11.03.22 West Orange Times & Observer

Blast from the past

A God moment

YOUR TOWN

TIME TO FALL BACK

You will have one less hour of sunlight in the evening starting Sunday, Nov. 6, when daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night — or at 2 a.m. Sunday — whichever comes rst.

CDPA BRINGS HOME GOLD

Prep’s

More than 20 dancers and their families traveled to the event representing the West Orange community as students of CDPA. Some highlights of the weekend were the overall choreography 1st place winner, Allison Williams, and top studio and highest aggregate points as a school. Every dancer placed in at least one event, and many brought home over all trophy awards, medals and advancement stamps.

Dancers from the Centre for Dance & the Performing Arts took top awards at the 50th an niversary of the Stone Moun tain Scottish Highland Games Oct. 15-16.

Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

Meet Florida State Rep. District 45 candidate Allie Braswell. PAGE 3A.

5A.

Courtesy

W.G. commission moves forward with water ordinance

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

The city of Winter Garden discussed the first reading of a series of ordi nances regarding the annexation, land use designation and rezoning of a property at the commission meet ing Thursday, Oct. 27.

The ordinances pertain to 0.78 acres located at 958 Tildenville School Road, west of Tildenville School Road, east of Lake Brim Drive, south of Civi tas Way and north of Brick Road.

The applicant has requested to annex into the city, to amend the Future Land-Use Map of the city’s comprehensive plan to designate the property as Low-Density Residential and to rezone the property to Residen tial District.

Although the property is currently vacant, it was at one time occupied by a single-family home that was demol ished in 2020.

Community Development Direc tor Steve Pash said the property was purchased by a new

owner who applied to Orange County to rezone the property to build two new homes.

“We were contacted by Orange County and informed the county as well as the owner that they needed to annex into our city since they needed city sewer and water, and without annexing they wouldn’t have that,” Pash said.

The property in Oakland Park cur rently is a single lot and is 162 feet wide and 190 feet deep. R1 zoning requires 85 feet wide by 100 feet deep.

“Part of their application after the annexation is approved (is) that they will ask for a variance to … the lot width to go down to approximately 82, 81,” Pash said. “That would allow two lots that are 81 feet deep. … They will also be requesting a variance to the side setbacks, as well as the front setback.”

Although Mayor John Rees origi nally inquired about past flooding on the land, Pash said there have been no issues with spillage in the past three years.

Commissioner Ron Mueller voiced concerns with the property.

“I’ll be OK moving forward with this tonight … but I am not in favor

IN OTHER NEWS

Mayor John Rees read sev eral proclamations designating Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, as National Family Literacy Day; Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, through Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, as Week of the Family; and Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, as First Responders Day.

The City Commission postponed the rst reading and public hear ing of an ordinance to amend the charter of the city of Winter Garden removing the residency require ment for the city manager to a date to be determined.

Commissioners approved the retirement of canine “Stitch” from the Winter Garden Police Depart ment and awarded custody of him to O cer Je Doyle.

Winter Garden o cials approved a drainage system repair partialreimbursement agreement with Townhomes of Winter Garden Condominium Association Inc. and awarded stormwater system repair

of them splitting the lot,” Mueller said. “If that is a precondition at the time we hit the second reading, then I’m going to have to revisit moving forward with that. I have some concerns about the variance. I have concerns just about the overall usage of that.”

Pash said the lot-splitting agree ment would not happen until after the land was annexed and that the owner could still go back to the county.

The first reading was passed unani mously.

work to TD Thomson Construction Inc. in the amount of $144,588.52.

The City Commission approved a collective bargaining agreement between the city of Winter Garden and the Florida State Lodge, Frater nal Order of Police Inc., from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2025.

Commissioners approved the cancellation of the regular City Commission meetings on Nov. 24 and Dec. 22.

Two residents spoke about speeding concerns. One spoke on North Lakeview Avenue and one on South Main Street. City Man ager Jon C. Williams said the city recognizes the number of speeding concerns throughout the city and recently met with tra c consul tants to talk about a proposal for developing a citywide tra c calm ing plan.

Williams said the city is working on installing signage at the post of ce for the rst ve parking spaces o Plant Street for o cial post o ce business during set hours.

CODE AMENDMENTS

Commissioners also approved unan imously the second reading of a pro posal to amend portions of the Code of Ordinances concerning utilities and the city’s water and wastewater systems.

The request is to amend portions of Article II and Article IV of Chapter 78 creating provisions concerning water and sanitary sewer systems, industrial waste, and connections and services to industrial uses.

The amendment clarifies the city will no longer provide new water and wastewater connections and services to industrially zoned properties locat ed outside of the city limits. It also will not allow an increase in the volume or capacity of water or wastewater ser vices for existing connections for such properties.

Assistant City Attorney Dan Lang ley, who helped draft the ordinance, said the city has engaged with an environmental attorney the city approached to discuss how to deal with microplastics that may affect the wastewater treatment plan and system.

Langley said the environmental attorney came back with language the city could add to the industrial retreatment remedying require ments.

“It would require any industrial user that is in that business to provide scientific data to ensure that what ever they flush down the wastewater system will not create a problem for the wastewater treatment facility,” he said. “Part of the highlights were also clarifying that we do, in fact, require an industrial waste treatment permit for certain types of users, specifically any industrial zone use, we require a special permit. There has been some misunderstanding about that … not by the city or staff but by others.”

The ordinance also puts an inter nal policy into the code that the city manager adopted that deals with the timing of permits for industrial users, which Langley said already has been in practice.

A HERO, HONORED

At halftime of its game against West Oaks Academy Friday, Oct. 28, Foundation Academy honored the family of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Evan Patrick Fitzgibbon, the Foundation football alum who died Aug. 9 in a Ranger School accident.

The school presented a framed jersey to Cindy and John Fitzgibbon.

Fitzgibbon, 23, grew up in Wind ermere and was living out his lifelong dream when he died in a weatherinduced training exercise at Yonah Mountain, near Dahlonega, Georgia. Five Ranger candidates were struck by a falling tree, and Fitzgibbon and Staff Sgt. George Taber were killed.

Fitzgibbon was an infantry officer assigned to the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, 199th Infantry “Leader

Brigade” at Fort Benning, officials said in a Facebook statement. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and commis sioned in May 2021.

At the time of his death, Fitzgibbon held the rank of second lieutenant. He was posthumously promoted to first lieutenant and recognized as a gradu ate of the prestigious U.S. Army Ranger School.

Fitzgibbon had dreamed of attend ing West Point since the third grade. He also enrolled in the Civil Air Patrol — an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force — and worked his way up the ranks. He earned the Billy Mitchell Award, given to Civil Air Patrol cadets who complete the second phase of the cadet program, and eventually became a commander.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Books collected through the Orange Observer Reading Reindeer literacy program are put directly into the hands of the West Orange County residents who need them most — underserved children participating in several local programs.

One of those programs is the longrunning West Orange Christian Ser vice Center, a nonprofit dedicated to the local community since 1981. When help is needed, the Christian Service Center is there, according to its mission statement, to help pre vent homelessness, combat poverty, cultivate self-sufficiency, restore hope and glorify God through the faithful provision of services that directly address physical, emotional and spiritual needs for families and individuals who are struggling in Central Florida.

In the 1970s, Orlando’s downtown churches recognized a growing need

to help provide assistance to lowincome and underserved residents, a need greater than each of the churches could facilitate individu ally. Several churches joined togeth er to establish the Christian Service Center for Central Florida Inc.

The parent organization had been helping people in Orlando for 10 years when West Orange County church leaders got together to see about bringing the program to the west side of the county.

The West Orange location opened in 1981 in downtown Winter Garden to provide basic needs to the poor and homeless. The first service offered was Family & Emergency Services; the others were created later. In the early years of the program, its four services were scattered around Win ter Garden and Ocoee.

In 1988, Daily Bread began serv ing out of the fellowship hall of the First Methodist Church of Ocoee.

The West Orange Christian Ser vice Center moved all of its services

under one roof — to its present West Orange Family Life Center in Ocoee — in 1997.

Daily Bread continues today. Folks who are hungry can participate in the Daily Bread program from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at 300 W. Franklin St., Ocoee. For some people, the lunch is the only meal they will eat that day.

KidsFOCUS is an after-school and summer day care program that provides a safe place for children in low-income families to learn and grow. The program is exclusive to the West Orange campus of the CSC. It is also unique among after-school and day care programs in various ways, including its discounted rates, aca demic focus and family participa tion. A family doesn’t have to have a financial hardship to send their chil dren there, but if they are, the staff will work with that family to provide scholarships and a discounted rate.

BIN LOCATIONS

WINTER GARDEN Winter Garden Farmer’s Mar ket, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. Axum Co ee, 146 W. Plant St. City of Winter Garden, 300 W. Plant St. Roper YMCA, 100 Winder mere Road Writer’s Block, 32 W. Plant St. Pammie’s Sammies, 121 S. Boyd St. Gymnastics USA, 13175 W. Colonial Drive Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Foundation Academy, 125 E. Plant St.

