W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 90, NO. 12
Elena Friedman undergoes knee surgeries. PAGE 1B.
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Crooked’s Celtic celebration Crooked Can brewery celebrated St. Patrick’s Day weekend. PAGE 5A.
MEMORY CARE MASTERPIECE
YOUR TOWN ENJOY AN EVENING AT THE POPS The Rotary Club of Winter Garden, in partnership with the city of Winter Garden, is hosting Evening at the Pops featuring the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25. It takes place at Newton Park on the shores of Lake Apopka. General admission tickets are $10; children 8 and younger are free. VIP tickets are $75 and include reserved seating, dinner, drinks and live entertainment by HAPCO Music Foundation at Tanner Hall. Tickets are available at Winter Garden City Hall and the Winter Garden Heritage Museum or online at bit.ly/rotaryclub1. An instrumental petting zoo for children begins at 4:30 p.m.
MATTHEW’S HOPE TURNING 13 The Matthew’s Hope homeless ministry is looking for donors as it celebrates its 13th anniversary in West Orange County. Scott Billue founded the ministry 13 years ago with the intentions of getting homeless residents and families back on their feet and off the streets. The mission holds true still today. Donations are vital to the organization, and Matthew’s Hope relies on regular donors and annual fundraisers to help fund the various programs offered by the ministry. Billue is looking for sustaining donors willing to give $13 monthly for the next 13 months. To donate, visit bit. ly/3li4ANY. Amy Quesinberry
Joanne Eckert concentrated on keeping the yellow paint inside the lines of the petals during an art therapy session at the Serenades at West Orange memory-care facility.
An art therapy program through the Winter Garden Art Association is making a difference in the lives of residents in assisted-living and memory-care facilities. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Oakland to invest in outfall canal improvements The town will work with an environmental firm to reconstruct the Johns Lake Outfall Canal and dredge the area of Lake Apopka where sediment has built up near the shoreline. SEE PAGE 2A.
LIFE IN FEAR Ye’vette Toms has started a vlog to share her story of living with agoraphobia. SEE PAGE 6A.
END OF AN ERA West Orange County folks are mourning the loss of their beloved Maryland Fried Chicken restaurant in Winter Garden and are making sure they get their crispy meal one last time before it closes for good. SEE PAGE 3A.
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Oakland moves forward with canal AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
The Johns Lake Outfall Canal continues to be the main topic of conversation at Oakland Town Commission meetings. More discussion took place Tuesday, March 14, when Assistant Town Manager Jack Butler recommended the commission accept a bid from Solitude Lake Management for a contract price of $103,500 to reconstruct the canal. The town is committing up to $85,000 to reconstruct the canal and dredge a portion of the south side of Lake Apopka where the canal drains and where sediment has built up. The town’s financial contribution is contingent upon contributions received from other entities to complete the work, including Landeavor, the developer of Oakland Park, and the Southern Oaks Homeowners Association. Landeavor representatives said the company would contribute monetarily if it benefited from the project, such as being allowed to use the removed sediment as fill dirt.
Landeavor solicited bids for the work, and Solitude was the lowest bidder. The initial work will be done on the northern end of the canal, based on guidance from engineers and the St. Johns River Water Management District — and then future projects will make their way south along the canal as other solutions are found and financial negotiations take place. Butler provided the latest information on the unmaintained canal at last week’s meeting. He said in researching the canal he found an official map of Orange County dated 1890 that includes the outfall channel as a body of water. “It may predate that,” Butler said. “It may be natural in nature, too.” He said a United States Geological Survey map of the area in the 1950s indicated the southern portion of the canal had been straightened out and the northern part was naturally occurring. “It may have been enhanced by man but not completely created by man,” Butler said. The town met with Landeavor and representatives from the Southern
TO
RO
TR
X-
EN
“In the beginning we said, ‘Forget yesterday,’” Satterfield said. “Let’s try to get it fixed and move on.” When one resident questioned what happens if this construction project doesn’t hold up during hurricane season, the commission said the town is committed to seeing this issue through to a solution. “We’re not done when this (initial project) gets done,” Satterfield said. “We promise you we’re not going to walk away.” Another resident questioned why the town is investing this money when other parties should share responsibility. Koontz responded: “Oakland Park isn’t off the hook by any means. They own property on this canal. … They are going to have to find a way to slow the water down, to keep it from eroding anymore within their development … they are going to invest a large amount of money to fix this canal.” Butler said the town is meeting twice a month with representatives from the SJRWMD to discuss solutions.
n The Oakland Town Commission voted to donate a .09-acre parcel of land at 532 W. Sadler Ave. to West Orange Habitat for Humanity. The land, near Pollard Park, was acquired by the town through a taxlien process in 2022 and, through the donation, must be used for building an affordable single-family home. n Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included two action items. The first is to contract with Cathcart to complete various projects outlined in the 2022-23 budget: paving and drainage improvements of West Sadler Avenue, the reconstruction of a section of South Walker Street, water main and fire hydrant installations, and paved “turnouts” at various intersections where dirt roads meet paved roads. The second item is an interlocal agreement for police dispatching services with the city of Winter Garden. n New Oakland police Officer Justin Gau was introduced to the commission. n The town received a request from former Oakland resident Ronnie Cothern. His father, Red Cothern, in the 1940s owned the property occupied by the Oakland Post Office before he deeded it to the town. Ronnie Cothern asked for a plaque or other type of recognition for his father. The commission agreed to look into the request.
STUM
CH
P GR
STX
3 0 ER 0
INDE
R
-38
396849-1
TR
Oaks HOA and presented both with easement agreements that would allow the town to go onto their property to access the site. One resident of Southern Oaks said he was against his neighborhood HOA committing funds when there are 42 total property owners along the canal who should be contributing. “We have not asked the homeowners for money,” Commissioner Mike Satterfield said. “They came to us and offered to help.” Town Manager Steve Koontz said Orange County has agreed to update its most recent study. “We can sit here for I don’t know how many more meetings,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “There’s already been a study done. … Sometimes you have to move forward, whether it’s fair or not. We’re committing to this one-time (cost), and we’re asking Oakland Park to help. It’s got to be done. … This is a good bid, and this will take care of our residents.” “We’re not asking the homeowners to spend anything; we’re not asking the HOA to spend anything,” Commissioner Sal Ramos added.
IN OTHER NEWS
TORO DINGO 12403 W. COLONIAL DR., WINTER GARDEN
407 - 654 - 9299 FINANCING AVAILABLE
TX1000
"BIGGEST DINGO DEALER IN FLORIDA"
397997-1
2A
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
3A
The difference is delicious
Maryland Fried Chicken, a staple in Winter Garden for 57 years, is closing its doors, and folks have been visiting the restaurant one last time to get their familiar crispy chicken in the bright yellow box.
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Memories are powerful, and when coupled with nostalgic smells and tastes, they can remain sharply in the mind forever. Have you ever bitten into a hot, crispy piece of meat from Maryland Fried Chicken? Ever since Kyle and Sarah Sleeth announced they are closing the 57-year-old MFC on West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden, the restaurant has seen an increase in customers wanting to enjoy their last yellow box of thighs, breasts, gizzards and coleslaw. There are other locations — but for some reason, folks say it’s just not the same as buying the chicken from the same restaurant you frequented as a child growing up in the area. The Sleeths, who bought the franchise in 2020 from longtime owner Paul Dion, announced earlier this month the restaurant’s last day of business will be Saturday, April 1. The property, at 13675 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, went under contract in an auction Wednesday, March 1. Posterboard in the front windows thanked the community for its longtime support. The drive-thru has had more than its share of vehicles stacked around the back of the building since the announcement. Sales of the company T-shirts — the iconic red with the mama and baby chick and the MFC motto, “The Difference is Delicious” — have been brisk as residents want to keep a little piece of Maryland Fried Chicken for themselves. The furniture and equipment are for sale, too. Proceeds from these sales will be given to the staff. “Taking care of our people has always been our priority when closing became a reality,” Sarah Sleeth said. The couple bought the franchise with plans to renovate the building, Sarah Sleeth said. “(But) with the pandemic, the cost of everything went absolutely insane,” she said. “We’ve had to raise our prices several times to keep up. … We were priced out of being able to stay in the chicken business, and we also were priced out of keeping up with the repairs in the building.”
The Sleeths are celebrating customers’ stories, some of them going back decades to their childhoods. “This isn’t just some business that’s been there five years; 57 is significant,” Sarah Sleeth said. “Winter Garden is so close to the (theme) parks that people will come into town and say, ‘I have to go to Maryland Fried Chicken.’ At least every other visit I’m there (at the restaurant), I hear someone say, ‘I drive from X miles away to get some Maryland Fried Chicken.’” CRISPY AND DELICIOUS
There are several factors that make the chicken so special, Sarah Sleeth said. The meat is double marinated in a concoction the Sleeths won’t reveal, cooked in peanut oil and pressure fried to get the famous crispy skin.She added that the livers and gizzards are unique to the Winter Garden location. “It’s an old Southern delicacy from their childhood, and they go for it,” she said. A FAMILY AFFAIR
In 1959, the Constantine family — Alfonso and Rose and their three sons, Albert, Angelo and Richard — owned the first 24-hour eatery in the area on South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando. It was called Constantine’s Restaurant and was in the family for decades. Linda Costantine, who was married to Angelo until his death in 2002, said the three brothers heard about a restaurant that only sold chicken and this piqued the interest of Albert, who was the family cook. “He liked messing around in the kitchen,” she said. “He started looking for different recipes, and when he found one that everyone liked, it became the basis for Maryland Fried Chicken.” The family added the fried chicken to the menu at Constantine’s Restaurant. Around this time, Martin Marietta was bringing employees to Orlando, many of them from Maryland. “All the people coming in (to Constantine’s Restaurant) got to try the chicken, and when they put on their stamp of approval for that particular recipe for chicken, it was named Maryland Fried Chicken for all the
Courtesy photo
The five creators of Maryland Fried Chicken: siblings Albert, left, Richard and Angelo Constantine; and their parents, Rose and Alphonso Constantine.
people from Maryland,” Costantine said. The first free-standing MFC opened a few years later in Fern Park and housed the company’s offices. The Winter Garden franchise opened in 1966, and its earliest owners were Doug Bartholomew and Paul Dion, Costantine said. She has kept much of the company’s early paperwork explaining how to open a franchise with an initial investment of $17,000, as well as an original Constantine’s Restaurant menu featuring the Maryland Fried Chicken logo, an enlarged postcard depicting a picnic table with buckets and a box of chicken, and a large pullout poster from a Life magazine MFC advertisement from the 1960s. She also has a copy of a newspaper ad announcing the grand opening of MFC at Constantine’s Restaurant. Fried chicken dinners were $1, a family bucket o’ chicken was $3.95, and a barrel o’ chicken was $5.40. The ad read: “Maryland Fried Chicken is a tantalizing taste-teasing delicacy, prepared from Al Constantine’s special recipe, consisting of fresh plump tender broilers with special spices and seasoning. Cooked by special equipment sealing in all the juices and natural goodness of the chicken to give you the most delectable taste treat you and your family have ever experienced.” The Costantine/Constantine families worked at several MFC locations and owned a few of the franchises. Three are still in the family today. Richard’s sons Robert and Tony own franchises in Apopka and Leesburg, and Angelo and Linda’s son Dannie owns the one on East Colonial Drive. Another of Angelo and Linda’s sons, Joe, worked with his mother at the East Colonial location. “Dannie has been working in it since he was 7 years old,” Costantine said. “And he has a daughter who just turned 10, and she can run the place.” BEHIND THE COUNTER
Amy Quesinberry
Sarah and Kyle Sleeth are the current owners of the Maryland Fried Chicken franchise in Winter Garden.
