Windermere football’s pursuit of a perfect season has seen its record books rewritten. 1B.
Reading Reindeer begins
Needy children in West Orange County will receive brand-new books in time for the holidays. PAGE 4A.
‘HADESTOWN’ AT HORIZON HIGH
Two lead casts are staging two intertwining love stories straight from Greek Mythology, and a seven-piece orchestra will bring the show to life with mesmerizing music. SEE PAGE 4A.
Fall festivals usher in the new season
Crossline Community Church and Independence Village hosted a family-fun autumn event. SEE PAGE 6B.
Alcohol ordinance moves forward in Winter Garden
Despite multiple revised drafts of the ordinance following feedback from affected stakeholders, many local business owners still believe the city’s proposed alcohol ordinance needs work. The ordinance next will be discussed at the city commission meeting Nov. 14. SEE PAGE 2A.
DREAM CENTER PLANS DREAM
FUNDRAISER
under the stars during its annual Dream Big fundraising dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. The event will include barbecue from 4Rivers Smokehouse, a guest speaker and inspiring stories, live music, and an auction. For tickets, visit wodreamcenter.org. They are $250 each or $2,000 for a table of eight. The Dream Center is at 1136 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Proceeds will benefit WODC and its mission to transform lives in the community through programs and resources.
FARMERS MARKET TO FEATURE HEALTH & HARVEST FESTIVAL
Join the city of Winter Garden and Healthy West Orange for the free Health & Harvest Festival taking place during the Winter Garden Farmers Market. The event is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the downtown pavilion and interactive fountain and will include fitness activities, games, giveaways, cooking and gardening fun, and health screenings. All Health & Harvest Festival activities are complimentary.
DP ROTARY HOSTING
‘A TASTE OF DR.
PHILLIPS’
Delectable bites and cocktails from more than 20 of the best restaurants in Dr. Phillips will be available at the Dr. Phillips Rotary Foundation’s “A Taste of Dr. Phillips.” The event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at The Dellagio. In addition to food and cocktails, attendees can enjoy beer and wine, live music with The Down Brothers, and a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. For ticket information, visit atasteofdrphillips.com.
Horizon High School is the first Orange County public school to bring ‘Hadestown’ to the stage.
Alcohol ordinance gets first OK from city
ANNABELLE
SIKES NEWS EDITOR
The Winter Garden City Commission approved unanimously the first reading of a proposed alcohol ordinance at its Oct. 24 meeting following an abundance of public input.
The ordinance previously was approved by the city’s Planning & Zoning Board at its meeting Oct. 7. Despite the recommendation, board members believed the ordinance needed work. The recommendation was based on contingencies, including city staff hosting more meetings with business owners, as well as the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, and revising ambiguous language.
City staff said they met with the WOCC Oct. 6 to hear their concerns related to the ordinance.
“We do want to clarify the new hours of sale do not apply to package sales,” Planning Director Kelly Carson said. “We want to include the option for restaurants to provide an affidavit in lieu of point of sale and percentages for alcohol versus food sales. We heard from a lot of restaurants that this may be something that they’re concerned about with their competitors getting a hold of.
“For the suspension of permit section, they wanted to simplify the list of violations and clarify that culpability as recommended by the planning board and institute more of a three-strikes policy,” Carson said.
“Any consecutive three-month period the first after-hours violation would just be a written warning; the second would require meeting with city staff and creation of that mitigation plan like we mentioned earlier; and the third violation would lead to a notice of hearing in front of a Code Enforcement Board or hearing officer to consider suspension, revocation or additional conditions that could be added to the extension-of-hours permit to help mitigate any issues. Also, other minor text changes may be required for more clarification.”
WOCC president Stephen Lewis said the chamber has not taken a formal position on the ordinance but wanted to facilitate the conversations with the city to ensure business owners had a voice and a seat at the table throughout the process.
Participating businesses in the meeting were Pilar’s Martini & Loft, Matthew’s Steakhouse, Miller’s Ale House, The Whole Enchilada, Pammie’s Sammies and Hagan O’Reilly’s.
“The meeting with the city was overall positive and productive,”
Lewis said. “City Manager Jon C. Williams brought all of his staff involved with the ordinance to meet with business owners and hear their thoughts, opinions and concerns. Some business owners felt the ordinance was moving very quickly through the process with different
changes, and they wanted the opportunity to meet all together instead of individually.
“Each business owner had their own individual concerns about different provisions in the ordinance and how they could potentially affect their businesses,” Lewis said. “We are appreciative that the city is continuing to incorporate changes based on feedback from the business owners.”
WHAT IS THE ORDINANCE?
Carson explained the city’s reasoning behind the ordinance.
“The first (reason) is to make the code more consistent with our city’s charter, and the second is to make the code more consistent with new state regulations,” she said. “The state recently did almost a complete overhaul on some of their regulations, and so this ordinance would bring us into compliance with some of those new regulations from the state. (Also), to be more responsive to reported issues related to late-night alcohol consumption, to provide clearer guidance on other issues related to alcohol sales and consumption, and to encourage and maintain the city’s quality of life and foster a family-friendly environment throughout the city — all while supporting a thriving business community.”
Carson said issues have been
reflected by a number of police calls, as well as other evidence, including complaints; vomit and fluids found outside establishments; prophylactics, undergarments and contraband found in public areas; trash and debris throughout downtown; and video footage of illicit and illegal activities.
In her presentation, Carson included a statement from parks director Laura Coar: “My staff is so accustomed to cleaning up all manners of trash, debris, bodily fluids and other detritus from late-night drinking activities that we don’t even think to take photographs for evidence anymore. Many people don’t realize that downtown at 8 a.m. is not the same downtown at 5 a.m. when we are faced with cleaning everything up from the night before.”
Carson said the city has to hire officers to do extra patrols, which costs taxpayers about $150,000 per year.
The changes in the proposed ordinance are reflected in several sections of the code, which include a revised definition of a restaurant; restaurants must have a commercial kitchen with equipment to prepare a full-course meal, including an entree, vegetable or side, and nonalcoholic beverage; a restaurant must be able to serve fullcourse meals prepared in the commercial kitchen whenever alcohol is served — the city added a provision that food can be pre-prepped for late-night service prior to the kitchen closing — all restaurants that serve alcohol must derive more than 50% of their sales from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages; and restaurants that serve beer, wine and liquor must provide at least 120
indoor seats, unless they are classified as a fine-dining establishment.
The new definition for a fine-dining establishment requires a restaurant to meet four of the five listed criteria to receive the title, and being designated as a fine-dining establishment would allow a restaurant to use outdoor seating to count towards the minimum 120 seating requirement for liquor sales.
Other changes also include the hours of permitted alcohol sale and consumption to change from 7 a.m. to midnight. The city has made changes to specify alcohol sale and consumption may be permitted from midnight to 2 a.m. if an establishment applies for and receives an extension-ofhours permit.
Businesses would be required to submit an application with a $250 fee renewed annually. A committee comprising city staff and the police chief would review all new and renewing permit applications and determine if an establishment needs to hire any state-licensed private security officers or police protection inside and/ or outside the facility.
The changes also state a permit may “be suspended or revoked if the establishment repeatedly fails to control certain deleterious efforts of latenight alcohol consumption.” This would include a presented case with evidence and opportunity for appeal.
The new section relating to hours would impact seven businesses: The Whole Enchilada, Cariera’s Fresh Italian, Pilar’s Martini & Loft, Mr. Shot Cantina, Hagan O’Reilly’s, Tony’s Liquors and Miller’s Ale House.
City staff said the intention of the ordinance is not to shut any business down nor to punish any specific business, and the city has met multiple
District 1 candidates share West Orange visions
Two candidates — Austin Arthur, challenger, and Nicole Wilson, incumbent, are vying for the Orange County District 1 Commission seat. The General Election will be held Nov. 5. Meet the candidates in our exclusive writing prompt where they answer the question: “How will the lives of West Orange and Southwest Orange residents improve with you as Orange County District 1 commissioner? Please discuss specific objectives, goals and policies that will guide your work as commissioner.”
AUSTIN ARTHUR
Our residents are facing more highdensity overdevelopment than ever before in the wrong places and without proper infrastructure improvements to handle it. Our roads are failing, schools are overcrowded, and flooding issues have increased, not improved. Four years ago, we were promised a slowing of growth for responsible development and infrastructure improvements. That has not happened. Things have gotten worse these past four years, and we all feel it. It is time for change. The activist approach for political representation has failed us. We need leadership badly. I am running because I believe the lives of West Orange residents will improve through effective, community-driven leadership that prioritizes infrastructure-first development, preservation of our unique character and common-sense solutions to our most pressing challenges. As a former firefighter/paramedic turned small business owner who has created jobs through businesses such as Gymnastics USA and Stars and Stripes Marketing Services, I believe real-world experience and deep commitment to our community’s success is critical. Our commissioner must be engaged with nonprofit organizations, active in our community, negotiating stakeholders on our behalf and available to residents. It takes a partnership mentality.
First and foremost, I will slow the unchecked growth that has strained our infrastructure and quality of life. For years, I’ve consistently stated that “West Orange County does not need to become the city of Orlando.” No more playing “catch up” on infrastructure while development continues unchecked. This means making development pay its way through strong impact fees and hard negotiations for land donations for schools, parks and sensitive green spaces. Consider how the West Orange Healthcare District wanted to grant $8 million for the Horizon West Regional Park, but the opportunity was lost because our current commissioner wouldn’t return their phone call.
We’ll protect our rural settlements, including the Gotha Historic Rural Settlement, Avalon Rural Settlement, West Windermere and environmentally sensitive wetlands, such as the Butler Chain of Lakes, Gotha Basin and Shingle Creek.
