Winter
Hamlin ushers in fall season ROAD RAGE:
ROLLING OUT THE PINK CARPET
The race includes
Ian exacerbates flooding issues on Reams
CREALDÉ, WGHF PARTNER FOR EXHIBIT
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GAME OF THE WEEK
Olympia vs. Dr. Phillips
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Orange teams renew their rivalry
Learn more about
Game
A collaboration between Crealdé School of Art and the Winter Gar den Heritage Foundation offers a photographic window into the culture and landscape of Lake Apopka. Highlights from the trav eling exhibition are on display at Winter Garden City Hall through Oct. 31, and a special reception and gallery walk with project director Peter Schreyer is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. City Hall is at 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.
OCOEE POLICE TO HOST NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Join the Ocoee Police Department for a Night Out Against Crime at the annually celebrated National Night Out. It takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, along McKey Street in downtown Ocoee. The free event will include music, food trucks, inflatables, vehicle tours and face painting.
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National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships.
ROTARY DEALS POKER TOURNEY
The Rotary Club of Winter Garden is holding its 14th annual Poker Tournament Friday, Oct. 21, at Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. Registration starts at 6 p.m., and cards fly at 7.
The cost is a $75 donation if pre-registering; $85 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at bit. ly/3fTo0FE and include pizza, salad and two drinks (beer, wine or soda). The prizes are a $1,000 Visa gift card for first place, $500 gift card for second and $250 for third.
Windermere
returns
AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221012183426-ff2ef5bc7fd277cbe933c0a4ebc5f9cd/v1/6189e3fa67cd9c3fb37ebecc72a7dac6.jpeg)
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Set your alarm for an early wake-up call Saturday, Oct. 15, and head over to Windermere for the town’s 21st annual fall 5K and 10K event.
More than 1,000 runners have signed up, and a crowd of 3,000 people is expected.
Packets can be picked up from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, and Friday, Oct. 14, and the day of the race from 6 to 7:15 a.m. at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St.
Runners will start the 10K route at 7:15 a.m., and walkers and runners take off at 7:45 for the 5K. This year’s route begins at Town Hall and winds through the town’s dirt roads, under huge oaks and along several lakes — south to 11th Avenue before heading northeast. At West First Avenue and Maguire Road, 5K participants go
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given to the top three in each division, as well as overall winners. The medals are sponsored by Windermere Brewing Company and are bottle openers featuring the company’s pelican logo.
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Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute is sponsoring the Recovery
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benefiting the town of Windermere Parks and Recreation, which is responsible for all the town’s parks and which provides capital improvements such as playgrounds, docks, exercise equipment, pavilions and tennis courts.
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All the funds raised by the
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new shade structure at a park that recently lost several old oaks.
Those who sign up for the event and use the code WINDBREW at checkout will be entered to win a $50 Windermere Brewing gift card.
There is no registration for the Kids Run, which is free to children 7 and
City of Ocoee Fiscal Year
The Ocoee City Commission approved the final Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget during its Sept. 21 meeting. The 2022-23 General Fund stands at $72,546,232, which shows a $6,166,757 decrease from Fiscal Year 2021-22.
— ANDREA MUJICAGENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENT
Department FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2022-23
City Commission $173,289 $279,177 $279,377 $284,343
City Manager $574,309 $619,924 $640,692 $630,499
City Clerk $286,945 $373,385 $328,105 $411,529
Finance $1,111,560 $1,180,688 $1,233,192 $1,356,108
Human Resources $489,476 $631,308 $686,751 $645,734
Legal $231,496 $337,500 $327,500 $327,500
Planning $619,143 $851,522 $775,392 $1,040,038
General Government $11,936,957 $15,338,153 $39,746,377 $16,138,197
Public Works Admin $216,778 $225,035 $318,695 $222,607
Support Services Admin $1,359,948 $1,761,896 $1,631,474 $1,877,670
Maintenance Operations $737,077 $959,429 $976,257 $1,691,933
Police $12,601,301 $13,198,267 $13,293,525 $19,323,209
Fire $8,929,523 $7,996,594 $8,167,564 $13,346,830
Street Operations $3,593,553 $4,893,575 $4,171,358 $8,633,219
Parks and Recreation $2,844,023 $3,301,516 $3,662,587 $4,124,136
GENERAL FUND REVENUE
Other Financing $3,556,917.90
Fines and Forfeitures $1,620,150
Other Revenues $4,098,600
4.95
The set millage rate for Fiscal Year 2022-23 is 4.95, which represents a .10 decrease from the previous fiscal year. This means property owners will pay a $4.95 tax for every $1,000 worth of property value.
5%
The 2022-23 FY budget includes a 5% increase in employee salaries. All em ployees earning less than $12 an hour were brought up to the minimum $15 an hour. For employees earning more than $15 an hour, the 5% increase in salary was applied.
TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER FINANCING SOURCES
Oakland approves final budget for FY 2022-23
The town will operate next year with a budget of $28,079,668 and a millage rate of 6.3.
AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOROakland town commissioners approved next year’s final operating budget Sept. 27, and it is set at $28,079,668 with a millage rate of 6.3. This was the second of two public hearings that must be held to make it official. It is the same budget amount and millage rate that was approved at the Sept. 12 meeting.
The Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget includes several impact fee projects, several water system projects, the third phase of renovations and upgrades for Speer Park, funds for new personnel and equipment for the Oakland Police Department, and completion of the roundabout on West Oakland Avenue.
The town has been able to lower its millage rate for four of the last five years — from 6.75 to the current 6.3.
Licenses and Permits $2,044,400
Charges and Fees $5,225,450
Cash Balance $15,053,969
Taxes $27,513,511
General Fund: $72,546,232 Stormwater: $4,168,850 CRA: $6,107,353 Water/Wastewater: $18,605,671 Solid Waste/Sanitation: $4,708,648 Other Fund: $5,541,566 Total: $111,678,320
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & DISBURSEMENTS
$13,433,235
POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The proposed budget includes 39 capital improvement
nearly $32.5
General Fund: $72,546,232 Stormwater: $4,168,850 CRA: $6,107,353 Water/Wastewater: $18,605,671 Solid Waste/Sanitation: $4,708,648 Other Fund: $5,541,566
Total: $111,678,320
POLICE AND FIRE
With concerns of a recession, Oakland Town Manager Steve Koontz suggested the town look closely at the reserves and millage in future years and consider increasing the reserves, which would mean no millage rate decrease next year.
PEACOCKS AND PEAHENS
Town resident Maureen Jacobson presented a packet of information that included a petition signed by about 160 people requesting the town become a sanctuary for the peafowl that have lived in the town for decades.
Mayor Kathy Stark said staff will look at the documents and the subject would be placed on a future commission meeting agenda.
The peahens are no longer in the town, Jacobson said, and she wants the town to save the peacocks that still are here.
