09.28.23 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &

Observer

FA L L 2 0 2 3 / W I N T E R

SEASON 2024

Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

THE OBSERVER’S GUI DE TO ARTS AND SOCIET Y

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 90, NO. 39

MUSIC DAN CE ART TH EAT ER BLACK TIE

FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

THE UNSOLVED:

Where is Ernest Manzanares?

An Ocoee detective still is searching for answers in a 1988 missing person case. 3A.

YOUR TOWN OCOEE, WG TO HOST NATIONAL NIGHTS OUT

Renaissance

The Ocoee and Winter Garden police departments are inviting the community to participate in their free National Night Out events Tuesday, Oct. 3. Ocoee is celebrating from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Center. Attendees can meet police officers and department staff who help keep the city safe and enjoy food trucks, face painting, axe throwing, a deejay, bounce house, giveaways and more. In Winter Garden, the festivities run from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. The event includes children’s activities, food, music, raffles, a meetand-greet with local police officers and crime prevention tips.

WOMAN

WGHF TO HOST WARDROBE EXHIBITION

Annabelle Sikes

Christy Lynch is known for her array of business expertise in subjects including style and image consulting, matchmaking and relationship coaching, etiquette coaching, event planning, music entertainment, and TV production.

Businesswoman and self-made entrepreneur Christy Lynch, a Winter Garden resident, is showing women they really can have it all. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is celebrating its newest exhibition at a free event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Heritage Museum, 1 N. Main St. “Dressing the Part: Selections from Our Wardrobe Collection” features vintage clothing, uniforms and costumes donated by current and former West Orange County residents. Many of the donors are expected to attend the reception. The exhibition continues through Dec. 31.

Seniors’ art adds pizzazz Ocoee High School seniors painted their parking spots. PAGE 5B.

FOLA names fifth Jim Thomas Environmental Hero Award recipient The organization celebrated Adam Lovejoy for his efforts to restore Lake Apopka. 7A.

SWEET DEALS Oakland celebrated the opening of its town farmers market earlier this month. PAGE 7B.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Ocoee approves residential subdivision The Ocoee City Commission approved a six-lot residential subdivision during its Tuesday, Sept. 19, meeting. ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

The Ocoee City Commission approved the Howard Meadows large scale preliminary subdivision plan during its Tuesday, Sept. 19, meeting. The six-lot project sits on about 2.25 acres at 8708 A.D. Mims Road. It recently was annexed into the city and rezoned R-1AA — Low Density Residential. ROAD CLOSURES

Be a little devil and join us! Lakeview HS WINTER GARDEN, FL

Calling all ‘73 Red Devils, the reunion clock is ticking. Make your reservation and help spread the word! Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023 Place: Elks Lodge, 700 9th Street, Winter Garden, FL 34687 Time: 4pm-11pm Reservation: $50 per person(s) which includes your choice of a full steak or fried shrimp dinner. Dinner served from 5pm-8pm. Cash bar.

n The Ocoee City Commission proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2023, as Hispanic Heritage month. n The commissioners approved unanimously all items on the consent agenda. These include the ratification of the Ocoee Professional Firefighters Union, I.A.F.F., and the city — which recognizes the union as the “exclusive bargaining representative for all regular full-time employees in the units certified by the Public Employees Relations Commission.”

connection to businesses downtown. The only events that will be granted street closures will be city-sponsored events. The city will provide staff necessary to direct traffic. FIRE ACCREDITATION

The Ocoee Fire Department was honored for successfully completing the accreditation process through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. This is the second accreditation for the fire department. The department is one of 313 fire agencies in the country to receive International Accreditation status. The accreditation process consists of a peer review of the accreditation documents, completion of an onsite assessment and participation in a public hearing before the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Reservations must be made by October 1st. Make check payable to: “Alison Harvey Hannon” Mail to: Alison Harvey Hannon, PO Box 183, Sorrento, FL 32776. Please note on check your dinner(s) of choice. For more information, contact Becky Nix at nixantiques@gmail.com

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Courtesy photo

The Ocoee Fire Department was presented with a plaque for completing the accreditation process through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Because of the start of two downtown infrastructure projects, the city of Ocoee will not allow street closures for private events from October to June 2024. One of these projects is the installation of a new sewer main — which will cause the closing of Floral Street and Cumberland Avenue. The second construction project will consist of the installation of a new road and all utility infrastructure — which will cause the closure of Oakland Avenue. Because of these closures, McKey Street will be the only east-west

IN OTHER NEWS

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

THE UNSOLVED

Where is Ernest Manzanares? Ernest Joe Manzanares, who would now be 58 years old, was last seen in Ocoee July 28, 1988. Editor’s note: This is the next in an ongoing series on unsolved crime cases in West Orange. ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

n July 28, 1988, Ernest Joe Manzanares, 23 years old at the time, left his home at 95 Sand Dollar Key in Ocoee in his red/primer gray 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. He never returned, and no one has seen him since. Today, he would be 58 years old. Manzanares is the Ocoee Police Department’s oldest missing person. Although 35 years have passed, the department and the Manzanares family have not given up searching for the missing man. THE DISAPPEARANCE

Ernest Manzanares’ mother, Patricia, reported her son as missing Aug. 31, 1988. Ernest Manzanares was entered into the Florida Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center. Earlier that year, Ernest Manzanares had come to Florida from Colorado to be with his family — mother, father and siblings — after having some run-ins with the law in Colorado. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt and gym shorts. He is described as having dark brown short hair, brown eyes, being clean cut with no facial hair, weighing 170 pounds, and standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall. He wore glasses and had a tattoo of the Grim Reaper on his left arm. His race and ethnicity is described as American Indian/ Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latino,White/ Caucasian. Ernest Manzanares took nothing with him except the keys to the car when he left. The vehicle may have had an unknown Colorado tag attached. It’s a case that has occupied the mind of Ocoee detective Michelle Grogan since she joined the department in 2003. “Lt. (Mireya) Iannuzzi and Sgt. (Leonardo) Gomez let me work the missing people cases like I want to work them,” she said. “I don’t take no for an answer. I’m calling you, I’m calling relatives. I just can’t imagine not knowing where your person is.” When she started working on missing persons cases, Grogan often worried about contacting the families and reopening wounds. “But, I went to a missing persons conference this summer and the father of a missing child spoke,” she said. “We were able to ask him questions, and he told me, ‘There’s not a day that I don’t wake up thinking about my daughter. There’s not an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking about my daughter, and I go to bed thinking about my

CAN YOU HELP? If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Ernest Manzanares, contact the Ocoee Police Department at (407) 905-3161 or Crimeline at (407) 423-TIPS.

Courtesy

Ernest Joe Manzanares was last seen wearing a T-shirt and gym shorts. He is described as having dark brown short hair, brown eyes, weighing 170 pounds and standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

daughter. So, you calling, in no way at all are you bringing it up to me. I’m already thinking about her, and it’s kind of comforting to be able to talk about her.’” THE CASE

In December 1988, detective Ted Silberstein, the original detective on the case, was able to find Ernest Manzanares’ fingerprints and dental records from Colorado. In the first five years since Ernest Manzanares’ disappearance, Silberstein received several hits through FCIC and followed through on every one — without success. On March 9, 2021, Detective David Gray obtained buccal swabs from Ernest Manzanares’ biological daughter, Kristina Cree. They were submitted to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. However, after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NamUs lost its funding, and the investigation stalled. About a year later, on June 2, 2022, Grogan was assigned to follow up on cold missing persons cases. She contacted the Winter Garden dispatch, who stated Ernest Manzanares still was listed as a missing person, and his vehicle was included in the FCIC/NCIC file. She discovered three to four close hits on the vehicle and contacted the National Automobile Theft Bureau of Atlanta, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Car Fax, The Division of Insurance Fraud and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. All were met with negative results. Grogan then contacted NamUs and was advised that because of COVID and the loss of its funding, NamUs still had been unable to process the buccal swab for Cree but was hoping to gain its funding back soon. Upon looking through Ernest Manzanares’ paperwork, Grogan said Silberstein had put an old case file from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office into the missing persons case file. Following Ernest Manzanares’ disappearance, the OCSO discovered a male transient dead on Silver Star Road in Ocoee, about nine miles away from where Ernest Manzanares went missing. The victim was never identified. Grogan contacted Sheriff’s Office detective Peter Hernandez and inquired if he knew if the bones from the unidentified deceased male still were contained at the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office. Grogan then spoke to Roberto Padrino at

the medical examiner’s office, who stated they did have the remains from the homicide case. He requested dental X-rays from Ernest Manzanares, but Ocoee no longer had those X-rays. Furthermore, there were no dental X-rays for the OCSO homicide victim. Grogan researched Ernest Manzanares’ old dentist in Colorado but discovered the dentist had died. However, it did lead her to his relatives who were sold the business. The relatives stated the building had been converted into city offices, and they believed all the records were destroyed. OCSO bio lab now will attempt to extract a DNA profile from the OCSO homicide victim’s bones and submit the profile to NamUs. Grogan is awaiting clearance to enter the case into the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program database, run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

FAMILY SUSPICIONS

Grogan has spoken to Patricia Manzanares multiple times since taking over the case. “She is still a mother who does not know where her son is,” she said. “She advised that she was in an abusive relationship with Frank, Ernest’s father, and Ernest would always try to defend her by standing up to his father.” Patricia Manzanares eventually gained the courage to leave Frank, and in 1992, she took her younger children with her back to Colorado. Patricia Manzanares said Frank and his cousin mentioned they were going to kidnap Ernest’s sister and cousin and sell them into slavery. Patricia Manzanares often wonders if Ernest confronted them on this, and they killed him. Both Frank and the cousin are now deceased, and there has been no evidence to support the allegations. Grogan believes it is important for officers, detectives and even reporters to talk to family members and other people who knew the victim years later in case any new memories or information is revealed. In the last year, Grogan has spoken to Patricia Manzanares, who said Ernest broke his arm when he was 12 years old and had to have a cast to repair it. This was information the department did not have, so Grogan was able to add it to NamUs. From speaking to Ernest Manzanares’ sister, Grogan also discovered the missing vehicle had an etching of the moon and the sun that was visible from the outside and inside on the back rear window. The information could be helpful when searching for the vehicle. In addition, the sister shared Ernest Manzanares had another tattoo that showcased the letters FCC, but he covered it up with a flower in colored ink. CASE STILL OPEN

After the pandemic, NamUs was able to get its funding back, and it is now picking cases to do a complete DNA profile to add to CODIS. However, this has not yet happened for Ernest Manzanares. The Ocoee department is working to obtain a buccal from one of Ernest Manzanares’ two living biological brothers to add to NamUs. Grogan said the department still is asking people to come forward if they have any information. “A parent should never have to bury their own child,” she said. “It takes my breath away to think about.”

