10.06.22 Southwest Orange Observer

Ocoee postal

BATTERED, NOT BROKEN

Hurricane Ian caused power outages, downed trees and flooding in West Orange. But, it could have been much worse. SEE PAGES 4-7A.

OFF TO A FAST

Orchard Park assisted-living

his first year as a race car driver, Windermere Prep student Aidan Kenny won

Porsche Sprint Challenge

Courtesy of Robert Smith

lines in Windermere were destroyed.

Photos by Michael Eng

Above: Damage along Summerlake Park Boulevard included destroyed street signs.

Town of Windermere police have blocked off Main Street at Park Avenue.

Ocoee commission approves extension for assisted-living facility

Despite HOA concerns regarding parking, Orchard Park received approval to go from five beds to 10.

The Ocoee City Commission approved a special exception for the expansion of Orchard Park assistedliving facility from five beds to 10.

The property, at 2755 Grapevine Crest, currently is developed with a single-family residence, which owners Michael and Reshma Singh have been utilizing as an assistedliving facility serving five residents since 2006.

The Singhs already received the approval of licensing from the state to operate as a 10-bed facility.

The only concern addressed at the meeting was related to parking, about which the neighborhood’s homeowners association had already contacted the commission prior to the meeting.

However, after speaking with residents further, the commission moved to approve the petition unanimously.

IN OTHER NEWS

n The commission read a proclamation declaring Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month to encourage Ocoee residents to honor the diversity of the Hispanic community and celebrate the myriad ways in which it contributes to the country and the society.

n The commission approved unanimously items on the consent agenda. These included the approval of a road closure for the Lux and Low Toys for Tots Car Show that will take place Sunday, Dec. 18; the approval of a road closure for the police department to host a National Night Out that will allow the community to enhance its relationship with law enforcement; and the approval for the extension of the school resource officer agreement with Orange

County Public Schools.

n The commission heard the first reading of an ordinance for the re zoning of Covington Oaks — a 9.94acre property located on the north side of A.D. Mims Road and west of North Apopka Vineland Road, from general agriculture and low-density residential to single-family dwelling. The second reading and public hear ing was scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4, after press time.

n The commission heard the first reading of an ordinance for the re zoning of Ocoee Oaks Joint Venture — a 12.59-acre property located on the northeast corner of the South Clarke Road and White Road inter section, from general agriculture and low-density residential to single family dwelling. The second reading and public hearing was scheduled

for Tuesday, Oct. 4, after press time.

n The commission denied resident Jose Romero a variance request in which he petitioned permission to reduce the front building setback from 25 feet to 6 feet to provide room for the installation of a carport about 19 feet inside of the maximum setback of an existing single-family home.

n

The commission approved an alcohol distance waiver for Inspiration Planned Unit Development and special overlay areas. The ordinance associated to the waiver required a business serving alcohol that is not associated with a restaurant not to be located within 1,000 feet of a school property or 1,000 feet to the door of a church.

The commission approved Phase II East of the 429 Business Center located on the west side of Ocoee Apopka Road.

The property consists of 11.23 acres of undeveloped land and is currently zoned I-1 — light industrial. This project will consist of a flex warehouse development that will total 126,402 square feet of leasable space.

The site would include two access points off Ocoee-Apopka Road — one through a new east-west road along the north side of the property that would include a 50-foot rightof-way.

The commission also approved Phase II West of the 429 Business Center, which consists of three parcels of 5.58 acres located on the east side of Pine Street. Those parcels currently are developed for single-family residential uses for the preliminary stage of the project. This site totals 70,720 square feet of leasable space in a single building and is part of the development for the 429 Business Center Phase II East project.

The site proposes two access points off Pine Street and, according to the conditions for approval for the small scale comprehensive plan and rezoning of the property, industrial and commercial traffic and vehicles will not utilize Pine Street.

“This home is impeccable; any thing that I would’ve looked that, they’ve met,” the Singhs’ neighbor Kathy

and

making, how they got

nurse consultant, said. “Not only did they meet, but they’ve been able to tell me what else they are planning

where they are and the things that they worry about with their resi dents. This is not a family home; this is a family.”

ANDREA

Waterleigh residents chime in on park amenities

A park is planned in the Horizon West neighborhood, and Orange County is giving folks a chance to share what they want to see included.

UPCOMING MEETING

The second public meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Waterleigh Clubhouse, 16150 Pebble Bluff Loop, Winter Garden.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Orange County’s Parks and Recreation Department held the first of two community meetings to allow residents in the Waterleigh neighborhood to give input on what amenities they want to see in their new community park.

FINAL DELIVERY

carrier Kathy Marlow

three

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Kathy Marlow’s postal route in Ocoee has always been more than a job for her. It has been a way of making connections and a difference in the community she served for 28 years with the Ocoee Post Office. Her last day was Sept. 29.

She delivered letters, bills, pack ages and other mail to customers in nearly eight neighborhoods — Westyn Park, Willows on the Lake, Parkside, Coventry, Richfield Cove, Waterside and Johio Bay; half of The Reserve; and a few single homes along Johio Shores Drive. But also she forged friendships, became the official Santa Claus letter writer, organized fundraisers for people in need and served as A Night to Shine prom buddy for the son of a longtime customer.

The announcement of Marlow’s retirement came as a disappointment to the residents on her route — including a few to whom she has delivered from the start. She has a stack of retirement and goodbye cards from her customers, and she keeps on her refrigerator school pictures and family Christmas cards through the years.

“When I started, I probably had maybe three neighborhoods … but I have seen subdivisions build from start to finish,” Marlow said. “I’ve watched couples move into the house, they’re married, they have children, and now their children are grown. You figure 28 years … I have a section on my refrigerator here — a couple of families on my route, Christmas cards and photos and stuff. I was out for foot surgery one year, and (the customer) brought her kids to see me.”

Marlow was hired in 1994 for a part-time position as a rural letter carrier substitute. There were two routes at the time; now there are 10.

A TYPICAL DAY

The first business of the day for letter carriers is to check their vehicle for safety, and then they start gathering the flat mail — letters, bills, magazines and newspapers— and sorting them by customer address. After those are loaded in the vehicle, the packages go in.

“Ever since COVID, there are so many more packages,” Marlow said of the increase in online shopping.

“One guy, on his route, (delivers) 400 to 500 packages a day. He has to make

the same rural neighborhood

Ocoee

two and three trips.”

Marlow especially enjoyed deliver ing the good news: the birthday and anniversary cards, wedding invita tions, and birth announcements.

“You really were a part of their family; you get to know the kids,” she said. “You see the birthday cards coming in. … You might see them out walking, ‘Oh I’m looking for my dog.’”

In all her years with the post office, she had only one bad incident involving a dog, she said. In March, a customer opened his door and the dog, weighing about 60 pounds, went straight for Marlow, biting her on the chest and leg and scratching her leg.

“It probably took a couple of months for me — if I heard a dog bark, I was on high alert,” she said.

The most unusual piece of mail she delivered was a coconut.

“Just a coconut with an address,” she said with a laugh.

She also made a mess of one delivery that wasn’t properly sealed.

“We delivered a lot of Walmart packages, and they aren’t packaged very well, and by the time I got this

one package to the door, it had ripped open (and the contents mixed),” she said. “There was dog food and flour and soap detergent all in one box.”

There are some customers along the route that make even the worst days better. Among them is her longtime friend, Keaton Royal, a young boy with special needs who has grown up and now is about 31. Marlow has attended A Night to Shine at Family Church as Royal’s buddy for several years.

“I never had the nerve to tell him I was going to retire,” she admitted. “This is what makes it hard to retire. And then it’s hard when you get close to somebody and they pass away. That’s a heartbreaker. I had another couple celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and they invited me to their renewal of their marriage vows.”

