Meet the three candidates vying for the District 4 seat on the Orange County School Board. SEE PAGE 3A.
VENDORS NEEDED FOR WEST OAKS FARMERS MARKET
A farmers market is coming to Ocoee, and organizers are looking for vendors. The West Oaks Farmers Market will launch Sept. 14 and will offer 100% local produce. Organizers are seeking artisanal vendors and local folks with seasonal produce, fresh dairy farm items, and locally made pet food and supplies.
The market will be set up from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at the West Oaks Mall in Ocoee. For information, contact Gregory McLeod at westoaksfarmers@ gmail.com.
GALLERY SEEKS
LAKE APOPKA ART
The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland is preparing for its next art exhibition, “Lake Apopka: Telling the Story of Restoration Through Art & History.” Curators are
FLOUR POWER
Chloë Stoppler has found her passion in helping others celebrate milestones through her sweet creations. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Orange County Commission to explore film incentive program
Experts will provide recommendations to the commissioners on establishing a film program to determine the purpose, costs and tasks, including permits and incentive management. SEE PAGE 2A.
Commission considers film incentives
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in May to move forward with a plan to create incentives for filming and producing movies in Central Florida.
Officials believe a financial incentive could attract creative talent, promote local businesses, showcase the county’s unique assets, and lure filmmakers and production companies to the area.
The charge is being led by Commissioner Emily Bonilla.
“People in arts and culture do it for passion,” she said at the May meeting. “The arts in our community help with mental health. … It brings people together. It’s so needed in our community. Film is an art, and I think that’s forgotten sometimes. … Film is suffering here in Orange County, and it needs support. The economic development benefits have an immediate impact. … It’s a no-brainer. … We can so easily become the next East Hollywood. I am so excited about this, where it’s going to go and where we are going to be in a couple of years.”
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
The County Commission has opted to create a group of experts who will work together to make recommendations on what these film production tax incentives could look like. These members will provide recommendations on establishing a film program to determine the purpose, costs and tasks, including permits and incentive management.
A sample proposal submitted by Bonilla to the Orange County Comptroller outlines specific requirements for the incentive program, such as minimum spending thresholds, promotion and marketing requirements, employment and workforce development, financial incentives, and infrastructure and community engagement.
Bonilla’s documents estimate Florida has missed out on roughly $1.5 billion in tax revenue within the last few years.
Statewide competitors with film incentive offices and programs include Palm Beach, Broward and Duval counties.
There already are many filming locations in Orange County ready to go for potential productions.
The program is in the early stages, and officials currently are working to select the group of experts who will lead the plans. Subject matter experts will
include members from Orange County, Walt Disney World, Film Florida, Visit Orlando, Universal Orlando and the University of Central Florida.
‘LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION!’
The film production community has called the commission’s decision a game-changer that could help create jobs, promote local businesses and hotel stays.
Winter Garden’s Franny Titus, actor and board member of All of the Line Studio & Incubator — a production company that helps elevate local artists with professional readiness and work experience within the film industry — was one of the residents to make public comments at the May meeting.
“I’ve grown up in West Orange County my entire life and have seen the opportunities the incentive brought when I was a kid in this industry and the opportunities it’s taken away from me by not having it,” she said. “I feel robbed of a dream that was very tangible for me as a young girl growing up here and then was nonexistent as a young adult.
economy, and she believes Florida does not have a statewide incentive program because it gets disregarded due to several factors.
“There is a limited understanding and skewed perceived value of the industry as a whole and why it’s important to our state and residents,” she said. “Timing is everything. We see the benefits it’s had, and I believe our commissioners totally get it. They are for it, and they will make it happen for us. It’s our time.”
Adam Vernier, actor, on-air deejay and owner of Book It Acting and Taping Studios, said he moved from Los Angeles to Florida because Florida was ranked No. 3 for production of film and TV.
a commercial, they will leave it in better shape then they got it. Every time. When a production comes to town, they use our hotels, they eat at our restaurants, they visit our theme parks. They take in everything Orlando has to offer, and you can’t get this with all industries.”
Stefanie Robinson, who owns Florida Film Academy in Winter Garden, also believes the county’s decision is a great step in the right direction.
“Now, as a mother of two and business owner myself, I feel very compelled to fight for what we truly should have a right to — especially when you see what it’s done to help neighboring counties and states,” Titus said.
“We certainly did have an incredible incentive that Gov. (Jeb) Bush had maintained,” he said. “There was so much work in Florida. When Gov. Rick Scott took office, he killed the statewide incentive. Sadly, I don’t think citizens really know what they are missing. When movies start shooting here and regular citizens see productions booming, they will see. It’s hard to explain, but people love seeing their city referenced in film and TV.”
TRX- 300 TORO TRENCHER
She said the area not having an incentive program impacts the local
Vernier believes the County Commission’s decision to move forward is at least a start.
“Film and TV is one of the cleanest industries out there,” he said. “If you were to rent your house for a day to a production company shooting
“The commissioners are doing their homework and researching the impacts of bringing an incentive program to our area,” she said. “Years back, when our business used to be on Plant Street, a couple of location scouts found our charming downtown Winter Garden community and did some filming in the area. This opportunity allowed them to hire local actors. They spent their dollars at the local restaurant, and the community got to see their small town on the big screen. The impact definitely affects our local economy and brings in more jobs. Maybe when negotiating the incentives the balance is to hire local first. With the theme park industry right in our backyard, we have so many professionals that would fill those positions.”
Overall, the film professionals believe the plan could have a positive effect on the community for years to come.
Three candidates — Anne Douglas, Kyle Goudy and Jake Petroski — are vying for the Orange County School Board District 4 seat. The seat is open after longtime member Pam Gould decided not to run for re-election. The primary election will be held Aug. 20. Some answers have been edited for space. The candidates’ entire, unedited responses are available at OrangeObserver.
ANNE DOUGLAS
Age: 59
Residence: Orlando
Family: Married with three children
Education:
Master’s degree
Profession: High school teacher
Qualifications:
Educator, hospital and church volunteer, school beautification.
THE CANDIDATES Orange County School Board District 4
You would be replacing Pam Gould, who has served on the Orange County School Board since 2012. Evaluate your predecessor’s work in the role. What was done well? What improvements will you make as her successor?
Pam Gould has benefited our school district in many ways, from increasing career and technical certifications and training by nearly 300% to improving career-transition opportunities for students with disabilities.
As a School Board member, I would continue furthering those positive changes, and I would also advocate for policies to offer competitive salaries, benefits and bonuses to teachers, along with policies that provide professional development opportunities and mentorship programs.
Along with reducing administrative burden on faculty and staff, I would:
Enhance collaboration and communication: Strengthen ties between schools, parents and the community through surveys, town hall meetings and focus groups.
Create opportunities for students: Connect high school students with mentors and internships in their areas of interest.
Involve stakeholders: Work with all stakeholders to resolve conflicts and address concerns.
Advocate for essential services: Push for better infrastructure for students with disabilities; health care for uninsured children; support for homeless students and their families; and mental health resources for students, faculty and staff. Promote environmental sustainability: Lead initiatives to make our schools a model of environmental responsibility.
Why are you running for Orange County School Board District 4?
Our educational system is in a fragile state.
Teachers are leaving the school system in droves due to poor salary (we ranked 50th in the United States for teachers’ salaries), censorship and workload. By valuing teachers’ perspectives and embracing innovative ideas, we can strengthen our school district. With the right leadership, ideas and partnerships, all of our students can thrive. I’m running for Orange County School Board District 4, because our community deserves nothing less than a stellar system where students can thrive.
What are the key differences between you and your opponents?
Unlike my opponents, I have been a public school teacher for 25 years, and every single one of my children attended school in OCPS, and they’re successful because of it. It’s important to elect someone who not only has experience but knows the issues facing our district and communicates with students and parents on a daily basis.
KYLE GOUDY
Age: 33
Residence: Dr. Phillips Family: Wife, Brittany McDonald Goudy, and daughter, LilliAnn
Education: Bachelor degree from Ohio University’s Patton College of Education Profession: Business development at NBCUniversal — GolfNow
Qualifications: AAU Cares, Feeding Children
Everywhere, The Verb Kind, Roger Goudy Scholarship.
You would be replacing Pam Gould, who has served on the Orange County School Board since 2012. Evaluate your predecessor’s work in the role. What was done well? What improvements will you make as her successor?
Pam (Gould) was great in expanding our career and technical opportunities through our six different campuses around the county. In her time on the School Board, she helped to increase career and technical certifications by 300% and also helped to increase opportunities for students with disabilities.
This is not directed toward Pam (Gould), but I have a lot of people who have reached out to the School Board at large and waited a long time for responses and, in some cases, received no response. I will make it an emphasis to get back to people within 24 hours. Even if we do not have a full answer to the question, we will acknowledge receipt of the question and that the answer is in process.
Why are you running for Orange County School Board District 4?
To sum it up in two words, it would be family and community. Both of my parents were lifelong educators, which inspired me to teach out of college. My brother is still a teacher to this day. Having a daughter and a lot of friends in the community has also inspired me. Many of our close friends have kids in all different levels of the OCPS system, some of whom unfortunately did not trust the public schools.
What are the key differences between you and your opponents?
All three candidates have varying degrees of education backgrounds, and that portion is incredibly important. Understanding the needs of teachers and students is a must. Orange County Public Schools consists of more than 200,000 students, more than 25,000 staff and manages a $2.6 billion budget. What makes me unique is my combination of education experience and first-hand, relevant work experience. I worked at the Amateur Athletic Union for more than eight years, with half of that time spent as director of business development. I am the only candidate with first-hand experience creating programs for large groups of students (more than 300,000), working with multi-million dollar budgets and going through the zoning/building approval process in Orange County.
JAKE PETROSKI
Age: 46
Residence: Windermere
Family: Wife, Christin Petroski, and two daughters: Ellie, 9, and Ava, 14
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University
Profession: Former public school teacher/full-time candidate
Qualifications: OCPS Leadership Orange graduate (2024), OCPS Additions volunteer (eight years), OCPS School Advisory Council (two years), former varsity head coach, St. Luke’s youth sports coach (four seasons), Lake Down Homeowners Association board member.
