07.06.23 Southwest Orange Observer

Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

YOU YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023

Speed cushion plan hits bump in the road

The implementation of temporary speed cushions on Daniels Road have been removed as the city of Winter Garden continues to consult with its traffic engineering division. SEE PAGE 2A.

Triumph on two wheels!

Ocoee welcomed the first skateboarders and cyclists to its new Action Sports Park. SEE PAGE 1B.

Pavilion project stalls

Windermere Town Council members will vote on whether to stop work on the project at their July meeting. SEE PAGE 2.

YOUR TOWN

ROTARY INSTALLS NEW LEADERS

The Rotary Club of Windermere installed new officers and board of directors for the new fiscal year starting July 1. The Windermere club has met con sistently at 6:54 a.m. Tuesdays in Windermere Town Hall since its founding in 1969.

Those installed were Vijay Wagh (club secretary), An thony Lightman (incom ing district area governor), Frank Fernandez (vocational service), Don Hairston (vocational service co-chair), Karen Hairston (president), Norma Sutton (youth services), Cynthia Hulin (club service), Ron Mathis (embership), Regiane Cidral (public image), Emerson Greco (international ervice), Gregg Gorsky (outgoing district area governor), Jim Schuppert (outgoing president) and Josh Abraham (foundation).

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY

Thousands of Horizon West residents and their guests flocked to the Tower Green for a night filled with food trucks, fireworks and fun Saturday, July 1. MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 4A.

Danielle Bergeron, Jenn Curtis, Alli Upham, Lauren Robertson and Laura Cochran had a girl’s night.

Attendees indulged in myriad activities including decorating the sidewalks with chalk.

Brayden Atkins was thrilled with the event.

Photos by Annabelle Sikes

Lexi and Bill Curtin showed off American flag T-shirts.

City pauses plan for Daniels Road speed cushions

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Proposed speed cushions on Daniels Road are causing concern among some Winter Garden residents.

The speed cushions, originally placed on the road in front of the Bright Horizons day care, are part of the city of Winter Garden’s trafficmanagement policy/plan, which was first shared by City Manager Jon C. Williams at a City Commission meeting in March.

At that meeting, Williams said the city is planning to take a threephased approach to address the traffic concerns: monitor, enforce and control. The plan does not require each of the phases to be done in succession; rather, it is all being worked on at the same time.

In terms of control, Williams discussed both permanent and temporary solutions to traffic calming.

Permanent solutions could include pedestrian islands, pedestrian pinch points and landscaping. Temporary solutions could include speed cushions or rubber curbing, which are usually easier to install and can be customizable, but they are not as appealing visually.

For temporary solutions, Williams said staff would like to test two pilots: speed cushions to test effectiveness on Daniels Road and curbing to narrow the road west of Williams Road on Marsh Road.

However, the city now has paused the project to further consult with its traffic engineering division.

“The study will be completed following the completion of construction work by Duke Energy in the area,” Jim Monahan, city engineer, said. “The contractor doing the study is on standby meanwhile.”

PROJECT PLANS

Jayne Behrle, Winter Garden’s communications and marketing manager, said the city chose testing sites for the cushions based on speeding data.

“Not all of the speed cushions have been installed yet (because) the project is still under review,” she stated in an email.

Behrle said a “speed cushion” has different characteristics than a “speed bump,” and “speed bumps” are not part of the plan.

Speed bumps are traffic-calming devices that extend across all travel lanes without a break, the city said. They are generally short in width, raised to 3 to 3.5 inches, to slow cars down to about 5 mph.

“Speed cushions (are) trafficcalming devices that extend par-

tially across travel lanes but leave gaps wide enough for emergency vehicles to straddle the cushions as to not slow response time,” Behrle said. “Similar to a speed table, the entire wheelbase of a vehicle (long in width) is raised to reduce traffic speed.”

However, Winter Garden resident Max Elliott, a professional traffic engineer, said he has concerns. He emailed the city regarding the installed speed signage on Daniels.

“The two-mile stretch of Daniels Road between West Colonial Drive and Winter Garden-Vineland Road has a posted speed limit of 35 mph,” he wrote. “According to FDOT, this segment of roadway has an average annual daily traffic of 18,880 vehicles. This segment of roadway has four traffic signalized intersections with protected pedestrian crossings ... one poorly signed and located mid-block crosswalk at the intersection of New Stone Crest Boulevard but wide pathway sidewalks along the entirety of the roadway to keep bicycles, pedestrians and vehicles safely separated ... no home-facing properties, and traffic is separated by a raised median.”

According to city data, from June 15 to 28, there were 168 total traffic stops on Daniels Road and 112 citations issued.

Elliott believes the segment is a major arterial for Winter Garden and the surrounding areas.

“The introduction of speed bumps intended to restrict traffic speeds down to 5 mph is a very poor plan,” he said. “Daniels Road moves a lot of traffic, and by introducing a hazard in the middle of the roadway, it will cause significant delays, and reduce the level of service for motorists and first responders.”

According to the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida Green Book, Elliott said speed bumps are considered an inappropriate traffic-calming treatment and should not be used on public roadways.

Elliott said according to a crash report website, Signal Four Analytics, there were 62 reported crashes on the segment of roadway, with the majority being near Winter Garden Village.

Of the crashes, the report states 16 were reported to have injuries and 29 were rear-end crashes. There were two pedestrian-related crashes and one speed-related crash.

“Based on the above information, what are you trying to improve?”

Elliott asked. “If only one speedrelated crash has been recorded over the last three years and the

“If only one speed-related crash has been recorded over the last three years and the most common type of crashes are rear-enders, adding speed bumps will only increase the number of crashes, lower the quality of the roadway and disrupt traffic flow along a major roadway. This is a bad idea for safety and efficiency.”

— Max Elliott, Winter Garden resident

most common type of crashes are rear-enders, adding speed bumps will only increase the number of crashes, lower the quality of the roadway and disrupt traffic flow along a major roadway. This is a bad idea for safety and efficiency.”

Elliott said Williams called him back June 22 and said the project has been paused. Since then, the signage has been removed.

Friendly reminder

Raj Sambandam is working on a Forget Me Not Park at Health Central Park for his Eagle project.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Raj Sambandam’s goal is to give residents of Health

Central Park in Winter Garden a comfortable and relaxing outdoor space with his Eagle Scout project. He is building a Forget Me Not Park for the memory care residents at the nursing and rehabilitation center, and his project will include a bench and garden.

“My Eagle Scout project will benefit this community, as I will be creating a space for the memory care residents to spend time with their loved ones or (in) quiet time in nature,” Sambandam said. “This project is special for me, as dementia is often an irreversible and a growing problem. This was an idea I came up with that they could enjoy a nice outside area and not be in their rooms.”

Health Central Park has an arbor in the grassy area at the south entrance that was built by another scout for an Eagle project. Sambandam’s plan is to expand on the structure that’s already there. He is going to build a five-foot bench out of resin and add

up to eight large flower pots full of color.

Sambandam decided to build at Health Central Park after speaking to officials at the city of Winter Garden about potential locations for his project. He was connected to the Bloom & Grow Garden Society, and someone in the garden club suggested the nursing home.

He has been working with club member Kay VanderLey to design the garden space and coordinating with Ed Bohannon-Dobski of the nursing home.

Sambandam said the garden club is helping him select flowers for the pots. One of his choices is the Forget-Me-Not flower.

But first, he must collect the necessary funds. He spoke before the Winter Garden Rotary Club a few weeks ago, sharing details of his project and asking for donations. So far, he has raised about $615.

Sambandam is looking to raise $2,300 and hopes to complete his fundraising by the end of July so he can finish building his project with the help of his troop by mid-August.

Town of Oakland presents proposed charter school budget

The budget includes a replacement playground, additions to the VPK program and a new office position.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Pam Dwyer, principal of Oakland Avenue Charter School, presented the school’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The proposed amount is $6,266,836, compared to last year’s $6,305,137. Reserves are estimated at $121,672, compared to last year’s reserves of $311,135.

Included in the budget are $500,000 in remaining Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds; grant monies for the Voluntary PreKindergarten program; an additional classroom and additions to the VPK and after-school programs; funding from the Department of Education to increase teacher salaries; a new playground to replace the original; safety fencing at the front of the school near the cafeteria; and the creation of a help-desk position.

At the time of the budget development, the Charter School Revenue

Calculator was not available from the DOE. To calculate revenue, OACS and town staff took a conservative increase of 2.25% instead of the proposed 4.50% increase. When the calculator is released and final funding is approved by the state, Dwyer will include it with the final budget in September.

RESPONSE TO HATE LITERATURE

Two Oakland residents criticized the town for the way it handled the distribution of hate literature in several neighborhoods a few weeks ago.

Some residents in Oakland and Winter Garden received recently antisemitic flyers. The person who was distributing them was stopped and issued a traffic violation. However, as of press time, no other measures have been taken.

“Silence can be deafening, and when you look at our response, there’s nothing on our social media, there was nothing that says, ‘Hey we don’t stand for this. … this is not what our town is,’” one man said to commissioners.

“We’re a small, tight-knit community, and I want to keep it that way, but how can we do better?”

Another resident said he was disappointed the town didn’t address the issue.

