04.04.24 Southwest Orange Observer

Health Central expands cancer suite

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Clearly, there is a need.

On its first day of operation — Monday, March 25 — Orlando Health’s expanded and renovated space for colorectal cancer care at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee had 30 appointments scheduled. This space allows Orlando Health to bring colorectal oncology services closer to home and offer consistent access for patients. Before the suite opened, patients receiving a cancer diagnosis at Health Central were referred to Orlando Regional Medical Center for surgeries.

Health Central now has 3,400 square feet dedicated to seven exam rooms, with three special exam rooms for minor procedures. Surgeons will be offering clinics and surgeries at Health Central. There is a small telehealth space for virtual meetings between doctors and patients.

“We are permanently present in this community … instead of being intermittently or occasionally present,” said Dr. Antonio Caycedo, chief of colorectal surgery for the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute. “By the fact that this suite exists, we

are now stating our commitment to deliver not only clinics but surgical services, advanced services.”

Orlando Health has 10 colorectal surgeons, and two will be at the Ocoee facility full-time.

Major surgical procedures still will be performed in the operating room, but an increase in services and minor surgeries offered at Health Central keep more patients in their West Orange County community without the need to drive to downtown Orlando. This suite makes it more

convenient for patients to get all their treatments, including chemotherapy, in one location, Caycedo said.

“They can be here around their support network,” he said. “Especially if you have a diagnosis of cancer — you need your support around you. We don’t want to have to have the patients come to us. We want to come to them.”

es and can expand, draw on top of it — because visual aids are very important,” Caycedo said.

Eventually, these images will go directly into patients’ medical records.

“Lots of people die from colon cancer, and about 60% of those deaths are preventable … if it is caught in time,” Caycedo said. “The way to catch it in time is to get people to do the colonoscopies.”

Erinn Thek, a resident of Clermont, was diagnosed with rectal and colon cancer in May 2023 at Health Central’s cancer institute, then located in another building on campus. She said she is so grateful for the hospital’s cancer institute and its team.

“When you are told such devastating news that you are unable to prepare for, words cannot express how nice it is to have the best care team ever,” Thek said. “Dr. Renee Mueller, Dr. (Jennifer) Logan and Dr. (Jeffrey) Chi spared no time in figuring out my aggressive treatment and the steps I would take.”

Within two weeks of her diagnosis, all of her imaging and blood tests were arranged, and she was treated with radiation and chemotherapy.

ORLANDO HEALTH COLON AND RECTAL INSTITUTE

The Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the colon, rectum and anus. Working together with Orlando Health Cancer Institute, the unit provides care for colorectal cancer, offering colonoscopy and advanced treatment for colorectal polyps. The cancer center treats conditions that include anal fissure, anal fistula, anal warts, cancer (anal, colon and rectal), colorectal polyps, fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, pelvic floor dysfunction, Pilonidal Disease, pruritus ani, rectal prolapse and rectocele. There now are four locations: Ocoee, Dr. Phillips, Lake Mary and downtown Orlando. To schedule an appointment, call (407) 4223790.

cantly) along with 22 lymph nodes, so the cancer couldn’t jump around. I have a reversal surgery I still need to go through, but I am so grateful for the Ocoee facilities/hospital.”

Each exam room is equipped with a state-of-the-art screen to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment.

“Rather than taking a booklet or a piece of paper to draw things for you, we have these screens (with) 3D imag-

“Every Friday, I had a follow-up meeting with Dr. Logan to make sure everything was good,” Thek said. “My radiation therapists and chemo nurses were all fantastic.

“Now, I am in my last leg of this process,” she said. “I had surgery in January, and Dr. Mueller was able to get the tumor (which shrank signifi-

“The new multi-specialty surgical oncology suite is an expansion of current offerings, bringing care closer to home,” Health Central COO Joseph Khayat said. “The medical office suite not only provides a place for care, but also is a symbol of our commitment to bringing the experts to the needs of the West Orange community.” Further expansions will bring thoracic, head and neck cancer services to the suite.

Amy Quesinberry

Dr. Antonio Caycedo is the chief of colorectal surgery for the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee.

Local foodies flock to chamber Best Fest

Food and drink vendors and businesses from around West Orange County filled the lawn of Bill Breeze Park in Ocoee for Best Fest 2024: “The Taste of West Orange.”

The 19th edition of the event, presented by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, featured booths from many of West Orange’s top restaurants. Attendees were able to sample food and drinks from each of the booths and vote on which vendor was serving the best of the best.

Winners included Pilars Martini (best beverage); Family Integrative Medicine (best business booth); Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (best dessert); Poke Burri (best food); and Tom West Blueberries (best guilt-free option presented by Foundation for a Healthier West Orange).

— SAM ALBUQUERQUE

Spring Fever set for this weekend

Bloom & Grow Garden Society’s Spring Fever will include two days filled with entertainment, children’s activities, educational stations, booths and more.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

The 22nd Spring Fever in the Garden, hosted by the Bloom & Grow Garden Society, is set to return to West Orange this weekend.

The annual event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7, on Plant Street in historic downtown Winter Garden.

The event will be filled with plant vendors selling a variety of greenery for spring planting and naturethemed yard and garden art, plus crafts. There will be an abundance of entertainment, children’s activities, interactive educational stations, live music and a sidewalk chalk artists contest.

“Bloom & Grow Garden Society is a cherished organization; we are blessed to have such a dedicated group of individuals who are committed to promoting gardening throughout our city,” Winter Garden Mayor John Rees said.

FEVER FESTIVITIES

There will be 105 vendor booths, many with multiple spaces. Together with Bloom & Grow booths, sponsor booths, and street food and drink vendors, there will be more than 140 booths to browse. There are 23 new booths joining the festival for the first time.

Vendor participants will include Angie’s Planties, Beautiful Bamboo, CareyBee Pottery, Driftwood Market, Ecofruits of Orlando, Groovy Growing, Lost World Exotics, Matthew’s Hope Chest Store & Boutique, Old Fashion Ice Cream, Southern Home Bakery, Duke Energy, Winter Garden Art Association and Writer’s Block Bookstore. The presenting sponsors are Orlando Health and Healthy West Orange.

In addition, Bloom & Grow members will have several booths set up, including one for T-shirt sales. It also will have a booth for their Pollinator Power project, where members will hand out information about the group’s imperiled pollinators. And at the Path of Life booth, attendees can make a donation to have a brick inscribed for their loved ones.

Fourteen of Central Florida’s best horticulturalists will be available for residents to ask questions, including Melissa Shepherd, a bedding plant expert, avid gardener and Disney horticulture cast member; Robert Bowden, a vegetable expert, avid gardener, author and former executive director of Leu Gardens; and Alan Shapiro, a bird and plant expert, as well as former owner of Grandiflora Nursery.

The Avian Reconditioning Center will have an educational display with live owls and other birds of prey. There will be free entertainment located in front of City Hall with a tent and chairs being provided for

IF YOU GO SPRING FEVER IN THE GARDEN

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 7

WHERE: Plant Street in historic downtown Winter Garden

MORE INFORMATION: springfeverinthegarden.org; facebook. com/bloomandgrowgardensociety

attendees to enjoy the show. Another entertainment area will be located at Woodland Street.

A Kid Zone also will be available, with free booths and activities geared to children with fun ways to learn about nature and the environment.

Artists of all ages also are invited to participate in a sidewalk chalk art contest. More than $2,000 will be awarded in several categories.

Free shuttle parking will be available, courtesy of the city of Winter Garden, for the Dillard Elementary School lot and the Ninth and Plant Street lot. Parking within walking distance to the festival will be available at Veterans Memorial Park, the City Parking Garage, Winter Garden City Hall and the Sam Williams Little League Complex.

A FORCE FOR GOOD

With 190 members, the Bloom & Grow nonprofit organization has continued to be a growing driving force for good in the community. Since its inception in 1997, Bloom & Grow has made $536,000 in charitable donations to West Orange County.