Crystal Lovejoy worked for Dion for about 12 years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and she said he taught her so much. Her family’s roots in MFC run deep — her mother, Teresa Arnold Holton, was pregnant with her when she worked there, and when Lovejoy was an adult, the two worked there together. An aunt,
MARYLAND FRIED CHICKEN The last day to get a meal from the Maryland Fried Chicken franchise at 13675 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, is Saturday, April 1. Store hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed Sunday. After that date, folks who still crave the crispy chicken can visit other locations in Apopka, Fairview Shores and Union Park in Orlando, Leesburg, Haines City, Plant City, Avon Park and Vero Beach.
Linda Arnold Bowen, was employed there too. “(Dion) taught me how to cut chicken with an open saw blade,” Lovejoy said. “At first I was scared. I watched him for like two or three years steady. He had me slice off one piece at a time. After that, I started slinging chicken like there was no tomorrow.” She remembers Dion hand-cutting his chicken and marinating it for 24 hours before hand-breading it. Lovejoy said on busy days they breaded up to 20 giant trays. Dion also taught her how to operate — and even repair — the pressure cookers, which were used to keep the moisture inside the chicken. “Paul was there from 5 o’clock in the morning until when we didn’t need him (any)more, sometimes 8 or 9 at night,” she said. “That’s how passionate he was.” One of her favorite side dishes was the coleslaw. “That coleslaw was off the chain,” Lovejoy said. “Everything was handmade, handed-breaded, hand-cut. We even shredded the cabbage.” Susan Bell enjoyed her time working at MFC’s Winter Garden store in 1978. She said coworkers and customers became family. Her job was to prepare, cook and serve the food. “I will always remember one night after closing my co-worker and I were cleaning up,” Bell said. “We were taking garbage to the dumpster and an alligator that lived in the lake behind the store came out of the lake looking for his chicken fat that we always tossed to him each night. We should have given him his food before we took out the garbage. “We started screaming and ran in the bathroom that happened to be outside,” she said. “Our co-workers wondered what was taking so long, and when they looked out the window they saw the alligator and called
Courtesy photo
An advertisement for Maryland Fried Chicken appeared in Life magazine.
the game warden, and they came and got it. That thing was so big from all that chicken we fed him. “Paul Dion was the owner,” Bell said. “He was a great boss. He told us that nothing in the store was worth more than our lives (and) if someone came in to rob us, give them whatever they wanted. We were all one big family looking out for each other.” Dion’s family worked there too through the years. Dennise Keene made a comment on a Facebook post last week announcing the closing. “(It was) our family business — Mom met my stepdad here, Paul and Linda Dion,” Keene wrote. “They owned and operated this (chicken place) for 45 years. My siblings’ and (my) first job, and most of our kids, grandkids started out here. Definitely part of our history and Paul's legacy. We will miss the chicken and (our chicken place). Here's to memories and turning the page.”
399267-1
AMY QUESINBERRY
4A
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Painting with a purpose
Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek
“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Andrea Mujica, amujica@OrangeObserver.com Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Graphic Designer / Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com
CONTACT US
The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange. Amy Quesinberry
Art therapy director Gaby West shared a tender moment with Serenades at West Orange resident Joy Hunt.
Suite 180, Winter Garden.
AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
It’s about so much more than painting. Gaby West pulls her cart full of canvases, paint brushes, colorful tubes of paint and water cups down the hall of Serenades at West Orange, in Winter Garden, stopping at a room where a dozen or so memory-care residents are gathered on sofas and around the television. She speaks softly and kindly to each one, inviting him or her to create a piece of art. Some go with her; others decline — but all are given the chance to stimulate their minds through art therapy. West leads the Paint a Memory program at several West Orange County memory-care facilities through Artscape and sponsored by Winter Garden Art Association and Healthy West Orange. She spends about an hour in each session, assisting the seven or eight residents who join her for the hourlong program. On a recent Tuesday, West led a painting session with six women, all at various levels of memory loss. They wielded their paint brushes and, with a deep concentration, added bright springtime colors to their flower paintings. A few asked for help, several said very few words as they worked diligently on their projects — but all of them ended up with beautifully crafted pieces of art that will join the other artwork that adorns the walls of Serenades. Throughout the process, West visits with each artist, caressing a cheek or holding a hand or simply listening to their stories. “With the residents, providing emotional support is also a kind of key factor that, I think, makes a huge difference in quality of life,” West said. “They know me, and having that connection is important too. “The art program provides them with a way to still continue to express themselves,” West said. “Every painting you see, even if it’s
If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway,
TO ADVERTISE
For display or digital advertising, call (407) 656-2121. For Classifieds, call (407) 656-2121.
SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP PUBLIC NOTICES
The West Orange Times meets the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Orange County per F.S. 50.011 USPS Periodicals Permit (USPS# 687-120) Amy Quesinberry
Gaby West, standing, makes sure all of the residents have equal time with her while she leads the art therapy sessions at Serenades at West Orange. One of last week’s sessions included Martha Goble, clockwise left, Joanne Eckert, Helen Mastick, Joy Hunt, Jill DiChiria and Cathy Doerger.
been sketched out, they’re all a little bit different. … To be able to express that and to have some fun, it’s all part of living a healthy lifestyle. And it’s also a memory that families get to keep forever; it’s something they’ve made.” STIMULATING THE MIND
The Paint a Memory program was started in 2018 at the SOBO Art Gallery by Elizabeth McKinney, cofounder of the WGAA. She had taken care of her father, who was in an assisted-living facility, and understood the importance of brain stimulation in the elderly. West
Amy Quesinberry
Jill DiChiria took her time making sure her paint lines were clean.
took care of her grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, in England many years ago. The partnership took a natural course. “It was something that touched both of our hearts and it was important to us,” West said. Classes are held in facilities that are home to elderly residents, especially those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The program originally took place at SOBO, West said, but after the pandemic, she and McKinney changed the format to take it to the residents. They received a grant from HWO and are hoping to secure more funding to keep the program going. “We do have some generous West Orange community members who can see what we’re doing with the program, and they value it, and we’re so incredibly thankful for it,” West said. “There are so many people we can reach with this work. … We’re hoping if we can secure more funding, there are several other facilities that need our help, and we hope to expand it.” West offers five classes a week and would like to be able to double that with more funding. She also wants to train artists so even more classes can be provided to residents. “I’ve noticed huge changes,” West said. “It shows you when I first started working with them and literally in about a month how far we’ve come if I’m here every week. … And it’s not
just painting, it’s other skills where they are utilizing other hand-eye coordination.” Linda Mena, executive director of Serenades, agreed with West. “It’s so much more than art,” Mena said. “It’s the brain stimulation that they’re getting. Art therapy for dementia patients is so important. “Studies show cognitive development will improve through art therapy techniques,” she said. “With Gaby’s program, it truly provides a way to stimulate their minds and helps them engage in activities more easily. Those classes are truly so much bigger than the paint brush and the canvas. It allows them to bring bold bright colors to life in their mind.” During the holidays, residents made personal gifts, including Christmas ornaments and canvas art, for their family members. “It was just so touching,” Mena said. “Our whole Serenades program is celebrating their abilities that are left, those they can still do, and not focus on what they can’t. No resident is the same, and no piece of art is the same. “The thing with this too, people with dementia have trouble expressing their feelings … and this allows them to get their thoughts and feelings on canvas as well,” Mena said. “They enjoy it. Engaging in creative activities always enhances their moves and improves their general well-being.”
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. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, P.O. Box 135, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069-0135.
Observer Media Group Inc.
is locally owned. Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Jacksonville Record & Observer, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine
Founding Editor and CEO / Matt Walsh President / Emily Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles
1970 Main St. Third Floor Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468
OrangeObserver.com © 2019 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
5A
2023 Celtic Fest at Crooked Can Brewing Company
Families lounged on the green space throughout downtown Winter Garden.
Children ran around Plant Street sporting green attire complete with accessories.
T
he eighth annual Celtic Fest hosted by Crooked Can Brewing Company brought the luck of the Irish to downtown Winter Garden. Residents packed Plant Street Market showing off a flood of green and white. The event, which ran from Friday, March 17, through Sunday, March 19, featured entertainment by Todd Nichols, Long & Finch’s Irish Duo, Central Florida Irish Dance, Dublin Beat, Rosie O’Grady’s Pipe & Drum, Watters School of Irish Dance and more. In addition, attendees enjoyed activities such as mad science, roaming jugglers, stilt walkers, face painting, food specials and, of course, award-winning beer. — ANNABELLE SIKES John Carney and Daniel Barber enjoyed beer and Irish hot dogs piled with corned beef and sauerkraut.
400660-1
An Irish-themed stilt walker stops to take a photo with Chris Chan, owner of Think Minion, who sported a beer puppet.
