10.27.22 West Orange Times & Observer

Ocoee

YOUR TOWN

Sam Stage, grandson of Sue Hurley and the late Warren Hurley of Windermere and son of Sally Hurley (1978 graduate of West Orange High School) and Scott Stage, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was offered full scholarships to both Berklee College of Music and New Eng land Conservatory in Boston and is beginning his studies in violin performance at Berklee.

Stage graduated summa cum laude from Enloe Magnet High School, where he was editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, section leader in the big band and member of the jazz combo.

Stage also is the greatgrandson of Lawton and Mamie Shaw, who established Shaw’s Florist in Winter Garden in the early 1950s, and A.W and Clara Tilden Hurley, of Hurley Groves, as well as the greatgreat-grandson of Luther Fuller and Emily Tilden, all pioneers and commu nity builders of the West Orange/Tildenville/Winter Garden area in the 1800s. His paternal grandparents, the late Fred and Ellie Stage of Centen nial, Colorado, would be proud of his accomplishments.

NEHRLING HEARS

Orlando Philharmonic to headline new event

Attendees at Music Among the Lakes can enjoy the sounds of the orchestra while picnicking on the town of Windermere grounds.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

The folks who bring you the annual Windermere Wine & Dine are offer ing something new next month: a free outdoor concert called Music Among the Lakes. The theme is “Film to Broadway.”

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and Orlando Philhar monic will share their music while guests enjoy the sunset and an eve ning under the stars. Those attending are invited to take blankets and chairs to experience this inaugural event, Saturday, Nov. 5, on the grounds of Windermere Town Hall.

CT Allen, founder and event chair of Windermere Wine & Dine, said the Orlando Philharmonic used to

play in the town years ago, and she is excited to bring it back. The Wine & Dine committee put this together after the 2021 wine event was can celed because of the pandemic.

“We’ve always wanted to do this,” Allen said. “It’s kind of like the sis ter event to the Wine & Dine. We’re hoping it has a great following and it works, and, maybe, this can be an annual event, as well.”

The event also is a chance to give back in several ways. Organizers have created a virtual food drive to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, and when folks register for their concert tickets on the website, they have the option of making a monetary dona tion to the food bank. The goal is $10,000, Allen said.

For every $10 donated to the virtual food drive, Second Harvest can dis tribute 40 meals in the community.

As a way to support the local busi nesses, attendees can make purchas es from Dixie Cream Café, Winder mere Brewing Company, Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ and Tim’s Wine Market. Picnic baskets and wine bags must be preordered by Oct. 30; everything can be picked up in the Dixie Cream parking lot before people walk over to the seating area.

The brewery also is hosting a quar terly charity tap, and plastic beer

steins will be available for purchase. The first one occurs that evening, and it benefits the Windermere Police Department Foundation.

“It’s a fun event,” Allen said. “The philharmonic is excited to get back to Windermere. … Our town is so unique; it’s a small-town feel, so hosting an outdoor music event sounds right. All your friends are together, your neighbors are togeth er. … I like building these small-town events. … It helps build a sense of community.”

MUSIC AMONG THE LAKES

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 5

WHERE: Windermere Town Hall grounds, 520 Main St.

SCHEDULE: Grounds open at 4 p.m., the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will play at 5:15, and the Orlando Philhar monic begins playing at 6:30.

TICKETS: To reserve free tickets, visit windermerewineanddine.com.

Courtesy photo

Windermere Wine & Dine officials hope to make the concert an annual town event.

AOakland resident Jennifer Noak and her family celebrate the Halloween season with their annual Pumpkin Party, a tradition that dates back more than 15 years and has crossed multiple states.

GOURD

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

For many, the tradition of pumpkin carving starts at an early age. For Oakland resi dent Jennifer Noak, her first experience carving a pumpkin wasn’t until she was in 10th grade.

But, it’s a moment she will never forget.

Noak traveled to a friend’s house, where she spent time with their fam ily who learned she had never carved a pumpkin before.

She said she felt cheated and decid ed she would use every year to make up for the ones she missed, starting in 2005 with the creation of her first Pumpkin Party in Winter Garden.

“I fell in love with it, and I think maybe this is why we host a pumpkin party instead of a costume party,” she said. “Ever since that, I don’t know what it was, I just loved it, and I want ed to share that same joy and excite ment with others. It made my love for Halloween grow even more.”

CARVING CREATION

Noak has hosted her annual Pumpkin Party for more than 15 years and only has skipped the event a few times in instances such as the COVID-19 pan demic.

The central focus behind the con cept is spending time with loved ones while also encouraging attendees to participate in a judged pumpkin carv ing contest.

Once all of the pumpkins have been carved, Noak sets the creations up along the porch to allow guests to cast their vote for The Great Pumpkin, the best pumpkin and the Frankenpump kin, a wild card to level the playing field between kids and adults. The Frankenpumpkin can be the ugliest, silliest or even favorite.

After the ballots are cast anony mously on small folded pieces of paper, the winners are announced. The winner of The Great Pumpkin signs a big orange pumpkin noting the year, while the winner of the Franken pumpkin signs the Frankenpumpkin List, which is a small black leather bound book, also noting the year.

In addition, the event features s’mores by the fire pit, a big pot of chili, fun treats, games and more.

SPOOKY START

Although the Pumpkin Party first was held in Winter Garden, the tra dition has traveled with Noak across multiple states, including Texas and Colorado, where she met her hus band, Jonathon.

“In 2005, Halloween kind of seemed like the unclaimed holiday, so I thought, ‘Why not host a Hal

loween party?’” Noak said. “Two or three friends and I decided to start a pumpkin-carving contest. We had so much fun with it, and it seemed to just catch on. It expanded from just a few friends to family, children, neighbors and more.”

In Denver, Noak recalls a restaurant downtown called Linger, operating in a building that had been a morgue. She gave a gift card to the eatery in the form of a toe tag for the winner of The Great Pumpkin, while the winner of the Frankenpumpkin won a Bob Ross how-to kit to improve their skills.

Although the tradition has evolved and the prizes have been modified to apply to every age group, the spirit of the contest never changed.

“What we’ve found is that no mat ter where we’ve lived or what mix of people attend, it seems like everyone enjoys it,” she said.

FAMILY AFFAIR Noak shared she has had a love for Halloween for as long as she can remember.

As a child, she loved the fantastical aspects of the holiday and dressing up.

Noak remembers taking pillow cases to go trick-or-treating with her two younger sisters. The girls would fill them to the brim and then returned home to barter for their favorite good ies.

One year, when Noak’s mother ran out of candy, the siblings were forced to hand out their own candy they had collected.

“I remember thinking at the time it was just so cruel,” she said, laugh ing. “As a kid, going trick-or-treating was just the most amazing thing. But now just as much, if not more, we love handing out the candy to the kids. We don’t want to hand out just one piece of candy; we want to pass out hand fuls.”

Noak has lived in Oakland Park since 2017 with Jonathon; their son, Angel; and their two rescued dogs, George and Ruby.

She said she starts getting excited about Halloween in March, although decorations have to come down immediately after the conclusion of the holiday to make way for the fam ily’s Thanksgiving tradition of setting up the Christmas tree with only lights.

The family watches Halloween movies year-round including favor ites like “The Addams Family” (the original version), “Beetlejuice,” “The Great Pumpkin” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Noak loves Tim Burton and said she often jokes that George, who is miss ing one eye, reminds her of one of his characters.

Although the house is heavily dec orated with a giant skeleton, a flying witch, a smoking cauldron, animated figures, a fog machine, eerie music and more, Noak said she hopes to add more decorations every year and to expand the Pumpkin Party event to share the Halloween spirit with as many people as possible.

HOOPLA

Plan your Halloween (and alterna tives to Halloween) fun with our round-up of local events.

SCHOOL EVENTS DILLARD STREET ELEMENTARY FALL FESTIVAL

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11

WHERE: Dillard Street Elementary, 311 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden DETAILS: The Dillard Street Elementary PTA invites the school community to its fall festival. The event will include bounce houses, inflatables, carnival games and a glow in the dark dance party.

METROWEST ELEMENTARY TRUNK-OR-TREAT

WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27

WHERE: MetroWest Elementary, 1801 Lake Vilma Drive, Orlando DETAILS: MetroWest Elementary PTA is holding a Trunk-or-Treat for its school and families. The festivi ties will include music, food trucks and costume contests.

WATER SPRING ELEMENTARY TRUNK-OR-TREAT

WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27

WHERE: Water Spring Elementary, 16000 Water Spring Blvd., Winter Garden DETAILS: Music, games and cos tume contests will be abundant at this event. Pre-registration is required.