You would be replacing Pam Gould, who has served on the Orange County School Board since 2012. Evaluate your predecessor’s work in the role. What was done well? What improvements will you make as her successor?
I believe (Pam) Gould has done a very good job during her time on the School Board. She has specifically done well navigating the construction and opening of new schools here (in West Orange). She has also put a lot of effort into our Career and Technical Education programs. Being a former CTE teacher, I know the importance of these programs and the benefit they have to our students and community. I hope to build upon and grow these programs immediately.
Why are you running for Orange County School Board District 4?
I believe in the power of public education and the impact it can have on our community. This is my home, and I believe thriving communities are built upon great schools. I feel compelled to serve, because our students, teachers, parents and community deserve the best schools possible. I believe I can cultivate pathways of success for every OCPS student.
What are the key differences between you and your opponents?
My skill set and experience set me apart from my opponents. I am the only candidate who has years of classroom experience and two kids currently enrolled in OCPS schools. This gives me unique insights on how leadership impacts both classrooms and living rooms in our community. I’m also the only candidate who has graduated from the OCPS Leadership Orange program. I believe this demonstrates I am willing to put in the time and effort to learn as much as possible for this role, should I have the opportunity to serve.
What are the three most pressing issues facing West Orange and Southwest Orange schools today, and how will you address them?
First is addressing our teacher shortage. We have an opportunity in Orange County to be state leaders by investing, supporting and respecting our teachers in any and all ways possible. Every OCPS success story has been authored by a teacher. Teachers’ pay must increase. We must also find creative ways for teachers to lower their cost of living so their paychecks go further.
Second is the possible budget shortfall due to
ANSWERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 8A
Oakland Bake Company sweetens community
AMY QUESINBERRY
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Chloë Stoppler was going to school for a degree in nursing three years ago, when she realized she didn’t possess the passion for the work. What did spark her interest was baking; she remembered fondly spending many hours making sweet treats with her mother in the kitchen when she was younger.
The result of her decision to switch careers is Oakland Bake Company, a cottage industry bakery founded in 2021 in her Oakland home. She is the owner, operator, baker, decorator and delivery driver for this onewoman business — but does have a supportive family when it comes time to orchestrate a pop-up shop, she said.
BAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT
gmail.com
oaklandbakecompany.com
She continued baking with her mother through her school years, and when Stoppler was a student at West Orange High School, the two provided sweets to sell at her OARS rowing events.
She started baking again while still in nursing school, providing cookies for family members and close friends a few years before opening the shop. After making desserts for a birthday party, she had friends of friends calling to place orders. As her small business grew, she discovered this is where her passion lied. So, she jumped into it full-time and now bakes cookies, cakes and cupcakes for a living.
Her recipes are her own — she starts with a recipe and then picks it apart, tweaking it and playing around with the ingredients until it’s exactly how she wants it. Her favorite cake recipe is a white velvet, made with buttermilk baked into the cake so it has a smoother texture. Other cake flavors include the classic chocolate and marble, plus premium flavors, such as coconut cream, almond amaretto and zesty lemon. Alternative fillings can be ordered, too.
Customers also can request cupcakes, mini cupcakes, dessert shooters and cake push pops. Stoppler’s favorite orders are the hand-crafted sugar cookies with a wedding or baby shower theme. Because of their popularity, cookie orders are booked up to three months in advance.
She takes pride in the decorative details she gives each of her cookies.
“I’ve taken a lot of time to solidify my cookie recipe,” Stoppler said.
“A lot of bakers, their cookies look good but they don’t taste that good; they’re cardboard-y and dry. Mine is more of a shortbread-sugar cookie hybrid. The shortbread keeps it nice and formed, and the sugar cookie makes it nice and soft in the middle.”
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Tuesdays are devoted to baking cookies and making the icing, and she starts creating the detailed designs on Wednesdays. On Thursdays, she sets up shop at the Oakland Farmers Market and sells holiday and seasonal baked goods. She has even won a Facebook award for best local bakery. While other bakers tend to sell through a tiered pricing menu, Stoppler charges a flat rate — “Anything you want, no matter the detail,” she said.
Marketing and Sales Associate / Zari Gotay, zari@OrangeObserver.com
(USPS# 687-120)
WEST
ORANGE TIMES
The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $60 per year and $110 per two years by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times,
She likes coordinating the baked goods to the event’s color schemes, so she pulls
from invitations,
or other printed items.
“I never copy someone’s work, but I’ll use that as inspiration to make a set,” she said. She’s looking forward to doing some baking for her son, Harrison, who is almost 2. He loves to be in the kitchen when she’s creating, and she’s hoping the parent-child tradition of baking together could be passed to the next generation.
shades
napkins
Chloë Stoppler is the owner, operator, baker, decorator and deliverer for Oakland Bake Company.
Chloë Stoppler personalizes each of her cookies depending on the clients’ needs.
Amy Quesinberry
WAY BACK WHEN Fred Shepherd
The longtime Oakland resident was born in Winter Garden, and his wife’s family settled in West Orange County in 1919.
Editor’s note: Way Back When is a new feature that records and preserves the stories and memories of lifelong West Orange and Southwest Orange residents.
Fred Shepherd has gone through life with very little change — he has lived almost all of his 93 years in West Orange County; he celebrated 61 years of marriage to his wife, the late Sue Tucker; and he enjoyed a 35-year career with the Florida Department of Corrections. One thing has changed, though, and that’s the Winter Garden and Oakland he knew as a child and young adult.
Born at his family’s home near downtown Winter Garden in 1931, he lived in the city for most of his childhood.
“I know I was born at home because I didn’t have a birth certificate,” Shepherd said. “My brother was 19 months younger than I was, and he had a birth certificate, so I knew he was born in Orlando.”
His family moved in with his grandmother on North Dillard Street when he was 7, and he attended Winter Garden Elementary School. The following year, his parents bought a house on South Boyd Street, and he lived there until he got married.
As a child growing up in Winter Garden in the 1930s and ’40s, there wasn’t much to do. He was involved in Boy Scout Troop 46 — meeting in the basement of the old City Hall — and he was close to obtaining his Eagle rank when the scoutmaster quit and the troop dissolved.
He and his friends put his scouting skills to the test by camping around Lake Butler in the Kelso area and building a canoe.
“Well, it wasn’t exactly a canoe,” Shepherd said. “It was a boat, but it was covered with canvas. … and then you take paraffin and melt it down, and then you paint the paraffin, and it won’t leak on you.”
Shepherd and Tucker graduated from Lakeview High School in 1948, and he earned a degree in economics and education from the University of Florida.
“Then I got brave enough at night when I was 51, and I went back to college, and I’ve got a master’s degree in criminal justice from Rollins College,” he said.
After marrying the girl he met in the ninth grade at Lakeview High — they eloped when they were 19 — Shepherd moved a few miles down the road to her hometown of Oakland. They set up their first home near Johns Lake and lived there for about 13 years. They then bought property and built another house on East Henschen Avenue in 1965, and they lived and raised their two sons there.
Tucker died in 2009; Shepherd lives there still today.
He briefly left West Orange County in 1952 and joined the United States Army — playing clarinet in the military band — but after just two years, he received an honorable discharge and returned home when
“I know I was born at home because I didn’t have a birth certificate. My brother was 19 months younger than I was, and he had a birth certificate, so I knew he was born in Orlando.”
— Fred Shepherd
his wife told him she would never leave Oakland. The day of his discharge, he packed his car and drove from Alabama to Florida, arriving just in time for the birth of his first of two sons.
OLD OAKLAND
In the 1950s, Oakland had a popular hardware store, Gulley Hardware.
“They had rental lawn mowers, and they were electric, and the yard we had out on Johns Lake was easy to take care of, so I’d come up here and rent a lawn mower and cut it and then take it back,” Shepherd said.
He also remembers there were three grocery stores in the town: one owned by his father-in-law, Charles Mann “Pete” Tucker; another owned by Cecil Dees, near the fourway stop at Tubb Street and Oakland Avenue; and a third known simply as Elmer’s, owned by J.S. Redding and operated by a man named Elmer who drove a black Model A Ford and didn’t want anyone touching it.
Tucker’s store, opened in 1930, sold meats and other groceries plus gasoline and kerosene. It was located on Oakland Avenue west of Tubb Street in the same block as the Tucker family home. Pete Tucker attended Tildenville Elementary School as a child and later became a cattleman, leasing and then later purchasing about 300 acres of land
for a ranch west of Winter Garden.
The land today is known as Tucker Ranch.
Pete Tucker was elected constable in 1933 and ran the store until he was elected justice of the peace in 1949.
The C.M. “Pete” Tucker Square at the downtown roundabout is named for him.
Near the square is the Historic Town Hall, which once served as Oakland’s bank. Shepherd’s fatherin-law told him once he had saved up $133, which he deposited into the bank.
“And then the bank went to hell and back, and everyone lost their money,” Shepherd said.
SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
Shepherd spent 17 years on the street as a probation and parole officer with the Florida Department of Corrections. As he rose through the department’s ranks, he took on more responsibility, spending 18 years in administration.
“In that kind of work, I came to the conclusion that you can help those who want help, and there are those who are going to get back into trouble and they have to be removed and go to jail or prison,” Shepherd said.
The Oakland resident has been involved with Oakland Presbyterian Church since 1950 and serves the
ministry in various ways.
He also keeps his eye on the town of Oakland and looks for ways to assist his community. When the town’s administration was being questioned for ethics in the early 1990s, Shepherd was asked to lead an investigation. He said after conducting basically an audit of the town, the committee determined the allegations were true but there wasn’t enough evidence to show criminal intent.
Shepherd also volunteered for about three years with the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation.
“I’ve always done these little things that I didn’t want any publicity over it, no thanks for it,” he said.
THE FUTURE OF OAKLAND
Shepherd has some ideas about the town’s future growth.
“If I was going to develop it, I would go to the highway property, and I would put in a medium-sized hotel, nothing elaborate, but nothing shabby; it would be up to snuff, so to speak,” Shepherd said. “Once you’ve got a nice hotel established, then I would establish several good restaurants. … The traffic patterns indicate they would support a small hotel and a couple nice restaurants. As far as restaurants are concerned, I like Bonefish.”
Fred and Sue Shepherd were married for 61 years, eloping in 1949 at the age of 19.
