ONE LONG NIGHT
Amy Quesinberry Price
A huge tree limb narrowly missed crashing into Oakland’s Historic Town Hall building.
Courtesy of Duke Energy
Duke Energy crews worked hard to restore power in Winter Garden after Milton.
Amy Quesinberry Price
Dawson Peek, 5, left, and Ethan Peek, 11, worked diligently to get their front yard cleaned up following the hurricane.
Courtesy photo An oak tree landed on one of the flooded sheds in the West Orange High School FFA yard.
Michael Eng
Hurricane Milton claimed the billboard on State Road 50 in front of Jowers Batteries.
Thomas Lightbody | TK Photography
AREA15 cancels SW Orange entertainment complex
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
AREA15 has announced the cancellation of its Orlando project previously planned for the Lake Buena Vista area and has listed the land for sale.
The property, bought two years ago, currently is unpriced. Owner AREA15 Orlando LLC bought the property in 2022 for $24.8 million, and the Orange County Property Appraiser values the land at $23 million.
The Las Vegas-based entertainment complex is known for its attractions and rides, events and entertainment, and curated food and dining experience.
The 17-acre parcel previously was earmarked for a 300,000-squarefoot, two-story complex, located on the southeast corridor of I-4 at the intersection of Lake Street and Regency Village Drive.
The project was supposed to break ground in spring 2023 and was planned to open this fall.
virtual-reality experiences, golf simulators, zip lines, restaurants and distilleries, as well as myriad events, such as concerts.
The second location of the entertainment complex in Orlando was announced in 2022, following the successful launch of the initial concept. The planned project was supposed to combine elements of an art museum, amusement park and mall. Included in the AREA15 plans from 2022, were 72,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor events spaces, with 34,000 square feet of interconnected SPINE free to the public, and 135,000 square feet of leasable space.
Kelly Finkelstein, senior public information officer with Orange County, said the project received approval from the county’s Development Review Committee in January 2023.
The project still would have had to go before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for approval before moving forward.
“The extraordinary, ongoing success of AREA15 Las Vegas and its robust, fast-paced expansion activities require our dedicated focus,” AREA15 CEO Winston Fisher said. “As a result, efforts to kick off a brand-new development from the ground up in Orlando have been put on pause. For now, we are exploring options, including the sale of the Orlando land parcel. Meanwhile, Orlando represents an outstanding destination for experiential entertainment, and we remain open to the prospect of a future AREA15 there when the timing is
Annabelle Sikes
Lake Street and Regency Village Drive.
OktoBEARfest to honor founder’s legacy
The seventh annual Bears Who Care OktoBEARfest 5K Fun Run & Walk will be dedicated to Kari Kron Schmitz, the president and founder of Bears Who Care, who lost her battle with cancer in January.
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
Kari Kron Schmitz was born with a fire in her belly. Her smile and warm presence lit up any room. Her heart was only matched by her passion, quick wit, stubbornness, sarcastic sense of humor, strong determination and resilience.
“Both Kari and I thought one of the most important things in our relationship was humor,” husband Tad Schmitz said. “It’s an underrated trait that brings people together. Life can be so hard and so weird. If you’re not laughing together or supporting each other, life can get really difficult. We always leaned on humor to get us through some of life’s toughest moments. We both really believed in that.”
Tad Schmitz and his daughter, Gwen — a 16-year-old at Horizon High School — now are continuing Kari Schmitz’s legacy and zest for life, following her death from a rare cancer in January.
Tad and Kari Schmitz are wellknown in the Horizon West community for co-founding Bears Who Care, a nonprofit organization that brings comfort and engages the imaginations of ill and disadvantaged children during times of need through teddy bears and books. The organization inspires
children to create happy memories for years to come.
“Kari had this undeniable passion for this charity and for life,” Tad Schmitz said. “She lost her parents at a young age, and I think it instilled in her the incredible high value of life.
You can only imagine how powerful that was.”
A FAMILY LEGACY
Tad and Kari Schmitz married in 2007 and founded Bears Who Care one year
later. The organization is dedicated to encouraging literacy and bringing comfort to a diverse student community — specifically those who are underrepresented, such as minorities and those who are economically disadvantaged.
The organization supports children between ages 1 and 12 in the Central Florida area who have been affected by an illness, injury, disaster or financial hardship.
Bears Who Care delivers plush
BEARS WHO CARE
WEBSITE: bearswhocare.org
INFORMATION: Those who are interested in partnering with Bears Who Care should reach out to Tad Schmitz, kari@bearswhocare.org or (407) 451-6441.
OKTOBEARFEST
WHEN: 5K, 7:30 a.m.; Kids Run, 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
WHERE: Orlando Health — Horizon West Hospital, 17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden REGISTER: bearswhocare. org/oktobearfest
teddy bears and books to the children and the organizations it serves. The teddy bears and books are purchased new and donated with no financial restitution expected in return. Bears Who Care is funded solely through donations, which means the nonprofit relies on corporations, organizations and individuals to help continue its efforts.
The organization has distributed more than 50,000 teddy bears and books since its creation.
Once contacted about a school in need, the organization travels with its supplies to the school, where the leaders often read a book to the students before gifting them with a bag, which includes a book and a teddy bear named Bailey.
Tad and Kari Schmitz were motivated to bring the charity to life by their desire to give back to the community, as well as to pay tribute to their family members.
The books were inspired by Kari Schmitz’s parents, Jon and Nancy Kron, and their love for reading and literacy. Her parents both were educators, with Nancy Kron serving as a remedial reading teacher and Jon Kron serving as a professor.
Tad Schmitz’s grandfather, Teddy, owned a tavern and was known to be very giving. The tavern hosted events during the holidays to give back to those in need. Tad Schmitz’s father also has continued that legacy on. The teddy bears represent comfort, security and warmth.
OKTOBEARFEST
Bears Who Care’s signature event is its OktoBEARfest 5K Fun Run and Walk,
which will celebrate its seventh year Oct. 20.
The event’s name pays tribute to Tad and Kari Schmitz, who both are from German heritage.
The healthy, family-friendly event allows locals to participate in-person or virtually and also includes a Kids Run.
Participants in the 5K will receive an official OktoBEARfest finisher medal, T-shirt, goody bag, race bib and finisher’s certificate, while participants in the Kids Run will earn an official OktoBEARfest finisher medal, goody bag, race bib and finisher’s certificate. After the two races, participants are invited to enjoy a morning of fun activities, including live entertainment, interactive sponsor booths, games, a scavenger hunt and prize giveaways.
Sponsors for the event include Orlando Health, Observer Media Group, Hamlin and Horizon West Happenings.
This year’s event will be extra special, because it will be dedicated to Kari Schmitz.
This year’s logo will showcase Bailey, the teddy bear, running through a finish line white ribbon, which represents support and advocacy for lung cancer, and the sleeve of this year’s T-shirts will show Bailey hugging a white ribbon, with the T-shirt reading “We run for Kari.”
ONE OF ONE
While most people after a full day of work and taking care of the family would be heading off to bed, Tad Schmitz said Kari Schmitz then would shift to Bears Who Care and work an additional three to four hours every night.
“She just had this extra gear that I think most people don’t necessarily have,” Tad Schmitz said. “That gear really kicked on and came to life with this charity. She had this amazing passion for it.”
Tad Schmitz said Kari Schmitz never asked for help with the distributions. On her own, she would rent a U-Haul, count and organize the materials needed at the nonprofit’s storage space, load up the U-Haul, drive to the distribution school, unload the materials, read to the children and give them their supplies, bring the U-Haul back, and then immediately go back to work.
She did all of this in addition to two other jobs. She spent about 26 years with Walt Disney World, where she served in marketing and as a VIP tour guide, and she also was an adjunct professor teaching creative presentation at Full Sail University.
“If something was in her way, she would never stop going at it until she figured out a way to get through it,” Gwen Schmitz said. “She never gave up, and she always kept going. She had this need and drive to accomplish something good. Even at the end, she never stopped. She got her diagnosis and just kept going.”
Tad and Gwen Schmitz ask that friends remember the passion and love Kari Schmitz had for giving back and being part of the community, as well as to take the time to learn about the Bears Who Care mission. Tad Schmitz said his wife was an amazing writer, and Gwen Schmitz was helping her to publish a children’s book centered around the story of Bailey.
The family would like to get the book published in Kari Schmitz’s memory.
In addition, the family plans to continue to build and grow the nonprofit and its board to help support the organization, as this is what Kari Schmitz would have wanted.
Annabelle Sikes
Gwen, left, and Tad Schmitz will continue on Kari Kron Schmitz’s legacy.
Courtesy photo
Heather Easterling, left, and Kari Kron Schmitz at a past OktoBEARfest event.
“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944
Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com
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Communities pick up the pieces following Milton
OBSERVER STAFF
Two years ago during Hurricane Ian, a giant tree uprooted and fell onto Sue Ann Reichard’s home in the Marina Bay community in Windermere. The damage was extensive — forcing the family to replace the home’s barrel-tile roof.