OCOEE House Blend Café, 17030 W. Colonial Drive Ocoee City Hall, 150 N. Lake shore Drive Ocoee Police Department, 646 Ocoee Commerce Parkway

WINDERMERE Windermere Administrative Building, 614 Main St.

Oakland postpones vote on lake community

The town has tabled the Bayview at Johns Lake subdivision project vote over controversy regarding lakefront lot sizes.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Oakland Town Commis sion has again tabled a vote on a neighborhood project proposed by Venue Development LLC. The developer is applying for approv al on a 20-lot single-family sub division called Bayview at Johns Lake and located off Remington Road.

The preliminary subdivision plans first were brought to the commission’s Aug. 9 meeting.

It was tabled because of three issues: lot sizes and density, impact to traffic, and compat ibility and buffering with the adjacent existing development, Johns Landing.

The Town Commission con tinued the PSP to the Oct. 25 Oakland meeting to give the applicant time to address the concerns. The applicant provided updated preliminary plans and a traffic impact analysis and coor dinated with the Johns Landing Homeowners Association.

The proposal still includes 20 lots — with three of them front ing Johns Lake and measuring 80 feet in width. Residents in Johns Landing have expressed their desire for two lots measur ing 120 feet to be consistent with their community’s lakefront lots.

“I’m kind of disappointed they kept the 80-foot lots,” Commis sioner Rick Polland said. “I really think you should make them 120 (feet) wide to be similar to neigh bors. … I don’t think it’s fair to the other homeowners.”

Town code requires a minimum lot width of 70 feet (60 feet for corner lots) with a minimum depth of 125 feet. The proposed Bayview lots are consistent with standards for the town’s Neigh borhood General Design District and meet density requirements.

The proposed development would connect to the town’s water and wastewater servic es. The applicant argued Johns Landing needed larger lots because that development is on a septic system.

“We are going to significant expense to bring sewer to 20 lots,” the applicant said.

After all discussion ended, the vote was tabled to the Nov. 8 commission meeting.

NEW POLICE CHIEF HIRED Mayor Kathy Stark swore in Darron Esan as the new chief of police for the town of Oakland. Esan previously was a lieutenant with the Orlando Police Depart ment.

“Staff has spent a long time looking at candidates, working with a firm to identify the appro priate folks,” Stark said.

The Reading Reindeer is collecting children’s books for its 25th year in West Orange County.

They say it takes a community to raise a child, and the Observer Media Group is counting on the generous West Orange community to join the newspaper in support ing its 25th year of collecting and delivering new books to children at Christmastime.

The deadline to donate books for children from birth to age 17 is Dec. 1.

There are children who haven’t heard the familiar holiday stories, fairy tales and nursery rhymes because they don’t have books to read in their homes. Other kids might have books but no one reads to them.

Checks payable to Reading Reindeer can be sent to the West Orange Times & Observer, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

This year’s book distribution list includes needy children served by the West Orange Christian Service Center; Winter Garden, Ocoee and Oakland police departments; Community Health Centers; and Edgewood Children’s Ranch.

If your club, church, civic group, Scout troop or school has not selected a Christmas charity or project, consider donating books or funds to the drive.

Giving the gift of literacy could spark a lifelong love of reading for one of West Orange County’s youngest residents.

The Love Pantry program started in 2011 to provide struggling families and hungry children with an emer gency food supply directly through 13 public schools. There are now 63 participating schools, including Ocoee, Citrus, Spring Lake, Maxey, Independence and SunRidge ele mentaries; and Windy Ridge K-8 School.

CSC’s flagship program, Fam ily & Emergency Services, provides immediate emergency assistance and relief to families and individuals who are faced with an unexpected financial crisis. The primary goal of FES is to help families maintain their residence and prevent them from being forced into homelessness.

The West Orange location also operates a thrift store, open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Fri day.

Fresh Start WASH & Wellness Pro gram provides a mobile shower trail er through Clean the World Founda tion for homeless folks from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays.

OAKLAND Oakland Town Hall, 220 N. Tubb St.

DR. PHILLIPS Dr Phillips YMCA, 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vine land Road, Orlando

HORIZON WEST Bridgewater Middle, 5600 Tiny Road, Winter Garden Sunset Park Elementary, 12050 Overstreet Road, Wind ermere The French Café, 16412 New Independence Parkway, Suite 140, Winter Garden The French Café, 5855 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Suite 160

ORLANDO

The First Academy, 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando

IN OTHER BUSINESS

Several residents were ap pointed to positions on town boards: April Grimes on the Architectural Review Board, Michael Elliott as rst alter nate on the Planning & Zon ing Board and Nancy Ross as second alternate on P&Z.

Commissioners passed the rst public hearing of an ordi nance that is a third amend ment to the developer’s agreement for the Oakland Park Planned Unit Develop ment. This essentially cleans up four points of disconnect between the agreement and the town’s design standards.

O cials proclaimed Nov. 5 through 12 Week of the Fam ily in the town of Oakland.

From left: Foundation Academy Athletic Director Lisa Eaves, Cindy and John Fitzgibbon, and Foundation Athletic Collegiate Placement Director Brad Lord.

Photos by Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography Foundation Academy Athletic Director Lisa Eaves embraced Cindy Fitzgibbon during the presentation.

‘A real ripple e ect’

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

IronMen of God members experi enced a God moment when they had been discussing the idea of holding a baptism in the parking lot near their weekly meeting place — but they didn’t have a way of getting a baptismal font there. Enter Nick Ludovici, a man who has made it his mission to travel the country with his mobile baptismal.

This chance meeting resulted in seven people getting baptized Sept. 23 in a hot tub-sized baptismal load ed onto the back of a flatbed trailer, which was parked outside 4Rivers Smokehouse in Winter Garden.

FIFTH FRIDAY

The group holds meetings on Friday mornings, either for IronMen Con nect at 4Rivers, on West Colonial Drive, or IronMen Coffee at Pilars Loft, in downtown Winter Garden. Members hear different speakers, many of whom share their faith walk.

“You’re hearing real-life stories of how these real-life people relate to Christ,” member Dale Reynolds said.

Members and guests sit at themed tables, such as entrepreneurs, vet erans, first responders, first-timers and folks in recovery. Intimate table discussions are a part of the meetings, and the men are able to share relatable experiences.

Founder David Hill and the IronMen staff decided that on the occasional fifth Friday, instead of holding table talks, the men would go do some thing together, maybe have breakfast or lunch together, “to interact away from this space,” Reynolds said.

“I was sitting in there six months ago, and I came up with this idea maybe there are people in this room who have never been baptized or never had the opportunity to be baptized.” Reynolds approached founder David Hill with this idea of a fifthFriday baptism and then enlisted the help of another member and friend, Curt Myhre. The two began working on the details of the project.

Plans were in the making for several months, Reynolds said, and the other members knew about the idea and were in favor of it — but they had not figured out a way to get a baptismal to the 4Rivers parking lot.

“Garden hose?” Myhre suggested. “Horse trough?”

“This guy shows up to IronMan … and sits at the first-timers table,” Reynolds said. “He says, ‘I’ve got a portable baptismal … and I drive around the country with it on the back of my flatbed truck.’”

Ludovici was that first-time guest.

He travels to various softball tourna ments around the country and baptiz es people at the games in a baptismal he had built by a pool manufacturer.

“It’s this big monster truck for work, but his passion is to baptize people,” Myhre said. “He just hap pened to walk in. He said, ‘I can help you with that.’ We went from a garden hose and horse trough to this big rig. God stepped in, and we held on.”

With the baptismal secured, Reyn olds needed to somehow get about 400 gallons of water to it. A firefight er at the first responders table sug gested they partner with the Ocoee Fire Department and use its tanker truck, which carries about 1,600 gal lons of water.

Ocoee agreed and created a training day for its firefighters.

“I wanted to involve someone from each table, from each group, to be involved in this so it wasn’t just Dale and Curt from the first responder table,” Reynolds said. “I went to this one table and got a pastor, Troy Schmidt. I asked Troy to open and talk about baptism. I went to a guy named Andy Jones who is a chaplain … and asked if he would do the baptizing. … Tom Lopez wanted to sing so he went to David Hill and said, ‘Hey, can I do

“There are guys in their early 20s coming, working and trying to find their path. And there are older guys who are retired who are coming. I think there’s a real ripple e ect of just these guys coming from all directions in life.”

a song at the beginning and the end?’

“We involved a lot of different peo ple from a lot of different tables,” he said.

When the announcement was made for people to sign up for the event, seven people took advantage of the opportunity, including a husband and wife, a man and his son and two men who were baptized as infants but wanted to accept Christ as adults.

Hill said he was in favor of the bap tism project because “Jesus gave us a mission and recorded in Matthew 28: 19-20: ‘Go therefore and make dis ciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have com manded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

“We are spreading hopefully Chris tianity and God’s word and fellowship with God-minded Christian men,” Myhre said of the IronMen group.

“There are guys in their early 20s coming, working and trying to find their path. And there are older guys who are retired who are coming. I think there’s a real ripple effect of just these guys coming from all directions in life.”

