07.28.22 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &

Observer

Oakland to restore black cemetery. SEE 3A.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 89, NO. 30

FREE

Summer sweeties Campers at Lake Cypress Summer Camp at Windermere Preparatory School are making the most of the season. 7B.

Family faces cancer, house fire

Gil and Jackie Martinez and their children are living out of duffle bags and facing uncertainty after being displaced by a fire in their MetroWest home. SEE PAGE 6A.

YOUR TOWN COME ON GET HEALTHY!

Families are invited to participate in a health and wellness event hosted by Health by Design USA Inc. in partnership with Healthy West Orange and West Orange VFW Post 4305. The Community Health & Wellness Extravaganza is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at the VFW, 1170 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. It will include free health screenings for blood pressure, eyesight, cholesterol and body mass index; plus offer health-related information on the heart, diabetes, breast and prostate cancer, herbs and fire safety. There will be games for all ages, free and healthy snacks, and door prizes. For information, call (407) 745-9851.

PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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EDUCATIONAL

EXPANSION

Innovation Montessori Ocoee is expanding its educational opportunities with the moving of its high school charter to a new and separate campus on East Silver Star Road in August. SEE PAGE 4.

Courtesy photo

Students practice hands-on learning activities through Montessori education.

Ocoee leaders approve apartments, retail The project includes 301 multi-family homes, as well as 20,000 square feet of commercial use. SEE PAGE 2A.

TO THE XTREME Horizon West’s Noah Sidabutar earned three taekwondo championships. SEE PAGE 1B.

REAL ESTATE: See the top sales in West Orange and Southwest Orange in our weekly report. PAGE 8A.

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Apartments, retail approved in Ocoee ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Ocoee City Commission approved unanimously the construction of a mixed-use development that will be located on the west side of Ocoee-Apopka Road and the north side of State Road 429. According to the agenda, the city of Ocoee came to an agreement with Wire Development LLC Sept. 21, 2021, to purchase the property — about 16.17 acres — which falls within the Ocoee Crown Point PUD and consists of two parcels. “We have been working on this project for some time,” Wire Development founder and president Holly Garcia said. “I understand there is kind of a history here, but we are super excited to be involved and create something that allows residents to have new places to live, grow the community (and) also have business space available to them.” The project falls within Commissioner Larry Brinson’s district and will consist of 301 multi-

family dwelling units and 20,000 square feet of commercial retail space within nine buildings. The proposal includes two mixed-used buildings with residential and commercial space, one live/work building, one stand-alone retail building and five multi-family residential buildings. Two of the five residential buildings will be townhome-style multi-family residential buildings. Garcia said the team is working along with the West Orange Trail initiative to maintain as many trees as possible as long as the development does not negatively affect the trees and the trees do not negatively affect the development. “We are conscious (on that aspect),” she said. The project will have three entrance points. It will have access and a new public road at the existing roundabout located on Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, full access on Ocoee-Apopka Road north of the West Orange Trail signal and full access to the south side of what will become the entrance of what it will be the future home of Orange Technical College — Westside.

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n Commissioners approved several items from the consent agenda. These include the cancellation of the Aug. 2, 2022, meeting because of the relocation into the new City Hall, which will take place Friday, July 29, and the approval of the proposed tentative millage rate for the 2022-23 fiscal year budget. n The City Commission approved the first reading of ordinance related to the Land Development Code amendment to consolidate the sign code that was adopted Sept. 15, 1970. The ordinance was modified in 1988, 1995 and 1999. According to the agenda, the current proposed amendments “intend to resolve (previous) discrepancies and consolidate the provisions from Article VI into Article VIII.” The second reading of ordinance is scheduled for the Aug. 16 meeting. n The City Commission approved the first reading of ordinance related to another amendment of the Land Development Code, which attempts to clarify fence requirements for corner lots and lots with multiple street frontages within the city. The second reading of ordinance is schedule to take place during the Aug. 16 meeting. n City commissioners heard the second reading of an ordinance regarding the adoption of new boundaries for the commission districts within the city of Ocoee. This item will be further discussed at the next

commission meting, to be held Aug. 16, because the new boundary legal description had not been received. n The City Commission approved a variance request in relation to the property located at 125 S. Lakeshore Drive, currently zoned R-1AAA single-family dwelling. The property owner petitioned approval for the reduction of the minimum front building setback from 30 feet to 15 feet to accommodate a “detached garage for a single-family home that has three lot fronts and a side yard but no rear yard.” n The commission approved a variance request in relation to the property located at 101 W. Silver Star Road currently zoned C-2 — Community Commercial District. VMG Construction Inc. requesting the approval of the reduction of the minimum side building setback from 10 feet to 3 feet as a result of a property line discrepancy with the railroad right of way. n The City Commission came to an understanding with the HRDB board regarding the budget funding for the 2022 Remembrance Day to take place Nov. 5 and 6. The commission approved $33,000 for the funding of the event; $10,000 from contingency, $10,000— initially assigned to the building of a sculpture called Celebrating Diversity that were reallocated for the event, $7,000 anticipated from the 2022-23 budget and $6,000 from Commissioner Richard Firstner’s discretionary account.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

The formal entrance to the cemetery is on High Springs Lane in the Longleaf at Oakland neighborhood off Oakland Avenue.

Amy Quesinberry

Out of respect Oakland will use an $85,000 grant to restore the town’s historic black cemetery, the final resting place for freed slaves and Oakland’s ancestors. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

he town of Oakland is moving forward with a project nearly 20 years in the making. The Oakland Historic AfricanAmerican Cemetery, established in 1882, will get the respect town officials say it deserves through a formal preservation and management plan. A detailed report — written by representatives of Cardno, the town’s consultants to the cemetery project — was shared with and approved by the Oakland Town Commission at its July 12 meeting. It outlined an overview of what work has been done in the cemetery, located at 16789 W. Colonial Drive; all archival research conducted; an assessment of conditions to graves and markers with the help of groundpenetrating radar; and a management plan to remove invasive plants and stabilize and repair grave markers. This plan was developed through a $25,000 matching historic preservation grant the town received last year. Cardno started clearing invasive vegetation to allow the preservation and management plan to continue moving forward. Oakland also is receiving an African-American Cultural and Historical Grant of $85,000, which will allow the town to implement the management and preservation plan with a list of physical improvements. Construction projects will include completing the faux wrought-iron fence that runs along the front of the cemetery and adding brick pillars, clearing the remaining invasive trees and additional underbrush still present, building walking paths throughout the cemetery, replacing the PVC pipes and pin flags with actual stone markers, and adding wayfinding and informational signage. In a letter of support included when the town applied for the grant last year, Betty Wade and Mona Phipps, two residents involved in the cemetery restoration, wrote: “Being able to document the history of the cemetery is significant to understanding the story of how our community was founded and the importance of our heritage.” “Seeing the cemetery restored would add a sense of pride while honoring those who are buried there.” The cemetery is the resting place of freed slaves and families who migrated to West Orange County following emancipation. Burials were conducted from 1882, when the cemetery was established, until around 1950. The cemetery contains archaeologically significant African-American sea-

shell and folk grave markers. After the last burials, the cemetery was practically forgotten and allowed to become overgrown. The cemetery was “rediscovered” in 2004 when Florida’s Turnpike Authority officials were at the site to discuss roadwidening plans. Ground-penetrating radar located the bodies, whose gravesites and headstones were buried under decades of weeds, downed trees, debris and neglect. Nearly 20 years ago, Wade, an Oakland native who is a past cemetery board president and has family members buried there, embarked on a mission to uncover her community’s cemetery. She and former Town Commissioner Phipps, who also served on the cemetery board, as well as local church members, initiated cleanup efforts but that work stopped and the land again became overrun with weeds, tall grass and. The town assumed responsibility of the cemetery from the cemetery board in 2014. A Boy Scout troop helped clean up the area and built a new entrance off Oakland Avenue. LAID TO REST

There are 48 visible marked graves — 16 that can be identified — in the historic cemetery. According to the report, “The remaining graves have either a temporary marker, a footstone or fragment of a headstone or base with no indication of who is buried in the grave.” The report stated this is a Christian cemetery, as indicated by spiritual headstone iconography and gravesite embellishments. Each identified gravesite includes a

Courtesy

Carry Coleman is among the 16 identifiable gravesites.

