01.18.24 West Orange Times & Observer by Orange Observer

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VOLUME 91, NO. 3

Win $2,500 for your school The Observer Media Group and Healthy West Orange want you to Show Us Your Strength! SEE 4B.

YOUR TOWN GARDEN CLUB TO HOST TOUR The Bloom & Grow Garden Society is celebrating Florida Arbor Day by hosting a guided walking tour of the Heritage Trees in the historic district of Winter Garden Friday, Jan. 19. The public is invited to participate and learn about points of interest while walking the route through the neighborhoods. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St., and continues to Newton Park on Lake Apopka and back downtown to the Winter Garden Heritage Museum. The walk is about two miles with 56 trees on the tour. For information, visit bloomandgrow.club/treeproject.

Being a blessing

Pam Gould withdraws from 2024 election

Gould said personal priorities and her family must take precedence over her political career. SEE PAGE 2A.

Annabelle Sikes

The Morales family — Anaiya, 16; Noemi; Jovani, 12; and Exavier, 6 — have recieved a new car from Main Street Collision, as well as gift cards, food, clothes, toys and more. However, the family is still in need of community support.

Meet our FBI academy grad Winter Garden Police Department Capt. Anthony Dawkins graduated from the FBI National Academy. SEE PAGE 6A.

Winter Garden seeks clarification before possible forfeiture hearing The city of Winter Garden will host a workshop this week to clarify the way forward for a possible forfeiture hearing involving Commissioner Ron Mueller. SEE PAGE 2A.

On Christmas Eve, her only car — and means of work — was repossessed. A few weeks later, single mom Noemi Morales has been blessed by West Orange’s generosity. SEE PAGE 4A.

MLK’s dream is still alive Ocoee and Winter Garden hosted parades and celebrations to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. SEE PAGE 8A.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Commissioners will host workshop BACKGROUND

NEWS EDITOR

At the Winter Garden City Commission meeting Thursday, Jan. 11, commissioners voted to hold a workshop to clarify the way forward for a possible forfeiture hearing involving Commissioner Ron Mueller. The workshop will take place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at City Hall. DUE PROCESS

City Attorney Kurt A. Ardaman said it is up to the commission to decide if it wants to wait for Mueller to obtain counsel, as well as other proceedings relating to the hearing. As he did at the December meeting, Mueller reiterated due process is being violated because he has not yet retained counsel. “You haven’t gotten an attorney yet?” Bennett asked. “It’s been what, three months?” Commissioner Mark A. Maciel said he wouldn’t be prepared to move forward with the hearing if Mueller was not represented. “I don’t think it would be fair to Ron, and I think whatever we came up with could be questioned if he

The Winter Garden City Commission in November voted to hold a public forfeiture hearing for Commissioner Ron Mueller. The 4-1 vote, with Mueller dissenting, followed Commissioner Lisa Bennett’s concerns about Mueller violating Sunshine Law, as well as speaking to residents in her district rather than directing them to her. Mueller said the hearing is politically motivated and an abuse of Bennett’s office. The commission then voted in December, 4-1, with Mueller dissenting, to proceed with the hearing relating to three charges of alleged violations of the city charter. Although there was debate on how many charges the commission should consider at the hearing, Bennett said Mueller violated three charges in the city charter pertaining to Article II, Sections 14.1 and 14.2.

wasn’t represented,” Maciel said. “So, do we put a timeline on that, because the allegations happened during his tenure of office, and there’s no guarantee who’s going to hold the office … after the election time?” Bennett said. “I feel like it needs to be addressed during this term. It shouldn’t be openended.”

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Maciel agreed with Bennett but didn’t see how the hearing would be resolved — especially before the March election. Ardaman said if the commission wishes to proceed with the hearing, he suggests doing it during the current term. “I don’t have someone to guide me on what to say, or what’s appropriate here … ” Mueller said. “It certainly has cost us a ton of money for Commissioner Bennett’s personal agenda here, which is just a huge waste of taxpayer time and money. … It’s embarrassing us to no end as a city.” Mayor John Rees said there was a “tremendous” amount of emails the commission has combed through regarding Mueller’s potential Sunshine Law violations. “If all five of us sent that to our staff, we’d have to have three extra people just to go through emails, and a lot of them were sent to different department heads copied to our city manager, vice versa, which … you really shouldn’t be doing,” he said. “You go through the city manager, and what I hang a hat back on is, I’m going to say it was probably

May 2022 … our city manager sent an email saying, ‘Hey, you’ve got to send everything through me.’ And from what I remember reading was, you know, you respectfully declined and continued on.” Mueller believes if the city manager thought the conversations were a serious enough problem, he would have brought the topic before the commission. Mueller made a motion to dismiss the hearing, but that died. Bennett then made a motion for the commission to schedule the hearing during Mueller’s current tenure so the matter could be resolved. But it didn’t receive a second vote. A TURN OF EVENTS

Commissioner Colin Sharman believes the issue is larger than a singular commissioner. “Whether it’s blatantly too far or not, that’s up to the legal arguments to be heard back and forth,” he said. “But this is a bigger issue than one commissioner; it’s how we move forward as a body of commissioners, how we act with the public, how we interact with staff.” Rees suggested the city host a workshop to further discuss the matter. Sharman motioned to hold the workshop. Maciel seconded the motion before it passed unanimously.

Q The Winter Garden City Commission approved the site plan for a .81-acre property at 14230 W. Colonial Drive for West Market Lot 10. The applicant is proposing to develop the land with a 5,996-square-foot, singlestory office building with associated parking. Q The commission approved the site plan at Stoneybrook West Parkway for the Stoneybrook Exchange. The project comprises 13 buildings consisting of office and retail uses with a total of 89,889 square feet. Q The city approved a binding lot combination agreement for 35 and 41 W. Morgan St. and 965, 981 and 995 Vineland Road for Kanoe USA. The lot combination is being requested because the applicant is constructing a new 29,802-square-foot office/ warehouse in the Garden Commerce Center Commercial/Industrial subdivision. Q Commissioners approved the final plat for 721 and 705 Winter Garden-Vineland Road and 115 Roper Road. The applicant is proposing to combine five lots located on the east side of Winter Garden-Vineland Road. The lot combination is requested because the applicant, Winter Groves, is constructing a new 9,063-squarefoot, single-story office building.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Writing “The New Colony of Gotha, 1876-1950: Place-Making in Pioneer Central Florida,” has been a labor of love for historian Kathleen Klare.

BUY THE BOOK “The New Colony of Gotha, 1876-1950: Place-Making in Pioneer Central Florida” is available at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum gift shop, 21 E. Plant St., Winter Garden; Yellow Dog Eats, 1236 Hempel Ave., Gotha; and Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha.

THE STORY OF GOTHA Kathleen Klare spent several years gathering details of the community’s rich past and unearthed some interesting facts about the residents and their lives. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Courtesy photo

Harry Hempel stood outside his home on Lake Olivia, in Gotha.

determination is “The New Colony of Gotha, 1876-1950: Place-Making in Pioneer Central Florida,” a 350-page paperback history of Gotha that contains 230 photographs, images and maps. “My goal was never to make any money on this,” she said. “It was to preserve the community. I didn’t start out thinking I was going to write a book. I wrote a chapter for the church, the Lutheran Church (in Gotha). … And then I got very involved. I was a director of the Nehrling Society, and one of the things was to put together the archives, and that put me right into the history.” ‘THIS IS THE REALITY’

Klare’s interest was piqued when she discovered a letter written by Dr. Henry Nehrling’s wife about Klare’s grandfather.

“That kind of leaped off the page,” she said. “These are real people; they aren’t just in books.” To discover bits of information became the thrill of the hunt, she said. The book is divided into two parts: “1876-1904: The German Colony of Gotha and the First Pioneers” and “1900-1950: The Gotha Community.” Twelve chapters break up the history into categories that start with the Central Florida German-European colony’s origins and continue through the golden age of Free Thought, Gotha’s development with a dependency on citrus farming, the start of a German church in 1886, Nehrling and Palm Cottage Gardens, the area’s forgotten cemeteries, notable winter residents, the mid-1920s growth, the Nally years at Palm Cottage Gardens, and the community’s two active US. military depots during World War II.

“I stopped after the war, because I didn’t think there were a lot of big things to write about,” Klare said. “We had tactical Army and air tactical training units in Gotha during the war. I wrote about that … because a lot of people like to say we were a POW camp, which is not the truth. I’m killing the rumors about the POW camps.” She suspects the incorrect story began circulating because of the Gotha Ordnance Depots, one of which was located near where Yellow Dog Eats is today. “There were times in the war they needed additional help, especially laundry,” Klare said. All the guys are gone, so the hotels and hospitals were in very bad shape as far as laundries were concerned. So they used … the POWS from the (camp at the) Orlando Air Force base.” The prisoners of war were brought to Gotha daily to handle the large volume of laundry, she said. At the same time, the American soldiers were learning how to bake bread on the front line, she added. “This is the reality,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of research to state what they were doing.” THE EARLIEST RESIDENTS

Discovering the first residence of Gotha was like a treasure hunt. Klare did massive amounts of deed searches and referenced properties by maps. She contacted historical societies, museums and libraries, and researched timelines on old businesses. “Someone sent me an article, and it’s like a clue and you take that clue and see where it goes,” she said. “You just keep Googling. … It was a lot of work, but I loved it.” She discovered savvy marketing

caught the attention of businessmen in the north, and Gotha became the winter home or permanent home of folks such as Theodore Ahrens, a Victorian plumbing manufacturer; Adolphe Meinecke, a collector and owner of Meinecke Toy Company; and John Hauenstein, a beer factory owner from Minnesota. Charles Kouene was another major player in the settling of Gotha. Klare said his creation of the American Turner society in 1885 was perhaps the single greatest influence on the Gotha colony’s early development. Kouene met Hempel, who was of the other secular movement, the Freethinkers, and the two made an instant connection. The book goes into detail about each of these movements and their impacts on Gotha. By 1885, there were 99 residents in Gotha. One chapter is devoted to many of these families and how they found their way to Central Florida. Klare chronicles the businesses and churches and organizations that built upon the original German foundation and created the beloved community that stands today. SEARCHING FOR THE DETAILS