SPECIAL DELIVERY

About 15 years ago, Marlow noticed some letters from children to Santa Claus. She put them on her supervisor’s desk, assuming someone was responding to the Christmas lists.

“One year after Christmas, I looked in the trash can, and it was full of letters,” she said. “I was devastated.”

She vowed the next year would be different. She designated a tray for Santa letters and asked the carriers to write down the addresses from which they came so she could respond to them. There are about 50 each year. Marlow printed the form letters, added the children’s names and signed Santa’s name. Eventually, she added some stickers and candy canes to sweeten the delivery.

One heartwarming letter has stayed in Marlow’s mind ever since she read it, and she said it was the only time she felt compelled to step in to help. A girl living with her grand mother wrote Santa and said her grandmother was ill, they didn’t have much money and there wouldn’t be any presents Christmas morning.

Marlow said she and her postmas ter bought gifts and secretly dropped them off for the grandmother.

“I don’t really think she asked for anything,” Marlow said. “She was concerned for her grandmother’s health. … I was like, ‘We’ve got to get this girl something.’ They still live there, and now the girl is a teenager.”

Marlow often made deliveries of another kind, too. She was known for her big pot of sausage gravy and biscuits and her crock pot of white chicken chili, as well as her holiday banana bread.

When she announced her retirement, several employees asked if they still will receive their loaf in December.

Her compassion and food sharing has extended beyond the post office walls, and for years she collected money from employees to buy up to 30 holiday meals for some of the lessfortunate families in Ocoee. Carriers distributed the food at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

She has been known to organize fundraisers as well, including one for a carrier diagnosed with cancer and for a friend whose home in Ocoee was struck by lightning.

This summer, Marlow was on the receiving end of generosity when coworkers threw her a retirement party. Her plans are to continue volunteer ing at her granddaughter’s elemen tary school, she wants to spend more time with her elderly parents, and she and husband Ron are making plans to travel, with a trip to St. Thomas in the near future.

The community on Atwater Bay Drive in Horizon West’s Village H is getting a five-acre park near land designated for a future elementary school west of the intersection of Atwater Bay and Lost Creek Drive. A landscape architect with Orange County presented the possibilities based on the topography and size of the land.

The meeting, held in the Waterleigh Clubhouse Sept. 21, was well attended, and residents offered a variety of ideas, including a community garden, sensory playground and a viewing spot for Walt Disney World fireworks.

A PowerPoint presentation showed potential park amenities, including a playground, picnic pavilion, paved walking paths, a large multipurpose field, fitness area, dog park, mini skate park, sand volleyball, and tennis and half-court basketball courts.

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said she is going to coordinate with Orange County Public Schools to hold a separate community meeting after residents shared concerns about the park’s proximity to the future elementary school and the increased traffic and parking needs.

An amenities survey will remain open until Oct. 10. Residents can access the survey at surveymonkey. com/r/WaterleighPark.

The second public meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Waterleigh Clubhouse, 16150 Pebble Bluff Loop, Winter Garden.

A master plan should be created in 2023, with the design phase continuing in 2024. Construction is expected to start in late 2024 and last about 15 months. The park is projected to open in early 2026.

Amy Quesinberry

Kathy

Courtesy

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

Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com

Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com

Staff Writer / Andrea Mujica, amujica@OrangeObserver.com

Staff Writer / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com

Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com

Ian’s aftermath

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STATEMENT OF

PUBLIC NOTICES

West Orange

WEST ORANGE TIMES

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Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

BY THE OBSERVER STAFF

For many West Orange and Southwest Orange residents, life had returned to normalcy less than a week after Hurricane Ian rumbled through the community.

The storm, which barreled into Cayo Costa as a Category 4 hurricane, tore across the state Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 29. Locally, residents began feeling Ian’s wrath in the late afternoon of Sept. 28, through the morning of Sept. 29.

In an update Sept. 28, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings told residents wind and flooding both would post significant risks.

“We have some bad news, obviously,” Demings said. “We know that … our county is now centrally within the crosshairs of Hurricane Ian, and that is going to pose some significant challenges for us.

“We expect to receive as much as 2 feet of rainfall within our county,” Demings said. “That means we are going to have some localized flooding … and likely is going to impact numerous areas.”

For the most part, West Orange and Southwest Orange communities were spared. The town of Windermere sustained the most significant damage, with fallen trees downing power lines and blocking most of the ways in and out of town.

WINDERMERE

Windermere town staff and the Windermere Police Department took to the streets Sept. 29 to conduct an initial damage inspection. Although the town had a significant amount of power lines and trees down with multiple road closures, home structures and parks with damage, and widespread power loss, Town Manager Robert Smith said there were no reports of injuries or deaths, which is key.

Windermere resident Tiffany

Regalado, who lives in the Keene’s Pointe area, said although Ian was the worst hurricane she had ever experi enced in 37 years in Florida, there was no major damage to the area.

“When you look at what happened down south, we have a lot to be grateful for,” she said.

Regalado said she and her family spent the weekend picking up debris, and although the family experienced no loss of power, others in the neigh borhood did.

Smith said two major trunk lines for the town — one at Sixth Avenue and one at Lake Butler Boulevard and Main

Street — were impacted and took out almost the entire town’s power.

Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien said the town is focused on its response goals of rapid re-establishment of town-critical lifelines and repair of infrastructure and services.

“While our community has experienced significant impacts, we are most concerned about the catastrophic damages, suffering and loss of life that we all know occurred to our fellow Floridians in Southwest Florida,” O’Brien said.

Although the town is currently still working on clean-up efforts and restoring power to all residents, Smith said, the town hopes to be back to normal operations by the end of next week.

“The biggest resource we need right now is patience from our residents,” Smith said. “We weren’t the only ones impacted; pretty much the entire state was impacted by this major hurricane. So we’re working with our contractors, we’re working with our public works staff, our police department and internal staff to make

IAN CLOSES OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE

The Oakland Nature Preserve is closed until further notice because of storm damage.

“The majority (of damage) out here is large trees that have gone down,” ONP Director Jennifer Hunt said. “We have some that are in very precarious locations — i.e., over trails. We have half an oak tree hanging over the amphitheater. We had a massive laurel oak take out our storage shed. We had volunteers who were able to empty out as much as they could on Saturday. We’ll have to have that removed and somehow replaced.”

The top part of an oak tree fell onto the animal enclosure, but no animals were in the area.

“All of our mammals go off property during the storms,” Hunt said. “All of our reptiles and amphibians and invertebrates are hunkered down in the classroom for safekeeping.”

ONP will have to replace the roof and a few rafters.

Volunteers also helped clear the trails Saturday.

There was no damage to the boardwalk, and one of the covered pavilions was cracked. A floating dock broke away and was found in the cove just west of the preserve; a board member used his boat to retrieve it.

A majority of the cleanup work has been cutting up the trees that fell onto the boardwalk, Hunt said. The work is taking place this week, so the preserve is closed until that is completed.

Hunt said she hopes to reopen to the community by Oct. 10, but it will depend on the pace of the cleanup efforts.

ONP has a $15,000 matching grant in progress, so all monetary donations made will be doubled.

To donate, visit oaklandnaturepre serve.org or send a check to ONP, P.O. Box 841, Oakland, FL 34760.

Photos by Observer staff

One of the roadways in the Lakes of Windermere community in Horizon West was completely blocked by water.

Courtesy of Bill Martini

Windermere resident Bill Martini’s dock was destroyed during the storm.

This fence along New Independence Parkway near Hamlin toppled.

Courtesy

One of ONP’s floating docks had to

sure everything is cleaned up.”

As of noon Monday, Oct. 3, 99% of electrical power had been re-estab lished, all main roadways were open, and secondary trees and roadways had been prioritized for clearing.

All town parks are closed until public works staff can conduct a safety inspection to assess and repair any damages to docks, playground equipment, fences and other infrastructure.

