01.31.19 The Observer

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Observer

OCPS names new Sunset Park principal.

SEE PAGE 3.

WINDERMERE • HORIZON WEST • DR. PHILLIPS • BAY HILL FREE

VOLUME 4, NO. 19

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

Get your bibs ready!

Windermere Rotary preps to crack lobsters, jokes at annual fundraiser. SEE PAGE 8.

Windermere leaders mull traffic options Town leaders heard recommendations on how to reduce the large amount of cut-through traffic in Windermere.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

To set up road barriers or to remove stop signs — that’s the question the town’s residents and council need to answer after hearing from traffic engineering experts during the Jan. 22 workshop at Town Hall.

The recent workshop started with a presentation by Mike Woodward from Kimley-Horn SEE TOWN PAGE 2 Lisa Call, Tina Myers, Teresa Fraley, Annette Castro and Trish Dean

SPORTS

Windermere handles rival West Orange.

SEE PAGE 11.

PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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Postal Customer

Stopping to smell the rosé Windermere residents brave chilly temperatures for annual Windermere Wine & Dine. SEE PAGE 6.

Kathy and Craig Lopus

DOMINATION

Photos by Danielle Hendrix

OCPS pushes for portables at 2-year-old Windermere High In just its second year, Windermere High is nearly 600 students over capacity.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

Tensions ran high as dozens of Windermere High parents and students listened to county leaders during a community meeting on two separate issues related to their school.

Staff from Orange County government and Orange County Public Schools spoke at Windermere High Wednesday, Jan. 23, to address two items — a specialexception request to allow for more portable classrooms on WinderSEE OCPS PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM! Attention, fellow Instagramers: The Observer invites you to connect with us on Instagram at @orangeobserver.

There, we’ll be sharing many of our reader-submitted photos, as well as some of our favorites from the newspaper each week.

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THURSDAY, JAN. 31

YOUR CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

BIKE SHOP ART & WINE NIGHT 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, at Winter Garden Wheel Works, 101 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.

Enjoy a night of art and wine at the bike shop. All instruction, supplies and refreshments are provided. Painting will have a bicycle theme. Tickets are $35 and available at wgwheelworks. com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 1

SCOUT BSA GIRLS TRAILBLAZER WEEKEND Starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, and continuing Saturday, Feb. 2, and Sunday, Feb. 3, at Camp Joy at Kelly Park, 5303 Baptist Camp Road, Apopka. Girls 11 to 17 are invited to start their scouting journey during this official Scout BSA Troops for Girls weekend. Campout cost is $26; participants must be a registered scout. For more details, call (407) 889-4403 or visit scoutingevent.com/083-trailblazerweekend#. The website includes a detailed packing list.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2

UNITY CONCERT 2019 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 E. Jackson St., Orlando. Hosted by Garden Choir and Voci del Cuore, the concert benefits Young Fathers of Central Florida. Enjoy an evening of choral music while supporting an organization that mentors and empowers young fathers. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students and are available through Eventbrite.

ORHW-0030 - WindermereObserver

Town tackles traffic issue

WINDERMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA CARNIVAL 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Windermere Elementary School, 11125 Park Ave. Wristbands for activities are $15 in advance and $20 at the carnival.

(407) 876-7520.

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TUESDAY, FEB. 5

RISE: CONVERSATIONS ON RACE & UNITY “WAKING UP TO OUR SHARED HUMANITY” 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Roper Co-Op Ballroom, 146 W. Plant St., Suite 210, Winter Garden. This community-wide event is hosted by Oasis Church Winter Garden and facilitated

by Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute. It will provide a safe space to focus on our shared humanity with an exploration of race, privilege, bias, systems of privilege and oppression, and practical application.

Refreshments included. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/rise-conversations-on-race-unity-tickets54097845111?aff=erellivmlt.

(407) 905-4931.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6

FIGHT LEUKEMIA SPIRIT NIGHT 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Burger Fi, 4750 The Grove Drive in The Grove near Windermere.

As part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program Olympia High School student and candidate Joseph Tovar planned several events. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Patrons should let the staff know they are there to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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and Associates and was followed by a discussion and an open forum session.

Woodward presented the results of a cut-through traffic study conducted in September 2018 and offered potential options aimed at reducing the town’s cut-through traffic on local roads.

According to the study, about 76% of the town’s traffic is cut-through traffic — traffic generated by vehicles passing through the town but not stopping in town.

“Seventy-six percent of traffic that’s coming into town or out of town is not staying in Windermere — they’re just passing through,” Woodward said. “That is a very high percentage. A whole lot of traffic that comes here isn’t stopping.

They’re not from town; they’re just passing through because this is the most convenient way for them to get between work and home.”

Woodward added that an average of up to 13 vehicles per hour are vehicles that are cutting through the town, and the local roads experiencing the most cut-through traffic are Oakdale Street, Second Avenue and Seventh Avenue.

To reduce the amount of traffic on the local roads, Woodward suggested the town consider one of two approaches. One would be to use curved and/or straight road barriers to redirect traffic back to

the main roads. The idea is the roads with barriers would receive less traffic, because motorists would learn they are there and stop using those roads.

The other approach would be to make it easier to travel on the main roads by improving traffic flow, which would create less incentive to travel through the local dirt roads.

Alternatively, the town could pursue a hybrid solution that uses both approaches.

“The whole point of these barriers is to redirect traffic that’s trying to cut through back to the main roads,” Woodward said. “There are several locations where we could place the barriers, and we identified these locations based on where we saw the most cut-through traffic on local roads.”

The intersections proposed for barrier placement are: Main Street and Chase Road; Oakdale Street and Ninth Avenue; Oakdale Street and Seventh Avenue; Magnolia Street and Fifth Avenue; and Ridgewood Drive and Lake Street.

One of the negative impacts of using barriers is they would create longer distances from Point A to Point B and increase traffic circulation, which would inconvenience residents who’d need to drive longer distances to get where they need to go in town, Woodward said.

The other option — to make moving through town easier

— would require the removal of a stop sign at Main Street and Chase Road, as well as Maguire and Windermere roads. The stop-sign removals would allow traffic to exit town with fewer delays and create more natural gaps in traffic. However, it also would make it more challenging for motorists coming from 12th Avenue, Windermere Road and Schooner Way to turn onto Main Street/Maguire Road.

“The other approach would be to improve the efficiency of the main roads,” he said.

“There are two locations: the four-way stop at Maguire and Windermere (roads), and the other is down south at Chase (Road) and Main (Street).

You’d have to improve the intersection a little bit by adding some pavement, signage, a guardrail at some locations, and remove some stop signs so that you wouldn’t have to stop on the main road, but you would have to stop on the local road.”

Town Council members directed staff to research the cost to rent a few road barriers to conduct a 90-day trial period and install barriers at certain intersections. The council’s discussion regarding the locations of the barriers will take place during the Feb. 12 meeting.

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Thrill of the hunt Gotha historian Kathleen Klare has set out to ensure the small West Orange County rural settlement is properly and historically recognized.

