07.18.24 West Orange Times & Observer

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

Cinderella story Combat-ready

and

started

As a child, Shelby Combs and her horse, Cinderella, captured many awards in the horse-riding circuit. Now, she uses her skills to help people with physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4A.

ON THE WORLD STAGE

West Orange High and OARS alum

Victoria Grieder competed at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. PAGE 1B.

Concern grows over Oakland tree removals

Folks argue the municipality, a Tree Town USA for more than 20 years, has an obligation to keep its foliage intact when it allows developers to come into the town to build neighborhoods. PAGE 6A.

Whiskey is one of Shelby Combs’ two equine-assisted therapy horses.

Amy Quesinberry

Siblings Jennifer

Zaine Jeffres

karate less than a year ago. But don’t mess with them. SEE PAGE 1B.

Winter Garden introduces grant program for nonprofits

The monies are to support the capability, programs or operations of organizations located in or serving Winter Garden.

The city of Winter Garden is rolling out a new grant program that will support local nonprofits focused on supporting initiatives for the good of the community.

The Nonprofit Grant Program, in partnership with the Central Florida Foundation, will issue grants to organizations that enhance community support and family stability, promote economic empowerment and sustainable development, and prioritize health and wellness support for residents.

Marc Hutchinson, the city’s economic development director, said the

city recently conducted a soft launch of the program, with plans to fully launch in the fall.

“We’re using this time period as a buildup for the fall when the budget starts,” Hutchinson said. “We will try to extract lessons learned and refine the process.”

Central Florida Foundation, for more than 30 years, has been a steward of philanthropic dollars on behalf of individuals, families and nonprofits and partners with people who are determined to make a difference in their community.

TWO TRACK OPTIONS

Two options are available, depending on the size and age of the nonprofit: a Letter of Inquiry and the Grant Application Process.

Hutchinson said the LOI process is for small grassroots organizations that have never received funding from the city.

“If they have a brilliant idea … it allows them to get their footing, and through CFF they come alongside them — kind of like training wheels — whether it’s a strategic plan or how to create a 501(c)3 organization.”

The second option is for more established organizations who

have receiving funding in the past from the city “and are a little bit more mature in their life cycle,” Hutchinson said. “The Hope Center and the Dream Center would use that track.” Groups will be invited to apply annually for grant monies as long as they fall under at least one of the three categories provided and can show expected outcomes and improvement: Community Support and Family; Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Development; or Health and Wellnes.

As part of the applicant requirements, 100% of the funds must be dedicated to Winter Garden residents. Applications must include the following: an explanation of how the program services align with the grant’s strategic priorities; a budget for funding, plus goals and expected outcomes; reporting of actual performance outcomes and impact; and other documentation that includes photographs, rosters, logs and curriculum.

JOINING THE DATABASE

GRANT CATEGORIES

n Community Support and Family Stability. Activities, services and support programs that improve, equip or maintain the healthy social and emotional well-being of the family unit both individually and collectively to ensure a nurturing household with meaningful and lasting impact that is productive and wholesome for the community.

n Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Development. Activities, services and support programs that improve, equip or maintain the life skills, soft skills, abilities, aptitude, knowledge, character, leadership, competency, service and social development in a manner that translates to lasting economic gain, opportunities and access for self-actualization.

is powered by CFF, which also gives nonprofits access to other philanthropic opportunities.

“If they’re able to set up a profile in a database, if philanthropic organizations are looking for nonprofits, they can search the database and can locate nonprofits that (have specific needs),” Hutchinson said. “CFF has access to a network of funding opportunities.”

It is designed to help donors and community members alike easily find nonprofits and learn more about their efforts. Each profile provides in-depth information about a nonprofit’s management, governance, financial health and programs. The content in a profile can help inform strategic financial investments and educate about quality-of-life issues that impact the community. Hutchinson is excited about the new program and its potential.

n Health and Wellness. Provision of preventive and treatment health services, including counseling, activities, services and support programs that improve, enable or maintain the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of individuals and families.

By partnering with CFF, which has a large footprint for helping the nonprofit community, the city can use its branding to act as a gateway for

obtaining larger dollars for the organizations. Hutchinson said the application

“It’s good for the city of Winter Garden that there’s an economic end in mind,” he said. “An important pillar in the economic equation is quality of life.”

To access the online portal, visit bit.ly/3LpzFIP.

Nonprofits needing assistance with the applications can contact one of these Central Florida Foundation staff members: Alissa Mahadeo, amahadeo@cffound.org, or Sandi Vidal, svidal@cffound. org. For a nonprofit search, contact Susan Ponce, sponce@cffound.org.

IN A NEW LIGHT ACT ONE: Ambition

“Pippin,” the second show in the Garden Theatre’s 2024-2025 Broadway on Plant Series, is focusing on accessibility and the talented contributions of deaf actors and creatives for audiences to experience the duality of the hearing and non-hearing world.

VISIT THE GARDEN THEATRE

Location: 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden

Website: gardentheatre.org

Phone number: (407) 8774736

‘PIPPIN’

WHEN: Aug. 23 through Sept. 15

TICKETS: shorturl.at/V3XeW INFORMATION: gardentheatre.org/event/pippin

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

Editor’s note: This is the first story in a behind-the-scenes series of the Garden Theatre’s production of “Pippin” — the theater’s most ambitious project yet — and its commitment to education and raising awareness for the deaf community.

Everything is quiet.

The silence buzzes inside the four Mediterranean revival-style walls of the Garden Theatre. But, it’s not sound. It’s joy, sorrow, envy, anger, fear, inspiration, awe, shame, gratitude, love, envy, passion, pain.

It’s emotion. It’s feeling.

And it’s that beyond-the-senses awareness that gives those in the deaf community a unique identity.

The lack of hearing is not a deficiency. Rather, it’s a characteristic that contributes to a person’s individuality.

The Garden Theatre in downtown Winter Garden is celebrating this individuality and encouraging the community to share the love with its recent announcement of its second show in the 2024-25 Broadway on Plant Series: “Pippin.”

While the musically mesmerizing show will portray the same beloved story that has been shared many times over its more than 50 years, the Garden Theatre is focusing on accessibility and the talented contributions of deaf actors and creatives for audiences to experience the duality of the hearing and non-hearing world.

The show will be directed by the Garden Theatre’s producing artistic director, Rob Winn Anderson.

“Our approach to ‘Pippin’ emphasizes the universal search for identity and authenticity in a world dominated by conformity,” he said. “It has required a great deal of research and the assemblage of a team of professionals early in the process to talk through every aspect of the show, from auditions to how the actors and crew members would be trained in American Sign Language communication, the translation of the entire show into an artistic representation of ASL, choreography and much more. … I am most excited for our audiences to see ‘Pippin’ in a way they have never seen before — in a way that it has never been seen before anywhere. We are digging beyond the incredible music and choreography that most people think of when they think of ‘Pippin’ to really explore

the mind of a troubled young man who is desperate to find his way in the world.”

THE IDEA

“Pippin” will be a multilingual production integrating ASL, English and a rich visual language.

The production will highlight the energy and retrospective fantasy of “Pippin” while also introducing the unique artistry of deaf performers and sign language.

Through carefully crafted portrayals, it is the theater’s intention to challenge stereotypes and illuminate the lived experiences of deaf individuals — a community often overlooked and misunderstood.

Anderson said he got the idea after years of watching the ASL interpreters at Walt Disney World.

“They were always a show unto themselves, and they captivated me,” he said. “I had studied ASL in college and wanted to bring the language to the stage. When I was considering the shows for my first season back at the Garden Theatre, I thought of ‘Pippin,’ and it hit me that it would be a wonderful project to highlight deaf actors and ASL. The story of ‘Pippin,’ who is searching for his place in a world where he is different from those around him, seemed like a perfect vehicle to explore what it means to be deaf.”

Anderson said this type of accessibility is not as common as it should be.

“There is a great deal of conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion, and I find that when it is discussed rarely is the accessibility side of DEIA mentioned,” he said.

“The conversation is usually very narrowly focused. For me, you cannot have a real conversation around DEIA if you do not include the full spectrum of what the term is about. Exclusion is not diverse. Exclusion is not equitable. Exclusion is not inclusive.

“Bringing deaf actors, or any actor who has a disability, into a production is a huge investment — not just financially, but also from a commitment, support and education standpoint,” he said. “Too many theaters shy away from the idea because of the work it takes to do this correctly and safely — which we are doing.”

THE TEAM

Michelle Mary Schaefer will serve as the director of artistic sign language, also known as the DASL. She is an actor, creator, screenwriter, director, producer and consultant who is deaf. Her production company, Annabelle Louise Productions, pursues stories that are authentic and where representation matters.

Schaefer is responsible for the translation of the show’s book and lyrics into ASL — but in an artistic way that fits a theater production and is not strictly interpretation.

Schaefer said there are many challenges in her specific role when

it comes to crafting “Pippin.”

“One is to translate the script from English to ASL, which both languages have their grammar and rules,” she said. “Second is to teach/work with hearing actors who are not fluent in ASL their signed lines and to (simultaneously communicate) two languages at the same time. SimCom is strongly not encouraged, yet in some situations it happens, and it takes a true fluent ASL user to do that, and not many folks can. That will be a challenge in ‘Pippin’ — to see the journey of the actors learning everything in order to bring the production alive.”

Brian Truitt is the primary interpreter for the project, and he has assembled a team of interpreters who will work with the rest of the creative team and actors during the pre-production, rehearsals and performances.

“I have worked with deaf performers and deaf production groups in the past,” he said. “It is always a challenging, yet rewarding, experience to facilitate communication between the deaf and hearing communities.”

Cindy Wilson is the show’s choreographer. She will take the ASL translation and work it into the choreography.

The creative team also includes: Chris E. Endsley, music director; Nicole Perry, intimacy director; Mihai Ciupe, scenic designer; J. Ethan Henry, costume designer; Mark Adam Rampmeyer, hair and makeup designer; Anthony Narciso, audio designer; George Jackson, lighting designer; Dakota Bothun, props designer; Amber Larkin, video designer; Michelle Shea, stage manager; and Emma Milhollin, assistant stage manager.