IN OTHER NEWS

He is a rising junior at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, where he is a member of Scout Troop 148. He started scouting in fourth grade and enjoys participating in outdoor activities, which have included scuba diving in Key West and taking a 50-mile hike in Arizona. He has devoted many hours to volunteering and has played the piano and cello for residents in another nursing home. He and his family live in the Windermere-Winter Garden area.

“None of us condone the actions … but we were also dealing with a legal matter,” Mayor Kathy Stark said.

“We’re very disappointed we were targeted for this, and we will not tolerate, and I think we showed that in the way we got rid of the information, turned it over to the FBI and made sure we followed the letter of the law.

“We can learn from our actions, but there’s a lot more to what we were dealing with than people know, and that’s for the police department to deal with, and we take your hindsight into consideration … anything that goes on in the future,” Stark said. “We do not condone this nor will we ever.”

HAPPY RETIREMENT

Police Chief Darron Esan presented a gift to Lt. Angela Campbell, who retired from the Oakland Police Department June 30 after 14 years of service.

“The town was my life, you guys were amazing, and I thank you for 14 years of my dream,” Campbell said. “This was my dream since I was a kid, and as you know, I didn’t go to the academy until I was 40. So to have this as my first and only job in law enforcement, I’m beyond words. Thanks for always having my back.”

n Oakland Town Manager Andy Stewart announced town employee Jessica Lovejoy now is serving as the community outreach director and public information officer and has made some organizational changes at the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland.

Lovejoy presented an events calendar for the second half of 2023 and already is working on the calendar for 2024. She said the fourth Friday Music on the Porch will transition to the fourth Thursday, and she was thrilled to announce the town will host a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays in front of the heritage center.

n The commission approved the consent agenda, which included an interlocal cooperation agreement with Orange County to participate in a Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships entitlement grants as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Urban County Program. The agreement covers the grant appropriations for fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026.

n The consent agenda also included a MetroPlan Orlando funding agreement for Fiscal Year 202324. MetroPlan Orlando has been an important partner in transportation planning for the town with both the adopted Mobility Master Plan and construction funding for the roundabout currently under construction on Oakland Avenue and Old Highway 50.

n Stewart said the town has reached out to Colwill Engineering, Orlando, and spoke with an electrical engineer who specializes in lighting regarding the water tower lighting. The engineer will review and research the issue and provide recommendations for commission consideration.

n Commissioner Sal Ramos asked if the town plans to place a landmark or icon welcoming people to Oakland at the new roundabout on West Oakland Avenue. Nothing currently is planned, Public Works director Mike Parker said, other than landscaping but water and electricity have been run into the center so the town has options. Mayor Kathy Stark said she wants to see complementary signage on both the east and west ends of Oakland Avenue for continuity.

Amy Quesinberry

Raj Sambandam is adding special features to this arbor at the entrance of Health Central Park.

TO DONATE: To help Raj Sambandam raise money for his Eagle Scout project, donations can be made through Venmo, @sara-sambandam; Zelle, (904) 563-4700; or gofund.me/611521800.

Courtesy

Raj Sambandam is a rising junior at Lake Highland Preparatory School.

“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

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Mompreneur strikes gold with Tootles Event Sitters

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Tyneshia Perine remembers sitting on her back patio, looking up at the sky and speaking to God.

It was 2018. Perine had just lost her husband, Ronald, unexpectedly. Two weeks later, she lost her job.

Lord, I don’t know what you have planned, she remembers saying to Him. I didn’t write the story; I’m just a character in it. I need you to show me a glimpse of the next page and what you want me to do here.

Then, God spoke.

Go back to the business.

That business was Tootles Event Sitters, a company she had started years ago.

For the first year, Perine pounded the pavement — hard. She attended events to shake as many hands as possible and establish connections.

“I just hit the ground running,” she said. “I started networking and connecting with people. I started showing up more. I started building.”

Today, the business has about 60 employees, and Perine is expanding it into the Tampa Bay market.

And, oh yeah, she’s also Super Mom to her three children: Samara, 10; Josiah, 9; and Louis, 5.

MOTIVATIONAL MOTHER

All three children were younger than 5 years old when Perine’s world fell apart.

Without her husband and her job, the only income coming in was from the Social Security benefits the children were receiving after Ronald died.

Just a year earlier, the family had cleared out Ronald’s 401(k) to build their Winter Garden home.

“Everyone told me to apply for assistance from the state,” Perine said. “When I did, I was denied, because the kids brought in too much income to the house. The Social Security covered the basics of the bills, but it wasn’t nearly enough to feed our family or pay for childcare so I could go back to work.”

Perine said the loss of her husband was devastating financially — but even more so emotionally and mentally.

The hospital tried everything, but Ronald’s blood pressure had spiked, causing a blood vessel to break in his brain. Perine knew he was gone.

“I’m a very faith-based person, so I was like, ‘God, tell me what you want me to do,’” she said. “I had to sign the papers to take him off everything, because (he) and I had always had conversations about the ‘what ifs’ and the

things that people don’t always talk or plan for. It was something that he was very adamant about — especially once we had children — that we needed to plan ahead for those moments. We both agreed that if we are in a situation where we are not coming back the way that is going to help the other person or anything; we don’t want to be in tubes, we don’t want things being pumped into our body. We need to make the call.”

She said a lot of people questioned if she was making the right decision, but she knew it was what he would have wanted.

God and faith is what has kept Perine pushing forward.

“I tell people, ‘Trust me: My porch has seen me shed so many tears,’” she said. “I was angry in the beginning, because I was like, ‘What did we do wrong? Why us?’ I had to tell myself it was OK to be angry, because there’s different parts of grief. Leaning on Him, talking to Him, I’m like, ‘I don’t move unless you tell me to move.’ That’s when I asked, ‘What am I doing and what do I need to do?’”

She shared the biggest thing God always offered was she needs to share her story to help others who are battling the same thing and cannot move forward.

Perine has helped a woman from her church, her best friend of 20 years and countless others to overcome the loss of their spouse. She hopes to become a guest or motivational speaker in the future.

“As women, one thing I learned is that you lose yourself,” she said. “When you become married and you have kids, you’re worrying about if everyone else has everything they need. … Then we forget us and who we are. … The more you wait and keep it hidden in your heart, the deeper you can fall into a black hole.”

Perine’s children also have played an instrumental role in her forging a path forward.

“I want them to have as normal of a life as possible,” she said. “I talk to them about and through everything. I’m very open with them, and I allow them to share their feelings in a respectful way. … My daughter told me one time, ‘Mom, when I have kids, I want to have a relationship with them just like the one you have with us.’ That was like, ‘OK I’m doing something right.’”

TOOTLES EVENT SITTERS

WEBSITE: tootleseventsitters. com

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ tootleseventsitters

PHONE: (407) 349-7749

guests of weddings, private events and corporate functions worldwide.

“Tootles is the missing ingredient in the recipe to prevent disasters at events with kids,” Perine saids. “No matter how big or small the event is, we are sure to bring ‘OODDLES OF FUN’ to the little ones. We are experts at creating an environment that’ll provide hours of entertainment for the children and peace of mind for the parents.”

When she got married in 2010, Perine said almost everyone she knew had children and they were looking for a business to come to watch the young ones for the wedding.

“I was looking for something unique,” she said. “I didn’t want a babysitter. I wanted someone who would come and really entertain the children and really keep them busy. I couldn’t find a single thing like this.”

Tootles began to grow rapidly, but Perine had to put the business on hold when she started to have children.

In 2019, Perine hit the ground running to begin to promote Tootles again. What started off as a team of about 15 has grown into a team of employees, whom Perine fondly refers to not as staff but as family.

“I tell my girls all the time that I may have started the business, but they grow the business,” she said. “My girls are out and representing Tootles the right way. I always want to know when the parents walk in the room that they’re blown away. That allows them as a parent to know that their kid is going to be entertained and they’re going to be OK, so they can go off to their event and have that peace of mind. We are entertainment sitters, not babysitters. I want people to know that we engage with the kids. We don’t hand them an iPad, or sit them in front of the TV, or hand them a crayon and a coloring book. We bring bags of tricks with us.”

Although God and her love for her children had guided her, Perine said running her own business while balancing a busy family life is not something that comes without hard work.

“My kids love that their mom runs a business,” she said. “I’m like a superstar to them. They love that I can drop them off at school, I can pick them up at school, I can be at activities that they want to go to. I have that ability, and I want to show other women they can also have that ability.”

GROWN WITH LOVE

Growing up in New Jersey, Perine traveled to Florida in the summer to stay with her grandmother and aunt, who would take care of her while her mother, who was a single mom, worked overtime to prepare for the school year.

Perine always knew when she graduated high school she wanted to move to Florida, and so she did in 2000, less than a week after walking the stage.

Perine said the family always visited Winter Garden, which was mostly orange groves at the time. She loved the downtown area and the connection and community that came with it.

“What I wanted for my kids is that family, close-knit environment,” she said. “Being from a small town in New Jersey, everyone knew each other. All the kids went to school together and grew up together. That’s what I wanted for my kids.”

Perine and her husband built their home in Winter Garden in 2016.

Tootles branched out recently into Tampa, and Perine said she is working on building clientele there and on the coast.

She hopes to offer also the business in her home state and eventually franchise it.

