01.14.21 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

Family, friends remember Bob Thompson. PAGE 3.

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VOLUME 6, NO. 16

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

Rita’s opens in Winter Garden The Italian ice chain expanded recently with a new shop in downtown Winter Garden. PAGE 5.

YOUR TOWN

In with the new

CHAMBER TO HOST LEAD AND FEED The West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s first Lead and Feed will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Feather & Quill, 4757 The Grove Drive, Suite 100, Windermere. Chamber members can enjoy a stylish atmosphere while expanding their network.

The event is limited to one representative per company, with a capacity of 30 attendees.

Cost is $25 in advance and $35 at the door for chamber members and $45 for others. To register, visit bit.ly/3nAvqfi. For information, email cwilson@ wochamber.com prior to registering.

Windermere residents and officials celebrated a new beginning for the town with the groundbreaking of its municipal complex Jan. 11. SEE PAGE 4.

Ocoee approves final phase of Arden Park PUD

COVID-19 vaccinations begin at Sonata West AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Photo by Amy Quesinberry PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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Postal Customer

Pharmacist Anita Shaw administered the COVID-19 vaccine to Betty Babitzke.

Dozens of residents in the Sonata West assisted-living facility lined up Monday morning and throughout the day to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

SEE A TURNING PAGE 2

Danielle Hendrix

REAL ESTATE

Mayor Jim O’Brien got to try his hand at operating some construction equipment during the groundbreaking Jan. 11..

The addition, on the north side of ClarconaOcoee Road, will add 67 single-family residential lots in the subdivision.

SEE PAGE 8.

See inside this one-of-a-kind Isleworth estate, which hits the auction block later this month. 6-7.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

‘A turning point’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In-house primary-care physicians and staff members got their first round this week in the vaccination program, as well.

This facility and its sister community, Serenades Memory Care, both in Winter Garden, are among the earliest senior-care communities to have access to the vaccine, according to Shelley Esden, COO of Sonata Senior Living. The second round of shots for Sonata residents is scheduled for Feb. 2 and 3. Walgreens and CVS pharmacists are hosting the clinics at Sonata and Serenades, respectively.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was making residents of longterm care facilities his top priority because of their heightened risk.

The vaccine was administered for free to residents through a new companywide

program called Sonata Safe. It was established to offer assurance that residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment, despite what is happening outside the senior community, including a pandemic.

As each resident was given the shot, he or she received a pin stating “I am Sonata safe.”

Staff members have spent weeks obtaining authorization consent forms from residents and their families to receive the vaccination.

There currently are 95 residents in Sonata West and 40 in Serenades.

“This is a life-changing event,” Esden said. “This is life-changing not only for our residents, but for families and our staff. Unless you have a loved one in an assistedliving community, you have no idea what these residents have experienced in the last nine months — the depression, the fear; they’re heartbroken. … We have residents who haven’t hugged a family member in nine months.”

For many, the only people they have seen are physicians and staff. As

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Pharmacists Anita Shaw and Eduardo Negron prepared vaccinations at Sonata West in Winter Garden.

Amy Quesinberry

rules have continued to relax since the country’s lockdown last spring, residents have been able to visit in the dining rooms and through social distancing. Esden realizes that doesn’t take the place of family.

“Our communities tried to keep it as normal as possible, and they’ve gone above and beyond,” she said. “I’m extremely proud of

our team, and we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from our families and staff, but nothing replaces the ability to come and go and to hug their family member.

“While safety has always been a top priority at Sonata, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably changed the operation of our day-to-day norms,” Esden said.

“Through our partnerships with

CVS and Walgreens, we aspire to get as many residents and staff members vaccinated through our community vaccination clinics as possible. We see these clinics as a life-saving turning point in the fight against COVID-19 and a vital step to not only stopping the pandemic but offering our seniors and their loved ones an opportunity to regain normalcy in their life.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

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June 2, 1935, to Nov. 17, 2020

Bob Thompson: An inspired life The longtime educator impacted countless lives throughout his 44-year career at Lakeview and West Orange high schools.

COMMUNITY EDITOR

B

ob Thompson had several careers in his lifetime and was successful at each of them. He was a high school business and accounting teacher, lay minister, drive-in church pastor and florist — and made deep and lasting friendships along the way.

Robert Foy Thompson, a Winter Garden native, died Nov. 17, 2020, at age 85, leaving behind a wife of 53 years and multiple generations of students and teachers who always remembered his kindness, trustworthiness and passion for business.

Thompson had graduated from Florida Southern College with a degree in business and had two years of teaching under his belt when he took a position with Orange County Public Schools and taught English, keyboarding, accounting and other businesses classes at Lakeview High School, in Winter Garden.

As the business department grew, Thompson was tasked with hiring seven new teachers, including his future wife, Dixie Birdsong Thompson. By the end of the school year, a group of female students convinced Thompson to ask out the English teacher, Ms. Birdsong.

“They took credit for our marriage,” she said, laughing. “They loved Mr. Thompson, and they felt comfortable enough to do that.”

She recalled his old-fashioned way of teaching typing on manual typewriters and said she could hear him calling out the letters to his class from the second floor because the school lacked air-conditioning and all the windows were opened when the weather allowed.

In the 1960s, married couples couldn’t teach at the same school, so Bob Thompson taught at Evans High for a few years until his wife gave birth to their first child — and then he returned to his position at Lakeview.

When West Orange High opened in 1976, Bob Thompson made the transition with his students.

“The people who worked with him always enjoyed (that) he was so laid back and humorous,” Dixie

Thompson said. “He’s so reserved and not outgoing at all, but if he’s in a small group and comfortable, he was a riot.”

Thompson taught at Lakeview at a time when teachers rarely transferred to other schools. The business department consisted of Thompson, who was chairman, and several longtime teachers, including Gay Annis, for 32 years, and Anne Copeland, for 27.

Copeland and Thompson shared a classroom for years, and this gave her the opportunity to witness his teaching style and sense of humor. Students called him Mr. T., she said, which proves he was approachable and down-to-earth.

“He taught by plans but could also change them immediately to create more interest and fun,” she said. “One time when I was out of my side of our shared classroom, he thought it would be fun to hide my students. … Many months later, I got back at him when I hid his class.”

She recalled the time they were teaching separate keyboard classes in the same room.

“We were dictating at the same time, but I had a louder voice, so finally he told his students in his half of the room to just type what I was dictating,” she said.

Annis said Bob Thompson was a superb teacher.

“He had a kind heart, and I don’t remember a student ever saying anything negative about him,” she said. “He was just a gentleman and thoughtful and kind and fun, and he was a good teacher. … He was involved in the students’ lives, he was a very positive role model, and he was a fine Christian man. And he had his fun time. He had his sense of humor, and he used it. And he very dependable. He was just a great guy and one of my dearest friends. … He was a treasure.”

Bob Thompson’s plan to retire was delayed for eight years when then-Principal Sarah Jane Turner asked him to head an experiment in the business department. He developed a model office suite with a conference table and modules for each student to represent a true work situation, and he wrote all the lesson plans.

“When they moved to comput-

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ers, he said he was going to retire, but he didn’t,” Dixie Thompson said. “He learned computers.”

After 44 years of instilling in students his knowledge of accounting, shorthand, typing and business math, he retired in 2003.

“One thing that really sticks out in my memory is how parents trusted him,” Dixie Thompson said. “We were eating in downtown Winter Garden, and a father thanked Bob for helping his daughter. Those kinds of things are so touching, and when we would go places, people would say, ‘You taught me to type,’ ‘You inspired me to go into accounting.’”

Bob Thompson also went into business with his brother, Jerry Thompson, and the two owned and operated Shaw’s Flowers & Gifts in downtown Winter Garden.

“Our children … spent their childhoods in the flower shop,” Dixie Thompson said. “He taught all day; worked in the flower shop in the afternoons, evenings and weekends; and he also for a few years taught night school. And, too, he was filling in with the kids because I was working in Winter Park, and he would pick up the kids and have dinner ready when I came home.”

He was a gentleman, she said.

“We had a wonderful marriage of 53 years,” she said. “People always said, ‘Do you realize how lucky you are?’”

Dixie Thompson said her hus-

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Bob Thompson had a reputation for being an intelligent and passionate business teacher at two Winter Garden high schools for 44 years.

He and his wife, Dixie, were married for 53 years.

band attended seminary with plans to become a Methodist pastor when they were first married. He served as a lay pastor in Lake County for five years before deciding he wanted to do something else.

Ultimately, he returned to the field part-time when he served as the pastor of the Drive-In Church, held for two decades at the old Starlite Drive-In theater on East Plant Street. He worked alongside Duck Teal and George VanDemark, and each week he climbed to the top of the projector house and spoke to the small congregation.

