08.17.23 Southwest Orange Observer

Is city’s media policy unconstitutional?

Winter Garden adopted recently rules for public

YOUR TOWN

BROADWAY

SERIES TICKETS ON SALE

Subscriptions and single tickets are available for purchase for the 2023-24 Broadway on Plant Series, by Victory Productions, at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden.

The theater season kicks off Sept. 8 with “Every Brilliant Thing,” a comedic one-person play with actor John O’Hurley, of “Seinfeld” fame.

Other scheduled shows are “Moonshine & Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas Tale,” “Sweet Dreams: The Air Supply Musical” and “Always … Patsy Cline.”

A four-show subscription is available for the Broadway on Plant Series.

In addition, Garden Theatre and Victory Productions are introducing “America’s Got Talent” comedian Tom Cotter, “Queen: Rhythm & Rhapsody” featuring Broadway rock star Justin Matthew Sargent and “Bo Bice: In Concert.” Other concerts, dance events, and comedy shows will be announced in the future. For tickets or information, contact the box office at (407) 877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org.

WINDERMERE

LITTLE LEAGUE

SEEKS PLAYERS

Windermere Little League is holding registration until Aug. 20 for its fall ball program. For a list of necessary documents and important dates, visit windermerell.org.

New players should plan to attend one of the two remaining on-site registration dates at George Bailey Park and take copies of all the documents. Registrations are taking place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.

Teams will be formed the week of Aug. 28, and practice begins Sept. 5. Opening day is Saturday, Sept. 30; the season ends by mid-November.

City’s new media policy called into question

SIKES

ANNABELLE

NEWS EDITOR

Some local law experts believe Winter Garden’s recently adopted media policy is a violation of the First Amendment.

The resolution sets rules for the way members of the press can obtain information and the manner in which they can ask questions. The resolution was adopted in February in response to an increase in behavior city leaders considered disruptive.

At the February passing of the resolution, City Manager Jon C. Williams cited a lack of public decorum at recent meetings and complaints from the public about the media addressing the City Commission during public comment.

The resolution includes several points some communication law experts consider troublesome. Among those: Members of the media are prohibited from speaking during the Matters from Citizens portion of City Commission meetings and only can obtain information by first contacting a city-appointed public information officer.

Dr. Kimberly Voss, journalism program coordinator in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media

RULES OF CONDUCT FOR THE MEDIA

n Filming is allowed in the Commission Chambers in the designated areas as directed by the city manager or his/her designee.

at the University of Central Florida, said the resolution is troublesome.

“It is not typical for journalists to ask questions at the public comment portion of the meeting, yet there’s no reason that a journalist could not ask those questions,” she said. “Journalists have the same First Amendment rights as any citizen (who) would attend a meeting.

“The inability to ask that question isn’t just about the journalist; it’s about all of the residents of that community,” she said. “The way this looks like it’s been enacted seems to violate the First Amendment. There’s way too many things here that go against the idea of asking questions and wanting your local government to be accountable; that’s the whole point.”

Barbara Peterson, executive director at the Florida Center for Government Accountability, worked on the provision in the Sunshine Law the commission references in the resolution, Florida Statute 286.0114(2), which requires the government to give citizens the opportunity to speak at public meetings.

“The fact that as the media, you’re not allowed to ask a question, you have to go through the PIO; that’s baloney,” Peterson said. “It’s important for everyone to remember that the

n Members of the media are not allowed to disrupt a commission meeting. Disruptive behavior or harassment inside the Commission Chambers or City Hall lobby is prohibited and may result in the offender’s removal from City Hall if not corrected after receipt of a warning to cease such behavior.

n The mayor/commissioner, commissioners and other city officials should not be followed, heckled or harassed before, during or after commission meetings to request interviews, to obtain comments or to respond to questions.

n Members of the media are not to use the Matters from Citizens

media, the press is the only profession specifically protected in our constitution, and that’s for a very good reason.

… The press is the citizens’ eyes and ears, and it’s critically important that we have an informed press.”

Winter Garden resident Sarah Wolfe relies on the media to keep her abreast of news in the community.

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“The resolution stopping journalists from asking questions during this open session of the commission meet-

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portion of a commission meeting or public hearings for their media inquiries. Members of the media can speak with the city-designated public information officer or other designee to request an interview, to obtain comments or to answers questions. Media inquiries may be answered that evening or by the end of business the following business day absent exigent circumstances.

n It is the city’s policy that all official comments come through the city manager’s office or the city’s designated public information officer.

n Repeated disruptive behavior or harassment just prior to, during or after commission meetings may result in the offender being prohibited from one or more future commission meetings as a cooling-down period; in which case the media outlet of the offender may send another media representative to attend the City Commission meetings.

ing is wrong,” she said. “I can’t keep on top of everything that goes on here. … So questions that are asked during this session are important to me.”

However, Bob Buchanan, a former Winter Garden city commissioner, said the city should stand firm.

“I ask that you not repeal it and that you stand strong as a commission,” he said. “It’s amazing that we were here (more than) 100 years, and we never needed any of these things, because

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nothing like this was ever questioned. But all of a sudden … they want to bring this ‘wokeness’ to Winter Garden that they’re trying to force on a lot of other places, and I hope, like I said, you guys will stand strong and not let it happen.”

City Attorney A. Kurt Ardaman said the city currently is in discussion with the First Amendment Foundation and considering changes to the resolution.

In a prepared statement, Williams said the public-comment portion of the agenda is an opportunity for those with an interest in the city to share their thoughts.

“City Commission meetings are not an open public forum (like a public sidewalk), but are a limited public forum,” Williams said. “The publiccomment portion of the meetings are not offered as a platform to address matters that are not city business. The guidelines for how comments and questions are presented are intended to maintain courteous and orderly meetings. The guidelines are also to allow all members of the public a nonthreatening forum to be heard.” Williams said city management met with the FAF representatives Aug. 3.

“It was a productive meeting, and the First Amendment Foundation stated that they would give the city more specific proposed revisions to the policy for addressing their concerns while also allowing the City Commission to maintain orderly meetings focused on city business,” he said. “The city is currently waiting to receive such proposed revisions for its consideration.”

REUNION COMMITTEE: Doug Donahey, Bob Szollosy, Susan Bagley Schommer, Stan Hawthorne, Matt Taylor, Alison Harvey Hannon, Richard Mask, Kaye Boston Clark, Tommy Walker, Cathy Carmichael, and Becky Nix

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Lakeview HS

Garden of delights

Two former Oakland Avenue Charter School students planned a project at their old school to earn their Bronze Award.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Be you. Be kind. Be the light. Be a rainbow on a rainy day.

Fifth-graders at Oakland Avenue Charter School are spreading goodwill one rock at a time with the reintroduction of the Kindness Garden. Former students Libby Kohmetscher and Skyla Vega created the rock garden to earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

“I’m very excited to see it take shape,” OACS Principal Pam Dwyer said. “I love what they’ve accomplished. I’m excited to see more rocks added to see kindness be spread.”

Sixth-graders Libby and Skyla, members of Girl Scout Troop 1773 in West Orange County, came up with the idea of reviving the garden.

“They needed to do a service project that was related to getting this achievement for Girl Scouts,” Dwyer said. “We had started a rock garden a few years ago with the art department, and then (it was stopped because of) COVID. There were a few rocks here and there that were basically being buried. (They said), ‘Let’s get this back to life,’ basically. They wanted this place where people can go and leave a rock and take a rock.”

Before they leave The Nest, the nickname for the school, all fifthgrade OACS Eagles will paint a rock to leave their mark in the garden.

“The fifth-graders will continue the legacy each year,” Dwyer said.

The Kindness Garden is located in a grassy area between the main building and two modular art and music classrooms. It surrounds a tree within a short wooden fence.

Town of Oakland reviews annual preserve report

Oakland Nature Preserve Director Jennifer Hunt provided elected officials with an update of the activities at the nonprofit environmental center.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

An estimated 35,000 people visited the Oakland Nature Preserve in the last year, including a former Antarctic climate researcher, said Jennifer Hunt, director of the preserve.