“I want to teach people how they can run this business and be profitable,” she said. When she isn’t working, Perine jokes she is a free Uber for her children to theater, football, soccer, playdates and more.

She loves taking vacations with her children, especially cruises, and tries to relax with a good book.

Despite the challenges, Perine said the most rewarding part of the journey is seeing her dream come to life.

“That alone is breathtaking,” she shared. “To see this dream I had and all of the obstacles that took place, and yet here it is now. It’s a name that people know. I truly feel like I am bringing something to help the community and still being the best mom I know I can be for my kids.”

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Orange County announces DP Tree 100 Project

ANNABELLE SIKES

EDITOR

NEWS

Orange County District 1 Commis-

sioner Nicole Wilson announced a new project that seeks to add more than 100 trees to the Dr. Phillips area at a recent Rotary club meeting. The meeting was held Wednesday, June 21, at Bay Hill Country Club.

The project is a first-of-its-kind partnership among Orange County staff, the Dr. Phillips Rotary Club and the Dr. Phillips Foundation.

Rich Maladecki, who has lived in the Dr. Phillips community for 27 years and is the new president of the Rotary, said the Rotary board has been working to have conversations with Orange County officials about a beautification project for the community for the last year.

“That conversation turned into the reality we are going to be hearing about today,” Maladecki said. “There are stretches of land that do not have any type of brush, do not have any type of trees, so we started looking at that. … This is a moment to be proud.”

DP TREE 100

The project, coined the DP Tree 100 Project, aims to add more than 100 trees to the Dr. Phillips area medians, hopefully beginning in August.

Jennifer Cummings, project manager for the county, kicked off the presentation.

Cummings said the county had a

landscape program in 1994 but the program was placed on hold in 2010 because of the recession and other financial complications.

The program was on hold until 2012, when the Roadway Median Grant Program started.

“It was really a grant program so that HOAs could come in and get a grant and do like a gateway to their subdivision,” Cummings said. “That program had complications, because, honestly, our attorneys got involved. They wanted the HOAs to accept the liability, because some of the HOAs did not want to necessarily follow safety standards.”

In 2015, the County Commission approved the new Roadway Median Tree Program.

The program aimed to evaluate the 92 miles of roadway median that were placed on hold in 2010. Of those, 37 are located in District 1.

So far, more than 60 miles have been landscaped with more than 7,000 trees.

The specific areas targeted to receive trees via the project include stretches of Apopka-Vineland Road, which currently has 464 trees; Dr. Phillips Boulevard, which currently has 44 trees; and Conroy-Windermere Road, which currently has 91 trees.

Turkey Lake Road also is set to receive trees, although the discussions currently are ongoing due to the complications of the I-4 Ultimate project.

Maladecki said through the project, a minimum of about 100 trees will be planted, but the number could increase after the I-4 situation is completed.

Cummings said there have been various difficulties with roadway plantings, including trees lost in recent hurricanes.

She said the county worked to find trees that could be placed in the roadway that would not be susceptible to high winds and disease. She said the county also kept the tree’s leaf fall in

mind to prevent water-quality damage from nutrients.

“We wanted to take all these lessons to develop a good contract and a good basis of trees,” she said.

Cummings said the county came up with a list of about 20 trees to plant. However, some of those trees have now been removed, such as Sylvester palms, because of the browning of the trees caused by salt water spray — something more common in the South — which started mostly after Hurricane Ian.

Cummings is hopeful the county could use the Sylvester palms again in the next five to six years, but for now, the county is utilizing the single palm system, which is native.

Maladecki said he is hopeful the trees will be planted within the next year.

Although Cummings wanted to start the planting in February, she said there is a repaving project happening in the area. But barring any setbacks, the goal is to start implementing the trees in the Conroy-Windermere Road area in August.

COMMUNITY EFFORT

Wilson said the project would not have been possible without the crucial role of longtime Rotary member and community advocate Maladecki.

This is the first partnership project the county has done under the program.

Maladecki said not only did the foundation agree to financially support the project, but also the organization has offered one of its executives to help guide the project.

Under the contract, the county will purchase, install and establish the trees.

The establishment period lasts for two growing seasons — 24 months — before the trees are turned over to the county’s road and drainage division, which takes over the maintenance.

Dr. Phillips has worked to design the project and provide funding.

The foundation donated $10,000, the Rotary donated $10,000, and the county public works department will be donating about $40,000.

Wilson spoke on the value a tree-

planting program can bring to the community.

“We have so many things that we know our community really believes in,” she said. “Things happen; there are emergencies, there are setbacks in our overall tax base. … But what that means is we look toward organizations, foundations, partnerships, civic partnerships — like this one — to make things happen. The leadership of this Rotary, the incoming leadership, every leader that’s been here has established this tradition of making sure they’re making a difference in their community.”

Wilson said the program is near and dear to her heart.

“My hope is that … this project in particular becomes a model for what we can do across the county and hopefully across the region,” she said. “I don’t think that the government is always efficient or can really move on things we know are really important to our community. But you all do. You know what’s important to you all, and you know what’s important to your neighbors and your community.”

District 1 Orange County Commissioner Nicole

Wilson said the new project will add more than 100 trees to several medians in Dr. Phillips this year.

Summer Carlson, Jennifer Cummings, Nicole Wilson and Rich Maladecki play an important part in the project.

Annabelle Sikes

“My hope is that … this project in particular becomes a model for what we can do across the county and hopefully across the region.”

— Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson

Windermere to vote on pavilion project this month

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

The proposed outdoor pavilion project planned for downtown Windermere continues to face mixed opinions from residents following a virtual Town Council workshop Tuesday, June 27.

At the last public input meeting in April, Town Council members consented to seeing if the West Orange Healthcare District and Windermere Rotary Inc. would be willing to agree to amend the project plans based on resident concerns.

Town Manager Robert Smith cited some of the main concerns from residents, including the incoming of more people and traffic in the town for events, the creation of more noise, the loss of the open green space, and the need for restrooms in the area.

Smith said after his meeting with the involved parties, the organizations agreed to amend the size, shape and scale of the project.

The original 45% plans showcased a 1,900-square-foot proposal, while the revised design has the same look and feel, but is more symmetrical with 1,546 square feet.

If the project does not go through, Smith said the town will have to repay to Rotary Inc. between $100,000 to $150,000 for the work that already has been done. Rotary Inc. would then pay the WOHD.

By the end of the meeting, Smith asked the Town Council for some direction regarding how staff should proceed. Options include proceeding with the approval of the 45% construction documents; proceeding with the revised and reduced square foot design; proceeding with a completely new concept; or doing nothing and returning the cost spent to date.

MIXED OPINIONS

Frank Krens, a member of the Rotary, said he is in favor of the project but with the smaller design.

Krens said he has friends who oppose the project and some of them have shared petitions with inaccurate information.

Byron Sutton, also a member of the Rotary, shared his support for the pavilion. He said he and the other Rotary members reached out to the community and more than 300 people have signed a petition in support of the project.

“We believe that it is something the town could use,” he said. “It’s not our intent to force anything upon the town, but we’ve attended all the sessions. We’ve listened to your input; we’ve changed from our original design. … We believe that we’ve attempted to comply with the needs and requests of the community. We’ve had very little negative (feedback) about it from people that we’ve met with, and the overwhelming majority of the people that we’ve met — residents of the town of Windermere — want to see us build this project.”

Norma Sutton believes the WOHD has done everything it could as far as providing resources to make sure the residents of West Orange County are exposed to Healthy West Orange.

“I just want to be sure that you don’t lose sight of the opportunity to expose all of our residents to Healthy West Orange and to its multi-functionality and to be able to be a participant in this big, major goal,” she said.

John Louis Witherington believes the project is beneficial for property values and thinks the project is a “no-brainer and should go through with no snags at all.”

However, Valentin Mellstrom said most of the people he knows are not in support of the project.

“It’s not something they were even aware of, and they’re not very much involved in the Town Hall

BACKGROUND

meetings,” he said. “It can easily get very cliquish, and we live inside of these social feeds where we think this is what everyone wants just because that’s what the people in our clubs want.”

Sue Ellen Doty has collected 183 signatures of residents who oppose the project.

Susan Carter, chairman of the Windermere Tree Board, also is opposed to the project.

“It was an unintentional consequence when we took down the gray building and ended up with all this green space that has become more community space; it’s opened it up,” she said. “A building is always more than a building. It’s concrete, sidewalks, it’s less space to plant trees, so we don’t have an impact on these sidewalks. There’s going to be less canopy with a structure. … Also, as far as Tree Board goes, even though it was not a unanimous decision, we did vote that we were opposed to the structure — and any structure actually.”

CT Allen believes there are good intentions on both sides. Her concern is the project could negatively affect town events. Allen helps to run two of the town’s biggest events: Music Among the Lakes and Windermere Wine & Dine.

“It really does hinder the green space to be able to be creative with event planning,” she said. “If you replace the community room with another building, you really are cutting off a third of the space that can be utilized. …Don’t keep going down a road that we’re going to stare at something that everybody’s going to be disappointed with because it’s only going to be used five days out of the year. The major events in town have all said this hinders our event planning; it can’t be used for the four major events right now.”