detailed description of the headstone and site as well as information gathered about the deceased. These are some of Oakland’s earliest residents. Aaron Herriott was born in 1860 and died Feb. 7, 1925. His headstone includes an etched hand pointing upward, “a symbol that the soul has risen to the heavens,” according to the report. He was one of seven children who never had any of his own after marriage. He was a teamster and owned his house. Joe Grady was born in 1856 and died 1919, and iconography indicates he was a Freemason. Two small flowers etched into the corners of the marker signify “eternal love, memory, youth, hope and sadness,” the report states. Grady worked as a day laborer, possibly for the nearby turpentine still. His cause of death was listed as pneumonia, but the report states the illness was likely the 1918 influenza pandemic. Liza Fulton, born in 1872, died in 1919. Etched into her headstone are a hand pointing up and a wreath representing spiritual victory. She was a laundress and a cook. James Arthur Wesley Walker was born in 1882 and died in 1918 from the Spanish Flu, one month after he registered for the World War I draft. He was a Freemason and a truck farm laborer. After his death, family members frequently decorated his grave with shards from butter dishes. It is believed his son, George Walker, also is buried in the cemetery, but the location is unknown. Robert Moses Johnson, born in 1899, died in 1918, likely of the influenza pandemic. His pedestal tombstone, although broken, is one of the more ornate and includes the inscription, “In loving remembrance of our dear one.” He was a farm laborer; his father, James Johnson, was the original cemetery trustee. Bettie L. McFarlane was born in 1916 and died the next year. Hers is the oldest marked grave remaining in the cemetery. Mabel Evelen Howell died in 1924 at age 4. Her stone includes a dove, the symbol of purity and the Holy Spirit. Tom Davis and Della Davis shared a tombstone. He died in 1937, and she joined him in 1944. He was born around 1875, and she was born about eight years later. They married in 1922, and by 1930 they owned their own home, valued at $800. Priscilla Taylor, born in 1905, died in 1923. It is likely her sister, Alma Taylor McNish, is buried in the cemetery as well. Carry E. Coleman died in 1921 of acute Bright’s Disease (now known as nephritis). She was born in either

IN OTHER BUSINESS n The commission approved phases 1B and 2 of the Briley Farms community.

n The Town Commission approved the consent agenda, which included an agreement between Oakland Avenue Charter School and Discover After School for the financial management of the after-school clubs, a special exception to serve alcohol at the Jan. 28 Oakland Heritage Day event, the town manager’s report, and the 2022-23 calendar for the Arts & Heritage Center. n The commission approved the annexation, Comp Plan amendment and rezoning of the property at 17500 Broad St. to allow the owners to connect to the town’s water system. n Commissioners approved the voluntary annexation requested by London Central LLC and Dowlat Nankissore, who owns land at 17987 and 17979 State Road 438. He said he wants to build a nursing home on the property. n Mayor Pro Tem Mike Satterfield read a proclamation honoring the contributions of Francine Coleman Postell, a lifelong resident of Oakland who served as mayor from 1987-89 and as a town commissioner in 1997-98.

1913, according to her stone, or in 1899, according to her death certificate. She has one of the more ornate headstones, which also reads “Gone to a better land …” and “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Mary Rich died in 1922, according to her headstone; but her death certificate lists her as Mary Ricks with a birth year of 1870 and a death date in 1923. She died of paralysis — likely a stroke. Mallie J. Pierce Eason was born in 1915 and died in 1943, 12 days after her marriage to Lewis Emanuel Eason of Ocoee. Her father was original cemetery trustee Solomon Pierce. Bulah Brunson was born in 1891 and died in 1927. Her headstone includes her name, dates of birth and death, and the word “Mother” in large block letters. Landscaping stones appeared to have been added later. She worked as a domestic. She died in a hospital of septic peritonitis from a pelvis abscess. Mamie Lue Dixon died in 1925 of “malaria fever after childbirth.” She was born in 1899. Joseph Johnson was born between 1887 and 1890 and died in 1939. He was drafted for service in World War I and also worked as a laborer for the

ACL Railroad, a farm laborer and a clothes presser. Willie James Crosky died in 1949, and his gravesite was identified by a simple metal marker. A portion of the paper set behind glass remains legible. Janice Manigo was born around 1877 and died in 1934. Her metal marker was discovered in 2014 but was not found during this survey. She was a domestic servant and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Richard Croskey was born around 1877. He was a laborer on a truck farm. He died in 1936 of cerebrospinal syphilis at the Orange County Home. The note on the undertaker’s card states the “family came for body … Done their own work.” The casket cost was $14.50. Catherine Geddis’ grave was not found during this survey, but the report states an interview in 2004 with her granddaughter, Masrine Gibson, indicated she was buried in the cemetery. Gibson remembered periodically cleaning up the cemetery and enjoying a picnic lunch. She said her grandmother was a freeborn woman who was born in 1880 and died on her birthday in 1938. Tom Leonard’s grave also was not found during this survey, but Gibson, his stepdaughter, remembered her last visit to the cemetery was for his burial in 1945. He was a sawmill laborer. Many graves are marked with portions of headstones or metal markers, but those stones or paper inserts are now illegible, mostly because of weathering. “Several other possible graves were marked with metal candle holders, a metal hook or metal flower holder,” according to the report. “One grave, identified in 2008, was marked by a Ford Model T axle, but that item was not found in this survey.” MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The maintenance plan will include removing brush and vegetation at least once a month; assessing trees, trimming and removing dead limbs or trees prior to hurricane season, and inspecting the cemetery after each big storm; properly cleaning headstones; and conducting yearly condition assessments for grave markers and cemetery landscape. An outline of grave market stabilization and repair was provided, as well. PVC pipes have been placed where bodies are known to be buried, even if there is no identification. A memorial kiosk will be installed with a general history of the cemetery. Other possibilities include forming a cultural history and education tour of the town that would include the cemetery, identifying it as a birdwatching sanctuary, and creating a space for contemplative and spiritual reflection. “Without the two of you we wouldn’t be where we are now,” Mayor Pro Tem Mike Satterfield told Wade and Phipps. “We owe you a lot of gratitude,” Commissioner Sal Ramos told the women.

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Andrea Mujica, amujica@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Senior Graphic Designer / Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

Courtesy photos

Innovation Montessori High School in Ocoee featured its first graduating class in 2022 with 10 students.

A place to call their own ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

nnovation Montessori Ocoee is expanding its educational opportunities as it moves its charter high school to a new, separate campus on East Silver Star Road next month. The school has been growing since its opening in Winter Garden as a private preschool and K-8 charter school in 2011. Although IMO and Innovation Montessori High School have shared a campus since the high school’s launch, IMHS now will move from the location’s portables on the current campus at North Lakewood Avenue to its new home for the beginning of the new school year. IMHS Principal Jared Stewart said he is most excited about the opportunity to be in a permanent space and not function out of the temporary classrooms. “It’s exciting to see what that new space has become — being able to take the feedback that we’ve gotten from the students and the teachers and put that into practice,” he said. “We are always looking for ways to improve and to grow, and it’s essential for us to hear from our students and staff and take those thoughts and make them a reality as much as possible.” BUILDING BREAKDOWN

The construction began in June and will be completed by the end of July, with the exception of a few special projects continuing in the future. The 31,000-square-foot campus on 4.33 acres was set at a budget of $5.972 million for the purchase and renovations. The school will start with 170 students with a student capacity of 288 — 72 planned for each grade level. The expansion will allow for the growth of athletic and extracurricular programs, as well as allow high school students to utilize their own space to collaborate outside of shared classrooms. Both Stewart and Assistant Principal Lashae Copeland worked to bring in students over the summer to have discussions about what they would like to see in the new campus. Stewart said the Montessori philosophy

Students will utilize the new space to collaborate outside of shared classrooms.

is that education should be studentcentered and driven by their needs and interests. “The students are really excited about the opportunity to put their fingerprints on the campus,” he said. “We’ve kind of created a campus that’s somewhat of a blank canvas so that our students can come in and pick what they would like to see in terms of what they connect to and feel passionate about.” Copeland said she also is excited about the opportunity for students to have ownership over the new location. “I’m also excited to see how we can continue our legacy of community and culture that we have established here,” she shared. “We have a really welcoming environment both for our staff and students, and they really feel that, so that’s exciting to see how that’s going to translate into our new building and what new culture we also build on top of what is already established.” GOVERNING GROWTH

IMO was founded by a group of dedicated Montessori parents, from West Orange Montessori, who decided they were willing to do whatever it took to create an opportunity for their children to continue their Montessori

“We’ve kind of created a campus that’s somewhat of a blank canvas so that our students can come in and pick what they would like to see in terms of what they connect to and feel passionate about.” — Jared Stewart, IMHS principal