IRONMEN OF GOD

IronMen of God is a men’s Bible study group that meets for the purpose of helping them integrate faith into their workplace and become passion ate disciple makers of Jesus Christ. Men meet weekly in Winter Garden to learn about God, and how to love others and lead well. The idea is to connect men with each other as they connect with God.

David Hill created IronMen of God more than a decade ago when he invited a small group of men into his living room for a Christian discussion. It has grown into a community min istry that includes men of all ages and walks of life and is making sig ni cant impact in West Orange County.

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

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CONTACT US

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WEST ORANGE TIMES

The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $40 per year ($50 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMAS TER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observ er or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, P.O. Box 135, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069-0135.

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— Curt Myhre

Courtesy photos

baptism.

Nick Ludovici drives his portable baptismal around the country to perform baptisms.

Seven people were baptized Sept. 23 in the parking lot of 4 Rivers Smokehouse.

HOUSE PARTY!

West Orange Habitat for Humanity celebrated its 2022 Rock the House event Saturday, Oct. 29, at the family farm of former Orange County Commis sioner S. Scott Boyd. Billy Flanigan opened the night’s festivities with a rendition of “The Greatest Show man,” before introducing emcees Betsy VanderLey, former District 1 commissioner, and West Orange On the Go podcast host Austin Arthur.

Marilyn Hattaway, executive director of West Orange Habitat, thanked the sponsors, and Jo Barsh announced the Volunteer of the Year, Bob Tate. The event celebrated the impact Habitat has in the com munity and highlighted its efforts to provide the opportunity to become a homeowner to those who are not able to do so on their own.

— ANDREA MUJICA AND ANNABELLE SIKES

Marilyn Hattaway, executive director of West Orange Habitat for Humanity, thanked everyone in attendance.

Habitat for Humanity family members Christina Carbajal and Tif fany Mejia encouraged attendees to sign the wall.

costumes

event including Western attire.

Above: Habitat for Humanity sta members attended the event dressed as Guns N’ Roses fans.

Right: Catherine Hunt, Eric Roukey, Taylor Roukey and Eli Corcoran supported breast cancer awareness.

Iliana and Charlie Jones were dressed as a Red Coat and George Washington, respectively.

OCOEE REMEMBERS: City to honor the memory of lives lost

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

To commemorate the 102nd anniver sary of the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre, the city of Ocoee — in con junction with the Human Relations Diversity Board — will host Ocoee Remembers 2022 Friday, Nov. 4; Sat urday, Nov. 5; and Sunday, Nov. 6.

This year’s event will celebrate and honor those who lost their lives in the massacre and their descendants.

“One descendant mentioned that as African Americans, what we do is celebrate life,” Commissioner George Oliver said. “When you attend an African American funeral, a lot of the programs will have a celebration of life. That’s why we came up with the Unity Festival — to be able to recog nize them as descendants but also be able to remember their ancestors in a manner that would actually bring light to who these people were.”

HRDB member Jay Carr believes this event is necessary for the com munity to build an understanding of what took place during the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre.

“A lot of people in the area have no knowledge of what (it) was, and the ones who have knowledge don’t really know about it,” he said. “We need to understand and remember what hap pened in the past to never let it happen again.”

Ocoee Remembers 2022 will address tough topics that often aren’t discussed.

“(People) can expect to be educated on what happened in the Ocoee Mas sacre — what happened and why it happened,” Oliver said. “They can expect to be educated on voting, because that’s why the Ocoee Mas sacre happened. The importance of getting out to vote transitions through culture, through race and through ethnicity. It transitions a message to all of us. People will see a community that has come together to recognize the past and honor it, and to celebrate life.”

Oliver said Ocoee residents are looking forward to the weekend and he is excited about the growth the city has shown over the years.

“When I talk to my neighbors and folks in the community, we talk a little bit about the Ocoee Remembrance,

IF YOU GO

OCOEE REMEMBERS 2022

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 4; Saturday, Nov. 5; and Sunday, Nov. 6 WEBSITE: ocoeeremembers.org

SCHEDULE NOV. 4

Commissioner George Oliver’s Ocoee Remembers

Welcoming Mix & Mingle: 6 to 9 p.m. at Bar 5 Lounge and Grill

NOV. 5

Julius “July” Perry Memorial Highway Honor Ride: 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Oakland Avenue Charter School

Unity Day Festival: Noon to 5 p.m. at Lakeshore Community Center

“The Descendants” Memorial Dinner: 6 to 8 p.m. at Lakeshore Community Center

NOV. 6

HighPoint Church Service: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at High Point Church

Commissioner Larry Brinson’s Blessings Brunch: Noon to 3 p.m. at Bar 5 Lounge and Grill

Third annual Commemora tion: “Hope for the Future”: 6 to 8 p.m. at 150 N. Lakeshore Drive

we talk about the Ocoee Massacre, and we talk a little bit about where we are today,” he said. “The message is very positive; folks are very excited. They are excited to overcome such great odds.”

To Oliver, this event represents a fulfillment of a goal he set in 2015.

“I (said) that I would always honor our past, but I would also celebrate how far we’ve come,” he said. “When I can celebrate how far we’ve come, it gives me hope for the future. So, this is very important event to me when it comes to unifying our city, because we can have those tough conversations from different cultures but we can also come together as a community and say we are moving in the right direc tion as a community and that we want to continue to move forward together.”

Descendants will come from all over the country, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

Superheroes, astronauts spotted in Windermere

— AMY QUESINBERRY

The town of Windermere held its annual Halloween Cos tume Parade and Hayride Saturday morning, Oct. 29. The Parks & Recreation Department hosted several bounce houses and took families around the block on a trailer full of hay pulled by tractors. The lawn of Windermere Town Hall was lled with in atable costumes, astronauts, animals, cops and robbers, movie and tele vision characters, and princesses.

Deionjay Cooper was dressed as a magni cent purple butter y.

Simon, Simona and little Massimo Simaan carried out the “Toy Story” theme.

Windermere Town Commissioner Mandy David and Mayor Jim O’Brien led the parade through town.

The captured Maks Tica doesn’t look thrilled at being nabbed by his brother, O cer Alek Tica.

Leo Barretta was ready for his NASA ight.

Right: Children participated in a messy doughnut eating contest.

Spooky scene delights

City of Ocoee residents, family and friends ocked to the Jim Beech Recreation Center for the Halloween Howl Night event on Friday, Oct. 28. The city’s parks and recreation depart ment kicked o the event with a trunk-or-treat. Attendees dressed in creative costumes and participated in a glow hunt, games and contests, to win tasty treats and pumpkinthemed prizes. Children enjoyed a Nintendo Switch truck, ax throwing from Axecel sior, a doughnut eating contest and more. Local organizations included the Ocoee Police Department, Evolve Church and GGS Soccer Academy.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

families

Charles Schwab Clermont

Audrey Dorme, Nolan Dilyerd and Noah Dilyerd participated in the trunk-or-treat.

Laura Morlen, Sarah Morlen, Amber Morlen and Jenna Prose showed o their unique costumes.

Children lled the outdoor area of the Jim Beech Recreation Center for the Halloween event.

ONLINE

more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Above: Cinthia Alcaide dressed in costume and decorated her car for the trunk-or-treat.

Vote yes for transportation

STINA D’UVA WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Having run the West Orange Chamber since 2001, I consider myself an expert in the chamber world. Even though running the chamber allows me the opportunity to be involved in so many important issues facing our growing community, I cannot say that I am an expert in all of those issues. However, because of my role, I have access to experts in many fields and many of those revolve around the infrastructure that makes West Orange so desirable.

Our infrastructure is basically the systems and functions that sustain us as a community. We all know good schools, health care, parks, natural environment, energy choices and access to the internet are just some of what we enjoy as residents and need for this community to recruit and sus tain businesses that empower a com munity. These are all infrastructure, and another truly important aspect of our infrastructure is transportation.

Many may think transportation infrastructure is just about roads. Yet as important as roads are — widened or not — there is so much more that impacts our daily lives and quality of life under such a big title. Transporta tion infrastructure includes sidewalks; pedestrian crossings; bike and walking trails; bus service and other masstransit options; street lighting; traffic signalization; drainage structures; and future technologies to make things even more efficient and safe. We all need and want these improvements, yet they come at a price and a decision to make about that price.

Many of us moved here because of the newness of West Orange, the sun

shine, little to no traffic to speak of and no state income tax. Even though we continue to worship our sunshine and the lack of a state income tax, other aspects of our community are chang ing — and will continue to do so as more and more people figure out our secrets for living in West Orange and in Florida. If we want to address some of the changes with an expanding popu lation, especially when it comes to transportation infrastructure, we have to develop another source of income. We need to go from good infrastruc ture to great and with a dedicated funding source, we can get there.

That is why the West Orange Cham ber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support an item that will be on the November ballot, a one-cent Orange County transportation sales tax. These 20 year-long taxes would be paid primarily by the tourists visit ing our community — 50% — which amounts to billions of dollars. The sales tax applies to the first $5,000 of sales and would not apply to essential grocery items, prescription drugs, medical supplies and utilities. The tax also will enable us to receive billions of dollars, over five years, of federal infrastructure matching dollars. Our towns and cities will also receive annual funding to tackle truly, local issues that impact us every day.

