03.30.23 West Orange Times & Observer

Last W.G. citrus plant closes

Heller Bros. has shut down its packing house after 84 years of operation. SEE PAGE 6A.

ARABIAN NIGHTS!

Lisa Kierenia, a Winter Garden resident, recently was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Her community has come together to show its overwhelming support.

STORY ON PAGE 4A.

Spring Fever set to bloom in Winter Garden

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society is holding its popular outdoor-themed event Saturday and Sunday. SEE PAGE 2A.

Support squad Burlesque shows on Main St.?

City officials say a recent burlesque performance at Main House Market violates several county and city codes.

Former NFL player takes helm of Ocoee football. 1B.

Annabelle Sikes

Catch spring fever at weekend festival

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society is holding its popular annual Spring Fever in the Garden outdoor-themed event Saturday and Sunday in downtown Winter Garden.

AMY QUESINBERRY

EDITOR

COMMUNITY

Spring has sprung, and the Bloom & Grow Garden Society is celebrating the season with its annual Spring Fever in the Garden festival Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2. The society is partnering with the city of Winter Garden to bring garden experts, flowers and plants, outdoor-themed merchandise booths, a children’s zone and more to the community.

The 168-member Bloom & Grow will be manning booths and walking around during the festival making sure guests have a great experience as they celebrate spring.

This year’s festival stretches along Plant Street from Park Avenue to Dillard Street and will have more than 170 booths lining the streets with lawn- and

garden-inspired merchandise such as jewelry, knickknacks, yard art and signs. A number of food trucks will sell meals, snacks and drinks.

Club officials said the number of plant vendors and the variety offered, as well as the number of participants in the chalk art contest, is the most the festival has ever had.

The Chalkin’ it Up! Art contest will encompass the entire area, including sidewalks, around City Hall. Each participant will have a 6-foot-by-6-foot square in which to create something nature- or garden-related and appropriate for all ages to view.

Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories, including adult, elementary, middle and high school individuals or groups; family groups; People’s Choice; and Best in Show.

Bloom & Grow will have a Pollinator Power booth this year to educate folks and inspire them to create more pollinator habi -

tats through sustainable gardening practices, habitat creation and conservation. Attendees can stop by the booth and ask questions about using their landscapes, yards and patios to help the pollinators.

There will be horticultural superstars staffing the “Ask the Expert” booth. Each person who asks a question will get a special house or garden plant from Bloom & Grow.  There are three free shuttle lots this year: at Ninth and Plant streets, Wells Fargo on Dillard and Dillard Street Elementary School. The shuttle will let off and pickup at Dillard and Plant.

The Bloom and Grow Spring Fever T-shirts have been a staple at the festival for more than 20 years, and

Winter Garden artist Andy Crabtree has designed each one. This year’s graphic speaks to the club’s special projects such as Pollinator Power and the Monarch Project. They will be available at the Bloom & Grow booths during the festival.

Up-to-date information is being posted this week on the garden club’s website, springfeverinthegarden.org.

KIDS ZONE

Booths and activities geared to children will offer fun ways to learn about nature and the environment. There will be hands-on crafts, face painting, balloon animals, a stilt walker and more.

Chick-fil-A’s performing cows

will entertain from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Winter Garden Library will be set up to provide new library cards or renew old ones, West Orange High School will bring a petting zoo, and other organizations will offer fun, games and information.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music and entertainment will be showcased throughout the two-day festival in front of Winter Garden City Hall.

On Saturday, The Jim Young Trio plays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 3MPowered performs from noon to 12:45 p.m., 1950s and ’60s band Astronomics will be on stage from 1 to 4 p.m., and juggler Bruce Sarafian will perform from 4 to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, The Sandy Back Porch Band plays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Citrus Singers Girl Scout Choir will perform from 1 to 1:45 p.m., and the Orlando Gentlemen of Jazz & Dixieland will entertain from 2 to 4 p.m.

IF YOU GO

SPRING FEVER IN THE GARDEN

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 1, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2

WHERE: Plant Street, downtown Winter Garden WEBSITE: springfeverinthegarden.org

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Illustration by Andy Crabtree

‘Dad brought the magic’

Family members and colleagues remember Tom Garrison, whose decades-long career with Disney started in the mailroom. He was among the company’s California executives who relocated to Florida to open Walt Disney World.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Tom Garrison was known to many in Windermere and West Orange County as one of the Disney executives who relocated from California to Florida in 1970 to open the new Walt Disney World and who rose through the ranks in the marketing division.

But to those who really knew him, he was a wonderful joke teller and ultimate trickster — and he loved to share a good laugh with friends and family.

Garrison, 84, a Disney legend who spent 36 years in Windermere before moving in 2006 to Hendersonville, North Carolina, died of COVID-19 complications July 22, 2022. His family is holding a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden. His ashes will be buried alongside those of Penny, his wife of 52 years, in the church garden after the service, and then a reception will take place in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.

A LIFETIME OF DEVOTION

Garrison was known for his devotion to his wife and three children, his faith, his career, his friends and his golf.

Born April 5, 1938, in Centralia, Illinois, he graduated in 1962 from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He married his college sweetheart, Penny Parker Garrison, that same year and moved to Burbank, California, to start their lives together.

His auspicious, decades-long career at Disney began in the mailroom. There, among many other company pioneers and luminaries, he met Walt Disney himself.

Garrison moved from the mailroom to publicity and then on to Disneyland’s Operations and Entertainment divisions. In 1970, he was appointed to a special group of young executives who would serve as the opening team for Walt Disney World in Orlando.

That pivotal turn in Garrison’s career path took him, Penny, and their young daughters, Kathryn and Kristin, from Burbank to the small town of Windermere. In 1971, soon after their arrival, their son, Richard, was born.

Longtime family friend Bettye Chatham recalls the first time she met the Garrisons.

“At that time, there was still an orange grove next to us,” Chatham

said. “I was sitting outside trying to cool off. … This station wagon came pulling down through the trees and pulled into our lot. This man got out, and I thought, ‘They must be homeless people or hired to pick oranges.’ He came bounding out. … I really think I was the first person in Windermere to meet Tom. … Tom and I carried on, and I still didn’t know who he was.”

The Chatham and Garrison families remained close friends for 25 years. The families lived two houses apart on First Avenue in Windermere.

Garrison and Chatham’s husband, Louis, played golf frequently, and the families traveled together in the Garrisons’ oversized Ford van nicknamed Big Red.

“We were like family,” she said. “They spent Thanksgiving with us, and we spent Christmas with them.”

The Chathams were asked to be Richard’s godparents when he was born in 1971.

A CAREER MAKING MAGIC Garrison served as area manager and then manager of operations at the Magic Kingdom and was tapped in 1981 to become director of market-

ing administration, a role in which he helped shape the grand opening plan for Epcot. After 32 years with the company, Garrison retired in 1994.

Tina Phillips was Garrison’s executive secretary for 21 years.

“It was a good fit. I supported him. He was one of the managers of operations at that time. In 1981, he was promoted to director of marketing. I went along with him. It was a package deal, I guess. Then I supported him from ’81 to June of ’94 when he retired.”

“Tom was definitely not a micromanager,” said Judi Daley, who worked at Disney under Garrison for many years. “He trusted his leaders to make their own decisions in order to take care of our guests and fellow Cast Members.”

He loved to celebrate, Daley said, “and one of his most memorable characteristics was his sense of humor and enjoyment of a practical joke on occasion.”

His family loves a story told by Danni Mikler, which captures his essence: “The first time I met Tom, I was a brand-new ticket seller, selling tickets to resort guests at the Magic Kingdom entrance for the Night of Joy.

I had a line of guests, and this strange hand slid under the window and tried to grab my change fund. I freaked, and we ended up with change everywhere. Tom introduced himself, approved comp tickets for the three parties in line and helped me pick up the coins. He said, ‘Let that be a lesson to you’ and then gave me $2 in case I didn’t balance.”

FAMILY MAN Garrison’s first priority always was his family. His children knew to follow him no matter where he was going because that’s where the fun would be. He taught them the joy of taking back roads, old school jazz, bad jokes and helping others.

He shared with them his love of James Bond and John Wayne movies and loved to belt out “Climb Every Mountain” with tears in his eyes.

He gave his children perspective (“In a hundred years it won’t make any difference”) and called all of their female friends Mary Margaret. He provided for them well, could imitate Donald Duck and had a sneeze that startled anyone in its vicinity, his children said.

“Dad was one of those dads who was bigger than life,” said his oldest daughter, Kathryn Garrison. “One of our most favorite stories to talk about as kids is how we thought every dad was able to put their hands in the fireplace fire and move the logs around. Aren’t all dads superhuman?

“It wasn’t until after we had been at friends’ houses that we learned that this wasn’t true,” she said. “Dad led life by his passion. He took up space. He loved big. He laughed loudly. He fought for the people he loved and cared about. And he was the most fun.”

She attributes her love of jazz music and peanuts to her father. His favorite holiday was Christmas, she said, and he loved any decoration that played music.

“Dad brought the magic,” Kathryn Garrison said. “He loved Christmas. Church was a big part of the celebration. Jesus is born. Santa is real. Long after we knew the secret of Santa’s true existence, we always had to leave cookies, milk and carrots out for Santa.

“My best Christmas memories of Dad are the times when we were kids that he would take each one of us — Kris, Rich and I — separately to Lake Buena Vista and we would go to the shops and pick out a Christmas present for my mom. It was a special time with Dad. Afterward, we would go to the lounge there and listen to jazz music, a trio.”

FAITHFUL SERVANT

The Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden was important to Garrison, and he centered his family’s life around the church. He was a ceaseless volunteer in his community and had special affection for the Edgewood Children’s Ranch, where he served as board chairman.

“Tom was just such a down-toearth person,” Phillips said. “He treated everybody the same. It didn’t matter if they wore a tie or a costume. He just treated everybody the same. He was a Christian, and it came through in his leadership abilities. He was very fair; he was unbiased. He believed in people, he believed in what they could accomplish.”

Phillips said Garrison was quick to help people whenever he could. When a Disney executive was severely injured during a ski trip, Garrison kept in touch with the man in the rehabilitation center and promised him he would still have a position at Disney when he returned to work.

“Tom took care of people,” Phillips said. “It wasn’t always blatant or known. He believed in people, he mentored people. He was just one of the best people I’ve known in my life.”

In retirement, Tom and Penny moved to Hendersonville and became active members of St. James Episcopal Church and the Hendersonville Country Club, where he played golf as often as he could. They loved both communities where they established roots, forming friendships and connections that sustained them and brought them so much joy.

Penny died in 2014 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Garrison is survived by his children, Kathryn Garrison, Kristin Garrison (Shannon Zimmerman) and Richard Garrison (Cheri Garrison); and his grandchildren, Finn, Lotus, Penny Lou, Lola, Zoey and Ezra.

Clockwise from top left:

Tom and Penny Garrison were college sweethearts and married in 1962. They were married for 52 years.

Tina Phillips wished Tom Garrison, her longtime boss, a happy retirement in 1994.

Tom Garrison, back center, was operations manager of Walt Disney World’s Ticket Sales and Taking team in 1972. In front of him is Judi Daley.

Courtesy photos

Community rallies for friend fighting cancer

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

At age 42, cancer isn’t something Lisa Kierenia pictured for her life — or for her family.

But colorectal cancer is now a part of the Winter Garden resident’s story. And believe it or not: It’s not all bad.

“There have been so many blessings in the last few weeks,” Kierenia said. “My friends and family have shown up for us, loved us, prayed for us, cried with us, researched with us. I’ve seen why God has placed certain people in our lives, in part to help us navigate this overwhelming news.”

SHOCKING DIAGNOSIS

The symptoms started last year, when Kierenia started to notice blood in her stool.