LEARN MORE

IMHS website: innovationmontessori.com/imhs-info Email: office@innovationmontessori.com New location: 1475 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee

education beyond kindergarten. The group applied for a charter and rented a suite in a strip mall off Plant Street, opening the doors of the school in August 2011. As the school grew, the organization added more suites to the space before realizing it was time for a bigger move. After finding no luck in the Winter Garden area, the Montessori’s board of directors eventually connected with the city of Ocoee, which in January 2017 gave the school approval to build IMO in a new location and with a new name, on 18 wooded acres within its city limits. IMO Executive Director Patrice Cherico, who joined the school in its fourth year, said by the time she joined, the school was already discussing much-needed additional space. Cherico said the school’s leaders always knew they most likely wanted to write a high school charter as well and accomplished the goal in 2018. Although the high school originally intended to stay in its current location (the school purchased an additional piece of property off Fullers Cross Road in Ocoee), like so many others during the pandemic, the school struggled with supply-chain issues, as well as the cost of materials and building. Cherico said the cost of the build-

ing doubled while they were planning it. Around October 2021, Cherico approached their school choice director at Orange County Public Schools, who told her about the school off Clarke and Silver Star roads, Kids Community College — Orange Campus, which is in foreclosure. IMHS reached out and was able to purchase the property. The original purchased land will be transformed into a drive line off Fullers Cross Road. This will allow those who are coming to the school from the west to have easier access and for the construction of a soccer field. The portables on the current campus will be demolished and transformed into a basketball court. IMHS hosted its first graduating class this past school year with 10 graduates, planning for a potential 16 this coming year and its first full class of 72 graduates when the current ninth-grade class reaches its senior year. Cherico said one of the key aspects of the school is its Innovation Incubator, through which students learn creativity skills and then launch into an ideation phase for a new business, a service organization, a nonprofit or even a new invention. Through the incubator, criticalthinking intensives and seminars provide students tools to evaluate their work, along with input from students, faculty and advisers. Students also learn business and practical operational management skills as they prepare to launch their individual incubator project. FORMING THE FUTURE

As the school continues to grow, Stewart hopes it will be able to offer more elective programs, including more hands-on practical life skills, as well as an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. “There will be a lot of collaboration among students, and even the teachers, to create opportunities for students to work in a variety of different subject-area disciplines to create this holistic project or to learn things from multiple perspectives simultaneously,” he said. “Being able to establish ourselves as pillars in the community, and being able to connect with other community organizations and businesses, creating those partnerships, will also give our students a way to experience life outside of an academic setting.” IMO recently finished two accreditations as a collective organization, a Cognia accreditation and International Montessori Council accreditation.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan Carter, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Ocoee native Christina Bianco said she is learning patience and discipline during her service in the U.S. Navy.

For Seaman Christina Bianco, serving in the Navy “means I’m protecting my family. We stand duty on the oceans for those who can’t.” BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST JOHN SORENSEN NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

PEARL HARBOR — A 2017 Ocoee High School graduate and Ocoee native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific — RIMPAC. Seaman Christina Bianco is an undesignated sailor aboard USS Chafee, currently operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. A Navy undesignated sailor gets to try many jobs on the ship before deciding which career path they want to choose. Today, Bianco uses skills and values similar to those learned in Ocoee. “We all leave our homes for a reason, but I bring my family values with me wherever I go,” Bianco said. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. The participating nations and forces exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic training program includes gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, as well as amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations. “I thought it was really cool to work with the boatswain’s mates,” Bianco said. “I learned how to moor our ship as well as how all the ships from other countries tie up to the piers. Not everyone gets to see how other nations work together.” Serving in the Navy means Bianco is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of

the National Defense Strategy. “The Navy keeps the enemies away from our homeland,” Bianco said. “The Navy is the backbone of freedom. We are on land and in the ocean to keep the peace.” With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiberoptic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the U.S. is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy. According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities and capacity. “For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” Gilday said. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.” Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2022 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as Combined Task Force commander. Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Robinson will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Toshiyuki Hirata as the vice commander, and Fleet Marine Force will be led by U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Paul O’Grady of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Brig. Gen. Mark Goulden of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will command the air component. “I’m proud of learning patience, discipline and stepping into adulthood,” Bianco said.“Discipline is important in life.” During RIMPAC, a network of capable, adaptive partners train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2022 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Bianco and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. “Serving in the Navy means I’m protecting my family,” Bianco said. “We stand duty on the oceans for those who can’t.”

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Ocoee native participates in international maritime warfare exercise

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

A long journey ahead HOW TO HELP To make a donation to the Martinez family on the GoFundMe page, visit bit. ly/3PJlrmc. The family also is accepting gift cards for food and clothing, and those can be dropped off at Franco’s Pizzeria, 5 W. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Monetary donations can be left there as well. “Franco’s has been a blessing and has been so good to Jackie over the years with helping me fundraise for her,” said Debbie Calderon, a close friend of Jackie Martinez.

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Jackie Martinez was eating breakfast about six weeks ago when she suddenly couldn’t see. “Everything went white,” she said. “I reached for my coffee cup and couldn’t find it.” Unable to walk or think clearly, she managed to call to her teenage daughter, who notified her father and brother. An emergency trip to the hospital determined she has a tumor growing on her spine, and it was putting pressure on two other tumors in her brain. She immediately began radiation. This is just one of several heartbreaking hands Jackie and Gil Martinez have been dealt in recent years. She has survived breast cancer three times since 2009; it now has metastasized to her brain, and she is facing two weeks of radiation. Tragedy struck again last week, when a kitchen fire partially gutted the house in MetroWest’s Westchester subdivision the Martinez family has called home since 2008. The family — Gil and Jackie and their children, 16-year-old Raquel and 22-year-old Daniel — was not home at the time; Zeus, their 6-year-old Maltesepoodle, also survived because he was away from the house getting his teeth cleaned. Another daughter lives in New York. The kitchen and living room are a total loss, Jackie Martinez said, and smoke and water has damaged much of the rest of the house. The Martinezes are awaiting an insurance assessment and response from a restoration company. Meanwhile, the family has been staying with friends and living out of duffle bags. Their insurance company has arranged a one-week stay at a hotel on International Drive and then a monthlong stay at a local resort. The family plans to rebuild and move back in.

“The last my husband heard, the walls have to come down, and it all has to be redone inside,” Jackie Martinez said. “We don’t know the timeframe.” She said she has been too ill to go through the house but is hoping to salvage some of her clothes and the personal mementos stored in her closet. In addition to water and smoke damage, mold is another concern. “What we have is what my kids were able to grab that day,” Jackie Martinez said. “We probably have about two or three pieces of clothing each. We have had to buy some things. I haven’t been able to go shopping, obviously, so they’ve picked up a few things for me.” Jackie Martinez is unable to drive, so her daughter has been taking her to all her appointments. Her current treatment is 10 days of radiation on the tumor on her spine. “The doctor’s telling me it’s not so much the size but the location; it’s very sensitive,” she said. “He said the best thing is to do radiation immediately. It seems to be pushing on some nerves that affect my legs, and I have some issues with my legs. I walk with a cane. I’m just quite a bit slower now.” Jackie Martinez has been battling cancer since 2009, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and chemotherapy and was in remission until 2017, when it returned. It came back again the following year and had metastasized to her brain. She already was recovering from a round of radiation when the spinal tumor was discovered. “Jackie is the sweetest, most generous person I know, and she is a warrior,” said Debbie Calderon, a close friend. “Jackie and her family are wonderful, hard-working people. She has been unable to work for the last several years, so things are always very tight financially. Now this. It’s just not fair.” The Martinezes do not have family in the area, but they said the support from friends has been incredible. “People have been so kind, people I don’t know,” Jackie Martinez said. “Every little bit helps. … I was telling (my family) we have to put one foot in

The house fire originated in the kitchen and spread to the living room.

front of the other. It’s been very difficult.” “Jackie is exhausted mentally and physically, but her faith in God is keeping her going,” Calderon said. “This beautiful family still has so many needs.” “I don’t even have the energy to focus on me … but if I’m not strong enough, I can’t be there for my family,” Jackie Martinez said. “I just want to be in the place where if I don’t feel well, I can just lie down and relax. I have to focus on getting better, getting stronger. It’s going to be a long journey.”

Courtesy photos

Gil and Jackie Martinez have been staying with friends and moved to a hotel this week.

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August 2, 2022 August 9, 2022 August 16, 2022 August 17, 2022

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Regular Commission Meeting Canceled FY 2022/2023 Budget Workshop Regular Commission Meeting FY 2022/2023 Budget Workshop (if needed)

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W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

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THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION FROM THE ARCHIVES It was 115 years ago, on July 28, 1907, Gladys Dillard of Winter Garden mailed this postcard to Gladys Tilden, of Tildenville, who was vacationing at Seabreeze, Florida, at Daytona Beach. They were both about 13 years of age. The image depicts a tinted photograph of a steamer plying the Ocklawaha River, an arm of the St. John’s. Citrus and produce were shipped to railroads upstate from our region along this water route before the advent of Central Florida’s railroad system sped up the process. Steamers such as these were also used for transportation, mail delivery and pleasure cruising. Miss Dillard writes: “Hello Gladys, I guess you are having a fine time there. I received your card while in Jacksonville. There is nothing new here. Mary Fowler has the typhoid fever. Hope it will not be serious. Winter Garden has got a nice sidewalk and will soon have a brick store.” The store she is referring to may be one that rose near the corner of Main and Plant streets after a fire leveled wooden shops located there. Check out more postal history at “We’ve Got Mail: the Postal Service in West Orange County,” on display at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum through Aug. 31.

80 years ago

A group of women met at the Ocoee Woman’s Club to sew bathrobes for the Red Cross.