In the wee hours of the morning Thursday, Oct. 10, Reichard again heard the all-too-familiar sounds of wood bending and snapping to the will of hurricane-force winds outside.
Hurricane Milton had claimed another tree. But this time, the Reichards were lucky: It fell harmlessly to the ground.
Following its landfall on Siesta Key on Florida’s Gulf Coast at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton lumbered northeast on its way across the Florida peninsula.
Upon arrival to Orange County, Milton barraged West Orange and Southwest Orange communities with heavy winds and rains for most of the earlymorning hours. According to county officials, Milton dumped more than 10 inches of rain during its visit. The Winter Garden area received the most — up to 12 inches. The county experienced sustained winds of 56 mph and wind gusts of up to 87 mph. Central Florida also had 42 tornado warnings issued that night, with several confirmed touchdowns.
West Orange and Southwest Orange communities experienced widespread power outages, particularly in the town of Windermere. Duke Energy reported more than 91,000 of its Orange County customers lost power.
“We fared relatively well compared to the rest of the state of Florida,”
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those other communities who may have had worse outcomes.”
Demings said some areas of Orange County experienced flooding, with 600 properties suffering significant damage.
WINTER GARDEN
In Winter Garden, Mayor John Rees credited his entire city staff for their work before, during and after the hurricane. The night before the storm blew in, many city employees camped overnight at Winter Garden City Hall.
“I have to give it to all of our staff,” he said. “Some of them worked straight through, some were on call; after the storm came through, they were there at 6 a.m. until dark. We have our contractors who were on call. Our trucks have been working nonstop. The (Recreation) Department has been working on the ball fields.
“Our entire staff has worked tirelessly,” Rees said. “It’s been pretty much 24/7. I talked to (City Manager) Jon (C. Williams) early morning, late at night all weekend; they’ve been on top of it. … I think our citizens see it, they appreciate it. Our town will be cleaned up before you know it.”
At West Orange High School, the day after the storm, members of the FFA were on campus salvaging everything they could from the ag yard, which had severe flooding, said Jessica Strom, agriscience teacher and FFA adviser. A patch of bamboo fell and crushed the livestock fencing. Several oak trees fell, including one on the shed that stores supplies and hay and feed for the sheep.
“We ended up losing all of that,”
Strom said. “We went out today to try to restore some of that. … It was flooded about three feet up, about halfway, and the tree falling on it didn’t help. That shed is a complete wash. The rest of the yard was pretty much flooded about three feet.
“Our rabbit barn and pig barn were both flooded,” she said. “The goat and lamb stalls were also flooded.”
Strom was waiting for the water to completely recede so she could assess the total damage.
West Orange High’s FFA program has about 75 animal projects, 60 of which live on campus. The program includes rabbits, pigs, goat, sheep, chickens and a steer. Students took the rabbits home; most of the other animals remained on campus. Strom kept the stalls open so the animals were free to roam or seek shelter. The stalls are built up on a mound, she said; however, four still flooded.
Thankfully, there were no injuries or loss of life, Strom said.
She’s grateful for the FFA parents for
their work after the hurricane.
“They really have been the backbone, because you can’t always be anywhere at once,” she said. “One student’s dad works for the fire station, and he came out and made sure no power lines were down, especially in that water. He checked it for us and helped cut down the trees in the paths.”
An FFA parent set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $5,000 to rebuild. To make a donation, visit bit. ly/402B7cE.
HORIZON WEST/SW ORANGE
Communities in Horizon West fared relatively well during Hurricane Milton. Most neighborhoods did not lose power, and the majority of damage included fallen tree branches, fences and street signage.
In the late-morning hours of Oct. 10, there was some flooding along Reams Road. However, the road was drivable.
Demings said in the days that followed, localized flooding remained a concern as water moved around.
“There is some amount of flooding reported along the Reams Road area near Floridian Way, as well as at the intersection of Reams Road, Ficquette Road and Summerlake Park Boulevard,” he said. The county launched a pumping
operation and barricades in the area to address the flooding.
After closing for part of Oct. 9 and 10, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando reopened to guests Friday, Oct. 11.
WINDERMERE
Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien said the town was well prepared for the storm.
“Wind speeds of almost 100 mph, combined with 13 inches of rainfall caused widespread power outages, washed out roadways and brought down many large trees,” he said. “Prestorm, I encouraged all residents to remain in contact with one another by creating text groups of their neighbors, to pool their resources together and to look after one another if they had severe impacts during the storm.
During Hurricane Charley, many residents had large trees on their homes, which compromised the structural integrity of those homes and left neighbors without a safe place to ride out the remainder of the storm.”
As a community, O’Brien said Windermere was fortunate to have no injuries and minimal damage.
“Once Milton passed, the sunrise showed that residents did a great job of checking in on everyone and making certain that everyone was safe,”
he said. “While town residents went right to cleaning up their yards, public works, police and administration conducted damage assessments, checked in on our vulnerable neighbors (CARES Program), and activated our emergency standby contracts for clearing critical roadways and removing any debris that compromised the power grid. The Family Church Volunteer Chainsaw Brigade worked for hours to remove dangerous trees and helped to make the cleanup go quickly and safely. Residents helped to feed our staff and volunteers, and, by the end of the first day, power had been restored to approximately half of the residents, and key roadway were clear and able to provide emergency access to all residents should they require assistance.”
The community came together Saturday, Oct. 12, to help clean up the area’s parks.
Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden said he is grateful the town made it through the hurricane without any life-threatening incidents.
“I want to thank our officers for their willingness to sacrifice time with their own families by staying at the police department throughout the storm, ensuring they were available to serve our residents,” he said. “Our town administrative staff and
Courtesy photo
The bike path near the Independence community in Horizon West flooded during Hurricane Milton.
Amy Quesinberry Price A home under construction on Oakland Avenue escaped major damage from this downed tree.
Courtesy photo
The storm damaged the Sunoco gas station sign on Plant Street.
Courtesy photo
Windermere resident Bill Martini’s dock was partly submerged following the storm.
Courtesy photo The Fruta Mix location in Ocoee sustained major damage.
public works team did an outstanding job mitigating and responding to the damages, including fallen trees and cleanup efforts. It was wonderful to see the community come together to clean up Town Square.”
Windermere resident Joe Ferst, executive vice president and general manager at Hotwire Communications, said Central Florida has shown himself and his family the true meaning of community.
“As Hurricane Milton approached, we all came together — friends, neighbors and community leaders — to check in with (one another) and offer support,” he said. “ During the storm, my wife and I hunkered down with our three young children, all aged 8 and younger, keeping them entertained with movies, games and snacks, while heavy rain, strong winds and even tornadoes tore through the area. From a business perspective, the Hotwire team, including executives and our incredible team of network engineers, proactively monitored our network 24/7, so they could identify and respond to any potential issues before they affected services.”
OCOEE
Crystal Smalldon purchased her Ocoee home in February 2022 off South Lakeshore Drive in Ocoee.
This year, she put a new roof on the home, as well as replaced all of her doors and windows. She also piped the entire house, updated and fixed the electric, and purchased a new hot water heater and new appliances. She spent more than $100,000 on upgrades.
“I did everything that I was supposed to do, and I had zero concerns going into Hurricane Milton that I would have a single issue,” Smalldon said.
She was devastated when about two hours after the rain started she saw her entire front entryway was flooded.
“I couldn’t understand what was happening or why, given I had a brandnew door with brand new framing put in not even six months ago,” she said. “So, I called my partner immediately and said, ‘I need your help.’ He came out front and started helping me soak up the water. It was coming through every crevice of the door. We couldn’t get it to stop coming in. It was coming from absolutely everywhere.”
The couple went to the garage to
grab some tools to help and realized the garage was flooded, too.
“I mean, the ceiling is coming in, so the roof has taken on water, and we’re like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Smalldon said. “We’re trying to find our (Shop Vac), but we’re missing the hose. We can’t find it. We’re like, forget it. We’re just going to make-shift this. So, we get a bucket and we make a hole. We put a PVC pipe and drain it out, so that all the water would fall into the bucket and drain out the garage. Did we want to have a garage door open during a hurricane? No, but we didn’t really have a choice. It was already going to be destroyed. So, we had it open a little bit, but it was just too much rain. So, we close the garage, and we let the PVC pipe drain it down to the bottom of the garage.”
Then, they began to hear a noise like a freight train coming through. The entire front, middle half of the garage was coming down.
“Our garage is destroyed, so we come in the house, and I’m again trying to clean up the massive flood in my front foyer area, and I can hear this automatic dripping,” she said. “I look over, and the living room roof area where my window is just pouring water inside my house. ... We abandoned the door, and we ran to the living room and started executing the living room retrieval. Then, to make matters worse, we finally got that under control — keep in mind the hurricane has not even hit landfall yet — and we notice there is water coming in the foundation of the tile floor in the living room. So, all in all, my house is basically destroyed.”