“Life was busy, and I chalked it up to maybe being something not as serious,” she said. “I never thought I had cancer.”

Her father-in-law, who had some of the same symptoms, was diagnosed with colon cancer in January. About a week later, Kierenia’s hairstylist said one of her other clients, who was 42 years old, also was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Kierenia decided to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterology doctor. She had a colonoscopy, which revealed a tumor. She received her official diagnosis at the end of January.

The news shocked her whole family, including her parents, who attended the appointment with her; her husband was helping his father recover.

“They (her parents) said too, you don’t expect your child to have cancer, obviously,” she said. “I’m 42, but for them — they expect themselves to have cancer before me.”

As of 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates the number of colorectal cancers in the United States to include 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about one in 23 for men and one in 26 for women.

Kierenia said she has remained positive and attributes her strength to God.

“I’ve had my moments of sadness, madness and whiny, but I really have kept a pretty positive attitude,” she said. “Everybody has different beliefs, but for us, I think not having faith would be very difficult. I think it’s very easy to say, ‘Why me?’ I’ve thought those things, and yes, your faith is tested, but there have been so many positives that I think could not be if there wasn’t God. When you’re talking to people (at the hospital), and they’re asking me if I need help with transportation, or if I need foundation money, or other things, I honestly realize how blessed I am. I go to treatments, and I see all these other people. …There could be worse, and there’s so many people (who) don’t have the support that I have. … I just feel like there are a lot of blessings that have come from it that you don’t think about until you’re going through something hard.”

TACKLING TREATMENT

Kierenia started her treatment last week at AdventHealth in downtown Orlando.

The process will start with 28 sessions of radiation, Monday through Friday. This 15- to 20-minute process is paired with oral chemo, which she takes through six pills per day. She will then have a two- to four-week break to give her body time to recover before she receives a port and starts infusion chemo for 12 to 14 weeks.

A small percentage of patients have complete recovery after treatment and do not need surgery. Kierenia hopes she is included in the statistic, but doctors have reminded her to remain realistic.

She said she thinks there is a lot of stigma associated with colorectal cancer — and even cancer in general. Many of her friends reside in the same general age range as her, causing her to encourage them to prioritize their health.

“Even with rectal cancer, I mean I’ve never even known anyone who has had rectal cancer,” she said. “Once I was diagnosed and started doing research on it … I thought, ‘OK, I can either keep this to myself,

or I can use this to educate people.’

I’ve had so many friends schedule their colonoscopy. … I think as a mom, we’re busy doing all the things and you put your health on the back burner. Unfortunately, sometimes we need a wake-up call. … Also, we know people can have cancer at any age — even if you’re younger. But I get so many comments about me being too young or that I don’t ‘look’ like I have cancer. … I don’t fit the mold, so I think it’s important that people take care of their health and make that a priority.”

So far, Kierenia said the treatments have taken more of a mental than physical toll. However, she has been told as she gets more radiation and chemo, she will start to be symptomatic.

As a pharmaceutical sales representative, Kierenia said she will need to make some adjustments to her work schedule. She is trying to keep things as normal as possible for her family. She has had to adjust, learning that although she wants to continue to do everything, she should take help when she needs it. She is trying to be both patient and kind to herself.

SO MANY BLESSINGS

On World Cancer Day, Feb. 4, Kierenia decided to take to social media to share her diagnosis.

“I debated sharing on social media but decided that God wants me to use this to point others to Him and to be a reminder to others to take care of your health,” she wrote on Facebook. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. If you have been putting off your health, let this be a sign to put yourself first. I’m not sure why this is part of my story yet, but if I can inspire others to schedule a doctor’s appointment you have been putting off, that’s a good start.”

Kierenia said her family and the community’s support has also kept her strong.

“I feel like I’m always the one that’s asking, ‘What can I do for you?’ or ‘How can I help you?’ and to be on the receiving end of things that

people are doing for us that I would have never thought of is so incredibly special,” she said. “This really stinks and it’s going to be hard, but there’s so many blessings.”

Her friends, who she fondly refers to as her “Support Squad,” threw a party for her at LiveTrends in downtown Winter Garden where they all wore “Team Lisa” T-shirts.

When Kierenia woke up on Friday, March 3 — also known as Dress in Blue Day to support Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March — she noticed her neighbors in Bronson’s Landing had blue ribbons tied around trees in their front yards. She counted close to 80 blue ribbons.

“How can you drive into this neighborhood and not feel overwhelmed by all of the support when you see the ribbons?” she said. “The ribbons have given me not only the opportunity to raise awareness for colorectal cancer but also to meet more of my neighbors. We wanted to thank people for their love and kindness so we put up a ‘Thank You’ sign in our yard to let them know how much we appreciate their thoughtfulness.”

The effort was organized by four women in the neighborhood: Christy Rivera, Shirley Rodriguez, Freyda Pagan-Smith and Nicky Calvert. The ladies came together to figure out ways to support the Kierenia family.

Rivera said she has known Kierenia for seven years and said she has a huge heart.

“She is always one of the first people to support others,” Rivera said. “In a group conversation, she goes out of her way to engage everyone and make sure they are acknowledged and have a voice, even interrupting to fill someone in if they’ve just joined. She sees the good in others and looks for the silver lining in everything.”

Rivera said she believes it’s important to support one another and that community is essential.

“With her vulnerability and openness to bring her family, friends and neighbors through this journey with her, she is bringing awareness to an important issue for the sake of help-

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

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ing others,” Rivera said. “Neighbors who do not even know her have stopped to ask me how they can help. It started with one group of four ladies texting ideas and has expanded into neighborhood group chats that include over 30 people; and it keeps growing. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for almost 10 years, and to see the amount of compassion people have for a family they may not know well is so touching and speaks volumes of the type of families we have in Winter Garden. It really has been a community effort.”

Other acts of kindness Kierenia has received include a friend who has started to make lunch for her daughter every day for school; a meal train; numerous baskets and gifts being dropped off; a prayer shawl; a blue and white quilt; and even a jar of hope filled with jokes and positive messages.

In addition, Kierenia’s husband, Scott, coordinated their children’s soccer teams — Landon, 12, and Ava, 10 — to all wear blue in support.

“I feel like if I could write a book on how to care and support somebody going through something hard, I would have the most amazing story to share,” Lisa Kierenia said. “There’s so much negativity in the world, and I think we can easily get caught up in it. It’s hard when it takes something that’s really sad or negative to go through for people to bring out the good. I feel like this has given not just us, but other people the opportunity to see that there’s still good in the world.

“It’s not about just the things, but it’s about realizing how we can bless other people when they’re going through a hard time,” Lisa Kierenia said. “I think as women and moms, we don’t ever put ourselves first. We can’t feel selfish. We need to take care of ourselves. Make yourself a priority. Colorectal cancer can be preventable. You don’t need to go through things alone. There’s people that want to love and care for you. Just remember: Everything happens for a reason.”

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Lisa Kierenia’s “Support Squad” hosted a surprise party for her at LiveTrends.

Courtesy photos

Above: Lisa Kierenia’s parents, Mark and Gloria Coleman, have helped her along her journey.

Left: The neighborhood has rallied support.

Winter Garden moves forward with traffic plan

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

The Winter Garden City Commission meeting discussed traffic concerns and solutions Thursday, March 23.

City Manager Jon C. Williams started the conversation by giving a presentation on the city’s traffic management policy/plan.

The city plans to take a three-phase approach to address the traffic concerns: monitor, enforcement and control.

“We can say that we get traffic complaints on a daily basis, if not multiple times per day,” he said. “We’ve been talking about some plans and some policies, so I felt like it was a great opportunity to kind of bring this forward tonight, to let you know where we are with some of this stuff and to let everybody know that we are taking it very serious and trying to move something forward to address the immediate concern, as well as a plan for the long term.”

Williams explained the plan does not require each of the phases to be done in succession; rather, it is all being worked on at the same time.

ENFORCE, CONTROL

MONITOR,

The City Commission approved recently an extension of the professional services agreement with Toole Design Group.

Williams said the city asked the organization to create an integrated transportation policy plan. Major components of the plan include a safety action plan, speed management and traffic calming.

The primary objectives of monitoring are being responsive to the public’s requests and concerns; increasing safety, walkability, beauty, place-

making and quality-of-life objectives; support efficient and effective decision making process; simplify the prioritization, budgeting and funding of transportation projects; supporting and advancing the balance of the city’s vision; and position the city for federal transportation funding.

For phase one, the city will focus on three tasks: a citywide traffic-calming plan, a vision zero policy and a safety action plan.

“The framework for the vision zero policy and the safety action plan will be what is required for us to participate in requests for some of the federal funding as we move forward,” Williams said.

Regarding enforcement, the city plans to utilize the Winter Garden Police Department as its primary means.

The department has currently 95 full-time employees with nine vacancies and three conditional offers.

Williams said from November 2022 through March 8, 2023, the city made 3,067 citywide traffic stops and issued 1,093 citations.

The city also plans to explore the use of technology to help with enforcement.

State law prohibits the use of automated devices to issue citations; redlight cameras are the exception.

However, Williams said the city has been looking at a speed-camera and warning-notice system, which would not only bring awareness to registered vehicle owners but also serve as an educational tool that improves safety. Drivers could receive a warning with images showing when and where they were seen speeding — and the amount of the ticket they would have received.

If implemented, the city would

IN OTHER NEWS

n District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett and Mayor John Rees both were sworn in for their respective four-year terms.

n Four new police officers took the oath of office and were sworn in: Hannah Wagner, Chad Burden, Christopher Zuccarello and Michael Orpilla.

have access to a wealth of traffic data on driver behavior through the cameras.

“This information could potentially be uploaded, if we so choose, to the city’s website,” he said. “And if we were to do that, I just want to make the point that we would not be sharing any private or personal information. … This information would just help us deploy our resources to the areas in which we are seeing the most speeding occur.” In terms of control, Williams discussed both permanent and temporary solutions to traffic calming.

“Really, the difference between the two is going to be aesthetics, cost and time,” he said. “We have had a longstanding prohibition against the use of speed bumps, humps and tables, and we still have that same way of thinking. We do not support them because they’re an impact to public safety, and that’s the No. 1 concern that we have with them.”

As noted in the presentation, permanent solutions could include pedestrian islands, pedestrian pinch points and landscaping. Temporary solutions could include speed cushions or rubber curbing, which are usually easier to install and can be customizable but lack in the area of aesthetics.

NEXT STEPS

Williams said the city has issued a notice to proceed with phase one to Toole Design Group, not to exceed $50,000, which will provide the city with a 100% citywide traffic-calming plan, along with a framework for the safety action plan and the vision zero policy.

He said the city should reach substantial completion within 16 weeks.

n Steve Pash, assistant city manager for public services, made a presentation on downtown Winter Garden trash collection. Pash said over the past few years, staff has been trying to find ways to improve the quality of trash pick-up in the area. The city is considering implementing Molok, a vertical and partially underground system, and has purchased and installed two to test at public services through the hotter months.

n The commission approved unanimously the second reading of an ordinance to amend chapter 54, article three in the city’s code of ordinances pertaining to the pension plan for firefighters and police officers.

n Commissioners approved unanimously the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to 2.42 acres located at 1123 Orange West Blvd. The applicant, Sweet Fish Media, is requesting to rezone the property from arterial commercial district to planned commercial development. The rezoning would permit the media company to construct a 14,000-square-foot, two-story

MaDuring the interim budget process, Williams said staff plans to come back and request two additional motor officers and two community service officers dedicated to downtown. These numbers would increase the current full-time employees dedicated to traffic enforcement to six motors, two cars, one sergeant, one lieutenant and six community service officers.

Williams said staff would also like to purchase two trailer-mounted speed camera and warning notice systems, each unit not to exceed $25,000.