Windermere Police Chief David Ogden said he is particularly grateful for Duke Energy and its contractors for working to get the major power lines restored.

“The town is up and running thanks to the great teamwork between the energy companies and our town vendors,” Ogden said. “There is still clean-up and work to be done, and we should feel blessed when we see the devastation of our Florida families elsewhere. We offer our prayers to those in (Southwest) Florida who were devastated. This is a time for others to step up and be the community we all want to be.”

The chief said the town has been urging boaters to respect the “No Wake Lake” zone.

“Water levels are extremely high; docks are still underwater,” he said. “Wakes from boats are causing more damage.”

The chief also said public boat ramps are closed in the county and the town of Windermere.

O’Brien said one of the major factors in the progress of town recovery was the ability to have town staff and police remain within town during the storm.

“With the completion of our new town facilities, all essential staff were available to respond to emergency calls and compile damage reports in real time,” he said. “This allowed us to assess damages and bring in required contractors and staff much quicker than in past storms.”

WINTER GARDEN

A few miles away, Winter Garden residents and city officials endured power outages and downed trees.

Most of north Winter Garden was without power Thursday, Mayor John Rees said. Some weren’t restored until Sunday, Oct. 2.

“We have some trees down (in) Courtlea Oaks, (on) Avalon Road, North Main Street,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of water, Hyde Park has got some … flooding issues, Ninth and (West Colonial Drive) did. We rode around, and retention ponds are full.

“After seeing what happened down south, I think we are blessed,” Rees said. “We got what you would expect.”

In the days preceding the hurricane, the city was in preparation mode.

“The city has its checklist, and we just go through everything,” Rees said.

Crews made sure any loose debris was picked up ahead of time and retention ponds were at low levels,

HELPING THE HOMELESS

The Matthew’s Hope homeless ministry opened a safe shelter for about 65 people Sept. 28 and 29 at its West Orange location. Matthew’s Hope President Scott Billue said some stayed both nights, others stayed the first night only, and some stayed Thursday night after dealing with heavy winds and rain the night before.

“We set them up just like we did for the winter shelter,” Billue said. “We put them in the outreach center and lined them up. You line them up and put down bedding, and they sleep — and they’re safe and they’re warm.”

The local organization serves about 1,300 homeless folks weekly, Billue said, so that means a majority of them stayed out in the storm with their belongings. Many remained at their camps, because they couldn’t bring their pets with them.

“They’re so worried about losing what little they have, and they lose it anyway, and it’s dangerous,” he said.

The high winds destroyed many of the tents, and the rainwater ruined sleeping bags.

“We blew through a ton of resources,” Billue said. “By the time we fed everyone and made sure they had everything they needed, we probably spent an extra $10,000.”

Playa Pizza in Horizon West donated more than 30 pounds of bread to help feed the people staying in the safe shelter, and community members left food, clothing, hygiene items, blankets and towels.

“As far as the properties, we came out pretty good — just some downed limbs and really soggy land,” Billue said of its transitional houses.

Hurricane Ian further emptied the organization’s resources.

“We’re spending $15,000 to $20,000 every time we open our doors, and that’s without a storm,” Billue said.

To make a monetary donation, visit matthewshopeministries.org.

Donations of canned goods, hygiene products and other staples can be dropped off at 611 Business Park Blvd., Suite 101, Winter Garden.

Join Us in Celebrating Public

NATURAL GAS WEEK

P

ublic Natural Gas Week, Oct. 2–8, is fast approaching, and every year around this time, we at Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) look forward to celebrat ing it as a nationwide observance that highlights the many benefits of natural gas and the value of having a public natural gas utility in our community.

As such, we are dedicating this week to sharing with our commu nity the unmatched advantages of natural gas and the cost benefits of natural gas appliances.

For example, did you know that natural gas is the cleanest-burn ing fossil fuel available? (Source: Forbes) It is an odorless mixture of simple hydrocarbon com pounds, usually found deep in underground reservoirs.

A commonly sought-after benefit of natural gas is that chefs (pro fessional and amateur home cooks alike) have access to instant heat and have better control over tem peratures, helping them to cook their dishes evenly and to perfec tion. Our customers also enjoy the convenience and reliability of being able to tap into their energy supply whenever needed – even when there is an electric outage Natural gas also saves our customers money by doubling appliance efficiency – putting an average of $800 back into their pockets annually, as compared to those who solely use electricity.

With energy efficiency also in the spotlight following the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (Oct. 5 is Energy Efficiency Day), it’s important to note that energy efficiency is better realized with an energy mix of natural gas and electric, instead of a sole source.

As the premier natural gas pro vider in Apopka, Clermont, and Winter Garden, we at LANGD prioritize quality service and cus tomer satisfaction, which means we maintain a close relationship with the community we serve each and every day.

Since 1959, we have strived to be a “good neighbor,” all while earning top industry honors, and devel oping new and innovative ways to support our customers. As an American Public Gas Association Gold System Overall Achievement Recognition Award recipient, the safe and reliable delivery of natu ral gas is the number one priority of every LANGD employee.

Transparency is also a priority of ours. That’s why with the recent increase in natural gas prices around the world, we want our customers to know that resulting rises in their utility bill are caused by the increased need for natural gas supply as we support our Eu ropean partners and inflation. We are aware of this global issue and welcome any questions you may have about your bill because of it.

To our customers, we thank you for supporting us, and as we look forward to continuing our ser vice to you, we hope you join us in supporting natural gas as an invaluable energy source for our communities.

To help celebrate Public Natural Gas Week, we invite all members of the community to stop by one of our three office locations from Monday, Oct. 3, through Friday, Oct. 7, to enjoy refreshments, pick up a 2023 calendar and learn more about the benefits of natural gas.

Ian no match for community’s compassion

In the pages surrounding this one, you’ll find images of destruction: toppled trees, downed power lines, flooded streets. You’ve likely driven down roads covered in a carpet of debris —and maybe even had to navigate your way through a few nasty days without power.

Throughout my career in Flori da news, I’ve covered my share of storms: Gabrielle just days after 9/11; 2004’s four-storm fiasco; of course 2017’s Hurricane Irma; and now Hurricane Ian. I’ve seen plenty of devastation, of course.

But it’s not what I remember.

Images and anecdotes of hero ism, compassion, encouragement and the unyielding power of decency and kindness in the face of tragic circumstances never cease to amaze me. And just like the aftermath of previous storms, they were plentiful this week.

For me, the first came in the morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 29. As I headed out to survey and photograph damage, I turned onto Wild Myrtle Court in Winder mere. Two houses in, a tree had been toppled, taking out power to the entire block with it.

Are you from the power company? a voice called out to me as I snapped photos.

No, sorry, I responded. I’m just with the Observer covering the storm.

So, do you want to see a dock completely underwater?

Christine and Timothy Bryan then led me to their backyard, where their dock barely peeked out from the surface of the water.

As I was leaving, Christine brought me a bag of avocados. The storm had done some natural harvesting, and she had plenty to spare.

Facing their own crisis — no power, a downed tree, a sunken dock — the Bryans were in great spirits. And they were quick to

share their unexpected avocado bounty with a stranger who had just appeared with a camera. A small gesture, but consider my heart warmed.

Later that day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared photos I will never forget. Although most of West Orange and Southwest Orange were spared from significant dam age, the Orlo Vista neighborhood — just east of our coverage area — wasn’t so lucky. In the same moments I was receiving avoca dos from the Bryans, the OCSO Emergency Response Team was evacuating Orlo Vista residents after their neighborhood suffered significant flooding.

The photos are as dramatic as they come — with officers trudg ing through feet of murky, oily water to get to the homes. There’s one of an officer carrying a dog to safety; another of a group hoisting a man into their rescue vehicle.