NEWS

BRIEFS NEW HOMES PLANNED FOR HORIZON WEST Orange County’s Planning Division held a community meeting Thursday, Sept. 14, at Water Spring Elementary School in reference to a proposed planned housing development in the southern portion of Horizon West. The applicant, Morgan Hampton, of Common Oak Engineering, is requesting the rezoning of 8.9 acres from R-T-2 (Mobile Home & Single Family Dwelling District) to Planned Development. It is located on the north side of Lake Gifford Way and east of Avalon Road in the southernmost property of Horizon West near the Four Corners area. The Vista de Lago mobile home park currently occupies the land. Hampton is proposing 63 singlefamily homes, both attached and detached. Doug McDowell is the project manager for the Hartzog Homes Planned Development. The applicant said he is working on a study of the area to assess the traffic and capacity impacts of the proposed development and promptly will submit that to the county. The county’s long-range plans call for improvements to the intersection of Avalon and Hartzog roads, and this work currently is in the design phase. If approved, the project must comply with the Horizon West Village planned development code. The request must go through the Development Review Committee as well as public hearings with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the County Commission.

CHAMBER RECEIVES ‘CERTIFIED+’ HONOR The West Orange Chamber of Commerce has received the designation of “Certified+” from the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals for the fourth time. The designation was presented to President and CEO Stina D’Uva at the FACP annual conference held Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Atlantic Beach. The WOCC previously received the certification in 2008, 2013 and 2018.

FHP INVESTIGATES DEADLY CRASH IN DP A 20-year-old man died in a Tuesday, Sept. 26, crash in Dr. Phillips. The crash occurred at about 10:26 a.m. at Sand Lake Road and Beacon Lake Drive. According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, the victim was speeding in a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette eastbound on Sand Lake Road. As he approached Beacon Lake Drive, a 2023 Honda Accord, driven by a 21-year-old Orlando male, attempted to make a left turn onto southbound Beacon Lake Drive. The front portion of the Corvette struck the Accord; this caused the Corvette to overturn into a ditch. The driver of the Corvette died, and the 22-year-old passenger was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. The other driver, a 21-year-old male from Orlando, was not transported and remained on-scene.

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OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

CHRISTY LYNCH:

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

Woman of many talents

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Andrea Mujica, amujica@OrangeObserver.com

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

rom a young age, Winter Garden resident Christy Lynch was fueled with a passion to forge her own

path. At 19 in her native Nigeria, she began modeling, singing, dancing and working in TV production. Charting her own course as a young female entrepreneur was not easy, but Lynch’s aspirations never wavered. The goal of supporting herself through her own business endeavors was a constant motivator. Although a large part of her entrepreneurial spirit runs in her blood — her father and stepmother were both businesspeople — she always has been motivated by being told “no.” “I’ve always liked a challenge — when someone tells me I can’t do something,” she said. “There were instances in my childhood where I was told I wasn’t capable enough. I always took that to heart. They don’t know me. I know me, and I get to define me and who I am. I also had a drive and felt the burden to help my siblings, some who were not as fortunate.”

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The West Orange Times, West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange. If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway,

THIRST FOR ADVENTURE

Lynch’s father was an international businessman, so the family took vacations to places such as London or Germany. Being exposed to international culture and travel at a young age fostered Lynch’s desire to work as a flight attendant. “I wanted to see the world,” she said. “I was fascinated by the experiences I never had, and I didn’t think I could have all of those staying where I was in Nigeria.” When Lynch met her now-husband, Glenn, who was working for a multinational company in Nigeria, it seemed like fate. Lynch said her husband always has been a supportive spouse and a driving force in her life. “He’s always been my rock, my pillar,” she said. “He has never said no to me, because he knows what drives me. He believed in me, because I’m a doer.” Lynch followed her husband around the world. The company moved the pair every few years to different foreign assignments in locations such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Canada, Angola and Kazakhstan. Often when traveling, foreign wives were not allowed to take away jobs from the nationals, leaving Lynch feeling unproductive while her husband worked. She knew she had to find something to occupy her time that would also benefit the community. As a young, black woman in Kazakhstan, Lynch stood out. The natives were fascinated with her, and she connected with many people despite not speaking the same language. Eventually, Lynch formed a band with some of the native people and brought R&B and jazz music to the small town. Many of the concerts

TARGET PRACTICE

In her small amount of free time, Lynch also runs the Facebook group “Fabulous Ladies with Guns Orlando.” The group, started in January, already has close to 500 members. The group encourages women to learn proper self-defense skills and offers classes and practices for any skill level.

Suite 180, Winter Garden. Courtesy photos

Christy Lynch is a jill-of-all-trades and has worked in a variety of roles throughout her life.

FOLLOW CHRISTY LYNCH WEBSITE: christylynch.com EMAIL: infosbcbiz@gmail.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ Christylynchsbc

sold out; Lynch said this was one of the best times of her life. She donated the money she made to places such as the local music theater. In the Philippines, Lynch said her husband’s company allowed the wives to attend school and earn an education. She studied jewelrymaking and fashion design, coining her company Style by Christiana in 2009. BUILDING A COMMUNITY

When her husband brought her to the United States for the first time and they visited Walt Disney World, Lynch fell in love with the diversity of Orlando. In 2003, the couple built a home in Keene’s Pointe in Windermere. There, Lynch hosted the first Afrocentric Orlando event in 2016. During the pandemic, the couple and their son, Jano, 15, made the move to Winter Garden after finding a home on Lake Apopka. At the time, Lynch’s stepson was attempting to start his own brewery business in Colorado. The couple decided if they were going to invest, the brewery would have to be in Central Florida.

The family searched for proper real estate and found the building on Main Street in downtown Winter Garden. They closed on the sale in 2019. Although the business fell through because of unforeseen circumstances with the pandemic, Lynch now leases the spots to businesses such as Schweini’s Delicatessen. After settling down in the West Orange community, Lynch knew it was time to find her tribe. Lynch is a natural social butterfly and realized a majority of her friends were single women. She found it easy to connect with people and understand their wants and needs. Many times, friends would ask her for dating and relationship advice. This inspired her next business venture, Christy The Matchmaker, in 2013. Although she has big dreams, Lynch never jumps into ideas blindly. “I want to be good at what I do before I present it to the world,” she said. “I build credibility and gain knowledge in any endeavor I want to pursue before I do anything else.” Lynch attended a matchmaking institute in New York, where she earned her certification. However, she knew she didn’t want to just be a typical matchmaker. Instead, she wanted to be a headhunter of sorts, using her international connections to travel across the world to find the right person for her clients.

She has been sent to Africa to find a wife for a doctor and even traveled to Italy to set up multiple dates for a client who flew out to meet her. CONTINUING TO GROW

Recently, Lynch has embarked on a new business venture called Accepted Meets, with her business partner, Candace Smith, who lives in Turkey. Lynch met Smith in Orlando when she was hosting a radio show with the Caribbean television network about matchmaking called “Love, Dating, Culture.” Smith was a guest on the show. The two have been close friends ever since. Accepted Meets is a dating and friendship app that helps people with special needs or disabilities to find partners. “They’re not always able to put themselves out there the way they want to, but they need love too,” Lynch said. “They don’t want to be lonely, especially with the circumstances life has thrown at them. They need a connection, whether that be romantic or even a friendship.” The app was inspired by Smith’s daughter, who is in her 20s and has both autism and cerebral palsy. The pair has been working with developers for the last two years to bring the app online. Although the app is still in beta testing, Accepted Meets is now on multiple app stores. Lynch hopes to host a launch event for the app in Winter Garden in the near future. In addition to her style and image consulting, matchmaking and relationship coaching, music entertainment and TV production, Lynch provides etiquette coaching and event planning services. Her long résumé also includes the release of an album, which she launched in 2012 in the Philippines, called “Move Me,” and her show on Amazon Prime called “Love Dating Culture With Christy The Matchmaker.” “I want to tell and show other women to be strong,” Lynch said. “The road is rough and life has ups and downs. Mentorship is important. You need someone backing you and in your corner. I hope to do that for other women too. Be focused. Do not waver in what you believe in.”

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Early Childhood Education Center NOW ENROLLING: 5 weeks thru 4 years old

Courtesy photo

Maryland-based Eli Lev, 41, is known for his empathic writing and folk-based sensibility.