6A
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Bound by home’s four walls AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
When Ye’vette Toms was 5, she panicked any time she had to leave her house or separate from her parents. Her feelings of anxiety only increased as she got older, and if friends invited her to a movie or concert, she made excuses and said she was either grounded or she had to babysit. “Once I was a teenager, I would suck it up and go to the movies, but it was a battle,” she said. “I had to battle panic the whole way there, and I would act normal. My friends had no idea I was sitting there panicking.” Toms understands now this was the beginning of agoraphobia, a mental illness that has progressed to the point where she is homebound and can no longer leave her apartment complex. The 44-year-old Winter Garden resident wants people to understand what life is like for an agoraphobe, so she has started a vlog on YouTube called “You Know Where to Find Me.” “Agoraphobia starts out as panic disorder,” she said. “I went to Publix, and I had a panic attack. … So, I just avoided Publix.” The same thing happened at Aldi, so she stopped shopping there too. “The panic attacks got so frequent and so often that my walls just closed in, and it took about 10 years to be fully homebound,” Toms said. “The pandemic pushed it over the edge. I have asthma, and I have agoraphobia, so I could not wear a mask. I was attacked verbally every time I would go in public. One person coughed on me.” ONE-MILE RADIUS
Toms, her husband, Benjamin, and their children live in the Inland Seas apartment complex, where she feels completely isolated from the life she used to have. Until last year, the family lived on Seminole Street, one block from downtown Winter Garden, and Toms said she never felt the depression that now engulfs her. She said she was comfortable traveling within a one-mile radius of her home. “When we lived uptown, and when I could go in my mile, there was no
such thing as depression,” Toms said. “I had church, I had the Dollar Store, I had Dollar General, and I had Publix and the thrift stores and … the Edgewood (Children’s Ranch) thrift store.” She was content with the limits she placed on herself. But her life changed when the Tomses were forced to moved out of the house they were renting and all they could find in their children’s school zone was the apartment — more than one mile from downtown. “I miss downtown,” Toms said. “I’m going to get emotional just talking about downtown. We could see Crooked Can. Even if I was homebound, I could go to Crooked Can downtown. I miss the farmers market so much. I totally miss the golf cart parade at Christmas. And I could do those things when we were over there, but when we had to move, I don’t know, my brain just, I’m just in stuck mode, and we’re exploring that in therapy. I just can’t make it downtown.” Toms said once they moved into the apartment, she didn’t want to leave. “When we moved, it was so traumatic that once it got dark no one could talk to me or touch me for the first two months of us living here,” Toms said. “Once it got dark, all I could do was sit and breathe, I was in a massive panic. I couldn’t sleep.” For the first two weeks after they moved in, she was in such a panic she didn’t allow her husband to leave. She still can’t be home alone because the what-ifs start infiltrating her mind. “What if I choke, what if I have a heart attack, what if I trip and I hurt my back?” Toms said. “I’ve actually had those thoughts. If I’m home alone, I don’t eat.” One month after moving into the complex, Toms still hadn’t left the apartment. “And then two months passed and three months passed,” she said. “And then I went to the dock and had a panic attack, so I haven’t been to the dock since.” She would love to own a golf cart. “If I had a golf cart, I could go places,” she said. Her children’s friends have a golf
cart and occasionally take her for a spin around the parking lot. She can comfortably ride to the complex office and to the mailbox. “Riding around in a circle in a golf cart is like the wind in my hair,” Toms said. “I’m not used to going fast anymore … so when you’re in a golf cart that goes 30 mph, I’m like, ‘Slow down!’” Toms is a Disneyphile but is unable to fulfill her desire to enjoy the theme parks — so she “visits” by watching Walt Disney World YouTube vlogs. She has made it a game of telling her husband what she did that day: “I went to Southern California and got to do the backstage tour” or “I rode Tron today.” Her last physical trip to Disney was a decade ago. Toms is grateful for her husband, who has taken over all of her previous responsibilities such as taking their children to doctor’s and dentist appointments and doing all the shopping. “You just cannot help it,” she said. “You’re always in fight or flight mode.” GOING WITH THE FLOW
When the Tomses filed their income taxes last year, the Internal Revenue Service mailed a refund check to them. Her identification card, similar to a driver’s license, had expired, so she couldn’t cash the check. She also can’t apply for a job working from home without an ID. “My husband was like, ‘You’re going to have to go to the DMV,’” Toms said. “I freaked out. At that point I hadn’t left the apartment complex in five months, and I had been homebound in the other house about a year.” She learned about the state’s Florida License on Wheels program and wrote a letter requesting the mobile come to Winter Garden. She even got Laura Coar, the director of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, involved in bringing the FLOW mobile here. “I was just praying, and I was like, ‘God, I can’t go to the DMV,’” Toms said. “I saw how far it was. Just driving there and getting out of the car and being present and being in this big building with all these people.
THE WORLD’S GREATEST FIREARMS EXPERIENCE
Amy Quesinberry
Ye’vette Toms has agoraphobia and hasn’t left her apartment complex in months. Her service dog, Zeus, stays by her side. She has started a vlog on YouTube called “You Know Where to Find Me” that addresses her mental illness.
… When you’ve gotten so bad that you’re a homebound agoraphobe, how can you go to the DMV?” “JUST DEAL WITH IT”
Well-meaning people often tell Toms to “just go outside” or “just deal with it.” “I’ll say something like, ‘I really appreciate you encouraging me. I really wish it was that simple. Can you imagine me staying in the house for 10 years if all I needed to do was calm down?’” she said. Mental illness is an invisible disability, she said. “If you saw someone with cancer, would you just say, ‘Stop having cancer’? If you saw someone in a wheelchair, would you say, ‘Just get out of your chair’?” she said. “ Because people can’t see your disability, it doesn’t exist, and it literally is all in your head.”
THE HEALING PROCESS
Toms’ vlog shows the everyday life of someone with agoraphobia. She also hopes it will begin her process of healing. “There’s such a stigma on people with mental illness,” she said. “I have a 67-year-old stepmother, and she said to me last week, ‘Don’t tell people you’re mentally ill.’ That generation suffered in silence. And there are a lot of people who are suffering in silence. And I know it sounds cliché all these people who want to give
voices to one thing or another, but I want to give a voice to people with mental illness.” She is aware of the statistics and wants to break the “curse.” “I read this in a psychology book that once an agoraphobe is homebound, the less likely they are able to reintroduce into society,” she said. “The longer I’m in this bubble, the longer it will take for recovery.”
FLORIDA LICENSING ON WHEELS The Florida Licensing on Wheels will be in Winter Garden from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 30. The FLOW mobile will be set up at the Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 N. Dillard St. The mobile brings motorist services to the community and offers a convenient method to convert out-of-state licenses; obtain, replace or renew a Florida driver license or identification card; change a name or address; add motorcycle endorsements or veteran designation; or renew a vehicle registration. For a list of documents required, visit bit.ly/3FD9Ylr. For a list of fees for driver license and motor vehicle services, visit bit.ly/3Z4ySBB. No written or driving tests will be given from the mobile unit.
THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
399248-1
THE TASTE of WEST ORANGE
TAKE YOUR FIRST SHOTS AT SHOOTERS WORLD FREE CLASS DAILY FOR BEGINNERS
weekdays at 6pm, weekends at noon* Children 7+ are welcome and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
*Please call ahead to confirm class time, as classes may change due to private events
407.500.GUNS | WWW.SHOOTERSWORLD.COM/ORLANDO | 4850 LAWING LANE ORLANDO, FL 32811
WE GO THE EXTRA MILE
for Your Financial Wellness Comprehensive Financial Planning Investment Management
Retirement Income Strategies Medicare & Long Term Healthcare Planning Social Security Strategies
336 E Plant St Winter Garden, FL 34787 www.laportefinancial.com PHONE: (407) 395-9720 FAX: 866-250-4831 Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC
® THE TASTE of WEST ORANGE HAS NEVER TASTED SO GOOD!
396521-1
Let us do what we do best, so you can do what you love.
REACH OUT TODAY AND GET STARTED WITH A FINANCIAL WELLNESS CHECKUP
399252-1
We Simplify the Complex
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
7A
HW Jersey Mike’s wins
The Horizon West team, based at the Westside Shoppes location, competed against more than 2,500 teams from across the country to win first place.
Courtesy photo
The sub team — which comprised Victoria Cortese (sprinkler), Dakota Thompson (slicer) and Chris Morrone (wrapper) — took home the trophy at the Jersey Mike’s National G13 Sub-Making Championship held at the national conference in Orlando.
NEWS EDITOR
The Jersey Mike’s team at Westside Shoppes took home first place at the company's National G13 Sub-Making Championship held at the national conference Sunday, March 5, in Orlando. The Horizon West-based team included members Dakota Thompson (slicer), Victoria Cortese (sprinkler) and Chris Morrone (wrapper), who brought home the winning $90,000, as well as a huge trophy. To reach the finals, the trio competed against more than 2,500 teams across the country to earn one of six top spots. TEAM FORMATION
Collectively, the trio has nine years of experience working at Jersey Mike’s. Cortese, 18, and Morrone, 23, both started working for the company when the Hori-
zon West location opened in November 2020. Thompson, 24, has been with the company for seven years. He fondly refers to his position as his “dream job.” Cortese resides in Windermere, and both Morrone and Thompson travel from Clermont and Lake Nona, respectively. Frank Bergren, co-owner, runs the store with the help of his wife, Jennifer, and his brother-in-law, Robert Woods, who oversees the team. The Horizon West location is the first of six the owners have set to open right now. WINNING THE TROPHY
The competition started with a submission video that goes into an evaluation pool where the process of making a giant Italian sub is analyzed. The sub has to be completed properly, such as weighing the right amount and having the perfect amount of meat.
The team came in four to five times a week over almost two months to train and even stayed after midnight to practice when the store closed. The event was announced by Michael Buffer, an American ring announcer for boxing, professional wrestling and NFL events. The team said the weight of the sub was the hardest obstacle to overcome, but they got it perfect at 2.01 pounds in one minute and nine seconds. They said many of the other teams had deductions for actions such as presenting a sloppy wrapper or not using enough tomatoes. The Horizon West team had no deductions. Thompson said the camaraderie at the shop is unbeatable. “We all love coming to work with each other,” he said. “I think that was a big part of the win is truly liking the people that we are, especially when we’re together.”
400670-1
ANNABELLE SIKES
HARD WORK deserves to be
RECOGNIZED
in the garden festival
downtown winter garden, fl
ONLY
$ 75
RD PER CA
LET’S CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF 2023 Earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating. That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an
Sat, April 1ST - 9am to 5pm Sun, April 2ND - 10am to 4pm
extra special Graduation section. In it, we will celebrate seniors at all of our area’s public, private and charter high schools. Tell your graduating senior how proud you are of their accomplishments with a personalized congratulatory card in
Scan for information about Spring Fever.
our 2023 Graduation section.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: MONDAY, MAY 1 DATE OF PUBLICATION: THURSDAY, MAY 25
Plant Booths, Food Vendors, KidZone, Entertainment, Chalk Art Contest & Much More!
Order your Senior Shoutout: OrangeObserver.com/class-of-2023
398814-1
For current information and updates on Spring Fever, follow Bloom and Grow Garden Society on Facebook and Instagram.
397137-1
www.SpringFeverInTheGarden.org
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Compare rates to see how we stack up. CD rates
Money Market Fund
6 months (as of 3/14/23)
5.27 % 5.35
Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund® SWVXX
2 years (as of 3/14/23)
Competitive yields on money market funds and CDs available through Schwab could help you meet your financial goals, and that’s always a good thing.
APY
Minimum deposit $1,000
12 months (as of 3/14/23)
APY
Minimum deposit $1,000
5.25
%
Minimum deposit $1,000
APY
100 OFF*
$
$0 investment minimum The funds’ Investor Shares have no initial investment minimum; however, Schwab systems require a minimum of $1 per trade.
4.48
Any Full Leaded Glass $ *
%
50 OFF
Minimum deposit $0
Any 1/2 Leaded Glass
7-day yield (with waivers) as of 3/13/23
Visit schwab.com/windermere or schwab.com/clermont.
*Not good with discount glass, closeout or prior sales.