“We appreciate all the work you have done and all the passion people have around the peafowl,” Stark said. “We will take all this into consideration. … I want to go on record … We have neither relocated or euthanized any peafowl in the town of Oakland.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS
this
with $5,081,237; General Government Services, with $122,900; Parks, with $421,088; Police Department, with $5,628,259; Recreation, with $219,548; Support Services Administration, with $16,000; Utilities Administration, with $75,000; Water Facilities, with $313,327; Water Field Operations, with $1,490,111; Wastewater Facilities, with $50,000; and Wastewater Field Operations, with $1,280,899.
individual requests are: CRA, with $6,970,537;
The total budget for the Police Depart ment is $19.3 million, a 31.20% increase of $6,029,684 from last year. The total budget for the Fire Depart ment is $13.3 million, a 38.8% increase of $5,179,266 from last year. Combined, the police and fire depart ments for FY 2022-23 total $32.7 million, a 34% increase from the FY 2021 budget. The total increase for pub lic safety in FY 2021-22 was $11,208,950. Part of this increase can be attributed to the hir ing of new personnel. These are a new ser geant, a new technolo gy specialist and three new police officers. On the fire department side, a new senior mu nicipal fire inspector position was added. The increase will fund all new positions.
n The Town Commission approved its consent agenda, which included a water rate increase of 93 cents. The town’s water rates are increased each Oct. 1 based on the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers, finance director Renee Mullen said in a memo to the commission. The maximum increase cannot exceed 5%, so the minimum bill for residential water will go up from $18.69 to $19.62.
n Commissioners gave final approval to ordinances that pro tect the new official municipal logo, clean up and update the Town Code referencing build ings and building regulation, and set a schedule of develop ment application review fees.
n Mayor Kathy Stark read proclamations declaring Oct. 15 Blind Americans Equality Day and October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as well as one declaring a State of Local Emergency. The meet ing was held prior to Hurricane Ian’s arrival later that week, and the third proclamation qualifies the town for funding through the Florida Emergency Manage ment Agency in case of storm damages.
Imaging center opens in Ocoee
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to coincide with this, Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital in Ocoee is opening a new breast imaging center Oct. 17.
The renovated wing of the hospital will give residents access to comprehensive breast care — from screening and diagnostic care to treatment and surgery — all on the hospital campus.
The space provides the latest technology to detect breast cancer. It will offer patients 3D mammograms, breast ultrasounds, DEXA scans and image-guided breast biopsies in five treatment rooms. Breast MRIs will be available in early 2023.
Officials wanted the imaging center to have a relaxing atmosphere from the moment patients step inside.
Orlando Health commissioned local artist Rudy Drapiza from the Winter Garden Art Association to paint the entrance mural, including daisies symbolizing the Daisy Award, which recognizes the extraordinary efforts of nurses throughout Orlando Health.
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Inside, a spa-like setting with dimmed lights, soft music and water features provide a calming effect. Patients also will experience a team devoted to giving them expert care.
“Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital is always working to bring more top-notch health care services and specialties to the West Orange community,” said Philip Koovakada, senior vice president of Orlando Health South Central region and president of Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital. “The Breast Imaging Center is part of that mission. It enables us to offer our patients comprehensive and high-quality breast care all on our campus.”
He said a cancer diagnosis is physical and emotionally draining, and navigating the health care process shouldn’t be another added stress.
“We’ve heard from our patients how important convenience is to them,” said Dr. Margo Shoup, presi dent of Orlando Health Cancer Insti tute. “We also know that patient out comes improve when care is delivered close to home in a seamless manner.
The breast imaging center, Orlando Health Cancer Institute — Ocoee and Orlando Health — Health Central brings those components together on one campus.”
“We want to make it easy for patients to book appointments and see their doctors in the same locations,” Koovakada said.
Two physicians from Orlando Health downtown are committing 100% of their time to Health Central’s new imaging center.
“The new Breast Imaging Cen ter ensures that our patients here in West Orange County have convenient access to the same advanced breast cancer detection technology found at the top cancer centers anywhere in the
country,” Shoup said. “This center, combined with our expert physicians and team members who specialize in breast care, completes the muchneeded center for comprehensive breast cancer and breast diseases here in Ocoee.”
Marisa Cooke is the breast surgical oncology physician assistant, and she also runs the diagnostic clinic, where she sees patients with any breast complaint.
“I utilize the Breast Imaging Services to work up/follow the patient’s complaints,” she said. “I work closely with breast imaging to coordinate the care. It is imperative to have a close working relationship so that communication with the patient is accurate and timely. I cannot do what I do for the patients without the support of Breast Imaging.
Cooke developed the diagnostic clinic, which was originally in down town Orlando, five years ago.
“This model was very successful, and Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital wanted to replicate the clinic in Ocoee,” she said. “I work close to the hospital so jumped at the oppor tunity to do what I did downtown close to home.”
Cooke will be able to work oneon-one — and side-by-side — with patients.
“My intention is that for the women in need of biopsy or additional imag ing, I will be able to sit down and review their imaging with them, explain the findings and recommendations, and coordinate further work-up for the same day,” she said. “I have found that the waiting period is usually very anx iety-provoking. By having the ability
to see the patient and have additional work-up performed the same day, I can decrease the waiting period and deliver fast and efficient care to the women of West Orange County.”
“We always want our patients’ screening mammograms to come back negative but based on statistics, we know that some of them will be diagnosed with breast cancer,” Koovakada said. “Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is difficult enough, so we want to make sure people can easily make appointments and receive all of their care in the same place, near their homes.”
“Our patients can expect worldclass treatment when they walk through the doors of this center,” Shoup said. “We’ve taken what we’ve learned at our downtown Orlando campus and brought it to Ocoee so that our patients in West Orange can benefit from having comprehensive cancer treatment options right in their own backyard.”
“Not only can patients expect a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere; they will also have an experienced and dedicated team with them the entire way,” Koovakada said.
“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”
Friedrich Hayek
“Road to Serfdom,” 1944
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“Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is difficult enough, so we want to make sure people can easily make appointments and receive all of their care in the same place, near their homes.”
Commission OKs Ocoee Oaks rezoning, with a traffic caveat
Traffic concerns will need to be resolved prior to approval of the 22-home development.
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The Ocoee City Commission on Oct. 4 approved unanimously the rezon ing of the Ocoee Oaks Joint Venture with the condition the traffic issue be examined and resolved.
The subject property spans 12.59 acres. However, only the southern 5.71-acre portion adjacent to White Road pertains to the rezoning. The property is located in the northeast corner of the South Clarke Road and White Road intersection.
The rezoning of the property would change the current low-density residential land-use designation to single-family residential, which will allow the development of 22 homes.
Doug Gomber, Ocoee resident and White Hill Home Owners Association member, addressed the commission.
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“We are not here to kill this whole project; we put all of our faith in the (city of Ocoee) to do all of the things they’ve got to do,” he said. “But I have do voice my one big issue here, and we are going to do this until time ends, and that’s a traffic issue.
IN OTHER NEWS
“The way this property wraps, there’s only going to be an access road that is only going to come out on White Road, which is very near to the intersection of White and Clarke,” Gomber said. “(That intersection) is already blocked up in the mornings and afternoons with school traffic, school buses, people coming back and forth.”
Commissioners Larry Brinson and Rosemary Wilsen echoed traffic con cerns.
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“I don’t think our residents have a problem with the rezoning, it’s the issues that will come from adding homes in there,” Wilsen said.
Wilsen made the motion to approve the rezoning of the property with the condition that the traffic issue be studied and resolved prior to the future development of the land.