That Universal Song ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Rising singer and songwriter Eli Lev is making the world a smaller place, one song at a time. The award-winning artist brought his talents to the area with a free concert Monday, Sept. 25, at Clean Eatz in Horizon West. Lev, based in Maryland, describes his music as “Johnny Cash and John Denver, riding along with Ed Sheeran and Jack Johnson, going to pick up Stevie Nicks and Ben Harper, and we’re just hanging out.” “It’s a little bit different every time, but there’s roots in country and Americana,” he said. “It’s definitely a modern-day production, take where it’s lyric-forward with words that are from the heart and meaningful, as well as bring in nature, travel and community.” His driving factor in creating music? Service to others. “Music is a way for me to bring joy, hope and a sense of community into the world,” Lev said. “Really just being in a place of giving and providing to others is fulfilling to me. Knowing that I made an impact where I’ve changed someone’s life, or saved someone’s life, or helped them understand something about their purpose in life. It makes it all worthwhile. Music disarms us in a way. It cuts through the noise. I hope the music makes them stop, consider, be with themselves and enjoy a musical story.” HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES

Lev grew up in the diverse suburb of Silver Spring, Maryland, where a blending of backgrounds made an impact on his life’s perspective. His father was an oboe player, and his mom played piano and sang. Lev took piano and guitar lessons, as well as performed in his middle-school talent show. “I first got into music when a friend gave me a mixtape in elementary school featuring Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, The Police, MC Hammer and U2,” he said. “It sparked something in me that led me to where I am today and how I make my living through creating sounds.” After graduating from high school in 2000, Lev attended the University of Indiana. He decided to complete his student teaching as an eighth-grade English teacher on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. This was the beginning of his musical adventure. “It was a very informative time in my life, and knowledge is what really inspired me to go and teach on the reserve,” he said. “Becoming familiar with our indigenous history here in North America and understanding a different perspective was fascinating for me. I wanted to relay the knowledge and the lessons I learned out there through my music in ‘Four Directions.’ It was a great way to learn more about the world but also about ourselves. I learned a lot about myself, what I’m able to do and my

FOLLOW ELI LEV WEBSITE: eli-lev.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/elilevmusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/elilevmusic

identity. I was truly just as much a student as I was a teacher there.” For five years, Lev worked to develop his debut project, “Four Directions,” which compiles four conceptual EPs — “All Roads East 2017,” “Way Out West 2018,” “Deep South 2019” and “True North 2021” — into one 20-song statement. It was always Lev’s dream to have his music on vinyl or a record, and “Four Directions” allowed him to do that. “Seeing it all come together and holding it in my hands with the beauty of the art, the color, the lyrics; it was just a huge accomplishment for me,” he said. “It just showed me that I could do it.” Although Lev thought “Four Directions” was going to be the only project he would create, he quickly caught the music bug. His latest release — “Walk. Talk. Dance. Sing.” — is an inner-travel monologue from the pandemic and beyond. The EP blends Lev’s classic acoustic guitar and upfront vocal aesthetic with diverse sounds spanning pop, lo-fi rock, electronic, indie, folk and Caribbean-kissed musicality. The five-song collection compiles Lev’s songwriting during the pandemic, capturing the highs, lows and all the emotions in between.

Our Mission: Guiding children to learn and grow in Christ.

Our Vision:

To teach children the principles found in the Bible, while providing experiences that will help them grow, feel safe, and succeed in school.

CALLING THE TUNE

Lev’s releases have earned praise from magazines such as American Songwriter, Paste Magazine and IU Alumni; online outlets including BuzzFeed, CBS Radio, AXS and The Bluegrass Situation; and have received national folk radio support, along with placement on prominent industry Spotify playlists. In 2019, Lev won multiple industry awards for his work. His second album, “Way Out West,” won a Washington Area Music Award for “Best Country/Americana album,” while his single, “Chasing Daylight,” won a grand prize in the Songwriters’ Association of Washington MidAtlantic Songwriting Competition. In 2021, he won another Wammie Award for “Best Pop Artist” in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Lev has played hundreds of shows, locally, nationally and internationally. Select highlights include performing at the Kennedy Center Millennium stage; his album release at Pearl Street Warehouse in D.C.; the DC Music Rocks Festival at the 9:30 Club; his appearance at the National Cherry Blossom Festival; and multiple European tours. Now, Lev is working on his upcoming release project, “Three Worlds,” which includes three separate EPs. The first EP will be called “Present Journey,” which features Lev’s most recent single, “That Universal Song.” “Three Worlds” will be followed with a collaborative album called “Two Friends” and then Lev’s last project, “One Road.” He currently is touring full-time and working on international tours.

Call to schedule a tour! Phone: 407 573 8037 72 North Woodland St. Winter Garden www.wgacademy.com

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Eli Lev, an award-winning singer and songwriter, performed Monday, Sept. 25, at Clean Eatz in Horizon West.

Providing indoor and outdoor covered playgrounds.

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Dr. Phillips proposal sparks resident concerns ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Residents in Dr. Phillips had plenty of opinions to share at an Orange County Planning Division community meeting held Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Dr. Phillips Elementary School. Attendees heard a presentation on the Dr. Phillips commercial planned development, a request on Sand Lake Road to rezone 1.62 acres from Retail Commercial District to Planned Development to construct up to 29,750 square feet of commercial uses and structured parking. The property is located on the northwest corner of Dr. Phillips Boulevard and West Sand Lake Road, just east of Della Drive. Doug McDowell, case planner for Orange County, said the applicant, Jennifer J. Strickler, of Kimley-Horn & Associates, is requesting seven waivers from Orange County code related to impervious area, setbacks, building height and open space requirements. APPLICANT ANALYSIS

Although the standard for impervious areas is 70% for C-1 and PD, the applicant is requesting a waiver for 90%. Regarding building height, the standard is 50 feet for C-1 and PD, but the applicant is requesting a waiver for 70 feet (six stories). In terms of open space, the standard is 0% for C-1 and 20% for PD. The applicant is requesting a waiver for 8%. The other waivers pertain to setbacks on the north, east and west, as well as the landscape buffer. Chuck Whittall, Unicorp Development president, with the application team, said the property is separate from the shopping center behind the parcel. Whittall owns the front corner of the property where the bank is located, as well as the front corner where the cosmetic businesses are located. “I’ve owned the bank for 20 years, and we want to do a redevelopment of that property,” he said. “While I could build apartments there, we don’t want to build apartments there. We want to build a very nice mixed-use develop-

ment that brings some high-end restaurants to Dr. Phillips. … Whatever happens on my property has nothing to do with what happens in the back.” RESIDENT RETALIATION

Residents voiced concerns for the proposal pertaining to safety, traffic, not being the right location, impact of business on restaurants already there, setting a precedent and not wanting more development. Kurt Kotzin, a representative of the steering committee for the “STOP KIMCO - SAVE DP2022” Facebook group, believes the application for rezoning should be denied. “The applicant did not present a case for approval at the meeting,” he wrote in an email to the county. “As you know from your attendance, the vast majority of their presentation was predicated on the applicant’s previous projects in Southwest Orlando. Beyond describing the renderings and their vision for potential tenants and uses, they did not provide any information to support their request to rezone the parcel. In fact, it seemed that most of the presentation was trying to get the message across that they had nothing to do with the project that is being considered to add apartments to the marketplace parcel along Della Drive, and that IF the request is denied, they are prepared to exercise their rights per the new Live Local legislation. Regardless of what was said at the meeting, the documents on file and presented to the community at the meeting do not provide a viable justification for the rezoning, as well as a case that supports granting any of the seven waivers requested. … This project, if approved, will drastically alter the character of Dr. Phillips, not to mention establishing a precedent for future applications in Dr. Phillips to be approved.” Gloria Sepulveda, resident and board member of Granada Villas, the community located on Sand Lake and The Esplanade, also has concerns about the permit change and code waivers the developer has requested. “I firmly believe in the principles

Courtesy

The property is located on the northwest corner of Dr. Phillips Boulevard and West Sand Lake Road, just east of Della Drive.

of growth, change and investment, as they are essential for a city’s vitality and prosperity,” she said. “However, I also believe that such development should be carried out responsibly to ensure a favorable outcome for everyone involved. … The current traffic situation from our community to reach I-4, which is approximately just one mile away, is frustrating. … While it inconveniences me, it poses a significant risk to our elderly residents, many of whom have called this place home for (more than) 25 years. The prospect of adding more office space to the new building raises concerns about increased traffic volume. Presently, Dr. Phillips Boulevard experiences bumper-to-bumper traffic when attempting to access I-4, and there are no plans to expand the road. Would it not be prudent to, at the very least, await the completion of the I-4

“This project, if approved, will drastically alter the character of Dr. Phillips, not to mention establishing a precedent for future applications in Dr. Phillips to be approved.” — Kurt Kotzin, Dr. Phillips resident

corridor project before proceeding?” Sepulveda also noted concerns with noise disturbances, lack of compatibility when it comes to exterior aesthetics and setting a precedent for future development. “Allowing the proposed rezone and waivers to proceed would establish a precedent we will never be able to reverse,” she said. “It could mark the end of Dr. Phillips as we know it, transforming our hometown into an urban landscape. Many of us chose Orlando precisely because it offered a smalltown ambiance — quiet, quaint and ideal for families, which is gradually diminishing.” The project will next go to the Development Review Committee, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the County Commission. The dates for those meetings have not been set.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab West Orange

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab West Orange. Located at 12323 W Colonial Dr. Ste 120 in Winter Garden, AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab West Orange offers physical therapy services (no referral needed), wellness and massage services, as well as acupuncture. To learn more, visit https://www.adventhealth.com/sportsmedicine-and-rehab/adventhealth-sportsmed-and-rehab-central-florida.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of State Farm Insurance Heather Thies Agency Horizon West

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of State Farm Insurance Heather Thies Agency - Horizon West. Located at 15835 Shaddock Dr Ste 150 in the Horizon West part of Winter Garden, the Heather Thies State Farm Agency helps the people of Horizon West, Winter Garden, and all of Central Florida manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. They are your one-stop-shop for insurance and financial services needs such as Auto, Home, life, and disability insurance. Also, ask them about Financial Services, Small Business Insurance, ATV & Motorcycle, Boat, and much more. Their agency is passionate about giving back to our local community and being good community partners. Their team has bi-lingual members that speak Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese! To learn more, visit http://www. heatherthieshorizonwest.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 15-year anniversary of Winter Garden Wheel Works

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Winter Garden Wheel Works. Located at 101 W Plant St in downtown Winter Garden, Winter Garden Wheel Works is a full-service bicycle retail store selling road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, comfort bikes, kids bikes and e-bikes. They have a wide range of accessories and equipment available for the whole family. If you already have a bike, they provide service and repairs for all types of bikes. To learn more, visit https://www. wgwheelworks.com/.

