06.06.24 Southwest Orange Observer

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

Non sibi sed patriae

Sarah Myers, an Olympia High alum, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland. STORY ON PAGE 4A.

However, leaders are split on whether a referendum for a vote by the town residents should be part of the process. PAGE 2A. Baseball fans flock to Winter Garden to help the Squeeze celebrate the 2024 home-opener. 3B.

SOUTHERN HILL FARMS TO DEBUT FESTIVAL

Southern Hill Farms is celebrating a summer harvest with a new festival. The farm’s Sweetcorn Festival will take place June 8 and 9 at the farm, 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont — just outside of Horizon West. This festival will have live music, a petting zoo, farm wagon rides, corn contests and more. In addition, a Kids Zone will be available as a $15 ticket add-on, and there will be several food trucks — A Lo Cubano Kitchen, Willy T’s Crab Shack and Papa Diesel’s BBQ — on-site. Southern Hill Farms is a cashless venue. Debit and credit only accepted. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bit. ly/3ReYAlD.

ALL ABOARD THE NETWORKING PARTY BUS

Hop on the networking party bus for a fun-filled, factpacked trip around the 32 square miles and six villages of the master planned community of Horizon West. Horizon West Happenings’ next Networking Party Bus rolls out Tuesday, June 11. The group will meet at 5:30 p.m. at Home State Brewing Company, 16150 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden, for some networking. The bus departs at 6 p.m., and all riders must arrive by 5:45 p.m.

Sarah Myers has graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and is headed to Pensacola for flight training.

Town opts to move forward with annexation process

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

The Windermere Town Council hosted a virtual workshop Tuesday, May 28, to discuss the possibility of annexing the Chaine du Lac community into the town limits. Although a consensus was reached by council members to move forward with the annexation, opinions were divided on whether a referendum for a vote by the town residents should be included as part of the process.

The annexation is involuntary, which requires the approval of a referendum by 50% plus one by the registered voters within the Chaine du Lac area.

Florida statutes state the town does not have to bring a vote before the residents in the town of Windermere, but they do have the option to do so if they would like. If the Town Council was to proceed with this route, both the Chaine du Lac residents and town residents would have to approve the referendum by a 50% plus one vote.

ANNEXATION ANALYSIS

Chaine du Lac is located on 103 acres south of Lake Butler Boulevard and abuts the town limits to the west. The annexation would include not only the

community’s homeowners association but also the entire area.

The Windermere proper town limit is 2.2 square miles, and Chaine du Lac would add about one-third of a square mile.

According to data collected from the Orange County Property Appraiser in April, the community contains 74 parcels, 51 single-family dwelling units with an average parcel of about 1.5 acres and six vacant residential parcels measuring about 1.4 acres. There are 16 HOA properties and one agriculture exempt property.

Town Planner Brad Cornelius said the town is essentially a built-out community with few vacant properties left in the area. Currently, the town has about 3,038 residents, with a total of about 3,250 residents estimated after build out. Chaine du Lac would bring in about 212 residents if annexed.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Cornelius said he does not anticipate the annexation having a negative impact on the town.

As is already the case with its agreement with Orange County, Cornelius said the HOA would continue to be responsible for the roads, common areas, stormwater and lighting.

If the annexation were to be completed, the town would take over solid waste and recycling for the community.

Like the town, Chaine du Lac uses Orange County water and is on septic.

If annexed, the town would be responsible for providing police and fire services to the community.

Although the town does not have a fire department, Windermere has a continuing services contract with the Ocoee Fire Department. The Ocoee FD would continue to provide fire and emergency management services.

Ocoee and Orange County also have an agreement through which Ocoee covers the calls for Orange County in the northern area where Ocoee has more stations, while Orange County covers the calls for Ocoee in the southern area.

If annexed, the residents of Chaine du Lac would be able to vote in the town elections. And, after a year of residency, the residents also would be eligible to run in the town of Windermere’s elections. Chaine du Lac residents would have access to the town’s boat ramps and tennis courts, as well as be able to attend town resident-only events, obtain discounts on Town Hall rentals, be part of the town’s committees and benefit from the town’s disaster recovery.

$1,435 more if annexed into the town.

Based on the town’s current analysis using 2023 taxable values and the current town millage of 3.7425 mills, the town would receive an additional estimated $399,114 ($379,258 — 95% for budgeting purposes) in additional property tax revenues.

REFERENDUM ROW

Mayor Jim O’Brien said there are several benefits to the town annexing in the community in addition to revenue.

“You control what is near your borders,” he said. “If we don’t annex this at some point, someone else will. You may like that, you may not like that. ... I think it’s always wise to take these opportunities when we can.”

Resident and former Council Member Bill Martini agreed.

“We get additional revenue, there’s very little additional cost to provide the services to that area, we increase our buffer with Ocoee and Orange County ... and these people are already our neighbors,” he said.

backwards in that,” she said. “I think there’s been a lot of strides forward, and the town is really listening to the feedback of what the residents want. So, personally I think that the referendum should include the town to have a say so, because it is going to affect them in some way, shape or form. So, I just don’t think that our residents should be left out of that vote when it comes to the referendum.”

Resident Frank Krens worries about other annexations in the future. He disagreed with allowing the town residents to vote on a referendum.

“What you’re doing is the right thing, and I am totally with it,” he said. “I would say there’s a risk; there aren’t many people on the call. Like with the pavilion, I think if you put it out there for the town to actually make the decision, you’re taking a big risk. If you open that up to a town vote; I would advise against it.”

According to the town’s current analysis using 2023 taxable values, current property tax rates, and assessment rates for the county and the town, an average Chaine du Lac property with an average taxable assessed value of $1,441,132 is projected to pay $440 less in property taxes and $1,875 more in assessments, a net increase of

Council Member Brandi Haines said she has received several comments and concerns from residents regarding the annexation and its impact on the town’s core.

“(In) the last few years, council has done … a great job of starting to be more transparent and starting to listen to the feedback of the residents and hear what they want, and I feel like doing a referendum only for Chaine du Lac is kind of taking a step

Council Member Tony Davit said he would like to move forward with annexing the community with no referendum. Council members Mandy David and Andy Williams agreed. Haines agreed with moving forward but with a referendum for the residents to have a vote, as did Council Member Tom Stroup.

Next, the town will host two public input meetings with Chaine du Lac residents, as well as two public meetings with the town community at large, before the council votes on a referendum for the annexation.

We know emergencies can happen

Central Florida,

No

uncertainty

one

Growing UP

AdventHealth Winter Garden’s extension will add three floors to the hospital’s patient tower and bring additional women’s services to West Orange County.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

AdventHealth Winter Garden has announced its plans for a $145 million expansion to the hospital in West Orange County.

The 105,000-square-foot extension will add three floors to the hospital’s patient tower and bring additional women’s services needed to address the increasing demand for complex care within the community.

The plans include the addition of 40 new progressive care unit beds, obstetrics and gynecology to the hospital at 2000 Fowler Grove Blvd.

One floor will be dedicated to labor and delivery. This area will include nine labor, delivery and recovery beds; 10 postpartum beds; two C-section operating rooms; and future space for a level two Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The tower’s expansion also will add space for more operating rooms and a shell floor with capacity for 40 beds.

According to AdventHealth, the addition will add more than 100 jobs to the local community.

“Winter Garden continues to grow, and we are excited to provide additional health care services to meet the fast-growing needs of the community,” AdventHealth Winter Garden CEO Kari Vargas said. “In addition to expanding our patient tower, we are growing critical services to join our robust network of connected care that we’re providing to this community. We want to make it easy for our consumers to receive world-class health care in a setting that is close to home.”

GOING VERTICAL

Vargas has deep and personal connections to the community, with more than 40 years living in West Orange. Working and living in the area, she has had the opportunity to watch Winter Garden change and grow.

“Florida is the fastest-growing state in the nation … West Orange and South Lake communities are expected to grow more than 7% over the next five years,” she said. “There’s just an influx of people moving here. It’s a growing community, and we want to grow right alongside it. So, for us, we have to make sure we are growing and making provisions for our community members for high-quality care right here close to home. We need to meet the growing demand of the community, which is why we’ve decided to add three floors. We want to be there to support that growth in a way that’s convenient, high in quality and supports whole-person care.”

Miles Bennett, who has spent more than two years serving as chief medical officer at AdventHealth Winter Garden, also has seen firsthand the community change and grow.

“I was in the emergency room when we opened here, and when we opened, I was surprised at how many visits we got as just a freestanding ER,” he said. “I was expecting maybe 30 or 40 patients a day, but we rapidly got up to 100. The frustrating thing was that any time someone came here (who) needed more advanced health care, they would get sent outside their community. What I’ve seen over time is

League of Cities recognizes Oakland preserve for stewardship

The Oakland Nature Preserve received the environmental award.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Oakland Nature Preserve has been recognized by the Florida League of Cities for its efforts to promote environmental sustainability, improve and protect environmental conditions and provide environmental education and outreach programs. The Environmental Stewardship Award is one of four significant achievement honors given annually by FLC. The announcement was made during the Tuesday, May 28, Oakland

Town Commission meeting.

The town supports the preserve, which offers diverse ecosystems, engaging classrooms and outdoor pavilions that welcomed 40,000 guests in 2023. The preserve hosts students for hands-on science education, as well as summer camps and a Youth Climate Project. For adults, it offers programs that include firefly hikes and senior walking groups.

ONP’s conservation efforts include tree planting and land acquisition.