The plan can be used to incorporate permanent control solutions.

office building as well as a future phase that would add an additional 6,860-square-foot office building. The main office would house the company, which specializes in multi-media management and productions such as podcasts and video content. The site would also include a number of amenities for employees and visitors such as a go-kart track for electric karts, a lazy river and sleeping rooms for overnight guests. The planning and zoning board recommended the approval of the PCD ordinance with an additional condition that the electric go-karts can only be used from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to address any potential noise issues.

n The commission approved unanimously a collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Florida Police Benevolent Association for the period of March 23, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2025.

n Commissioners approved unanimously a piggyback contract with USSI, LLC using the Toho Water Authority Contract for sanitary sewer system inflow and infiltration inspection and repairs in the amount of $100,000.

n City commissioners approved unanimously a work order to Mead & Hunt for the design of a septic to sewer project in the Teacup Springs area in the amount of $298,250.

n Bennett was approved unanimously as the mayor pro tem, replacing District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman.

For temporary solutions, Williams said staff would like to test two pilots: installing speed cushions to test effectiveness on Daniels Road and installing curbing to narrow the road west of Williams Road on Marsh Road.

Mayor John Rees said his No. 1 complaint is the driving habits of people through Winter Garden. He said he is in support, if possible, for hiring more police to do nothing but traffic control.

“Windermere, you don’t speed through Windermere … once the word got out,” he said. “I think we need to get that.”

Discussion on traffic dominated the Winter Garden City Commission meeting after a presentation made by City Manager Jon C. Williams.

First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden

Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

Starke Lake Baptist Church

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

Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097

www.VBCOCOEE.com

Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

CHURCH OF GOD

Ocoee Church of God

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

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden

Sunday: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM., 4PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135

Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661

Sunday Service: 10:05 AM Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 PM Saturday Service: 6 PM www.purposechurchorlando.org

TIMELINE

n 1911: Brothers Isadore and Murray Heller, wholesale produce merchants, founded Heller Bros. Co. at the Washington Market in New York City.

n 1934: Murray Heller moved to Orlando and set out to acquire citrus fruit for distribution by Heller Bros. Isadore Heller’s son, Seymour Heller, moved to Miami to focus on the production and packing of fresh tomatoes.

n 1936: Isidore Heller’s other son, James Heller, joined his uncle, Murray Heller, in Orlando.

n 1939: The growth of the citrus operation led to the formation of Heller Bros. Packing Corp., under the leadership of James Heller. Within this year, the company leased then purchased a packing house in Winter Garden from Seaboard Coastline Railroad. The packing house remained in the same location for 84 years but has undergone many remodels and upgrades.

n 1940: The company began acquiring citrus groves in south Florida to help meet the demands of the packing operation and the growth of distribution business in New York. Over the years, production grew to about one million boxes of oranges, grapefruit and tangerines.

n 1945: Heller Bros. Packing Corp. became a member of the Winter Garden Citrus Products Cooperative, a leader in the development of frozen orange juice concentrate, a product that dominated the marketplace for decades. Heller Bros. supplied close to 20% of the fruit utilized by the co-op.

n 1956: James Heller moved back to New York to help with the family’s investment activities. He also continued to manage the citrus operations over the next several decades through regular trips to and from New York to Florida.

n 1964: Harvey Heller, Seymour Heller’s son and Isidore Heller’s grandson, joined the company. He served as general manager and executive vice president before eventually succeeding his uncle, Murray Heller, at the helm of the organization.

n 1989: Harry Heller Falk joined the company, advanced through the ranks over the next several years and served as operations head of the business and co-CEO. He and cousin Harvey Heller provide joint leadership and direction in the Winter Garden location.

n 2002: The wood flooring in the southwest mezzanine in the packing house was replaced with concrete flooring. The company also purchased the 450-acre Star Grove in St. Lucie County, which produces red grapefruit and navel oranges.

n 2009: The company purchased the 1,000-acre Kirchman Grove in St. Lucie County. It produces honeybells, navel oranges and Valencia oranges.

n 2010: Alexander Heller, Harvey Heller’s son and the fourth generation of the Heller family, joined the company.

n 2012: The wood flooring in the processing area of the packing house was replaced with concrete flooring.

n 2013: The degreening rooms in the packing house were rebuilt, and they and the storage rooms can hold up to 58 truckloads of citrus.

n 2014: Heller Bros. launched a gift division and new e-commerce website. The company grows 10 different varieties of Florida citrus for sale.

‘Let’s call

Heller Bros. Packing Corp., which opened on Ninth Street in 1939, has ended its citrus production line after 84 years.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The packing house was eerily quiet Wednesday, March 8, without the sounds of the machines whirring and the oranges and grapefruit tumbling down the conveyor belts to be sorted, boxed and bagged and shipped around the world.

After 84 years of citrus production at its packing house in Winter Garden, Heller Bros. Packing Corp. has ceased operation. The office building at 306 Ninth St. remains opens and will continue to function as the family office. The company still maintains more than 4,000 acres in its five Florida groves.

At its peak, the 50,000-square-foot Heller packing house employed 125, with another 50 people growing the citrus and 250 people harvesting the fruit. And while it held out through three major freezes in the 1980s — which wiped out many of its competitors and nearly put an end to Central Florida’s citrus industry — and kept going through canker and hurricanes, Heller lost its footing when greening gave grove owners a run for their money.

The decline in production is staggering. In the 2001-02 season, Heller packed more than 47 million boxes of grapefruit. Today, that number has dropped to about 2 million. Oranges peaked at more than 240 million boxes in 2004, dropped to 82 million in 2016 and now is down to 16 million.

Greening — a bacterial disease that causes unmarketable, bitter fruit — arrived in 2004, Harvey Heller said, and played a significant role in the decrease in citrus production.

“We concentrated our efforts in what we had left,” he said. “And I think that’s why we were able to go on as long as we have. The hurricane in 2017, Irma, seemed to mark a turning point in terms of accelerating the decline of production across the state.

“We’re out of runway,” Heller said. “That doesn’t mean we stop trying to grow trees that are resistant to these. … But it takes four to five years for a tree to grow fruit of

WANT

this an intermission’

Built Last to

My journey as an early childhood entrepreneur began as an administrator and educator who practiced ‘direct instruction”, teaching learners what they need to know to succeed in school. I knew this was not how our kids should learn—because I saw kids suffer, break down and fail, use worksheets, learn through repetition, and walk away frustrated and disempowered. Because of this realization, my passion was born to make a difference.

tial components as it did not consider a child’s inner motivations and interests.

After gathering feedback from the end users, our team embraced change to move the company forward. To innovate, we invited researchers from Project Zero at Harvard University to learn the power of their new research on maker-centered learning. During this hands-on collaboration, we took every component of our company apart to build it better.

an acceptable quality. So, you need more than good ideas.

“It’s become impossible to keep this facility running at 10% of capacity,” he said. “You hope that some cure will present itself. Not to say that it won’t, but it’s fair to say that it hasn’t.”

Heller Bros. continues to operate its vegetable business in north and south Florida, Tennessee and Mexico.

“We keep hoping and looking for citrus that we can grow that can survive and be commercially viable,” Heller said. “One of the things we tried that was successful from a growing standpoint was lemons. But Florida lemons weren’t suitable for fresh production.”

Heller is matter-of-fact about the situation — but he isn’t defeated.

“Is it over for the time being? It is,” he said. “But we’re growing, we’re looking, we’re trying, and as soon as … somebody can say … here’s a methodology that works. … As long as we have the energy of

youth and the resources, which we try to do, we’re going to keep trying. … We’ve been in this business since 1938, so we have a very strong desire to be able to find a way to continue to go forward.

“Let’s call this an intermission,” he said.

I started by recruiting a group of university professors from the University of Central Florida to write a STEM curriculum for early childhood to get children excited about careers in which there would be a high demand for jobs. To implement our ideas, I purchased a struggling school in Oviedo, and inside, the Orlando Science Center, designed and built a space to introduce STEM experiences. We became authors, toy designers, and STEAM experts around the country. Yet, the team reflected that the initial prototype lacked essen-

This is a story of courage and resilience on how a mission-driven team practices the same principles we incorporate into our lesson plans. Our students enter the traditional school system with the ability to think for themselves, solve problems for others, pursue their passions, create solutions, treat themselves and others with kindness, and develop the confidence it takes to make the world a better place.

Amy Quesinberry

Harvey Heller has a long history with his family company and said it’s not over yet.

A Heller Bros. Packing Corp. employee stacked the fruit crates to be sold following the packing house closing.

planning director for the city, said.

“The city needs to understand how any new aspect of a business is operating to ensure all code requirements are being met. We require this of every business operating in the city, and MHM is no exception.”

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Wood was born and raised in Winter Garden. He is a sixth-generation Winter Garden resident and-fourth generation business owner.

Although he said he never thought he would open his business in Winter Garden, he felt it was fate when the spot became available. MHM opened July 31, 2021, at 108 S. Main St.

“The downtown area, not only being from here, but there’s a lot of food traffic and a lot of people coming in and out of Winter Garden,” Wood said.

“My family still lives on Main Street, so for my business to be right here is special.”

Wood shared he is a gay business owner in the community.

Risqué business?

Winter Garden officials say Main House Market owner Brandon Wood violated several ordinances when he hosted a burlesque show in February. Wood said he feels targeted.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Main House Market owner Brandon Wood said he brought events such as burlesque shows and drag queen bingo to his business because he wanted to provide an all-inclusive and safe environment in Winter Garden.

But according to the city, the business doesn’t have the appropriate license to host such events. And after an undercover investigation of the business by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, Wood said he is contemplating moving his business.

“In February, the city of Winter Garden along with the Winter Garden Police Department contacted the Orlando Police Department, specifically detectives with the human trafficking division, to investigate the business for having burlesque events,” Wood wrote on Facebook March 19. “Individuals from the department came into the establishment as customers undercover prior to the event and as guests during the event.”

Wood said following the event, he was told he was never allowed to do burlesque again because it is illegal in Orange County. Wood said he was unfamiliar with such a law.

The OPD confirmed nothing was filed with the department and the entire investigation was handled by the MBI, an 18-agency law enforcement task force in Central Florida that targets vice, narcotics and organized crime.

Wood also shared officials from the city of Winter Garden contacted him after the investigation.

“A week later, the city of Winter Garden handed us violations claiming we need a separate business tax license, different from the three that I currently have for the location, to conduct free events inside my business,” he wrote. “A violation that other businesses in the city have not received for doing their own free public events inside their location. With all of this said, as a business owner, I think it is best for us to find a new location. I believe in an all-inclusive, safe, artistic space where we can grow and express ourselves as a business — a business that promotes communal growth and nurtures self expression.”

MBI INVESTIGATION

Wood has hosted a variety of other events, including karaoke, stand-up comedy and wine tasting. He hosted his first burlesque event in October 2022.

According to the official MBI report, a local agent received a request for investigative assistance from the WGPD regarding complaints made to the police department of nudity and lewdness at the business.

“(The restaurant) was report -

edly hosting acts (that) were sexual in nature, to include drag shows and possible strip shows,” the report reads.

“Unspecified nudity was reportedly occurring at the location and complaints advised the incidents occurred at night and after hours.”

The business operates as a small goods store, with numerous small vendors with limited product inside, hosts a vegan foods shop, and sells kombucha teas and canned beers.

The report explains the same agent conducted surveillance at the business during operating hours on Feb. 16. The agent noticed an advertisement inside for a burlesque show on Feb. 25. Upon further investigation, the agent said the event was also promoted online and was advertised for ages 21 and up for “mature content” at $15 per ticket.

The report states four MBI agents conducted an undercover operation to determine if any illegal activity was happening at the event.

The private event took place after hours and was observed to be hosted by a male announcer with three females who performed two dances each for a “very polite, calm and mature crowd.”