All proceeds from the Spring Fever festival go to spread the love of gardening and nature in many ways, such as annual scholarships to students in environmental and horticultural studies at the University of Florida and Valencia College.

This year, additional financial support for various planting and education projects has gone to the Oakland Nature Center, Nehrling Gardens, West Orange Habitat for Humanity and Ocoee High School.

The society also supports school gardens at local elementary and middle schools. The organization’s sweat equity is visible at projects such as the Butterfly Garden at the West Orange Trail, meditation garden at Health Central Park and a sensory garden at the United Cerebral Palsy West Orange Campus.

Libby Drose, Spring Fever chair, fell in love with Winter Garden when she moved back to Florida 12 years ago. A moment of serendipity led her to Bloom & Grow.

“I was still working but faithfully volunteered with Spring Fever for years,” she said. “Retirement opened the door to chairing the festival, and it’s been a job and joy ever since. We do make the festival look easy, but there’s real work behind the scenes, and it’s absolutely rewarding to see all the happy faces enjoying what Winter Garden has to offer that weekend. It makes my heart smile. The ‘fever’ is such a huge factor in allowing Bloom & Grow to be a force for good in so many ways. That’s what keeps us inspired and ready to keep the festival going for the next 20 years.”

Vendors served up amazing eats, including these flaming donuts from the Andretti Karting booth.

Windermere Brewing Company was serving samples of two beers.

Chefs from Andretti Karting served some delicious sliders for those stopping by their booth.

Brian Longacre and his two daughters, Brylee and Jaelynn, had a blast posing for pictures and dancing at the Capture U 360 video booth.

Devan Ortegon, left, Kristen Bridges and their dog, Comet, took a seat in the shaded grass area of Bill Breeze Park.

Left: Jay and Whitney Rumeau enjoyed some of the great food and amazing weather.

Olympia High collects teddy bears for OCSO

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

When Jacob Gorberg was a student at Westbrooke Elementary School, he organized his first teddy bear drive donation for the Ocoee Police Department.

Now, as a senior at Olympia High School, Gorberg has come full circle with yet another collection for a good cause.

With the help of his school’s National Honor Society, Gorberg accumulated more than 50 teddy bears to donate to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for children in need within the county.

“When I was very young, I was a passenger in a car crash,” he said. “The most impactful thing I remember from this experience was the teddy bear that was given to me by a law enforcement officer to comfort me after the crash. I wanted to donate the teddy bears to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, because I was familiar with how they interact with children in the community, and I knew they would have a far-reaching impact.”

MEANINGFUL MOMENT

Gorberg said the NHS officers had the idea for the teddy bear drive but did not know where to start.

When Gorberg found out about the idea, he approached one of the NHS advisers, Stacie Gelbaugh, to find out what was going on.

“She explained to me that they had the idea and didn’t know what to do with the teddy bears after the drive would be finished,” he said. “I had organized a teddy bear drive back when I went to Westbrooke for elementary (school), where we donated the teddy bears to (the) Ocoee Police Department. So, I had an idea of how to proceed with the drive.”

Gorberg immediately got to work with the help of more than 300 members of the NHS.

The collection for the teddy bears ran from March 5 to 13. Boxes for the collection were set up around the school, such as in the offices for students and staff members to help participate.

Gorberg brought the teddy bears to the OCSO Friday, March 15.

“We want to express our immense gratitude to these students and teachers for their generosity and support towards our community,” OCSO officials shared in a social media post following the donation. “Thank you for making a difference.”

Gorberg said the NHS and its members always are happy to give back to the community when they can.

“The intent of this project was to give the teddy bears to children in need, and this way, law enforcement now has more teddy bears to go to children who may be going through some type of traumatic event, whether it be a car crash or something worse where they need this kind of comfort,” he said. “I am glad that I was able to do something personally meaningful to me.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Jacob and the National Honor Society students of Olympia High School for the generous donation of teddy bears to our agency,” OCSO officials said in a prepared statement. “These teddy bears will be given to our patrol deputies, who will distribute them to children, bringing smiles and comfort during challenging times. The support, through initiatives like this, helps strengthen our bonds with the community and highlight the importance of compassion and empathy in our work.”

HEART OF GOLD

The officers from the OCSO aren’t the only ones grateful for Gorberg. His mother, Christy Gorberg, principal at OHS, said she is proud of her son. She said he is a wonderful person who always puts others first.

“Jacob has such a big heart and truly believes in paying it forward and helping where he can,” she said. “He is particularly passionate about the teddy bear collection and wanting to get the bears to children in their time of need. I am extremely proud of him for his dedication and follow through to make this happen.”

In addition to his membership

with the NHS, Jacob Gorberg is on the weightlifting team, a four-year varsity football player (offensive lineman) and serves as a Student Government Association officer.

“National Honor Society is a prestigious organization to be a part of, and it is truly an honor to be a part of it,” he said. “I have been a member since my junior year, which is when students at our school become eligible to join. To me, it means to be of service to the school and the community, giving back in whatever way we can, whether it be through a campus beautification day or volunteering at a local elementary school.”

He signed in February to play football at Valparaiso University next year. He plans to major in political science in college.

Design

News

Sports

Sales

Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com

Graphic Designer / Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@OrangeObserver.com

Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

Marketing and Sales Associate / Zari Gotay, zari@OrangeObserver.com

Jacob Gorberg organized his first teddy bear drive when he was a student at Westbrooke Elementary School.

Courtesy photos Olympia High School collected more than 50 bears for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Disney affordable-housing decision leads March county action

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners made several decisions that impact West Orange and Southwest Orange.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Editor’s note: County Level is the Observer’s new feature, in which we will highlight the most impactful actions taken by the Orange County Commission.

An affordable-housing project proposed by Walt Disney World led District 1 discussions at the March Orange County Board of County Commissioners meetings. Several other decisions also were made that impacted the West Orange and Southwest Orange areas.

DISNEY AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Months of conversations relating to Disney’s affordable-housing project in Horizon West came to a head at the Tuesday, March 26, meeting.

After several hours of discussion, the commission voted to move the controversial project forward with a 4-2 vote.

Mayor Jerry L. Demings was the one to make the motion to transmit the housing plan to the state for review, a mandatory step in the approval process.

Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who leads District 1 where the project is being proposed, and Commissioner Emily Bonilla voted no on Disney Imagineering’s request. Both commissioners asked for a delay so more information could be gathered.

“I don’t think we’re at the point that this should be transmitted,” Wilson said prior to the vote. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions, and I feel really strongly about the fact that some of these are safety and welfare questions.”

The Florida Department of Commerce and other agencies will review the plan, which could take several months.

The Orange County Commission then will vote on a final approval at a later date.

Since the project was announced in April 2022, it has met a slew of concerns from residents. Those include traffic, transportation, school capacity, location, affordability and attainability.

At the meeting, 54 speakers signed up to give public comments.

The proposed project sits on 114.23 acres on Hartzog Road, generally bounded by Hartzog Road to the north and east and State Road 545 to the west.

Disney is working with The Michaels Organization to build about 1,400 units of mixed-income housing in the area, more than 1,000 of which will be reserved as affordable.

“We’re here today because leaders of Orange County and residents have identified affordable housing as one of the biggest needs in our region, and

“I don’t think we’re at the point that (the Disney affordable housing project) should be transmitted. There’s a lot of unanswered questions, and I feel really strongly about the fact that some of these are safety and welfare questions.”

— Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson

we, at Disney, have developed a plan that can contribute to the solution, and we’re working very thoughtfully alongside a prominent developer to create a place that strengthens the surrounding area while making a real difference in people’s lives for years to come, ” Tajiana AncoraBrown, director of external affairs at Walt Disney World Resort, said at the meeting.

Disney officials said groundbreaking for the project, if approved, is targeted for late 2024 with the first units anticipated to be completed in 2026.

Read Orange Observer’s latest update on the project at bit. ly/3PGkOwb. For more information on the project, visit bit.ly/3VAwVyw.

TINY/TILDEN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

County commissioners approved a resolution to utilize federal funding for improvements to the intersection of Tiny and Tilden roads at the Tuesday, March 5, meeting.