“We can vote to make sure we change the zoning, but when it comes down (to it), we need to make sure that we work on that intersection,” Mayor Rusty Johnson said. “I don’t mind doing it, but you need to tell me that we will be able to fix that.”
n The commission proclaimed the month of October 2022 as Community Planning Month. According to the proclamation, this gives the city of Ocoee and its residents “the opportunity to publicly recognize the participation and dedication of the members of planning commissions and other citizen planners who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the city of Ocoee.”
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n The commission approved an emergency item that requested the closure of public roads within downtown Ocoee from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, for the Ocoee High School Homecoming Parade. There will be 25 vehicles or floats partici pating in the parade, and about 400 people are estimated to be in attendance for the event.
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n The commission heard the first reading of an ordinance for the Ocoee Landings PUD mixed-use building amendment, which will come back for its second reading and public hearing on the Oct. 18 meeting.
n The commission also heard the first reading of an ordinance for the Rodriguez/Torres property, located at 285 11th Ave., regarding future annexa tion and rezoning. This item will be brought back for its second reading and public hearing during the Oct. 18 meeting.
n The commission heard the first reading of an ordinance for the Persuad/RAMA Communica tions Inc. property located on 175 Clarke Road regarding future annexation and rezoning of the property. This item will be brought back for its second reading and public hearing during the Oct. 18 meeting.
n The commission pulled from the agenda the unsolicited offer from resident John Yu for a cityowned property located on the west side of the Ocoee-Apopka Road and the north side of Fullers Cross Road. The subject property is 6.96 acres, and the letter of intent is requesting to purchase about 3 acres for $1.2 million. There is no set date as to when this item will be brought back to the commission.
n The commission approved the rezoning of Covingtown Oaks, a 9.94-acre property located on the north side of A.D. Mims Road from lowdensity residential to single-family residential.
A wet mess: Ian exacerbates Reams issues
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water pond on the planned develop ment on Aug. 20, 2019.
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The longtime flooding problems of Reams Road overflowed when Hurricane Ian saturated the area as it rumbled across the state.
And even as of press time Tuesday, Oct. 11, a portion of the road remains closed, causing commuter and traffic problems for thousands who use the road on a daily basis.
Residents have turned to local government officials with questions. How did this happen? Why did this happen? And what can be done to prevent it from happening again?
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Unfortunately, the answers are nei ther easy nor simple.
“Until we elevate the roadway, flooding will likely be an ongoing issue for sections of Reams Road,” Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said. “The Lake Reams Basin drains down toward Reedy Creek, and outfall has increased over the last 10 years due to encroaching development.
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“We are in discussions with Reedy Creek about pumping south, because, based on the elevations, pumping water north would just push it back onto the same stretch of road,” she said. “Public Works is also evaluating the use of sandbags or berms. Longterm, we have plans to elevate the road in these low-lying, wet areas so that water and wildlife can move freely
“Long-term, we have plans to elevate the road in these low-lying, wet areas so that water and wildlife can move freely under, and we are in the process of acquiring some of the area for Green Place flood mitigation.”
District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilsonunder, and we are in the process of acquiring some of the area for Green Place flood mitigation.”
As of Monday, Oct. 10, the Orange County Roads and Drainage Division said the area is seeing some improvement with the pump, but the road still has about 4 inches of water on the westbound side.
“We are currently refueling the pump in hopes to have this road accessible soon,” division officials said. “We do have to address a couple of locations on the road once the water is removed or low enough to repair.”
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Bill Vandewater also provided an update on Monday.
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“At that pace, it appears to me, it may take another couple of days before the roadway can be safely reopened without vehicles crossing the double yellow line to avoid the standing water or hydroplaning,” he said.
A LOOK BACK
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The Lake Reams Neighborhood Planned Development was approved Aug. 25, 1998, and is located within the Lakeside Village Special Planning Area of Horizon West.
The subject property went through a Comprehensive Plan Future Land
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Use Map amendment in 2015, undergoing a public hearing process before receiving ultimate approval.
During the July 28, 2015, public hearing, the County Commission supported unanimously former District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd’s motion to remove an additional 20-acre upland island located to the south and maintain it as Upland Greenbelt, which does not allow for residential development.
However, the Upland Greenbelt does allow for road crossings, parks, golf courses, storm water manage ment areas and recreational uses such as bike/pedestrian and equestrian trails.
Boyd said this was not supported by the developer for removal during the community meeting input process.
“My reason for pulling the 20 acres was that it was not contiguous to the fronting acreage along Reams and Ficquette and required the need for additional wetland impacts for connectivity,” Boyd said. “By removing the 20 acres, I felt it addressed the concerns of residents in the south along Abbotsbury Drive and would also provide when developed additional stormwater management and compensating storage during
heavy rain events for the proposed community, surrounding area and those along Abbotsbury Drive.”
Boyd said the developer also was required to convey all right-of-way required for Reams and Ficquette roads prior to preliminary plan approval.
Boyd said significant input was taken through county, community and developer-driven conversations. His office held two community meetings related to the project leading up to the final amendment on Nov. 17, 2015.
“The result of the two … meetings … led to a reduction in the origi nal proposed 280 residential units down to 75 residential units,” Boyd said. “Mostly driven by multiple upland island areas within the pro posed development that would have required wetland impacts for access and a neighboring community con cern about encroachment of natural buffers and periodic street flooding along Abbotsbury Drive.”
When former District 1 Commis sioner Betsy VanderLey took office in 2016, the discussion continued as the developer proposed to the Coun ty Commission significant wetland impacts due to a proposed storm
VanderLey said she and the com mission remanded the request and the associated Conservation Area Impact Permit and PSP back to county staff for the developer to reduce the devel opment program, reconfigure the storm water management program and reduce the conservation area impacts.
According to an Orange Coun ty staff report from May 5, 2020, a motion was made by VanderLey to “remand the cases back to the Devel opment Review Committee; further, remand the Adequate Public Facilities Agreement for Lake Reams Neigh borhood PD / DevelopCo Inc. Prop erty to the appropriate staff; recon figure the storm water management program, reduce the conservation area impacts, protect the wetlands and any other changes that are con sistent therein.”
Throughout the process, the requested development plan was reduced from 280 single-family units to 57, and there was an addition of almost 300 acres of wetlands and uplands to conservation.
In addition, the developer’s land was used to address a flooding issue in an adjacent neighborhood, a reduced speed was implemented to address the wildlife crossing area, and the contribution of land and funds were supplied by the developer to improve the intersection and traffic signal required at Summerlake Boulevard and Reams Road.
LIVING WITH IT
However, many local residents feel the improvements have not been enough.
Robert McKinley said he remembers the Florida area as it was years ago before the increase in paving over a majority of the land.
“It just irritates me to watch them haul dirt in and fill in a low area,” he said. “That low area is there for a reason and what was a little pond or marsh area will now have houses built on it. The flooding is going to continue as long as they continue to fill those areas.”
He said he believes if the former
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commissioners had focused more on the issues rather than money, the community would be in better shape environmentally.
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“I have heartburn with commissioners that just, to me, want to fatten their pockets,” he said.
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Brandon Jo, who has lived in the Horizon West area since 2016, said the intersection has gotten to the point where it will flood with just a strong afternoon rainstorm.