“This event was a typical burlesque show, where each woman would dance to a song of their prior choice, and would dance and strip their clothes off with light interaction from the crowd,” the report reads. “The girls all stripped down to their panties and no further. They also removed their tops and had their nipples covered up with tassels or designed pasties. … At no time was a sexual organ openly displayed nor interacted with. The performers did dance within three feet of the audience, which included shaking breasts and buttocks close to the audience; and lightly interacted with the audience by touching the audience member’s shoulders, having guests pull gloves off the performer’s hands with their teeth, and placing stripped clothing on guests heads

“The city of Winter Garden has a thriving business community,” the city said in a prepared statement. “If a business runs afoul with the established code or business license, the city will work with the business owner in an attempt to find a solution to the code violations.” — Prepared statement from the City of Winter Garden

and shoulders in a humorous/seductive fashion.”

MBI said the investigation found violations of Orange County Municipal Codes as dictated in Article V, Chapter 3, in the Adult Entertainment Code, where the code is effective throughout the unincorporated area of Orange County and within any municipality, including Winter Garden.

City officials said this is the first time they can recall that a business within city limits violated its Adult Entertainment code.

“Wood was further educated on the municipal code and advised the business would no longer be hosting any future burlesque-style shows or anything similar involving removal of clothing,” the MBI report reads. “Wood advised (he) would continue to host private events such as drag queen bingo and other events, but they would remain tasteful and would not involve the removal of clothing.”

“I mean it’s kind of a big deal when you have accusations thrown your way,” Wood said. “It feels like I’m being accused of something that’s not true. When you send MBI human trafficking to investigate the store undercover and then come to our show and investigate … it could have just been someone coming in to speak to me or an email if there were concerns or questions. It came out of nowhere.”

CODE VIOLATIONS

The city of Winter Garden issued two code violations March 10. Those include violations to Chapter 6 –Alcoholic Beverages; Section 6-2 Business Establishment Doors, Windows, Location Near Church or Square and Chapter 66 – Taxation; Article IV. – Local Business Tax Receipts; Section 66-92. Required.

The corrective actions required by the violations include removing “all obstructions from the front windows and door that impede the view from the exterior to the interior of the building/business,” and obtaining “business tax receipts for all businesses working at the address.”

The violation states the deadline for compliance being March 20, with the code-enforcement board being

allowed to levy fines up to $250 per day per violation.

Wood said he had curtains covering the windows but was unaware of the violation, as the city code states that “the front and windows of the place of business shall be made of clear and transparent glass.”

The second violation pertains to a separate business tax license to do events. The pertinent code states that “any local business tax for the privilege of engaging in or managing any business, profession or occupation within the corporate limits of the city is required and shall be levied on any person who: maintains a permanent business location or branch office within the city for the privilege of engaging in or managing an business within its jurisdiction and maintains a permanent business location or branch office within the city for the privilege of engaging in or managing any profession or occupation within its jurisdiction.” City officials said the business has approvals to operate as the following primary uses: a retail store, a kombucha cafe and a deli.

“The establishment does not have a license or zoning approvals to operate as any other type of business, including to operate as an entertainment venue,” Jayne Behrle, communications and marketing manager with the city, said. “If the business is hosting events after normal business operations, an indoor theater license is required. The business owner has not applied for such a license.”

To help further clarify, Behrle said if normal business operations have to shut down completely to host events, they are considered a primary use of the business and must be considered separately.

Per the city’s knowledge, “the only businesses operating without the proper licenses is MHM — and possibly LiveTrends.” City officials said they are meeting with LiveTrends.

“Events … may be set up differently than they are during normal business hours, such as additional seats, occupancy concerns, ADA requirements, adequate ingress/egress in case of a fire, adequate parking, etc.,” Behrle said. “The city only has knowledge of business operations as it pertains to a business’ existing business licenses. To operate as an entertainment venue/ indoor theater would require applying for the applicable business license so the city can ensure all of the code requirements are being met.”

“The city of Winter Garden has a thriving business community,” the city said in a prepared statement. “If a business runs afoul with the established code or business license, the city will work with the business owner in an attempt to find a solution to the code violations.”

The city said it has requested to meet with Wood to address the business’ code violations.

“I take my role as a city official very seriously, and it is of paramount importance to treat everyone equally regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other external factors,” Kelly Carson,

“I grew up here, and I was bullied,” he said. “I was beaten up and called every name you could think of walking down the street. When I came back here and saw how much the area had grown and changed, I knew I wanted to be part of it. As a business owner, I’ve always aimed to create an all-inclusive and all-accepting environment for everyone. I wanted it to be diverse and to let anyone know walking in that they could feel safe here.”

Wood said he wants to bring activities such as burlesque and drag queen bingo to the Winter Garden community.

“I wanted to be able to bring that stuff here into my business, into the place that I call my home,” he said. “I want to give other kids that were like me or other people a space to feel that they were safe and included. That’s what I still want to continue to do.”

However, not everyone agrees.

“West Orange, particularly the Windermere, Winter Garden and Hamlin area, is a very clean, orderly and family friendly area,” resident Thomas Heffern said. “Although there is a current popular fascination with the drag scene, that does not mean it is appropriate or normal for most social situations. ... Although I understand this is a free country, I would exercise my rights to vote for policies that restrict this kind of activity in our community.”

Ye’vette Toms agreed.

“Today’s society would like to normalize, desensitize and ignore the truth behind these shows,” she said.

“This includes drag performances. I am not one who comes to conclusions without experience. I have been to a few drag shows on Orange Blossom trail and a burlesque show. One would have to be a fool to not understand that these performances are sexual in nature. They should not ever be ‘fun for the whole family.’”

She said it’s because of this that she does not believe burlesque should be allowed in Winter Garden.

“If you go to the Winter Garden website, the first thing you see is the tagline, ‘Where good things grow,’” she said. “I do not think growing crowds of people looking for sexualized entertainment is part of ‘good.’

It is not as simple as, ‘just don’t take children there,’ or, ‘there should be age restrictions.’ We do not want Winter Garden turning into OBT.”

Rhiannon Neuharth said she has been a patron of MHM since it opened. She said she has lived in Winter Garden for six years and never had a reason to venture downtown until the business opened.

“I was thrilled to support an allinclusive establishment with inclusive values that offered items my family and I could enjoy,” she said. “Inclusive businesses such as MHM help to promote a more inclusive and accepting society by providing opportunities for everyone to succeed.”

Kelly Kusterman is saddened by the “blatant targeting and unfair treatment of the LGBTQ community.”

“I’m disappointed in our local government and that people can stand by and allow this to happen,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed every event I’ve attended at MHM. Smiles, laughs and fun in an environment where you could be yourself and know you were welcome. Who doesn’t appreciate a place like that? That’s the kind of city and community I want to raise my kids in. Unfortunately, I’m not sure Winter Garden is headed in that direction.”

THE LETTERS OF THE LAW

Brandon Wood opened Main House Market in 2021. He is a sixth-generation Winter Garden resident.

Windermere High getting campus stadium

The football team will get to play its home games on its own field pending approval from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Orange County School Board Member Pam Gould shared some good news with residents in attendance at a Horizon West Town Hall meeting Wednesday, March 22.

The Windermere High School Wolverines will have their own on-campus stadium pending approval from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. That approval is imminent, Gould said.

Students, athletes, parents and school supporters have been fighting for this move since the school opened in 2017. The school’s football team has been playing on the field more than a mile away at Deputy Scott Pine Community Park.

“That just wasn’t working for us, as a community and as a school,” Gould said. “With any luck, we will be able to have some games on campus, if all the stars align, in the next six months.”

The School Board and County Commission have been working together to find a solution to this ongoing off-campus stadium issue, which has included a lack of parking, insufficient seating in the stadium and safety concerns during bad weather.

The county’s Board of Zoning Adjustment has recommended approval. Once the BCC approves the campus stadium, Gould said, the following timeline likely will be followed: Bleacher foundations would be poured Sept. 1; bleachers would be relocated and sidewalks and fencing would be installed Oct. 15; stadium lighting would be added Nov. 15; and concession and restrooms would be constructed in August 2024.

“Concession will come later,” Gould said. “Food trucks are a wonderful

thing.”

In addition to the stadium news, Orange County officials shared information about a variety of topics at last week’s Town Hall, hosted by Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson. Guest speakers represented county staff, including fire rescue, public works, parks and recreation and the planning division; Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County Library System.

PARKS AND REC

Matt Suedmeyer, manager of the Parks and Recreation Division, shared the latest information on upcoming parks in Horizon West. Six currently are in the design or construction phase. The 6.5-acre Taborfield Neighborhood Park will open in the fall. Summerlake Park, at 5 acres in size, is close to the construction phase and will open in late 2023 or early 2024. The Horizon West Regional Park is in design, and the more-than-215-acre park will open in late 2024 (Phase 1A) and mid2025 (Phase 1B).

The Bentonshire Neighborhood Park design is in progress, with construction to begin sometime

in the 2023-24 fiscal year and the opening planned for late 2024 or early 2025. Construction on Watermark Neighborhood Park should commence in Fiscal Year 2023-24, and it should open the following year. Construction on Waterleigh North Neighborhood Park should take place in 2024-25. Future parks will be planned and designed as neighborhoods are built, Suedmeyer said. In the works are Lake Cawood Park, tentatively set to open in 2027; Silverleaf Park, set to open in 2028; Lakeview Pointe Park, opening date to be determined; Waterleigh Park South, opening planned for 2027; and Village I Park No. 1 and 2, to be determined.

LIBRARY SYSTEM

Danielle King, chief branch officer for the Orange County Library System, shared her excitement regarding the library system’s 100th anniversary and the new Horizon West branch library coming to the area. OCLS signed a ground lease with Orange County in July.

A community meeting was held Monday, March 27, and attendees could see site development and floor plans, as well as a rendering of

what the new library will look like. The 11-acre campus will include the 20,000-square-foot library building, outdoor area and future recreation center.

FIRE/RESCUE

Horizon West is getting two fire stations, said Kimberly Buffkin, division chief for Orange County Fire Rescue. Station 44 will be at 14230 Reams Road, near Summerlake Park Road, and Station 48 will be at Lake Ingram and Avalon roads.

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Gould said Orange County Public Schools is looking for bus drivers and teachers for the fourth-largest district in Florida and the eighth largest in the United States. Water Spring Middle School will open on its own campus in the fall. A 10-year school construction timeline indicates three more elementary schools are planned to open in Horizon West in 2024, 2027 and 2029; one middle school is planned to open in 2030.

TRANSPORTATION

Blanche Hardy, of the county’s trans-

portation planning team, shared information about all the road projects taking place in Horizon West: Tiny Road, Ficquette Road, Reams Road, Schofield Road and Hartzog Road. Schofield Road will serve as a connection to the Central Florida Expressway Authority’s Lake/Orange Connector.

Hartzog Road will be extended from County Road 545 to Western Way. A two- and four-lane road will be constructed to make the connection.

Tiny Road is a Complete Street project from Bridgewater Elementary School to Tilden Road and will fix road geometry, evaluate three roundabouts and extend a multipurpose path to the future Horizon West Regional Trail. Study completion is anticipated in late 2023.

Reams Road work will take place between Taborfield Avenue and Summerlake Park Boulevard. The design should be completed this summer, with construction starting in 2026.

Ficquette Road work will run from Inglenook Drive to Summerlake Park Boulevard. Design completion is expected in May, and construction should start in late 2024 or early 2025. The largest project is County Road 545/Avalon Road, which is divided into multiple projects: the North Segment, Village H, Village I including Flemings road, Town Center including New Independence Parkway and South Segment.

The North Segment will be widened to four lanes from Florida’s Turnpike to State Road 50. The design should be complete in June, and construction is anticipated from 2024 to 2026.