75 years ago

Plans were underway for West Orange County Post 4305, Veterans of Foreign Wars, for a new home to be located on a lot donated by R.M. Ficquette. The idea was for the VFW to be conveniently located between Ocoee and Winter Garden. George Bray was post commander. Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Burch received several letters from their son, Joe, who was vacationing with buddies in Alaska. Being adept at writing, he related some interesting episodes of the long journey through Canada to Fairbanks.

70 years ago

With additional teaching personnel, Lakeview High School would offer industrial arts and speech and possibly Latin.

50 years ago

A familiar sight at Disney World commuters was the smiling face of Jerry Carris, conductor on the railroad that circled the Magic Kingdom. Carris, a teacher at Lakeview High, was enjoying his off-season career. Nearly 60 Winter Garden merchants, businessmen and interested citizens gathered at the Winter Garden Inn to hear the recommendations of a team of professional architects for improving the appearance of the downtown business area.

40 years ago

A women’s tennis match between a team from West Orange Country Club and one made up of Ocoee players ended in a 4-4 tie. Director of the host team was Judy Britt, and Ocoee director was Donnie McWaters. Others playing were

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

THROWBACK THURSDAY JULY 30, 1992 Toys “R” Us was advertising in The West Orange Times several years before a location opened in West Orange County. The West Oaks Mall opened in Ocoee in October 1996, and “the world’s biggest toy store” was built adjacent to the mall on West Colonial Drive. In July 1992, the store announced “awesome low prices on Genesis and Super Nintendo.” For less than $100, gamers could have a Super Nintendo control set, which included one unit and controller, or a Sega Genesis Core System, with 16-bit power, color graphics and a built-in digital sound.

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

Fran Stanford, Andy Davis, Phyllis Hickman, Jackie Brown, Delia Schley, Mary Ann Collings and Robbie Reeves for West Orange; and Laurine Powers, Angie Hagar, Barb Hornbuckle, Sarah Benson, Linda Jackson and Veryl Warner for Ocoee.

20 years ago

The new Walmart Supercenter scheduled its grand opening for next month in Ocoee. The

211,030-square-foot building was designed and constructed within the requirements of the city’s ordinance relating to enhanced development along the busy roadway. This store featured fountains, additional architectural details, a covered walkway, an outdoor patio and extensive landscaping. It was the most upscale supercenter the company had built so far. Joe and Donna Worsham, of Ocoee, left on a three-year assign-

ment in Cyprus. He was a former principal of West Orange and Cypress Creek high schools and was to be principal of the American Academy of Nicosia, a private Christian school. Mark Maciel returned home to Winter Garden after serving nine months in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He was called up after 9/11 and performed military missions in support of the war on terrorism.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

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DR. PHILLIPS

The home at 9810 Camberley Circle, Orlando, sold July 19, for $980,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,730 square feet. Days on market: 10.

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The home at 8008 Firenze Blvd., Orlando, sold July 19, for $2,050,000. This home is one of the only in the community to offer an 80-foot-wide lake view.

BRISTOL PARK

The home at 9237 Wickham Way, Orlando, sold July 21, for $725,000. Built in 1995, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,083 square feet. Days on market: Four. DIAMOND COVE

The home at 8043 Glitter Court, Orlando, sold July 20, for $695,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,006 square feet. Days on market: 54. EMERALD FOREST

The home at 8657 Tara Oaks Court, Orlando, sold July 25, for $685,000. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,088 square feet. Days on market: Four. GRANADA VILLAS

The home at 8218 Borgia Court, Orlando, sold July 19, for $499,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,533 square feet. Days on market: Two. HIDDEN ESTATES

THE KING’S ACADEMY

The home at 5436 Split Pine Court, Orlando, sold July 25, for $540,500. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,376 square feet. Days on market: Three.

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The home at 6861 Parson Brown Drive, Orlando, sold July 19, for $670,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,235 square feet. Days on market: Four. PHILLIPS LANDING

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The home at 8207 White Swan Court, Orlando, sold July 21, for $765,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,904 square feet. Days on market: 60.

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BRAEMAR

The home at 2012 Lake Fischer Cove Lane, Gotha, sold July 21, for $1,199,900. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,090 square feet. Days on market: Three.

HORIZON WEST

AVALON RESERVE

The home at 1105 Vinsetta Circle, Winter Garden, sold July 22, for $750,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,261 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two. EDENS HAMMOCK

The townhouse at 14083 Ancilla Blvd., Windermere, sold July 19, for $418,500. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,642 square feet. Days on market: 10. HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 16189 Johns Lake Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $1,235,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,479 square feet. Days on market: 49. LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 13250 Strode Lane, Windermere, sold July 20, for $471,575. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,700 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight. LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 12881 Holdenbury Lane, Windermere, sold July 21, for $629,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,763 square feet. Days on market: Two. LAKES OF WINDERMERE — PEACHTREE

The home at 5646 Spring Run Ave., Orlando, sold July 18, for $570,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,165 square feet. Days on market: 28.

The home at 8624 Greenbank Blvd., Windermere, sold July 18, for $500,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,726 square feet. Days on market: 14.

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GOTHA

The home at 8008 Firenze Blvd., Orlando, sold July 19, for $2,050,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 7,174 square feet. Days on market: Six.

The home at 4306 Old Sycamore Loop, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $930,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,050 square feet. Days on market: 12.

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OBSERVER

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 68 High Sale Price: $2,050,000 Low Sale Price: $136,000

The home at 4807 Palmetto Park Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 21, for $780,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,571 square feet. Days on market: Six. ROYAL LEGACY ESTATES

The home at 9277 Royal Estates Blvd., Orlando, sold July 18, for $780,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,241 square feet. Days on market: Eight. STOREY GROVE

The home at 15126 Book Club Road, Winter Garden, sold July 22, for $560,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,112 square feet. Days on market: 15. SUMMERLAKE

The home at 14720 Arctic Tern Lane sold July 18, for $650,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,798 square feet. Days on market: 15. VINEYARDS AT HORIZON WEST

The home at 6769 Bridgewater Village Road sold July 19, for $545,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,115 square feet. Days on market: Three. WATERLEIGH

The home at 8765 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 22, for $1,021,500. Built in 2022, it has

five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,911 square feet. Days on market: Three.

CAMBRIDGE VILLAGE

The home at 573 Neumann Village Court, Ocoee, sold July 18, for $390,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,594 square feet. Days on market: Two. KENSINGTON MANOR

The home at 1548 Whitefriar Drive, Ocoee, sold July 21, for $452,500. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,295 square feet. Days on market: 25. LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1763 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold July 22, for $372,319. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,941 square feet. Days on market: 21.

HILLCREST

The home at 1309 Vic Kay Court, Winter Garden, sold July 22, for $775,000. Built in 1990, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,589 square feet. Days on market: 21. LAKE ROBERTS LANDING

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The home at 2012 Lake Fischer Cove Lane, Gotha, sold July 21, for $1,199,900. It was the largest transaction in Gotha from July 16 to 22.

PRESERVE AT CROWN POINT

The home at 2108 Donahue Drive, Ocoee, sold July 21, for $493,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,874 square feet. Days on market: Three. SILVER BEND

The home at 2246 Alclobe Circle, Ocoee, sold July 20, for $387,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,388 square feet. Days on market: Three. WESTON PARK

The home at 823 Galit Lane, Ocoee, sold July 18, for $401,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,764 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WEST ORANGE

WINDERMERE LANDINGS

The home at 6146 Golden Dewdrop Trail, Windermere, sold July 19, for $1,050,000. Built in 2012, it has seven bedrooms, five baths and 4,751 square feet. Days on market: 19.

WINDERMERE

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6016 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold July 22, for $1,310,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,985 square feet. Days on market: One. realtor.com

The home at 16719 Sanctuary Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $810,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from July 16 to 22.

The home at 12782 Daughtery Lane, Winter Garden, sold July 20, for $460,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,705 square feet. Days on market: 25.

The home at 8804 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 20, for $969,153. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,911 square feet. Days on market: Three.

OCOEE

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

GROVEHURST

The home at 10309 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $990,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,769 square feet. Days on market: Two.

The home at 16286 Rock Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $818,200. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,911 square feet. Days on market: 51.

LAKE DOWN CREST

The home at 9100 Down Crest Way, Windermere, sold July 22, for

$1,140,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,827 square feet. Days on market: 16. WINDERMERE

The home at 3074 Downs Cove Road, Windermere, sold July 20, for $960,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,800 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WINTER GARDEN BRADFORD CREEK

The home at 14216 Creekbed Circle, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $840,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,464 square feet. Days on market: Six. CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 2007 Bay Clover Drive sold July 20, for $669,500. Built in 2010, it has five bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,290 square feet. Days on market: 20. The home at 2203 Redmark Lane, Winter Garden, sold July 22, for $590,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,602 square feet. Days on market: Four. COOPER AND SEWELL ADDITION

The home at 229 N. Highland Ave., Winter Garden, sold July 22, for $442,000. Built in 1925, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,720 square feet. Days on market: 25.