“He always had that heart of a pastor,” Dixie Thompson said. “He loved teaching, he loved (God’s) word. … It fit his gifts, I think.

The Lord opened the door, and it was the right one. … He had such a giving, compassionate heart; he just had such a style that was very heartwarming.”

The Thompsons joined the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden about 11 years ago, and it was there that they made some of their closest friends. Bob Thompson, who had a gift for storytelling, wrote a sermon reflection each week, often including personal bits of his life and lessons he learned.

“He wrote about 200 of those, and I read back over those, and it helped me remember a lot of things I would have otherwise forgotten,” Dixie Thompson said. “He pulled from a lot of his life and tied it to scripture.”

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Copeland also recalled his love for his church.

“Bob was a Godly man, family man and loving man,” Copeland said. “He taught me a great deal about life. … Twenty-seven years working with him created an environment of unexpected activities, cooperation, creativity, family and love. The department at WOHS that he created is the reason I never moved to another high school.”

Thompson was born June 2, 1935, in his grandmother’s house in Winter Garden, to T.F. and Willie Thompson. He grew up in Clermont, where his family owned a furniture business and later Circle T Ranch and Groves. He was preceded in death by a brother and his son, Thaddaeus Todd Thompson.

In addition to his wife, Dixie Birdsong Thompson, he is survived by his daughter, Susan Totera, and her husband, Erik; and four grandchildren, Reilly Guhr, Reid Guhr, Renna Guhr and Gia StappThompson.

A service celebrating Thompson’s life will be held in February.

Details will be posted on the website of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations as they become available.

“He was a priceless, unique gift from God to me,” Dixie Thompson said. “He was a wonderful daddy; he loved family. If he just knew his family was safe each night, he was happy. He treasured his grandchildren. … He was a wonderful man.”

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com

Mayor Jim O’Brien held up some special gifts provided by Stephen Withers — personalized blocks of heart pine wood from the 1916 schoolhouse.

Town Manager Robert Smith thanked residents, town staff and leaders for their hard work and trust.

Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden spoke about the police department’s goal of achieving accreditation.

Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

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Photos by Danielle Hendrix

Town staff and council members picked up their shovels and turned dirt to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new municipal complex.

Big day for a small town DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

D

onning white hard hats and holding gold-colored shovels, Windermere staff and leaders turned the dirt on a new era for the community.

Jan. 11 was a big day for a small town, Mayor Jim O’Brien said, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the brand-new town facilities and police department began.

For years, Windermere’s town offices operated out of buildings originally built as a schoolhouse in 1916. Those buildings were converted to town offices 20 years ago and served as home base for the town’s police department, administrative department, public works office and commercial rental space.

The century-old buildings were demolished in October 2020, clearing the way for the new government facilities and police department. The new municipal complex has been in the works for years, and in 2019, the town received approval to borrow up to $5.2 million for the project.

“Ten years ago almost exactly to this date, we found our town of Windermere at crossroads — a crossroads that occurred because at times we failed to invest in the most important resources for any successful enterprise: people,” O’Brien said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “When we worked to rebuild our leadership staff and our police department, we knew that having the right people and the right tools was vital to the success and future of our community. We understood that building

for the long haul would require a long-term vision and a commitment to professionalism, integrity and transparency.

“Today’s groundbreaking is more than a building,” he said. “It’s about our town’s next 50 years — a commitment to service for all, for our entire community, in good times and in bad.”

The process to get to this point required the input from and trust of various community stakeholders — from town residents and leaders to staff and elected officials. It took years of meetings, workshops, renderings, community-input sessions and guidance from town engineers to create and manifest a vision for the future.

Included among those credited with their efforts toward bringing the project to life are former Town Council members Molly Rose, Richard Gonzalez, Richard Montgomery and John Armstrong; current Town Council members Bill Martini, Robert “Bob” McKinley, Liz Andert, Chris Sapp and Loren “Andy” Williams; former Mayor Gary Bruhn; O’Brien; Police Chief Dave Ogden; Town Manager Robert Smith; and town engineers Stephen Withers and John Fitzgibbon.

“It’s that community support and understanding where we want to be, that we want to be small but smart, and that we want to make sure we build a future so that your children can live in the town of Windermere just like I want my children to live in the town of Windermere,” O’Brien told residents.

“Without your support and confidence in our efforts and leadership, none of this would be possible.”

Creative Environmental Ser-

vices was responsible for the demolition work, while H.J. High Construction is the contractor for the new facilities. Construction is expected to take 10 to 12 months.

The new, 11,000-square-foot complex maintains the town’s character while providing a safe and secure space for town staff and the police department. The police department will span 5,445 square feet, the town administration building will be 3,000 square feet, and the public works building will be 2,554 square feet. The police and administration buildings will be connected by a common lobby area.

Currently, the police department and administration offices have a temporary home at Fifth Avenue and Forest Street, while public works is operating out of temporary facilities by the 1887 schoolhouse parking lot.

“It took a lot of time from staff and elected officials to get this thing approved, and it took a lot … from the residents, as well,” Smith said. “From the first elections to the second referendums, coming up with certain renderings that we can compromise on, agree upon and something that will last for 50 to 75 years … that’s a testament to the dedication that not only the elected officials have to this community, but also the staff.”

The new facilities also will pave the way for another major accomplishment — achieving accreditation for the Windermere Police Department.

It’s a goal Ogden and his team have been working toward since his tenure began in 2013, and it will soon become a reality.

“As 2020 came to a close, I reflected on our past successes, our unique challenges that the Windermere Police Department faced over the years, and a positive vision that we have for our future,” Ogden said. “As I cross into my eighth year as your chief of police, there’s tremendous evidence of the fruit of our labor which has been successful due to the character of our team. Acquiring this new facility undoubtedly will be seen as evidence of that success and our legacy.

“With a real, security-level police department, we will ascertain accreditation measures,” he said. “Our motto when I came here was change — to honor integrity and service — and I believe above anything else the level of service that this police department offers to the town residents of our Windermere is why we got this (new) police department.”

Before breaking ground, O’Brien presented council members and some town staff with a special gift created by Withers — a block of heart pine from the 1916 schoolhouse, each with an engraved nameplate.

He added that upon the completion of the new complex, there will be a special dedication in memory of fallen Windermere Police Officer Robbie German.

“I also want to thank the residents of the town of Windermere,” Smith said. “You trusted us, you believed in us, and we will not fail you. We’ll make sure that we design and operate a functional government office the way that it should be.”

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Sweet dream comes true ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Carrying out its motto of “Ice Custard Happiness,” Rita’s is making downtown Winter Garden a little bit sweeter.

The Italian-ice chain first launched in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1984.

Today, Rita’s serves Italian ice and custard to people in more than 30 states. Rita’s is known for its made-fresh-daily Italian ice and award-winning frozen custard and has more than 600 locations worldwide.

Winter Garden resident Cara Washington, who hails from New Jersey, always loved Rita’s. A couple of years ago, she and her business partner, Mervin Johnson, decided to take a leap of faith and open their own Rita’s franchise.

The two knew they were adding something to the area that others would love, too.

“In 2018, we went to the Rita’s Day so you could learn about Rita’s and what the franchise was all about,” Washing-

RITA’S OF WINTER GARDEN Danielle Hendrix

Rita’s of Winter Garden is now open at 119 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden.

them just coming here has been phenomenal. People are learning about it, they’re hearing about us, we’re getting a lot of our marketing stuff out now, and people are really flocking. They’re like, ‘Oh, we’ve been waiting, this is great!’

They’re very happy to have it here.”

The store’s employees are known as the “Treat Team,” and they are responsible for safely serving up the sweet treats. Throughout the pandemic, mask ordinances and social distancing are required to keep customers safe and healthy, and Treat Team members are fully trained and ready to welcome guests.

Washington said Rita’s offers more than 100 different flavors and combinations, and the Winter Garden location typically serves eight to 10 of those on any given day. Flavors rotate, and fresh ice

is made daily. The top flavors, she added, are mango, strawberry and lemon.

“We’ve been making strawberry colada — a piña colada and strawberry mix — and people have been loving that, or a raspberry lemonade or a strawberry lemonade,” Washington said. “People love those combinations of flavors, as well.”

As time goes on, Johnson and Washington hope to be able to partner with local schools and sports teams to do spirit nights and fundraisers. They also offer party packs, which include a souvenir bucket of Italian ice, cups, spoons and a scoop.

Washington added that with the walkable nature of downtown Winter Garden, Rita’s Italian ice and custard are the perfect treats to take on a walk or as a sweet

119 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 347-8698 HOURS: 2 to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ ritaswintergarden FLAVOR AVAILABILITY: bit. ly/39kt3bq INSTAGRAM: @ritasofwintergarden

treat following a run or bike ride.