Recently, the mayors of Orange County, towns of Oakland and Wind ermere and cities of Ocoee and Winter Garden were featured at a chamber and West Orange Foundation lun cheon. At the luncheon, they each highlighted short- and long-term projects that would benefit from these tax dollars, if you, the voters, vote “yes” at the general election. To hear from them, visit wochamber.com/ west-orange-foundation/#News.

Vote yes for Transportation on the November ballot for the good of our community, to improve our roads, safety for our children heading to and from school, improved and more bus routes to get employees to work more efficiently, expanded trails and innovation that will keep West Orange County Moving Forward.

2022:

ELECTION

Next week, Florida voters will head to the polls for the 2022 midterm election. Locally, West Orange and Southwest Orange voters will be asked to select their next representa tive for Florida District 45 — Democrat Allie

ALLIE BRASWELL

Age: 60 City/town of residence: Winter Garden

Family: Widowed father of seven Education: Bach elor’s degree in information tech nology (computer science); master’s degree in human resource management Profession: Senior vice president — cul ture, diversity and inclusion

Quali cations: Independent sector and forpro t executive with more than 30 years of experience; diversity, equity and inclu sion executive; credit union development educator; John C. Maxwell coach, speaker and trainer; author; master bridge builder; community servant

Why are you running for District 45?

I believe in helping others find their purpose, and I see the potential in people from all walks of life. I was inspired to run for this office after my wife’s untimely death, because she and I believed this district was a great place to live, raise our children and retire. Serving in this capacity will allow me to represent our local community and continue the work she and I have been dedicated to for (more than) 15 years.

I believe we should invest in our public schools to ensure all children have equi table access to a quality education, period. Having helped to launch two schools in our region, I want to ensure that we never leave any community behind. I am also running to ensure that all Floridians have access to financial services that promote financial well-being.

Lastly, as a Marine veteran, I can tell you that it doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or Republican. When we serve, we are brothers, we are family, and that’s what I want for this community and our state. I want Central Florida to continue to be the friendliest place for military service mem bers, veterans and their families.

What are the key differences between you and your opponent?

I’m the true moderate and balanced leadership choice. I have the experience, integrity and commitment to stand up and fight for what’s right for all families in HD 45. Leadership experience in engaging with our community as a whole, not just select areas; building diverse relationships with community and business leaders across the state and country without bias.

I have experience as an advocate on issues that impact the lives of people such as helping homeowners retain their homes after the last housing challenge that our country and state faced in 2008. My military experience has prepared me well to serve in leadership for HD 45. Inspir ing and leading Marines toward a com mon goal has well equipped me to work across the aisle to move Florida forward. My personal experience in triumphantly overcoming the challenges of life, have provided an understanding of what many families face on a daily basis, and I will take those experiences with me as I fight for our district.

Braswell or Republican Carolina Amesty.

We invited both candidates to participate in our Q&A.

Amesty and her campaign did not respond to multiple phone calls, emails and social-

Lastly, I am also a small business owner (who) will advocate for small businesses in the Legislature.

Evaluate the work done by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature from the onset of COVID-19 to now.

I believe the governor and the Leg islature performed adequately in their handling of the pandemic and could have done a better job of partnering with local leadership. The leadership style of the governor is lacking in many ways. His autocratic style did not promote an oppor tunity to work well with federal disease experts, state legislators and local govern ment officials that differ in opinion with him. This was very challenging during the most critical time in world history.

Forcing schools to reopen without any guidance on how to protect children and the educators who teach them. With holding school funding when school board leadership is not in agreement with the governor is manipulative and classic behavior seen most commonly in abusive relationships. More than 600,000 Florid ians died as a result of the lack of leader ship in supporting medical and public health experts’ recommendations of best practices.

I applaud the local Orange County leadership who took the necessary precau tions to protect life while balancing the economy. These leaders’ performances demonstrated empathy, compassion and the willingness to make tough decisions that saved lives and slowed the spread of COVID-19 in the region. This ultimately led to a sustained path of recovery.

To make fun of and diminish the actions of a renowned scientist into a joke and then benefit from the sales of political paraphernalia is disheartening to the sur vivors and belittling to those who lost their lives during the pandemic.

Going after corporations and publicly elected officials who differ in opinion sets a precedent that could have detrimental consequences on Floridians across all sec tors. Using people’s lives to play politics is harmful and unhumanitarian. All of this behavior provides embers for what we see playing out across the country.

Property insurance continues to be a primary concern for every homeowner in Florida. You have agreed this is a crisis in our state. What is the path to a longterm solution?

Like most homeowners, the high costs and unreliability of property insurance are of great concern to me. As we are still in hurricane season, many homeowners fear the cancellation of their insurance cover age and the inability to file a claim due to the company no longer serving Florida.

On two occasions last year, the current Legislature met to resolve this issue and did not adequately address these concerns. Despite having a special session to address property insurance during the pandemic, we are still facing issues with this. This is a systemic problem that the current Leg islature had an opportunity to create and implement effective solutions.

Within my first six months, I would move that we convene a committee to explore solutions for lowering costs, while incentivizing companies to remain in Flor

media messages seeking participation.

Here, we present Braswell’s answers, edit ed for space. His entire, unedited responses are available online at OrangeObserver.com.

— MICHAEL ENG

ida. The past legislative sessions bestowed $2B upon the insurance companies, but they did not require companies to pass this on to consumers through lower rates. We need to address this immediately.

The potential dismantling of the Reedy Creek Improvement District continues to be a cloudy issue. What would be your solution that would be fair to all entities involved?

The RCID functions very well and should be allowed to remain in place as is. If there are opportunities to improve its functionality, then the legislature should work with the district to do that.

Your personal view on abortion differs from the state’s current 15-week limita tion. Do you plan to address this issue in office?

Yes, I will address this issue once in office. I will support the passage of any state law that would codify access to con traception and abortion, protect repro ductive freedom and ensures a woman’s right to choose how and when she receives health care. Women must maintain the right to make personal health care deci sions and control of their bodies.

MEET THE CANDIDATES Florida State Rep. District 45

Teacher shortages continue to be an issue within the state’s education system. Recently, the state launched the Mili tary Veterans Certification Pathway to encourage military veterans to enter the classroom. Evaluate this program and also discuss additional measures you believe will attract teachers to enter the Florida education system.

There will never be enough military vet erans to replace the thousands of highly qualified and talented teachers who are leaving our school districts every semes ter. These veteran teachers are not leaving because they don’t love the work and children they pour into on a daily basis. They’re leaving because, under the cur rent state administration, they don’t feel respected, safe or supported. If military veterans are not properly prepared to exit military life and into the classroom to handle the myriad of social-emotional, behavioral, academic and parental experi ences veteran teachers face on a daily basis, then this path for military veterans may increase the lack of stability for stu dents by leaving themselves.

The solutions should focus on under standing and correcting the reasons why our talented teachers are leaving the field of education altogether. We also need to adequately pay our teachers and develop incentives and rewards that help to attract and retain career educators.

Lastly, proposing legislation to encour age retired educators to return to the classroom while protecting their retire ment benefits would provide an experi enced pool of talent for schools across the state.

Should topics such as gender identity and sexual orientation be discussed in the public education system?

Currently, Florida schools are not required to teach sex education. However, they are required to teach comprehensive health education that includes instruc tion on teenage pregnancy. Topics in the

classroom should be age-appropriate and reflect the stories and individual identities found in schools and every school should be encouraged to provide a positive, safe and healthy space for development for any child regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Discuss solutions you would support to provide more access to affordable hous ing, particularly in District 45, where home prices and rents have increased substantially.

Affordable housing and financial wellbeing are the two most compelling issues that are impacting all Floridians. Housing costs have skyrocketed over the past 12 months driving uncertainty at all income levels. While the answer is a complex challenge, the Legislature should seek to incentivize the development and availabil ity of affordable housing.

The first thing we should do is to stop raiding the funding, the Sadowski Fund that has been established to assist with making housing accessible to all Florid ians. I support smart growth or con trolled growth solutions to reducing and eliminating the negative impacts of urban sprawl.

Second, I would look to work with a bipartisan group of legislators to spon sor legislation to develop incentives that encourage developers to invest in pro viding affordable, safe, sustainable and energy-efficient housing.

State measures should emphasize financial incentives for developers to build more affordable housing, and to imple ment environmentally friendly practices to protect natural resources and ecosys tems, restrict or limit multifamily build ing permits in areas that do not have the educational, employment, public transit, health care and law-enforcement systems to support significant increases in the community’s population.

Why is our country so divided, and is there a path to mutual understanding? If so, what is it?

It seems our regard for humanity is declining, and our ability to view each other as fellow humans is quickly unrav eling the morale fiber that is America. I believe in the glass being half full, so I do believe that there is a path to building a more perfect union that embraces every one.