Amy Quesinberry
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
EPISCOPAL
Church of the Messiah
241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah.com
METHODIST
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org
BALLOT PLEASER: Playa Pizza launches ‘Pizza &
Pizzeria owner Stephen Facella hopes the new series promotes local voter education.
ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR
Local political candidates in Orange County now have the opportunity to meet with voters and answer questions in a relaxed environment at Playa Pizza’s new event series: Pizza & Politics.
The series, started by Playa Pizza owner Stephen Facella, aims to promote voter education as part of the Horizon West restaurant’s commitment to being a community gathering place.
Facella said the main purpose of the event is to humanize the candidates, encourage people to vote and get involved, and to keep the conversations positive.
Politics’
CHURCH DIRECTORY
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH
PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee
Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
“I told the candidates, ‘This is your neighbor; you’re going to see them at Publix,’” he said. “I want to keep our community positive and thriving. We need to back (one another) and take care of (one another) — not just for ourselves but for our children and their children.”
CIVIC DUTY
Facella has never missed voting in an election since he was 18 years old.
“Too many people have died to give people the right to vote,” he said. “I don’t want to ever take that for granted in this country.”
Facella said he is known as the “level-headed friend who pays attention to facts and not emotions.” He has never had a party-line ballot or voted for a single party in his life.
“It went really great,” Facella said. “There were a lot of people watching her make pizza, which I thought was pretty funny. I learned a lot by listening to Commissioner Wilson talk. She’s very knowledgeable — especially when it comes to growth in our area.”
“Local politics shouldn’t feel as fractured as national politics — it should be transparent and approachable, and there’s no place more approachable than what Stephen has created at Playa Pizza,” Wilson said. “I’m so grateful for our small-business community and residents who are looking for new ways to get involved and informed. It’s making election season more fun.”
COMMUNITY HUB Facella is excited to meet and learn more about the other candidates.
In his corporate career back in 2012, he encouraged people to vote, emphasized voting by mail and registered as someone who could register others to vote.
“I would know all the topics on the ballot, and people in my department would come to me and ask what they should do about certain topics,” he said. “I would explain to them what each side wants and let them make their own choices. I became known as the guy who would tell people what the facts were, but I would never tell people how to vote.”
These experiences helped influence the creation of Pizza & Politics.
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The second Pizza & Politics event was Monday, July 8, with School Board District 4 candidate Kyle Goudy.
This week’s scheduled events were Wednesday, July 10, with School Board District 4 candidate Jake Petroski and Friday, July 12, with Orange County District 1 Commission candidate Austin Arthur.
Petroski said he decided to participate in the event because, as a candidate, he believes he should take every opportunity to engage with community members, and he looks forward to having open dialogue about the issues and opportunities facing the school district.
“I’m excited, and I think it’s great that Playa Pizza is engaging the community by hosting this type of event,” he said. “This event will be extremely beneficial to the community by fostering open and honest dialogue. I think we can all agree that we need better schools and more pizza.”
In addition to Pizza & Politics, Facella has allowed three political campaigns to use the restaurant space and has catered three off-site political events.
“You’re never supposed to talk about politics, but everyone loves pizza,” Facella said. “This is designed to be a very casual environment. I love this country, and we don’t have a country if we don’t have people voting. We are a representative democracy, so our laws are only as smart as our elected officials. If you have an uneducated populace, then you’ll have an uneducated representative government making uneducated laws. This is the greatest country on the face of this planet, and we have issues, but they’re our issues. They’re not going to improve if we don’t get involved.”
Facella first teaches the candidate how to make pizza, which they later enjoy together. Anyone can come meet the candidate, mingle and ask questions. Facella asks each candidate if he or she enjoys pineapple on pizza, because it is one of the most controversial topics in the pizza industry. He then asks the candidate a series of questions on video without the public with no agenda or timer.
He said he built the restaurant to be large enough to host community events and gatherings. Playa Pizza hosts a multitude of events throughout the week, including live music, trivia, and wine and painting.
“Our community is more intertwined and linked than it’s not,” Facella said. “Everything in this place was selected intentionally to support our local community and create a comfortable gathering place. That’s what we hope to continue to contribute.”
He plans to edit and release the interview videos within the next few weeks.
So far, Facella has invited 10 candidates to participate in the series, including those running for Orange County Commission, Orange County School Board and Supervisor of Elections.
Although he is starting with candidates in the August primary election, he plans on inviting candidates on the November ballot soon after.
Facella said the events are open to the public and are not in any way an endorsement of one candidate or cause over another.
The first Pizza & Politics event was held June 25, with current District 1 County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who seeking reelection.
IF YOU GO
PIZZA & POLITICS
WHERE: Playa Pizza, 13211 Reams Road, Suite 108, Windermere
PHONE: (407) 842-4000 WEBSITE: playapizza.com
Courtesy photo
Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, running for reelection, was the first candidate to participate in the new Pizza & Politics event series.
Holden opportunity
Ray Holden and his four sons have opened Sizzlin’ Greens, a fast-casual dining experience that caters to diners who want healthier meals.
Ray Holden had spent 30 years with a popular restaurant chain and was looking for something different — a business venture that would include his four sons. After a year of brainstorming and planning, Ray, Ryan, Stephen, Jason and Kyle Holden have opened Sizzlin’ Greens in Winter Garden.
The new fast-casual dining experience opened in April and already has amassed a following of diners wanting a menu consisting of healthy options and plenty of proteins.
The family created Holden Brothers LLC, and everyone is an equal partner. Ray Holden and Ryan Holden have overseen the entire creation of Sizzlin’ Greens; Stephen Holden and Jason Holden operate the restaurant as general managers; and Kyle Holden is in charge of marketing, social media and communications.
The Holdens moved to Central Florida when Ray Holden opened a Miller’s Ale House on Kirkman Road 30 years ago. The Holden boys grew up around the restaurant business and worked in them as they got older. The brothers attended local schools, and all graduated from West Orange High.
Everyone still lives in the area: Ray, with wife Jackie, in Windermere; Ryan and Jason in the SODO district of downtown Orlando; Stephen in Hamlin; and Kyle in College Park.
After three decades with Ale House, company president Ray Holden, now almost 65, thought it was time for a change.
He and son Ryan threw themselves into creating the concept of Sizzlin’ Greens.
“My wife, Jackie, is a holistic practitioner, and she’s a very healthy eater,” Ray Holden said. “We both had a hard time finding healthy choices in this area, not just Winter Garden but Orlando.
“I had an idea — we’ll build a restaurant that she can eat at and I can eat at; it will be based on healthy,” he said. They enlisted the help of Italian chef Enzo Paparella and worked with him in a test kitchen before traveling to California and Utah to work on creating their menu choices.
The Holdens selected six proteins that could be added to salads, sandwiches and wraps.
MADE FROM SCRATCH
“There are seed-oil dressings; our dressings are made with 100% extra virgin olive oil and imported Italian vinegars,” Ray Holden said. “Everything is made from scratch here. We don’t have any products not made here. We have fresh, clean ingredients, antibiotic-free
SIZZLIN’ GREENS
12639 W. Colonial Drive, Suite C, Winter Garden, FL 34787
PHONE: (407) 697-0906
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
WEBSITE: Sizzlingreens.com
MUST-TRY MENU ITEMS: Mediterranean Salad with Grilled
chicken, grass-fed burgers, all our soups are made fresh daily, organic greens.”
Ray Holden is a sandwich guy from Long Island, New York, and he believes it’s the bread that makes the sandwich.
The eatery’s specialty is rustic baguette bread, but diners also can order their proteins in gluten-free, spinach or whole-wheat wraps. Vegetarian meals are on the menu, too.
Sizzlin’ Greens uses the best ingredients for all of its menu items — “not only healthy but clean and the best quality,” Ray Holden said.
The healthy options are extended to the children’s menu and include grassfed sliders, apples or fingerling potatoes.
“We have no friers, no microwaves and no ingredients you can’t pronounce or spell,” Ray Holden said. “We’re intentional about healthy and clean.”
The restaurant’s slogan is “Healthy is Hot.”
The owners have created a summer menu with six wraps, including a seared ahi tuna.
Sizzlin’ Greens uses DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub delivery services. The Holdens are adding a catering service to the business. They also have applied for a beer and wine license.
When building their business from the ground up, the Holdens wanted to offer a fast-casual dining in a setting that was more than a fast-food experience.
“We created this beautiful restaurant; we spent a little more money than your average buildout,” Ray Holden said.
“We wanted it to look fresh and clean. The terrazzo tile is imported from Italy. To take it up a notch, we went with the plateware; we didn’t want to go with the cardboard bowls. We wanted to put it on real plateware and with real silverware. We bring the food to your table, and we clean your table to take it up a few notches in quality and service.
“Even the kitchen, we were very intentional that we wanted people to see us cooking their food to order — cooking it in front of them and bringing it out to them,” he said.
FAMILY TIME
Owning a restaurant together is a double-edged sword. While they are all in contact throughout the workday, they enjoy spending time together socially as well, and there isn’t much time for socializing right now. The Holdens and their sons and their families typically go on vacation each year, although a 2024 trip is being postponed.
“It’s our baby right now,” Ray Holden said.
LOCAL MOTION
COMING THURSDAY, JULY 25
Local Motion is your go-to guide for life in West Orange and Southwest Orange. Whether you’re new or a longtime resident, discover everything you need to connect with your community. Inside, you’ll find:
• Local History & Leaders: Stories and interviews about Winter Garden, Windermere, Horizon West, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips, Oakland and Gotha.
• Event Calendar: A list of can’t-miss events happening around you.
• Activities & Involvement: Fun local activities and ways to get involved.
• Date Night & Family Fun: Affordable suggestions for great outings.
• Education Guide: Information on schools, including options for special needs. Dive into Local Motion and start exploring your community today!
Each week, the Observer is full of local news you can’t find anywhere else. It’s always about You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.
Sizzlin’ Greens partners are five members of the Holden family: Stephen, left, Ryan, Jason, Ray and, not pictured, Kyle Holden. Menu items include Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Summer Salad with Chicken, Cobb Salad with Shrimp and a Chimichurri Steak Sandwich.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
What are the three most pressing issues facing West Orange and Southwest Orange schools today, and how will you address them?
The three most pressing issues are balanced funding, student well-being and equitable access to quality education.