Hunt presented this and other facts during a Fiscal Year 202223 update to the Oakland Town Commission at its Aug. 8 meeting.

“It’s good seeing those numbers good and steady for us,” she said. “We are pleased to have those solid numbers.”

Local students are among the many guests who participate in programs offered at ONP. Several schools take students on field trips, including Oakland Avenue Charter School, which takes every student during the school year starting with fifth-graders and ending with the kindergartners.

Innovation Montessori Ocoee also takes its fourth- and fifthgraders twice a week, logging more than 800 student days. ONP expanded its homeschool program to age 16, too, and in the last year, 240 homeschoolers visited the preserve.

Summer camp continues to be a popular program, with all six weeks filled to capacity. Participants learned about bats, birds, bees and history this year, and a production company donated its time and helped students make stop-motion videos.

Seven high school students received $20,000 in scholarships through the Youth Climate Project, funded by a local foundation and administered by ONP. They were tasked with completing research and creating a three- to fiveminute video. The program has been funded for the 2023-24 year.

Key to keeping the preserve operating smoothly are the 430 people who donated more than 6,000 hours in the last year. The youngest was a 7-year-old.

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Oakland Town Commission approved the consent agenda at the meeting. This included a revised paidtime-off policy for staff at Oakland Avenue Charter School; a quit-claim deed for the property at 532 W. Sadler Ave. to be donated to West Orange Habitat for Humanity; and an acceptance of utility easements at 17528 and 17502 Killarney Cove Drive to provide connection to the town’s water system for the latter address.

n Commissioners passed the first reading of a resolution that approves the final plat for Oakland Park Unit 7 South. This phase will have 70 singlefamily homes. This extends the subdivision to the west from Unit 6B-3, where Eaglecrest Drive currently comes to a dead end, and to the north of the Winters Landing neighborhood.

ONP houses the last fishing cabin that was on Lake Apopka and is embarking on a restoration project on the building’s foundation. The organization has applied for a matching grant in hopes of securing $45,000 to complete the foundation, replace the roof and work on the interior.

Mayor Kathy Stark thanked Hunt for the update and expressed her gratitude to Hunt for her hard work at the preserve.

“We saw today that Oakland Avenue Charter School was Top 5 in the science FCATS, and that is due, in large part, to the program at the Oakland Nature Preserve,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “The ONP is the finest thing we are going to leave for generations to come, and I am appreciative to everyone’s work at the nature preserve.”

BUILDING THE GARDEN

The painted rocks will fill in a heartshaped area; white rocks cover the rest of the garden. In addition, there is a border of about 200 faded painted rocks, designed by previous students, that were dug up when the scouts were preparing the garden.

Skyla and Libby painted a few rocks as part of the 2023 graduating fifthgrade class and added them to the about 100 colorful rocks designed by their classmates in the school’s art room.

The girls solicited donations for the materials, looking at Lowe’s and Home Depot for ideas and prices. Libby said they selected their supplies after coming up with the plan for the garden. The Kindness Garden project ended up being the monthly sponsored project at Lowe’s, and the building supply store donated items.

In addition, eight Boy Scouts completed Eagle Scout projects and one Girl Scout completed her Bronze Award project out there. She said she hopes to see more Girl Scouts elect to do their Bronze Award projects at ONP.

“We could not do what we do without our volunteers,” Hunt said.

PICKLEBALL INTEREST CONTINUES

Two residents appeared before the commission to open dialogue concerning additional pickleball courts. The facilities at Speer Park are frequently in use, and residents would like to see more space devoted to the sport.

Skyla’s favorite rock reads

“Ohana means family.”

Libby’s favorite is one painted by Skyla that says, “Be a rainbow on a rainy day.”

Libby and Skyla’s garden includes a sign on the tree that says, “Kindness Garden, Take one for motivation, share one for inspiration, or add one to help our garden grow.” Their names and troop number are there too.

The entire process took about two months.

“I think it goes nicely with our community,” Dwyer said of the garden. “I think it aligns with what we’re about … that we’re here for the community and we’re here because of the community, so we want to remember them.”

The girls want to spread happiness.

“We wanted to create it, because sometimes, people just have bad days, and you just want to be able to cure that any way that you can,” Skyla said. “So we just decided to create a Kindness Garden so everybody could have a better day.”

Multiple events drew large crowds: Nature Fest has about 700 visitors; the two-day Pumpkin Glow and Jack-o’-lantern Trail brought 1,900 guests; Oakland Heritage Day drew in several thousand people; 206 guests attended Pours at the Preserve; and Bubbly on the Boardwalk sold out all 100 tickets.

Story time, firefly hikes, Blue Trail hikes and yoga at the lake were among the popular programs also held at the preserve. On the restoration front, more than 1,000 trees were planted, and more than 3,000 native plants were put in the ground.

“We have always talked about additional pickleball courts, and we realize noise intrusions is the biggest challenge with the pickleball courts,” Stark said. “Our Capital Improvement Program, which (Town Manager Andy Stewart) put together, is a great opportunity to put on the list things we can plan for. … I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon, and our budget is tight this year, but it’s definitely on the list of things to consider … if we can just figure out the noise thing. You have our commitment that we will put it on our CIP.”

Amy Quesinberry

Libby Kohmetscher, left, and Skyla Vega have rebuilt the Kindness Garden at Oakland Avenue Charter School.

Each fifth-grader at Oakland Avenue Charter School will decorate a rock for the Kindness Garden.

West Orange singer releases EP

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

When West Orange resident Fabiola Rivera was only 18 years old, she left her longtime home to travel to the continental United States in pursuit of her dreams.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Rivera never thought music was something she could pursue as a professional career.

But now, at 27, Rivera is defying expectations and living out her musical dreams with the recent release of her first EP, “Clean.”

“It was how I felt singing that inspired me to want to do this as a career,” Rivera said. “I grew up really shy, and I was always isolating myself. I found when I was singing or writing, I felt most like myself — the most comfortable and the most able to connect with other people. It became a tool for me to be able to become that and escape for a little bit. That was really the moment when I knew nothing made me feel the way music did.”

‘IF THEY CAN DO IT, THEN WHY CAN’T I?’

Rivera grew up listening to 1980s music. Her father loved rock ’n’ roll, while her mother preferred salsa and Latin.

Rivera said she remembers watching “High School Musical” when she was a child and re-enacting songs with her friends, which drew her to deciding to pursue theater and music.

“To me when I was younger, a career doing music was completely implausible,” she said. “I didn’t grow up even thinking that was a possibility. So when all of that started happening, and I saw younger people releasing music, I was like, ‘If they can do it, then why can’t I?’”

Rivera remembers listening to Kelly Clarkson’s “My December” album when she was about 14 years old and said she was obsessed with it. She sang along to the album frequently and started researching how to get into the music industry.

Rivera’s brother used to take keyboard classes, and she taught herself songs by ear. She also taught herself to play guitar.

She was active in her school’s theater program and took ballet lessons.

FOLLOW FABIOLA RIVERA

n Ty Fy Records: tyfyrecords.com

n Website: fabiolariveramusic.com

n Listen on Spotify: tr.ee/uperWBKczI

n Instagram: instagram.com/holafabiola

Wanting to pursue a bachelor of fine arts in theater, Rivera applied for a school in New York. Although she got in, she said she was unable to afford the tuition.

Despite not knowing anyone besides a cousin, Rivera moved to Orlando to pursue more opportunities involving her passion.

Rivera attended Seminole State College for two years. There, she took theater classes and was a member of the school’s show choir, Seminole Sound. She earned her associate’s degree in arts before beginning to work.

She has participated in many theme park shows, including “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” and “Awesome Mix Live!” at Walt Disney World; and “Sing It,” at Universal Orlando, which she has done since 2017. She also sings with Nfusion and the Matt Winter Band.