Klare was able to speak with several descendants of the first settlers, as well as folks whose families played a role in Gotha’s history. She spoke with Grace M. Cooper, whose husband helped build the tent camps. Her biggest “find,” perhaps, was meeting Frances Hamm, the 100-year-old granddaughter of Franz Barthel, an expert plant cultivator. In the mid 1880s, Barthel was helping new residents organize their citrus groves and, more importantly, assisted Nehrling in putting together his famous gardens. “Everything changed after the freezes of 1894 and 1895,” Klare said. “Hempel was promising property to build citrus groves so people would have … an income, so a lot of people … invested up to 80 acres. … Hempel bought 1,000 acres and was helping them to develop on it. People were coming to Gotha and setting up groves. (After the freezes) people walked right out of their houses, left their food on the tables, left everything, because they had invested everything in citrus as their income. They went back north essentially. They lost everything.” The next decades were devoted to rebuilding the community. “I’ve always considered this a niche book, because if you say to anybody ‘Gotha,’ they don’t even know where it is,” Klare said. “I was trying to appeal, not to a big market, but I wanted it basically for Gotha residents and for historians. … My interest was preservation of this community because most of the communities around here only have citrus history. Because Gotha was an international colony, it brought a lot of different talent, and I didn’t know until I started researching it.” Now that the book is finally finished, what’s next for Klare? She hopes to get a large sign posted with history and a photo. Another project she would like to see is a history trail in Gotha that includes information markers at each stop.

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Photo by Amy Quesinberry

f asked to list what they know about Gotha, Florida, most people can quickly come up with Nehrling Gardens, Camp Ithiel, Yellow Dog Eats, Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, and several residential subdivisions. To many, that’s about it. Some might even know the significance of the Nehrling property and how Hempel Avenue got its name. But for others, such as Kathleen Klare, the town is a goldmine of history that began in 1876 and was home to many interesting and wealthy northerners who traveled to Central Florida in the winters and helped put Gotha on the map. Klare’s family dates back more than a century in Gotha, when her ancestors arrived in 1911; and she was born and raised in the small West Orange community. “When I was young, I didn’t appreciate it because not much happened, but when you live in the (big) cities over the years, you really appreciate community,” Klare said. Her interest in local history — coupled with her career as an architectural interior designer that had her managing projects the size of the Brooklyn Bridge — led her to embark on a years long search for any information and photos pertaining to Gotha and its past. “I liked large projects; I didn’t do a lot of projects, I worked on large ones,” Klare said. “I think because of always dealing with a lot of detail, I think that’s one of the reasons I was able to segue into something like this.” The result of her research and

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

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

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor / Sam Albuquerque, sama@OrangeObserver.com Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Graphic Designer / Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Marketing and Sales Associate / Zari Gotay, zari@OrangeObserver.com Photos by Annabelle Sikes

Community members, including Mercedes Masih-Das, of Daniel’s Cheesesteak House; Tiki and Jamie Persaud, of Main Street Collision; Vish Baijnauth, of V Tech IT Services; and Winter Garden City Commissioner Ron Mueller, have supported the Morales family.

Community rallies behind single mom ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

hile most families were celebrating the holidays with cookies, cocoa and cheer, single mom Noemi Morales was having one of the hardest days of her life. Morales, who has lived in Winter Garden since 2017, awoke Christmas Eve morning to discover her car had been repossessed. Morales, a mother of three children — Anaiya, 16; Jovani, 12; and Exavier, 6 — relied on the car to support her income by driving patients to their medical appointments. “Life, as unpredictable as it is, has thrown us into a whirlwind of challenges,” Morales writes on the family’s GoFundMe. “I’ve dedicated my life to not only raising my children but also serving our community by driving sick people to their medical appointments — a job that filled my heart with purpose. However, the harsh tides of fate have left us in dire straits. This past Christmas Eve, in a moment that felt like the world was crumbling under our feet, our only car was repossessed. This wasn’t just a vehicle; it was our lifeline — the means by which I provided for my family and served those in need. The loss of our car was more than a financial blow; it was a strike at the core of our independence and hope. Now, months behind on rent and without a means to earn a living, the shadows of uncertainty loom over us. The burden of past-due bills and the fear of losing our home are realities that my children and I face every day.” STRONGER TOGETHER

On Dec. 21, Winter Garden City Commissioner Ron Mueller posted on the Winter Garden Rants, Raves and Reviews Facebook page encouraging residents to help out those in need during the holiday season. “Christmas, in its purest form, is a time of gathering, of love and of reflection,” he wrote. “It’s a moment to cherish the warmth of family and friends, to revel in the laughter and joy that fill our homes. But, as your commissioner, I invite you to think beyond the comfort of your immediate circle. This Christmas, let’s extend our hands and hearts to those who might be spending the season in despair — the lonely, the less fortunate, the unhoused and those in dire need. Let the spirit of Christmas, the teachings of your faith, the guidance of God and the compassion of our humanity move us, even if it’s uncomfortable, to offer comfort to others. … This Christmas, I urge you to look deep within your hearts. Find peace, trust and that special place where love for your neighbor resides.” Through the post, Mueller became

The Morales family recieved a white 2010 Toyota Corolla with a full tank of gas.

aware of the Morales family. With the loss of her only means of income, Morales and her children were in desperate need of food, clothing and basic necessities. Mueller reached out to the community again. “Her situation is critical, and as a compassionate community, we have the power to make a difference,” Mueller wrote. “Let’s come together to support Noemi and her children and bring some light to their lives in these challenging moments. Your generosity can make a significant impact on a family in our community.” The post had an overwhelming response from Winter Garden. Community members and local businesses sent gift cards, food, clothes, toys and more. Morales created a GoFundMe account for those who wanted to donate money. In the midst of the storm, a ray of hope appeared. “It means the world to me to know that my community of Winter Garden has joined hands in helping my kids and (me),” Morales said. “We are beyond grateful for all the help we received and for Commissioner Ron Mueller for sharing my story. Also, for those that couldn’t help but kept my family in their prayers. But above all, I thank God for hearing my prayers and touching the hearts of those in Winter Garden. I am honored to call Winter Garden my home.” LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Jamie Persaud, co-owner of Main Street Collision with his father, Tiki, felt compelled to help. He took a vehicle he owned at his auto repair shop, fixed it up and donated it to Morales on Thursday, Jan. 4. Originally from New York, Persaud and his family moved to Florida about 20 years ago. This year, Main Street

Collision is celebrating 14 years in the Winter Garden community. “Years ago, we were kind of in a situation like this where we lost our car and stuff like that,” Persaud said. “We’re at a position now where we can help out in the community, and we wanted to give what we could.” The white 2010 Toyota Corolla came with a full tank of gas for the Morales family. “Having this car is such a blessing,” Morales said. “Financially, I am able to save money as now I don’t have a monthly payment to stress over. Physically, because I can continue serving my community and get back to work driving my patients to their medical appointments. It truly is a blessing!” Vish Baijnauth, with V Tech IT Services, also heard about the Morales’ situation and paid for the registration for their new car. “When I heard the story of a single mom of three going through some tough times, I felt compelled to do something,” he said. “Helping members of our community and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need has always been important to me. I understand the feeling of going through challenging times, but I was able to get through it with support from my family and friends. … I wanted to alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with a new car. Although she is a stranger to me, I can tell just from a small conversation with her that she is working extremely hard to provide for her children. She deserves to feel the happiness and independence that comes with a new vehicle, not the stress of figuring out minor issues like registering it. I am glad that with this donation from Jamie and I, she can continue to focus on what truly matters — herself and her family.” The owners of Daniels’ Cheesesteak House — Harold and Mercedes

HELP THE MORALES FAMILY GoFundMe: bit.ly/3HdKBHB Venmo: Noemi-Morales-2020

Masih-Das, as well as their three children, Frankie Liz, Daniel and Brian Masih-Das — filled the trunk with groceries. “Winter Garden has been the community that embraced us with open arms when we first moved here over 30 years ago,” the family said. “How do you not take care of the very people that are the reason for the success of your small business? We have made so many lifelong friendships and have met so many wonderful people through out the years. We love our community and consider them family.” Mueller said the act was a powerful testament to the spirit and heart of Winter Garden. “When I called upon our residents to reach out to those in need, the response was a profound demonstration of our core values,” he said. “Our recent collective effort to support Noemi Morales and her family is not just an act of charity; it is a reflection of our shared ethos. In Winter Garden, our compassion is our strength; our unity is our pride. We are more than residents; we are guardians of each other’s well-being, champions of each other’s dreams. It’s this spirit of guardianship and championship that drove us to act in unison to provide for a family facing hardship. … In Winter Garden, we choose kindness, we choose community, we choose to stand together. … We are a community that doesn’t just talk about values — we live them. We are a community that doesn’t just dream of a better world — we build it, one act of kindness at a time. Let us continue to be the community where everyone matters, where every act of kindness counts and where, together, we build a future that’s bright for all.” On the GoFundMe, Morales said the act of kindness has rekindled a flame of hope in the family’s hearts. However, she said the journey to stability is still fraught with challenges. The mounting costs of insurance, utility bills and overdue rent are mountains the family has yet to climb. “In sharing our story, I extend a humble plea for your help,” she wrote. “Any contribution, no matter how small, can be a stepping stone towards regaining our footing. Your generosity is not just a donation; it’s a lifeline that will help us rise from these hardships and rebuild a stable, secure life for my children. Your support today is more than just financial aid; it’s a testament to the power of community and the boundless strength of human kindness. I am eternally grateful for your consideration and promise that, in the future, I will pay this kindness forward. As we often say, ‘Today it’s me, tomorrow it could be you.’ Thank you for being a beacon of hope in our lives and for taking the time to embrace our story. Your help is not just a gift; it’s a blessing that will echo in our hearts forever.”