In the Town Center, C.R. 545 and New Independence Parkway will be widened to four lanes.

In Village H, C.R. 545 has been widened to four lanes from south of Hartzog Road to Schofield Road.

In Village I, C.R. 545 will be widened to four lanes from “New” Hartzog Road to north of Water Springs Boulevard and includes the widening of Flemings Road.

The C.R. 545 South project involves the four-lane widening from U.S. 192

Casabella estate sells for $3.6M

Ahome in the Casabella community near Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from March 18 to 24.

The home at 4088 Isabella Circle, Windermere, sold March 24, for $3.6 million. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, six baths, two halfbaths and 7,188 square feet. Days on market: 276.

These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

DR. PHILLIPS

BAY HILL

The home at 8929 Crichton Wood Court, Orlando, sold March 22, for $840,000. Built in 1972, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,363 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

BAY VIEW RESERVE

The condo at 7550 Hinson St., No. 10B, Orlando, sold March 23, for $560,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,610 square feet. Days on market: 11.

DELLAGIO

The home at 8424 Via Vittoria Way, Orlando, sold March 21, for $1,695,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,866 square feet. Days on market: Two.

EAST BAY

The home at 6188 Valerian Blvd., Orlando, sold March 24, for $430,000. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,926 square feet. Days on market: 78.

PHILLIPS GROVE

The home at 9225 Hanging Vine Court, Orlando, sold March 23, for $1 million. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,774 square feet. Days on market: 23.

PHILLIPS LANDING

The home at 8925 Heritage Bay Circle, Orlando, sold March 23, for $876,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,880 square feet. Days on market: Two.

PHILLIPS OAKS

The home at 4848 Oak Promenade Lane, Orlando, sold March 21, for $460,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,940 square feet. Days on market: 23.

RUBY LAKE

The home at 11425 Citrus Fields Place, Orlando, sold March 20, for $920,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,881 square feet. Days on market: 40.

SAND LAKE HILLS

The home at 6703 Pampus Drive, Orlando, sold March 24, for $400,500. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,629 square feet. Days on market:

Two.

SAND LAKE SOUND

The home at 6091 Bimini Twist Loop, Orlando, sold March 20, for $1,300,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,910 square feet. Days on market: 140.

SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 8245 Lake Crowell Circle, Orlando, sold March 24, for $660,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,639 square feet. Days on market: 15.

SANDY SPRINGS

The home at 7903 Palmdale Drive, Orlando, sold March 24, for $645,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,776 square feet. Days on market: 218.

VIZCAYA

The home at 8384 Via Rosa, Orlando, sold March 24, for $800,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,797 square feet. Days on market: 263.

HORIZON WEST HAWKSMOOR

The home at 16053 Parkwyn St., Winter Garden, sold March 20, for $735,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,104 square feet. Days on market: 11.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 15124 Driftwood Bend St., Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $608,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,426 square feet. Days on market: Four.

The townhouse at 14002 Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $364,000. Built in 2012, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,271 square feet. Days on market: Nine.

ISLES AT LAKE HANCOCK

The home at 7817 Freestyle Lane, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $1,150,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,364 square feet. Days on market: Two.

LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

The townhouse at 7341 Brightland St., Windermere, sold March 22, for $340,000. Built in 2008, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,320 square feet. Days on market: 14.

LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 13327 Charfield St., Windermere, sold March 24, for $735,000. Built in 2010, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 3,598 square feet. Days on market: Five.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE —

PEACHTREE

The home at 8439 Abbottsbury Drive, Windermere, sold March 20, for $570,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,599 square feet.

LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The home at 8151 Topsail Place, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $1,205,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,870 square feet. Days on market: Three.

ROYAL ESTATES

The townhouse at 12125 Via Caselli Lane, Windermere, sold March 20, for $560,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,235 square feet.

SANCTUARY AT HAMLIN

The home at 7650 Tangerine Knoll Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 20, for $980,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,684 square feet. Days on market: Two.

The home at 7603 Tangerine Knoll Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 20, for $950,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,628 square feet. Days on market: Six.

STOREY GROVE

The home at 11434 Great Rock St., Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $496,645. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,502 square feet.

SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 8023 Valencia Blossom Way, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $525,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,280 square feet. Days on market: 19.

WATERMARK

The home at 10175 Austrina Oak Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $1,075,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 4,329 square feet.

WINDERMERE ISLE

The home at 8336 Vivaro Isle Way, Windermere, sold March 20, for $890,000. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 3,640 square feet. Days on market: 227.

OAKLAND HULL ISLAND

The home at 1224 Hull Island Drive, Oakland, sold March 23, for $1,275,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,100 square feet. Days on market: 44.

OAKLAND TRAILS

The home at 1805 White Feather Loop, Oakland, sold March 23, for $479,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,082 square feet. Days on market: Two.

OCOEE FORESTBROOKE

The home at 3530 Starbird Drive, Ocoee, sold March 22, for $500,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,546 square feet. Days on market: 195.

HAMMOCKS

The home at 1032 Shady Maple Circle, Ocoee, sold March 20, for $459,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,638 square feet. Days on market: Five.

PEACH LAKE MANOR

The home at 1602 Doreen Ave., Ocoee, sold March 22, for $305,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, one-and-onehalf baths and 1,051 square feet. Days on market: 13.

VILLAGES OF WESMERE

The home at 2039 Resurrection Fern Way, Ocoee, sold March 23, for $450,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,866 square feet. Days on market: 15.

WESTYN BAY

The home at 2983 Cardassi Drive, Ocoee, sold March 21, for $605,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,482 square feet. Days on market: Two.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE ROYAL CYPRESS PRESERVE

The home at 10505 Royal Cypress Way, Orlando, sold March 23, for $1,350,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,006 square feet. Days on market: Six.

WEST ORANGE

CASABELLA

The home at 4088 Isabella Circle, Windermere, sold March 24, for $3.6 million. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, six baths, two halfbaths and 7,188 square feet. Days on market: 276.

GLENMUIR

The home at 11408 Arborside Bend Way, Windermere, sold March 24, for $599,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,059 square feet. Days on market: 91.

WINDERMERE KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6302 Greatwater Drive, Windermere, sold March 20, for $1,435,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 4,473 square feet. Days on market: 99.

The home at 5902 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold March 24, for $1,550,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,450 square feet. Days on market: Four.

RESERVE AT BELMERE

The home at 1560 Lake Rhea Drive, Windermere, sold March 23, for $1,100,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,858 square feet. Days on market: 114.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 11014 Wadsdale Court, Windermere, sold March 20, for $1,200,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,865 square feet. Days on market: Three.

WINTER GARDEN

BAY ISLE

The home at 14134 Hampshire Bay Circle, Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $700,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,916 square feet. Days on market: Six.

COVINGTON PARK

The home at 921 Meadow Glade Drive sold March 22, for $445,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,944 square feet. Days on market: 83.

CYPRESS RESERVE

The home at 13989 Jomatt Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $700,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,952 square feet. Days on market: 10.

DEERFIELD PLACE

The home at 249 Doe Run Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $465,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,770 square feet. Days on market: 206.

EMERALD RIDGE

The home at 14668 Tullamore Loop, Winter Garden, sold March 20, for $455,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,401 square feet. Days on market: 23.

HARBOR

The home at 208 Harbor Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $525,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,524 square feet. Days on market: 220.

JOE LOUIS PARK

The home at 1650 E. Bay St., Winter Garden, sold March 21, for $130,000. Built in 1962, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 816 square feet. Days on market: 12.

KINGS BAY

The home at 336 N. Park Ave., Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $450,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,237 square feet. Days on market: Three.

LAKEVIEW PRESERVE

The home at 3447 Buoy Circle, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold March 21, for $775,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths and 3,835 square feet. Days on market: 42.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 927 Colie Alley, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $727,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,719 square feet. Days on market: 159.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 14029 Fox Glove St., Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $805,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,984 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

The home at 1239 Castleport Road, Winter Garden, sold March 22, for $675,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,321 square feet. Days on market: Six.

The townhouse at 1170 Priory Circle, Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $375,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,884 square feet. Days on market: 38.

WINTER GARDEN SHORES

The home at 46 E. Crest Ave., Winter Garden, sold March 23, for $360,000. Built in 1951, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,180 square feet. Days on market: 62.

WINTERMERE HARBOR

The home at 13103 Lakeshore Grove Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 24, for $680,000. Built in 2000, it

five bedrooms, three baths and 3,621

on market: 95.

has

square feet. Days

Photo by Carina Ruhoff

The home at 4088 Isabella Circle, Windermere, sold March 24, for $3.6 million. This estate features more than 7,000 square feet of living area; it was built by Toll Brothers. The listing agent was Alessandro Minato, La Rosa Realty.

Photo by Paul Darlington

The home at 1224 Hull Island Drive, Oakland, sold March 23, for $1,275,000. The listing agent was Erica Diaz, Homevest Realty.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of MYlounge Orlando

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of MYlounge Orlando. Located at 7958 Via Dellagio Way Ste 100 in Dr. Phillips, MYlounge Orlando is the perfect place for you if you are in search of a sophisticated dining locale along with an incredible nightlife atmosphere. They proudly offer an extensive Mediterranean menu made from scratch every day, paired with an impressive selection of signature cocktails and wine. Our spacious outdoor bar seating area is perfect for enjoying drinks and cigars in the sunshine or under the stars. For special occasions or intimate gatherings, our private dining room opens up to a patio and promises an unbeatable atmosphere. With its combination of food, drinks, and vibrant atmosphere, MYlounge Orlando has everything you need for a memorable night out. To learn more, visit http://www. myloungeorlando.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of The Joint Chiropractic Ocoee

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of The Joint Chiropractic Ocoee. Located at 11024 W Colonial Dr, Suite 10 in Ocoee, The Joint Chiropractic Ocoee is your perfect destination for pain relief and preventative care. Open nights and weekends, No insurance, no appointments necessary, convenient and routine chiropractic care. To learn more, visit http://thejoint.com/florida/ ocoee/ocoee-27112.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

celebrates the 5-year anniversary of Axiom Bank- Hamlin

Ambassadors celebrated the 5-year anniversary of Axiom Bank - Hamlin Branch. Located at 16418 New Independence Pkwy, Ste 100 in Horizon West, Orlando-based Axiom Bank serves individual consumers and small- to middle-market businesses with a wide range of banking products and solutions utilizing an open-technology approach powered by leading fintech partners. The West Orange branch, conveniently located in Hamlin Town Center, opened in February 2018. In the last five years the branch has become known for delivering outstanding customer service and treating customers as family by developing personal relationships and understanding their individual needs.

To learn more, visit http://www.axiombanking. com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of V’s Barbershop O-Town

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of V’s Barbershop O-Town. Located at 11830 Glass House Lane, Ste 130, in Orlando, V’s Barbershop provides classic traditional barbershop grooming services bringing added value to the communities it’s located in to be the hub of an authentic barbershop experience. They provide a clean and family-friendly environment for all ages helping to people have confidence about their appearance by looking their best!

To learn more, visit https://vbarbershop.com/ locations/orlando-o-town/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the groundbreaking of the new campus of Orange Technical College - West Campus

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the groundbreaking of the new campus of Orange Technical College - West Campus. Located at 2010 Ocoee Apopka Road in Ocoee, the new 115,604-square-foot facility will be the future home for their students focusing on career training programs such as building construction technology, HVAC, electricity, cosmetology and more. This campus will also help students in becoming an apprentice, earning their GED, learning English, and expanding their industry-based skills. It also provides dual-enrollment opportunities for students at nearby Ocoee High School. The new OTC-West Campus is slated to open in the fall of 2024.

To learn more, visit https://www. orangetechcollege.net/campuses/west_campus.

The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership.