It will require a willingness to accept that we are better together.

A path which we can all truly embrace as patriots who love this country while sharing differences of opinion. The key is to strive to find the common ground and move past the current selfishness that has worked to divide our nation. America is still a great country and our mosaic of cul tures makes us even better. We must move past the current culture wars and move toward the arc of justice for all Americans.

Do you have aspirations beyond the Florida Legislature? If so, what are they?

Right now, my focus is on represent ing House District 45 and delivering upon what our community needs. I can’t predict the future, but I will always be open to doing what I can to protect our democracy by serving.

ESTATE

Oakland Park estate sells for $1,640,000

Ahome in the Oakland Park community in Winter Garden topped all West Orangearea residential real-estate transactions from Oct. 22 to 28.

The home at 1200 Union Club Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 28, for $1,640,000. Built in 2016, it has six bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,911 square feet. Days on mar ket: 28.

These are the highest-selling homes in each community in West Orange.

HORIZON WEST ENCORE AT OVATION

The home at 12374 Encore at Ova tion Way, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 25, for $850,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,611 square feet. Days on market: 21.

MABEL BRIDGE

The home at 11731 Verrazano Drive, Orlando, sold Oct. 24, for $725,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,473 square feet. Days on market: Three.

SUMMERPORT

The home at 14219 Sonco Ave., Win dermere, sold Oct. 25, for $680,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 2,949 square feet. Days on market: 40.

SNAPSHOT

Total Sales: 61 High Sale Price: $1,640,000 Low Sale Price: $250,000

WATERLEIGH

The home at 8750 Sonoma Coast Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 26, for $940,055. Built in 2022, it has four bed rooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,416 square feet. Days on market: 60.

The home at 18078 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 28, for $898,556. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,327 square feet. Days on market: Five.

WINCEY GROVES

The home at 16259 Misty Hills Ave., Winter Garden, sold Oct. 27, for $750,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,688 square feet. Days on market: 22.

WINDING BAY

The home at 10533 Petrillo Way, No. 173, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 24, for $989,990. Built in 2022, it has five bed rooms, six baths and 4,008 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

The home at 10484 Petrillo Way, No. 191, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 27, for $820,676. Built in 2022, it has five bed rooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,652 square feet. Days on market: 38.

OCOEE ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2852 Muller Oak Loop, Ocoee, sold Oct. 28, for $445,150. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,389 square feet.

BROOKHAVEN OAKS

The home at 517 Emory Oak St., Ocoee, sold Oct. 28, for $600,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,490 square feet. Days on market: 22.

The home at 2831 Maria Isabel Ave., Ocoee, sold Oct. 28, for $660,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,521 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WESTYN BAY

The home at 2304 Pesaro Circle sold Oct. 27, for $590,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,900 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

WINDERMERE BALMORAL

The home at 9042 Balmoral Mews Square, Windermere, sold Oct. 25, for $1,625,000. Built in 1996, it has six bedrooms, six baths and 6,749 square feet. Days on market: 17.

RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 1569 Lake Whitney Drive sold Oct. 28, for $1,530,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 5,225 square feet. Days on market: 78.

THE LAKES

The home at 10554 Down Lakeview Circle sold Oct. 27, for $1,010,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 4,287 square feet. Days on market: 26.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 8357 Bowden Way, Win dermere, sold Oct. 24, for $720,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,171 square feet. Days on market: Two.

WINTER GARDEN BRADFORD CREEK

The home at 14113 Creekbed Circle, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 27, for $615,000. Built in 2019, it has four bed rooms, four baths and 2,821 square feet. Days on market: 63.

JOHNS LAKE POINTE

The home at 964 Marsh Reed Road, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 28, for $622,500. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,810 square feet. Days on market: 65.

LAKE APOPKA SOUND

The home at 14417 Shaman Circle, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 26, for $561,125. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,107 square feet. Days on market: 75.

LAKEVIEW PRESERVE

The home at 3287 Buoy Circle sold Oct. 26, for $595,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,162 square feet. Days on market: 106.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 13912 Fox Glove St., Win ter Garden, sold Oct. 28, for $675,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,326 square feet. Days on market: Three.

TILDEN PLACE

The home at 14396 Wabasso Loop, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 27, for $782,360. Built in 2022, it has five bed rooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,626 square feet.

MEADOW RIDGE

realtor.com

The home at 1200 Union Club Drive, Winter Garden, sold Oct. 28, for $1,640,000. This custom Mediterranean-style home features nearly 225 feet of water views.

OF THE WEEK

HIGH 5 DOING IT ALL

1Central Florida Christian Academy head football coach Jeremy Camp bell recently was named the Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 11 Coach of the Year. On the players side, Marcus McCrimmon was named the FACA District 11 Player of the Year, while Lavon Hudson, Jaylin Acevedo, Justin Preaster and Anthony Middleton were named to the FACA District 11 rst team.

2The Windermere High School girls volleyball team defeated Olympia to advance to the regional semi nals 3-2. The Wolverines lost the rst set 21-25, won the second set 25-23, lost the third set 12-25 and won the fourth set 25-23 and the fth set 15-13. The girls were to travel to Osceola High School to play the regional nal at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, after press time.

3The Windermere Prep girls golf team placed second in the district tournament at Harbor Hills, earning a trip to the LPGA International — Jones Course to compete in the regional tournament, which took place Monday, Oct 31. On the boys side, the varsity golf team advanced to the regional tournament after placing second in the districts tourna ment at Harbor Hills. The boys traveled Monday, Oct. 31, to Timacuan Golf Club to play in the regional tournament.

4The West Orange High School girls and boys swim and dive teams advanced to the regional tournament that took place at Oct. 28 and 29 at the Rosen Aquatic Center. Lauren French represented West Orange in the 1-meter diving event.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Windermere Preparatory School football players spend their seasons learning about the importance of the word “How.”

“What we try to do is, in terms of Xs and Os, I always tell them that matters less,” head football coach Brian Simmons said. “What you do matters less than how you do it. So, I always tell them to concentrate in how we are doing things, how we are play ing … with (our) energy, with (our) enthusiasm, with (our) toughness, it’s way more important than what play we run and, how (my players) are will ing to accept adversity and challenges … on the football field, that tells me a lot about how (they) would do the same in life, as a person.”

Not only do the Lakers learn about how to act and react to diverse situ ations but also how to play multiple positions on the football field.

“Every guy has to learn multiple positions,” Simmons said. “I teach them that we’ve got to learn how to play football and (not to) worry about positions. (They have to) worry about

BENNETT’S RECORDS

Rushing yards (career): 2,264 (31 yards shy of the school record)

Rushing yards (game): 259 vs. Riverdale Ridge

Rushing yards (single play): 86 vs. Bishop Snyder, 2019

Rush attempts (career): 289

Rushing TDs (game): Five vs. Riverdale Ridge (ties school record)

Receiving TDs (game): Five vs. Trinity Prep, 2020

Rush/Rec yards (career): 3057

5

Lake Buena Vista High School diver Nathan Frette earned his second district title for the Class 2A District 5 championship with a total of 628.05 points Tues day, Oct. 25.

West Orange High boys cross country earns regional appearance

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The West Orange High school boys cross country team has found diver sity among its members makes them effective and fast.

For the first time in team history, the Warriors have exchange students among their ranks.

“It’s been great because we give everyone a unique perspective on the importance of running and the importance of friendship on the team,” head cross country coach Bri an Noe said.

The Warriors earned a spot in the regional meet that took place Satur day, Oct. 29, at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. They placed 13 out of 16.

“We really are going in as the underdogs,” Noe said before the race.

“We are going out there hoping for the best, (but) only the top eight teams will advance to the state champion ship.”

One of the key runners for the team

Rush/Rec yards (game): 347 vs. Trinity Prep, 2020 TDs (career): 39 TDs (single game): Seven vs. Trinity Prep, 2020

Points (career): 234

Points (single game): 42 vs. Trinity Prep, 2020

Horizon High girls swim team earns school’s third district title

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Horizon High School girls swim team made school history last week after claiming the school’s third dis trict championship title and earning a spot at the regional meet Friday, Oct. 28.

“I’m grateful that these kids took a chance and were willing to try to learn from someone that they didn’t really know and that really didn’t know them,” head swim coach Rachel Barkowitz said. “I think the thing I’m most proud about is the fact that these kids have made it work. They’ve risen to every occa sion. They have worked their butts off, and they persevered.”

Part of the success behind the Hawks’ season comes in the devel opment of well-rounded athletes and individuals. This year, the pro gram introduced to its athletes the ‘Hawk of Ages,’ where athletes who competed the four strokes during their season would have the oppor tunity to write their name on the list record book and have a patch to put on their long-sleeved jacket.

Overall, out of the 31 athletes who the team has this year in both, the girls and boys teams, 18 swam all four strokes.

“We worked really hard this sea son to try to make our swimmers well-rounded,” Barkowitz said. “It goes to show not only how much effort they’ve put in this season but that they are interested in (the sport) and in … becoming better swimmers and athletes, in general.”