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1930-20'4: Amanda Booker loved on Tildenville children for decades She ran the area’s daycare center and provided love, education, nutrition and health care to the youngest residents. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Amanda Allen Booker was known as an angel in the impoverished community of Tildenville — operating a daycare to allow parents to work and oftentimes buying food and diapers with her own money to make sure the babies were fed and dry. For decades, she served as director of the Tildenville Missionary Baptist Church Childcare Center and even helped raise funds to get it started — by baking hundreds of sweet potato pies. Booker, 93, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. Booker was born in Edison, Georgia, March 1, 1930 — the sixth of eight children — to Jessie and Georgia Lee West Allen and moved to Winter Garden when she was 18. She attended Mt. Ebelle School, skipping two grades because of her advanced intelligence, as well as Arlington and Edison High School. She was an inquisitive child who

learned to sew when she was 3 and won first prize for sewing and embroidery in the 4-H Club at age 7. She loved playing the piano. She continued her education at Price’s Sewing and Tailoring School when she became a Winter Garden resident and received her high school diploma at Charles R. Drew High School. She then studied food, nutrition and advanced seamstressing through the University of Florida Extension Program and studied early childhood education through 4C’s at several area colleges. Booker worked for the state of Florida as a Florida Extension homemaker before running the childcare center in Tildenville. This center would become a haven in the community, and Booker provided love, education, nutrition and health care for the children for decades. She washed and dried the daycare center clothing at her own home, as well, because the center didn’t have a washer or dryer.

In addition to being a safe place for children, the center served as a network of resources for residents seeking employment opportunities, as well as donated clothing and furniture. To make ends meet, Booker maintained several jobs and even took in laundry on the weekends. She was known to be generous to a fault, she loved people, and she fed anyone who entered her home. She was a history buff and loved to travel. She was known for liking nice things — she bought a car before she learned how to drive, and she paid $50 for a lot on East Bay Street because she wanted to have her own home. A strong Christian woman, Booker was a longtime member of Tildenville Missionary Baptist Church and served in several capacities there. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Heroines of Jericho, District Prayer Band and other civic and community organizations. Once nominated for Florida’s Woman of the Year, Booker was recognized by the West Orange Culture Keepers as a Citizen of Distinction for her service to her community. When the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation honored area residents in its Women of West Orange County exhibition, Booker was among them.

Courtesy photos

Amanda Booker was devoted to her family and her beloved Tildenville community.

Service to others always was her mission, and she made many visits to ill and homebound residents. Booker was married to the late Major Booker for 28 years and had five children: Major Jean Booker Kiner, Cassie Ann Booker Williams, George Lamond Booker, Dr. Frances Evon Booker Dixson and Dexter Leon Booker. She was a grandmother and great-grandmother, as well.

Winter Garden captain graduates from FBI academy Anthony Dawkins is the first to earn his diploma while working with the Winter Garden Police Department. FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY

FBI Academy instructors, special agents and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered. A total of 54,763 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Police Capt. Anthony Dawkins has graduated from the FBI National Academy and is the first member of the Winter Garden Police Department to do so while serving the city. He joins Winter Garden’s only other FBI Academy graduate, Chief Steve Graham, who obtained his diploma before joining the city. Dawkins’ graduation took place Dec. 7 at the academy in Quantico, Virginia. Fewer than 1% of officers in the nation have the opportunity to attend the program. For 10 weeks, Dawkins participated in advanced communication, leadership and fitness training with other members in this 288th session. He attended six classes, starting at 7:30 a.m. and sometimes concluding at 6 p.m., including a physical training class that challenged participants weekly. “You think you know something, and you go and learn something new,” he said. All classes were college-level, taught by the FBI and the University of Virginia; Dawkins received 18 hours of graduate-level credit for classes in emotional intelligence in leadership, organizational change, psychology of leadership,

and leadership influence in culture and media. He said it was a great experience, and he was able to make many important connections. The FBI holds its own training classes year-round, so participating lawenforcement officers get the chance to train side-by-side with agents. During the new-trainee session, officers also have the opportunity to meet one another and provide their contact information to build a repository of resources. “You become a part of a large network, not only in the United State but internationally as well,” Dawkins said. “I made connections with South Korea and Nigeria.” This provides law-enforcement officers all over the world a forum in which to ask questions and get feedback from other agencies that have experienced specific situations. REACHING A GOAL

Dawkins said it has always been a goal of his to attend the national academy. “I didn’t think it ever come to fruition; I’m very fortunate,” he said. He applied to his field officer, who is in Tampa, and was allowed to send five officers to training. After passing a background check, proving he can run one mile under 10 minutes and going through other physical components, Dawkins was notified that he was going to Quantico. “You might apply but it doesn’t mean you get in,” he said. “There were actually 12 of us from the state of Florida that went,” he

said. “When you’re (the) 1%, you’re truly 1%.” A total of 198 law-enforcement officers attended — men and women from 45 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of agencies from 24 countries, four military organizations and six federal civilian organizations. Graham was pleased to send Dawkins to the FBI academy. “Capt. Anthony Dawkins is a valued and dedicated member of the agency’s leadership team,” he said. “The knowledge and networking attained through the National Academy will benefit this agency and Anthony throughout the remainder of his career.” DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY POLICING

“I’ve found a good career in Winter Garden,” Dawkins said. “I’ve never been in law enforcement anywhere else.” He began his career with the WGPD in March 2004 in the community policing unit in east Winter Garden. During his time with the city, he progressed through the ranks gaining experience in many aspects of law enforcement. He was on bike patrol for five years, creating many community programs with fellow Officer James McLeod, before being promoted to sergeant and moving to the patrol division. He was promoted again to lieutenant and went back on patrol. As a four-year captain, he has led both the patrol division and support services.

Courtesy photo

Capt. Anthony Dawkins graduated from the FBI National Academy in December.

Dawkins embraces community policing and is active in cultivating positive relationships within the Winter Garden community. He has master’s degrees in both criminal justice and leadership management. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s command officer’s course. A dedicated family man, Dawkins enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Orange County District 1 race narrows to two now required for high school students wishing to participate in athletic programs, band and ROTC. Pam Gould has announced her withShe also spent four years as presidrawal from the Orange County Dis- dent and CEO of the Winter Gardentrict 1 Commission race. based nonprofit Shepherd’s Hope. Gould took to Facebook Thursday, She resigned from that position in Jan. 11, to break the news. January 2023. CHURCH OF GOD “After thoughtful consideration, With Gould’s departure, District 1 Ocoee Church of God I have realigned my personal pri- voters will choose between incumPastor Thomas Odom orities, and my family must take bent Nicole Wilson and Austin 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee precedence,” she wrote. “I will con- Arthur. Both candidates applauded tinue to focus on impactful results Gould’s demonstrated commitment (407) 656-8011 as an (Orange County) School Board to the community and wished her member through the end of my third continued success in the future. EPISCOPAL term. It has been an honor and a plea“School Board Member Gould Church of the Messiah sure to serve West Orange County in has devoted much of her career to 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden the nonprofit and public sectors for public service and deserves our Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, (more than) 23 years. Thank you to gratitude for the sacrifices she has 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM all of my partners, collaborators and made,” Wilson said. “I know she supporters who supported me and cares deeply about our community, www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com my campaign.” and even though this might not be Gould — a West Orange resident the right time for a County ComMETHODIST for 23 years — has served on the mission candidacy, I’m sure she will First United Methodist School Board since 2012 and repre- continue to be involved in the causes www.fumcwg.org sents District 4. near and dear to her. I have a great During her tenure, Gould has been working relationship with her as my 125 N. Lakeview Ave., instrumental in advancing the open- School Board counterpart and will Winter Garden ing of 14 new schools, two rebuilds continue to collaborate with her to METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL (407) 656-1135 and multiple comprehensive cam- serve our shared constituency.” FIRST UNITED OLANDO Services: 9 METHODIST AM Traditional PURPOSE CHURCHpus “Pam has always been kind to CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110,improvements; increased 10:45 AM Contemporary career and technical certifications me — even while we were both 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden and training; expanded work-study running for the same seat,” Arthur Also viewable on YouTube Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Thissaid. page appears weekly in the opportunities for exceptional stu“She’s a good person who cares Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM Generation WOW; deeply about our community. I wish dents; started West Orange Times & Observer and Web: fumcwg.org participated in an exclusive Guide- her all the best in her future endeavwell Mental Health Think Tank ors at andOrangeObserver.com. look forward to workonline which resulted in her introducing ing with her as we bring common UNITED CHURCH OF mental health first-aid training to sense, community-fueled leaderCHRIST the school district; increased guidship to Orange County Government To advertise in the Church Directory WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH ance counselors and mental health through District 1.” 407-656-2121 email services; and championed the elec- callThe election will takeor place in 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. trocardiogram screenings that are August. Windermere, FL 34786 AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

BAPTIST

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

CHURCH DIRECTORY

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

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

CHURCH OF GOD

OCOEE CHURCHChurch OF GOD Victory Baptist Pastor Thomas Odom & Christian Academy 1105 N. Lakewood Ocoee 1601 A.D. Mims Avenue, Rd,Ocoee 407-656-8011 (407) 656-3097 en Sunday: 11 AM & 6 PM EPISCOPAL stWG.org Wednesday: 7 PM CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 9:30AM www.VBCOCOEE.com

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

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Submissions are open through March 25 Voting will take place from March 26 to April 12 The winning school will be announced in the April 18 editions of the West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer. For more information, call us at 407-656-2121 or email Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver.com.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Participants in the Ocoee parade carried handmade signs promoting peace. Former State Attorney Monique Worrell attended the city of Ocoee’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration. Marchers in the Ocoee parade loved celebrating MLK.

The Ocoee High School Band performed during the parade.

‘Hate is too great a burden to bear’

The Molding Stars dance group showcased its best moves — and smiles — at the Winter Garden parade.

One Winter Garden had a massive showing in this year’s Winter Garden parade.

Marilyn Mack and Sal Ramos marched in the Winter Garden parade.