Courtesy photos

The Historic Gotha signs arrived via an 18-wheeler. Mike Neff, of Camp Ithiel, facilitated the delivery with the help of another camp affiliate.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

K

athleen Klare always has been passionate about history, but a years-long quest to learn everything she can about Gotha has led her on a journey of preservation for the small West Orange community.

“I have a strong interest in preservation, and this is my way of preserving an area that deserves to be talked about,” she said.

Klare might be a Windermere resident now, but her roots are in Gotha. Her family settled there in 1911, and she was raised in Gotha.

“Ever since I came back from Washington, D.C., in 2003, I’ve been involved with Gotha,” she said.

She joined the Henry Nehrling Society, as well.

“Dr. Nehrling was a very good writer who documented a lot of good things about Gotha … and that’s what got me interested,” Klare said. “I’m just trying to preserve (its history). I have been able to date Gotha back to 1786.

It was founded in 1885. History is about following. You don’t create it; you go where it leads you. It’s the thrill of the hunt.”

She is the community’s historian and a board member of the Gotha Rural Settlement Association. Her latest title is project manager and designer for the Gotha Historic Sign project.

Looking to find a way to iden-

The new Historic Gotha signs measure 30 inches by 40 inches and will be placed at seven sites throughout the community.

tify Gotha’s rural settlement, Klare designed seven historic entry signs that will be placed strategically around the perimeter of Gotha’s preservation district.

The signs are finished, she said, and the Gotha Rural Settlement Association is waiting for Orange County to install them.

The signs are needed, because so few people know about Gotha and its unique history Klare said.

For instance, it was one of only two German colonies in Florida.

Klare suspects many see Gotha as a means to get from one place to another, and she’s hoping the signs will bring some respect for the community.

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey secured grant monies through the county’s Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization Office to pay for the project.

Klare said the signs cost about $23,000, which included the installation.

“We’re going to have a big party when they’re installed to acknowledge all the people involved, especially the county,” she said.

IN THE PAST

Gotha was established in 1885, when Henry A. Hempel came to the area with the plan of forming a German town.

He encouraged northerners to resettle in the area he named Gotha — in honor of his birthplace in East Germany.

The main street through Gotha is named for the settler.

Between 1885 and 1896, ornithologist and horticulturist Henry Nehrling bought 65 acres and established a 25-acre garden, which he named Palm Cottage Gardens. In the early 1900s, Dr. Nehrling tested more than 3,000 plants there.

In 1999, the Henry Nehrling Society was organized as a non-profit corporation to save this piece of Florida’s pioneer history. His 1880s wood-frame home has been preserved on the six remaining acres of his garden.

The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 2000.

Nine years later, the society purchased the property to preserve the home and remaining historic gardens and to create an education center and community resource focusing on historic preservation, horticultural education and environmental conservation.

In 2013, the official Florida Heritage Landmark marker was installed.

Zion Lutheran Church was established between 1887 and 1894 on what is now Morton Jones Road. After the first building burned down, a new church was constructed at Hempel Avenue and Gotha Road sometime after the turn of the century. It still stands today.

Severe freezes in 1894 and 1895 destroyed most of the citrus groves that were planted by northerners who had made Gotha their home, and many of the families left.

Hempel filed a plat for Gotha with Orange County, but the community never incorporated.

In its heyday, the West Orange settlement had schools, churches, a railroad, social hall and sawmill.

In 1992, Orange County amended its charter to allow the designation of rural settlements as preservation districts; the Gotha Rural Settlement was then established. In 1995, it was designated as a historic preservation district.

Danielle Hendrix

Jay Gangwisch brings more than two decades of experience to Sunset.

Sunset Park Elementary welcomes new principal Former Millennia Gardens Elementary Assistant Principal Jay Gangwisch is ready to continue leading the Sunset Park Eagles to success.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

Sunset Park Elementary School welcomed a new face on campus last week following the departure of former Principal Jane Bittick.

Jay Gangwisch, formerly the assistant principal at Millennia Gardens Elementary, has taken the helm for the Eagles. He replaces Bittick, who was tapped as the new principal for Eccleston Elementary.

Gangwisch was named principal during the Orange County School Board’s Jan. 22 meeting.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting and a master’s degree in education from the University of Central Florida, as well as an education specialist degree from Barry University.

After working in the business and finance industry for UPS, Gangwisch soon realized his love for sports and coaching and decided to veer into the education field.

Throughout his 24 years in education, he has served at the former Page Private School, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School and Seminole County Public Schools’ High School Transition Program.

“I’ve been in private schools, Catholic schools, public schools in Seminole County and public in Orange County at all different levels, from age 2 up through high school,” he said. “I also taught business law at Full Sail University. I’ve taught from ages 2 up to 22.”

When the opportunity at Sunset Park became available, the Bishop Moore Catholic High School graduate couldn’t resist.

“It was a great opportunity,” he said. “They’re a high-performing school. It almost seemed like a perfect fit. I heard they have a great reputation — for their family involvement, for their staff and how dedicated they are — and when I saw it online, I did a lot of research on the school itself, and it just seemed like the perfect fit.”

During a meeting for Sunset Park parents Tuesday, Jan. 15, Orange County Public Schools officials asked what they hoped to see in a new principal.

Many Sunset Park parents said they hoped their new principal would be encouraging and strong in collaboration. The ideal candidate would value communica-

tion, bring consistency to that which the school already does well, be open-minded to structures currently in place, and be student-centered, personable and charismatic.

Gangwisch recognizes all of those as vital to a successful school.

“When you’re a family, you’ve got each other’s backs,” he said.

“The staff’s hearts are in this school, and that’s why they’re so high performing. The community and the parents are involved. We have a dedicated staff that cares and families who want to be a part of it. My whole thing is about family, and that’s what I’m trying to facilitate here.”

Gangwisch also has a heart for special-needs students, having helped Seminole County ESE students transition into finding jobs and learning job skills.

“I’ve always loved working with the special-needs population,” he said. “There’s so many things we can do to reach them, and a lot of times, people don’t have that background. I get the biggest joy out of those students. … Sometimes, they’re the students that need us the most. Then again, high-performing students need special things, too. What I’m trying to do is increase proficiency across the board with all our students and narrow the gap between students who need the extra help and the high-performing students.”

Gangwisch said he is determined to ensure every student succeeds and reaches his or her full potential. He is open to bringing in different strategies and new ideas to provide the best education experience possible for his students and teachers.

“Everything is coming at (our students) so fast, and we have to be ahead of the curve and challenge our kids,” he said. “(Superintendent) Dr. Jenkins’ thing is we want to be the top producer of high-performing students in the nation. … Every student can succeed. It’s just a matter of how we reach them.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the community and culture here,” he said. “You don’t fix something that isn’t broken. The idea now is to come in, know the culture and get ingrained in it and see what I can do to keep us moving forward.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

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 Publisher / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor / Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com

This map shows the locations of Windermere High, Dr. Phillips High and their two corresponding relief schools.

Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez,

OCPS pursues portables for WHS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

mere High’s campus and the design of the new relief high school to be built in Horizon West’s Village F. THE PORTABLE PROBLEM

The majority of the meeting was earmarked for discussion of OCPS’ special-exception request to allow for more space to put additional portable classrooms on campus to accommodate student growth.