To address financial challenges from the school voucher system and state funding changes, I will advocate for fair funding, seek grants and community partnerships, and prioritize spending on essential programs.
For student well-being, I will push for more resources for mental health services, implement preventive and early intervention programs, as well as promote a supportive environment with anti-bullying initiatives.
To ensure equitable access to quality education, I will target interventions to close the achievement gap, support diverse student needs, and enhance career and technical education programs. My goal is to create a more balanced, supportive and high-quality educational environment for all students.
Last year, Florida expanded the school voucher system, enabling more parents to opt to send their children to private or charter schools. In theory, the move could take away both students and funding from OCPS. How should the district respond to this change to ensure future success?
The percentage of state-formula funding redirected from public to private education is projected to reach roughly 30%, and many school districts across the state, including our own, are grappling with this loss in funding. Unless this policy changes, as a School Board member, I will work with others to ensure these changes have no impact on student learning and choice programs within the school district. I will personally make sure we expand grant writing and fundraising to supplement any losses and advance budget optimization proposals.
In the past few years, public education has emerged to the forefront of the national political conversation. Evaluate how Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state has navigated through some of those challenges.
Our school system has become too politicized, shifting the focus of teachers, parents and administration away from students. It’s time to educate our teachers about how different measures taken by our state government impact them and alleviate fears of increased government censorship. Instead of focusing on laws with pretty names, our School Board needs to start actually bringing parents into the discussion and understand how we can best serve their students’ needs.
Discuss your view on how much access and input should a parent have in his or her child’s education at OCPS.
I believe parents should be involved in their children’s education. It is also crucial there is a joint relationship between parents and teachers for the betterment of the students’ quality education. The School Board must also highlight the expertise of our faculty members and give parents full confidence in their children’s teachers’ ability to fulfill their duties.
One of the polarizing issues in student athletics is whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete with other athletes in their identified gender. What is your opinion on this subject?
Eleven transgender students have competed in Florida high school sports over the span of a whole decade. This accounts for well under 0.00001% of high school athletes across the state. This is a distraction used to avoid talking about the failures of our education system that have left many parents disappointed. I will never use my position as a leader to bully children or their families — especially on non-issues.
Recently, Louisiana lawmakers enacted legislation that requires public schools to display a version of the Ten Commandments. What is your view on this?
As a woman of faith, it is not my place as a teacher to discuss my personal religious beliefs or social beliefs in the classroom. The classroom is a place where students from every walk of life learn valuable skills and accurate history. Louisiana’s law is unconstitutional.
It seems every year, OCPS and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association enter a difficult, months-long negotiation process. What can OCPS do differently to make this process smoother?
OCPS must engage in productive conversations with CTA and start viewing them as a resource and partner instead of a burden.
What are the three most pressing issues facing West Orange and Southwest Orange schools today, and how will you address them?
Transportation: We have kids (who) are getting out of school at 3 p.m. and not getting home until 6 p.m. This is the result of a bus driver shortage. OCPS has just shy of 1,000 buses and around 500 drivers. We need to find a way to create more attractive compensation packages to recruit more drivers.
Literacy rates: We have more than 40% of third-graders (who) are not reading proficiently. Using evidence-based teaching practices, such as Orton Gillingham, is one important step. I believe Spencer Mills is a great instructor and could be a good person to bring in to work with our elementary school teachers.
Fiscal responsibility: Everyone knows parents, students and teachers are stakeholders in education, but often taxpayers with no students in the schools are forgotten. I have met hundreds of people who support the schools with their property taxes and other tax contributions. My promise to them is that I will be a good steward of their tax dollars.
Last year, Florida expanded the school voucher system, enabling more parents to opt to send their children to private or charter schools. In theory, the move could take away both students and funding from OCPS. How should the district respond to this change to ensure future success?
On a fundamental level, I believe parents should be able to send their children to the best school possible. This is something the state needs to think through as it relates to funding, because for some people, the public school in their area is the only choice.
We need to continue to improve and work with our families to meet their needs. There is no place that (most) people would rather send their kids than public school, but we need to make sure we’re earning their trust with schools that are high quality and focused on the things that matter.
In the past few years, public education has emerged to the forefront of the national political conversation. Evaluate how Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state has navigated through some of those challenges.
I think the governor and the state have a mixed record on education.
THE GOOD:
n Starting teacher pay has risen from $40,000 to $48,000 in DeSantis’ time as governor.
n The allotment for teacher pay increases was the largest amount ever in this year’s budget, up $200 million from last year.
n Increased school safety funding by $569 million dollars for K-12 schools.
n Made it easier for former law enforcement officers to become school resource officers.
THE BAD:
n Cutting funding from the arts. I believe if there were grievances with how art programs were being run, then everyone could have met and come to an agreement on how to proceed without cutting funding.
Discuss your view on how much access and input should a parent have in his or her child’s education at OCPS.
There needs to be transparency between schools and parents. This is one of the reasons some parents homeschool or choose alternative education (charter or private). This does not mean parents should be dictating how a teacher teaches, but they should know what is going on in the schools.
One of the polarizing issues in student athletics is whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete with other athletes in their identified gender. What is your opinion on this subject?
I believe boys should compete against boys, and girls should compete against girls. I have met many female athletes who have lost opportunities because they lost a competition to a biological boy. If there is enough demand for it, we could consider a division that is exclusively for transgender athletes. We do not want to be taking opportunities away from girls in sports.
Recently, Louisiana lawmakers enacted legislation that requires public schools to display a version of the Ten Commandments. What is your view on this?
These lawmakers are representing the will of the people who elected them.
It seems every year, OCPS and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association enter a difficult, months-long negotiation process. What can OCPS do differently to make this process smoother?
We need greater transparency between the negotiating teams. We need to ensure the OCPS representatives and teachers association representatives are bringing the full and accurate information when the negotiations are going back and forth, not skewed views from one side. There are steps being made to do this as we speak, and I will support increased transparency in the negotiating between the two parties.
the ESSER funding sunsetting in 2025. These relief funds that came from the COVID-19 pandemic will be gone per legislation, but we must prioritize the programs with proven success that will be impacted. I believe we will have to examine the impact each program has on students and make a pragmatic decision based on data and science.
Lastly, increasing our reading proficiency is critical. OCPS reading proficiency levels have been low and stagnant for years. We need to immediately bring this issue to the forefront, so we can increase the number of proficient readers at all grade levels. We need to get teachers trained so they are equipped with the most up-to-date methods and appropriate tools needed to do their jobs. As a former teacher with a reading endorsement certificate, I know first-hand the frustration that can build in a student who struggles to read proficiently. This investment in our students will have a positive ripple effect that will last a lifetime.
Last year, Florida expanded the school voucher system, enabling more parents to opt to send their children to private or charter schools. In theory, the move could take away both students and funding from OCPS. How should the district respond to this change to ensure future success?
We must make OCPS the premier choice for families in Orange County. This is where I see great opportunities for OCPS to shine. It starts with our teachers. We have the best, so let’s invest and support them. Let’s make our schools the absolute safest schools possible using technology to secure our campuses. Lastly, we can expand our technical/vocational education programs to offer a diverse set of options for students who are interested in these amazing career paths. My vision of education is rooted in the belief that success is not graduation. Rather, it is creating a lifelong pathway of success for students long after they graduate.
In the past few years, public education has emerged to the forefront of the national political conversation. Evaluate how Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state has navigated through some of those challenges.
I believe our state government is failing our public schools. Teachers are continually asked to do more with less. More and more funding is being diverted from public schools every year. Highstakes testing seems to be more about money and profits than student assessment. In addition, the injection of partisan politics into our local public schools has created an unhealthy and unnecessary divide in the community.
Discuss your view on how much access and input should a parent have in his or her child’s education at OCPS.
Public education and curriculum are and should always be transparent to students and parents. Full access and input should be encouraged. However, parents should not attempt to alter the curriculum for other students based on personal beliefs.
One of the polarizing issues in student athletics is whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete with other athletes in their identified gender. What is your opinion on this subject?
I believe all OCPS students have the right to feel welcomed, safe and valued during school and during school sanctioned events. OCPS should celebrate every student regardless of their race, LGBTQ+ status, nationality, ethnicity or gender identification. Our community and schools are diverse. Our diversity enriches education by offering multiple perspectives and voices in classrooms and extracurricular activities.
Recently, Louisiana lawmakers enacted legislation that requires public schools to display a version of the Ten Commandments. What is your view on this?
I believe this is a violation of the separation of church and state. While I’m a Christian and a longtime member and volunteer at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, I believe this display may isolate some students and make others feel uncomfortable because of their closely held religious beliefs. If we truly want our schools to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, we must be vigilant of what is displayed and the message it may send to some students.
It seems every year, OCPS and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association enter a difficult, months-long negotiation process. What can OCPS do differently to make this process smoother?
We need to invest, support and respect our teachers. We need to create a relationship with the OCCTA that is transparent, honest and mutually supportive. The relationship should not be adversarial, rather it should be a collaborative partnership that focuses on the mission to educate our children. The district needs to be more open to trying new and creative ways to support our teachers. We need to stop compartmentalizing items like salaries and insurance when they are all part of the compensation package for educators. I believe it’s time to reinvent this relationship into a more positive, transparent and collaborative partnership that works together for the betterment of our community.
WESTYN BAY
The home at 625 Palio Court, Ocoee, sold June 27, for $620,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two halfbaths and 3,227 square feet. Days on market: 72.
Ahome in the Golden Oak community in Southwest Orange topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from June 24 to 30.
The home at 9725 Vista Falls Drive, Orlando, sold June 26, for $8,150,000. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, five baths, three half-baths and 6,908 square feet. Days on market: 232. The sellers were represented by Karen Balcerak, Golden Oak Realty.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
GOTHA
TOWN OF GOTHA
The home at 9950 Sixth St., Windermere, sold June 27, for $3,500,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 5,561 square feet. Days on market: 56.
HORIZON WEST
ENCLAVE
The home at 17503 Black Rail St., Windermere, sold June 28, for $1,150,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 4,501 square feet. Days on market: 151.
The home at 17545 Black Rail St., Windermere, sold June 28, for $1,150,000. Built in 2017, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 4,511 square feet. Days on market: 16.
