02.16.17 Windermere Observer

WINDERMERE

Observer Serving Southwest Orange County

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FREE

VOLUME 2, NO. 18

•

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

“We are made by history” Southwest Orange celebrates Black History Month with poetry, music, fashion and fare. PAGE 7.

Developer plans 350 apartment homes near South Lake

ROYAL TREATMENT

WHAT’S NEXT? APRIL 20: Local Planning Agency adoption hearing JUNE 6: Orange County Commission adoption hearing DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER ORANGE COUNTY If all goes according to plan, those who frequent Winter Garden Vineland Road near South Lake and the Grand Cypress Golf Resort could see up to 350 new apartments in the future.

At a community meeting held at Bridgewater Middle School on Wednesday, Feb. 8, Orange County staff and representatives from development company Epoch Properties Inc. presented a request for a small-scale future landuse amendment.

The subject property is

SEE APARTMENTS PAGE 2

ARTS & CULTURE Photos by Danielle Hendrix

King Mark and his buddy immediately hit the dance floor once inside.

First Baptist Church Windermere was one of 375 churches worldwide to host Night to Shine — the Tim Tebow Foundation’s special-needs prom — on Feb. 10.

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

Dr. Phillips High School to present Prohibitionera production.

SEE PAGES 8-9 PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

*****************ECRWSSEDDM****

E

very time the limousine doors opened, kings and queens stepped out to a red carpet lined with applause and cheers that echoed up and down Main Street in Windermere.

Fairy lights added a little sparkle to the air, as friendly paparazzi pointed their phones and cameras at the VIPs, whose smiles were

infectious. Each king and queen was dressed to the nines, a crown or tiara topping off the look.

It was all a part of the royal treatment for the evening at First Baptist Church Windermere’s Night to Shine event on Friday, Feb. 10.

Night to Shine is the brainchild of Tim Tebow and his foundation, an event that gives special-needs people ages 14 and up an unforgettable prom night experience that is centered on God’s love.

And on Feb. 10, 375 churches in all 50 states and 11 countries honored 75,000 of them.

Postal Customer

SEE PAGE 4

Queen Heather was greeted on the red carpet by enthusiastic spectators.

“Sometimes you come and give because you want to and you love to do this, but I actually feel like we actually get more out of it than we give.”

— Gina Schmidt, a co-owner of About Face Design Team

2

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

YOU R CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

NINTH ANNUAL ORLANDO HOME & GARDEN SHOW Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Orange County Convention Center, Hall NB, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando. Get started on home improvements this spring with ideas, exhibits and expert speakers. Admission is $9 for 17 and older, free for 16 and younger, $7 for seniors 65 and older and free for active duty military. For seminar details, showtechnology.com/event/ orange-county-home-gardenshow/#item-custom.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

ABUELA RAQUEL’S LIFE AND ART 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. The public can celebrate the life and art of Abuela Raquel (as her grandchildren called her). Light refreshments will be served.

Raquel’s retrospective exhibit is on display at the library through March 2017. (407) 835-7323.

ALOHA LUAU DANCE PARTY 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s Heller Hall, 21 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Includes snacks, a dance party, hula lessons, tribal body art and a special appearance

by The Wayfinder. Tickets are $15 per child, and a portion of the proceeds go to the WGHF. Reserve a spot at wgpanache@ gmail.com.

BEE MY VALENTINE 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Tibet-Butler Preserve

and the Vera Carter Environmental Center, 8777 County Road 535, Orlando. Learn about the complex life of a honey bee and its importance in our lives and to the environment. Learn about their social order, how honey is made, colony collapse disorder and more. Participants go home with their own beeswax candle. Ages 7 and up; limit 25. Program is free. (407) 254-1940.

UNDER THE SEA 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Travel under the sea and discover all the treasures therein with activities, crafts and more.

Ages 3 to 5. (407) 835-7323.

WINTER GARDEN BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the downtown Winter Garden pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. The festival pairs the hottest blues and roots musicians with award-winning local barbecue connoisseurs. Entertainment features Souliz Band at 4 p.m., TC Carr and the Bolts with Josh Nelms at 6 and Damon Fowler at 8. Admission is free; beer and barbecue are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. (407) 656-4155.

MONDAY, FEB. 20

CENTER RING SPECTACLE 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. It is part show, part instruction and all fun.

Begin with a mini performance followed by training for all in juggling and plate spinning. Presented by Orlando Youth Circus.

Registration recommended at (407) 835-7323.

Apartments planned CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

located next to the Zen Luxury Apartments, just east of Winter Garden Vineland Road and South Lake and adjacent to the current Perri House Country Inn and Market. Epoch Properties is requesting to amend the future land-use map designation of the site from low-density residential and commercial to planned development — highdensity residential to allow for the development of up to 270 apartments.

Eventually, Epoch also hopes to take two adjacent parcels within the Vista Oaks subdivision currently zoned for medium-density residential and request an increase to highdensity residential. That would allow for another 80 apartments, bringing the total to 350.

However, it has not yet filed an application for this portion of the plan.

Overall, the entire $57.8 million project would encompass 14 acres. Rebecca Wilson, the land-use attorney representing Epoch, said the new apartments would be able to serve those who work closer to Walt Disney World.

“For those of you who live on Winter Garden Vineland Road, you understand a lot of people are traveling to work down at Disney, so we’re trying to locate some very high-end multifamily units near that node of employment and commerce in this area,” Wilson told residents in attendance.