When Windermere High was built, the property and related agreements for its use as a school included certain restrictions and conditions of approval. According to the Condition of Approval No. 22, “the location of temporary and portable classroom facilities shall be restricted to the courtyard area between the three permanent three-story classroom buildings and the 20-foot-wide emergencyaccess road.”

This condition requires that “any proposed future expansion of the area for temporary and portable classroom facilities shall require an application to amend this specialexception approval.” The problem is that Windermere High needs more than the approved 12 portables — and a space to put them.

OCPS has submitted an application to amend the condition of agreement to temporarily expand the area for the portables until the relief school opens in 2022.

“Right now, this school has a permanent capacity of 2,776,” said Julie Salvo, a senior administrator in OCPS’ Facilities Planning Department. “Our enrollment is 3,360, so we are over capacity. The principal has managed to fit all the students in the brick-and-mortar building without portables, so he’s creatively using the space available, but we will need portables for next year, because we are experiencing quite a bit of growth.”

With Windermere High currently over capacity by 584 students, the equivalent number of portables that would have been needed to house them is 23. However, Salvo said, Principal Doug Guthrie has been creatively using space such as teacher-planning rooms and collaboration spaces to keep students in the classroom buildings this year.

But with projections putting the school at 1,071 students over capacity next year, portables will be needed. The school’s condition of approval currently allows for only 12 portables, to be housed inside the courtyard area between the classroom buildings. However,

the projected growth in enrollment would make anywhere from 19 to 23 portables necessary. Twelve portables are equivalent to about 300 student stations, Salvo said.

Capping school enrollment is not an option, either.

“Public schools cannot turn away any child that lives in the attendance zone,” Salvo said.

“Limiting the number of portables will not cap enrollment. The kids are still going to come — they’re just going to be in an overcrowded classroom or similar situation. …We’ve always known that we needed two schools, which is why we purchased the property for (the relief) school. We’re actively planning for this growth.”

The growth OCPS has seen at Windermere High is higher than originally projected, partly because of Horizon West’s high studentgeneration rate and other factors, such as students entering the system from private schools.

“We are in the process of getting those 12 (originally approved) portables in the courtyard installed, and there is a request on file for between seven and 11 more for next year that will be needed if this application is approved,” Salvo said. “If we are not approved, we have to look at different alternatives as to how we can accommodate these students.”

These alternatives could include: rezoning back to West Orange High until the relief school opens; violating class-size amendments, which comes with overcrowded classrooms and a financial penalty for OCPS; continuing to utilize nontraditional classroom space such as the media center and labs; and employing alternative scheduling or split sessions.

OCPS District 4 School Board Member Pam Gould told parents she is working with OCPS staff to try to move the relief school up another year to open in 2021, which would help alleviate future need for more portables, but nothing is

“All of us don’t want our children in overcrowded classrooms … but I think you need to understand that we’ve given as much as we’re going to give here at this school.”

— Julie Sadlier

confirmed yet.

Currently, OCPS is proposing putting the additional portables on the practice field behind the school.

But freshman parent Julie Sadlier said although many parents recognize the need for portables, the campus’ practice field is already a hot commodity between sports and band practices and should not be an option for placement.

“All of us don’t want our children in overcrowded classrooms … but I think you need to understand that we’ve given as much as we’re going to give here at this school,” Sadlier said. “We do support portables, but … I’m hoping we can reserve putting the other seven or so in when they’re absolutely needed and not put them on the practice fields. As your parent community, I think I speak for most of them when we agree that we need portables, we support them, but we’d like to save that practice field.”

Other concerns parents expressed included security of any extra portables placed outside of the compound. Some asked if placing the additional portables on the asphalt in a parking-lot area would be possible, while others thought it might be more economically feasible to build another permanent structure.

The special-exception request is set to go before the Orange County Board of Zoning Adjustment’s meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.

RELIEF FOR WOLVERINES

As Gould put it, Horizon West — even in ever-growing Orange County — is an anomaly when it comes to projections. Horizon West is the third fastest-growing master-planned community in the country.

“We are blessed on the west side of town to have the very best schools in Orange County,” Gould said. “It’s just a fact — it’s one of the things that attracted me to move to this side of town for my kids.

Horizon West has been a constant ahead-of-the-curve area.”

But with that comes the challenges of effectively managing the growth. Much like with the portables, the relief school for 2-yearold Windermere High already is needed.

The second part of the meeting consisted of the 10% programverification phase for Site 113-HSW-4 off Seidel Road and State Road 429. The 68-acre site is in the design phase and already was accelerated from a 2026 opening to a 2022 opening because of growth.

After Gould mentioned she is

working to try to further accelerate that to a 2021 opening, whether it is possible remains to be seen. Gould said she hopes to have an answer within the next month.

“That is not a done deal yet, but it is looking good, so that would also lessen the time obviously for the additional portables on this site,” Gould said. “I think that’s key to know that it’s very active. … But until we really can button up some of the financials and logistics we cannot make that commitment.

“At the same time there’s a second high school set to open in tandem to relieve Freedom and Dr. Phillips, and fingers crossed we can do the same for them,” Gould said.

“If it’s at all physically and financially possible, I want to move it up to 2021, because I think we need both of those schools to be open as soon as possible.”

OCPS has budgeted $115 million for the school, which is a prototype high school designed with a program capacity of 2,776. The estimated 2022 enrollment for the relief school is about 1,825 depending on attendance-zone configuration, according to OCPS. “The basis for this high school is going to be based off the same design you’ve seen here at Windermere High School, as well as the design you’ve seen at many other OCPS high schools,” said J. David Torbert, a partner at SchenkelShultz Architecture Inc. The campus configuration includes a total building space of about 350,000 square feet. This includes administration, media center, cafeteria, classroom buildings with labs, auditorium and music spaces and a gymnasium.

“We’ll have outdoor academic areas such as the greenhouse and shade house you have seen here,” Torbert said. “And although this is an image of the football stadium for this school, which is down the road, Site 113 will have the full complement of a football stadium and field house — all of those athletic facilities will be housed on site.”

The athletic amenities include practice fields, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts and outdoor basketball courts.

Additionally, there will be about 850 parking spaces for students and faculty, an area for parent pickup and drop-off, a bus loop that stacks up to 60 buses and a parking area for up to 75 buses.

Safety and security features include a secure courtyard design, a single secure-entry point, security system and cameras, card-reader entrance controls and fencing.

egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Terri Hope, thope@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Tony Trotti, ttrotti@orangeobserver.com Customer Service Representative Katie Rehm, krehm@orangeobserver.com

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Town working on plan for potable water system

CHALK

Windermere currently is seeking vendors to develop a proposal and cost estimate to bring residents access to a potable water system.

Put your artist’s hat on, grab your chalk and get ready to create a masterpiece or be wowed by professional artists at the upcoming Hamlin Chalk Art Festival.

It will be years until the project comes to fruition, but the town of Windermere is starting the process to bring its residents access to a potable water system.

Presently, most homes in the town use well water, but residents have requested water services for years, Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith said.

