Coyotes dedicate school

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Hamlin Middle School gymnasium was a sea of purple and full of excitement as the school celebrated its first-year dedication Friday, Jan. 20, with all of the students plus officials from the school, Orange County Public Schools and Orange County Government. The ceremony included music, speeches and the cutting of a long purple ribbon.

Dr. Suzanne Knight told those in attendance that being principal of the Hamlin Middle and getting to open a new school “has been one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences of my 35-plus years in education and one that I am so very grateful for. … My vision for Hamlin is to provide a safe learning environment for all students … and to make sure we are an extension and a reflection of our community that lead our students to success.”

Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs spoke as well: “As rad as your school is, it’s not the bricks and mortar, it’s not the ceilings and the floor, it’s not all the wonderful resources that are here that make it so special. It’s all of you. It’s all of your teachers … and your principal, Dr. Knight.”

The students and parents also heard from Dr. Maria Vazquez, OCPS superintendent, who said Hamlin Middle is an incredible facility.

“All of this was done for you because this community believes so much in the power of education,”

Vazquez said. “There is nothing like opening a new school … not everyone gets that opportunity. Every student, every teacher, every staff member, you are turning the rooms, the hallways, all the buildings into a home under the leadership of your amazing principal, Dr. Knight.”

Vazquez presented a box holding a special key to Knight and said it was the “key to unlocking the future and vision of these students. May this key always remind you and those who follow you of this very special first year.”

The school’s choral and band students performed, and three students — sixth-grader Skylar Hernandez, seventh-grader Victor Senese and eighth-grader Jaylynne Riker — gave short speeches on their experience at HMS.

After the ceremony, a congratulatory cake was served in the media center.

70 Years Ago

While Coach Ted Wiedenbeck led his Lakeview High School basketball team to a victory over Eustis, his wife, Marian, gave birth to their third child, Steve, in West Orange Memorial Hospital. Steve’s birth was announced at halftime of the basketball game.

55 Years Ago

The first Thistle Class sailboat racing contest, organized by Jimmy McKey, was held on Lake Apopka on a perfect day except for one thing — no wind.

45 Years Ago

The Ocoee Woman’s Club held its 54th birthday luncheon. Models Miriam Reid, Robbie Stallard, Carol Hornsby, Rena Rhodes and Janet Crozier presented a fashion show from The Outlook in Ocoee. Lee Roy Hester Jr., of Gainesville, acquired the W.T. Zeigler Furniture Store on Dillard Street in Winter Garden.

A sign to West Orange High School directed people to the offthe-beaten-path high school. The sign was erected in front of the Winter Garden Lumber Co. by the WOHS DECA Club.

40 Years Ago

Attending the sixth annual Breakfast Career Education Specialists at Sea World were West Orange High Principal Tony Krapf and occupational specialist Linda Lockert; Gene Gossett and director Frank House, of Westside Vo-Tech; and Millie Cobb and Principal Bob Williams, of Ocoee Junior High School.

Craig Maloy and Jerry Carrier experienced an ill-fated fishing expedition in the middle of Lake Apopka and ended up swimming a mile, fully clothed, in water in the low 60s.

From The Archives

Local residents prepared for the Fifth West Orange Communities Sing, a performance sponsored by the West Orange Ministerial Association and area churches. They performed Jan. 29, 1979, at the First United Methodist in Winter Garden.

Singers included Jimmy McKey, Harriette Grimes and Frances McKey, fifth, sixth and eighth persons in the front row; and Carol Knighton, Donna Halquist, Dink Butler, Roy Fulmer, Larry Grimes and Barbara Fulmer, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth persons in the back row. To identify any of the singers, call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244 or post directly to the WGHF Facebook page.

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.

30 Years Ago

Ocoee’s new postmaster, Ron Herrington, said he was happy to be back “home.”

20 Years Ago

How will Windermere look in 20 years? The town held workshops and a charette to gauge residents’ wants for the town in the next two decades. The approaches to the town from the north, south and east looked like rural country highways that invited drivers into Windermere, according to a planning firm hired by the town. By narrowing the roads and adding curbs and brick sections and roundabouts to slow traffic, they predicted many drivers would choose a different route, which was what residents seemed to want. The town’s shopping area also was a hot-button issue, and some residents envisioned a small deli, restaurant, ice cream shop and town park.

The city of Winter Garden began its yearlong celebration of its 100th anniversary with a historyinspired event at Tanner Hall.

The town of Oakland and Orange County Public Schools, in partnership with Chancellor Beacon Academies Inc., broke ground on a new elementary school to be named Oakland Avenue Charter School. Oakland Mayor Jon VanderLey spearheaded the charter school project.

JAN. 31, 1947

Elsie the Cow has been the popular mascot and “spokescow” for Borden Dairy Company since 1936. Folks attending the 1947 Florida State Fair in Tampa had the chance to meet Elsie; the opportunity was advertised in the Jan. 31, 1947, issue of The West Orange News

The ad read: “Elsie, whose bovine beauty and moovelous charm have made her the nation’s glamour cow, is coming to the Florida State Fair. She will arrive in Tampa aboard her deluxe ‘Creamliner’ in time for opening day. Renowned radio personality, star of the silver screen and hostesses to more than 10 million people in her many personal appearances, Elsie is the greatest cow-sonality of all time. Be sure to see her in her boudoir in the Flower Building. Elsie is counting on her many Florida fans and friends to visit her.”