“I have learned something new every day since beginning this project, and I love to learn and grow,” Anderson said. “That’s what makes

theater exciting for me, and the team we have assembled is second to none. The team and the staff at the Garden are all-in. Their excitement and dedication to what we are doing is awe inspiring. Many of the staff have begun taking sign language lessons.”

THE PLAYERS

“Pippin” will bring a new, accessible experience to audiences with the intentional casting of deaf actors in starring roles.

The total number of actors in the cast is 16, which includes 14 hearing actors and two deaf actors. All cast members will sign in the show.

Deaf actor Lane Breimhorst will portray Pippin as a deaf character, and shadow actor Edwin J. Perez II will voice Pippin for hearing audiences.

The leading player will be portrayed by two actors — one representing the hearing world around Pippin and the other representing his non-hearing world.

Treshelle Edmond, diagnosed with profound hearing loss at 18 months, will portray the leading player.

Representing the hearing world, Mona Swain also will portray the leading player.

Pippin also features Christopher Russell as Charlemagne, Pippin’s demanding father and King of the Holy Roman Empire; Claudio Medina Jr. as Lewis, Pippin’s half brother; Tay Anderson as Fastrada, Pippin’s conniving stepmother; Megan Orlowski as Berthe, Pippin’s saucy grandmother; Samm Carroll as Catherine, a beautiful widow and mother; and Callahan Taylor as Theo, Catherine’s son.

Rounding out the cast are Katie Davis, Samuel Spare, Aspen Thompson, Cameron Jaye, Viviana Barbaro and Maiky Ayala.

Rob Winn Anderson is the Garden Theatre’s producing artistic director.

Michelle Mary Schaefer is the director of artistic sign language for “Pippin.”

Champion rider starts equineassisted therapy program

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Shelby Combs had her first equine experience when she was just 2 and a family friend hoisted her up onto the back of a horse. That’s when her passion for the animals was sparked; a year later, she got her first pony, a small, tan beauty named Cinderella. The two were inseparable and together won many riding awards.

Combs, now 24, used her years of experience in the competition circuit to open More Leg LLC, which offers horseback-riding lessons, as well as an equine-assisted therapy program for people with cognitive, physical and emotional disabilities.

More Leg opened last year on five acres off Avalon Road between Winter Garden and Horizon West. Combs has four horses in her stables: Sullivan, 12, who has been with her the longest; 15-year-old Whiskey and 13-yearold Story, the two therapy horses; and Sky, the 14-year-old mare. Frequently seen trotting around is a 15-year-old donkey named Lenny (Leonard when he’s causing trouble) that acts as the protector of the property.

“We live, breathe and work horses here,” Combs said of her home and stables, which share the property. “We do equine-assisted therapy with people with a range of special abilities. Our mission with those individuals is similar to that with regular (clients) — helping individuals finding their sense of independence working with horses — whether that be finding their voice, physical milestones or emotional progress.” Combs meets with the families and lays out a 12-week program, and she lets them decide if they want to leave early or participate beyond the three months. The client’s voice is at the forefront of the sessions.

More than a dozen clients have gone through the therapy program since it started; currently, there are six.

“I’d like to see that number grow,” Combs said. “There’s always room for more.”

WORKING WITH JULIA

The Tait family is grateful for Combs and the results of their daughter’s ongoing sessions. Julia was 5 and nonverbal when she entered the therapy program three years ago. She had frequent outbursts of emotion and insisted on taking her stuffed Dopey doll everywhere she went.

Through Combs’ patience in working with Julia, slowing making changes in her routines and encouraging her to accept and follow directions, Julia began to talk.

“We blame it all on the horse,”

Combs said. “I’m a tough-love cheerleader, but I think the horse is the biggest tool, because without him, she would have no incentive to talk.”

Julia rides Whiskey and loves to trot. At her fourth or fifth lesson, she spoke her first words — to Whiskey: “Kick, kick, kick.” That was followed by “mama,” “dada” and “Pascal,” her dog.

“Her mother and I just bawled when we heard her (talk),” Combs said. “They had been trying to get her to talk for five years.”

Julia’s mother, Laura Tait, recalls passing the sign for More Leg LLC while the family was driving around during the pandemic shutdown. They were looking for an outlet for their daughter and found a guardian angel in Combs.

“At that time, Julia was pretty much nonverbal; it was very difficult, we were struggling, we had her in special education classes and therapy … but we were just stuck,” Tait said. “The communication between us and our daughter was difficult. She didn’t understand us; we didn’t understand her.”

During the lessons, she saw her daughter’s improvements.

“She had to try to listen to Shelby,” Tait said. “What I like most about Shelby is she brought out Julia’s voice. They would play games on the horse, and she would have choices, and she would have to make a choice. Julia, at the beginning, would have these outbursts … for whatever reason, I think Shelby’s unbridled passion for horses, for kids on the spectrum and special needs, it resonated with Julia, and she knew it was a safe space for her to express her emotions. She got on her level and wanted to communicate with her.

After a few lessons, Julia was making sounds — and now she can have almost full conversations, Tait said.

“The benefits just keep coming,” she said. “It’s such a joy to see your child come into her own. She is able to listen and participate. I think equine therapy is good for kids on the spectrum, the routine of it. She knows where the buckets are, she knows Shelby is going to ask her to put her helmet on.

“She’s caused Julia to come out of her shell, and now she’s like a social butterfly,” Tait said. “Animals are just naturally therapeutic.”

Dopey has been put away. Julia found her confidence and doesn’t need him anymore, Combs said.

COMES WITH EXPERIENCE

Combs started competing in 2004 in the hunters and equitation categories at Clarcona Horseman’s Park and Grand Cypress Equestrian Center, later added the jumper division, and continued until she was 14. When she was 7, she participated in equestrian

trail challenges at Lake Louisa Park and won, beating out both children and adults.

“I really had no clue what I was doing,” she said. “I was just out there having a good time.”

She rode Cinderella in most of her competitions, and even trotted down Plant Street on Cinderella’s back for several Winter Garden Christmas Parades.

As she gained experience, she earned many more trophies and ribbons. Her grandmother, Barbara Fulmer, sewed many of those ribbons into a quilt upon Combs’ graduation from high school.

WHY ‘MORE LEG’?

Combs explained the unusual name for her business.

“When I was a competitor myself many, many years ago, before my injuries, I was at a horse show that we followed locally, and I was schooling my horse — just practice, basically — before the show, and a trainer that was standing on the sidelines, that I did not know, thought I needed to add more leg to executive better,” she said. “He started yelling at me in a Peruvian accent: ‘More leg, more leg.’ I was wearing a Winter Garden Little League jersey, and he was hollering my number. He became my favorite trainer that I worked with.

“He went back to God in 2018 while riding a horse, doing what he loves,” she said. “Isn’t that appropriate?”

“If

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com

News Editor / Annabelle Sikes, asikes@OrangeObserver.com

Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com

Sports Editor / Sam Albuquerque, sama@OrangeObserver.com

Sales Manager / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com

Multimedia Advertising Executive / Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com

Graphic Designer / Sarah Santiago, ssantiago@OrangeObserver.com

Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

Marketing and Sales Associate / Zari Gotay, zari@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT

US

The West Orange Times West Orange Times & Observer and Southwest Orange Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The papers can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange and Southwest Orange. If you wish to subscribe, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Suite 180, Winter Garden.

TO ADVERTISE

For display or digital advertising, call (407) 656-2121. For Classifieds, call (407) 656-2121.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

To contact us, email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.

was 3 when

got her first pony, Cinderella. The beloved pony died last year and was laid to rest on the More Leg property.

MORE LEG LLC 5103 Rex Drive, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 558-0078

WEBSITE: morelegllc.com

EMAIL: shelbymoreleg@ gmail.com

DETAILS: More Leg LLC offers hunter-jumper horseback riding lessons, equineassisted therapy lessons and pony rides.

(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, West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, 11970 Main Street, Floor 3, Sarasota, FL 34236

Sullivan is Shelby Combs’ tried-and-true horse that has been with her the longest.

Courtesy Shelby Combs

she

Amy Quesinberry

City proposes millage rate, plans for budget hearings

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

The Winter Garden City Commission proposed to stick with the current millage rate of 4.5 for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and scheduled two public budget hearings for September at its Thursday, July 11, meeting.

The Truth in Millage Act timetable requires the city to advise the Orange County Property Appraiser of the proposed millage rate by noon Sunday, July 28.

According to city documents and a short presentation by City Manager Jon C. Williams, the current gross taxable value for the coming year is projected at $6,087,968,520. This represents a 9.3% increase in taxable value over Fiscal Year 2023-24, an increase of $517,756,142.

The current year rolled-back rate is 4.1564, and the proposed millage rate of 4.5 is greater than the rolled-back rate of 4.1564 mills by 8.27%.

One mill will generate $5,844,450 in revenue (budgeting at 96% of the estimated amount levied).

The 2023-24 fiscal year budgeted Ad Valorem Tax Revenue is $24,063,317, which Williams believes the city will achieve. In Fiscal Year 2022-23, the city budgeted $21,404,971 and recorded $21,428,816.

If the current millage rate of 4.5 is adopted, the projected AVTR is calculated at $26,300,024 (budgeting at 96% of the estimated amount levied).

The rolled-back rate of 4.1564 per $1,000 would produce $24,292,033, or $2,007,991 less revenue than the 4.5 rate.

Proposing a millage rate up to 4.5424 would require a majority vote of the commission, and proposing a rate between 4.5425 and 4.9966 would require a two-thirds vote of the commission. Any rate proposed in excess of 4.9966 would require a unanimous vote of the commission or referendum of the voters.