But my favorite image is a rescued resident in mid-laugh as he sits across from three officers — also smiling — in the rescue vehicle. I like to imagine that all

hearts are full in that moment. That goodness and kindness led to this moment. That the circum stances — no matter how dra matically they breach your home — are no match for what we can do together.

Even before the storm arrived, Windermere High Band Direc tor Rob Darragh was called to duty with the U.S. Army National Guard and has been assisting with relief efforts ever since. Still, he’s made sure to communicate assignments to his marching band students through social media.

And just this week, we learned Horizon West’s Playa Pizza donated food to Matthew’s Hope to help the organization care for West Orange’s homeless residents. Amazing stuff. Simply amazing.

In the days and weeks that fol low, there will be challenges. But our community has faced chal lenges before, and we’ve emerged stronger. We will do so again.

To those who have so selflessly given their time and resources: Thank you for being the heroes we need in this time.

To those who need help: Ask! If

WANT TO HELP?

Horizon West Neighbors Help ing Neighbors is working with Orlando Health, Central Florida Jobs for Justice and the Orange County Classroom Teachers As sociation to collect donations for distribution to families impacted by Hurricane Ian.

A drive-thru/drop-off event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital, 17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden; and My Neighborhood Storage Center, 1516 Sweet Grove Lane, Winter Garden.

Requested items include: charcoal for grills; disposable diapers; baby wipes; personal hygiene products; canned non-perishables; bread; peanut butter; jelly; water; first-aid kits; flashlights; lanterns; batteries; Ziploc bags; and toiletries.

you don’t know who to ask, let me know — meng@orangeobserver. com. We’ll make a connection.

Stay strong, West Orange. We got this.

Rees said. The police and fire chiefs briefed their individual staffs. The city handed out 27,000 filled sand bags to residents.

“We went down to tell them thank you, and they were in good spirits and people were in good spirits,” Rees said of the employees and residents at the sandbag handout location.

“I’ve gotten several phone calls and emails saying they were thankful for the city,” he said.

Early Thursday morning, city crews were out cleaning up branches and other debris out of the streets.

“The (city) itself came through this certainly better than expected, but they were well prepared for this,” Rees said. “They worked right up until (Wednesday) into the night and back at it this morning riding around and checking. … It’s everybody working together.”

HORIZON WEST

By far, the most concerning issue in Horizon West also was the most predictable — flooding on Reams Road.

In anticipation of problems on the road, Orange County officials closed the road Wednesday, Sept. 28, from Bay Court to the Disney parking lot.

Following Ian, portions of Reams were, indeed, underwater, including the three-way intersection at Reams, Ficquette and Summerlake Park Boulevard. Developer Dream Finders Homes has cleared land at that intersection for a future home project. That clearing was flooded even before Ian’s arrival.

Following the storm, District Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson and officials from the county’s Public Works depart ment visited Reams Road.

Wilson posted on Twitter of the road’s flooding: “A predictable outcome when you build roads through wetlands. Stop fighting Mother Nature! Her power will always be greater than your engineering standards.”

Other than Reams Road, Horizon West residents were spared from Ian’s wrath. Many never lost power, and damage in the community was minimal.

Similarly,

“Even with all the wind, we were lucky,” Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said. “Our city is pretty good at keeping things up, so that’s why we are in better shape.”

“The city was blessed very well,” Fire Chief Thomas Smothers said. “We survived the storm a lot better than some of the previous storms that we’ve had.”

Most of the storm damage to the city includes fallen branches and a few fallen trees

“They are working already, it’s happening,” Johnson said of the cleanup efforts. “(It will) take a week or two to get around the whole city.”

There were no flooding incidents reported within the city limits.

“They’ve done some work … to try to improve the drainage and so forth in the city,” Smothers said. “Some of those areas that we had problems in the past — we didn’t have any flooding, so the retention ponds and everything that’s been put in place has done its job here as storms pertains.”

Ocoee resident Rachel Battaglia, who has been living in the city for 17 years, said she got worried through the night because of the heavy winds of the storm. Her house has a big tree right in front that, if it fell, could’ve caused a lot of damage to her family’s home.

“It got pretty rough (that) night,” she said. “We were worried about the big tree but thankfully it held strong. … We are just kind of starting to get stuff picked up and move on.”

The biggest report during the storm was of a house located on Lakewood Street, across Ocoee Elementary, that caught fire.

Smothers is working to provide a complete report on the state of the house with the help of the fire mar shal.

Johnson checked in with Ocoee res idents through Facebook right after the storm passed.

“Everybody was prepared,” Smoth ers said. “(It) shows that we’ve been through this a few times and we’ve learned what to do and being pre pared.”

OAKLAND Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark said the town fared well in the hurricane and

experienced fewer power outages in this storm than in previous storms.

The biggest issue in Oakland is the Oakland-Tildenville Cemetery, just north of West Colonial Drive. Nearly half of the gravesites were underwater Thursday morning, Sept. 29, and a large tree separating the cemetery and the Longleaf at Oakland subdivision had fallen onto headstones, as well.

This cemetery experienced similar flooding two years ago during a heavy rainstorm — and Pulte Homes, which had recently built the Longleaf at Oakland subdivision, put three large pumps in the cemetery to get rid of

the water that covered dozens of gravesites.

Pulte Group released a statement:

“Our sympathies go out to the fam ilies impacted by the record flooding at the Oakland Cemetery following heavy rainfall from Hurricane Ian, a storm that has been characterized as a historic and catastrophic weather event. Keeping with our commit ment to preserving this historic site and being a good neighbor in the com munity, we continue to help (Florida Department of Transportation) with mitigation efforts to lessen the impact of this devastating natural disaster.”

The town does not own the ceme tery; the property is owned and oper ated by a cemetery association.

Oakland’s public works and police department staff were available Wednesday night to handle any emergencies that arose around town.

Public Works Director Mike Parker and Steve Thomas, director of police services, drove around town Thursday morning to assess any damage and reported very little.

“The town’s water and sewer sys tems operated without issue,” said Elisha Pappacoda, administrative services and communications direc

tor. “All town-owned retention ponds operated as expected.”

She said one tree was uprooted and one power line was down.

“There are branches and significant leaf debris in the streets,” Pappacoda said. “A crew will begin cleanup of major roadways (Friday) morning.”

The town contracts with a cleanup company that reports to the town after significant storms.

“Overall, Oakland fared well through Hurricane Ian, and we are grateful to the community for their patience and perseverance through the storm,” Pappacoda said.

The east side of the Oakland-Tildenville Cemetery in Oakland was under water following the hurricane. A large tree also fell, covering multiple gravesites.

Courtesy of David Ogden

A missing boat floated in one of Windermere’s lakes.

Courtesy of Jason Roland

The Windermere boathouses were partially submerged after the storm. A big tree fell on the west side of Clarcona Ocoee Road.

Keene’s Pointe estate sells for $1,685,000

A

home in the Keene’s Pointe community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Sept. 24 to 30.

The home at 6100 Blak eford Drive, Winder mere, sold Sept. 30, for $1,685,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths and 4,532 square feet. Days on market: 42.

These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL

The home at 5831 Medinah Way, Orlando, sold Sept. 27, for $830,000. Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,818 square feet. Days on market: 16.

BAY VIEW RESERVE

The condo at 7550 Hinson St., No. 3-C, Orlando, sold Sept. 27, for $485,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,650 square feet.

VIZCAYA HEIGHTS

The condo at 8749 The Espla nade, No. 10, Orlando, sold Sept. 30, for $520,000. Built in 2006,

it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,162 square feet. Days on market: Six.

HORIZON WEST

ENCORE AT OVATION

The home at 13675 Werrington Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $618,460. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,348 square feet.

LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

The home at 7503 Lake Albert Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 28, for $1,250,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,329 square feet. Days on market: 110.

LAKEVIEW POINTE

The townhouse at 7375 Duxbury Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 26, for $439,900. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,912 square feet. Days on market: 18.