“There is no excuse — the county has not re-engineered the drainage or at least installed pumps to move water away when it floods like this,” he said. “Frankly, there is no easy way around, and the county knows this. There’s enough development going on; they have the money in impact fees to do something yet they don’t. Too much development and loss of natural drainage. They will have to do something soon. Our calls out there have gone through the roof.”
Sandy Pirie, who has lived in Sum merport for six years, believes pos sible solutions could include digging a 4-foot trench and placing a pipe under the road for short-term or rais
ing the road 2 feet so the water does not crest over it for a long-term solu tion.
“From Windermere Cay to Independence, the road, about a mile, has flooded a number of times but usually a few inches and not the entire roadway,” she said. “This flooding is significantly worse. In terms of a Florida priority, it is minor. In terms of a neighborhood, the need is high.”
Wilson said she believes Reams Road should never have been so low.
“If it were going to be that low, there should have been more culverts to let water flow beneath the road,” she said. “As we approach the Reams Road Improvement Project, I plan to advocate for additional culverts and push back on any development in the area. All the remaining land is wetland and needs to be kept as is to keep historic water flow and wildlife crossings.”
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
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Don Kendzior, naturalist and president of Noah’s Notes, a nonprofit environmental organization, has lived in Horizon West for 13 years. He
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remembers when Reams Road was a straight two-lane country road.
Noah’s Notes sent out a notice to area residents regarding the potential for flooding on Aug. 29.
“Exceptionally heavy rainfall has brought the Lake Reams watershed above its normal wet season high level, and the watershed is approaching its maximum stormwater storage capac ity,” the notice read. “The watershed is comprised of Lake Reams and the surrounding wetlands and conserva tion areas in the eastern quadrant of Horizon West. Water levels have now exceeded the high point prior to Hur ricane Irma in September 2017, when 15 inches of additional rainfall flooded Reams Road and surrounding areas.”
The nonprofit also followed up by sending a memo to Wilson regarding road and safety improvements with an immediate action and long-term action plan Thursday, Oct. 6.
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Kendzior’s organization testified before the commission in opposition to the DevelopCo, now Dream Finders Home, project coming to the area with concerns he believes are now com ing to fruition. He has advocated for
raised crossings and larger drainage culverts on Reams for several years.
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Dream Finders purchased 306-acres with plans to create The Palms at Windermere, a single-family home community, on Reams Road.
The property — which Dream Finders purchased for $5.87 million — is part of a conservation area consisting of more than 1,200 acres around Lake Reams.
“Most of the land there is considered wetlands and is classified as a conservation area,” Gerry Boeneman, president of the company’s Central Florida Division said in a press release.
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“Because of that, only 15.95 acres of the 305 can be developed and we will build only 57 homes.”
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Although Dream Finders officials said construction and sales are sched uled to begin this month, the develop ment area also was flooded during the storm. Dream Finders did not respond to multiple inquires seeking comment by press time Tuesday, Oct. 11.
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Kendzior said the criteria used for evaluating environmental impacts of developments is out of date and does not reflect the impacts of climate
change or address and mitigate the impacts of development on wildlife, biodiversity and flooding.
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In addition, the historic flow between Lake Reams and Bay Lake has been blocked by development, Reams Road and canals. The dominant flow is now to the south and southeast while water levels overwhelm the existing pipe culvert between Peachtree Park Court and Greenbank Boulevard.
LOOKING FORWARD
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Kendzior said the flooding issue is a decade in the making and the result of the cumulative impacts of poor planning and climate change.
“There will be more Ians, stron ger and more frequent in the future,” he said. “The blame lies squarely on former commissioners Boyd and VanderLey for approving the devel opments in watersheds that destroyed wetlands and uplands and subjecting future residents to increased flood risk.”
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Boyd said the roads were designed as rural roads decades before he or VanderLey served and thousands of residents have since moved there. He said the scheduled improve ments to the roads, paid for by development and former Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ INVEST funds, will be designed to meet the standard 100year flood stage.
“It is also important to note that prior to Ian, we have received higherthan-average rainfall thereby saturat ing the area prior to Hurricane Ian,” Boyd said. “Ian then produced twice the amount of rain that a 100-year flood is defined by — 11 inches in a 24hour period. In many areas of Orange County, there was twice that amount of rain. Given that, the design, which again, was done years prior to either me or VanderLey serving, would have been inadequate due to an unforeseen amount of rainfall.”
Boyd said if Wilson wants to change county policies, thus requiring devel opment design to accommodate 200or even 500-year storms, then she is well within her rights to do so. How ever, he said by doing this, it would likely diminish all affordability of housing in unincorporated Orange County and likely would not be fol lowed by cities and towns.
Reams Road is scheduled for widening and improvement, with completion estimated in 2026.
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REAL ESTATE
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West Lake Hancock Estates home sells for $1.8 million
Ahome in the West
Lake Hancock Estates community in Horizon West topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Oct. 1 to 6.
The home at 7412 John Hancock Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 6, for $1.8 million. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,056 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two. These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
HORIZON WEST HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES
The home at 15440 Murcott Blos som Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 6, for $749,900. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,338 square feet.
LAKESHORE PRESERVE
The home at 15736 Cutter Sail Place, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 6, for $1,070,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,387 square feet. Days on market: 121.
ORCHARD HILLS
The home at 14340 Magnolia Ridge Loop, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 4, for $887,000. Built in 2014, it has
SNAPSHOT
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six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,963 square feet. Days on market: 38.
The home at 14542 Magnolia Ridge Loop, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 4, for $860,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,055 square feet. Days on market: 13.
WATERLEIGH
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The home at 8741 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 4, for $1,150,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,911 square feet of living area.
The home at 18018 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 5, for $882,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,327 square feet of living area.
WESTSIDE VILLAGE
The home at 12983 Westside Village Loop, Windermere, sold Oct. 3, for $735,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,064 square feet. Days on market: 30.
WINDERMERE ISLE
The home at 8255 Procida Isle Lane, Windermere, sold Oct. 4, for $800,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,735 square feet. Days on market: Seven.
OAKLAND
HULL ISLAND AT OAKLAND
The home at 1105 Simeon Road, Oakland, sold Oct. 6, for $656,890. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,850 square feet of living area.
on
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OCOEE
FORESTBROOKE
The home at 260 Wallrock Court, Ocoee, sold Oct. 4, for $655,000. Built in 2011, it has seven bedrooms, four baths and 5,138 square feet. Days on market: 32.
The home at 327 Beacon Pointe Drive, Ocoee, sold Oct. 3, for $599,900. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,750 square feet. Days on market: 62.
WESTYN BAY
The home at 3007 Cardassi Drive, Ocoee, sold Oct. 4, for $730,000. Built in 2007, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,362 square feet. Days on market: Four.
WEST ORANGE
BELLARIA
The home at 13118 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold Oct. 4, for $1,650,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, six-and-one-half baths and 5,879 square feet. Days on market: 92.
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ENCLAVE
The home at 11757 Hampstead St., Windermere, sold Oct. 7, for $1,367,500. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,676 square feet. Days on market: 50.