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Council Member Tom Stroup said since the public has become aware

The project, originally approved in July 2020, is a partnership between the West Orange Healthcare District and Windermere Rotary Inc. The plan includes a pavilion complete with a stage, concession stand and other amenities, with the goal of offering accommodations for more events in the future.

A grant agreement between the WOHD and Rotary Inc. went into effect May 5, 2021. Rotary Inc. received $1 million in grant funds from the WOHD to construct the pavilion. Rotary Inc. received the first $200,000 in funding after the agreement was signed. It received a second payment — $400,000 — after the Town Council approved the architectural plans and the owner’s representative. The third payment — $400,000 — will be distributed within 50% completion of the project.

The grant agreement states if Rotary Inc. does not complete the pavilion, it may be considered a “material breach” of the agreement, allowing the WOHD to require repayment of some or all of the grant.

The grant also states the construction of the pavilion must begin within 18 months of the effective date, Nov. 5, 2022, and the pavilion must be completed and donated to the town within three years of the effective date, May 5, 2024.

of the pavilion, almost everyone has been against it.

“I don’t take anything away from the Rotary,” he said. “They have done a lot, and I think their intention was genuine. I just don’t believe it’s what the residents want. … It’s not the footprint of the building (but rather) the impact of the building.”

Council Member Tony Davit was interested originally in the concept — even though he thought the project was too large. However, he does not believe the smaller design is very different.

“We have more work to do,” he said. “If the grant timeline is driving us into a bad decision, I think we just need to halt that decision and kind of take a step back a little bit and evaluate this.”

Davit also said if the associated parties pursued design above the 45% plans, he does not think the town should be liable for the additional costs.

Council Member Molly Rose agreed with Davit in terms of the money owed and believes the project has emphasized why communication with residents is so important.

“We’ve learned that early on in a project when something comes up, the town really needs to put it out to the public,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a slight against Rotary or Healthy West Orange. We just didn’t really look at it and understand what was coming.”

All council members consented to do nothing with the project and return the cost spent to date.

Mayor Jim O’Brien said he hates to give back money and believes the town will need to take a closer look at events, and the size of events, in the future.

“I wrestle with this,” he said. “I really feel like we’re taking out some displeasure on events on a pavilion. But … certainly I do hear all the feedback and respect all of that feedback. I wish we could go to take a different look at it and a better look at it, but I think it’s pretty clear that council doesn’t feel that way. … I understand that, and I think that we will probably … maybe regret (this decision). … You’re basically telling a funding source that we’re not a viable place for them.”

The Town Council officially will vote on the item at the Tuesday, July 11, meeting.

The proposed outdoor pavilion has faced controvery from the community since its introduction. Courtesy photo

City delivers update on east Winter Garden progress

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The city of Winter Garden held a community meeting Tuesday, June 27, to update residents on the progress being made in the city’s eastside community. Many east Winter Garden residents were in attendance for the presentation and to ask questions of City Manager Jon C. Williams and Mark A. Maciel, the city commissioner who represents District 3.

Maciel said he was pleased with the full Commission Chambers and residents’ involvement and enthusiasm. In attendance were members of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, representatives from nonprofit organizations and current city commissioners, as well as former elected officials from the district. Many of the residents said they grew up in the neighborhood.

“We can’t do this alone, and this is what we need,” Maciel said. “We need involvement … in what we’re doing. I personally have been working on this for 10 years. It’s a lot of people working very, very hard.”

To assist in creating a large-scale collaboration and community action plan, the city contracted with Polis Institute last fall.

“When you understand the need of society and the families you are trying to help, you understand the need in the community — to make it a better place to work, play and build families,” said Chloe Johnson Brunson, of One Winter Garden, founder of I Am Her and member of the city’s Planning & Zoning Board. “Let’s build a community we are proud to call our own.”

Residents expressed concerns about being pushed out of the neighborhood, the lack of black-owned businesses, the lack of community gathering space, drainage issues and affordable housing.

Resident Gary Johnson inquired about renaming some of the streets in east Winter Garden to reflect the community’s history and to recognize forefathers.

“Why don’t we have some streets in east Winter Garden named for some of the pioneers?” Johnson asked.

“When I was growing up, there were barbershops, cleaners. We had cab companies, gas stations. We had shakers and movers, and we didn’t have to cross Ninth Street. We could stay on the east side of Ninth Street, and we could make it. I remember growing up and going in the barbershop.

“The older guys, now that they’re gone — if I had grandkids and they wanted to know about the history of east Winter Garden, how could I explain it to them?” Johnson asked.

“We had men who took care of their people, and I think we should recognize them.”

Maciel said the idea had been discussed before with residents and folks said they didn’t want to change their street names, legal documents and other important papers. He said the city will address the idea of renaming certain streets for the key players in the community.

Resident Harriette Bouler asked people to be patient with the city because change takes time.

“I love Winter Garden,” she said. “My dad was born here. All his brothers and sisters were born here and died here. My granddaddy started the black center. Let’s be patient with the city of Winter Garden.”

ONE YEAR LATER

The city hosted a series of charrettes and community meetings in June 2022 to refocus its efforts on the revitalization of east Winter Garden. The project concentrates on 10th and Center streets, the intersection of Ninth Street and Story Road, and the corner of Ninth and Plant streets — with emphasis on Center Street and Orange Technical College — West Campus. OTC campus preservation is important to residents because it is the former site of the segregated Drew High School.

Last week, Williams presented “One Winter Garden: The Plan,”

Ocoee PD offers Guardian Program

The program provides a safe way for officers to interact with residents diagnosed with autism or other disorders.

which includes increasing connections; increasing homeownership and housing options; improving health, recreation safety and security; and creating safe, comfortable and interesting streets.

The city has approved a project at Plant and Eleventh streets — called The Point on Plant Street — that will include more than 30,000 square feet of space for retail, office and restaurant opportunities.

At last year’s meetings, citizens wanted assurance the old Drew High property would be properly preserved after Orange County Public Schools announced it wanted to build a bus compound on the land.

Williams said the city has purchased 15 acres and hopes to work with the Orange County School Board to swap land so the former high school property can be preserved.

In the last 12 months, Williams said, the city has been planning stormwater improvements, water main upgrades and sidewalk improvements; partnering to develop the West Orange Boys & Girls Club at Ninth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue; and redeveloping homes and designing the streetscape at Tenth and Center streets.

The city has begun its plan and has completed the survey work for Center Street and is working to obtain easements for sidewalks and the streetscape plan. City officials have been working with the Dyson family to create a plan for the Dyson’s Plaza area.

“There’s one thing I want y’all to leave (with) here tonight, and that’s the goal of by working together we can transform our past to our present,” Williams said.

The goal is bringing unity into the community, he said.

“To each resident, each mom, each grandparent, every resident in Winter Garden and east Winter Garden: The way we change our community is for everyone to stand up and be involved,” Brunson said. “We are always better together.”

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Ocoee Police Department’s Guardian Program offers peace of mind for parents and family members of individuals with autism and other disorders.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Autism and Related Disability’s Gym founder Jo-Anne Houwers said. “It makes me feel better knowing that that’s in place.” The Guardian Program was founded in April 2021, during Autism Awareness month. It has since grown to serve people with other disorders, as well.

Through the program, family members and friends of individuals who have been diagnosed with autism or other disorders can register their loved ones into a database.

The database collects identifying information of the individuals and allows family members to specify their special needs, as well as any specific instructions that can help the police officer who responds to the call to better interact with them.

“Once that information is submitted and it’s received by us, then it’s visible only to first responders,” Ocoee Police Sgt. Kurtis Beck said.

“That is a tool that we use when first responders encounter someone that has been enrolled and is in need of help, especially if that person is unable to verbally communicate.”

Such is the case of Houwers son, Joey. Hence, she made a bracelet for her son, which he always carries on him, that reads “Non-verbal, non-violent,” and has three differ-

GUARDIAN PROGRAM

To enroll, visit bit.ly/3JBotZd.

For more information, contact (407) 905-3160.

ent contact numbers on it in case he needs to get back home safe and be reunited with his mother.

When on a call, police officers will be able to see on the database what medication the individuals take, their triggers and certain behaviors they may need to know about.

“When we are dealing with severe autistic children, when they are nonverbal, we don’t know who they are, they can’t really help us, so that’s when the database helps out,” Beck said. “It also helps when the family is going through a crisis, and they need us to respond out there.”

The ultimate goal is to have every family in the city of Ocoee who has a family member eligible for the program to enroll. However, it’s been difficult for the department to get the word out and have all families enrolled in the program.

“This would definitely benefit the families in Ocoee, because a lot of people (don’t know) that this is available,” Houwers said. “It makes you feel better to know that there are people out there that care and are looking out for our kids.”

Courtesy photo

Jo-Anne Houwers and her son, Joey, say families will benefit rom the program.

Isleworth estate sells for $6.4 million

Ahome in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from June 26 to 30.

The home at 5139 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold June 28, for $6.4 million. Built in 2002, it has six bedrooms, six baths, three half-baths and 13,973 square feet of living area. Days on market: 48. The selling agent was Monica Lochmandy, Isleworth Realty.

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

DR. PHILLIPS CLUBHOUSE ESTATES

The home at 8418 Bermuda Dunes Drive, Orlando, sold June 26, for $575,000. Built in 1980, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,776 square feet of living area. Days on market: 49.