“I just want to thank Jennifer Hunt and her entire staff and, of course, all of the volunteers who make this happen,” Oakland Commissioner Rick Polland said. “This is just another huge recognition for ONP, and I see ONP continuing on the same path.”

that people in Winter Garden want to stay in Winter Garden, and I don’t blame them. We have had to pivot to meet that need, and that’s why it’s been so important for us to grow with the community, so that we can meet their health care needs close to home in Winter Garden, where they want to stay.”

According to the Agency for Healthcare Administration, each year more than 6,000 babies are born to families in West Orange and South Lake counties, but the majority of deliveries take place outside the area. The expansion aims to help solve this problem.

“Knowing you can count on highly qualified physicians and midwives to be here whenever the baby is ready to make their appearance helps moms feel safe and supported in what could be an exciting and overwhelming time,” Ashley Hill, medical director of obstetrics and gynecology at AdventHealth

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Oakland Town Commission approved the consent agenda, which included the following actions:

The bid to construct Lift Station No. 7 near Lake Apopka, at the northernmost terminus of the future extension of Jefferson Street, was awarded to RCM Utilities LLC, which bid the project at $966,464.95. The town was awarded a Florida Legislature grant of $500,000 in 2021 to further its sewer initiative; the remainder of the project will be paid for with utility reserves, accumulated impact fees and develop contributions.

The commission authorized Town Manager Andy Stewart to sign a stipulated settlement agreement with Jerome Scott Wise for property at 202 W. Oakland Ave. In 2015, a code enforcement case regarding a boat and trailer at that address resulted in $50-per-day fines. Wise said he

in Central Florida, said. “Bringing labor and delivery services to the Winter Garden community solidifies our promise of whole-person care for our moms and babies of this growing community.”

LIFE’S PURPOSE

Bennett believes the expansion will have a tremendously positive impact on the local community. He wants to assure people they will receive the same high quality care and services they are used to even as the hospital continues to grow.

“With this expansion, we can take care of more patients with more resources, and offer more services and specialties,” he said.

“Winter Garden and this community are going to continue to grow, and my goal and my desire is that I don’t want people to look at this as an AdventHealth hospital, I want people to look at this as Winter Gar-

never received notice of the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate hearing and only learned of the code enforcement lien when he tried to sell the home. The agreement states Wise will pay $1,500.

n Oakland’s solid waste franchise agreement expires in February, and a Solid Waste Advisory Group must be appointed to review potential providers. Those appointed were Blaine Dooley, Carlos Esquivel, Edward Kulakowski, John Schmidt and Steve Stanford.

n Stewart announced upcoming budgeting work sessions and hearings at the Oakland Meeting Hall. A work session for the town and the Oakland Avenue Charter School budgets will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25. A tentative budget hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, and the final budget hearing is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24.

den’s hospital. I hope that we can continue to be there when people are sick and in dire need, but we can also be there to keep them healthy and see them grow their families.”

For the team at AdventHealth Winter Garden, Vargas said it’s more than just work at the hospital; it’s a true purpose, and their care extends beyond the four walls of the hospital and out into the community.

“They’re caring for their neighbors, they’re caring for their family members and they’re friends,” she said. “It’s very personal, and that adds a very special approach. This is not just about delivering exceptional clinical care; we’re going to do that every time. It’s about how we are caring for our patients like our own family.”

Construction on the new expansion is planned to start this summer and is estimated to be completed in 2026.

n Commissioner Sal Ramos said he and Public Works Director Mike Parker attended a meeting with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding the possibility of landscaping the medians along West Colonial Drive.

“They put it in, but we take care of the maintenance,” Ramos said. “Our idea is to tie the commercial part of the (future) development of Colonial Drive in the median. … It’s not a need, it’s a want. But in 2030, if our commercial corridor is developed, it’s not going to look so nice if we don’t do this now.”

n Commissioner Mike Satterfield suggested reviving the recognition meal the town used to provide to the Oakland Avenue Charter School PTO for its successful fundraising efforts.

n Commissioners proclaimed May 27, 2024, Memorial Day and June LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the town of Oakland.

Courtesy photo

Construction on the new expansion is planned to start this summer and is estimated to be completed in 2026.

Olympia High graduate completes Naval Academy Observer

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Sarah Myers always knew she wanted to get a college degree and work in a field that helped people. She never expected to reach that goal through the U.S. Naval Academy.

Myers, a Windermere resident, graduated May 24 from the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland, with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a commission as a U.S. Navy ensign. Her next stop is Pensacola, where she will complete flight school and be assigned a platform and squadron in the aviation community. She is hoping for an assignment in a jet squadron and to fly in an attack airplane, either the Super Hornet, an F/A-18, or the Growler, an E/A18.

CONSIDERING THE MILITARY

Myers was a sophomore at Olympia High School when her parents introduced her to a family friend, Gina Savini. She was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and was a medical service officer serving on several ships that were sent to New York during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“She had experienced so much aid to civilians in disaster relief,” Myers said. “She told me about the experiences, and it really opened my eyes that the Navy wasn’t just this forceful (agency). … It was also to do good. I never considered that you could have multiple missions and multiple efforts, and hearing her experience and how she helped people all over the world … really opened my eyes to what the military could do around the world.”

Myers made her decision in high school to join the military to obtain her degree and learn how to be a leader of people.

“And there’s nothing I wanted to do more than those two things,” she said.

A summer seminar in 2019 gave Myers a glimpse of what the academy and its people and opportunities were like. She loved it and knew her decision was made.

“I applied, and with the help of many people and coaches and officers … I was lucky enough to get an appointment,” she said.

While at Olympia, Myers took multiple Advanced Placement classes, which were college-level math and science courses, through the Advanced Placement Experience Scholars Academy — knowing the Naval Academy looks favorably on the STEM courses.

“It even put me a little ahead, and I was able to get a few credits in calculus, economics and English from all those AP classes, so that was great,” Myers said. “It just gave me more flexibility in my schedule to take more classes and electives.”

ENTERING THE ACADEMY Myers entered the academy in the summer of 2020, during the height of the pandemic.

“It was an interesting induction into life at the Naval Academy,” she said. “Our basic training takes place over a block of time called

“A lot of people don’t know the Navy has such a big music program. … I think it instills some hope in the audience that we are good at working together and have the open-mindedness to try our hand at anything that comes our way.”

— Sarah Myers

Plebe Summer, and that began with us quarantined for two weeks. Then we completed all the physical (elements) … pushups, running, with masks on.”

While at the academy, Myers auditioned for and was admitted to the USNA Women’s Glee Club and was a member of the all-female a cappella group, the Riveters.

She also performed in the Winter Musical and Halloween Concert and was a member of the Midshipmen Orchestra.

This past year, Myers also held the titles of Winter Musical president, Halloween Concert vice president, 1st Battalion protocol officer and 2nd Company head peer adviser.

“At the Naval Academy, everyone is expected to take on a leadership position during their senior year … to learn how to care for people,” she said. “My leadership was being president of the Winter Musical.

“A lot of people don’t know the Navy has such a big music program,” Myers said. “It gives people the idea that midshipmen are very versatile and can get up and perform and put in the work to put together a theater program or a concert. … I think it instills some hope in the audience that we are good at working together and have the open-mindedness to try our hand at anything that comes our way.”

She also was a member of the Naval Academy’s Aviation Training Squadron, VT-NA, which gives midshipmen the opportunity to find aviation mentors who can share first-hand experience. She was selected for the Aviation Community of the Naval Flight Officer.

LIVING HISTORY

Myers’ musical talents are taking her overseas this week for a special performance in France. She and

other members of an armed forces academy choir are accompanying World War II veterans, ages 99 to 107, as well as six Medal of Honor recipients for a ceremony in remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion along the coast of Normandy.

Myers will be singing with officer candidates from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy West Point, the Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Air Force Academy.

“Our purpose for being on this trip is to provide our support musically to help both the veterans and their guardians and anyone else who is present at these events,” she said. “We help set the time, set the scene and help convey overarching ideas in a way that everyone can understand that really speaks to the soul, which oftentimes is music. We will be singing prideful music, patriotic music and music that helps remind us that this is a living piece of history we’re accompanying. And for us the future generation to go forward and fight for peace and protect everything that they once protected nearly 80 years ago.”

All performers have been paired up with a veteran. The Naval Academy leadership, including Aaron Smith, director of musical activities, and Commander Ike Stutts, a representative of the Glee Club, spearheaded this trip.

“Our music leadership that has been spearheading so much of this event and working hard to make sure we’re giving the best message we can because this trip is entirely not about the midshipmen or the Glee Club,” Myers said. “We’re 100% in support of serving as the next generation after them.”

Myers is the daughter of Ernest Myers and Theresa SchretzmannMyers, of Windermere.

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and

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Courtesy photo

Sarah Myers has been interested in the Naval Academy since her sophomore year of high school.

COUNTY LEVEL

County OKs referendum for OCPS sales tax

The County Commission in May also approved an agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority for Schofield Road.

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.

The approval of a referendum to place Orange County Public Schools’ half-cent sales tax for district capital needs for an additional 10 years on the November ballot led Orange County Commission actions in May. Several other decisions also were made that impacted West Orange and Southwest Orange.

HALF-CENT SALES TAX

On Nov. 5, Orange County voters will decide whether to continue OCPS’ halfcent sales tax for district capital needs for an additional 10 years. The current halfcent sales tax is set to expire at the end of 2025.

The item will be the last on the ballot, after recent approval through referendum by the County Commission at its Tuesday, May 7, meeting.

In 2002, community partners joined the district to address a lack of funding for new schools and campus improvements. The half-cent sales tax first passed with 59.3% approval. The sales tax was then again continued by voters in 2014, where it passed with 64% in favor.