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Winter Garden City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget for mid-year adjustments. The interim budget is used as part of the budget process to account for changes that have occurred since the original budget was passed.

n The commission approved a request for proposal ranking and awarded a debris monitoring services contract to Thompson Consulting Services LLC.

n The city approved a request for proposal ranking and awarded an emergency debris management services contract to Phillips & Jordan, with Crowder Gulf as the secondary contractor.

n Commissioners approved the site plan for 14237 W. Colonial Drive. An applicant is proposing to develop a single-story, 2,350-square-foot medical office building on the .251-acre subject property. The plan includes associated site improvements, such as parking, landscaping and stormwater swales.

n The City Commission approved three special events: the Backto-School Bash Saturday, Aug. 3, at Zanders Park; the Summer Sidewalk Sale Saturday, Aug. 3; and the Rotary Club of Winter Garden’s Poker Tournament Friday, Oct. 25, at Tanner Hall.

Williams said the TRIM Act states the millage rate established by the commission through a vote and provided to the property appraiser cannot be increased after July 28, unless each property owner is notified by mail. However, the millage rate may be lowered at either the first or second public budget hearing without any required notification. The millage rate proposed by the commission will be sent to all property owners within Winter Garden directly after July 28. The commission will host two public budget hearings at City Hall: one at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, and one at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.

WHY WAS THE SPECIAL HEARTS FARM MEETING CANCELED?

Dear Editor: I am Henry Wright — not a politician, not a big business tycoon — just a local dad who has lived in Winter Garden for well over a decade. I am also a dad who will do anything to help his special needs/ autistic adult son. I’m writing to you in hopes of you printing my concerns over recent events affecting our community.

In our lovely town of Winter Garden, we have a unique place called Special Hearts Farm. It is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that serves individuals with disabilities and unique abilities by providing adult day training for agriculture, woodworking and farming. It is also a transition program under Orange County Public Schools that provides to students up to 22 years of age focused services and job training necessary to maximize their success. This kind of service for specialneeds citizens is very rare once they turn 18.

An opportunity for growth and expansion recently arose to expand the reach of Special Hearts Farm in a secure location off Avalon Road in West Orange County. Mind you, this has zero impact for taxpayers and (is) a huge win for the entire specialneeds community and Orange County District 1. Frankly, the community debates have been strong both for and against relocating the farm. To facilitate the discussion and apprise her of the great results coming out of the farm, I invited District 1 County Commissioner Nicole Wilson — over six months ago — to see firsthand the incredible work that is being done on the farm every single day.

As of today, she has never come out to the farm to see what is being done there.

To her credit, Wilson did, however, set a date and time for a community meeting to hear the pros and cons of the opportunity for reloca-

tion. She set the hard date for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11.

In reliance upon her decision, I personally called and e-mailed (more than) 100 parents and supporters of the special-needs community to attend the meeting and to understand the varying points of view. However, just 48 hours before the meeting, Wilson abruptly canceled the meeting, without explanation. She not only canceled the community meeting (without setting a new meeting date and time), (but also) she pushed the vote back on the issue by the entire Orange County Board of County Commissioners until after election day, Aug. 20. This is the partisan, specialinterest politics I would expect to see in Washington, D.C., not in West Orange County.

Recently, it was suggested by the county that the Special Hearts Farm change its plan development and have the horse barn (that already has been built and permitted by Orange County) retrofitted to enable all the residents with special needs to live in the barn under one roof. This would truly take us back to the terrible days of housing individuals with disabilities all under one roof known as “institutions.” Thank goodness the American for Disabilities Act and Agency for Persons with Disabilities no longer allows this to exist and recognizes that individuals with special needs deserve the right to live in homes similar to the rest of us!

In my opinion, Wilson has intentionally delayed, stalled and now prevented a fair and transparent process for thousands of District 1 voters to have the opportunity to have an informed understanding of the issues. That lack of openness and communication cannot serve the good of our community. It is my hope that the leadership of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will mandate an open and full discussion of the issues among our citizens prior to voting on this very important project.

HENRY L. WRIGHT WINTER GARDEN

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

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

Starke Lake Baptist Church

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

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

Sunday: 11AM & 6 PM Wednesday: 7 PM

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah

241 N. Main St., Winter Garden

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

METHODIST

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

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

Residents speak against downed trees in Oakland

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Several large trees in Oakland have been removed by developers in recent months, and residents have approached the Town Commission in hopes of putting a stop to it.

Three of the residents attended the commission’s Tuesday, July 9, meeting to express their concern and ask elected officials to impose heftier penalties for developers who don’t preserve the old trees.

The town has a tree ordinance, but Mayor Shane Taylor said it needs to be much stronger.

“Our tree ordinance and our tree structure is not up to par,” he said. “It’s something that was created in early 2000s … so I tasked (Town Manager Andy Stewart) along with the town planner to look at upgrading that and putting more, I’ll call it bite, into it — because right now there’s no bite to it. It’s a slap on the hand and ‘don’t do this again’ type of thing.”

Resident Meredith Rhein said she is deeply concerned about the recent removal of trees off Briley Avenue.

“These trees were not merely part of the landscape; they were living symbols of our community’s commitment to sustainability, beauty and … they are essential for our environment and our well-being,” she said. “We even named a town after them.”

Rhein asked the commission for clear rationale for why a specific tree at the intersection of Briley and Walker Street was removed.

“Was there (an) imminent safety hazard?” she asked. “Were there alternate solutions … that could have saved the tree?”

Rhein suggested penalties need to increase for developers who remove mature trees.

“Let us commit to planting more trees than we remove,” she said. “The removal of trees on Briley Avenue serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between progress and environmental stewardship.”

Taylor said the Briley Farms developer is handling this project differently than others.

“The project itself is not your normal, everyday residential project,” he said. “Their developer is clearing the roads only, and it’s up to the individual builder who will come in and clear the lots and can build the house. … There is no nefarious stuff that happened. … The tree was not on the Voss Property. It was on a platted road that continued; … the old town plat had Walker continuing on towards the lake.”

IN OTHER NEWS

n The Oakland Town Commission approved the consent agenda, which included a new memorandum of understanding between the town and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office regarding municipal agencies conducting sobriety tests at the county’s DUI testing center at Orange Blossom Trail and Grand Street. The updated MOU gives outside agencies permission to obtain evidence outside their jurisdiction as it pertains to DUI testing.

n Commissioners approved the MetroPlan Orlando funding agreement and will pay $429 annually. The town is part of the Municipal Advisory Committee and now has voting membership. Commissioner Sal Ramos is Oakland’s representative. MetroPlan Orlando has been an important partner in transportation planning for the town with both the adopted Mobility Master Plan and construction funding for the roundabout at West Oakland Avenue and Old Highway 50.

n Ramos said he participated in the Kids’ All-American Parade July 4 and saw many Oakland residents and suggested the town of Oakland look at hosting a small holiday event of its own next year.

n Commissioner Rick Polland said he has asked former Commissioner Mona Phipps to help the town move forward with its Dark Sky Initiative, which has stalled in recent months.

n Town Manager Andy Stewart continues to work on a Community Redevelopment Agency program for Oakland, and the town will send out a request for proposal to find someone to conduct a needs assessment.

“It was because of the drainage swell that ran behind your house and those houses to convey all the stormwater from flooding everybody out,” he said. “I know he had it marked, and he had it fenced off like it was going be saved, but, unfortunately, that was not the case. … It was slated to come out … and that is on the plan.”

Another resident, Meredith Rosser, was upset to see a massive tree behind her house removed that was marked to be saved and wanted to know why it was taken out. She lives on Oakland Avenue, just north of the new subdivision, The Grove, being developed.

Taylor said that tree actually was slated to be removed.

Resident Maureen Jacobsen asked the town about the possibility of having the moss removed from the trees in Speer Park now that it is hurricane season. She said the moss weighs heavily on the limbs and weakens them.

Commissioner Mike Satterfield said a landscape crew handled the job annually in the past. Commissioner Sal Ramos suggested a volunteer day.

New clue reignites case

Stephen Alan Rosenblum

Editor’s note: This is the next in an ongoing series on unsolved crime cases in West Orange.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

Almost 32 years to the exact date Stephen Alan Rosenblum went missing in May 1992, the Ocoee Police Department had a break in the mysterious case.

On May 14, 2024, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement contacted Ocoee Police Department’s Michelle Grogan, current detective on the case, with news of a discovery on a hit on fingerprints found on Rosenblum’s discovered missing vehicle in West Virginia.

The prints came back to a career criminal who lived in the area where the vehicle was discovered.

Grogan, who retired this year but has returned to the department to work on exclusively cold cases, now is working with West Virginia’s state agencies and local law enforcement to track down the identified criminal and/or his family.

She has been in contact with Rosenblum’s family, and they are hoping to discover more answers as to what happened to him.

“There’s somebody who is somewhere thinking about these missing people,” Grogan said. “This is somebody’s family. It’s somebody’s person. We never forget them — no matter how much time has passed.”

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

Ocoee resident Rosenblum, 38 at the time, was last seen by his family on May 1, 1992. He now would be 70 years old.

Rosenblum had twin sons, a mother and an ex-wife who also lived in the area. He had a drinking problem and

has been

missing from

Ocoee

KNOW ANYTHING?

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Ocoee Police Department’s criminal investigations division at (407) 905-3161. Those who wish to submit an anonymous tip can do so through Crimeline at (800) 423-8477.

worked odd jobs, his most recent at a local pizzeria. However, despite his substance abuse issues, the family said Rosenblum always stayed in the Ocoee and Winter Garden areas so he could be close to his sons.

Grogan said Rosenblum and his exwife were amicable.

“She said he had regular visits,”

Grogan said. “He could come to her house anytime he wanted. He would also show up at the boys’ baseball games, doctor’s visits and different family events.”

On May 20, 1992, the ex-wife contacted the Ocoee PD and spoke with Ted Silberstein, the previous detective on the case. She stated it was unusual for Rosenblum not to see their sons, as she allowed him to see them regularly.

She completed a missing person report, and Rosenblum was entered into the National Crime Information Center.

“He was a couch surfer and lived at different homes, but he always stayed in the area, because his car wasn’t the best and so he could see his sons,”

Grogan said. “He didn’t show up, and they didn’t hear from him for two weeks. The ex-wife also had a phone card she gave him, and she realized he hadn’t been using the minutes on the card. They knew something was wrong.”

The Ocoee PD determined Rosenblum was last seen at his job at the pizzeria two weeks prior. He never

for more than 30 years.

arrived to pick up his last paycheck.