The proposed apartment

complex’s site plan will come pending the approval of the requested amendment. Epoch is planning for up to 27 units per acre for the entire planned development.

Residents voiced their concerns, which were mainly about traffic on Winter Garden Vineland Road and how a new apartment complex would affect that traffic. Some community suggestions included deceleration lanes and stoplights, saying that increased traffic with no added safety measures or speed and flow control is dangerous.

“I don’t think any of us are opposed to this project; we’re opposed to the traffic that this project brings and … other projects bring,” Lake Sheen Reserve Homeowners Association President Stan Robson told county staff. “The county has created this problem, and if they can change this whole zoning thing so quickly, they can put stoplights in as well. The traffic on 535 is horrendous, and you need to do something about it.”

David and Catherine Winter have lived off Winter Garden Vineland Road near Lake Mabel for about 40 years and attended the meeting out of concern for traffic in the area.

“One of my main concerns

is the value that will be put on that road again, and the speed the cars will go, north or south, it’s (already) beyond the limits,” Catherine Winter said.

“It shouldn’t be high density — I think that’s a bad precedent to set,” David Winter added. “I don’t think the roads are in good shape to handle that traffic.”

The next step for Epoch is a public hearing before the county’s Local Planning Agency on April 20. If the amendment passes through the LPA, it will go to the Board of County Commissioners on June 6.

“Between now and then, we’ll be working with (Orange County) staff, because it’s loud and clear that traffic is an existing concern and will continue to be a concern in this area,” Wilson told residents. “It’s really working with staff to figure out how you balance both making sure that you all can move quickly and efficiently through here and making sure that that is safe for our ingress and egress to this property.”

For more information on this project, contact Orange County Case Planner Jennifer DuBois at jennifer.dubois@ocfl.net.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

“One of my main concerns is the value that will be put on that road again, and the speed the cars will go, north or south, it’s (already) beyond the limits.”

— Catherine Winter, resident

I choose treatment on my time.

I choose Orlando Health.

Choosing treatment on my time for my minor emergencies is just a click away.

Orlando Health, the leader in emergency care in Central Florida, has a new online scheduling tool that allows me to check-in and select an estimated treatment time so I can wait at home until my time to be seen.* And, with 6 conveniently located ERs, including Central Florida’s only Level One Trauma Center, you’ll have teams of highly trained physicians and top emergency care close when it counts.

That’s why I choose Orlando Health.

TheEmergencyExperts.com * For patients with non-life and limb-threatening conditions.

228970

Not an actual patient.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

Mother organizes car-seat check for Independence community Keeping children safe is one of the biggest concerns for parents, but car seats — particularly their installation — can be problematic.

That’s why Independence resident Danielle Pavone has organized a car-seat check. The event — open to Independence residents — will take place March 9.

To organize the check Pavone sought the assistance of licensed professional Carissa Johns.

“I’ve helped her with car seats in the past, but she got a new car seat and wanted to get things checked again,” said Johns, an occupant protection specialist with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and assigned to the Children’s Safety Village. “She mentioned that a couple people in her neighborhood wanted to (have a carseat check).”

Although the Independence check isn’t open to the public, Johns said there are car-seat check events at least once a month through Orange County.

“Anytime there’s interest in the community and we can fulfill that request, we want to do it,” Johns said. “We know there’s such a high misuse rate. … If we can help one child, we can make a difference.”

Johns estimates four out of every five car seats are installed and used incorrectly. And even though car-seat checks are always

WEST ORANGE

CAR SEAT CHECKLIST 1. RIGHT SEAT. Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. Like milk, your car seat has an expiration date. Just double check the label on your car seat to make sure it is still safe.

2. RIGHT PLACE. Keep all children in a back seat until they are 13.

3. RIGHT DIRECTION. Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2.

When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat and make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower attachments (LATCH).

4. INCH TEST. Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than one inch side-to-side or front-toback? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.

5. PINCH TEST. Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots (check car-seat manual). Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go.

IF YOU GO

CAR SEAT CHECK WHEN: 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18 WHERE: Arnold Palmer Hospital, 92 W. Miller St., Orlando WEST ORANGE CAR SEAT CHECK WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 9 WHERE: Independence clubhouse INFORMATION: Open only to Independence residents. Carrisa Johns, (407) 521-4673

in high demand, only licensed professionals have the authorization to verify the correct installation and use of a car seat. During a check, the licensed professional will check harnesses and the parts of the seat, and also make sure there haven’t been any recalls.

“They observe the seat as it came in to identify potential misuse,” Johns said. “It’s an educational service — not an installation service. We want to have (parents) learn all the things they need to know so when they have to take the car seat out, they can put it back in correctly.”

Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@ orangeobserver.com.

OCPS receives a $240,000 grant More than 500 schools applied for a grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s School Bus Rebate Program last year, and the Orange County Public Schools’ bus fleet was one of 88 — and one of only two in the state — selected to receive a grant.

The grants, which come from the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, are earmarked to replace old buses or to retrofit older buses with new filter sys-

ORANGE COUNTY

tems to reduce carbon emissions.

“Thanks to DERA funding, we are protecting our children from breathing diesel emissions as they travel to school,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “Nearly 17,000 of our country’s schools are located within steps of a heavily traveled road, potentially exposing more than six million children to trafficrelated pollution at a time when their developing lungs are par-

ticularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.”

OCPS received $240,000 from the EPA, and, on Jan. 24, the Orange County School Board approved the use of $200,000 of the grant to purchase 10 new Thomas Built buses and the remaining $40,000 to purchase 10 particulate filters for older buses’ exhaust systems.