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:

10 YEARS Waste Connections

5 YEARS Cariera’s Fresh Italian Winter Garden OBGYN

THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 3 NETWORKING GROUPS TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY To learn more and to register for participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

New farmers market sprouts in Oakland

Bronwyn Merritt, of Bronwyn Merritt Studio & Gallery in Orlando; and Michele Hebert, of Watercolor Paintings by Michele Hebert in Oviedo, displayed their artwork in the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Rich Lusandi, left, and Edwin Castro, served fresh eats from their Soluna Tacos booth. The restaurant sets up a food truck daily at Tractor Supply Co.

Forty-three vendors were chosen to participate in the town of Oakland’s first farmers market, held Thursday, Sept. 14. They displayed their produce, jewelry, pottery, food and drink, spices, and more along the West Orange Trail and inside the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland. Sheena Willis is the owner of Orange Blossom Market Co., a market coordination service that organizes several local farmers markets, including the new one in Oakland. She said she was thrilled with the vendors and the community turnout. “I am very pleased,” Willis said. “The town is a place you want to be;

Paul Andrews discussed the benefits of his company’s herbs, spices and seeds with a customer. He and his wife, Danielle, are Oakland residents and own Husband and Wife Spices of Life LLC.

it’s very welcoming, so we stayed steady. I anticipate a lot of growth from here.” Jessica Lovejoy, community outreach director for the town of Oakland, said the town wanted to focus on quality handmade items from local sources, and she, too, was pleased with the inaugural market’s attendance and vendor participation. Willis said she has received great feedback from the first market and has received an increased number of applications for future markets. “I will continue to find more unique vendors to add to the lineup,” she said. The Oakland Farmers Market will continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

Teresa Honoré, owner of Honoré Co. Home & Body, sold bodycare products at Oakland’s market.

FOLA celebrates 2023 Hero Award recipient STAFF WRITER

Friends of Lake Apopka recognized Adam Lovejoy with the fifth annual Jim Thomas Environmental Hero Award during its Tuesday, Sept. 12, meeting. “They snuck that in on me,” he said. “I didn’t see it coming. … Having grown up in Winter Garden and hearing all the stories of the heyday of Lake Apopka, it’s nice to play a part in the ongoing restoration efforts for the lake.” The Jim Thomas Environmental Hero Award is awarded to recipients who exemplify the passion and commitment of FOLA founder Jim Thomas and who contribute to the continued restoration of Lake Apopka. The first four recipients of the award were Jim Peterson, FOLA science adviser (2019); Betsy VanderLey for helping connect the West Orange Trail to Magnolia Park (2020); Daniel Whitehouse and Scott Bisping for creating and organizing the FOLA Fish Tag Challenge (2021); and, Erich Marzolf for his restoration work in Lake Apopka (2022). “We wanted to honor Jim for all the work that he did throughout his life,” FOLA Executive Director Joe Dunn said. “We also wanted to honor all the people who have followed in his footsteps and are making a difference.”

Andrea Mujica

Adam Lovejoy, second from left, received the award from FOLA for his contribution to the restoration efforts in Lake Apopka. With him are FOLA Executive Director Joe Dunn; Adam’s wife, Jessica; and, FOLA President Steve Koontz.

Lovejoy is the district’s governmental affairs director at the St. Johns River Water Management District. He graduated from the University of Central Florida and has devoted his career to serving the legislative process. Lovejoy started helping Lake Apop-

ka in 2018, when he offered counsel on how to navigate the process of attempting to obtain state funding to connect West Orange Trail to Magnolia Park. Although the attempt was unsuccessful, the process provided FOLA

— and Lovejoy — the foundation for all of FOLA’s future legislative successes. These include getting state funding for the Green Mountain connector — which was vetoed in 2020 due to COVID-19 revenue shortfalls but was granted in 2021.

“I’ve never worked in that space or those types of issues,” Lovejoy said. “But, the opportunity to work on those issues and be involved in the legislative process on water-related and environmental-related issues — not just for Florida but the entire 18-county district — was really attractive. … The opportunity to assist in the restoration of Lake Apopka was a big draw to taking the job, for sure.” In 2022, Lovejoy helped FOLA secure a $5 million Land Acquisition Trust Fund annual funding stream. In addition, he helped acquire $2 million from Florida Sen. Jason Brodeur for the benefit of Lake Apopka and its restoration efforts. “The legislation this year appropriated $7 million that we are going to be able to use for work on Lake Apopka,” Lovejoy said. “If it weren’t for the FOLA and state Sen. Dennis Bailey, state Sen. Jason Brodeur, state Rep. Keith Truenow, state Rep. Taylor Yarkosky, and state reps. Doug Bankson and Carolina Amesty … those $7 million would have never happened.” In addition to helping FOLA and working for SJRWMD, Lovejoy is a devoted family man and a participating citizen in the city of Ocoee government. His wife, Jessica, is the community outreach director for the town of Oakland, and both are actively involved in their children’s education and sports activities.

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ANDREA MUJICA

OrangeObserver.com

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

SNAPSHOT

REAL ESTATE

Total Sales: 62 High Sale Price: $1,850,000 Low Sale Price: $217,000 NEWBURY PARK

The townhouse at 8543 Leeland Archer Blvd., Orlando, sold Sept. 15, for $382,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,428 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine. The townhouse at 8433 Leeland Archer Blvd., Orlando, sold Sept. 12, for $340,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,212 square feet of living area. Days on market: 35. OASIS COVE I

The townhouse at 8179 Enchantment Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $360,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,317 square feet of living area. Days on market: One. redfin.com

The home at 6016 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $1,850,000. This home overlooks the 11th fairway of The Golden Bear Golf Club. The selling agents were Mike and Teresa Stewart, Southern Realty Group LLC.

Keene’s Pointe estate sells for $1.85M A

home in the Keene’s

The home at 9331 Pecky Cypress Way, Orlando, sold Sept. 15, for $470,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,784 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

Pointe community

in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residen-

HAMILTON GARDENS

tial real-estate transactions

The townhouse at 6164 Juneberry Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $425,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,560 square feet of living area. Days on market: 17.

from Sept. 10 to 16. The home at 6016 Blakeford Drive, Windermere,

HICKORY HAMMOCK

sold Sept. 15, for $1,850,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four baths and

redfin.com

3,985 square feet of liv-

The home at 16750 Sanctuary Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $1,500,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from Sept. 10 to 16. The selling agent was Ellyn Siviglia, The Real Estate Collection LLC.

ing area. Days on market:

ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB

Southern Realty Group LLC.

The home at 6739 Parson Brown Drive, Orlando, sold Sept. 13, for $595,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,741 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.

These are the highest-

PHILLIPS BAY CONDOMINIUMS

67. The selling agents were Mike and Teresa Stewart,

selling homes in each community in West Orange. DR. PHILLIPS

BELLA NOTTE AT VIZCAYA

The townhouse at 8739 Via Bella Notte, Orlando, sold Sept. 15, for $695,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,369 square feet of living area. DIAMOND COVE

The home at 8319 Diamond Cove Circle, Orlando, sold Sept. 13, for $890,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,351 square feet of living area. Days on market: 60. HUNTERS ESTATES

The home at 8437 Carolina Drive, Orlando, sold Sept. 14, for $730,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,052 square feet of living area. Days on market: Eight.

The condo at 7523 Bay Port Road No. 10, Orlando, sold Sept. 15, for $438,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,831 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six. PHILLIPS LANDING

The home at 8826 Heritage Bay Circle, Orlando, sold Sept. 11, for $1,070,000. Built in 2000, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 3,669 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12. RESERVE AT CYPRESS POINT

The home at 8727 Cypress Reserve Circle, Orlando, sold Sept. 11, for $1,275,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 4,447 square feet of living area. Days on market: Nine. SANCTUARY AT BAY HILL

The condo at 7766 Sugar Bend Drive, No. 7766, Orlando, sold Sept. 12, for $315,000. Built in 1996, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,075 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The home at 15973 Citrus Knoll Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $1,140,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,880 square feet of living area. Days on market: 15.

The home at 8005 Laurel Tree Drive, Orlando, sold Sept. 13, for $450,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,948 square feet of living area. Days on market: 90.

The townhouse at 15238 Sunrise Grove Court, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $440,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,902 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

SAND LAKE SOUND

HIGHLAND RIDGE

SAND LAKE HILLS

The townhouse at 7309 Alpine Butterfly Lane, Orlando, sold Sept. 11, for $590,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,810 square feet of living area. Days on market: 30. SAND LAKE VILLAGE

The condo at 10260 Turkey Lake Road, No. B21 153, Orlando, sold Sept. 14, for $272,500. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,124 square feet of living area. Days on market: 14. SANDY SPRINGS

The home at 7834 Snowberry Circle, Orlando, sold Sept. 15, for $670,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,242 square feet of living area. Days on market: Six.

HORIZON WEST CYPRESS CHASE

The home at 9765 Pecky Cypress Way, Orlando, sold Sept. 15, for $550,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,209 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

The home at 57 Frasier St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $514,810. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,011 square feet of living area. Days on market: 30. The home at 14038 Frasier St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 13, for $486,305. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,788 square feet of living area. Days on market: 27. The home at 14323 Braemar St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $481,550. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,678 square feet of living area. Days on market: 31. The home at 66 Frasier St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $470,545. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,788 square feet of living area. Days on market: 248. HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 15624 Kinnow Mandarin Lane, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $680,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,834 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven. INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The townhouse at 14042 Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $338,000. Built in 2011, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,300 square feet of living area. Days on market: 27. LAKES OF WINDERMERE

redfin.com

The home at 8727 Cypress Reserve Circle, Orlando, sold Sept. 11, for $1,275,000. It was the largest transaction in Dr. Phillips from Sept. 10 to 16. The selling agent was Jason Spavin, Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage.