The Public Works Department has completed the design for the improvements, and the intersection project includes a new traffic signal; pavement widening for additional turn lanes; milling and resurfacing of existing lanes; signing and pavement markings; curbs and gutters; new sidewalks and curb ramps; and drainage improvements.

The Transportation Planning Division requested federal funding through MetroPlan Orlando and the Florida Department of Transportation for construction and construction engineering inspection in the amount of $4,066,733. However,

$4,032,583 is available in federal funds.

Orange County will fund the remaining construction and CEI in the amount of $34,150.

A public meeting on the improvements is planned for mid-April.

Read the Orange Observer’s latest report on the improvements at bit. ly/4auYwp4.

TURKEY LAKE ROAD HOTEL CONVERSION

At the Tuesday, March 26, meeting, the commission approved a request to convert an existing 215-unit hotel into 215 multifamily residential units on a 7.05-acre parcel.

A waiver also is being requested to allow a minimum living area of 320 square feet.

The project is located at 9350 Turkey Lake Road. A community meeting was held in May 2023. Residents expressed concerns as to the compatibility and impact the development would have on the area.

Read the Orange Observer’s full meeting recap at bit.ly/3Uk25JX.

DIOCESE OF ORLANDO

Commissioners also discussed a preliminary subdivision plan for the Diocese of Orlando in the Horizon West area at the Tuesday, March 26, meeting.

Applicant Steven Thorp, representing Dream Finders Homes, seeks to subdivide 59.56 acres to construct 183 single-family homes. The project is located north of New Independence Parkway and east of Avalon Road in the Horizon West Town Center Village.

Wilson made a motion for approval; the request passed unanimously.

MAXEY CENTER FACILITY USE

At their Tuesday, March 5, meeting, commissioners approved two agree-

ments pertaining to facility use at the Maxey Community Center in Winter Garden.

The first was an agreement between Orange County and K2 Medical Research LLC.

K2’s objective is to provide cognitive assessment; mental, memory and depression screenings; education; and resources for those who may have dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease.

The organization also will provide activities to promote brain health, such as exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes, bingo, painting workshops and crafts.

The second agreement was between Orange County and Primary Care Access Network, Inc.

The organization strives to connect Orange County residents with a source of primary health care, as well as affordable health insurance.

Both agreements passed unanimously.

OCOM PROGRAM

Also at the Tuesday, March 5, meeting, county commissions approved an agreement between Orange County and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine related to the Experiential Learning Placement Program.

Orange County and OCOM seek to implement the program to facilitate placement of the college’s students at Orange County’s participating placement departments and divisions.

The item was approved unanimously.

NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION

The commission, at its Tuesday, March 26, meeting approved neighborhood beautification grants for several homeowner’s associations, including two in Southwest Orange.

One will go to the Bay Hill Village Club Condominium Association Inc. in the amount of $5,000, and the other will go to Sand Lake Hills in the amount of $15,000.

All grants were approved unanimously.

Oakland swears in first new mayor in two decades

Shane Taylor took the oath of office during the Town Commission’s meeting Tuesday, March 26.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

In a meeting hall full of residents, family and friends, Shane Taylor took the oath of office as newly elected mayor of the town of Oakland.

Former mayor Kathy Stark presided over the ceremony, which took place at the Town Commission meeting Tuesday, March 26. Commissioner Mike Satterfield also was sworn into office for another four-year term.

After being sworn in, Taylor thanked everyone who attended, those who believed in him and elected him into the position.

“We were able to launch a truly grassroots campaign,” he said. “The biggest thanks goes to the Oakland voters — you were ready for change.

… To the Town Commission: I know we have more in common than we do differences, or we wouldn’t be here together. Change is hard, pride has been hurt, but you can’t deny that change was (desired) by residents.”

In his first action as mayor, Taylor read four proclamations designating March 26, 2024, as Barbara Bishop Day; April as Water Conservation Month; April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; and April 5, 2024, as Wear Blue Day.

DEVELOPMENT GETS GO-AHEAD

The applicant for Oakland Village at The Grove was given approval to move forward with his proposed development. The project site is about five vacant acres at 15551 W. Colonial Drive, in the town’s urban corridor design area.

Commissioners approved the second reading and public hearing of two ordinances pertaining to the project: a small-scale Future Land Use Map amendment from Mixed Use Commercial to Mixed Use Activity Center and a zoning map amendment from Agriculture to Planned Development.

This is the second time the project has come before the commission.

At the March 12 meeting, applicant/ owner New Horizons Investments LLC, represented by Franco Scala, proposed two three-story buildings with a maximum of 48,000 square feet of commercial and retail on the first floor and 72 multifamily units on the second and third floors.

At that time, the commission asked the applicant about the potential commercial that would move into the buildings and asked him to look at golf cart access to the project.

The applicant, at the March 26 meeting, provided a list of proposed uses: business and professional office, medical clinic, indoor commercial recreation, pub/tavern/bar, restaurants (with or without beer and/or wine and with on-premises consumption of liquor), and retail sale and services (indoor only).

The applicant said future golf cart access could potentially be coordinated with the Catherine Ross Road extension.

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Oakland Town Commission approved the consent agenda, which included an agreement to renew the program contract between Discover After School and Oakland Avenue Charter School for before- and after-school care, as well as care during school breaks.

n Commissioners passed a resolution declaring certain town-owned properties as rightof-way and approved the name as Catherine Ross Road. This is the former Motamassek Road that now extends from Oakland Avenue to West Colonial Drive to serve as another north-south connector in the town.

n The town continued its discussion of trying to reduce dust from the dirt roads. Officials have visited the town of Windermere to see what product is used there.

“We want to go ahead and put a test section down so we know what’s going on in the future,” Town Manager Andy Stewart said. “It’s not budgeted for this year.”

The initial price was just under $25,000, and he wants to look for something less costly to test.

n Stewart announced Finance Director Renee Mullen is retiring in May after nine years in the position. She will be replaced by Gabrielle Leon.

Taylor suggested changes to the development agreement: add that multifamily dwelling units only be located on second and third floors; prohibit the keeping of RVs, boats and commercial vehicles on the property; and assure parking is provided consistent with town’s Land Development Code parking standards. The applicant agreed to all three.

The next step is for the applicant to share the preliminary subdivision plan with the Appearance Review Board, Planning & Zoning Board and then the Town Commission.

FILLING SEAT 3

Per the town charter, the commission has 30 days from the March 12 election to fill Seat 3, vacated by Commissioner Sal Ramos so he could run for mayor, or the governor would appoint a resident. The town has no real process for this because it has only happened once or twice in the past.

An application is available to residents at Town Hall and on the town website. The application deadline was Monday, April 1.

The commission will hold a special workshop prior to the Tuesday, April 9, Town Commission meeting, and all candidates will be required to attend both the workshop and meeting. The person selected to fill the seat will be sworn in that evening.

Commissioners serve four-year terms; however, the incoming commissioner will serve two years, the remainder of Ramos’ term.

Are you a food enthusiast always on the lookout for the latest culinary trends and hidden gems? Join us on social media to stay updated on all things foodie-related in Horizon West. From restaurant openings and food festivals to mouth-watering dishes and local food reviews, we've got you covered. Follow us now to explore the vibrant food scene in Horizon West and discover your next favorite dining spot! From Pizza with Beach Vibes - Playa Pizza, to a Taste of Cincinnati - Skyline Chili, Lime Fresh - Best Margaritas and Empanadas, Bella Italia a local fave, and to Healthy Grab & Go - delicious, healthy and convenient - Clean Eatz.

Voters will choose between Mueller, Jones

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

The Winter Garden City Commission, at its Thursday, March 28, meeting, approved a resolution declaring the results of the general election held March 19 for Districts 2, 3 and 4.

Because no District 2 candidate received 50% of the vote, the city will hold a runoff election April 16 between incumbent Ron Mueller and challenger Iliana Ramos Jones. Danny “DJ” Culberson Jr. was the third contestant in the race.