DR. PHILLIPS

ONCE UPON A HALLOWEEN

WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Theatre South, The Mar ketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7601 Della Drive, Suite 15, Orlando DETAILS: Third annual safe night of tricking-or-treating, plus a spooky play reading.

HORIZON WEST

“THE REAPING — HARVEST OF HALLOW’D SOULS”

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31

WHERE: 7914 Winter Wren St., Winter Garden, in the Summerlake community of Horizon West DETAILS: You are invited to take a stroll through “Old Man” Corco ran’s farmland and relive the night mare that befell the couple and all their friends on that terrifying night in 1939. Everyone who attended the Corcorans’ Halloween party ended up dead — and only Anita was unaccounted for. Some folks say her spirit roams the halls of the abandoned farmhouse.

HOME STATE HALLOWEEN PARTY

WHEN: 7 p.m. to midnight Satur day, Oct. 29

WHERE: Home State Brewing Company, 16016 New Indepen dence Parkway DETAILS: Calling all enthusiasts of The Craft – beer, of course! Home State Brewing Co. is hosting its first Halloween affair. Enter, if you dare, the spooky lounge and dance party with craft brews, a special food menu, music with deejay Eno, haunting photo ops and a costume contest. This is a ticketed event.

OAKLAND OAKLAND NATURE

PRESERVE PUMPKIN GLOW

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland DETAILS: The family-friendly Glow Trail at the Oakland Nature Pre serve will be lined with jack-o’-lan terns created by members of the community, making for an ethereal and beautiful nighttime hike.

HAUNTED TRAIL

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: 350 N. Tubb St., Oakland OCOEE

HALLOWEEN HOWL-NIGHT

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28

WHERE: Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A.D. Mims Road, Ocoee

DETAILS: Enjoy a trunk-or-treat, glow hunt, games, contests, treats and prizes hosted by the city of Ocoee.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE GOOD GHOUL GALA

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Rosen Event Center, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando

WINDERMERE COSTUME PARADE AND HAYRIDE

WHEN: 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Downtown Windermere

WINTER GARDEN HALLOWEEN LIGHT SHOW

WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. through Mon day, Oct. 31

WHERE: City Hall, 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden

HAY MAZE WHEN: Open daily through Mon day, Oct. 31

WHERE: City Hall, 300 W. Plant St.

LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMERS WHEN: Evenings Friday, Oct. 28, through Monday, Oct. 31

WHERE: Downtown Winter Garden

HALLOWEEN MOVIE SERIES AT THE GARDEN THEATRE

WHEN: “Hotel Transylvania,” 3 p.m. “Psycho,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29; “Hocus Pocus,” 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30

WHERE: Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St. TICKETS: gardentheater.org HALLOWEEN AT THE MARKET WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Downtown Pavilion, 104. S. Lakeview Ave.

DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL

WHEN: 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Historic Downtown DETAILS: Trick-or-Treat down the candy trail hosted by 19 participat ing shops in historic downtown.

SPOOKY CABOOSE

WHEN: 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

WHERE: Winter Garden Heritage Museum, 21 E. Plant St.

OUR CAUSE 4 PAWS RESCUE PET CONTEST

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30

WHERE: Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plan St., Winter Garden

DETAILS: Prizes for the top three costumes. All proceeds will benefit the rescue.

HALLOWEEN ALTERNATIVES

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF WINTER GARDEN TRUNK-OR-TREAT

WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

WHERE: 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden DETAILS: The church is excited for another year of decorated trunks and providing a safe environment for the community to enjoy trickor-treating.

GLAD TIDINGS CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL AND TRUNK-OR-TREAT

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

WHERE: 2009 E. Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee DETAILS: The church is encourag ing locals to wear their favorite costume, load up friends and fam ily members, bring a bag to collect candy, and come visit the location for a sweet adventure. The event also will include games and bounce houses.

Annabelle Sikes

Jonathon, Jennifer and Angel Joak are huge fans of Halloween traditions.

Hope Moses and Morgan and Mason McMillen carved spooky jack-o’-lanterns.

Pastor dedicated life to faithful service

QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Pastor Anthony Hodge always believed actions speak louder than words — and while he had a gift for speaking love and God’s word into the people who needed it most, he also had the courage to put those words into action.

Hodge, a Winter Garden native who created successful outreach programs in his beloved eastside community, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, of lung cancer. He was 62.

“He fought till the end; he really did,” his wife, Sharee Villard-Hodge, said. “I gathered how much he loved his community and loved his family and loved the lives he touched. He was fighting for all of us.”

LOVE FOR PEOPLE

Hodge was born and raised in east Winter Garden. He never hid the fact that he was a former drug user and dealer. In fact, he embraced his past as a way of healing himself and work ing to change lives in his hometown.

In 2000, Hodge was serving time in prison and facing 70 years behind bars, but his life was changed forever when he gave his life to Jesus, he said, and his sentence was reduced to a few years.

It became his mission to return to east Winter Garden and help others like himself, and he created a street ministry in 2004 called Finding the Lost Sheep.

“Anthony’s motivation was a love for people,” Villard-Hodge said. “Because God set him free and deliv ered him out of bondage, Anthony wanted to see the light that God showed him. He just wanted that love to overshadow and overtake people’s heart and set them free and let them know that it’s possible for God to set them free.

“You saw that in the way he lived his life,” Villard-Hodge said. “He was so adamant about talking about how God delivered him.”

Hodge was passionate about street outreach, she said, and he was pleased when he could reach someone who was lost.

“Finding the Lost Sheep was his heart; that was his baby,” VillardHodge said. “He loved reaching people that didn’t know God … and becoming a pastor to those that did but were struggling with their life.”

STRONG TESTIMONY

Sharee Villard met Anthony Hodge in 2011, when a pastoral colleague introduced the two. Hodge invited her to sing at a holiday outreach event he was holding in east Winter Garden. Villard had been planning a ministry trip to the Caribbean, but she changed her mind and sang at the program — and she fell in love with Hodge and his hometown.

They were married in 2012, and together, the couple made an impact on the people who live in the commu nity in which Hodge grew up.

In addition to Finding the Lost Sheep, Hodge was gifted with an old church building on Klondike Street in Winter Garden, and he turned it into a welcoming space for children and families named Restore Hope for Youth. The youth called it the Impact Center, and that name stuck.

Through the Lost Sheep ministry, the Hodges started a church in 2017 in Ocoee, Restored Life Church Wor ship Center. Both have served as pas tors there.

Hodge provided a jail ministry at the Orange County Corrections Department in Orlando, as well, to continue meeting the physical, emo tional and spiritual needs of the lost.

“It was a strong testimony of the love of God and faith and hope,” Villard-Hodge said of her husband’s work. “He’s made a tremendous effect on so many lives.”

AND SO HE WALKED

In March, Hodge felt the urge to hon or the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his participation in 1965 in the his toric 54-mile civil rights march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery. Hodge embarked on a personal journey to take the same path along U.S. Route 80 in a oneman walk he called “Remembering Bloody Sunday — And So We Walk.”

When he reached the capital, Hodge recited “Our God is Marching On,” one of many King speeches he has memorized, for everyone present and on Facebook Live to hear.

He planned to make the Selma-toMontgomery pilgrimage an annual event and was hoping to take people with him to experience the journey with him.

In addition to his wife, Hodge is survived by his daughter, Miracle; sisters, Cynthia Tucker, Claudine Hodge, Jeanese Hodge, Theresa Hodge; brothers, James Hodge and Jimmy Hodge.

Although the Hodges lived in Mas cotte, he always considered Winter Garden home. He was born to Clifford and Katie Hodge on Aug. 22, 1961. He graduated from West Orange High School and earned his associate’s degree in arts in 2005 from the Insti tute of Theology and Ministry Train ing. He was pursuing his bachelor’s degree in theology at International Seminary of Plymouth at the time of his death.

A celebration of Hodge’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Mosaic Church, 14175 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha.

A GoFundMe account was set up for personal needs while Hodge was ill, and donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/pastorhodge. Vil lard-Hodge also suggests folks sup port Finding the Lost Sheep Ministry to continue Hodge’s work. Dona tions can be made to Finding the Lost Sheep, P.O. Box 770591, Winter Gar den, FL 34777; or at findingthelost sheep.com.

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Pastor Anthony Hodge and his wife, Sharee Villard-Hodge, opened Restore Hope for Youth in an old church building in Winter Garden.

File photos

Pastor Anthony Hodge walked from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, with wife, Sharee, and daughter, Miracle, close behind.

A mother’s love

of school and new dresses for Easter.

She showed me a lifetime of what a loving marriage looks like, and she readily spent time with my children so this single mom could go out.

She was in the audience for every one of my dance recitals and piano recitals and school performances, and she was there for my children’s school and sports activities, too.