According to OCPS, at least 136 schools have been or will be rebuilt or renovated by the end of the current referendum. Revenues from the half-cent sales tax have funded the OCPS Capital Renewal Program since 2014 to replace major systems, such as air conditioning and roofing.

Since the implementation of the sales tax, portable usage has dropped by about 75% and the average age of K-12 schools has decreased from 32 to 13 years.

Over the past two decades, the Florida Legislature has dramatically decreased the funding for school district’s building and maintenance programs. Currently, Orange County has a 6.5% sales tax, lower than neighboring Seminole and Osceola counties.

“There’s a challenge with having the state provide adequate funding to all school districts to do what needs to be done, and so in many ways it is our local communities, our local governments that have to figure out how to adequately fund our schools and other needs,” Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said. “I think you’re hearing the support we have for our public schools and our partnership we have with Orange County Public Schools, and that is unwavering,” District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said. “Horizon West, I don’t even know what we would do without this tax, because you’re looking at an area that’s growing so fast.”

SCHOFIELD ROADWAY USE AGREEMENT

Also at the May 7 meeting, the commission approved a Roadway Use Agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority for Schofield Road.

The agreement gives CFX the authority to utilize the existing Schofield Road as a haul route for construction of the upcoming Lake/Orange Expressway connecting U.S. 27 to State Road 429.

The agreement also will provide a waiver of a previous board action from March 24, 2015, that established vehicle weight restrictions on Schofield Road. The

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original weight restriction enacted was in response to the possibility of heavy truck traffic impacting the road surface and requiring constant monitoring and additional maintenance activities.

The hauling is expected to take place between August 2024 and December 2026, with an estimated six to seven round trips for 20 trucks daily.

CFX will be obligated to maintain Schofield Road during the full construction duration throughout April 2027.

Read the Orange Observer’s latest report on S.R. 516 at shorturl.at/xVzLa.

ORDINANCE SUSPENDS NEW APPLICATIONS

The county currently is working to update the Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan as a part of Orange Code and Vision 2050, respectively.

As staff analyzes and finalizes these proposed changes, an ordinance temporarily suspending the acceptance and processing of new applications for certain Comprehensive Plan text and Future Land-Use Map amendments, rezonings and special exceptions was being requested to prevent future contradictions.

The item was discussed at the Tuesday, May 21, meeting.

“By suspending the processing of such applications, county staff will not only have more time to focus on finalizing the updates to Orange Code and Vision 2050, but they will also reduce the likelihood that the county approves an item that will be inconsistent with the final versions of Orange Code and Vision 2050,” the staff report reads.”

The ordinance provides an exemption to the suspension of any development process in the following master planned communities: Horizon West, Avalon Park, Innovation Way and the I-Drive Overlay District. Additionally, existing Planned Developments will be unaffected and, as such, change determinations will still be processed.

HAMLIN SOUTHWEST PD

The Hamlin Southwest PD also was approved at the May 7 meeting.

Applicant Kendall Keith, of Oak Hill Planning Studio, was requesting a PD substantial change to add a Master Sign Plan to the PD-UNP with three separate waivers from Orange County Code.

The waivers requested are to allow an internally illuminated community identification sign in lieu of an externally illuminated sign, to allow the community identification sign to be located as shown on the Master Sign Plan in lieu of the requirement to be located at an entry point and to allow a maximum of 2.625 square feet of copy area per each lineal feet of building frontage for signs erected on buildings having up to 200 lineal feet of building frontage, in lieu of 1.5 square feet of copy area per lineal foot. The overall 77.83-acre PD property is located north of Porter Road and west of S.R. 429 in the Horizon West Town Center Village.

PROPORTIONATE

SHARE AGREEMENTS

Three proportionate share agreements, with two applying to West Orange, were approved at the May 21 meeting.

These agreements allow property owners to earn road impact fee credits by making improvements to clogged roads or dedicating right-of-way to expand the road network near their developments.

Hamlin Tiki Docks agreed to pay for nearby improvements to Avalon Road and Summerlake Park Boulevard in the amount of $144,727, while Primrose Lake Hancock agreed to pay for nearby improvements to Reams and Ficquette roads in the amount of $156,612.

Foodie Call

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eggs benedict. They even have lunch options! We loved Keke’s for its friendly service, delightfully colorful presentation, but most of all their charm.

This program is provided through the generous support of the Homer N. Allen Charitable Trust and

Avalon residents oppose special-needs facility

Special Hearts Farm wants to move its operations to land within a rural settlement and build cottages for a residential care home.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

What began as a seemingly simple Orange County community meeting for a Future Land-Use Map amendment and a rezoning Thursday, May 30, turned into a shouting match for some residents of the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement who say they are fighting for their community’s rights as they were intended.

Special Hearts Farm — a nonprofit organization that provides life skills in agriculture and agribusiness to adults with special needs — hopes to set up a larger farm space and build a cluster of small residential care cottages on property located in a protected area off Avalon Road in unincorporated Winter Garden.

To do so, Orange County would have to change the FLUM from Rural Settlement to Institutional and rezone the land from Citrus Rural District to Planned Development District. The full 18 acres would be rezoned, but only 10 acres at the back of the site would be amended to reflect the Institutional designation so up to 30 Special Hearts participants could live on the farm.

Residents fear this would set a precedent that would allow other Institutional development, such as nursing homes, into their rural area.

“We didn’t come here for you to talk us into this,” said Barbara Mansfield, who lives in the rural settlement. “We are here as a group to show you we don’t support this at all. … We are here to show you we do not support this in our neighborhood.”

Rural settlements call for one dwelling unit for every five acres, meaning the applicant, Jim Hall, of Hall Development Services, could have three units on the land. A single-

family home and a barn already occupy the property.

Kathy Meena and Jennifer Elliott founded Special Hearts Farm off Ninth Street in Winter Garden about six years ago. The organization has outgrown its space at the former Maxey Elementary School property.

A MEANINGFUL DAY

“Our goal is to be a great neighbor to you, a special, bright neighbor,” Meena said. “We have a lot of animals, they all have names, and they are very well cared for. We also train our individuals in farming and to make (items to sell such as) goat milk soap and soy candles. We train them to have a meaningful day. When we wake up, we all want to have a day where we feel meaningful. They deserve that, too.

“I’m sure most of you know someone with special needs,” Meena said. “I’m the mother of one. As the mother, this is really important that all of us try to get something for these individuals because a lot of them, they wouldn’t have that opportunity if it wasn’t for us.

“We’ll be great neighbors,” she said. “We’ll be quiet. Most of our kids have autism, and they don’t like noise. We want to bring you guys in who are farmers to help our adults do it better. We want to be able to market your products. There’s a lot of things we want to do to co-op with you guys. We hope and pray you guys will want to partner with us.”

The original request was for a 25,000-square-foot training facility, a 5,000-square-foot event barn to be used for a farmers market and petting zoo, and overnight housing for 50 adults in the program. The applicant decreased the sizes of the training facility and event barn to 15,000 and 3,500 square feet, respectively, and decreased the number of overnight residents to 30.

Avalon residents expressed concerns about traffic, other institutions submitting applications and the applicant increasing the numbers once he received approval.

The participants in Special Hearts Farm do not drive, so most of the traffic

would be generated by employees, property attorney Rick Geller said.

Hall stressed Special Hearts Farm would be coming in as Institutional with an agricultural component, something nursing homes wouldn’t have, so that type of institution would not qualify to operate in the rural settlement. Hall also said if he wanted to change any numbers after approval, he would have to go through the entire process again, something he said he’s not willing to do.

‘DOESN’T FIT IN MY COMMUNITY’

Many rural settlement residents who attended last week’s meeting stood to share their thoughts on the issue.

Estella Baker said her husband has a sister with special needs and his mother started a community similar to Special Hearts Farm in the 1970s.

“I know what it takes to have that institution in that setting,” Baker said. “I worked it, I was there; she’s still there, and she’s in her 70s. I know how close you get to the children in there. It just doesn’t fit in my community right now.”

Lori Weiner said she has people she cares about with special needs.

“They have nothing to do with our concerns,” Weiner said. “It’s about density, it’s the amount of usage, of utilities we don’t have. … This institution does not belong in the rural settlement.”

Chap Lewis has lived in the Lake

Avalon Rural Settlement for 44 years.

“I’ve seen many years of growth,” he said. “We can’t stop growth. Our task is to challenge. That was the consensus when we established the rural settlement. Now you want to circumvent the rules, or you wouldn’t be here. … What you’re asking for is a … social experiment, if you will. Our rules don’t condone a social venture such as this.”

Lisa Schmidt, a parent of two children with disabilities, pleaded with Avalon residents to work with Special Hearts Farm.

“My whole life I have been worried about their future and what kind of future they would be living,” Schmidt said. “They weren’t gifted with the intelligence of your children, but they have a right to work. They are hard workers, they have a right to live, they are God’s children. They have a right to live in a community that will embrace them and give them opportunities to (thrive) in life.

“Please come visit us at the Special Hearts Farm so you can understand what these young farmers look like and their enthusiasm and what they are learning,” she said. “When you say, ‘those people,’ you’re talking about my children.”

“My son goes to the farm,” Winter Garden resident Henry Wright said.

“I can’t find a place like this in the state of Florida. You have your rights, but remember, this is somebody’s kid

you’re talking about. … Please just remember when we’re talking about these people that were created by God Himself, we would appreciate (respect).”

Laurie Forrester replied that she took care of a sister with special needs for 34 years.