The home at 2107 Lake Roberts Landing Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 20, for $725,000. Built in 2010, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,773 square feet. Days on market: 12. REGENCY OAKS

The home at 664 Home Grove Drive sold July 22, for $550,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,483 square feet. Days on market: 19. SANCTUARY AT TWIN WATERS

The home at 16719 Sanctuary Drive, Winter Garden, sold July 18, for $810,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,836 square feet. Days on market: 12. STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2383 Baronsmede Court sold July 18, for $598,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,572 square feet. Days on market: 25. TILDEN PLACE

The home at 14378 Wabasso Loop, No. 0036, sold July 18, for $723,405. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,626 square feet. Days on market: 63. TUSCANY

The home at 1673 Victoria Way, Winter Garden, sold July 21, for $625,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,149 square feet. Days on market: Four. WATERSIDE AT JOHNS LAKE

The home at 1473 Viscaya Cove Blvd. sold July 21, for $550,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,502 square feet. Days on market: 32.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

TOWN OF OAKLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, FUTURE LAND USE MAP FOR .62 ACRES

TOWN OF OAKLAND NOTICE OF CHANGE OF USE ZONING MAP DESIGNATION PUBLIC HEARING

The Town of Oakland will hold a second and final public hearing and proposes to adopt an ordinance to amend the Future Land Use Plan Map of the Comprehensive Plan for property located at 302 East Oakland Avenue, Oakland, Florida, containing approximately .62 acres, as follows:

THIS WILL BE A HYBRID IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL MEETING The Town of Oakland will hold a second and final public hearing to consider rezoning certain property located at 302 East Oakland Avenue, containing approximately .62 acres.

ORDINANCE 2022-16

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE TOWN’S FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP DESIGNATION OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL IN THE TOWN OF OAKLAND’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY IDEAL BUILDER 5, LLC, BEING ORANGE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER PARCEL NUMBER 21-22-27-0000-00-012; LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: 302 EAST OAKLAND AVENUE, WITH AN APPROXIMATE SIZE OF .62 ACRES; MAKING FINDINGS, AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ORDINANCE 2022-17

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OAKLAND, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN’S OFFICIAL ZONING MAP DESIGNATION FROM R-1A, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO C- 1, COMMERCIAL FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY IDEAL BUILDER 5, LLC, BEARING PROPERTY TAX PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 21-22-27-0000-00-012, AND MAKING FINDINGS, AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Site Map:

General Site Description: Approximately .62 acres, located at 302 East Oakland Avenue on the south side of Oakland Avenue. Location Map: A second and final public hearing will be held on the request as follows:

A second and final public hearing will be held on the request as follows:

OAKLAND TOWN COMMISSION DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 WHERE: Town Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington Street, Oakland, FL WHEN: 7:00 P.M. or VIRTUALLY: See Join Zoom Meeting Instructions below

OAKLAND TOWN COMMISSION DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 WHERE: Town Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington Street, Oakland, FL WHEN: 7:00 P.M. or VIRTUALLY: : See Join Zoom Meeting Instructions below All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to accommodate social distancing. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal.

All hearings are open to the public however attendance inside the Oakland Meeting Hall may be limited to accommodate social distancing. A copy of the request can be inspected at the Town Hall. Any party appealing a land use decision made at a public hearing must ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the evidence and testimony that is the basis of the appeal.

The time and/or location of public hearings are subject to change. Changes are announced at the initial scheduled hearing. Notice of any changes will not be published or mailed.

Any person needing special accommodations to attend a public hearing must contact Elise Hui, Town Clerk, at 407-656-1117 x 2110, at least 24 hours before the meeting.

This meeting will be held as an in-person meeting and livestreamed to Zoom. Attendees may watch the livestream of the meeting via the Zoom link below, however, attendees will be in listen-only mode and will not have the opportunity to provide public comment virtually. Any interested party is invited to offer comments about this request in-person at the public hearing or in advance by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2022, in writing to the Town of Oakland, PO Box 98, Oakland FL 34760, or by e-mail to ehui@oaklandfl.gov.

Topic: August 9, 2022, Town Commission Regular Meeting

Time: August 9, 2022, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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

Puzzle Two Clue: W equals M

SPREAD HAPPINESS by Hanh Huynh. Edited by David Steinberg

Puzzle One Clue: O equals T

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

7-28-22

385823-1

10A

JULY 28, 2022

SPORTS

Annelie McGhee recently was named to the NISCA Girls 2022 Water Polo All-American list. Page 2B.

HIGH

CFCA hosts 2022 QB Shootout, Battle in the Pit

More than 200 athletes from the area participated in the camp, where former NFL players shared their knowledge of the game.

Lake Buena Vista High released information about the sports passes for the 2022-23 academic year. Passes will provide admission to all home sports events. Family pass is $150 and admits four people, adult pass is $75 and student pass is $50. For more information, visit lakebuenavistahsathletics.com.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Windermere High School football team is working on developing the character of the young athletes on the team. On Friday, July 22, the team spent the day serving at the Southeastern Food Bank to learn about the importance of serving the community. Head football coach Riki Smith said, “I was very proud of our players on Friday morning.”

The Windermere Wildfire 16U softball team was named USA Softball Nationals Champions, ending with an overall score of 6-1 after defeating the Atlanta Vipers Hargrave, which had an overall 6-2 score.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Windermere Prep’s strength and conditioning program was recognized recently by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as the winner for the Strength of America Award. The program was also recognized by the national High School Strength Coaches Association as a Program of Excellence. The Lakers are one of seven schools in the country being recognized with both.

The First Academy announced Adrienne Pilz as its new 202223 middle school physical education and varsity cheer coach.

DPLL softball makes history The girls were named state runners-up at the Junior League Softball State Tournament. ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Although falling one game short of a state championships always comes with a twinge of disappointment, the Dr. Phillips Little League junior softball team has plenty of pride after a successful 2022 campaign. After DP dominated postseason play — scoring 114 runs while allowing only 39 runs — the girls faced a formidable opponent in San Mateo (Jacksonville), which dominated them 11-1 at the end of the Junior League Softball State Tournament, held July 8 to 10 at Tampa Bay Little League. Despite the loss, the team SEE MAKING PAGE 2B

TRUE TO

FORM Horizon West 12-year-old Noah Sidabutar is a three-time taekwondo world champion. ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

orizon West resident and Ocoee Victory Martial Arts student Noah Sidabutar became a three-time taekwondo world champion after competing at the Tournament of Champions July 13 in Phoenix, Arizona. “It feels great,” he said. “A lot of my friends, they sit at home and play video games, and it’s very awesome to know that I’m not sitting at home being lazy during the summer but instead I am training. I am practicing, and this is going to help me set up a good future for myself.” Last year, Noah attended the Tournament of Champions with his family. This year, it was strictly a “business trip” — he only went with his mother, Juliann Sidabutar. As a member of the demonstration team, Noah arrived to the convention center a day early to practice with the demonstration team and to go over his routine prior to the competition. “It’s better if you go last at worlds,” he said. “Because the judges, if you are the last one, they have you fresh in their memory when they are deciding who will win.”

An American Taekwondo Assocition Martial Arts Organization competitor, Noah participated in several tournaments this year that earned him top ranking spots prior to competition at the ATA World Championships. For Creative Form and Xtreme form, Noah was ranked No. 2, so he went second to last. For Xtreme Weapon, he was third in the world but because of a tie, he went fourth to last. THE BEGINNING

Before taekwondo, Noah, 12, tried myriad sports — including baseball, basketball, soccer and swimming. But, nothing resonated with him quite like the martial art form, which he discovered at age 7 as a student at Victory Martial Arts in Altamonte Springs and then in Ocoee. “I liked it from the first class; I was pretty good so I kept going with it,” he said. Noah is not the first in his family to practice the martial arts. His father, Immanuel Sidabutar, used to practice Indonesian taekwondo when he still lived in Indonesia, prior to movSEE HEAVY PAGE 3B

FAVORITE MOVE The double backflip — also the hardest for Noah Sidabutar to learn. It took him 18 months to perfect it. “It’s an acrobatic trick, you jump, you spin in the air twice when you also go upside down.”

Creative Form: Taekwondo practitioners must demonstrate their techniques by choreographing their own form, usually with music. For this form, they cannot do a move that involves more than 360 degrees. Acrobatics are not allowed in this form. Creative Weapon: The same rules of creative form apply to this category, with the difference that taekwondo practitioners are able to use a weapon. In the ATA, the weapon cannot be released or thrown into the air. However, neck rolls, back rolls and strikes are allowed. Xtreme Form: Competitors have to demonstrate a form that reflects the essence and values of ATA-Xtreme, and at least 50% of the form must be original. All types of kicks and combinations are allowed, as long as they are approved by the instructor regarding safety. The first aspect evaluated is the quality of the taekwondo technique. The second aspect includes five categories— creativity, difficulty, presentation, attitude and for Xtreme Weapon, control of the weapon. Music is allowed but not mandatory.