The home at 12912 Droxford Road, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $612,800. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,888 square feet of living area. Days on market: 54.

ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 5645 Cypress Hill Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 13, for $479,990. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,650 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two. SANCTUARY AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 13207 Orange Isle Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $765,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,136 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four. STOREY GROVE

The home at 8186 Sayings Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 11, for $635,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,704 square feet of living area. Days on market: Five. The home at 10136 Storey Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 14, for $590,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,720 square feet of living area. Days on market: 51. The home at 11054 Folklore St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $520,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,042 square feet of living area. Days on market: 18. SUMMERPORT

The home at 4914 Indian Deer Road, Windermere, sold Sept. 14, for $730,500. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,412 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three. The home at 14551 Yellow Butterfly Road, Windermere, sold Sept. 14, for $715,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,482 square feet of living area. Days on market: 16. WATERLEIGH

The home at 17930 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 13, for $849,246. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,327 square feet of living area. Days on market: 53. The home at 11024 Jackson Cove, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $673,931. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,113 square feet of living area. Days on market: 25. The home at 18411 Oliver Twist Way, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $660,886. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,113 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13. The home at 17871 Adrift Road, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $559,740. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,027 square feet of living area. Days on market: 46. WATERMARK

The home at 9288 Woodcrane Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $805,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,935 square feet of living area. Days on market: 12. WEST LAKE HANCOCK ESTATES

The home at 7558 Bishop Square Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 15, for $570,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,952 square feet of living area. Days on market: 51.

OrangeObserver.com

The home at 13608 Gorgona Isle Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $725,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,834 square feet of living area. Days on market: 29. WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8630 Powder Ridge Trail, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $530,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,853 square feet of living area. Days on market: 105.

OAKLAND

JOHNS LANDING

The home at 402 Largovista Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $604,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,829 square feet of living area. Days on market: Four. LONGLEAF AT OAKLAND

The home at 2683 Bobcat Chase Blvd., Oakland, sold Sept. 14, for $600,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,853 square feet of living area. Days on market: 34.

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK SOUTH

The home at 1444 Arden Oaks Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 6, for $799,750. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,162 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three. The home at 2006 Arden Oaks Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $565,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,907 square feet of living area. Days on market: 29. CHESHIRE WOODS

The home at 501 Dunoon St., Ocoee, sold Sept. 14, for $510,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,857 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven. EAGLES LANDING

SILVER BEND

The home at 177 Bexley Blvd., Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $410,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,879 square feet of living area. Days on market: 22. VILLAGES OF WESMERE

The townhouse at 2102 Water Tupelo Way, Ocoee, sold Sept. 15, for $415,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,529 square feet of living area. Days on market: 30. WESTYN BAY

The home at 3031 Piccolo Court, Ocoee, sold Sept. 11, for $762,800. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,015 square feet of living area. Days on market: Two.

2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @ Horizon West 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden Sundays: 9:45 AM All Ages www.FBCWG.org

SILVER WOODS

The home at 9227 Palm Tree Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $520,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,819 square feet of living area. Days on market: Seven.

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

WILLOWS AT LAKE RHEA

The home at 11330 Winston Willow Court, Windermere, sold Sept. 11, for $905,000. Built in 1989, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,554 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

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

WINTER GARDEN

ALEXANDER RIDGE

The home at 2313 Aurelius Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 13, for $779,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,768 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three.

OAKS AT BRANDY LAKE

The home at 3061 Timber Hawk Circle, Ocoee, sold Sept. 14, for $387,500. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,516 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana

The home at 6016 Blakeford Drive, Windermere, sold Sept. 15, for $1,850,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,985 square feet of living area. Days on market: 67.

JOHIO GLEN

OAK TRAIL RESERVE

BAPTIST

KEENE’S POINTE

J.W. JONES ADDITION

The home at 2504 Dovetail Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 14, for $437,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,963 square feet of living area. Days on market: 13.

redfin.com

The home at 1444 Arden Oaks Drive, Ocoee, sold Sept. 6, for $799,750. It was the largest transaction in Ocoee from Sept. 10 to 16. The selling agent was Sara Faye Nicholas, Charles Rutenberg Realty, Orlando.

WINDERMERE

The home at 2927 Westyn Cove Lane, Ocoee, sold Sept. 11, for $575,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,392 square feet of living area. Days on market: 18.

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

The home at 301 E. Maple St., Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $360,000. Built in 1919, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,149 square feet of living area. Days on market: Three. The home at 869 Bending Oak Trail, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 13, for $461,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,975 square feet of living area. Days on market: 10.

Matthew’s Hope Annual Fall Fundraiser Steampunk meets Wild West

SANCTUARY AT TWIN WATERS

Saturday, September 30 Ocoee Lakeshore Center • 6:00PM - 10:00PM

The home at 16750 Sanctuary Drive, Winter Garden, sold Sept. 12, for $1,500,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,242 square feet of living area. Days on market: 43.

uvres ors d’oe ion. Heavy h t u ent a c and a sil y a buffet, b d e follow ancing, music, d e, f chanc games o . ip h s w lo and fel

WE GO THE EXTRA MILE

Get your tickets at www.matthewsphopeministries.org/wild-wild-west

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

for Your Financial Wellness While keeping your goals at the heart of our practice, we develop friendly, positive, and meaningful relationships built on transparency, trust and confidence.

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West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Crumbl Cookies Hamlin

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Crumbl Cookies Hamlin. Located at 16027 New Independence Pkwy Ste 110 in the Horizon West part of Winter Garden, Crumbl Cookies focuses on “bringing friends and family together over a box of the best cookies in the world.” They are residents of the area, and they invite customers to come in and see what happens in the store from mixing, balling, and baking. To learn more, visit https://crumblcookies.com/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 5-year anniversary of the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the 5-year anniversary of the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange. Located at 1200 E Plant St Ste 200 in Winter Garden, The Foundation for a Healthier West Orange invests in and champions initiatives that support the health and well-being of our community. A trusted community leader, the Foundation brings together an engaged network of business, government, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, not-for-profits and healthcare professionals. The vision of the organization is to cultivate the healthiest community in the nation. The Foundation is guided by three values for its work in the community- health and wellness, innovation and access. To learn more, visit https://fhwo.org/.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of the new location of Central Florida Hope Center

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of the new location of Central Florida Hope Center. Located at 1010 S Dillard St in Winter Garden, the Central Florida Hope Center exists to address immediate needs for those facing hardship, and then to provide resources for future success. They provide legal services to immigrants facing financial, identification, and housing challenges. Through their partner 323 Staffing Solutions we provide employment. To learn more, visit https://www.cfl-hope.org.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Sapphira Prive MedSpa

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Sapphira Prive MedSpa. Located at 1620 Daniels Rd Ste 120 in Winter Garden, Sapphira Prive offers the client the most advanced Facial and Body treatments with State-of-the art Apparatology exclusive to Sapphira Prive. Their center also carries innovative Medical-Aesthetic treatments carried out by professionals in the aesthetic sector and registered doctors. To learn more, visit http://sapphiraprivemedspa.com.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce celebrates the grand opening of Sure Vision Centers of Florida

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Sure Vision Centers of Florida. Located at 11830 Glass House Ln Ste 120 in Orlando, Sure Vision Centers of Florida are not your everyday optical. They are more than an optical, and just eye exams and glasses and contacts. They also treat Dry Eye Syndrome and carry great Myopia/ Glaucoma Management Systems customized to your needs. They have a great selection of the top brands for both glasses and contacts, affordable of course. They treat infants to the elderly. To learn more, visit http://surevisionfl.com.

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THE WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OFFERS 3 NETWORKING GROUPS

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

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

SPORTS

GAME OF THE WEEK

HIGH

Windermere golfer Carson Baez won the boys first flight with a 69 (-3) and the overall individual award at the Crutchfield/Hawkins Invitational golf tournament. Page 2B.

OCOEE (3-2) VS. WEST ORANGE (1-4)

The Horizon High School girls volleyball team defeated Edgewater 3-0 during a district away game Thursday, Sept. 21. The Lady Hawks won the first set, 25-20, the second set, 25-14, and the third set, 25-22. Horizon currently owns an 8-2 overall season record and is first seed in the Class 6A, District 6, with a 3-0 district record. The Lady Hawks will host West Orange (6-4) for a non-district game at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2.

The Ocoee High School girls varsity volleyball team defeated Legacy Charter 3-1 during a nondistrict home game Thursday, Sept. 21. The Lady Knights lost the first set, 19-25, but won the second set, 25-19, the third set, 25-18, and the fourth set, 25-17. Ocoee currently owns a 6-4 overall season record and will host Wekiva at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, for a non-district game.

THE SHIELD HISTORY Andrea Mujica

The Olympia High School girls varsity volleyball team defeated McKeel Academy 3-2 during a non-district home game Tuesday, Sept. 19. The Lady Titans lost the first two sets to the Lady Wildcats, 23-25 and 20-25, but came from behind later in the game winning the third set, 25-8, the fourth set, 29-27, and the fifth set, 15-5. Olympia currently owns a 12-5 overall season record and a 1-0 record in Class 7A, District 5. Olympia will host Windermere for a district game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Lake Buena Vista cross country runner Zach Lambert was named male athlete of the week by the school because of his improvement on the course. On the girls side, volleyball athlete Estelle Aubert was named female athlete of the week because of her performance at the net and her leadership skills.