The obituary

of

wrote barely

Most people know she loved flowers and gardening. But do they know she especially loved marigolds, gardenias, Spath lilies and caladiums? Or that she never hesitated to bend down and pull a few weeds out of someone else’s yard — mine included?

She loved every moment of her member ship at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden — nearly 50 years — and perfect attendance was important. We went every Sunday, and if we were on vacation, we found a Methodist church to attend. I still have my lapel pins to prove it.

Mother loved the old Methodist hymns, like “Old Rugged Cross” and “Amaz ing Grace” — but her favorite was “In the Garden.” She told me more than 30 years ago that she wanted that song played at her funeral. And for the next three decades, every single time we sang it in church, I stood there and cried because I knew it would one day be her funeral song.

After watching me cry one too many times, she finally told me not to play it at her funeral because she didn’t want me that upset.

Well, her memorial service was Sun day, and, yes, it was sung. And, yes, I cried again. It was beautiful, and it was perfect, and Mother would have loved it. Maybe she would have cried, too.

Mother was a giver — a giver of her time, her talents, her patience. She took pride in caring for others her entire life, whether it was her babies, her grandbabies, her own mother or her husband.

As a little girl, I thought (no, I knew) I had the perfect life. Because I had the perfect mother.

When I remember my childhood, I’m reminded of all the different parties Mother planned — birthday parties and slumber parties with friends and gatherings with family to celebrate everyone’s birthdays. Chocolate mayonnaise cake always was my favorite.

She often carried a metal tray with small cups of soda to our wooden swing at the house on Highway 50 for “Pepsi Parties.”

I can still smell the blue striped hand towel she carefully pinned into the insides of our nightgowns so the Vicks VapoRub wouldn’t get my pajamas greasy. She cut my butter-soaked toast into little squares when I was sick.

No matter how tired she was, she always had time to scratch my back, even in my adulthood. I will miss that small yet huge showing of affection.

She pretended to make me drinks out of the “soda fountain” in the dashboard to pass time on long trips when I was little and complained of thirst. She drove my little sister around town with the air-conditioner on full blast whenever she had an asthma attack, even if it was 3 a.m.

As I got older, she added taxi driver to her list of motherhood responsibilities, drop ping me off at friends’ houses, the skating rink, the movies.

At night, she fixed rich, chocolate milk shakes for a snack. She taught me how to bake chocolate chip cookies — although mine will never be as good as hers.

Mother was one of the field trip moms and homeroom moms at Dillard Street Elementary, and my friends and classmates knew if she was bringing cupcakes they would be homemade with an extra dollop of icing.

She came from an era of saving and reus ing items and kept probably 87,000 pounds of tin foil, baggies, and plastic utensils and cups out of the local landfill. I’ll admit, a little bit of that rubbed off on me.

She put together goody bags full of candy for family vacations, and she made sure Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny didn’t overlook me.

I always had a new outfit on the first day

Mother made me practice the piano, even when I didn’t want to, and I know she was disappointed when I said I didn’t want to play anymore. I now wish I could play. I tried a few years ago to pick it up again, but my brain and fingers wouldn’t cooperate.

Mother taught her children to say please and thank you, to always put a smile on our faces, to write thank-you letters and to be kind.

She was there for my successes and my failures — either with smiles and hugs or with tears and hugs — but always ready with a hug.

The last month has been a blur — both tediously slow yet swiftly moving. Sit ting by her bedside watching her breathe; getting “the call” at 2 in the morning on a Wednesday; contacting the funeral home; picking the right songs, the right flowers, the right photos; making sure someone could make Mother’s special punch for the reception. Making sure everything was perfect, as if she herself was hosting her final party.

Now we have to go on with life without Mother — just like we did without Daddy five years ago. Three times last week, I started to call her to tell her something mundane. I suppose that will happen for a while.

Above all else, she made sure I always knew I was loved. She was, without a doubt, the best mother in the world.

Left: At a Winter Garden Heri tage Founda tion program to recognize Daddy as a 2017 History Maker.

Below left: In the 1990s.

Below right: When you don’t have any hair, your mother has to tape a bow to your head.

Dreaming big

The West Orange Dream Center is hosting the inaugural Dream Big fundraiser dinner to raise funds

the building and programming

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

The West Orange Dream Center is inviting locals to attend the inaugural Dream Big fundraiser dinner on Satur day, Nov. 5.

The fundraiser aims to raise $150,000 to help offset the costs of the building, programming and every thing the organization does with funds for items such as coffee, electricity, rent, supplies and food.

Rainey McFadden, director of the West Orange Dream Center, said at the end of the night, he believes his only word will be “wow.”

“We are developing one-on-one and community personal relation ships as if we are family, to change the mindset for future hope and dreams,” McFadden said. “These relationships are what inspire me. This great night will be the stamp of great partner ships, bringing one community and many centers to be one voice for West Orange, Winter Garden and beyond.”

FUNDRAISER FEATURES

More than 250 people have been invit ed to attend the fundraiser, including prominent community figures, local business owners, city officials and media personnel.

Carol Vereb, programs director and former director of the center, has been with the organization since 2019.

“The Dream Center is blessed to be here,” Vereb said. “We want to make an impact on Winter Garden, which is why we invited city officials and the media team. Our hope is that in their conversations, if they come across someone in need, they can direct them our way for help. We’re not expecting anything. The purpose is to see, hear and learn our mission. We’re excited to be part of a community that seems to be so close knit.”

Ninety-nine percent of the center is run by volunteers; the idea for the fun

Saturday, Nov.

draiser was prompted by the increased need for funds.

“It costs money to keep things run ning,” Vereb said. “We’ve had some great supporters who have been by us along the way, and they continue to do so. But this event is to help us continue the mission that we feel so called to do. We just want to love on the community in a special way and to let them know how happy we are to be here and to be serving in their home.”

The VIP room will open an hour before the start of the event with char cuterie supplied by local small busi ness The Modern Host.

For the main dinner, the Dream Center has partnered with John Rivers from Four Rivers to supply guests with two carving stations, a full buffet and staff to accompany the selections.

A smooth jazz band will be play ing during dinner, provided by Family Church, and The First Academy stu dent volunteers will help with event set-up and service during dinner.

Two raffle tickets will be available. The first will be $10 for a “Basket of Winter Garden” and the second will be $100 for a week’s stay at a threebedroom condo in Cocoa Beach.

Although some of the activities will be a surprise, Vereb shared several board members will speak. The key note speaker will be Bishop Sylvester Robinson, of Love Fellowship Church.

Robinson is the co-founder of the Jobs Partnership of Florida and serves on the board of directors as the chairman emeritus.

Vereb said Robinson’s message will inspire everyone no matter where they are in their life.

“All of this is not just to make the people who visit us better, but also to get someone in their court,” she said. “Someone who’s going to believe in the people and encourage them and show support to them. Whatever it is, we want to be on their side to show them we’re here. We want to trans

form lives. When we find a hurt, we want to heal it, when we find a need we want to fill it.”

ABOUT THE DREAM CENTER

The Dream Center serves as a resource center focused on providing support to those affected by homelessness, hun ger and the lack of education through residential and community outreach programs.

The nonprofit’s mission is to “con nect broken people to a community of support by providing free resources and services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of homelessness, hunger, poverty, addic tion, abuse, education and human trafficking.”

The center offers a multitude of programs, including GED classes, fos ter family assistance with One More Child, outreach, where teams visit the homes of single moms and widows in east Winter Garden and minister to their needs, and a free coffee shop.

Other programs include GriefShare, adult literacy classes, Jobs Partner ship, Eight Waves, a food pantry, women’s counseling, Sprinkles of Joy, a caretaker support group; Crafting for a Cause, to benefit the community and make friends; and a men’s fellowship

WEST ORANGE DREAM CENTER

WEBSITE: wodreamcenter.com

PHONE: (407) 258-3107

DREAM BIG

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

WHERE: West Orange Dream Center, 1136 E. Plant St., Winter Garden

REGISTRATION: wodreamcenter. com/inaugural-dinner

DONATIONS: wodreamcenter. com/support

BOARD MEMBERS

n President: Joel Ramos, Span ish Community Pastor Family Church

n Vice President: Peter Fleck, Real Estate Collection

n Treasurer: James Warmus, Consultant n Tim Grosshans, Pastor First Baptist Winter Garden n Marcio Pacheco, Pastor The Crossings Church n Frank Foreman, Pastor New Horizons Christian Church n David Ogden, Chief of Police, Windermere

called Linkmen Lunch, a free lunch for all men focused on fellowship, worship and testimony.

In addition, the Mobile Dental Unit will return to the Dream Center Jan. 16-20, 2023, to supply free dental care for those without insurance.

Vereb said the center does not want to take away from other nonprofit organizations in the area, but instead work together to enhance the com munity.