In the municipal election, Jones had 247 election-day votes, 151 early votes and 189 vote-by-mail, which accounted for 587 votes (48.04%).

Mueller had 137 election-day votes, 182 early votes and 193 vote-by-mail, totaling 512 votes (41.90%). Culberson had 40 election-day votes, 38 early votes and 45 vote-by-mail, for a total of 123 votes (10.07%).

In the District 3 race, Chloe Johnson beat Karen McNeil for the District 3 seat. Johnson had 275 election-day votes, 176 early votes and 236 voteby-mail, which accounted for 687 total votes (68.09%). McNeil had 115 election-day votes, 98 early votes and 109 vote-by-mail, which added up to 322 total votes (31.91%).

Johnson earned incumbent Mark A. Maciel’s endorsement following his withdrawal from the election two days after qualifying in November.

Current District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman was unopposed, so no election was required.

Polling locations for the runoff election will be Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave.; West Orlando Christian Center, 1301 E. Bay St.; Faith Family Community Church, 305 Beulah Road; and Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave.

Early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8-12 at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office, 119 W. Kaley St., Orlando.

The candidate selected will serve a four-year term.

To read more about the candidates, visit bit.ly/3TMknBU.

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Winter Garden City Commission approved a purchase order to Carollo Engineering to develop a local limits evaluation for the wastewater treatment facility permit requirements in the amount of $66,000.

n The commission approved a purchase order to Mead & Hunt to produce a design drawing for stormwater collection system modifications on Roper Drive in the amount of $149,421.

n The city approved a site plan and binding lot agreement for 950 S. Dillard St. and 51 E. Morgan St. An applicant is hoping to develop the 2.19-acre property with a new two-story, 16,147-square-foot commercial building along Dillard Street in front of the existing former bank building.

n Commissioners approved the Arts in April VIP fundraiser hosted by the Winter Garden Art Association. The special event will take place Saturday, April 27, at several locations throughout downtown Winter Garden.

n The Community Redevelopment Agency approved a reimbursement of the city’s General Fund for the purchase of a property located at 813 E. Bay St. in the amount of $250,000. The CRA expects the key parcel to greatly enable the city’s streetscape improvement plans for the overall revitalization of the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood, including the expansion of the entire right-of-way along Tenth Street from North Street in the north to East Bay Street in the south.

n City Commissioner Mark A. Maciel read several comments and thanked the commission at his last meeting. Chloe Johnson is set to replace Maciel as District 3 commissioner.

NEWS BRIEFS

ORANGE TEACHERS UNION RATIFIES CBA

Orange County Classroom Teachers Association members on Tuesday, April 2, voted 99.5% to ratify its collective bargaining agreement with the Orange County School Board.

The agreement includes percentage-based increases of up to 9.7% for teachers rated as highly effective. The agreement also includes a health insurance premium discount of $4 million for the 2024-25 year to mitigate the impact on higher insurance costs.

“This contract victory was achieved through advocacy and unity,” OCCTA President Clinton McCracken said. “It is not only an

agreement that teachers deserved and earned — it also helps our students succeed. Our union remains dedicated to ensuring that our educators are recognized for their teaching excellence.”

EGGS UP GRILL TO OPEN IN O-TOWN WEST

A new Eggs Up Grill location is coming next month to the O-Town West area.

The new location will be the second in West Orange County, with the first being located off West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden.

The eatery serves dishes such as eggs Benedict, avocado toast, omelets, waffles, pancakes, burritos, sandwiches, salads and burgers.

The new location, at 11020 Daryl Carter Parkway near the Dr. Phillips and Bay Hill areas, will be the second of three planned Eggs Up Grill locations for franchise owners Geoff Giordano and Kate Rozen.

SIP, SIP HOORAY! Twins open boba shop in Winter Garden

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

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

Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study

11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana

Sister Cristina Dewrell and Andrea Perlas have opened Dreamy Tea off West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden.

ANGLICAN

ANGLICAN COMMUNITY

FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

Twin sisters Cristina Dewrell and Andrea Perlas are working together to bring their Filipino cultural heritage and family traditions to share with the community in Winter Garden.

The longtime West Orange residents opened their business, Dreamy Tea, in October off West Colonial Drive.

The boba tea shop serves a variety of treats, including handcrafted boba teas, fruit tea, milk tea, smoothies, coffees, slushies, croffles, savory waffle dogs and specialty Filipino desserts.

“Coming from the Philippines, boba was something that was like what Starbucks is here where you see a shop on nearly every corner,” Perlas said. “Here, it’s starting to take off, but there are still a lot of people who are unfamiliar with the concept, and they end up loving it.”

‘WHAT’S YOUR DREAM?’

The sisters were born in the Philippines and previously lived in New York. They have called the West Orange area home for more than 20 years.

Dewrell and Perlas come from an entrepreneurial family. Their dad owned a bar and one of their uncles, whom they refer to as a father figure, works on Wall Street and has helped contribute essential business and financial knowledge.

The sisters both have an extensive background in the food and beverage industry.

While working on building their new business, Dewrell also works in banquets for Hilton, and Perlas works at House of Blues in Disney Springs, as well as at Space 220 in Epcot.

The twins said they have been tossing around the idea of a boba shop for years.

They hosted a grand opening for Dreamy Tea in October and were humbled by the support from family, friends and new customers.

“We always knew we wanted to open a boba shop, but it was just a matter of actually starting and completing the process,” Dewrell said. “Because of the pandemic and other setbacks, this shop took us a few years to get up and running. Our family has been a huge part of the journey. During our startup time, we had tastings at our home and practiced taking and placing orders. We had our garage filled with supplies.”

The twins said they picked the Winter Garden area because of the location, the family aspect of the community and because there are not a lot of boba shops in the area.

Although boba is Dreamy Tea’s main selling point, the shop also is known for its specialty Filipino desserts, including Taho, which currently is only served Saturdays and Sundays.

Taho is known as one of the most

What

Rector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas

1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden

SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM

Find us at: Theacf.net

BEULAH BAPTIST

Pastor Casey Butner 671 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM

SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM

WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352

DREAMY TEA

12623 W. Colonial Drive, Suite B, Winter Garden

SUNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary

PHONE: (407) 347-0051

WEBSITE: dreamyteaorlando. com

WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ dreamytea.orlando

Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org

2nd Campus: FOUNDATION WORSHIP

nostalgic Filipino desserts. The confection contains super silken tofu, warmed brown sugar syrup, caramel sago and fresh boba. Ube, a purple yam, and calamansi, a citrus hybrid plant that combines the flavor of a lime and orange, are other Filipino-inspired items at the shop.

SUNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407-730-1867

“We love introducing new customers who have never had boba to the drink and helping create what flavors people enjoy,” Perlas said. “We always encourage our customers to try something new, and we love hearing feedback, whether good or bad. If someone has a bad experience, we always go out of our way to fix it.

Customer experience is No. 1 for us.”

LEAVING A LEGACY

Now that the twins’ parents are gone, they hope to carry on the family legacy through their new shop.

“The business was something that we know our family could really enjoy,” Dewrell said. “The family is growing even more, and we wanted something that would outlast us to leave a legacy. We love that this dream helps us connect even more with our Filipino background, and we want to have the joy of sharing that with others.”

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH

PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee

Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org

CHURCH OF GOD

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD

Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH

241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

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

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org

METHODIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere,

In the future, the twins hope to continue to implement more Filipino-inspired items, as well as grow the business enough to become a full-time gig.

The sisters have dreams of using the shop space to host events in the future, such as tea time, karaoke, small gatherings and celebrations.

Dewrell and Perlas already have started discussing the possibility of a second shop in areas such as Clermont or in the airport.

They hope to one day have multiple locations and franchise the business.

Photos by Annabelle Sikes

Twin sisters Andrea Perlas and Cristina Dewrell are hoping to leave a legacy with their

SPORTS

HIGH 5

1

To add on to winning their third consecutive state championship, Dr. Phillips High girls basketball coach/ player duo of senior guard Trinity Turner and coach Anthony Jones have been named the 2024 Florida Dairy Farmers’ girls basketball Class 7A Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. The two are also finalists for the state’s overall player-of-the-year and coachof-the-year awards.