“We are not against the purpose and the mission of the Special Hearts Farm,” she said. “We are agricultural.”

Forrester invited the organization to bring its animals and plant fruits and vegetables.

“This is something we would embrace, the agricultural use,” she said. “When it starts to take this to an Institutional zoning, and we have two nursing homes who are waiting to come in, this sets a precedent moving forward.

“This will become a Nursing Home/Assisted Living Residential Settlement,” she said.

“We welcome what you have in Winter Garden here, but we have to protect the integrity of the rural settlement from people constantly coming to change the FLUM of our parcels here,” Forrester said. “I’m tired of working 1,500 hours since Jan. 1 to protect our rural settlement against this.”

A HEART TO ADVOCATE

Meena said she was shocked to hear some of the residents’ comments.

“I’m saddened by some of the comments,” she said. “I feel our project is positive and not only a positive shining star for the rural community, but a shining star for Orange County and the state. I’m hopeful that their hearts will be opened. … I just feel like there is a compromise and there is a path that could please both sides.

“God gave me Cameron 28 years ago,” Meena said. “When He gave me a child with special needs, He gave me a heart to advocate. They’re people, and that’s what I tried to tell people last night. … They have a disability, but they are people just like us.” She said the nonprofit will continue going through the process with Orange County. A Local Planning Agency meeting and public hearing are scheduled for mid-July.

Local

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Suggestions

Macy’s opens doors in Winter Garden Village

The new location hosted five children and their families from local nonprofit Eight Waves for a summer essentials shopping event ahead of the store’s grand opening.

VISIT THE LOCATION

The new Macy’s Winter Garden Village location celebrated its grand opening Saturday, May 25, at 3215 Daniels Road, Winter Garden.

The event included a ribboncutting ceremony, giveaways, music and, of course, shopping.

The new 25,000-square-foot format store offers a convenient and distinct shopping experience in an open environment roughly one-fifth the size of the full-line stores.

Located in high-traffic shopping centers, these stores offer a curated assortment of top brands, the latest trends and convenient services. The stores collaborate with local businesses to create pop-up shops and events that cater to customer preferences.

Shoppers can explore fashionable trends, must-haves and new seasonal merchandise. These stores provide a range of categories, including men’s, women’s and children’s fashion, beauty products, toys, luggage, and gift items.

Categories feature brands such as Levi’s, MAC and Calvin Klein, as well as Macy’s private brands, such as INC, Bar III, And Now This, On 34th and the newest private brand, State of Day.

Customers can enjoy all the benefits of the full-line Macy’s stores, including the At Your Service desk, which helps with bill payments, returns and exchanges. They also can take advantage of Buy Online Pickup In-store and curbside options for items available on Macys.com.

Customers can continue to enroll, earn and redeem Star Rewards, and they can also use their Macy’s credit card at all Macy’s locations.

The new Macy’s will offer an immersive shopping experience, providing both convenience and discovery in an easy-to-navigate shopping environment.

Kristen Browning, Winter Garden Village store manager who has been with Macy’s for 15 years, said multiple factors contributed to the decision for the location, including geography, customer demographic and desired footprints.

“I’m most excited to connect with the Winter Garden community, support small local businesses through our exciting pop-up events and set the standard for Macy’s small-format stores,” she said.

3215 Daniels Road, Winter Garden Phone: (407) 614-6055 Website: shorturl.at/dVHNQ

MISSION EVERY ONE

Ahead of the grand opening, the store hosted five children and their families from local nonprofit Eight Waves for a summer essentials shopping event Friday, May 24.

Eight Waves, located on Plant Street in Winter Garden, invests in the lives of children and envisions a community where every child experiences a variety of positive and encouraging opportunities.

“Through the company’s social purpose platform, Mission Every One, Macy’s, Inc. is committed to empowering the curiosity and confidence of young people, and to create a brighter future with bold representation that empowers more voice, choice and ownership for our colleagues, customers and communities,” Browning said.

Kelly Carr, director of operations and programs at Eight Waves, said the smiles on the children’s faces when shopping were priceless.

“It was a wonderful way to provide the needed back-to-school items for these students to have brand new for school, but also an experience of budgeting their money and choosing which items they wanted within their funds,” she said. “We often get gently used clothes donated, and many of our students pass clothes from older siblings down to younger ones.

So, it is a really wonderful opportunity to be able to provide brand-new clothing to these families. We are so grateful for community partnerships and working together to serve local children and families, and without partners like Macy’s, we would not be able to do all of what we do. We believe that we are truly better together.”

Three other Eight Waves shopping events will take place throughout the summer, targeting a total of 35 children from the organization — 10 from high school, 10 from middle school and 10 from elementary school.

These students will be able to go on a mini shopping spree at the store and pick out their own backto-school shoes, socks or clothing.

Courtesy photo

The new Macy’s store collaborated recently with local nonprofit Eight Waves.

Donation ensures Gotha lot will remain undeveloped

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

A small piece of land at the intersection of Hempel Avenue and Sixth Street in Gotha with ties to the past has been donated to the community. The green space has been dedicated as a park and heavily landscaped to ensure the property never will be developed.

Kathleen Klare, a longtime Gotha historian, said she considers this corner the main historical site of Gotha. It was the location of the community’s first store and boarding house.

In recent years, several different owners of the property tried to have the land rezoned for commercial and to have it developed— and each time, Gotha residents fought it.

The current owner, Bob Holston, had purchased the property, along with another roughly 40 acres, for development. He built the Fire Creek neighborhood to the west and put in the roundabout at the entrance where three roads dangerously converged. Upon learning about the residents’ desire to keep the Hempel/Sixth corner undeveloped, Holston decided to donate the land to the community.

He paid about $5,000 toward a $7,000 sign that serves as a historic marker and shares facts about the property and the community’s original history-makers. Klare and Kurt Ardaman each contributed about $1,000.

Klare said it was the best thing that could have happened to this property.

Holston, CEO of Holston Properties and Development, in Orlando, has lived in the Gotha area for 33 years and, by now, considers it his spot. After amassing close to 40 acres along Sixth Street, he started working on the Fire Creek community and the roundabout. This passive park is an extension of that land.

“It can never be developed, ever, so that’s out of the equation,” Holston said. “It’s a dedicated park in the Orange County park system and dedicated to the historic society of Gotha.” Holston said the park was included in the Fire Creek maintenance agreement, so the subdivision’s homeowners’ association maintains it. Other projects of Holston’s are the third phase of Windermere Downs, as well as Windermere Chase and Windsor Landings.

READ EVERYWHERE!

Take us with you!

It’s Read Everywhere is back, and we want to see our newspaper in your vacation photos.

Whether you’re packing your suitcase for a weekend get-away or longer vacation, be sure to include a copy of the West Orange Times & Observer or the Southwest Orange Observer and snap a photo of you holding it at your destination for our revived It’s Read Everywhere feature. We have traveled to the four corners of the United States. We have been around the world — from Australia,

Thailand and Iceland to Nigeria, Europe and Ecuador. We’ve lounged on cruise ships and beaches and in the mountains. We have partied at alma maters and the Indianapolis 500. We stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, and toured Alcatraz. Where will you take us next?

Take a high-quality photo of you and your friends or family members with the paper and email the picture to Community Editor Amy Quesinberry at AmyQ@

orangeobserver.com. You also can mail or drop off a physical photo: Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden 34787. Emailed photos should be at least 200 dpi. Include the first and last names of everyone in the photo, where it was taken and a phone number where the editor can reach you. Call the newspaper office at (407) 656-2121 with questions.

JUNE 24, 2014

Visiting the southwest region of the United States for the first time with my family took us to Grand Canyon National Park. The view was breathtaking, but I didn’t fully appreciate it; I must have been fixated on the fact that no one laughed when I said I was going to jump to the bottom.

APRIL 14, 2024

After a month of preparation and a desire for accomplishing the seemingly impossible, I have returned to the Grand Canyon with my friend Josh. This time? Hike down into the canyon, across the bottom, up the top of the other side and back — all in a day. Rim-to-rim-to-rim. More than 50 miles, more than 11,000 feet of elevation gain, 24 hours. At 2:57 a.m., we had our work cut out for us. Other than potentially twisting my ankle, we began at the South Rim and moved down the South Kaibab Trail. A dark descent of 5,000 feet, a falling star passing overhead. The energy is surreal. Exhilarating. Addictive. Introspective. Relentless. Terrifying. Unable to stomach any calories thus far, we moved on. Deer eagerly awaited us at Cottonwood Campground, the Colorado River roaring alongside us throughout “The Box.”

A sharp pain in my inner thigh began as we traversed a strong creek just shy of Buddha Temple and reached the Manzanita Rest Area, a place I would refill my water and attempt to ingest some food, but to no avail.

It’s about 10 a.m., and we’ve covered nearly 20 miles so far. With another 10 miles and 5,000 feet to climb to the top of the North Rim, we would be reminded of our next error: We mistakenly sacrificed refilling our water reserves in exchange for lighter packs.

We began ascent No. 1 with an empty fuel tank and a drive to keep pushing. The sun started playing a huge role. Frequent stops and thoughts of self-doubt all the way up. The Chevaya Falls pounded the rocks below. Crossing over the Redwall Bridge reminded me why I had a fear of heights. Scrambled over a couple sections sabotaged by rockslides. The higher we climbed, the chillier it felt. Icy snow began cropping up, with delusion settling deeper with every break.