Through networking and singing constantly, Rivera began to build her musical platform.

“It became a huge way for me to be able to express myself and get my feelings out,” she said. “I started writing out of what felt like a necessity. I wrote poetry first before I started writing music, but it was just out of this deep, really profound need to get whatever was happening in my head out and make something out of it rather than just letting it fester inside of me.”

Rivera said her biggest wish is to put an experience of hers down on paper and have someone connect with it.

“I feel like when you’re the most in need of writing something out is when you’re really sad and going through something that we can all relate to like a heartbreak or family issues,” she said. “That’s when people really want to connect, so they know they’re not alone and there are other people out there who feel the same things they

do. I can only hope that somebody listens to my music and is like, ‘Oh, I’ve felt like that, I’ve been through this, I’ve had someone make me feel this way.’”

CHASING HER DREAMS

Rivera’s social media posts and single releases caught the attention of Dan Fontana, Ty Fy Records owner, in July 2021.

“I just believe in her as a storyteller and an artist,” Fontana said. “When she sings, you feel like she’s talking directly to you. We just had to have her on the label.”

Rivera was the company’s second artist.

“I knew they had the right intentions and they weren’t going to screw me over,” she said. “They’re an indie label, so they’re smaller, and I knew I would be given the time, energy and effort it takes to break through and do what I wanted to be doing. I chose them because I knew they saw me as the person, not just what they could get out of me.”

Rivera said she has a melancholy soul that comes out in her music. Her music is typically sad and portrays a darker tone, based on intimate life experiences.

Her musical inspirations include Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, Stevie Nicks, Brandi Carlile and Joni Mitchell; anyone who is a storyteller or that moves her.

Recently, Rivera started to work with Ellis Martinez, her label manager. Martinez said it’s been an honor to work with Rivera.

“When I heard her music, I was sold,” he said. “Before I commit myself to anything, I have to believe in it. She’s so authentic. You could tell she’s singing something she believes in, and it comes across as very organic.”

Rivera worked with Ty Fy Records to release her EP in February.

“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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The EP has five songs, plus an additional four acoustic and unplugged variations.

Rivera said “Clean” is about the different emotions and experiences of being in love.

Her favorite lyrics on the album reside in the song “Clean,” and the song that means the most to her on the EP is the one she wrote last: “Permanent.”

Rivera wrote the song when the war broke out in Ukraine. The song describes the strong sense of helplessness she and many others felt.

“It was a really introspective and difficult song for me to decide to put on the album, so I love that one,” she said. “If you’re trying to get to know me, I feel like that’s a great song to listen to.”

CLIMBING THE CHARTS

Rivera only started gigging a few years ago, but she already is enjoying success.

Her first three singles have garnered a combined 250,000 streams in three months. She is trending on music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music and recently was featured on OrangeTV.

Although she is a freelance artist and completes contracts for a lot of people, she said she would like to gig more as herself.

Currently, she is working on playing more local live shows for people she doesn’t know.

She is exploring the possibility of opening for groups out of state, as well as traveling to Los Angeles to get involved with writing circles and collaborating with other artists.

In the future, she said she would love to release a full-length album and write a song for another artist.

Throughout her journey, Rivera said the relationships in her life have been everything.

“This was an endeavor that was hard for my family to accept at the beginning, but as time went on and they saw it become more possible, they became more accepting,” she said. “It’s been amazing to see that belief in me grow.”

Although she does not have her family anchor in Orlando, she said her friends have been her extended family.

“I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them,” Rivera said. “They encouraged me, they held me while I cried. They heard me rant; they told me I could do it. Their faith in me allowed me to truly look at myself and ask myself, ‘Why can’t I — out of all people — do this? Why would I be somebody that’s incapable of doing this?’ And the answer was I could do it. Everything I do, everything I write, I am constantly being held up by the people who love me, and it’s unbelievable. This EP is only mine in the most basic of ways; it belongs to every person in my life.”

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Annabelle Sikes

Fabiola Rivera, 27, writes songs about intimate life experiences to let other know they’re not alone.

Courtesy photo

Throughout her journey, Rivera said the relationships in her life have been everything.

Windermere leaders approve downtown development plan

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

The second reading of an ordinance regarding the Windermere Downtown Property Development Agreement for the final development plan was approved unanimously, with Mayor Jim O’Brien absent, at the Windermere Town Council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 8.

The Windermere Downtown Property Planned Unit Development sits on 2.17 acres within the Town Center District Overlay at the northeast corner of Main Street and East Sixth Avenue.

The property owner is Downtown Windermere Properties, and the applicant is V3 Capital Group.

The pre-application process for the project dates back to 2019.

Town Planner Brad Cornelius said because the property is located within the overlay as adopted in the town’s comprehensive plan, development requires zoning to PUD with a preliminary development plan, which the Town Council approved June 2021.

Prior to the final development plan submission, four public workshops were held. Residents voiced concerns regarding topics such as parking, trees, building design and buffering.

The final plan was approved by the Development Review Board June 20.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

According to the final project plans, the 19,750-square-foot retail, restaurant and office space rests within two one-story buildings with a courtyard included between.

The proposed new buildings are

less than the maximum allowed height of 35 feet and are located consistent with the requirements of the Town Center design guidelines.

The buildings are located along Main Street with the back half of the property along Oakdale Street containing the parking and landscape buffer.

At the time of the presentation, the only announced use for the project was a boutique Ace Hardware store proposed for the building on the north end.

Any businesses entering into the space will be limited to hours of operation between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise approved by the Town Council. Any businesses selling or serving alcohol will be subject to the town’s rules in the code of ordinances, which includes the requirement for the approval of a conditional use for onsite consumption.

There will be about six to seven businesses filling the suites.

The project will connect to potable water services from Orange County Utilities and be served by an on-site septic system to be permitted by the Orange County Health Department. Cornelius said the town has no financial obligation for the extension of or connection to any utility services to the project.

As far as stormwater management, the project will meet the requirements of the South Florida Water Management District to assure post-development impacts do not exceed pre-development impacts of the project. Cornelius said the project is qualified for self-certification permitting by the district.

IN OTHER NEWS

n Windermere Town Council Mayor Pro-Tem Andy Williams read a proclamation designating Sept. 15 as Healthy Selfie Day.

STUDYING SOLUTIONS

There are 79 on-site parking spaces in the plan. Cornelius said this is consistent with the required parking standard guidelines of four parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of building area.

The Ocoee Fire Department reviewed the project and approved the fire truck routing plan and the use of the loading area for shared parking.

As also required in the guidelines, the access to the project is from a right-in, right-out driveway connection to East Sixth Avenue with a right-turn lane into the project from East Sixth Avenue. There will be access on the north side of the project to East Fifth Avenue.

Cornelius said the applicant is required to provide a transportation mitigation payment of $47,000. This includes $20,000 for the applicant’s share of the estimated cost of an improvement to the Main Street and East Sixth Avenue roundabout, and $27,000 for the installation of a signalized pedestrian crossing on East Sixth Avenue at Oakdale Street.

“Everybody accepts and understands there is significant traffic, but under code, under state law, we can’t hold a developer responsible for an existing problem,” Cornelius said. “We can have a developer provide an improvement or money to mitigate to help that, which is what’s happening here, but we can’t reject them based on just too much traffic.”

Regarding tree concerns, the applicant provided a tree impact, mitigation and protection plan. The applicant is required to mitigate 151 inches of trees being removed and

“Everybody accepts and understands there is significant traffic, but under code, under state law, we can’t hold a developer responsible for an existing problem. We can have a developer provide an improvement or money to mitigate to help that, which is what’s happening here, but we can’t reject them based on just too much traffic.”

n Council members approved unanimously, with Mayor Jim O’Brien absent, a request for proposal for debris monitoring and public assistance consulting services by Rostan Solutions, LLC.

n The town approved a request for proposal for a disaster debris removal services agreement by Raynor Shine Services LLC.

n The Windermere council approved a request for proposal for emergency tree removal and maintenance services by T&K Tree Services.

not being replaced. The applicant has agreed to donate trees to the town for planting to replace the 151 inches in lieu of paying a mitigation fee.