Congratulations on Membership Milestones to:

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 45-year anniversary of West Orange Roofing

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 45-year anniversary of West Orange Roofing. Located at 335 N Duncan Drive in Tavares, West Orange Roofing is a thirdgeneration, Central Florida family-owned and operated company committed to excellence since 1978. They uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Guided by these principles, their industry knowledge and expertise, they offer residential and commercial roof replacement, restoration, in both shingle and metal roofs. They thank their loyal customers, employees and partners for being part of their journey. To learn more, visit http://www. westorangeroofing.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Business

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 15-year anniversary of Chick-fil-A of Winter Garden

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Chick-fil-A of Winter Garden. Located at 3166 Daniels Road in Winter Garden Village, Chick-fil-A is a quick-service restaurant focused on providing their customers with great food and remarkable service. From founder S. Truett Cathy - “We strive to be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.”

To learn more, visit http://www.chick-fil-a.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 5-year anniversary of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 5-year anniversary of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. Located at 9299 Universal Blvd in Orlando, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is Orlando’s Entertainment Destination. They have over 100,000 square feet of Indoor Karting, Bowling, Virtual Reality Experiences and Arcade Games.

To learn more, visit http://www.andrettikarting.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of MyFamily Orthodontics O-Town

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of MyFamily Orthodontics O-Town. Located at 11810 Glass House Lane, Ste.110, in Orlando, MyFamily Orthodontics was created by Dr. Lauris Johnson with the vision of delivering a highquality dental orthodontic experience where patients feel like family and not just another patient. Her experience in working in prior private and group practices motivated her to create and brand her practice around the idea where all individuals and families can feel welcome.

To learn more, visit http://www.myfamilyortho.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Quest Kids Therapy

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Quest Kids Therapy. Located at 1200 E. Plant St., Suite 120, in Winter Garden, Quest Kids Therapy specializes in ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities.

To learn more, visit http://questkids.org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 45-year anniversary of Suzi Karr Realty

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 45-year anniversary of Suzi Karr Realty. Located at 527 Main St. in downtown Windermere, Suzi Karr Realty has set a standard of excellence within the real-estate industry spanning over six decades. SKR is driven by a simple philosophy - creating and delivering exceptional personal service and unparalleled market knowledge. They are deeply rooted within the West Orange community but have agents serving both coasts of Florida. Whether buying your first home, selling an investment property or needing sales and marketing support for a large project, they have the ingenuity and resources to assist you.

To learn more, visit http://www.suzikarrrealty.com.

Congratulations on Membership Milestones to:

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & HORIZON WEST

To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

The West Orange Chamber recognizes and applauds our long-standing member businesses for their continued commitment to Advancing Community, Collaboration and Leadership.

SPORTS

Avery Velazquez is currently leading the Lady Eagles this season with a .524 batting average, a .615 on-base percentage, seven stolen bases two doubles and 11 hits. Page 2B.

1

The Horizon High School girls varsity flag football team remains undefeated after defeating the Olympia Titans 39-6 during a non-district game Monday, March 20. The Lady Hawks now boast an 8-0 overall season record. Freshman quarterback Ellie Ferradaz threw four touchdowns, including three to senior wide receiver Nailah James. Riley Sims, Nyree James and Nailah James all had interception returns for a touchdown during the game. Horizon defeated Celebration 26-0 Wednesday, March 22, for a non-district game and are set to travel to Colonial at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, after press time.

2

The Foundation Academy girls varsity beach volleyball team defeated both Ocoee High School and Merritt Island Christian Academy last week. The Lady Lions defeated Ocoee 3-2 during a district game Monday, March 20, to conquer their first district win and took the win against Merritt Island Christian 3-2 Tuesday, March 21.

The Windermere High School baseball team currently holds an 11-3 record. The Wolverines defeated Forest High School 13-3 Friday, March 24, during a non-district game. Windermere was set to play DeLand High School at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, after press time. The team is currently second the Class 7A, District 5 just behind Lake Nona High School.

3

SERVING NOTICE

4

The Windermere Preparatory middle school girls tennis team became Citrus League Champions Saturday, March 25.

5

The Dr. Phillips boys varsity tennis team currently is 7-3 this season, holding a 2-0 Class 4A, District 9 overall season record to claim seat No. 2 in the district right behind Cypress Creek. The Panthers defeated Cypress Creek 7-0 Thursday, March 23, and were set to play Lake Nona at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, after press time.

The Lady Hawks beach volleyball team is undefeated so far in its second season as an established team. They’re hungry for more.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Horizon High School girls varsity beach volleyball team has had a strong start to its 2022-23 season as the team currently has an overall season record of 4-0.

Head beach volleyball coach Earnest Rittenhouse attributes all the success of the season to the versatility and ability that his players show on the court.

“We have some good players (whose) skills translate well into

the sand,” he said. “The mental toughness, being able to play in the weather, those kinds of things — they are good at (them).”

To maintain skills on check throughout the season, the team focuses on some of the fundamentals during daily practices — Monday through Friday.

“Serving and passing is always huge; it’s a big part of the beach game, and it also is a big part of indoor volleyball,” Rittenhouse said.

“Jumping helps for the leaping abil-

SEE HAWKS PAGE 2B

ROSTER

Gwen Berry

Olivia Candrian

Hailey Cappleman

Thais Cordoval

Juliana Neves

Stefany Ortiz

Gabby Park

Payton Pressman

Hannah Pridgeon

Maria Rodriguez

Evelyn Slattery

Shay Sotto

Isa Vivas

THE BUCK STARTS HERE: Ocoee names new football coach

Former defensive coordinator and former Super Bowl champion Sheddrick “Buck” Gurley will assume the helm of the football program at Ocoee High School.

Despite the incredible year the Ocoee High School football team experienced, Aaron Sheppard stepped down from the head coach position not soon after, leaving former defensive coordinator — and now new head coach — Sheddrick “Buck” Gurley in charge.

“Coach Shepp did a whole lot of things with his four to five years here, so I knew once he made the announcement, some of the kids would be down,” Gurley said. “Keeping a couple of familiar faces in here, I thought that that would bring the morale back up, and it did. The kids

were super excited once they found out that I was the one who took the job. And they also were even more excited when they found out (all the other coaches) were remaining.

“We built the bond with these kids, we built a great relationship with these kids, and it’s basically our duty to keep that bond relationship going really nice,” Gurley said.

FINDING BUCK Football wasn’t a passion for Gurley during the early years of his childhood. In fact, he did not start playing until he was 10 years old.

“I would say around my middle

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Andrea Mujica

Camaraderie goes a long way within the Horizon High School beach volleyball team, and it shows on the court.

Andrea Mujica

Avery Velazquez

Legacy High School junior and varsity softball team shortstop Avery Velazquez is currently leading the Lady Eagles this season with a .524 batting average, a .615 on-base percentage, seven stolen bases, two doubles and 11 hits. Outside of high school, Velazquez also plays softball as part of the travel softball organization The Original TC Tremors.

Tell us about your years as a softball player.

I’ve been playing softball for about seven years. We played Little League with my brother when I was younger, and then my parents got (me and my sister) in softball, because we couldn’t play baseball in high school or college, so we started playing at the West Orange Girls Club.

What do you love most about softball as a sport?

I definitely like making new friends and meeting all these other people. With my travel team, if I play with my (high school) team, I know a lot of girls from the other teams so obviously it’s a big community. I love it.

How long have you been a part of the Eagles’ softball team?

This would be my third year. Do you have a favorite drill at practice?

Every (practice) is fun, but when we focus on hitting is one of my favorites. Hitting is … one of the my best releases of stress, because sometimes when you play softball, it gets really stressful. Hitting releases that for me.

What makes you a unique player on the softball field?

I’m definitely someone who can adapt to what they need me to do. Say your coach wants to put you in a new position, you want to learn to do it and focus on it and improve. … You have to be able to coach, learn stuff and apply it to what you need to do.

Do you have a favorite professional softball player?

I looked up to Rachel Garcia (former collegiate four-time All-American softball pitcher for UCLA Bruins) when she was pitching. I also liked Arkansas last year.

What do you

THE BASICS

Age: 17

Sport: Softball, basketball

Position: Shortstop, pitcher, third base

Grade: Junior School: Legacy High School

They are really fun to play with and they always bring great attitude and all the great stuff. We are practically family out there.

… And, definitely the coach (Katherine Barnard): She’s been there for me all this time and she’s helped me grow, so I couldn’t ask for a better coach, ever.

What’s your favorite hobby?

I definitely love to hang out with my family. We watch shows together, and we love playing board games together.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? My sister (Madison), a bed and some food.

What’s your favorite type of music?

Definitely Christian music. My favorites are TobyMac or for KING & COUNTRY.

Who’s your favorite superhero?

Why? Thor. … He seemed to get depressed, but he learned to fight through and get over what he was going through — and become a better version of himself.

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

It’s either between invisibility and being able to read minds.

Definitely invisibility, so I can sneak out when I need to … and sometimes I want to be alone, so that’d work great. And reading minds, so I can know if my sister is lying to me or not.

What are three places you like to I’ve been to North Carolina and Tennessee; those two are favorites. Another place I like to visit is my aunt’s house (Holly).

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, what it be and

Definitely times where I made my sister mad at me.

What color would you say represents your personality?

Sometimes black, because I can be moody. But then, I also like pink.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be

Either a fly or a tiger. Fly so I can bother people … or a tiger. (Tigers) are one of my favorite animals, and I’d be able to be strong, have the orange colors and every-

— ANDREA MUJICA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

ity. Jumping out of the sand can be very difficult, but that makes for stronger legs for indoor. And then, the read. Being able to read (because) there are only two players on each side (of the net).”

Senior Hannah Pridgeon, 17, said her ability to read the ball has improved tenfold thanks to playing beach.

“It’s helped me read the ball and be better at moving,” she said. “In indoor, you have more players to help you out, but in beach, you have to put that on yourself and move for the ball, and always keep the ball in play — so, ball control.”

The team enjoys a nice and relaxed practice atmosphere — Rittenhouse usually plays upbeat music if not classic oldies — to motivate and encourage the girls to leave everything on the sand every single day.

“The day before a match, whenever we have a practice, (Rittenhouse) will make us play mini scrimmages to seven,” said senior Hailey Cappleman, 18. “It’s just such a fun way to get us to compete and to get us ready for the next day (and) prepare us. It just makes sure that we are doing what we need to do and getting our job done and that we are prepared for the next day.”

BOND AND STRATEGY

Most of the players on the Lady Hawks beach volleyball team also

play during the indoor volleyball season. That contributes to the way all players are able to connect with one another on the sand.

“I love being a part of this team, because of everybody in it,” Cappleman said. “The (team) is so welcoming, and most of the girls are from our high school indoor team, so I’m really comfortable with all of them.”

Beach volleyball is played in pairs, and trust between partners is critical.

“Communication with my partner is always a big thing in helping us win any match,” Cappleman said. “But, when we are in practice, we try to stay very disciplined in our practices, and we try to maintain like a very competitive attitude whenever we are doing mini scrimmages against each other.”

However, the game of beach volleyball not only relies on communication and trust but also strategy.

“They are really ... smart players,” Rittenhouse said. “They play with a strategy in their head at all times. They don’t just kind of go out and see what happens. They have that mindset that they’re going to make it happen, and I think that helps them play beyond just the bump, set, pass skills, but the thinking process as they play.”

This is the second year the NCAA has recognized beach volleyball as one of its sports and Rittenhouse believes the girls can benefit from their playing time .

— Coach Earnest Rittenhouse

Hawks undefeated in second season Knights name new coach

“It’s kind of nice for the girls to have this opportunity because sometimes someone who is 5-foot9, 5-foot-10 and has great allaround skills doesn’t necessarily find a specific spot indoors, where it’s a really specialized game,” he said. “But out on the beach, they can go … and prove themselves, win tournaments and win matches and earn themselves (college) scholarships opportunities.”