HAWKSMOOR
The home at 16297 Taliesin St., Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $600,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,008 square feet. Days on market: Four.
HICKORY HAMMOCK
The home at 16150 Johns Lake Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $2,200,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,477 square feet of living area. Days on market: 71.
The home at 16201 Great Blue Heron Court, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $2,200,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,485 square feet of living area.
LAKESHORE PRESERVE
The home at 8258 Topsail Place, Winter Garden, sold June 25, for $975,000. Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 4,307 square feet. Days on market: One.
The home at 15726 Shorebird Lane, Winter Garden, sold June 25, for $884,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,712 square feet. Days on market: 65.
ORCHARD PARK
The home at 14037 Pecan Orchard Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $740,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,793 square feet. Days on market: 17.
The home at 13831 Peach Orchard Way, Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $614,900. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,115 square feet. Days on market: Five.
PEACHTREE PARK
The home at 8736 Peachtree Park Court, Windermere, sold June 24, for $789,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,775 square feet. Days on market: 168.
SUMMERLAKE
The home at 15013 Night Heron Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $665,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,725 square feet. Days on market: 27.
SUMMERPORT
The home at 4313 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, sold June 28, for $795,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,512 square feet. Days on market: Eight.
The home at 5061 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, sold June 26, for $602,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,427 square feet. Days on market: 10.
WATERLEIGH
The home at 12651 Charmed Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $796,151. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,327 square feet. Days on market: Three.
The home at 16224 Carraway Bay Alley, Winter Garden, sold June 27, for $551,740. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,027 square feet. Days on market: 26.
WATERSTONE
The home at 11629 Waterstone Loop Drive, Windermere, sold June 25, for $2,300,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,441 square feet. Days on market: 53.
WINDERMERE ISLE
The home at 8254 Procida Isla Lane, Windermere, sold June 27, for $930,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,267 square feet. Days on market: 13.
WINDING BAY
The home at 15456 Lebeau Loop, Winter Garden, sold June 26, for $608,900. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,285 square feet of living area. Days on market: 152.
OCOEE
ADMIRAL POINTE
The home at 741 Lancer Circle, Ocoee, sold June 28, for $595,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,300 square feet of living area. Days on market: 56.
ARDEN PARK NORTH
The home at 1960 Mountain Pine St., Ocoee, sold June 28, for $660,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,336 square feet of living area. Days on market: 42.
The home at 1855 Black Maple Place, Ocoee, sold June 25, for $585,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,936 square feet. Days on market: 12.
The home at 2918 Black Birch Drive, Ocoee, sold June 24, for $470,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,860 square feet. Days on market: 42.
HAMPTON WOODS
The home at 457 Buckhaven Loop, Ocoee, sold June 24, for $700,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,527 square feet.
LAKE MEADOW LANDING
The townhouse at 1932 Terrapin Road, Ocoee, sold June 25, for $425,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,841 square feet. Days on market: 23.
LAKE SHORE GARDENS
The home at 704 Vandergrift Drive, Ocoee, sold June 25, for $465,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,530 square feet. Days on market: Six.
MCCORMICK WOODS
The home at 3517 Bunchberry Way, Ocoee, sold June 26, for $490,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,598 square feet of living area. Days on market: 20.
The home at 854 Pecori Terrace, Ocoee, sold June 28, for $575,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,281 square feet. Days on market: 73.
WYNWOOD
The home at 2404 Greenwood Oak Drive, Ocoee, sold June 27, for $556,750. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,361 square feet of living area. Days on market: 110.
SOUTHWEST ORANGE
LAKE MABEL SHORES
The home at 9019 Lake Mabel Drive, Orlando, sold June 28, for $2,126,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,560 square feet. Days on market: 39.
LAKE SHEEN RESERVE
The home at 9772 Pineola Drive, Orlando, sold June 26, for $865,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,047 square feet. Days on market: Five.
WEST ORANGE
BELLARIA
The home at 13334 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold June 27, for $2,450,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths and 5,734 square feet. Days on market: 190.
The home at 13407 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold June 27, for $1,900,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 3,640 square feet. Days on market: 11.
WINDERMERE
BELMERE VILLAGE
The home at 11526 Via Lucerna Circle, Windermere, sold June 27, for $660,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,084 square feet of living area. Days on market: 104.
ISLEWORTH
The home at 5127 Latrobe Drive, Windermere, sold June 25, for $3,315,000. Built in 1991, it has seven bedrooms, six baths, two half-baths and 6,933 square feet. Days on market: 76.
KEENE’S POINTE
The home at 8315 Bowden Way, Windermere, sold June 27, for $1,495,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,480 square feet. Days on market: Three.
The home at 8027 Whitford Court, Windermere, sold June 24, for $1,400,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,578 square feet. Days on market: 194.
LAKES
The home at 10538 Down Lakeview Circle, Windermere, sold June 26, for $1,150,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,292 square feet. Days on market: Five.
METCALF PARK
The home at 11606 Lake Butler Blvd., Windermere, sold June 24, for $4,910,000. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, six baths, two half-baths and 7,400 square feet on 1.72 waterfront acres. Days on market: 91.
WESTOVER RESERVE
The home at 1731 Westover Reserve Blvd., Windermere, sold June 28, for $845,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,481 square feet. Days on market: Six.
WILLOWS AT LAKE RHEA
The home at 2146 Kane Park Way, Windermere, sold June 28, for $1,100,000. Built in 1992, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,948 square feet. Days on market: 35.
WINDERMERE DOWNS
The home at 1939 Broadleaf Court, Windermere, sold June 28, for $830,000. Built in 1987, it has five bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,660 square feet. Days on market: 59.
WINDSOR HILL
The home at 2601 Windsor Hill Drive, Windermere, sold June 27, for $1,300,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,116 square feet. Days on market: 39.
WINTER GARDEN
BLACK LAKE PARK
The home at 730 Tranquil Trail, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $720,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 4,016 square feet. Days on market: 39.
JOHNS LAKE POINTE
The home at 747 Sandy Bar Drive, Winter Garden, sold June 28, for $640,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,930 square feet. Days on market: Three.
LAKE ROBERTS LANDING
The home at 1720 Lake Roberts Landing, Winter Garden, sold June 25, for $1,150,000. Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,919 square feet. Days on market: 28.
SUNSET LAKES
The home at 13524 Sunset Lakes Circle sold June 26, for $960,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,719 square feet. Days on market: Two.
TWINWATERS
The home at 1658 Holcomb Creek St., Winter Garden, sold June 24, for $795,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,840 square feet. Days on market: 13.
WATERSIDE AT JOHNS LAKE The home at 17326 Bal Harbour Drive sold June 28, for $770,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,196 square feet. Days on market: Five.
library. The sellers were represented by Karen Balcerak, Golden Oak Realty.
SPORTS
At 15 years old,
5 Crème de la crème
In the inaugural edition of the Orange Observer Sports Awards, we recognize the area’s most deserving athletes, coaches and teams.
1Enzo Belardo, a rising junior at Horizon High and member of the Stoneybrook Karate gym, won an AAU karate national championship Friday, July 5, at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center.
The 15-year-old has been on a tear this year, winning five straight competitions, including the AAU Florida state championship, before claiming the national title in the novice kata category for his age group.
2
Danny Stutsman, a former Foundation Academy football standout and current Oklahoma Sooners player has been named to the 2024 Walter Camp preseason first-team AllAmerican team.
The former four-star prospect and 2020 Orange Observer football player of the year has been a major contributor at linebacker for the Sooners since arriving on campus. Last season, he was named a second-team Walter Camp All-American, a third-team AP All-American and an All-Big 12 first-team selection, after recording 104 tackles, 16 for a loss, three sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.
3
Russell Robinson, a former West Orange High trackand-field and football star, finished second in the men’s triple jump at the USA track and field team’s Olympic trails in Eugene, Oregon.
The second-place finish was enough to earn the FHSAA Class 4A long jump and triple jump state champion a spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Games in the triple jump. Robinson earned one of three spots on the Parisbound team after recording a jump of 17.01 meters (55 feet, 9.75 inches) at the trials on June 30.
4
Windermere High has announced Nicole Vinas as its next girls indoor volleyball coach.
“I am so excited to be a part of the Windermere community,” Vinas said. “I have been coaching for the last nine years, and I’m looking forward to a great experience here at Windermere High School.”
The Wolverines finished the 2023 season with a 16-7 record and lost in the Class 7A, District 5 finals and the regional quarterfinals, both to Olympia High. Windermere should return its top hitter, rising junior Lily Rodgers, who had 274 kills last season and top setter, rising senior Mia DiLorenzo, who dished out 290 assists in 2023.
5
Recent Olympia High graduate and former Titans girls track-and-field star, Omaria Gordon, will continue her athletic career at the University of South Carolina. Gordon’s choice came down to four schools: USC, Florida State, South Florida and the hometown team, UCF.
“I had so much support on my signing day,” Gordon said in a post to her X account. “I’m so thankful for everybody who believed in me and was patient throughout my track journey. It was a special day that I shared with my friends and family.”
Gordon shined in her senior year for the Lady Titans winning the Metro West championship in the 400-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles and long jump; the Class 4A, District 9 titles in the 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump; the 4A, Region 3 title in the long jump; and the 4A state championship in the long jump.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
The 2023-24 sports season was one to remember in West Orange and Southwest Orange, and to properly celebrate the accomplishments of the teams, players and coaches from the area, we’ve introduced the Orange Observer Sports Awards.
In the inaugural year of the awards, 10 total honors are being awarded to the most deserving members of the local sports community.
To read more about each award criteria, visit bit. ly/3VNRE0c.
Without further ado, here are the winners for the 2024 Orange Observer Sports Awards.
SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
MADDEN BOURST | Olympia High baseball and wrestling
The Sportsperson of the Year award is the highest honor of the series and takes inspiration from the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award — which aims to recognize an athlete’s excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. No other athlete in the West Orange and Southwest Orange community exemplifies excellence in those three areas more than Olympia High’s Madden Bourst. On the field, Bourst is a twosport star for the Titans; lettering all four years of his high school career in both wrestling and baseball and being named Olympia’s 2023-24 Male Athlete of the Year.