“The Christian Service Center feeds people and does a food pantry, Mat thew’s Hope works with the home less, Shepherd’s Hope does medical care, but what we found was lacking in the community was educational pro grams,” Vereb said. “That’s what we wanted to focus on. All our program ming is free.”

In the future, Vereb said her hope is that the programming at the Dream Center will continue on for years to come.

“I hope that everyone who comes through our doors leaves feeling blessed,” she said. “More loved than when they came in. And to know there’s a team of people here who are going to support them no matter what they’re going through. We are a com munity that cares about each other.”

Annabelle Sikes

Carol Vereb is the programs director at the West Orange Dream Center.

Owl Prowl 2022 takes flight

Dubsdread Catering, Pammie’s Sammies

beer options were also available courtesy of Winder mere Brewing Company and Quintessential Wines.

In addition, locals enjoyed live music by Abstract in the Sky on steel drums and Brian Hayes on acoustic guitar, learned about the garden’s four owl ambas sadors on display by the Avian Reconditioning Center, browsed an art auction and silent auction to support local artists and the gardens, and watched as artists created live works of art along the paths of the garden.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

Quenton Caron and Sally Coyle stopped for a quick photo opportunity at the 2022 Owl Prowl.

Kathy Fraher, Gail Agor and Gabriel DoPico attended the event to gether.

Crystal Jordan showed off her lake painting.

Right: Ashley and Jason Brouillette welcomed locals with a wide selec tion of wine options.

Kassy Holmes and Sandy Roman stopped to enjoy the tranquil gardens on one of the benches.

Guests enjoyed music by Brian Hayes on classical guitar.

New subdivision

homes to Ocoee

The Ocoee City Commission approved the annexation, compre hensive plan amendment, rezoning and large scale preliminary subdivi sion plan for the Isaak Malka prop erty during its Oct. 18 meeting.

The property is located at 2199 West Road within the city of Ocoee Orange County Joint Planning area. It sits on 5.08 acres.

According to the agenda, the prop erty now has a high density residen tial land use that allows eight to 16 units to be developed per acre of land — totaling 81 dwelling units. How ever, as requested in the rezoning, the proposed land use plan will limit development to a 48-lot townhome subdivision under a density of 9.4 units per acre.

Stormwater management will be provided through surface retention and potable water, and wastewater will be provided by Orange County Utilities while the city of Ocoee will provide reclaimed water service.

The only concern voiced by the commission was traffic, as access to the approved subdivision will be through Desert Candle Drive.

“This is a project that is going to make an immediate impact on the traffic in that area,” Commissioner George Oliver said.

n The commission read a proclamation declaring the week of Nov. 5 to 12 as Week of the Family, urging all citizens to take some time to honor the impor tance of the meaning behind the word “family.”

n The commission approved all items on the consent agenda, including the approval of the townhomes at the Ocoee Village Center and the approval for the purchases of the 2022-23 budget vehicles and equipment the city purchases through various competitively bid annual contracts.

n The commission pulled the second reading of an ordinance for Ocoee Landings mixed-use building amendment to be con tinued during the Nov. 1 meeting.

n The commission approved items pertaining to the an nexation and rezoning of the Rodriguez/Torres property and the Persaud/RAMA Communica tions, Inc. property.

n The commission denied a variance request from the Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores, located at 1531 E. Silver Star Road, to have an additional 80.08 square feet of sign area under the reasoning that other businesses in the area would ask the same petition in the future.

The project was unanimously approved. Ways to ease traffic at the entrance of the subdivision are being studied and analyzed.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Thing is Creating the Team

Windermere estate tops sales

million

Ahome in the Isleworth community in Win dermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Oct. 15 to 21.

The home at 5115 Fair way Oaks Drive, Wind ermere, sold Oct. 21, for $10,600,000. Built in 2015, it has seven bedrooms, sev en baths, four half-baths and 15,063 square feet of living area.

These are the highestselling homes in each com munity in West Orange.

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL APARTMENTS

The condo at 6258 Masters Blvd., No. C204, Orlando, sold Oct. 20, for $500,000. Built in 1971, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,848 square feet of living area. Days on market: 39.

DELLAGIO

The home at 8461 Via Vittaoria Way, Orlando, sold Oct. 17, for $1,150,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,863 square feet of living area. Days on market: 81.

EMERALD FOREST

The home at 8637 Dover Oaks Court, Orlando, sold Oct. 19, for $765,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,247 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

ENCLAVE

The condo at 6165 Carrier Drive, No. 1209, Orlando, sold Oct. 20, for $128,000. Built in 1985, it has one bedroom, one bath and 408 square feet of living area. Days on market: 102.

MABEL BRIDGE

The home at 11761 Verrazano Drive, Orlando, sold Oct. 17, for $515,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,439 square feet of living area. Days on market: 37.

PHILLIPS BAY CONDOMINIUMS

The townhouse at 7426 Green Tree Drive, No. 113, Orlando, sold Oct. 18, for $520,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,384 square feet of living area. Days on market: 16.

SAND LAKE COVE

The home at 10121 Cove Lake Drive, Orlando, sold Oct. 18, for $700,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,785 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

SAND LAKE HILLS

The home at 8566 Shady Glen Drive, Orlando, sold Oct. 17, for $372,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,673 square feet of living area.

SAND LAKE SOUND

The home at 7392 Alpine Butterfly Lane, Orlando, sold Oct. 17, for $1,250,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,910 square feet of living area. Days on market: 135.

TOSCANA

The condo at 7500 Toscana Blvd., No. 344, Orlando, sold Oct. 19, for $510,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,085 square feet of living area. Days on market: 36.

VISTA CAY

The townhouse at 5026 Tideview Circle, No. 17, Orlando, sold Oct. 21, for $399,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 1,746 square feet of living area. Days on market: 55.

The condo at 4802 Cayview Ave., No. 40714 Orlando, sold Oct. 21, for $316,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,112 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

HORIZON WEST INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 14962 Speer Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 17, for $640,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,407 square feet of living area. Days on mar ket: 107.

LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The home at 15603 Panther Lake Place, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $2.5 million. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, five-andone-half baths and 5,544 square feet of living area. Days on mar ket: 58.

ASHLIN PARK

The home at 7223 Backwoods Trail, Windermere, sold Oct. 20, for $525,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,066 square feet of living area. Days on market: 16.

LAKESIDE VILLAGE TOWNHOMES

The townhouse at 10713 Village Lake Road, Windermere, sold Oct. 20, for $440,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,938 square feet of living area. Days on market: 11.

ORCHARD HILLS

The townhouse at 5803 Cypress Hill Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $420,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,712 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.

Yet OUR HEROES

Share the code with every one you know and tell them to text it to 71777. Every penny raised using your Team code is credited to your Team!

realtor.com

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 8168 Gray Kingbird Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $609,900. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,445 square feet of living area. Days on market: 21.

SUMMERPORT

The home at 14350 Red Cardinal Court, Windermere, sold Oct. 20, for $606,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,211 square feet of living area. Days on market: 28.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 9561 Bolero Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 17, for $805,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,921 square feet of living area. Days on market: 23.

The home at 16595 Point Rock Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $618,740. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,489 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

The home at 11099 Bostwick Alley, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $586,740. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,489 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

The townhouse at 12004 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 20, for $445,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,817 square feet of living area.

The townhouse at 13115 Bounty Ave., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $419,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,567 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The townhouse at 12016 Holystone St., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 20, for $419,740. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,567 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

WINDERMERE ISLE

The home at 8454 Elba Isle Court, Windermere, sold Oct. 20, for $980,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,486 square feet of liv ing area. Days on market: Four.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 9022 Reflection Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold Oct. 21, for $620,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,627 square feet of living area. Days on market: 62.

OAKLAND LONGLEAF AT OAKLAND

The home at 2724 Bobcat Chase Blvd., Oakland, sold Oct. 20, for $485,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,811 square feet of living area. Days on market: 17.

OCOEE ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2756 Norway Maple Court, Ocoee, sold Oct. 21, for $494,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,429 square feet of living area. Days on market: 63.

BRENTWOOD HEIGHTS

The home at 1412 Kirby St., Ocoee, sold Oct. 21, for $275,000. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,234 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

CARRIAGE OAKS

The home at 1404 Carriage Oak Court, Ocoee, sold Oct. 18, for $330,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,584 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four.

FENWICK COVE

The home at 252 Longhirst Loop, Ocoee, sold Oct. 18, for $470,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,888 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

LAKE MEADOW LANDING

The townhouse at 1727 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold Oct. 20, for $421,229. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,941 square feet of living area. Days on market: 148.

LAKE OLYMPIA CLUB

The home at 1515 Adriatic Drive, Ocoee, sold Oct. 20, for $469,000. Built in 1993, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,371 square feet of living area. Days on market: 71.

