work to realize Foundation’s dream to become a leading school in the area. “There is great untapped opportunity, and I … am sure the Lord has great things in store for us,” Lumpkins said. “While we are breaking ground here today, we are actually building a bridge to the future — pursuing unlimited possibilities and discovering untapped potential in our students, our teachers and each other.” Throughout the growth, Buckles said, Foundation Academy administrators and staff vow to never lose who they are as a school. “Most people say when they came to Foundation Academy they feel like it’s family, and that’s what we pride ourselves on,” he said. “So, as we look at growing, that’s my promise to our families and our future families. We will never lose that.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY DEC. 15, 1950 In the 1950s, it was common for medicinal advertisements to run in the Winter Garden Times each week. They promoted the cures for ailments such as vitamin deficiency, prickly heat, diaper rash, asthma and athlete’s foot. An ad in the Dec. 15, 1950, issue touted the benefits of Hadacol and suggested it would make a wonderful Christmas gift. Hadacol was patented as a vitamin supplement, but it contained 12% alcohol, listed on the bottle as a “preservative.”

75 years ago

L.A. Grimes, real estate and insurance agent, announced his new location at 34 E. Plant St. Ray Kennedy was associated with the firm. Citizens were able to get a peek at the new 1936 Ford V-8 at the local Ford dealer — $510 and up. Griffin Chevrolet Co., Winter Garden, was advertising the new Chevrolet for 1936 at $495.

65 years ago

Mrs. James McKey entertained the Wednesday afternoon Bridge Club with three tables playing.

50 years ago

The first shipment of ’71 cars since the GM strike settlement has rolled into John Lamb Chevrolet on State Road 50 in Winter Garden. Two of the original buildings at the old Windermere school site are in the process of being torn down as part of a modernization and beautification program.

45 years ago

Michael Hurley, of Windermere, and James McKey, of Winter Garden, were among the members of the Arthur and Hurley band appearing through Christmas at Walt Disney World’s Tomorrowland Terrace.

CROSSWORD

FROM THE ARCHIVES Oakland’s newer residents may be interested to know that the downtown district once rivaled Orlando in importance and commerce. The town was home to the Orange Belt Railway offices and shops, a hotel and boarding houses, a large drugstore, an opera house, and many shops and businesses — all arranged around the two blocks situated west of Oakland’s Historic Town Hall (constructed as the Bank of Oakland in 1912). Victorian homes, many still standing, were built along Oakland Avenue, and a wooden Presbyterian church stood on Tubb Street. The photograph shows wooden stores and offices that were located on the south side of what became West Petris Avenue; these burned and were replaced with brick structures beginning in 1912 — none of which survive today. The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, in collaboration with the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, will exhibit many more photographs and artifacts related to Oakland’s 125-year history when it opens to the public.

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. West Orange High School held its first Sports Banquet. Among the award recipients were Tom Lamb for outstanding defensive lineman and Byrd Ison for outstanding offensive lineman. Bill Cook, owner of Winter Garden Laundromat, was honored for his

contribution of washing all the football uniforms after every game.

30 years ago

The West Orange Wildcats took possession of the trophy of the local Pop Warner Dog and Cat Bowl, taking the win 115 Lacks 117 Aired again 118 Entered hastily 120 Monopoly game piece 122 ___-garde 123 Be able to make, as an owl call? 127 Chop into bits 128 Large Apple product 129 Name hidden in “sommelier” 130 Attacked by a bee 131 Church official 132 Dorothy’s dog 133 Phone downloads 134 Not to mention

OO7 by Steven E. Atwood; Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Crow’s nest support 5 Series of picture riddle books 9 Do taxing tasks 13 Senate hearing channel 18 Second stage at a theater? 20 Hawaiian food crop 21 “Go back one step” command 22 Viola’s lower relative 23 Leave the mall before becoming completely exhausted? 26 Provide gear for