We passed Coconino Overlook, and after a couple more “stop to catch my breath, fail to eat food

and nearly pass out”s, we saw the snow-packed surface of the top of the North Rim. We made it. A power nap under the sun would allow me to down an apple with an attitude ready to tackle the back half of the hike. It’s just after 1 p.m., and after rationing out our last drops of liquid, we were on our way. Spirits were high as we zipped down the North Rim in record time. The sun was playing a cheeky game of hide-and-seek as we weaved from canyon wall to canyon wall, warming and cooling Josh and me in cyclical fashion. Crossed back over the Redwall Bridge, and the Chevaya Falls came back into sight. The wind was picking up heavily, and Josh and I were considerably parched. After another five miles and pushing 4 p.m., we made it back to Manzanita Rest Area and refilled all of our receptacles again.

An earnest fist bump from a

— AMY QUESINBERRY

stranger. “YOU GUYS ARE ANIMALS!” after we told him we were halfway through rim-to-rim-torim. Made sure to ask Josh to take a picture of me holding up a West Orange Times & Observer to be featured in the paper. We moved considerably fast on the way back. The wind howled as we crossed the river, weaved through “The Box,” my thighs burning more with each step. Many of the rock faces looming over us began to take the shape of all sorts of different images, deceiving my mind and stirring my brain around. Now pitch dark, we reached Phantom Ranch at 8 p.m. We made it with enough time to rest at the canteen, sipping on lemonade and munching on candy before our final ascent out of the canyon.

We couldn’t feel our legs after departing the canteen, but with glory being six miles away, step by step, we chipped away at the seemingly infinite distance to the South Kaibab trailhead. Just as expected, we began to follow a similar cadence as the North Rim ascent: stop, start, stop, start … A couple miles up, my headlamp went kaput. For the remainder of our climb, I hiked close behind Josh, both of us using his headlamp to guide us out of the canyon. The wind picked up as we ascended, each break giving us brief moments to process how low the temperatures were progressively dropping. “You’ve just gotta keep on pushing, man,” he says to me over my labored breaths. Frequently rerolling my ankle on the way up, I didn’t have the time or resources to rehabilitate my foot, making the home stretch that much more difficult.

We kept on, one foot after the other. Skeleton Point, Cedar Ridge and Ooh-Aah Point behind us, we reached the final switchbacks before joining a club of hikers who faced the impossible. The warm light of the trailhead came into view. The time is 2:26 a.m. We reached the top of the South Rim. We did it. 23 hours and 31 minutes, 54.4 miles, 106,222 steps, 7,681 burned calories, 11,450 feet of elevation gain. We did it.

THE DATE IS ____________.

My life will be different by the time I make my return to a place I now hold dear in my heart. The site of one of the first national parks I ever visited. The site of the most difficult hike I’ve ever completed. Whatever the future may hold, all I know is this: If my son makes a joke about jumping to the bottom, I owe him at least a chuckle.

ADAM COUCH SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER

Adam Couch, who grew up in Winter Garden and now lives in Phoenix, took a copy of the West Orange Times & Observer with him when he hiked the Grand Canyon.

for $4,075,000

Ahome in the Isleworth community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from May 20 to 26.

The home at 5084 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold May 21, for $4,075,000. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, seven-and-one-half baths and 7,159 square feet. Days on market: 199. The sellers were represented by Toni Marie Cafferty, Compass Florida LLC.

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

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL

The home at 8995 Islesworth Court, Orlando, sold May 23, for $695,000. Built in 1974, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,175 square feet. Days on market: 13.

GREENLEAF

The home at 6725 Spring Rain Drive, Orlando, sold May 20, for $599,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,234 square feet. Days on market: 33.

HIDDEN SPRINGS

The home at 5417 Pitch Pine Drive, Orlando, sold May 23, for $587,000. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,335 square feet. Days on market: 153.

PARKSIDE

The home at 8521 Pippen Drive, Orlando, sold May 22, for $1,570,000. Built in 2014, it has six bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,260 square feet. Days on market: 28.

The home at 10424 Bissell St., Orlando, sold May 22, for $923,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,748 square feet. Days on market: Eight.

RUBY LAKE

The home at 10909 Lemon Lake Blvd., Orlando, sold May 21, for $1,220,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,201 square feet. Days on market: 134.

SAND LAKE HILLS

The home at 8039 Golden Sands Drive, Orlando, sold May 22, for $565,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,922 square feet. Days on market: 30.

The home at 6006 Oaken Cove Court, Orlando, sold May 21, for $520,000. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,843 square feet. Days on market: 45.

TOREY PINES

The home at 8648 Summerville Place, Orlando, sold May 20, for $1,451,000. Built in 1992, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,179 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

The home at 5114 Lobo Court, Orlando, sold May 21, for $880,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,117 square feet. Days on market: 36.

HORIZON WEST

EDEN ISLE

The home at 6412 Earthgold Drive, Windermere, sold May 20, for $525,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,005 square feet. Days on market: 37.

ENCORE AT OVATION

The home at 12209 Encore at Ovation Way, Winter Garden, sold May 23, for $883,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,826 square feet. Days on market: 243.

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 15115 Lake Claire

Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 23, for $1,275,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,844 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

HIGHLAND RIDGE

The home at 12277 Bracco St., Winter Garden, sold May 23, for $581,440. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,490 square feet.

INDEPENDENCE

The townhouse at 14461 Vashons Way, Winter Garden, sold May 24, for $350,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,192 square feet. Days on market: Five.

ISLES OF LAKE HANCOCK

The home at 7817 Freestyle Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $1,350,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,364 square feet. Days on market: 62.

LAKE REAMS TOWNHOMES

The townhouse at 12949 Langstaff Drive, Windermere, sold May 23, for $340,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,375 square feet. Days on market: 58.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 12754 Bideford Ave., Windermere, sold May 21, for $665,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,889 square feet. Days on market: 127.

The home at 7006 Mapperton Drive, Windermere, sold May 24, for $547,500. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,460 square feet. Days on market: 66.

LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The home at 8049 Topsail Place, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $1,150,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,816 square feet.

MABEL BRIDGE

The home at 11742 Chateaubriand Ave., Orlando, sold May 21, for $625,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,000 square feet. Days on market: 52.

OSPREY RANCH

The home at 15412 Enchanted Melody Way, No. 99, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $611,311. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,743 square feet. Days on market: 23.

The home at 12826 Lavender Bloom Alley, No. 155, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $600,000. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,419 square feet. Days on market: 44.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 15631 Dahoon Holly Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 21, for $593,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,692 square feet. Days on market: Two.

The home at 14571 Bahama Swallow Blvd. sold May 22, for $504,900. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,063 square feet. Days on market: 33.

SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 15535 Murcott Harvest Loop, Winter Garden, sold May 23, for $650,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,671 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 16019 Scarpetta St., Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $750,671. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,327 square feet. Days on market: Five.

The home at 16143 Skysail St., Winter Garden, sold May 23, for $675,626. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,113 square feet. Days on market: 101.

The home at 16146 Halsey Bay Alley, Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $557,740. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,027 square feet.

WATERMARK

The home at 9918 Pallida Hickory Way, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $586,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,892 square feet. Days on market: Two.

The townhouse at 9597 Amber Chestnut Way, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $480,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,948 square feet. Days on market: 25.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8711 Lookout Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold May 24, for $750,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,419 square feet. Days on market: 10.

The home at 12160 Canyon Sun Trail, Windermere, sold May 23, for $565,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,184 square feet. Days on market: Three.

OCOEE

FORESTBROOKE

The home at 3322 Fawnwood Drive, Ocoee, sold May 20, for $810,000. Built in 2011, it has seven bedrooms, four baths and 4,700 square feet. Days on market: 31.

LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1937 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold May 21, for $425,829. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,807 square feet. Days on market: Five.

REFLECTIONS

The home at 895 Cool Springs Circle, Ocoee, sold May 24, for $475,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,897 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

LAKE SHEEN RESERVE

The home at 9926 Nokay Drive, Orlando, sold May 22, for $812,500. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,723 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WINDERMERE

ISLEWORTH

The home at 5084 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold May 21, for $4,075,000. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, seven-and-one-half baths and 7,159 square feet. Days on market: 199.

RESERVE AT WINDERMERE

The home at 2516 Windermere Reserve Court, Windermere, sold May 20, for $2,850,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths and 4,953 square feet. Days on market: 33.

for

The home at 872 Rhett St., Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $780,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from May 20 to 26. The sellers were represented by Ashley Boyd, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 6509 Cartmel Lane, Windermere, sold May 24, for $1,434,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,739 square feet. Days on market: 44.

SILVER WOODS

The home at 5155 Sun Palm Drive, Windermere, sold May 24, for $618,646. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,026 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WINDERMERE DOWNS

The home at 1930 Maple Leaf Drive sold May 20, for $930,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,509 square feet. Days on market: 44.

WINTER GARDEN

COBBLESTONE

The home at 235 Country Cottage Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $650,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,238 square feet. Days on market: 18.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 17970 Hither Hills Circle, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold May 24, for $675,000. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,787 square feet. Days on market: Two.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 872 Rhett St., Winter Garden, sold May 22, for $780,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,174 square feet. Days on market: Four. The home at 909 McKinnon Square, Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $580,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,772 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

PLEASANT PARK

The home at 543 Seminole St., Winter Garden, sold May 20, for $715,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,560 square feet. Days on market: 168.

REGENCY OAKS

The home at 13115 Social Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 24, for $620,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,380 square feet. Days on market: Six.

ROPER RESERVE

The home at 1657 Highbanks Circle, Winter Garden, sold May 24, for $665,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,857 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WALKERS GROVE TOWNHOMES

The townhouse at 921 Walkers Gove Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 23, for $500,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,886

square feet. Days on market: 60.