The Legacy Charter girls varsity volleyball team currently owns a 6-5 overall season record and is 2-0 in Class 2A, District 7. The Eagles will host Central Florida Leadership at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, for a district game.

The West Orange Warriors will enter the football field on Friday night as the defending champions for “The Shield.”

A little extra West Orange and Ocoee will be playing for more than a win when they meet for the 19th annual Battle for the Shield. ANDREA MUJICA

GAME OF THE WEEK

STAFF WRITER

t all started in 2005, when Ocoee High School reopened its doors to the community — after a 30-year hiatus — as the new relief school for West Orange and Apopka high schools. “The Shield has been going on for quite some time now,” Ocoee head football coach Sheddrick Gurley said. “This has been a huge rivalry game between the Ocoee and the Winter Garden area. It makes a huge rivalry between the two schools. Right now, West Orange is

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 7 p.m. Ocoee vs West Orange

up in terms of the overall record, but again, we come to play ball.” The original Ocoee High School was established in 1883. But, in 1975, Ocoee closed its doors — as well as Lakeview High School — to make way for West Orange High School to open and serve the Winter Garden, Oakland, Tildenville, and parts of the Ocoee and Lake Butler communities. “The Shield means a lot,” West

Orange junior defensive back Ivan Taylor said. “All the games are really felt, but I think for this one, the team is going to come out with a different mentality. We are going to come in, we are going to stay humble, we are going to respect every opponent that comes to us, but we are also going to be better at play.” Even though the Warriors have been the defending champions of “The Shield” for the last three years, the Knights are ready to take on the challenge and claim it as theirs. Last year, West Orange defeated Ocoee during the regular season 41-17, which allowed the Warriors to take “The Shield” back home with them. However, during the postseason play, Ocoee took home an overtime victory of 29-28. “It’s personal to us,” Ocoee offensive lineman Onix Irizarry said. “It’s

2005 West Orange 23, Ocoee 0 2006 Ocoee 30, West Orange 27 2007 Ocoee 14, West Orange 13 2008 Ocoee 21, West Orange 7 2009 Ocoee 43, West Orange 0 2010 West Orange 38, Ocoee 19 2011 West Orange 20, Ocoee 6 2012 West Orange 21, Ocoee 0 2013 West Orange 39, Ocoee 0 2014 West Orange 50, Ocoee 18 2015 West Orange 46, Ocoee 7 2016 Ocoee 31, West Orange 29 2017 West Orange 42, Ocoee 7 2018 West Orange 42, Ocoee 7 2019 Ocoee 22, West Orange 20 2020 West Orange 31, Ocoee 0 2021 West Orange 28, Ocoee 0 2022 West Orange 41, Ocoee 17 * West Orange holds

SEE BATTLE ON PAGE 2B

a 13-6 series advantage.

Brothers dominate wakeboarding rankings This year, Trent and Gavin Stuckey are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the Pro Men wakeboarding category.

ANDREA MUJICA STAFF WRITER

Wakeboarding has been a lifelong passion for Orlando native brothers Trent and Gavin Stuckey. “I never really planned to have a career in wakeboarding,” Trent Stuckey, 19, said. “We just loved it, and we just always did it because we loved it, and we kept getting better and better. There would always be a local contest at a local park, and we would do that, and we just got really good. Then, we decided to keep going with it and just try to start riding professionally.” So, in 2019, both brothers began a career that today has catapulted them into being No. 1 and No. 2 in the Pro Men category. “(Because) last year was our first

year of traveling, we weren’t quite on the scale we are now,” Gavin Stuckey, 17, said. “But now that we travel to all these competition experiences and we’ve participated in more and made the results we were looking for, now — over the last year — we came up to the top spot.” The brothers love to practice at Lake Ronix, which belongs to Alliance Wake — a company that designs wakeboarding gear — the Stuckeys’ sponsoring company. There, Trent Stuckey invented the “Double KGB” trick. “It’s a double front flip and then a backside 360,” he said. “So, we started doing just a straight double and then eventually took it to backside 180, and then I thought I could do it SEE WAKEBOARDING ON 3B

Courtesy photo

The Stuckey brothers finished first (Trent Stuckey) and second (Gavin Stuckey) at the LAO 2023 tournament in Germany.

OrangeObserver.com

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Battle for the Shield returns

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

Carson Baez Windermere High School senior golfer Carson Baez won the boys first flight with a 69 (-3) and the overall individual award at the Crutchfield/Hawkins Invitational golf tournament Monday, Sept. 18, in Sebring. This win provided Baez with his fourth consecutive victory this season. Baez also won the Future Masters golf tournament — by 4 strokes — during the summer in the 15-18 age group category shooting a 68-68-69 (-11) with a total of 205. Baez is verbally committed to the University of Richmond in Virginia.

How did you get into golf? The summer going into kindergarten, I was with my family watching TV scrolling through channels and saw (golf) on TV. I was 5-and-a-half years old, and it just sparked an interest in me immediately. I told my dad, “I want to do that.” So, my parents looked at me and knowing nothing about golf at all, they said, “All right.” After a few lessons, I was hooked. What do you love most about golf as a sport? It’s more than a game and how it teaches you more than how to become an athlete ... how to become a person and gentleman. What do you believe golf has taught you on and off the course? I can connect it to how hard I work not only to become a better golfer but (also) a better student. It connects to the fact that I’m a big perfectionist, so I try to perfect my golf swing, but I also try to have perfect grades, as well. Also one thing that it’s taught me is how to be a better person — especially around other people (and) how to address them properly, making sure you take your hat off, saying, “Yes sir; no sir.” What do you think about when you are in the middle of a competition? When I’m playing with people, I always try to get along with them very well, and I’ll just try to talk about things outside of golf. … But, as soon as I get up to hitting the ball, it’s a totally different mindset. I make sure I focus, and I’m totally committed to what I want to do, and between thoughts, I just try to enjoy myself ... as much as I can. What is your favorite hobby? I really do like graphic design or weightlifting, or just being around my friends. Who is your favorite athlete? Why? I really like Phil Mickelson. He was a role model (while I was) growing up, considering he was a lefty, as well. I just really like the vibe that he had when he was on the course.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

THE BASICS Age: 17 Sport: Golf Grade: Senior School: Windermere

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? A generator, might as well have some sort of cellular communication, and my own tropical island chef, who can make me whatever I want to eat.

Courtesy photo

“The Shield” has been passed back and forth between the two teams for almost two decades.

What is your favorite movie? I really like “Star Wars: Episode 3 — Revenge of the Sith.” If you could choose one person you admire to have dinner with, who would it be? I would probably go with one of the greatest athletes — just to get their perspective, because a one-on-one is way different than the words they put out there. You can’t go wrong with Tiger (Woods). Looking back, what would you say to your 10-year-old self? Just enjoy it more and don’t put so much stress on your shoulders … in a tournament. Not really care so much, because at the end of the day, there is always another tournament. There’s always another round. There’s always another swing to be made. If you could write a letter to your future self, what would you say? I would ask myself how is the life on the PGA Tour. … I’d ask, “What would you do different? Is there anything I should know?” What is your biggest fear? Heights.

WEEK THREE RECAP GAME OF THE WEEK West Orange (1-4), 14 Jones (2-3), 44 UP NEXT: The Warriors will travel to Ocoee FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 Dr. Phillips (3-2), 21 Boone (2-3 ), 3 UP NEXT: The Panthers will travel to Lake Nona Friday, Oct. 6. Foundation Academy (2-3), 45 Eustis (3-2), 63 HIGHLIGHTS: Despite a 63-45 loss against Eustis High School Friday, Sept. 22, Foundation Academy continues to show strength on both sides of the ball. Running back J.T. Bronaugh carried the ball 13 times for a total of 252 rushing yards and three touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle Drew Flournoy led the Lions with two pancake blocks and nine total tackles — five solo and four assisted — and three tacklesfor-loss. Defensive back Zephy Rogers grabbed two interceptions and had one pass deflection. UP NEXT: The Lions will host Poinciana Friday, Sept. 29.

a battle, and we are trying to get it back. We beat them in the playoffs (last post-season); we showed them we can beat them. Now, we are just trying to do it again this season — show them we still got it.” Like any rivalry game, emotions promise to be high on the field — and in the stands. “Rivalry games are always going to be another level,” West Orange head football coach Geno Thompson said. “Regardless of how the season is going, those are always going to get the best out of your opponent as well as your team. When you are playing a game like that, you got friends and family that have played in those games. There’s a history behind it.” The current record for “The Horizon (3-2), 0 New Smyrna Beach (4-0), 7 HIGHLIGHTS: Despite a 7-0 loss against New Smyrna Beach Friday, Sept. 22, Horizon High’s defense was a bright spot. Linebacker Bo Kenney had 15 total tackles — seven solo and eight assisted — and one tackle-forloss. UP NEXT: The Hawks will host University Friday, Oct. 6. Lake Buena Vista (2-1), 12 Windermere (3-2), 7 HIGHLIGHTS: Despite a 12-7 loss against Lake Buena Vista Friday, Sept. 22, Windermere continues to work on its skills week after week. Quarterback Bryce Speed went 8-for-19 for 122 yards. Running back Isaiah Nell carried the ball 11 times for 183 rushing yards. On the defensive side of the ball, the Wolverines had a total of 66 tackles, with outside linebacker Rowan Wassilyn having 10 tackles — four of which were tackles-for-loss — and one quarterback sack. UP NEXT: The Wolverines will host Olympia Friday, Sept. 29. The Vipers will host Lake Howell Friday, Oct. 6.