— Brittany Gaines

231345

STAFF WRITER

3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

24 HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE

License # CMCO 56836

407-654-3777 • www.appleac.com

229333

BRITTANY GAINES

|

149 Woodland St. • Winter Garden, FL 34787 | License & Insured

“THE 4% TEAM”

Selling? List with us and pay only 4% commission!

Only 4%

COMMISSION FEE MLS, Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow and beyond!

Professional Photography and virtual tours.

Staging and presentation consultation.

Full contract management from listing to closing!

Charles Rutenberg Realty

CarlosAndSusan@RealtorMoves.com

RealtorMoves.com

229394

352-409-1799 Or 407-790-5331

229315

Call Carlos Puerto & Susan Wilkinson Today!

No additional hidden fees!

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

A night to shine CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“GENUINELY FILLED WITH JOY”

• Unlimited small group sessions or Power training (1 hr sessions) • Need to lose a minimum of 10-30lbs.

• Want to add lean, toned & firm muscle quickly.

• Willing to invest $66-$98/week & save 63% off a training & nutrition program.

Now Taking Applications

407-347-7977 Garage Mama Fitness on Facebook @Gmamafitness twitter & Instagram

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

12 WEEK & FIT-LEAN - 2017 TRANSFORMATION PROJECT!

228987

Apply @ http://gmamafitness.com/fit-and-lean/

Blair M. Johnson • Wills/Advance Directives • Estates • Corporation/LLC • Commercial transactions • Landlord/Tenant • Real estate: Contracts, Closings, Short Sales, Deed in Lieu • And other matters

228972

Attorney At Law • 407-656-5521 425 S. Dillard St. • Winter Garden, FL 34787

Proudly serving West Orange County for over 36 years.

www.blairjohnsonlaw.com

Walking in to the lobby at First Baptist Windermere’s downtown campus, the atmosphere was bustling as volunteers and families got the kings and queens ready for their big night. The boys sat patiently as their shoes were shined. The girls were giddy as they prepared to be pampered by a design team that did their hair, nails and makeup.

As they were paired with their escorts for the night — their “buddies” — and headed off to take photos and ride in the limousines, they were coronated with a sleek crown or sparkly tiara.

Gina Schmidt, a co-owner of About Face Design Team, couldn’t stop smiling as she watched the girls on her team work diligently and meticulously on each guest, making sure she looked her best for a special evening.

“Our company loves to give back to the community, and this was just a way we could give back to this area,” Schmidt said. “It’s so sweet to watch everyone coming in; all the ladies are so excited, and they look so beautiful in their gowns and their sparkly little crowns on, and they’re so happy.

It makes me happy. Sometimes you come and give because you want to and you love to do this, but I actually feel like we actually get more out of it than we give.”

And from the smiles on their faces while walking up the red carpet and dancing with their buddies, it was evident that other volunteers felt the same way.

“It was really exciting to see him (my buddy) having so much fun. He was genuinely filled with joy and having fun,” said Amanda Peck, a church member and buddy for the event. “I volunteer quite a bit, but it’s really awesome to serve other people and make a nice experience for them, and that makes me happy.”

“JUST THE WAY GOD DOES”

WINTER GARDEN

500 S. Dillard St

M-F 6-7:30, Sat 6-7, Sun 6-6

www.ToolesAceHardware.com

228983

407.656.2593 Visit us on Facebook for Special deals: www.facebook.com/toolesacehardware

So local, it feels like your garage!

Call Today!

IN WINTER GARDEN

407-654-3037 www.stoneybrookweststorage.com stoneybrookwestss@cfl.rr.com

IN OCOEE

407-905-7898 www.maguireroadstorage.com maguireroadstorage@cfl.rr.com

228725

4

After running around handing out crowns and ensuring that guests were checked in, Denise Burch, the church’s special-needs ministry director, finally got to sit back for a minute and watch as the guests and their buddies hit the dance floor and let loose.

It’s only the second year the church has hosted the event, but more than 320 volunteers signed up to help make it happen.

“The guests, I know they love it, they love the music and all of that stuff,” Burch said. “My hope is that the volunteers really enjoy themselves and realize that it’s not difficult to be around people with special needs. Sometimes they don’t know what to expect or feel that they’re going to do something wrong, but in a setting like this, it’s easier because you get to have fun and know them more personally.”

And for senior pastor Chuck Carter and his wife, Gina, the event is also personal — their son has autism and was one of the VIP guests for the night.

“He was able to go to proms at his school, but many can’t do that,” Chuck Carter said. “Some just don’t have an opportunity to do something like this, so when we found out that Tim Tebow Foundation was doing this we wanted to be a part of it. As the pastor, that’s my vision for our church — that we care about the community and want to bless the community.”

Gina Carter added that Tebow always said Night to Shine is a night for people with special needs to shine, when they are told that they matter and that God has a plan for their lives.

“That’s one of the things that is really important to us. These kids sometimes are forgotten and maybe looked down on, but watching so many people seeing their worth (is incredible),” she said. “(It’s important) to really have this many people in the community seeing them as something special and important — just the way God does.”

WINDERMERE

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 / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, AmyQ@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com

“IT’S LIKE OUR FAMILY”

“Don’t eat too much of that candy, Blake, you’re going to make your stomach upset,” Cynthia Isbell told her son as he prepared to dive right back in to his bag of treats.