Courtesy photo

The home at 5084 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold May 21,

$4,075,000. This estate offers views of the sixth green on the Isleworth Golf & Country Club course. The sellers were represented by Toni Marie Cafferty, Compass Florida LLC.

Right:

Courtesy photo

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

EPISCOPAL

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

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135

Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

SPORTS

HIGH 5

1

At the final regularly scheduled meeting of the 2023-24 school year, the Florida High School Athletics Association board of directors voted to pass a Name, Image and Likeness proposal submitted by Executive Director Craig Damon. This decision grants Florida high school student-athletes the ability to earn money from their name, image and likeness; such as in a commercial or sponsorship deal without being deemed ineligible.

The proposal submitted details new language in the FHSAA Bylaws, section 9.9 to be specific. You can find the full proposal at this link: bit. ly/3KqvcoM.

2

Dr. Phillips football’s Maliki Wright, a 6-foot, 190-pound three-star defensive back, has announced he will be committing his college football future on July 1. Of the various D-I offers Wright is considering, some of the most notable are Power 4 programs such as Duke, Iowa State, NC State and Missouri.

3

Former Windermere Prep golfer, and now Georgia Tech sophomore, Hiroshi Tai overcame a three-stroke deficit at the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship to claim the individual national title on the North Course at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in California.

Tai’s final score of 285 (-3) was enough to edge out six other golfers by a single stroke in painstaking manner. After finishing his final round, which included a triple-bogey on 17, Tai had to watch the remaining groups fight to reach his final score.

4

After a successful senior season, recent Windermere High graduate and boys basketball player Chalier Torres has once again been selected to represent his home country of Puerto Rico on its youth national basketball team at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Argentina.

Torres, an Embry-Riddle signee, was a key member of the Puerto Rico U17 team that won gold in the 2023 FIBA Centrobasket tournament — averaging 11.8 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in five games, including a 23-point performance in the championship against the Dominican Republic. The 13th edition of the AmeriCup is being played at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenas Aires, Argentina, with the group phase games having begun on Monday, June 3 and the finals slated for Sunday, June 9. All AmeriCup games will be streamed on FIBA’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/fiba.

5

Olympia High girls trackand-field star Omaria Gordon was honored at the OCPS board meeting May 28, following her individual state championship win in the long jump at the FHSAA Class 4A meet.

Her jump of 20 feet, 9 inches not only was enough to earn her gold but also set a Central Florida record — that was a length only bested by three other girls high school track athletes in the United States this season. Gordon also finished fourth in both the triple jump and 400-meter hurdles.

A two-sport athlete for Ocoee, Diego De Pina is not only primed for a breakout senior season on the football field, but he also finished as the state runner-up in the shot put. 2B.

9 to Nationals

The Windermere-based Orlando Area Rowing Society qualified a whopping nine of its boats for USRowing’s Youth National Championships in Sarasota, which begins Thursday, June 6. “We’ve had a tremendous season … led by a staff of coaches that is wonderful and has definitely put in the time and energy into this great group of kids,” OARS Director of Rowing Kirsten Anderson said. “This group of rowers is special because they are such a family that really support (one another). Their commitment to the sport has been unwavering all year. We’re one of the few sports where you’re practicing pretty much from August to June. And they have never wavered with their commitment. … They just bring this special level of energy and enthusiasm. It’s hard to not do well with such great kids.”

To qualify for nationals, a boat needs to finish in the top four of

After facing off against 53 of the top teams from across the Southeast, Orlando Area Rowing Society is sending nine boats to USRowing’s Youth National Championships.

Introducing the 2024 Orange Observer Sports Awards

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes a player’s excellence on and off the field.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

SPORTS EDITOR

The 2023-24 sports season was one to remember in West Orange and Southwest Orange. The year was punctuated with an array of championships won, college scholarships earned and stories that inspired us to reach for the stars in the midst of adversity.

Although summer break has arrived, we want to make sure that this historic year doesn’t fade into the blistering Florida sun without giving the area’s most deserving

athletes, coaches, teams and their stories the proper recognition.

So today, I’m thrilled to announce the 2024 Orange Observer Sports Awards.

With 10 total awards— ranging from the expected athlete of the year awards to more unique honors; such as the Ad Astra Award or the Teammate of the Year Award — the top honor of the bunch is our Sportsperson of the Year award.

We are accepting nominations for each of the 10 awards from the public. That includes everyone from school administrators, parents, fans, coaches, teammates and really anyone who knows of a team, coach or player who deserves the recognition.

Below is a short description of each of this year’s honors.

2024 ORANGE OBSERVER

SPORTS AWARDS

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

The Sportsperson of the Year award takes inspiration from the

This award aims to do the same by honoring a student-athlete who is a force on the field of play, in the classroom and in their local community. As a company, the Observer embraces the ideals of hard work, a high standard of performance and the knowledge that what we do can make a difference in the local community.

Nominees for this award should exemplify those ideals through high-level performance in sport, academic accolades and a proven passion for making a difference in the lives of their neighbors.

MALE & FEMALE

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Superior athletic achievement is the first and highest criterion for the Male and Female Athletes of the Year Awards. Both the male and female individual winners of this award will exemplify this high level of athletic excellence through a stack of individual accolades, impressive statistics, projection to

HOW TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION

To submit a nomination, please visit the following link, and follow the instructions to fill out a Google form for each of your nominees: bit. ly/3x04mkk.

Nominations are unlimited, but please note the number of nominations for an athlete, team or coach will not affect their consideration; rather the quality of the nominee will determine each award winner.

Also, only nominations from the West Orange and Southwest Orange area will be considered, and although high school sports are the primary focus of these awards, we will consider nominations outside of that age range.

If you are unsure whether your nomination falls within our coverage area or parameters, please contact Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque via email, SamA@ OrangeObserver.com.

Courtesy of OARS

OARS rowers Tyler Murphy, left, Buckley Newbold, Mykolas Binkys, Zander Chilson and Ryder Bax celebrated their Southeast Youth Championship win in the Men’s Youth 4+ category.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

In matching shirts, OARS rowers Mia Dansby, left, Isabella Romain, Patricia Mendendez, Mary D’Amico and Livia Johnson celebrated qualifying for nationals in the Women’s Youth 4+ category.

The Observer is excited to roll out a new local annual sports awards series to highlight the area’s most deserving athletes, coaches and teams.

Diego De Pina

Following a junior football season during which an injury cut his 2023 campaign short, Ocoee High’s Diego De Pina fought back and had a phenomenal spring season as part of the Knights’ track and field team.

On the biggest stage this spring, the FHSAA Class 4A, Region 1 championships and 4A state championships, the defensive end for the Ocoee football team shined in the shot put and discus. De Pina set a personal best in the discus and finished third in the individual regional championship and at states he set another personal best this time in the shot put, earning him the silver.

With one more high school season on the gridiron and in the field events for Ocoee, expect a big senior year out of De Pina.

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

I’m honored and very thankful.

It’s a great accomplishment, and it feels good to be recognized.

What do you like the most about track and field?

What I like most about track and field is being able to compete with a lot of throwers from other schools across Florida.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from track and field?

I learned that you have to keep pushing yourself — no matter what the circumstances are — and finish strong.

Who is your favorite athlete? Marshawn Lynch, because he always worked hard and stayed humble no matter what.

Favorite track-and-field memory?

When I threw my personal best at regionals in the discus.

What is your go-to pre-game meal?

My favorite pre-game meal would

THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Track and field Grade: Junior School: Ocoee High

What is your go-to pre-game hype song? “New” by Lud Foe.

What is your favorite nonsports hobby? Playing video games such as Call of Duty.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Math for sure, because I want to major in mechanical engineering.

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

I would take a machete, a fire starter and a pair of shoes. I would be set to go!

What is your favorite movie?

All three of the “Friday” movies.

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

I’d go back to the 90s to settle the debate between who’s the best NBA player: LeBron James or Michael Jordan.

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

You can only control what you can control, and anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

Am I the best defensive end in the NFL?

Who is your favorite superhero?

Batman, aka the Dark Knight, has always been my favorite superhero since I was a kid.

Who is your favorite supervil-

The Joker, because he is Batman’s

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and Teleportation, because it would make my life easier and I could

If you could travel to three places in the world, where Cape Verde, Bora Bora and really anywhere in Africa. I would love to see such beautiful places.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be I would be a whale, so I could discover the ocean.

What is your most controversial food

Mint chocolate chip is a top five fla -

Does pineapple belong on Pineapples have no business

— SAM ALBUQUERQUE

OARS boats ready for national water

their event at a regional regatta, and that’s exactly what the nine OARS boats did against the region’s 53 top teams across various categories and age groups at the Southeast Youth Championships in May. OARS’ Men’s Youth 4+ boat won the regional crown, and five other boats finished second.

Although qualifying nine boats for nationals is a major accomplishment for any team, over the past few years, OARS’ boats having success at the regional regatta has been the expectation.

“I would say we are — because we’ve been able to put together the right conditions of having the right athletes and the right coaching staff all kind of come together — one of the more dominant programs in the Southeast,” Anderson said. “We have been able to make it sort of an expectation that, of course, we’re going to take a few boats to nationals every year, but to be taking nine is a pretty big deal.”

FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING

One of the biggest reasons for OARS’ 2024 success is the long hours put in by the older members of the program, who have been building toward this moment for years.