The infrastructure crisis is real and visible. The roads on Ficquette, Reams and Summerlake Parkway are crumbling and underwater. Sand Lake residents — despite paying a special tax through the MSTU to maintain the lake and manage flooding issues — have seen rising water levels left unchecked, leading to flooding and property destruction. Millions of dollars of residents’ tax money are not being properly used.
To address affordability, we’ll tackle Orange County’s housing crisis through a balanced approach. While we need more housing supply, I firmly believe this should be only in the right places at the right time. Any new development must fit the character of the area and meet strict infrastructure requirements.
“Slow the Growth” is not only about development. We’ll also work to slow the growth of
government spending. The county budget has increased 50% in just four years, from $4.8 billion to $7.2 billion. Do West Orange residents feel they have received such an increase in living and services? We do not need a new tax. We need to be better with our spending habits. Transportation improvements will be a key priority. While we can’t simply widen our way out of our problems, we must stop the bleeding on our deteriorating roads. This includes road widening in key areas, roundabouts where it makes sense and traffic lights where needed. Adjustments as simple as expanding turning lanes can bring relief now in many cases.
We need to focus on safety through partnership with our sheriff’s office, municipal police, HOAs and residents, not poorly thought-out Band-Aid solutions. I support multimodal transportation solutions through publicprivate partnerships, such as the Sunshine Corridor initiative, which will get tourists off our roads while we enjoy the benefit of their fueling our economy without suffering unnecessary traffic. I’ll work with Metroplan and Orange County staff to prioritize road improvements, pushing to ensure West Orange gets its fair share of resources. We are the biggest district in the county, it is time we are treated like it.
Our community faces serious challenges with homelessness, and I’ll take a holistic, partnership-based approach. Through my work with organizations such as the West Orange Habitat for Humanity and serving on more than 12 community boards, I understand the importance of collaborative solutions. We’ll work with organizations such as Matthew’s Hope, United Against Poverty and Health Care Center for the Homeless, while joining neighboring jurisdictions to develop effective solutions. The solutions will be found in partnership with subject matter experts, not through commissioners who think they know everything.
I’m committed to making Orange County more accessible and welcoming for our disability community. As a board member of Lift Disability Network, I’ll push for a comprehensive Disability Financial Impact Survey and support earmarking Tourist Development Tax dollars for disability improvement projects. I’ll strengthen the Office on Disability for Orange County and appoint more people living with disabilities to leadership positions to ensure their voices are heard and needs are met.
Most importantly, I’ll bring a communitydriven leadership style that’s been missing. My extensive community involvement, including serving on the Winter Garden Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board, Challenge 22 to End Veteran Suicide, Central Florida YMCA, and the West Orange Scholarship Foundation, has taught me the value of listening to and working with all stakeholders. I’ll maintain early and regular engagement with residents to identify issues and concerns, not just at election time. This commitment to engagement and partnership is why I’ve earned endorsements from West Orange mayors and commissioners, firefighter union IAFF 2117, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office Fraternal Order of Police.
It’s time for West Orange County to stop losing. We can’t afford another four years of absent leadership. As your commissioner, I’ll be accessible, engaged and focused on delivering results that improve your quality of life. Together, we can preserve West Orange while ensuring it remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.
I believe West Orange County’s best days are still ahead of us, and since taking office in December 2020, we’ve achieved many of the goals I laid out — but I am committed to serving a second and final term to make sure District 1 representation is for the people, not the powerful.
My decision to put my private practice on hold and prioritize my community for this term wasn’t easy, but I faced our challenges shoulder-to-shoulder with the citizens and worked on updating Orange County’s outdated policies and ordinances to reflect our shared priorities.
Over the last three-plus years, my work has been centered around prioritizing the health, safety and welfare of all residents of Orange County; transparent and accessible government; smart, sustainable growth; and environmental and wildlife protection. My promise is to keep giving you, the residents, a seat at the table at your local government.
Our people, our environment and our quality of life suffered due to the “growth is good” at-all-costs development here in District 1.
For 15 years, our roads, schools and emergency services fell behind as developers were given a steep discount on the impact fees they paid to offset their development impacts. Millions of dollars were left on the table, and we will be fighting to get out of that hole for years to come, but in 2022 I supported an updated impact fee schedule in Orange County so developers have to pay their fair share.
We’ve completed the design process and will be seeing safer, more resilient engineering used in the improvements scheduled for Reams Road, Ficquette Road, Tiny Road, Avalon Road and the long-needed connections to Lake County. Meanwhile, safety improvements are coming across our district. Last year, I voted to pass the Accelerated Transportation Safety Plan. Through this plan, we are using existing county funds to bring 25 street-lighting projects and five roadway safety overhauls here in District 1.
I meet residents in their neighborhoods, along with public works staff, so we know what immediate changes need to be made. We have worked to improve pedestrian visibility, raised crosswalks, reduced speed limits and added additional signage where it was needed. If you have an area of concern, our office is always a call or an email away. I work on solutions with the people who know our neighborhoods better than anyone: our residents.
I’ve advanced critical, long overdue infrastructure projects across the district, including $100 million in roadway safety investments. We’ve built and opened new fire stations, parks and the first new Orange County water treatment plant in 30 years. We are on track to complete the first phases of the massive Horizon West Regional Park and Horizon West Library.
I have used my experience as an environmental lawyer to bring real, permanent changes to the way we protect our environment. The benefits of these changes will last beyond my next term, and I consider them a promise to the next generation. I championed our conservation land program committing to
more than 23,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land preserved by 2030. I advanced the Wetland Protection Ordinance update, preserving wetland ecosystems for improved flood attenuation, water quality, habitat and climate mitigation. I brought forward the Orange County Tree Protection Ordinance to protect our existing canopy and incentivize the preservation of our heritage trees. I supported the Rural Boundary Charter Amendment and initiated rural enclave protections for District 1 rural communities. All of the updates driven by my office are a great start, but they will need to be enforced, supported and defended. As part of my commitment to transparency and accessibility, I have facilitated hundreds of community meetings, providing the public with an opportunity to be part of the process, whether it is a road design or rezoning. I believe local government is closest to the people and should be open and welcoming to community participation. We publish scheduled newsletters, email blasts and social media updates. Knowledge is power, and I promise to continue my practice of sharing as much information as possible, so our residents can get involved in big and small ways.
I’ve advanced a more open and transparent community center lease process and partnered with the most incredible West Orange nonprofits to ensure our historically under-resourced communities have every opportunity. We’ve contracted with and approved grants for many local organizations, and I look forward to opportunities to provide programming support to the new Boys and Girls Club, as well as additional programming at the Neighborhood Center for Families, our community centers. I have advocated for additional lighting, sidewalks and park amenities across the district and will be working to make sure the West Orange Trail is preserved, protected and linked to the other trails in the area. As part of my commitment to smart growth, I’ve been involved in the development of Vision 2050 pertaining to preventing sprawl and incentivizing growth in areas with existing infrastructure. I will continue to advocate for transportation options that do not force residents to be dependent on a car. Walkable, bikeable communities do not happen by accident. They are carefully planned, and I am committed to being a champion for all modes of transportation. Our growth justifies the development of light rail, and I will continue to push for convenient transit options that can also serve to alleviate traffic congestion. Our community thrives when we support arts programs, and I prioritized funding for our local arts and cultural spaces and places, including the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and the SOBO Art Gallery. We were able to allocate a historic amount of Tourist Development Tax dollars for these special programs, and I will continue to fight for District 1 arts funding.
Finally, I fought to reinstitute a funding agreement for a new Orange County animal shelter in 2021. The design is complete, and my goal for this year is to seek approval for full funding so we can provide comfort and care to our shelter animals while we foster pet adoption opportunities at the shelter and in the community. We need to find every shelter pet a home and care for every shelter pet like they are part of our family.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a brief summary of my priorities, accomplishments and goals for a second term, and thank you for the honor of serving as your county commissioner.
NICOLE WILSON
Horizon High bringing ‘Hadestown’ to stage
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
Horizon High School is combining Greek Mythology, intertwining love stories, a modern twist on the Steampunk style, and string and brass instruments to bring “Hadestown Teen Edition” to the stage.
The show has brilliant lighting and special effects, plus a live seven-piece professional band for each performance and two lead casts on alternating nights. The overall aesthetic is a blend of contemporary edge and classic Steampunk.
Horizon is the first Orange County high school to perform the show, and theater director Ashley Fisher and her students are thrilled to be part of the show.
“Our students were beyond thrilled last year when the rights for ‘Hadestown Teen Edition’ were announced — and even more so when we received them,” Fisher said. “It’s always fun and exciting to do something new! You get to develop your own take on it before being overly influenced by other productions.
“In addition to being a popular Broadway show that has received so many awards, ‘Hadestown’ offers a director creative license to play with innovative staging and dynamic ensemble and character work,” she said. “What I love about this show is that every member of the company is such a vital part of the overall experience.
“Hermes’ (played by Isis Tavarez and Brendan Alday) sassy but optimistic narration alongside the cynical narrative of the Fates (Gwen Poss, Olivia Maddock, Lara Avante Pio) tells the tale to the audience,” Fisher said. “Hades’ (Tom Ferrer’s) dictatorship and persuasive demeanor alongside the ensemble’s militant presence gives historical and social relevance to the story. Orpheus (Timothy Gittens and
IF YOU GO
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 6 through 9
WHERE: Horizon High School, 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden
COST: $10 to $17
TICKETS: Teachtix.com/horizonhs
Matt Silva) gives us hope for a better future. The women at first glance may appear to be cogs in the system, but Persephone’s (Rebeca Castro Mendes and Breyonna Crawford) mere presence brings about the change in seasons and impacts both the world above and below, and for Eurydice (Taja-Mya Bennin and Mimi Gibbons), Orpheus is ready to, quite literally, go to the ends of the earth for her.”
“Hadestown” follows two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortals King Hades and Lady Persephone. The show invites audiences on a journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, this musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love.