Blake, 21, and his sister Aldrena, 17, were two of the VIP guests at Night to Shine. They’re also members of the church’s specialneeds ministry. The two have developmental delays resulting from a genetic cause. Blake serves as an usher at church, and Aldrena helps out, too.

“My favorite part was being with Luke (my buddy),” Aldrena exclaimed as she talked about her night. “We danced, we ate food, and my favorite part was riding in the limousine with Luke.”

The Isbell family lives in Minneola but makes the half-hour commute to Windermere frequently to allow Blake and Aldrena to serve and be involved in the special-needs ministry.

“My favorite part was being with Luke (my buddy). We danced, we ate food, and my favorite part was riding in the limousine with Luke.”

— Aldrena Isbell, party guest

“One Sunday morning, I was really tired and not feeling good and I said, ‘You know what, I’m just going to stay home today,’ Marvin Isbell said. “Blake says, ‘Dad, they need me there.’ So I got up and got dressed. They have a great special-needs program, and the kids love coming here. It’s like our family. They (the kids) have older folks that love them, younger folks that love them, and there’s a whole community that just makes them feel loved and accepted.”

Looking around the room and watching as volunteers hugged their buddies goodbye and helped break down the setup after the night was over, Marvin Isbell couldn’t help but get a little misty-eyed. All were there for one purpose: to love on people with special needs and show them God’s love.

“It makes us thankful that there’s enough people to take such an interest in this kind of thing and the happiness that these kids enjoy, the fun that they have,” Marvin Isbell said. “It makes them enjoy life. It’s amazing how many people donate their time. Sometimes it’s difficult for them (kids with special needs) to fit in, and this is a home where they’re all loved.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

Staff Writers Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange Observer.com Brittany Gaines, bgaines@Orange Observer.com Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Michelle Gentry, mgentry@Orange Observer.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com Ann Marie Vibbert, avibbert@ OrangeObserver.com Pam Zerblas, pzerblas@Orange Observer.com Creative Services Andrés Tam, atam@OrangeObserver.com Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT US

The Windermere Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides subscription home delivery.

The Windermere Observer also can be found in commercial locations and at our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

If you wish to subscribe to, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

TO ADVERTISE For display or digital advertising, call Ann Marie Vibbert, Michelle Gentry or Cyndi Gustafson at (407) 656-2121.

For classifieds, call (407) 656-2121.

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

To contact us, send your information via email to Michael Eng, meng@ OrangeObserver.com.

WINDERMERE OBSERVER The Windermere Observer (USPS 687-120) is published weekly for $29 per year ($40 outside of Orange County) by the Observer Media Group, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida.

POSTMASTER send address changes to the Windermere Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Opinions in the Windermere Observer are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily those of the Windermere Observer, its publisher or editors. Mailed letters must by typed and include the author’s signature and phone number. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for space and grammar and become the property of the newspaper.

Windermere Observer 720 S. Dillard St. Winter Garden, FL 34787

OrangeObserver.com

Join us prior to the performance for a very special event:

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Friday, February 17 @ 6:00 pm • Show @ 7:00 pm Saturday, February 18 @ 1:30 pm • Show @ 2:30 pm INVITATION INCLUDES: • 2 passes to Shrek’s Feast featuring…Swampalicious Mud with Jellified Worms, Shrektified Cupcakes, Donkey Doodie, Piggy Potions, Shrek’s Special S’nothers, Possum Berry Juice • Time to visit one-on-one with Shrek and other cast members • 2 General Admission tickets to the production • 1 Official WOHS “Shrek” shirt • 1 Photograph with Shrek • 1 signed “Shrek” poster • Early seating for the performance of the show $49 General Admission packet • $55 Reserved Admission Packet

Space is limited! Call the box office now to reserve your space 407-905-2462

231330

OrangeObserver.com

OrangeObserver.com

|

If you like good Music, Yea, Yea, Yea! The All

NEW

Finally! A place for the Adult Contemporary Crowd!

® ®

The best IRA for you will depend on a

number of factors, and future tax ratesincluding and yourcurrent plans for

Roth?

Or traditional? and future taxWe’ll rateswalk andyou yourthrough plans for withdrawals.

We’ll help you choose. withdrawals.

We’ll walk you through your options and help you decide Horizon Circle Horizon Circle

your options helpwill youdepend decideon a which is right for you you.

The best IRA and for which is of right for you. number factors, including current Call me today at (407) 909-0485. and future tax at rates and your plans for Call me today (407) 909-0485.

OPEN HOUSE Friday, Feb. 17th 7-11pm FREE Admission, Dancing

Broadway Style Shows

“So This Is Broadway” Feb. 18 - April 1

schwab.com/windermere Windermere Independent Branch 4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd Suite 204 Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 909-0485 schwab.com/windermere

Conroy Windermere Road

Conroy Windermere Road

Conroy Windermere Road

435

4848 S. Apopka Vineland Road 435

rove Dri T he G ve

withdrawals. We’ll walk you through

Conroy Road Conroy Windermere Road Conroy Road

Every Saturday 2 & 7 pm

Music from 26 different shows!

An intimate atmosphere to see a show.

Weddings

“Affordable Elegance” You owe it to yourselves to check us out! $65 per person See website for package information

4848 S. Apopka Vineland Road

rove Dri T he G ve

your options and help you decide

435

Cascades at Isleworth

Horizon Circle

which is right for you.

www.BELLAROOMWG.com

Independent Windermere Branch 4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd Independent Branch Suite 204 4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd Orlando, FLWytiaz, 32819 CFP® Michael Suite 204S. (407) 909-0485 Independent Branch Leader Orlando, FL 32819 schwab.com/windermere and Financial Consultant (407) 909-0485

The bestofIRA for you will depend on a number factors, including current

Bella Room

12100 West Colonial Drive • Winter Garden, FL 34787 • 407-347-5761

435 Cascades at Isleworth

Conroy Windermere Road

Conroy Windermere Road

Conroy Road 435

Call me today at (407) 909-0485.