Rosenblum is described as being a white male about 6 feet tall and weighing about 145 pounds. He has blond/strawberry hair and blue eyes.

Rosenblum has several distinctive physical features, including webbed fingers, buckled and thick fingernails, ribs previously broken, severe psoriasis covering his back, rotten and broken teeth, and a scar on his abdomen.

VEHICLE DISCOVERY

On June 4, 1992, Silberstein was contacted by the Charleston Police Department in West Virginia, who advised Rosenblum’s vehicle had been recovered in a remote area of Clendenin in Kanawha County.

This location was not an area that was easily accessible, and the department found it suspicious a vehicle was found there. It was an old logging road not visible from the roadway.

“The area wasn’t even a place where people who lived around there went,” Grogan said. “Rosenblum’s ex-wife, friends and boss all said they were not aware of him knowing anyone in West Virginia.”

The silver and black 1987 Hyundai was found to have stolen Texas tags both on and inside the vehicle — Texas is a two-tag state. The tags belonged to a male with a 1978 Ford F-150 who had reported the stolen vehicle and tags on May 24, 1992.

Rosenblum’s ex-wife was able to identify items found in the vehicle, including a sleeping bag, two flannel shirts and a quilt a family relative had made for him.

Because West Virginia law enforcement thought they had found a stolen vehicle, they searched for fingerprints and were able to obtain three latent prints, including one from the interior rearview mirror.

The prints were sent to FDLE on July 13, 1992, but did not come back to a person.

After the NamUs Unidentified Persons database was created in 2007, Rosenblum was entered into the system Oct. 14, 2022.

PIECE BY PIECE

Although Grogan retired Jan. 31, she was asked to come back and work on her passion: Ocoee PD’s cold cases, including the long-term missing person’s cases.

The first thing she did was sit down with the department’s evidence specialist, and they went through all of the evidence and case files.

The pair verified they still had the latent lifts from the vehicle, and they resubmitted them to the FDLE and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As Grogan waited on the results, she entered Rosenblum’s updated information into the NamUs system.

She also entered him into the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, a national database run by the FBI that allows law enforcement agencies to share information about unsolved homicides, missing persons and unidentified human remains.

That’s when she received the call about the hit on the prints.

“They actually called us and sent the report via email,” Grogan said. “But, they were so excited they wanted to tell someone in person.” Grogan said the Ocoee PD is not yet ready to release the name of the criminal to whom the fingerprints belong. He has not yet been confirmed to still be alive.

She said the department has unidentified remains from 2016 that they are working with multiple organizations to possibly identify. They also are checking with medical examiners in West Virginia to see if there are any other unidentified remains that have been found.

“I have a lot of different theories, but he’s a dad, and he loved those boys,” Grogan said. “He worked at a place where he was probably making less than minimum wage, and maybe somebody came along and offered him a work opportunity that he felt he couldn’t turn down to help better support himself and his kids.”

Courtesy Stephen Alan Rosenblum, 38 at the time, has been missing from Ocoee since 1992. He now would be 70 years old.

Left:

Stephen Alan Rosenblum’s recovered vehicle was a silver and black 1987 Hyundai, similar to the one in this photo.

MEET THE CANDIDATES Florida Senate District 13 Republican Primary

Three Republican candidates — CJ Blancett, Bowen Kou and Keith Truenow — are running for the Florida State Senate District 13 seat in the Aug. 20 primary. The winner will face Democrat Stephanie Dukes in the Nov. 5 general election. Blancett faces a September trial after she was charged with stealing

BOWEN KOU

Age: 35

Residence: Winter Garden

Family: Married with three children

Education: Some college

Profession: Business owner

Qualifications: Trustee of the West Orange and South Lake chambers of commerce; volunteer at Southeastern Food Bank

Why are you running for Florida State Senate District 13?

I benefit from the American Dream and vow to protect it for generations to come. Career politicians have failed us. They’ve led us down a path of homeowner crisis, out-of-control cost of living and a dangerous border crisis. It takes a political outsider, who lives life based on Biblical principles, to make a difference.

The candidates in this race all come from differing backgrounds. Discuss your past experiences and explain how they make you the most qualified candidate for this position. I am of Chinese descent. Therefore, I understand the importance of keeping socialism as far away from Americans as possible. There is no way possible for a person to understand the terrible things about socialism unless you have experienced it. That’s what makes me different from most candidates. I have always been a fighter, and I know what it takes to get things done for the people. I have fought for my right to exercise my Christian values. To live free, have a family and start a small business, growing it into nine grocery stores, which employ more than 500 people.

What are the values and morals that have guided your life, and how will you use them as District 13 senator?

I live my life based on Biblical principles. Without God in our lives, it is difficult to work for the people, because once career politicians are elected and reappointed, they tend to work for dishonest corporations to satisfy their greed, which is evil and dishonest and has no place in government. The people should always come first.

What are the key differences between you and your opponents?

My opponent is a career politician funded by personal interest groups, big pharma and PACs. Therefore, when he gets into office, he is already committed to working for greedy corporations. I self-fund more than 80% of my campaign. Therefore, when I get elected, I won’t have to answer to anybody other than the people who voted me into office. I will also donate my State Senate salary to the Florida Sheriff’s Association. I have one purpose, and that is to serve the people.

What are the three most pressing issues facing District 13 today?

Homeowners insurance, illegal immigration and cost of living.

This district covers a large area in Central Florida with unique needs and challenges. How do you represent the needs of all District 13 constituents — those in Lake County vs. Orange County? Orange County is a larger town, which continues to grow at a fast pace. Land is minimum, and homes are rapidly built, which is leading to overcrowding. I want to ensure the local infrastructure

grows with the population. The cost of living is outrageous, but jobs are still paying the same. I will bring more high-paying jobs to both counties by incentivizing companies to move to Central Florida. Exempting Central Floridians from paying tolls will also help stimulate the economy by getting people to work without added expenses.

Citizens in Lake County live on land, and agriculture is their way of life. The Live Local Act was just passed and signed by my opponent Keith Truenow. The bill encourages rapid growth, which impedes the infrastructure of the county. The country lifestyle is now in jeopardy of being a lifestyle of the past. Lake County wants to grow but does not want to lose the hometown feel. As the new senator, I will have to balance growth and current lifestyle.

So far, this race has been notable because of several negative ad campaigns and some accusations lobbed at candidates. Why has this race become so heated, and how do you navigate this volatile political climate? This race has become heated because of the fear of change. I am a fighter. I have the insight and the will to make change for the people. Career politicians have made it obvious who they work for by taking money from big corporations. I fund my own campaign. Therefore, I can work for the people. I will stick with our campaign pledge by running a good, clean and honest race.

Evaluate the job Gov. Ron DeSantis has done as governor and share how you plan to work with him for all Floridians.

Our governor has done an excellent job with keeping Florida free. I will work with him to stop illegal immigrants from flooding Central Florida.

Many arts organizations throughout the state did not receive state funding this year following DeSantis’ veto. What is your opinion on this decision?

Arts organizations have to be cognitive of what they are teaching our young minds. Art should not just be an elective but a way of expression. I think funding should be available for the creative minds, and the curriculum should also meet state standards with the parents’ consent. I also think vocational schools are important for those who aren’t in favor of traditional schools.

How will you work with local county and city governments to ensure their voices are being heard at the state level?

The heart of my campaign is canvassing and door-knocking. Praying for citizens to open their doors so that I can hear and understand their needs. When I get into office, I will apply the same principle to address the people’s needs. In order for change to happen, county and city governments have to be accessible to each other regardless of political affiliation. I will make honest efforts to do what is best for the people.

$47,722 from a homeowners association. As of press time, she remains a candidate in this election. Blancett did not return multiple requests through email, phone and social media seeking participation in this Q&A. Some answers have been edited for space. The candidates’ entire, unedited responses are available at OrangeObserver.com.

KEITH TRUENOW

Age: 54

Residence: Tavares

Family: Wife, Dodi; sons, Dylan and Ashton

Education: Leesburg High School and mechanical certifications, U.S. Air Force

Profession: Agribusiness

Qualifications: Turfgrass Producers of Florida, Lake Harris Chain Restoration Council, Lake County Fair Association and Lake County Farm Bureau

Why are you running for Florida State Senate District 13?

I ran with a simple mission: go to work to craft the best policies that will help all of us here in Florida have a safer, better and responsibly sustainable way of life. My door has always been and will always continue to be open to those who have an idea on how to accomplish this mission. My hope is to continue the work I have been doing these past four years for workforce education, infrastructure, agriculture and public safety.

The candidates in this race all come from differing backgrounds. Discuss your past experiences and explain how they make you the most qualified candidate for this position. My experience in this area starts with the fact that I graduated from Leesburg High School, joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17, and then returned to Central Florida and became the general manager of a local farm at the age of 23. I founded Lake Jem Farms in 1998 and was Young Farmer of the Year in 2004. I have served on many local boards with other local leaders. In 2020, I entered a stage of life where I had the time to give back. So, I ran for the Florida House. These last two years, I have had the honor of chairing the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and also served on the Infrastructure Strategies Committee; Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Constitutional Rights; and the Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee. My aim is to continue to bring that level of leadership to the Florida Senate.

What are the values and morals that have guided your life, and how will you use them as District 13 senator?

The experiences we all have in our lives are what gives us the perspective to make sound decisions. My unwavering conservative Christian values have served me well as a husband, a father, a USAF veteran, business owner/ farmer and as a Florida Legislature these past four years.

What are the key differences between you and your opponents?

I am a veteran who has lived and served in my community for more than 40 years. I graduated Leesburg High School, raised my family here, started and continue to own businesses here, graduated Leadership Lake County in 2003, and have served this community through many leadership roles and boards. I am the only candidate with experience in the Florida Legislature. Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsing my senate race during the primary is a prime example of how my leadership is valued.

What are the three most pressing issues facing District 13 today?

1. Insurance. The cost of living today is burdensome to many who call Central Florida home, chief among these recently has been the rising cost of insurance.