ROAD TO HELL
“(The music is) beautiful, haunting, fun, lively all at the same time,” Fisher said. “No matter what your preference in musical style is, there will be a song in ‘Hadestown’ you will leave the theater singing. It’s also very challenging and intricate music. The ensemble may be singing ‘ooh,’ but they are doing it in fourpart harmony while three leads are singing another line in three-part harmony and Eurydice and Orpheus are each singing their own lines.
“Since there is essentially no unscored dialogue in the musical, the plot line moves from song to song without delay and it just flows so beautifully,” she said.
Fisher said she also loves Anais Mitchell’s way of modernizing the Greek gods.
“Since the ‘tale’ is endlessly circular (because history tends to repeat itself), you can quite literally put the world of Hadestown in any time or place,” she said. “Our overall aesthetic was a modern twist on Steampunk style. The main characters look most inspired by the classic style, while the mortal ensemble is a blend of both the above- and underground.
“We’ve worked together as a cast to develop the world and characters, and it’s been such a fun experience,” Fisher said.
The Broadway production of “Hadestown” is staged for a small cast in an intimate theater, she said, and it has been exciting seeing the potential in expanding the ensemble to 22.
“Hadestown Teen Edition” has
been double cast, and Fisher said this speaks to the tremendous talent of the students in the theater program.
“I encourage everyone to see both casts because each actor brings something different to the role,” she said.
WAY DOWN HADESTOWN
The Broadway version of the musical uses a rotating elevator lift in which the actors descend into Hadestown, and since Horizon didn’t have this stage apparatus, Fisher and the students came up with an alternate plan.
Of all the scenes in the show, Fisher said she is excited to see the audience’s reaction to the staging for the descent into the underworld.
She hopes to see the community show its support of the theater students who have been working hard to create this production.
“It can be hard to cultivate the assets needed to put on large high school productions, especially at the caliber to which OCPS theater programs are known for,” Fisher said. “However,
theater teachers know the importance of theater as an outlet for these kids that will help shape who they become in life. They learn and grow so much in this space, not only as performers and artists, but as individuals.
“Through performance, they are building confidence, presentation
skills and creative thought processes that are applicable in any job setting,” she said. “No matter what they choose to do in life, the skills they learn here will help them be successful. We want to keep giving them a professional experience that they can look back on with pride.”
‘HADESTOWN TEEN EDITION’ CAST
Hermes: Isis Tavarez and Brendan Alday
Eurydice: Taja-Mya Bennin and Mimi Gibbons
Orpheus: Matheus Medeiros Silva and Timothy Gittens
Hades: Thomas Ferrer
Persephone: Breyonna Crawford and Rebeca Castro Mendes
The Fates: Gwen Poss, Olivia Maddock, Lara Avante Pio
The Workers: Charles Arias Julia Bittencourt, Kole Boyles, Olivia Dalfre, Dayla Delgado, Mariana Eluf, Laynie Farrell, Manu Frade, Maria Gerpe, Fabiana Granadillo, Brody Griesemer, Kelly Hack, A.J. Hack, Caleb Hack, M.J. Marques, Cohen Moser, Josh Oreluk, Richard Recheizer, Steph Santo, Carson Shaulis, Adi Subramanian, Sophia Veira
Director: Ashley Fisher
Choreographer: Tori Grassi
Stage manager: Alina Hale
Observer collecting new books for Reading Reindeer
Children love being read to, but local organizations say some of the youngest residents of West Orange County have no books in their homes. The Reading Reindeer literacy campaign returns for the 27th year to put books into the hands of local children.
Observer Media Group is collecting new books for underserved youth from birth to age 17. Books can be dropped off at the Observer office in Winter Garden from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and by appointment. Other drop-off locations will be announced in upcoming weekly Reading Reindeer advertisements in the West Orange Times and Observer and the Southwest Orange Observer newspapers and on the Observer website.
Books will be distributed to youth through several organizations: the Winter Garden Police Department’s Holiday Gifts for Kids program, the Ocoee Police Department’s Holiday Toys for Kids in Need, Oakland Police Department, Edgewood Children’s Ranch, Matthew’s Hope Firm Foundation, Community Health Centers, Eight Waves, West Orange Habitat for Humanity, and Boys and Girls Clubs of West Orange. Reading Reindeer was started in West Orange County in 1998. Community support has enabled Reading Reindeer to bring new books to close to 70,000 children.
Donation bins are set out in locations around West Orange County for donors to drop off books.
The community is invited to join the effort to improve literacy levels in West Orange County. The Rotary Club of Horizon West is partnering with Observer this year, and members are collecting books at their weekly meetings.
Monetary donations payable to Reading Reindeer also can be mailed to the Observer Media Group office at
661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, Florida 34787.
This year’s campaign ends Dec. 4, and new books will be accepted until that date. The program is being coordinated by Allison Brunelle, and she can be contacted by calling the Observer office at (407) 656-2121 or emailing her at abrunelle@orangeobserver.com.
YOUNG REINDEER VOLUNTEER
Ten-year-old James Luce II knows the value of a good book, and he wants all children in West Orange County to experience the fun of reading.
James asked the Observer Media Group to allow him to collect books for its annual Reading Reindeer literacy drive, and he requested a collection
bin to keep the donations organized.
“I wanted to collect books to help other families have books so they can read and/or learn how to read,” James said. “I love reading, and it is fun to know what is going to happen in the book after what you already read. Every time we take a break from reading a super interesting book, I always
DROPOFF LOCATIONS
want to finish the book, even if I really have to go to sleep.”
James and his parents set the red donation bin at their front door on Royal Estates Boulevard in the Royal Legacy Estates community in Orlando. He created a flier and passed them out to let neighbors know about the literacy drive.
New books can be placed in Reading Reindeer bins at the following locations:
n Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, at the Season of Trees’ Observer tree, 126 W. Petris Ave., Oakland
n Houseblend Café, 17030 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee
n Ocoee City Hall, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee
n Dr. Phillips YMCA, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Dr. Phillips/Orlando
n Sunset Park Elementary School, Horizon West/Winter Garden
n Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
n West Orange Chamber of Commerce, 12184 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden
n Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays or by appointment)
n Roper YMCA, 100 Windermere Road, Winter Garden
n Winter Garden Smiles, 1317 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Suite 110-1291, Winter Garden
n Winter Garden Elks Lodge #2165, 700 Ninth St., Winter Garden
n Hi-Lite Coaching & Consulting, throughout West Orange County
n Bridgewater Elementary School, Horizon West/Winter Garden
n C2 Education of Windermere, 8946 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando
n Baptiste Orthodontics, 8907 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando.
In addition, a bin will be available at the Observer booth during the city of Winter Garden’s Health & Harvest Festival, taking place during the Winter Garden Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
Amy Quesinberry Price
The Fates serve as the symbolic conscience of the main characters (Orpheus, Eurydice and Hades) and narrate the characters’ thoughts.
Courtesy photo James Luce II is collecting new books for Reading Reindeer.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of AgeRejuvenation
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of AgeRejuvenation. Located at 5730 Hamlin Groves Trl Ste 176 in the Horizon West part of Winter Garden, AgeRejuvenation offers personalized health solutions, combining functional medicine, advanced diagnostics, and aesthetics treatments to address underlying factors like hormone decline, diet, and environmental influences. Catering to both mature audiences and proactive younger generations, AgeRejuvenation provides tailored treatments for longevity, anti-aging, and wellness, ensuring patients Age Better, Feel Better, and Look Better. To learn more, visit https://agerejuvenation.com.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Foundation Academy Tilden Road’s new high-school building
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Foundation Academy Tilden Road’s new high-school building. Located at 15304 Tilden Rd in Winter Garden, Foundation Academy’s new high-school building will host an additional 350 students in a flexible, collaborative education model. The William and Cynthia Perry Family generously supported the new building, while several Foundation families supported individual classrooms. Classrooms feature state-of-the-art Clear Touch interactive boards. The new building also features two dedicated Mac labs, a gaming/coding lab and a media production space to foster creativity and hands-on learning in media and digital production.. To learn more, visit https://www.foundationacademy.net.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 45-year anniversary of Roper YMCA Family Center
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 45-year anniversary of the Roper YMCA Family Center. Located at 100 Windermere Rd in Winter Garden, the Roper Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community. The Y helps todays youth develop into well-educated adults, empower individuals of all ages to live healthier lives, and inspire people to give back and support those in need. To learn more, visit https://ymcacf.org/.
The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership. Congratulations on Membership Milestones to
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Discover Preschool
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Discover Preschool. Located at 855 E Plant St Ste 600 in Winter Garden, Discover Preschool is a premier early learning institution dedicated to nurturing young minds through a dynamic STEAM-focused curriculum. Designed for children aged 3-5, their program fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in a vibrant, supportive environment. Discover Preschool believes in hands-on exploration and innovative teaching methods, ensuring each child builds a strong foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics while developing essential social and emotional skills. Their goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning and to prepare their students for future academic success. To learn more, visit https://thediscoverpreschool.com/.
THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY - DR. PHILLIPS AND THURSDAY - HORIZON WEST
To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304
BAPTIST
First Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Grosshans
125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352
Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana
EPISCOPAL
Church of the Messiah
241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com
METHODIST
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org
Business owners still have concerns
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2A
times with owners of affected businesses. City leaders say they have a duty to represent all of Winter Garden’s citizens, even those who do not want any alcohol, and that finding a healthy compromise is key.
Carson said the city began drafting the ordinance earlier this year, and more than 2,000 businesses were sent copies of the original draft ordinance and any subsequent drafts.
WHERE ARE WE AT NOW?
law, imposes significant Bert Harris penalties on the city and violates the city charter,” Butler said. “The proposed ordinance should be strongly rejected as being contrary to the U.S. and Florida constitutions, Florida statutes, and the best interests of the citizens and businesses of Winter Garden. At the very least, the city should seek the attorney general’s opinion as to the potential conflicts between the proposed ordinance and Florida law.”