4848 S. Apopka Vineland Road rove Dri T he G ve

435 Cascades at Isleworth

Dancing Dancing

Fridays 7-11pm “A New Home that Entertains” Playing 7 Generations of Music with Solid State Band & DJNat

FREE Valet Parking

407-347-5761

229349

Schwab does not provide specific individualized tax or legal advice. Where such advice is necessary or appropriate, please consult a qualified attorney, tax advisor, CPA, or investment manager.

Schwab does not provide specific individualized tax or legal advice. Where such advice is necessary ©2016 Charles please Schwabconsult & Co., aInc. (“Schwab”) All rights reserved.

Member SIPC. manager. or appropriate, qualified attorney, tax advisor, CPA, or investment MWD85894-1 (1115-6986) ADP90919-00 (3/16) ©2016 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) All rights reserved. Member SIPC. MWD85894-1 (1115-6986) ADP90919-00 (3/16)

228740

client: Charles Schwab SPECIFICATIONS description: Windermere client: Charles Schwab Schwab does not provide specific tax or legal advice. WhereSPECIFICATIONS such advice5.375” is necessary job #: individualized MWD85894-1 trim size: x 10.125” description: Windermere or appropriate, please consult a qualified tax advisor, CPA, or investment manager.

Schwab #: attorney, ADP90919-00 (3/16) no bleed job #: trim size: 5.375” x 10.125” compliance #: MWD85894-1 0611-3788 CMYK ©2016 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) All rights reserved.

SIPC. 661.295.5552 Schwab ADP90919-00 (3/16) Member(PMS299~85-19-0-0) no bleed date:#: 3.3.16 ads@mediawelldone.com MWD85894-1 (1115-6986) due ADP90919-00 (3/16) compliance #: 0611-3788 CMYK 661.295.5552 insertion date: 3.10.16 due date: 3.3.16 Sigsbury (PMS299~85-19-0-0) ads@mediawelldone.com production: Barbara Publication: insertion creative: date: 3.10.16 Jenny Paige West Orange Times production: Barbara Sigsbury Publication: creative: Jenny Paige West Orange Times client: Charles Schwab SPECIFICATIONS

661.295.5552 ads@mediawelldone.com

description: job #: Schwab #: compliance #: due date: insertion date: production: creative:

Windermere MWD85894-1 ADP90919-00 (3/16) 0611-3788 3.3.16 3.10.16 Barbara Sigsbury Jenny Paige

trim size:

5.375” x 10.125” no bleed

CMYK (PMS299~85-19-0-0) Publication: West Orange Times

228871

6

Which IRA You make your WINDERMERE OBSERVER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017 Which IRA You make your gives you money the hard gives you money the hard the best tax way.

Why invest the best tax way.

Why invest Which IRA it the old way? advantage?

You make your itadvantage? the old way? gives you money the hard Michael S. Wytiaz, CFP the best tax way.

Why invest Roth?

Or traditional?

Independent BranchCFP Leader Michael S. Wytiaz, Roth?

Or traditional?

We’ll help you choose. and Financial Consultant Independent Branch Leader itadvantage? the We’ll help you old choose.way? and Financial Consultant Windermere

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

LIVING HISTORY Efforts from organizations such as the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, Dr. Phillips High School and even local residents are ensuring that black history lives on.

STAFF WRITER

There are plenty of things to celebrate each February — Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day among them — but it’s also a time to focus on recognizing and celebrating the achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history.

With this in mind, multiple West Orange-area organizations and people have put on events and dedicated their time and efforts to celebrating Black History Month and educating their community on African-American culture, history and accomplishments.

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

“AIN’-A THAT GOOD NEWS!”

For the first time, the choir and orchestra of The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, will perform a concert titled “Ain’-a That Good News!” in honor of Black History Month and as part of the Basilica’s 2016-17 concert series.

The concert will feature Robert Ray’s “Gospel Mass,” as well as spirituals and gospel music by William Dawson, Duke Ellington, Moses Hogan, Bobby McFerrin and more.

7

Courtesy of Elizabeth Berumen

William Picher, director of music at the Basilica, said the evening will be full of entertainment and spiritual enrichment.

“The shrine is a gorgeous building filled with sacred art, and (attendees) will be listening to sacred music,” Picher said. “One of the purposes of sacred art and sacred music is to lift you up and give you a glimpse into heaven. The first half will be mostly spiritual and a cappella by various composers, and the second half is the music of a gospel mass, accompanied by a rhythm section and two soloists.”

The Basilica performs different concert series each year and previously has held concerts themed for St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and more.

When someone suggested a Black History Month concert this year, Picher talked to people who knew the music genres well and they put the program together.

“Black music has a rich American history, going back to the spirituals and blues and jazz — all that stuff came from the black culture, really, and it’s influenced the classical circles, as well,” he said. “This is just a way to highlight that genre of music that we should all be grateful for. It’s great music. We’ve had a ball rehearsing it.”

The concert will be held Sunday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. at the Basilica, 8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando. Tickets can be purchased at maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/ concerts or by calling (407) 2396600.