WINDERMERE
ESTATES AT WINDERMERE
The home at 2333 Ridgewind Way, Windermere, sold Oct. 7, for $935,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,887 square feet. Days on market: 13.
KEENE’S POINTE
The home at 11421 Cranebrook Court, Windermere, sold Oct. 7, for $1,595,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,131 square feet. Days on market: Four.
KELSO ON LAKE BUTLER
The home at 1312 Kelso Blvd., Windermere, sold Oct. 4, for $1,350,000. Built in 1978, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,696 square feet. Days on market: Three.
RESERVE AT BELMERE
The home at 11618 Delwick Drive, Windermere, sold Oct. 7, for $750,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,818 square feet. Days on market: 23.
RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND
The home at 6425 Cartmel Lane, Windermere, sold Oct. 7, for $1,170,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,531 square feet. Days on market: 15.
WINTER GARDEN DEER ISLAND
The home at 106 Mericam Court, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 3, for $1,120,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,250 square feet. Days on market: Eight.
G T SMITH SUBDIVISION
The home at 215 S. Highland Ave., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 3, for $950,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,700 square feet. Days on market: Five.
OAKLAND PARK
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The home at 764 Lake Brim Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 3, for $990,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,773 square feet. Days on market: Six.
The home at 848 Gayle Mill Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 4, for $710,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,228 square feet. Days on mar ket: Five.
STONEYBROOK WEST
The home at 1427 Marble Crest Way, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 7, for $785,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,648 square feet. Days on market: Four.
TWINWATERS
The home at 1652 Holcomb Creek St., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 5, for $835,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two halfbaths and 4,670 square feet. Days on market: 67.
realtor.com
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The home at 13118 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold Oct. 4, for $1,650,000. It was the largest transaction in Windermere area from Oct. 1 to 6.
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well.
for
celebrity cipher
By Luis Campossudoku
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GAME OF THE WEEK OLYMPIA VS. DR. PHILLIPS
5
1The Windermere High School football team received a $5,000 donation from the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Friday, Oct. 7. The donation will help with the purchase of a new set of varsity uniforms, including jerseys and pants. This is the first time team players will have the opportunity to wear new uniforms since its first season in 2017.
2The Horizon High School girls volley ball team, which cur rently holds a 17-1 overall record, defeated the Free dom Patriots after a fiveset game. Horizon won the first set 26-24; Freedom won the second and third sets 25-22 and 25-23; and Horizon won the last two sets 25-11. The Hawks were led on the court by Hailey Cappleman with 17 kills and 11 digs; Hannah Pridgeon put down 15 kills and 23 digs, Juliana Neves had 55 assists and 12 digs, and Gaby Park finished the game with 16 digs.
ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER3
The First Academy safety Trey New some and defensive back J.R. Millar will play on the south team in the 2022 Blue-Grey AllAmerican Bowl, which will take place at 1 p.m. Jan. 30, 2023, at the Raymond James Stadium.
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Sometimes, sports rivalries are born out of equally matched competitors, of two teams so evenly matched that every game between the two is considered a classic.
The rivalry between Olympia and Dr. Phillips is not that.
Olympia head football coach Travis Gabriel calls it the “Big Brother, Little Brother” rivalry.
4
West Orange High School will hold girls wrestling tryouts from Oct. 24 to 28. Sched ule is as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday tryouts will run from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Boys tryouts also will take place between Oct. 21 and Nov. 4. Schedule is as follows: Monday, Tues day, Thursday and Friday tryouts will run from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and Wednes days from 1:30 to 4 p.m. All students will need to have a current physical and ECG and have all their documents uploaded in Athletic Clearance.
5The Metro West Swim Champion ships took place Oct. 6 to 7. In the West Metro Swim and Dive category, the Windermere High School boys team placed first, with a score of 504.50; the West Orange High School boys team placed second with 391 points; and the Olympia High School boys team placed third with 343 points. On the girls side, Windermere High School placed first with a total of 520 points, followed by West Orange High School with a total of 502 points and Dr. Phillips High School in third with 221 points.
“I don’t recall the last time Olympia has beaten Dr. Phillips,” he said. “So we are still that little brother. We are still trying to earn our keep, and the main thing for us is we want to be able to compete with them.”
Dr. Phillips head football coach Rodney Wells is a good friend of Gabriel’s. And although both coaches communicate on a regular basis throughout the season, when it’s the week before this particular game, the phones go silent.
“We talk every day or every other day — except the week we play,” Gabriel said. “But that’s my brother, and we want each other to do well. When the lights go on Friday, we go at it, we compete, and after the game, we are back to being brothers.”
Better than the day before
For the Olympia football team, the football field is much more than a platform to play the sport. It’s also where players learn life lessons that will turn them into future role models and leaders.
Horizon West’s BNA Sports finds success
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The youth sports organization’s 8U travel team recently had a chance to play on the home field of the Dallas Cowboys.
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Founded in February, youth sports organization BNA Sports seeks to cre ate lasting experiences for its players and to provide children the oppor tunity to enjoy the beauty of youth sports.
“It’s not just teaching these kids how to run, how to block, how to catch the ball, but also how to be a great teammate, how to be responsi ble, how to be held accountable, how to act once you lose, how to act once you win,” Director Darrell Taylor said. “(How) once we pull a flag, let’s give
it back to the other team. That’s what we do here.”
The idea behind this is to create an atmosphere in which young athletes are not only developed as athletes but also as individuals.
“From a culture standpoint, we really are trying to make them under stand the importance of team,” coach Mike Rodriguez said. “So we talk about encouraging your teammate if they drop the ball or they make a mistake, or that if a mistake is made is not necessarily that player’s fault, it could be anyone on the team doing one thing wrong.
“It’s also about making your name great,” he said. “We want them to be proud of their name, as well, so there is a combination of cultural standpoint of understanding the importance of team but also of who you are as an athlete.”
Lexi King
Tell us about your years as an athlete.
I actually have always been a pitcher, and I kind of just fell in love with it recently. I used to hit, but now, I’m just a pitcher. … I pitch with my dad almost every day. I started in fourth grade in Little League, and I just liked it a lot better than all the other sports. … I just started to get more competitive and then just started to test myself and see how hard I could push myself.
How do you feel after having made a verbal commitment with the University of Arkansas?
On my official visit, I just kind of fell in love with the town and the coaches and the teammates, and it was just a super welcoming atmosphere, and it felt like family.
Was this the school you were envisioning prior to receiving their offer?
At the beginning, I didn’t know much about it, because I didn’t know anyone that goes to Arkansas. But then on Sept. 1, they showed interest in me, and then I took the visit and fell in love with it.
How did you get into softball?
My cousin (Jessica Shults) actu ally played for the University of Oklahoma, and she won two national championships there, so we thought there would be softball in the bloodline. She was a catcher for the world series game.
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What is your favorite aspect about softball?
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I just really like the family atmosphere and always being able to count on your teammates to have your back. I really like the competition and just always competing with each batter. It’s always a different game; it’s never the same.
THE BASICS
AGE: 16
Titans prep for Panthers
Proximity — the two schools are only 4 miles part — forged this rivalry in 2005. But the competi tiveness only lasts until the final whistle.
Junior
Why did you decide not to hit anymore?
I still do it for fun, but it was more kind of an injury (type of thing). I didn’t want to get hurt.