Smalldon has only been in the United States for two years, and her hurricane deductible is $60,000.
“No one told me it would happen like this, or that hurricane deductibles are separate or so high,” she said. “I did not know any of these things, so now my house is destroyed. ... The community has really stepped up to support us, including my work colleagues. It’s been really fantastic, but at the same time there is a lot of water damage. … Every last upgrade failed. So, what kind of awful work has been done that I now have to redo a significant portion or have to repair a significant portion of my home when I’ve already spent all the money to do that? It’s just absolutely disgusting, and I am horrified this is the situation
I am currently in, because $60,000 is too much of a deductible to manage for anyone, and there’s so much water damage that it’s got to be done. We don’t have another option.”
Overall, Smalldon said the support of the community has been incredible.
“I said those words, ‘I am not OK,’ and I received messages and so much support,” she said. “Normally, I’m the one supporting people who aren’t OK. I’m usually always OK. I’m happy and I’m thankful for all of my blessings, but I’m never the one to say I’m not OK. At that moment when I blurted out that I’m not OK, everyone came running. I seriously can’t believe how much support this community gave me in the moment when I felt my weakest, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay all of these random strangers for that moment of support when I simply said I am not OK.”
Santia McKoy, an Ocoee-based fashion designer, and her family are some of the local residents that have banded together to help those in need.
The McKoys put together a few home-cooked meals to donate to three families in need who lost power.
“God placed it on my heart,” she said. “I’m truly thankful that God protected myself and my family throughout the storm — no damages, our power stayed on and my entire family was safe. In light of this, I feel an even deeper responsibility to help those who weren’t so fortunate to share the same fate. To be without power and food in the wake of such a devastating hurricane is disheartening, and I want to do anything in my power to support those in need.”
OAKLAND
Oakland Mayor Shane Taylor was pleased with the town’s constant communication between the departments and with residents.
“What we did as a town was to communicate to the residents the importance of preparing prior to the storm and to reiterate that the town of Oakland was ready to handle any situation the storm threw our way,” he said. “We believe this resonated and was appreciated by the town’s residents.”
Following the hurricane, Taylor drove around town assessing damage and talking with residents.
“Overall, the town fared very well,” he said. “Our town staff’s preparations were a contributing factor in that out-
come. We did lose several large trees, street signs damaged, power poles and power lines broke in half and did witness private property damage with trees on roofs of homes and, in most instances, causing structural damage.”
After the storm, residents were out cleaning up their yards, helping their neighbors, waiting for power to be restored and ready to move on, he said. Department heads provided posthurricane reports, and Taylor was grateful for the team effort.
Prior to the storm, the Public Works crew had cleared Hurricane Helene debris; cleaned storm drains; secured loose items; boarded up Town Hall; delivered dirt for sandbags daily; and fueled vehicles, machinery and equipment. In just 48 hours, more than 2,800 sandbags were distributed to more than 250 households.
The Utilities Department fueled and placed generators at lift stations and the water plant to ensure uninterrupted service throughout and after the storm, despite power outages.
Once conditions were safe, Public Works returned to clear roadways and assess damage.
“The team has been hard at work every day since, rapidly restoring access to many of our most commonly used areas, and they still have a lot of work ahead of them,” Taylor said.
The Oakland Police Department coordinated with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to establish an Emergency Operations Center in Oakland, staffed overnight by Chief Darron Esan, officers and Public Works Director Mike Parker.
Following the storm, officers quickly responded to hazardous intersections, including downed power lines at Tubb Street and Oakland Avenue.
While most residents fared well in the hurricane, one family wasn’t so lucky.
Jeff and Maureen Jacobson had prepared their house for the storm, boarding up all their thin windows and having their teenage daughter, Hannah, remove everything important out of her bedroom.
“She took her Bible, she took some other personal things, and in our living room, we took things off the wall and removed things away from the window,” Maureen Jacobson said.
Jeff Jacobson and Hannah fell asleep, but Maureen Jacobson couldn’t.
“My concern in Oakland is we have a lot of trees around our home, and every little thing that hit my roof, it scared me,” she said. “It was absolutely 100% terrifying. It was one of the scariest things in my life. At 3:15 (a.m.), my power went out. … The second the lights went out, I kept praying, ‘Jesus, make it stop.’ … I hugged my tree the day before and literally cried with my tree — that’s where my peacocks live and the squirrels stay. I said, ‘Mr. Tree, if you have to fall, can you please try to fall toward the road and not my house?”
But it didn’t happen that way. The tree fell right onto the Jacobsons’ home on Nixon Street — above the living room and Hannah’s bedroom — penetrating the 2-year-old roof. It was the third blow in two weeks for the family. The Jacobsons have been without one car while it’s being repaired, and they had to put their dog to sleep a few weeks ago.
“This was literally the breaking point, but we kept our faith, and we’re getting through this,” Maureen Jacobson said.
Issues with their insurance company compounded the loss when the Jacobsons had the tree removed from the house, which nullified the insurance agreement, she said. Besides the house, the family also lost their chicken coop and barn.
But, in the aftermath of the storm’s chaos, the Jacobsons experienced the benefits of living in a small town: Neighbors donated tarps, offered to patch the roof, and stopped by with rakes and other tools to help clean up the giant mess in their yard.
“The mayor stopped by, the chief of police stopped by, people have driven by on golf carts and asked to help,” Maureen Jacobson said. “We have been blessed in this town with great people.”
She has been an advocate for local animals for years and was saddened by the loss of this tree that was home to squirrels and five of the town’s peacocks.
After roaming the neighborhood the day after the hurricane, the peacocks returned to their tree, Maureen Jacobson said.
“They all survived; we’re all doing good,” she said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the Jacobson family. To donate, visit bit.ly/3NnYZQq.
Near
BAPTIST
First Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Grosshans
125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352
Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana
EPISCOPAL
Church of the Messiah
241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 AM, 4 PM (French & Creole), 7 PM www.ChurchoftheMessiah. com
METHODIST First United Methodist
Oakland selects new auditor
Purvis Gray will provide contracted auditing services for the town.
AMY
QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
An audit selection committee formed in August to determine the town of Oakland’s next auditor has selected Purvis Gray from the four proposals received.
The committee, comprising Mayor Shane Taylor, Ken Bresnahan, Scott Gordon and Steve Stanford, met three times in September to review the proposals and rank them based on firm qualifications and experience, management and staff experience, methodology, and pricing.
IN OTHER NEWS
n In a memo to the Oakland Town Commission, finance director Gaby Leon outlined the water rate increase for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The rates are based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers. The minimum bill for residential water will increase by 61 cents, from $20.40 to $21.01. The city of Clermont, which handles Oakland’s wastewater, had not sent notification of the rate increase amount by the time of the meeting. The minimum bill for residential wastewater will increase by 95 cents from $19 to $19.95; residential wastewater usage of 1,000 gallons and above will increase from $7.25 to $7.73.
n Commissioners proclaimed Oct. 21 through 27 Florida City Government Week.
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH
PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee
Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com
After choosing their top three firms, committee members determined the top two firms were tied for first. Both firms appeared before the committee Sept. 30 for 30-minute presentations followed by a question-and-answer segment.
The selected firm, Purvis Gray, had rankings in the high 90s, and selection committee members said they were extremely impressed by the inperson proposal.
PREPARING FOR MILTON
n The commission accepted the consent agenda, which included giving approval for assignments identified as out-of-field at Oakland Avenue Charter School. Fourteen teachers currently hold Florida certification in core academics, such as elementary education, and can be placed in assignments outside core academics if course work is completed within required periods. A few teachers are finishing coursework for English Speakers of Other Languages to complete in-field requirements and/or gifted.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
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The commission ratified a proclamation declaring a state of local emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall. At the time of the meeting, the hurricane was more than 24 hours away from Oakland, and, already, the town had distributed more than 2,800 sandbags in 48 hours. Linemen were staging in The Villages in preparation for the storm.
n Assistant Town Manager Elise Hui said the town has scheduled the installation of a new audiovisual system in Oakland Meeting Hall, and it should be operational by the next Town Commission meeting Nov. 12.
To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com
Town staff remained busy last week, securing sandbags, making sure there was enough sand available, and preparing the parks and town properties for the hurricane.
“As long as there is power, there will be water,” Taylor said. “If we lose power, there’s a backup generator.”
He requested residents turn off their irrigation systems for this and any future hurricanes to avoid stress on the generator.
“This is our time to show everyone how Oakland really is down in our spirit,” Commissioner Sal Ramos said. “Trees might not be down on your property, but they might be down on your neighbor’s.”
n Registration has begun for the annual Trees of the Season, an annual holiday event in which residents and businesses are invited to decorate a Christmas tree in hope of winning prizes and bragging rights. It will be held in the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, 136 W. Petris Ave. The grand opening is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16 with seasonal crafts, arctic cocoa, cookies, Elf on the Shelf and more.
n The commission discussed holding a golf cart parade through town following the Santa’s Lane event Saturday, Dec. 7. Updates will be provided.