AFROCENTRIC ORLANDO

For the second year, Nigerian native Christy Lynch has helped Central Florida celebrate African culture with her AfroCentric Orlando event. The family friendly, cultural event took place Feb. 4 at the Rosen JCC. “Aside from Animal Kingdom, basically at a local level, we don’t have that enrichment whereby people can have more information and see more celebration of that heritage,” Lynch said. “I’m originally from West Africa in Nigeria, so I thought, who else could bring that here if not an immigrant from Africa?”

The annual AfroCentric event includes a lineup of poetry, comedy skits, traditional African music, fashion shows and exotic dances. This year, students from the Shule Adetunde Performing Arts homeschool group — this year’s beneficiary of the event — performed, and an Ethiopian princess graced the audience for a special coffee ceremony.

Additionally, vendors and crafters brought their fares to sell,

“I find that, especially for a lot of us in the African diaspora who have immigrated here, our culture needs to be passed on to the next generation so they don’t forget where their parents and heritage are from, hence my passion.”

and guests got to try ethnic delicacies from the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and more.

“I find that, especially for a lot of us in the African diaspora who have immigrated here, our culture needs to be passed on to the next generation so they don’t forget where their parents and heritage are from, hence my passion,” Lynch said. “In Central Florida, we’re a melting pot and I just think that we need to add that (African culture) to the enlightenment of this area of town. Black History Month is a significant time of the year to do that, too.”

DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL

At DPHS, Black History Month is a monthlong event dedicated to the education and acknowledgement of and respect for black history. Throughout February, the school has put together a calendar of both weekly and recurring events to get students involved.

Each Friday this month, DPHS students are encouraged to wear their black-history attire. The south campus media center is hosting African-American book displays, QR codes for students to scan for more information and a weekly trivia contest.

The school also is hosting a Black History “Soul Food” Luncheon, which consists of chicken, collard greens, yams, macaroni and cheese, dessert and a drink.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

— Christy Lynch

Share the

LOVE 229033

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. It evolved from what was once Negro History Week, and since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

For more information, visit bit.ly/1ytHx2I.

DANIELLE HENDRIX

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Children donned African fashions at the AfroCentric Orlando event earlier this month.

229308

WHAT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH?

|

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

OO VE R G - at -

Photos by Brittany Gaines

CINEMA UNDER THE STARS

THE END OF AN ERA

Oliver Davids, center, stars as Jimmy Winters in Dr. Phillips High School’s spring musical, “Nice Work if You Can Get It.”

DPHS seniors performing in ‘Nice Work if You Can Get It’ began and ended their highschool theater days with Gershwin musicals.

Featuring the newly-released animated musical film.

Visit / TheGroveOrlando or www.thegroveorlando.com/specialevents for more details

BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER DR. PHILLIPS

Friday, February 17th Movie Starts at 6:30 pm For More Information visit

www.TheGroveOrlando.com/SpecialEvents /TheGroveOrlando 230836

4750-4757 The Grove Drive | Windermere, FL At the corner of Apopka-Vineland and Conroy-Windermere Roads

The Clermont Downtown Partnership presents our Annual

Things have come full circle for the seniors performing in Dr. Phillips High School’s spring musical.

When they were freshmen just starting out in their high school theater careers, they performed “Crazy for You” — a Gershwin musical. Now, they are capping off their high school years with another Gershwin piece, “Nice Work if You Can Get It.” “There’s some growth that you can see,” said Maddy Montz, who stars as Billie Bendix. “You find the beauty in it more in your senior year that you don’t notice in your freshman year.”

Brothers George and Ira Gershwin were a songwriting duo that wrote multiple musical comedies together throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Although “Nice Work if You Can Get it” was written Joe DiPietro, all the music and lyrics were songs written by the Gershwin brothers.

The musical is set in 1927 during the middle of the Prohibition era and follows a trio of bootleggers as their paths cross with a

well-to-do couple off to their honeymoon.

“Even though it’s during the Prohibition, it doesn’t bring down the mood of the show,” said sophomore Walker Russell, who stars as Duke Mahoney. “It’s not a nitty-gritty show about the ’20s.

It’s a fun exploration of the fantasy world of the ’20s.”

It’s the comedic moments that the students like best about the show.

“It’s very silly and so dumbed down that it’s funny,” said senior Juan Ayala, who plays Cookie McGee in the show. “It’s so great.

I love how the play was built, how the musical was built.”

When Jason Whitehead, the director of theater at the high school, began looking at options for this year’s musical, he knew he wanted to do something different.

“I like being able to do a unique production,” he said. “We had done a lot of heavy pieces, so I wanted a nice contrast one for the department.”

When he announced that the show would be “Nice Work if You Can Get it,” the students were thrilled.

“It’s my final chance to be in a musical,” said Oliver Davids, a senior who stars as Jimmy Winter. “This show is so funny, the music feels really (reminiscent) of the Golden Age, but the show

Relief is just a Pellet Away!

Vintage Market and Garden Show Saturday, March 11th from 10am - 5pm

Historic Downtown Clermont • W. Montrose Street

Show Features:

Over 80 vendors, Food Trucks, Music, FREE Admission and FREE Parking

• Primitives • Mid-Century • Cottage Glam • Salvage • Antiques • Garden Decor

TESTOSTERONE PELLETS for MEN & WOMEN

For more info. or to find out about becoming a vendor, call Erika at 908-670-2305

Low “T’ Symptoms • Decreased Sex Drive • Erectile Dysfunction • Lack of Motivation • Decreased Stamina • Muscle Weakness

Thanks City of Clermont for supporting CDP’s efforts to grow Downtown Clermont businesses!

www.clermontdowntownpartnership.com

• Hot Flashes • Memory Fog • Frequent Urination • Headaches • Joint Pains

Your Body in Balance Shelley C. Glover, MD

Make “IT” great again!