2

Ocoee High football has hired Jerry Middleton as its next offensive coordinator. Under new coach Buck Gurley, the Knights finished the season fourth in the Class 4M, District 5 with a 4-6 record. Middleton will inherit an Ocoee offense that averaged 18.8 points per game last season and leaned heavily on running the ball (222 carries) over passing (120 pass attempts). The good news for the Knights’ top new offensive assistant is he will have one of the most versatile players in the area to lead his attack in junior do-it-all athlete Joshua Guerrier, a three-star prospect with offers from Tennessee, Iowa State, Iowa, Kentucky and many more.

3

Four West Orange and Southwest Orange schools won their respective boys weightlifting district championships. In Class 3A, District 7 Windermere High won both the Traditional and Olympic category championships. Windermere senior Andres Giron, a back-to-back defending state champion, was the meet’s top overall lifter in both categories.

In 2A, Horizon High won its second consecutive District 12 championship in both categories, with senior Bo Kenney finishing as the meet’s top overall traditional lifter.

In 1A, The First Academy and Foundation Academy each won one of the District 11 titles. Foundation edged out Windermere Prep in the Traditional category by two points, while TFA beat Foundation by five points in the Olympic category. Royals lifter Jack Millar was the meet’s top overall Olympic lifter, while Windermere Prep’s Marc Qi was top in the traditional category.

4

Dr. Phillips Little League has announced the grand opening of its new complex, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at 10496 Bissell St. For more information on the free event, that is open to the public, visit tinyurl.com/DrPhillipsBallfieldComplex, email parks@ ocfl.net or call (407) 2549038.

5

Lake Buena Vista High’s boys tennis team has advanced to the finals of the Metro West conference tournament with a win over Edgewater High at the United States Tennis Association National Campus in Lake Nona. The Vipers, who started the season 12-0, have continued to add to their blistering start with this showing at metros. LBV will play for the tournament title at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 4.

All in the family

Windermere baseball’s Ty Head is the fifth in a family chock full of D-I athletes.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

SPORTS EDITOR

There are a lot of negatives to being the youngest sibling, but there is one undeniable positive about it: You get an up close, personal view of your big brother or sister going through life’s stages before you have to do the same.

For Windermere High senior baseball player Ty Head, having the opportunity to see both his brother, Bobby Head, and sister, Taylor Head, dominate high school athletics and go on to become Division I college athletes was priceless. And it’s also helped put him in a position either to play ball at NC State next season or begin his MLB journey. He is currently projected to be a high selection in the 2024 MLB Draft in July.

Regardless of his next step, the youngest of the Head clan has taken advantage of the experience and developed into a dog on the baseball diamond.

“Ty’s a phenomenal player, but what separates his story and is how we, as a family, have played a part in his journey,” said Bob Head, Ty’s father. “His sister’s an All-American volleyball player, his brother’s an allconference player, and they’ve kind of paved the way for him. Credit to Ty though: He has grasped the opportunity and run with it and has begun to pave his own path.”

Ty Head agrees.

“Having two siblings who are bigtime athletes has been really beneficial to me,” Ty Head said. “Growing up in an environment of competition helped me through my years to mature and really want to compete every single day. … Because I am the youngest, being around them benefited my game by helping to make me smarter.”

FIVE FOR FIVE

It wasn’t just Ty Head’s siblings who helped develop him into the player he is today, it was his parents who started the streak of college athletes in the family of five.

Bob and Michelle Head both played

SEE SUCCESS PAGE 3B

Dr. Phillips boys water polo rises from young surprise to state’s top team

The FHSAA boys water polo district playoffs have begun. Despite a young roster, the Panthers (23-2) are one of the favorites to bring a state title home.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Regret and experience are some of the best teachers this world has to offer, and mastering balance on the everdelicate tightrope of confidence and recklessness can lead to great opportunities, while the art of developing chemistry sparks an understanding between humans unexplainable by science.

These philosophical musings are the best way to cut to what’s at the heart of the 2024 Dr. Phillips boys water polo team.

On the surface, the Panthers (232) are a young and exciting team that has begun its journey to win a state

championship. But just under that surface, Dr. Phillips’ path to securing a state crown will be about more than just winning games. It’ll be a coming-of-age story.

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES

Ryan Tannus is a four-year varsity player and the only senior on the 2024 Dr. Phillips roster. Over the course of his high school career, he has scored 290 goals, had 203 assists and played in 95 games. He also has helped the Panthers win 85% of its games (87-16) over the past four years, to go along with DP’s two district titles, two regional titles and

Meet Windermere boys weightlifter Joseph McNicholas, the Class 3A, District 7 and Metro West conference individual champion. Page 2B.

Sam Albuquerque

Ryan Tannus has led the Panthers in goals for

Sam Albuquerque

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE

Joseph McNicholas

Windermere High weightlifer Joseph McNicholas has been a force for the Wolverines since his freshman year, when he won the Metro West and district titles in the snatch at 139 pounds. He went on to finish second at regionals and qualify for states for the snatch event.

Although an injury kept McNicholas on the sideline last season, he has come back this season at 169 pounds and picked up right he left off — capturing the overall individual Metro West crown and district championships in traditional and Olympic lifting categories.

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?

It feels really good to be recognized, and I feel like all of my work has paid off.

What do you like the most about weightlifting?

I just like lifting weights and the whole process of getting bigger and stronger.

What is your goal for the rest of the season — for yourself and the team?

My goal for the rest of the season is to qualify for states and finish in the top five; a win would be really nice (too). As far as the team, I just want us to have as many state qualifiers as we can.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from weightlifting?

I’m not sure if I’ve learned any specific lesson, but the biggest thing I’ve gotten from it is (developing) extreme consistency and discipline that has carried over to other aspects of my life.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Russel Orhii; he is a world champion powerlifter. I just really like the way he looks and the way he trains; he makes good videos too.

Favorite weightlifting memory or accomplishment?

Definitely benching 315 (pounds) or squatting 500, as far as competitive achievements go, and going to states my freshman year was a big achievement for me.

What is your go-to pregame hype song?

“Love Sosa” by Chief Keef.

THE BASICS

Age: 17

Sport: Weightlifting Grade: Junior School: Windermere High

What is your go-to pre-meet meal?

The night before, I like to eat a lot of carbs. The day of, I eat something light before the meet, and I drink a Monster or two.

What is your favorite nonsports hobby?

Fishing.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Science, just because I have always been really good at it.

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

I would take something to be able to start a fire reliably and consistently, some sort of weapon to hunt with, and some kind of container. … All of those things would be essential to my survival.

What is your favorite movie?

“Holes.” It’s just something I’ve watched so many times growing up.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?

Jesus. That would be a really good experience, and there would just be a lot of questions I’d like to ask him.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?

I’d probably (go back to) when the United States was first being founded. I think it would be cool to meet George Washington and all the (founding fathers).

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to eat more and be more consistent with training; and to train a lot smarter to avoid injuries.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be? Am I still jacked?

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I would want to be able to control time. It would be awesome, because you could fix any mistake or know any piece of knowledge beforehand.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go?

Japan, California or any of the far north states in the

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

I would probably be a snake, because that’s my favorite animal, and I want to see what (life) would be like from their point of view.

What is your most controversial food take?

Raw oysters are good.

Does pineapple belong on Usually no, but some places do

— SAM ALBUQUERQUE

Panthers water polo ready to make noise at states

back-to-back appearances in the state championship game.

It’s safe to say the kid has been around the block a few times and learned the lessons that came with that journey.

“In my freshman and sophomore years, I was in a similar position to a lot of our guys this year,” Tannus said. “I was a young player who started on great teams that went to back-to-back state title games — but finished second both times. When I look back at those seasons, there are so many things I wish I could have changed.