… I’d always get hit if I was in the box, so I had really bad luck.
What’s your favorite pitch to throw? Why?
The drop ball. I never used to like (it), but one day, it just clicked.
I was like, ‘Oh this can be one of my greatest tools.’ So I started to throw it more and more and see how competitive I could get with the pitch, and it really started to just define me as a pitcher. I really got to utilize it, and I’m still playing around with it to this day.
What do you believe softball has taught you — not only on the field but off the field, as well?
It’s taught me to never give up and that you are going to have some bad days. But you just have to shake it off and just keep pursuing. It’s taught me that I’m not always going to be perfect and that it is OK to mess up and just reset and keep playing like you can (play).
What’s your favorite hobby?
Probably wake surfing. My fami ly is big on the lake, so we all like to wake surf. I also like to play with my dog; I just got a new puppy. We named him Razor, because (Arkansas’ mascot is the) Razorback. He’s a golden retriever. We also have another golden retriever; his name is Buddy, and he’s 4 years old.
Who is your favorite superhero? Why?
Probably Spider-Man, because I like the movies, and the ride at Universal is good.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Probably to fly, because I feel like just to be able to defy gravity
Any secret talents you have you’d like to share with us?
I can juggle. I can also do the worm. Me and my dad can do it; we do it together.
What are three places you would like to visit? Why?
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Costa Rica, Mexico and probably Greece.
What are three things you would bring with you to a deserted island?
I would probably bring food, maybe my dogs and a pillow.
If you could be any animal for a day, which one would it be and I’d want to be a golden retriever, because I think dogs are the best animal. I would love to see what they do for a day and get loved on by everyone.
What are three things on your
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I want to go skydiving, I want to go to a Braves World Series game, and I want to go to the world series in college.
— ANDREA MUJICA“We try to let the kids know that this rivalry we’ve got with Dr. Phillips — at the end of the day, we are all brothers,” Gabriel said. “That’s what we want to establish — we will compete, we go after it. But once that’s over, we tell the kids, ‘That’s it, let’s move forward and help each other out.’”
The two Southwest Orange teams meet 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Olympia.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Every year, Gabriel chooses four captains and two leaders.
This year, the Titans’ leaders are defensive end Kamran James and outside linebacker Joey Evans.
“They lead by example,” Gabriel said. “They are doing what we ask them to do (the right way), and they are setting the tone for the younger kids. … I try to establish a consistency of four captains, but I usually only have one or two leaders that exemplify everything we look for as a football player on and off the field. They’ve been doing a pretty good job at that.”
James, a senior and University of Florida commit, believes lead
ership is more than being the best player on the field.
“Leadership is leading by exam ple, always keeping your head up, and always being the light that people can try and reach,” he said.
“The leader doesn’t have to be the best player on the team. (He) is just a voice, the fire that keeps every body going, making sure everybody is good and making sure everybody is focused and together.”
Evans, also a senior, agrees.
“I just do my job,” he said. “We all do our job to be the best team we can be.”
Discipline, accountability and responsibility form the base of Olympia’s football culture. Gabriel and the coaching staff at the school not only focus on teaching the game of football to their players but also life lessons that will last long after the stadium lights go dark.
“We try to continue to build them to be better men for the future,” Gabriel said. “I’ve always used football as the tool to help create positive and successful men, because at some point, they are going to be role models and fathers.
This game of football goes beyond the field for us.”
LOVE FOR THE GAME
To build better players, better men and a stronger team, Gabriel surrounds himself with a coaching staff that not only loves football
but also loves being around the players.
“You have to love to coach in this state,” he said. “It’s not about the money, so it has to be about the love. … It’s not about winning — that’s not what this should be about. It’s all about developing these young men to be successful — whether they play football (in the future) or not.”
That emphasis has, indeed, filtered down to the players.
“(There’s) definitely a lot more character development, better energy and better team morale in the locker room and stuff like that,” James said. “There’s more leadership on the team (too), less negativity. Everybody is uplifting each other; everybody is closer. It’s like a brotherhood.”
Looking forward, the team is excited to continue competing with strong teams that will push them to be better each week.
“You want to be able to have the kids compete and be able to understand that you always want to work to get better, and I think that you can really establish that by going against good competition,” Gabriel said. “You are working and competing against the best, you don’t want to be satisfied where you are. … Every day, we work at getting better — just (trying) to be better than what (we) were the day before.”
WEEK SIX RECAP
GAME OF THE WEEK
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HORIZON (5-0), 27
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CYPRESS CREEK (4-2), 20
HIGHLIGHTS: Horizon also came out on top in overtime Thursday, Oct. 6. After being tied with Cypress Creek 20-20 at the end of the fourth quarter, the Hawks were able to find the end zone in overtime to claim victory over the Bears. Devon St. Clair carried the ball 28 times for 129 yards, while Trey Ginn carried the ball 16 times for 79 yards and three touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, the team had a total of 37 tackles. Bo Wargel and Jacob Brown led the defense with seven total tackles apiece.
UP NEXT: The Hawks hosted Lake Buena Vista Monday, Oct. 10.
OCOEE (5-1), 31
WINTER PARK (5-1), 28
HIGHLIGHTS: After being tied with Winter Park at the end of the fourth quarter 28-28 Thursday, Oct. 6, the Ocoee Knights were able to kick a field goal to top the previously unbeaten Wildcats in overtime. The team’s defense had a total of 86 tackles — 18 tackles for loss. Calvin Smith led the defense with 11 solo tackles, two assisted tackles and seven TFL.
UP NEXT: The Knights will host Edgewater Friday, Oct. 14.
DR. PHILLIPS (3-3), 27
LAKE NONA (2-3), 14
UP NEXT: The Panthers will travel to Olympia Friday, Oct. 14.
LAKE BUENA VISTA (0-6), 21 LAKE HOWELL (4-2), 27
UP NEXT: The Vipers traveled to Horizon Monday, Oct. 10.
OLYMPIA (2-3), 23 APOPKA (3-2), 38
HIGHLIGHTS: Despite the Titans’ loss against Apopka Thursday, Oct. 6, quarterback Juan Gainous went 19-for-30 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Xavier Tucker had seven recep tions for 107 yards and a touch down, while wide receiver Rom elo Walker had four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
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On the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Joey Evans had 11 tackles (one TFL), while defensive end Kamran James had six tackles and three sacks.
UP NEXT: The Titans will host Dr. Phillips Friday, Oct. 14.
WINDERMERE (2-4), 0 WEKIVA (3-3), 41
UP NEXT: The Wolverines will host West Orange Friday, Oct. 14.
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (4-0), 42 ST. EDWARD’S (2-3), 7
HIGHLIGHTS: After defeating St. Edwards 42-7 Friday, Oct. 7, the Eagles remain undefeated this season as they prepare to face New Smyrna Beach Monday, Oct. 10.. During Friday’s game, running back Marcus McCrim mon Jr. carried the ball 16 times for 383 yards and scored four touchdowns.
UP NEXT: The Eagles traveled to New Smyrna Monday, Oct. 10.