Charles Roper, co-owner of Pilar’s Martini & Loft, thanked the city for meeting with the local business owners but said he still has concerns and cannot support the ordinance as written. He would like to see the next draft of the ordinance incorporating the discussed changes be expedited so business owners can review it well before the next discussion.
Becky Roper, co-owner of Pilar’s Martini & Loft, said she hopes all citizens are kept in mind when considering these decisions. She believes many community members who serve other residents throughout the day enjoy the businesses after midnight as social spaces for when they finish work.
Drew Cardaci, representing The Whole Enchilada, said he believes the city has tried to work with local business owners, but he also still has concerns related to the strike policy.
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH
PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee
Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com
Winter Garden resident Jack Butler, director of legislative affairs for a national professional association who is a certified planning consultant for some of the local affected businesses, was the first of many to give public comment. He shared a 37-page document with the commission critiquing the proposed ordinance. Butler said he submitted a public records request when he first heard about the ordinance asking for documentation of the complaints and incidents related to alcohol that the city cited as one of their reasons behind the proposed ordinance.
“There was no evidence provided,” he said. “There was no phone log record, there was no email, there was no letter, there was no anything to back up any of the statements. … There also is no evidence that proves any of this is related to the consumption of alcohol at any time of day or night. … I have here an email from the office of the police chief that says they have no records of a cost increase in police patrols or law enforcement actions resulting from the sale and consumption on premises of alcoholic beverages. When (the police chief) was asked during the P&Z board meeting to identify a problem business in that regard he said he could not identify one.”
“There are multiple things in there that are 100% out of our control that, as it is written, we could be held liable for,” he said. “Weapons and firearms, gambling, drugs, these are all things that are outside of our control. Obviously, we don’t want to see any of this. We’ve been proactive as a business and worked hard to mitigate these issues with off-duty officers from Winter Garden’s finest, and it’s worked. … A lot of the language is not binary, it’s subjective.”
Eddie Gaunt, owner of Matthew’s Steakhouse, said he is stuck in the middle of the discussion between business owners and the city.
“There is an exception that can be made for my restaurant that is not a part of this,” he said. “If this is going to take months with extensions of the meetings, it will impact 10 families that work for me, as well as my family. If we can somehow figure out how to make this work apart from this, if that’s what it takes, that’s what I would like to hear.”
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly. This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at OrangeObserver.com.
Former city commissioner Bob Buchanan said he is in support of the ordinance.
To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com
In a document provided in the commission’s agenda packet, businesses that received the most calls for service included Aji Sushi (56), Beth’s Burger Bar (39) and Tony’s Liquors (23). Both Aji Sushi and Beth’s Burger Bar close before midnight.
The document also lists incidents by complaint type in the downtown area ranging from August 2022 through August 2024. There were 1,739 calls in total, with 340 calls to 911 and seven calls related to alcohol violations. The highest complaint types listed are area checks (172) and unwanted guests (161).
“Drinking alcohol was never a part of what we considered to be family-friendly,” he said. “Go to Ocoee, go to Mount Dora, go to Apopka, go to downtown Orlando, but leave Winter Garden alone.”
Commissioner Colin Sharman said for him to approve the ordinance he would want businesses to be able to do the right thing and call for police officers without being penalized or receiving a strike against them.
Additionally, calls related to Tony’s Liquors (78), The Whole Enchilada (62), Pilar’s Martini & Loft (83) and Plant Street Market (77) are listed separately for the same time period. Only two of the total calls are listed under the complaint type of alcohol violations.
“There is no problem documented by the city for which a regulatory solution is needed, and certainly not one that is contrary to state
“We’re not the only city to consider a measure like this ordinance,” Commissioner Lisa Bennett said. “Orlando did something similar that took effect recently, and their quote was to ensure their city is a safe place and to be able to balance their city’s resources. It seems to be that’s exactly what we’re wrestling with, too, but on a more compassionate, personal scale, because we’re smaller and we know our business owners and want them to succeed. There’s been a lot of misunderstanding, too, perhaps because we’ve had several revisions.”
“It sounds like there’s a little more work to do between tonight’s version and the second reading,” City Attorney A. Kurt Ardaman said. “Some of the arguments that were made about violating the state constitution and state statutes I think are a little not accurate. … From what I’ve seen so far, it’s a solid ordinance.”
Ocoee approves residency requirement for mayor, commissioner candidates
The Ocoee City Commission approved an amendment to establish the residency requirement for those running for a commission seat.
The Ocoee City Commission voted 3-1, with Commissioner George Oliver voting no and Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen absent, to adopt an ordinance that amends the city code to require a candidate to prove at least one year of residency in Ocoee to qualify as a candidate for both city commissioner and mayor.
Although Oliver voted against the ordinance, he said he didn’t necessarily disagree with the one-year residency requirement. His dissenting opinion focused on the ordinance’s possible unconstitutionality, citing various court cases across the country that have struck down this sort of requirement for violating citizens’ Fourteenth Amendment rights.
“There was case law after case law that I looked at for this particular item,” Oliver read from his notes during the discussion portion of the reading. “Duration residency requirements (that) impose a precondition to candidacy in public policy have been found to implicate the equal protection clause in the Fourteenth amendment. So, what (these legal opinions) are saying is that looking at a one-year (residency requirement), you may be actually impeding upon the Fourteenth amendment.”
Following Oliver’s statement of concern, Commissioner Richard Firstner questioned whether the vote should be delayed for the city attorney to review the court ruling Oliver invoked to justify his statements.
Mayor Rusty Johnson said this sort of residency requirement is common practice among most cities in Florida. He also affirmed his approval of the requirement and said the ordinance would help prevent non-residents of Ocoee from running for office.
Commissioner Scott Kennedy also was in favor of proceeding and approving the ordinance.
“These (changes) came from the Charter Review Commission,” Kennedy said. “We voted on them, and I believe they were voted on by the citizens. We went through a long charter review process … and (we) compared other cities and other municipalities and the concept of what was a bonafide resident, what was a one-year requirement. I am comfortable with this.”
After Kennedy finished speaking, he made the motion to vote on the item, seconded by Firstner, and the two, along with Johnson, were the majority side in the vote to adopt.
The adopted ordinance also includes language in the qualification of candidates section of the city code that will require candidates for city government offices to consent to a background check — which will verify the candidate’s residency and establish the candidate has not been convicted of any felony that would disqualify him or her from holding office under Florida Constitution.
GOLF CART RULES UPDATED
Ocoee Assistant City Manager Michael Rumer and Police Chief Vincent Ogburn presented an update to the city’s ordinance regarding golf carts. Stemming from an April commission meeting, the presentation focused on adopting a citywide golf cart proposal that would allow golf carts to be driven on a much-increased number of city streets and subdivisions. The commission voted 3-1 — with Commissioner Rosemary
Wilsen absent and Commissioner George Oliver as the lone “no” vote — to direct the city’s staff to move forward with drafting an ordinance based on the presentation.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
A one-year agreement for the 2024-25 school year between the Ocoee Police Department and Orange County Public Schools was approved by the commission for the police department to continue providing a total of nine school resource officers and one supervisor to the schools in the city. This agreement is required in order for the police department to delineate officers’ responsibilities and for the school board to reimburse a portion of the officers and a supervisor’s salaries. The agreement will commit the School Board of Orange County to pay for reimbursement of $72,000 for one supervisor and $72,000 per officer.
IN OTHER NEWS
n The 10-item consent agenda was approved by the City Commission after a 3-1 vote, with Oliver voting no and Wilsen not present. Prior to the vote, Oliver motioned to pull consent agenda item No. 2 for discussion, but the motion did not receive a second, and the vote on the unchanged agenda proceeded. The item Oliver wanted to discuss was the approval of a resolution that would reschedule the city’s referendum on proposed amendments to the city charter to coincide with the regular municipal election day in March 2025 as opposed to the Nov. 5 general city election ballot. This change came after the Orange County Supervisor of Elections informed the city that due to the length of the November election, municipalities could not include referendum questions.
n The commission approved the purchase of budgeted vehicles, upfitting and equipment for the police and utilities departments. The purchases include four Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicles at a total cost of $189,081 and the upfitting of those four Police Interceptor vehicles for an additional $74,260, three Ford F-150 Super Crew Cab Police Responder trucks at a total cost of $152,139 and upfitting for an added $58,576, a Ford F-150 Super Crew Cab truck for the utilities department for $42,000 and a Kaiser Walking Excavator Model S8 Gator for $513,099.
n Public Works requests approval to award current HVAC maintenance contractor Apple Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. a contract at their proposal cost of $125,000 to replace the failed unit at the Jim Beech Recreation Center, which is within the budget.
Windermere Wine & Dine to establish Legacy Fund
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
The Windermere Town Council at its Oct. 22 meeting discussed the upcoming Centennial Celebration in which the town will commemorate 100 years.
Longtime Windermere resident and Centennial Celebration chair CT Allen gave an update on the celebration plans for 2025.
She said the Centennial Celebration steering committee has challenged the town’s clubs, organizations, committees, businesses and other stakeholders to rebrand next year’s events, or to create new ones, to highlight the centennial milestone.
“What we want to create for a year with these events is fun for all of the residents, but we also want to inspire the concept that residents will be leaving a footprint for future generations to come,” she said. “Everybody really came to the plate. There’s some really awesome and fun projects out there.”
For example, the town’s Tree Board will give away 100 legacy trees with commemorative plaques to create a centennial tree walk, and the town’s Parks and Recreation Department will create 12 designated centennial benches. In addition, Parks and Rec also will be redesigning the walkway at Central Park with an emblazed centennial logo, and the flags and welcome signs in town will be changed out for the year reflecting the centennial mark.