After a public workshop conducted in January 2018 explored the feasibility of bringing water, sewer services and underground electrical systems to the town, Windermere Town Council members learned the utilities initiative would cost nearly $80 million.

So, for now, the town has focused its efforts on one part of the project: potable water.

The town is accepting proposals to create a master plan that would include the logistics and cost estimates for the project.

“There are currently some lines extended throughout town, and what we want to do is come up with a master plan to make water available to all residents — not only in the town proper but also the HOAs, because some people have it and some don’t,” Smith said. “So we just put out an RFQ to do a master water utility study and get engineers to develop a master plan for the town and let us know how much it’s going to cost. That would also let us know what other benefits it would have for the town, in terms of fire protection and water quality in the lakes.”

Once the master plan is completed, the town could request grants from the state to help fund the design and construction, Smith said.

“We could ask the state if they could provide any grants for us to help pay for the design,” he said.

“We’re anticipating the study

will cost about $130,000, and I believe the cost of the design will be a little over $400,000.

So we’ll have to figure out how to pay for it and how to create a fair payment connection fee, because some people are already tied to the lines, so should they pay the same amount as someone who is not already tied to it?

So we have to figure out a way to structure it so that it’s fair for everybody.”

People who already have connected water lines to their home should not be penalized, Smith said.

The construction would cost about $7 to $8 million, he estimates. Sewer services would cost about $20 to $30 million, and moving the electrical system underground would cost another $40 million, he said.

During this fiscal year, the town was able to fund a third of the design cost and the full utility study. The timeline for the project would all depend on the financing situation.

“We’ve been talking about all of this for quite some time,” Smith said. “But we just didn’t have the revenues coming in to offset these initial costs.

When you look at wastewater, that would be about another $20 million, and for the undergrounding of the electrical systems, that would be about $40 million.

“And when your overall yearly budget is about $5 million, it’s challenging to come up with ways to afford some of this stuff — especially when you’re trying to repair existing roadways and other infrastructure to make sure it’s safe for residents,” he said. “So this is more of a want than a need, but it’s one of the things that residents have really wanted. That’s one of the reasons we had to increase the ad valorem this year: to put money away for some of those future capital-improvement projects.”

ZONE

IF YOU GO

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

If you’ve ever sat out on the driveway with a pack of chalk and creative vision, now is your time to shine.

The Hamlin Chalk Art Festival is coming to town from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. The community is invited to experience a day of artistic adventure and watch 10 professional chalk artists bring their art to life.

According to the Hamlin events team, the chalk festival will consist of seven — there will be one threeperson team — individual chalkart pieces, with an overarching theme of love. Artists will all create their own, individual artwork in a 36-square-foot space. The team of three chalk artists, meanwhile, will create a 3D, interactive art piece guests can stand on and take pictures with upon completion.

While chalk artists will be hard at work throughout the day, families also are invited to create their own chalk masterpieces along Shoreside Way near Cinépolis.

A $20 fee provides participants with chalk and their own section of sidewalk to work in. Up to six artists can work on each square, and only water-based, temporary chalk is permitted. All proceeds from the event will be donated to a soon-to-be-determined charity.

According to the Hamlin events team, the professional chalk artists will begin sketching out their visions mid-morning; however, all other activities start at noon, including availability of food vendors.

ADDING THE THIRD DIMENSION

Janet Tombros is a professional chalk artist from Mount Dora and president of the Florida Chalk Artists Association. She is part of the three-person team that will be creating a 3D, interactive piece of chalk art.

“I have been chalking for over 15

HAMLIN CHALK ART FESTIVAL WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16 WHERE: 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden DETAILS: The festival is free to attend, but there will be a $20 fee if you would like to reserve your square to create chalk art. The fee includes a reserved workspace and chalk. Squares can be reserved at bit. ly/2FHTqeQ.

Janet Tombros

This larger-than-life piece Tombros worked on is homecinema themed, complete with popular movie snacks.

years now,” she said. “I first joined the FCAA 11 years ago, and I have been president for the last three years. I’ve done art all my life, and I was in school for art. At the time, I was into mural art. I stumbled across chalk art during an event and thought it would be something interesting to do, because it was large pieces, which is what I’m used to doing.

“When you’re doing murals you work with acrylics and they dry fast, but pastel chalks blend really nicely,” she said. “I practiced on my driveway a couple times before I went to my first festival. I had worked with the medium before off and on.”

Tombros also has a background in merchandising, and for that reason, she likes her pieces to be bright, playful and capable of telling a story.

“When I’m designing something for an event, I’m usually trying to figure out a story to present just in that image,” Tombros said. “This particular image will be a candy factory, and it’ll be manufacturing out those (Valentine’s Day) candy hearts. This particular event is going to be interactive, and we’ll be using Tempera, which is essentially wet chalk. People will be able to stand and pose within the image.”

She will be working with fellow chalk artists Hector Diaz and

Ken Mullen, otherwise known as the “Chalk Guys,” to create the 3D candy factory in a 13-by-25-foot workspace. The “canvas” has to be large and extensive, she said, so that when someone takes a photo of it, it appears to have depth and dimension.

Tombros said she tries to create a unique image for each event.

She first designs them in her studio and puts them into a computer program she works with, depending on the size of the area that she has. To give it a 3D illusion, she then has to distort the original 2D image with Photoshop and a particular formula.

“We’ll be starting no later than 8 a.m., and that’s why there’s three of us on it, so we can really get it done and finished,” she said.

“That’s more fun with the 3D images, having the time to be able to interact with it and get your picture taken with it. The 2D art that the other seven artists will be working on, they’ll spend about eight hours working on theirs and in that instance it’s more about watching the artists do the work.”

She and the Chalk Guys currently are planning to create their masterpiece in six hours, with hopes that it will be done around 2 p.m. to allow guests time to take photos of and with it. Of course, plans are also weather permitting.

“It’s just a fascinating process for people to actually watch artists while they’re working,” she said.

“And the pastels are generally such bright, rich colors that it’s nice and fun to interact with everything and see how the process unfolds.”

CHURCH DIRECTORY EPISCOPAL

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:30pm.

407-876-3480 www.ascension-orlando.org

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

This page appears weekly in the Windermere Observer and online at orangeobserver.com.

To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com

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NEWS EDITOR

5

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

Sold-out Wine & Dine delights in Windermere

Guests had a blast posing with props in the photo booth.

T

here was no shortage of wine and delectable cuisine samples during the sixth annual Windermere Wine and Dine. Held Saturday, Jan. 26, in the heart of Windermere, the event brought about 1,000 participants and restaurateurs out to have a good time. Guests could sample dozens of varieties of wine, try small dishes from 26 restaurants and dance the night away. Proceeds from the event each year go toward town charities, and a portion also will fund an outreach grant earmarked for Central Florida Commission on Homelessness’ Impact Youth project.

Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden and wife Shelly Ogden Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Top: Kim Metschke, David Brinckerhoff, Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith, Debbie Wilson and Windermere Police Officer Ryan Miller Above: Dana Berry and Laure Hitzig Clavette

New restaurant blends Brazilian, American influences À Brasileira Bar & Grill is MetroWest’s newest gathering hub for sports, beer and Brazilian bites.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

Maciel Boghi is the owner of À Brasileira.