On the wrestling mat this season, he finished with a 29-10 record, qualified for the state meet, placed third at regionals and won the district individual title. He also is a four-year captain of the wrestling team. In the spring as a member of the Titans baseball team, Bourst was a captain in his senior season,
hit for an average of .308 and had an on-base percentage of .505 in 93 plate appearances. He also was named to the Cure All-Star team.
In the classroom, Bourst is even more impressive. The son of two teachers, he finished his high school career with a 3.97 unweighted GPA and was the valedictorian of his class. Beyond his grades, Bourst also was a member of the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society, and vice president of the National Technical Honor Society. He founded also and was the president of the Pickleball Club at Olympia.
Beyond the grades and clubs, Bourst registered more than 250 service hours as a volunteer for Little League baseball teams and youth wrestling clubs.
Bourst will attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to major in engineering.
MALE ATHLETE
With a total of 26 goals and 20 assists over 19 games to his name, Moyetones contributed to nearly two-and-one-half goals a game for the Windermere Wolverines in his senior campaign.
That sort of production not only earned him the 2024 Gatorade Florida Boys Soccer Player of the Year award, but also it helped carry Windermere High to the school’s first regional championship in the sport.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
TRINITY TURNER
Dr. Phillips High girls basketball
Trinity Turner might be the most decorated girls basketball player in Florida history. The future Georgia Bulldog player is a three-time state champion, the 2024 Florida Miss Basketball, a three-time Class 7A Player of the Year, a four-time All-State team selection, a two-time District Player of the Year, and holds a 99-20 career record (only losing two home games ever). Turner scored 1,998 points, grabbed 1,005 rebounds and dished out 701 assists over her fouryear stint as DP’s point guard.
The Knights’ three-star prospect chose the Panthers over Iowa, Tennessee, Wake Forest and others.
Ocoee High football three-star ath-
lete and rising senior Joshua Guerrier announced his commitment to play college ball at the University of Pittsburgh.
“I feel really happy about my decision to go to Pitt,” Guerrier said.
“I’ve been talking with God a lot
about this day, and I’ve felt like this decision was best for me. My mom and my dad are really happy about it. Everybody I’ve spoken to about it has said it was a good fit for me, including my head coach here at Ocoee, Buck Gurley, told me this is a good fit. So, since I went ahead and picked Pitt, I’ve been really happy about it.”
Guerrier said he chose the Panthers over offers from Power 4 programs, such as Iowa, Tennessee, Wake Forest and others, because of their history and the competition he will face in the ACC.
“I like that they’re a bit of an underdog,” he said. “I know they’ve had a rough patch this past season, but I have a lot of belief in (what) Pitt
Rylee Erisman narrowly missed out on a Team USA spot for the Paris Olympics. As a rising sophomore, she’s ready to make an even bigger splash in 2024. Page 2B.
OF THE YEAR
JOSE MOYETONES
Windermere High boys soccer
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
Photo by Sam Albuquerque
Ocoee High’s Joshua Guerrier is a do-it-all athlete for the Knights’ football team, and next year he’ll be taking his talents from West Orange to Acrisure Stadium for the Pitt Panthers.
OF THE WEEK
Rylee Erisman
When Windermere High and Lakers Aquatics swimmer Rylee Erisman swam a 54.34 in the 100-meter freestyle at the Speedo Sectionals in May, it made her the fastest 15-year-old American female ever in the event.
A month later, she lined up in the Olympic Trails finals in the 50-meter freestyle for a chance to qualify for Team USA and head to Paris for the Summer Games. The Windermere Wolverine was just .36 seconds away from punching her ticket to Paris, but the swimmer’s fifth-place finish earned her a spot on the American team heading to Australia in August for the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
With this kind of production at such an early age, we’re bound to see Erisman continue to carve her spot on the USA swimming scene.
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
Considering all the other great athletes in Orange County, I’m just happy to be selected.
What was it like to compete at the Olympic Trials?
The Olympic Trials for swimming were held in Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Indianapolis Colts play, so it was a very unique experience. It was unlike any swim meet I’ve ever been to.
How motivated are you to come back in 2028 and make the Olympic team?
I am very motivated for 2028. To swim in the Olympics is a dream, but to swim in one taking place in my home country would be even more special.
What did you learn from the experience? I learned that I am able to hold my own against past and present Olympians and perform well at one of the highest levels in swimming.
What was the coolest moment from the Olympic Trials?
Definitely making the 50 free finals. I had a couple of other night swims — 50 free semis, 100 free semis and 100 back semis — that were all broadcast live on NBC, but the 50 free finals, with two spots on the line for the Olympic team, was the most exciting.
What do you like the most about swimming?
The entire journey! I like seeing how the work I put in on a daily basis translates to success when it’s time to compete.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from swimming? If you keep work ing hard and stay motivated, it usually pays off.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Too many to list, but if I had to pick one I’d say Olym pic swimmer Regan Smith, because she’s humble and inspiring.
THE BASICS Age: 15 Sport: Swimming Grade: Sophomore School: Windermere High
What is your favorite swimming memory?
Getting my first Olympic Trials cut last summer.
What is your go-to pre-meet meal? Turkey sandwiches with Doritos and Coke.
What is your favorite nonsports hobby?
Hanging out with friends.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Math. I love being able to solve problems and figure them out. It gives me a good challenge.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
My bed, because I love it; Chapstick, because I hate chapped lips; and my iPhone to call for help.
What is your favorite movie?
“Touch the Wall,” which follows two swimmers on their journey to make the Olympics.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
Sha’Carri Richardson, because she seems super cool, and she’s a sprinter like me.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
We’ve got it pretty good today, so not sure I’d want to go back but if I had to, the ‘90s seem like they were pretty cool!
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Enjoy the experience, because it goes by quickly.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Flying, because I’d love to get to places
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
Santorini, Hawaii and Fiji, because they all look super pretty and fun to visit.
If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?
A dolphin, because it’s my favorite animal.
What is your most controversial food
Tortilla chips dipped in Chick-fil-A sauce.
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
I’ve never tried it on pizza, but I’m not a fan of pineapple, so no.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
2024 Observer Awards
TEAMMATE OF THE YEAR
JONATHAN BOSQUE Foundation Academy baseball
In his first at-bat against Lakeland Christian on April 6, 2023, Foundation Academy baseball’s shortstop Jonathan Bosque took a swing and fell to the ground with an injury that ended up being a stress fracture to his L5 vertebrate.
The injury kept him off the diamond for nearly five months and could have paralyzed him. But despite the intense pain he felt at that moment, Bosque picked himself off the dirt in what he called “a big regional game” and finished the at-bat, earning a walk for his team.
The type of toughness and sacrifice he showed in that moment is the exact determination he approached a grueling rehab process that saw him fight through an injury that didn’t allow him to sit in a chair or drive a car for months. But, like any good teammate who knows his presence on the field makes a difference in the team winning or losing, Bosque put the work in and was ready for his senior season.
Not only did Bosque’s efforts to get back on the diamond show the kind of effort he was willing to put in to help his team win, but when the season came around, he was the sort of leader who encouraged his teammates when they got down or lacked confidence and helped build a culture through camaraderie — and even a little karaoke on the bus after wins.
First-year Foundation coach Dakoda Grove attributed their record-breaking season in large part due to senior leaders such as
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Bosque and the culture they built.
MALE SPORT
COACH OF THE YEAR
ERIC LASSITER
Windermere High baseball
For Windermere High baseball’s entire seven-year existence, Eric Lassiter has been at the helm, building the program into the perennial powerhouse it is today.
But, despite the promise each season showed, the Wolverines couldn’t breakthrough the regionals section of the bracket, coming close in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023.
2024 would be a different story. The Wolverines baseball coach led the young program to its first regional championship win and an appearance in the Class 7A state championship game.
There will be a handful of Lassiter’s graduating seniors headed to the next level, including Stetson signee Jack Waddingham, Clemson commit Cannon Feazell and Ty Head, who is committed to play at NC State but could be selected in the MLB Draft.
FEMALE SPORT COACH OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY JONES
Dr. Phillips High girls basketball
According to Dr. Phillips High girls basketball coach Anthony Jones, the hardest thing to accomplish in sports is winning three consecutive championships. Jones should know: He completed his second three-peat this past season with the Panthers, after DP took down Colonial High in the Class 7A state championship game for his sixth title.
Dr. Phillips finished the season with a 27-4 record — losing only one game to an in-state opponent. Jones’ philosophy of highpressure defense and fast-paced offense was key to the Panthers’ success this season and made DP extremely uncomfortable to play because of its litany of athletes.
ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
The value of a great assistant can be summed up pretty succinctly by Ocoee High girls basketball coach Marcus Spencer when asked about his assistant coach, Israel Simon: “If he ever walks out the doors of Ocoee High, I’m walking out behind him.” Simon’s value to the Ocoee girls basketball team is immeasurable. He serves as an extension of Spencer as a lead assistant on the varsity team, which has won back-to-back district championships, the lead for the team’s conditioning and summer ball program, and an assistant for the freshman and junior varsity teams.
On the surface, the 2024 baseball season for The First Academy was impressive: The Royals rattled off 12 consecutive wins, won a regional championship and reached the state final four; finishing the season with a 24-7 record. But, when you consider that a group of high school players had to navigate a midseason coaching change, a first-time head coach taking over as the interim and an aura of controversy surrounding the program because of all the
changes, that makes what this TFA baseball team accomplished this season even more impressive. What makes this team stand out even more is that it was an overall team effort — not a team driven by a single star player. The Royals had nine players hit for a .300 average or better, seven players drive in more than 15 runs, seven players hit home runs, seven players score over 15 runs and three pitchers — who pitched more than 20 innings — have an ERA of 2.03 or lower.
FEMALE TEAM OF THE YEAR FOUNDATION ACADEMY CHEERLEADING
The championships speak for themselves: Five consecutive regional championships, three consecutive FHSAA state championships, a national championship and a world championship. With its first national and world title, Foundation Academy’s cheerleading team has established
itself as a dynasty in the sport and is clearly the type of team this award was made to recognize. The Lions’ 2023-24 season was incredible, inspiring, and worthy of all the accolades they have received. Foundation cheer, a tip of the cap to you all.