MIRRORS
Charles Schwab Windermere 4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, Suite 204 Orlando, FL 32819 407-909-0485
FREE
In-Hom Estima e tes
Charles Schwab Clermont 1600 Hancock Rd, Suite D Clermont, FL 34711 352-404-5238
Certificates of deposit available through Schwab CD OneSource® typically offer a fixed rate of return, although some offer variable rates. They are FDIC-insured and offered through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Investors in money market funds should carefully consider information contained in the prospectus, or, if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can request a mutual fund prospectus by calling Schwab at 1-800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. You could lose money by investing in the Schwab Money Funds. SWVXX seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, but cannot guarantee it will do so. SWVXX may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Schwab Money Funds is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Schwab Money Funds’ sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. For the most recent 7-day yields, see schwab.com. The 7-Day Yield is the average income paid out over the previous seven days assuming interest income is not reinvested and it reflects the effect of all applicable waivers. Absent such waivers, the fund’s yield would have been lower. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM), the investment advisor for Schwab Funds, and Schwab, Member SIPC, the distributor for Schwab Funds, are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.
SHOWERS
DOORS *FREE Can of Glass Cleaner w/A ny Shower Purchase
352-751-0883
396519-1
©2023 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC. CC7019834 (0323-30T6) ADP119092R-00 (09/22) 00278560 SCH10124-51
399254-1
%
S T A R G N CO ! S D GRA S OF CLAS
2023
Saturday, March 25 Historic Downtown
Sidewalk Sale Spacious Outdoor Dining Patios Unique Shops & Restaurants Scenic Historic Charm • Live Music
Show your support of the area’s public, private and charter high school graduates in the Class of 2023 Special Section! Earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating. That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an extra special Graduation section. In it, we will celebrate seniors from our area’s public, private and charter high schools. Be a part of saying “Congratulations” and “Good Luck” to our graduates.
Love Local in Celebration of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
HOW TO PARTICIPATE • Sponsor a high school • Congratulate a special senior with a graduation card • Advertise your services to parents of graduates
Publishing: Thursday, May 25 Ad Deadline: Monday, May 8
407-656-2121 advertise@orangeobserver.com
www.downtownwg.com
Like. Follow. Share! @officialdowntownwintergarden
397142-1
www.cwgdn.com
CALL YOUR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE TODAY! 399366-1
8A
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
9A
398907-1
OrangeObserver.com
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
BAPTIST
EPISCOPAL
First Baptist Church Church of the Messiah Pastor Tim Grosshans 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, (407) 656-2352 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com 9:45 AM Bible Study METHODIST 11 AM Contemporary First United Methodist Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana www.fumcwg.org 2nd Campus: 125 N. Lakeview Ave., First Baptists Church Winter Garden @ Horizon West (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 AM Traditional 15304 Tilden Road, 10:45 AM Contemporary Winter Garden Also viewable on YouTube Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org NON-DENOMINATIONAL STARKE LAKE BAPTIST ANGLICAN METHODIST Church Orlando NON-DEN CHURCH Starke Lake Baptist Church Purpose FIRST UNITED METHODIST 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110,PURPOSE C ANGLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520,Pritchard 611 W Ave, Ocoee Pastor Jeff CHURCH 13640 W. Colo Winter Garden FELLOWSHIP CHURCH Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden Rector The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas (407) 654-9661 (407) 656-2351 Ocoee Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 1146 East Plant St, Winter Garden Sunday Service: 10:05 AM 407-654-9661 www.starkelakebaptist.org Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:4 (407) 656-2351 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Web: fumcwg.org www.StarkeLakeBaptist.org Find us at: Theacf.net Saturday Service: 6 PM CHURCH OF GOD www.purposechurchorlando.org OCOEE CHURCHChurch OF GOD Victory Baptist UNITED CHURCH OF BAPTIST Pastor ThomasAcademy Odom & Christian CHRIST 1105 N. Lakewood Ocoee BEULAH BAPTIST 1601 A.D. Mims Avenue, Rd,Ocoee WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 407-656-8011 Pastor Casey Butner (407) 656-3097 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. 671 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden Sunday: 11 AM & 6 PM Windermere, FL 34786 EPISCOPAL 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org Wednesday: 7 PM 407-876-2112 Worship times: CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM www.VBCOCOEE.com 9:00am Adult Sunday School
CHURCH
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 SUNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: FOUNDATION WORSHIP WHEN YOU WORK WITH ME, SUNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages YOUFoundation WORK Academy WITH THE High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407-730-1867
241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30,OF & 11am, 7pm CHURCH GOD www.churchofthemessiah.com Ocoee Church of God
10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011
MIKE YOAKUM PASTOR
P: 407.656.1520 C: 407.758.3570 MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM
#1 NAME IN
REAL ESTATE
1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. OCOEE, FL 34761
Matthew’s Hop
ORDER YOUR I Know CUSTOM West Orange MADE CHRISTMAS GIFTS NOW! LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
AWARD WINNER Check out the custom made silent auction items that will be available at the Garden Party on November 9!!
Ready to Make a Move?
LV14252
SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM 400056-1
Sip & Stroll
• Custom Furnitur Barn Doors, and • Repaired, Refinis Repurposed Wo • Gently Used Fur Household Item
Follow us at https://www.faceboo
Visit our Workshop Location at 611 Business Park B 407.905.9500 • 8am-4pm Mon - Fri • 8am
APRIL 3 | 5PM - 8PM (after the golf tournament)
WINE WALK |NETWORKING EVENT
•
BEER | WINE | HEAVY HORS D’OEUVRES WEST ORANGE COUNTRY CLUB $50/Person Advanced Sale $75 at the door
www.matthewshopeministries.org www.facebook.com/matthewshopeministries
Scan here to get started. WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE?
CALL (407) 656-2121
www.tennillebiggers.com (850) 628-4455 TennilleBiggers@kw.com
or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com
399738-1
10A
399247-1
MARCH 23, 2023
HIGH
SPORTS
1
5
Horizon High School flag football wide receiver Miriam Athay currently has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Page 2B.
Lion on road to recovery
Windermere High School became Metro West champions Wednesday, March 8, at the Metro West Championship meet that took place at West Orange High School. The Wolverines competed against Apopka, Dr. Phillips, Edgewater, Evans, Horizon, Lake Buena Vista, Olympia, Wekiva and West Orange.
2
The Horizon High School girls beach volleyball team currently owns a 3-0 overall season record. With three games into their 2022-23 season, the Lady Hawks have swept all three teams they have played — Windermere Prep, Freedom High and Edgewater — with a 5-0 score. Horizon was set to travel to Boone High School at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, after press time.
3
The First Academy varsity baseball team defeated Harmony High School 5-2 during a non-district game Tuesday, March 14. The Royals currently have an overall season record of 10-1 and are set to play University at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 23.
4
Two Central Florida Christian Academy alumni — Imanuel Zorgvol and De’Lazarus Keys — played with their respective universities at the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Zorgvol graduated from CFCA in 2021 and currently is a freshman at Northern Kentucky, while Keys graduated from CFCA in 2017 and currently is a senior at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
5
The Lake Buena Vista boys basketball team currently owns a 6-3 overall season record. The Vipers were scheduled to host Edgewater at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, after press time, and are set to travel to Boone High School at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.
Courtesy photo
Foundation Academy freshman and softball team outfielder Elena Friedman recently underwent a surgery to help repair her knee dislocation and the sliding of her kneecap. Only five to 10 surgeons in the United States are able to perform the procedure.
Friedman already has been attending physical therapy for two months. ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER
For Foundation Academy freshman and softball team outfielder Elena Friedman, half of her life has been spent on a field since she was 6 or 7 years old, as softball runs in her family. “It originally started because I was at my brother’s T-ball practice and I wanted to swing a bat,” she said. “I
was in sandals and like a maxi dress or something and I thought ‘You’re kind of good at this.’ So then, I went and I tried out. Both my grandpas coached softball. My aunt played all the way through high school, and she won a state championship at West Orange and my dad, he coached. So, it’s kind of like I’ve always been around softball.” Last year, at only 14 years of age and still in middle school, Friedman led the Lady Lions’ varsity team with a .570 on base percentage and four triples, and was third on the leader board for runs with a total of 31 and a .684 slugging percentage. She was second on the leader board when it comes to
doubles, with a total of six doubles for the 2021-22 prep softball season. However, Friedman has continuously been struggling with knee pain and issues. It spurred from a genetic issue she was born with called Shallow Trochlear Groove that became prevalent within the last four years. “I originally noticed it (one time) when I slid into third base and (the doctors) said I just sprained my ACL,” she said. “But, they also wrote in there that I had a shallow patellar groove — my kneecap was too shallow but they never did anything about it so I kept re-injuring it. And, every time I would get better I would do something (to hurt it again) and it was kind of just
like a constant cycle of my knee never getting better and it would always swell.” Friedman dislocated her knee two years ago and since then, it would never stay in place. “I could just be walking and I would fall and it would never stay in place,” she said. “I’ve had to wear a brace for a really long time and the braces never did anything and I never understood why. … So it was just really frustrating because I would always get better and I would get back to softball and … then something would happen with my knee again.”
SEE KNEE PAGE 2B
Special Olympics is a community for DP resident Special Olympics swimming national champion Alex Endre will compete in her first-ever Pickleball Invitational May 5 to 6. ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER
Dr. Phillips resident Alex Endre, 31, has been involved in Special Olympics since she was 9 years old. Her first sport was swimming. “I think Mom probably picked it for her because it was something she knew how to do,” mom Karen Endre said. “It was a sport that I knew she could do. At 9, I didn’t know if it was something feasible, so we were doing an individual skill, and I knew she could swim.” Alex Endre — who has Down syndrome — has been involved in many different sports as part of Special Olympics over the years: swimming, basketball, track and field, bowling and, most recently, pickleball.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s my first time (trying) it.” This year, Alex Endre is registered to compete in the Special Olympics Pickleball Invitational, which will take place May 5 and 6 at the USTA National Campus, 10000 USTA Blvd., Orlando. “It’s a hard sport,” Karen Endre said. “Some of the sports she has done are not as physically active. And so, a lot of kids — or adults — with Down syndrome tend to have poor muscle tone, so sports where she can be more active are really good for her physically … like swimming and pickleball.” The mother-daughter duo practice once a week as they have pickleball courts in their neighborhoods. Alex Endre also SEE PICKLEBALL PAGE 2B
2B
OrangeObserver.com
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES
Miriam Athay Horizon High School junior and flag football wide receiver, safety and quarterback Miriam Athay currently has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the season. The Lady Hawks currently remain undefeated with a season record of 6-0.
Talk to us about your years as a flag football player. I haven’t really played flag. I play more tackle football, so it’s kind of hard to differentiate the two, but I’ve played football my entire life.
Why flag football?
Football, it’s just a huge thing in my family, so I like to carry on the “thing” because it makes my mom happy to to watch us play. I like playing football a lot, and I feel I am really good at it.