MEADOWS

The home at 475 Meadow Sweet Court, Ocoee, sold Oct. 21, for $235,000. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,000 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

NORTH OCOEE ADDITION

The home at 101 Wurst Road, Ocoee, sold Oct. 17, for $305,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, one-and-one-half baths and 1,000 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

realtor.com

The home at 7392 Alpine Butterfly Lane, Orlando, sold Oct. 17, for $1,250,000. It was the largest transaction in Dr. Phillips from Oct. 15 to 21.

OAK TRAIL RESERVE

The home at 3154 Timber Hawk Circle, Ocoee, sold Oct. 20, for $395,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,516 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.

PEACH LAKE MANOR

The home at 709 Russell Drive, Ocoee, sold Oct. 17, for $265,000.

Built in 1959, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,111 square feet of liv ing area. Days on market: 45.

RESERVE AT MEADOW LAKE

The home at 1294 Plumgrass Circle, Ocoee, sold Oct. 20, for $470,000.

Built in 2009, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,345 square feet of living area. Days on market: 96.

PLANTATION GROVE WEST

The home at 830 Grovesmere Loop, Ocoee, sold Oct. 21, for $516,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,118 square feet of living area. Days on market: 39.

WINDSOR LANDING

The home at 3336 Beazer Drive, Ocoee, sold Oct. 21, for $850,000.

Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,729 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

WINDERMERE CHAINE DU LAC

The home at 12528 Park Ave., Windermere, sold Oct. 18, for $3,625,000. Built in 1995, it has six bedrooms, seven baths and 6,325 square feet of living area. Days on market: 34.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6137 Lake Burden View Drive, Windermere, sold Oct. 21, for $2,150,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, six baths and 6,250 square feet of living area. Days on market: 91.

The home at 9715 Wyland Court, Windermere, sold Oct. 20, for $1,600,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,920 square feet of living area. Days on market: 20.

realtor.com

The home at 15603 Panther Lake Place, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $2.5 million. It was the largest transac tion in Horizon West from Oct. 15 to 21.

Right: The home at 12151 Walker Pond Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $2,400,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from Oct. 15 to 21.

The home at 11413 Camden Park Drive, Windermere, sold Oct. 17, for $980,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,840 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

WILLOWS AT LAKE RHEA

The home at 2131 Kane Park Way, Windermere, sold Oct. 21, for $852,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,523 square feet of living area. Days on market: 77.

WINTER GARDEN DANIELS CROSSING

The home at 252 Daniels Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $353,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,345 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

DEERFIELD PLACE

The home at 236 Doe Run Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $445,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,972 square feet of living area. Days on market: 82.

EMERALD RIDGE

The home at 14918 Tullamore Loop, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $617,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,906 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

EWINGS ADDITION

The home at 467 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 20, for $507,000. Built in 1955, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,256 square feet of living area. Days on market: One.

GLENVIEW ESTATES

The home at 632 Glenview Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 17, for $435,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,819 square feet of living area. Days on market: 80.

GROVEHURST

The home at 12718 Grovehurst Ave., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $525,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,529 square feet of living area. Days on market: 24.

PARK AVENUE ESTATES

The home at 357 Windford Court, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 17, for $330,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,099 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2466 Baronsmede Court, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $630,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,605 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

TOWNHOMES OF WINTER GARDEN

The condo at 394 Douglas Way, No. 72, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $232,000. Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 930 square feet of living area. Days on market: 41.

VALENCIA SHORES

The home at 310 Valencia Shores Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 18, for $385,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,736 square feet of living area. Days on market: 38.

VILLAS AT TUCKER OAKS

The townhouse at 1219 Scarlet Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 17, for $365,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,687 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five.

WINDTREE GARDENS

The condo at 48 Windtree Lane, No. 203, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 17, for $195,000. Built in 1983, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 918 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

WINTER GARDEN

The home at 12151 Walker Pond Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 21, for $2,400,000. Built in 1984, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,993 square feet of living area. Days on market: 126.

PUSHING THEIR LIMITS

After a 4-3 overall record for their regular season, the Legacy Charter Eagles are ready to play Bishop Snyder during the first round of the playoffs Friday, Oct. 28, in Jacksonville.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

After compiling a 4-3 record in the regular season, the Legacy Charter football team is ready to take that success into the playoffs this week.

“They’ve come a long way,” head football coach Ryan Locuson said of the 2022 Eagles. “I think just setting weekly goals has been helpful — set ting the goal to get better each week there’s always growth. Being stag nant is not healthy, so we’ve (been) striving to be better each week.”

Senior leadership also contributed to the team.

Linebacker and running back Kyle Dorcy, 17, has been an Eagle for his four years in high school and given his experience on the field. This year, he has shared the knowledge he has of the game with the younger play ers.

“I taught half of them everything this season,” he said. “It’s been kind of a (challenge) a little bit, because

I’m coaching and playing at the same time. But I’m a leader, so that’s what I’ve got to do.”

“I think our leadership team that we have as players has been abso lutely amazing,” Locuson said. “They’ve taken what they know, and they’ve taught younger guys. They’ve really taken on that leader ship role, because of a last-minute coaching change that takes on a lot of responsibility for them, as well.”

Positive reinforcement and a posi tive mind also have provided the Eagles with room to see adversity in a positive light.

“When we face adversity … (we) take it head on and take 20 minutes to dwell on things that are bad and move on to the next game,” Locu son said. “In game-time situations, we all make mistakes, but we have to put that in the past, because there’s no changing it at (that) point. I think that’s something that I felt I brought

Olympia High School swim athlete Sergio Mendoza became a two-time district champion Sunday, Oct. 23, in the 100 freestyle and the 100 breast stroke events.

Windermere High School’s boys golf team won its sixth title during the last event of their regular season after winning the Panther Invitational Sunday, Oct. 23, at Black Bear.

Horizon boys cross country team celebrates two firsts

The Hawks were crowned both metro and district champions this season.

1The Horizon High School girls volleyball team was crowned District 6-6A champion after defeating Lake Minneola Thursday, Oct. 20. The girls became the first sports team in Hawk Nation to earn a district championship title. They won the first set 25-11, the second 25-20 and the third 25-16. After ending their regular season with an overall record of 20-4 and a district record of 5-0, the girls earned a spot in Horizon High’s record books during the school’s second year. Horizon was set to host an opening-round game at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26. On the football side, head football coach Dennis Thomas recently was named the Florida Athletic Coaches Associa tion District 11 coach of the Year.

4

Twelve Foundation Academy football players recently were selected as part of the Florida Athletics Coaches Associa tion All-District team. Selections were J.T. Bronaugh, Sam Zagame, Dame Williams, Drew Flournoy, Brady Lord, Luke Fulmer, Mathew Austin, Zephy Rodgers, Dawson McLaughlin, Stephen Ford, C.J. Bronaugh and Braedyn White.

The Central Florida Chris tian Academy football team ended its first undefeated season in school history with an overall record of 7-0. The Eagles are waiting for the bracket to be set and are ready to host the first game of the playoffs; they are the No. 1 seed.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Horizon High School boys cross country team made school history twice last week.

The Hawks won their first Metro Tournament Championship Satur day, Oct. 15. Six days later, they add ed a district championship crown.

“I feel very honored, very happy it happened the way it did; it’s just the beginning,” head cross country coach Corey McKinney said. “This is something that needs to keep going in that direction. I would like to see this be the expectation for the program, I would like to see this be a consistent standard moving for ward.”

Last year was the first year of the school and the cross country pro gram, which saw an exponential

growth in numbers from last season to the current one: 22 to 45.

“Being a brand-new school … most of the kids didn’t know each other,” McKinney said. “But they really con nected rather quickly, and this year,

we doubled in size because (the kids) got some of their friends coming out and some other kids moved in.” This year, the Hawks were focused

Winter Garden resident Drew Spinogatti is ranked in the top 15 in the state for tackles. Page 2B.

Mujica

Courtesy photo by Ryan Locuson

The team will lose nine senior Eagles this year.

Spinogatti

Talk to us about your years as an athlete.

I want to say in around fourth to fifth grade, I started playing football since I stopped playing baseball. So I switched to foot ball, and I liked it way more than baseball. So then I started to work out and play football a lot, and I just fell in love with it.

What other sports have you played?

Baseball, football and weight lifting.

Why do you love football so much?

I hit someone every play, and it’s competitive. I like to play a com petitive sport, so I can go and hit someone every play. There’s different athletes, so there’s dif ferent competition every week. There’s always something new, and I just like it, because it’s aggressive and it’s fun.

What’s your favorite thing about playing linebacker?

You are kind of the captain of the defense, so you kind of help out the other players. You are kind of the standard on that side of the ball, and you (have) to tell everyone what to do. You (have) to be a leader on that side and help everyone.