SEE OPPOSITE PAGE
ISREAL SIMON Ocoee High girls basketball
MALE TEAM OF THE YEAR: THE FIRST ACADEMY BASEBALL
Guerrier excited for final season as an Ocoee Knight
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
In the nine seasons Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has been in charge of the program, it had just two losing seasons. The Panthers also have reached a bowl game six times, including a New Year’s Six Bowl in 2021. As for having a reputation for producing great defensive backs, Pitt has had nine DBs drafted in the past seven NFL Drafts.
From the conversations the rising senior has had with the Panthers’ coaches, it looks like Guerrier is in line to become the next great Pitt DB.
“It’s most definitely been focused on me being at the cornerback and safety positions on defense, and playing as a punt returner on special teams,” he said. “I probably will ask them a little about having a package for me on the offensive side. I would love to have the ball in my hands a bit, because I know I could make some plays. But it’s mainly going to be me on defense and on special teams.”
Although Narduzzi and his staff probably will utilize Guerrier at just those spots when he’s playing in the ACC, in the FHSAA, Gurley’s going to put his do-it-all athlete all over the place, because Guerrier is the definition of an athlete on the football field.
Last season as a versatile DB, he made 34 tackles, caught four interceptions — two of which he returned for touchdowns — and broke up 13 passes. As a returner and running back, he gained a total of 744 yards and scored four more touchdowns.
For the Knights in 2024, expect him to, yes, shut down receivers at cornerback; yes, be a ballhawking centerfielder at safety;
CONTINUED FROM OPPOSITE PAGE
Orlando Area Rowing Society
At the Observer, one of our company sayings is, “Per ardua, ad astra” — Latin for, “By struggle, to the stars.” As such, the winner of the Ad Astra Award is a member of the area’s sports community who doesn’t let the constraints or struggles of this world limit their ambition to go beyond what most think is possible and reach the stars.
Orlando Area Rowing Society’s Connor Tuengel is that person. Despite never participating in sports, Tuengel joined OARS and was
and yes, return kicks and punts for touchdowns. But he also will catch passes from the wide receiver spot, take handoffs to the house as a running back and even play a decent amount from under center as the Knights’ quarterback.
Guerrier is willing to do it all on the field for the Knights, in pursuit of finishing his Ocoee football career on a high note. But, he’s not letting himself or his team look past its Week 1 game against Apopka High.
“I mean, obviously, I really want to win a state championship,” Guerrier said. “But, the goal right now is to focus on Game 1. And Game 1 is always a good one against Apopka.
We have a solid team. that I think is definitely capable of getting there.
We just have to have that same mindset all together. That belief that we can do it. If we can come together like that I feel like we have what it takes to get there this year.
“I feel really happy about my decision to go to Pitt,” Guerrier said. “I’ve been talking with God a lot about this day, and I’ve felt like this decision was best for me. My mom and my dad are really happy about it. Everybody I’ve spoken to about it has said it was a good fit for me. …”
— Joshua Guerrier
determined to excel at the physically grueling sport. Before joining the team, he trained on his own for months to prepare for the season. He started as a member of the fifth varsity eight boat, and that’s when the real hard work began.
On top of the physically demanding practices and schoolwork — both high school- and collegelevel courses — Tuengel logged an incredible two million meters on the erg machine, a rowing simulation exercise machine.
Through an incredible amount of effort, training and struggle, in less than a full season, Tuengel rose through the ranks and was the stroke seat — the position closest to the stern of the boat, which sets the stroke rate and rhythm for the rest of the rowers to follow — of the varsity boat at Youth Nationals that finished top 20 in the country.
Tuengel went from never playing any sport to being the key rower of a nationally successful boat. That sort of determination, ambition and perseverance in the face of that much struggle is exactly what this award is about.
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Student impacted by mission trips
Avery Bangsund has traveled twice to the Dominican Republic to work with children and young adults in churches and schools.
AVERY BANGSUND FOUNDATION ACADEMY
Through my school, Foundation Academy, I have been given the opportunity to participate in two mission trips. Both trips were to Sosúa, Dominican Republic. On each trip, we went to different churches and schools in that area to work with children and young adults to share the word of God.
I was first touched to go on a mission trip after listening to students who went the year before I applied. I had a feeling in my heart after hearing their testimonies in chapel that was driving me to apply and go on the trip.
I was one of three 10th-grade students selected the first year I went. There also was one 11th-grader, and the rest were seniors.
I felt blessed to be on the amazing team that we had and counted down the days until the trip. We prepared fun activities for the younger kids we would meet and wrote out our testimonies about how we found Christ so we could share them with the kids similar in age to ourselves. To get as comfortable as we could to share our testimonies in the Dominican Republic, we shared them first with our classmates who were going on the trip, as well.
It was amazing getting to hear the testimonies of my classmates, not knowing what they had gone through. When we got to the
Dominican Republic, we had about a 20-minute drive to the place we would be staying. That short drive gave us a perspective of what we would be seeing every day for the next couple of days, and it also made me feel fortunate for what I had back home.
The most memorable part of the trip for me was getting to share my testimony with the kids. I met one girl there who came up to me after my testimony and told me she was going through something similar to what I had to deal with in the past. It was an eye-opening experience for me, because it showed me I am not alone and many other people from all over the world go through situations similar to mine.
I prayed with her and gave her the advice I wish people had given me. She was one of the sweetest people I know, and her love for Christ is so evident in everything she does.
The second trip was similar in how we prepared for the trip with activities for the children and also our testimonies. However, our start to the trip had a couple of roadblocks.
On our way to the airport, our bus caught fire because of engine problems. The Holy Spirit protected us, and we were able to get everyone and everything safely off the bus before the entire thing went up in flames. This unfortunate event pushed us back a day, and we landed in the Dominican Republic a day later than we wanted.
This ended up being a blessing, because we were able to share how God protected us with many people, not only in the Dominican Republic but also in Florida.
The most memorable part of the trip was getting baptized. Six other girls and I were baptized in the ocean. It was a truly life-changing experience. While we were getting baptized, three strangers from different parts of the world saw what was happening, accepted Christ and were baptized.
I went into both trips believing I would impact others, but I think I was impacted just as much.
Courtesy photo
Foundation Academy teens spent time with local children in the Dominican Republic.
SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE
Simple actions can save the lives of marine wildlife
More than 200,000 animals are hiding under the sand and in the waves.
Whenever you go to the beach, do you ever notice the different animals in the water and on land?
If not, look around, and you might see a crab digging into the sand or a dolphin jumping into the oncoming waves.
These animals can make going to the beach much more fun than just lying in the sand and watching the clouds go by. Even though you might only be able to see a select few animals during your time at the ocean, more than 200,000 animals are hiding under the sand and in the waves.
The beaches that many visit for the perfect tan or the best shells are home to the various animals you can find.
Whether or not you see the animals, everything you do will impact them. Some of the major causes of these ecosystems not thriving are littering, taking home shells and trying to take a closer look at the animals you see.
When you go to the beach, check around your area for bottles, sixpack can rings, plastic bags and anything else that you know isn’t supposed to be there. All of these
LAKER CREATE
things can be consumed or get stuck on the animals. Picking up trash can be the difference between life and death for the critters living in these habitats. Something as harmless as picking up a shell to bring home can be the start to endangering the animals that inhabit them. Crabs, mollusks, bivalves and snails use the shells as their way of protecting themselves from the many dangers of the beaches. Just because a shell is pretty doesn’t mean it needs to be brought back with you to sit in a jar in your cabinet. If you do choose to take a few home, always check for living animals inside your shells before you put them in your beach bag. Picking up the animals you see on the beach could be dangerous for you and the animals. If an animal is moving along the sand or swimming through the water, it is best to leave it there. Many animals travel in groups, so picking up one could be the cause of their separation from their family. If you see yellow caution tape warning you to stay away, this is most likely where turtle eggs are found. Most of the eggs aren’t going to make it to the ocean due to birds and other animals attacking them right after they hatch. It is best to give the nest space so the eggs can have the best chance of making it to the ocean. These tips aren’t only great for the beaches, but any body of water! These practices can ensure you have the best time at the beach possible and the animals all around you are safe. Each ecosystem is different, but the best advice to remember when going to your destination is to leave it better than you found it! Remember, you are visiting their home, so make sure to give the animals the respect they deserve.
Courtesy photo
The beaches are full of marine wildlife.
The LOOK
Eight Waves launches Books for Babies program
All new babies born at a local hospital will receive a book to start them on their reading journey.
AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
Sara Meyer remembers crying after dropping by a home in which there were no children’s books.
“I visited a very low-income home here in Winter Garden; she had toddlers and had just had a baby,” Meyer said. “I was trying to help (with the toddlers) and said, ‘Hey, do you have a book I can read?’ ‘No, we don’t have books here,’ she said. It never occurred to me that someone wouldn’t own a book.”
She discovered — and was troubled by the fact that — many other families don’t provide books for their little ones either.
This would be the spark needed to start Books for Babies, an initiative of the nonprofit Eight Waves program in West Orange County. Meyer, a Lake County resident and the founder and executive director of Eight Waves, launched the book program in March at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital.
She said she researched the millionword gap and learned children in lower socioeconomic households were more likely to be exposed to significantly fewer words before they started school and, therefore, were at a learning disadvantage.
“A ton of low-income families fall into that gap because they don’t have the funds to buy a new book,” Meyer said.
“Scientific studies show if you read to your child three times a week at 15 minutes (each), that’s all it takes,” Meyer said.
What about checking out books at the local library? A lack of driver’s license or identification card, or no way to get to the library, keep some families away, she said.
Meyer learned of a Books for Babies program at a hospital in another state and reached out to Orlando Health. The closest hospital for many of West Orange County’s low-income families is South Lake, and there are an estimated 1,200 births there annually.
The first delivery of books — with about 35 different titles in English and Spanish — has been made, and 439 babies will receive a new board
BOOKS FOR BABIES
Eight Waves’ Books for Babies initiative collects and delivers new board books to all newborns at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital. Books can be dropped off at Eight Waves, 1136 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, or donors in West Orange can call (352) 255-7350 to arrange for a pickup. Appropriate books include “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Goodnight Moon,” “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”
For information about Books for Babies or Eight Waves, visit eightwaves.org.
The Books for Babies initiative not only celebrates the arrival of a new life but also marks the beginning of a lifelong journey with books and learning. The program could reach thousands of families, turning the simple act of reading into a daily ritual of love, learning and discovery.
book along with a Books for Babies pamphlet.