Call Today!

352-243-6686 1725 E. HWY 50, Ste B Clermont

231287

• Shabby Chic • Farmhouse Finds • Artisan Jewelry • Repurposed Decor • Fabulous Furniture • Vintage Fashions

231284

8

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

“Nice Work if You Can Get It” follows the story of three bootleggers during the Prohibition era.

has such a new vibe.”

Although Whitehead, who was a new addition to the school’s staff in 2016, was aware that the seniors had performed a Gershwin musical as freshmen, he said it had no bearing on his decision to bring Gershwin’s music back to the DPHS theater.

“It’s sheer coincidence,” he said.

Coincidence or not, it’s a perfect bookend for the seniors in the show.

“I love Gershwin’s music and style,” Montz said. “The joy of their music — it’s just a lot of fun.”

The cast, which includes more than 30 high-school students, has been rehearsing the show since late last year. Many of them discovered the musical would force them to stretch their acting talents.

|

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

9

“There are a lot of physical gestures to fit the times,” Davids said. “I always have to remember to button my suit — the first button. There’s a sense of proper all the time.”

Playing characters from the 1920s also meant adjusting their speech to fit the era.

“We can’t use slang words (in the show),” Ayala said. “But it’s cool to talk like how we are supposed to.”

It also tested the students’ ability to bring the musical’s adult themes to life.

“It’s hard for us to be bootleggers,” Montz said. “We’ve never done anything like that (in our life), so it’s a challenge.”

It’s one that everyone embraced and met with enthusiasm.

“I love the style of the 1920s,” said senior Cheyenne Young, who plays Eileen Evergreen.

With dress rehearsals complete, costumes pressed and sets waiting in the wings, everyone is excited for the show to go on.

“It’s very wacky and goofy,” Russell said. “I think people are going to love it.”

Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.

IF YOU GO “NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT” WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 WHERE: The Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts Center, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando TICKETS: Tickets cost between $10 and $25 depending on the seats. To purchase tickets, visit bit. ly/2k9NQCH.

The musical involves a complex series of mishaps, including the wedding fiasco with Eileen Evergreen, played by Cheyenne Young, right.

Considering Selling Your Home?

Text your address to 407-492-1900 For a FREE Home Valuation Your West Orange Real Estate Expert Shelley Dawson, REALTOR® Keller Williams, Classic Realty III

cell: 407-493-1900 www.shelleydawson.com

Just listed!

5 Bed/5 Bath with Den Pool Home in Summerport Conservation Lot with Ponds

3 Bed, 3 Bath with Den in Heritage Hills New Construction

Sold! $465,000

5 Bed, 3 Bath in Horizon West New Construction

229332

Sold! $253,000

230425

$432,000

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Moving into your first place?

We carry furniture, appliances, housewares and building materials at a major discount. Stop by and see all of our great deals!

West Orange Habitat for Humanity ReStore 13369 West Colonial Drive

(between 9th and Dillard Street, behind Taco Bell in Winter Garden)

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. Closed Sunday

www.westorangehabitat.org

229336

Donation Hotline: (407)905-0406

“We have the largest chapel in West Orange County.”

Owned and operated by the Romano family.

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

10

407-614-8350

“That’s My Wish”

Direct Cremation for:

795.00 Call for details

$

www.winteroakfuneralhome.com

1132 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • LIC #F080822

James McCrink passed away on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at his home in Winter Garden, Florida. He was 59. He was born at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, New Jersey, on July 8, 1957, and spent his early years in the “Sunken City” area of Middletown, New Jersey, where he was affectionately known by his friends as “Jimbo.”

Jim will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will always remember him as the thoughtful, loving and easygoing person he was. His children meant the world to him and so does he to them; he was a great dad and a good man.

Carpentry was his passion.

He loved working with wood and creating works of art from nothing but raw lumber. His camera was his friend, and he loved taking pictures of those dearest to him. He cherished all of the little mementos that were collected throughout his life, no matter how small.

Jim served honorably as a radar man in the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 1978, traveling the world on the USS Mount Whitney.

Jim had a wonderful lifelong career, starting out as a carpenter and going on to supervise and build stage sets for motion picture, television and theater. He has to his credit many projects, including “From The Earth to the Moon,” “Instinct,” “Waterboy,” “Mortal Kombat,” “Shattered” and “To Death Do Us Part.”

He also was employed by

Nickelodeon as a carpenter and shop foreman, building sets for many TV game shows of the ’90s.

Jim then became a founding member of the La Nouba team at Cirque du Soleil, first building the stage and props and moving on to stagehand thereafter.

Jim is survived by his sons, Scott, Jeffrey (and wife Jessica); and his daughters, Jennifer (and husband Justin) and Katelyn. Jim will be missed by his beloved grandchildren, Alex, Connor, Wyatt and Claire. He also leaves behind his mother, Frances Stafford; siblings, Michael, Maureen, Margaret, Mary, Tim and Patricia; many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Forever we will remain thankful for the time spent with you and all that you have taught us throughout the years in the memorable times we shared together. Rest in peace, dear Jimmy. Soon enough we’ll be together again. We love you.

Service is to be held at 4 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 20, at Kissimmee’s lakefront park under the Heron Pavilion. Email jmccrink@earthlink.net for any questions.