2. Infrastructure. The community’s infrastructure has been playing catch-up with our continued record growth.

3. Workforce Education and Workforce Housing. Ensuring we can all live where we work and work where we live.

This district covers a large area in Central Florida with unique needs and challenges. How do you represent the needs of all District 13 constituents — those in Lake County vs. Orange County?

Many of the challenges facing both Lake County and Orange County are the same, such as the rising cost of insurance, infrastructure, affordable housing, workforce education, development, public safety and K-12 education. I will continue to focus my attention on these cornerstones as I have in the Florida Legislature.

So far, this race has been notable because of several negative ad campaigns and some accusations lobbed at candidates. Why has this race become so heated, and how do you navigate this volatile political climate?

The focus of my campaign has been my accomplishments over these past four years in the Florida House and demonstrating a proven record to show I can continue to lead in the Florida Senate.

Evaluate the job Gov. Ron DeSantis has done as governor and share how you plan to work with him for all Floridians. I believe Florida has been blessed to have DeSantis’ leadership. I plan to continue working with him on issues, such as agriculture, workforce development and the environment.

Many arts organizations throughout the state did not receive state funding this year following DeSantis’ veto. What is your opinion on this decision?

As someone who is raising two boys with talent in the arts, my hope is to find future funding for the arts grant funding program to ensure all Floridians have access to the arts.

How will you work with local county and city governments to ensure their voices are being heard at the state level?

As a member of the Florida Legislature, I have met regularly with local elected officials to ensure their needs are being met at the state level. I will continue my open-door policy in the Florida Senate.

SPORTS

HIGH 5

1

Windermere Little League’s softball team claimed the Florida 8- to 10-year-old state championship title Sunday, July 15. The Windermere All-Star group topped Callahan Little League in dominant fashion, winning the final game, 8-0. Over the nine games played in the state championship tournament, WLL’s bats were on fire, scoring 120 runs total — an average of 13.33 runs a game. Windermere’s depth from the circle was on full display during the tournament as well, allowing its opposition only seven combined hits for a total of 11 runs. Next up for the group of elementary school All-Stars is the Southeast regional tournament, the final championship available to the age group, July 26-28 in Clarkesville, Tennessee. The eight-team tournament will see Windermere represent Florida against Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

2

The First Academy baseball player Austin Pierzynski announced his commitment to play college ball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“I am extremely blessed and excited to announce my commitment to play Division 1 baseball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,” he wrote on X. “I want to thank God, (my) family, coaches, teammates and friends who have helped me get to this point. Go Blazers!”

The Royals’ rising senior catcher — and son of former MLB pitcher A.J. Pierzynski — has been a key member of TFA baseball since his freshman season and one of the biggest reasons the Royals reached the state tournament final four.

3

Following the departure of Windermere High’s founding track-and-field head coach Jason Greer, who left the program to take over the Timber Creek High girls and boys trackand-field teams, the Wolverines have named his successors. Assistant track-and-field coach Keith Wood and crosscountry coach Rosie Williams will take over as the new head coaches of the boys and girls track-and-field teams.

4

Winter Garden Squeeze first baseman and outfielder John Smith III — a University of South Alabama commit and former Pensacola State player — won his second Florida Collegiate Summer League home run derby on Wednesday, July 10.

For the Squeeze, in 17 plate appearances, Smith III has a .353 batting average (6/17) with six runs batted in, three runs scored, a home run, one stolen base and seven walks (.542 onbase percentage).

5Scott Grove, the former baseball coach who led TFA to a state and national championship during his decade-long tenure, has been named the next coach at Coffee High School in Douglas, Georgia. Following his midseason exit from coaching at TFA this past season, Grove told the Observer he was unsure he would return to coaching but when presented with the opportunity in the neighboring state, he said it was too good to pass up.

KARATE KIDS

Ten-year-old Jennifer Jeffres, and her brother, Zaine, 8, won big at AAU Karate Nationals in their first year in the sport, thanks in large part to their competitiveness, commitment and coaching from their Stoneybrook Karate dojo senseis.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR

Ageneral idea from the book “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell is that to become great at something, humans need to spend around 10,000 hours of their lives concentrating on that thing.

That seems to be the principle siblings Jennifer and Zaine Jeffres are taking when it comes to karate.

“They’re both so dedicated to their training, which is incredible, considering they started less than a year ago,” said Stoneybrook Karate Sensei Gian Paul Rivera — or as his students call him, Sensei GP. “The even crazier thing was that within a month of starting the sport, they committed to six days a week of practice, if not more.

“That’s incredible when you think more about it,” he said. “Every single one of those six or more sessions is at least two hours long. For an 8-year-old (Zaine) and a 10-yearold (Jennifer), that’s a lot of hours to

commit to — not just because they have to be on top of finishing all of their schoolwork and other responsibilities they may have, but also, it’s a lot of hours the two need to be focused on developing as athletes. But because they love being here, because they love the activity, it is easier for them to stay locked in during those long practice sessions and to make sure they do all they can to get their schoolwork done, so they can make sure they can be here.”

The commitment the two, and really their family as a whole, have shown to the sport doesn’t stop at practicing. Their father, Shane Jeffres, is one of the parent volunteer coaches at the dojo, and the youngest Jeffres child, Ryleigh, also has begun training at Stoneybrook Karate and will begin competing next AAU season.

Add to that a rigorous travel schedule for competitions, and it’s safe to say the Jeffres are West Orange’s karate kids.

SEE SIBLINGS PAGE 2B

West Orange High School , OARS alum rows at Henley Royal Regatta

Windermere native Victoria Grieder, a coxswain at Rutgers University, competed in the six-day, 26-race royal regatta.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

SPORTS EDITOR

The Masters Tournament at Augusta National, Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix are a few examples of legendary sports events that produce spectacular moments within their respective lines of play. These types of competitions and venues fill the bucket lists of sports fanatics around the globe. And for athletes, competing in them is a fulfillment of a childhood dream and a validation of an athlete’s status — an “I made it” moment. For the sport of rowing, that icon of

Rising Windermere High junior Randy Ruiz Jr. saved the day in the baseball state semifinals and sent the Wolverines to the title game. Page 2B.

Sam Albuquerque

Jennifer, left, and Zaine Jeffres both won AAU Karate national championships as part of the Stoneybrook Karate dojo in Winter Garden.

Courtesy photo

Despite being a member of the Rutgers University rowing team, Grieder, center, joined a British rowing club for the event during her college rowing offseason.

THE WEEK Randy Ruiz Jr.

Windermere High baseball player

Randy “RJ” Ruiz Jr. is a rising junior and was a star for the Wolverines 2024 team that finished with a 28-4 record and as the FHSAA Class 7A state runners-up.

In his second season as a starter at Windermere for coach Eric Lassiter, Ruiz Jr. led the Wolverines in RBIs with 35 and home runs with three, while hitting for an average of .396 (38/96) and scoring 28 runs.

Ruiz Jr., son of former MLB player Randy Ruiz, has shown massive potential and production in the batter’s box and the outfield over his short high school career, resulting in being named an All-American by MaxPreps for the 2026 class, a Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American and was named to All-Metro West conference team.

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?

It’s an incredible honor, and I am extremely grateful for the recognition.

What do you enjoy most about baseball?

It’s hard to put into words, but it’s that feeling I get when I take the field and the crowd’s cheering, the feeling I get when I stand at the plate. I guess you could say it’s the overall love I have for the game and everything about it.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing sports?

The game of baseball has definitely taught me how to handle both success and failure. There are going to be ups and downs, but you have to stay true to yourself and keep fighting through the struggles. … Don’t ever give up on yourself or your dream.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My dad, Randy Ruiz. He did not have an easy road to making it to the big leagues, but despite his struggles, he never gave up on his dream, and it all paid off. Not only do I admire him as an athlete, but (also) he has given me the knowledge that has allowed me to be the ballplayer I am today. He has taught me a lot about the game — on and off the field.

anyone, no. I want people to remember me for having my own style and remembering my game and for being RJ — and not trying to be somebody I’m not.

What is your go-to pre-game meal?

On game days, my mom always gets me a Jersey Mike’s Philly cheesesteak; it’s my absolute favorite. We are originally from Philadelphia, so I love them.

What is your favorite subject in school?

World history is my favorite subject in school, because it helps me learn and understand things about our past and how they have also helped shape things about our present and future.

What is your favorite movie?

“Major League” by far; it’s a classic. I could watch it all day, every day. I’ve probably seen it 1,000 times. I love it, because it shows a lot about the game of baseball; the humor, the struggles, the comebacks. It has it all!

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?

My great-grandpa. I never got to meet him, but he loved baseball — especially the Phillies. I know he would have loved to meet me, and I know he is watching over me — especially when I play. Sitting down with him would be an honor and something I wish I could’ve had the opportunity to do.

If you could go back in time, when and where would you go?

I would choose the 1950s. The era of rock ‘n’ roll looked super cool. The way people dressed, the slicked-back hair, Elvis Presley and the cool cars.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be so hard on your mom, and listen to what she says. She knows what she’s talking about.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

Did I make it to MLB?

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and Super speed, so I could get to places at lightning speed. I can be impatient at times, so I’ve been told.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?

Hawaii, Dubai and Greece. I love exotic places — especially places with that really blue water.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and I would choose gorilla, because they are feared, mighty and are well-known for their strength and

Does pineapple belong on pizza? No, fruit does not belong on pizza.

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

Sibling rivalry fuels the Jeffres

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

“These two, as beginners, have traveled more and competed more than I think any other beginners from our gym in at least eight or nine years,” Rivera said. “That type of commitment came really fast, but hats off to them for following through on that commitment. Like, these guys went to Vegas for the North American Open their first international event within just six months of competing.”

For Zaine though, the traveling from competition to competition is the best part.

“I love the traveling to different places for tournaments part of it the most,” Zaine Jeffres said. “There’s a tournament coming up in Georgia, and my sisters and I are going, and I’m really excited for it.”

This hyper-dedicated, 10,000hour approach the two oldest Jeffres children have taken to their training and competing has seemed to work pretty well: Jennifer won the three gold medals, in the three disciplines offered at the AAU National Championships — Kobudo, Kata and Kumite — winning in the beginner, U10 category for each, making her a Grand National Champion, while Zaine won a national title in the beginner, U8 category for Kata and finished third in Kobudo.