Children rode scooters and bikes throughout the city of Ocoee’s streets during the celebration.

oth Ocoee and Winter Garden honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during their respective celebrations Monday, Jan. 15. Residents, businesses, organizations and community leaders gathered in the city of Ocoee for the 16th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration. The parade began at Citrus Elementary School and ended at the West Oaks Mall with a post-parade celebration, which included keynote speaker Bishop Derrick McRae, senior pastor of The Experience Christian Center. A few miles away, the sun peeked out just as Winter Garden’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration began. The festivities started with a fun-filled parade on Plant Street before continuing to a street party at the Downtown Pavilion. Attendees enjoyed food from a plethora of vendors, as well as children’s activities and live music from Phoenix 5 and Selwyn Birchwood. — MICHAEL ENG AND ANNABELLE SIKES

Winter Garden Mayor John Rees and his wife, Linda, enjoyed marching in this year’s MLK parade.

Phoenix Gonzalez performed with her band, Phoenix 5, at the Winter Garden celebration. Left: Maxey Elementary School’s dancers delighted Winter Garden parade attendees.

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Custom estate sells for $3.2 million dential real-estate transactions from Jan. 9 to 17. The home at 6133 Orta Court, Windermere, sold Jan. 8, for $3,200,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 6,066 square feet. The buyers and sellers were represented by Katie Hershiser-Jones, The Hershiser Jones Group, EXP Realty LLC. These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange. DR. PHILLIPS

BAY LAKES AT GRANADA

The home at 8300 Granada Blvd., Orlando, sold Jan. 10, for $449,900. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,246 square feet. Days on market: Five. CLUBHOUSE ESTATES

The home at 7936 Clubhouse Estates Drive, Orlando, sold Jan. 11, for $660,000. Built in 1980, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,278 square feet. Days on market: 40. OVERLOOK AT RUBY LAKE

The townhouse at 7754 Sweet Star Ave., Orlando, sold Jan. 9, for $539,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,044 square feet. Days on market: 37. RUBY LAKE

The home at 10764 Lemon Lake Blvd., Orlando, sold Jan. 10, for $935,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,814 square feet. Days on market: 208. SAND LAKE HILLS

The home at 8557 Clematis Lane, Orlando, sold Jan. 9, for $550,000. Built in 1974, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,957 square feet. Days on market: 90. SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 10241 Pointview Court, Orlando, sold Jan. 8, for $565,000. Built in 1995, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,990 square feet. Days on market: 46. STONEWOOD MANORHOMES

The townhouse at 7269 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, sold Jan. 11, for $380,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,802 square feet. Days on market: 84.

HORIZON WEST

ARROWHEAD LAKES

The home at 14829 Avalon Road, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 12, for $459,900. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,568 square feet. Days on market: Seven.

SNAPSHOT

Total Sales: 41 High Sale Price: $3,200,000 Low Sale Price: $191,000 AVALON COVE

The home at 9008 Morgana Court, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 12, for $2,050,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,934 square feet. Days on market: Six. DEL WEBB OASIS

The home at 15018 Canopy Cover Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 10, for $926,250. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,854 square feet. INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 6747 Point Hancock Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 12, for $1,100,000. Built in 2014, it has six bedrooms, five-and-onehalf baths and 4,824 square feet. Days on market: 107. The home at 7155 Broomshedge Trail, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 12, for $545,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,294 square feet. Days on market: 39. The townhouse at 14098 Avenue of the Groves, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 11, for $398,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,472 square feet. Days on market: 36. LAKESIDE AT LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The condominium at 8264 Maritime Flag St., No. 310, Windermere, sold Jan. 12, for $360,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,442 square feet. Days on market: 117. LAKES OF WINDERMERE — PEACHTREE

The home at 8554 Abbotsbury Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 11, for $675,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,528 square feet. Days on market: 136. NEWBURY PARK

The home at 9235 Leeland Archer Blvd., Orlando, sold Jan. 12, for $629,900. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,237 square feet. Days on market: 34.

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The home at 6133 Orta Court, Windermere, sold Jan. 8, for $3,200,000. This home sits on more than an acre of land and offers more than 6,000 square feet of living pace. It was the largest transaction in the Windermere area from Jan. 9 to 17. The buyers and sellers were represented by Katie Hershiser-Jones, The Hershiser Jones Group, EXP Realty LLC.

OCOEE

WINDERMERE

The home at 1670 Regal River Circle, Ocoee, sold Jan. 11, for $470,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,144 square feet. Days on market: 65.

The home at 1077 Lascala Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 8, for $580,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,514 square feet. Days on market: 88.

CROWN POINTE COVE

MCCORMICK WOODS

The home at 564 Sky Top Drive, Ocoee, sold Jan. 8, for $569,900. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,639 square feet. Days on market: 16. MEADOW RIDGE

The home at 496 Douglas Edward Drive, Ocoee, sold Jan. 9, for $755,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two halfbaths and 3,161 square feet. Days on market: 23. WYNWOOD

The home at 2222 Greenwood Oak Drive, Ocoee, sold Jan. 12, for $538,990. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,601 square feet. Days on market: 61.

WEST ORANGE GLENMUIR

The home at 11433 Arborside Bend Way, Windermere, sold Jan. 11, for $655,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,196 square feet. Days on market: 22.

ISLEWORTH

The home at 5373 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 12, for $3,000,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, six baths and 5,372 square feet. Days on market: 107.

The home at 405 Courtlea Park Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 12, for $780,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,686 square feet. Days on market: 12. DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN

The home at 228 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden, sold Jan. 9, for $820,000. Built in 1935, it has three bedrooms, one-and-one-half baths and 2,363 square feet. Days on market: 34. TWINWATERS

The home at 11531 Claymont Circle, Windermere, sold Jan. 9, for $937,500. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,944 square feet. Days on market: 21.

The home at 16646 Varone Cove Court, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 14, for $700,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,806 square feet. Days on market: 59.

WINDERMERE DOWNS

WINDTREE GARDENS

WINTER GARDEN

WINTERMERE POINTE

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 1930 Maple Leaf Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 12, for $670,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,509 square feet. Days on market: Two. BLACK LAKE PRESERVE

The home at 14464 Breakwater Way, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 12, for $655,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,638 square feet.

The condominium at 34 Windtree Lane, No. 201, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 9, for $225,000. Built in 1983, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 918 square feet. Days on market: Nine. The home at 2278 Windermere Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 8, for $795,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,693 square feet. Days on market: 16.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 18321 Oliver Twist Way, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 9, for $730,281. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,327 square feet. Days on market: Three. The home at 15926 Moonlight Bay St., Winter Garden, sold Jan. 11, for $520,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,029 square feet. Days on market: 84. The townhouse at 12694 Charmed Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 10, for $431,740. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,567 square feet. Days on market: Nine. WINDERMERE LANDINGS

The home at 11643 Black Rail St., Windermere, sold Jan. 9, for $512,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,984 square feet. Days on market: 34.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

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SPORTS

Shawn Coultoff, a Florida State commit and No. 1 ranked 2025 boys golfer in the state, was lights out on the FSGA Junior tour and for West Orange High in 2023. Page 2B.

Time to shine

After the Florida High School Athletic Association released its tentative district, region and classification split for the next two football seasons, Orange County Public Schools petitioned to allow some of its schools from across the county to play as independents. This decision would give the unnamed programs the freedom to build their schedules as they please but with the caveat that those independent programs will not be able to participate in the FHSAA playoffs. OCPS has not released which of its 23 programs are requesting independence.

With the boys basketball regular season wrapping up in early February, the area’s top teams are lining up for a deep playoff run. Olympia High (154) has big matchups before it closes the season. It hosts Oak Ridge High (16-2) Jan. 19 and then heads to Edgewater High (14-3) for the second game against the Eagles. Windermere High (10-6) still has a couple of tough tests on its schedule. It will host Ocoee High (11-6) and Tampa powerhouse Berkeley Prep (12-2).

With 10 first-time cheerleaders joining the team of 18 this year, Ocoee’s run of championships has been unprecedented.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

wo minutes and 30 seconds. That’s how quickly a competitive cheerleading team’s season can end. “Unlike any other sport — where you get to play 10 or 12 games — in cheerleading, you get two minutes and 30 seconds to show everything you’ve worked on over the past three months,” Theresa Bryant, Ocoee Bulldogs junior peewee cheerleading coach, said. “You have to compact all the jumps, all the turns, all the motions, all the synchronizations into a nonstop two-minute-and-30-second routine on a 48-square-foot mat. That’s what you get. And if you don’t place first or second, you don’t get to move on.”

With just two games left in the season, Windermere boys soccer continues to be one of the top programs in the area and has the chance to finish the regular season with an undefeated record under new coach Lou Romao. Before the 11-0-1 Wolverines can claim an undefeated season, they will host Lake Buena Vista High (7-5) for Senior Night Jan. 16 — after press time — before traveling to Lake Brantley High (10-3) Jan. 18 for the last game before playoffs. Look for senior winger Jose Moyetones to continue his excellent form and add a few more numbers to his current season totals of 17 goals and 18 assists.

Dr. Phillips High (13-4) — back-to-back defending FHSAA Class 7A girls basketball state champions and No. 10 ranked team in the MaxPreps Florida rankings — is set to face off against the defending Class 6A state champions, No. 6 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (12-5) Jan. 19 at home in a matchup that will be a measuring stick for where the two programs are in their pursuit of more state championship glory.

After a hard-fought game between Horizon High (8-2-4) and Ocoee (11-3-3) boys soccer the West Metro Conference Championship couldn’t be decided in regulation. Both sides scored three goals apiece before the final whistle. The title match came down to penalty kicks, and the Knights topped the Hawks 4-3 to take home the hardware.

Courtesy photos

The Ocoee Bulldogs youth cheer team is heading to the YCADA Globals competition in February.

A HISTORIC YEAR

So when Bryant’s junior peewee team added 10 new members, introduced a second competition routine in the Pom Performance division and only had from August to October to practice before its first competition, it was more than probable that this would be a learning year for the fifth- and sixth-grade girls.