“This year, when I look at our team, I feel like we have what it takes to win it all,” he said. “So I’m taking the opportunity to focus on everything I could have done better earlier in my career. I’m not willing to make those same mistakes again. This is my last opportunity to show everyone what Dr. Phillips is about and bring home a state championship.”

Tannus is using his past as a tool of motivation and wisdom for not only his benefit but also for the rest of the team.

“I’m trying to make sure I’m sharing that knowledge with everyone,” Tannus said. “I’ve been there, I know what it takes and what we’re going to have to do as a team to get that trophy. I know how we have to work, and that’s why I push everyone when I can. … We all have to get up, show up and practice hard — especially at those 5 a.m. practices. Just because we have the No. 1 ranking next to our name, it doesn’t mean we’re the top team in the state. What’s going to determine that is the work we put in behind the scenes and our ability to keep working every day, if we want to win states.”

Tannus’ mindset and dedication to helping his teammates avoid the mistakes he’s made have helped take the youthful surprise of 2023 and evolve the 2024 version into a juggernaut.

“Last year, we went into the season with the mindset that it was a rebuilding year,” Tannus said. “We had a young team with like three freshmen starting; I didn’t have a lot of high hopes. But we were actually able to pull together and have a pretty good season. With everyone coming back … I thought we would step up and become a force coming into this year, but I also knew that we were going to have a target

on our backs. But with the time we’ve had to build team chemistry — and our whole connection — into something really solid, we’ve been able to deal with that pressure from other teams. This team works really well together, and we’ve been able to have a great season.”

BALANCING ACT

The difference between confidence and recklessness can be a line as wide as an 18-wheeler, or as narrow as a fine-tooth comb; learning to balance on that ever-changing tightrope can lead to great opportunities, while falling on the wrong side can cost you something money can’t buy. For the Panthers’ young collection of talent, playing with confidence can lead to something beautiful in the pool.

“Honestly, they seem to have a lot of fun together; sometimes too much, when I’m trying to get things done at practice,” Dr. Phillips coach Leonardo Leon Ramirez said. “They always are trying to have a good time, and I think that pays off in games, because they get loose. When that happens, they play in a way that makes it so much more difficult for the other teams to deal with mentally. It’s already hard to see those guys kicking your team’s butt, but when they do it with a big smile on their face, it’s almost paralyzing.”

But when the team Humpty Dumptied itself on the overly confident side of the wall, it can lead to mistakes and overall reckless play.

“Last year was a huge surprise for me … because we lost 10 players, brought back only one starter and added a couple of brand new players,” Leon Ramirez said. “Getting everybody back, I expected us to do well this year and we have. But did I expect us to be doing this well? Probably not, because of how young we are. … Despite our great season, I still feel like our age does show up at times, and we get a little reckless. We still make a lot of mistakes that you don’t make when you have more experience.”

The team knows that cleaning up those mistakes are vital to DP’s pursuit of state championship glory.

“We just need to go out and win,”

DP goalie Mete Gunduz said. “We have to lock in, work hard and keep up a high level of focus for the whole game. We’ve sometimes had the tendency to let our intensity drop or stop playing as hard

when we build a lead or overlook the opponent.”

Leon Ramirez knows the road to a state title will be long and difficult — and will most certainly require DP to win multiple close games. .

“We’re definitely going to be in this fight until the very end,” Leon Ramirez said. “I know that this is not going to come easy for us, but we’re confident. We know that we have to play very good defense at the end of games and put everything else together, too. If we do that, I think we have a really good chance of going back to Miami for the Final Four.”

Sophomore Emanuel Pardo agrees.

“As long as we stay confident and tiptoe down that line without crossing over to being over-confident, that’s all I think we really have to do to be able to get to the states and win it,” he said.

CHEMISTRY IS ART, NOT SCIENCE

The chemistry that this group has managed to develop over their time together is a crucial aspect of the success DP has had.

“We’re like a family,” Gunduz said. “We all love each other in and out of the pool. So the chemistry we’ve managed to develop is really part of our game. That’s the difference between our team and others — the way we can work together, how we connect and how we’re able to find a path for the ball to get to the net as a team.”

This element of the Panthers’ success doesn’t just happen because a group of guys get along. Rather, it has to be earned and nurtured over time.

“Our chemistry is something we have to keep up with constantly,” Pardo said. “We’re always still learning how to play together and understand more about each other individually. We have to keep pushing to improve that, because not every game is going to be easy for us.”

Every practice and game is a chance to deepen that chemistry, and they all know state glory only will come if they can play as one.

“Because of how well we’ve performed together, we’ve had a realization as a team that we really have what it takes to be great,” Pardo said. “That’s been huge for our confidence in (one another) and has helped us build more and more chemistry.”

Sam Albuquerque

Dr. Phillips water polo’s Emanuel Pardo lines up a shot at goal in practice leading up to the 2024 playoffs

Fall football schedules: 2024’s can’t miss games

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Editor’s Note: Games are listed in order by date.

Yes, it’s April, and the spring high school football season hasn’t even kicked off yet, so you may be asking yourself a simple question: “Why are we talking about games that aren’t happening until August?”

I’ll give you a simple answer:

Because high school football in West Orange and Southwest Orange is yet again going to have one of the most interesting, talented and fun collection of teams in the state.

Most of the area’s teams have released their schedules for the 2024 season, and I couldn’t wait to start daydreaming about my first full season of covering the area’s high school football teams for the Observer.

I went through all the schedules that have been released and selected my top five games to watch for the 2024 season.

THE FIRST ACADEMY AT EDGEWATER HIGH, AUG. 30

If you haven’t been paying attention to what The First Academy football program has been up to this summer, you’re probably scratching your head and wondering why this game is even on the list. Last season, the Royals only played three teams with winning records, finished 6-4 and missed the playoffs in Class 1M under new coach Jeff Conaway.

The reason TFA is on this list is simple: They’ve completely overhauled the entire program. Entering his second season in charge of Royals football, Conaway hired new offensive and defensive coordinators — as well as other assistant coaches. He brought in a heap of top-level talent through transfers,

including multiple three- and fourstar players, and released a schedule with a murderers’ row of top teams in Florida and the Southeast. This game against Edgewater, which finished last season 11-1, is the first game on its schedule against a local powerhouse program. And it should answer a burning question: How real is this TFA program about quickly establishing itself as an Orange County power?

LAKE MARY HIGH AT

DR. PHILLIPS HIGH, SEPT. 13

If you saw the 2023 edition of this game, you already know why it’s on the list. Last season, the Panthers went on the road and fell to Lake Mary High by a whopping score of 76-60. That scoreline in and of itself is enough for me. What can I say? I’m a millennial football fan who thinks every current team in the world should watch the lategreat Mike Leach’s press conferences as required assignments. Beyond that, this game will be used as a measuring stick for Dr. Phillips. If DP hangs with the Rams, they’re probably going to be a good to a great playoff team. But if they blow the doors off Lake Mary, then there’s a chance the Panthers could be a state championship team.

DR. PHILLIPS AT

OLYMPIA HIGH, SEPT. 27

Not much needs to be said here. I’ll just go ahead and give you a second to jot down the date and venue for this game, so you can block out your schedule for this one.

Got it down? Cool, I’ll see you at Olympia High in late September. In all seriousness, this is one of the most fun rivalry games in the area. With the schools being located just four miles away from each other, not only do both fan bases always show up and show out to this game, but also they often have a connection with the opposition that adds a layer to the rivalry. Not

HONORABLE MENTIONS

n Ocoee High at Apopka High, Aug. 23

n Lake Buena Vista High at Windermere High, Sept. 27

n Olympia High at West Orange High, Oct. 18

n Foundation Academy at The First Academy, Oct. 25

n West Orange at Dr. Phillips High, Nov. 11

to mention, if this game is anything like the 2023 pair of duels between the area’s best teams, fans will be treated to another gem of a game.

OCOEE HIGH AT WEST ORANGE HIGH, OCT. 24

Despite down years in 2023 for both Ocoee and West Orange, the rivalry between the two still stands up as one of the best not just in the area but in all of Central Florida.