The proposed building design has changed and developed over the past year to reflect public input.

Following the June DRB meeting, the applicant revised its building elevations.

“Your land development code expressly states what you can and cannot look at specifically for approval, and the elevations can be looked at but it’s not something you can base your denial of the project on,” Town Attorney Heather Ramos said.

As required by guidelines, there is a 20-foot landscape buffer at the perimeter of the property along Oakdale Street and East Sixth Avenue. There also is a 6-foot screen wall along the Oakdale Street frontage with landscaping on the exterior of the screen wall.

Cornelius said the screen wall maintains a 6-foot height along the portion of the East Sixth Avenue frontage that is across from the homes on Oakdale Street on the south of East Sixth Avenue. As the screen wall approaches the right-in, right-out driveway connection for the project to East Sixth Avenue, the screen wall is reduced in height to 3

feet to provide for visual clearance at the driveway intersection.

The agreement provides requirements for construction management to minimize the impacts to surrounding residential neighborhoods. The requirements include no off-site storage or staging of equipment and materials, the property must be screened from view at all times, no signage allowed except safety signs during construction, and management of debris and dust. In addition, construction hours are limited from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Cornelius noted the development agreement as part of the project.

“This will (ensure) that what gets approved is what gets built,” he said. “A comment we’ve heard from residents is what happens in the future if this gets sold or somebody else is going to do it. Well, with this development agreement these requirements, these plans run with the land. Anybody that buys this or takes control of this after the folks sitting here today, they still have to do this. Otherwise, they have to come back through the process all over again.”

Resident Stephen Withers believes the applicant has done what the residents have asked them to do but thinks it is prudent the town see the actual materials reflected in the plans.

Council Member Tony Davit suggested the applicant meet with Tom Price, the architect leading the improvements for Town Hall, to pull some of the architectural cues over to the downtown project.

The Town Council approved unanimously the plans. Council Member Andy Williams recused himself from the vote because he has interest in adjacent properties.

The agreement places a time limit of 18 months for the start of construction after approval. Cornelius said the Town Council may extend the timeline if needed.

The applicant said the estimated demolition date currently is October or November.

Town staff now will complete any remaining technical reviews and then issue the site development and building permits.

2 / $1.00

— Town Planner Brad Cornelius

Right need, wrong location?

Wincey Groves resident Tracey

Price said because the Wawa will be the only gas station in the area on State Road 429, it will attract more traffic to the area.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Residents living in the Wincey Groves neighborhood in Horizon West voiced overwhelming opposition to the planned development of a Wawa gas station and a Sweetwater car wash during a community meeting hosted by Orange County Wednesday, Aug. 9.

The 16.9-acre subject property is located in Hamlin north of Seidel Road and east of Avalon Road.

The property currently is zoned Hamlin West Planned Development and has a Horizon West Land Use of Retail/Wholesale District.

The first proposed plan by applicant Scott M. Gentry, Kelly, Collins & Gentry, includes a Wawa located within the specified district of the Horizon West Town Center. A gas station is a permitted use on the lot in the RW district. The second proposed plan by applicant Jim Hall, Hall Development Services, includes a 6,050-square-foot car wash located within the same district of the Town Center. A car wash also is a permitted use on the lot in the RW district.

The Wawa would be open 24/7; the car wash would be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Orange County Case Planner

Laekin O’Hara said the proposal already has gone through the Future

Land Use PD zoning and currently is a development plan application undergoing review by the technical review group.

She said neither of the applications has gained staff approval yet, so the site plans are preliminary.

In addition, she said the proposals do not move forward to a public hearing, so this was the only opportunity for public comment.

“We all bought in Wincey Groves when, yes, there was a plan that was proposed when we all moved in here,”

one Wincey Groves resident said. “It’s nothing that we were shown that’s happening. It was supposed to be luxury this and luxury that and stores, and now we have apartments and apartments and rental townhomes and now a gas station. … It’s just not what we were told that we all bought.”

RESIDENT RETALIATION

Wincey Groves resident Marc Fox said although he understands the gas station and car wash are permitted uses and he likes the project, he believe it is the wrong location.

Fox said he has concerns related to traffic, safety, hours of operation, light pollution and flood mitigation.

“Is the county going to require, as a condition of use, on-site security to ensure no alcoholic drinking such as from the gas station convenience store or no other improper after-hour uses?” he asked. “We don’t want to have noise disruption and other disruptions in our homes. … Why is such a large restaurant operation permitted so close to residential homes? … A lot of the operations seem to be 24-hour (for the Wawa), and that’s just not appropriate for this area.”

Scott Kearney, real-estate project engineer for Wawa, said the location was selected for the gas station because of the phenomenal future growth of the area.

“This intersection in the future

condition is going to be so different than it is today,” he said. “We will be there to provide a service I think will be received by those that are going to be moving to this area. … This will be a use that would be expected to be there. … By the time this store opens up, and shortly thereafter, this area is going to be different.”

Another Wincey Groves resident said although she is a Wawa customer, she sees the gas station as being meant for a busy commercial area and not directly next to a residential neighborhood.

Alan Schneider, general manager at Sweetwater car wash, is aware of how close the development is to the neighborhood. He said all the current Sweetwater car wash locations are next to residential areas.

“We are speaking to our manufacturer to look for solutions that dampen that noise,” he said. “So, even though our blowers are going to be inside of the building,

we are looking to address it. We’re even talking to another vendor that specializes in keeping that noise low; it’s one of our main concerns. If you go to any of our locations, we do have signs all over that say, ‘Please, no loud noise.’ We do enforce that. We do ask people to turn it down, exactly citing the residents in the area.”

Fox believes the project is 100% reliant on the expansion and extension of New Independence Parkway.

“I would hope that the county require two pieces,” he said. “One, is that the county not issue any equating permits until the road design for the expansion of the extension is approved. The developer doesn’t know, even though they’re paying for the extension, with 100% certainty that the county will approve the road as currently designed. … The second is that the county not issue any certificate of occupancy until the expansion of the Orange County portion of the extension is completed.”

“I would reiterate that the Wawa or the car wash helps fund some crossing guards on both sides of Avalon for all kids (who) are going to have to use that area,” she said. “The noise from the car wash … that car wash is going to be less than 150 feet from some of the houses in Wincey Groves, and those folks are going to have to listen to the blowers and the sprayers and the vacuums all day long, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. So, some folks want this because it’s going to be convenient; that’s great. I want another gas station, too, but the location isn’t really ideal. … What’s it going to do to the value of those homes?”

Price also mentioned her concerns about contamination in the water, drainage and light pollution from the gas station and car wash.

Another resident from Wincey Groves said his concern is safety for the local children.

“Throwing a big Wawa right at the outset of our community is going to maximize the amount of people that are coming from the frustration of the Walmart gas station being too small straight over to ours; I think that will increase the load,” he said. “It will also drive folks that come off the highway that see that Wawa, and it will be great for business, great for sales, not so awesome for us with pollution, noise, etc.”

District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said although she thinks there’s no disagreement with what the developers are describing as far as goals from the county, she believes what the residents are saying is to implement all of the great items for design — but closer to S.R. 429. However, the applicants said the space was not available.

The proposals will next go to the Development Review Committee, although a meeting had not yet been scheduled as of press time, Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Wincey Groves residents agree another gas station is needed in Horizon West. They just don’t want it so close to their community.

Courtesy photo

The 16.9-acre subject property in Hamlin lies north of Seidel Road and east of Avalon Road.

“(The Wawa) will also drive folks that come off the highway that see that Wawa, and it will be great for business, great for sales, not so awesome for us with pollution, noise, etc.”

— Wincey Groves resident

Isleworth estate sells for $2.35M

Ahome in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from July 29 to Aug. 4.