According to a Rita’s press release, Johnson and Washington also have plans to potentially open another location in Clermont soon.

“If this is any indication of what the spring and summer is going to bring, this is phenomenal, which is nice to have,” she said of the community response to Rita’s thus far. “I think what I’m most excited about is what it’s bringing to downtown Winter Garden. It brings a new, fresh treat instead of just ice cream.”

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DANIELLE HENDRIX

ton said. “We thought it was a good business ideal. We both still work, but being partners and being able to hire staff that can run the store and everything, we thought it would be a good opportunity to put something here that Florida didn’t have a lot of.”

“This was the perfect opportunity to move from our current careers into something that would see us into our retirement years,” Johnson said.

Washington added that Rita’s is a fun, family-friendly place that offers sweet and refreshing treats for all.

“It’s very festive, and it’s something that people love,” she said.

“It gets hot as heck here in Florida, so ice is very refreshing, and the custard is very light.”

The two scouted possible locations from Lake Nona to Clermont, but upon finding a space on South Boyd Street in downtown Winter Garden, they knew it was meant to be. The next closest Rita’s locations are in Lake Buena Vista and Apopka.

Rita’s of Winter Garden opened its doors Dec. 17, and Washington said the excitement surrounding the new addition has been palpable.

“It’s been awesome,” she said. “The community outreach and

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Rita’s of Winter Garden is now open and ready to serve fresh-made Italian ice and custard.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

Isleworth estate set for auction BID TO WIN

Starting Jan. 22, bidders can compete for a 13,000square-foot home in the Isleworth community with an estimated opening bid of $7.4 million.

There is no reserve or starting bid for this Isleworth estate, although Concierge Auctions estimates the opening bid will be around $7.4 million.

All information on the estate — including property disclosures, title commitment and surveys — and how to register for bidding can be found at bit. ly/39lRjtz.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Isleworth Realty: isleworth.com

DETAILS The French Renaissance-style interior of this Isleworth home gives it a warm feel.

private lake with no boat traffic — which often acts as a sanctuary for various birds and wildlife.

Across the lake is a view of the golf course’s 12th hole.

“The original builder, Art Neaf … brought in artisans from around the world to do the wood and millwork throughout, handpainted ceilings and details … there’s over 110 marble columns on the property,” Cafferty said.

“It stretches over 13,000 square feet between the two guest houses and the main house. There is a

guest apartment, the two guest houses and three suites in the main house.”

The home features eight bedrooms, seven baths and two half-baths, and it comes fully furnished. Upon entering the home, guests are greeted by a custom rock waterfall, grand staircase and two-story vaulted ceiling. The house is also perfect for entertaining with all of its living spaces, Cafferty said. Those include a great room with full bar and fireplace, kitchen with casu-

FALSE NEGATIVE by Zhouqin Burnikel; Edited by David Steinberg

104 Cool, in the ‘80s 106 Question to a relocated Alaskan?

108 Buffet unit 111 Criticize harshly 112 Fresh coconut insert 114 Slants 116 Pollen collector 117 Tablet with a passcode 121 Photo event for Amazon’s tablet?

123 Polite request to read “The Highwayman”?

127 Hand sanitizer additive 128 Steamed dim sum items 129 Really bugged 130 Place for an eagle cam 131 Frequently emailed docs 132 “... man ___ mouse?”

133 Either of a kid’s parents?

134 Eyeliner mishap

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Warm and cozy 6 Thunderstruck 10 Bleachers regular 13 Zoomed 17 “Hello” singer 18 Goop at the Kids’ Choice Awards 19 Societal woes 20 Drink within “hot chocolate” 21 Body of rules regarding beefsteaks?

23 Influx of vagabonds?

25 Clean Air Act target 26 Treat that helps you focus

short-term 27 Prohibited practice 29 Out in farm country 30 Cook incompletely 34 “Tsk, tsk!”

36 Inexperienced four-star naval officer?

40 Male turkey 41 “Don’t Start Now” singer Lipa 44 ___-garde 45 Penguins and puffins 47 Figure skating legend Dorothy 49 Chikara knife maker 50 “Ithaca” director Ryan

51 “Skip to My ___” 53 Encouraging lead-in to “boy” or “girl” 54 ___ Arbor 55 Pol supporters 59 Biography of a feudal butler?

63 Bluish green 65 Tibetan priest 67 Fruits often pitted and stuffed 68 Civil rights activist Simone 69 “It doesn’t hurt me much” 72 Enchanting

74 Makes an inquiry 76 “All right, that wasn’t true” 78 Jedi foe 79 Per person 83 Famous House leader?

86 ___ Patrick Harris 88 Org. seeking clean air 89 Winged Greek god 90 “How come?”

91 Director Anderson 93 Gobi refuge 95 Took big steps 97 Made a clutch putt, say 102 Ballet skirts 103 Friend of Frodo

DOWN 1 Tigers, e.g.

2 Tony winner Leslie ___ Jr. 3 Office message 4 Politicians’ lapel adornments 5 Thus far 6 Pie preference 7 Finish first 8 Taking Back Sunday genre 9 Fender flaw 10 Rug’s place 11 Just about 12 Hawaii Cryptologic Center org.

13 Rugby play 14 Went all out 15 Queen with ice powers 16 Nonagenarian celebrity Arlene 18 Dives with a tank 19 Emphasized, as some text 22 Folklore menace 24 Reality show action 28 In the distance 31 Behave badly 32 Muslim cleric 33 Defamation in print 35 Blah 36 Bother greatly 37 Sheep-related 38 White of “Wheel of

al dining area, and formal dining room with wine bar.

Other features include a full theater; large butler pantry; wine room with six wine coolers; an elevator; a babbling brook that runs through the property; nine marble fireplaces; workout room with resistance pool; a billiard room with a wraparound bar; steam room and sauna; and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a grill, gas-powered tiki torches, three televisions and automatic screens.

Fortune” 39 Not flexible 42 Extremely 43 “Such a pity!”

46 Liqueur in an Alabama Slammer 48 National Museum of the Philippines locale 52 At the scene 56 The whole enchilada 57 Spiritual leader of Islam 58 Happy face symbols 60 Relatives, slangily 61 Incoming flight figs.

62 De Armas of “No Time to Die” 64 In your way?

66 Sportswear company 70 Psychedelic drug 71 “Yikes, a spider!”

73 X, in a sorority name 74 Major artery 75 Impervious to severe weather 77 Truman upset him in 1948 80 Green sauce for linguine 81 Poppy-derived drug 82 Out of fashion 83 Suffix that makes an adjective a noun 84 React to the heat 85 Mulligans 87 “___ luck!”

92 Like cotton candy 94 Dorothy’s caretaker 96 Some chess outcomes 98 Grown-ups 99 2010s Chevy hybrid 100 “Whew, what a long day!”

101 Best for picking 105 Roundabout route 107 Leak slowly 109 Places to go fishing 110 Shrek’s love 112 Break suddenly 113 Revealed, as secrets 115 Surprise setback 118 Whittle (down) 119 Macau’s continent 120 Doe or fawn 122 “Chernobyl” network 124 Lead-in to laryngology 125 Affirmative vote 126 ___ Vegas Raiders

5372 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere BEDROOMS: Eight BATHS: Seven full, two half ACREAGE: 1.03 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 13,320

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“17 HOJZP JRW, M JZZMXOK JI LGG CMIY J PAMILJPO, CMIY EH NMLHLTO JGK CMIY JNWAI 100 KWTTJZP.” – LYZMPIMJGO JEJGBWAZ “JC XTPNX ... BN’U XJFUNE VMT EJOIBVNXU JGE J UTG. JGE F CTLN BFK. ... BN’U J UVXJFIBV UBTTVNX.”

– VJKXTG BJCC Puzzle Two Clue:O equals U

CROSSWORD

Concierge Auctions: conciergeauctions.com

Puzzle One Clue R equals G

Nestled just inside the main gates of Isleworth Golf & Country Club is a 13,000-square-foot estate spanning just over an acre — and it could be yours.

Later this month, Concierge Auctions and Isleworth Realty are partnering to auction the home at 5372 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere. Although there is no reserve, the estimated opening bid sits at $7.4 million.

“Concierge Auctions only works with sellers who are financially stable,” said Carolyn Wright, a project sales manager with Concierge Auctions. “We don’t do foreclosures or any distressed properties, so it’s just like auctioning fine arts, cars or wine. It’s another tool in a box that a listing agent might have to pull us in as a partner to sell a luxury property.”

The Isleworth estate features a Mediterranean-style exterior with a French Renaissance interior. Toni Cafferty, luxury property associate with Isleworth Realty, said the home is striking, with second-to-none artistic finishes.