SUMMERPORT

The home at 4963 River Gem Ave., Windermere, sold Sept. 30, for $715,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,882 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 5027 Beach River Road, Windermere, sold Sept. 26, for $585,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,083 square feet. Days on market: Four.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 8720 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $1,006,034. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,416 square feet.

The home at 8834 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $927,556. Built in 2022, it has eight bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,416 square feet. Days on market: Four.

The home at 12545 Charmed Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 26, for $791,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,225 square feet.

The home at 12539 Charmed Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $750,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,866 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 11075 Bostwick Alley, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $621,515. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,489 square feet.

The home at 11009 Bostwick Alley, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $636,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,489 square feet. Days on market: Three.

The home at 11021 Bostwick Alley, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 26, for $603,740. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,489 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

The home at 10083 Tawny Mead ow Alley, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $515,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,200 square feet. Days on market: 21.

WINDERMERE LANDINGS

The home at 6340 Golden Dew drop Trail, Windermere, sold Sept. 27, for $515,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,139 square feet. Days on market: 66.

SNAPSHOT

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 9055 Arbors Edge Trail, Windermere, sold Sept. 26, for $970,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,502 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

WINDING BAY

The home at 15056 Lebeau Loop, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $510,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,945 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

OCOEE

BROOHAVEN OAKS

The home at 2325 Blackjack Oak St., Ocoee, sold Sept. 30, for $537,487. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,971 square feet of living area. Days on market: 81.

LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1741 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold Sept. 26, for $437,729. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,941 square feet.

PRAIRIE LAKE RESERVE

The townhouse at 1969 Compass Flower Way, Ocoee, sold Sept. 28, for $340,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,800 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.

PRESERVE AT CROWN POINT

The home at 3123 Stonegate Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 29, for $484,900. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,182 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

realtor.com

The home at 1325 Vic Kay Court, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $775,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from Sept. 24 to 30.

TEMPLE GROVE ESTATES

The home at 2426 Auld Scot Blvd., Ocoee, sold Sept. 30, for $450,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,107 square feet.

on market: 29.

VILLAGES OF WESMERE

The townhouse at 226 White Dog wood Lane, Ocoee, sold Sept. 30, for $387,636. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,915 square feet. Days on market: 61.

WEST ORANGE

CASA DEL LAGO

The home at 12435 Montalcino Circle, Windermere, sold Sept. 28, for $749,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,345 square feet. Days on market: 65.

WINDERMERE ESTATES AT WINDERMERE

The home at 2117 Ridgewind Way, Windermere, sold Sept. 26, for $899,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,218 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6100 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 30, for $1,685,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,532 square feet. Days on market: 42.

The home at 11554 Claymont Circle, Windermere, sold Sept. 27, for $775,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,171 square feet. Days on market: 126.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 11020 Coniston Way, Windermere, sold Sept. 27, for $1,630,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,110 square feet. Days on market: 27.

WINTER GARDEN

GROVE PARK AT STONE CREST

The home at 831 Lost Grove Circle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $685,000. Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,418 square feet. Days on market: Two.

HERITAGE AT PLANT STREET

The home at 760 Orange Belt Loop, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $630,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,860 square feet. Days on market: 30.

HILLCREST

The home at 1325 Vic Kay Court sold Sept. 27, for $775,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,835 square feet. Days on market: Five.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 17922 Hither Hills Circle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $580,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,787 square feet. Days on market: 68.

The home at 17950 Hither Hills Cir cle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $560,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,107 square feet. Days on market: 27.

The home at 14413 Shaman Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 27, for $570,990. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,381 square feet. Days on market: 12.

The home at 17934 Hither Hills Circle, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 26, for $554,990. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,361 square feet. Days on market: 77.

The home at 14429 Shaman Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 26, for $550,990. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,107 square feet. Days on market: 35.

The home at 17930 Hither Hills Circle sold Sept. 26, for $530,990. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,108 square feet. Days on market: 65.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 917 McKinnon Square, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $526,151. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,611 square feet. Days on market: 100.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 13213 Fox Glove St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 30, for $615,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,001 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WATERSIDE

The home at 1458 Waverunner

Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 28, for $504,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,502 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

Here’s

PROTECT

200B

By Luis

HIGH 5

1Windermere High School golfer Carson Baez and Lake Buena Vista High School volleyball player Kalin Lincoln were named Orlando Credit Union August Athletes of the Month. Both Baez and Lincoln will receive a prize and a certificate from the Orlando Credit Union and will be featured on all par ticipating schools’ athletic websites.

2The Dr. Phillips High School girls volleyball team is approach ing the end of its season as it faces Winter Park High School at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6; Wekiva High School at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11; and Edge water High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.

3The Orlando City Soccer School Wind ermere recreational and competitive program currently has open regis trations for those families in the area who would like to enroll their children in a high level soccer program. For more information, visit ocss-windermere.com.

4The Olympia High School girls and boys swim teams have a couple of meets left in their 2022 season. The Titans will compete at the OCPS Metro West Meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Rosen Aquatic Center, and will participate in the 4A Region 2 Championship meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

5The Windermere Prep girls volleyball team has two more district games left this season. With a current 9-6 overall record and a 1-2 district record, the Lakers faced Montverde Acad emy Wednesday, Oct. 5, after press time, and will play against Cornerstone Charter Academy at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, for their final game of the regular season.

DRIVEN

In his first year as a GT race car driver, Aidan Kenny fulfilled his dream of winning the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Windermere Prep senior Aidan Kenny recently was crowned champion of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America at the Circuit of the Ameri cas during his first year as a GT race car driver.

“Going into the year, I was looking for the championship, but I wasn’t really sure of how it was going to go,” he said. “The final race of the year was … in CODA in Austin, Texas. I finished

Meet West Orange’s ‘Maddog’

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

For West Orange girls volleyball cap tain and senior Madison Smith, vol leyball is more than just a game.

It’s her passion.

Since she was 6 years old, Smith has been playing indoor and beach volleyball.

Her dedication to the sport has taught her that everything in life comes with sacrifices.

Her commitment to Gardner Webb University in North Carolina to play DI volleyball at the collegiate level starting next fall came because one of those sacrifices — missing a previous engagement she had to play in a club tournament.

“Last year, I couldn’t go to an event … and, by making those sacrifices for something you love, you are going to have a good outcome in the end,” Smith said. “If I wouldn’t have gone,

fourth and fifth. Ultimately, I just had to finish and take care of the car, so I did have the championship secured to myself. If I didn’t finish, I wouldn’t have had the championship, which was the bigger goal.”

STARTING SMALL Kenny, 17, discovered his passion for race car driving at age 12, when he attended the F1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

“I was in the (VIP) kind of area, and

Sophomore Nathan Frette is Lake Buena Vista High’s only diver. Page 2B.

When she’s on the volleyball court, Madison Smith steps into an alter ego. And Warrior fans love it.

Aidan Kenny : “I love just having the adrenaline and the speed behind me. Every time I get in the car, everything —any stress or worries I have going on — it all disappears in the car. I have to have 100% focus at all times, or it could be the difference between life and death.”

Courtesy

For his first year as a GT race car driver, Aidan Kenny set out with the goal of winning the championship.

Madison

Aidan Kenny’s parents, Garrett and Angela Kenny, are supportive of his dream.

Nathan Frette

Lake Buena Vista High School sophomore and only diver Nathan Frette participated recently in a diving competition at the Rosen Aquatic Center. He won for the Vipers with a score of 257.15 points. Frette moved one year ago to Orlando from The Woodlands, Texas.

Tell us about your years as an athlete.

I tried football, taekwondo, swimming and gymnastics, and finally I tried diving. That’s the thing I like to do most because of how scary it (is). I don’t know why I like the fear. So I’ve been doing diving for about 10 years since I was 6.

How did you get into diving?