27 Title of respect 28 Complete obscurity 29 Running back’s dive, say 30 Elastic fabric 32 Stairway with enough headroom for a tall person? 37 Ho-hum 38 Dusting cloths 40 More extensive 41 Fish get caught in them 42 Harvest goddess 44 :, in an analogy 46 “Measure twice, cut once,” e.g. 48 The one that got away? 50 Airline to Oslo

52 Penny value 57 Feelings of gloom 59 Wrapped, as an ankle 63 Wisdom tooth, for instance 64 ___ the baton 67 Swabs 69 Tennis star Djokovic 71 Call to mind 72 Nebraska metropolis 74 Henhouse histrionics? 76 Plains dwelling 77 Sites for grain stores 78 Whale food 79 Long part of a giraffe 81 Cardinal and crimson

82 How Dad may have the kids 83 Test for size 85 Working hours 87 Until the first pay raise 90 Profs’ helpers 92 “It’s over for me!” 96 Record player part 100 Fork-tailed seabird 102 Sacha Baron ___ 103 Amazes 107 Popular sans serif font 108 Like a canceled mission 110 Covenant 111 Products for horse breeders?

DOWN 1 The “m” of Einstein’s equation 2 He had a vulnerable heel 3 Plot development curve 4 Pointer 5 “___ never work!” 6 Proverbs 7 College administrators 8 “Wanna play poker?” 9 Complete a double play, in baseball lingo 10 Artist/activist Yoko 11 Swearing-in words 12 Hack (off) 13 Medium-sized battery 14 One of many on a flashy dress 15 Thrust quickly 16 Land like a bird 17 Sign that’s a phrase meaning “trample” backward 19 “Click ___ Ticket” 24 Vowel-shaped support 25 Hairstyles 31 Day on the set of a lowbudget film? 33 Lubricate 34 Like a job for a handyperson 35 Currency in Chihuahua 36 Comic actress Drescher 37 Pre-A.D. 39 What an accused player is ejected from in “Among Us” 43 Mineral spring 45 Granola bit

over the Ocoee Bulldogs. Downtown Winter Garden was the scene of a huge explosion — but it wasn’t cause for worry because it was merely a scene from the weekly television show “Superboy,” which was filming for a ratings sweep episode. 47 “I know you” 49 Horror film street 51 Neighborhood baseball venue 53 Reaction to a spill you want to keep secret? 54 Split to join together? 55 Bare 56 Forest obscurers for some 58 Curling or cycling 60 Spanish word before “favor” 61 “Dear ___ Hansen” 62 Knights’ counterparts 64 Suggest 65 Type of acid in a protein 66 Sprinkles, as a sidewalk 68 French for “evening” 70 Sound associated with making money 73 Nile dam site 75 Tissue layer 80 Middle Kardashian sister 84 Historic Turner 86 Antitrust agcy. 88 Not a hoax 89 Garr of “Tootsie” 91 “SOS!” 93 Tough for the babysitter to manage 94 Newspaper parts 95 Palindromic TV channel 97 Morse code sound 98 “... ___ me down to sleep” 99 Painter whose name means “the Greek” 101 Fruit of a flowering shrub 103 Vowel-shaped home 104 Flour-loving pest 105 Trip to the post office, say 106 Take on a global issue? 109 State named for a river 112 Prefix for “national” 113 No longer stylish 114 Actor ___ Jackson Jr. 116 Sugar-loving pests 119 They bear fawns 121 Therefore 123 Top 40 song 124 “I love,” in Latin 125 Vinification vessel 126 Grand Central, e.g. (Abbr.)

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.

“Z BUYLA’H WMKAR UAFDBLOL ZA HBL DMOGR DBLOL Z DUAH HM PL UGG HBL HZCL. HBL PLNH MW CF GZWL ZN HBL CMYZAI.” – NLUA XMAALOF “POHN’J NOX BVWYTXU PMNO ‘LXEXV’? MN DXXBJ ZWG KVWU NVZMLF. MN XLJGVXJ NOHN ZWG PMTT KHMT. XLC WK JNWVZ.”

– BOZTTMJ FXWVFX Puzzle Two Clue: B equals Y

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OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue:K equals U

SUDOKU

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1210-20

DECEMBER 10, 2020

SPORTS

HIGH

Foundation Academy’s Taylor Clayton is a three-sport athlete for the Lions. Page 16.