What do you love most about flag football as a sport? I think making new friends and playing my heart out.
What has flag football taught you not only on the field but also outside of it? Don’t get cocky. You can be really good, but it is one play (that) can mess you up and mess up the whole game. And, it’s made me realize that not everything is easy.
Do you have a favorite drill to do at practice? Pulling flags; it tests your agility in pulling. There can be many broken fingers that can happen pulling flags.
What do you think makes you a unique player on the football field?
I’m not tall, but I would say my height. … Just my background I guess (too, I’ve been) playing football my entire life.
How do you believe you instill leadership in your team?
Just making sure everyone is paying attention and not disrespecting coach (Ethan Mankoff) and actually trying to get better because if you are out there not to learn, then there is no reason to be there.
Do you have a favorite NFL player? And team?
Not really, I just watch to watch. I would say maybe Peyton Manning. When he played, he was top tier and his stats were amazing, and I could only hope to try to be like him.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hawks’ flag football team?
THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Flag football, soccer Position: Wide receiver, safety, quarterback Grade: 11 School: Horizon
What TV series are you watching right now?
“Dance Moms,” it’s so good. If you have a Hulu account, I definitely recommend watching it.
What’s your favorite type of music? Alternative or pop or rap.
Do you have anything you’d like to listen to before a game? Yes, I have a pre-game hype playlist.
Spiderman. I just love him; it’s an unhealthy obsession. With Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire, they both have strengths for different sides of Peter. And then Tom Holland is the best of all of them.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Super strength. I feel like it’d be fun to be stronger than everyone else.
What are three places you’d like to visit? Why? I like to travel around the world. I like Aruba, I like Cancun, and obviously anywhere I can play flag would be a good place to go.
TikTok because there are so many things to watch.
If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, what would it be and why?
I think going back in time to the times that I regret the most, … (although) I wouldn’t want to change anything. So I would go back but then I wouldn’t go back.
What color would you say represents your personality? I’d say blue; it’s my favorite color.
A dog, because dogs are fun. I want to know what they think. — ANDREA MUJICA
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? My girlfriend, food and a football.
In order to help Friedman get back in shape, Dr. Daryl Osbahr performed a Trochleoplasty — a surgical correction of the femoral trochlea to help restore a normal entry of the patella into the groove during extension and flexion of the knee — earlier this year. Friedman had a couple more procedures on her left knee: a Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction, which is a surgery that creates a new medial patellofemoral ligament to help stabilize the knee and protect the joint; a lateral reticular release and reconstruction to help relieve pressure in the joint. This type of procedure is uncommon and has been done in the United States only for the last five to 10 years. Nowadays, there are only 10 to 15 surgeons in the U.S. that are able to perform the surgery. Before deciding to undergo the procedure, Friedman had attended Andrea Mujica
An Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury is the tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament, which is a strong band of tissue that helps connect the femur with the tibia. This type of injury can mostly occur in sports that require sudden stops or changes in direction. When an ACL injury happens, the athlete can hear a “pop” sound or feel a “popping” sensation in the knee, making it sweat and feel unstable. Depending on the severity of the tear, treatment of an ACL injury may require rest and rehabilitation exercises or surgery followed by rehabilitation.
If a knee has an uneven groove or is too shallow, the kneecap could potentially slide off, which could cause a partial or complete dislocation, as the kneecap helps connect the muscles in the front of the thigh to the tibia and as the leg is bended or straightened, the kneecap is pulled up or down depending on the motion.
“Mamma Mia!” I like the second one because of the songs because they are a little different than the first one, but without Donna in it, it’s not the same.
practices every Wednesday with her Special Olympics coach at Veterans Memorial Park in Winter Garden for about an hour and 15 minutes. “People there are wonderful, because pickleball is very hard to get a court and people are now very patient,” Karen Endre said. “They are really good with our kids, even to a point where … we’ve had some people let our athletes play in with them, rotate in. So, they are playing with them, so it’s really neat. From a Winter Garden angle, it’s just nice that the community is really embracing our athletes.” For her first pickleball invitational, Alex Endre will be playing in the unified category — where people with and without intellectual disabilities are placed on the same team. SPECIAL IMPACT
Shannon Till, Agent Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 www.shannontill.com
At the beginning — more than 20 years ago — Alex Endre was simply an athlete involved in Special Olympics. Today, she is an advoWe’re all in this together. cate and a leader within the moveState Farm has a long tradition ment. of being there. That’s one reason “I’m a health messenger,” she why I’m proud to support Westsaid. Orange county.. “The Special Olympics has the Get to a better State . competition part, and they also ®
Family. Family . Friends. Friends. Community. Community . ®
®
1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL Farm, Blooming ton, IL
®
1620 Daniels Rd, Ste 110 Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-4000 I www.shannontill.com Hablamos Español
NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME DAY In 2012, the General Assembly officially declared March 21 World Down Syndrome Day to raise public awareness about it. According to the United Nations website, “The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide,” and approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with the Down syndrome chromosome disorder. SPECIAL OLYMPICS According to its website, it’s a global movement “of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability.” ALEX RECOGNITIONS Alex has won several accolades within her involvement in Special Olympics. In 2019, she competed in the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle and won gold with her swim team and bronze in the individual category for breaststroke. PUBLIX PACKING Alex Endre has been a Publix employee for 10-and-one-half years. She works at the Publix located in Dr. Phillips.
Looking for new floors?
minneola 301 E. Washington St. Unit F (352) 394-0303
West
winter garden 731 S. Dillard St. Unit 101/103 (407) 410-8998
Call us to have our mobile showroom come to you! 396854-1
State Farm has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support West Orange county.
doing at home every day and then I also had a machine that I was using daily for four to six hours that was bending my knee for me.” Friedman is truly hoping to go back to the softball field in the future, knee permitting. Despite all the physical therapy and the hospital visits however, she maintains a 4.0 GPA and keeps track of all her classes. “She still has goals and she still has opportunities to achieve those goals,” her dad Matt Friedman said. “That’s playing Division I softball, that’s playing in an Ivy League (school). … Academically, we have no doubt she’ll be successful. Our hope is that she can get back out there on the field if that’s what she wants to do, but it’s up to her.” Before the year started — and all the doctor appointments rolled in — Friedman had already realized she wants to become a surgeon later in life. This experience however, kind of magnified that inkling for her. “I think it’s kind of really more of a reason that I should be a surgeon,” she said. “Because I feel like maybe I’ll be able to relate to people, especially those who have an ongoing issue that they may not be able to fix.”
Shop our extensive flooring selection.
Shannon Till, Agent We’re all all in this together. We’ re in this together. TM Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd ® State Farm® has a long tradition State Farm has a long tradition Winter Garden, FL 34787 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 of being there.there. That’s one reason of being That’s one reason www.shannontill.com
why I’m proudproud to support West why I’ m to suppor t Orange county.. Orange count 1211007 y.. State Farm, Bloomington, IL Get to a a betterbetter State . Get to State .
have a leadership part,” Karen Endre said. “So, the leadership program is that Alex is a special health messenger, and she is helping spread the word around hygiene and advocating for yourself with doctors. Wearing sunscreen, I mean, some things that (may) be very simple and basic, but (her) advocating was when COVID-19 came around and people with Down syndrome were considered a high-risk category. “So, it’s those kind of things, and really advocating for people with intellectual disabilities and getting them the care and whatever they need,” Karen Endre said. The impact Special Olympics has made in the Endre household has been monumental, as Alex’s twin brother, Nick, has become involved and is now helping with all the logistics that make the events what they are — special for everyone who participates. “There are so many specialneeds people (who) don’t have friends,” Karen Endre said. “It’s very difficult in this community because often parents are working and so it’s hard to find any place where your kids can go and be safe. Special Olympics is a place where they can be safe, they meet new friends. It’s really a community.”
Athlete of the Week sponsored by:
Athlete of the Week Sponsored by Shannon Till,
We’re all in this together.
physical therapy three or four times to see if her knee would finally heal. “I had tried that over and over and it didn’t get better,” she said. “It didn’t fix it, I tried the different braces, I tried the different taping methods and basically nothing helped. … (The doctor) basically said if I wanted to play softball again or wanted to be able to walk normally or function like a normal human, I had to do (the surgery).” However, despite the surgery fixing the dislocation of the knee and the sliding of the kneecap — as the procedure literally dug out a whole new groove for Friedman’s kneecap to sit on —because of it being so rare and uncommon among athletes, there is no certainty that Friedman will be able to play softball in the future but, she already has been attending physical therapy at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in Orlando. “I’m going two times a week and it mostly consists of breaking the scar tissue in my knee and bending the knee, doing curls, riding a bike,” she said. “There’s like an electro machine that (my physical therapist) uses to activate my quads. … I’ve been doing the motion of a squat, it’s just not very deep, and then I also have exercises that I’m
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Family. Friends. Community.
What’s your favorite movie?
Elena Friedman is taking some time to get back in shape following several knee surgeries.
PICKLEBALL PLAYER
If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?
Working out or hanging out with my family or my girlfriend.
KNEE REPAIR
SHALLOW GROOVE IN KNEE
Which one would you choose: Instagram, BeReal or TikTok?
What’s your favorite hobby?
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
ACL INJURY
Who’s your favorite superhero? Why?
Definitely playing with my girlfriend (Kylie Will), playing with my team and having a lot of fun.
Knee injury gives Friedman time out
Follow us
Shop our entire catalog now at www.marksfloorsonline.com
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
3B
WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES
James “Jim” Joseph Tramonte, 63, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Mike Conley Hospice House, Clermont, Florida. Jim was born on Sept. 30, 1959, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the late Sam and Doris Ann (Godfrey) Tramonte. Jim moved to Florida at the age of 3 years old with his parents to Merritt Island, Florida, and eventually moved to Orlando, Florida. After graduating high school, he started working for Quality Vaults and Monuments and Metro Crematory, of Ocoee, Florida. Eventually he managed these companies for his father-in-law, Richard Boetcher, for many years.
DAVID WAYNE MATHEWS DIED MARCH 3, 2023.
David Wayne Mathews, 70, passed away on March 3, 2023. David was the middle child to Joe and Eva Mathews of Winter Garden, Florida, born on May 28, 1952, in Orlando, Florida. David was a graduate of Lakeview High School, Class of 1971, and of Florida Southern, Bachelor of Science, Class of 1981. He was employed by C.G. Tilden Estate Groves for 25 years. He transitioned into agriculture research for the last 20 years after the fall of citrus from the area. David was married to Carol Farnsworth for 33 years until her passing in 2008. He remained a devote widower for the rest of his life, having met his life-
long partner at Lakeview High School. David is survived by his son, Douglas Farnsworth Mathews, and wife (Kathryn) and two beautiful granddaughters, Mary Tilden “Tilly” and Tyler Mae Mathews, who he spoiled every chance he had. He is also survived by his sisters, Sandra Chissoe and Melanie Brown, as well as his older brother, Danny Mathews. He was predeceased by his father, mother and brother Dennis. Services for David will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2023, at First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Doctors Without Borders, one of David’s favorite charities.