The girls have bought into the program Barkowitz has developed in

Windermere High School senior diver Antonina Harned is a district champion for the third time. Page 2B.

is sophomore Jaiden McKee, who has broken the school’s 5K record two consecutive years. Last year, he set the new school record as a freshman at 17:23. This year, he broke his own record after recording a time of 16:41 at metros.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “I didn’t think as a freshman I’d be able to do that, and I thought it would take a few more years for me to improve.” McKee grew up in Wisconsin and

Sophomore Jaiden McKee, one of the team’s younger runners, is quickly picking up speed.

PREP VS. THE FIRST

He’s known as Windermere Prep’s bruising running back, but senior Jackson Bennett is willing to play any position on the field. Yes, he’s even punted the ball.

determination and sportsmanship all are requirements for the developing swim team.

Courtesy photo

Andrea Mujica

Antonina Harned

Tell us about your years as an athlete.

I’ve been diving for pretty much all of my life. My mom was the one who got me into diving, because she used to coach here with the previous team. Because of that, I just stayed with the sport for the whole time, and I never wanted to do anything else; I really enjoyed it here. Whenever I dive and people come watch me they are always like, “Wow that’s so cool.”

How old where you when you performed your first dive?

Probably when I was 2 years old. … I’ve been doing it for so long; it’s kind of hard to tell when my first dive was.

What’s your favorite thing about diving as a sport?

Just how pretty it is and how graceful it is whenever someone does a really good dive. It has such a satisfying sound, and it’s so sat isfying to see how someone can go into the water without any splash.

… Every diver is different — no diver is the same — and that’s the interesting part, because everyone has one unique thing that’s unique to them.

What is that thing that makes you a unique diver?

I’m not sure, but (I think) it’s reverse on half half on 10-meter. That dive is incredibly rare. Barely anyone competes (with) it on tower at all because you are on a

THE BASICS

AGE: 17 GRADE: 12 SCHOOL: Windermere High SPORTS: Diving

What will you miss most about diving in high school?

Probably representing Winder mere. I really like representing the school and helping the swim team get points.

Are you thinking about diving in college?

Yes, 1,000%. I have a full ride to the University of Nebraska — Lincoln. I’m extremely excited to further my athletic career in div ing, because I genuinely think if I stick (with it), and focus...I believe I have a genuine shot to getting to the Olympics. That’s my goal.

What’s your favorite hobby? Either video games or glass paint ing.

What’s your favorite movie? I like horror movies a lot. I’d prob ably say “The Conjuring,” because I just love the suspense in it and the build-up.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Probably Iron Man, because he doesn’t have any special powers and all of his work came from him working hard for it. He went from

Leading Laker

how to play, because if they can’t tackle, if they can’t block, if they can’t get off of blocks, it doesn’t matter what positions they play, and that is the essence of playing football.”

A great example of becoming a diverse player is linebacker and running back Jackson Bennett, who has been a part of the varsity team at Windermere Prep for all four years of high school.

“This is my favorite part of the year every single year,” he said of football season.

Bennett, 17, moved to Orlando the summer before he started seventh grade and has been playing foot ball since he was 4 years old. His dad, Brooks, played in college at Shepherd University. Having foot ball around him since an early age inspired Jackson to immerse him self in the sport.

“It’s something that I love and something I look forward to (every year),” Bennett said. “It’s just a part of my life.”

Bennett saw a huge growth in his athletic performance on the football field during his last season with the Lakers. He broke several school records this year, including points scored in a game (42 dur ing the game against Trinity Prep); touchdowns scored in a game (sev en against Trinity Prep); receiving touchdowns in (five against Trinity Prep); and total yards (347 against Trinity Prep).

“We’ve had a really good year so far running the ball, and part of it is because we got a couple of new guys who are playing the offensive line and they’ve been of great help to me,” he said.

During the summer, Bennett spent his days working with the Lakers defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator Andre Mar tin, who helped him improve his speed and agility. However, Bennett is still looking forward to improving

“Something specific I would say (for me to improve) is my lateral speed,” he said. “That’s something that I’m working on myself, and also my strength, because I can always be stronger and bigger.”

At 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Bennett surprises opponents on the football field when he plays in the running back position.

“Something unique to my play style is that I’m pretty big for my position I would say, because of how much I weigh,” he said. “What I think helps me is that people and coaches this year have told me that I’m deceivingly fast when they see my size. They don’t necessarily

WEEK NINE RESULTS

WEST ORANGE (5 3), 37

OLYMPIA (5 4), 14

HIGHLIGHTS: The West Orange o ense continued to shine in the Warriors’ 37-14 win over Olympia Thursday, Oct. 27. Quarterback Trever Jackson went 13-of-23 for 219 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also car ried the ball seven times for 51 yards.

UP NEXT: The Warriors hosted Ocoee Monday, Oct. 31, for the district championship. The Titans will host South Lake Friday, Nov. 4.

DR. PHILLIPS (4 5), 28 OCOEE (6 3), 25 UP NEXT: The Panthers will host Jones Friday, Nov. 4.

CFCA (8 0), 50 OAK HALL (7 1), 6

HIGHLIGHTS: The Eagles remain undefeated at 8-0 after dispatch ing Oak Hall 50-6 Friday, Oct. 28. Quarterback Jacob Kania went 14-of-16 for 285 yards and four TDs; he also rushed the ball four times for 98 yards. Marcus McCrimmon rushed the ball 10 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Justin Preaster hauled in four catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles will play in the SSAC State Semi nal Fri day, Nov. 4, against Mount Dora Christian Academy.

UP NEXT: The Eagles will play the Mount Dora Christian Academy Bulldogs in a neutral playo game Friday, Nov. 4.

FOUNDATION (5 3), 38 WEST OAKS (3 6), 36

HIGHLIGHTS: Foundation Acad emy fans were treated to some late-game heroics on Senior Night as the Lions took care of the West Oaks Academy Flame Friday, Oct. 28, at Foundation. With nine seconds to go and Foundation down 36-35, Lions kicker Braedyn White drilled a 23-yard eld goal to give the

think I’m fast, so I’m able to catch them off-guard.”

Baltimore Ravens star quarter back Lamar Jackson is Bennett’s role model when it comes to perse verance and determination.

“Most of what I’ve implemented of him in myself is his work ethic, because he was a quarterback in college, and everybody said he wasn’t going to be as successful quarterback in the NFL,” Bennett said. “(But) he believed that was his position, that’s what he wanted to do, and now he’s one of the best in the league.”

Simmons has been coaching Ben nett for all his years in the varsity football team.

“It’s been the same since he’s been a ninth-grader,” Simmons said. “In the offense, defense, he’s done a great job. He plays wherever

Regional runners

1B

FROM

moved in 2020 to Florida. Prior to attending West Orange, he had nev er run competitively or even prac ticed running as a sport. Instead, he played soccer and trained in kickboxing.

“It was a big step for me (cross country), because I didn’t even know how to start training at first,” he said. “I ran one 5K ever before I started cross country, and it was like running three miles under 20 min utes sounded impossible to me.”

McKee believes part of his suc cess on the course comes because he sees everyone who is running in it as teammates — not as opponents.

“I see everybody as teammate during a race — like people (who) can help me grow … because I run with them and I pace off of them,” he said. “I don’t see them as ‘Oh, I

need to pass that guy and that guy.’ I see them as, ‘If I can keep up with him, I can keep improving.’”

Mentally, cross country has helped McKee grow as an individual and as an athlete.

“It helps your mentality on a lot of things,” he said. “In most sports, you are focused on what you are doing in that present moment, (in cross country) even when you are just running during a race or at a workout you can think about things and everything that’s going on. You can use that to help you run better and push yourself to be faster.”

For Noe, McKee has been an incredible addition to the team.

“He has been an amazing athlete,” he said. “He has a level of tough ness and a level of competitiveness that I have not seen in this team in a while.”

Having a new coaching staff this

home team the 38-36 win. In ad dition, running back J.T. Bronaugh set the school record for rush ing yards in a single game after carrying the ball 29 times for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Linebacker Sam Zagame led the defense with nine total tackles, while C.J. Bronaugh snagged two interceptions.

UP NEXT: The Lions will travel to Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Friday, Nov. 4.

HORIZON (6 3), 14

JONES (7 2), 47

HIGHLIGHTS: Despite a 47-14 loss to Jones High School Friday, Oct. 28, the Hawks still show cased a strong running attack, totaling 178 on the ground. Of those, Trei Ginn racked up 166 yards on 16 carries.

UP NEXT: The Hawks will host Windermere Friday, Nov. 4.

LAKE BUENA VISTA (0 9), 12 BISHOP MOORE (6 3), 49

UP NEXT: The Vipers will travel to Colonial Friday, Nov. 4.

LEGACY CHARTER (5 3), 25 BISHOP SNYDER (5 4), 13

UP NEXT: The Eagles will play Seven Rivers Christian Friday, Nov. 4.