It overlooks Hourglass Lake — a

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

01-14-21

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

This Isleworth estate, at 5372 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, will be auctioned off by Jan. 26.

ding is Jan. 21. Bidding will take place between Jan. 22 and 26, and the highest bid when the auction closes on Jan. 26 wins. Wright said in an auction like these, they typically anticipate four to seven bidders.

“Concierge Auctions has a database of more than a half million people around the world who are interested in luxury real estate,” Wright said. “It’s very exciting. Anyone can watch it on our website. At the very end in the last half-hour or so is where a lot of the action happens.”

The outdoor living area includes a pool, grill and fully equipped outdoor kitchen.

Photos courtesy of Concierge Auctions

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“It just feels so warm and inviting,” Cafferty said. “The home is large, but it doesn’t feel cold by any stretch of the imagination.”

“The property is great for a multi-generational family or a family who would want to grow into something like that, or just a family who wants to entertain,” Wright said. “They’ve had two weddings here overlooking the lake.”

Wright said the auction process allows the seller to have more control of the process, particularly setting an end date. It also brings buyers from all around the world to compete for the property so the seller knows he or she will get the best market price.

“We’re really blessed to have this opportunity to partner with Concierge Auctions,” Cafferty said. “They help extraordinary properties like this one — the size, scale, levels of finish — benefit from reaching an international market. … This is often an elusive buyer that is most likely already connected with their platform.”

Buyers are heavily vetted, and everyone must be pre-qualified before setting foot in the house for a showing. Cafferty said the closing process is done on the front end, with the home inspection and property survey already complete.

Anyone who wants to bid on the property through Concierge Auctions must do four things to register: sign the terms and conditions; wire a $100,000 deposit that will be returned within 48 hours if they don’t win; provide proof of funds; and name an agent and place an opening bid.

The auction begins on Jan. 22, and last day to register for bid-

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

Ocoee approves Arden Park phase TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

BAPTIST

METHODIST

2nd Campus: First Baptist Church @Horizon West Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FBCWG.org

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 p.m.- Awana

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

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: Livestreaming Sunday @ 9 AM. Viewable on Facebook and Youtube

Windermere Union Church 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd., Windermere (407) 876-2112 Adult Worship: 9 a.m.

Sunday School: 10 a.m.

WindermereUnion.org

IN OTHER NEWS

The final stage of the Arden Park n The commission heard the first reading of an ordinance subdivision has been approved for a property at 511 Whittier and is ready to begin construcAve. The ordinance includes tion, after the Ocoee City Comthe annexation and rezoning mission approved the preliminary of .18 acres bordered by the and final plan during its meeting city of Ocoee to the east. The Tuesday, Jan. 5. property already benefits The Arden Park planned unit from Ocoee Fire Rescue development was approved origiservices via a joint firstnally by the commission on Nov. responder agreement with 21, 2006, before being amended Orange County, according to in 2013 and again last year. The city documents. original PUD land-use plan had — in the area being discussed — a n The commission approved future school if the Orange County the elections services conSchool Board decided to purchase tract with the Orange County the tract or for residential units.

Supervisor of Elections to alUltimately, OCPS decided against low officials to open and run a school and the city amended the unquestionable vote-by-mail plan to place residential units. ballots for the March 2021 “It’s for 67 lots with open space general municipal election around it,” Ocoee Planning Direcutilizing the Orange County tor Michael Rumer said. “It’s Canvassing Board’s criteria. internally accessed, it has some properties touching on the north, and you can see there is a green buffer which is consistent with to get this done, and who knows the other phases in between that what happens after that.” and the property line. The access Following Moyer’s comments, Advertise your Events point to this will be Services via … the orRumer spoke to the commission on off this new entrance thepage Clarkeweekly.

Road about the half-dozen open green extension. This will facilitate the spaces being offered in the subfinal phase the site, and Arden division before the commission Thisof page appears weekly in the Park will beOrange complete. ” approved West Times & Observer and of the plan in a unaniArdenonline Park North spans about mous vote. at OrangeObserver.com.

308 acres, of which 54.44 acres are identified as wetlands/Lake INNOVATION MONTESSORI To advertise in the Church Directory Sims, according to city docu- Innovation Montessori Ocoee call 407-656-2121 or email ments and, at the moment, is is a step closer to adding a high AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com currently undeveloped and cov- school to its campus, located at ered in mostly pine trees. The 67 1610 N. Lakewood Ave., after the homes are single-family lots, and commission approved the Phase 3 the minimum residential lot sizes large-scale preliminary and final range from 45 feet by 120 feet, 55 site plan for the school.

The school sits on 20.16 acres, feet by 120 feet and 65 feet by 120 and the parcel consists of three feet.

During the public hearing por- buildings that are the learning tion of the item, only one person, grounds for 800 students from Jim Moyer — a resident who has Pre-K through the eighth grade.

In October 2018, the school lived in Arden Park phase three for less than one year — voiced purchased and combined — via his concerns to the commission annexation — an additional 2.59 about how quickly development acres of land that will be the was happening with the subdivi- planned spot for a two-story high school building, which will sion.

“Arden Park North is moving increase the student populaway, way too fast — extremely tion by 288. The building will be fast,” Moyer said. “I think they similar to the existing buildings should slow up their process. As in architecture. Along with the I’ve commented before, there is an building, 72 parking spots will be inadequacy for the correct ameni- provided, and onsite stormwater ties for teenagers. I’ve spoken to and an additional access point the divisional president’s office; on to Fullers Cross Road will be I’ve spoken to Lennar in Miami. added.

The school’s site plan was I just feel we are not considering the long term — they’re just trying approved unanimously.

CHURCH DIRECTORY NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, CHURCH OF GOD Winter Garden Ocoee Church of God (407) 654-9661 Pastor Thomas Odom Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST NGLICAN 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH Sunday 7CHURCH p.m. OLANDO FIRST UNITEDBrazilian METHODIST Service: PURPOSE GLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee (407) 656-8011 CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, Saturday Service: 6 p.m.

LLOWSHIP CHURCH Pastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden tor The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas purposechurchorlando.org (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, www.starkelakebaptist.org

EPISCOPAL

DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM

ST BAPTIST CHURCH E Plant St., Winter Garden -656-2352 NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 5 am Bible Study 00 am Contemporary DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana or Tim Grosshans w.fbcwg.org Campus: UNDATION WORSHIP NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages ndation Academy High School 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden w.FoundationWorship.com -730-1867

Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

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241 N. Main St., Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST Winter Garden 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m., Beulah Rd, WinterServices: Garden EPISCOPAL -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org 7 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM ChurchoftheMessiah.com 241 N. Main, Winter Garden NDAY SERVICE 11:00AM

Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org

MIKE YOAKUM PASTOR

P: 407.656.1520 C: 407.758.3570 MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM

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Mental Healthcare Counseling 407.905.9500 • 8am-4pm Mon - Fri • 8am-3pm Saturday

As students head back to classes - online or face-to-face - families are walking a tightrope, trying to balance safety with continued academic growth.

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Help Us. Help Them. 611 Business Park Blvd #101, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (407) 905-9500 I MatthewsHopeMinistries.org Help Themselves.

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OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

9

Keene’s Pointe estate sells for $3.7 million

A

home in the Keene’s Pointe community

in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Dec. 31, 2020, to Jan. 7.

The home at 8358 Lake Burden Circle, Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $3.7 million. Built in 2009, it has eight bedrooms, eight baths, two halfbaths, a pool and 9,844

realtor.com

square feet of living area.

The home at 8358 Lake Burden Circle, Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $3.7 million. This Keene’s Pointe French chateau is situated on the shores of Lake Burden.

The price per square foot

HORIZON WEST

is $375.86. Days on mar-

The home at 6255 River Fruit Court, Windermere, sold Jan. 5, for $372,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,172 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $171.27.

Days on market: 85.

ket: 150.

These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

EDEN ISLE

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The townhouse at 14449 Vashons Way, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 7, for $223,500. Built

SNAPSHOT

Total Sales: 39 High Sale Price: $3.7 M Low Sale Price: $119,900

in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,088 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $205.42. Days on market: 25.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 12675 Hawkstone Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 4,

348353-1

REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

347635-1

@Observerorange

for $840,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,689 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $227.70. Days on market: 242.

LATHAM PARK NORTH

The home at 14160 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $446,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,689 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $165.86. Days on market: 49.

ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 5043 Palmetto Park Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $396,999. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,213 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $179.39. Days on market: 42.

SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 10

10

OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

REAL ESTATE

RAVENNA

OCOEE LANDINGS

The home at 7753 Bowery Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 2, for $620,000. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,248 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $145.95. Days on market: 350.