Boghi said in addition to soccer, basketball and football games, À Brasileira also will show UFC fighting events.

The Brazilian sports bar has been operating under a soft

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his restaurant. He said one of his goals is to give local Brazilians a taste of home and give locals of other cultures a taste of Brazil.

“We need to show the locals a little part of Brazil,” Boghi said of his restaurant. “It’s a little piece of Brazil in Orlando.”

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A slice of Brazil is calling MetroWest home. À Brasileira Bar & Grill, located at 2417 S. Hiawassee Road, hosted its grand opening Jan. 17. The restaurant combines the American dining concept of a sports bar with Brazilian cuisine. Owner Maciel Boghi said he chose to open À Brasileira in MetroWest because of the large Brazilian population in the area. He hopes the sports-bar theme will attract sports fans and customers of all cultures who may be new to Brazilian food.

“Our plans are to serve our community here in MetroWest,” Boghi said. “We are planning to show all soccer games, NBA games and NFL (games). … We want to show the locals a little part of Brazil.”

later, Boghi plans to add different weekly and weekend specials for lunch and dinner, he said.

“We have many types of Brazilian appetizers,” he said. “In February, if things are ready, we intend to open like an all-youcan-eat buffet for lunch — something like from a Brazilian steakhouse.”

From picanha and polenta fries to bacalhau and yucca cakes, À Brasileira serves a wide variety of classic Brazilian small plates alongside a full liquor bar. The restaurant also serves familiar fare such as ribs, wings and French fries — but with a Brazilian twist, Boghi said. “(We have) some Brazilian sandwiches,” Boghi said. “(Later) we’ll have more plates for lunch like rice, beans (and) meat. … We also have wings á passarinho.”

Boghi added he wanted to bring a piece of Brazil to Orlando with

IF YOU GO

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

Models struck some fun poses as they walked around the room.

Cindy Sterns, Carol Droessler, Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark, Ashley Boyd and Gretchen Boyd

Rocking

the runway Jo Beck and Cathy Goodson

Robin Sanchez, Anne Blastic and event sponsor Mary Anne Ferrell Gretchen Boyd, Brenda Knowles and Katie Moss Warner

I

Janet Carr

t was an evening full of friendship, fun and fashion during the Bloom & Grow Garden Society’s annual Steppin’ Out Fashion Show fundraiser. Held Monday, Jan. 28, at Tanner Hall in Winter Garden, the event brought together dozens of women for a few hours of sisterhood and supporting local charities.

Attendees enjoyed wine, hors d’oeuvres, shopping and a spirited fashion show featuring volunteer models who showed off some of the outfits available for purchase.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Andy Davis

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

Daniela Ghigliotty crafted a reindeer with her daughter, Lucia.

T

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Ivy Major, left, and Aaliyah Robinson were all smiles in the photo booth.

Life, laughs & lobster!

The Rotary Club of Windermere’s annual fundraiser features a surf-and-turf dinner and live comedy show.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

Nadia Gara and her mom, Elena, show off a cookie they decorated themselves.

Stanford Clinger had fun driving students around on the train.

If you fancy lobster and a good laugh, the Rotary Club of Windermere has the perfect dinner show for you.

The Rotary’s annual fundraiser, Lobster & Laughter, is set for 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Windermere Town Hall. This is the second year the club’s signature fundraiser will be held at Town Hall.

Judy Black, a Rotary Club member, said the event was originally started by Norma Sutton and previously was held at the Pines of Windermere.

“My husband and I, we’ve been doing the lobster events for many years, and we used to do it at the Pines,” Black said. “Last year was the first year we moved it to the Town Hall for the fact that it was smaller, and we could still have lobster and laughter. We kind of lost the laughter in the big hall (at the Pines).

“It’s a nice dinner show right in the middle of Windermere,” she said. “I love the Town Hall because of the location and

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he holidays might be over, but that didn’t stop the Bay Lake Lions from having some wintertime fun at the school’s annual WinterFest Friday, Jan. 18. Students enjoyed an evening of carnival games, food trucks, crafts and holiday train rides. The event was organized and hosted by the Bay Lake Elementary PTO. Bay Lake Elementary’s WinterFest was originally supposed to take place in December but was postponed at the time because of weather.

because it’s intimate. You can go downtown to a comedy club, but this is right in your backyard.”

Attendees can purchase a ticket for $100, which includes a dinner of lobster, beef filet and wine.

There also will be cocktails, a cash bar, live comedy show and a dessert and coffee bar. All proceeds go to local charities.

This year’s event features three entertainers — up-and-coming comedian James Yon, comic and magician Myke Herlihy and master of ceremonies Carmen Vallone.

Herlihy, a native of Manchester, Connecticut, previously was a bartender for 13 years. He now takes his “bartender’s wit” to the comedy stage, and his comedymeets-magic style is described as laid-back and witty.

Herlihy combines comedy and sleight-of-hand magic to create fun performances for his audiences, and he has performed at small-town comedy clubs, theaters and college campuses.

Herlihy was a semifinalist in the largest annual “Florida’s Funniest Comedian” competition in both 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he was invited to be a performer at “The World Series of Comedy” in Las Vegas; the Boston Comedy Festival in Sommerville, Massachusetts; and “The Laugh Your Asheville Off” Comedy Festival in Asheville, North Carolina. He also has been featured on “Comedy Central.”

Yon is a Florida native and described as “one of America’s hottest up-and-coming comedians.” He has his own show called “Viral Breakdown” on the Afrotainment Channel on Dish Network and was a finalist on NBC’s “Stand Up for Diversity.” He also was the 2011 and 2012 winner of Orlando Improv’s “Clash of the Comics.”

According to his biography on

IF YOU GO LOBSTER & LAUGHTER WHEN: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 WHERE: Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere TICKETS: $100 each; only 120 available. Purchase at windermererotary.org/lobster, call (407) 877-6110 or email judyblackfla@gmail. com.

DETAILS: The event includes cocktails and a cash bar, surfand-turf dinner with wine, live comedy show and dessert and coffee bar. All proceeds benefit local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Windermere.

Bonkerz Comedy Productions, his style is a mashup of stand-up comedy, musical impressions and “outrageous” dance moves. He now tours clubs and casinos all over the country, from Orlando to Las Vegas.

Emcee Vallone hails from upstate New York but currently resides in Florida. The comedian has performed on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and CBS’ “Comedy Night School” and is the host and producer of “A Joke Off,” a nationally touring comedy competition.

Vallone has performed at various comedy clubs, casinos and theaters, ranging from Los Angeles and Las Vegas to Tampa and Orlando.

“I hope they have fun,” Black said of attendees. “I hope they see the value in the good food and fun with people they know in the community. Also, the money goes to charity, so that’s very important, too. That’s what the Windermere Rotary is all about — we’re also about service to the community. If we can perform an event the community loves and the money goes to charity, that’s awesome.”

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REAL ESTATE

OrangeObserver.com

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9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

Isle of Osprey estate sells for $2.3M A

home in the Isle of Osprey at Dr. Phil-

lips community topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from Jan. 20 to 25.