The home at 9719 Chestnut Ridge Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 3, for $2,350,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,494 square feet of living area. Days on market: 85. The selling agent was Yusuf R. Squires, Properties In Town Inc.

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

DR. PHILLIPS BAY HILL

The home at 8909 Turnberry Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $850,000. Built in 1980, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,962 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

BAY LAKES AT GRANADA

The home at 9229 San Ambrosio Drive, Orlando, sold Aug. 3, for $560,000. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,453 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

The home at 9017 Esguerra Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $552,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,697 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

MABEL BRIDGE

The home at 11559 Acosta Ave., Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $790,000.

Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,282 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.

PHILLIPS BAY

The townhouse at 7420 Cypress Grove Road, No. 132, Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $509, 950. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,985 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

PHILLIPS COVE

The home at 7309 Harlie St., Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $825,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,163 square feet of living area. Days on market: 28.

POINT CYPRESS

The townhouse at 9020 Della Scala Circle, Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $695,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,484 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

GOTHA FALCON POINTE

The home at 4035 Shadowind Way, Gotha, sold Aug. 4, for $495,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,259 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

HORIZON WEST HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 6136 Hamlin Reserve Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 2, for $915,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,087 square feet of living area. Days on market: 17.

The townhouse at 6431 Sweet Clementine Alley, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 4, for $440,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,903 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 16054 Johns Lake Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 3, for $2,200,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, six-and-two-half baths and 5,183 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The townhouse at 15601 Orange Harvest Loop, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 4, for $440,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,877 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.

NORTHLAKE AT OVATION

The home at 17694 Northlake Grove Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 4, for $540,000. Built in

2023, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,134 square feet of living area. Days on market: 15.

SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 14470 Whittridge Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 2, for $435,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,650 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 9711 Waterway Passage Drive, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 4, for $825,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,840 square feet of living area. Days on market: 27.

The home at 16172 Harbor Mist Alley, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 3, for $615,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,295 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine.

WINDERMERE SOUND

The townhouse at 7660 Fairgrove Ave., Windermere, sold Aug. 3, for $430,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,617 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 9016 Reflection Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 2, for $750,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,585 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.

OCOEE FORESTBROOKE

The home at 117 Beacon Pointe Drive, Ocoee, sold Aug. 3, for $515,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,487 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

GREENS AT FOREST LAKE

The townhouse at 992 Robin Holly St., Ocoee, sold Aug. 2, for $384,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,566 square feet of living area. Days on market: 159.

MEADOWS

The home at 325 Meadow Sweet Court, Ocoee, sold Aug. 4, for $325,000. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,000 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

RESERVE

The home at 1399 E. Montheath Circle, Ocoee, sold Aug. 2, for $460,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,976 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

WELLINGTON PLACE

The home at 1270 Stonewater Circle, Ocoee, sold Aug. 2, for $403,300. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,728 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

The home at 9719 Chestnut Ridge Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 3, for $2,350,000. It was the largest transaction in the West Orange area from July 29 to Aug. 4. The selling agent was Yusuf R. Squires, Properties In Town Inc.

Devore Design

The home at 8909 Turnberry Court, Orlando, sold Aug. 4, for $850,000. It was the largest transaction in the Dr. Phillips area from July 29 to Aug. 4. The selling agent was Roberto Aponte, Compass Florida LLC.

WESMERE

The home at 2686 Glenbuck Court, Ocoee, sold Aug. 4, for $495,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,994 square feet of living area. Days on market: 44.

WINDERMERE

BELLARIA

The home at 13304 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold Aug. 4, for $2,299,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, six baths and 4,920 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.

CASA DEL LAGO

The home at 12525 Montalcino Circle, Windermere, sold Aug. 3, for $989,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,117 square feet of living area. Days on market: 21.

ISLEWORTH

The home at 9719 Chestnut Ridge Drive, Windermere, sold Aug. 3, for $2,350,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,494 square feet of living area. Days on market: 85.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 5819 Caymus Loop

W. No. 1, Windermere, sold Aug. 4, for $1,200,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,806 square feet of living area.

LAKE BURDEN

The home at 7327 Millstone St. sold Aug. 4, for $415,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,531 square feet. Days on market: 20.

WINTER GARDEN

BLACK LAKE PRESERVE

The home at 14355 Black Lake Preserve St., Winter Garden, sold Aug. 2, for $1,100,000. Built in 2016, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 5,296 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

LAKE COVE POINTE

The home at 627 Lake Cove Pointe Circle, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 4, for $800,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,888 square feet of living area. Days on market: 45.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 15050 Masthead Landing Circle, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 3, for $575,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,750 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

The home at 1132 Portmoor Way, Winter Garden, sold Aug. 2, for $524,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,741 square feet. Days on market: 15.

WATERSIDE

The home at 17367 Bal Harbour Drive sold Aug. 4, for $557,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,782 square feet. Days on market: 111.

Annabelle Sikes

The home at 117 Beacon Pointe Drive, Ocoee, sold Aug. 3, for $515,000. It was the largest transaction in the Ocoee area from July 29 to Aug. 4. The selling agent was Sheri Malin, Redfin Corporation.

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

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

with a well-earned reputation for educational excellence.

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METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

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Services: 9 AM Traditional

10:45 AM Contemporary

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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

Florida 34734 |

2023 HURRICANE SEASON

Forecasters increase prediction to ‘above normal’

Record warm sea surface temps could result in greater activity.

COURTESY OF NOAA

Scientists at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — increased their prediction for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season from a near-normal level of activity to an above-normal level of activity in an Aug. 10 update.

Forecasters believe current ocean and atmospheric conditions, such as record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures, are likely to counterbalance the usually limiting atmospheric conditions associated with the ongoing El Niño event.

NOAA forecasters have increased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% (increased from the outlook issued in May, which predicted a 30% chance). The likelihood of nearnormal activity has decreased to 25%, down from the 40% chances outlined in May’s outlook. This new update gives the Atlantic a 15% chance of seeing a below-normal season.

NOAA’s update to the 2023 outlook — which covers the entire six-month hurricane season that ends Nov. 30 — calls for 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which six to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater). Of those, two to

five could become major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. These updated ranges include storms that already have formed this season.

The Atlantic basin experienced an active start to the hurricane season. Five storms have reached at least tropical storm strength, including one hurricane. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

“The main climate factors expected to influence the 2023 Atlantic hurricane activity are the ongoing El Niño and the warm phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation, including record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

“Considering those factors, the updated outlook calls for more activity, so we urge everyone to prepare now for the continuing season.”

El Niño conditions are currently being observed, and there is a greater than 95% chance El Niño will continue through the Northern Hemisphere in winter, according to the latest ENSO discussion from the Climate Prediction Center. El Niño usually results in atmospheric conditions that help to lessen tropical activity during the Atlantic hurricane season. So far, those limiting conditions have been slow to develop and climate scientists are forecasting that the associated impacts that tend to limit tropical cyclone activity

may not be in place for much of the remaining hurricane season.

A below-normal wind shear forecast, slightly below-normal Atlantic trade winds and a nearor above-normal West African Monsoon were also key factors in shaping this updated seasonal forecast.

ABOUT SEASON OUTLOOKS

NOAA’s hurricane outlooks are forecasts of overall season activity, not landfalls. A storm’s landfall is usually the result of mesoscale weather patterns and typically are predictable within about one week of a storm approaching land.

“The National Weather Service is dedicated to providing timely and accurate forecasts to empower individuals, families and communities to take proactive measures this hurricane season,” said Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “New tools such as a new hurricane model, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System and the expansion of the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Weather Outlook to seven days are examples of our commitment to enhancing our forecasting capabilities and services.”

In June, NOAA deployed a new model to help produce hurricane forecasts. The Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System was put into operations June 27 and will run alongside existing models for the 2023 season before replacing them as NOAA’s premier hurricane forecasting model.

14-21

6-11 HURRICANES

2-5 MAJOR HURRICANES

Five tips to help you save on hurricane preparedness expenses

The Florida Department of Revenue’s second sales tax holiday period runs Aug. 26 through Sept. 8.