A large Centennial Celebration event is planned to take place April 5, 2025, fashioned with an old country fair theme at The Pines, which will include a ferris wheel, dunk tank, carnival games, contests, food and drink, and live music throughout the day. With the centennial branding the steering committee is doing, Allen said Wine & Dine also wanted to do its part to celebrate the town’s legacy. Going into its 11th year, the event
has raised about $2 million since its initial creation.
The Wine & Dine committee hopes to use about $400,000 of the 2024-25 event’s proceeds to establish a Legacy Fund to create a lasting footprint for the town’s future generations with the help of the Central Florida Community Foundation.
The fund is to be used for town residents to utilize for grants intended to spearhead the way for engagement for outreach work in the local community.
“We don’t want to give something to the town that puts more work on their plate, which is why we are using the Central Florida Community Foundation,” Allen said. “What we do with the money from Wine & Dine right now is it usually comes in and it goes right back out the door, but we want to have a lasting footprint.
I think it really could be great if our kids are managing this fund and doing great work in the committee 10, 20, 30 years down the road. That’s what this type of fund can do if you manage it correctly and maintain its vision.
“We’re doing this to try and encourage engagement, which is what the Wine & Dine Committee has always promoted with Wine & Dine,” Allen said. “It’s not just an event, it’s what we do with the money after the event. We want to give something back to the town.”
The Town Council voted to further develop the concept of the Legacy Fund. More information will be announced on the fund as the Centennial Celebration approaches.
ITEMS TABLED FOLLOWING CONFLICT
Also at the meeting, two items were tabled following back-and-forth discussion between council members.
The first was regarding the Third Avenue and Magnolia Street Bessie Drainage - Phase II Subrecipient agreement with the Florida Depart-
ment of Emergency Management.
Under the grant process for FDEM, the town was awarded a grant for the much-needed drainage improvements for the Bessie Basin area.
The staff report in the council’s agenda states the construction scope of work would include upgrading the existing roadway and drainage system by grading the existing dirt road and installing an enhanced stormwater system. The proposed stormwater system includes improving the drainage collection and conveyance with roadside swales, concrete gutters and a stormwater piping system. Additionally, runoff storage shall be increased utilizing a new rain garden and retention areas.
Council Member Brandi Haines said several residents who would be affected by the project have expressed concerns.
“Whatever the final plans were that were submitted to FEMA … there were some concerns because in the written scope of the work it does not mention that the public potable water is going to be installed,” she said. “It also had said things in there that we hadn’t seen before, including the erosion matting and the sodded areas for the swales. In all the workshops it was discussed that the road was going to be raised to what it was historically and then swales on the other side after the road was crowned, and the water would flow into the existing swales. In the scope of work as it’s written, it says that they’re excavating six inches down and replacing it with six inches paver based … that’s a very, very deep roadway. If it’s only six inches, the concern is how far are we lowering the right-of-way next to these properties, because that doesn’t match what was discussed at every public workshop.”
Town Manager Robert Smith said the town is hoping to obtain additional money for the potable water at the same time, but the town currently does not have the funds to do
so. Therefore, the town currently is focused on completing the storm water projects and getting them funded and will attempt to get the funding for the potable water after.
Haines requested to table the item until the next Town Council meeting when more information is available.
“The whole entire project was always designed around having that stormwater control for the water runoff that’s coming from Oakdale (Street), she said. “That’s the entire reason that the culvert now is going to cross from the northwest corner to the northeast corner, but if we’re not going to be collecting the water that’s then going to go through that culvert, it doesn’t make logical sense. I don’t see how the project can function if the whole project isn’t built as a whole. … It feels like a lot of changes. … I’m not comfortable moving forward until we have some answers on some of this.”
Smith said from his understanding the design presented to the Town Council has not changed, and there are a lot of moving pieces associated with the project, including increases in costs over time.
“Potable water was very important to us,” resident Nancy Bardoe said. “It’s been a long process … so I’m opposed if we don’t get water at the same time, just bottom line. The way the scope and sequence reads, it says they’re going to grade the work and tie the site back to the existing conditions. If you look at our road right now, we’re easily two feet below, and you’re going to take six inches more of that? My understanding was in the design that our road was going to go back to the way it was in the ’80s, and I’m not seeing that in this project at all. … It’s the terminology of this that has really been very confusing and not at all what we’ve dialogued about for the past few years.”
“In a perfect world, we do it all at once, absolutely positively,” Mayor Jim O’Brien said. “We’re reliant upon outside funding streams to do some of these things and make these improvements.”
The design concept for Town Hall, including the stand-alone bathroom with a family restroom, also was tabled following concern from Haines.
During the previous Town Council workshop, council members directed
staff to incorporate a family restroom into the exterior restroom design and return for public review, comments and approval. Staff was seeking approval to proceed with Phase One construction plans, after which the project will be put out to bid.
“I’m not going to be popular with the staff or council tonight, but I’m probably going to be pretty popular with the residents of the town,” Haines said. “We were supposed to have a Town Square design charrette that got postponed because of Hurricane Helene that never got rescheduled, so we still have not had public input about the Town Square for this design. I have spoken with three former council members, as well as people who have told me on the Historic Preservation Board that they have been waiting for this charrette to give their input on the design of Town Hall. I do not think that we should be moving forward with approving this design without public input.
“Everyone always thinks I’m pointing fingers; it’s not personal,” she said. “I’m here to represent the residents, and whether everybody agrees or doesn’t agree, I do that to the best of my ability.”
Smith said the charette is for Town Square and has nothing to do with Town Hall.
“I think people get upset, because when you say something like that it makes it sound like we’re working against you and working against the residents, and that you’re the only one working for the residents,” O’Brien said. “I have to say that it’s offensive. If you could just share your input and your ideas, just like the rest of us, that would be fantastic. I want to hear it, but I don’t need the extra kick.”
“It’s offensive to me when I come and I tell what a resident has said at a meeting and get told that it’s my personal opinion and that people are, quote unquote, at past workshops ‘appalled’ at what I’ve said when I’m speaking almost verbatim what was written to me in emails from a resident,” Haines said.
Council Member Tom Stroup said although he knows the charrette was not specifically about Town Hall, he also was under the impression the charrette would include conversations about town center, which also would include the bathrooms.
Ocoee food truck park to open early 2025
Construction of The Backyard, a new family-owned outdoor dining experience that aims to recreate the warmth and hospitality of a backyard gathering, has begun.
The Backyard, a new, family-owned outdoor dining experience that aims to recreate the warmth and hospitality of a backyard gathering, is coming in early 2025 to Ocoee.
“We have been hard at work for over three years to make this place a reality,” owner Andrea Halperin said. “We are thrilled to bring this experience to the residents of Ocoee, a place they can truly call their own.”
Construction has started on the food park-style concept created by owners Joshua and Andrea Halperin, who are known among their friends and family for their backyard gatherings. The Backyard is designed to create a makeyourself-at-home atmosphere.
“We were inspired by visiting food parks and food halls around the country,” Andrea Halperin said. “We’re bringing our favorite elements from those experiences together, focusing on making our guests feel at home.”
Beyond making guests feel welcome, the Halperins are parents to school-age children, and they wanted to make sure this was a place for the whole family to gather.
“It was a priority for us to create an experience where adults can enjoy themselves but also to ensure that kids feel entertained and have the space to run and play,” Joshua Halperin said. “Ultimately, our vision is to create a sense of community. A place where locals can relax and connect
with each other.”
To accomplish that feat, the Halperins are bringing the food park experience to The Backyard.
The Backyard will feature lounge and table seating on a covered patio and also will have Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, hammocks, yard games and more on the lawn space. String lights will hang all over, bringing the place to life when the sun sets, making it perfect for live music or even movie night.
Although the environment is paramount to The Backyard’s vision, the concept doesn’t work without the food to accompany it.
The location will be able to house six food vendors at a time, allowing guests diversity in food selection, while the open kitchen feature of The Backyard will give guests a 24-tap selection of craft beers, wines and more dispensed using self-pour technology, an element the Hal-
perins are excited about.
“The ease and convenience of helping yourself (using the self-pour technology) feels just like a backyard gathering,” Joshua Halperin said.
“The guest is in control of tasting, selecting and perfecting their perfect pour.”
Another unique element of Ocoee’s future gathering spot is its streamlined checkout experience. Guests will be able to use a single check for all the offerings at The Backyard. This single-check process should make it quicker to not only take advantage of the multiple vendors but also expedite the payment portion of the process when it’s time to head home.
The Backyard will be located at 2214 West Road in Ocoee, just off State Road 429 — near the West Orange Trail.
For more information, visit thebkyd.com.
Ocoee hosts trunk-or-treat
The Ocoee Lakeshore Center and Bill Breeze Park were filled with monsters, princesses, movie characters and more at the city of Ocoee’s trunk-or-treat festival Oct. 25. Children, teens and families enjoyed carnival games and rides, a glowstick egg hunt, food trucks, trick-or-treating, vendor tents, and more at the annual event.
Trevor and Kristy Douglas and their daughters, Ryleigh and Charleigh, were a fun family of Incredibles.
Brentoni Lindsey sold candy in colored pumpkins and skulls at her booth, Popped It by B.
At left: Winter, left, and Nova Herring snacked on cupcakes at the Ocoee event.
22ND ANNUAL VETERANS DAY CEREMONY CITY OF OCOEE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 11 A.M. - Noon
Keynote Speaker
Retired Marine Corps Maj. Barron Mills
Join the city as we honor and pay tribute to the brave military men and women who have served our country.
Ocoee Lakeshore Center 125 North Lakeshore Drive
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LOCAL MOTION
This annual guide provides important information about the West Orange communities of Winter Garden, Oakland, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Gotha and Horizon West including the history, area maps, hospitals, utility companies and local leaders.