ESTATES AT PARKSIDE

The home at 8109 Ludington Circle, Orlando, sold June 26, for $1,200,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,671 square feet of living area. Days on market: 20.

GRANADA VILLAS

The home at 7925 N. Marbella Court, Orlando, sold June 28, for $450,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,373 square feet of living area.

MILLIONAIRE’S ROW

The home at 8998 Darlene Drive, Orlando, sold June 29, for $1,800,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,400 square feet of living area. Days on market: 295.

ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB

The home at 7661 Persian Court, Orlando, sold June 26, for $620,000. Built in 1979, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,077 square feet of living area.

PHILLIPS GROVE

The home at 7959 Wandering Way, Orlando, sold June 27, for $1,301,600. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,991 square feet of living area. Days on market: 20.

SAND LAKE HILLS

The home at 8251 Tansy, Orlando, sold June 28, for $600,000. Built in 1978, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,384 square feet of living area. Days on market: 45.

VIZCAYA HEIGHTS

The condo at 8718 The Esplanade, No. 16, Orlando, sold June 28, for $545,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,503 square feet of living area. Days on market: 62.

WILLIS R MUNGERS LAND

The home at 9331 Charles E. Limpus Road, Orlando, sold June 27, for $2.2 million. Built in 1978, it has five bedrooms, seven baths and 6,829 square feet of living area. Days on market: 408.

WINDHOVER RESIDENCES

The home at 6208 Peregrine Court, Orlando, sold June 27, for $289,000. Built in 1986, it has two bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,212 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

GOTHA

WINDERMERE CHASE

The home at 706 Gentry Court, Gotha, sold June 23, for $950,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,180 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

HORIZON WEST

ENCLAVE AT HAMLIN

The home at 15311 Arcadia Bluff Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $875,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,265 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 15859 Citrus Grove Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $560,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,850 square feet of living area.

HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The townhouse at 15723 Kinnow Mandarin Lane, Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $465,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,196 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

INDEPENDENCE/

The home at 14820 Speer Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 23, for $1,265,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,523 square feet of living area. Days on market: 174.

The home at 14412 Avenue of the Rushes, Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $730,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,438 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The home at 7016 Pasturelands Place, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $610,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,698 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

The home at 6333 Schoolhouse Pond Road, Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $620,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,607 square feet of living area. Days on market: 17.

The home at 15674 Signature Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $560,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,566 square feet of living area. Days on

The townhouse at 15406 Bigelow St., Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $430,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,143 square feet

The townhouse at 15423 Avenue of the Arbors, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $430,500. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,751 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

NORTHLAKE AT OVATION

The home at 17605 Lake Star Road, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $745,479. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,074 square feet of living area. Days on

The home at 11078 Robert Frost Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $660,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,089 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

Courtesy photos

The home at 5139 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold June 28, for $6.4 million. This home is sited on Hole 3 of Isleworth’s renowned championship golf course. The selling agent was Monica Lochmandy, Isleworth Realty.

The home at 11090 Folklore St., Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $508,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,890 square feet of living area.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 7927 Winter Wren St., Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $530,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,758 square feet of living area. Days on market: 26.

SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The townhouse at 8006 Jeremy Joseph Alley, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $440,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,866 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

VINEYARDS AT HORIZON WEST

The home at 6703 Merrick Landing Blvd., Windermere, sold June 27, for $598,500. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,388 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 17799 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $549,740. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,027 square feet of living area. Days on market: 18.

The home at 16483 Point Rock Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $543,740. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,027 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

The home at 16742 Oakboro St., Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $515,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,014 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The townhouse at 17101 Water Spring Blvd., Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $406,740. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,567 square feet of living area. Days on market: 21.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8799 Crescendo Ave., Windermere, sold June 26, for $1,100,000. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,502 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.

WINDING BAY

The home at 15414 Lebeau Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $549,900. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,285 square feet of living area. Days on market: 22.

OAKLAND

HULL ISLAND

The home at 790 Hull Island Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $1,030,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 3,782 square feet of living area. Days on market: 31.

The home at 1372 Southern Sun Drive, Oakland, sold June 30, for $684,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,858 square feet of living area. Days on market: 18.

JOHNS LANDING

The home at 216 Largovista Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $632,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,185 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

OAKLAND TRAILS

The home at 2571 Sky Stone Court, Oakland, sold June 30, for $630,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,416 square feet of living area. Days on market: 15.

OCOEE CROWN POINT WOODS

The home at 1816 Crown Point Woods Circle, Ocoee, sold June 28, for $735,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 3,406 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1852 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold June 26, for $405,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,832 square feet of living area. Days on market: 52.

The townhouse at 1851 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold June 28, for $400,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,941 square feet of living area. Days on market: 73.

LAKEWOOD HILLS

The home at 708 Starke Lake Circle, Ocoee, sold June 28, for $320,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,217 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

PRAIRIE LAKE VILLAGE

The home at 2608 Tall Maple Loop, Ocoee, sold June 26, for $461,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,111 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

RESERVE AT MEADOW LAKE

The townhouse at 1376 Glenleigh Drive, Ocoee, sold June 29, for $357,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,985 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

TWIN LAKES MANOR

The home at 1102 De La Key Court, Ocoee, sold June 26, for $285,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,760 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

ROYAL LEGACY ESTATES

The home at 9465 Prince Harry Drive, Orlando, sold June 29, for $960,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,161 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.

The home at 9518 Prince Harry Drive, Orlando, sold June 26, for $950,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,421 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

WINDERMERE CHAINE DU LAC

The home at 3426 Cocard Court, Windermere, sold June 29, for $2,250,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 7,222 square feet of living area. Days on market: 240.

ISLEWORTH

The home at 5139 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold June 28, for $6.4 million. Built in 2002, it has six bedrooms, six baths, three half-baths and 13,973 square feet of living area. Days on market: 48.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6856 Valhalla Way, Windermere, sold June 27, for $2.5 million. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 5,214 square feet of living area.

The home at 8057 Tibet Butler Drive, Windermere, sold June 27, for $1,542,500. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,062 square feet of living area. Days on market: 67.

The home at 8430 Woburn Court, Windermere, sold June 26, for $1,349,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,319 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 11936 Provincial Way, Windermere, sold June 26, for $1,605,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,037 square feet of living area. Days on market: 190.

RESERVE AT LAKE

BUTLER SOUND

The home at 11050 Coniston Way, Windermere, sold June 27, for $1,650,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,291 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

WESTOVER CLUB

The home at 9304 Westover Club Circle, Windermere, sold June 29, for $725,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,796 square feet of living area. Days on market: 30.

WILLOWS AT LAKE RHEA

The home at 11201 Willow Gardens Drive, Windermere, sold June 28, for $1,200,000. Built in 1994, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,708 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.

WINTER GARDEN CANOPY OAKS

The home at 618 Canopy Estates Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $1,385,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,300 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

DANIELS LANDING

The townhouse at 13734 Daniels Landing Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $314,900. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,234 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

ELLMAN PARK

The home at 46 W. Vining St., Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $460,000. Built in 1938, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,273 square feet of living area.

ESTATES AT LAKEVIEW PRESERVE

The home at 3175 Sailing Pier Ave., Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $1,110,000. Built in 2023, it has six bedrooms, six baths and 4,674 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

FULLERS CROSSING

The home at 948 Burland Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $480,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,487 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

GLYNWOOD II AT STONE CREST

The home at 808 Duff Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $885,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,915 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 14425 Bayuk Way, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold June 28, for $639,990. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,372 square feet of living area.

The home at 17890 Hither Hills Circle, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold June 29, for $568,990. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,361 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.

LAKE AVALON HEIGHTS

The home at 17577 Davenport Road, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $1,169,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,250 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

MCALLISTER LANDING

The home at 681 Caterpillar Run, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $739,000. Built in 2019, it has eight bedrooms, four baths and 5,108 square feet of living area. Days on market: 137.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 258 Hammock Preserve, Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $853,530. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,653 square feet of living area. Days on market: 29.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 15521 Amberbeam Blvd., Winter Garden, sold June 30, for $520,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,352 square feet of living area. Days on market: 15.

WESTFIELD LAKES

The home at 246 Blue Stone Circle, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $650,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,820 square feet of living area.

WINTER GARDEN SHORES

The home at 50 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $1,118,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,769 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The home at 618 Canopy Estates Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $1,385,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from June 26 to 30. The selling agent was Liliana Lassalle, EXP Realty LLC.

The home at 6519 Point Hancock Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 29, for $2,999,000. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from June 26 to 30. The selling agent was Fernanda Negromonte, Nova Real Estate Services Inc.

First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden

Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097

www.VBCOCOEE.com

Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee Church of God

Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden

Sunday: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 4PM (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, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661

Sunday Service: 10:05 AM

Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

CITY OF OCOEE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NORTHWEST OCOEE

BROWNFIELD AREA

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Ocoee City Commission will consider the adoption of the proposed Resolution, creating the Northwest Ocoee Brownfield Area for remediation, rehabilitation, and economic redevelopment pursuant to the requirements as amended in Ch. 97-277, Laws of Florida, codified as Sections 376.77 - 376.86, Florida Statutes.