“Out of our 18 girls, 10 of them never cheered before,” Bryant said. “It’s their very first time cheering. This was introductory to them, and the Ocoee Bulldogs cheerleading program is a recreational one through Pop Warner. … It’s a little bit different than the All-Star cheer program, where they only do competitions. Our girls also have to work on learning sideline cheers for Pop Warner games on Saturdays.” But it wasn’t a learning year. It was a historic one. Despite the majority of the team never competing in the sport, competing in a new division and only having 90 days to prepare for their first competition, all the Bulldogs did was win. They won the Mid-Florida Pop Warner Pom Performance competition. They won the Regional Pop Warner Pom Performance competition. They won the National Pop Warner Pom Performance competition — improving their score by 15 points from their first outing in late October. “They’re an amazing group,” Bryant said. “Ten of them: I’ve never met SEE OCOEE PAGE 2B

Lake Buena Vista football coach earns head-coaching post at Celebration High After serving as defensive coordinator since the inception of the Vipers’ football program, Jed Ebersole has been tapped as the next Celebration head coach. SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Lake Buena Vista High defensive coordinator Jed Ebersole has been named the next head football coach of Celebration High. Ebersole spent the last three seasons helping build a young Vipers program as an assistant. He helped LBV go from 1-19 in its first two seasons to a winning record last season. Now, the longtime assistant coach will have the chance to build a football program in his image for the first time as a head coach. “It means everything,” Ebersole said of the opportunity. “Seriously, I’ve gone through a lot of programs now and I’ve seen programs that are run well; I’ve seen programs that are run horribly. I’m just glad to be in a position where I can influence a bunch of kids and my coaching staff

Courtesy photo

Vipers defensive coordinator Jed Ebersole has been named the next head coach of the Celebration High football team.

into doing the right thing and getting these kids on the right path. “Obviously, we want to go to playoffs and win a bunch of championships,” he said. “But it’s just going to be nice to know that at least one program is going to be running in the right direction.” To Ebersole, his program’s North Star is clear: Do right by the kids, the program and the community. From his perspective, if his program does that, the wins will follow. “It sounds simple, and it’s probably not the cleanest thing off the tongue, but that’s what we want to do — the right thing,” he said. “The right thing for the program, right things for the kids, do right for the coaches, do right for the school, and that’s what we’re doing. … That includes making sure we’re improving every day — whether it’s a small improvement or a big improvement. … It’s just about building a program that this community is proud of. From there, everything starts to take care of itself, the wins will come, the support will come, our SEE EBERSOLE PAGE 2B

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

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

Shawn Coultoff West Orange High junior and Florida State boys golf commit Shawn Coultoff is the top-ranked 2025 golfer in Florida and the 98th-ranked junior golfer in the country, according to the American Junior Golf Association ranking. In 2023, Coultoff had three top-10 finishes, including a third-place finish in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior, and to start the new year he finished second in the FJT Florida State University tournament. The Warriors golfer also won the Florida State Golf Association Junior Amateur championships in 2022.

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week? It feels good. It’s nice to be recognized. What do you like the most about playing golf? I enjoy being outside, traveling for tournaments and meeting different players from around the world. And hitting “bombs” with my driver. What is your goal for this season, for yourself and the team? My goal is to win and see improvement throughout my game. Get myself ready for FSU in 2025. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from golf? I’ve learned patience, etiquette and that working hard is necessary and will pay off. Who is your favorite golfer and why? Joaquin Niemann. We look alike, have similar swings, and we are always in contention. Favorite golf memory? My third shot on the last hole at the FSGA Junior Amateur. I had a big lead already, but there were a lot of people watching, including several college coaches. It felt good to seal the deal. What’s your go-to pregame meal? Buffalo Chicken Pub Sub.

THE BASICS

Age: 17 Sport: Golf Grade: Junior School: West Orange High

What is your favorite subject in school? Photography. I like the process (and) learning Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro. What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? Depends if I am trying to just survive or if I am trying to have fun. To survive, I would bring a knife, a lighter and some clothes. If I am there to have fun, I would bring a massive Bluetooth speaker with my phone, buffalo sauce and a picture of the people I care about. What is your favorite movie? “Cars.” It’s addicting. If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be? An ancient Egyptian. I want to know how they built the pyramids. If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go? The Jurassic era. Dinosaurs are cool.

Ocoee Bulldogs cheerleaders earn spot at Globals CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

a day in my life. So, I had to adapt to their ways of learning to help them become the best cheerleaders possible. That very first practice, I asked them what their goals were, and they told me they just wanted to learn the sport. But by the time the first competition came around, they flipped a switch and wanted to keep moving on to the next level. That helped them understand when I was being tough on them, or when I was trying to correct them … because they got to learn the competitive side of cheerleading.” That drive is what got them those wins — and also earned the Bulldogs a bid to do something special. THE ROAD TO THE GARDEN STATE

Next month, the Bulldogs will compete on the global stage at the biggest cheerleading competition in the world: The Youth Cheer & Dance Alliance Globals at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. YCADA Globals, unlike the Pop Warner competitions the Bulldogs won, brings together every cheerleading and dance organization in the country and internationally for one of the sport’s biggest youth competitions. There is one thing standing in the

Family. Family . Friends. Friends. Community. Community . ®

— Jed Ebersole

two years, so we’re going to have to find those advantages somewhere, and I think special teams might be that place. “You don’t hear a lot of head coaches saying they love special teams, but I’m a big fan of paying attention to and watching a lot of film on the opposing team’s special teams and finding those little spots where you can gain an advantage from,” he said. “It could be as simple as spots on punts or on kickoffs. It could be the way we could draw up different punt blocks and different returns. … I think that’ll help keep us competitive in some games that some people might not expect us to be as competitive in.” Although the third phase of the

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game will be a focus for Ebersole, keep a lookout for a few tricks the first-year head coach has up his sleeves. “We have nothing to lose this year, right?” he said. “So, we’re going to be aggressive; we’re going to go for it. There are going to be times when it’s 4th-and-7, and people are going to think we’re going to punt, and I’m gonna say, ‘You know what? We’ve worked on this play all week. We knew it was a 4th-and-7 play. Let’s give it a shot.’ “Right now, literally, my directive is to show improvement,” he said. “So, we have to take some shots to do that. That’s what’s going to catch some people off-guard. But hopefully, they’ll fall in love with that approach when we hit a few of them and give folks a nice surprise.” Ebersole wants Celebration’s past to stay exactly there — in the past. “We’re not going to be looking back; we’re looking forward,” he said. “Everything we’re doing today is about building for next year and the year after and the year after that. I’m not one of these guys (who is) going to be looking for that next cool job. … I’m looking for a place where I can build and sustain a program. I’m the kind of old-school coach who wants to be somewhere for 20 years.”

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“What this past year taught me and our players was more about patience — dealing with change and adversity. We got the chance to learn how to deal with different things that came our way that we weren’t expecting.”

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Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

Athlete of the Week Sponsored by Shannon Till,

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ing efforts. She has a slew of moms, dads and grandparents doing everything they can to help. “We do little things online to fundraise,” she said. “We’re also reaching out to people on Facebook, and friends and family to contribute. We had some money that was leftover from one of our other fundraisers, so we’re using that to go toward the airfare, but we still are short. Each girl is doing (her) part with (her) family to try to bring in the money we need. It’s really a team effort. We don’t have a set person who is going out and fundraising for us, we’re all just trying to pull together and do as much as we can.” For Kay Stewart, whose granddaughter, Gracie, is on the team, all the effort to fundraise is worth it for many reasons. But one stands head and shoulders above all the others. “The smile on her face,” she said. “She absolutely loves this. She has learned how to work together. They have formed bonds that will never be broken. … Their coach is excellent, too. She teaches them manners, how to get along with each other, but the smile it puts on her face is enough for me.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

Family. Friends. Community.

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If you or your business want to help get the Ocoee Bulldogs cheerleading program to Globals, the team is accepting donations and is offering sponsorship opportunities. Reach out to coach Theresa Bryant via email at theresa. bryant@adventhealth.com or contact the league’s president, Sueann Cotanche, at (407) 832-0901.

Ebersole to lead Celebration team

kids will go to play college ball, and we’ll be in the right place.” Ebersole’s mindset is the product What is your go-to pregame Looking back, what piece of of years of coaching experience, and hype song? advice would you give your his most recent stop at Lake Buena I put it on shuffle and see what 10-year-old self? Vista is a perfect example of how happens. Enjoy the moment. Try not to he has leaned on that experience to dwell on what happens. Try not develop the game plan he’s taking to What is your favorite non-golf to predict the future. Celebration. hobby? “When I look back at my time at Playing tennis or percussion. If you could ask your future self LBV, it was like two different experia question, what would it be? ences,” he said. “At first … the expeDid I win — in golf and life? rience really cemented the idea that it works to just get coaches around Who is your favorite superyou that you trust and let them do hero? their jobs. Let them embrace the I’m not into superheroes. kids and let them do what they’re supposed to do. Who is your favorite supervil“What this past year taught me lain? and our players was more about Jackson Storm in “Cars” — if you patience — dealing with change count him as a supervillain. and adversity,” Ebersole said. “We got the chance to learn how to deal If you could have any superwith different things that came our power, what would it be and way that we weren’t expecting. We why? learned how we were going to deal Super strength. I could do with things that happened that we anything. didn’t like. … Ultimately, it was two different experiences, but two that If you could travel to three I learned a lot from.” places in the world, where Throughout his career, Ebersole would you go and why? has coached nearly every position, Australia, because I want to and that experience should serve see a koala. Iceland, because him well in his new post. there are puffins. And I want “Through and through, I’m a to go to Augusta, Georgia, (to) defensive guy, but through my past, play at Augusta National. I’ve literally coached every position except quarterbacks, and I’ve also If you could be an animal for been an offensive coordinator for a a day, which one would you little bit, so I kind of see all aspects be? of the game,” he said. A bear, so my life would be eatBecause of that perspective, ing fish and sleeping. Ebersole has a lot of different tools in his belt to help the Storm improve What is your most controveras a team, and he will use whatever sial food take? strategy necessary to help CelebraI don’t like rice, and buffalo tion win ball games — even special sauce belongs on everything. teams. “I love defense, and I’m never Does pineapple belong on Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together. going to hide that,” Ebersole said. Fowler’s Grovepizza? 3279 Daniels Rd State Farm has a long tradition“But what a lot of people don’t know Winter Garden, FL 34787 Yucky. Toll Free: 855-742-1591 of being there. That’s one reason is my attention to special teams. I www.shannontill.com I’m proud to support Westthink that is going to be big for us — SAM why ALBUQUERQUE Orange county.. and is going to help this year. This is Get to a better State . a team that’s been 1-19 over the past