FOUNDATION (4-2), 23 ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN (0-5), 7
HIGHLIGHTS: The Foundation Academy Lions defeated Orange wood Christian 23-7 Friday, Oct. 7. The team’s defense had a pow erful performance, as offensive and defensive linebacker Drew Flournoy ended the night with a total of 17 tackles, four sacks and six offensive pancake blocks.
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Defensive back Stephen Ford had nine tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. Despite being called in late in the game, run ning back Jadon Johnson scored a 50-yard touchdown run.
UP NEXT: The Lions will travel to The First Academy Friday, Oct. 21.
LEGACY CHARTER (3-2), 0 MASTER’S ACADEMY (2-3), 32
UP NEXT: The Eagles will host Halifax Academy Friday, Oct. 14.
THE FIRST ACADEMY (5-1), 34
TRINITY PREP (0-6), 0
UP NEXT: The Royals will travel to Florida A&M Friday, Oct. 14.
WINDERMERE PREP (4-2), 12 LAKE HIGHLAND PREP (5-0), 31
UP NEXT: The Lakers will host Hudson Friday, Oct. 21.
BNA TEAM CATEGORIES
Success in Texas
A person’s name represents much more than one individual, Taylor said.
“Your name means a lot more than you think,” he said. “You represent something that’s bigger than yourself. You represent your father, you represent your mother, you represent your brother, your sister, and that goes a long way.”
It seems that combination of learning the game and learning life is working. Since its inception, BNA Sports already has grown to 22 teams and more than 160 athletes.
And most recently, BNA’s first 8U travel team — The Bengals — already has a championship to its name. That team brought home rings from the annual Flag Football X Tourna ment, held Aug. 20, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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“They wore a patch on their team jersey proudly saying they were part of the travel team — part of the Bengals,” Mike Rodriguez.
Middle linebacker Tyler Plotkin, 9, said the game for the championship title was filled with emotions and that the opportunity to play at the home of the Dallas Cowboys was amazing.
“It was a very nerve-wracking game, because it was the championship,” he said. “I think all of us tried our best, which led for us to succeed and just (to play) on a real-life football field where professionals play in a stadium which actually was an NFL field, it was amazing.”
Tyler Plotkin was named Defensive MVP of the game, Miles Taylor was named Offensive MVP,
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and Mason Rodriguez was the snapper that scored the extra point to bring the championship title home.
“(My favorite part about the championship) was winning the championship, because we got that extra point when I got the ball and scored that extra point,” Mason Rodriguez said.
Wins are great, sure, but ultimately, BNA Sports seeks to provide its athletes with experiences they will cherish for a lifetime.
“At the end of the day, these kids will forget everything about the wins and loses, but they will never forget the experience that they had, the friends that they made and the lives that they were able to impact by being themselves and representing themselves as well as representing (their) family,” Taylor said.
Practice for BNA Sports Athletes encompasses more than just learn ing the rules of the game.
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“We obviously want to do well and win, but it’s not about that,” coach Mike Plotkin said. “It’s building character, it’s building sportsmanship.”
Mike Rodriguez and Mike Plotkin said coaching at BNA is not only caring about the game but also the athletes.
“I love the game, obviously, I love my son, so I want to be involved in it,” Mike Plotkin said. “I just wanted to give back to the kids. … I love the game, love coaching and having that extra time with my son. Nothing can beat it.”
“I care enough, let alone the fact that your child is playing,” Mike Rodriguez said. “You get to see the other kids, and then your child
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connects to that kid, and they truly enjoy it. So then you feel a sense of responsibility like, ‘I want to make sure that they know what they are doing.’”
Looking forward, the organization is excited to grow and continue offering play time opportunities and events for the players to keep growing as both — athletes and their own individuals.
For more information, visit bnasports.org.
JOYCE M. (SCROGGINS) OLIVER DIED OCT. 8, 2022.
Joyce M. (Scroggins) Oliver, 84, passed away Oct. 8, 2022.
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A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1148 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Services will immediately follow at noon, also at the funeral home.
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In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK
Loretta Moser is the school resource officer at Innovation Montessori in the city of Ocoee. Her primary job is to provide a safe and secure environment on campus while developing a rapport with students, staff and parents. Nicole Tischer, assistant principal at the school, said Moser is a wonderful addition to the school community. “She works hard each day to make sure that students, staff and members of the community feel safe,” Tischer said.
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What do you love most about your school?
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Being a smaller school, what I love most about Innovation Montessori is that you really get to know the staff and students. It is a very tight-knit community that really looks out for one another.
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What is your motivation?
I would say that my biggest motivation is my daughter. Her smile is definitely what keeps me going and striving to be my best.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to interact with the students on a day to day basis. While I worked in criminal investigations, I met with people under unfortunate circumstances. Before officers were placed in schools, many kids only met police officers when something bad was happening. I think it is important for kids to have positive interactions with police officers other than during calls for emergencies.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a 4-year-old who is constant ly on the go; my spare time is usually consumed with just trying to keep up with her. We are often found playing outside or finding new places to go and explore.
REPORT CARD
POSITION: School resource officer
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TIME AT SCHOOL: Almost three years
NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?
Mrs. Carty and Mrs. Castaneda from fifth grade were my favorite teach ers. Depending on the subject, we switched between classes, and both made learning new things fun and were very passionate about their students’ learning.
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When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I tried to bring any and every animal I found back home with me. If it showed up at my house, I begged my parents to let me keep it. If I saw an injured animal, I tried helping it. Everyone always thought I would grow up to be a veterinarian, but realizing that being a veterinar ian also came with some pretty hard decisions, I found that it was not for me.
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
One of my favorite children’s books is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. I have always loved Dr. Seuss books and often read them to my daughter. What I really like about this book is that it really inspires you to keep reaching no matter what challenges you may face.
Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.
OBSERVER
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include going to the gym, spending time with family, reading, fishing and finding a good movie to watch.
If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
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Reba McEntire, George Strait and Garth Brooks. I just love the sound of classic country, and these art ists remind me of my childhood.
What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?
One thing I remember is the square pizzas we used to get for school lunches. Pizza day at school was definitely the best day of the week. A special treat was being able to walk up to the convenience store and picking out an ice cream.
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas is definitely my alltime favorite holiday. When I was a child, every Christmas my fam ily would load up in the car and drive around to different neigh borhoods to look at all the lights on the houses.
Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?
This is a hard one. I feel like I had many best friends throughout my school days. I do have a good friend, Maria, who I have known since middle school, and, yes, we still do keep in touch as much as we can living in different states.
What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?
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I did a little bit of dance and karate as a child, but softball is what I loved most.
— ANNABELLE SIKES
The science of success
West Orange alum Sean Lewis is one of 16 finalists in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge competition.
ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER
Eighteen-year-old Sean Lewis has myriad accomplishments. He currently is attending Yale University. He was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and a National African American Recognition Program winner. He received the Ron Brown Scholarship and was a semifinalist in the Princeton Classic Speech and Debate competition.
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Now, the Ocoee resident can add yet another achievement to his list — finalist in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge competition.
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Lewis is one of only 16 finalists selected out of thousands of applicants worldwide.
The annual challenge asks students to inspire creative thinking about science through the making of an original short video that brings to life a concept or theory in life sciences, physics or mathematics.
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Lewis, who learned about the competition from his mom, said the competition combines two of his favorite passions — science and videography.