Including:
• History of each municipality, interviews with local leaders and a calendar of can’t-miss events
Round-up of local activities and ways to get involved
• Suggestions for date nights and family weekend excursions for every budget
• A complete guide to public, private and charter schools, including preschools and options for students with special needs
SPORTS
HIGH 5
1
The Horizon High boys cross country team and the Windermere High girls team won their respective West Metro Conference team championships Oct. 26 at Ocoee High. Horizon was dominant in the boys division, as all five of its scoring runners finished in the top 10, for the Hawks’ third consecutive Metro title. Junior Jacob Finch came in second place — finishing a bit over a second behind first — while West Orange High’s Jaiden McKee rounded out the podium places with a third-place finish. On the girls side, the Wolverines narrowly edged out Horizon for the Metro crown. Windermere had its five scoring runners finish in the top 16, with Ava Lack, Annabella Ekebergh and Ryann Lange leading the way in sixth, seventh and eighth places.
Olympia High’s Emily Knopfle won the meet, while Horizon’s Abigayle White finished second. The Metro Conference meet is the last of the regular season before teams begin competing in their district tournaments this upcoming week.
2
Windermere High baseball’s booster club, the Windermere Dugout Club, is hosting its eighth annual fundraising golf tournament to benefit the program’s upcoming season.
The tournament is set for a shotgun start at 11:45 a.m. Dec. 15 at Stoneybrook West Golf Club. The cost is $135 per golfer, $500 for a foursome until Nov. 15 — $550 for a foursome after that date — and for students or alumni, there is a discounted cost of $100.
For more information, visit windermeredugoutclub.com/ golf.
3
The West Orange Wildcats 6U youth football team finished its season Oct. 27 with a 12-6 win over Edgewater in the Mid-Florida Pop Warner championship game, remaining undefeated.
4
The Hamlin Middle girls and SunRidge Middle boys soccer teams won the 2024 Orange County championships Oct. 25 at West Orange High. The Eagles of SunRidge took down Freedom Middle for the district title, while the Coyotes defeated Lake Nona Middle to win their championship.
5
Windermere High boys and girls swim teams won the Class 4A, District 4 team championships, while the West Orange High girls came in second. In 3A, District 4, Lake Buena Vista High took home the runner-up trophies in both the boys and girls competitions. On the individual front, five West Orange and Southwest Orange County swimmers won all four of the events they participated in at districts: Windermere’s Ryan Erisman and Walter Kueffer for the boys team, Rylee Erisman and Carolina Leitao for the girls, and Lake Buena Vista boys swimmer Jacob Tsai. Another big winner at districts was LBV’s two-time state champion diver Nathan Frette, who claimed another individual district championship. Next up for the area’s swim and dive teams are the regional championships which are set to begin Friday, Nov. 1.
GAME OF THE WEEK Windermere
PURSUING PERFECTION
It has been a storybook season for Wolverines football, and with one game left to play, Windermere has a chance to write an epic ending.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
Windermere High football coach
Riki Smith is a thoughtful and effective communicator.
One example of this is how he often, during interviews, will take pauses when asked a question — or even during a response — to find the perfect words that capture his desired response or intent. Another is how he communicates his message to his team, whether it is a pregame speech, a season’s theme that represents who that year’s group of players are or what they’re looking to accomplish, his fundamental standards that never change, or simply how he connects to the young men on his roster.
Regardless of who the message is for or how it is being conveyed, Smith usually gets the message across, which is ultimately an incredible asset for any coach.
One of his most consistent messag-
es, which Smith makes sure is front and center for anyone and everyone — including coaches, players, administrators, media, fans and parents — around his program is about how each week is approached.
So, when asked how he and his team would approach its chance to finish the regular season undefeated for the first time in school history, it’s no surprise his answer was a familiar one.
“Our approach will be the same this week as it’s been all season,” Smith said. “We don’t intend to change a thing. Our focus is on going 1-0 every day.”
Not only can Smith effectively communicate this approach to preparation and focus on the next opponent throughout his program, but because of his most important belief as a coach, he’s able to get his players, coaching staff and program as a whole to buy into that hyper-focused approach — which has led to Smith become the most successful football
coach in Windermere High’s young history.
“Going on my third season as head coach, it’s hard to look back and pinpoint what exactly led to the success we’re having this season,” he said.
“However, I believe that in addition to developing the talent a young player has within them, the developer, AKA the coaches, must begin by building a genuine relationship with his players. I love and respect each member of my team as I do my own children.”
While effective — which is evident based on this historic season — Smith’s approach requires sacrifice, effort and, more than anything, time. But after two seasons of making those sacrifices, putting in that effort and giving the approach the time needed, Smith and the Wolverines have been able to see hard work pay off.
“I’m extremely proud of our team’s discipline and hard work this season,”
FRIDAY, NOV. 1 n
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
Velles “Vel” Heckman was a lot of things to a lot of different people. To some, he was the All-American lineman for the Florida Gators football team; to others, he was the hardnosed football coach at Lakeview High School; and to some, Heckman was a friend, neighbor or father, ready to lend a helping hand when asked. Regardless of what Heckman meant to you, there’s no denying his positive impact on those lucky enough to have been around him.
As a young football player from Allentown High in Pennsylvania, Heckman spent his earlier days either dominating on the football field or helping at the family seafood store; that is until those two worlds collided and he became a Gator.
Legacy Charter School girls volleyball player Evelyn Tewson led the Eagles to an 11-3 record and a district finals appearance. Page 2B.
Windermere High football is just one win away from finishing its regular season undefeated.
Tammy Forrester
Courtesy Photo
Vel Heckman and his three children, Mike, left, Lee and Rena Cross.
WEEK Evelyn Tewson
Legacy Charter School girls volleyball player Evelyn Tewson was the captain and kills leader for an Eagles team that finished the season with an 11-3 record and reached the district championship game.
Over the course of her two seasons playing for Legacy, Tewson recorded 303 kills, 107 aces, 279 digs and 300 received serves. Beyond her work on the court, the senior is an honor roll student who is deeply passionate about her faith, is drawn to the arts and enjoys expressing her creativity through various outlets.
How does it feel to be named
Athlete of the Week?
It’s humbling, truly. Volleyball is something I’ve invested a multitude into, so being acknowledged feels like an affirmation of the work I’ve put in. It’s a good reminder that dedication can lead to meaningful recognition.
What do you like the most about volleyball?
It blends both elegance and strength. Each moment demands hyperfocus and team effort. This makes it not only exhilarating but deeply meaningful to me.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from volleyball?
Resilience. Volleyball has taught me that mistakes are part of the game and that a chance for redemption is available each play.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Allyson Felix is my favorite athlete, because she exemplifies humility and strength. This is driven by her evident and deep faith in God, making her a light both on and off the track.
What is your favorite volleyball memory?
I will forever remember the night my team and I beat The Master’s Academy on their senior night. They had been a commendable rival, but we came out on top!
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
Açaí bowls will forever have my whole heart.
What is your favorite nonsports hobby?
Reading, journaling, painting or baking. … Each of them provides me a way to have a sense of serenity outside of volleyball.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Design! I truly enjoy
THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Volleyball Grade: Senior School: Homeschooled
(for obvious reasons), and a journal (to document the experience and keep my thoughts organized).
What is your favorite movie? “Little Women.” This movie is visually stunning, intellectually stimulating and emotionally connective.
If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why? Esther from the Bible. She demonstrated impeccable leadership through unwavering strength and faith when put to the test. I would love to learn about her wisdom as a woman under God.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go? I’d go to the Renaissance in Italy. The art, the philosophy and the creativity of that era would be beautiful and stunning to witness firsthand.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Sometimes, trusting God means knowing that His will is greater than our understanding and that our pain now can’t compare to the incredible glory He has prepared in the future.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
Did I build a house with a white wrap-around porch; large windows that invite sunlight; a cozy reading nook by the window; and soft, vintage interiors filled with warm colors and personal touches?
Who is your favorite superhero?
My dad. He has been my superhero since Day One. His leadership, strength and willingness have been nothing short of profound.
Favorite supervillain?
Professor Moriarty. In the series, Sherlock, he is a complex intellectual who has an unsettling ability to manipulate others with a calm steady demeanor. This makes his character intriguing and dangerous.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Healing. This could be physical or mental. My heart is burdened for those in pain, so I aspire to help in any way I am capable of. The gift of healing would be a privilege to bring glory to God’s kingdom and His
What is your most controversial food take?
I believe that pineapple belongs on
One game from perfection
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Smith said. “I’m also happy they have been rewarded for their maturity in this sport. … Seeing my boys’ efforts finally gaining recognition is incredible, and all I can say about it is, to God be the glory.”
Beyond winning the most games in school history, to demonstrate the outcome of the team’s buyin, take a peek at Windermere’s individual players making major alterations to the program’s history books.
Senior athlete Bryce Speed now holds the Wolverines’ singleseason records for most receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and all-purpose yards. Senior quarterback Jack Reilly is the school’s career passing TD record holder and the single-season passing yards record holder. Senior line-
man Daniel Bradley holds the program’s single-season sack record, while junior defensive back C.J. Bronaugh has the most interceptions in a season as well as the most interceptions returned for a TD.
This type of season is special, and Smith, the players, and the entire Windermere High community have recognized it.
“We are all excited, humbled and thankful that God’s grace has been with us both through the wins and the losses these past few years,” Smith said. “Our community and administrators have been supportive throughout the years I have been head coach here at Windermere. Our fan base of parents, students and faculty have followed their leadership and have been there to cheer us on no matter the outcome, and for that, I am grateful.”
Coach, father and friend
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
The story goes that a scout from the University of Florida football staff made his way up to the family’s seafood store to see if Heckman was Gators material.