We’re all in this together.

way of this group of cheerleaders and their shot at competing against the world’s best: It’s going to cost about $500 each for the 18 cheerleaders and their five coaches. That’s about $11,500 for the team — not including any of the cheerleaders’ parents. But just like the determination the girls showed to learn the sport and get to this point, their community is rallying around these 18 and is doing whatever it takes to get the Bulldogs to Globals. “This is (a) once-in-a-lifetime (opportunity),” Bryant said. “We don’t have to go. You can make it to Globals and not go to the competition. Our president asked me why we’re going, and I told her they may never be able to go again. You don’t know what you’re going to get the next season. … You don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow. “I’ve told our parents who have said they don’t have the money not to worry,” she said. “We’ll do whatever to make sure that we make this money. My goal is that we make sure that every child on this team goes to Globals and that they won’t have to worry about a cent. So, I’ve been grinding as a coach to make sure of that … and we’ve been fundraising like crazy and asking our community to help our children reach Globals.” Bryant isn’t alone in the fundrais-

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In December 2023, Windermere Preparatory School became a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Continuum Programme. WPS has been an IB World School, offering the diploma programme, for 15 years and will soon add the Primary Years Programme for students from PK3 through grade five, as well as the Middle Years Programme for students from grades six through 10. As a part of the Nord Anglia family of premium international schools, WPS offers students connections to peers and alumni around the world, which fosters a globalized perspective as they progress through their lives. Additionally, the global partnerships with organizations such as MIT, UNICEF and Juilliard offer students the opportunity to foster their talents among the best of the best. “Becoming an IB Continuum directly aligns with our current identity as a globally minded school and will further provide our students with next-level educational opportunities,” Head of School Dr. Mitchell Salerno said.

Lakers celebrate new additions Windermere Preparatory School hosted two ribbon cuttings Thursday, Jan. 11, to celebrate upgrades to the campus. ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Windermere Preparatory School is kicking off the new year with major additions to its campus. The athletic fields on the back of the campus have received a facelift, and the Lower School playground has undergone a complete overhaul, redesign and reconstruction. The Lakers celebrated the new upgrades at two ribbon cuttings Thursday, Jan. 11. “The stadium and playground renovations mean that our students are able to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities that will help them develop as athletes, students and people,” Head of School Dr. Mitchell Salerno said. “Everything we do at WPS is centered on our students and their experience, so these projects bring us great joy. We hope that our current and future students enjoy these spaces as they grow and develop.” A LONG JOURNEY

Steven Shehan, Windermere Prep director of operations, said the ideas for the stadium upgrades started in 2021. “As the programs have continued to grow, we have such a limited space and the constant usage of the field would wear it out (as well as) trying to maintain it,” he said. “So, putting in an artificial turf field allows us to have so many more practices, sessions and activities out there.” Once the plans were made, the school then had to wait six months for approval from Orange County to move forward with the project. Before renovation started, Windermere Prep student-athletes who play football, lacrosse or soccer had been training on the same multi-use fields for more than 20 years. “We’ve waited quite a long time for this facelift that our facilities definitely needs,” head track and field

Annabelle Sikes

The Lower School playground and the atheltic fields both recieved major improvements.

coach Devin Bennett said. “We are one of the only teams that doesn’t have a regular facility, and in spite of that, we’ve been able to qualify people to the state championships during the years that I’ve been coaching. So, it really is encouraging that now that we are finally receiving the proper facility, that we expect a lot more improvements in our team. It’s an exciting time for the kids and for the community and for the parents and coaches, as well.” PATIENCE REAPS REWARDS

The Lower School playground and the stadium field both received approvals in August 2022. Work on the playground began April 24, 2023. Construction began on the stadium June 5. Although the new multi-sport artificial turf field and the installation of a rubberized track will bring a plethora of benefits to the school, these are not the only renovations that have been in the works. The weight room was expanded by 500 feet, the gym floor was redone with revamped hardwood floors, the

tennis facility and basketball courts were refinished, and two sand volleyball courts were added. Director of Athletics Patrick Hollern said the transformative enhancements to the Lakers’ athletic facilities over the last two years epitomize the school’s unwavering dedication to comprehensive excellence. “This stands as a testament to the value we place on each student-athlete and every sport within our program,” he said. “The impact of these improvements extends to 15 sports within our program, encompassing

upgrades to the gymnasium, weight room, outdoor sports court and tennis courts. The installation of a stateof-the-art synthetic field turf, a premium rubber track and the addition of two pristine beach courts reflects our commitment to providing a top-tier environment for athletic achievement and growth.” At the Lower School, all the old playgrounds were demolished, and new playground equipment from Kompan, as well as new surface materials from Forever Lawn, were installed.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

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very day, people serve and support our community. They show compassion, lend hands, work together and make our community stronger. We love seeing it, and we’ve revamped our annual contest to showcase individuals and stories that highlight the strength of our community. Once again, the Observer Media Group and Healthy West Orange are teaming up for our Show Us Your Strength contest. In years past, this has been a photo contest open to all schools in West Orange and Southwest Orange. We received hundreds of submissions from sports teams, performing-arts groups and classrooms showing off their strength in all sorts of ways. This year, we again are searching for strength — but with a twist. We’re looking for your school’s unsung heroes. You know: the person or people who are always there to volunteer, to assist, to help out. These are the people who make your school better. After all, not all heroes wear capes. Some wear hairnets in the lunchroom. Some don neon yellow vests in car line. Some may be armed with a mop and mop bucket. And some may be on the sidelines at the big game. Is there a particular teacher who impacts students in an extraordinary way? Is there a parent volunteer who spends hundreds of hours on campus? Is there a student who consistently goes above and beyond to help his or her classmates? Submit a photo of your superhero

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along with a short written entry (200 words or fewer) telling us why he or she is a champion for good in your school community. And don’t hold back, there are likely several individuals deserving recognition, so schools can have more than one entry! The contest entry period will be open through Monday, March 25. Judges from the Observer and HWO will narrow the field to five finalists. The public then will be invited to select a favorite online during the contest voting period — Tuesday, March 26, through Friday, April 12. The winner will be announced in the Thursday, April 18, editions of the West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer, as well as on the social media channels for both the Observer and HWO. The winning school will receive $2,500 from HWO! For more than a century, the Observer has served as the paper of record for West Orange County. We are proud to partner alongside HWO to build the healthiest community in the nation. Together, we recognize our community strength is key for our collective health. We absolutely cannot wait to meet your school’s superheroes and read about how their amazing strength makes your school a better place!

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Foundation president delivers State of the Academy address In addition to Dave Buckles’ address, several student groups performed at the annual event. AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Parents and students filled the Tilden Campus gymnasium at Foundation Academy Thursday, Jan. 11, to hear president Dave Buckles present his annual State of the Academy address. The evening was rounded out by performances from the Elementary Ensemble, theatrical and video spotlights, and the Acoustic Praise Band. Buckles and Carol Grosshans, vice president of education, held a “fireside chat” at their seventh joint State of the Academy, sharing impressive statistics on the Foundation Class of 2023. The school focuses on four pillars: Academics, Fine Arts, Athletics and Faith. The 70 graduates earned 1,200 dual-enrollment college credits and more than $5 million in college scholarships, 31 received an AP Scholar distinction (as opposed to four eight years ago) and 10 of them received the top highest ranking (eight years ago there were zero). Buckles said the school outscored several local public schools and scored evenly with local private schools on testing. “SAT and ACT continue to be above the state average,” he said. The school has seen an 800% increase in AP scores and 200% increase in Bright Futures scholarships from 2016 to today, he added. Buckles shared exciting changes for the 2025-26 school year: Sixthgraders will be incorporated into the Upper School campus.

Courtesy rendering

Foundation Academy has several phases of expansion plans for its Tilden Campus. Those include a new high school building, classrooms, a performing arts center, cafeteria and much more.

“Our Lower School campus is so full, so we need to create space,” he said. “They will be in their own little corner of our world. … We have our tech building which will become our sixth-grade center. … This empties space on our Plant and Lakeside campuses.” Foundation has added mental health counselors to its staff in the wake of COVID-19 and the realization that students are dealing with mental health issues. “One out of three students between 13 and 18 (is) experiencing anxiety, and those are creeping more and more down to our elementary campus,” Buckles said. One counselor will lead a parenting class at First Baptist Church Winter Garden in a few weeks. “This is a tool that is so important that will help you in this unique time in your life and journey,” Buckles said. The school’s fine arts department received a shoutout from Grosshans, who praised director Christina Haak, music and choir

director Greg Csefko, choreographer Jennifer Csefko, music teacher Emily Hickey, and music and drama teacher Cynthia Kime. “We had 24 thespian attend our district festival, Dakota Darnell won Best in Show for a play she wrote called ‘Honeybee,’ and the art department continues to be part of various competitions and shows like the Winter Park Art Festival, SOBO Art Gallery and Arts in Public Places at (Winter Garden) City Hall,” Grosshans said. Athletics is taking a positive step with the hiring of athletic director Robert East, who previously served in an interim capacity. “His 27-year experience in private school education made him the perfect guy — from athletic directing to coaching to teacher and now director of operations,” Buckles said. He will be assisted by Crystal Smith. Denzel Irvin is working with students as well. Over the years, Foundation has added batting cages, gym bleach-