“It feels great to win these medals because of all the practice and work Sensei GP had us do,” Jennifer said. “When you win something that you actually worked for, it’s cool. It feels like I actually got something like a reward for something that I actually did. Like, when you practice every single day and every single week and every single month for two hours straight, fighting or doing Kata, doing Kobudo, and you win something like nationals, it feels like I’m getting a reward for the work and things we learned from the senseis.”

SUPERVISED SIBLING RIVALRY

A big reason the two national champions have excelled in the sport — and what has driven them to be so committed to the process of sharpening their karate skills — is their mostly friendly, sometimes in need of supervision, sibling rivalry.

“They’re ultra-competitive with each other,” Rivera said. “They don’t like losing to each other, which is why they’re really good at being partnered together. Now, we do have to make sure they are supervised, right? Because they’re siblings, every once in a while they fire each other up, and it can get a little distracting. They’ll start talking, and we have to turn our attention to them and just get them back on focus.”

That motivation to one-up each other is clear on both sides of the relationship.

“Well, I like beating her in Kumite,” Zaine said. “Sometimes, she wins, and I don’t like losing to her.”

Jennifer, however, doesn’t recall only winning sometimes against her little bro. Her recollection is more similar to the famous DJ Khaled song: “All I Do Is Win.”

“I always win,” she said in response to her Kumite matches against Zaine. For reference, Kumite, which is what most people probably think of when they think of a karate competition, is one of the disciplines of karate the AAU offers in their competitions. It is basically a scored sparring contest between two fighters. As iron sharpens iron, Jeffres also sharpens Jeffres — in more ways than one. Their differing styles allow the other to grow in the sport.

“They’re more similar than not in Kata and Kobudo, which are the forms categories of karate,” Rivera said. “They both turn on the attitude, they both turn on the power, they both make it look like, ‘Hey, I’m running my form. It’s not just me doing a dance. I’m out here, and I look like I’m fighting, I look like if I would have hit you, it would have hurt.’

“But when it comes to sparring, Kumite, the two fight completely differently,” he said. “Jennifer is a little bit more patient — which patient finds the easy points. So, she’ll wait, she’ll find a perfect opening, she’ll time it, and when the right chance comes, she’ll find that perfect spot and throw whatever technique she needs to throw, and usually it’ll land. Zaine, on the other hand, he’s a bit more aggressive … in life, he wants to go, go, go. So, when he finally has that outlet with Kumite, he’s ready. So, he fights aggressively, he wants to go in, he wants to hit hard, and it works for him a lot of times. But when he throws something heavy and it doesn’t necessarily work out the best for him, he’s grown to be able to adapt to the situation. When he misses something like that or even if he gives away a silly point, he doesn’t beat himself up over it. He’s usually been able to lock back in, refocus and realize that he still has time on the clock, so let’s go find a way to win this.” As the old boxing saying goes, styles make fights and, although, these two seemingly opposite sparring approaches make for an entertaining training session, what it really does is require each of the siblings to react and learn how to deal with their countering styles. On one end, Zaine’s aggression could be overwhelming for Jennifer, if he’s able to land his heavier techniques. On the opposite end, if Zaine can’t do that, Jennifer’s patient and potent approach can take advantage of the opening little bro gives her and she’ll tire him out. Constantly going through those types of training sessions teaches each of them how to get better at dealing with opposite approaches, while fine-tuning their own. Still, though the two have polarizing styles, they agree on something fundamental in their karate journeys: The goal is to reach the pinnacle of the sport by earning a black belt.

“My dream for karate is to keep on going until I get my black belt,” Jennifer said. “Because I really want to teach people the sport. I want to help teach students all the cool things my senseis have taught me, especially when they’re new. … I’ve met this girl at competitions that’s like 15 years old and she’s a coach and an official because she’s a black belt. I want to do that, too.”

Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

Photos by Sam Albuquerque

Ten-year-old Jennifer, the oldest of the three Jeffres children, became a Grand National Champion after sweeping all three disciplines — Kobudo, Kata and Kumite — offered in her category.

Zaine Jeffres, the middle child of the family, won the gold in Kata at AAU nationals.

Student-athletes throw down at gridiron camps

SAM ALBUQUERQUE

SPORTS EDITOR

Led by Lo Wood, CEO and president of Excel Speed and Fitness Training, and Nease High football coach Collin Drafts, the fourth annual combined camp competition event, the Orlando QB Shootout and the Battle in the Pit, returned Saturday, July 14, to West Orange. Held on the campus of Central Florida Christian Academy, the camps brought together some of the most talented players from Central Florida for a day of hard work on the gridiron.  West Orange and Southwest Orange were well represented, with the likes of Middle Tennessee commit and Dr. Phillips High starting quarterback Stanley AndersonLofton and The First Academy rising sophomore QB William Jackson — winner of the accuracy challenge for the high school division — both participating in the shootout. Other Central Florida standout quarterbacks, including Notre Dame commit and Lake Mary High QB Noah Grubbs and Jones High QB and Miami commit Dereon Coleman, also were in attendance.

campers an experience worth putting up with the blazing Florida sun in the middle of July.

Among the coaches serving at the camp was former Olympia High and Florida State QB — and winner of the first QB Shootout camp — Deondre Francois, former NFL first-round draft selections Karl Joseph and Brandon Meriweather and local QB trainer and former USF QB Baylin Trujillo.

TFA football’s Chancellor Barclay, a rising junior and four-star offensive lineman, was one of the counselors serving campers at the lineman-only Battle of the Pit. Benefiting the Aaron Jones Foundation scholarship program, the camp was loaded with some of the best coaches and trainers from across all levels of football to provide

Former Warrior rows at Henley

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

an event is the Henley Royal Regatta. The annual six-day, 26-race event, held on the famed River Thames in England, began in 1839 in the small 13th-century market town of Henleyon-Thames. With more than 300,000 visitors each year, the Henley is the rowing world’s event of the year, and with its proximity to London — only an hour away from the capital city — combined with Britain’s love for the sport, it’s also one of the highlights of the U.K. social season.

In the 2024 edition of the prestigious regatta, the West Orange and Southwest Orange communities were well-represented by West Orange High School alum, former Orlando Area Rowing Society ath-

lete and Windermere native Victoria Grieder.

“Competing at the Henley Royal Regatta was one of the coolest experiences of my life,” she said. “The regatta first started in the early 1800s and into 2024, they’ve kept a lot of the same tradition at the event — because of the love for the sport of rowing. To have been a part of an event where there were an insane number of spectators and athletes — who all just come together each year for the love and passion of rowing — was just so special and unique. … I’m going to cherish this opportunity for the rest of my life.”

GETTING ACROSS THE POND

The former OARS standout coxswain has spent the last three years lead-

ing various women’s 8 boats for the Rutgers University rowing team and racking up accolades in her posthigh school rowing career.

Grieder helped lead Team USA’s U23 Women’s 8+ boat to a win at the 2023 World Rowing Championship in Bulgaria. She also was named to the 2023-24 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-America second team and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Because of that success, she caught the attention of coaches in England and was given the chance to join one of the teams competing at the HRR.

“There are some British rowing clubs that take in American athletes … looking to race at Henley Royal,” Grieder said. “Coaches for these teams have a pulse on how you’re

doing throughout the spring season and will stay in contact with those top rowers, hoping to bring them over to compete with their club.”

As the coxswain for the Molesey Boat Club women’s 8 boat, Grieder and her team of rowers competed in the Remenham Challenge Cup, the Henley’s top women’s event.

“I’m really glad that Molesey brought me into the team,” she said.

“It was such a good experience to be competing in that top event with championship-level crews from national teams or developmental squads. What was also really cool was the fact that a couple of the rowers in my boat, I actually raced against them during the college season.”

THE REMENHAM CHALLENGE CUP

Like any other iconic sporting event, the Henley carries such a heavy weight in the rowing community that it can be intimidating for participating athletes — especially those such as Grieder, who competed for the first time.

But unlike those who couldn’t fight off the nerves in their maiden voyage at Henley, Grieder was too focused on feelings of excitement from being surrounded by and competing against the über-talented HRR field to feel the nerves.

“The Henley was incredible, because the top junior athletes, the top collegiate athletes and even some athletes (who) will be competing in the Paris Olympics were rowing in the event,” Grieder said. “To have such a high level of rowing together in one place was superb and what makes Henley so unique.”

Grieder wasn’t just excited to be around this group of world-class rowers and compete against them, she was eager to develop herself as an athlete and leader in and out of the boat.

“Whenever you’re around that kind of level of talent and competition, it inspires you to want to grow and get to that next level,” she said. “I think that was one of the coolest parts of the whole experience, just being around so many high performers and being part of that group.”

One of the direct experiences she had with world-class rowers at the Henley was in the first official round of the Remenham Challenge Cup, which followed a top-10 finish in qualifying to punch the boat’s ticket to Day Two, as the Molesey crew faced off against the cup’s eventual winners: Oxford-Brookes University.

“We were glad to be able to make it to the second day of racing,” Grieder said. “But in the next round, we ended up racing the boat that actually ended up winning the whole competition. (Although) we unfortunately got knocked out earlier than we’d hoped, looking at who we lost to and our times compared to the rest of the field, we were happy with our performance.”

Courtesy photo

Local rower Victoria Grieder served as the coxswain for Molesey Boat Club’s women’s 8 boat.

The Molesey Boat Club’s women’s 8 boat qualified for the Remenham Challege Cup but fell Oxford-Brookes University.

Photos by Sam Albuquerque

Although the shootout was littered with high-level recruits, it also served younger gunslingers from as young as rising fifth-graders.

The First Academy football rising sophomore William Jackson worked on his footwork during the Orlando QB Shootout camp competition.

Dr. Phillips High starting quarterback Stanley AndersonLofton was another area player participating in the camp.

Right: Former Olympia High and Florida State QB Deondre Francois, right, shared a laugh with Orlando QB Shootout founder and Nease High football coach Collin Drafts.