Central Florida Christian Academy simultaneously hosted the 2022 Orlando QB Shootout and the Battle in the Pit Saturday, July 16, for the first time. “This is my home, this is my base, this is where I do all my events now,” said coach Lo Wood, who is CEO of Excel Speed and Fitness Training LLC. “I go to church here, I got baptized here, and God led me here.” Wood held the Battle in the Pit at CFCA for the first time in 2020, but the event didn’t take place again until this year. With the collaboration of retired Arena League quarterback Collin Drafts, who also was present on the field coaching children, CFCA has been the location for the QB Shootout for the last two years. “This is a time for kids to come together, train together and get better (with the help) of coaches who actually did this camp when they were younger,” Wood said. The O-Liners and D-Liners had great mentors at The Pit, who provided athletes with invaluable knowledge of the game. Willie Anderson, former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle; Aaron Jones Sr., first round of the 1988 defensive end draft pick for the Pittsburg Steelers; and Warren Sapp, Hall of Famer, provided athletes with invaluable knowledge of the game. Parents sat down around The Pit to watch the camp unfold despite the high temperatures and the blazing sun. During the QB Shootout, notable names provided athletes with professional training. Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Andy Jones, former Steelers running back Brandon Brown Dukes, former Arizona Cardinals corner back Drico Johnson and former Buffalo Bills linebacker Anthony Fieldings were on the field interacting with athletes and performing drills. Quarterback Braxton Woodson from Lake Brantley High met Wood last year and attended the event for the first time this year. “There (are) a lot of coaches here that have NFL experience; there’s about 1,000 years of experience combined,” he said. “I just want to soak up all the knowledge and learn everything I can about the position.” The event also served as an opportunity to bridge the gap between youth coaches and high school coaches to “find a way to help the SEE CFCA PAGE 2B

Xtreme Weapon: The competitors have to demonstrate a weapon that reflects the essence and values of ATA-Xtreme, and at least 50% of the performance must be original. For this form, there is no limit to the number of tricks that can be performed, and the competitor is allowed to release the weapons. Music is allowed but not mandatory. Traditional Form: For second-degree black belts, which is Noah Sidabutar’s belt, the ATA form is called Jung Yul, which translates to, “With your noble character, you will develop a new permanence in your life.”

Andrea Mujica

Masters Academy running back and linebacker Leandro Gutierrez took advantage of the camp.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

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

Annelie McGhee Windermere resident and Olympia High senior Annelie McGhee recently was named to the NISCA Girls 2022 Water Polo All-American list. McGhee will compete at the Junior Olympics with the 18U Sarasota United team July 28 to 31 in Dallas. She will attempt to defend the championship title from last year. McGhee also plays with the Orlando Thunder club and recently was named an Olympia High top 5 athlete with 114 career steals, 82 goals, 55 assists, 43 swim offs, 32 drawn ejections and four blocked shots.

When did you first start playing water polo? My freshman year, when I was 14, I think. I did swim first, and then my coach (Rachel Bednarek) walked me down the hall to her office in the middle of class, and she told me, “You’re going to try water polo.” She is the coach for both sports — (swimming and water polo). So, I ended up trying it, and I loved it.

THE BASICS

AGE: 17 SCHOOL: Olympia High SPORT: Water polo, swimming POSITION: Utility STYLE: Breaststroke GRADE: Rising senior

Which sport do you enjoy more, swimming or water polo? Water polo (because) I like playing for a team. I like how you can depend on so many people, and the sport is just so much fun. What is your favorite thing to do at practice? Why? Probably scrimmaging. It’s when we play at the end of practice. That’s probably my favorite, because we are playing. I would rather play than just do drills and shooting.

How do you feel about being named to the NISCA Girls 2022 Water Polo All-American list? I actually didn’t know until my friend texted me, and I was like, “Wow, that’s crazy.” I’ve always wanted to get that title ever since my freshman year.

When did you compete for the first time? With what team? Last year, with the Sarasota United. Tell us about your experience at the National Championships earlier this year? It was kind of like a national qualifier for people who play the sport in all of the United Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

kids be prepared for high school,” Wood said. Local high school coaches who participated in the event included Rodney Wells from Dr. Phillips High, Aaron Sheppard from Ocoee High, Jeremy Campbell from CFCA and Leroy Kinard from The First Academy. The event was open for athletes between 5 years old and high school seniors, totaling around 220 ath-

have local high school head coaches, college coaches and a pro football Hall of Famer, the entire city (wants) to be a part of it.” The event not only offered field training for those interested but also included seminars where parents were able to learn about the recruiting process. “To sum it up, great knowledge, great information, great coaches, great kids,” Wood said. “When all is said and done, a nice meal to go home with.”

States. It was fun, and I played with the same girls from the Sarasota United (team), so we kind of had some experience playing with (one another). It went pretty well; it was fun. What is your daily routine? In the summer we usually have morning practices. Then I go home, and I usually go to the gym after, and then go home again.

What TV series are you bingewatching right now? “All-American.” It’s definitely my favorite show. What is your favorite food? Sushi — Godzilla roll. And favorite dessert? I don’t think I have one. Maybe ice cream, mint cookies and cream. Who is your favorite superhero? Probably Iron Man, because it’s the first movie from the Marvel movies. If you are going to see them, that’s where you start. Three things you enjoy doing on your free time? I like to go surfing; I grew up surfing. The gym. I like to read. I read “The Knife of Never Letting Go.” It’s a dystopian. Best vacation place you’ve visited? California. We went to Yosemite in January. It’s the most beautiful place that I’ve ever seen. If you could have a superpower, which one would it be and why? Be able to fly. I wouldn’t have to get on an airplane. Three things you would take with you to a deserted island? Water, a knife and a tent. If you could do one thing for the rest of your life, which one would it be? Why? I wish I could play water polo for the rest of my life, but there may not that many options with that. Probably doing something with criminology.

Andrea Mujica

The girls of the Dr. Phillips Little League have been learning versatile skills under the team’s current coaching staff.

Making history CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

earned the state runner-up title for the first time to go along with its Section 5 championship and District 14 championship. This year, they were led by Manager Brian Wimberly and coaches Colin Church, Reston Grosch, Hunter Robinson and Richard Ruiz. Wimberly employed a team-first mentality throughout the season. “You’ll see a significant difference from the way I coach,” he said. “During regular season, we are developing girls on every position.” This year, the team had about five players who were able to get on the mound and pitch. Other softball teams usually have one or two regular pitchers. “The beauty of it is that the girls start getting behind the girl (who is) on the mound (who) hasn’t been on the mound all season long,” Wimberly said. “So, they are rallying around her; it builds team perspective.” Wimberly not only teaches the girls to play different positions inside and outside the diamond but also how to get through the rough parts of life outside the field.

THE TEAM Elizabeth Aguilar Olivia Church Camilla Delgado Liana Grosch Melanie Harrison Briana Lohr Nellie Robinson Samantha Rome Richelle Ruiz Hannah Vartti Reagan Wimberly THE STAFF Manager: Brian Wimberly Coaches: Colin Church, Reston Grosch, Hunter Robinson and Richard Ruiz

— ANDREA MUJICA

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letes, compared to 60 the first year Wood hosted the event. “Being here at the Church at the Cross, it’s a great location from every angle of the highway,” Wood said. “It’s give the opportunity to kids to come from anywhere and to meet right here and come together.” “The turnout blew me away,” CFCA head football coach Jeremy Campbell said. “We had a good number of kids and coaches register, but the number of walk-ups really surprised me. … When you

What is your favorite movie? Why? “The Blind Side.” It was inspiring. I like heartfelt movies.

How do you feel about being top 5 at Olympia High in career highlights? I was excited about it. There are some really good water polo players, so I didn’t know I was going to be on there, which is kind of crazy, but I feel good about it.

What about competing at the Junior Olympics in Dallas for the second time next week? I’m more excited than I am scared. Because last year, I was scared, but the girls I played with are really nice. I love playing with them, because we all kind of have the same goal. This year, I am more excited to show colleges what I can do to see if they want me.