The home at 1871 Ibis Bay Court, No. 41, Ocoee, sold Jan. 6, for $336,490. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,801 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $186.84. Days on market: 24.

ROYAL ESTATES

The townhouse at 9010 Via Di Canti, Windermere, sold Dec. 31, for $369,900. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,381 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $155.35.

Days on market: 134.

SAWMILL

WATERMARK

TEMPLE GROVE ESTATES

The home at 9696 Emerald Berry Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $295,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,626 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $181.43. Days on market: 83.

WINCEY GROVES

The home at 5373 Golden Apple Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 1, for $443,918. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,679 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $165.70. Days on market: 19.

WINDERMERE ISLE

The home at 8426 Vivaro Isle Way, Windermere, sold Jan. 6, for $485,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,680 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $180.97. Days on market: 66.

The home at 5126 Mill Stream Road, Ocoee, sold Jan. 5, for $254,950. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,670 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $152.66. Days on market: 11.

realtor.com

The home at 1127 Coastal Circle, Ocoee, sold Jan. 7, for $427,500. It was the largest transaction in Ocoee from Dec. 31, 2020, to Jan. 7.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 8266 Bryce Canyon Ave., Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $320,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,825 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $175.34. Days on market: 55.

OCOEE

BORDEAUX

The condo at 1995 Erving Circle, No. 308, Ocoee, sold Dec. 31, for $143,500. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,234 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $116.29. Days on market: 45.

FOREST OAKS

ADMIRAL POINT

The home at 1127 Coastal Circle, Ocoee, sold Jan. 7, for $427,500. Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,552 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $120.35. Days on market: 18.

The home at 1815 Prairie Lake Blvd., Ocoee, sold Jan. 4, for $248,500. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,371 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $181.25. Days on market: Two. GLADES AT SYLVAN LAKE

The home at 2677 Grapevine Crescent, Ocoee, sold Dec. 31, for $379,000. Built in 2004, it

has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,068 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $93.17. Days on market: Seven.

MARION PARK

The home at 13 Magnolia St., Ocoee, sold Dec. 31, for $249,900. Built in 1925, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,612 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $155.02. Days on market: Two. OCOEE HILLS

The home at 1003 Oakwood Lane, Ocoee, sold Dec. 31, for $240,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,308 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $184.49. Days on market: 13.

The home at 2423 Auld Scot Blvd., Ocoee, sold Jan. 7, for $315,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,888 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $166.84. Days on market: Three.

WINDERMERE

BELMERE VILLAGE

The home at 11324 Via Andiamo, Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $525,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,031 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $173.21. Days on market: Eight.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 11322 Camden Loop Way, No. 7, Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $575,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,368 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $170.72.

Days on market: 201.

Personalized care with compassion and excellence.

TheCity City of Honors ofOcoee Ocoee The Legacy of

Dr. Martin Luther Unity ParadeKing,Jr and Celebration.

Office Hours:

“Dare to Dream”

Wellington Esquea, PA-C • Dr. Bindu Kakkanatt Dr. Shaista Usmani • Dr. Shahid Usmani

City of Ocoee Human Relations Diversity Board Invites You to its

While our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration wasMartin canceled due to concerns about 6th Annual Luther King, Jr.COVID-19, the City of Ocoee is committed to embracing Dr. King’s ideals Unity Parade and Celebration of peace, justice and equality for all.

Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM Saturday Mornings 8-12

By Appointment Only 1551 Boren Drive, Suite A Ocoee, FL 34761 Se Habla Español

Call 407-395-2037 • www.OcoeeKidsDocs.com

Monday, January 16, 2012 at 10:00 am Join our celebration after the parade at 11:00am at Ocoee West Oaks Mall

Serving the Community Since 1966

Grand Marshal – Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs Master of Ceremony – Allie Braswell, CEO, Central Florida Urban League Keynote Speaker: Lucas D. Boyce Caleb Heard, Winner of the 2011 City of Ocoee Black History Month Essay Contest, will recite his essay

In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King,Keynote Jr. Day,Speaker: Lucas D. Boyce, we will broadcast our MLK Day Celebrations from years past.Relations, Director of Community

Garden Choir Performance • Blood Pressure and Health Screenings Florida's Blood Centers "Free Movie Ticket" for your donation!

Bone Marrow Donation Drive

Multicultural Insights, &

Affairs for the Ocoee TV Spectrum 493Government and streaming Orlando Magic. and be inspired online at Ocoee.org. The segments will air on Come January 15by the- life 18.

Parade begins at Citrus Elementary on Clarke Road and ends at the West Oaks Mall

principles that took Lucas from foster care to the White House, the NBA, and becoming a published author.

A special photo montage, “A Look Back Through the Years,” also highlight MLKspeaker Day will Celebrations going to If it rains, will the MLK Parade Celebrationour and keynote take place inside of the Westback Oaks Mall the city’s first parade held 14 years ago.

HUMAN RELATIONS DIVERSITY BOARD

Please visit www.ocoee.org and the City of Ocoee Facebook page to watch these videos online, and to view the Ocoee TV schedule.

Empowering Patients and Restoring Active Lifestyles.

Open Monday - Friday Call us at (407) 654-3505 For Appointments: Press 3 Authorizations and Referrals can be faxed to (407) 654-4956 349577-1

CITY OF OCOEE

596 Ocoee Commerce Pkwy, Ocoee, FL 34761-4219 www.westorangeorthopaedics.com

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www.ocoee.org Be sure•to407-905-3100 tune in to

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

STONE CREEK

The home at 1532 Loch Avich Road, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $278,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,384 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $200.87. Days on market: 17.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2407 Oakington St., Winter Garden, sold Jan. 3, for $296,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,755 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $168.66. Days on market: 14.

realtor.com

The home at 14342 Sunbridge Circle, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 7, for $585,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from Dec. 31, 2020, to Jan. 7.

ROBERTS LANDING

WINSOR HILL RESERVE

DANIELS LANDING

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

WINTER GARDEN

FULLERS CROSSING

The home at 606 Magnolia St., Windermere, sold Dec. 31, for $540,000. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,327 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $232.06. Days on market: 42.

BLACK LAKE PARK

The home at 551 First Cape Coral Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $379,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,887 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $131.28. Days on market: 21.

BRADFORD CREEK

The home at 14342 Sunbridge Circle, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 7, for $585,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 3,475 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $168.35. Days on market: 42.

BR DENTAL 407-905-9965

The condo at 399 Douglas Way, No. 63, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 6, for $162,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths

The home at 927 Brandy Oaks Loop, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 5, for $340,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,535 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $134.12. Days on market: 74.

The townhouse at 760 Walkers Grove Lane, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 5, for $325,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,871 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $173.70. Days on market: 13.

WINDTREE GARDENS

The condo at 24 Windtree Lane, No. 204, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $119,900. Built in 1983, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 918 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $130.61. Days on market: 13.

realtor.com

BLAIR M. JOHNSON

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Days on market: Three.

The home at 12675 Hawkstone Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $840,000. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from Dec. 31, 2020, to Jan. 7.

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and 930 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $174.19. Days on market: Four.

The home at 1913 Americus Minor Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 5, for $340,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,746 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $194.73. Days on market: Three.

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The townhouse at 13220 Daniels Landing Circle, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 4, for $232,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 1,406 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.01.

Days on market: 14.

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The home at 804 Oakdale St., Windermere, sold Jan. 6, for $675,000. Built in 1946, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,555 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $189.87. Days on market: 221.

The home at 9612 Castle Way Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 4, for $900,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths, a pool and 4,210 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $213.78.

Days on market: 186.

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The home at 1830 Roberts Landing Road, Windermere, sold Dec. 31, for $480,000. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,132 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $153.26. Days on market: 141.

The townhouse at 1009 Priory Circle, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 7, for $263,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,884 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $139.60. Days on market: Two.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

OCPS graduation rate above state average The Florida Department of Education released recently the 2019-20 graduation rates for the state, school districts and high schools.

Orange County Public Schools’ average graduation rate among its 20 traditional high schools is 97.9%. The graduation rate of all Orange County Public Schools is 90.4%, which outpaces the state’s 90% average. Both averages are 2% higher than last year.

OCPS partnership to benefit tech students

Orange County Public Schools and Orlando Sports + Entertainment District’s strategic partnership will benefit Orange Technical College students interested in transportation, utilities, health care, construction, hospitality and culinary management, and information technology careers.

With the focus on providing the skill set needed for the next generation of employment, OTC and SED will provide skills-based training program with internships, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs that would result in successful careers enabled

by SED.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

LAURA NEWMAN

SUNRIDGE ELEMENTARY Now in her 20th year with Orange County Public Schools, kindergarten teacher Laura Newman has always found joy in empowering her students to reach their highest potential. Teaching students — especially kindergartners — this school year has been a challenge, but Newman has taken it in stride and always puts her young learners first.