Basically, I did all these sports, (but) those sports didn’t work out well for me. So, my grandpa was a diver. I didn’t really know my grandpa, but I’ve heard he was cool and a diver.

What’s your favorite thing about diving as a sport?

When you are at a competition and you are preparing your self, it’s super nerve-wracking. Because you think of all the things that can go wrong. I like the fear, and then when you actually do that dive, it’s almost released like within a second.

How long do you practice?

Every day, 15 hours a week, three hours a day.

What do you do in practice?

Every practice is different. We usually have set things we do during practices. … We do certain dives every day, and we repeat that for months.

What’s your favorite thing about being a part of the Vipers swim team?

Definitely the team — they are so fun to hang out with. I always try to have fun with them, even though I am the only diver, I still fit in well, and it’s really fun. … Doing flips (with them) and teaching them how to flip, and they teach me how to swim.

THE BASICS

AGE: 16

GRADE: 10

SCHOOL: Lake Buena Vista/ FLVS SPORT(S): Diving DIVE: Inward twister

What’s your favorite dive?

(The) inward twister, because it’s a really rare dive… Everyone says it’s very difficult, but for me, it’s actually pretty simple. You’ve got to figure the mechanics out to make it easy, and that’s what I like so much, because everyone says it’s hard, but it’s not hard at all.

Tell us about the recent diving competition you won for the Vipers.

It felt really good, because all my teammates were there support ing me, and I could see their reaction of me winning. It was really cool.

What’s the hardest aspect of diving?

The mental state for diving; it’s a very mental sport. Once you learn all the techniques and you get muscle memory, that part is really easy to me. But the hard part is whenever you are think ing about doing the dive and all the scores you need. If you do a bad dive, you usually think about the bad dive and it ruins your new ones. So you’ve got to always move on and stay on track.

What’s your ultimate goal?

Well, there’s two things I really want to do. … Definitely try to make it to the Olympics … with my swimmer friend Keith (Wil lis). I also want to be a Red Bull cliff diver.

Why did you transfer to FLVS?

Because all of the opportunities I can get with my flying career, I

more. And have more time to be a lifeguard. Starting getting my pilot’s license and getting up on pilot actually, so she can help me

Need for speed

it was filled with a bunch of racing simulators, so I could essentially drive the track in the car that was being driven in at the time in a video game,” he said. “So I was doing that for the whole weekend at the race, and it was really fun to me. I wanted to try it out in real life, so that’s when I started with the go-karts.”

Kenny honed his skills in the gokart circuit for four years. However, there are some aspects of racing that just don’t translate, he said.

“Karts and cars are very different, really,” Kenny said. “For go-karts, (they) are a lot smaller, don’t have a lot of power, whereas cars are over 400 horsepower, 3,200 pounds. So it’s a very different vehicle to drive. You cannot really compare the two.”

NO RESET BUTTON

Kenny is the first member of his family to decide to enter the racing world — a decision that both excited and scared his parents.

“I thought this was something he was just going to go through, but every time, he took it so (seriously),” his dad, Garrett Kenny, said. “I could see over time he was being very seri ous; he was doing well. He’s my son: I have to look after him, give him the opportunity. I didn’t have the opportunity when I grew up. … We do what we do to look after our fam ily, and family is what’s most impor tant.”

For Aidan Kenny’s mom, Angela Kenny, despite feeling nervous when seeing him on the race track, she also has a lot of trust in him when he is behind the wheel.

“After the first couple of times I saw him drive, I felt very confident in him,” she said. “The way he holds himself — he’s very calm. … I trust him 100%. It’s the other people on the track (who) worry me. He makes smart decisions, because that’s the way his mind thinks. He’s only 17, but he’s very mature for his age.”

Maddog mentality

those coaches would’ve never seen me.

Aidan Kenny has trained for two years under race car driver Cameron Lawrence.

“I’ve seen him learn a lot in the first two years; he’s grown a ton,” Lawrence said. “Coaching him all year is a lot more on the mental side of things, too. … When you are in the car, all you are thinking about is the race and how to go faster, so a lot of (the training) goes into helping him manage the race, manage the championship during every week end that he’s on the track and help ing him coach him through that side of things.”

For the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Championship, Aid an Kenny raced in the cayman cate gory — which comes right before the 992 and the 991.2 categories, and drove a Porsche 718 GT4 Cayman.

“It was a good beginner car,” Aidan Kenny said. “It still has rela tively low power compared to a full race car, but at the same time, it still has the same dynamics of a race car with suspension. … It’s a road car converted to a race car, so it was a good step to learn the car, learn to race with it before I do anything else in a higher power car.”

To prepare for the championship and the different tracks he would drive, he utilized a simulator.

“I’d say it’s 85% realistic,” he said.

“It really helps with learning the layout of the track, but at the same time, you are not going to be flashing a car around as much as you are in the simulator. In the simulator, you can essentially hit the reset button if anything goes wrong, whereas in real life, there is no reset button.”

The challenge consisted of 12 rac es from March through September.

Aidan Kenny won six out of those 12 races.

“The first race weekend … I was nervous going into it, because it was a new series for me with new people, so I wasn’t sure what the competi tion would be like,” he said. “There was definitely a lot of competi

tion for myself and only got harder throughout the year, as we were going to more and more tracks that I hadn’t been before. … On top of hav ing the pressure with the champion ship, making sure I had to finish each race, it definitely got more and more tough throughout the season.”

Aidan Kenny’s dream is to become a factory driver, and he would love to drive for Porsche.

“He’s so determined; that’s what he wants to do,” Angela Kenny said. “We told him we will support him for as long as we can. … It’s all Aidandriven, and it’s his passion. He defi nitely has the determination, he has the drive, he has the commitment, too, not just on the race track but off the race track, too.”

Not only is race car driving what Aidan Kenny wants to dedicate his life to, but also it’s what helps him to forget about the worries and stress of his daily life.

“I love just having the adrenaline and the speed behind me,” he said. “Every time I get in the car, every thing —any stress or worries I have going on — it all disappears in the car. I have to have 100% focus at all times, or it could be the difference between life and death. Having all those worries go away is definitely a good thing for me, but at the same time is a sport and a career that I’m chasing. It brings a lot of joy for me.”

Aidan Kenny is already prepar ing for the next GT race car driving season, this time around in the 992 category — and hopes to eventually drive in Europe, as well.

Story” — that’s definitely the best one. It looks awesome,

What’s a TV series you are

start very soon is “Cobra Kai.”

Probably freeze time, so I could freeze in the middle of my flips

make sure everything is perfect form. I could squeeze tighter and

“North Carolina is really beauti ful; I fell in love with it, everything about it was amazing,” she said. “(The coaches) weren’t even think ing about coming to my court, but then they just saw me, and they were like, ‘We want that girl.’ … When I went on my official visit, nobody had really told me that kind of story, it’s kind of an ‘I found you’ story, and I knew that (Gardner Webb) was going to be my home for the next four years.”

In addition to sacrifice, the game of volleyball has taught Smith the art of communication.

“(It) taught her to understand you have to communicate; you have to trust your teammates,” mom Jill Smith said. “You’re not going to like everyone on your team, but you fig ure out a way to be successful and make others on your team success ful and you never quit. Madison is amazing at always having high energy on the court.”

being the leader that they can look up to. Like these girls right now: They look up to me, and it’s really an honor to feel that they can look up to someone and feel safe to talk to me or communicate if they need help with something.”

MADDOG

Madison Smith’s father, Brian, gave her the nickname that has become her on-court persona for 11 years.

believed that I would do something big in volleyball,” Madison Smith said. “He would always come to my games and say, ‘That’s Mad dog swinging the ball as hard as she can.’”

These days, Madison Smith sees her nickname as an alter-ego of her persona — especially when she’s on the court.