Beyond the vaunted rivalry clash for their game’s trophy, “The Shield,” the two teams — regardless of record — always have a heap of talented playmakers on either roster that are often worth the price of admissions themselves.

WINDERMERE HIGH

AT HORIZON HIGH, NOV. 1

There was only one difference in the third iteration of the infantstage rivalry game we call the Battle of the Groves. That was when Horizon got to take home the new trophy — the Smudge Pot — for the first time after beating Windermere and extending its rivalry-long win streak to three wins out of three.

Despite the Hawks’ dominance over the course of the rivalry, the differences between the two teams seem to be evening out. Part of this comes because of the unprecedented coaching stability in the Wolverines program. For the first time since Windermere took the field in 2017, it will have the same football coach for a third season in a row.

Riki Smith, formerly an assistant under Rodney Wells at DP, has begun to build a solid foundation for the program, and as a whole, Wolverine football has shown signs of promise both on-and-off the field; like the brand-new on-campus football stadium lined up to be completed later this year.

Success runs in the Head family

their college sports at Eastern Kentucky University — Bob Head was a member of the football team, while Michelle Head played basketball — and both went on to become coaches, with Michelle Head currently serving as coach of West Orange High’s girls golf, girls weightlifting and girls beach volleyball teams.

“For Michelle and (me), being athletes our whole lives and taking up coaching after that, athletics has been our entire life,” Bob Head said. “So, when it came to our kids, all we wanted for them was to play and compete, and that’s all they wanted to do growing up.

… We’re all just so competitive, and the kids knew (one another) so well that they could really help make (one another) better.”

The oldest Head child, Bobby, was a star on the diamond for West Orange and went on to play college baseball at Austin Peay University and Florida Gulf Coast.

Taylor Head, the lone daughter in the family of five and the middle child, was a top volleyball player for West Orange and then Windermere High. She went on to play four seasons at Arkansas and transferred earlier this year for a fifth season at Florida State.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Ty Head, the youngest of the family, is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder for the Wolverines. He currently is committed to play his college baseball for the Wolfpack but also is projected to be selected in the early portion of the 2024 MLB Draft in July. That means he will have a big decision to make this summer: College baseball in Raleigh or start his professional journey in Minor League Baseball? As a prospect, the lefty is the best in the West Orange and Southwest Orange for the current

senior class. He received the highest available prospect grade of 10 from Perfect Game.

“Ty’s a really good leader for us and is an elite outfielder in the center of the park,” Windermere baseball coach Eric Lassiter said. “He can really hit, too. He’s our leadoff hitter, so that’s a sign he can hit for contact, but he can really hit the ball with power. He is also one of the best base-runners on our teams and leads us in stolen bases. He’s just overall a really good player and leader.”

Through 15 games this season, Head is hitting for an average of .408 (20 hits in 44 at-bats). He has scored 23 runs, knocked in eight more, hit one home run and has stolen 18 bases.

“He’ll project to play as a centerfielder at the next level,” Lassiter said. “At NC State, I think he’s top of the order kind of player right away, and obviously, I think he’ll have a chance to play pro ball, whether it’s instead of going to NC State or after he plays a couple years there.”

FIRST THINGS FIRST

With what is likely the biggest decision of the young man’s life looming, Ty Head is trying to stay focused on his final season at Windermere (12-3).

“This whole thing has just been a dream come true,” Ty Head said. “When I think about what’s coming up in my life and think back to all the hard work I put in, I’m just so happy and excited for what’s next. Whatever that ultimate decision is, I’ll be OK. NC State’s amazing, MLB’s amazing, so whatever my path ends up being, it’s going to be a great decision.

“But until then, I’m just focusing on this team right here,” he said. “The past two years, we’ve gotten hot a little early. But this season, we haven’t clicked just yet. ... We’re going to soon. … I think this team has a shot to win it all.”

Earning

Be a part of saying “Congratulations” and “Good Luck” to our graduates.

Ad Deadline: Monday, May 6 CALL YOUR

407-656-2121

Sponsor a high school

Congratulate a special senior with a graduation card

Advertise your services to parents of graduates

OF THE WEEK

LAURA SALDARRIAGA SUNRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Laura Saldarriaga is the secretary/ bookkeeper at SunRidge Elementary School. Her duties are many, but she is mainly in charge of payroll, hiring, budget, payments and supplies. She said she does whatever needs to be done and is available wherever support is needed — from lunch duty to dismissal to giving students a break or helping them have the best day they could have.

“Laura is the backbone of our school,” Principal Diana Greer said. “She is involved in everything — from her duties as secretary and bookkeeper to supporting students with reshaping of behaviors, supporting families who need translation during registration and parents conferences, supporting teachers with substitutes, supplies, and instrumental in helping coordinate all of our school events. We are so fortunate to have Laura as part of our school family.”

What brought you to your school?

Honestly, one of my high school friends got a job with OCPS and mentioned it to me. That night, I went online and filled (out) an application for school health assistant; and a week after, I was called and hired. This was right after the pandemic, and schools were just reopening their doors for students to come back face to face.

What do you love most about your school?  SunRidge is a second family to me. I made really great friends while working here, and it’s a joy to come to work daily.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  I love working with the students. Even though I work in the front office, I feel like I make a difference every time I get to interact with any of our students.

REPORT CARD POSITION: Secretary/bookkeeper

TIME AT SCHOOL: Since 2020

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?

I don’t see myself doing anything different than what I’m doing right now. It took me a long time to find my calling, but I finally feel that I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

Who influences you?

My mom has always been an influence and role model to me. She is an immigrant widow and, after losing my dad, had to start from scratch to give me and my sister the best chance we could have.

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

Ms. Monica, my third-grade English teacher. She was always kind and had an amazing teaching style.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

“Spanish is my Superpower,” by Jennifer Jones. Having Spanish as my first language is like a superpower; I get to be two people in one. I get to interact with many cultures and learn from them, being able to communicate in their most comfortable language.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love the beach — going with my family or even alone with a good read.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Michelle Obama. She is such an inspiration; seeing how she manages herself in different situations is

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE

amazing. She is such a strong influence in women of minority. She has inspired me so much.

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

I would love to be able to talk to the people (who) are no longer in the world of the living — knowing what they feel, knowing if they are OK, knowing if they are able to see us and see how our life turned out after they left us.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be?  It’s hard to pick only three. Music is such an amazing way of communication; you can say and feel so many things with a song. It’s hard to pick. I think music in itself is healing.

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?

My favorite thing to eat was a croissant with strawberry jelly and Coke. It was a weird combination, and not the most nutritious, but it was so good.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Definitely Christmas. Spending time with loved ones, the decorations, the music, the food. I can’t choose one to explain why it is my favorite.

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

Isabel Mercado. She welcomed me into her friend group as if I was always part of it. Yes, we are still in touch; she’s the one that got me to apply for a job with OCPS.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

When I was back in Colombia, which is where I spend most of my school years, I used to ride horses, play tennis, skate and spend a lot of time outside playing with my friends. It was all for fun, so I didn’t win anything.

— AMY QUESINBERRY

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Crenshaw Academy proposal moves forward with support

The school is requesting an amendment to an existing special exception in the Citrus Rural District to allow two portables to remain on the existing private school campus.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Those in attendance at an Orange County Zoning Division community meeting hosted Wednesday, March 6, voiced support for a proposal brought forward by The Crenshaw Academy.

The Crenshaw Academy is requesting an amendment to an existing special exception in the Citrus Rural zoning district to allow two portables to remain on its existing private school campus. The proposal would yield no

change in the number of students or school hours.

The property is located on the west side of Hempel Avenue, southeast of State Road 408 and north of Florida’s Turnpike at 2342 Hempel Ave., Gotha. The Future Land Use of the 7.9 acres is Gotha Rural Settlement.

Site access would be from Hempel Avenue to the east, and there would be an addition of decking between the portables.

“Basically, we don’t want any changes; we just want to remain there,” Brenda Crenshaw, founder

of the school, said. “We love the area. We think it’s beautiful, and all is good. We haven’t had any complaints, that we know of, and everybody seems to be very happy with us there.”