“From the way Vel told the story, he was working at his dad’s store, carrying seafood in the back warehouse,” said Curt Myhre, Heckman’s neighbor of 15 years. “A scout from the Gators got there and kind of wandered in the back door of the warehouse looking for Vel. At the same time, Vel was lugging things around and he kind of crashed out of the freezer carrying these two bags of clams with his glasses all frosted up and a cigar in his mouth, and he saw the guy was there.
“Vel asks him if he can help him, and the scout says I’m looking for Vel Heckman; I’m a scout from the Gators,” Myhre said. “And Vel says, let me go find my dad and runs inside. He told me the reason he ran inside wasn’t to find his dad; it was because he wanted to hide his cigar. The funniest part of the story was that years later, Vel found out that when he was inside hiding his cigar and finding his dad, the scout went over to the bags of clams Vel was throwing around like a box lunch or something and tried lifting them up and saw they were 75 pounds each. The scout almost couldn’t get them off the ground, and this young kid with a cigar in his mouth was just throwing them around like nothing. The scout said as soon as he saw how heavy those clams were, he knew he had to get Heckman down to Gainesville.”
Although Heckman went on to become an All-American at Florida and become a lifelong Gators
fan, if it wasn’t for some dedicated coaches, Heckman may have never finished up his time in school.
“My dad was a huge Gators fan all through my life; he bled orange and blue, but he actually tried to quit the University of Florida twice,” said Rena Cross, Heckman’s youngest child. “He really wanted to go back home to help his parents at the seafood business and because he was homesick. He actually ended up hitchhiking all the way from Florida, from Gainesville to Pennsylvania. And the University of Florida coaching staff sent somebody up to go get him and bring him back both times.”
Following his time in Gainesville, Heckman found himself moving to Winter Garden to become the Lakeview High football coach and athletic director — and to paraphrase one of his former players, he brought a completely difficult culture of high school football to West Orange County.
Alan Hays, a member of Heckman’s first two Lakeview High teams, said his new coach brought an expectation of excellence and toughness from his teams that changed the program. He would describe Heckman as tough but fair, and like most people who knew the old ball coach, Hays had the perfect Heckman story to demonstrate why he described him that way. Hays remembers a game in DeLand, and anytime the offense needed three or four yards, they had this running back dive play that would guarantee they’d get those yards. So, when the offense reached near the goal line, Hays was certain that dive play would get called and he would score the touchdown.
“We were down there, inside the five-yard line … and at the time, I had my mind made up that coach was going to call that dive play straight ahead,” Hays said. “I could just imagine me scoring that touchdown of the dive play, but then they called a sweep to the left side and I ended up getting clobbered by what seemed like the entire defense, and at halftime, coach chewed me up and down the sideline. I mean, he questioned my manhood and everything else because I didn’t score. He was tough on us when he thought we could do better, but to show the kind of man coach was and how fair he was, on the following Monday, at practice, in front of the whole team, he apologized to me, because he had looked at the film of the game and saw the mass of people that had tackled me and he said, ‘That’s my fault for calling the wrong play.’
“That was almost unheard of, for a coach to admit he was wrong and apologize to a player like that, but that’s the kind of man Vel was,” Hays said. “He would never tear you down unjustifiably; he would hold you accountable, but he always treated us fairly.” Heckman wasn’t just that way with his players; he was more than fair with his peers. He would put himself on the line and fight for his fellow coaches.
“There’s not enough words that I can possibly say that can describe what Vel Heckman meant for the community of Winter Garden or what he meant to me,” said former Lakeview High basketball coach Warren Little. “I met Vel … when I was hired to be the junior varsity basketball coach a Lakeview and after my second season there, the varsity coach, Dick Lindsey,
Courtesy Photo
Vel Heckman was honored at Florida Field.
Tammy Forrester
Windermere quarterback Jack Reilly (No. 9) and a host of other new faces were a big part of the Wolverines’ special season.
left. So, Vel asked me if I wanted to become the head basketball coach, and I thought he was kidding. Now, you have to understand that this was back in the late 1960s and early 70s, and although we had integration at the time, it wasn’t a favorable thing, so I didn’t think the Orange Belt Conference was quite ready to have me be a head coach. But Vel had the courage to name me, a black man, head coach of the basketball team, and he stood by me 100% of the way. I’ll be quite frank with you, Vel is the reason I’m here today and was able to do all that I did for Orange County Public Schools as an administrator and dean. I attribute all of that success to Vel … I feel that he was like the wind beneath my wings. That’s how much he uplifted me throughout my life.”
In the same way Heckman was viewed as a mentor and role model to his players and fellow coaches, as a father, his children also viewed him as an example to follow.
“He just was larger than life, you know?” Cross said. “My dad was my hero. … Growing up, he raised us tough and really instilled that work ethic in the three of us — my brothers Mike and Lee and myself. He raised us to say ‘Yes sir, no sir,’ but he also was always the first to have fun with us, to pull us on water skis at Lake Butler. He always wanted to go skiing and fishing with us. … He loved helping people out; even in recent years, we’d be doing some work on our land, like building fence, and he’d be the first one, even when he was like 85 years old, to offer to help.”
Cross recalls her dad wanted to help so much that he would take off his football coach hat and try to put on the hat of whatever sport she was playing to try and help.
“He was always ready and willing to be supportive,” she said. “I was a gymnast and a diver and a cheerleader, and he would always be at my events. He was my biggest fan and my hero. I remember whenever I was struggling with something in my athletics ... he would try to get out of the football coaching mind and into the gymnastics or diving mind or what I needed and do whatever he could to encourage me.”
Velles ‘Vel’ Alvin Heckman — a football player, a coach, a friend, and a father — died Sept. 24 at the age of 88.
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
THURSDAY, OCT. 24
Dr. Phillips (7-1), 40
Celebration (2-7), 9
HIGHLIGHTS: The Dr. Phillips Panthers bounced back after a tough Week 9 loss against Edgewater by going on the road to Celebration High and claiming a big Class 7A, District 9 win over the Storm.
With DP’s Week 8 game against East Ridge High postponed and an Olympia win over the Knights, the Panthers still are one district win away from claiming the district title.
UP NEXT: Week 11 will see the Panthers host another area powerhouse in West Orange High Friday, Nov. 1, in the Ol’ Orange Crate game.
Horizon (1-8), 7 Davenport (4-4), 37
HIGHLIGHTS: After keeping the game close in the first half, the Horizon Hawks couldn’t slow down the Davenport High offense in the second half, as the Broncos scored 24 points in the game’s final two quarters.
UP NEXT: Horizon will finish its regular season campaign at home against its rival Windermere High in the Battle of the Groves Friday, Nov. 1.
Olympia (4-5), 48 East Ridge (3-5), 21
HIGHLIGHTS: The Olympia High Titans moved one game closer to .500 after dismantling the East Ridge Knights for their Homecoming game. On the back of a strong running game and a turnover-inducing defense, Olympia bounced back from a tough start that saw them down 14-7 in the second quarter and put together a dominant 41-7 run from the backend of the first half to the end of the game.
Although Olympia is now 2-1 in 7A, District 9 play and is alive in the title fight, Dr. Phillips holds the tie-breaker over the Titans and still can clinch the crown outright with a win over East Ridge. If the Knights are able to beat the Panthers, there will be a three-way tie for the district championship and the team ranked highest in MaxPrep’s rankings will be the district winner.
UP NEXT: The Titans will host Winter Park High for their final regular season game of the year.
Windermere (9-0), 40 Innovations (5-4), 6
HIGHLIGHTS: Windermere High continues its magical run after topping first-year program Innova-
Legacy Charter (3-6), 36
Cedar Creek Christian (3-5), 12
HIGHLIGHTS: The Legacy Charter Eagles finish their regular season with back-to-back wins thanks to three rushing touchdowns from junior Brian Jean and a pick-six from senior linebacker Jake Threadgill. Legacy’s defense also shut out Cedar Creek in the second half.
UP NEXT: Legacy will be off in Week 11, but as the SSAC playoffs begin, the Eagles will host the Saints of Trinity Prep at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8.
Ocoee (5-4), 14
West Orange (8-1), 21
tion High in convincing fashion.
Quarterback Jack Reilly threw two touchdowns and ran for another while running back Octavio Ulloa rushed for two TDs. Defensive back
C.J. Bronaugh caught two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
UP NEXT: Windermere will close its regular season campaign with the chance to finish undefeated, but to do so, the Wolverines will have to go to rivals Horizon (1-8) Friday, Nov. 1, and bring home the Smudge Pot trophy with a win.
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
Central Florida Christian (3-6), 41 Seven Rivers Christian (5-5), 70
HIGHLIGHTS: After a short week, the CFCA Eagles finish the regular season with a road loss. Despite the defeat, CFCA’s Davy Murphy was a bright spot in the game. He caught three touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a fourth TD in the game — this return score was his third kickoff return touchdown of the season.
Foundation Academy (4-4), 43 West Oaks Academy (2-6), 12
HIGHLIGHTS: The Lions finished their 2024 regular season with a big home win, led by junior quarterback Braydon Marks and his three touchdown passes — two to Steven Grecco and one to Tyler Bolivar. On defense, sophomore defensive back Cole Huntley also added to the scoreline with a pick-six.
UP NEXT: As the No. 1 seed, Foundation will host Jacksonville-based No. 4 Bishop Snyder High for the first round of the SSAC 5A state championship Friday, Nov. 1.
Lake Beuna Vista (2-5), 0 East River (5-3), 13
HIGHLIGHTS: On its senior night, Lake Buena Vista was unable to get its offense going against the East River Falcons.
UP NEXT: The Vipers will travel to Liberty High Friday, Nov. 1.
HIGHLIGHTS: After two first-half touchdowns by quarterback Brian Dillard, West Orange held on to win the Battle for the Shield and claim the 7A, District 5 championship. UP NEXT: The Warriors will travel to Dr. Phillips in Week 11 to close out their regular season campaign. Ocoee will host undefeated Jones High Friday, Nov. 1.