LOURDES MEDEROS

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INSTITUTE

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

&

OF FOOD

As prices continue to increase, people will have to pay more for everything, including storm supplies.

“Purchasing perishable and non-perishable supplies to successfully weather a storm comes with additional expenses that can impact an already tight budget,” said Brenda Marty-Jimenez, one of several UF/IFAS Extension agents throughout the state specializing in family and consumer sciences. “It can be challenging to find the time and resources necessary to feed our families nutritious food and stock up on recommended supplies.”

Thinking ahead is key, she said.

“There are plenty of cost-saving measures you can adopt now that will save you money over time, such as creating hurricane menus and shopping for what you can ahead of time,” Marty-Jimenez said.

Here, Marty-Jimenez offers five strategies to keep disaster preparedness costs under control. 1PLANNING SAVES TIME AND MONEY.

Eating healthy, managing food dollars and cooking at a lower price tag require meal planning, a

key step to managing resources. Before heading to the store, set up a grocery list that will yield multiple recipes and falls within your budget. Be prepared that substitutions may be necessary; because of ongoing supply chain challenges, stores may not have all items in stock. Keep a copy of your disaster menu plan stored with your disaster supplies. Some find it useful to take a photo of their grocery list to keep in their smartphone in case the list gets misplaced — especially during stressful moments. Before heading to the register, double-check your grocery list to make sure you have all the items you need inside your cart. A second trip to the grocery

4

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IN-STORE SPECIALS AND USE COUPONS.

Do not buy what your family will not eat just because it is on sale or you have a coupon. Purchasing “buy one, get one free” items can save money. Cases of water are often sold at buy one, get two free during hurricane season. Coupons can be found in several places, including the newspaper, online printable coupons, weekly store flyers, manufacturer and store websites, in-store coupons and store loyalty cards. By using coupons, the dollars you save each week can add up. 5

store costs time and extra gas money.

REMEMBER MYPLATE.

2

When planning meals, be sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lowfat dairy and lean proteins to stock your pantry with disaster supplies. Don’t buy lots of perishable food if you cannot eat it in time or freeze it before it expires; and remember, frozen food has a time limit if your home loses power.

3

CHECK YOUR SUPPLIES. It is tempting to put off shopping and delay the expense of purchasing supplies when money is tight. Spreading

your costs over time, if possible, can be the most efficient management strategy. Track spending like you track a storm: One week, plan to purchase non-perishable food supplies and bottled water — and, remember, these items are generally not taxable. The next week, buy paper products; perhaps followed by batteries, flashlights and lanterns. Be prepared to make alternative purchasing decisions, as stocked items may be low or limited because of supply chain issues. Make a spending plan that includes a little money set aside each week for needed items. Remember to stock up on what you need, but don’t overbuy.

PREPARE YOUR CAR. Keep your gas tank half full during hurricane season. Plan where you will do your shopping based on where you will find the best deals and how far you will have to travel. This may take some extra research but will save you time and money in the end. You can share shopping trips with a friend, family member or co-worker. They can pick up supplies at one store for you while you purchase supplies for them at another. Travel, buy and plan in advance, while the shelves are still stocked. When the shelves are empty, you will spend more gas money driving around to find what you need. Make sure you are maintaining your gas tank at the half-full level during hurricane season. Consider joining one of the rewards programs at your local gas station. When a storm is approaching, gas lines can become long, and supplies may run out. Download a Gas availability app now such as the GasBuddy app. This may save time and money when looking for gas and supplies are running low. Turnpike tolls are often suspended when evacuation orders are active.

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Hurricane Season… Be Prepared with Natural Gas

In anticipation of Hurricane Season –starting June 1 and closing November 30 – the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) team is encouraging our Florida communities to get ahead of potential storms. With the impact felt by hurricanes in recent years, it is essential to establish a plan now so that when the time comes, we can focus on staying safe with our families.

Choosing the right energy mix for your home should be included in those preparations, along with consideration for safe energy practices during tough times. One of the best parts about natural gas is that it is delivered underground directly to your home, making it extremely dependable –especially during a storm. It’s why so many essential services like hospitals, nursing homes and fire stations rely on natural gas to keep their power on, cooking for the kitchen, and water heating.

The security of having a plan can also help you navigate the unpredictability of storm season when emotions are running high. Don’t wait until a hurricane strikes to formulate a plan; explore the potential for natural gas at your home now, as piping and service installation can take time. Not only will you thank yourself as you rest easier during hurricane season, but your wallet will thank you as well, as the average homeowner saves up to 30% on their utility bills each month after converting from all electric to an energy mix that includes natural gas appliances.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, consumers in the path of a hurricane or tropical storm should have an evacuation plan and secure their homes from all loose items that could cause damage. LANGD customers are advised to leave their service on during a severe storm or hurricane. That way, even if you lose electric service, you can still cook a warm meal and have hot water. Our distribution system is designed to withstand extreme weather so that your service can remain uninterrupted, and your family stays safe, even during the harshest of storms.

when the power goes out, and some even have safety valves that shut off the gas flow automatically if the pilot light extinguishes. Still, the LANGD team wants to emphasize that only authorized utility or emergency personnel should turn your meter valve on or off. We also warn against attempting to operate any natural gas appliances that may have been damaged or flooded.

Even if you’re not expected to be hit by the eye of a storm, high winds and long stretches of rain may impact your neighborhood’s utilities or cause damage to your home. Remember, call 811 before digging around your home, repairing fences, or removing fallen trees to avoid further damage or injury.

Be sure to also have plenty of flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, vital medications and a first aid kit handy. Hopefully, our communities and customers will have some peace of mind as they prepare for hurricane season, knowing they have made a reliable energy choice no matter what Mother Nature may throw their way.

Are you ready to make the safe choice and switch to reliable natural gas before hurricane season? We’re ready to have you as a customer. For more information on natural gas service for your home, business or vehicle, please get in touch with the District marketing team at (407) 656-2734 x307, marketing@langd.org or visit www.langd.org.

SPORTS

HIGH5

1Horizon High School has found a new athletic director in Adam Miller after the first athletic director of the program, Scott Drabzyck, stepped down from the position.

Victoria Grieder coxed the USA Women’s 8 boat that performed at the U23 World Rowing Championship in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Page 16.

GAME OF THE WEEK OLYMPIA VS. BOONE

2

The First Academy athletic program hosted its first Blue and Gold Game Friday, Aug. 11. Fall teams were introduced to Royal Nation at the Warden Stadium. Then, both the JV and varsity football teams executed a number of plays much to the delight of classmates, family and friends.

3

Ocoee High School has started selling sports passes for the 2023-24 academic year. The passes will grant access to every home regular-season sporting event. The Black and Gold Package costs $225 and includes four passes and reserved football parking; the Adult Sports Pass costs $80 and includes one adult season pass; and the Student Sports Pass costs $50 and includes one student season pass. Tickets can be purchased at gofan. co/app/school/FL8216.

Dr. Phillips High School is selling the 2023-24 academic year annual sports pass for students and adults. The Family Pass costs $340 and admits immediate family of the pass holder; the Individual Pass costs $110; and the Student Pass costs $80. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/47xyKzK.

4

Making a connection

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

5

The Olympia High School cross country team will compete at the Ocoee pre-season meet at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. The Titans will compete again at the DeLand Invitational 2023 at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2.

Oh, yes, football is back. And Olympia High School will help celebrate this holiday of sorts this Friday, when it welcomes Boone High for the annual Kickoff Classic.

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Aug. 18, at Olympia.

“I’m just excited to coach football; everybody has been waiting for football to come back and, it’s back,” Olympia High head football coach Travis Gabriel said. “That’s

the exciting part — to be able to be out there on Friday nights with these guys and go out there and play the game we love. I just do it for the kids, the community, the parents and the school.”

The Titans will play the Braves during the Kickoff Classic for a preseason game. Playing against Boone brings back memories to Gabriel; he coached the Braves from 2014 to 2018 prior to accepting the headcoaching position at Olympia.