NEWS BRIEFS
HERE’S HOW TO DISPOSE OF YOUR MILTON DEBRIS
GRAB A CUP OF JOE WITH OCOEE POLICE
Ba da ba ba baaaaaa! The Ocoee Police Department will host its next Coffee with a Cop event under the Golden Arches.
The OPD event takes place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the McDonald’s location at 11131 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee. There is no agenda or speeches planned. This is just a chance for community members to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the officers in their neighborhood — all while enjoying an Egg McMuffin and a cup of coffee.
Three Orange County drop-off sites will accept non-commercial yard waste, including leaves, branches and other natural debris. The sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 20. The sites are: Conway Water Treatment Plant, 3590 Manatee St., Orlando; Harrell Road, 8503 Trevarthon Road, Orlando; and Zellwood Maintenance Unit, 3500 Golden Gem Road, Apopka. The sites will accept only loose vegetative debris — no bags or containers. White goods (large household appliances) and other household items will not be accepted.
Contractors, lawn care or commercial companies are prohibited from using these drop-off sites.
For more information, contact officer Andrea Sanders, (407) 905-3160, Ext. 3024, or asanders@ ocoee.org.
Upon arrival, residents must present a valid driver’s license, utility bill or other official document verifying Orange County residency. Residents can use the county’s interactive map to find their nearest drop-off site.
Plans progress on east Winter Garden design
The city hosted a presentation on the East Winter Garden Draft Form-Based Code and the new street, intersection and public space designs for the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood.
ANNABELLE SIKES
NEWS EDITOR
A Historic East Winter Garden Design Workshop was held Oct. 3 at the Healthy West Orange building in Winter Garden.
Residents heard an informative presentation on the East Winter Garden Draft Form-Based Code and the new street, intersection and public space designs for the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood, as well as how the projects are implementing the East Winter Garden Plan.
Following the presentation, there was a question-and-answer session that gave attendees a chance to provide input.
Winter Garden Planning Director Kelly Carson said the city has plans to redevelop the entire east Winter Garden community, but the central focus area is a good starting point.
Community leaders at the workshop emphasized plans take time, and if one were to tally the cost of every recommendation, rendering and illustrative plan in the report, it would far exceed the city’s budget for many years.
Chloe Johnson, commissioner for the district, was pleased with the feedback.
“It was an important step in showing our residents that we are moving forward together,” she said. “Their participation in decision-making ensured that their voices were truly heard, reinforcing the idea that we are stronger as a community when we work together. This level of involvement is very important, as it allows residents to engage in what matters most to them. The memories they create now will endure, as they continue to be a part of the future of our community.”
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
The East Winter Garden Plan was created with the direct input of residents of east Winter Garden to shape the
future of the neighborhood — particularly the area between Plant Street and the railroad tracks and between Ninth and 11th streets.
The city adopted the plan, which represents a culmination of many meetings and community input, in 2018.
The big ideas of the plan involve One Winter Garden; increasing homeownership and housing options; improving health and recreation, safety and security; integrating safe, comfortable and interesting streets; adding new destinations within walking and biking distance (but new development should be respectful of context); continuing support for initiatives underway; and making the former technical college into a community asset.
Implementation adopted in 2018 included new housing, such as Habitat for Humanity housing and Green Oaks Row housing; businesses, such as The Beauty Society on Plant Street; and new public facilities, such as the Winter Garden Community Garden and new sidewalk connections.
A community meeting in 2022 provided updates to the plan.
The city is using Community Redevelopment Agency funds to implement the plan.
In 2019, the CRA was directed by the City Commission to invest 75% of its Tax Increment Financing revenues in east Winter Garden. That increment was expected to range from $20 million to $30 million over the life of the CRA.
PLAN UPDATES
Equity planning is creating options for people who wouldn’t otherwise have them. This type of planning is committed to providing every neighborhood with the necessities of life, such as affordable housing, reliable public transport and emergency services; and quality-of-life elements, such as attractive neighborhoods, interesting destinations, and parks and trails within walking distance.
The overlay allows new residential building types to what already is allowed by zoning, as well as neigh-
borhood commercial along Center Street and at key intersections.
The East Winter Garden Neighborhood Code establishes form-based districts, where each area is defined by particular characteristics that correspond with building placement, building form and frontage standards, all which influence the level of walkability and vibrancy in a particular place.
A Form-Based Code is a zoning code that focuses on the physical form of buildings, public spaces and streets rather than land use and density.
The form-based districts for the east Winter Garden neighborhood include gateway destination, neighborhood core, neighborhood center and residential neighborhood.
For example, in the residential neighborhood area, buildings are required to be street-oriented and typically detached. The intent of the zone is to maintain a suburban character similar to the surrounding single-family neighborhoods, which surround the neighborhood core and neighborhood center. Among other details, buildings in this zone are residential and are set back farther from the street on larger lots.
Leaders explained the overlay is optional, and nothing currently allowed is disallowed. New uses also are allowed.
“This is adding density,” said Jason King, vice president and senior project director for Dover, Kohl & Partners town planning firm. “It’s adding houses and rooftops to the neighborhood, and there’s disadvantages to that. Density, in this case, only comes with public benefits, density bonuses. So, as the development in the community builds, there are public benefits that come.”
Bonuses that offer a public benefit include workforce housing, community social service provider space, locally owned commercial spaces and park spaces.
“The code would also allow small,
INFORMATION
Read more about the plan: shorturl.at/BCF8H
neighborhood-serving commercial at certain specific intersections close to Center Street,” King said. “That way, there can be small, affordable businesses. It is difficult to start a business or even to rent a space on Plant Street. The idea here is that there are certain spots within the neighborhood where local entrepreneurs could have a chance to do great things.”
The streetscape plan includes key elements, such as redesign areas, a new community park, a new circular park and a new roundell, a structure that helps calm traffic.
The new park will be the gateway into Historic East Winter Garden, and the space will be able to be used for local events.
Trees to be planted include live oaks, holly, cabbage palms and crepe myrtles.
The parks will include site-furnishing elements, such as benches, bike racks, bollards, lights, pavers, planters, trash receptacles and even historical markers.
The roundell is planned for Center and 10th streets.
The project would be developed in phases, with the city considering starting with the park area.
Because the plans are conceptual, the city has not yet received cost estimates.
While many residents expressed excitement for the potential changes, not all residents agreed.
Regulations would need to be put together in an ordinance, which would require public hearings in front of the Planning and Zoning Board, as well as the City Commission.
“I am deeply grateful for the city’s work on revitalization in our historic community,” Danykqua Faulk, One Winter Garden board president, said. “The recent meeting was highly productive, and I believe things have been progressing so well largely due to the city’s commitment to engaging residents at every step of the process.”
Courtesy image
This image shows the Community Redevelopment Area, including the area of the east Winter Garden community.
IN OTHER NEWS
n The timeline for Vision 2050 — the far-reaching set of updates to the county’s comprehensive plan, which has been in the works for eight years — has been extended because of several parties coming forward with concerns about the plan in the months leading up to its adoption.
n In the County Commission’s Sept. 24 consent agenda, a proportionate share agreement was approved for the developer of Shoppes at Lakeview to pay $332,190 toward improvements to Ficquette and Reams roads.
n Also in the Sept. 24 consent agenda, commissioners approved a proportionate share agreement for the developer of Willamar Country Estates to pay $126,404 for improvements to Winter GardenVineland Road.
n In the Sept. 10 consent agenda, funding for primary care services for a one-year term were approved in three separate contracts: Central Florida Family Health Center, $1,703,642; Community Health Centers Inc., $897, 382; and Shepherd’s Hope, $150,000. These contracts will procure primary medical care services to an estimate of 67,250 uninsured and underinsured patients in Orange County.
n Also on the Sept. 10 consent agenda, commissioners approved a license agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County, allowing them to use the Maxey Community Center in Winter Garden for services benefiting the public. Habitat for Humanity will provide residents with comprehensive financial counseling and services. This includes help with money management, budgeting, debt reduction, credit improvement, savings building, and access to safe and affordable banking. In addition, the Financial Empowerment Center will bring together like-minded partners who are providing complementary programs and services, such as Undue Medical Debt Relief, Career Source Central Florida, Cooperative Extension/IFAS, Community Action and Goodwill Industries.
County considers noise pollution control ordinance
Orange County’s Environmental Protection Division has hired a consultant to conduct a thorough review of the current ordinance and provide recommendations for revision.
ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS
Editor’s note: County Level is a monthly feature that highlights the most impactful actions taken by the Orange County Commission.
Discussion on the possibility of a new noise pollution control ordinance led Orange County Board of County Commissioners actions at their September meetings. Several other decisions also were made that impact West Orange and Southwest Orange.
NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
At its Sept. 10 meeting, the County Commission heard a presentation from the county’s Environmental Protection Division, who has hired a consultant to conduct a thorough review of the current noise pollution control ordinance, as well as provide recommendations for revision.
Based on this work session, staff will draft a new noise ordinance to help better protect the area’s peace and quiet.
EPD representatives said they were directed by Orange County about a year ago to begin the process.
“This was the result after receiving an increase in complaints from residents that indicated that our noise ordinance was limited or ineffective in response,” representatives said.
“Some felt that noise was being weaponized or used as legalized harassment. … The increase in complaints are specific to residential sources or commercial sites, with the source being music in most cases.”
The county’s current noise ordinance was adopted in 1986. This would be the ordinance’s fourth revision since.
The ordinance regulates noise and vibration throughout unincorporated Orange County only and is implemented by the EPD and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The ordinance is in place to regulate and manage any excessive noise, with the goal of providing a positive quality of life for residents, as well as a positive experience for the many visitors Orange County receives throughout the year.
Noise disturbances are measured by three ways in the ordinance: equivalent sound pressure levels, plainly audible standard and breach of the peace.
EPD receives an average of 100 complaints specific to noise per year.
If a noise complaint is received, the EPD citizen services coordinator determines if a potential violation exists, before issuing a warning of a potential violation letter to the property owner. If additional complaints are received within 30 days, noise meter monitoring is set up. Data is collected and interpreted to verify if a violation has occurred, and a noticeof-violation letter is sent if data indicates violation. A violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.
From June 2023 to June 2024, 42 warning letters were issued and zero notice-of-violation letters were issued.
The OCSO enforces sounds emanating from residential and commercial sites, which may involve the consumption of alcohol or any suspected illegal activities, as well as noise disturbance complaints involving “breach of the peace.”
Officers receive an estimated 15,000 noise disturbance calls per year. About 85% of the calls are related to residential complaints, such as music, vibrations, fireworks or yelling, while about
15% are related to commercial complaints, such as from bars, night clubs and restaurants.
Officers respond to a complaint, give a verbal warning, give a written warning and take action if noncompliance continues by issuing a civil citation to the violator. An offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.
From June 2023 to June 2024, 13 civil citations were issued.
The county is continuing to discuss the ordinance, and the ordinance will come back for the board to review at a date in the near future.
REAMS ROAD PD AMENDMENT
Also at its Sept. 10 meeting, commissioners approved an amendment request for the Patterson Planned Development.
Applicant Jim Hall, Hall Development Services, was requesting to increase the development program by 94 units, for a total of 598 multi-family residential units. The PD currently is partially developed with a 308-unit multi-family development.
The site is located on the west of Reams Road, east of Seidel Road and south of Summerlake Park Boulevard.
The PD originally was approved June 26, 2001, and currently allows for 504 multi-family residential units.
A motion was made by District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, which received a second, to deem the development inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and deny the request. That motion failed.
The request was approved 6-1, with Wilson dissenting.
GREEN PLACE PARCEL
On the Sept. 24 consent agenda, the commission approved and executed an agreement of sale and purchase for Green PLACE parcel 222 in District 1.
The 361-acre property, located off Kilgore Road, was purchased for conservation for $1,386,000.
Orange County created the Green PLACE — Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection — program to acquire and protect environmentally sensitive lands in the 1990s. By 2009, the county had acquired more than 23,000 acres through purchase, donation or partnership.
WINDERMERE ADU VARIANCE At its Sept. 10 meeting, the BCC also discussed and passed the Sorenson Construction case in Windermere. Applicant Sorenson Construction Inc. requested two variances. The first was to allow a 2,858-square-foot attached Accessory Dwelling Unit, in lieu of a maximum 1,000-squarefoot, and the second was to allow an ADU with a separate entrance at the front of the property at 2608 Midsummer Drive, Windermere, in lieu of the side or rear.
Wilson made a motion for a continuance of the public hearing, but the motion died for lack of a second. The item then was approved 5-1, with Wilson dissenting.
LAND USE PLAN
VINELAND
At its Sept. 24 meeting, county commissioners approved unanimously the Vineland Land Use Plan.
Applicant Terra-Max Engineering Inc. was requesting to rezone a 1.21acre subject property — located north of Sixth Street and west of South Apopka-Vineland Road within the Buena Vista North Overlay District — from Country Estate District to Planned Development District, with a proposed development program of 15,500 square feet of office uses. The request included one waiver from code to allow for flexibility in the building-based landscaping. County staff said the request was in line with the site’s current Future Land Use designation — Office.
SPORTS
Being a four-sport athlete is just the tip of the iceberg for Avery Bangsund, one of Foundation Academy’s most well-rounded student-athletes. Page 2B.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Dr. Phillips (6-0) vs. Edgewater (5-2)
1
College basketball is coming back to Southwest Orange County, as Disney has announced the dates and fields for the ESPN Events Invitational and the NIT Season Tip-Off at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Nov. 28-29.
The field of four teams competing in the 18th ESPN Events Invitational will be Florida, Minnesota, Wake Forest and Wichita State, while Utah State, St. Bonaventure, Northern Iowa and North Texas make up the NIT four-team field.
Each game from the pair of two-day tournaments will be played at the State Farm Field House. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bit. ly/4090wkX.
2West Orange High senior baseball player Parker Hohnstock has announced his commitment to play college ball at Saint Leo University.
3
Windermere High boys golf tied with Lake Mary High for second at Winter Park High’s Birdies for the Brain Invitational and Fundraiser. The annual tournament raises money to fight Alzheimer’s, with each birdie made equaling a donation. The Wolverines finished with a team score of 295, three strokes behind tournament champions Circle Christian Academy (292). The First Academy finished fourth, two strokes behind Windermere.
On the individual front, Windermere senior Cameron Baez and TFA sophomore Joshua Castellanos had the best finishes of any other area golfers — both shooting a 71, along with Circle Christian’s Karl Stenson over the 18 holes at Rio Pinar Golf Club. The trio tied for fourth.
4
Windermere Prep has announced the field, date and matchups for the annual Orlando Health Hoopfest hosted by the Lakers. The all-day boys high school hoops showcase will be Dec. 7 on the school’s campus and will feature six total games.
The home team kicks off the action at noon as the Lakers junior varsity boys team takes on Cardinal Newman. At 1:30 p.m., Cypress Creek High faces Cardinal Newman’s Varsity team, followed by Bishop Moore Catholic lining up against the Providence School Stallions at 3 p.m.
Windermere High leads off the back-end trio of Hoopfest games—all of which feature an area team — as it takes on Gateway Charter at 4:30 p.m. Windermere Prep then faces Bartow High at 6 p.m., followed by the event’s last game — the Olympia Titans take on the Episcopal School Eagles at 7:30 p.m.
5The King of Darkness Waterski Festival is returning to Horizon West Saturday, Oct. 26. The event is free and will feature food trucks and a site-wide beer/cocktail garden for the adults, as well as ice cream and face paintings for childrens. Along with all the festival fun, this professional water ski tournament — will have $50,000 in prize money up for grabs The event will take place at 14600 Pylon Court in Winter Garden. For more information visit kingofdarkness.org or email info@kingofdarkness.org.
POCKET PRESENCE
With a 6-0 record, the Panthers are on their way to an undefeated regular season record, led in large part to thirdyear starting quarterback Stanley Anderson-Lofton.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
r. Phillips High football coach Rodney Wells knows ball; he has been around the game for more than 30 years.
As a player in the 1990s, he led the Panthers’ defense as an All-State linebacker before earning a scholarship to play at Syracuse University.
Wells returned to his alma mater in 2005 to become the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, and in 2011, he was promoted to head coach.
Given his experience — and the fact that he’s the most successful football coach in West Orange and Southwest Orange — when he makes a statement about high school football, you should probably shut up, listen and assume he is correct.
This is one of those moments.
This is what Wells said about his 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior starting quarterback, Stanley AndersonLofton.
“He can do it all,” Wells said. “Stanley’s the best quarterback in Central Florida, because he can beat you with his feet, which we hadn’t
really done yet. … He can make every single throw on the field. His intelligence is off the charts, and as he’s maturated in this offense, that he’s been in since ninth grade, he’s mastered it. He knows every part of it, knows where everybody should be at all times.”
POTENTIAL TO PRODUCTION
It was clear at a young age Anderson-Lofton had the “it” factor quarterbacks need to be special. As he’s developed, both mentally and physi-
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
The boys high school basketball season in West Orange and Southwest Orange is quickly approaching, with practices officially kicking off at the end of October. If you take a peek around the area’s teams, yet again, it appears that high school hoops fans are in for another season of high-level basketball, as the
Dr. Phillips QB Stanley Anderson-Lofton is ready to lead the Panthers to states.
Sam Albuquerque
ATHLETE
Avery Bangsund
THE BASICS Age: 18 Sport: Girls soccer Grade: Senior School: Foundation Academy SPONSORED BY
Foundation Academy senior Avery Bangsund, a West Virginia Wesleyan women’s soccer commit, is a seven-time All-District team selection for the Lions girls soccer team — having played on varsity since the sixth grade — and was named team captain last season.