Windermere Prep (1-6), 8 Out-of-Door Academy (7-0), 64
HIGHLIGHTS: Windermere Prep was unable to slow down the Out-ofDoor Academy offense that scored 43 unanswered points to open the game. The Lakers finish the 2024 regular season with just one win.
MONDAY, OCT. 28
The First Academy (8-1), 48 Holy Trinity Episcopal (4-4), 3 HIGHLIGHTS: In its last 1A, District 6 game of the season, The First Academy football completed the sweep of its district foes on road against Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.
Led by senior running back Dane Thompkins, who gained 72 total yards and scored four touchdowns, and senior quarterback Salomono Georges Jr., who threw for 221 yards on 12-of-15 passing with two TDs and eclipsed the 2,000 passing yard mark for the second consecutive season, the Royals continued its dominant form.
UP NEXT: In its final regular season game of the season, TFA will be at Calvary Christian Friday, Nov. 1.
OBSERVER 8, WEEK TEN
A weekly power ranking of the eight best football programs in West, Southwest Orange County. 1. The First Academy (8-1)
West Orange (8-1)
Dr. Phillips (7-1)
Windermere (9-0)
Ocoee
Sam Albuquerque
Tammy Forrester
Windermere football’s Octavio Ulloa (No. 22) carried the ball against Innovation High.
Sam Albuquerque
Ocoee High’s Dariyon Gordon (No. 10) deflected a pass thrown to West Orange High receiver Devonte Anderson (No. 12).
Titans running back Raymond Green (No. 1) stiff-armed an East Ridge defender.
Courtesy Photo
Before he was Lakeview High’s football coach, Vel Heckman was an All-American lineman for the Florida Gators.
Courtesy Photo The Heckman men — Mike, left, the oldest of Vel’s children and Lee — enjoyed fishing together.
File Photo
Vel Heckman still has his cleat that was bronzed following the first UF-FSU game in 1958. After playing football for the Florida Gators, Vel Heckman accepted the head coaching position at Lakeview High School in Winter Garden.
MEGHAN PAPKE
SUNSET PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Meghan Papke is known as the Queen of Green at Sunset Park Elementary School. She is a dedicated Parent-Teacher Organization member and chair of the Campus Clean Up and School Beautification Committee, and she devotes her time to cleaning up trash, weed control and maintaining the landscaping.
She has organized several campus clean-up days — one in August and another coming up Nov. 2 — and has two more planned for February and April.
What do you love most about your school?
I truly appreciate the strong sense of community and family that Sunset Park Elementary offers for my children and I.
What is the most rewarding part of your position with PTO?
Uniting students and their families to create a positive impact on our school. The visual improvements from our Campus Cleanup Projects enhance the school’s aesthetics but more importantly, they foster a sense of pride among families.
Who influences you?
I’m inspired by those who embody strong, positive character traits. They motivate me to become the best version of myself.
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?
One of my favorite teachers was Mr. Fink from my senior year government class. He was a state senator in Iowa, balancing his teaching in the fall with his duties in the Senate during the spring. He made the class engaging and brought a
REPORT CARD
POSITION: PTO member TIME AT SCHOOL: Three years
facinating perspective from his career into our lessons.
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
Currently, my favorite children’s book is “The Caboose Who Got Loose,” written and illustrated by Bill Peet. I appreciate the story’s cadence, theme and the charming illustrations.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love exploring new experiences with my family in Central Florida. When I’m not with them, I enjoy volunteering at my children’s school, gardening and pursuing my passion for organizing.
If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Taylor Swift. While I’m not a huge Swiftie, I enjoy her music and find her career and business strategies fascinating.
If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?
NEEDTOBREATHE is my alltime favorite band! I’ve been a fan since 2009 and have loved attending numerous concerts, even getting to meet them.
Another artist I could listen to on repeat are composer and conductor John Williams — his powerful music brings back so much nostalgia for classic films. Rounding out the mix is Gaelic
Storm; my husband and I have enjoyed their music together and have seen them perform
What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?
Growing up in the ’90s, I have fond memories of classic school lunches, especially the rectangular pizza slice. As for snacks, nothing beats Fruit Roll-Ups and Kool-Aid.
What is your favorite holiday and why?
It’s a tie between Thanksgiving and Christmas! My husband and I share these holidays with our parents and siblings. Thanksgiving is spent with my mom, stepdad and brothers’ family, where we enjoy the same side dishes I’ve cherished since childhood. Christmas is a magical time with my in-laws, who go all out with seven decorated trees and a house filled with Christmas decor. We immerse ourselves in board games, puzzles and cherished traditions like attending church on Christmas Eve, enjoying a candlelight chili dinner, going around the dinner table and reflecting on what we’re grateful for that year, watching “The Santa Clause,” and reading “The Night Before Christmas.”
What were your extracurricular activities as a student?
Did you win any accolades or honors?
I was in Girl Scouts from kindergarten through sixth grade, and I remained very active in high school. I was involved in color guard; ran cross country; and played club, indoor and high school soccer. I also served on the student council, worked on the yearbook and, in my senior year, I was class president and Homecoming queen.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
Lakeview Middle School fall festival
Lakeview Middle School’s FFA program hosted the school’s first trunk-or-treat fall festival the morning of Oct. 19. The event included a petting zoo, community booths food trucks and plenty of trick-or-treating. More than 35 groups set up booths at the morning festival. The Lakeview FFA held a bake sale to raise funds for its program. West Orange High School’s FFA students participated, as well, and took several animals to the festival, and the Ocoee High School FFA shared games with attendees. Winter Garden’s police and fire departments took part in the fall celebration, too.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
The Lakeview Middle School PTSO handed out candy and sold Lakeview Lightning merchandise.
Huck Paterson paraded 8-month-old Cotton around the lawn of Lakeview Middle.
Right: Gigi Wyszynski spent the morning dressed as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Lindsiann Taylor leads the dance program at Lakeview Middle.
WCrossline Community Church celebrates fall
The Crossline Crew, volunteers from the church, helped organize and pass out materials for making s’mores at the event’s firepit.
Members of the event staff, Zachary Ursem, left, and Joshua Brannon, took a break for a quick photo before getting back to work.
Children took advantage of the full-sized soccer goals at Crossline Park and played an impromptu pick-up game. Frankie and Alyssa Diaz enjoyed the evening with their newborn daughter.
Angie Farley, left, Noen Cates, Heather Landrock and Leisel Healy ran the book fair during the Halloween-themed event.
Aerin and Mia Dittmer enjoyed sweet treats from their candy bucket.
Blas and Omari Rueda-Fabre matched in their Ninja Turtles costumes.
Brittany Torres brought her three daughters — Isabella, Ilianys and Jareliz — to the event.
Students from The Learning Center Preschool at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden attended the event. Dillard Street student Alexander Hernandez, left, and teacher aid Chris McGee enjoyed the evening of fun.
At right: Cora, left, and Grayson Preisser dressed in inflatable costumes for the Halloween event.
Lauren Fiallo, a behavior specialist at Dillard Street Elementary, took her two daughters, Milena, left, and Catalina, along with their friend, Ava Lundberg, to the Boo Ball.
SunRidge Middle School hosts fun fall festival
SunRidge
Summerlake Elementary goes trunk-or-treating
Summerlake Elementary School’s
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— ANNABELLE SIKES
MONSTER MASH by Lisa Senzel and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
Lenayah Seye, Eli Konate and Aisha Konate were three of the students who attended the school’s signature Halloween event.
Loni and Ari Muzzonigro were simply too cute in their matching Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse costumes.
The Ocoee Texas Roadhouse was represented at the event by Andy Armadillo, left, and local store manager Kelsey Weiskittel.
SunRidge Middle School students took a quick selfie before participating in the fall festivities.
At right: Jessica Villegas, left, and Jeni Roop dressed up as highlighters at the Hi-Lite Coaching + Consulting
Brothers Jake and Jack Cooper used one of the school’s photo set-ups to capture a picture of their costumes.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant Lake Buena Vista
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant Lake Buena Vista. Located at 12124 S Apopka Vineland Rd in Orland, San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant is committed to using only the freshest, finest ingredients. All dishes are made from the heart and prepared with love using recipes that have been passed down from generations of the brother’s family. To learn more, visit https://sanjosesoriginal.com/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 5-year anniversary of West Orange Dream Center
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 5-year anniversary of West Orange Dream Center. Located at 1136 E Plant St in Winter Garden, West Orange Dream Center is a Christ-centered, nonprofit community center dedicated to transforming lives. They partner with local leaders, businesses and nonprofits to provide essential programs and resources to the people they serve. Situated in the heart of the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood, the center builds programs and partnerships that bring a commitment to relationships and empowering individuals to break cycles of poverty and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Their vision is to build trust, transform lives, and live the gospel. To learn more, visit https://www.wodreamcenter.org/.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 5-year anniversary of Nadia’s Beauty Salon
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 5-year anniversary of Nadia’s Beauty Salon. Located at 37 W Silver Star Rd in Ocoee, Nadia’s Beauty Salon is your one-stop salon with a family-oriented environment and friendly staff. They also feature 5-star community service, working with hair, nails, facials, lashes and more. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/nadiasbeautysalon or https://www. instagram.com/nadiasbeautysalonocoee.
The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership. Congratulations on Membership Milestones to
THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY - DR. PHILLIPS AND THURSDAY - HORIZON WEST
To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304
Flip
But
October 18 through October 31 Downtown Winter Garden
Hay Maze at City Hall Halloween & Fall Decorations, Light Displays, & Photo Stations
Halloween Light Show on City Hall & Street Performances October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 31 • 7-9 pm
And Lots More Downtown Halloween Fun!