“I was really excited,” he said of being named a finalist. “It shows how much I’ve improved in terms of video-making, and, also it was great to know I’m on track to pos sibly win the competition. It’s amazing to see people appreciating the video I made and the way I talk about science.”
SILICON-BASED LIFE Lewis’ video explores whether life on other planets may be made of something other than carbon and
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considers the possibility of sili con-based life.
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Silicon-based life is a theory pro posed by popular shows including “Star Trek.”
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“If you have carbon-based life, and silicon is the molecule that’s the most similar to it, is it possible for life to be made out of silicon?” Lewis asks.
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Lewis conducted research on the concept for his AP Research class at West Orange High School and was able to take a deep dive into the topic and its history.
“It’s a very small topic that not a lot of people know about,” he said. “I thought it would be nice to be able to share that topic with more people, because the more research that’s done in that area, the more we can possibly learn and expand the ideas of the concept. If silicon-based life is possible — and is possible on other planets — it might expand our definition of life and the search for life on other planets, thus being able to improve our search for habitable planets in our universe.”
As a finalist, Lewis now will go through panel judging.
The winner of the competition will receive a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, a $50,000 prize for a selected teacher and $100,000 for a science lab at his past high school.
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Lewis said he selected his phys ics teacher, Tyler Hedrick, who has been an inspiration for him.
“Mr. Hedrick has always been a great, funny, interesting guy in terms of being able to make physics fun even with the limited resources of being in a public school with so many kids and so many classes,”
Lewis said. “He was still able to work to make engaging labs and intriguing lessons. If you’re willing to work with him, he will work with you.”
Lewis was even Hedrick for senior flip day at the school during which seniors took over as teachers for one day. Lewis completed a presentation on deriving the equations for the size of a black hole.
Lewis said he is passionate about science — and, particularly, physics, because it’s one of the only “endall-be-all” fields.
“It’s cool even on the basic level to be able to calculate things like the trajectory of a ball and know exactly where it’s going to land at an exact time,” he said. “Being able to understand the intricacies of the molecules that make us who we are and being able to understand what’s happening millions of miles away, and it all works together in every single way. Through science, you’re
able to uncover the mysteries of what we don’t know while also being able to understand everything about the world and what we do know. It allows you to really contribute to something that has so much left to be discovered.”
FUTURE PLANS
If he wins, Lewis will use the schol arship prize money to continue his work in furthering his education at Yale University, where he studies astrophysics. He eventually hopes to attend graduate school.
His dream job is high-energy astrophysics — working with black holes and neutron star systems.
As far as the lab for WOHS, he has high hopes.
“Being able to have the students and teachers have access to some thing that puts them on par with private schools in the area that cost like thousands of dollars to go to and have such high tuition … being able to have that work in a public school and also to make the job easier for teachers like Mr. Hedrick and the rest of the creative teachers at the school,” Lewis said.
The winner for the competition will be announced in November.
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www.FBCWG.org
Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org
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Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM
CHURCH OF GOD
Ocoee Church of God Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011
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EPISCOPAL
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Church of the Messiah
241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Sunday: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 4PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com
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METHODIST
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661
Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org
West Orange Christian Church 7325 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando (407) 299-2092
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Sunday Service:10:30AM www.woccorlando.org
A ‘gourd-geous’ evening
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T
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he Horizon West community welcomed the incoming fall season at the Pumpkin Patch Palooza, which took place Saturday, Oct. 8, at Hamlin Town Center. Locals, families and friends gathered on the green space outside Cinépolis for an evening of fun complete with a pumpkin patch, photo booths, live music, food trucks, local vendors, art projects and more.
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THESE OLD TIMES
80 years ago
Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Vandergrift and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Mask of Ocoee were hosts to soldiers of Unit 11 at an Italian spaghetti supper at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Foots Vandergrift. The spaghetti was prepared by Mrs. Howard Armstrong.
Miss Ina Sayer and Navy Lt. Edgar Henderson of Royston, Ga., were married at a quiet wedding in the Methodist church.
Miss Frances Fosdick of Oakland and Lt. James F. McKey of Plant City were married at the Oakland Presbyterian Church.
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Mrs. Comer Nelson was hired as the new telegraph operator in Winter Garden at the Postal Telegraph Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Bud Bean were the proud parents of a son, Jimmy, who was recently born.
Chief of Police William L. Fisher submitted his resignation. The other policemen, Ernest Crawford and Clyde Ethridge, were expected to remain on the force.
70 years ago
Dedication for the new Dillard Street Elementary School was held with Judson Walker, superintendent of public instruction, giving the dedicatory remarks. Also on the program were the Rev. Albert Stulck, Mrs. W.H. Hinson, Miss Margaret Holbrook, Lew Warden and Mrs. W.H. Roberson.
Hoyle Pounds, Winter Garden fire chief and merchant, was given emergency treatment at West Orange Memorial Hospital after an accident with a turbine dusting outfit in which he lost two fingers on his right hand.
The building at 101-121 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden, seen here in 1998, has changed little since its 1921 construction by J. Davis “Jeter” McMillan, Robert E. Black and Alvah Cohen Bray. It was often referred to as the Clinic Building, as several physicians leased space in the upstairs offices. From 1933 to 1953, the Winter Garden Post Office operated from a space on the first floor. After McMillan and Bray sold their shares to Black, a citrus grower and Clermont businessman, the structure was known as the Black Building. L. Eugene Cappleman Sr. and Ed Fischer purchased the building in 1968, and the Cappleman family acquired Fischer’s share at his death. In 2012, it was renamed again in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of brothers William and Thurlow Cappleman to Winter Garden; the family owned and operated groceries, insurance and real-estate businesses on Plant Street for many years.
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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.
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50 years ago
David Colburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Colburn, of Windermere, grew a 34.5-inch dipper gourd.
40 years ago
Walt Disney World began a new era of entertainment in Central Florida with the opening of Epcot Center.
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30 years ago
Winnifred and Ben Griffin’s chil dren and grandchildren hosted a 50th wedding anniversary party
for the couple at the Woman’s Club of Ocoee. They were married Oct. 3, 1942, in Corpus Christi, Texas, where Ben was stationed with the Navy.
The Winter Garden City Commission approved its next fiscal year budget, set at $8,313,530. The millage rate remained at 3.804.
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Crawford Tire in Ocoee cel ebrated its 25th year in business. Junior Crawford began selling tires in a service station on McKey Street in downtown Ocoee. It
moved and expanded the busi ness three years later.
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20 years ago
The Oakland Nature Preserve dedicated its new 3,300-foot boardwalk, which meanders through the pristine wetlands that make up the preserve and ends with a spectacular view from a large pavilion and dock overlook ing Lake Apopka.
OCT. 1, 1992
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Cutting out printed coupons once was a popular and beneficial part of shopping and having services done.
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The Winter Garden Shopping Center, at Park Avenue and West Colonial Drive, announced many sales and deals at its businesses in an advertisement with The West Orange Times.
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Remember frequenting C&H Hallmark, Jack’s Aquarium & Pets, Sadie Babe’s, Geared to Dance, Publix, Beall’s, Niccoli’s, Eckerd Drugs, Movie Scene and these other businesses?
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“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.”
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