I get pillows or a shammy, and I spin it up in the air like it’s pizza

and definitely get a career out of

— ANDREA MUJICA

Madison Smith has been named team captain for the Warriors in her sophomore, junior and senior years — a testament to her skills and the trust she has earned from her team mates.

“Skill, obviously, is important when you are a leader, but I think it is what you can do when you don’t have the ball,” she said. “Encourag ing people if they make a mistake,

“Maddog is just a nickname that we started calling her when she was younger playing volleyball, and it just stuck,” Jill Smith said. “Her dad was always called the ‘Big Dog’ growing up, and it is a play off of that. It’s her ‘beast mode’ name. When she hears her peers in the stands call her Maddog or other volleyball parents whom she has known for years at tournaments call her that in games, it gets her fired up.”

“(My dad) was the one that always

“It’s a person for me,” she said. “It’s another person in volleyball for me, when I go on the court — ‘Mad dog, it’s game on, it’s time to go.’”

OFF THE COURT Madison Smith also is the vice pres ident for the Student Government Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at school — two student organizations that have helped shape her into an individual with prioritizing skills.

“I have been in the SGA since my

Andrea Mujica

Madison Smith found her inspiration to play volleyball in her friend, Taylor Head.

Horizon High volleyball is turning heads in second season

The Hawks have cruised to a 13-1 record this season, and coach Earnest Rittenhouse said they have not yet reached their full potential.

The Horizon High School girls vol leyball team has had an incredible second season; it has only lost one match this year.

“This team has a good balance, and for volleyball, that’s important,” head volleyball coach Earnest Rit tenhouse said. “We are a new school only in our second year, so there’s not tons and tons of players. But, we have players at all the positions, and that’s crucial.”

The Hawks did not have any seniors graduate last year. This year however, they have five — which has brought more experience and power onto the court during the games.

“They played together last year; now is their second year together,” Rittenhouse said. “They feel more comfortable together, so that’s prob ably paid off, too. … We have five seniors, and that’s helpful too. They hit the ball a little harder and set the ball a little better and get some more points per set. That translates into some wins.”

For senior, outside and defensive specialist Hannah Pridgeon, 17, the trust the girls on the team have in one another — on and off the court — has been an important aspect of their success, as well as the time most of them spent playing beach volleyball earlier this the year.

“That has helped us become a much stronger team,” she said. “We (also are) very encouraging — no mat ter the score. So even if we are hav ing an off day, our energy never falls. … I think that our time on the beach has proved to be a successful tool for us (too). Last year, we had our first beach volleyball season, and most of our varsity team played. Beach has definitely improved our ball control, opening up more opportunities for our offense.”

Rittenhouse attributes the Hawks’

freshman year,” she said. “I knew that when I was a senior, I wanted to be a part of that and help with my school. I know I could help incorporate so many things into the school and help it be better. It’s tough to do, but I do put my priorities — everything has its day and everything has its time for it, so it doesn’t really interfere a lot. I feel I’ve been really good with know ing how to balance all of them.”

Madison Smith also has been a part of FCA since eighth grade.

“I’m a Christian, so it’s always been a priority in my life,” she said.

“I always knew that it would take just a lunch period to have all these peo ple get connected and have all these Christian athletes to be in a room and learn about Jesus and eat some pizza. It’s really fun. … I’ve learned from my mom, especially because she does so much, that everything has a bal ance and that you obviously can’t do everything. But you find your way to be able to do that, and it’s just from

growth and improvement to how much the girls love the game.

“Because they enjoy playing the game, they play it a lot,” he said. “(And) because they play it a lot, they get better. And so bit by bit, day by day, week by week, it’s gradual, but they’ve gotten better and better.”

And that means better consisten cy, ball control and accuracy — all aspects that Rittenhouse has bol stered through practice.

“After 28 years (of coaching highschoolers), you find some elements to the game and things you can do that stay interesting to them, because you have to mix in all the technical stuff and still make it interesting,” he said. “The girls have a purple target at practice. What I’m trying to do is teaching them to hit a certain area.”

For the girls, the team culture is based on chemistry and positivity — as well as determination.

“Our team has a very positive team culture,” Pridgeon said. “Everyone is very encouraging, and we all expect great things from one another. We all have great determination and will never give up on a play during games and even in practice. Our high moti vation has allowed us to push each other to become better. Between this year and last, our team chemis try has grown. We have a lot of trust and positive communication, and always try to lift up anyone who is having an off day.”

Rittenhouse believes team culture also should provide an environment for the collective and not just for the individual players on the court.

“Culturally, we want girls that volleyball is important to them, and they want to play well not just for themselves but for their teammates,” he said. “I want them in the mind set that they expect to win, but they certainly aren’t afraid of a loss, so to speak. They are not tentative when it’s coming down to the last couple of points, and they may be more aware

here that I am able to do everything.”

The hardest move for Madison Smith to learn was one that former head coach Felix Hou taught her.

“It’s looking in one direction and just swinging as hard as you can at the ball,” she said. “So if I want to go hit line across and bang the ball on, my body is hitting that way, so it looks like I’m going to hit across. But then I turn and bang the ball. It’s a skill that took a lot, and it helps your body a lot — not using your whole back, using your shoulder, elbow and wrists to bang the ball and confuse the other team a little bit.”

Madison Smith is excited to finish her last indoor season with the War riors, especially with the group of girls who are part of her team this year.

“You are playing for the person next to you,” she said. “We are obviously having our struggles, but I think just coming together as a team — from all these girls that have come from dif ferent environments and different teams, we just haven’t clicked yet. We are going to get there.”

at the beginning of a game. (Rather) they are confident when the game is on the line.”

Since its foundation, the team has been working on serving and passing — key technique elements necessary for an effective team.

“Serving and passing (are) a huge part of it, but then we try the new stuff that tend to score points for us,” Rittenhouse said.

The tradition before every game that helps the girls keep their calm before stepping onto the court is going out to eat.

“That helps us clear our heads from whatever happened at school that day and lets us bond before hand,” Pridgeon said.

As the season continues, the team has high hopes to continue getting wins.

“We want to try and get to a point when we peak at the right time,” Rit tenhouse said. “You want to keep on building, building, building — and then make a run at the end. Honestly, we are still in the building part of it … we are still building toward the peak. I don’t think we are there, and I think the girls see that there are elements that are getting sharper, but we still need improvement that we’ll see. … Hopefully, at the end of the year, they will be playing really (well) when those big games come, and they will

our season. That’s always

Now

Scout’s service

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

A local boy scout from Dr. Phillips is working to restore a historic cemetery in the Gotha community as part of earning his Eagle Scout rank.

Seventeen-year-old Andrew LaPeters said choosing the cemetery was a no-brainer, as he saw how historically significant the estab lishment was to Gotha and the sur rounding community. LaPeters said he also noticed the deterioration that had occurred gradually to the special location.

“This work is important to me, because it is a huge part of the history of Gotha and the community relies on its history to become a better place,” LaPeters said. “Since I am becoming more active in the Gotha community, it makes it even more important for me to complete this project.”

LaPeters, other volunteers from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s Boy Scouts of America Troop 6,

friends from his local high school and several family members gathered Saturday, Sept. 24, to start the work.

The scout said he has started the weeding of invasive plants around the main part of the cemetery and along the fence, as well as started restora tion on some of the graves that have been displaced by trees in the area surrounding the headstones.

The group of helpers met again Saturday, Oct. 1, and will meet for the final time Saturday, Oct. 8, to com plete the project. LaPeters said Hur ricane Ian did not set the work back.

LaPeters said the work will help him become an Eagle Scout, as lead ing a volunteer project such as this is one of the most important require ments to acquire the rank.

He said he hopes to complete his Eagle rank by the end of November, before his 18th birthday.

LaPeters said earning the achieve ment would open many opportunities in his life, so he can have advantages that may not have been there for him if he hadn’t achieved the rank.