ers and a gym floor to increase the sports presence on campus. Buckles introduced the fourth pillar, Faith, and said the school set out to hire a director of spiritual development who will take Foundation’s faith to an even higher level. Jeff Lawrence, who has been hired for that role, “is the guy we’ve been praying for,” Buckles said. “As we continue to walk this path together, we’re seeing students walk into the class and ask teachers to pray for them,” Grosshans said. “We’re seeing students … in high school saying, ‘We want to give up our time for lunch and start a student-led bible study. … Our middle school students said, ‘Hey, what about us?’ so we have teachers holding lunchtime bible study.” “And this is on top of chapel that students go to,” Buckles added. Lawrence had a chance to speak to the parents: “The foundation of Foundation Academy is God’s word of Jesus Christ. We know that to be true — when that isn’t stable, then noth-

ing else can be stable. … As a dad myself, we’re looking around at culture and we’re seeing culture is after the hearts and minds of our kids. … We want to send your students not into ‘culture to survive’ but into ‘culture to thrive.’” Buckles’ address focused on humility, gratitude, nurturing, development and support. “I stand before you filled with gratitude,” he said. “We are committed to nurturing the mind through education and academics (and) dedicated to nourishing the souls of students through spiritual development. … A school is only as strong as its families. It’s your time, gifts and talents that truly make our school great. Your dedication and tireless efforts are the backboard to our success.” A testament to Foundation’s topnotch education, Buckles said, is the classrooms are full. “We’ve received over 462 applications for this coming year, and we’re at capacity,” he said. “Families want to enroll two years in advance to be part of Foundation Academy.” Another change coming to the school is a shift in staffing. Grosshans, who has more than 40 years in education, has announced her retirement at the end of the 202425 school year. “There are seasons in life, and we have walked a few seasons together,” she said. “I’m about to embark in another season, and it’s called retirement. … I will be a full-time grandma to our nine grandchildren. I’m excited to see what God is continuing to do.” She plans to return to the school on occasion to mentor teachers. Buckles announced Jackie Conover, principal of the Plant Street Campus, will assume the role of vice president of education and will spend the last half of the 202425 school year working with Grosshans to ensure a smooth transition. “Jackie imparts the culture and the family feel that we protect so much here at Foundation Academy,” Buckles said.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

Rene J. Guity is the eighth-grade guidance counselor at Southwest Middle School and last year’s Teacher of the Year. “He takes an active interest in the welfare of his students,” Principal Damian Rosado said. “He knows how to empathize and relate to them and stay in touch with current trends and social climates in schools. He is a main source of continuity for students amidst changes and challenges both inside and outside of school. … He is a staple and true asset for Southwest Middle School.” “We make sure these students are on target academically, as well as socially,” Guity said. “When I’m not in meetings or covering lunches, I am in the trenches with my kids. My office is usually crowded with students who come for various reasons. … I enjoy listening and guiding them with the prayer that something clicks in them so they can realize how great they can become.”

What brought you to your school? I was working at Dr. Phillips High School, but with my daughter’s training/competition schedule, I thought that working for an online entity would provide me with more flexibility to help my children. I soon realized that I missed interacting with my students on a daily basis. So, after a year of working virtually, I made my way back to a brick-and-mortar establishment, and Southwest seemed like a good fit. I’m so glad that I was given the opportunity to come back and mentor my little brothers and sisters. What do you love most about your school? Aside from these “youngins” that I get to watch grow and develop into amazing young adults, I would have to say my team of professionals. A lot of folks throw the word “family” out there so much that it’s become a cliché, but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt I never feel like I’m working with coworkers. Here, we are certainly a family. What is the most rewarding part of your job? I don’t do anything for a

REPORT CARD POSITION: Eighth-grade guidance counselor TIME AT SCHOOL: Four years

doing that, I spend time reading, writing, playing chess or video games.

reward. Being here for these kids is a calling, and honestly, it was done for me. I wouldn’t be here or even alive if it wasn’t for caring educators; one in particular saved my life. His name is Jeremiah Gaines, and he has never left my side since I was 16 years old. It was my job to return that type of support. I guess the best part is seeing young folks succeed and realizing how great they can become with a little hard work. It’s nice to be reminded that I had a hand in their growth. What would you be if you weren’t in this profession? I would so write children books, which I have! Or be a sports psychologist! Something helping young people is definitely what God called me to do. Who influences you? God, my parents and Mr. Jeremiah Gaines. I was certainly blessed! Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Jeremiah Gaines! He was the first teacher that looked past the obvious and really found out who I was. He cared enough to make sure I stayed on track and has never missed a milestone in my life. From graduations to the birth of my kids, that man is right there with my biological father, and I even call him Pop 2.0. He reminded me of my worth then, and he continues to echo that now. What is your favorite children’s book and why? My favorite children’s book is, “Our Daddy” by Rene Guity! You can find it on Amazon! It’s a story about the relationship I have with my own little people, although they are no longer little. What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughters. My youngest is a golfer, so I love being out there with her. When I’m not

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Joseph “Joe” Pollard Andrews III went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 3, 2024, at the age of 66. Joe was born in Winter Garden, Florida, to Joseph and Margaret Andrews on Feb. 9, 1957. Joe lived in Ocoee, Florida, all his life. He married Annette on June 20, 1981, in Ocoee, Florida. They went on to have one daughter, Laura. He was a member of the Boy Scouts throughout his childhood and later became a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. He attended Ocoee High School, during which time he played football, baseball and golf, and was a member of FFA. After high school, he volunteered with the fire department and later became an EMT. Later, he began his career in pest control, eventually retiring from Walt Disney World. Joe loved to fish, hunt and be outdoors, but most of all, he loved to spend time with his family. Joe was a friendly man and

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why? I might have to say Serena Williams, but my youngest daughter would have to be present. That way she could spend time with a woman of color who was at the top of her field so she could gain some insight on traveling that path with strength. I don’t want much for myself, so I’ll have dinner with anyone (who) is willing to help my kid! If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Telepathy for sure. That way I could move stuff with my mind. I would say that would be helpful getting my Xbox controller! Time travel would be a close second! There are a few loved ones that had unfortunate situations I would change if I could. If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? The Roots, Erykah Badu and Adele. The Roots are my favorite group, and Black Thought is such an amazing lyricist. Erykah Badu just speaks to my soul! Adele, well it’s Adele. Who’s not hanging out with her if possible!? I love music!

always full of life. He always looked on the bright side and had a positive outlook on life. Joe was kind to everyone, and he was always full of laughter. He loved God, his family and his dogs. He was a loyal husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, as well as a friend to many. Joe is preceded in death by his father, Joseph II. He is survived by his wife, Annette; his daughter, Laura (Logan); siblings, Brenda (Dan) and Marty; mother, Margaret; and his grandchildren, Faith, Logan Jr. and Bryce. Funeral services and burial took place on Friday, Jan. 12, at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida.

VIRGINIA “GINGER” WHITE JACKSON DIED JAN. 9, 2024.

Virginia “Ginger” White Jackson (Aug. 24, 1942-Jan. 9, 2024). Fifty-year Windermere resident Ginger Jackson died peacefully in her home on Jan. 9. Ginger was born in 1942 in Poplarville, Mississippi, to Lee and Sue White. With her older brother Ben (1940-2020), the White family were active members of the community and longtime members of First United Methodist Church. Her father, Lee, owned the Ford Dealership, a fuel distributorship and was president of a local bank that became Hancock Bank. Ginger was the Valedictorian of her Poplarville, Mississippi, High School and attended Millsaps College in Mississippi. She was part of the Troubadours Choir, which gave her opportunities to travel the country and Europe singing, sightseeing and making lifelong friends. Upon graduation, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and attended Vanderbilt University’s Peabody School, where she received her Ph.D. in Psychology. While in Nashville, she met the love of her life, Thomas “Glenn” Jackson, Jr. Glenn and Ginger were married in December 1965. Thomas Glenn Jackson III (Jack) was born in 1968. Glenn got his first job opportunity in real estate development with First Continental, and they moved to New York City, where Lee Calhoun Jackson was born in 1970. After a couple of cold winters on Long Island, Ginger decided the family was ready for warm weather again. Glenn was at that point spending most weeks in Central Florida as his company had several projects in and around what became Walt Disney World. Ginger, Lee and Jack accompanied Glenn on a business trip to Orlando in early 1971. After spending a wonderful winter week outside, by the hotel pool, she decided her family would move to Orlando, and Glenn could travel to New York whenever he wanted. The family moved to Winter Park where they lived for three years. They quickly came to love the community and made many lifelong friends in their neighborhood and at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Park. Tracy Lynn Jackson was

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student? To this day, PB&J is the best sandwich ever created; and for snack time I loved peanuts and raisins. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas, hands down! Very few times during the year where you see bright lights, presents, eggnog and happy folks just about everywhere you go. Let’s not forget the snow! I am a Bostonian, and Christmas away from snow just isn’t the same. Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch? My best friend is a gentleman by the name of Eric Santomauro. When I moved from Boston, I was struggling to find my way. Eric is who God sent to help me navigate a new terrain. There really isn’t enough space here to fully express the why of my answer. He may not even know, but he never wavered from side or deviated from the support and bond that middle school boys form. We are different sides of the same coin, and I wouldn’t be here without him being a major factor in my life. Are we still in touch? Heck yeah! Every day — even now at age 48. What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors? As a student I played sports and chess, wrote poetry/rhymes, and I mentored kids at the YMCA in Portsmouth, Virginia, when I got out of school every day.

1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. OCOEE, FL 34761 “THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED IS NOW THE CORNERSTONE.” –PSALMS 118:22

JOSEPH “JOE” POLLARD ANDREWS III DIED JAN. 3, 2024.