“We created this really sweet brochure that’s really fun and educational and the point of it is we hear about car seat safety and we hear about SIDS but we don’t hear about the super power of reading to your child,” Meyer said. “If we start it at birth, it becomes important, and it lasts. And it will continue to be important.”
Meyer said the program has been a success so far and she is eager to reach even more babies through pediatric offices in West Orange. Offices interested in partnering with Eight Waves can send an email to Meyer at Sara@eightwaves.org.
She suggested businesses might want to help sponsor too, and they can put a sticker in the book. Meyer said all babies will receive a book, not just low-income families. Books for Babies has three volunteers: Tia Collins, Becky Myers and Tracey Rice, and Meyer is grateful for their dedication in getting the appropriate books into the community’s youngest readers.
ABOUT EIGHT WAVES
Eight Waves invests in the lives of children, youth and families who live in under-resourced communities by working together, building the healthy support systems they need to thrive, and empowering them to create lasting change in their own lives and communities. Its mission is for every child to experience a variety of positive and encouraging opportunities — providing a sense of belonging and allowing each child the ability to achieve his or her full potential both individually and as a member of the community.
Courtesy photos
Sara Meyer wants to put children’s books in the hands of as many newborns as she can.
Winter Garden power couple redefines success
Tony and Christelle Renta are helping to transform the lives of others through each of their own small businesses located directly next door to each other.
ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS
EDITOR
ON-CALL TRAINING SOLUTIONS
141 Terra Mango Loop, Orlando PHONE: (407) 446-0996
WEBSITE: oncalltrainingsolutions.com THE RESTORATION
PLACE CLINIC
141 Terra Mango Loop, Suite B, Orlando
PHONE: (407) 730-9027
WEBSITE: trpclinic.com
Although Winter Garden residents
Tony and Christelle Renta work in two separate industries, they both believe in the simple principle of prioritizing the client experience at all times.
Each runs a small business — located directly next door to each other on Terra Mango Loop. Tony Renta owns On-Call Training Solutions, while Christelle Renta owns The Restoration Place Clinic.
“Someone is spending their hard earned money on your service, and they deserve your attention and the best version of your service you can provide,” Tony Renta said. “We continue to be inspired to impact and change people’s lives through health, wellness and education as people who are equipped with knowledge, and we go forward and influence others to make the same positive choices. We may be able to place our finger on the starting point of our education and service, but we are proud to know that the end point is infinite.”
ON-CALL TRAINING SOLUTIONS
Tony Renta was born in The Bronx, New York, but grew up on the east side of Orlando.
He studied business at Valencia Community College and transitioned into fire service after seeing a flier for EMT school. He went on to become a firefighter paramedic and moved up the ranks where he later retired as a battalion chief paramedic from Orange County Fire Rescue.
Tony Renta began teaching American Heart Association courses in 2007 for AdventHealth. He then began teaching paramedic school locally before launching his own concierge company, On-Call Training Solutions.
“Health care professionals have a challenging job and environment, and we strive to make the required learning aspects a bit easier and accommodating to their demanding schedule when they are not on the
job,” he said. “By providing concierge service to health care providers on their time, they had the opportunity to meet their job requirements while optimizing a date and time that was most conducive to their work and home schedule.”
The business provides basic CPR, AED and first aid training, as well as Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Stroke Life Support and a Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
Tony Renta was deemed a top 40 Under 40 business owner in the CPR industry in 2022, as well as Florida Paramedic Instructor of the Year in 2013.
In the future, Tony Renta hopes to begin business coaching and consulting in the educational space.
“The goal would be to empower other instructors to grow their following and reach by providing quality education and exceptional customer support,” he said.
THE RESTORATION PLACE CLINIC
Christelle Renta was born in Sarasota and grew up in Bradenton.
She graduated from Florida State University and later completed her master’s degree at South University.
She started her nursing career in the ER at AdventHealth East Orlando and moved into the ICU, with intentions of going back to school.
She worked brief stints in women’s health and internal medicine before finding her passion in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and disease prevention.
She worked with a previous practice until she launched her own practice, The Restoration Place Clinic, in December 2021.
“I believe that a mixture of Eastern and Western medicine can provide an integrative approach to health care and improve the overall health of my patients,” Christelle Renta said. “I feel that a missing element in medicine is the ability to be heard and not just seen as a number.”
Christelle Renta’s clinic offers patients a medical home where they are known as individuals and empowered to make lifelong health a top priority.
The business offers health care options in disease prevention and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, as well as a variety of
in-office treatments, such as nearly painless laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, weight loss treatment/ coaching and nutritional testing.
The practice recently added an advanced practice registered nurse to assist in caring for more patients while maintaining quality relationships.
In the future, Christelle Renta would like to add additional providers to her rosterto care for more patients.
COMING TOGETHER
Tony and Christelle Renta have lived in the Hickory Hammock neighborhood in Horizon West since 2016. They have two children who attend Foundation Academy: Noelle, 11, and Lorelle, 9.
Tony and Christelle Renta hope their children will potentially take over the businesses in the future, leading to an early retirement for the couple.
When not working, the Rentas enjoy eating at local restaurants, hanging out with friends and participating in family activities. Although being parents, maintaining relationships, prioritizing fitness, maximizing
business, following a strong sense of faith and more can be a lot to balance, the couple shared that time is the most valuable commodity.
“You can always make more money, but you’ll never make more time,” Tony Renta said. “We believe as a family that we put our trust in God. We show love, grace and respect to those around us. We feel that our memories are invaluable. So, creating them is a privilege we don’t take lightly. We are careful to plan things accordingly, so as to ensure at least one parent is always present at the kids’ events, and that we make time for one another on a weekly basis in the form of date nights both in and out of the house. We prioritize fitness, family walks, family discussions, living in the moment and prayer. Success is never given, it is earned, but success takes on many more appearances beyond a bank account. We hope to set the right example for our kids and those around us as it pertains to finances, work/life balance, family dynamics and overall outlook on life.”
Courtesy photo
Tony, left, and Christelle Renta are changing lives in Winter Garden.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
80 years ago
Staff Sgt. Charles McMillan of Eglin Field spent his furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.Y. McMillan.
Selective Service Local Board
3 of Winter Garden called these men to report for pre-induction physical examinations at Camp Blanding: Charles Williams, Lester Lamar Starling, Charles Helms, Hollis Layfett Guthrie, Bert Edward Roper, William Clifford Davis, Jasper Bithel Hill, William Ernest Dill, Floyd Lamar Gaines, James John Allen, Irven Viane, Eldridge Harris and Eurshel Grier.
55 years ago
The Cubs won first place in the Winter Garden Little League of West Orange. Players were Frank Morris, Leonard Dyal, Lester Tinsley, Vaughn Tillman, Tony Marten, Hugh Connell, Allen Sanderson, Kevin Tinsley, James Morris, Freddie Peters, Jerry Kennedy, Scott Topping, Steve Branom, Johnnie Dyal and Steve McGahee.
50 years ago
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new high school to serve West Orange took place, with students John Cappleman, of Lakeview High School, and Dawn Broadaway, of Ocoee High School, turning the first spadefuls of dirt. They represented the first graduating class of the new school that was still unnamed at the time.
40 years ago
The Charles W. Irrgang family, which owned Deer Island in Killarney since 1934, entered into an agreement to sell the property to Wade Bradford of Winter Garden for future residential development. Randy Freeman, of Ocoee, was named head debate coach for the University of Florida.
Directly across Tremaine Street from the Central Florida Railroad Museum is a mixed-use development, the third structure to stand on this corner. This is the power station that rose on the site in the late 1920s. Built to replace the outdated 1912 complex, the new structure was a state-of-the-art utility plant designed to supply power and water to the city of Winter Garden. The reverse of the photo features a letter written 95 years ago from the Florida Public Service Company.
An incredible series of photographs documenting the arrival and installation of the 1920s power plant (torn down in the 1950s) was donated to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation by a friend who found a scrapbook filled with them “in a junk store.” We are intrigued by what’s still out there!
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.
30 years ago
An Ocoee couple turned in a winning Florida Lotto ticket worth $31.9 million. Don and Sherry Cooper were informed they would collect an impressive sum of $1,595,000 annually for the next 20 years. They purchased their winning ticket at the Reddi Market on the corner of Silver Star Road and Bluford Avenue.
20 years ago
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Fill the Box Project to benefit elementary school children in need in West Orange. The project was cosponsored by S.T.A.R.S. (Supplies To Assist ouR Students) of West Orange, which had more than 1,000 pencil boxes to be filled.
Children at the West Orange Christian Service Center in Ocoee learned about tigers and got to view two adult tigers as part of
the center’s summer day camp activities.
West Orange Habitat for Humanity held a dual home dedication seven months after a double groundbreaking was held on Jean Street, near Winter Garden, for the Crystal Jackson Powell family and Rosa Lee Noble family. The homes were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Windermere and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
THROWBACK THURSDAY
JULY 9, 1954
If you were planning to travel in the summer of 1954, you possibly visited Tom Cox Inc. Men and Boy’s Wear for some vacation clothing and a set of Samsonite Luggage. The Winter Garden store made available a variety of colors: Bermuda Green, Colorado Brown, Admiral Blue, Saddle Tan, Alligator Finish and Rawhide Finish.
For the ladies, a train case with a mirrored top and removable tray had the capacity to hold 52 travel needs for just $17.50. A wardrobe case with divider and
in the cipher stands for another.
“CWF ZVHF OMBBFOOXMU TVM SFC DO
DL DHCAOC, CWF UFOO VX D LVHZDU UAXF TVM WDYF. AC’O D CHDNF-VXX.” OALSFH OVUDLSF GLVJUFO
“NFMJAFM, EM TEXR DZEJW CWGF MEJA, ‘FYFXHCWF JM E TCCW, EWA VEM E AEXR MJAF ZVJGV VF WFYFX MVCZM DC EWHNCAH.’” GEXSH MJTCW
“KJN KJEGDD YL SYK BSYOGSF OJXK’C FYGSF KY JXRRNS KEXGSNU AN KY ZN RENRXENU LYE XSPKJGSF.”
CROSSING THE LINE by Halle Amore Bauer, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
redpages@orangeobserver.com
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