In addition to being a key player on the soccer team, she also is a member of the Foundation crosscountry, the track-and-field and weightlifting teams. Beyond her four-sport schedule, Bangsund also finds time to participate in a litany of extracurricular activities, such as being the president of the school’s Quill and Scroll International Honors Society, the co-president of the culinary club, and parliamentarian of both the environmental club and the Daughters Growing in Grace Bible Study group. She also is a member of the Student Leadership Institute, AV club, spirit club, Spanish club and literature club — and participates in a variety of faith-based activities and groups.
in all my life is finally showing through. With everything that is happening, I just feel like I am accomplishing all I have worked toward and can’t wait to see where it leads me.
What do you like the most about soccer?
I like (its) complexity ... and how every small thing ultimately works together to create this beautiful game that so many love to watch and play.
What is your biggest goal for this season?
I want to enjoy my last year with my team, win as many games as we can and win districts. Another goal I have this season is to improve as a player.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from soccer?
Soccer has taught me how to adapt to my surroundings and also has given me the courage to step outside of my comfort zone to try skills I may not be good at.
Who is your favorite athlete?
My favorite athlete is Tim Tebow, because he was not only really good at his sport but also used his platform to share God’s word.
was the first time we had won since I had been on the team, and everyone was so excited. It was a moment where the whole team saw their hard work pay off, and it gave us motivation to go win it again the year after.
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
A Gatorade, Body Armor or Vitamin Water with a turkey sandwich. I also like to have M&M’s as a little sugar boost.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Math, because I love the feeling of knowing what I am doing and understanding how I can use it in the real world.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
A water bottle, flint, so I can make fire, and a genie to make wishes for more things I might need.
What is your favorite movie?
“Knives Out,” because I love watching mystery movies.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
One of Jesus’ apostles. I would ask them what it was like to live and be taught by Jesus.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I would want to go back to the 1980s because of the amazing music.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Be yourself. Not everyone is going to like you or be nice to you, so just keep being the best version of you.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
How many countries have we visited and where have we been?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Spider-Man, because he is a teenager going through life like I am while also dealing with trying to save the world.
Who is your favorite supervil-
Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz from the TV show “Phineas and Ferb,” because he was the funniest villain from my childhood.
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to the Maldives to stay in the water, Rome to see all the pretty views and Scotland to see highland cows.
What is your most controversial food take?
I love eating lemons straight up.
Does pineapple belong on Pizza is a personal decision; you do you.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
DP quarterback leading Panthers to historic season
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
cally, Anderson-Lofton has been at the center of Dr. Phillips’ resurgence to being the championshipcaliber team Panther Nation is used to seeing take the field at Bill Spoone Stadium.
“He came in with the confidence you need to be great; he’s had that since ninth grade,” Wells said. “But the biggest thing he’s done that’s improved his game is how he’s developed physically and mentally. … When he first got here, he was short and stubby, and now he’s 6-foot-2 and has a six-pack. That’s a perfect example of the effort he puts into his game. From working out with the track team to playing basketball, he’s been committed to developing his body and improving his conditioning.”
From Anderson-Lofton’s perspective, the effort he put into developing physically is only matched by the time he devoted to growing his knowledge of the game.
“I feel like I’ve developed a lot when it comes to understanding defenses, understanding what they’re trying to do,” he said. “I feel like early on that really slowed my
game down. I was out there as a kid just playing football, not really thinking much about the game. But as I got older, I began to understand football is more than just going out there and playing. There are so many details I’ve learned when it comes to the game that’s helped me get better. Stuff like understanding the defense’s assignments and reads or understanding situations; like third and long, third and short, whatever it is. That mental side of the game has helped me understand what I need to do in every moment to help my team win.”
Wells also has seen that mental growth from his starting quarterback.
“His command and understanding of the offense is as high as it’s ever been, and it continues to get better and better every week,” Wells said. “He’s quicker with the ball now, he knows what the defense is doing, what the offense is doing. He knows where his first, second and third reads are and when to run and not to run. Those are things he struggled with as a freshman and sophomore — reading the defensive and knowing where he should go with the ball and when. I
recently talked to a coach who was like, ‘Man, I was watching Stanley, and he just makes it look easy.’ I just told him that this only comes with growth and experience, because it’s not easy.”
NOTHING LESS THAN THE BEST
After finishing 7-5 last season and being the last area team standing, coming into this season — with Anderson-Lofton returning for his third season as the starter, most of its offensive line returning and a plethora of weapons, both old and new, for Anderson-Lofton to get the ball too — the expectations were sky high for the Panthers. As usual, those expectations fall most heavily on the shoulders of QB1.
However, thanks to the combination of Anderson-Lofton’s physical and mental development, which not only has earned him various scholarship offers (he’s currently committed to play college ball at Middle Tennessee) but also helped DP meet those lofty expectations and get off to a rolling start this season.
Local teams stacked with talent
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
area looks filled with quality teams loaded with talented players.
Whether it’s state runners-up Windermere Prep returning their exciting young core, The First Academy and its new coach looking to take its program to the next level, the next era of Olympia High basketball with its new coach, or Windermere High and its star big man looking to build off a great 2023-24 campaign; this upcoming season is going to be a whole lot of fun.
To get you ready for the basketball season, here are some of the area’s top players to watch for the 202425 season.
Editor’s note: Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
BRANDON BASS JR.
WINDERMERE PREP
Junior | Wing
A 6-foot-5, 185-pound dead-eye shooter, Bass Jr. led the Lakers in scoring last season with 20.6 points per game, while adding five rebounds a night. His elite scoring ability, great size and athleticism combo and improvement as an onball defender are reasons why the junior with NBA bloodlines is such a highly coveted prospect.
Bass Jr. is a four-star prospect and is ranked by 247Sports as the 10th-best 2026 recruit in Florida, and On3 ranks him as the 48thbest junior prospect in the country. He currently holds offers from UCF,
USC, St. John’s, Houston, Purdue and more.
LJ BYRD THE FIRST ACADEMY
Freshman | Wing Despite being just a freshman, the 6-foot-6 wing is expected to play a big role for the Royals and their new coach, Tarrik Mabon. With a smooth stroke, Byrd can hit the outside jumper and utilize his length to finish around the basket. Although he has a lot of development ahead of him, his raw talent and physical gifts make him an interesting player to watch this season.
TERRANCE DRAIN
WINDERMERE HIGH
Senior | Forward
After leading the Wolverines to a 20-9 record — with averages of 19.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks a game — in 23-24, the 6-foot-8 Liberty commit will be the only returning player of Windermere’s top four scorers.
Despite multiple additions to the 24-25 edition of the Wolverines, expect coach Mark Griseck to lean heavily on his star big on both sides of the ball.
RILEY MICHELS
FOUNDATION ACADEMY
Senior | Wing
With a new coach in Sharrod Williams and four of its five top scorers graduating from its 23-24 team
that finished 16-11, Foundation boys basketball is going to look a whole lot different this season. That’s why Michels, a 6-foot-6 wing with college offers, should play a big role for this season. He is both Foundation’s top returning scorer and rebounder — averaging 12 points per game and 5.2 rebounds, to go along with his two assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks a game. Michels brings superb floor-spacing with NBA range three balls and some serious bounce that makes for ridiculous dunks at the cup.
CAMERON PERRY OLYMPIA HIGH
Senior | Guard
Perry should bring a lot to an Olympia Titans team that not only has a new coach in Justin Shipp — who took over for longtime coach Rob Gordon — but lost a sizable chunk of its roster from the 23-24 season. At 6-foot-3, the combo guard brings a tight handle that allows him to get to his spots when looking for a bucket, but his biggest value will be as an on-ball defender. Perry is a pest for opposing ball-handlers to deal with, constantly poking at the ball and forcing turnovers.
SAMUEL SHOPTAW
WINDERMERE PREP
Senior | Guard
In his first season for Windermere Prep — after transferring from Lowndes High in Georgia — Shoptaw quickly became the driver of the Lakers offense, averaging six assists a game. The South Alabama commit also contributed 9.7 points a game and 6.6 rebounds for the 23-24 Windermere Prep team that finished with a 24-8 record.
MAX SIMMONS
THE FIRST ACADEMY
Junior | Guard
As a sophomore, Simmons was the Royals’ second-leading scorer and the top returning scorer this season, averaging 14.8 points per game with 3.1 boards and 2.2 assists.
At 6-foot-1, he is a combo guard who can shoot the lights out of the ball while bringing grittiness to the defensive side.
Sam Albuquerque
The First Academy’s Max Simmons is the Royals’ top returning scorer from last season.