The OCOEE CITY COMMISSION will hold the 2nd public hearing on TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023, AT 6:15 PM or as soon thereafter as practical. The public hearing will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers located at 1 N. Bluford Avenue, Ocoee.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, CREATING THE NORTHWEST OCOEE BROWNFIELD AREA; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION, REHABILITATION, AND ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO NOTIFY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF SAID DESIGNATION AS REQUIRED; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Interested parties may appear at the public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed action. The complete case file, including a complete legal description, may be inspected at the Ocoee Planning Division located at 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Florida, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. The City Commission may continue the public hearing to other dates and times, as it deems necessary. Any interested party shall be advised of the dates, times, and places of any continuation of these or continued public hearings shall be announced during the hearing. No further notices regarding these matters will be published. You are advised that any person who desires to appeal any decision made at the public hearings will need a record of the proceedings and, for this purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting at (407) 905-3105.

Publication Date: Thursday, August 24, 2023 Ad Space Deadline: Tuesday, August 8

Tap

Reach more than 85,000 readers + 10,000 copies will be distributed at area high school football games in September.

Includes information from all 12 public, private and charter schools in West Orange and Southwest Orange including:

• In-depth analysis of each team, including rosters, schedules and players to watch

• Features on the marching bands, cheerleading squads, JROTC programs, cheering sections and more

• Behind-the-scenes looks into all the support groups that make Friday football games happen each week

SPORTS

HIGH5

1West Orange High School

starting quarterback Trever Jackson has made the decision to transfer to Jones High School, where he will play his last high school season before graduating in December. A recent tweet from the West Orange Football Twitter page said: “This one hurts! Still love you Trev. ... Wish you the best at your new school.” Jackson attended recently the Elite 11 final competition that took place June 14 to 16 in Los Angeles. 2

The Dr. Phillips Little League 12U team — also known as “The Little League Division” — defeated Winter Garden Little League 4-2 during the District 13 championship game to advance to sectionals, which will start Saturday, July 15, at the Oviedo Little League Complex.

In only seven games, Dr. Phillips Little League’s Danny Diaz has a .813 batting average, .870 OBP, 13 hits, seven homers, 15 RBIs, 12 runs and no strikeouts. Page 2B.

SPIN CYCLE

Windermere High School is hosting wrestling conditioning for the summer from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The conditioning training will include weights. All athletes who would like to participate in the training sessions need to be athletically cleared or be an AAU member of Claw Wrestling. For more information about the conditioning sessions contact head wrestling coach Aaron Drone at aaron. drone@ocps.net.

3

Ocoee residents and visitors now have a new place to skate and ride their bicycles — and also attempt a few tricks — at the new Action Sports Park that opened Wednesday, June 28.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

4

Foundation Academy will host its annual basketball camp from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 12 to 14. This camp will allow athletes grades K5 through eight to work on their hardwood skills. Tuition for the camp is $150. Campers can register online at foundation academy.net/2023sports-summer-camps. For more information, contact (407) 877-2744.

The city of Ocoee celebrated the grand opening ceremony for its new Action Sports Park Wednesday, June 28.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said.

“We are glad to have this chance to start this park. I think it’s going to be … a wonderful thing to have where kids can be entertained. …. We are looking forward to this.”

5

The Winter Garden Squeeze will play a threegame series against the DeLand Suns July 10 to 11. The three games will take place in a two-day span, with a doubleheader Monday, July 10 — the first game will take place at 11 a.m., and the second game will take place at 2 p.m — at Olympia High School. The third, and last, game of the series will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at Conrad Park, DeLand.

“Thank you to all the people … who helped design (this park),” Parks and Recreation Director Mark Johnson said. “This thing came out really awesome.”

The park was thought out under the needs and wants of the skateboard and BMX community that resides in Ocoee and for all visitors who would like to try it out.

“I’m happy to … celebrate this wonderful park,” Commissioner

Rosemary Wilsen said. “Skateboarding and BMX bikes are very popular. … I’m passionate about

SEE OCOEE ON PAGE 2B

OARS rower to represent country at junior world championships

Tyler Murphy, 17, will be part of a select group of athletes who will represent the United States at the 2023 World Rowing U19 Championships Aug. 2 to 6 in Paris.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Representing the United States in the 2023 World Rowing U19 Championships was something OARS rower Tyler Murphy never thought would happen.

Until now.

The championships will take place Aug. 2 to 6 in Paris. Currently, Murphy, a 17-year-old rising junior at Olympia High School,

is training with the National Junior Team at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California.

“It really is a dream I didn’t even know was possible,” he said. “Right now, they have me stroking the eight, which is not official until the week before Paris, but the past two stroke seats of the (JM8+ boat) have been guys I’ve really looked up to and I didn’t think I’d be filling their shoes as a sophomore. … I didn’t even know I had the potential to be here.”

In only one week, Murphy already has rowed about 170,000 meters, which he has accumulated by doing both erg machine and on-the-water workouts.

“It’s the most I’ve ever (rowed),” he said. “We did 10-minute pieces at lower rates: 20, 24, 26, 28 (strokes per minute), but we are averaging what my OARS varsity boat would pull for a 2K all-out three times over. So, the speed here is really fast, but the pressure is also very high. Every time there’s a bad piece or someone has their head down, we are talking about racing countries and not clubs, and how we have to go beat Germany

Courtesy photo Tyler Murphy shares his love of rowing with his siblings, Michael and Lily, and mother, Kim Murphy.

Photos by Andrea Mujica City of Ocoee officials, members of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and residents celebrated the new park last week.

Jasper Woodall, 13, practiced tricks on his skateboard at the skate park.

X Games silver medallist Colt Fake, 34, explored the routes at the pump track.

Danny Diaz

Dr. Phillips Little League catcher and shortstop Danny Diaz led his team in all offensive categories this past season. In only seven games, Diaz earned a .813 batting average, .870 OBP, 13 hits, seven homers, 15 RBIs, 12 runs and no strikeouts.

Tell us about your years as a baseball player.

I started (playing baseball) when I was 7 years old, and I’ve been practicing until now. I think my mom (Yadira Cardenas) signed me up, and I just started playing.

What do you love most about baseball as a sport?

I love my friends and just baseball. It’s my favorite thing; I love playing it.

How long have you been a part of the DPLL team?

Since I was 7 years old. (I also play) travel ball with Base 11. (I’ve been playing with them) since 2020.

What do you believe baseball has taught you not only on the field but also off it?

(It has taught me) discipline, responsibility and hard work. (I need to) practice every day, eat (well) and be healthy.

Do you have a favorite drill at practice?

Not really. I like hitting; it’s my favorite. I love the crack of the bat and how the bat sounds.

What do you think makes you a unique player on the baseball field?

Discipline, attitude and how you play the game.

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team?

By helping my team, correcting them and trying to do the right thing.

Do you have a favorite MLB team and player?

Ocoee welcomes new Action Sports Park

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

THE BASICS

Age: 13

Sport: Baseball Position: Catcher and shortstop Grade: Rising eighth School: Gotha Middle School

Team: Dr. Phillips Little League 12U team

The Yankees, because I have family in New York, and we’ve been following them for a long time. (I also like) the Astros, the Marlins and the Dodgers.

What is your favorite hobby?

Probably playing video games or training. (I like to play) “MLB The Show,” “GTA” and “Rocket League.”

What do you like to do on the weekends? If I can we can go watch a baseball game or go to the beach.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?

A baseball glove, a baseball and sunscreen.

What TV series are you watching right now?

I’m watching “Shameless.” I like it. It’s funny, and it’s fun to watch.

What’s your favorite type of music?

Spanish music. I like Bad Bunny.

Who is your favorite superhero? Why?

I’d say Spider-Man; he’s saved a lot of people.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

Teleportation, so I can get places faster and never be late.

What are three places you’d

Probably any baseball stadium

— Dodgers or Yankees. I would go back to Cuba, because I have a lot of family there, and I like it there. I have friends and cousins, and I always have fun when I go there. Probably Dominican Republic, because that’s where a lot of baseball players are, and that’s where they grew up. I could probably learn a lot there.

Which one would you choose: Instagram, BeReal or TikTok?

Probably Instagram, because that’s what most people use.

(That’s where) MLB players … post all their baseball things, so I can watch their videos.

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why?

Probably 2000 to 2010, because that’s when a lot of famous baseball players played and I never had the chance to see

What color would you say represents your personality?

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be A lion, because I have more

— ANDREA MUJICA

our parks. Parks encourage physical activities and provide space for popular sports like skateboarding and the BMX bike riding, swimming pools and many other activities designated to promote a healthy lifestyle.”

One of the main purposes for the Ocoee Action Sports Park is to provide a safe space for individuals in the community who are interested in practicing skateboarding and BMX bike riding.

“Ever since I was 15 (years old) there’s been a group of BMXers and skateboarders (in Ocoee) and we would, basically, have to ride the streets,” BMXer Colt Fake said. “It’s amazing to finally have a place now that is designated for us, and the choice of (the) ramp builders was perfect, because there are endless possibilities of stuff to do. You don’t get bored fast.”