THE FIRST ACADEMY (8 1), 39

AKELYNN’S ANGELS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (0 5), 0

HIGHLIGHTS:TFA showcased both its o ense and defense in a 39-0 thumping of the Akelynn’s Angels Christian Academy Friday, Oct. 28. Quarterback James McGinn went 7-of-11 for 119 yards. The de fense accumulated a total of 53 tackles in the game, with Julian Anderson leading the defensive line with 10.

UP NEXT: The Royals will travel to Windermere Prep Friday, Nov. 4.

WINDERMERE PREP (5 3), 28 ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN (1 7), 21 UP NEXT: The Lakers will host TFA Friday, Nov. 4.

you need him to play — linebacker, safety, running back. … We asked him to punt (too), and he did that for us. He’s always asking, ‘Coach, can I do that? Can I do this?’ He won’t complain because you are asking him to do something. He’s always looking for ways to play more and do more plays for the team.”

This has been the first year Ben nett has not gotten injured during the season, so he’s looking forward to ending his last high school season on a high note. Bennett is commit ted to Brown University to further his academic and athletic abilities and hopefully, one day, fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL.

“That’s my dream job,” he said.

The Lakers will play their last game of the season against The First Academy Royals Friday, Nov. 4, at Deputy Scott Pine Commu

REGIONAL RUNNERS

Tomas Colin Lukas Farley Christian Koppe Ethan Langford Jaiden McKee Nik Sirois Gage Tiva Matus Zavacky

year, and a depth to their long- dis tance workouts, also helped the Warriors during their season.

“Our diversity this year has been not just in the athletes but also on the coaches,” Noe said. “Coach (Neil) Ellenback came to us with some practice experience … and he’s the one that’s in charge of put ting together our workouts for the long distance days. We also need to combine that with Coach (Gareth) Peters. … He covers short to middle distance, and he does Wednesday workouts which are all about short distances and high intensity.”

support West Orange county..

Windermere High School senior and diver Antonina Harned recently won the district championship title for the third time in her high school career after earning a total of 519.95 points during the district meet. Harned also won regionals for the second time in her high school career Friday, Oct. 28, with a total of 560.80 points. She has a full ride scholarship to dive at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln.

Margaret Waldrop Harbert, age 95, formerly of Oakland, died peacefully at her home in Wilmington, Ohio, on Oct. 27, surrounded by family. Mar garet was born July 13, 1927, in Elba, Alabama, to Julia Caldwell Waldrop and Milton Waldrop. In 1938, the family moved to Oakland.

Margaret graduated in 1947 from Lakeview High School and then worked for the Florida Telephone Company in Winter Garden. On April 4, 1948, Margaret married Gene Harbert, who had come to Oakland from his home in Lumberport, West Virginia, to visit his uncle.

JAMES FRANKLIN MCWHORTER

DIED OCT. 11, 2022.

James Franklin McWhorter, 87, died at home in Clermont, Florida, Oct. 11 from CMML/MDS cancer.

He was born May 21, 1935, in Pitts burgh, Pennsylvania, to Robert S. and Edith McWhorter (DeBussey). He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Shirley McWhorter (Wilson); his parents; brother, Ed McWhorter; and son, Brad McWhorter.

He is survived by his daughter, Leann Blackman (Jim); grandson, Nick Townsend; granddaughter, Shelby McWhorter; and great-grand son Owen; brothers, Bob McWhorter and Stan McWhorter; granddog, Bud; several nieces, nephews and stepgrandchildren.

When Gene served in the Air Force, he and Margaret lived in Ohio, Vir ginia, Maryland, Alaska and Texas. When he retired, they settled back in Oakland.

Margaret loved to travel, and she

was proud to have been in every one of the 50 states as well as in Germany and Austria. Margaret was a talented seamstress and cake decorator, and she was an avid reader, especially of women’s history.

Margaret is survived by their three children, Linda Madison (Russell), David Harbert (Becky) and Sandy Petrulionis (Joe); five grandchildren, Chad Custis (Nikki), Kelly Hieatt (Mike), Tara Harbert, Jason Harbert (Alexis) and Laurel Petrulionis; and one great-grandchild, Carsyn Custis.

A private graveside service in Wilmington is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Crossroads Hospice of Cincinnati, Ohio.

His career in Michigan country club management included Spring Lake, Midland and Plum Hollow Country Clubs, and food and beverage man ager of DuPont Country Club in Dela ware.

2/6/1961

Ragan

Jerry, We miss you more

Jim graduated in 1953 from Mus kegon Sr. High School, Muskegon, Michigan.

He served from Jan. 7, 1954, to Oct. 31, 1955, in the U.S. Army, in Korea. Using his V.A. benefits, Jim graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Hospitality Management.

Prowess in the pool

In 1968, Jim moved the family to Winter Garden, Florida. He was a hotel manager, restaurant owner and real-estate broker. He had a success ful career with Golden Corral Corp. and retired as V.P. of Contracts, Con struction & Real Estate Development. He loved cooking, golf, fishing, NAS CAR and traveling.

There are not enough words or time to describe what Jim McWhort er meant to so many people and the number of things he accomplished during his lifetime. He will be sorely missed and thought of every day.

the last 18 months, and she couldn’t be prouder of the growth she has seen in them.

“I think that is the most important thing to me,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong — winning is pretty cool, and I’m very proud of the kids. But, I think that the thing that’s most important to me is developing a program in which our swimmers are proud to be in. We’re more than just winning. I want them to be the best losers in the world and to focus on their own indi vidual strength. Even if they are not placing first, I want them to celebrate every single millisecond off, every single opportunity they get to chal lenge themselves to be better swim mers and better people.

“I would rather we have a team that is strong mentally and emotionally as well as physically than just have a

team that’s strong physically and not putting all the extra work to make sure we have well-rounded people,” Bar kowitz said.

The team practices at 5:15 a.m. Mondays through Fridays — another testament to the dedication required.

There is one thing that has become characteristic of the Horizon Hawks swimmers this season, and that is their well-developed sportsman ship. During every meet, attendees could see Hawks wearing their purple caps cheering on their competitors, counting their 500s and giving highfives to everyone they encountered along their way in the pool.

“Something that’s important to me is reminding these kids that it doesn’t matter what cap we use or what school we are swimming for, we are pushing each other to be better,” Barkowitz said.

All

love, Mama, Daddy,

Photo courtesy of Horizon Athletics

The Hawks who swam all four strokes are looking forward to receiving their Hawk of Ages later this year.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

JIMMY

Jimmy Khan is the master crew leader at West Orange High School, and his job duties are to supervise and make sure the school is functioning up to Orange County Public Schools standards. Principal Matt Turner said Khan is a legend at the school. “He interacts with the students more than any custodial sta member I have ever seen,” Turner said. “He actively encourages the students, attends events such as Homecoming and prom, and is a positive member of the sta Students know he supports them by cheering them on at events and knowing so many students by name. His signature ‘siren’ in the mornings is a staple in the courtyard, and if you ask any student past or present, they will tell you how much Jimmy loves West Orange.”

What brought you to your school?

What pulled me to West Orange is the amount of school spirit the stu dents and staff have, along with the positive and energetic atmosphere.

What do you love most about your school?

What I love most about West Orange High School is the support and openness of all of the students and staff. Everyone has been so accepting, and I can say that the school is truly one of a kind!

What is your motivation?

My motivation stems from my family, especially my kids, and the reward from serving my commu nity. At work, I am driven from the students around me and the ability to impact the students’ lives and education.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the students grow into successful adults and seeing them enjoy their youth. Seeing them happy makes me happy!

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include running and going to the gym.

REPORT CARD

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active, such as running, going to the gym, playing cricket and playing soccer.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

When I was in school, my favorite teacher was Mr. Aziz, because of how detailed he was with his expla nations and how patient he was when teaching.

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

When I was a child, I wanted to be director of operations of a hotel. This is because I grew up with family members who were general managers of hotels, which caused me to grow an interest in the hotel industry.

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our In uencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

POSITION: Master crew leader TIME AT SCHOOL: Seventeen years at WOHS, 24 with Orange County Public Schools

OBSERVER SCHOOL

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is the “Harry Potter” series; I was very into mystery books.

If you could have any super power, what would it be and why? I would choose to have teleporta tion so that I can travel the world more efficiently.

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

Bon Jovi, Prince and Guns N’ Roses. This is because these artists have a unique sound and have true talent.

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

Chickpeas and chicken with rice. My favorite snacks were samosas and kebabs.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving, because I enjoy spending time with my family and like the fact that it is a day to be conscious of what you are thankful for.

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

My cousin, Atiq, because I grew up with him and enjoyed playing cricket with him. I moved to the United States from Pakistan with Atiq, and we have always kept in touch.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

As a student, I ran track and ran the 1500-meter race and won third place in the 98th annual Athletic Championship in Paki stan.

AMY QUESINBERRY

Royal family reunion

The First Academy hosted its annual Fall Carnival dur ing the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 28. The Royals celebrated their Spirit Week and Homecoming Dress Up Days during the days of Oct. 24 to 28. This year’s theme was “Home coming Worldwide.” Royal families were able to enjoy an afternoon lled with activities such as a climb ing wall, myriad carnival games as well as cartoon drawing posts. Attendees were able to enjoy food from vendors such as 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Do nut NV, Kona Ice, Cruisin Cuisine and Arepa Pela. ANDREA MUJICA

Elysse Escobedo was having a blast while jumping on the bungee trampoline.