“I feel like I’m a better all-around quarterback,” Anderson-Lofton said. “I don’t think my game has changed much, it’s just improved exponentially. I feel like the things I can do now you don’t see everywhere. That comes from having full confidence in myself and the understanding that I’ve trained for these moments. I know I can do it. And seeing it play out on the field and experience that growth and to have that confidence, it’s a big thing. It feels like the real me is here now, and I only want to keep getting better.”
One factor probably giving Anderson-Lofton all that confidence is the Panthers’ 6-0 record going into Week Nine of the season, but to keep the train rolling, DP needs its quarterback to continue to be the leader he’s grown into.
“He’s contagious,” Wells said. “He has a great attitude. He gets the job done in the classroom; he has almost a 4.0 GPA. Everything he does is positive, from the locker (room) to around the campus. … He’s what you want in a leader: He’s somebody who’s fierce and relaxed at the same time. (At Syracuse) I played with (Philadelphia Eagles great) Donovan McNabb, and he expected more from everybody. He would go and pick up the offense or the defense, it didn’t matter. He would come into our defensive meetings to get after us. But then, in moments where the coaches would just tear into the team, McNabb was ready with a joke right after to lighten the room.
“That’s kind of how Stanley is,” he said. “He keeps everybody loose when they need it, and he keeps everybody straight when it’s needed. I tell him, though, that he needs to get on his teammates’ (case) a little bit more here and there. But, like I said, his attitude and what he brings to the table is contagious.”
When asked about his leadership style, it’s easy to see why AndersonLofton’s positive attitude is so contagious among his team.
“I just try to lead by example,” he said. “There’s a lot of young men out here, and with that comes a whole lot of testosterone and immaturity. Sometimes, the younger guys don’t want to listen to what you’re saying unless you show them that you’re doing it. So, I just show my guys that
I’m doing it, and if I can do it, anybody can do anything.
“That’s my whole approach: I’m going to show you myself that we can do everything we need to do as a team,” Anderson-Lofton said. “Leading by example also means taking full responsibility, not partial responsibility, in the moments where I mess up. I have to take responsibility for those mistakes, because if I can’t be held accountable, I can’t expect the same from my teammates. So, I need to help them understand it’s their job to take responsibility, too, and if they don’t, we’re going to get on them for it, as they need to be getting on me if I don’t own my mistakes.”
STATE TITLE OR BUST
With the best quarterback in Central Florida, whose leadership style reminds his coach of McNabb, the expectation Wells has for his QB is simple: Go lead us to a state championship.
“I just want him to go out there and be great,” Wells said. “Every time we’ve had a great quarterback here at DP, we’ve gotten to the state championship and won it. That just shows how quarterback play is everything in this game, because they touch the ball every play. To me, the biggest thing is not turning the ball over. You have to have sustained drives. You have to make the right play at the right time, and you cannot force things. That’s what young quarterbacks do; they tend to force things and get in trouble. When you have an older guy like Stanley, he understands that we can punt … because then we’ll get the ball back and you can score. So, if he can do those things that I know he can do — like not turn the ball over, continue to lead the boys, make plays when they need to be made — it’s going to be a great playoff for us.”
Anderson-Lofton is excited about the opportunity to lead this team on a state title run and leave his mark on the storied program.
“It means a lot to have this opportunity,” he said. “I’m very excited for the rest of this season and the chance to establish a legacy here. DP is known for being the best of the best … and for me to have my own legacy here by leading this team to a title is something I’m really excited about. I couldn’t be happier to be here, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
MONDAY, OCT. 14
CFCA (3-3), 44
Trinity Prep (0-7), 17
HIGHLIGHTS: The Eagles were led by sophomore quarterback Mason Mathis and his three touchdown passes, while Dominic McCrory wrecked the Trinity Prep offense with four sacks on the night. Central Florida Christian didn’t stop in just those two phases of the game, sophomore Davy Murphy returned a kickoff to the house for a special teams TD.
UP NEXT: The Eagles will return home to face Trinity Christian Academy in Week Nine Oct. 18.
Foundation Academy (3-4), 15
Faith Christian (4-4), 8
HIGHLIGHTS: Led by running back Sam Wood and his two touchdowns and two-point conversion, the Lions returned to winning ways after a heartbreaker in Week Seven.
“Tonight’s game was hard fought by both teams,” Foundation coach Andre Walker said. “It really turned out to be a slugfest between two evenly matched opponents, which neither team wanted to lose, but the Lions held strong at the end to keep Faith (Christian) from putting up no more than eight points.”
UP NEXT: Foundation Academy will look to keep the momentum rolling at home in Week Nine as it hosts Hollis Christian.
Horizon (0-7), 8 South Lake (4-3), 20
HIGHLIGHTS: The Hawks of Horizon remain winless on the season
OBSERVER 8, WEEK EIGHT
A weekly power ranking of the eight best football programs in West Orange and Southwest Orange.
1. The First Academy (6-1) 2. Dr. Phillips (6-0) 3. Windermere (7-0)s1 4. West Orange (6-1)t1
Ocoee (5-2) 6. Olympia (2-4)
7. Foundation Academy (3-4)s1 8. Lake Buena Vista (2-3)t1
against district foes, the South Lake Eagles. Horizon senior Nicholas Grantz was one of the bright spots in this one, racking up eight total tackles, with three being for a loss.
UP NEXT: After a quick stop at home in Week Eight, Horizon returns to the road and will face Lake Minneola High for the Hawks’ fifth-outof-six game on the road.
West Orange (6-1), 48
West Port (1-7), 12
HIGHLIGHTS: The Warriors bounced back in this road district game thanks to its stellar offense led by the big guys up front — Fenway Cochrane, Mason Gifford, Jordan Barry-Lopez, Nico Marti and Nick Pochete — who led the attack to 42 points. Running back Jayden Ammons was the big beneficiary of the stellar line play, as he rushed for 110 yards with three TDs. Fellow tailback Nehemiah Burgess added 57 yards on the ground to go with his rushing touchdown, while QB Brian Dillard also ran for a score and returned a punt for a TD.
The West Orange defense stepped up as well, with interceptions by Dashon Lemons and Donovan Lanier, to go along with sacks from a heap of the defensive front: Jackson Delgado, Bryson Furrey and Logan Hartman all had two sacks each, while Matheus Kaminski had one.
“Good to be back playing football after another short week,” coach Geno Thompson said. “Looking forward to being back home for homecoming this Friday at Raymond Screws Field!” UP NEXT: The Warriors host fellow area team, the Olympia Titans Oct. 18 for its homecoming game. Windermere (7-0), 52 Oak Ridge (4-3), 6
HIGHLIGHTS: In their second oncampus home football game, the Wolverines handled their business and dominated visiting Oak Ridge.
“I thought the defense played fast and physical, and (we) are continuing to get better every week,” coach Riki Smith said after the win. “I thought Jack (Reilly) was extremely precise; Bryce Speed at wide receiver was a baller tonight, along with Jaylen Davis, who is an up-and-coming player for us as just a sophomore. He’s going to be really good. Henry Rogers ran really hard at running back for us behind our offensive line that was blocking really well. Overall, I was really excited about all facets of the game.”
UP NEXT: For the third consecutive week, Windermere will play host, as Lake Howell heads to the Windy City for this Week Nine match-up.
Sam Albuquerque
Windermere High QB Jack Reilly threw for three touchdowns in a win over Oak Ridge High.
KARLA GONZALEZ REYNOSO OCOEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Karla Gonzalez Reynoso is the school resource officer at Ocoee Middle School. Her duties include law-enforcement officer, law-related counselor and law-related educator. Her main goal is maintaining a safe and secure environment while also providing customer service, and her office has become a safe place for students to express their frustrations and take a break when needed. She also has resources available for students, including snacks, shoes and clothing; and she helps in the front office, cafeteria and pick-up/ drop-off line.
“Officer Gonzalez is Ocoee Middle School,” Principal Cheri Leavitt said.
“She is the definition of excellence. She is always willing to go above and beyond for the betterment of our school and school community. She has extremely high expectations for all students and holds them to this standard.”
What brought you to your school?
I became a school resource officer at the beginning of school year 2022-2023. Initially, I was a floater, and when I was not covering other schools, I was an additional SRO at Ocoee Middle School. Eventually, students started asking why I was not there all the time. The next year, I had the opportunity to become the permanent SRO at Ocoee Middle. I took the position, because I realized this is where I can have the biggest positive impact on young teenagers.
What do you love most about your school?
I love how Ocoee Middle is welcoming, supportive and accepting of everybody. It might take some time breaking the ice with students — but nothing that a simple smile cannot speed up.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
REPORT CARD
POSITION: School resource officer
TIME AT SCHOOL: Three years
The most rewarding part of my job is building the bridge between youth and law-enforcement officers. I love seeing former and current students out in the community who take the time to approach me and initiate a conversation. I also enjoy how the students become more comfortable speaking and interacting with lawenforcement officers.
What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?
If I did not have a career in law enforcement, I would be a social worker. The most rewarding part of my job is making a difference in someone’s life.
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?