Talk to us about leadership on the field.

I get the calls from the coach, and I kind of help everyone else on what they have to do and their assignment from getting those calls from the coach. And just being the standard on that side of the ball — everyone looks up to you for dedication and all these other aspects so they can work on it and get better them selves.

How do you feel about having 100 tackles this season?

Good; I still want more though. I still want to improve. It mat

not only on the field but off the field too?

Our program is really good on building good men, so we really look at that. That’s helped me, because we learn a lot of respect and discipline. Things that you want to do off the field you learn in football, because your coaches really tell you how to be a man and take problems and solve them.

Who’s your favorite superhero?

Superman, because a lot of peo ple say I look like him when I’m wearing my glasses. … He helps a lot of people. He’s tough, and he can do whatever he wants.

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

Either super strength or read what other people are thinking.

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

Water, of course. Food — if that’s a choice — and probably a foot ball or a sleeping bag.

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

Probably a lion, because they are one of the bravest and toughest animals in Africa.

What color would you say repre sents your personality?

I don’t know. My favorite color is blue, so I would say blue. It can be dark blue or light blue, because blue kind of pops when someone wears it.

Eagles soaring

something that’s made

“We often dwell on things that don’t go well, but when we high light the things that are going well and we highlight the players that are doing well, it goes a long way,” Locuson said.

This year is Locuson’s first as a head coach.

“The transition was difficult at the beginning, because going from a position coach to a head coach position, the responsibility is very different,” he said. “But the support staff that we were able to put together last minute has been amazing. We’ve been able to take on different responsibilities and have been able to help each other, and I have an amazing athletic director (who) has been extremely supportive and helped me with the transition.”

The Eagles lost 20 seniors last year, and this year they, will lose nine more. From 41 players to 32, the team is small and young in experience.

“(There’s been) a lot of men torship and a lot of just admitting when you don’t know how to do something and learning how to do it,” Locuson said. “That’s been a huge impact on the team this year, and having a drive to be the best you can, that goes a long way.”

Senior defensive end Eli Lane, 17, only has been playing for the Eagles two years, but he has learned a lot in such a short period of time.

“I show up to every practice; I’m here every day,” he said. “I haven’t missed a practice this year. I’m going to make sure I don’t. And I think that’s a big part of it. I haven’t played football for a long time, so obviously, I’m not the best. But I’m going to show up, and I’m going to be there and work hard, so people know what they are going to get out of me.”

As one of the smallest schools in Orange County, Legacy play ers have the advantage to be able to form deep connections and relationships with one another as they study together beginning in elementary school.

“That goes a long way — espe cially when it comes to trust on the football field,” Locuson said. “We’ve got a tight group of guys … who knows what makes each other tick, and that’s extremely helpful when it comes to football.”

And when that tight-knit group of guys steps out onto the field, they have the same mindset.

“We play with our heart, we play going 100%, we fly around and we have fun,” Locuson said.

WEEK EIGHT RECAP

GAME OF THE WEEK

THE FIRST ACADEMY (7-1), 20 FOUNDATION ACADEMY (43), 7

HIGHLIGHTS: Effective defense dominated the first half of this game, with the Lions holding a slim 7-6 lead going into the half.

“We thought that it was going to be a very evenly matched game because our schools are so similar we get the same type of kids,” TFA head football coach Leroy Kinard said. “With their quarterback being out, the young guy made a couple of mistakes, and on big games, turnovers are important. So, we capital ized in some turnovers and I think that was the difference in the game.”

The last quarter proved crucial, as the Royals were able to score twice and successfully complete a 2-point conversion.

At the end of the game, both teams took a knee in the middle of the football field to pray. The prayer was led by both coaches, Kinard and Foundation Acad emy head football coach Andre Walker.

UP NEXT: The Lions will host West Oaks Academy and the Royals will host Akelynn’s Angels Chris tian Academy Friday, Oct. 28.

DR. PHILLIPS (3-5), 17 WEST ORANGE (4-3), 19

HIGHLIGHTS: West Orange High and Dr. Phillips High delivered on an epic Ol’ Orange Crate game Friday, Oct. 21. On the offensive side, quarterback Trever Jackson went 10-for-15 for 162 yards. On D, Noah Nixon and Dominic Ma drid led the Warriors with 19 and 17 tackles, respectively.

UP NEXT: The Panthers will host Ocoee and the Warriors will host Olympia Thursday, Oct. 27.

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (7-0), 45 BELL CREEK ACADEMY (1-7), 7

UP NEXT: The Eagles finished their regular season undefeated for the first time in school’s history with an overall record of 7-0. CFCA will host the first game of the playoffs as the Eagles are placed in the No. 1 seat.

LAKE BUENA VISTA (0-8), 47 POINCIANA (5-2), 49

HIGHLIGHTS: The Lake Buena Vista Vipers fell short to Poinci ana 49-47 Friday night. However, the Vipers displayed a strong offense performance: They were down 41-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter and bounced back to 49-47 by the end. Quar terback Josiah McNair went 206 yards in passing and rushed the ball for 11 yards, totaling 315 yards and a school record of six touchdowns two pass ing and four rushing. Running back Andrew Romero carried the ball 12 times for 121 yards and one touchdown, surpassing 1,000 yards for the season. Wide receiver Tyson Tran had big per formances on both sides of the ball — one reception, one pass completion and two carries, nine tackles, one forced fumble and one interception.

UP NEXT: The Vipers will host Bishop Moore Thursday, Oct. 27.

OCOEE (6-2), 63

WINDERMERE (2-6), 0

HIGHLIGHTS: Knights running back Keyondray Jones carried the ball 11 times for 189 yards, while wide receiver Asaad Was eem caught five passes for 109 yards.

UP NEXT: The Knights will travel to Dr. Phillips Thursday, Oct. 27. The Wolverines will face Horizon Nov. 4.

HORIZON (6-2), 0

EDGEWATER (9-0), 54

UP NEXT: The Hawks will travel to Jones Friday, Oct. 28.

LEGACY CHARTER (4-3), 14 SANTA FE CATHOLIC (5-2), 38

UP NEXT: The Eagles will face Bishop Snyder during the first round of the playoffs Friday, Oct. 28, in Jacksonville.

OLYMPIA (4-3), 38

FREEDOM (3-5), 18

HIGHLIGHTS: The Titans hosted Windermere Monday, Oct. 24, and won 48-10.

WINDERMERE PREP (4-3), 3 HUDSON (6-2), 41

UP NEXT: The Lakers will travel to Orangewood Christian Oct. 28.

Hawks on the fast track

on a single goal — metros.

“That was a big goal from the beginning, and the kids embraced that,” McKinney said.

Senior and captain Connor Par rish agreed.

“I remember (when) we just wanted to beat Windermere (High School),” Parrish said. “This year, we were able to beat everyone, and that was a really big step up. It felt really good to be able to take that step (as a team).”

One thing different that has allowed the team to become more effective on the course in terms of leadership has been the incor poration of captain roles. Parrish, Dylan Royal and Jackson Brune are the only three seniors on the team — boys and girls included — and all three have been essential for pass ing down knowledge and instilling

confidence in the young runners.

“We always encourage the fresh men at the starting line,” Brune said.

“It’s helpful to use the experi ence that I have from past years,” Royal said. “When you get on the starting line and stuff, people who haven’t gone through it 50 or 60 times start to get nervous, so it’s helpful to … calm people down and reassure them that it’s all fine at the end of the day.”

McKinney has a plan for the pro gram and is looking forward to see ing it blossom in the next few years.

Expectations are higher after all the accomplishments the team has had this year.

“I want to build a program here,” he said. “I want to have this where there’s 200 kids doing the sport. I’ve never been a fan of cutting anybody. I want to build a program where there’s a constant growth

and … I think (we are) heading in the right direction.”

If there’s anything McKinney wants his athletes to take with them outside of the sport, it is the following:

“You guys can do anything you set your mind to if you guys really want to go after a goal,” he said.

“This is proof that if you work hard enough over the years, you can accomplish anything.”

Looking forward to the remain ing of its post-season, the team is excited to continue making history.

“We just want to make sure that we are in the top eight in districts and regionals, so we can advance to states,” McKinney said. “Noth ing would make me happier to have especially the boys win a district title and also qualify as a team.”

THE

Football, Weight

Linebacker SCHOOL: Bishop Moore Catholic

Winter Garden resident and Bishop Moore Catholic senior linebacker Drew Spinogatti, 17, currently has 100 tackles in his 2022-23 football season. Currently, Spinogatti is ranked in the top 15 in the state for tackles.

Andrea Mujica

Windermere High swim team ends regular season undefeated

The Wolverines were crowned district champions Friday, Oct. 21, and are looking forward to competing at regionals.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

During the first year of merging the Windermere High boys and girls swim teams, the Wolverines ended their regular season undefeated with a record of 6-0.