“My oldest daughter graduated

Olympia senior quarterback Juan Gainous has a loaded receiving corps in seniors Camren Ware, Joshua Evans and TD Cross, and junior Xavier Tucker.

Windermere Prep’s big man to represent China

Sinan Huan, a sophomore at Windermere Prep, qualified to represent China at the FIBA U16 Asian Junior Championships 2023 this September in Qatar.

competition is scheduled to take place from Sept. 17 to 24 at the Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall in Qatar.

Windermere Preparatory School

sophomore basketball star Sinan

Huan spent his last few weeks of summer training at the Chinese National Team training camp in Beijing, China.

“I (worked) on shooting, ballhandling and (on trying) to speed up every move to be more competitive,” he said.

During the 20 days Sinan spent training in China, he and the other 15 players who qualified for the U16 category also participated in tryouts to determine if they would be representing China at the FIBA U16 Asian Junior Championship 2023. That

Sinan was one of the 12 players to make it. He will travel to represent China against teams such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.

“I’m (excited) to go to another country with my friends and play basketball,” he said.

Part of the training also involved scrimmage games, which paired the U16 team with the U19 team.

“The guys were stronger than us and more talented,” Sinan said. “It was pretty fun to play against them, because you needed to be

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Andrea Mujica

The Olympia Titans have been putting in the hard work all summer. Now, it’s time to see the results.

Sinan Huan fell in love with basketball at a young age.

Victoria Grieder

Former Orlando Area Rowing Society coxswain Victoria Grieder recently became world champion alongside her Women’s 8 boat rowers at the 2023 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She is studying public health with a concentration in health care administration at Rutgers University — New Brunswick.

Tell us about your years as a coxswain.

I actually did a couple of sports before rowing, and I started coxing when I was in sixth grade — so going on nine years now. Why rowing?

I actually used to play softball across the street from the OARS boathouse, and we had a couple of friends who were involved with OARS. I was looking for an opportunity to co-train, so I originally joined crew to co-train for softball. I ended up falling in love with the community and the sport, and I’ve been loving it ever since.

Tell us about competing in Plovdiv.

We had a week … to adjust to the time zone and the course we were going to be racing on. … Then we raced in a heat, and we had to get first in the heat to go straight to the final. We ended up first in the heat by two seconds. We went straight to the final that Sunday and ended up winning. We went against countries (such as) Germany, Great Britain, Italy (and) Canada, so it was super exciting.

How did it feel to compete against countries and not teams?

It was so cool even when we would break it down as a team, to say USA. It just made it so real. Our uniforms, we had red, white and blue, and before you start a rowing race, they pull out the crews and they (call them out), and when they said United States of America, (I thought), ’I’m representing the United States right now; it’s so unreal.’”

Describe to us the moment you won.

It’s kind of hard to put into words. We crossed the line with open water, so that was already pretty exciting, and I’m not sure

THE BASICS

Age: 20

Sport: Rowing

Position: Coxswain

School: West Orange High College: Rutgers University

the different challenges that the sport puts me through.

What do you believe rowing has taught you on and off the boat?

(To) bring a lot of passion and be all in on a daily basis.

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team?

In my role as a coxswain, I’m kind of the one voice, and there are eight or four women in the boat. I try to create a little bit of culture within the boat, so I can bring them together as quick as possible.

What is your favorite hobby?

I love being around water … just love being outside.

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

Chocolate, my dogs — Brownie and Coco — and a blanket.

What is your favorite type of music?

Anything from slow rock to pop to jazz. I’ve got all the genres depending on what mood I’m in.

Who is your favorite Disney character? Why?

I’d say Belle. A funny story is, when I was about 4 years old, I would religiously watch it every day.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? The ability to freeze time. Sometimes, I just need 20 more minutes to chill or sleep.

What are three places you would like to visit?

I’ve always wanted to go bit around Europe, and also Australia and New

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

back — when Pangea was still here. I’d like to see how life was like without ogy and that kind of stuff.

would you say represents your personality? Why? I would say purple. Sometimes, I can come across as soft and loving and also always there. Everyone

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you

ANDREA MUJICA

SIDELINE SUPERSTAR:

Meet

Horizon’s equipment manager

This will be the second year Nathan Freid will take care of his teammates and their equipment during the football season.

Among the sea of orange and purple football jerseys you see on the sidelines at any Horizon High School football game, you will find the Hawks’ equipment manager, Nathan Freid.

“It means the world to me (to be a part of the team),” he said. “I love football; I like to take care of people and the equipment.”

For Nathan — who has Down syndrome — and his family, football is a shared passion.

“When he started high school, I knew I wanted him involved in something, and football seemed like a great option because my family loves football,” his mother Trish Freid said. “I didn’t necessarily know how we were going to pull it off, but we met the right people at the right time and they connected us with (head) coach (Dennis) Thomas.”

As equipment manager, Nathan is in charge of taking care of the water for the team, putting away the equipment and helping his team however he is needed.

“He helps out with different things (on game days); he sometimes is a ball boy,” Thomas said. “He’s inspiration (for his peers). … He helps the guys understand that people are people, and that anybody can do anything. We love having him around.”

Nathan, 16, is a sophomore and has been blessed with the opportunity of finding a family away from home among the football players and coaches.

“I feel happy; I like how people really love me at school,” he said. “My team helps me by being there for me, and being nice and encouraging.”

His favorite class is world history and currently, he is enjoyin learning about ancient Rome.

“I like how they built the Coliseum and how (the gladiators) used to fight in the arena,” Nathan said.

Not only is Nathan a part of the Hawks’ football team, but also he is involved with the school’s Special Olympics teams in basketball and pickleball, and is part of the Student Government Association. For extracurricular classes, he chose a culinary class so he can hone in his cooking skills — he loves to make himself an egg burrito every day before school with salsa and sour

cream. With a sense of humor and a positive attitude, Nathan is an encouraging friend to all, and a smart individual who has earned the love of anyone who has crossed his path and the friendship of football players and coaches alike.

“He has a personality greater than life,” Trish Freid said.

“He’s a bundle of energy; he’s a practical joker,” Thomas said.

“He’s just fun to be around.”

Nathan and his family have a Sunday tradition: to go to Miller’s Ale House to watch the New York Jets. Before, it was a whole family tradition, with his mom; his dad, Alex; and his three sisters, Bella, Samantha and Alyx. Now, it’s mostly Nathan, his parents and his sister, Bella, also a student at Horizon.

This season, Nathan is excited to continue making lifelong memories. His favorite memory so far: Being able to wear a set of coach headphones and hear how his team scored a touchdown.

“I’m excited in finding my place on how I can help my team to lead them into the future,” Nathan said.

For his family, this opportunity

means the world; all they always wanted for Nathan was to be included and able grow.

“I didn’t know how it was going to look like, but I didn’t imagine it was going to look this awesome,” Trish Freid said. “He is 100% included in his classes and with the football team, and all of it is helping Nathan be the best version he can be. Most of these kids probably don’t know anyone with Down syndrome aside from Nathan.

“So, what this does for a group of high-school boys — and highschoolers in general — is that it teaches them what Nathan is capable of,” she said. “It teaches them that their community, and the people who are in their circle of friends, sometimes can look a little different. It doesn’t mean that’s any worse; it just means different. All we’ve wanted since day one with Nathan is for him to be included, and I know that’s not what every parent wants, but it’s want we wanted for Nathan. And when we see inclusion working, it’s fantastic, and it really sets the bar high.”

Sinan Huan will play in Qatar

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

super smart when playing against them.”

Sinan’s twin brother, Sifeng Huan, also was among the players who trained in Beijing at the camp. He, unfortunately, did not make the U16 team.

Sinan, 16, began playing basketball when he was 6 years old. He tried myriad sports, including tennis, football, golf and soccer, but he didn’t enjoy any of those as much as basketball.