The home at 5426 Osprey Isle Lane, Orlando, sold Jan. 25, for $2.3 million. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three

MILLION-PLUS TRANSACTIONS

baths, two half-baths, a pool and 7,617 square feet of living area. The

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This Isle of Osprey at Dr. Phillips home, at 5426 Osprey Isle Lane, Orlando, sold Jan. 25, for $2.3 million. This home is located near the clubhouse at Bay Hill and within minutes to Restaurant Row.

GRANADA VILLAS

Orange.

The home at 8114 S. Ibiza Court, Orlando, sold Jan. 22, for $350,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,648 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $212.38.

DR. PHILLIPS

LAKE MABEL SHORES

selling homes in each community in West

The home at 7047 Somerton Blvd., Orlando, sold Jan. 22, for $345,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,636 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $210.88.

The home at 8803 Lake Mabel Drive, Orlando, sold Jan. 23, for $1,475,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths, a pool and 7,063 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $208.83.

CARRIAGE HOMES AT SOUTHAMPTON

ORANGE TREE COUNTRY CLUB

BAY RIDGE

The condo at 6954 Della Drive, No. 40, Orlando, sold Jan. 22, for $247,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,486 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $166.22.

DIAMOND COVE

The home at 10033 Crystalline Court, Orlando, sold Jan. 25, for $408,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,751 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $148.31.

The home at 6449 Wellington Drive, Orlando, sold Jan. 22, for $325,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,466 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $221.69.

SANCTUARY AT BAY HILL

The condo at 7810 Sugar Brook Court, No. 7810, Orlando, sold Jan. 22, for $188,000. Built in 1996, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,075 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $174.88.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 46 High Sale Price: $2.3 million Low Sale Price: $80,000 SAND LAKE COVE

The home at 10031 Newington Drive, Orlando, sold Jan. 22, for $400,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,422 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $165.15.

SHADOW BAY SPRINGS

The home at 5020 Spring Run Ave., Orlando, sold Jan. 25, for $340,000. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,988 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $171.03.

SOUTH BAY

The home at 8510 S. Bay Drive, Orlando, sold Jan. 23, for $515,000. Built in 1982, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,247 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $229.19.

GOTHA

CITRUS OAKS

The home at 9407 Comeau St., Gotha, sold Jan. 24, for $214,000. Built in 1989, it has

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HORIZON WEST ASHLIN PARK

The home at 11432 Misty Oak Alley, Windermere, sold Jan. 24, for $370,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,383 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $155.27.

EDEN ISLE

The home at 14112 Eden Isle Blvd., Windermere, sold Jan. 24, for $395,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,424 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $162.95.

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 16072 Black Hickory Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 22, for $500,000.

Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,505 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $142.65.

n LAKE MABEL SHORES. The home at 8803 Lake Mabel Drive, Orlando, sold Jan. 23, for $1,475,000.

Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 7,063 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $208.83. n WATERSTONE. The home at 11622 Waterstone Loop Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 25, for $1 million.

Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 4,458 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $224.32. n SIGNATURE LAKES. The home at 15017 Gaulberry Run, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 25, for $1,130,000. Built in 2014, it has six bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 4,977 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $227.04.

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n ISLE OF OSPREY AT DR. PHILLIPS. The home at 5426 Osprey Isle Lane, Orlando, sold Jan. 25, for $2.3 million. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two halfbaths, a pool and 7,617 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $301.96.

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10

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

REAL ESTATE

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES ELVIRA “VERA” SPIROS HORNE DIED WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9, 2019.

Elvira “Vera” Spiros Horne, 83, of Orlando, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019.

Ms. Horne was born on Dec. 11, 1935, in Texarkana, Arkansas.

She was raised in Chicago, Illinois, by her uncle, Cruz Torrez, and aunt, Ester Vasquez. She moved to Central Florida in the winter of 1964. She was a homemaker, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother.

She is preceded in death by her father, James Spiros; mother, Sapopa Vasquez; brothers, Clement James Spiros, Gus Spiros, Ralphy Spiros; sister, Mary Saldavar; son, Richard Lee Horne; and daughter, Laura Gene Bird.

Survived by brothers, Alfred Spiros,

Rudy Spiros, Johnny Spiros; sons, Dean Alan Horne and wife, Antonia Amor, Chris Horne and wife, Gwen; daughter, Melissa Lynn and husband, Dean Joseph Hubbard; granddaughters, Kristen Renee Hubbard, Deanna Nicole Hubbard, Mary Deanna Horne and her sons, Skylar and Mikenz, and her daughter, Kayleigh; grandsons Jordan Tyler Hubbard and Vincent Ian Bird.

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INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 14925 Speer Lake Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 22, for $360,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,152 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $114.21.

LAKESHORE PRESERVE

The townhouse at 8932 Bismarck Palm Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 20, for $364,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,016 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $180.56.

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The home at 15854 Sweet Lemon Way, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 24, for $435,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 2,834 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $153.49.

The home at 8439 Abbotsbury Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 22, for $320,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,599 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $123.12.

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The condo at 8256 Maritime Flag St., No. 307, Windermere, sold Jan. 25, for $205,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,455 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $140.89.

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PANTHER VIEW

The home at 14830 Winter Stay Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 25, for $411,400. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,288 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $125.12.

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SANCTUARY AT HAMLIN

The home at 7530 Mandarin Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 21, for $440,809. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,687 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $164.05.

SUMMERLAKE

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The home at 15246 Southern Martin St., Winter Garden, sold Jan. 21, for $427,060. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,624 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $162.75.

The home at 15449 Murcott Blossom Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Jan. 25, for $340,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,646 square feet. The price per square foot is $128.50.

The home at 15485 Murcott Blossom Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Jan. 24, for $340,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,425 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.21.

WATERLEIGH

The home at 10066 Beach Port Drive, Winter Garden, sold Jan. 23, for $472,826. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,350 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $201.20.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 9010 Reflection Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 25, for $523,800. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,264 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $160.48.

The home at 10734 Reams Road, Windermere, sold Jan. 22, for $323,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,116 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $152.65.

WEST ORANGE WATERSTONE

The home at 11622 Waterstone Loop Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 25, for $1 million. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths, a pool and 4,458 square feet. The price per square foot is $224.32.

WINDERMERE

BELMERE VILLAGE

The home at 1030 Via Tivoli Court, Windermere, sold Jan. 25, for $356,501. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,2 20 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $160.59.

The home at 910 Lascala Drive, Windermere, sold Jan. 25, for $349,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,742 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $127.28.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6148 Foxfield Court, Windermere, sold Jan. 23, for $625,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,680 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $233.21.

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JANUARY 31, 2019

SPORTS

HIGH

Senior Cameron Cisewski is a leader and co-captain for the Olympia girls soccer team. Page 12.

1

5

Abigail Crain led the way for Windermere during the Wolverines’ 46-19 win over Cypress Creek Friday, Jan. 25, as she put up a solid 17 points on the night. The win was the Wolverines’ 15th of the season.