Murphy readies for the world stage

FUN FACTS

n Tyler Murphy’s sister, Lily Murphy, also rows at OARS. Her boat (the Women’s U14 4x+) and his double with Ian Ballard (the Men’s Varsity 2-) were the only two boats who made podium at the 2023 USRowing National Championship earlier this year. The double placed second in the nation and the quad placed third.

n With a time of 6:50.6, OARS rowers Murphy and Ian Ballard placed first at the USRowing U19 National Team Trials Regatta Wednesday, June 14, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. The first boat to cross the finish line got a bid for the 2023 World Rowing U19 Championships, but for various reasons, the pair had to decline the bid.

n Tyler received the Hammer Award at the 2023 annual OARS banquet for his hard work and dedication and for having the fastest 2K of the team with a time of 6:18.

n Tyler has a 3.7 unweighted GPA , a 4.5 weighted GPA and is currently taking AP classes.

shoe just fit when he went to the boathouse.”

Tyler enjoyed success this year on the water, along with pair — and double — partner, Ian Ballard.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

and not go beat Sarasota. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s a lot of fun, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

THE ROAD TO WORLDS

To earn an invitation to Chula Vista, Murphy exceeded the hours of practice set by the team, putting in extra workouts during his off-hours before school, where he would get in some extra cardio or extra lifts. In total, with those extra workouts, he added about an additional year of workouts over the course of the three years he has been at OARS.

“Over the course of months and months of doing that little bit, it adds up to the point of where he is now among the Top 31 junior boys in the country,” OARS men’s head coach Nick Hall said. “For him, it speaks highly of his dedication and

for the team. … It can be a great example for his teammates here at home as to what it takes to reach that level. He didn’t just wake up and didn’t do anything and he got invited. He put in the work, and he got invited.”

Before discovering rowing, Murphy tried myriad sports. During his younger years, he tried baseball, tennis, football, golf, lacrosse and soccer.

“Tyler’s dad and I met because we were pitchers in high school, in softball and baseball,” Tyler’s mom, Kim Murphy, said. “You start off (putting your children in sports) you know. And Tyler quickly made it known that baseball was much too slow-paced for him. He didn’t like to sit and wait for the ball. He wants to be out there, cranking through the water, so it was really fun to see, after trying those different sports, that it was like the

“We raced the pair all the way through last year, too,” Tyler said. “We’d been rowing it for coming up like 20 months, so we’d really had a long time in that boat. None of this would have happened without him or Owen DeBoer, or any of the other guys. Rowing alone is impossible; you can’t do it. All of the work ethic and stuff I’ve found was through them, and my success is their success and vice versa. So, I couldn’t have done this along without them or my coaches.”

High expectations are in place prior to traveling to Paris; Tyler is truly looking forward to bringing home a medal.

“I really want a medal,” he said. “There’s usually four pretty fast teams, (these) being the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China. So, one team won’t get a medal. But, the past two years, we’ve gotten first and third, so it’s definitely possible. I really want that to happen.”

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

Courtesy photo

Tyler Murphy received the Hammer Award for his sportsmanship and hardwork this year af the 2023 annual OARS banquet.

Andrea Mujica

Children were excited to have a new place to ride their bicycles safely.

IRON SHARPENS IRON: Windermere Prep offers summer workout sessions

The Athlete Maker Strength and Conditioning program is taking place at Windermere Preparatory School through Thursday, July 27. The workouts, led by head weightlifting coach Micah Kurtz, offer athletes from different schools in the area intensive training sessions to improve their athletic skills.

Workouts divide into different sessions:

The Future Athlete Speed and Strength Training sessions run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Fridays, and are available to rising fifth- through eighth-graders. The High School Female Training sessions run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and are available to high school female athletes.

The High School Male Training sessions run from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and are available to high school male athletes.

Athletes are required to fill out a waiver and release form; to do so visit theathletemaker.com/images/ Kurtz-Waiver.pdf. To register visit tfaforms.com/4677105. For more information, contact Micah Kurtz at micah.kurtz@windermereprep.com.

— ANDREA MUJICA

Above: Athletes performed Superman holds during warmups.

Left: Coach Micah Kurtz explained the first part of the workouts to high school female athletes during their training session.

Mickayla Evans worked on building her muscle tone during the workout.

Riley McCoy was all smiles during the workout.

Joey Polo finished his workout with a good abs routine.

Tess Dowling worked on her clean-and-jerk movement.

Winter Garden seeks players, teams for upcoming adult kickball season

POPULARITY WITH ADULTS

Kickball can be a lighthearted sport that doesn’t require much physical fitness to enjoy the quick bursts of action on the field. It’s great to experience a game where players can unwind, be themselves and engage in competitive spirit.

Margie Householder, Winter Garden kickball player, expressed the program is popular among adults “because it reminds you of your youth and gives adults an opportunity to play a competitive sport that you don’t have to be really athletic to play.”

The Winter Garden Parks and Recreation Department is getting ready to host its adult kickball league this coming fall. The game, first introduced back in elementary school, is now more popular than ever. The league contains core aspects of teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership, making it much more popular for adults that are interested.

To form a team, it costs $300 and a team must have a minimum of 10 players: five males and five females. In addition, the Winter Garden league plays against teams that are formed in the city.

Kickball games occur on Monday nights at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 p.m., allowing for a beautiful scenery of sunset while watching or playing the intense game. The games take place at Braddock Park, 13460 Lake Butler Blvd., Winter Garden. The rules are almost identical to baseball, except the teams pitch to their own players and the pitcher and catcher must be one male and one female. Stealing bases and headshots are not allowed during the game. Females are allowed to bunt but males have to do a full kicking swing. Kickball still serves as a fun competitive sport that allows for anyone to enjoy the nostalgic game.

Besides being competitive, the nostalgia hits home plate just as hard. For many players, the recess game turns into a bonding experience through which they can relive those moments and bring a whole new meaning to it.

Householder said she met some of the most loving people she knows to this day on the field.

“I met my now husband playing kickball and made a best friend 10 years from meeting her at kickball,” she said. “I love the game. I have been playing kickball for over 13 years. It’s a fun, competitive game that anyone can participate in. I have made so many new friends throughout the years playing kickball.”

As she looks back, she will be able to remember the electric bonds she created and made last for so long because she decided to play the sport.

Kickball can be a way for adults to stay fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle, without going to the gym or running three miles every day. With friends, it is an easy way to manage your health and get cardio in around the baseball field without thinking about it. Kicking, sprinting to bases and throwing the ball are all great examples of how active kickball can be.

For more information about Winter Garden’s kickball league, call (407) 656-6504.

DANIEL GONZALEZ OCOEE HIGH SCHOOL

The childhood game has become a popular pastime for adults in Winter Garden.

How to get into sports photography

1UNDERSTANDING THE SPORT

Before you step onto the field, court or stadium, familiarize yourself with the sport you are photographing. Understand the rules and recognize the most valuable players. This will allow you to position yourself in the right place at the right time.

4APERTURE AND ISO SETTING

IBRAHIM MAREI WINDERMERE HIGH SCHOOL

My journey into sports photography began two years ago as a 15-year-old videographer for my school’s girls volleyball team. I created a video from all the footage I got and posted it on a new Instagram account, which got a ton of love from everyone at school.

Motivated by that response, I started doing other sports, which led me to my school’s soccer team. I realized soccer was my favorite sport to cover.

With experience in sports videography, I naturally transitioned into photography, sharing my work on various social media platforms, which led to recognition from more prominent athletes and organizations and gave me a good reputation among the locals. From my humble experience in sports photography here are a few tips on how to get started.

2EQUIPMENT

Investing in a mirrorless camera or a DSLR with a fast burst rate and good low-light performance is the definite way to go. A budget recommendation would be the Canon EOS M50 II, because it is easy to learn on and provides a quick FPS shooting rate. However, a camera is not enough. A telephoto lens is very much needed; grab a 70-300mm or a 55-250 mm for amazing results.

3MASTER SHUTTER SPEED

Sports photography demands freezing the action, and that’s where shutter speed comes in and plays a role. Set your camera to manual mode to get full control over your settings. Generally, a shutter speed of 1/800th of a second is recommended for most sports. However, adjust the shutter speed based on the sport, lighting and the effect you are trying to achieve.

A wide aperture (small F-Stop number) creates a shallow depth of field — emphasizing the subject while blurring the background. Regarding ISO, choose the lowest possible setting to minimize digital noise, but be ready to bump it up to correspond to your shutter speed and low-light settings.

5CAPTURE EMOTION

AND TELL A STORY

While action shots are crucial, don’t forget to capture the surrounding atmosphere and surrounding moments, focusing on the players expressions, interactions and celebrations. Also, include the fans, coaches and referees — they play a crucial part in the story.

6POSITIONING

On the field, don’t stay in one place. Move around and experiment with different angles. Shoot from low angles, sidelines or even above the action, if possible. Look for leading lines, symmetry and interesting backgrounds to add depth and context to your shots.

7ANTICIPATE THE PEAK MOMENTS

Timing in sports photography is everything. Anticipate the peak moments and be ready to capture them so you don’t miss out on anything. A special moment can make all the difference.

8EDITING

Get your hands on editing software such as Adobe Lightroom to enhance your images. Adjust the exposure, contrast and colors and crop the images to emphasize the subject. However, be careful not to overdo it; strive for a natural look.