At

NO RIGHT WAY TO WRITE: My experience at playwriting camp

Writing has been, for a very long time, a huge part of me. I’ve filled countless notebooks with random phrases, topics and plot diagrams. So, when I saw the advertisement by the Garden Theatre for a summer writing program, I jumped at the chance.

I attended The Right Way to Playwright, a camp where sevenththrough 12th-graders can learn and grow as writers. Over the course of five days, we were challenged in ways of language and self-expression. The ultimate goal was to perform for parents and other camp directors.

But the journey is more important than the destination; we experienced writing, directing and the benefits of having one another.

COMFORT ZONES

From the first day of camp, everyone agreed to be courteous and respectful to one another. We’d be sharing our writing with one another, which is a terrifying experience. Without needing to say it, we all promised to be kind to one another during a vulnerable time.

Our days often began with playing games. What could be mistaken as a childish time-waster actually woke us up and got us on our toes. The games depended on what writing standards we’d be covering that day.

Some games made us create dialogue off the top of our heads, while others required sharp thinking.

We usually started writing with a prompt given by our counselors. I would imagine myself in a scenario and create what came next.

What would you do if a mysterious key appeared in your backpack? What would a minor character in a fairytale say if he or she had the chance to talk? How would you describe yourself in a new place or in your favorite place?

Once or twice a day, we would have time to work on independent writing projects. Fewer than 10 people attended The Right Way to Playwright, so we were able to receive immediate feedback and advice on what we wrote. Some of us were more inclined to write scripts, and some wanted to write books.

I decided to try something out of my comfort zone and learn songwriting. With help from my counselors and online instruments, and after numerous drafts, I crafted my own lyrics.

Our counselors were accomplished writers Megan and Chris Russell. Megan Russell has more than 30 books published, many of them young adult and fantasy novels. Chris Russell writes music and edits her work.

Their experience gave us a way to discuss the process of writing and eventually publishing our work.

CRAFTING OUR OWN SHOW

We couldn’t forget about our presentation at the end of the week. We had up to 20 minutes to perform but weren’t quite sure how to fill the time slot. Eventually, we decided to write a short play that we would direct and act in ourselves.

Our camp split in half to write the

AVA PETROSKI

OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL

SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE

two acts. Group 1 wrote the first, and Group 2 wrote the second. We decided both acts would have an Old Western theme, but each act would have its own sub-genre, decided by the writers. I helped to write the second act. We decided to have our act feature slapstick comedy. We plotted two duels, and our protagonist would win both. In our show, the protagonist wins every duel — but in unconventional ways that he didn’t really have anything to do with. The first opponent

would get hit in the head with a rake. We were considering dropping a prop anvil on the second opponent’s head, when someone suggested using a fake pie. The opponent would get hit with a banana cream pie and would be defeated by an allergic reaction to bananas. I ended up volunteering to get hit in the face with a pie. It was a spur-ofthe-moment idea, and I thought it would be a funny experience. How many people get hit in the face with a pie on-stage? I was really excited.

The idea presented some problems. We couldn’t have a real pie because of safety and health regulations. My counselor then decided to bring an empty pie tin and fill it with whipped cream. Our protagonist would raise the pie at a certain angle so it wouldn’t fall. I had to “walk into it” while pretending it was the other actor’s fault.

Slapstick comedy wasn’t the only thing we had to figure out. Fight choreography was one of the hardest parts of the show. In Act 1, our main character duels another character with swords. Those actors were taught how to make the fight look realistic without hurting one another. It took many tries, but we came up with a system: the swords would strike each other twice, then the protagonist would try to block his opponent’s attack.

THE FINAL PERFORMANCE

The day of the performance arrived. A hum of excitement filled the air.

There was so much left to be done. I wasn’t sure if we could finish in time. We realized we were sharing the stage with the set pieces and puppets of the Garden Theatre’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” which was opening that same night. This presented us with several new issues.

We didn’t know how much of the stage we would be able to use. Would our blocking be affected? We weren’t sure if we would have access to the wings, or whether we could cross using the back of the stage. I was supposed to drag a defeated opponent backstage. I had no idea what to do. By the time we performed, I felt ready. Suddenly, my glasses were in my pocket and whipped cream was charging toward my face. We never practiced with whipped cream. I didn’t have to act shocked at all. It was all I could do to keep from laughing on stage. I didn’t think the whipped cream would get all over me. But here I was, pretending to have an allergic reaction while whipped cream dripped from my face.

At the end of the performance, I found out this was the first playwriting camp Garden Theatre has ever done.

“One of my favorite parts of my job is dreaming up the different camps and class offerings for our students,” Amanda Payne, director of education at Garden Theatre, said. “When I met Chris and Megan, and learned about their writing careers, I got a nugget of an idea. I pitched the camp concept to them, and they were all in. We are so fortunate to have such talented artists working with us in our Garden Education program.”

I had an amazing time at The Right Way to Playwright. Everyone was so talented and cool under pressure. I learned lots from my counselors, and I was inspired by my campmates. The camp left me with a renewed passion for all types of writing.

My counselors told me: “There’s no right way when it comes to writing.”

I’m going to keep writing and experimenting, because there really is no right way to do it. As long as it continues to make me happy, I know I’m doing it right.

CLASS NOTES

REGISTER EARLY FOR BUS SERVICE

Orange County Public Schools Transportation Services is asking families to register in advance for transportation services for the 2024-25 school year. The early registration will help the district best prepare with the most efficient routing.

“Even though the district has worked to fill as many positions as possible, there is still a nationwide shortage of commercial drivers, and OCPS is still being impacted,” OCPS representatives said in a press release. “The purpose of this registration is to reduce bus delays and allow for the streamlining of routes to meet the transportation needs of our families.”

Families can register by accessing their Skyward Parent Portal account and completing the OCPS School Bus Registration Form. The form will have a dropdown to choose ridership for each child, with options being in the morning, afternoon, both or not at all.

The registration only is for families eligible for bus service.

SCHOOLS ARE NO-DRONE ZONES

Effective July 1, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act makes it a crime to operate a drone over a public or private school serving students in any grade from VPK through grade 12.

Exceptions may be granted with prior written consent of the school district.

Courtesy photos

Ava Petroski worked on assignments with other participants during the Garden Theatre’s summer writing program.

West Orange-area dog rescue needs volunteers

Polka Dogz seeks consistent helpers to take care of the dogs and shower them with love while they wait to be adopted.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Juneau, Tracker, Lila, Peace Lily and Gemini Zod are all the “goodest” boys and girls and are looking for endless belly rubs with their forever families.

Polka Dogz Pet Rescue has these dogs — and dozens more — at its Lake County shelter and in foster homes and is hoping to find good, loving homes for them. But to keep the nonprofit organization operating, it needs help — in the way of monetary donations and, more importantly, volunteers.

The rescue started in 2015 in a small travel trailer in Winter Garden. Heidi Hardman and Aaron Stein had been working at other animal rescue organizations for about 15 years and thought they could do a better job, so they created Polka Dogz for rescued, abused and neglected dogs.

In 2023 alone, the group spent $142,000 in veterinary bills. An estimated $300,000 is needed annually to keep the rescue operating.

Hardman also is the owner of Polka Dotz, a jewelry and accessories store in downtown Winter Garden. One section of the shop is dedicated to the rescue, and all proceeds go to Polka Dogz. Last year, $12,000 was donated to the nonprofit.

‘A NEVER-ENDING STRUGGLE’

“It is a never-ending struggle, but we are committed to saving dogs no matter their physical conditions,” volunteer Christopher Cooper said. “We have placed dogs with various disabilities in loving homes.”

Stein takes special care of each one that comes through the door.

“We do everything and anything

the dogs need,” he said. “We spare no expense: shots, spay, neuter, surgeries, microchip — literally everything.”

Cooper has driven dogs to the University of Florida to see a specialist, and an eye veterinarian in Maitland often sees Polka Dogz canines.

Dedicated volunteers also are at the heart of keeping the organization running. More than 100 people are registered as volunteers, but only about 20 of them are available on a regular basis.

“You can have all the money in the world, but without the help, it doesn’t matter,” Cooper said.

“Right now, I’m going to have to cut back on total dogs until I get help,”

Stein added.

Volunteers might have to do a little cleaning, but most of the job entails hanging out with the dogs and loving on them.

Experienced fosters also are needed to handle the more challenging dogs that come in. Stein said one dog currently at Polka Dogz has special needs and should be in a foster home instead

of at the rescue site.

A few others have temperament issues but are trainable, he said.

“We’ve never euthanized a dog for temperament, and we never will,” he said. “And I will always stand by that. Every dog … is workable if the owner has the time and patience and consistency.”

The dogs in Polka Dogz’s care are categorized in one of three ways, Stein said.

“You’ve got the ones who are young and playful, and they’ll stay because they’re happy here,” he said. “Usually, dogs won’t stay more than a month or two. And then you have the dogs that are a little older and are healthy but don’t like the craziness, so they stay until they get vetted and then they get into foster. And then we have the dogs that are special needs.”

Stein said he gets dozens of emails each day from people or organizations wanting to place dogs with the rescue. Occasionally, a request will come in from another rescue that has 100 dogs.

“There also are plenty of situations where people get into hoarding,” he said. “I’m very strict about the number of dogs I take here. … That’s probably the hardest part of doing this. I get so many requests from people, surrender requests; one day I had 19.”

About 200 dogs are placed through Polka Dogz each year.

Potential families must go through an extensive adoption process; Stein visits every home before leaving a dog there.

“We have adopted out over 1,700 dogs, and we’ve been to over 1,700 homes, each and every one,” he said.

HIGH VISIBILITY

One way to get more dogs into the right homes is to make frequent community appearances. Every other Saturday, Polka Dogz volunteers take several dogs to the PetSmart in the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves. Dogs also are shown off at most downtown Winter Garden events and Winter Garden Police Department-sponsored gatherings.

Stein said the dogs come from several main sources, including animal services departments and owner surrenders. The dogs that arrive from animal services are typically seniors, those that have special needs, those that might need surgery and those that possibly have heartworm — the dogs most likely to be euthanized, he said.