After last year’s season — Horizon was crowned district runnersup — the Lady Hawks have high expectations for this year.

“We should be able to do that again,” Rittenhouse said. “(We have) a little more experience, a little more sand play.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

school years is when things started getting a little serious,” he said. “You wouldn’t believe it, but I was a quarterback starter then. So, I tell people that and they’re like, ‘Nah, are you kidding me?’ But, I wasn’t always this big.”

At 6-foot-3, Buck — as one of his uncles used to call him from age 4 — attended the University of Florida with a four-year scholarship and went on to play professional football for different teams: the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It was crazy, because I never can’t say I never dreamed of (playing professional football), that would be absolutely wrong,” he said. “Every kid has the dream to play professionally, right? It was one of those things that I love and I just worked hard at it, knowing that it could provide me a different life and a different lifestyle (so) I decided to make it my purpose.”

Over the years, Gurley — or Coach Buck — as he is known to Ocoee Knights family, has moved around the football field a bit. He played quarterback in middle school then in high school got some fullback playing time as a linebacker, tight end and even kicker.

Through his high school years at Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Gurley was a

multi-sport student-athlete as he engaged in football, track and field, basketball, weightlifting and, for one season only, baseball.

“Baseball and track and field kind of ran in the same season, so it was too much to bear,” he said.

“So, I decided to focus on track and field instead.”

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Gurley’s love for coaching came years after he had retired from professional football.

“Post-career, I ended up going to Georgia and just kind of wanted to live the retired life, but, of course, God had His unique way of steering me back into football,” he said.

Gurley started as an interim football coach for Sequoyah High School, where he helped build the program for three years. Then, he returned to his alma mater, Amos P. Godby, as the assistant coach and defensive line coach for a few years. Programs like Lake Mary Prep and Colonial High School also benefitted from Gurley’s input and knowledge of the sports prior to him landing in Ocoee.

“I just knew that Ocoee needed some guidance, and they got it from Aaron Sheppard,” Gurley said. “Once I found out he had the job, I think the second year, he came to me saying, ‘Hey, I know you, I could use your help.’”

Fun fact: Sheppard and Gurley

“I think Sheppard did a marvelous job of taking Ocoee (to) where it needs to be. From here, I just need to come in and maintain it. We both sat down for a long time and talked about school culture, motivating. We talked about getting kids into college, we talked about building this whole family, and, again, that’s what brought me here. …”

— Coach Sheddrick “Buck” Gurley

are brothers-in-law, and for the last three years, the pair had been working together to build the Knights’ culture.

“I think Sheppard did a marvelous job of taking Ocoee (to) where it needs to be,” he said. “From here, I just need to come in and maintain it. We both sat down for a long time and talked about school culture, motivating. We talked about getting kids into college, we talked about building this whole family, and, again, that’s what brought me here. So I just want to make sure we continue that.”

As head coach at Ocoee High, Gurley is hoping to build a close relationship with the high school’s feeder schools, so students are aware they are wanted in Ocoee and belong in the Knight family once they step foot into high school.

“We are going to put a lot of season focus to put a lot of offseason focus on making sure that our kids that belong to this school, go to this school and stay in this school,” he said.

The opportunity to step into the head coaching role at Ocoee is providing Gurley a chance to continue to pass along all the knowledge he has garnished over the year pertaining the sport of football.

“Coaching gives me the opportunity to mentor; it’s kind of my calling,” he said. “I use this as a platform to teach young men how to be successful in life. It’s just not about the game, but a lot of the stuff that they can take from sports, they can end up applying to their lives and become very successful person. And, that’s what we are looking to do here. Of course, within that, you have to build a bond, and I want these guys to understand: Once you leave it doesn’t stop, it continues. You become alumni of the school, but that doesn’t mean you leave the school.”

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

“… They don’t just kind of go out and see what happens. They have that mindset that they’re going to make it happen, and I think that helps them play beyond just the bump, set, pass skills, but the thinking process as they play.”

Bound for Beantown

Winter Garden Wheel Works owner Dennis Jones will compete at the 127th annual Boston Marathon.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The city of Winter Garden will be represented at the 127th Boston Marathon: Winter Garden Wheel Works owner Dennis Jones has embraced the challenge to run the 26.2 miles for the first time Monday, April 17.

Alongside his Massage Therapy Foundation teammates, Jones is raising funds for the marathon to bring more attention to the benefits of massage therapy.

It all started a year ago, when Jones attended a massage therapy session after experiencing some pain in his lower back. One of his friends, Theresa Seitz, talked to him about joining the team — which consists only of five members, two of which are from Winter Garden.

“The foundation does a lot in research, education and outreach; that’s really (its) main sort of goals,” he said. “Anytime people go to a massage therapist and they find a really good person and they have a good experience with it, they probably learned all of it from education from the foundation.”

The Massage Therapy Foundation has provided more than $1 million in research grants studying the science behind therapeutic massage. It also publishes an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal and provides resources for massage therapists, educators and students.

Although most runners must qualify to run the famous race, Jones was able to secure a charity slot as part of the Massage Therapy Foundation

team. Charity runners must raise a certain dollar amount before the race. This year, Jones came up with the idea of collecting sneakers, which then he donates to a local company, GotSneakers, that recycles them and in return offers $5 in exchange for each pair of shoes. That money goes toward the funds for the marathon.

Even though he is required to raise $6,000, Jones’ goal is $12,000. However, he still has a ways to go before reaching his goal.

“I’m a little short right now,” he said. “But, all the people at the foundation have been super great. They’re like ‘Don’t worry about it, it’ll pick up toward the end.’ … They are just really supportive with the people that want to represent the foundation and spread more information about them than they are about the money that they get, even though this is their largest fundraiser of the year.”

As a veteran of the United States Air Force, Jones also has a second reason that propels him to push his body forward — and to the limit — and continue to train for the Boston Marathon.

“That’s what I’m running for — veterans with PTSD and things like that, that (massage therapy) can give them some sort of release,” he said. “And with relaxation, they can put the mind at ease. … (Massage therapy) can be such a great experience, either for relaxation or for physical recovery like I’m doing it for, physical ailments and thinks like that.”

MARATHON TRAINING

Jones began competing in triathlons in the 1990s. Since then, triathlons

DONATE TO JONES’ FUNDRAISER:

and races have been a part of his life.

“I’m retired military,” he said. “So, in the military, I started racing motorcycles. Then, all my friends were doing mountain bikes and bicycling … to stay in shape, so I started doing that. And then, on one of the bases I was stationed at, we had a triathlon on the base. So I thought, ‘I can run; I can swim,’ so I said, ‘I’ll do it.’ I borrowed somebody’s bike, and I did the triathlon, and I did pretty (well). And I was like ‘This is fun.’ So straight away, I went and bought a triathlon bicycle and just started doing triathlons. And then, I just started doing longer distances … half Ironmans, Ironmans and marathons, and I just kind of got started doing it.”

WHAT IS MASSAGE THERAPY?

Because of his background as a triathlon athlete, training for the Boston Marathon is kind of mixed into Jones’ daily routine. His goal: Run the marathon in fewer than four hours.

“My training plan has been based on that, and it’s like, you have to get started, run a couple of miles and then you run a few more,” he said. “Next thing before you know it, you are running like 15 or 18 miles. But you have to be careful not to get hurt, as well, because you can’t do too much too soon. So, that’s a tough situation as well, (because) I have an injury right now, which is not allowing me to run right now, so I’m doing a lot of aqua jogging.”

Massage therapy is a form of therapy in which a massage therapist rubs and kneads the soft tissues of the body, which include muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin by applying various amounts of pressure with different movements. Massage therapy has proven effective to help reduce stress, lessen pain, relax the muscles, increase relaxation and improve the immune system.

givengain.com/ap/dennis-jones-raising-funds-for-massage-therapy-foundation/#timeline

NOTICE OF DISTRICT 4 COMMISSIONER MUNICIPAL SPECIAL ELECTION AND CANDIDATE QUALIFYING

Pursuant to Florida Elections Laws and Ocoee Code of Ordinances, Section 5-13, notice is hereby given by the City of Ocoee, Florida, that a special election will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the City of Ocoee for the purpose of electing a resident of District 4 to serve as District 4 Commissioner of the City of Ocoee for the remainder of the term which was vacated on March 21, 2023. Such term shall end on March 11, 2025.

Candidates for this office must Qualify by filing qualifying papers and fees with the City Clerk during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) beginning at noon on Friday, April 21, 2023, and ending at noon, Friday, April 28, 2023, at City Hall, 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Florida. The fee for qualifying for the office of Commissioner is $90.00.

Due to the 2022 Redistricting, your polling location may have changed. To find your polling location, contact the Orange County Supervisor of Elections either online at www.ocfelections.com/ find-my-polling-place or by calling (407) 836-2070.

There will be one polling location, for District 4 residents in the City of Ocoee, at the Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A. D. Mims Road. This polling location will be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Those electors who opt to cast a vote-by-mail ballot for this election must contact the Orange County Supervisor of Elections either online at www.ocfelections.com/vote-by-mail or by calling (407) 836-8683 and requesting a vote-by-mail ballot. Book closing date to register to vote in this election is May 15, 2023.

Andrea Mujica

Dennis Jones set up a station at Wheel Works for people to contribute.

A NEW WAY TO SPLASH

ABEL ROMERO RODRIGUEZ MAXEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Abel Romero Rodriguez is the resident custodian at Maxey Elementary School in Winter Garden. His job is to ensure the school is clean and ready to open safely each day. He also is ready to deliver materials, restock and assist the school team in any way needed.

“When you see Mr. Romero, he always greets you with a smile,” Principal Carletta Davis-Wilson said. “His positive attitude and relationship building can be seen as he takes the time to speak to our students/staff whether he is cleaning in the hallways or assisting in the cafeteria. He is one of our hidden gems at Maxey.”

What brought you to your school?

I heard it was one of the best schools in the area to work.

What do you love most about your school?

I love how school administration and my custodial teammates treat me as a person.

What is your motivation?

I am motivated to work hard for our students. They deserve to attend school in a clean and friendly environment.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is making students smile. Kind words go a long way to help students strive to do their best.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I spend time with my grandkids and enjoy watching sports.

Who was your favorite teacher

when you were in school? Why?

Maria Luisa, my Spanish teacher, because she always took time to recognize students.

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

Why?

I wanted to be a baseball player.

When I was young, I played in Little League in Cuba.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is “The Wonderful Things You Will Be.” The message of the book is positive, and it inspired me as a child.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are watching and playing sports. I love to play with my grandkids.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? If I could have a superpower, I wish I could make all kids happy. I love kids and being around them to teach and guide them.

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

Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, because I enjoy listening to classic music.

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

My go-to lunch is congri rice (black beans and rice) and fresh fruits.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I get to thank God for everything received.

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

Are you still in touch?

Oscarito, and yes, we are still best friends of 50-plus years.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student?

Did you win any accolades or honors?

I played baseball when I was a student. I won Best Student of the Month a couple of times.

SCHOOL BRIEFS

OCPS REVEALS TOP TALENT FINALISTS

Orange County Public Schools has released the list of finalists that will compete at the 2023 Top Talent Live competition at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29.

Finalists from West Orange and Southwest Orange include Caleb Wolf, Dr. Phillips High (saxophone); Mackenzie Gladney, Dr. Phillips (solo singing); Nicholas Reyes, Innovation Montessori (piano); Lucy Dillon, Omar Castillo, Josue’ Salazar, Gabriel Cuellar Costa and Victor Pacheco, Olympia High, (instrumental group); Abby Royer, SunRidge Elementary (solo singing); Kinsley Sprague, Whispering Oak Elementary (solo singing); and Alexandra Mujica, Windermere High (solo dancing).