Courtesy photo During the Homecoming game, The First Academy crowned Homecoming Queen Sarah Jackson and King Enzo Sioson.

Layla Mercedes and Jose Amparan enjoyed one of the many games.

Lucas Prado, Julian and Alejandra

Villela and Arianna Bayon shel tered from the rain in the Royals’ gymnasium.

Right: Gracyn Cre senti and Gabby Endler sat together while riding the chair ride.

Moses Provencio had a caricature of himself made during the carnival.

Wolverines host Halloween bash

MICHAEL ENG

The Windermere High PTSO pirate crew helped to organize this year’s Truck-or-Treat.

Sometime after their last competition, members of the Windermere drumline were bit by walkers. They were looking a little … undead … at the Truck-or-Treat.

Layah Singh and the Student Government Association ran a Minions-themed booth.

Right: Lyvia Borowiec had a blast dancing to the drumline’s cadences.

Many Windermere High organizations had

for the kids

Isabella Barros as Fred, Maria Rojas as Velma, Lila Vix as

front, Addie Chavarria as Scooby.

two characters were meant to

other: Estefania Alvarez was a cat, and Laima Cubilla Zylinski was the Cat in the Hat.

Emily Endo, left, and Laura Endo were the perfect Barbies in the giant Mattel box.

Fifth-grader Emma Tennant trick-or-treated as a gumball machine.

BRAINFOOD

Just as vinyl record albums were replaced by cassettes, cassettes by CDs, CDs by mp3s; and mp3s by stream ing music, technology has changed pretty much every thing at the local library. From new ways to organize and find books to even what you can do at a library (did you know your Orange County Library System has a 3D printer?!?), libraries have benefited great ly by advances in technology. This month in Brain Food, join us as we take a look at some interesting facts and the his tory of libraries.

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

The Albertson Public Library opened its doors for the rst time on Nov. 8, 1923. Over time, that single library build ing evolved to become the library system in operation today.

The Orlando Public Library building was dedicated in 1966 and later expanded in

WOW! WE’D HATE TO PAY THAT FINE!

According to Sidney Sussex College at the University of Cam bridge, in England, the Guinness world record for the most overdue library book was titled, “Scriptores rerum Germanicarum septentri onalium, vicinorumque populorum diversi” — “Various historians of the Northern Germans and of neighboring peoples.”

The book was borrowed from the college by Colonel Robert Walpole in 1668. It wasn’t returned until 288 years later!

According to the college, Walpole borrowed the book while he was an undergraduate at Trinity Col lege. Dr. J. H. Plumb, while writing a biography about Walpole, discov ered the book in a stack of papers. He returned it to the college on Jan. 16, 1956.

THE OLDEST KNOWN LIBRARY

According to history.com, the oldest library in the world is the Library of Ashurbanipal. Historians be lieve this library was founded sometime in seventh century, B.C., in Nineveh (modern-day Iraq). This library was built for Ashur banipal, the As syrian ruler. Archeolo gists discov ered about 30,000 tablets with

cuneiform, an ancient written lan guage, in the mid-19th century. The collection had mostly archives, religious writings and educa tional text, but it also had some works of literature, too.

THE LARGEST LIBRARY

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. It is home to more than 173 million items. It was founded in 1800, which makes it our country’s old est federal cultural institution. Fourteen years after the library’s founding, British troops burned the Capitol building and de stroyed about 3,000 volumes of its core collection. About a year later, the U.S. Congress approved the purchase of Thomas Jeffer son’s personal library of 6,487 books. The price tag: $23,950.

THE CARD CATALOG

These days, libraries keep all of its catalog on computer systems, and guests can simply search by author, book title or subject. However, make sure you ask your parents and grandparents to tell you all about the card catalog. Before widespread use of comput ers and the internet, each library kept track of all its books through a system of cards that were stored in small drawers. To find a book, a library guest would have to look in the card catalog to find the book using information such as author, book title or subject matter. The card gave the library user the loca tion of the book on a shelf.

If it sounds difficult, it was! And it definitely took more time than the online computer-based catalogs libraries use today!

RECOMMENDED READING

NON-FICTION

THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM

While you’re at it, make sure you ask you parents or grandparents about the Dewey Decimal System!

This system was a way libraries could organize books by fields of study or knowledge. According to Britannica.com, all knowledge was divided into 10 groups, and each group had 100 numbers.

Those groups included: general works (000-099); philosophy and psychology (100-199); religion (200-299); social sciences (300399); language (400-499); natural sciences and mathematics (500599); technology 600-699); the arts (700-799); literature and rhetoric (800-899); and history, biography and geography (900999).

When students had to do research to write a paper for school, they would head to the local library to find books on whatever topic they were assigned.

Orange County Library System celebrates 100 years of service to the community in 2023 with special events and programs for kids and adults that honor a proud past and look to a bright future.

ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY

Fascinating library facts I Michael Eng // Editor and Publisher

The Inside-Outside Book of Libraries by Julie Cum mins Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and Ameri ca’s First Bookmobile by Sharlee Glenn

FICTION Library Machine by Dave Butler Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein

The Observer answers kids’ burning curiosities.

Illustration by Lindsay Cannizzaro

Senior Graphic

80 years ago

The shortage of co ee at last struck Winter Garden. Wednesday morning found the whole town co ee-less, or, at least, there was none to be bought. R.P. Howard made a store-to-store search but had to compromise by drinking a cup of cocoa.

Winter Garden boy scouts were thriving under the guiding hand of Valentine E. Bourland. They were busy getting their room xed up in the basement of City Hall. They had a heavy enrollment and a wait ing list.

75 years ago

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Post planned a grand program for Armistice Day, Nov. 11, in Winter Garden. Activities started with a turkey shoot at Walker Field. Prizes for ladies and fun for all were featured in the celebra tion, including a dance at the city auditorium.

Ester Ellen Corbett was selected as Miss Winter Garden to compete in the “Miss Merry Christmas” Beauty Contest in Orlando.

55 years ago

At Lakeview High School’s Homecoming, Barbara Foote was crowned queen. Her court consisted of Kay Quigley, Debbie House, Marietta Monson and Terri Ogilvie. The Red Devils defeated New Smyrna Beach 38-21.

Protection against arsonists was necessary to guard about 60 hours of work by Lakeview’s FFA chapter. Each year, the boys gather and construct the materials for the Homecoming bon re. A couple of years ago, it was burned to the ground prematurely by pranksters, and the boys worked all night building a new one.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

You might have walked along the West Orange Trail to go and buy yourself a cup of co ee today — but did you know that this popular trail began life as the railroad bed for the Orange Belt Railway? On Nov. 15, 1886, the system’s rst train pulled into Oakland’s depot, the focus of a grand celebration. Russian im migrant Peter Demens’ dream of a Sanford-to-St. Petersburg railroad was becoming a reality. Oakland’s station (still under construction at the time) stood at the southwest corner of Cross Street, where it in tersects with today’s trail. The company’s o ces also were located here, as pioneer Judge James Gamble Speer had o ered Demens 200 acres of land if he’d set up the Orange Belt’s headquarters in the town. As a result, Oakland thrived and grew into one of Orange County’s wealthiest, most prominent municipalities — until the devastating Great Freeze of 1894-95 halted progress.

Find out more about Oakland’s storied past in the archives of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. For information, call (407) 656-3244.

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.

45 years ago

The West Orange Memorial Hos pital Auxiliary held a reception to honor Harry Dudley, the new hos pital administrator, and his family.

40 years ago

Dillard School kindergarten teacher Falling Star (Linda Rees) watched over her Indian children as they sat beside their tepee: Little Rab bit (Tonia Hernandez), Little Red

Feather (Candon Sadler), Little White Duck (Courtney Mask) and Flying Eagle (John Tye Youngblood).

The West Orange High School Marching Band had the honor of participating in the grandiose Ep cot dedication ceremonies. Mem bers were dressed in costumes of di erent nations and carrying banners.

Johnie Lee Gri n retired after 36 years as a store owner.

30 years ago

Paramedic Louis Sabat, of West Orange Paramedic Service, re ceived the Charles C. Hall Award for outstanding eld medic.

20 years ago

Patsy Minor was named Support Sta Person of the Year and Rob ert Hopson Teacher of the Year at Dillard Street Elementary School.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

NOV. 2, 1972 The Lakeview Red Devils and the Ocoee Cardinals were the only West Orange County high schools — until they merged to become West Orange High in 1976. The football games were the talk of the town every week in the fall, and both schools ran full-page advertisements in The Winter Garden Times promoting their teams and each week’s rivalry game. Local businesses sponsored the page and were able to place their ad on the page to show support for the home teams.

OH, GOODIE! by Guilherme Gilioli. Edited by Ross Trudeau

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

The Transportation Referendum

In

helping

Celebrating 50 years of Community

GATTEREAU VITALITY

“The