“We have the best interests of the dogs,” Cooper said.

One pooch that has been with Polka Dogz the longest is Maverick, who was found injured on the side of a road as a puppy and taken to rescuers. He now lives with Hardman.

Maverick, who is about 9, has become the group’s mascot and can get around quickly with the customized wheelchair for his hind legs.

“Normally, he sleeps 22 hours a day, but if you take him to an event, he’ll be in his wheelchair for hours zooming around,” Stein said. “If you get him out in the public, he’s a big showoff.”

Local kids keep cool at Rosen JCC Camp J

The Rosen Jewish Community Center’s Camp J offers something for everyone.

This year, more than 200 children from kindergarten through eighth grade are attending the camp in Southwest Orange County.

The center’s diverse range of activities ensure campers have a blast, and campers are grouped by grade to maximize positive experiences and opportunities to make friends.

Camp J offers activities including arts and crafts, music, science, cooking, theater, and fun group activities.

In addition, campers enjoy special events and field trips each week throughout the summer. Locations traveled include the swimming pool, the Orlando Science Center, Monkey Joe’s, The Ice Factory of Central Florida and WonderWorks Orlando.

For more, visit camp.rosenjcc.org or call (407) 387-5330.

— ANNABELLE SIKES

HOW TO HELP

Polka Dogz Pet Rescue is a registered 501(c)3 company whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs while educating the community on responsible pet ownership. The organization relies on monetary donations and volunteers. To find out how to help, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit PolkaDogz.org. While there, you can click through the gallery of available dogs and potentially find a new friend to take home.

MAKING A DONATION

$25allows a homeless pet to get off the street and receive a veterinary exam.

$50allows Polka Dogz to pull a needy dog out of a kill shelter and receive a veterinary exam, shots and heartworm test.

$100allows a dog with the deadly heartworm disease to start life-saving treatment.

$500allows Polka Dogz to feed all of its rescued dogs for one month.

Volunteers are needed for the public events, as well.

“With all our volunteers, most of them are retired, and they feel now it’s time to give back,” Cooper said. “My mom was (with a) greyhound rescue, so I’ve spent my whole life in rescue.” Stein continues his work because he is passionate about animals. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘Be the change,’ and I firmly believe in that,” he said.

Plant Clinic

Windermere Branch Tuesday, August 6, 10:30 a.m.

Winter Garden Branch Saturday, August 10, 10:15 a.m.

Bring your plants and ask questions! Master Gardener Volunteers from the UF/IFAS Orange County Extension O ce will be available to answer your gardening questions.

Amy Quesinberry

Polka Dogz volunteer Christopher Cooper, left, and co-founder Aaron Stein are looking for permanent families for Tracker, a hound mix, and Juneau, a French bulldog. Rider, right, found a home with Cooper.

Camp J Director Victoria Cohen, left, shared a hug with camper Aria Levin.

Mylo White was all smiles while he enjoyed his refreshing and healthy smoothie.

Campers enjoyed playing a plethora of board and card games, including giant UNO.

Habitat dedicates three houses

Three single mothers received the keys to their homes in Winter Garden.

AMY QUESINBERRY

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Three single mothers are rejoicing after receiving the keys to the front door of their new homes in Winter Garden. West Orange Habitat for Humanity dedicated the houses for the families of Shandel Deleon, Shannon Noggle and Michelle Krotowski Thursday, June 27.

The women cut the red ribbon draped across their front porches and then accepted their key to begin their new lives as homeowners. In addition to the houses, the families received a tool kit, plant kits and either a handmade swing or set of Adirondack chairs.

The closings for all three homes are scheduled for late July.

Numerous guest speakers addressed the crowd, including West Orange Habitat director Marilyn Hattaway, Winter Garden City Commissioner Chloe Johnson and Pastor Wes Beacham. Representatives from two of the wholehouse sponsors attended as well: Pilars Martini & Loft and Empire Finish Systems. The third sponsor was Publix Super Markets Charities.

Each family has invested more than 200 sweat-equity hours toward the homes and has com-

pleted financial literacy classes, saved for a down payment and agreed to repay a zero-interest mortgage.

Noggle is the mother of two sons, and they have been living

with her parents while waiting for their house to be built.

Krotowski has a daughter who just graduated from high school and a son who is a college student. She moved to Florida about two

years ago in search of a better living situation for her family.

Deleon is excited to begin this new stage of life with her young daughter. Deleon has written a book, titled “So She Wrote a Book.”

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

TED LENHARDT

It is with gratitude to God that we share the passing of our beloved father and husband, Ted Lenhardt, who left us on July 10, 2024, at the age of 92, surrounded by his loving family and friends in his final moments.

In his early years in Michigan, Ted was a gifted basketball player at many levels. After playing at Western Michigan, he took a gamble and sent a letter to Coach Adolph Rupp, the head coach at the University of Kentucky. He stated how he could make an impact to Coach Rupp’s coaching staff, and apparently, Coach Rupp was impressed and hired him on as an assistant coach.

After spending multiple years with the University of Kentucky, he was hired as the head coach at Tulane University in New Orleans. Later, he returned home to Coloma, Michigan, and continued his work on the family farm.

Ted and his family switched “orchards” and moved in 1974 to Winter Garden, Florida, and became involved in citrus. Being an “outside-the-box thinker,” he designed and patented a process to minimize the application of pesticides to fruits and vegetables crops. Today, the company he started, Magrowtec, is providing pesticide application solutions to clients worldwide. Ted is survived by his wife, Joyce, of 70 years; sons and daughter (Ted Jr., Tamara, Ross and Matt); and numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Ted was the last of his 11 siblings to go to Heaven, and we believe that right now our dad is basking in the glory, presence and love of our Lord.

Bhoaj Ramgahan, 90, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, July 6, 2024. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Rebecca Elizabeth Sellers, 67, died Monday, July 8, 2024. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

John Charles (Jack) Simon, 87, of Winter Garden, died Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at home. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

Amy Quesinberry

Shandel Deleon, center, couldn’t contain her excitement as she prepared to cut the ribbon on the new home she and her daughter will share.

One of Shannon Noggle’s sons was excited to show off the key to their new Habitat home.

Michelle Krotowski, third from right, and her children were excited to receive the keys to their new Habitat home.

THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK

THURSDAY

JULY 17, 1942

The men of the United States were going overseas to fight in the war, and women had to jump into the workforce to keep the country operating.

In a 1942 advertisement in the West Orange News, the Florida Public Service Company touted the benefits of the “magic product” of electricity and said it “makes a substantial contribution to the economic emancipation of the American woman.”

The ad praised women for

In a photograph taken 20 years ago, West Orange Red Hat Society members pose in the city of Winter Garden’s City Commission chambers. Eleven of the women have been identified,

although corrections may be needed: Nancy Richards, back left, Roberta Davis, Ruth Hawk, “Smitty” Clarke, Lillian Reeher, Nora Rowley, Vikki Chitwood, Joyce McWilliams, Betty Jo Ellis;

front, Mary Ann Gravel, Margo Kennington and Lib Youngblood.

The organization’s official website states “the Red Hat Society is a worldwide membership society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life. We support women in the pursuit of Fun, Friendship, Freedom, Fitness and the Fulfillment of lifelong dreams.”

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.

80 years ago

The big fan displayed at R.A. Kerr’s place of business attracted much attention. The gigantic fan looked as if it could cool off the largest building in town on a hot summer day.

S2-C Clyde E. Roberson, accompanied by S2-C Roy Pederson, spent the weekend in Winter Garden with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Roberson. They were stationed at Daytona Beach.

A crew of carpenters and painters were at work on the large eightroom house facing Lakeview Avenue in the rear of the bus station on Plant Street, re-roofing, renovating and remodeling it throughout preparatory for living quarters for some of the people working in the citrus groves of Neil McMillan.

50 years ago

The marriage of Lee Ann Lait, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray N. Lait, of Ocoee, and John Hunter Claflin, son of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Claflin, of Falmouth Foreside, Maine, took place at the Ocoee United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Titus officiating. The western bypass was still alive. The long-discussed road that would route traffic off I-4 north of Orlando and input back into I-4 somewhere southwest of the congested downtown area, was back in the news.

30 years ago

SunBank, which had offices in Winter Garden and Ocoee, announced the formation of a local advisory board for this area. Those

serving were Bill Amidon, George Bailey, Derek Blakeslee, Dr. John Cappleman, Fred Crabtree, Glenn Jackson and Milton West.

20 years ago

Oakland Town Commissioner Willie Welch was recognized for serving more than 20 years on the Town Commission. The awards banquet was sponsored by the Florida League of Cities and gave recognition to elected officials and municipality staff for longtime service and commitment. Health Central honored dedicated employees at its annual service awards program. Some of the milestone awards were presented to 35-year employee Shirley Preston, of Health Central Park, and 30-year employee Elizabeth

Ireland, of pediatrics. Several were honored for more than 25 years: Jacqueline Frey, administration; Diane Victor, ambulatory surgery; Georgia Wise and Joyce Walls, Health Central Park nursing staff; and Lal Swaran, obstetrics/gynecology.

The Ninth Street Church of Christ broke ground for the construction of a new 8,060-squarefoot building that was to include a sanctuary with seating for 302. The ceremony included remarks from Winter Garden Police Chief George Brennan, City Commissioner Mildred Dixon, Building Committee chair Lonza Morgan Sr. and minister Xerxes Snell. The church was founded in 1939.

By Luis Campos

“PY FJPUPYK C YNDVW, FXVY PY BNGEU, XCDV UFN KGSZ TNAV UXJNGKX UXV BNNJ FPUX KGYZ.” JCSANYB TXCYBWVJ

“EX DU DUJOEWPOY NUJZK EX DU RXOCKUYP. RXO TXZ’E ZUUT EX DU JBBUVEUT DR XEIUCK. RXO ZUUT EX JBBUVE RXOCKUYP.” EIWBI ZIJE IJZI

UH, RIGHT by Sam Koperwas, edited by Jeff Chen

redpages@orangeobserver.com

Observer

Flip

But