— AMY QUESINBERRY 415594-1

born in Orlando in 1973. That same year, Glenn found a piece of land in the quiet, beautiful and seemingly distant town of Windermere. Ginger wasn’t sure if she would embrace a move as she drove through the cow pastures and endless orange groves on her way to visit Windermere for the first time. But she quickly fell in love with the lakes, her garden and her new friends, making Windermere her home until her death. Ginger’s professional career included working for Orange County Public Schools, teaching at Valencia Community College and in private practice with Pediatric Associates of Orlando as a child psychologist. She also volunteered in numerous ways including at her children’s schools, Presbyterian Church of the Lakes and then at St. Luke’s United Methodist. At St. Luke’s, she was involved for many years leading Disciple Bible Study, Grief Recovery and the choir. She also appreciated being part of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the United Methodist Church. Ginger will be remembered as a wonderful mother, loving wife and dear friend to many. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, Tracy, Lee and Jack; as well as daughters-in-law, Anna Jackson and Rebecca Jackson; grandchildren, Olivia Sage Jackson, Holden Calhoun Jackson, Sophie Lorraine Jackson, and Thomas (Toby) Glenn Jackson IV. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Jackson; parents, Lee and Sue White; and brother, Ben White. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to St Luke’s United Methodist Church, brainsupportnetwork. org or med.miami.edu/programs/ brain-endowment-bank. The service was Jan. 13 and can be viewed at vimeo.com/ event/4009691.

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OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

JAN 18, 1973 The first of the new year brings discounts to auto shoppers, and Al Ewing Ford and John Lamb Chevrolet were among the local dealerships offering deals on cars and trucks. The Ford lot offered a 1972 Pinto for $2,099, a 1969 Toyota Corona for $999, a 1971 Fiat 850 Sport at $1,499, a 1969 Datson 510 for $999 and a 1972 Maverick for $2,499. Over at the Chevy lot, a 1971 Chevelle was available for $2,295, a 1969 Ford LTD for $1,595, a 1967 Fiat for $575, 1971 MGB GT at $2,695 and a 1963 two-ton Ford truck for $2,195.

80 years ago

FROM THE ARCHIVES Many newcomers to Winter Garden ask about whether the Winter Garden Heritage Museum is housed in the only surviving railroad depot that stood along Plant Street. Actually, the brick ACL depot you visit today is the third railroad depot to stand in the vicinity! An original 1890s Orange Belt Railway station was located about a block east; this photo shows the large wooden Atlantic Coast Line depot that was constructed in 1906. A Pullman passenger car can be seen on the tracks that eventually were replaced by the West Orange Trail in the early 1990s. The museum today is located in the ACL station that rose in 1923; the wooden 1906 depot was moved to the east end of the block to handle freight until it was dismantled in the 1960s.

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.

70 years ago

George Barley, chairman of the building fund committee for the Church of the Messiah, Episcopal, reported considerable progress to establish a new Episcopal church in Winter Garden.

The Rev. R.G. Lemp, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, addressed members of the Winter Garden Rotary Club in a luncheon meeting, stressing the need for Christian leadership in America today.

45 years ago

Goals for West Orange: restoration of Lake Apopka, a good northsouth traffic artery, a modern airport, a community theater, a wine and cheese shop, four-laning of Silver Star Road west to Ocoee, redevelopment of downtown Winter Garden, and preservation of the Butler Chain of Lakes. It was deemed official that Gibbs Ashley really did retire. To all those

for whom “going to Gibbs” was synonymous with “taking the dog to the vet,” it really is the end of an era. Dr. Ashley sold his morethan-40-year-old Winter Garden practice to Dr. John Miller and continued to work part-time with Dr. Miller for a few months.

20 years ago

The original Edgewater Hotel sign made it back to the hotel after being removed in the 1970s. The sign, which was on permanent loan from the museum, was to be displayed inside the hotel temporarily and later was to be placed back on the front of the hotel.

crossword POST-IT NOTES by Paul Coulter, edited by Jeff Chen

ACROSS 1 Workplace for a forensic team 7 Plugging away 11 Cointreau cocktails 19 “Magnifique!” 20 Square things? 21 Licorice-flavored brew 22 *FLutter? 24 One needing salvation 25 Saturated substances 26 Mideast capital that means “the gardens” 27 In the mail 28 Little devils 29 Ring up 30 Academic address ending 32 Workplaces for some RNs

64 “The People’s Princess” Atlanta 65 Coder’s problem 6 Undeserved notoriety 67 Company that comes 7 “___way!” 8 “The Wind in the Willows” calling 68 Wally’s little bro on TV hero 69 Paul who wrote “My 9 Like a done deal Way” 10 Golfer’s prop 71 Palindromic address 11 Successful pitch 72 Sophie ___ (“The Marvel12 Privy to 13 Concentrate, in a way ous Mrs. Maisel” character 14 The “e” in “i.e.” inspired by Phyllis Diller) 15 Element used in atomic 75 Maroon clocks 77 Have words with 16 Physicist’s accelerator 78 Actress Garr of “Young 17 Agree to another tour Frankenstein” 18 Pizza joint in “Do the 79 Word in quaint store Right Thing” names 20 Places of refuge 80 Feathered missile 23 Have something 81 The “Y” of “YSL” 27 Bottom line, often 82 “A mouse!!!” 29 Teenager’s deadline 85 Cuba-to-Florida swim31 Salvador who painted mer Diana wilting watches 86 One way to swear 33 Crocodile’s cousin 87 Deborah’s “The King and 34 Fish that go on a run I” co-star 35 Fish that slip and slide 88 “Caught you!” 36 Gamer’s buy that results 91 Empress who was Napoin much arm-waving? leon III’s wife 38 Milk, to Monique 95 Sudden outbursts 39 Gasteyer of “Mean Girls” 96 Tennessee athlete, to 34 Clinch 73 You might get a charge 101 On the quiet side? 40 With skill fans 103 Get old 37 *ALpen? out of it 41 RSVP enclosure, some- 97 Pester, like a Pekingese 105 Daredevil Knievel 44 Possessive pronoun 74 Rear-___ (accident) 98 Calm down times 45 Like control freaks 76 Inscribe an envelope for 108 Saw to a swab’s job 102 Cariou of “Sweeney 42 Numbers no longer 111 State of unconscious46 Big brand in lingerie 79 Like many whiskey Todd” used? 47 Hawks, on NBA scorebarrels ness 43 Like non-oyster months 103 Furtive summons 80 Food additive boards 115 Locale for Ljubljana 104 Purina competitor 44 Airer of some MGM 83 Literature Nobelist who’s 117 *IN need? 48 *CAshes? 106 Contended favorites 53 Israeli politician Dayan a singer 119 More hair-raising 107 Listening devices 49 Rust and lime 84 *PAst? 55 Script writers? (Abbr.) 120 Got some shut-eye 109 Binged (on), as in food 50 Part to play 89 Sugary drink suffix 56 Cross off 121 Getaway for Gauguin slang 51 Empty, as a math set 57 Features that can flutter 90 At hand 122 Tourney favorites 52 Descartes who declared, 110 Water carrier 92 “___ better watch out ...” 123 Jekyll’s dark side 59 Durable fabric 111 Smallish salmon “Cogito, ergo sum” 60 It’s a question of timing 93 Movie for which Mike 124 Doesn’t act well 112 “I got this, boss” 54 Big name in blenders Myers puts on a Scottish 63 Gets on board DOWN 58 Jar named for the town 113 Distribute accent 64 Author Harper 1 Remove, as a lid where Rembrandt was born 114 “No returns” 94 *MOdell? 66 *DEbark? 2 The Big Easy, in brief 116 Scrape by, with “out” 59 Colorful swimmer 98 Things under a mattress 70 Workplaces for some 3 Like crazy 117 Kinda sorta 60 The AEF fought in it 99 Spilled the beans RNs 4 Lawrence of Scandinavia? 61 Owns 118 Wing it, musically 100 Lines that laud 71 Earth’s middle layer 5 Olympic torch lighter in 62 Victorian or Prohibition

celebrity cipher By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “AH IELWC O GOZ PT URN JCOBCNA SRZB HX LCCL RN SRBC IELWRZW AUC FHJCX HK AUC HVCOZ PT HZC JOMC.” CSMRN FXCNSCT

“ZKR LFZ EKM BEKY OM, VRM FM MIT UFP TEN KU NTJCFOP, MITPT OJ F YIOMT ASTFPOEX YITPT KET OJ FSLKJM IFCCZ.” HKFE VFTG

“MSPHEZ BI NLK VRK XHRAC SM CL KL ZLNR, VH YLSEK VRJH OSC LSP VHRKM GHVBAK LSP FAHHM.”

PLK MCHYRPC

Puzzle Three Clue: L equals O

Sugar rations for home use was to remain the same for another two-and-one-half months. Sugar stamp No. 30 in War Ration Book Four became valid Jan. 16 and was to be good for buying five pounds of sugar through the month of March. Mrs. P.H. Britt Jr. was selling automobile tags at City Hall earlier this month.

Puzzle Two Clue: X equals G

Mr. O.L. Sands, director of the Orlando municipal airport, strongly urged Winter Garden to build an airport, saying officials should begin at once to get this as a postwar project. The police department found a lady’s purse containing a ration book in the name of Annie M. Peterson and hoped the owner would call and pick it up. Mrs. Buster Rosser, of Windermere, received word that her husband, Pfc. Buster Rosser, was overseas. Charles McMillan, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.Y. McMillan, was home on a 10-day furlough from Eglin Field. Pfc. John Tomyn, who recently returned from overseas service in the Aleutians, spent two weeks with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.M Tomyn in Ocoee. Arnold’s Feed and Seed Store, phone 195, was featuring certified North Dakota-grown Red Bliss potatoes as well as cucumber seeds. An enemy alien who is a German, Hungarian, Romanian or Bulgarian citizen or national could be inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States and assigned to a war theater in which he would not normally be required to fight against fellow nationals or blood relatives, under a recent revision of Selective Service and War Department policies. Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Taylor, who were visiting Mrs. Taylor’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Striping, during the holidays, returned to their home in Atlanta. Retail ceiling prices of 10 cents and 15 cents a pair of rubber heels sold to consumers who desired to attach them to shoes in their own homes were established by the Office of Price Administration.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Puzzle One Clue: P equals B

W EST O RANG E HISTO RY

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1-18-24

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This week’s Crossword answers

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