My favorite teacher in high school was Ms. Rivera, my English language arts teacher. I was an English as a Second Language student who was not confident because of my thick accent and would belittle myself because of it. Ms. Rivera took the time to listen to my fears and concerns about her class and showed me that even though I was freshly out of the ESL program, I was above average in her class. Little by little, Ms. Rivera built my confidence, and I’m so grateful for her because my thick accent never went away.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to ride my motorcycle and do CrossFit. Riding my cruiser and working out allow me to focus on myself.
If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?
The three bands or artists I could listen to forever are Sia, Fleetwood Mac and Heroes del Silencio. I have chosen those three because they are different genres and language, so I can have some variety based on the mood and/or activity.
What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?
I attended elementary school in Dominican Republic, so my meals were completely different from the meals here. As a student, my go-to lunch was pastelitos (empanadas) accompanied by jugo (juice), and my favorite snack was hojuelitas (chips).
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) will always be special to me. When I was a kid, I helped my grandmother put up the outdoor lights and with decorating the tree inside the house. Decorating for Noche Buena with her is still one of my favorite childhood memories. Now, as an adult, looking at Christmas lights and décor make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?
My best friend in middle and high school was Lori. Lori and I became best friends because of our similar backgrounds of two immigrants from Dominican Republic now living in New York City. At first, Lori and I did not get along, but we had no other choice than figuring it out since we were in an extremely small middle school. Once in high school, we grew closer because we only knew each other in a huge school. During our high school years, our mothers made us travel buddies, and we flew together back to Dominican Republic to visit our fathers almost every summer. Lori and I went on vacation together to DR in 2023.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
GIDDY-UP! Edgewood Children’s Ranch hosts annual gala
and
Friday, Oct. 11, at the Gaylord Palms
& Convention
Hundreds of guests donned Western hats, boots and jeans for this annual affair, which featured a reception, silent auction, dinner and live auction.
The event helps fund the ranch’s many programs and services for at-risk children. The purpose of the ranch is to help children and their families find hope for a better future through faith, love and education.
— AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE
he Edgewood Children’s Ranch held its 41st Country Round-Up Dinner
Auction
Resort
Center.
Above: Reed, left, and Julie Kinnison, Roxanne and Ervin Bray, and Jo-el Medina were among the many attendees.
Right: Marlin, left, and Linda Hutchens and Shane and Michele Smith took their country look to the next level.
Raymond, left, and Vivi Peeples were fashionable in their cowboy hats for the country round-up.
EDGARD ANTHONY COLÒN
DIED OCT. 7, 2024.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edgard Anthony Colòn. He left this world Oct. 7, 2024. Ed shared his life with his loving partner, Michelle, and their three beautiful children, Alana, Alexander and Lilyanna, in Farmville, Virginia.
Ed was the beloved son of Sandra and Edgard Colòn. He also leaves behind his sister, Kyanna Colòn, and a close circle of
James B. Burroughs, 79, of Winter Garden, died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 at Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont, Florida. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.
Ellen C. Eastham, 85, of West Orange and South Lake, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home.
extended family and friends. Edgard was born Jan. 7, 1991, in Long Island, New York, and grew up in Ocoee, Florida. He loved spending his childhood summers in Puerto Rico with his grandparents. Ed was employed at VDOT, where he worked diligently to ensure the safety and efficiency of Virginia’s roads. He was known for his dedication and work ethic. Outside of work, Edgard had a passion for hunting, fishing and mechanics, finding solace in the peacefulness of the outdoors and the satisfaction of fixing things with his hands.
Edgard will be deeply missed by anyone who knew him. He will be remembered for his kind heart, his unwavering dedication to his family and his passion for a job well done. Rest in Peace, Ed; you will be forever cherished in our hearts!
Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family, puckettfh.com.
Frank Donald Harrison Sr., 102, of Orlando died Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Gotha.
Harry James Mancia, 93, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in Ocoee. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.
LISA MICHELLE BOX IREY DIED AT AGE 65.
Lisa Michelle Box Irey, Orlando, Florida, passed peacefully from this world following a courageous seven-year battle with heart disease at age 65. She was born Sept. 11, 1959, to parents A.D. and Virginia Ann Box in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Michelle is survived by her husband of 40 years, Donald Irey, in Orlando; daughter, Cassina Morales and her husband, Anthony Morales, in Oviedo, Florida; with grandchildren, Noah Douglas Morales and Daisy Michelle Morales.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Ministry at the Tuskawilla United Methodist Church.
Patch sprouts in Hamlin
Folks from all over Horizon West and beyond headed down to the Hamlin green space for an October and fall season tradition — the Hamlin Pumpkin Patch Oct. 5. People filled the lawn next to the Cinépolis movie theater and enjoyed plenty of photo opportunities with various pumpkin types, colorful dressed-up characters and the Hamlin Pumpkin Patch sign. There also was free face painting, a balloon artist, live music, a 3D photo booth, and plenty more activities that kept the whole family entertained during the warm fall evening.
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Vinicius Fernandes, left, along with his wife, Priscilla, and two daughters, enjoyed the pumpkin patch.
The
far
Andrew Vacca and Jack Roudabush completed the entire course riding handcycles.
Right:
event’s namesake, Stina D’Uva,
right,
her group of bikers — Carol Willard, Leslie Skillman, Patti Silveira and Sherri Hawthorn — enjoyed some Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream following the long bike ride.
Todd Jackson, left, Keyetta Jackson and Aaron Joplin stuck together throughout the entire trek.
Frank Fernandez was the second biker to finish the 8.2-mile ride around Horizon West.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
80 years ago
All of the Winter Garden schools reopened after a week’s holiday caused by the recent hurricane. Winter Garden was a beehive of industry when the citrus fruit season opened full blast. Sixty cars of the new crop had been loaded out by midweek, with coloring rooms filled to capacity at practically all of the seven packing houses in the city.
Transfer papers of 80 acres of property in the extreme southwest section of Orange County for $13,000 between members of the Britt family were filed in the county clerk’s office.
The voters registration books closed, reported Mrs. J.F. Keller, in charge of the books for the Winter Garden precinct, and about five percent of the 1,200 votes were Republicans. The precinct included Tildenville and Gotha.
Men over age 38 who were anxiously watching the mailbox to learn of their final disposition under National Selective Service were able to relax and continue their civilian work with the assurance they were in the age group not acceptable for induction for military service.
55 years ago
The teen council of the West Orange Youth Center had a busy season with four successful dances being held. The decorating committee, with chair Becca Ball, Wes Rutherford, Joann Twinam and Shatauka Brown, painted a fabulous Peter Maxstyle mural. Also on the committee were Kathy Ellis, Nanette Ball, Lenore Hart and Kathy Daniels. They worked under the supervision of Betty Burch.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Shared by descendants of the Bluford Sims family, this image shows the “new” boathouse on Lake Apopka.
The undated image appears to be set sometime in the 1920s, possibly earlier. Sims operated steamships on what was Florida’s third-largest lake at the time. His crafts ferried citrus and vegetables from the villages situated along the south shore to points further north, where they were hauled a short distance to a train that connected to Sanford or brought by wagon to that small city on Lake Monroe. You can imagine the constant threat of spoilage if connections were somehow delayed or compromised. Keep that in mind the next time you shop and gaze upon a seemingly endless array of fresh fruit and produce.
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.
50 years ago
The First Baptist Church in Windermere dedicated its new worship center. Pastor Gordon Smith delivered the dedication message. The new 12,000-square-foot structure consisted of a 500-seat sanctuary, a fellowship hall and kitchen, nursery and preschool Sunday school departments, a choir room, and an office suite. Bill Breeze, of Ocoee, was
installed as president of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce.
20 years ago
The town of Windermere broadened its local-traffic-only zone by three streets. The town instituted the zone in response to pleas by residents who were seeing an increase in traffic in front of their homes on the side streets. Motorists wanting to avoid congestion on the main streets were venturing into the residential portions of town. For many years, the West Orange Youth Center was the place to find local junior high and high school students on Friday nights. The center closed its doors in the spring, but the Winter Garden Recreation Department took over hosting monthly dances at Tanner Hall for middle-schoolers.
THROWBACK
THURSDAY
OCT. 24, 1974
There once was a time — long before the days of immediate contact through social media — when your name, address and telephone number were printed and distributed for all the world to see. Florida Telephone announced in an October issue of The Winter Garden Times that Nov. 1 was the deadline for submitting changes or new listings for its annual telephone directory. Each year, a new book was distributed to all residents and businesses in Central Florida. It was organized in two sections: residential and the Yellow Pages, which listed local businesses.
FREE FORMS by Kevin Christian, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
At
Cancer Cases in Florida
and
and
Flip
But
October 18 through October 31 Downtown Winter Garden
Hay Maze at City Hall Halloween & Fall Decorations, Light Displays, & Photo Stations
Halloween Light Show on City Hall & Street Performances October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 31 • 7-9 pm
And Lots More Downtown Halloween Fun!