The West Orange Wildcats youth cheer program picked up a big honor Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championship at the Orange County Convention Center. The Wildcats Jr. Pee Wee team picked up the title in the YCADA PW 1 Non-Mount Cheer Junior Pee Wee Small Division, while the Wildcats Varsity team picked up the title in the YCADA PW 1 Non-Mount Cheer Varsity Small Division.

LAKER LEGACY Jacob Doss built up the Windermere Prep program from scratch, and now he’s undertaking a new business venture.

Windermere Prep girls basketball head coach Radhika Miller — in her first year with the program — earned her 200th victory as a head coach in the Lakers’ 37-32 win over Trinity Prep Friday, Dec. 4. The victory helped push the Lakers to a 3-1 start to the 2020-21 season.

For the last 11 years, Jacob Doss has built the Windermere Prep football program from the ground up. Now, he is stepping away and taking on a new era in his life. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

In the Foundation Academy girls soccer team’s 8-0 thrashing of Jones Friday, Dec. 4, Samantha Wall went off for four goals on the night to lead the Lions to victory. Teammate Alyvia Clark added two goals and an assist, while Avery Bangsund and Islanda Remy each had one goal and one assist.

Jamar Houston had a solid showing in the CFCA boys basketball team’s 76-67 win over Winter Park at the Rotary Tip-Off Classic Thursday, Dec. 3. The junior picked up 23 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots for the Eagles in a quarterfinal win. The Eagles eventually fell to Edgewater before beating West Orange in the thirdplace game.

In West Orange boys basketball’s 65-54 win over Mainland in the Rotary Tip-Off Classic Wednesday, Dec. 2, senior Mike McCalister picked up a double-double for the Warriors — scoring 17 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in the winning effort.

File photos

Doss started coaching at the age of 23 and since then has helped build a fundamentally strong program at the school.

hen Jacob Doss stepped off the football field following Windermere Prep’s 14-13 win over Legacy Charter, he knew he was going to get one more game. Or at least, that’s what he thought. That night — Friday, Nov. 6 — Doss was enjoying his team’s hardfought win while looking toward the following week’s playoff game against Bishop McLaughlin. He was expecting a tough game, but what he wasn’t expecting was for that cool night at Ocoee Bulldog Field to be his last in Laker red and blue. “I was not ready for the season (to end),” Doss said. “We were walking to practice when we got

the word that half of our team was going to be quarantined. That’s when it hit in — because we’re in playoffs, if you don’t play that game, you’re done. So right there it hit me that, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve coached my last game at Windermere Prep.’ “That’s why it was so heartbreaking for the kids — for me to share it with the kids that, ‘Hey, our season is over,’ and then a week later, I told them I’m not coming back,” he said. “So they had a double-whammy in a week, which was really tough for me to put on those kids. But at the same time, I say it all the time to these kids, ‘You guys are football players; there is no news that can break you.’” After 11 years of leading the program since its birth, Doss knew SEE DOSS PAGE 17

The Observer names all-area football teams TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

It’s been quite an adventure since the football season started in September. Throughout the season, several games in our coverage area were canceled, while some were shifted to allow games to played in a safe and timely manner. Despite the cancellations, rescheduling

of games and shortened season, teams in the Observer’s coverage area showed out. There were thrillers — such as West Orange’s overtime win over Apopka and Windermere Prep’s harrowing playoff victory over Legacy — and there were lopsided rivalries. There was also the return of hope to a once-proud program File photo

SEE GRIDIRON PAGE 16

Foundation’s Danny Stutsman dominated on both sides of the ball for the Lions.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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

Taylor Clayton Foundation junior Taylor Clayton stays incredibly busy as a threesport athlete for the Lions. Right now, Clayton — who just led the Lions in a win over Lake Mary Prep last week in the weight room — is balancing weightlifting, basketball and club volleyball.