2

At the Metro competitive cheerleading competition at Evans High School Friday, Jan. 25, the Dr. Phillips Lady Panthers cheer team had an impressive showing as it took home the Metro West Conference title.

3

In The First Academy’s 76-59 win over Downey Christian in boys basketball Friday, Jan. 25, Alex Shields put up a game-high 24 points to help the Royals pick up their 12th win of the season.

4

In Windermere’s 77-41 win over East River Thursday, Jan. 24, guard Trey Moss continued his strong season as he went off for 22 points for the Wolverines.

The win put the Wolverines one game from a 20-win season.

5

The Dr. Phillips girls wrestling team took first place in the 21team Greyhound Invitational Saturday, Jan. 26, at Lyman High School. The first-place finish was the Panthers’ 17th consecutive tournament title.

Pitch perfect A year of dominating success has led the Windermere Prep girls soccer team to its first SSAC Independent State title.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

A

buzzer sounds with alarming intensity, but for the girls in the dark blue and white of Windermere Prep, it’s a sound of relief.

It’s a signal of a hard battle won, and one for which the girls on coach Greg Stone’s soccer team had been waiting.

As the scoreboard reads 2-1, players raid the field at All Saints Academy with fervent energy as they dog pile in celebration. The sight of pure joy and excitement

from his players is one that mirrored Stone’s own feelings in the moment.

“It was an exciting moment obviously, winning the SSAC state championship,” said Stone, who has coached the team since its inception about 12 years ago.

“Just to see the hard work and the commitment that the girls put into the season this year and really culminate with the state championship … (it was) a great ending for the team.”

The 2-1 win over The Master’s Academy was a complete team effort — a consistent strength for

the Lakers throughout the season.

Junior Manoela Costa and sophomore Bel Teixeira put the ball into the back of the net for the Lakers (off assists from seniors Gaby Azambuja and Silvana Lopez).

Many factors led to this special moment of winning their first state title, but the most important one for Stone is the cohesion his team built. It also comes after the team fell just short in the championship game last year.

“We had a lot of players who really contributed, and we were talking about that — the coaching staff — and it’s not really one MVP, because we had strong players defensively, strong players in the midfield and strong players up SEE LAKERS PAGE 12

DP girls weightlifting wins regionals Following big wins at the Metro and district tournaments, the Lady Panthers wreaked havoc at regionals — sending five lifters to states in the process.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Few teams in the area have been more dominant than the Dr. Phillips girls weightlifting team, and that showed last weekend at the regional tournament in Lakeland.

Of the 13 athletes who competed in the competition, 12 of them found themselves on the podium with medals around their necks.

“It was unbelievable,” said head coach Ben Sokolowsky. “It was great because everybody stepped up — it was consistent. We don’t always have the top lifters in the state, but we have consistency through the lineup.

“They might not win — we had three overall winners — but every point counts,” he said. “Consistency and depth has been the key this season.”

Those three winners include sisters Jada and Zamora St. Cyr, along with teammate Amani Guzman.

For Jada — who will go down as one of the school’s best in the sport — won the 154-pound weight class with a record-tying 345-pound total lift (which included a record 170-pound on the clean and jerk) SEE PANTHERS PAGE 13

File photo

So far this season, the Panthers have brought home the district, Metro and regional titles.

12

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

GAME FILM

Cameron Cisewski

Windermere runs past West Orange in 80-51 win

A senior co-captain on the girls soccer team at Olympia, Cameron Cisewski has played a big role in the Titans’ successes on the pitch. As a leader, she’s helped teammates better understand the game while simultaneously taking her game to new heights.

After she graduates this spring, she will be playing soccer at the next level at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

When did you get into playing soccer?

I started playing soccer — recreationally — at St. Luke’s throughout elementary school. I did dance, and I did a couple of other sports, but then I decided I liked soccer the best, so I started playing club soccer in fourth grade.

What drew you to the sport?

I think that it’s just not a black-and-white game — you have to be strategic and know what you’re doing, and anything can happen. I also like the team aspect of it, and having a team there to support you. The thing that really drew me to it was the skill that you need to have to play it and the dedication.

What’s been your favorite part about playing soccer at Olympia?

It’s definitely the players on the team, because everyone comes together, and it’s such a family when we play during the season. We have certain bonding activities, but I think it’s when we face our rivals — like DP and West Orange — that’s when we really come together.

A

fter a fairly close first half, Windermere used a strong second half to push past West Orange in a 80-51 road win Tuesday, Jan. 21.

It was a whole-team effort for the Wolverines (18-2, 5-0), which saw Dakota Rivers lead the team with 23 points. Josh Colon added 18 points, while Dante Love and Trey Moss threw in 15 points apiece.

The Warriors (5-12, 2-2) were led on the court

by Jamarcus Clark’s 15 points. Eric Wynn added 12 points.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Olympia SPORT: Soccer YEAR: Senior POSITION: center-back AGE: 18

What’s the most difficult aspect when it comes to soccer?

It’s definitely the mental strength and being able to push harder. In the last quarter (of the game), it’s having the mental strength to push harder and push through.

— TROY HERRING

What would you say is the strongest aspect of your game?

My biggest thing is communication on the field. I’m constantly talking throughout the game and supporting my players and just giving them pointers on what they can do better for the next play.

What’s your meal of choice?

Definitely a Mexican meal with chips and salsa, and then probably chicken and cheese quesadilla. Chuy’s has the best chips and salsa ever.

Josh Colon caught big air on his way to the basket in the Wolverines’ game against West Orange.

Left: Dakota Rivers fought hard for this rebound.

In your free time, what do you enjoy doing?

In my free time, I am either sleeping or with my friends — that or shopping, I love shopping.

Lakers bring home title

What are your plans after you graduate?

When I graduate I’m going to the University of Illinois at Chicago to play Division I soccer there. I’m excited for all the seasons there, and to experience the cold and the big city. I’m going to be majoring in business and marketing there, because I’ve been taking four years of marketing at Olympia. It’s a big change.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

front,” Stone said. “We had several different players score goals this year, which in years past, it may be one or two players with all the goals. This year, it was spread out.”

Leading the way through the Lakers’ 11-4-1 title-winning season in goals, surprisingly enough, is freshman midfielder Courtney Mogauro — who clocked in with an impressive 12 goals and four assists. Following up Mogauro was senior forward Silvana Lopez (10 goals, 11 assists) and Teixeira (seven goals, 10 assists).

Although each played important roles throughout the sea-

— TROY HERRING

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son, it was Costa and senior goalkeeper Sarah Hudgins who stepped up big in the playoffs.

Costa scored twice in the Lakers’ quarterfinal 4-0 win over Admiral Farragut Academy before going on to score in the SSAC final. Meanwhile, as Costa was scoring left and right, Hudgins was holding down the fort back at goal. She recorded two of her eight shutouts in the playoffs — holding Admiral Farragut Academy and Legacy Charter to the proverbial goose egg.

Having his players at the top of their game for the playoffs was somewhat of a relief for Stone, who worries every year about the winter break that seemingly cuts the season into two. In years past, he had issues with girls coming back unprepared, but this season was different.