“My future hope and goal is that people are able to look at the cemetery and see how much better it has got ten and treat it with respect,” LaPeters said. “I also hope other scouts are able to do projects as meaningful as this.”

Andrew LaPeters, 17-year-old Dr. Phillips resident, is working to earn his Eagle Scout rank through restoration of the Turnverein and Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Gotha.

Courtesy

DANIEL KIRBY, INNOVATION MONTESSORI HIGH SCHOOL

Daniel Kirby is a teacher assistant and information technology support at Innovation Montessori High School. Kirby helps support students and faculty from both a technology perspective and being a tutor or extra set of hands as a sub. “I essentially am a plug-and-play piece, where I cover testing in the morning, serve lunch in the afternoon and finish the day helping students create a community they are proud to be a part of,” he said. Assistant Principal Lashae Copeland said Kirby also takes care of distributing lunches to students and fills in when teachers are absent or in need of extra support. “He has really been the glue that holds us together,” Copeland shared.

What brought you to your school?

I was brought in through a connection I made from helping coach my old high school debate team at nation als. I was working with a super talented student whom I hadn’t met before, and we remained in contact after that trip. Through him, I was able to meet our human relations manager, who let me know there was an opportunity for a teacher assistant role in the high school. The rest is his tory!

What do you love most about your school?

The people I work with! While some days it tends to be fac ulty, getting to know and help grow the students who are part of our community is so rewarding. Staff or students, the community always values honest expression creating a genuine atmosphere.

REPORT CARD

Teacher assistant and information technology

Three years

What is your motivation?

At first, I thought it was a great opportunity to put some field work into my résumé, but very quickly, I could tell it was more. The Montessori envi ronment creates this incred ible dynamic with students, and my role puts me in an even more unique position. Getting to see the kids find their voice and explore their abilities is what gets me through those rough weeks.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Easily the lavish pay and cozy office. In earnest, it’s develop ing those unforgettable rela tionships with my community.

For better or worse, I will never forget the students I helped my first year here and watching them grow is so bittersweet, because they grow into those glimpses you see early, and it’s hard to let go of who they were.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and cat, thrifting, and curling up to a good red wine and better book.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

I could fit in so many won

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@oran geobserver.com.

derful educators, but I think someone who really opened my eyes was Mr. Budd. He was a friend and someone who I could always turn to. His positivity and energy could certainly be overwhelming at 7 a.m., but his intensity and pas sion for the arts is something I envy and strive towards!

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

I never really focused on a specific career, but it usually floated somewhere between teacher, lawyer and therapist — and being a T.A. is the closest you can get with my qualifica tions LOL. The reason I saw a path for those things was because it involved being an integral member of my com munity and that has always been the ultimate goal.

What is your favorite chil

dren’s book and why?

“The Giving Tree,” because it was such a beautiful tale about not only moderation but the transcendence of love beyond material.

What are your hobbies?

I like exploring the urban sprawl that is Orlando, as well as rock climbing. On my days off I enjoy Dungeons & Drag ons, as well as writing.

If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

Teleportation. Free travel, and I can basically be two places at once to either communicate information, cut down on the commute or grab something from somewhere inconvenient.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

Rex Orange County, Kanye West and Car Seat Headrest. Rex narrowly beats out Tyler the Creator, but I enjoy his style, Kanye because he is a genius and icon, and Car Seat Headrest because of the Mas terpiece that is “How to Leave Town.”

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

I had school lunch, but obvi ously, the best days were when they served chicken nuggets or pizza. I also remember very fondly a math teacher who would give us scoops of M&M’s for answering questions cor rectly.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving was a family favorite, and (although) not all family gatherings are enjoy able, the food is always a bit warmer when surrounded by the ones you love.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

Nicholas Solazzo. We have been friends since we were 8 years old and continue to be to this day!

What were your extracurricu lar activities as a student?

Did you win any accolades or honors?

Debate, sports and GayStraight Alliance. For debate, I was able to get a national qual ification, sports was revolving around a state qualification in track-and-field, and GSA was an honor to be a part of.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352

8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana

2nd Campus:

First Baptists Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110,

First Nature Fest takes place at Oakland preserve

EPISCOPAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Oakland Nature Pre serve hosted its first onsite festival Saturday,

to allow folks to experience natural Florida. A variety of wildlife and na ture

set up booths,

Florida animals greeted families,

throughout

— AMY QUESINBERRY

MIKE YOAKUM

Nature

Bridget

Gary

BRAINF D

The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.

Funny Phobias

Sure, you probably already know about some of the most common phobias. Ei ther you or someone you know may suf fer from thanatophobia (fear of death), acrophobia (fear of heights) or arachno phobia (fear of spiders).

But did you know there are many, many pho bias — some downright outrageous?

In celebration of the 2022 spooky season, we take a look at some of the weirdest, funniest phobias.

DICTIONARY

A-Z

When the character Branch told you to just “Dance, dance dance” in the movie “Trolls,” he might have struck fear in those who suffer from choro phobia.

For those with chorophobia — the fear of dancing — wedding receptions, Homecom ings and dance-a-thons can be scarier than getting stuck in Halloween Horror Nights. In addition to being scared of dancing, those with chorophobia often are scared of getting too excited. Furthermore, some even don’t like seeing other people dance and tend to avoid places and events involv ing any boogieing whatsoever.

HIPPOPOTOMONSTROSES

QUIPPEDALIOPHOBIA

Perhaps no phobia is more ironic than hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia — the fear of long words.

According to fearof.net, no one is born with this phobia, but nonetheless, those who suffer from it experience anxiety and panic even at the sight of long words.

Many can’t pinpoint an incident that trig gered this phobia, but it can come from a negative experience in school. Perhaps the person was teased when he or she couldn’t pronounce a word in class.

Often, therapy can help those who suffer from hippopotomonstrosesquippedalio phobia. But keep this in mind the next time one of your classmates is struggling with a particular word in school.

And who knows? You may have one of them — and didn’t even know it had a name!

TRYPOPHOBIA

Simply put, try pophobia is the fear of clusters of small holes. This one actually is pretty new, and the name didn’t really become popular until 2009, when a college student in New York created a Facebook page about the fear.

In fact, you’ve probably run into a few photos online — images of the lotus flower, honeycombs and sponges are popular trig gers.

However, when those small-hole patterns are Photoshopped onto a hand or arm, the image really can cause a reaction out of those who suffer from this odd phobia. But, why small, repetitive holes? Well, a study from the University of Kent theorizes that our emotion of disgust helps us avoid dangers such as diseases. The patterns may remind our brains of diseases such as smallpox or measles.

Therefore, an aversion to these photos seems to be a natural reaction for our bod ies to avoid getting sick.

FICTION

ABLUTOPHOBIA

Ewwww! This one … is disgusting! Abluto phobia is the fear of washing and bathing. For most, this phobia is rooted in some sort of negative experience that involved bathing or washing. According to kinder care.com, it’s actually a common toddler phobia that may stem from noises such as toilet flushes, the tub drain and other loud sounds that seem overwhelming to a tod dler’s hyperactive brain.

Many who have ablutophobia know it is irrational but are unable to do anything to stop it. The thought of washing or bathing can cause difficulty breathing, rapid heart beat, sweating and even panic attacks.

ARACHIBUTYROPHOBIA

This one might even be more tragic than the fear of dancing.

Arachibutyro phobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of one’s mouth.

Think about it: A life with no PB&J, no Reese’s peanut butter cups, no homemade buckeyes … But in reality, it’s more than just the odd sensation of something sticky on the roof of the mouth. This phobia is rooted in the fear of being choked. For those who suffer from arachibutyrophobia, just the mere sight of peanut butter can cause heart palpitations, nausea and sweating.

Michael Eng

Monica

illustrated by Angela Dominguez

by Joseph Fink

Nationally Recognized Leaders in Orthopedics

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