When did you first get into weightlifting? Actually, I have only been doing weightlifting for a few weeks, and I got into it because Coach Christie suggested that I join the team, so I was like, “Why not?” She saw me squat for basketball, because I do weightlifting for basketball.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Foundation Academy GRADE: Junior AGE:16 SPORT(S): Girls weightlifting, basketball, volleyball

What’s it been like starting up in competitive weightlifting? It’s definitely different, because I never work out my arms usually — it’s always my legs — so it’s different to work on my arms. And my arms aren’t used to it, so a lot of times, they’re really sore, so I have to make sure that I’m lifting right and have the right form. Also, weightlifting is all about form, and I never really worked on that, so it’s a really interesting transition.

Foundation Academy head coach Brad Lord led the Lions to a regional title this season.

What’s it like balancing three different sports all at once? It’s really hard to balance all three sports, but I just have to make sure that I give equal time to each sport. My No.1 is volleyball, because I’ve been playing it the longest, and I just started doing basketball and weightlifting. I just have to make sure that I focus on every single one of them. Is there a highlight moment for you playing one of these sports? Probably when I was playing volleyball at Foundation Academy, because we made it to districts, and then we got to go to regionals — that was probably the highlight. It was really cool that I was part of a team that was going that far, and our team is really good, and we’re all close.

Which is your favorite event — the clean-and-jerk or benchpress? I like clean-and-jerk; I’m better at it than bench, and I haven’t really hit a max for clean-and-jerk yet — I just kind of add a few pounds each week whenever we do our meet, so that’s my favorite. What has been your favorite thing about weightlifting? I think my favorite part is going against everyone competitively. It’s like an individual and a team sport, so not only am I doing it for my team, but I’m also doing it for myself, so I can always set goals every week. My least favorite part is form, because I just started learning form, so I have to really focus on it to make sure I do it right.

You still have another year of high school, but do you hope to participate at the collegiate level? Possiblyweightlifting for college, but right now, I’m really focusing on volleyball — I’m creating highlights, and I’m going to start going to showcases. I really want to play D1 at UF — that’s my goal — but of course, I’d be happy with D2 or D3. — TROY HERRING

Gridiron greats honored CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

at West Orange and a record year at Foundation Academy. The following is the Observer’s first-ever All-Area Teams for football. COACH OF THE YEAR Brad Lord, Foundation Academy; runner-up, Mike Granato, WOHS

Victory Christian always had been a thorn in the side of Foundation Academy, but this year, the Lions and head coach Brad Lord found redemption in a hard-fought victory to claim the school’s first regional title. Lord has truly turned the program into one of the area’s premier powers.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Danny Stutsman, Foundation Academy; runner-up, Wilkerson St. Juste, CFCA

Foundation Academy is a team loaded in talent, but a team only can go as far as its leader can take them. In this case, the Lions were in good hands with senior Danny Stutsman. The Oklahoma commit did just about everything on both sides of the ball. He racked up more than 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air, and picked up 17 touchdowns. On defense, he racked up 78 total tackles, five sacks and two interceptions.

COMEBACK TEAM OF THE YEAR West Orange High

The last few years have not been kind to the West Orange football program. The school saw three coaches come and go in as many years — creating instability and questions. But now, under first-year head coach Mike Granato, the Warriors are on their way up after finishing 6-4 and recording the program’s first playoff win in five years.

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OrangeObserver.com

Doss steps down

Doss is excited for the change. He gets to spend more time with his young son, Jackson, as well as Jessica, who is pregnant with their second child. But just because Doss is no longer in football doesn’t mean it is far from his mind. The others at Mia Share Inc. have caught on to the football metaphor speak Doss often utilizes during meetings and conversation. It’s something he just can’t not do, Doss said. It’s also why, despite no longer leading the program, there is a good chance if you make it out to a Lakers football game in the future, you will find Doss in the stands cheering on the program that has long been part of his extended family. “Now, I get the chance to see my boys play,” Doss said. “I told them I’m going to be the biggest fan — I’m going to be the loudest one at the games next year when I watch them. Whoever the new head coach is is just coming into an awesome program. I’m still going to be involved in their lives — I told them, ‘Whether you want me or not, I’m still going to be there.’”