What brought you to your school?

We’ve lived in this area for 18 years. Having three boys of my own going through Orange County Public Schools, it’s always been important for me to work in the same community where I live. SunRidge is a great community school, and I was excited when a kindergarten position became available.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the people! I work with a wonderful team of ladies and a gentleman and have a very supportive administrative team. My students and their families are the best.

This has been a challenging school year, but my parents have been very understanding, flexible and appreciative.

What is your motivation?

My motivation is my students. Knowing what I do or say, or how I make them feel, will leave a lasting impression

REPORT CARD ROLE: Kindergarten teacher TIME AT SCHOOL: Three years; 20 with Orange County Public Schools

on them encourages me to be the best teacher I can be. I am motivated to give my students a kindergarten experience filled with fun, hands-on activities they will always remember.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is watching my students grow and learn. Kindergarten is a year of substantial growth. It is so exciting to see a student come into kindergarten not knowing any letters or sounds and watch them learn to read over the course of the year. The fact that they make you feel like a celebrity doesn’t hurt, either.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family! Before COVID-19, we enjoyed going to the theme parks. I love all things Disney!

Since COVID-19, we’ve spent more time doing puzzles and playing board games. We also love going to the beach and the mountains.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? My favorite teachers were my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Call, and my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Gibbs. After I graduated college, I went back to my elementary school (in Independence, Missouri) to visit both. I remember so many details about kindergarten like the Letter People, the sound of Ms. Call’s soft voice during story time and playing in the sand box. They both made learning fun and inspired me to be a teacher.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher for as long as I can remember, because I wanted to make a difference in the life of a child.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

It’s hard to pick just one. One of my favorites is “I Think I Can.” I read it every year on the first day of school. We discuss having a “can-do” attitude and always doing our best. Then, on the last day of school, I read “I Knew You Could.” It always makes me teary eyed because they did it, even if at times they didn’t think they could!

Who would you say is your biggest inspiration and why?

My biggest inspiration is Walt Disney.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have any superpower, it would be to predict the future.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

Well, one would have to be Jack Hartmann (children’s singer). You can’t teach kindergarten without him.

Another would have to be Trans-Siberian Orchestra because their Christmas music is amazing. And, of course, you’ve got to have some country!

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

Introducing …

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For more information about Full Circle, visit www.orangeobserver.com/full-circle-podcasts

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Featuring audio journalism from the Observer Media Group’s Central Florida bureau, Full Circle has launched with a four-part series, “A Century Removed: Truth and Reconciliation of the 1920 Ocoee Massacre.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

13

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Wolverines introduce dynamic scheduling model Windermere High students and teachers currently are set to move forward with a brand-new scheduling model for the 2021-22 school year.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Next school year, the Windermere Wolverines will have a unique opportunity to make their schedules look different than they have in the past.

Windermere High administrators officially introduced the Windermere Dynamic Schedule model to parents and students in a virtual presentation Monday, Jan. 11.

The WDS model offers a 10-period school day in which students can choose any seven periods, contiguous or not.

Classes would be offered from 7:20 a.m. to 5:08 p.m., or 3:28 p.m. on Wednesdays.

The innovative schedule targets students with available transportation who require more flexibility for athletic training, work, sibling care and volunteer opportunities, or those who need a later start time.

“This year, high school principals were asked by the superintendent if you had any out-of-thebox ideas on scheduling,” Principal Douglas Guthrie told attendees.

“Four schools in Orange County said yes, and Windermere High was one of those four. The others are East River, University and Evans high schools.”

Guthrie said the administration team first approached teachers to gauge their interest in this type of a dynamic schedule. When the teachers were interested in hearing more, administrators then talked to the Parent Teacher Student Organization, School Advisory Council and a student focus group.

The response, Guthrie said, was positive.

After holding an information session for the faculty on dynamic scheduling and taking a vote, teachers were on board with trying it.

“We are collecting right now teacher requests as far as which schedule they would like to teach on,” Guthrie said. “We also did a Think Tank with our coaches and our extracurricular sponsors — band, chorus, drama, dance — all those other things that happen after school and asked them to give us a schedule of when they think they would have practice based on an alternative schedule like this.”

Assistant Principal Sheri Robb said although the school day is expanded, the required hours for students and time in each class period are not. WDS allows scheduling flexibility for students and teachers, including availability of later start times.

The standard first- through seventh-period schedule also will remain available for students who want to stick with the traditional schedule.

Dr. Taylor Plumblee, assistant principal of instruction, said students would have the opportunity to come to campus, take classes, potentially take a break in the middle of the day, and then continue their classes later on.

“We are really excited about what this gives students,” Plumblee said. “We definitely want to take into account what our students, families, faculty and staff all were needing, but most importantly the flexibility for students. For students for whom early-morning classes are not a good option, you’ve got the opportunity to do a later start time, and students could continue their classes much later in the evening than is currently available to any students in our county. … There is still a standard option, and we recognize that this model with later start times may not be for every student.”

When students begin building their schedules for the next school year, they will be able to choose the class periods they would like to be on campus or off campus for. These decisions will

WINDERMERE DYNAMIC SCHEDULE Currently, all students and teachers will be moving forward with the WDS for the 2021-22 school year. A course-request presentation is available for students and parents to review.

Rising ninth-graders and seniors are able to submit their virtual course-request forms now, with rising 10th- and 11th-graders to fill theirs out soon.

Students and parents are asked to make thoughtful decisions when filling out their course-request forms, as that information will help create a master schedule for all teachers and students. In addition to choosing classes, students will be asked to pick the class periods they’d like to be on and off campus for.

For more information, visit the school’s 2021 Course Requests page at bit.ly/39DoglB or call the school at (407) 347-0980.

help determine how to build the master schedule for the coming school year to meet the needs of as many teachers and students as possible.

“At this point, all students and all teachers are moving forward with the Windermere Dynamic Scheduling model, so you will be expressing to us what periods your student wants to be on campus and what periods your student wants to be off campus,” Plumblee said.

Some students, such as student-athletes or those participating in certain extracurriculars, may have to stick with the traditional first- through seventh-period — or secondthrough eighth-period — day as those schedules require. Students who schedule a break in the middle of the day can use the student union for homework or study time, and they will be supervised.

Others who do not participate in such activities have more flexibility and can choose any seven class periods they would like. However, anyone taking classes beyond the traditional first- through seventh-period schedule must be able to provide their own transportation.

Orange County Public Schools transportation will continue to operate as it does currently.

“There are other schools outside of Orange County that have done this, but this is the first time OCPS has provided this opportunity,” Plumblee said.

“The sky is the limit in terms of who this can help with the innovative scheduling.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

DEC. 27, 1946 The city of Winter Garden wished its residents a happy 1947 with happy hearts, happy faces and a happy day — while advertising the new dock on Lake Apopka in The West Orange News. Paul Taylor, dock manager, handled sales of new and used boats and the rentals for motorboats and rowboats.

85 years ago

Winter Garden’s city dock on a recent day attracted a large crowd of fishermen and holiday sightseers — some of the parties coming from faraway points. Every boat was in use, and sportsmen hooked probably 100 pounds of bass. The crowds showed no little interest in the new trailer site laid out by Mayor George Walker.

Winter Garden city authorities began marking traffic lanes and parking spaces on principle streets in the business district. Police were instructed to strictly enforce the ordinances. People frowned upon the zigzag parking characterized by police and neighboring cities as “Winter Garden parking.”

80 years ago

A total of 150 acres of iceberg lettuce was planted by Roper Brothers. Frank Roper was the promoter of this experiment.

The acreage was located near Lake Apopka. Growers in years past had relied on the Big Boston variety of lettuce. Roper Brothers had been watching the iceberg lettuce in the Carolinas and wanted to bring it to our area.

70 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Kerr gave a pretty party for their children Jimmy and Susan.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

FROM THE ARCHIVES Dated Jan. 5, 1912, this color postcard depicting a celery field in Terra Ceia, Florida, was mailed to Luther Willis Tilden, a prominent citrus and vegetable grower. He and his family lived in what was later named Meadow Marsh, the stately home still standing south of the intersection of Tildenville School Road and the West Orange Trail. A message on the reverse from Jacksonville’s E.O. Painter Fertilizer Company thanks Mr. Tilden for his order of Jan. 2, 1912.

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.

35 years ago

Popular Ocoee residents Tommy and Jannett Ritten purchased the Gabriel’s Sub Shop in the new Village Marketplace shopping center at the corner of State Road 50 and Maguire Road.

20 years ago

The West Orange Times sang the praises of retiring Ocoee City Manager Ellis Shapiro.