CFCA hosts QB Shootout

“You are teaching so much more — so many life lessons,” he said. “We talk about character traits all the time. … We talk about how do we handle things, mental toughness and so much more than just the softball angle. This game and baseball translate into life beautifully, because you work as a team and you work as an individual, and you (have) to excel at both.” Under Wimberly’s coaching, the girls bonded as teammates and, more importantly, as friends. “It really helps us on the field, because we are more connected, and we know what the other person is going to do,” shortstop and catcher Briana Lohr, 14, said of their friendships. “It helps with communication a lot.” Assistant coach Hunter Robinson believes winning against Windermere Little League really helped the girls start believing in themselves. “Every week, they just got better and better,” he said. “They fed off of (one another). … It was fun to watch them play.” First baseman and pitcher Richelle Ruiz, 14, has been playing at the Dr. Phillips Little League for about eight years and will be attending Olympia High in the fall. “Just playing at states alone was a crazy experience,” she said. “I honestly had fun, it was a cool time. … Getting to the field, watching other teams play, getting into the mindset and thinking about the plays — it was really surreal.” Shortstop, third baseman, second baseman and outfielder Elizabeth Aguilar, 14, has played with the team for four seasons total and will be heading to Dr. Phillips High in the fall. “I felt so much pressure at third base; I’ve never felt like that, and Shannon Till, Agent I’ve played so many ball games Fowler’s travel Grove 3279 Daniels Rd 34787 and that was theWinter firstGarden, timeFLever, ” she Free:rough. 855-742-1591 said. “That gameToll was ” www.shannontill.com Centerfielder, third baseman and pitcher Melanie Harrison, 14, has been playing for the team on and off

FUN FACTS “Usually in softball, the shortstops and the catcher are the two loudest players, because they call the plays. In our team the three players that play those positions are very shy but they kind of feed from the rest of the girls on the team.” — Coach Hunter Robinson

“We have a girl that has been playing here since T-ball — that’s an oddity.” — Manager Bryan Wimberly

“Over the years, we went to Reagan (Wimberly’s) house a few times, and we’d have pizza and pool parties. We’ve made a tradition of playing kickball together.” — Nellie Robinson

since third grade and consistently for the past two years. She’ll attend Olympia High School in the fall. “Sometimes, when we all get down, we all stop cheering,” she said. “But we knew for states, we had to be upbeat, and we couldn’t let anything affect us. So, cheering helped a lot, and we started every game very loud.” Pitcher and first baseman Nellie Robinson, 14, has been playing for the team since 2020. Even though she can still play another season with the team, she will be focusing on playing high school ball at Olympia high in the fall. “The first two games ... I was really in it,” she said. “I struck out a few people; they didn’t have many big hits. ... But then at the last game, we all got tired, and I threw a lot of balls.” Lohr has been a part of the team since she was 6 years old, when she started playing T-ball. She will attend Dr. Phillips High in the fall. “Not too long ago, this program wasn’t really developed,” she said. “For Dr. Phillips Little League, not We’re all in this together. many teams have gone to states. State Farm has a long tradition we’ve only Especially with softball, of being That’s one and reason had onethere. other team, they didn’t why I’mitproud to support WestSo for us to make to the finals. Orangeitcounty.. make and become runners-up was to a better . aGet really greatState accomplishment. ”

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WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

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According to his mom, Noah’s world championship title did not come without sacrifice and dedication. “Three years ago, he couldn’t even earn a district title,” Juliann Sidabutar said. “And then we started going to several ATA national tournaments, and he couldn’t even get a gold. … And we said, ‘Keep going, keep grinding, we support you.’” When COVID-19 hit, Noah’s family became a huge support system. They helped him cover the entire living room with mats. His parents enrolled him in classes at Orlando Parkour in Longwood, so he could

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

ing to the United States in 2002. At first, taekwondo was just a hobby to Noah. However, he snagged two second-place finishes — one in Creative Form and the other one in Traditional Form — in his first tournament. At his second tournament, Noah won his first gold medal. “(That’s when) I said, ‘I really want to do this,’” he said. It took Noah three years to earn his black belt. In June 2021, he achieved his second-degree blackbelt. “You have to undergo two years of curriculums,” Juliann Sidabutar said. “Then, you also have to do four midterm tests.” Noah said midterms are always harder than the actual belt test. The belt test is structured to fit every taekwondo student, but the midterms are tailored to the school’s standards and students’ abilities.

Creative Form: first place — defended the title from last year Creative Weapon: first place Extreme Form: first place Extreme Weapon: second place Demonstration Team: third place

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Ruby June Hall, age 86, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away July 20, 2022. June was born Oct. 19, 1935, in Kinston, Alabama. She is the daughter of T.P. and Ida Seay Anderson, and was a Winter Garden resident since 1949. She retired from Orange County Public Schools in 1995 and was a member of First Baptist Church of Winter Garden. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, R. Wendell Anderson; husband, Wilson Hall; son, Robert W. Hall; and grandson, Cody A. Hall. June is survived by sons, Thomas A. Hall (Ruth Ann Hall), Ralph W. Hall (Donna Hall) and daughter in-law Diane Hall; grandchildren, Stephen R. Hall (Krista Hall), Bradly J. Hall, Kevin W. Hall (Jennifer Hall), Sara E. Hall, Tara Hall; and six great-grandchildren, Logan, Hope, Mackenzie, Bentley, Mason and Lucas. Services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 22, at the Winter Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in June’s memory to Cornerstone Hospice (Tavares, Florida) or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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practice his acrobatics. “It’s been a lot of time (put in), a lot of money, a lot of energy, a lot of sacrifice,” his mom said. “His sisters have also sacrificed a lot (by) just waiting at the tournaments.” Both, Juliann and Immanuel Sidabutar are part of the staff at People of Faith Lutheran Church. Two weeks prior to worlds, Noah needed a bigger space to practice, so his parents helped him set up at the church and put the music on the speakers. “My dad (also) helped me train,” Noah said. “He woke me up at like 6:45 (in the morning) and said, ‘Go bike 6 miles,’ so I biked 6 miles. Then he told me, ‘Go run a mile,’ so I ran a mile.” Looking forward, the Sidabutars are looking to grow within the martial arts world. They currently are gathering information about the North American Sport Karate Association, to help Noah with his pursuit of new opportunities that may arise in the future.

RUBY JUNE HALL DIED JULY 20, 2022.

In addition to taekwondo, Noah has another interesting talent — he plays the drums for his family’s band, Sidabutar 5. Every Sunday, the family leads worship at the People of Faith Lutheran Church. “We practice one hour a day,” Juliann Sidabutar said. “We go through the set.” If you’d like to see the family playing together visit bit.ly/3b3QpGZ.

Heavy hitter

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

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FAMILY AFFAIR Courtesy photo

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Women’s studies class broadens perspective

SYDNEY HEITKAMP

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To you, July may be the month of pool parties, ice cream, fireworks and cookouts — but did you know July is a monumental month for women’s history? For years, July has been a month full of ideas, protests and change within women’s suffrage and history. Women who came generations before me have fought to ensure that I am able to proudly be a woman in the U.S., and although we have a long way to go, I am grateful for their achievements. This past school year, I was lucky enough to be able to take a women’s studies class at my high school, Windermere Preparatory School. This was the inaugural year of this class being available at WPS, and I am so grateful I got to be a part of the first group of students to experience this class. Going into this school year, I figured we would cover basic women’s history movements and struggles throughout American history — but little did I know, this class would cover much more. We started out the school year with discussions about what we thought women’s history meant, and we transitioned into discussing gender roles, gender terminology and gender inclusivity. The teacher of this course, Stephanie Immel, ensured every student was heard, felt safe and was comfortable discussing difficult topics in class. Furthermore, we incorporated current themes of pop culture into discovering women’s history, such as how comics have portrayed women

over the years. For example, how has Wonder Woman been portrayed when compared to male superheroes? How is her body different? How are her powers different? Each of these questions stemmed into larger in-class discussions that allowed students to share their opinions and ideas. Each day, students had the opportunity to share something with the class. It could be about a student’s day, a story a student recently heard, a burning question a student had or simply a thought. These moments in class also grew to become some of my favorites, because they allowed us to connect to one another and grow relationships before having heavy discussions in class. Also, these opening remarks often led to larger class discussions about current events, politics and how women fall into both categories. Windermere Prep is lucky enough to have a large variety of students from many different countries, cultures and backgrounds. My class had students from more than 10 different countries, which made discussions about women’s history spread beyond the U.S. and made conversations even richer with knowledge and learning. My experience extended beyond the classroom walls and made me more aware and interested in the role of women in society, the workplace and the world. If you do not have the opportunity to take this class, there are many achievements in women’s history you can celebrate anytime — especially in July. On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits sex discrimination in the work place. On July 2, 1979, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was released, and on July 20, 1942, the first class of Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps began at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE

How to apply to college Juniors and seniors: Take this application advice from someone who just went through it. SAT/ACT SCORES

KATIE STEED UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Dear upcoming juniors and seniors: Hi! My name is Katie Steed, and I am a freshman at the University of Central Florida. I’m here to give you some advice I wish I knew when I was applying to college. JUNIOR YEAR GRADES

It is kind of nerve-wracking, but the most important year in your high school career is your junior year. It is the year by which college will judge your admission and determine if your academic life is compatible with their school. Not to say that if you had a rough junior year, you’re not going to get into college — that is incorrect. It is just a base year that colleges look at because you apply to colleges in your early senior year. There isn’t enough information on your senior year yet to determine anything about you. Admission departments will look at all four years of high school, but because your junior year is the closest to you at the time, they look at this year the most. So all you can do is try your best, and don’t forget to have fun!