We’ll take the first step with you
Direct Cremation
$845
plus container 921 S. US Hwy 27, Minneola, FL One block north of Citrus Tower 352-394-8228 I CremationChoicesfl.com
396855-1
JAMES “JIM” JOSEPH TRAMONTE DIED MARCH 9, 2023.
After Richard retired, Jim became the owner of the companies and expanded into Lake Wales and DeLand. Jim was respected by his employees and industry colleagues and all who knew him. Jim was a very giving person and made many charitable contributions to his community. Jim loved the outdoors, hiking, hunting, fishing and taking RV road trips. He enjoyed his time with his family and friends, and his loving puppies Lacy and Lily and the late Bella. Jim is survived by his wife, Susan K. Schneider Tramonte; and children, son, Christian Schneider Tramonte, of Winter Garden, Florida, daughters, Samantha and husband Travis Stewart of Apopka, Florida, Janell Tramonte of Cocoa Beach Florida, sons, Alex Hafid of Mount Dora, Florida, and Aaron Christiansen of Orlando, Florida one brother, Jeffrey Tramonte and wife Sharon of Winter Garden, Florida; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2023, at Winter Oak Funeral Home, 1132 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL; and funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, at People of Faith Lutheran Church, 228 Windermere Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Pastor Rick Kristoff will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Taylor Memorial Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home.
Suite 200B in the TD Bank Building 12200 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden, FL 34787
A NEW WAY TO SPLASH
407.654.8811 I info@treasuretitle.com www.treasuretitle.com
Let us tell the story of your life
For more information, ask an ALTA member or visit homeclosing101.org
SUMMER CAMP
DR. P. PHILLIPS YMCA 7000 Dr. Phillips Blvd Orlando, FL 32819 407-351-9417
We Proudly Offer
ROPER YMCA 100 Windermere Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-8816
Traditional Burial and Cremation Services Prearranged Funeral Services
REGISTER
TODAY
The YMCA of Central Florida is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening our community.
Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden
BaldwinFairchild.com I 407-656-2233 428 E Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
396847-1
ymcacf.org
399239-1
PROTECT IT WITH OWNER’S TITLE INSURANCE
399290-1
Plan for the future. Enjoy the now. Don’t let the unexpected catch you off guard.
Winter Garden’s ONLY family owned funeral home. Direct Cremation for
895
$
(407) 614-8350 1132 E. Plant Street Winter Garden, FL 34787 www.winteroakfuneralhome.com
Including the alternative container. Call for details.
Start your advanced planning by calling today.
Exceptional - Not Expensive
LIC #F080822
407-877-6700 1148 East Plant Street | Winter Garden, FL 34787
396848-1
396837-1
www.collisoncareyhand.com
FRANK SCARLATA
All inclusive direct cremation only $995 Burial starting at $2,295
“Because You Care” (407) 695-CARE (2273)
www.DeGusipeFuneralHome.com
MAITLAND 9001 N. Orlando Ave Maitland, FL 32771
SANFORD 905 Laurel Ave. Sanford, FL 32771
OCOEE 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd Ocoee, FL 34761
Family Owned & Operated Director/Manager
UNIONTOWN 65 N. Gallitan Ave Uniontown, PA 15401
TODD DEGUSIPE Director/Owner
396842-1
Full service funeral provider with onsite crematory.
OrangeObserver.com
399282-1
INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
CHRIS MILLER
THE FIRST ACADEMY Chris Miller, the offensive line coach for The First Academy’s football team, attended TFA as a student. Now, in his professional career, Miller attempts to give back to the school that saw him grow every day — be it on the sports side or in every other area. Sports information coordinator Bo Burgess said of Miller, “He is an unbelievable asset to our school and football program.” Miller also is the “self proclaimed” deejay for any TFA athletic events.
What brought you to your school? I attended The First Academy for 13 years as a student. As soon as I graduated college, I wanted to return to help coach football and give back to the place that gave me so much. What do you love most about your school? First, I love that the Christian mission statement is something that is placed at the forefront of everything we do. Next would be the people. Some of the most influential people I have met in life have been at TFA. People care here, and that is shown daily. What is your motivation? My motivation is to use the skills and tools that God has blessed me with to help inspire and encourage the next generations — whether that is through sports or life in general. What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is seeing lifelong relationships established. Nothing makes me happier than seeing kids come back from college and witnessing the great things they are doing. What do you like to do in your spare time? Most of my spare time is spent watching various TFA sporting events. I also enjoy hanging with friends.
Position: Offensive line coach Time at school: 6 years
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? My favorite teacher was my publicspeaking teacher, Suzanne Livesay. She really helped me to feel comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people and even sparked an appreciation for musical theater, which I still have to this day. She was also the head of the drama department. The main reason is the continued support she gave me throughout my career in keeping track of my football career at FIU. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? I wanted to be a historian for the History Channel specializing in U.S. military history. I have always loved history and learning how the events of the past shaped the future. I also wanted to be a singer. I am pretty much singing something 24/7. What is your favorite children’s book and why? Probably “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Most likely due to the fact that I love cookies and can still remember the pictures in the book. What are your hobbies? My hobbies are playing pickleball and golf, fishing, and working out. I also enjoy ending the day with a book, usually something focused on historical events. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Without a doubt, teleportation. The ability to get places instantly and not worry about things like traffic would be amazing.
FoundationAcademy.net
399289-1
399291-1
400567-1
REPORT CARD
399268-1
4B
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
5B
OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why? It would have to be Johnny Cash, Charlie Wilson and Craig Morgan. All these men have gone through tragedies and hardships, showing incredible determination and grit. Plus, they are responsible for some of the greatest songs in music history, in my opinion. What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember? I usually brought a lunch from home but would buy the pizza lunch every Friday. I would also put the Buffalo chicken tender wrap from the cafeteria up against any restaurant. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas is my favorite, for sure. I love all of the traditions and the time spent with friends and family. Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch? I did not have one specific best friend but a group of seven or eight guys that I grew up with. Sports and school originally brought us together, and we are still as close today. We have a group chat that we text in frequently keeping up with each other. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? Sports always took up most of my time growing up. I was a state champion in shot put my senior year of high school. The other thing would probably have to be reading. I read hundreds of books as a kid, whether sitting at home, in a car or at an event. I almost always had a book in my hand. — ANDREA MUJICA
WHS PTSO to host first community gala The event aims to raise money to benefit teacher and student grants through a night of food, drinks and dancing. ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR
Windermere High School is hosting a new event this weekend: the firstever community gala. The gala, hosted by the school’s Parent Teacher Student Organization, will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Orange County National Golf Center. Although the idea originally started as a parent prom, PTSO President Christine Crenshaw said the organization decided to change the focus of the event in order to make the event more inclusive. Any adults from the community are welcome to attend the event, not just WHS parents. The goal of the gala is to raise as much money as possible to benefit teacher and student grants. “We were able to get very close to $4,000 in teacher grants this year and we wanted to be able to hopefully double that next year and continue to increase that,” Crenshaw said. “A school of our size, we really are hopeful to be able to give a lot of our teacher grant money away each year. Also, we would like to start the next school year with student grants. We are a PTSO, not just a PTO, and we want to give back to not only the school faculty, but the students, as well.” The community gala will include a silent auction, a live deejay, an electric dance floor, a buffet-style meal and beverages. Crenshaw said the PTSO plans to make the event an annual happening.
Annabelle Sikes
Jessica Villegas, Marcy Ready, Christina Yacavone, Christine Crenshaw, Jeni Roup, Lisa Madrigal Lukes and Sage Shiraishi serve on WHS’ PTSO board.
PTSO PASSION
The school’s PTSO has currently 1,200 members, the biggest ever in WHS’s history. Since the school opened, Vice President Jeni Roup said she has seen how hard the organization has worked to help faculty, staff and students, and she had an immediate desire to be a part of that. Vice President Christina Yacavone said she enjoys outfitting the children with exciting spirit wear to represent the school. Crenshaw said her goal is to continue to watch the PTSO grow in membership, and to be inclusive of not only parents and faculty, but getting more students on board, as well. “I really think it’s important as a parent, or even as a community member, to be involved in the local
schools and the future of our community,” she said. “We want to be able to give back and support the community as best as we can.” In the past, the PTSO has only been able to give away a few hundred dollars in teacher grants, so the jump to $4,000 for the organization was huge. “I am passionate about the WHS PTSO because volunteering my time to support our students, teachers and staff will make a difference in the success of our high school overall,” Lisa Lukes, secretary on the PTSO board, said. “I am dedicated to staying involved as a parent and community member to support our high school in an effort to enhance the quality of the educational experience for all students.” Vice President of Membership Marcy Ready said she is also pas-
sionate about being a part of the PTSO. “It’s wonderful to help make positive impacts on the students, staff and community through our involvement,” she said. “It’s a great honor and a pleasure to be a part of serving the parents, teachers and students of this school,” Treasurer Sage Shiraishi said. “It also gives me a chance to embarrass my daughter once in a while.”
EVENT INFORMATION When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, March 25 Where: Orange County National Golf Center, 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden Purchase tickets: bit.ly/3JvQ658
CREATE YOUR
FUTURE International Baccalaureate Diploma & Certificate Program Collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School, and UNICEF 100% College Acceptance & Enrollment Rate Differentiated Curriculum for PreK-3 to Grade 12 Award winning Fine Arts programs Over 21 Athletic programs for Grade 6 - 12
NOW ACCEPTING
(407) 905-7737 windermereprep.com info@windermereprep.com
399277-1
APPLICATIONS
Increase the value of your home with natural gas and save money.
399287-1
www.langd.org 407-656-2734 ext. 307
399272-1
At Lake Apopka Natural Gas, we’re helping families connect to affordable, reliable, and efficient natural gas, with appliances that pay dividends for years to come. Studies show a home with natural gas has a 6% greater resale value than an all-electric home.
6B
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
SunRidge Middle School students cheer on Sydney Whitman, Hailey Zaver, Rafaela Berretta and Giselle Bewley were surprised by two of their teachers and the head of the Exceptional Student Education program who came to cheer them on at the event. ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR
Cricket Whitman said Sydney started with the Special Olympics when she was only 8 years old. Although she originally partici-
Hailey Zaver, Sydney Whitman and Giselle Bewley all attend SunRidge Middle.
pated in swimming the first year, Sydney now focuses on bowling,
gymnastics and cheerleading. “In her life, everything is harder
than what typical kids go through,” Cricket Whitman said. “With the Special Olympics, they get to do something fun and also get immediate gratification.” Although the Special Olympics cheer season runs from December through May, the girls practice year round. Ashley Graham, a sophomore cheerleader from Windermere High School, is one of the unified partners on the team. “I decided to get involved because of my younger brother who has highfunctioning autism,” she explained. “My brother participated in the Special Olympics swimming program from a very young age. He adored his coach, and he was with him from when he was 5 years old until around 11 or 12 years old. I knew that his coach’s positive attitude and compassion left a huge impact on my brother, and I wanted to be able to give that to others.” Graham said watching the team
General Dermatology & General Skin Examinations
Empowering Patients and Restoring Active Lifestyles.