OTHER GRIDIRON ACTION FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 n 7 p.m. CFCA vs. Saints Academy School n 7 p.m. Foundation Academy vs. Poinciana n 7 p.m. TFA at Orlando Christian Prep n 7 p.m. Windermere vs. Olympia n 7 p.m. Windermere Prep at Cocoa Beach

Shield” stands at 13-6 with West Orange in the lead. However, anything can happen when Ocoee and West Orange face each other again at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Ocoee High School. Ocoee (3-2), 54 Freedom (1-4), 18 HIGHLIGHTS: The Knights defense continues to give opposing offenses fits. Sophomore Michael McClenton led the Knights with 17 total tackles — 12 solo and three tackles-for-loss — and one sack. UP NEXT: The Knights will host West Orange Friday, Sept. 29. The First Academy (4-1), 56 Bronson (0-5), 0 HIGHLIGHTS: The First Academy quarterback Jack McKissock went 8-for-16 for a total of 103 yards. Senior Brooks Tulp carried the ball twice for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Obatimilehin Awosika carried the ball twice for 58 yards. In total, the Royals piled up 208 yards on the ground. UP NEXT: The Royals will travel to Orlando Christian Prep Friday, Sept. 29. Windermere Prep (0-3) Legacy Charter (1-3) * This game was canceled UP NEXT: The Lakers will travel to Cocoa Beach Friday, Sept. 29. The Eagles will host Master’s Academy Friday, Oct. 6.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? The ability to stop time and just to be able to take things in a little bit more and also see how that can affect certain situations. If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why? It would be hard to pass up one of the greatest sports highlights, (so) Masters Sunday in 2005, to watch Tiger (Woods’) final round. What color would you say represents your personality? Why? Red; it shows confidence.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? A Peregrine falcon, because not only can it fly but also it’s the fastShannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd est animal on the State Farm has a long tradition Winter Garden, FL 34787 planet.

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he West Orange High School JV and varsity swim teams defeated Olympia High School during a dual meet Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Rosen Aquatic Center. The Lady Warriors defeated the Lady Titans 200-86. On the boys side, the Warriors also brought home a win against the Titans 157-137.

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— ANDREA MUJICA

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

TRENT STUCKEY 2023 RESULTS

GAVIN STUCKEY 2023 RESULTS

n Currently ranked No. 1 in the Pro Men wakeboarding category with 5,254 world ranking points.

n Currently ranked No. 2 in the Pro Men wakeboarding category with 4,698 worldranking points.

n Feb. 4: Finished first at the Embily Open 2023 in Singapore with 517 world-ranking points.

n Feb. 4: Finished second at the Embily Open 2023 in Singapore with 320 points.

n May 13: Finished first at the LAO 2023 in Germany with 634 points. n May 20: Finished first at the Andocken’23 in Germany with 237 points. n June 8: Finished third at the Red Bull WakeDuel 2023 in Lithuania with 8,332 points. n June 17: Finished first at the Red Bull Wake The City in Italy with 271 points. n June 30: Finished fourth at the Munich Mash 2023 in Germany with 94 points. n July 13: Finished second at the Nautique WWA Wake Park World Championships London 2023 in the United Kingdom with 393 points (features category). n July 13: Finished first at the Nautique WWA Wake Park World Championships London 2023 in the United Kingdom with 515 points (traditional category). n July 19: Finished first at the Plastic Playground 2023 in the United Kingdom with 678 points. n July 28: Finished first at the Bretzel Contest 2023 in France with 254 points.

n May 13: Finished second at the LAO 2023 in Germany with 393 points. n June 8: Finished first at the Red Bull WakeDuel 2023 in Lithuania with 870 points. n June 17: Finished fourth at the Red Bull Wake The City in Italy with 64 points. n June 30: Finished fourth at the Munich Mash 2023 in Germany with 94 points. n July 13: Finished first at the Nautique WWA Wake Park World Championships London 2023 in the United Kingdom with 634 points (features category). n July 13: Finished second at the Nautique WWA Wake Park World Championships London 2023 in the United Kingdom with 318 points (traditional category). n July 19: Finished ninth at the Plastic Playground 2023 in the United Kingdom with 60 points. n July 28: Finished second at the Bretzel Contest 2023 in France with 157 points. n Aug. 4: Finished second at the Awake Embily Open in Italy with 295 points.

n Aug. 4: Finished first at the Awake Embily Open in Italy with 478 points.

Wakeboarding a family affair CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

to 360. Then I tried it for a bunch of times, and eventually, I landed it.” The brothers got into wakeboarding through their parents, Shannon and Jason Stuckey — who also wakeboarded professionally. “We definitely got it from my parents,” Gavin Stuckey said. “(I remember) riding on the board in between my dad’s legs. He would hold me and ride.” “So that’s my favorite thing about this sport: We all chose wakeboarding as a passion organically ourselves,” Shannon Stuckey said. “I do compete competitively, obviously I’m a little older, so I don’t compete all the time anymore.” After COVID-19, the brothers began competing internationally and have traveled to many countries including Thailand, Lithuania, Singapore, Italy, Germany, France and London. “Luckily, most of the wakeboarding competition season happens in the summer,” Gavin Stuckey said. “Aside from a few events in early spring or in the fall, not many events or competitions in general happen during the winter time, so it’s a pretty good gap in the summer that gives us a break from school and we can fulfill wakeboarding and traveling completely.” Currently, Trent Stuckey is enrolled at Valencia College and has hopes to pursue a career as a pilot in the future. Gavin Stuckey continues his high school studies through Florida Virtual School. Between classes, the boys are enjoying their time on the water and participating in different competitions around the world — together. “They definitely have persistence and desire to compete at a higher level and have an athlete mentality,” Shannon Stuckey said. “But, they also have a fun side to them where they can just let loose and just be kids.” And, when thinking about spending quality time together, competing in the same sport has allowed the brothers to create a deeper bond with each other.

Courtesy photo

Gavin Stuckey and Trent Stuckey enjoyed various moments of success together this past wakeboarding season.

“It’s the best thing possible for us, because we ride together all the time,” Trent Stuckey said. “We always push each other, and then we are super competitive with each other, so we are always trying to beat each other.” Looking ahead, the brothers are excited to continue improving their wakeboarding skills and developing their own personalities when riding on a wakeboard. “I like to do my own thing, I like to do what I enjoy — not based on the competition,” Gavin Stuckey said. “I

just go out there and do what I want and what I think is cool, and I just don’t think about the other people. I actually don’t even like to watch the other people compete in front of me, because I’m just going to go out there and do what I do no matter what they are doing on the water.” “I kind of view wakeboarding as an art form,” Trent Stuckey said. “No two people are ever going to ride the same. Everyone is going to be different, so I guess everyone is unique in that way.”

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

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What brought you to your school? My wife got the job as the boarding admissions manager at Windermere Prep in the spring of 2021. When the middle school dean position opened the following year, I applied and got the job. What do you love most about your school? What I love most about Windermere Prep is the diversity of the student body. With so many students attending from all over the world, our classrooms are diverse, and each student brings (his or her) own unique story. What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is helping students achieve success, both academically and socially, during their middle-school years. By helping students navigate the challenges of middle school, I feel I can help set them up for success in high school and beyond.

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saw the impact they had on the lives of their students and wanted to help students in the same way. Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? My favorite teacher in school was Dr. Smith, my freshman year political science teacher. His classes were so interesting because of the way he could relate the material to our daily lives. I enjoyed his sense of humor and how he weaved his experiences to the topics we studied in class. I became a political science major largely because of the impact he had on me. What is your favorite children’s book and why? My favorite children’s book was “Where the Wild Things Are.” I loved the illustrations and the message of a young boy escaping to a fictional world of make believe. What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy playing golf, reading and playing the guitar. If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why? If I could dine with any famous person, it would be Abraham Lincoln. I am fascinated by his life and how he managed to lead the country during

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Who influences you? My parents had the most influence on me growing up. Both my parents were educators, so I feel I was destined to be an educator, as well. I 408893-1

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JOHN DEBAKEY

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession? If I was not an educator, I would love to be the general manager of either a football or baseball team. Sports have always been a big part of my life, and I would love the challenge of building a team and trying to win championships.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history. In addition, he suffered through personal tragedy and harsh criticism to do what he felt was right. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would choose the ability to time travel. I think the idea of traveling to different moments in human history and to various galaxies would be fascinating.

PAVEMENT PAINTINGS: Ocoee seniors personalize parking spots

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? The three bands I would listen to would be Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam and The Beatles. I grew up listening to these bands, and their music brings back a lot of great memories of my youth. In addition, I enjoy their lyrics and I can play many of their songs.

Above: Ocoee High School senior Quentin Canty, 17, painted his parking spot design based on the Drake cover, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.”

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student? My favorite lunch as a kid was a PB&J sandwich, and my favorite snack was a bag of Doritos.

Left: Senior Amberlin Gomez (second from right), 17, created her Spider-Man design with the help of friends Amaya Saulsby, 16, Donell Grimes, 17, and Marine Saint-Ilmar, 18.

What is your favorite holiday and why? My favorite holiday is Christmas. I enjoy spending the holiday season with my family and decorating the Christmas tree.

Below: Senior Amanda Sierra, 17, chose a Jeep-inspired theme to decorate her parking spot.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? My best friend growing up was Ben Butler, because he lived up the street from me, and he was the first kid I met in my new neighborhood. Yes, we still keep in touch after 37 years of friendship. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? I played football, basketball and baseball in high school. I was an all-county football and baseball player, and my senior year I won the sportsmanship award for baseball at my high school. — ANNABELLE SIKES

Ocoee High School senior Kendall Beverly, right, 17, painted her parking spot with the help of cousin Morgan Harrell, 19, with a last rodeo theme.

coee High School seniors had the opportunity to decorate their assigned parking spots with colorful and unique designs Saturday, Sept. 16. The Knights brought tents and umbrellas to take cover from the sun while illustrating their parking spots, as well as water to stay hydrated. Some seniors preferred creating their designs by themselves while others had help from friends and relatives.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Renata Mello and Daniela Silva were all smiles at the Castleview Grandparents Night.