“My parents — Chengqing Ma, who was on the Chinese national team at the 1996 Olympics, and Yu Huan — played basketball so they taught me,” he said. “Every day,

(my twin brother and I) would go out and play basketball together.”

Training with his brother in their hometown this summer was a fun moment for Sinan, as they have the ability to complement each other well on the court.

“When we play together, we don’t need to talk a lot,” he said. “When we make eye contact, he just knows what to do so. He’s a super good teammate for me.”

As an athlete, Sinan — who plays power forward and center — has grown exponentially from his first high school season as a starter for the Lakers boys varsity basketball team. Hopefully, this will show on the court for the 2023-24 basketball season.

Family. Friends. Community.

“I saw him in AAU this spring … he was getting more vocal, becoming more of a leader and starting to demand the ball,” Windermere Prep head basketball coach Brian Hoff said. “Those are all traits that, for a big guy, are awesome to see in his development, so I’m very excited to see how he’s going to be this season. … He is a very talented young man, he’s 7-foot-0, he’s long, he’s athletic, and he’s got a good feel — and a good touch — around the rim. … He is developing, so the sky is the limit for Sinan.”

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

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Andrea Mujica

A football aficionado, Nathan Freid feels blessed to be a Hawk through and through.

Olympia offense ready to light it up

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

from Boone, and my youngest is a cheerleader over there,” he said. “I’ll always have close ties with Boone.”

STRONGER TOGETHER

The Titans have a senior-heavy team this year, with more than 30 players walking at the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

Senior quarterback Juan Gainous is among those, and he is excited to enjoy his final season as a Titan.

“Our chemistry is above average,” he said. “I am excited, anxious and ready for it to start.”

As a key element of the offensive, Gainous has gained the trust of his four senior starting wide receivers.

“The relationship between the quarterback and the wide receiver is very important,” Gabriel said. “That’s the only way you can be productive when throwing a football. Your quarterback has to know your receiver. They have to trust each other. They have to be able to be where they need to be at and I think they’ve been doing a good job at that. We’ve been hammering that throughout the summer.”

Seniors Camren Ware, Joshua Evans and TD Cross and junior Xavier Tucker have been honing in their skills and working on having a strong chemistry and relationship with Gainous on and off the field.

“Having a good relationship with your quarterback is the only way you can win games,” Tucker said. Each of the four receivers brings a different element to the passing game, which should give opposing defenses fits.

“We all complement (one another) with different skillsets as receivers,” Evans said. “We may not have the same strengths and weaknesses … but we are all elite at what we do. We are still getting better, so if one of us does one thing, we can all do it, so we push

IF YOU GO

OLYMPIA VS. BOONE

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

WHERE: Olympia High School, 4301 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando

OTHER KICKOFF CLASSICS

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17

n Central Florida Christian Academy at Jupiter Christian (6:30 p.m.)

FRIDAY, AUG. 17

n Dr. Phillips vs. Lake Minneola

n The First Academy at Lakeland Christian

n Foundation Academy vs. Bell Creek Academy (Riverview)

n Horizon at Eustis

n Lake Buena Vista vs. Liberty

n Legacy Charter at St. Edward’s (Vero Beach)

n Ocoee at Oak Ridge

n West Orange at DeLand (Spec Martin Memorial Stadium)

n Windermere at Tavares

n Windermere Prep at The Master’s Academy

(one another) to be our best.”

With a strong schedule this year, the Titans are eager to return to the field on Friday nights, and having a strong senior class has allowed them to help newcomers get a better feel for how to play like a Titan.

“We think about our seniors, and we think good leadership,” Ware said. “I feel like as a team, we all are good leaders.”

If one thing is for certain, Olympia is ready to be back, and the Titans cannot wait to showcase their 2023-24 iteration.

“If Olympia is going to do it, it’s going to be this year,” Cross said.

Talan Heyn and his parents, Greg and Karen Heyn, worked together on Talan’s parking spot.

Olympia seniors personalize spaces

Olympia High School seniors braved the heat to make their mark in the parking lot on Saturdays, Aug. 5 and 12. Friends and family members helped them paint a variety of designs on their spaces, including a chess board, Minions, animals, sports themes and superheroes.

Dakota Holmes-Hall helped her friend, Wreigna Watson, with her pink Spider-Man design.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

Right: Olympia High senior Emma Dunagan painted her space with her own creatures.

seniors Keyse Ferraz and Marina Bahia were excited to paint their senior parking spots with the help of Cacau Ferraz and Maria Pontes.

Right: Horizon High senior Sienna Ritthamel decorated her parking lot in a Barbie-inspired theme with the help of Brandon Luik.

Senior Ronni Shulman enjoyed the process of painting her assigned parking spot.

Wolverines claim senior spots

The start of a new school year always brings plenty of awesome feelings — excitement, anticipation and maybe a little nervousness. It also is the time for new school supplies! Your list probably included crayons, markers, glue sticks and, of course, pencils. But, have you ever stopped to think about these fascinating yellow writing utensils? Where did they come from? How are they made? What does No. 2 mean? If so, read on!

A POINT OF HISTORY

According to pencils.com, the pencil is derived from an ancient Roman writing utensil called a stylus. These early instruments used lead as its core.

Utensils that utilized graphite which is non-toxic — can be traced back to 1564 in Borrowdale,

The write stuff! I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher

PENCIL PIECES

The graphite: When scratched onto a surface such as a piece of paper, this soft mineral leaves a black mark.

The eraser: This piece at the top of the pencil is made of rubber, which can be made from either natural or synthetic (human-made) materials. During the process of making the original synthetic rubber, a chemical gave the rubber a pink color. Because they sold so well, manufacturers kept the color. These days, a pink dye is used.

The wood: Pencils are made from soft wood from trees such as pine or spruce. The wood encapsulates the graphite, which makes the pencil easier to hold.

The yellow paint: According to pencil expert Caroline Weaver — who even wrote a book all about pencils pencils began being painted in the late 1800s. At that time, the best graphite in the world was from China, and yellow paint was used to let you know your pencil was from China and had the best graphite.

The paint is both used as a decorative coating and to protect the wood. The metal ring: This piece, made of aluminum, is fastened to the end of

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?

The most common pencil for schoolwork is the No. 2 pencil. That number indicates the degree of hardness of the graphite. The softer the graphite, the darker the mark. The entire scale runs from 9B (the softest, darkest graphite) all the way to 9H (the hardest, lightest graphite). The No. 2 pencil on this scale also can be called HB, which is in the middle. Artists use the different pencils depending on what kind of marks they want to make. H pencils don’t make as dark a mark, but they can stay sharp for longer periods of time. B pencils can make dark marks but dull easily. In a skilled artist’s hands, different pencils can be used to create impressive drawings.

The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich The Loud House: Back to School Special by Papercutz

The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.

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

“NL MYUFCSVD NUNSODV HYS

HGGSWDROZ MSUMXS’V XRJSV, SGGSWDROZ WPHOZS, ASROZ H YUXS

NUCSX RO DPS WUNNFORDL.”

NHZRW BUPOVUO

“ZN Z BUKF, UK UN ZIPZFN BMXTYIIURE. JOK YCYGF VZF UR XYDUBM BUKF, U

EUCY KWZRLN KWZK U ZX ZIUCY.”

ZIYSZRVGM EMRAZIYA URZGGUKO

“PL VHL ULHL IC DVZYU VI IUL CEEX VTE

DFJL CZH DFJLX XC PLDD IUVI ELVIU

PFDD IHLNRDL IC IVSL ZX.”

Puzzle One Clue: X equals l Puzzle Two Clue: A equals Z Puzzle Three Clue: T equals N

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

KUVHDLX RZSCPXSF

JOB DESCRIPTIONS by Pam Amick Klawitter, edited by Jeff Chen By Luis Campos

Our doors are open!

Stop by our new store for delicious food and great deals. Friendly associates are ready to help you, and we have lots of ways to make it easy to get dinner on the table. Come see for yourself. We can’t wait to meet you.

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