Sports photography requires technical skills, knowledge of the sport and a creative approach to

capture the essence of athletic competition. By following these tips, you can elevate your sports photography portfolio and capture unforgettable moments. Remem-

ber to stay passionate and keep refining your skills. Good luck on your journey to sports photography!

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Photos by Ibrahim Marei

Winter Garden resident earns STEAM scholarship

Aditya Gandhi is one of 10 students who received the 2023 NSHSS STEAM Scholarship.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Winter Garden resident Aditya Gandhi, 17, recently was awarded the STEAM Scholarship by the National Society of High School Scholars.

“I feel really happy winning the scholarship, because it helps me pay for college,” he said. “And, it helps my parents in a way, too, because it decreases the financial burden that my parents have in paying for me to go to college.”

More than 600 high school seniors applied for the 2023 NSHSS STEAM Scholarship. Gandhi was among the 10 students selected this year to receive $1,000.

According to the NSHSS website, the scholarship was created to honor students “who embrace and celebrate the STEAM (science/medicine, technology, engineering, arts or mathematics) field and thrive within it. …

The increasing role of technological innovations in our daily life cannot be understated, and by recognizing the significance of the arts, the STEAM field provides a vast amount of opportunity for those interested in it.”

Gandhi, a recent graduate from Orlando Science High School, will be attending the University of Florida to major in computer science. As part of the application for the STEAM Scholarship, he had to answer: “Why STEAM?”

His answer referred to humancomputer interaction and how he wishes to create technology that eventually could be accessible to all people — people with disabilities and from all walks of life.

“That’s kind of an interest I want to pursue in college,” Gandhi said. “Last summer, I actually went to the University of Central Florida to kind of work and kind of shadow a lot of the Ph.D. students in their human computer interaction lab. And although I didn’t get to work on too many projects with them, the one thing I learned is they actually introduced me to this whole field of human computer interaction and creating and using virtual reality and how we can enhance our interaction with virtual technologies.”

In addition to the NSHSS STEAM Scholarship, Gandhi received also a scholarship from the STAMPS Scholars Program, which awards multiyear scholarships to “driven and talented student leaders to help them achieve their goals.”

Through this scholarship, Gandhi will enjoy the experience of traveling through his collegiate years at UF to different countries around the world,

such as Mexico and South Africa, during the summer seasons — all expenses paid.

“It’ll really show me how people live and the different lifestyles in which they live in allowing me to create technology that kind of suits their needs, in a way,” he said.

During his high school years, with help of his robotics team — Gra-V Robotics — and a partnership with AT Makers, Gandhi was part of the team that developed the “Freedom Wing Adapter.”

“We were creating an adapter that lets people in motorized wheelchairs use their joystick to play video games,” he said. “That was an amazing project. … We actually shipped it to more than 100 people throughout the country who needed this technology for them to stay connected with their loved ones.”

One of the lives Gandhi helped change with the Freedom Wing Adapter was that of a United States citizen who has spinal muscular atrophy — a condition that make his bones fragile and brittle.

“That has left him in a wheelchair for all of his life, since he was born,” Gandhi said. “This technology has let him use the joystick as a computer mouse using the adapter, (which) he uses as part of his daily lifestyle. … This project taught me that as an engineer, it’s your duty to create things that are accessible to all people. … In turn, (we can) create unity, because if we are able to use similar technology and we are able to use that technology to connect with one

another, that’s really important.”

As part of the Gra-V Robotics team, Gandhi participated also in different competitions under a division called First Robotics. Teams from about 30 countries around the world compete while creating robots that are about 120 pounds. Gra-V Robotics also participated in community service and outreach activities such as volunteering at the Orlando Science Center.

Looking forward to his college years, Gandhi is excited about how to remain true to himself and bring his ideas — and his culture — into the STEAM field through future projects.

“(I bring) a unique voice (to the STEAM field),” he said. “When I think of a team and what it means to be a team, I think of a symphony. You have a lot of different instruments — each having a specific role. And what I bring … is a unique voice filled by my culture and my identity of who I am. I am Indian-American. My parents immigrated from India to the United States, and that has really taught me a lot about how important culture is, and I really want to intertwine culture with engineering as well.

“And, if we are creating technology that is accessible to the world, we need a team of people who are different as well,” Gandhi said. “Because, people who are different, when we come together — our differences — (that’s) what makes a team so special. And I think that’s what I want to bring to college — valuing my uniqueness and not changing who I am because I know that the unique that I have is a value to others.”

Andrea Mujica

Winter Garden resident Aditya Gandhi hopes to bring inclusivity through his future projects in the STEAM field.

ORANGE HISTORY

THESE OLD TIMES FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

90 years ago

L.A. Stevens, of the Better Food Store in Winter Garden advertised the following: 3 pounds of neck bones for 16 cents, 2 pounds of spare ribs for 15 cents, 5 pounds of sugar for 23 cents and Campbell’s Pork and Beans for 5 cents.

85 years ago

On account of the heavy expense of operating the swimming pool, the city of Winter Garden placed a charge of 10 cents per person for swimming in the pool on Sundays and Thursdays.

The Sunshine Home Laundry, located at Fleming’s Corner in Winter Garden, advised its customers of the following prices: Bachelor Finish, for all wearing apparel, 20 cents a pound; Family Finish, clothing, 15 cents a pound, and flat work, 8 cents a pound; Rough Dry, 5 cents a pound; and Wets, 4 cents a pound.

50 years ago

Bobby Ficquette led Winter Park Post 112 all the way to the regionals in American Legion baseball action and chalked up some impressive stats on the way. Ficquette, Trinity Prep’s ace moundsman, topped off his second year of legion baseball by leading his team to an 18-5 record and a first place in the district.

The city of Winter Garden introduced a bold new concept for refuse collection with the delivery of a “hobo” to each homeowner. The containers were dog-proof and weather-proof, mounted on wheels, and carried as much refuse as three or four regular trash cans.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

A gathering of local residents posed for this 1935 setting taken at either Mrs. Williams’ home at Black Lake in Ocoee or possibly Mrs. Dillard’s in Tildenville. Back, Madge Robinson, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Simmons, Mattie Simmons, Rosie Lee Nolen, Mrs. Weir and Mrs. Dillard; front, David Robinson, Carol Simmons, Arthur Paul Nolen, Molly Nolen, Mary Virginia Dillard and Aunt Kate Kilgore. Many of the surnames resound today in Orange County history.

Thanks to Charlotte Dickerson Marchant, who recently donated a slew of newspaper clippings, photographs and brochures to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation archive.

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 Library was featuring the films “Clown” and “Hailstones and Halibut Bones.”

45 years ago

Bret Traywick, 11, won a 10-speed bicycle donated by the West Orange Kiwanis Club, and Mark Holland, 12, won a camera donated by the Focal Point Camera Shop in a Bike-A-Thon organized by the Kiwanis Club on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

New officers and directors of the Lions Club Auxiliary were Ruth Holley, Pauline Dees, Betty Duppenthaler, Marjorie Deariso, Allie Hagan, Enta Thompson, Peggy Valdes, Beulah Zeigler, Wilma Maiberg, Betty Hawthorne and Mary Vanlandingham.

30 years ago

Helen Dewey Vick Mathews, 95, died. She had been a member of Oakland Presbyterian Church

THROWBACK THURSDAY

JULY 2, 1954

The Winter Garden Times ran an advertising page in 1954 for business owners who wanted to remind residents of their services on a weekly basis. Citizens could call 363 Blue to request a 24-hour wrecker service through Traywick’s Garage; get watches and other jewelry repaired at downtown’s Pittman Jewelry; phone 307 to inquire about Highfill Dry Cleaners; get a free demonstration of the sensational new Philco TV (with no obligation) at Bradford Furniture Co.; and see the new Jacobsen lawn edger at Bob Kerr Marine Service on the new Highway 50.

since childhood, was a registered nurse, owned Colonial Corners Florist Shop in Winter Garden and served as mayor of Oakland in the 1940s and ’50s. Health officials issued a medical alert to residents in the southwest corner of Orange County regarding Eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne viral illness that principally affects horses but can affect humans.

celebrity cipher

“K SFVA AY ALFVU FOO ALH XLYBOIHJX

YN ALH XAJYVC FVI WJFRH FVI

GYBJFCHYBX SYTHV ALFA K FT

XAFVIKVC YV.” FBIJF TGIYVFOI

Puzzle One Clue: W equals B

“D PIDEH PIBLB MLB VBO PIDESF XWLB

YMPLDWPDN PIME PMHDES PIB PDXB

PW XMHB TWCL NWCEPLT M UBPPBL

YRMNB.” XDNIMBR XWWLB

Puzzle Two Clue: V equals F

“JYGOYGD FO’X FM OYG DFVYO JBC RD XRTGOFTGX OYG JDRMV JBC, CRP EGBDM BHRPO EFIG BMS FOX EGXXRMX.”

OGMMFX KEBCGD BTGEFG TBPDGXTR

Puzzle Three Clue: K equals P

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

SIGNATURE SONGS by Pam Amick Klawitter, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

But Wait ... THERE’S MORE!

LOOKS GOOD ON US

Live & Love Local Winter Garden

The rich history of Winter Garden has flourished with the most memorable restaurants, shops, museums, parks, and activities.

IT’S TIME TO MAKE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.