“The reason we’ve been so success ful is because we made the boys and girls teams one instead of two separate teams,” head swim coach Kyle Goller said. “It’s always nice to be undefeat ed.”

Junior Addison Reese has been a part of the team since she was a fresh man in high school. Last year, she was part of the 200 medley relay that brought home the first state champi onship ring.

“I’m very proud of how all of us have done this season so far,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anything much different. Last year was an amazing year (too). I’m really proud of everyone and what we’ve done.”

The team currently has 47 swim mers and features athletes who also swim at different clubs such as South Lake Aquatic Club and Southwest

Aquatics. Part of the team’s efficiency comes as a result of Goller allowing his club swimmers to train at their club practices while he trains the swim mers who only swim for the high school team.

“That gives them the full focus and the fast attention for them to suc ceed,” he said. “I practice with about 10 kids (who) swim with me at practice in the mornings.”

Sophomore Ryan Erisman, 15, believes he contributed to the team’s success through his relay events.

“It’s pretty cool to be a part of such a talented program and group of kids,” he said. “I’m pretty excited to see how far we can go.”

Regarding chemistry and team cul ture, the Wolverines have created an atmosphere in which everyone feels heard and included.

“I believe the kids should be able to have a voice on what they do and say,” Goller said. “I swam at college. I swam at a very high level, and I think the reason why I was so successful was because my coaches always gave me a voice to be heard. I think if you want to see your team succeed … if you give

them a voice and allow their opinion to be heard, I think that makes them more successful.”

The team competed at the districts meet Friday, Oct. 21, and was crowned district champion — this first of sev eral goals for the season.

“I’m so excited; we had a lot of fun last year,” Reese said. “It wasn’t about our winning, but our group and our team have a lot of team spirit. … We’ve worked so hard this season, and I’m very excited to see where (this) takes us.”

Despite ending their regular season undefeated, the Wolverines encoun tered some arduous competition this year, as West Orange, Olympia and Dr. Phillips High School have excel lent swimmers who made those meets more interesting.

The goal for the team is to win regionals in both girls and boys.

“We have good quality depth in a lot of events where we should be able to win on both sides,” Goller said.

All four girls — Brooke Larweth, Addison Reese, Maddie Reynolds and Peyton Powell — who won the state championship ring in the 200 medley relay are back and ready to return to states. They are anxious to break their previous time of 1:44.06 and possibly break the state record, 1:42.34.

“Mighty Mickey”

86, of Apopka, passed away Thurs day, Sept. 22, 2022. Mickey (Joseph Paul) was the fifth child of Lee and Lula Cox.

Raised in Ocoee with a blended family of 14, he attended Ocoee Jr. High, making a name on the football field, earning local superstar status and the nickname “Mighty Mickey.”

Weekly newspaper mentions chron icled his high school career as Lakev iew’s star halfback with incredible stats. Named to the 1954 Orange Belt All-Conference team and voted Var sity Football Captain his Senior year, he was tough and fast, gaining the attention of many colleges including Bear Bryant.

A U.S. Army veteran, Mickey was a drywall finisher by trade. Many evenings his dad, brothers, cousins, friends and sons could be found play ing music. He enjoyed fishing on the St. Johns River and camping at the beach. A huge UF Gator football fan, he had an infectious personality and was loved by all who knew him.

The patriarch of the family will be greatly missed.

Mickey is survived by his wife of 42 years, Faye Waters Cox; son Ricky

WILMER G. ASHBERRY DIED FRIDAY, OCT. 21, 2022.

and Jackie Cox, of Leesburg, Florida; daughter Angie and Mark Walker, of Winter Garden, Florida; son Tim and Anya Kaleshefski Cox, of Winter Garden, Florida; daughter Brenda and Bob Cown, of Maryville, Tennessee; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchil dren; and three “Fur Babies” Tebow, Bailey and Scarlett. He is also survived by sisters Helen Johnson, of Web ster, Florida, Jane Moye and Larry, of Leesburg, Florida, Sharon and Edward Skipper, of Webster, Florida, Kim and Kelvin Brooks, of Bushnell, Florida; Aunt Martha Little, of Ocoee; sistersin-law, Amy Bridges, June Moore, Joan Michael, Sue and Johnny Stiles; brothers-in-law, Alex “Roho” Waters and Joe Walker; and so many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct 30, 2022, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge.

Wilmer G. Ashberry, 83, of Winter Garden, passed away on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Ocoee Church of God, 1105 N. Lakewood Ave, in Ocoee. Funer al services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, also at the church. Burial will follow at Winter Garden Cemetery in Winter Garden.

Condolences may be offered at collison careyhand.com.

INFLUENCER OF THE

ASMAA EL HADAD

PARK ELEMENTARY

Asmaa El Hadad is the ESE paraprofessional who works with severely handicapped students at Sunset Park Elementary School. Debra Turner, assistant principal at the school, said El Hadad greets every single student with a smile and a hug each and every day. Even after working with her for four years, Turner said she has yet to see anything upset or frustrate her. “The students she works with have a wide range of cognitive and physical disabilities that make it difficult for them to man age their emotions,” Turner said. “Her unconditional love and patience allow these students to feel truly safe in her care. Even when a student is having a tantrum, hitting, kicking and screaming, she maintains her unending patience, approaching them with kindness and understanding. Our students, our staff and our commu nity are beyond lucky to have her.”

What brought you to your school?

I started as a substitute teacher and worked at Sunset Park. I loved it and began this position quickly after.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the children, staff and par ents. It’s a wonderful community.

What is your motivation?

To see the children happy and growing every day gives me motiva tion. I especially love the greetings from all the students at the arrival and throughout the day.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is to help the children learn and to support them all the time.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

During my spare time, I love to sit with my kids and enjoy my time with them like watching movies and playing board games with them. Also, I like to work on my small business; I do hand crafts aka Resin.

Who was your favorite teacher

REPORT CARD

POSITION: ESE paraprofessional, severely handicapped TIME AT OCPS: Five years TIME AT SCHOOL: Five years

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

when you were in school? Why? My favorite teacher when I was in school was my French teacher. My French teacher was very calm and kind.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

When I was a child, I always wanted to be a teacher, because I love being around children.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book was history about Egypt. I would like to sit and read Egyptian history books all day long during my free time.

What are your hobbies?

I create handmade Resin crafts! Find me on Facebook at “World of Resin.”

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.

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

If I had any superpower, I would want to be able to tele port, because it would make everything so much easier, so I wouldn’t have to drive or go up the stairs all the time.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

I like to listen to Arabic music, so the three artists I would choose to listen to for the rest of my life would be Abdlhalem Hafaz, Omklsom and Nagat, because their lyrics really touch your heart.

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

When I went to school in Egypt, we would purchase our food from a small takeout restaurant outside the school parking lot. They had music, ice cream, soda and many other delicious foods. We had a 30-minute lunch. It was always fun!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas!

It is also my birthday.

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

My best friends in school were Abir and Samha since elementa ry school. We still see each other when I travel back to Egypt.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? I grew up in Cairo, Egypt. I was on the volleyball team at the school.

ANNABELLE SIKES

Foundation’s ‘Peter Pan’ takes flight

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Join the Foundation Academy Lions in their journey to Neverland this November.

For the very first time, the school’s drama club will be performing JM Barrie’s original script of “Peter Pan.”

“I wanted to make sure that there was enough opportunity to have female parts who are female as opposed to just being male parts, so there was an option for the girls to not just play males but also play females if they wanted to,” drama club teacher Greg Cse fko said.

It is a common tradition in both the musical and the play of Peter Pan to have a female play the role of Peter Pan. Csefko wanted to stick to that tradition, so ultimately, junior Holland Avery East was cast in the lead role.

“It was very surprising; I wasn’t expecting them to cast a girl,” she said. “I know Peter Pan is usually played by a girl, but it’s been a really long time since we’ve had a girl play

IF YOU GO

FOUNDATION ACADEMY PRESENTS ‘PETER PAN’

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

WHERE: Foundation Academy Tilden Campus Gymnasium, 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden TICKETS: $25 VIP seating; $15 general admission; and $5 stu dent, employee and children 12 and younger.

a romantic male role — not really romantic, but still.”

The play has a few twists unique to the school. In the scenes in which Peter Pan, Wendy, John and Michael fly, the students who play the char acters will be wearing Heelys shoes to make the motion more realistic.

“It seemed the most simple and cost-effective,” Csefko said. “There were a couple of other ways to do it that were a bit too challenging for the space that we have and a little too overpriced to what we could do budget-wise. … I think the audience and the parents will really enjoy that experience and uniqueness in that sense.”