“It’s always interesting with soccer, because you come back after winter break — the kids have had a little bit of time off — and have a couple of games and then you’re in the playoffs,” Stone said. “So getting everyone refocused and game fit again is always tough, because it’s a week before the playoffs to do so. We try to bring everyone in and talk to them about mentally preparing and being physically fit for the big matches coming up, because it’s like a second season.”

The run itself is even more

impressive when considering Stone utilized a roster filled with underclassmen — including an eighth-grader in Brielyn Knowles, who at midfield became a starter and recorded five goals and four assists.

And those younger players will be asked next season to step up even more; the Lakers will have six seniors graduating from this year’s team.

Although that would put most coaches in a position of uncertainty toward the possible success of next year’s campaign, Stone said he isn’t worried — although there is a level of hype that next year’s team has to deal with following a championship season.

“Looking forward, we graduate five or six seniors who were big contributors with the program, so we will have to have some younger players next year who are willing to come in and work, and fill in the shoes of these seniors who helped really make the program what it is today,” Stone said. “They had their lumps along the way and things like that.

“We always talk to our seniors about paving the way for the underclassmen and teaching them and showing them the way,” he said. “Going forward, we hope that our younger players will be anxious to get a shot to come in and prove themselves and work hard.”

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

|

Panthers dominate weights and competition CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

to win her second-consecutive regional title. Meanwhile, sister Zamora took home the title in the 129-pound weight class with a total lift of 295 pounds.

In the unlimited division, Guzman smoked the competition as she won her second consecutive regional title with a 385-pound total lift — the 195-pound lift in the clean and jerk set a new school record.

With their big wins, the trio of gold-medal winners — alongside Jessica Corridor (101-pound weight class) and Terriah Scott (199) — will represent Dr. Phillips at the state championship Feb. 8

in Panama City.

“All of the work is coming to fruition out there, so it’s nice,” Sokolowsky said. “I’m proud of the girls. I sent them a nice long text the next day and told them how proud of I was of them and everything.”

The win at regional was just another feather in the cap for the Panthers, who went 4-0 through the regular season before crushing the opposition in the postseason — winning the Metro and district titles.

Although the regular-season win streak is impressive, the more impressive number is 13: the number of consecutive competitions the Panthers have won.

“Watching them go up there and get their medals and smile, that’s priceless,” he said. “That’s why I do it.”

— Ben Sokolowsky

That 13-match winning streak helped build confidence among Sokolowsky’s athletes, and it also helped gain the program exposure.

“I have people who don’t lift, and in my P.E. class and even sports — like football players — say, ‘Man, I see what your girls are doing,’ so I mean it’s getting out there,” Sokolowsky said. “It’s starting to be seen out there, it’s a good recruiting tool — I don’t even have to do anything.”

Before the season started, Sokolowsky was out and about around the school trying his best to sell the sport to other athletes — and non-athletes — alike. He’s been the program’s biggest marketer since taking over last year.

But just because the program is seeing some big-time success under his tutelage, don’t expect Sokolowsky to lighten up on his sales pitch any time soon.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

13

WINNERS AT REGIONALS FIRST-PLACE FINISHERS:

Jada St. Cyr (154 pounds)* The constant work he does — Zamora St. Cyr (129 whether selling others on the pounds)* program or simply coaching — Amani Guzman (unlimited comes from a place of deep love division)* for the sport — and for his girls on the team. Helping them find SECOND-PLACE that success — regardless of the FINISHERS: weights they can lift — is the true Destinee Alford (183 happiness found in the weight pounds) room and out in the field of comGrace Fay (110 pounds) petition.

Megan Rush (119 pounds) “This sport is so mental, Terriah Scott (199 pounds)* because it’s just you versus the Tyliyah Smith (unlimited weights — you have no teamdivision) mate to lift it for you and you have no assistance,” Sokolowsky THIRD-PLACE FINISHERS: said. “Once they get through that Free Single Vision Lenses Dr.do John Gabriela Serpa mental hurdle and just it,Nowell just With The Purchase of Any(110 Framepounds) Dr. Ben Konynenbelt August 2018-August(129 31, 2018 Carla1, Woolley pounds) seeing their excitement and their Shania Gowan (169 pounds) success and their happiness from it … that’s all I want.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

W EAT HER

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 31 High: 67 Low: 53 Chance of rain: 0%

FRIDAY, FEB. 1 High: 72 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 20%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 31

7:15a

6:04p

Friday, Feb. 1

7:15a

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Saturday, Feb. 2

7:14a

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SATURDAY, FEB. 2 High: 74 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 20%

I LOVE WEST ORANGE Doug Gaines, assistant director of support services for the city of Ocoee, submitted this stunning photo. “It’s a photo of the sunrise over Starke Lake in Ocoee,” he says. “I took it Jan. 3. You couldn’t beat the colors and the reflection in the still water.”

The Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize. To enter, email your photo, along with your name, city and a caption, to amyq@ orangeobserver.com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

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2019

LV11097

Windermere Observer 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 Windermere Observer 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 property.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business TUESDAY NETWORKING GROUP Held every Tuesday from 8:00-9:00am at Village Inn in

Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Little Greek

Winter Garden. Bonus Networking starts at 7:30am. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the wait list, please contact Bob Gentile (Bob@NaturalSolutionsLLC.com).

WEDNESDAY NETWORKING GROUP

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he West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated the ribbon cutting of Little Greek Fresh Grill, located at 6536 Old Brick Rd #130 in Windermere. Little Greek Fresh Grill starts each day focused on preparing the most flavorful Greek food possible. Little Greek offers a variety of tasty and affordable Greek menu items to suit any appetite.

Each dish is lovingly made to order using fresh high quality ingredients and served with warm and attentive customer care. To learn more, visit www.littlegreekrestaurant.com. Photo courtesy of WOCC.

Held the first and third Wednesdays of the month (except for holidays) from 8:00-9:00am at Fairfield Inn Ocoee. In months with a fifth Wednesday, please visit wochamber. com for meeting location. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the wait list, please contact Pam Birdsong (pam@proformaalbrecht.net).

FRIDAY NETWORKING GROUP Held every other Friday (visit wochamber.com for specific dates) from 8:00am - 9:00am at Peach Valley Café in Dr. Phillips. Bonus Networking starts at 7:30am. To find out if there is an opening for your business or to be added to the

We Noticed Recognition for Alarie Design Associates

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he West Orange Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a We Noticed celebration in recognition of Alarie Design Associates, located at 260 E. Plant Street in Winter Garden. The Alarie Design team prides itself in specializing in Brand Strategy, Advertising, Design, Web/Interactive, and Video Production. These combined areas give them a unique advantage of providing critical solutions that aid in the success of clients.

To learn more, visit www.alariedesign.com. Photo courtesy of WOCC.

For more information about joining the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com 298140-1

wait list, please contact Marc Jablon 294793-1

(marc@imaginethatpromo.com).

Eat, Play & Stay Healthy West Orange!

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ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Call 407-656-2121 or Visit OrangeObserver.com

This February, Let’s Have a Heart to Heart Small Choices Can Change Your Health!

We’ll be sharing healthy heart tips for you and your loved ones all month long!

HealthyWestOrange.org

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