Open Monday - Friday Call us at (407) 654-3505
1067 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee FL 34761
407-521-3550
For Appointments: Press 3 Authorizations and Referrals can be faxed to (407) 654-4956
Member SIPC
> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
Bank-issued, FDIC-insured Compare our CD Rates
396861-1
596 Ocoee Commerce Pkwy, Ocoee, FL 34761-4219
www.westorangeorthopaedics.com
> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
BR DENTAL 407-905-9965
Compare our CD Rates Compare our CD Rates Minimum deposit deposit APY* Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured Bank-issued, 6-month % APY* Minimum 6-monthFDIC-insured $1000% 2.85 $1000 Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured Compare our CD Rates Minimum deposit APY* Bank-issued, FDIC-insured
2.85 3.05 5.20 %% % 2.85 3.05 2.85 3.35 %% 2.85 5.35 2.85%% 3.05 3.05 % 3.35 3.05 %%% 4.90 3.05 3.35
2.85 % 3.05 % 3.35 %
Minimum deposit Bank-issued, FDIC-insured APY* 1-year % APY* $1000 6-monthMinimum deposit 6-month Bank-issued, FDIC-insured $1000 Minimum deposit $1000 APY* Minimum deposit APY* 1-year 6-month Minimum depositMinimum APY* $1000 $1000 deposit 2-year APY* % $1000 6-month Minimum deposit Minimum deposit deposit APY* APY* Minimum APY* $1000 1-year 6-month 1-year $1000 $1000 deposit $1000 Minimum APY* Minimum deposit Call or visit your local financial advisor today. 1-year APY* $1000 deposit Minimum 2-year APY* 1-yearDouglas J Palmer Minimum deposit Minimum deposit $1000 deposit APY* APY* Minimum $1000 APY* 2-year 1-year 2-year $1000 deposit $1000 Financial Advisor $1000 Minimum APY* 2-year1530 Citrus Medical Ct Ste 103 Minimum deposit $1000 APY* Ocoee, FL 34761-4548 2-year Minimum deposit APY* Call visit your financial advisor today. *$1000 Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 03/20/2023. advisor CDs 407-412-6793 2-year Call or visit your local financial today. Call oror visit your locallocal financial advisor today. offered$1000 by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured
% 3.35 3.35 3.35 %%
Those who are interested in making a donation to the team can call Top Gun at (407) 2991911 and ask to donate to Team Valor. In addition, the team is always looking for unified partners to help volunteer on the team.
Now Offering PRP Injections
Now located at
Compare our CD Rates> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
MAKE A DONATION
Serving the Community Since 1966
Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer
Office hours M-F by appointment > edwardjones.com | Accepting new patients
has been both inspiring and eye opening for her. “Watching them react so well to such difficult sensory situations with ease really showed me the progress they had made as a team,” she said. “What inspires me about them is that they’re always ready to learn and try something new. They always lift each other up and continue to push through on the rough days.” The team's next competition will be the Special Olympics area games, which will take place March 29 at Top Gun.
396860-1
TEAM IMPACT
Courtesy photos
The girls were surprised by three of their staff members from the school at the competition.
www.drbrianramski.com
Now Offering ✳ Dental Implants ✳ Sedation Dentistry ✳ Cosmetic Clear Braces ✳ Pain Free Injections ✳ Accepting New Patients
399250-1
407-412-6793 * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) CDs offered by Edward Jones are * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/12/2022. CDs offered Edward Jones are Jones are 08/12/2022. toby compound. CDs offered through effective Edward issued 407-412-6793 bank-issued andbyFDIC-insured upAll yet tosold $250,000 banks and thriftsbut nationwide. CDs by Edward Jones (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued not paid) * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/12/2022. CDs offered Edward Jones are per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category.by Please bank-issued and FDIC-insured up effective to $250,000 (principal and offered interestor accrued but notfinancial yet * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 08/12/2022. CDs by Edward Jones are paid)advisor for additional information. Subject to visit www.fdic.gov contact your visit www.fdic.gov or FDIC-insured contact your financial for additional information. Subject toaccrued bank-issued and up toadvisor $250,000 and interest but not yet paid) per depositor, perFDIC-insured insured depository institution, foravailability each (principal account ownership category. Please * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/12/2022. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest per per depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov orinsured contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject toPlease bank-issued and up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) perdepositor, depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. rates rise, the prices ofthe CDs can decrease. CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose rates rise, the prices ofFDIC-insured CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, investor can loseIf availability and price change. CD are subjectprincipal to interest rateinformation. risk such that when per depositor, insured depository institution, for eachvalue. account ownership category. visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject visit www.fdic.gov or contact yourvalues financial advisor additional Subject tointerest FDIC insurance does notPlease cover losses intomarket value. Early withdrawal may not principal value. FDICper insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not rates rise, the prices oforCDs can decrease. If CDs are sold to maturity, the investor visit www.fdic.gov contact your financial advisor for prior additional information. Subjectcan to lose
* Annual Percentage Yield& CO., (APY) effective 08/12/2022. CDs offered by Edward Jones are FDI-1867K-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC). per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please
397957-1
Call or visit your local financial advisor today. up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet Douglas J Palmer J Palmer Call or visitDouglas your local financial advisor today. Douglas J Palmer Call or visit your Advisor local financial advisor today.Financial Advisor Financial Douglas J Palmer Financial Advisor DouglasAdvisor J Palmer Financial 1530 Citrus Medical Ct Ste 103 Douglas J Palmer Financial Advisor FinancialFLAdvisor Ocoee, 34761-4548 407-412-6793
* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/12/2022. CDs offered by Edward Jones arepaid) per deposit or, per insured depository institution, for bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet each paid) account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please or contact your financial advisor for additional information. visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to Subject to availability and price change. CD values are sub1530 Citrus Medical Ct Ste 103 availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest 1530 Citrus Medical Ct Ste 103 ject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose Ocoee, FL 34761-4548 FL 34761-4548 prices principal value. FDIC Ocoee, insurance not cover losses inCt market notof CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, 1530 does Citrus Medical Stevalue. 103Early withdrawal may the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does 407-412-6793 be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest 407-412-6793 Ocoee, FL 34761-4548 1530 Citrus Medical Ct Ste 103 not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks 1530 Citrus Medical Ct Ste with 103the Depository Trust be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs and thrifts nationwide. All CDs soldFL by Edward Jones are registered 407-412-6793 Ocoee, 34761-4548 Corp. (DTC). require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest Ocoee, FL 34761-4548
213 S Dillard St., Suite 140 Winter Garden, FL 34787 Office Hours: Mon: 8-4 Tues-Thurs: 8-12 & 1-5 Fri: 7-1 Call Today for Your Appointment!
398623-1 310499-1
The Special Olympics unified cheer team took part in its first competition of the season at the beginning of March. The team, which comprises 18 members – six of which are unified partners – is run by head coach April Keller. Sydney Whitman, Hailey Zaver, Rafaela Berretta and Giselle Bewley, who all attend SunRidge Middle School, are part of the team. The girls were surprised by two of their teachers and the head of the Exceptional Student Education program who came to cheer them on at the event – Crystal Hamilton, Amanda Burke and Melissa Breaud. “It was such a special moment seeing the staff come out to support our girls,” Cricket Whitman, mother of Sydney, said. “It really makes all of the difference. They went above and beyond. The girls were so happy to see them.” Although the team is already preparing for its next competition, the members are also searching for help in their fundraising efforts. Top Gun All Stars typically sponsors part of the team so the members can practice at the gym located in Ocoee. In the past, Top Gun covered expenses for the cheer uniforms. However, this year families were asked to pay around $300 to $400 per team member, which would eliminate a lot of the participants due to financial difficulties. In order to combat the issue, the team has started fundraising to cover the cost of the uniforms. In addition, the donations can help raise money for the team to participate in The Cheerleading Worlds, which takes place in April at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
OrangeObserver.com
7B
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Variety Freshness and Savings. For more super specials visit us at www.keyfoodflorida.com
2 for $4.00
$1.99
$3.99
lb
lb
Buy Two, Get One FREE! Coca-Cola, Soda Products Assorted, 12 Pack, 12 oz.
$3.99
Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters, Family Pack
$0.69
$4.79
lb
KeyFood Evaporated Milk, 12 oz
2 / $5.00
4/ $5.00
Wonder, White Bread Classic, 20 oz
Buy One, Get One FREE!
Val Conde, Spanish Wine, 750 ml.
Roscato, Sweet Wine, 750 ml.
$0.99
Large Golden Ripe Pineapples
lb
Pilon Espresso Coffee, 10 oz Brick
$8.99
Fancy Purple Eggplant
T-Bone Steak
lb
Chicken Of The Sea, Chunk Light Tuna Oil or Water, 5 oz
4/ $5.00
$10.99
Mahou, Beer 12 Pack, 8.5 oz.
$4.99
$12.99
Grolsch, Beer 12 Pack, 12 oz.
Blue Ribbon, Ice Cream Assorted, 48 oz.
399944-1
Whole Boneless Peeled Knuckle
Center Cut Bone-In Pork Chops, Family Pack
SALES VALID FROM 03/23/23 TO 03/29/23 | 624 S DILLARD ST. WINTER GARDEN, FL, 34787
celebrity cipher 41 Achieves
116 Crawl out
42 Digital companion in an
119 “The Christ Child,” in
online game
Spanish
44 Arrive at
122 N, P or K, to a plant
46 Hoof protector
125 Love, along the Arno
47 Sheet of stamps
126 Appear that way
49 Lock brand
127 Formal “Yes”
52 Continent north of Afr.
128 Word that can precede
56 Princess with “cinnamon
“blood” or “moon”
buns”
129 Called a game
60 Like most adages
130 Cart-pulling group
62 Reason to ask, “Where’s
131 Corporate VIP
the beef?!”?
132 Actress Jessica
65 Star-crossed love?
133 Keeps going and going
68 Starts to seethe
DOWN
70 Clump of grass 72 “No kidding, Sherlock”
1 Calf roper’s gear
74 Apt (to)
2 “The Light We Carry”
75 Pippi Longstocking
author Michelle
creator Lindgren
3 Campaign literature?
76 Mexican muralist Diego
4 Superheroes fight its
78 Car to avoid
forces
80 It might go viral
5 Posted
82 Stern order
6 Shakespearean segment
83 Shouts “Release the
7 Answer the call of the
hounds!”
wild?