The editorial said the city was transformed under his guidance, and many impressive projects were carried out on his watch. These included

the Clarke Road north-south corridor, West Oaks Mall, the Maguire corridor, Forest Lake Golf Course and the Health Central medical complex.

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WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

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JANUARY 14, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

Ocoee senior Johnny Taylor has emerged as a leader for the Knights basketball team. Page 16.

1

5

In Windermere boys basketball’s heartbreaking 62-59 loss at the hands of Orlando Christian Prep at the Showdown in O-Town Saturday, Jan. 9, point guard Trey Moss had a solid showing. The senior racked up 21 points — on seven three-pointers — for the Wolverines. Teammate Kanye Jones added 18 points, while Jalen Debose recorded 13 points. In the game, the Wolverines knocked down 14 shots from deep.

2

In CFCA boys basketball’s 69-58 win over The Master’s Academy Friday, Jan. 8, Imanuel Zorgvol led the way for the Eagles. The senior big man went off for 23 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in the win. The win moved the Eagles to 8-4 on the season.

3

Windermere Prep’s Micah Kurtz — who serves as the school’s strength, conditioning and athletic development coach — was named Region 1 Coach of the Year by the National High School Strength Coaches Association last week. The award is given annually by the organization — one to each of the organization’s eight regions — in recognition of coaching achievements and passion for their profession.

4

A big night from Windermere girls soccer’s Miya Skretteberg helped push the Wolverines to a dominating 8-1 win over Wekiva Wednesday, Jan. 6.

In the match, Skretteberg exploded for five goals to push the Wolverines to their fourth win of the season. The Wolverines followed up that game with a 7-0 win over Olympia the following day.

5

Foundation Academy’s Samantha Wall was a scoring machine during the Lions girls soccer team’s 5-0 win over Oak Ridge Tuesday, Jan. 5. The sophomore picked up a whopping five goals in the win for the Lions. Teammate Madison Krause snagged one goal, while seventh-grader Alyvia Clark recorded three assists.

Mark Austin has been with the New York Yacht Club for going on three years, serving to keep the race team safe and in good health.

ON THE

CHASE TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

A

world away in Auckland, New Zealand, Mark Austin is gliding along the water on a boat referred to simply as Chase 2.

It’s Sunday, Jan. 10, for folks here in the United States — though the 18-hour time difference means it’s Monday for Austin — and he’s riding behind the crew of the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic.

The club is preparing for the Prada Cup, which runs Jan. 15 to Feb. 22, and just like the team manning American Magic, the Winter Garden resident — who serves as safety and team medic — also has to be

prepared for the upcoming races.

The practice days are not quite the same as an actual race day, but they are vital to success, Austin said.

“It’s the same excitement without the spectators,” Austin said.

“It’s very regimented — whenever we go into race mode there are absolute rules that take place, and we can only be in certain areas during race time, whereas when we’re just training on the water, we can chase the boat all over the place.

“But once the course is set and the yacht is on the course, only one of our chase boats can stay within a certain amount of distance of the yacht, and the other boats are on a standby location around the SEE AMERICAN PAGE 16

Winter Garden resident Mark Austin, a team medic for the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic race team, is currently helping keep his team safe during the Prada Cup and America’s Cup.

Photos courtesy of Will Ricketson

One of the chase boats used during races follows behind NYYC’s American Magic.

From the cheap seats

Three reasons for joy in 2021 Forget 2020, because the winter and spring seasons offer a lot of quality sports content. Here are three things you should be looking out for to start the new year.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Happy New Year, folks! How are y’all doing?

At this point, that question feels rhetorical, given the Dumpster-fire year we just survived, but the good news is it’s a new year, and there is some highquality ball happening locally — right now.

I ended 2020 with a column

reflecting back on last year, and the first edition of this year’s paper looked at how COVID-19 will possibly affect the 2021 sports year. Now, I’m ready to take some time to examine three things I’m looking forward to the most in the first few months of prep sports.

BOYS BASKETBALL

HAS TITLE CONTENDERS

You heard me — this area has a couple of teams that will be vying for state championships come playoff time. Mark my words.

Leading the charge are Ben Witherspoon’s Dr. Phillips Panthers and Mark Griseck’s WinderSEE PREP PAGE 16

16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

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

Johnny Taylor A senior on the Ocoee boys basketball team, Johnny Taylor has found himself as a leader for the Knights following a senior exodus that happened last year. Now, Taylor, who plays at the 3, is leading the team in points and rebounds and hopes to make the most out of his final season.

When did you first get into basketball?

Since my dad played, it’s like I’ve always been around it, but I think it was 2012 — I was at the YMCA — when I first started playing basketball.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Ocoee High GRADE: Senior AGE: 17 SPORT: Basketball POSITION: Small forward

What was it about basketball that you loved so much?

As a kid, I just liked the energy that the crowd gets from a dunk or something — that’s what made me really get into a game. Seeing my favorite player LeBron (James), seeing him dunk and the energy that he gave off — I think that is what got me into the game.

What’s your favorite thing about playing small forward?

The most challenging part?

My favorite part about playing the position is I’m kind of a wing player. … It’s kind of like my speciality, and it’s kind of playing all around playing the 3 spot. I think the most difficult part is it’s like a big change, because we came from having 11 seniors where everyone is 6-foot-5 and above, so obviously my part wouldn’t be playing the 3 — I would be at a guard spot.

So it’s like I’m playing the 3 along with other positions because I’m one of the bigs on the team. I like it, but at the same time it’s kind of a change.

Since you first started playing, what would you say has been the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself?

I feel like I’m more confident.

I used to play kind of nervous, as in I was scared to make a mistake when I played.

How do you get over a bad game?

I just look toward to the next play — I don’t try to hang my head low when I have an off night. Even though it’s frustrating, I don’t try to hang my head. I look at it as, “All right, get it back the next play, try to get it back on defense,” something like that — anyway to contribute.

Do you have a highlight moment during your time at Ocoee?

I think for me it was the first time I dunked the ball in a game. It’s crazy because the first time I did it, that was the one game that did not get recorded. I was so hyped I don’t even remember that happening — that was my sophomore year.

What has been your favorite part about playing at Ocoee?

My favorite part about playing basketball at Ocoee is probably not even the basketball part — it’s probably the offseason before we start playing. I think my favorite part is when our coach just has us working out outside — that’s my favorite part for some reason; we’re flipping tires and doing all this stuff outside.

It’s like, I’m pushing myself every day, and I think that’s my favorite part about being at Ocoee.

— TROY HERRING

American Magic in NZ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

perimeter of the course until they’re needed,” he said.

Austin and the American Magic team completed the Christmas Cup regatta — part of the America’s Cup World Series — but now they are readying for the round-robin-style Prada Cup tournament to decide who takes on the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in the prestigious 36th America’s Cup in March.

A QUICK HISTORY

In the Prada Cup, American Magic will compete against two other clubs from across the world — INEOS Team UK from the United Kingdom and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team from Italy.

It’s a big race in the world of sailing yachts, because the winner takes on the title of “challenger” as they compete against the “ defender” — the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron — in the America’s Cup. The America’s Cup is steeped in tradition, with the first race taking place in 1851 — making it the oldest trophy in international sport. The race was first started by a group of businessmen from New York who sailed the schooner America across the Atlantic Ocean for the World’s Fair in England. Those men won a race around the Isle of Wight against a fleet of British yachts

to claim the £100 Cup. The last race, held in 2017 in Bermuda, saw the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron beat the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Along with the trophy, the winner of the race gets to decide where the next will be held, hence why Austin and many on the team are currently in New Zealand, where they — as well as Austin’s wife, Lesley — have been since July 2020.

FIGHTING FOR THE AULD MUG

Austin himself has been a part of the organization for going on three years, and it was his job background that drew the attention of the New York Yacht Club.

“I’m retired from the fire service — I was with Orlando Fire Department for my career and then from there retired and went to Cocoa Beach Fire Department,” Austin said. “But during my career, I did safety/medical for offshore powerboat racing — that’s where my beginning was for the racing stuff.

“It was an interest,” he said. “I had some buddies that I worked with in the fire service (who) were doing it, and I was able to join them with what they were doing.”

The New York Yacht Club connected with Austin and brought him to Rhode Island where they were working. There, he saw the

Prep sports are ramping up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

mere Wolverines — both among the favorites to take the Class 7A crown.

At DP, Witherspoon — who works with voodoo-like magic — has turned the Panthers back into a contender in only his second season in command.

Outside of one loss to No. 1 nationally ranked Montverde, his team sits at 11-1.