“One boat in particular to keep an eye on at nationals would be our Men’s Youth 4+ team, which won regionals by a significant amount,” Anderson said. “They are some of our more experienced athletes, and we definitely hope to see them put in some good times at nationals. One (member) of that team, Tyler Murphy, was stroke seat of the US Junior National eight at world championships last year.”

Murphy, who won gold with the Men’s Youth 4+ boat and bronze with the Men’s Youth 8+ boat, is one of those key cogs that has helped move the OARS program forward.

“This was a pretty important season for us because our head coach (Nicholas Hall) got here four years ago, meaning this was the first class that he coached from freshman to senior year,” Murphy said. “ This was a pretty big senior class too … something like 13 guys alone. So, we knew this season had to be important, so we could send those guys off right and we brought the energy straight from the fall and started setting all sorts of team records.”

Although Murphy will point to this season’s success being about the graduating senior class, it’s him, as a rising senior, who has made a major impact on the program.

“Tyler is a kid who is the perfect example of just putting your nose down and grinding as hard as you possibly can all the time,” Anderson said. “He has all the intangibles that you could ask for, and he just captures ... our three big principles outside of practice — like getting sleep, eating correctly and doing some low, steady state work on your own. Tyler has listened and done all the things we’ve told him, and the payoff has been just tremendous. So it’s exciting to see kids like him and the guys in that boat win regionals

and set themselves up to do well on the national stage.” Murphy can see his regional championship-winning four-boat making a deep run at nationals.

“You can’t just look at the times on the spreadsheet and say, ‘OK, we’re going to do this,’ but I think we’re going to do pretty well at nationals,” Murphy said. “This boat, we have … just this kind of the connection that makes me feel like this is going to be a pretty good outing for us. If everything goes to plan, I think we’re going to end up in the A final — or the top eight in the country. … I don’t know if this four is going to earn a medal spot, but I think just getting to that top eight is a testament to the coaches, who’ve done a great job over the past four years here. Ultimately, I think it’ll come down to how we start, if we have a great two first races, we could end up in the A final, which is a pretty massive achievement.”

PASSING OF THE OAR

Like Murphy, two veteran OARS rowers have high hopes for their opportunity at nationals; Isabella Romain — a Gonzaga rowing signee — and Patricia Menendez — a Tennessee signee. The two graduating seniors were key parts of the OARS Women’s Youth 4+ boat that finished second at the regional regatta.

“Both of those girls, Patricia and Isabella, are going to row in college as scholarship recipients — which is kind of a big deal — have been a huge part of OARS for years,” Anderson said. “They’ve meant so much to the program and have been rowing since middle school, so it’s pretty fun to see them qualify for nationals and to be representing OARS for the final time at the biggest stage.”

Despite Romain and Menendez’s focus being set on doing their best at nationals, given the pair’s long history with the program, their final youth regatta with OARS comes with a flood of emotions.

“I’ve been rowing at OARS since the sixth grade, so I’ve kind of grown up in this atmosphere, and I feel like it helped shape me into the person I am today,” Romain said.

“I’ve met some of my best friends here — people that I know I’ll stay in contact with for a lifetime. But it’s been more than that though. I’ve learned lessons like emphasizing the importance of hard work and that nothing in life is given to you; your seat is earned, not given. … I know that I can take these lessons and experiences into the real world and be better for it.”

That kind of experience is exactly why OARS seniors like Romain and Menendez make sure to prepare the next generation of rowers by mentoring them for the moment the baton, or rather the oar, is passed on to them.

“As a coxswain, I’m already put into a leadership position, so taking on a sort of mentorship role with the younger girls on the team was something I really wanted to do,” Menendez said.

The veteran rowers said they’re eager to give back to the next generation because they see their talent.

“We see a ton of potential and dedication in this new group of girls that I didn’t really see while com-

MEN’S YOUTH 4+

Members: Tyler Murphy, Clement Newbold, Zander Chilson, Ryder Bax and Mykolas Binkys (Coxswain) Place: First

WOMEN’S YOUTH 4+:

Members: Mia Dansby, Isabella Romain, Mary Anna D’Amico, Livia Johnson and Patricia Menendez (Coxswain) Place: Second

MEN’S YOUTH 4-

Members: Jacob Arcella, Nicholas Cheplick, Jacob Johnson and Tyler Huurneman Place: Second

MEN’S YOUTH 2V8+

Members: Nathan Secor, Alexander Matteson, Liam Cromartie, Tanner Kunkel, Alexander Ballard, Conor Ahearn, Alexander Pendell, Mars Smith and Joanna Mei Schafhauser (coxswain) Place: Fourth

MEN’S YOUTH 8+

Members: Tyler Murphy, Zander Chilson, Gabriel Rancante, Clement Newbold, Ryder Bax, Connor Tuengel, Nathan Pendell, Connor Wilson and Mykolas Binkys (coxswain) Place: Third

WOMEN’S U16 8+

Members: Lara Awad, Emerson Elliott, Lily Murphy, Noelle Murray, Ivey Kirkland, Conley Morris, Abigail Gardner, Emily Schurr and Mia Llama (coxswain) Place: Second

WOMEN’S U17 4+

Members: Brooke Burton, Lyla Larsen, Kate Derda, Joelle Redguard and Sophia Belisle (coxswain) Place: Second

MEN’S U17 4X

Members: Danilo Del Vecchio, Taylor Maehl, Micah Dos Santos and Arthur Steigleder Place: Fourth

WOMEN’S U17 8+

Members: Nora Goote, Anna Andert, Gabriella Spotts, Chase Kozak, Maija Andert, Gabriella Rivera, Lily Murphy, Delaney Moore and Lily Harhi (coxswain) Place: Second

ing up,” Menendez said. “My freshman year, there were a lot of girls (who) started dropping off quickly. But these girls, they are very hardworking, they’re very determined to do well and get fast. … It’s just easy to see how much they want to do well and their desire to get better. This type of mentality is just setting the stage for what they’re going to be able to accomplish in the next few years. I am really excited to see how they do because these freshmen and sophomores are picking up speed really quickly and it’s exciting to see.”

Before seeing what the next group of OARS rowers can do, Romain, Menendez and the rest of the OARS rowers are embracing the chance to make their own marks at Nationals. To learn more about OARS, visit oarsrowing.com.

boats

Voting open for awards

the next level of their sport and most importantly their contribution to winning.

MALE SPORT & FEMALE SPORT COACHES OF THE YEAR

Coaches do more than dial up plays, build systems and lead their teams to victory. They are molders of people and have the ability to impact their athletes in a unique way.

The winners of these awards will have made their presence known on the field and their positive impact felt in the lives of the young people they lead.

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

No person is an island, and the same can be said for a coach. Lucky for most of them, there’s usually an assistant coach or two helping manage the rigors that come from the profession.

A good assistant coach can wear many hats, but ultimately the best assistants always have a few themes in common. First, they understand, communicate and apply the head coach’s philosophies to his or her players effectively. Another common thread among elite assistants is to be an expert on his or her team’s identity. The last, and one of the most important qualities of an assistant coach, is earning your head coach’s trust enough to be able to tell them they are wrong — when appropriate, of course.

The winner of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will be a coach who can expertly navigate those three themes and help his team to victory.

AD ASTRA AWARD

At the Observer, one of our company sayings is, “Per ardua, ad astra” — Latin for, “By struggle, to the stars.”

As such, this award celebrates a member of the area’s sporting community who doesn’t let the constraints or obstacles of their surrounding world limit their ambition or motivation.

Those who capture the Ad Astra ethos look beyond our realm and push themselves past the limit of what most deem possible, all in a glorious pursuit of reaching the stars.

Whether it be a story of perseverance, determination or just a can’t-keep-me-down spirit, the winner of the Ad Astra Award can only be described as an unstoppable train of a person fueled by a pure force of will.

OF THE YEAR

TEAMMATE

Being a good teammate isn’t about clapping the loudest or giving out the most high-fives. Rather, it is about sacrificing for the greater good of the team. It’s about holding your team accountable. It’s about encouraging one another, doing everything with 100% effort and ultimately doing all you can to help put your team and teammates into the best possible situation.

The winner of the Teammate of the Year Award may not be a household name — or it can even be someone who didn’t step foot on the field of play. It also could be a star player who stepped up to guide his team to victory or the steady Eddie who always kept the team calm in high-pressure moments.

This award’s core is simple: The winner will have often and always put the team before themselves.

MALE & FEMALE

TEAM OF THE YEAR

From dominant programs continuing their dynasty to Cinderella-like teams making unexpected and heart-warming runs to the team that’s been knocking on the door for years that finally brings out the sledgehammer and busts it open, the area has seen some amazing runs for its teams.

The essence of the Team of the Year award is about doing the improbable, it’s about making history, and it’s about winning — but on their own terms.

Winter Garden Squeeze opens season

Following a 12-2 road win over the Orlando Snappers (1-2) to open the 2024 Florida Collegiate Summer League season, the Winter Garden Squeeze (2-2) fell in its home opener to the Snappers, 8-6, on Saturday, June 1, at A-Game Field at West Orange High School. The Squeeze jumped out ahead first, scoring four runs in the bottom of the third, with Florida Southwestern University player Tripp Landers breaking the deadlock by knocking in college teammate Brody Pezza and UAB’s Todd Clay. Former West Orange High baseball player, currently at Embry-Riddle, Max McCluskey brought in the next run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Squeeze starting pitcher Micah Takac — a Mercer University player — was lights out in five innings of work; allowing just one hit and a walk, while striking out seven Snapper batters. With Takac pulled in the sixth inning, the Snappers made their run on the back of Winter Garden’s fielding errors — scoring four unearned runs and one earned run in the inning — taking a 6-5 lead. In the top of the ninth, after trading runs in the previous innings to make it 7-6, with the bases loaded Orlando’s Dawson Mock was walked and brought in Luke Dickerson to seal the win for the Snappers.