In addition, Windermere High’s Paula Urdaneta (solo singing) is in the running to secure a Wild Card spot.

Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the foundation by providing arts enrichment opportunities for students.

Fathers and daughters enjoyed an evening of dancing and fun during the “Arabian Nights”themed Daddy-Daughter Dance Friday, March 24, at Westbrooke Elementary School. The deejay spun the tunes throughout the night, and guests, many of them dressed according to the theme, spent the evening on the dance floor or enjoying treats and a photo booth.

The PTO hosted the fun family event.

Westbrooke families enjoy Arabian Nights

— AMY QUESINBERRY

— AMY QUESINBERRY

Richardo McLennon and his daughter, Azariah, had fun in the photo booth.

Girls enjoyed moving through the crowd in the conga line.

Above: Elaina Balkaran, back, and triplets Julia, Beatriz and Laura Malosti danced all night.

Left: PTO

Co-President Nancy Velez enjoyed the evening with her husband, Giovanni Velez, and daughter, Jazmin.

Tildenville Tigers boogie at Enchanted Evening ball

Families at Tildenville Elementary School enjoyed the Tiger’s Ball Enchanted Evening Saturday, March 25.

The event, organized by the school’s Parent Teacher Association, sold out with more than 250 attendees. Each student had the opportunity to invite one accompanying adult to the magical night. Parents and children dressed to impress in sparkling gowns, dashing tuxedos, elaborate headpieces and costumes. Attendees enjoyed a plethora of activities, including a buffet-style dinner, a live deejay, photo opportunities, a scavenger hunt, a dessert table and games.

ONLY $75 PER CARD

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 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 our 2023 Graduation section.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: MONDAY, MAY 1

DATE OF PUBLICATION: THURSDAY, MAY 25

ANNABELLE SIKES

PTA members Becky Farrant, Marianela Lugo Mercado (dressed as the Tildenville Tiger) and Erika Quesada-Dziouksz posed in front of the enchanted dessert table.

Friends gathered on the dance floor to show off their moves.

The school’s Parent Teacher Association volunteered at the event by checking guests in at the front.

Students dressed to impress in sparkling gowns and headpieces.

Children took photos in the courtyard outside before heading into the auditorium. Students had the opportunity to choose one adult to accompany them to the event.

Symphony on the shore

For more than 15 years, Winter Garden residents have been able to enjoy a beautiful classical music concert at the Evening at the Pops event hosted by The Rotary Club of Winter Garden, in partnership with the city of Winter Garden Saturday, March 25, at Newton Park.

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra performed several tunes that have overcome the barrier of time and still today, are classics to the ears. Some of these were classical music populars such as Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave, and some Broadway classics

$100

$50

such as “Chicago,” “West Side Story,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “The Sound of Music.”

Families, friends and attendees enjoyed the beautiful afternoon and evening by setting up picnic stations, tents and munching on their snacks.

Children were invited to the stage to learn how to conduct under the instruction of SCSO’s Artistic Director and Conductor Aaron Collins and were able to lead the orchestra during the last minutes of one of the musical pieces.

— ANDREA MUJICA

Members of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra delighted attendees with their performance.

Lindsey Haluska, Tyler Crossley and Shea Doran had a delicious picnic they enjoyed while listening to the orchestra play.

Above: Artistic Director and Conductor Aaron Collins

Oreo was all smiles while taking in the sunset at Newton Park during the intermission.

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

MICHAEL JEFFREY BEAVER DIED MARCH 17, 2023.

Michael Jeffrey Beaver, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on March 17, 2023, at the age of 75. He was born on Dec. 4, 1947, in Norfolk, Virginia, where he grew up briefly before moving to Hamlet, North Carolina, and Daytona Beach, Florida. He settled in Central Florida after his service in the Vietnam War, where he served four tours as a Sergeant for the Army 101st Airborne Division/42nd Scout Dog Platoon.

He graduated from Winter Park High School in 1965 and Seminole Community College in 1969.

Mr. Beaver worked for Walt Disney World from 1971 to 1996, predominantly as the Director of Golf Operations. He also spent time at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge and retired from West Orange Country Club in 2003.

His passion was his family, friends, trips to the casinos (not that he was very good) and golf. … We think he counted all his strokes, but not sure!

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Beaver. He is survived by his wife, Doreen; son Scott, No. 1 Karen and grandson MJ; and son Brad and grandson Gunnar.

The family would like to thank all of our friends, family and his caregivers for the care and compassion they showed Mike during his final days.

Family and friends were invited to attend a Celebration of Life 11 a.m.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at West Orange Country Club, located at 3300 West Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in their honor to US War Dogs Association, uswardogs.org.

WILLIAM “BILL” IVEY MURPHY DIED THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023.

William “Bill” Ivey Murphy went to be with the Lord Thursday, March 23, 2023. He was born Aug. 2, 1957, in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Jason Murphy and Aurelia Coble Murphy. Bill graduated from Lakeview High School, class of 1975, where he forged lifelong friendships. After graduating he began dating the love of his life, Denise Drolet Murphy. Bill will be remembered for his joyful personality and encouraging spirit he so generously shared with his friends and family. He was witty and had a joke for every occasion.

Carmen Mirabal Alicea, 88, died

Thursday, March 9, 2023. Collison

Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Robert Marsh Cole, 65, of Ocoee, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Patricia Darlene Dyal, 75, of Winter Garden, died Sunday, March 19, 2023. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Patrick P. Flaherty, 35, died Thursday, March 23, 2023. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Carmen J. Figueroa, 101, died

Monday, March 27, 2023. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Paul Dean Funk, 87, of Orlando, died Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Gotha.

Gloria Garcia, 74, of Ocoee, died

Sunday, March 19, 2023. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Maria Elisa Hernandez Gonzalez, 87, of Clermont, died Monday, March 20, 2023. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Juan Izelle, 75, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, March 4, 2023. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

He was always happy to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Nothing gave him greater joy than putting a smile on someone’s face.

As patriarch of the Murphy family, Bill had unconditional love and pride for his children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife of 45 years, Denise Murphy; his son, Matt Murphy (Jamie Weideman); and two daughters, Lauren Hinton (Matt Hinton), Chelsea Acosta (Joe Acosta); a brother, Jay Murphy of Elizabeth City, North Carolina; a sister, Sandi Jowers of Winter Garden; four grandchildren, Elijah and Jacob Hinton, Blakely and Bryce Acosta; and his aunts, Frances Coble Nickles and Peggy Coble Best.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathy Wise.

Family received friends for a drop-in visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Highland Funeral Home in Apopka, Florida. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Saint Charles Catholic Church.

Teddy Paul “Ted” Jennings, 77, of Winter Garden, died Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Frances Mae Bishop Johnson, 98, of Ocoee, died Saturday, March 18, 2023. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory — West Orange, Ocoee. WIlfredo Luque, 80, died Monday, March 27, 2023. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Geraldine Martin, 84, of Gotha, died Thursday, March 9, 2023. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

David Malcolm McLean, 81, of Ocoee, died Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Gotha.

Robert Lee Meier, 71, of Winter Garden, died Friday, March 24, 2023. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Ivonne L. Munguia, 63, of Winter Garden, died Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Tue Kim Thi Nguyen, 75, of Clermont, died Friday, March 17, 2023. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home, Winter Garden. Daywattie Ramdihal, 55, of Orlando, died Friday, March 24, 2023. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory — West Orange, Ocoee.

Mary Catherine Oelmiller Wooley 87, died Sunday, March 19, 2023. Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Gotha.

THESE OLD TIMES FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

85 years ago

The Arnold Feed and Seed Store of Winter Garden asked its patrons to remember the special showing of the educational motion picture “Eggs,” shown at the Legion Hall.

50 years ago

Bobby Ficquette, Trinity Prep’s ace hurler, boosted the Saints to an early 2-0 season, averaging 13 strikeouts per game.

Frank Whitcomb, a senior at Ocoee High School, won first place in the Merchandise Display contest at the 13th annual State Leadership Conference for the Distributive Education Clubs of America.

Homer Craig was hit by surprise with a major chore. Since the high school was unable to prepare the eggs for the traditional Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt, he had to boil and dye 225 dozen eggs to be ready for the eager youngsters gathered at the Winter Garden City Auditorium.

45 years ago

The Windermere 10,000-meter road race drew some 500 runners of all ages. Tracy Dent, co-owner of the Track Shack, helped organize the event. Gene Murphy and Rans Black were co-chairmen of the Windermere Rotary Auction.

40 years ago

Dave Bergman was named president of the Rotary Club of Windermere. At the Bay Hill Classic golf tournament, a $5,000 college scholarship was awarded to West Orange High School student David Fleming, son of Ray and Ruby Fleming, of Valencia Shores in Winter Garden.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This photograph, taken in March 1968, shows Hal Bekemeyer standing in front of Almyra, the house built by his grandparents Harold and Isobel Fowler. Harold’s great-uncle, Albert H. Thomas, homesteaded the original 160-acre site, rewarded to him by President Chester A. Arthur in 1882 in appreciation of Thomas’ service as a Union soldier during the Civil War. Thomas planted an orange grove that he named Almyra, a combination of his and his wife Lamira’s names. Winter Garden Village at Fowlers Groves, which opened in 2007, occupies the site of Almyra.

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

35 years ago

With a surge of growth in the student population and increasingly crowded school facilities, Orange County officials were looking at a bold new idea for expanding the use of school facilities — the year-round operation of the schools.

30 years ago

The magnificent Life of Chris Mosaic was unveiled on Good Friday at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

20 years ago

“The Orange County boat ramp on Conroy-Windermere Road has been in the headlines for years. As one of only two ramps for the public to access the pristine Butler Chain of Lakes, it is a critical topic for local boaters and water enthusiasts, as well as conservationists. Traffic, parking and environmental concerns are among the issues that have made the ramp controversial.” … Orange County staff was look-

THROWBACK THURSDAY

APRIL 12, 1973

A Blue-Light Bonanza Sale meant savings for customers at Webb’s pharmacy in Winter Garden in 1973. The business advertised in The Winter Garden Times the “biggest sale in their history.”

Shoppers who followed the in-store flashing blue light received “unbelievable buys,” such as Maalox for 96 cents, Geritol for $1.68, Heaven Scent for $1.50, Fast home permanents for 68 cents, Gillette Trac II razors for 25 cents, 8-track tapes for 99 cents and Sylvania flash cubes for 89 cents.

ing at parking options, including parking at Chain of Lakes Middle or Olympia High with shuttle buses being considered.

Elizabeth Tyrrell, 17, organized a Rally for America event at Veterans Memorial Park in Winter Garden. The afternoon included patriotic music, speeches by military veterans, the tolling of the bell and hundreds of American. Donations collected were used to purchase items for overseas troops.

By Luis Campos

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

“EZ IMY YZO, FZO EZ IMY JYVEZZEZV,

EI’H FCC FJSGI LFEIM LSW AY. E TFZ’I

OYLEZY EI, JGI EI MFH OYLEZYO AY.”

AFWEFM TFWYX

“TW MBH CPR ETJJRF VRSCHKR MBH

CPR UPTNRP, NZCN’K NZR YCITYHY

RIOPRKKTBL BW PRKORSN, MBH ELBU.” YCPTB DCPXCK JJBKC

“AFSSZHKLL ZL F XAVZXK. WVP RUZKJK, WVP LIVBS WVPU OKKI, WVP SZXM

WVPULKTO PS FHC XAVVLK IV DK

AFSSW.” TPXW TFETKLL © 2023 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle One Clue:X equals Y Puzzle Two Clue: D equals V Puzzle Three Clue: J equals V

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from

to 9 inclusively.

CATCH-ALLS by David Karp, edited by Jeff Chen

But Wait ... THERE’S MORE!