I know SAT/ACT scores are a little terrifying. I completely understand. I took my last SAT not even a year ago. It’s a very stressful process, but some tips can make your life easier when you’re taking an SAT or ACT. First of all, do not procrastinate studying for the test — even if it’s just 10 minutes a day after you finish your homework or you get home from school. Something is better than nothing. Don’t try to overload your brain with information the night before; it doesn’t work. Second, get a good night’s sleep before the test. Don’t try to cram all night, go to bed at 5 a.m. and then wake up at 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. test. You’re just going to set yourself up for failure. All you can do is just accept that whatever will happen will happen and just try to get some good rest. Third, don’t stress out about the number. I know the number is important for college admissions and Bright Futures scholarships, but you’re only going to be stressing out the whole time. Before you walk into the room, just take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I’m going to do my best, and that’s going to be OK with me.” Although your SAT/ACT scores are important, it is not going to make or break your college admissions. Your extracurriculars, grades and recommendations also will be considered. Don’t think that if you have a below-average SAT/ ACT score, then you’re not going into college. There are lots of other factors in your application process that can help make up for your lower test score.

COMMON APP

When you’re applying to colleges, the most useful tool to use is Common App. Common App is a website that has hundreds of universities across the country, including all the Ivies, and public and private universities. If you’re trying to apply to a United States university, I recommend you use Common App. It is just a really simple way to do something very complex. APPLICATIONS

Most people you see on the internet apply to 10, 15 or 20 schools at one time. Although that might be OK for them, I would not recommend that. I applied to five schools, and that was more than enough. When you apply for college, you want your application to stand out against others. You don’t have the time to put your one personal anecdote and spin on more than 10 applications. I recommend applying to about five to seven universities (and make sure at least one of those is a safety school). Also, I would recommend you write an entrance essay. Even though not every college requires one, write one anyway. When you submit your application to a college, you are just a number to them. They’re not going to know anything about you as a person except for some random information about your demographics. An entrance essay is one of the only opportunities you have as a student to become more than a number. They can look at you, see what matters in your life and connect with a person and not just an application. Although there are prompts you can choose from, you can write about anything you want. And I mean anything. Just make sure what you write is a true reflection of who you are.

SENIOR YEAR

Make sure you leave your senior year with no regrets. It is such a unique experience; have fun with it! Also, take some words of advice. By April of your senior year, you should know where you got into and basically where you think you’re going to school next year. DO NOT SLACK OFF! It is really easy to not want to do work when you know you’re going to a university, but that’s why colleges make you send in your final transcripts: to ensure you didn’t slack off once you got your acceptance. So just do your work and keep reminding yourself of the bigger picture. And one last thing, don’t let college admissions define your worth. It is really easy to idolize a college and base your whole life on one application. College admissions are so random and are not a reflection of you as a person or student. Just because you got into one university but didn’t get into another doesn’t mean you weren’t smart enough for that school. There are tons of factors that contribute to college admissions, and a lot of them have nothing to do with what was on your application. Don’t let a school determine your feelings about yourself. I did that with UCF. I wanted to get in, and I remember feeling, “If I don’t get into UCF, then I didn’t work hard enough in high school.” This was so not true, because I worked hard in high school. I’m extremely thankful I did get into UCF, but there were tons of people who didn’t get in, and they weren’t in any way less smart than me. It was just a decision made by the admission committee. I hope this list of advice will help you in your upcoming years of high school, and I hope you’re proud of all you have and will accomplish!

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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 2nd Campus: First Baptists Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Contemporary 11:15 AM Traditional Also viewable on YouTube

Hannah Slocum greeted parents from her table at the art exhibit.

Campers find peace, creativity at Oakland Nature Preserve

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

METHODIST

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

EPISCOPAL Church of God

NON-DENOMINATIONAL PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, Winter Garden 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM

West Orange Christian Church 7325 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando 407-299-2092 UNITED CHURCH OF 10:30AM Sunday Service: CHRIST woccorlando.org WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH

1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH Pastor Thomas Odom 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee www.churchofthemessiah.com (407) IRST BAPTIST CHURCH656-8011

25 E Plant St., Winter Garden 07-656-2352 UNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional :45 am Bible Study 1:00 am Contemporary WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana astor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org nd Campus: OUNDATION WORSHIP UNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages oundation Academy High School 5304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 07-730-1867

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

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Baptist STARKEChurch LAKE BAPTIST & Christian CHURCH Academy ANGLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee ELLOWSHIP 1601 CHURCH A.D. Mims Rd,Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard ector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas (407) 656-2351 (407) 656-3097 146 East Plant St, Winter Garden www.starkelakebaptist.org UNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Sunday: 11 AM & 6 PM nd us at: Theacf.net Wednesday:CHURCH 7 PM OF GOD OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD BAPTIST www.VBCOCOEE.com Pastor Thomas Odom

BEULAH BAPTIST astor Casey Butner 71 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 07-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org UNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM UNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM

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NON-DENOMINATIONAL

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

ANGLICANVictory

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at OrangeObserver.com. Ella Allan smiled in front of her large collection of artwork from the To camp. advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com

he Oakland Nature Preserve offers environmental day camps with weekly themes throughout the summer. Children have the opportunity to explore the environment while gaining an understanding of plants, animals and the ecosystems in which they exist. The summer camps include guest speakers, wildlife encounters, games, crafts and outdoor activities. The camp’s recent theme — Art in Nature — allowed children to learn about sketching and shapes, clay carving and sculpting, paper and mosaics, painting, and negative space. The week concluded with an art gallery and shadow puppet show presented by the children for their parents.

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OBSERVER

— ANNABELLE SIKES

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

SUMMERTIME

SPLASH!

Sophie Blimline and Skylar Sullivan stopped for a quick picture after racing down the waterslides.

Siblings Kailani and Koda Magpuri posed together on the outdoor playground.

tudents are enjoying a summer full of fun at Lake Cypress Summer Camp at Windermere Preparatory School. Each day of camp is varied but structured, allowing children to participate in outdoor and indoor activities including field games, art, swimming, dance, cooking, science, waterslides and martial arts. The summer camp is available for children ages 5 through 14 and currently hosts about 500 children per week. — ANNABELLE SIKES

Lily Levine sported a huge grin as she began to slide down the playground’s pole. Grayson Mullen and Lucas Tamayo grinned after jumping out of the water at the end of the slide.

Kennedy Boyle smiled with her creative artwork.

Left: Olivia Bonneville and Santiago Gutierrez showed off their arts-andcrafts projects.

Right: Serafina Morabito smiles with her favorite camp volunteer.

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Observer Media Group reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Observer Media Group to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property. Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Most important thought; if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.” Walter Payton

Puzzle Two Solution: “I’ve learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you.” Sandra Bullock

Puzzle Three Solution: “Just be your authentic self because there’s nothing sexier or more beautiful than that.” Carol Leifer

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Rukus Cycling Studios

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Rukus Cycling Studios. Located at 3251 Daniels Road, Unit 208, in Winter Garden Village, Rukus Cycling Studios is the most technologically advanced indoor cycling franchise, with industry-leading technology, spa-level amenities and world-class cycle pros. To learn more, visit www.gocyclenow.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 10-year anniversary of LA Fitness - Winter Garden

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 10-year anniversary of LA Fitness - Winter Garden. Located at 3029 Daniels Road in Winter Garden Village, LA Fitness is a health and wellness facility centered around helping as many people as possible achieve their goals. To learn more, visit www.lafitness.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 35-year anniversary of Fravel Brewer Orthodontics The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 35-year anniversary of Fravel Brewer Orthodontics. Located at 1291 Blackwood Ave. in Ocoee, Fravel Brewer Orthodontics has created smiles across the Orange County since 1987. Dr. William Fravel opened his second office in Ocoee in 1991. Since 2018, Dr. Breck Brewer has helped the practice continue its commitment to improving West Orange County by volunteering, sponsoring and supporting local charities and schools. To learn more, visit http://www.FravelBrewer.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of The Modern Host

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of The Modern Host. Located at 636 S. Dillard St. in Winter Garden, The Modern Host is a specialty food boutique featuring wine, cheese, charcuterie and small-batch, artisan-mode gourmet food products. They also craft artsy cheese and charcuterie boards for special events or an everyday treat. To learn more, visit www.themodernhostlife.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of HOTWORX Winter Garden (West Colonial)

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of HOTWORX Winter Garden (West Colonial). Located at 15516 W Colonial Ste 109 in Winter Garden, HOTWORX Winter Garden (West Colonial) is a 24-hour infrared fitness studio offering a variety of isometric and high-intensity interval training workouts inside an infrared sauna. Workouts are virtually instructed and range from 15-30 minutes per session. To learn more, visit www.hotworx.net/studio/wintergarden-westcolonial.

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:

15 YEARS

Stoneybrook West Self Storage

10 YEARS

Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Family Center

5 YEARS

FLB Systems PremierMED - Family and Sports Medicine CEO Restoration

THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 4 NETWORKING GROUPS

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & HORIZON WEST To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

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Celebrating 50 years of

Leadership “Being part of the West Orange Chamber and being involved in their programs allows us to share our expertise, give back, and enhance the community; a strategic business decision. Our interests in the community are integral to our success. No other entity in West Orange offers these types of outlets.”

Take the lead today. Join us!

NICK ASMA

ASMA & ASAMA PA / CHAMBER MEMBER

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce

(407) 656-1304 12184 West Colonial Dr in Winter Garden