Winter Garden avenged the loss

the following day at home and closed out the series with a 7-2 win over the Snappers.

The Squeeze returns home to the friendly confines of A-Game Field at West Orange High School on Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. — after a 6-3 road loss to the Leesburg Lightning (3-1) — for Game Two of Winter Garden’s second series of the season.

Tickets can purchased at the gate and are $10 for adults and $5 for military, seniors and children. To keep up with the Squeeze, follow them on social media at @SqueezeBaseball on Instagram and @ WGSqueeze on X.com.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

Windermere Prep seniors enjoy final moments as Lakers

Soon-to-be Windermere Prep graduates enjoyed the moments before their commencement ceremony began.

Windermere Preparatory School’s Class of 2024 celebrated its final moments as students during the graduation ceremony held at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. The now-alumni of Windermere Prep enjoyed a beautiful ceremony with speeches from their classmates, administrators and more as they bid goodbye to their high school days one final time.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

Squeeze infielder Ben Maskin warmed up his swing prior to the game. Right: Winter Garden Squeeze pitcher Micah Takac warmed up for his first 2024 Florida League outing on the mound.

Squeeze outfielder Zack Stokes chatted with teammates in the home dugout before the game.

Valedictorian Kaylan Patel waved down family and friends entering the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts for the graduation ceremony.

Tainá Família, left, Morgan Bridges and Melody Sancio showed off their festive graduation caps prior to the ceremony.

Right: Eduarda Gomes, left, and Parker Davis spent time chatting prior to the beginning of the Windermere Prep graduation ceremony.

Photos by Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography

Warriors walk at 2024 graduation

MARGARET “PEGGY”

LOMBARDO

DIED JUNE 1, 2024.

Margaret “Peggy” Lombardo was born in London, England, Dec. 27, 1927. She left this earth on June 1, 2024, at the age of 96. She met Joe, her beloved husband, during World War II and traveled to America to marry at the young age of 19. They raised their family in Rome, New York, and then eventually moved to Winter Garden in 1985.

She was predeceased by parents, Eva and Charles Taylor; sister, Elsie; and husband, Joseph.

Peggy had a very loving family — daughter, Margaret (David) Kirwan; grandchildren, Christopher (Teesha) Kirwan and Jennifer (Ryan) Bonner. She adored her six greatgranddaughters, Zoey, Raelynn, Skylar, Tatum, Vivi and Pia.

Peggy loved Oakland

JOAN K. RANDALL

DIED SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024.

Joan K. Randall passed away at sunrise on Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Ocoee, Florida. She was born on Sept. 28, 1943, in Easton, Pennsylvania, to the late James Vanetta and Myrtle May Kent.

She graduated from Belvidere High School in New Jersey. After high school, she relocated to the Sunshine State (Florida) and started a family. Joan and Rick recently celebrated their 50-year wedding anniversary.

Joan was humble, generous, caring and thoughtful and so kind to everyone. She was beautiful inside and out with a beautiful smile and lovely green eyes. Many remarked over the years about how even her voice was so precious and sweet. She was tender-hearted and a delight to be around.

Joan and Rick lived a brief time in Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina, before settling back home in Florida. Joan loved, raised and

Neil McCormick, 86, of Windermere, died Monday, May 13, 2024. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory — West Orange Chapel, Ocoee.

Mercedes Aurea Romero, 72, died Friday, May 31, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Presbyterian Church and was involved with many activities throughout the years. She loved living in America but always had her strong British ties — especially when it came to family across the pond and her cuppa!! Her memorial service will be held at Oakland Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. Friday, June 14. In lieu of flowers Peggy had asked that all donations go to her grandson’s church — Tuskawilla Presbyterian, 3600 Aloma Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765 or online at mytpc.org.

nurtured five children, Heather (Bobby), Kim, Damon (Brenda), Kent (Keisha) and Lee (Kristy). Her seven grandchildren were very special to her — grandsons, Paul, Dalton, Logan and Ethan; and granddaughters, Celena, Lucy and Morgan.

Joan was preceded in death by her brother, William “Bill” Kent (Sharon); nephew, Bryan, and niece, Lynn, (Keegan and Liam) all of whom she loved very much. Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. We will all miss her forever. She devoted her life to her Heavenly Father Jehovah till the very end. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations.

Paul Wayne Tinsley, 89, of Winter Garden, died Thursday, May 16, 2024. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home.

Rodney Glenn Wise Sr., 67, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, May 25, 2024. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Lake Buena Vista celebrates 2024 grads

Lake Buena Vista High School hosted its 2024 graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 28, at the University of Central Florida’s Addition Financial Arena. The graduating Vipers gathered in the arena’s holding area to line up and get prepared before walking the stage. Following the ceremony, graduates celebrated their accomplishments with classmates, teachers, friends and family.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

Rishi Kandagadla, left, and Victoria Gutierrez were part of the Class of 2024’s top ten students.

Javan Ghulldu, left, Sebastian Hernandez and Landon Dabney were three of the graduating seniors.

Senior Vipers gathered in the University of Central Florida’s Addition Financial Arena for their graduation ceremony.

Camila Melendez Andrade, left, Genesis Melendez, Victoria Mendez Vilamizar and Zeeshan Memon stopped for a quick picture before the ceremony.

Windermere High celebrates commencement at Kia Center

Windermere High School’s Class of 2024 said its collective goodbye to its time as Wolverines during the school’s commencement ceremony Tuesday, May 28, at the Kia Center in downtown Orlando. Windermere Principal Andrew Leftakis, along with a group of officials that included Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, congratulated students crossing the graduation stage led by top students valedictorian Marianna Nijensohn and salutatorian Adrian Garcia Flores. SAM ALBUQUERQUE

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EMERGING PRIDE by Owen Bergstein and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

BRAINFOOD

The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.

Squirrel Talk I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher

Now that school is out, you probably are finding yourself at home trying to pass the time. Your parents only want you on screens for so long, but maybe you’re sitting there thinking there is nothing to do.

This month, we’re encouraging you just to go outside — maybe your backyard — where you will find one of the most amazing creatures on Earth: the squirrel. Laugh all you want, but these animals are pretty incredible. Here are five awesome facts you probably didn’t know about the almighty squirrel.

1. THEY DON’T COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER

There are more than 200 squirrel species in the world and are native to everywhere in the world — except Australia! According to squirrelguru.com, gray and palm squirrels were introduced to Melbourne, Victoria and Perth, Western Australia, and are thriving. However, the government considers squirrels as “extreme threats,” and people are not allowed to have them as pets.

2. TINY BUT MIGHTY

4. BRAINIACS

Indeed, in addition to their insane physical abilities, squirrels also have proven to be highly intelligent. They have incredible memories. One squirrel can bury as many as 3,000 nuts across dozens of locations in one winter season. And yes, it will remember where those treasures lie! Furthermore, when put to the test by scientists, squirrels have shown they are able to solve simple brain teasers — and even remember the solutions months later! And if that isn’t impressive enough, squirrels also have been known to pretend to bury food to throw off potential nut thieves!

A newborn squirrel is only about an inch long. Depending on the age, the baby may have just a thin coat of fur or none at all. And if you come across one, do not give it any food or water. The best chance for survival for the baby is to get it back to its mother, so carefully return the baby to its nest, which should be in a tree close by. If you can’t find place it in an container (such as a tissue box) and put it in the nearest tree.

3. ULTIMATE WARRIORS

Have you ever taken the time to watch squirrels as they leap from limb to limb? They make it look so easy — like natural parkour athletes. In fact, they’re so good at movement, momentum and balance that the U.S Army funded a University of California — Berkeley study to understand better how squirrels decide on their movements. The military hopes to use this knowledge to build robots that can assist with difficult missions, such as navigating through a collapsed building.

5. LOUD MOUTHS

Have you ever heard or seen squirrels talking to one another? It happens! Squirrels actually use a complex vocabulary of chirps and tail flicks to communicate. They’ll use their voices to try to scare rival squirrels or warn their squirrel neighbors of danger. They’ll also speak when courting a mate, and baby squirrels chirp when they want food.

TYPES OF KITS

EXPLORING BIODIVERSITY: Record and photograph biodiversity near you. Use the iNaturalist app to identify different plant and animal species MEASURING LIGHT IN THE NIGHT: Learn about and monitor light pollution near you with a Sky Quality meter and planisphere.

OBSERVING POLLINATORS: Observe and gather information about different pollinators and flowering plants near you.

ZOMBEE HUNTING: Help declining honeybee populations by tracking the parasitic zombie fly.

RECOMMENDED READING

n “Outside, You Notice” by Erin Alladin; illustrated by Andrea Blinick

n “How to Do a Science Experiment” by Jean Reagan; ilustrated by Lee Wildish

n “Cece Loves Science and Adventure” by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes; illustrated by Vashti Harrison

June 1 - July 28

redpages@orangeobserver.com

Did you know that Horizon West is the product of a movement called New Suburbanism? This unique community model centers around a “master plan” that allows for thoughtful community design, focusing on – the principles of healthy living, access to community amenities, schools, shops, and restaurants in a village-centric style. This mix of urban conveniences and relaxed living was designed to create close-knit communities that inspire a culture of wellness and a better quality of life. The outcome of New Suburban planning is exactly what you would expect, happier and healthier communities! Spend some time this weekend visiting Horizon West to discover what each village and the Town Center have to offer!