For East, learning to use the Heelys has been a challenge, but she said she is looking forward to mas tering the skill.

In addition to the Heelys, the play also incorporates audience-interac tive scenes throughout its duration,

allowing parents and loved ones of the students to feel like they are part of the play and in Neverland.

East is excited to portray her own interpretation of Peter Pan and bring it to life in front of an audience.

“In past roles, it’s been pretty black-and-white about how to act,” she said. “But I think, especially in this version of Peter Pan, he’s such a complicated character, and you need a motivation for everything you do. I really enjoyed interpreting the char acter on my own way and figuring out why he’s doing all that stuff.”

For Csefko, this play represents much more than just providing the children with a place to express themselves and cultivate their love for the performing arts.

“I love the idea of imagination and the imagination of a child and the fact that what children bring everyday is an open mind and a sense of awe to everything that they

MEET THE CAST

STUDENT CHARACTER

Aidan Bangsund Starkey

Ruby Berthole Smee

Julia Brooks Tinkerbell

Caitlyn Cobb Mullins

Bella Colon Tootles

DJ Coryatt Curly

Gabriel Csefko Captain Hook

Jorja Csefko Omnes

Kayla Daniel Mrs. Darling

Dakota Darnell Nibs

Holland Avery East Peter Pan

Sydney Ellis Winks

Maddie Engelbert Second Twin

Genesis Evans Nana

Emma Fellure Liza

Chloe Felton Noodler

Liam Griffin Michael

Ashley Nadeau Wendy

Elizabeth Napotnik First Twin

Matthew Nicoletti Mr. Darling

Diego Nievez John

Emma Quintana Tick Tock Croc

Allison Schreiber Cookson

Katie Schreiber Jukes

Penelope Walker Cecco

Landin Wilkins Slightly Soiled

can bring into a situation,” he said.

“To be able to convey that to an audience and maybe touch some body in the audience who is a bit older who’s gone through life just to remind them what it was like to be a child again, I think would be a really magical experience.”

Andrea Mujica

Dress rehearsals have started for Foundation Academy’s production of “Peter Pan.”

www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

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

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee Church of God

Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

EPISCOPAL

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

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

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 Sunday Service:10:30AM www.woccorlando.org

Ocoee

Members

Right:

Jake MacTavish, left, Zackary Allen, Bryce Lopez, Zale Lugo, Dylan Horne and Chris topher White were members of the Ocoee High Homecoming Court.

The Homecoming

High School students, club members, marching members and the Homecoming Court hit the streets of downtown Ocoee Thursday, Oct. 20, for the celebratory Homecoming parade. the week, the Knights also enjoyed a variety dress-up dates. Homecoming week continued 21, with a football game against the Windermere At halftime, Bryce Lopez and Alannah Taylor were year’s Homecoming king and queen.

Homecoming parade was led by members of Ocoee High School’s Air Force JROTC.

Above: Iyana Simon proudly led the squad through the streets of downtown Ocoee during the parade.

Left: Addison Wise gave a shoutout to FFA as the Ocoee Knights paraded along McKey Street.

morning at

by Paul Coulter. Edited by Ross Trudeau

By Luis Campos

THE

FROM THE

85 years ago

The 50th anniversary of the Oakland Presbyterian Church was observed with an all-day service. Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Stephens, of Sorrento, moved into the J.Z. Eckles cottage near Ocoee. Mr. Stephens was the new Atlantic Coast Line railroad depot agent.

50 years ago

The Winter Garden Planning & Zoning Board members deferred action on a request to annex 670 acres south of the Sunshine State Parkway and along road 535-S. This would have increased the size of Winter Garden by about 50% and created a need for an addi tional fire station, six additional full-time firefighters, more volun teer firefighters and higher fire insurance premiums for residents.

Also at the P&Z meeting, mem bers approved a dimensional vari ance for the Lawson Apartments at 164 S. Main St. Twenty-one living units were proposed on the one-acre property.

40 years ago

Twenty-seven Lakeview Jr. High School ninth-graders visited The Times and Times Printing offices as part of a seven-hour course in the basics of American econom ics. The students were learning about the free enterprise system, competition, supply and demand, and the wide variety of businesses in their own community.

West Orange High School an nounced its Homecoming Court. Vying for king and queen were Djuan Rivers, Tim Cox, Rodney Narramore, David Skowron, David Fleming, Greg Hovey, Darlene Morss, Courtney Brown, Alison Kerr, Kelley Rodgers, Sarah Chris tensen and Patti Johnson. Cox and Johnson were crowned Warrior royalty during the Homecoming game.

Halloween 1958 is forever pre served in Winter Garden history thanks to pho tographs taken at a Halloween party held at the home of Tom and Mozelle Cox.

Both operated a clothing store on Plant Street for many years. This photograph portrays Ed and Mary Alice Hanlon, cleverly and tastefully decorated as a pair of salt and pepper shakers; the spice rack would never be the same.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation pre serves thousands of photographs depicting life in West Orange County. Call (407) 656-3244 for a research appointment.

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.

Members of Brownie Troop 561 and Girl Scout Troop 290 took a grand tour of the Ocoee Pizza Hut. The leaders and 49 girls learned about the pizza business, toured the kitchen and made their own pizzas — all while earning merit badges.

30 years ago

Winter Garden Police Sgt. Buddy Nash and his sidekick, McGruff

the Crime Dog, visited preschool ers at First Baptist Church Winter Garden.

20 years ago

Dr. Phillips High School celebrated Homecoming with a 21-14 win against West Orange High in the annual Ol’ Orange Crate Game. Bonita Bagley and Chad Marshall were crowned queen and king. Earl Brigham moved into a

1930s-style barber shop in the Edgewater Hotel in downtown Win ter Garden. Hotel co-owner Max Blanchard remodeled the room to resemble the original barber shop that once occupied the space. The mirrors that hung on the new bar ber shop walls and the sinks and many of the old fixtures came out of Brigham’s former shop, which he purchased from siblings Ed and Dock Reeves.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

OCT. 27, 1977

Eckerd drug store once was a shopping destination for everything from camera film and holiday decorations to toiletries, birthday cards and snacks. The chain establish ment advertised its October deals in The Winter Garden Times

Wouldn’t you love to see these 1977 prices again? There were so many bar gains for under $1: hairspray for 69 cents, toilet paper for 88 cents and chocolate-cov ered cherries for 89 cents. It’s almost Halloween, and back in 1977, parents could purchase a jack-o’-lantern flashlight for 99 cents, sugary candy corn for 39 cents and a plastic pumpkin for collecting candy for 68 cents.

Take

of Moms and Dads

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of easyvet Clinic. Led by Dr. Nickolas McLaughlin, easyvet Winter Garden is independently owned & operated by Tom & Angie Kurrack. It is the first of three easyvet clinics to open in Central Florida. Located in South Winter Garden within one mile of 429 along Seidel Road in The Mark at Horizon West, new clients to easyvet can expect convenient walk-in appointments as well as scheduled visits to provide exams, vaccinations, parasitic preventives, and more for pets of all ages. More details on hours, available appointments, or access to the waitlist are available online at easyvet. com/wintergarden.

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital’s Breast Imaging Center. Located at the Outpatient Services are of the Medical Office Building at 10000 W Colonial Dr in Ocoee, the Breast Imaging Center takes the former location of the Women’s Imaging Center. The center’s vision is to offer a comprehensive program providing continuity of care from diagnostic image to diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Here you will find speed and comprehensiveness of screening all the way to oncology care, should you need it. Services offered: screening mammogram, diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound and DEXA. To learn more, visit www.orlandohealth. com/facilities/health-central-hospital/ services/radiology-and-diagnostic-imaging.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of PDQ

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of PDQ. Located at 2224 Western Way Ste A in the Horizon West part of Winter Garden, award-winning PDQ - “People Dedicated to Quality” - offers chef-driven recipes and mindful ingredients typically found in a fine casual restaurant with the value, speed and convenience of the fast food and fast casual segment. Beloved throughout the Southeast since 2011 and now beyond for its famous hand-breaded chicken tenders and signature sauces, PDQ also crafts delicious sandwiches and salads fresh in store, every day. To learn more, visit www.eatpdq.com.

Chick-fil-A

Asma

P.A.

Foundation Academy - Tilden Road Publix - Stoneybrook West Village

10 YEARS

JB Meridian Advisors

Proforma Albrecht & CO

5 YEARS

Arbours at Crown Point, LLC Browning’s Health Care C Solutions, Inc

Miller’s Ale House - Winter Garden Orlando Orthopaedic Center - Sand Lake Subway Winter Garden # 7013 Windermere Flowers and Gifts

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of easyvet Clinic

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Orlando Health - Health Central Hospital’s Breast Imaging Center