Ted Kozak, with the zoning division, led the presentation, and Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson was in attendance.

Basil Savoie, pastor of New Life Worship Center with his wife, Kathy, said the church was built and designed to fit in with the historic Gotha community. He said

it has been a joy to work together with Crenshaw and to have the school inside the church.

“Over these years, we’ve actually become family,” he said. “They’ve got great parents and students; just an exemplary school, really. … We have a heart for her to be there as long as she wants to be there.”

Angela Withers, president of Nehrling Gardens in Gotha, said it has been a pleasure to have the pastors, the church and the Crenshaw school across the street from the gardens.

“They’ve always been delightfully supportive of what we do,” she said. “I think we’re all on the same page in this little part of the Gotha community — that it’s this small-scale, close-knit kind of community that we’re all working toward. Anything we can do to make it easier for the school is fantastic. We don’t need to be putting road blocks in front of what’s a very worthwhile enterprise.”

At the meeting, Crenshaw school officials said there is a plan and consideration being given to replacing the portables with a permanent building within a certain time period.

“These portables are not old, reconditioned portables; they were new when they got put in,” the officials said. “So, they’re still in good shape. … It’s going to take a little while till (the school) can get to the place where they can determine what they can build and how they can build. As you can imagine, it’s difficult for a tenant who’s leasing from the church (New Life Worship Center) to come up with a plan where they need to build a building. So, that is something that has to be worked out between the church and The Crenshaw Academy.”

The proposal will next go to a Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing, scheduled for April 4, before heading to a Orange County Board of County Commissioners hearing, which has a tentative date set for April 23.

422445-1

422453-1

Courtesy photo

The request pertains to two portables located at The Crenshaw Academy in Gotha.

Communities in West Orange and Southwest Orange celebrated Easter with several different family events last week. The festivities kicked off with the Hop’s Egg Hunt Preschool Holiday Program Wednesday, March 27, at Jessie Brock Community Center. The event, hosted by the Winter Garden Parks and Recreation Department, gave kids a chance to snag a photo with Hop the Easter Bunny and search for the Golden Egg in a thrilling egg hunt.

On Saturday, March 30, the city of Ocoee welcomed pint-sized eggs-cavators to its annual Easter Eggstravaganza at Bill Breeze Park and the Ocoee Lakeshore Center.  The event featured a day full of family activities, including pictures with the Easter Bunny, games and rides. Of course, the main event was the annual Easter egg hunt for children 12 years and younger.

In Windermere, children lined the streets for the 2024 Operation Easter Bunny event, which took place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 30. The Windermere Police Department escorted the Easter Bunny through town.

In Horizon West, Hamlin hopped into the holiday spirit with its annual Easter Bunny Meet & Greet Saturday, March 30. Attendees enjoyed music and games by DJ Renee, a magic show, face painting, arts and crafts, games, a 3D photo booth, and, of course, a visit with the Easter Bunny.

— SAM ALBUQUERQUE, MICHAEL ENG AND ANNABELLE SIKES

Preschoolers showed off their egg hunt earnings to their friends at Hop’s Egg Hunt Preschool Holiday Program.

Right: Children raced to collect multicolored eggs filled with an assortment of prizes at Hop’s Egg Hunt Preschool Holiday Program.

Liam Velasco, 5, and Luna Gomes, 6, loved hamming it up at the 3D photo booth at the Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet & Greet.

Right: Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien and his family enjoyed celebrating Easter during Operation Easter Bunny.

Courtesy photo

Julia Nunciaroni, 10, won the hula-hooping contest at the Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet & Greet.

Cherri Jones, left, Rodney Brown and brothers JJ and Chosen enjoyed the weather and activities at the Ocoee Easter Eggstravaganza.

Miles Martinez, 2, sat still for his very first face painting — a dinosaur — at the Hamlin Easter Bunny Meet & Greet.

Albert Cummings and his daughter, Elise, waited

Courtesy photo

The Windermere Police Department escorted the Easter Bunny throughout the town for Operation Easter Bunny.

THESE OLD TIMES FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

80 years ago

The barber situation in Winter Garden was becoming critical. The year prior, one shop closed for lack of barbers and consolidated with the only one left and operated by Reeves. And then, three of the barbers in this shop were called into service and were to leave soon after: Doc Reeves, Edra Reeves and Allen Bland. This left only two barbers for the whole town.

Holders of “C” gasoline ration books were required to have their tires inspected every three months.

70 years ago

Pounds Motor Company won eighth place in the entire United States in volume of sales for the J.I. Case Company. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle Pounds won an all-expenses paid trip to Burlington, Iowa, and a visit to the six Case plants.

Mrs. George Akin entertained a group of boys at a stag dinner in her home to honor her son, Steve, on his ninth birthday.

Weekend specials at the Piggly Wiggly grocery in Winter Garden featured 10 pounds of potatoes for

The 2,000th telephone in the Winter Garden Exchange was installed in the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Austin Jr., on North Dillard Street. This installation was consistent with the 185% increase in telephones of the Florida Telephone Corporation in the last eight years.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This photograph was published in The West Orange Times April 4, 1985 — 39 years ago. It featured Mrs. Dotson Ellis, left; Lady Warriors Head Coach Denny Bodenmiller; and Ellis’ daughter, Maxine Risper. The women were guests of honor at the first Pops Ellis Tourney, hosted by the West Orange Girls Club softball league at the clubhouse a week earlier. The club, begun in 1978, is the “only all-girl recreation league in Central Florida.”

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.

50 years ago

Food World advertised its weekly specials: bananas for 9 cents per pound, a 32-ounce bottle of Stokely’s Gatorade for 34 cents, Grey Poupon mustard for 41 cents, Folgers Instant Coffee for $1.55, whole fryers from Georgia for 45 cents per pound, a dozen medium eggs for 63 cents, a six-pack of Old Milwaukee beer for $1.09 and an 8-ounce package of Kraft’s Tasty Buttermints for 39 cents.

40 years ago

Science Fair winners at Lakeview Jr. High School were Talley Wells, second place, physical; Jocelynn Watson, third place, physical; Scott Ritchey, third place, biological; Raymond Higgs, fourth place, biological; Kari Turk, first place, biological; Adele Judy, second place, biological; Meridith Hobbins, fifth place, physical; Shara Garwood, first place, physical; Lee Jackson, fifth place, biological;

and Mike Casterline, fourth place, physical. Turk received an honorable mention for the county. Scott Morris, a junior at West Orange High School, became a double winner, when he landed first place in the annual Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Oratory Contest and was selected for the Student Intern Program sponsored by Congressman Bill Nelson.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

APRIL 7, 1966

“As Seen on TV” advertisements were around at least as far back as 1966, when Bray Hardware Co. in downtown Winter Garden offered solutions for storing stacks of pots and pans, dishes, utensils, food, cooking ingredients, and all other kitchen items.

The Winter Garden Times published an ad for Rubbermaid kitchen organizers, including carousels, turntables, slide-out drawers and racks, available in Bray’s houseware department.

HY GRY ANTKX

HEK ORN REC SIEPKC YKNTXR GN HELY

E VNNU NV RPHCYUV!”

INSYIG UNTPC CGYFYKCNK

“LB LWUKWV PCK YKVB SWMK ZKY

GVBAJV TWKPB, SM SB WKM L DKGOGKDSM IJBSWVBB, IJM MCV GVPLGZB

LGV OGSAVRVBB DKG XV.”

VXXURKJ CLGGSB

“CFAAJIP EGVN LJT KOAXS BAVDD

ASOA’B IGA OYYNGYNJOAF DGN ASFJN

OPF JB GIF GD ASF MJPPFN RJBAOLFB EGV XOI ROLF.” WFIIJF PONAS

© 2023 NEA,

contains every

from 1 to 9 inclusively.

WORDUCKENS by Adam Wagner, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Celebrity

But Wait ... THERE’S MORE!

Flip the page for more sales and specials!