85 Long fish with long jaws
8 Eat away
87 ___ male (lone wolf)
9 Some lures ©2023 Universal Uclick
ACROSS 1 Cherishes 6 Cellared, like fine wine 10 “The Greatest” boxer 13 Gone bust? 19 Higher on the page 20 Remove the center 21 Sister 22 Retired LPGA golfer Ochoa 23 Paint finish 24 Value of an opinion? 26 Rights a wrong 27 Uses a blast furnace
vision
Minecraft
36 Practice to deceive,
61 Bright mood
metaphorically 40 Pastry 43 Ancient Greek warrior 45 River that Lewis Carroll rhymed with “crocodile” 46 Defy with the intent to annoy 48 It’s a mess 50 Colors 51 Hollow rocks 53 Must 54 “Caught you!”
29 Object of worship
55 League that Dr. J played
32 Viking ship propulsion
57 Final waiting time
30 Chevron or herringbone in 56 Tigers of the SEC pattern device
58 Ready if needed
33 Like one with good night 59 Useful fruit seed in
92 Study for a test, for 10 Mary ___ Summers (“Gil- short
90 Most numerous insect in ligan’s Island” character) 96 How an agile horse the world 11 Graceful Winter Olympics might turn 63 Mist with a spray bottle 91 NASCAR measurement jump 97 Type of lodge 64 Even more creepy 93 Hosp. scan 12 Is adamant 102 Alehouse 66 A sting might cause it 94 Cowboy’s challenge 13 Hot new font? 103 Supportive cry at a 67 Sphynx cat’s lack 95 Check in 14 Citizen of the Eternal City futbol match 68 Business co-owners, 97 VI, vis-a-vis V 15 Pizza herb 105 “Ta-ta!” sometimes 98 It can be laid or hatched 16 Understanding 107 Sleigh driver of note 69 Without any omission 99 Boxer’s jabs, usually 17 Nothing comes after it 109 Infection fighter 71 Accomplished 100 Modern Persia 18 “I Can” rapper 111 Heron with dark legs 73 Author Norman 101 Rio de Janeiro beach 25 Giant in the field? 112 Doesn’t just want 75 Compass swings? in the title of a bossa nova 28 Bio or chem 114 “Bro!” 77 Think (over) classic 31 No. representing years of 117 Wedge pounder 79 Feeling no pain 104 Sinks deeply (in) schoolwork 118 Jane Austin classic 81 Snags a ground ball 106 Capital of Syria known 34 State in northeast India 119 That, in the Andes 84 Become a chair person? as the “City of Jasmine” 35 Apply gently 120 Comic criminal Luthor 85 Social blunder 108 Play a role as 37 Topic at an international 121 Gross minus cost 86 MA and PA’s home? 110 Hut opening? barber’s convention? 123 Also 88 “Ditto” 113 Shape of fatherhood 38 Football offense’s count 124 Afternoon ritual in 89 LGs and RCAs 115 Some characters in The 39 Plagues England
“GYJI DMXOIB TVCJ, JLJI WYJ UVADJ DMXOIB, WYJXJ GJXJ IP MXPHAJCD JKTJMW GYJXJ WP HJ YVMMOJDW.” JXIJDW YJCOIBGVR
“FXLJIPMU BLAK ULMLAJRRK, P HPME OZJO CGTLM JAL FXPAPOWJRRK, LTGOPGMJRRK JME GHOLM XZKFPSJRRK FOAGMULA OZJM TLM.” UJAK GRETJM
“ZKGN OWS IDS RSNI FOWI JX UT GOT. K GJP’I LOZS VF IJ UOZS UJCKSN. K LOZS VF IJ DOPB JVI LKID UT XOUKET.” WSSNS LKIDSWNFJJP © 2023 NEA, Inc.
Puzzle Three Clue: B equals G
Elder Scrolls
By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
Puzzle Two Clue: B equals V
UPENDED by Dennis Nullet, edited by Jeff Chen
Puzzle One Clue: K equals X
crossword
sudoku
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate
3-23-23
Made for where you live. Here!
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 407-656-2121
Announcements
redpages@orangeobserver.com • orangeobserver.com/redpages
Merchandise Wanted
SMOKE!
www.CMMDR.COM We provide Medical Marijuana in a variety of forms such as tinctures, pills, pain patches, vapes, concentrates, buds, vape shatter pills, dry flower & much more!
SELL MORE STUFF AT YOUR NEXT
GARAGE SALE CALL 407-656-2121
NOW PURCHASING
Retrieve FREE RIVER ROCK from Bay Hill home. All you want to carry away. Email: freeriverrock2023@gmail.com
As low as $15 per week!
407-656-2121
Accounting
FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!
This week’s Crossword answers
This week’s Sudoku answers
This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.” Ernest Hemingway
400656
GARAGE SALE
399255
www.matthewshopeministries.org/givingonthegreen www.facebook.com/matthewshopeministries
400492
TEAMS AND SPONSORS NEEDED
Call today to find a new home for your fur baby.
Call 407-656-2121
407-656-3495
PREPARER. 407-656-3495 Bachelor’s degree. 12 mo. exp. Quickbooks, MS Office Outlook, Excel Availability to Work Wknds, Ext Hrs. RES: Ideas Carvajal LLC, 13335 W Colonial Dr, Winter Garden, FL 34787.
FUR BABIES HERE
Made for where you live. Here!
SCRAP BATTERIES
Help Wanted SCRAP BATTERIES
Advertise your
RED PAGES
HOW TO APPLY: If you meet the above requirements. Please go to our website at: www.annashousekeeping. 13178 W.andColonial Dr. com click on the “JOIN OUR TEAM/APPLY” tab and fill out Winter Garden the online information sheet and finished, click on the subNOWwhen PURCHASING mit button to send it to us. After it is received, we will contact you to set up an interview. If you don’t have access to the online information sheet on our website, text us at 321-228-4087 to make arrangements for us to email the paperwork to you or set up an appointment for an in person interview at our office.
©2023 NEA, Inc.
You now get the dry flower to
• $$$ EARN MONEY CLEANING RESIDENTIAL HOMES!!! $$$ • Earn $260+ Part time, NOT INCLUDING TIPS!!! • Set your schedule (Work the days, time and area of your choice). • Must have your own car and a cell phone. • Must be a US Citizen or have a valid Resident Card. • Must be able to read and speak English. • Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
©2023 Universal Uclick
1801 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803
407-656-3495
13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden
peekers’ place
407-755-0012
delivered directly to your home or business
SCRAP BATTERIES
APRIL 3 |12:00 PM
FAST & EASY
DELIVERY
NOW PURCHASING
West Orange Country Club
GET YOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD HERE
Call now for your FREE pre-evaluation by phone
13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden
Golf Tournament
You’re only cheating yourself.
399257
Observer Media Group reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Observer Media Group to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property. Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
FREE
SERVICING FL SINCE 1991
349888
Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card
CERTIFICATION
ANNA’S HOUSEKEEPING
399256
DEADLINES: Classifieds - Friday at Noon
Help Wanted
Puzzle Two Solution: “Speaking very generally, I find that women are spiritually, emotionally and often physically stronger than men.” Gary Oldman
Puzzle Three Solution: “Kids are the best part of my day. I don’t wake up to make movies. I wake up to hang out with my family.” Reese Witherspoon
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Auto Service
Professional Services
FIRE TECH
399260
Auto Service
9B
EXTINGUISHER
SERVICE
1207 North Lakewood Avenue Ocoee, FL 34761
Cell 407-466-4738 Tel 407-654-2395
TRAYWICK'S GARAGE
ATW
CENTRAL FLORIDA ARBORCARE ISA Certified Arborists on staff
407-886-8733
Tree Trimming Tree Removal Grapple Hauling Crane Service in House Commercial Property Management
407-656-1817
“If you’re on a mission to fix your transmission call...”www.centralfloridaarborcare.com
399262
“If you’re on a mission to fix your transmission call...”
TFN
1045 S. Vineland Rd. • Winter Garden • New and Used Tires • Alignment • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More
399259
TFN
www.Firetechextinguisher.com
ATW
CREATE BUZZ!
ALLTRANSMISSIONWORLD
ALLTRANSMISSIONWORLD
Central Florida’s Oldest & Largest Transmission & Total Car Care Company
“Your Complete Service Center” Oldest & Central Florida’s Largest Transmission Total Car Care Company 10 West Story Rd., Winter Garden,&FL 34787
• Transmission • Clutches • CV Axles • Foreign & Domestic
REG# MV-01095
399265
Roofing
• Transmission
TFN
1150 E Semoran Blvd. Dr, Ste. B 12939 W. Colonial Apopka, FL, FL 32703 Winter Garden 34787
407-880-9300
alltransmissionworld.com
Richard• Foreign Hudson&•Domestic Regie Hudson
399263
WITH THE RED PAGES 1150 E Semoran Blvd. Ste. B Apopka, FL, 32703
Call to reserve your ad space
407-880-9300 407-656-2121
alltransmissionworld.com
UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE Winter Garden’s Premier Roofing Company Since 1978 REMOVAL Serving All of West Orange County DATA & PASSWORD Fully Licensed and Insured Roof Repairs and Replacement RECOVERY 407-656-8920 www.WestOrangeRoofing.com WIRELESS & WIRED NETWORKING FREE ESTIMATES
“If you’re on a mission to fix your transmission call...”
“If you’re on a mission to fix your transmission call...”
ALLTRANSMISSIONWORLD
ALLTRANSMISSIONWORLD
Central Florida’s Oldest & Largest Transmission & Total Car Care Company
Central Florida’s Oldest & Largest Transmission & Total Car Care Company
ATW
HEROES
ATW
• Transmission • Clutches • CV Axles • Foreign & Domestic
found here.
E Semoran Blvd. Ste. B 1150got E Semoran Blvd. Ste. B Relax. You’ve better things to do. 1150 Apopka, FL, 32703 Apopka, FL, 32703 Find a professional here in the Red Pages. 407-880-9300 407-880-9300 alltransmissionworld.com
Call 407-656-2121
Phone• Clutches 407-656-6646 • CV Axles
GROW YOUR BUSINESS
• Transmission • Clutches • CV Axles • Foreign & Domestic
Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.
alltransmissionworld.com
RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!
Call 407-656-2121 or visit OrangeObserver.com/RedPages
399479
• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires
TFN
399261
Danny Motes
OrangeObserver.com
OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
HELP US CELEBRATE by pledging $13 for 13 months
years! Let your spare change make a change. 611 Business Park Blvd, #101 Winter Garden FL 34787 (407) 905-9500
http://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ https://www.facebook.com/matthewshopeministries SCAN HERE TO PLEDGE
400004-1
10B
. . . t i a But W
S ’ E R E H T ! E R MO
XNLV18913
Flip the page for more sales and specials!
Saturday, March 25 Historic Downtown
Sidewalk Sale Spacious Outdoor Dining Patios Unique Shops & Restaurants Scenic Historic Charm • Live Music Love Local in Celebration of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
www.cwgdn.com
www.downtownwg.com
Like. Follow. Share! @officialdowntownwintergarden