Paula Jefferson and Xavier Profit had a blast at Castleview’s Grandparents Night.

Castleview students share special evening with grandparents

Frank Montel was thrilled to spend a special night with granddaughter Elloise Farr.

he Castleview Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization hosted a special evening Friday, Sept. 15, for the school’s students and their grandparents. Grandparents Night featured dinner from Macaroni Grill in Winter Garden Village followed by a guided painting project led by art teacher Kathryn BranchKeever. Families also had a chance to get a little silly in the photo booth.

Sue Collins and Charlotte Price enjoyed having dinner together. Left: Irene Choo and Gregory Han worked hard on their painting.

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FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION FROM THE ARCHIVES Curtis Massey was elected the first black mayor of Oakland in September 1975 when he was 49 years of age, and he served for three years. He began working locally as a citrus picker in the Tildenville community and, by the time he was elected mayor, ran a citrus contracting business with 150 employees. At a time in history when Oakland had fewer than 700 residents, Massey was content with the way residents viewed their town. “I don’t think anybody in town really wants us to get any bigger,” he said in an Orlando Sentinel article. “One of the reasons people like it here is because it is peaceful and quiet.” At the time, the town had few paved roads, a two-man police department and no town taxes.

90 years ago

“Unless the unusual heat destroys a goodly portion of the eggplants, Winter Garden farmers who pitched in directly after the storm and replanted their ruined pepper and tomato fields to cabbage, beans and other truck crops stand a good chance of earning money on their crops,” farmers said.

85 years ago

60 years ago

The citizens of this area were witnessing the culmination of about five years of planning and developing natural gas service to the area. The member towns of the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District were Winter Garden, Apopka and Clermont. Miss Bonnie Britt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ward Britt and a sophomore at Lakeview High School, competed in a contest of Central Florida girls and was chosen the winner at Colonial Plaza.

55 years ago

Middle-aged spread, of a physical nature, is no longer an indication that you are middle-aged.

SEPT. 26, 1974 Eckerd Drugs was known for its great prices, and its advertisements in The Winter Garden Times showcased many of its sales prices. Where else could you score such deals? In 1974, you could get three bottles of Charm dish detergent for 84 cents, Aim toothpaste for 49 cents, a container Ponds Dreamflower dusting powder for 79 cents, Vaseline Intensive Care herbal lotion for 59 cents and a three-pack of Sylvania Magicubes camera flash bulbs for $1.19. Folks who liked fishing

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.

According to the most recent valuation, if you are 27.7 years of age, you are now a middle-aged American.

one-pound bag of sausage for 67 cents and a large head of lettuce for 98 cents.

35 years ago

50 years ago

Paul Dion was named manager of the Maryland Fried Chicken on West State Road 50 in Winter Garden.

Citizens for Decency held a prayer and praise rally in front of Universal Studios of Florida to protest the opening in Orlando of “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

40 years ago

30 years ago

An advertisement for Food World announced a 3-pound Armour boneless canned ham for $4.97, a 12-ounce bag of Doritos for $1.79, three loaves of Food World white bread for $1.19, half-gallon of Lady Borden’s ice cream for $2.99, six-ounce cans of Minute Maid lemonade or limeade concentrate for 29 cents each, a

West Orange Habitat for Humanity held the groundbreaking for its third house, located on Postell Avenue. Ira Williams, pastor of Windermere Union Church, officiated the ceremony. Future home recipient Mary Johnson spoke during the program before turning the dirt. Orange Crate Café donated pastries.

crossword

celebrity cipher

STRIKE THAT! by Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen 104 Part of a drum kit

50 Dubble Bubble or Hubba

106 Ones high up in trees

Bubba

107 Upscale hotel chain

52 Troublemakers in an

108 Having a strong moral

entourage

center

53 Dirt spreader

109 Showoffs

55 Au ___

110 Stretch of time

56 “Is there more?”

111 Code used for “SOS”

59 Native of Veracruz

112 Jiffy

60 ___ of lies

DOWN cry

66 Jamaican music genre

2 “The Thinker” sculptor

67 Star of “The Crow”

3 Rolaids rival

68 Condition for which

4 Event with mushers

Temple Grandin is a spokes-

5 Big picture places

person

6 Skeptical (of)

70 Mimicked

7 Write “lay” instead of “lie,” 71 “Slithy” creature in “Jabperhaps berwocky”

30 Rudd of “Only Murders in 54 Big Island farewell

letters)

the Building”

55 “Jesus Christ Superstar” 84 Saying few words

31 Have a Wall St. debut, in

star

85 Angry swarms

slang

56 “Frozen” princess

88 Put one’s faith in

32 Bargain ___

57 Say “wink wink, nudge

90 Super Bowl highlights,

33 British singer Rita

nudge”

to some

34 T-Mobile rival

58 Verbal pauses

91 Greek goddess of the

35 “Backdraft” concern

59 Possess

dawn

61 Deep chasm

92 Place with shakers and

65 Greet a villain

flasks

42 Strike a (see circled

67 Made hay, in a way

94 Movie produced on a

letters)

69 Softly hit single

budget

43 Got hitched

70 Strike a (see circled

95 Minute particle

44 Heavy, solemn feeling

letters)

96 ___ smear (test for some)

46 Anthem contraction

73 Fritz the Cat illustrator

97 Actress Jessica

26 ___ of Insanity (“Princess 47 Elephant married to Celeste Bride” locale)

75 Like company grunts

98 Money-saving way to buy

76 “___ favor”

100 Similar (to)

77 Breathe in

101 Darwin Award topics

80 Necklace that dies

103 Strike a (see circled

81 Strike a (see circled

letters)

1 Cosmopolitan feature? 8 Fruit used in some lowvoltage batteries 13 “Meh” 17 Not as clear 18 Oozed 20 ___ the fat (chitchat)

21 Person who seeks a flash 38 Presto and vivace 40 Scrupled in the pan 22 Cinema ___ (film style) 23 Strike a (see circled letters) 24 Record 25 “Count on me!”

28 Japanese noodles

50 Made headway

29 Ryan of “Only Murders in 51 Strike a (see circled letters) the Building”

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “WMWLD GHMRW DHP GTUW ITB’C JW YLWTC, BH GTCCWL VKH DHP TLW. WMWB (GTLXHB JLTBAH) GTAW FHGW IXRBUWLF.”

62 “Hey, that hurt!”

63 “Fa” follower 1 Competitive eater’s victory 64 Dangerous mole

ACROSS

could pick up a South Bend #630 spinning reel for $3.99 and South Bend reel oil or lube for 59 cents. For 99 cents, shoppers could buy an ironing board cover, laundry bag or clothes pin bag; and for $1.66, they could purchase a sponge mop, dust mop or broom. Appliances, including a juicer, toaster, can opener or G.E. steamdry iron, were for sale for $8.88. The Eckerd’s store was located in the Tri-City Shopping Center, at Dillard Street and West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden.

8 Titans

72 Orange juice brand

9 Company suit

73 Flair or Ocasek

10 Piece of street art

74 Many Zagreb residents

11 Norse ruler

78 ___ gin fizz

12 Bottom-line figure

79 Musical Greek god

13 Longtime pencil brand

80 Way out there, and how

14 “Wait, one more thing!”

82 “Thirtysomething” star

15 Egotist’s focus

83 Commanders on the

16 Has a mortgage, e.g.

front line?

17 Make joint cuts

85 Inside scans (Abbr.)

19 Designer’s concern

86 Missy in the Songwriters

21 Chow

Hall of Fame

27 Schreiber of “Ray

87 Arms for Force-ful

Donovan”

people?

30 “O ___ mia” (Verdi aria)

89 Apt rhyme for “pitch”

31 “Monster” of the desert

93 Instrument in a jazz

GRIKTWX GTAFWB

“CYPBXF’N CBZNH, YKR HIYH’N OIYH PYHHGZN PTNH. OG ZGYXBSG HIYH TEZ XTUG VTGN RGGLGZ HIYK HIG HGKKBN VYPG.”

NGZGKY OBXXBYPN

“Y LO L CLOAYHJ, XG Y DLCJ TG HJVIJRUYGT. JCJHW PLW, Y ALXUJ L AYRUSHJ GV XGOJGTJ JIXJ GT UDJ OYHHGH.”

OJLU IGLV

Puzzle Three Clue: P equals D

Charles Bennett, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Bennett of Winter Garden, was pledged by the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity at the University of Florida. Mrs. S.M. Vandergriff and her daughter, Miss Mary, of Crescent City were guests of her son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Vandergriff of Ocoee. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Reid, of Ocoee, entertained Mr. and Mrs. Baggett at dinner Monday evening.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Puzzle Two Clue: E equals U

THESE OLD TIMES

Puzzle One Clue: Y equals G

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

sudoku

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

33 Wagnerian, say

combo 35 ___ Tuesday (Mardi Gras) 95 Emperor of India known 36 “The Clan of the Cave as “the Great” Bear” author Jean

96 Attach, as a corsage

37 Papa, in Paris

97 Pursue, as a lead

39 Supervillain’s evil laugh

98 Fusses

40 “I say, old chap!”

99 Worker that fills in gaps,

41 Spanish hero El ___

for short

45 Fig. targeted by scam-

100 Water, for a Super

mers

Soaker

47 Murse or European

102 Workplace watchdog

carryall

(Abbr.)

48 Sour or brown quaff

105 “Delicious!”

49 Code scouring the

106 Pacific tuna

Matrix, e.g.

9-28-23

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Every movie you make can’t be great, no matter who you are. Even (Marlon Brando) made some clinkers.” Michael Madsen

Puzzle Two Solution: “Family’s first, and that’s what matters most. We realize that our love goes deeper than the tennis game.” Serena Williams

Puzzle Three Solution: “I am a vampire, so I have no reflection. Every day, I paste a picture of someone else on the mirror.” Meat Loaf

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10B