(David Moore) and Paisley Blackburn; son, Jeffrey (Rebecca Houghton); stepdaughters, Lorraine Cerruli and Lynne Mitchell; grandchildren, Ashley McWilliams, Tia Holzworth, Ryder Dixon and Sapphira Tharp; sisters, Pamela LoPiano and Wendy Sullivan (Renee’ Kristol); and niece, Jennifer Gillespie (Christopher). She is predeceased by her parents, James Sullivan and Dorothy Sileo; her son, Jimmy; and grandson, Justin McWilliams. A celebration of life is being planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Due to safety concerns surrounding COVID-19, only immediate family will be attendance.

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Doss remembers the moment when the reality of being a football coach hit. It was 2009, and at age 23, he was standing in front of parents and players at a parent interest meeting after he was hired by Athletic Director Danny Haney. Haney had served as Doss’ high school athletic director. To add to the moment, Doss wasn’t just coaching a football program — he was helping bring one to life. “I grew up with these boys; I grew up with this program,” Doss said. “And then a year later, I met my wife — she was a teacher at the school — and we just kind of went all-in with building this program. And obviously, I hired a staff, and those guys were with me forever, and the administration couldn’t be more supportive.” For Doss, meeting his wife, Jessica, was the biggest highlight moment of his many years at Windermere Prep, and the National Signing Day events always rank among his favorite. On the field, fewer moments stand out more than that first game — and first win — all those years ago. “I had tears in my eyes, and it was crazy,” Doss said. “I played at The Swamp in my sophomore year of college — played in front of 90,000 people — and I was more nervous for that first game that we played at Peniel Baptist in Palatka. … I think there were 25 people at that game, but I was more nervous for that.” Since then, Doss has coached more than

A NEW ERA

Gail Sullivan Mitchell, 79, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, Florida. Gail was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, prior to moving to Florida in 1967. She was a Homemaker. Gail lived for her family. In August 1966, she met Jim, the love of her life, at a “Parents without Partners” meeting in Stamford, Connecticut. They married after a mere 12 days of dating, celebrating 54 years of togetherness on Aug. 31, 2020. Being a mother to her four children was the ultimate joy for Gail; with the addition of grandchildren, her life was complete. She enjoyed celebrating holidays and family get-togethers. As she and Jim settled into their golden years, Gail developed a passion for reading books on the Royal Family, Hollywood “everything,” politics and Publix cheesecake. Gail is survived by her loving husband, Jim; daughters, Jamie McWilliams

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100 games for the Lakers — and for a time served as the athletic director — and has collected many wins throughout the years. And it didn’t take long for that success to kick for his budding program. In 2014, the Lakers went a perfect 10-0 and won the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. They followed that with 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, as well as a 9-1 season in 2018.

DIED FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 2020.

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he needed something new to do, and the time to do it was now. In addition to coaching football, Doss has a degree in finance from the University of Wyoming — where the Kentucky native also played on the football team — and now is working remotely as the director of partnerships at Mia Share Inc., a tech startup based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that helps students find the financial means to go to school. “I’m at that point in my career where I can go all-in coaching or try something new for a little bit and see what happens, and see if I like it and if it’s something I’m interested in,” Doss said. “Football isn’t going anywhere — football is going to be here — and I can always jump back into it, but I don’t know if I can always jump back in going into what my degree was in.”

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

Thursday, December 10, 2020

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

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Willie J. Fulmore Owner

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from hom Your pet’s home away ty

301015

Full LAMIN y In stall ATE ed F rom

. ft.

9 / sq

Ins

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-FAMILY OWNED &

$...

PET

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Three Business Card Sizes to choose from:

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AUTO SERVICE

AIR CONDITIONING

LV11098

301035

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301014

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

298995

341599

102 W. McKey Street Historic Downtown Ocoee www.LetItGoLifestyle.com (407) 797-3534

UPGRADES & REPAIRS

a unique no-cage facili boarding daycare and overnight

(407) 654-8885

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