Down the road, you have Windermere, which currently sits at 10-4 thanks to Griseck’s leadership and the play of guys such as Kanye Jones and Trey Moss. And actually, what should easily be the game of the year comes down to Windermere and DP in their regular-season finale Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Windermere. If COVID-19 wasn’t a thing, this game would require the fire marshal, because you wouldn’t be able to swing a stick without hitting someone.

Also, look out for CFCA (8-4) and Olympia (9-3). Both schools are making noise. For

the Eagles, this isn’t incredibly shocking. The Titans, though, have come out swinging in an incredibly strong start.

WILL SOCCER OVERCOME POSTSEASON WOES?

Often, there are some great sports that often get overshadowed by the proverbial “moneymakers.” In this case, it’s soccer playing a second fiddle, when in reality the programs in the area are solid.

Soccer is one of those sports in which just about every school in the coverage area has showed incredible strength, and don’t overlook what these boys and girls are doing.

Before my glorious two-week vacation, I mentioned DP’s Kayla Estep and Foundation Academy’s Ian Garcia in High Five after they scored four goals apiece in their respective matchups. That’s been the trend among area schools, many of which sit above .550 (like DP’s boys team and the Windermere girls team).

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technology and boats being used.

These boats were hitting speeds — up to 40 knots — he had never seen before.

In the years since Austin became a member of the team, he has been the man on Chase 2 — there are three chase boats — and luckily, he hasn’t had to deal with any significant injuries. The biggest concern is always a boat colliding with another, but that’s never happened under Austin’s watch.

So far, the most important part of Austin’s job is always in the beginning when the safety team goes over water safety with sailors. Outside of helping the team, Austin serves as a liaison between the team and local jurisdictions to determine what resources they have in the event of an emergency.

Austin said he enjoys the thrill of overseeing these important responsibilities in a historic race on the other side of the world, as well as the international flavor that comes with being a part of the New York Yacht Club.

“Our team is made up of members from all over the world, and making those relationships has been the best thing for me,” he said. “Now I have friends everywhere, and leading up to this — I’m a Florida boy — so I’ve been able to experience the different cultures, and it’s been wonderful.”

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The big question: Does the regular-season success translate into postseason success?

Since the FHSAA began holding championships for boys and girls soccer — in 1977 and 1982, respectively ­— only the West Orange boys soccer team, which finished runner-up in Class 5A in 2013, has made an FHSAA finals. Other teams have made runs, and Windermere Prep has taken the SSAC title, but no one has walked away with an FHSAA title.

THE RETURN OF SPRING SPORTS

Of all the things that excite me right now, it’s the revival of the spring season.

Last spring, athletes had their seasons abruptly and unexpectedly ended. A lot of kids lost their last year to play, which is why I know this year’s crop of seniors won’t take this season for granted.

As of now, the FHSAA plans to go on with the season with the same kind of precautions as the fall and winter, and that’s all I can really tell you on that front.

But otherwise, it’s going to get busy with nine sports starting up here soon.

The clangs of lacrosse sticks smashing together and echoes of leather balls hitting leather gloves are the sounds I could put on a playlist to fall asleep to.

Around here, the spring sports programs are some of the best in the state, and given how last season disintegrated, I know those athletes across the nine sports are about to rage on the field.

This is their time, and I hope y’all are ready to take this wild, much-needed ride with them.

OBSERVER

17

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

|

BARBARA JOHNSTON TOMPKINS MARCH 29, 1927 — DECEMBER 24, 2020

We’ll take the first step with you

Direct Cremation committee of the local Habitat for Humanity.

After years of Oakland Presbyterian membership, Barbara became a devoted part of Cornerstone Community Church in Ocoee, Florida, for over 30 years.

She leaves behind many friends who remember her sweet spirit, love of family, enjoyment of cats and collection of sheep.

Barbara leaves behind to cherish her memory, daughter, Amy Tompkins (Seifer) and her husband, Patrick Seifer; granddaughter, Abigail Seifer; daughter, Dinah Tompkins (Carboneau) and her husband, Eric Carboneau, all of Winter Garden, Florida; and granddaughter, Eleanor Carboneau, of Seattle, Washington.

A memorial service to celebrate her life was held Jan. 2, 2020, at Cornerstone Community Church, available for viewing at facebook.com/ C o r n e rs to n e C o m m u n i tyChurchOcoee.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Cornerstone are welcome.

Jose Angel Berenguer, 75, of Ocoee, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations, Winter Garden.

Clarence (Larry) Lyle Nutting, 70, of Ocoee, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home.

Michael Campione, 82 of Ocoee, died Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, Ocoee.

Janet Mae Downey Ragan, 87, of Winter Garden, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

Lillie Jane Casey, 85, of Ocoee, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations, Winter Garden.

Dorothy M. Huls, 94, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations, Winter Garden.

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Louie Frank Adams, age 92, of Gotha, Florida, passed away Jan. 4, 2021. He was born Sept.

20, 1928, in Clio, Alabama, the son of the late Daniel and Margaret (Sutton) Adams.

Prior to his retirement, he was a truck driver for Exxon Mobil.

Louie was predeceased by his sister, Ida Lou Spears; and two nephews, Charles Spears and Jerry Spears.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Emmie E. Adams; two children, Billy (Jean) Adams and Ann (Gary) House; three grandchildren, Kim (Brian) Bulger, Angela (Chris) Grey and Anthony (Vivian) Adams. Louie is also survived by seven greatgrandchildren, Jacob, Sam, Sarah Bulger, Christine, Susie, Michael Grey and Rebecca Adams; and two nephews, Terry Spears and Larry Spears.

Arrangements entrusted to Collison-Gramkow Funeral Home & Crematory, 500 E. Airport Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773; phone, (407) 322-3213.

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Barbara Johnston Tompkins, 93, went to rest in the Arms of Jesus early Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2020, due to COVID-19.

Barbara was born March 29, 1927, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Ross Johnston and Lillian Johnston.

Barbara attended high school, a popular student and Student Council member. She went to Huntingdon College and the University of Georgia.

In 1955, Barbara married Harley Tompkins in Atlanta, moving with him to Tampa, Florida, where they saw the birth of their first daughter, Amy. They relocated to Orlando where Dinah was born.

In 1962, they built a house on Johns Lake, where Barbara lived until moving into Serenades memory care.

After years as a homemaker, Barbara began her career with Walt Disney World in her 50s. After earning numerous employment awards, Barbara retired from Disney at 75, having served the company for 25 years.

Barbara enjoyed retirement, including travel to the northeastern United States, Alaska and Hawaii. She visited her daughter, Amy, and her husband in China in the late 1990s. She was also briefly on the housing

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Observer Media Group reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in an Observer Media Group publication to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental Thisproperty. week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

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Notice is hereby AND given that the City of Winter QUALIFYING Garden, Florida, is scheduling a CANDIDATE ABLE!!

NOW AVAIL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. at Notice isishereby given that the City ofofWinter Garden, Florida, isis scheduling aa Notice hereby given that the City Winter Garden, Florida, scheduling Noticetime is hereby given that thefollowing City of Winter Garden, Florida, is scheduling a which is the election of the officials to serve a 3-year term: Notice is hereby given that the City of Winter Garden, Florida, is scheduling MUNICIPAL ELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. at MUNICIPAL ELECTION - TUESDAY, 2021 - 7:00 TO P.M. 7:00 atP.M. ata MUNICIPAL ELECTION - TUESDAY, MARCH MARCH 9,9,2021 - 7:00 A.M.A.M. TO 7:00 MUNICIPAL ELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. at DOOR, SWAP which time is the election of the following officials to serve a 3-year term: DBL ANY whichwhich timetime is the election ofofthe officials serve a 3-year is the election thefollowing following officials to to serve a 3-year term:term:

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Do you have questions or require additional information?

City Clerkor -or 407-656-4111, Extension 2297 AngelaDo Grimmage, CMC $ information?

Doyou youContact: have questions require additional information? have questions require additional City Clerk/Supervisor of Municipal Elections Contact: City Clerk 407-656-4111, Extension 2297Swinging Contact: City Clerk 407-656-4111, Extension 2297 Contact: City Clerk - 407-656-4111, Extension 2297 Any Clear Angela Grimmage, CMC SHOWERS Shower Door over 26 s/f Angela Grimmage, CMC City Clerk/Supervisor of Municipal Elections Angela Grimmage, CMC Angela Grimmage, CMC City Clerk/Supervisor of Municipal Elections of Glass Cleaner w/Any Shower Purchase Can EElections *FRE CityClerk/Supervisor Clerk/Supervisor Municipal Elections City ofofMunicipal

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SHOWERS

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Perry’s Decorative Glass 1122 Bichara Blvd, Next to Publix on Route 441/27

www.EntryPointbyPerrys.com • 751-0883 *Not good with sales, prior orders, promos or closeouts already marked down. Lic. #SCC131151683

347642-1

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