ETHEL HALL DIED WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8, 2017.

Ethel Hall, 97, Winter Garden, Florida, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. She was born in Samson, Alabama, on Dec. 8, 1919.

Ethel is survived by her five children, Darthey Mott, Betty Davis, Don Hall, Carol Hall, Sue Elmore; sister, Dottie Crutchfield; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 22 greatgreat-grandchildren.

The family will be holding a private memorial.

MICHAEL BISHOP, 53, of Winter Garden, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. Waldon, Sanford.

MODESTINE ST. JOHN, 83, of Windermere, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. Robert Bryant Funeral and Cremation Chapel, Orlando.

HAZEL E. WEST, 87, of Ocoee, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017. Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, Winter Garden.

228980

“Home of the area’s first certified therapy dog.

Feel free to stop in and say hello to Charley Girl!”

JAMES PATRICK MCCRINK DIED SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 2017.

WEST ORANGE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS FOR FEB. 9 N-S: 1. B. Ballenger – B. Cox 2.

S. Kmiec – M. Ryan 3. M. and

“Because “We will honor any you care” pre-arrangement Funeral plans Cremation, and Burial with other funeral homes including butStarting not limited to:at $795 Forethought, Simplicity Plan, Memorial Guardian, NGL and many other FRANK SCARLATA www.DeGusipeFuneralhome.com West Orange Chapel pre-arrangement plans.”

Funeral Director & Manager

WINDERMERE

Observer Serving Southwest Orange County

VOLUME 1, NO. 1

FREE

INSIDE

Meet Olympia setter Lorissa King PAGE 17

•

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

At last! Work begins on relief school Officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new West Orange County high school Sept. 24. STORY ON 6

228978

ARTS+CULTURE

The secret life of

MAYOR BRUHN West Orange High thespians dish up a spoonful of sugar.

PAGE 13

Welcome to your new hometown newspaper MICHAEL ENG EXECUTIVE EDITOR

David Haynes

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn strikes the only suitable pose when holding a glass from “The Godfather.”

Since the 1980s — far longer than he has been mayor of Windermere — Gary Bruhn has collected and sold movie memorabilia. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4

YOUR TOWN SCOTT APPOINTS AREA RESIDENT

228974

We are Proud to offer: • A Celebration of Life Service • Traditional Burial and Cremation Services • Prearranged Funeral Services

(407)695-CARE (2273)

407-656-2233 • www.baldwinfairchild.com 428 E. Plant Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787

Gov. Rick Scott announced Sept. 18 two appointments and one reappointment to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. Robert Gidel Sr., of Windermere, is the managing partner at Liberty Capital. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term that began Sept.

18 and ends Sept. 10, 2017.

He joins Iris Gonzalez, of Tierra Verde, on the board.

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

THE GROVE ORLANDO BOOGIES AT BIRTHDAY BASH

What you’re holding in your hands is the product of more than a year of planning. It’s the product of our wildest dreams — a bold step for a company that last month celebrated our 110th anniversary.

Welcome, readers, to the first edition of the Windermere Observer, a sister paper of the West Orange Times & Observer, which has roots that date back to the Winter Garden Ricochet in 1905.

For more than a century, our newspaper — through all its previous owners and iterations — covered the entire West Orange region with just one edition.

Today, that changes.

Put simply: West Orange has grown too large for one hyperlocal community newspaper.

For longtime readers: this new Windermere Observer will cover Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill, Gotha and MetroWest, while the West Orange Times & Observer will renew its focus on Winter Garden, Ocoee and Oakland.

As the 10th newspaper owned by the Sarasota-based Observer Media Group, the Windermere Observer will strive to deliver on OMG’s slogan: “You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.”

ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE TODAY! *****************ECRWSSEDDM****

Postal Customer

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 10

SEE NEWSPAPER PAGE 6

Call us at 407-656-2121 Email us at AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com or Subscribe@OrangeObserver.com

CHURCH DIRECTORY

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando Sun.Serv 8:30am, 10:30am, 6:30pm.

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

LUTHERAN

ZION NEW LIFE CHURCH 16161 Marsh Road Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-5751 Bible Study 8:30AM, Family Service 9:30am, Pastor Roberto E. Rojas, Jr.

Non-Denominational HAVEN OF GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 13520 Foxcrest Blvd.

Winter Garden, FL 34787 Services 9:30 and 10:30AM 407-952-0510

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 sfelt@orangeobserver.com

Matthew’s Hope Chest Creations • Repaired, Refinished and Repurposed Wood Furniture • Pallet Art & Furniture Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MatthewsHopeChest/

New Matthew’s Hope Chest Workshop • 407.905.9500 • 9am-4pm Mon - Sat 930 Carter Rd. Suite #311 • 1/4 Mile north of W. Colonial Drive

Visit our new Matthew’s Hope Chest Creations Booth Gracie’s Amazing Marketplace, 35 N. Dillard Street

231322

EPISCOPAL

You. Your Neighbors.

Your Neighborhood.

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Family owned & operated 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd.

“Because you care” Ocoee, FL 34761 Cremation, Funeral and Burial Maitland Sanford Starting at West $795Orange

Family owned & operated 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd. • Ocoee, FL 34761 Maitland | Sanford | West Orange

Peabody – M. Voorhees 3. K. and B. Drinkwater 4. L. and J. Pylman 5. B. and R. Blair

Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden

(407)695-CARE (2273)

www.DeGusipeFuneralhome.com

J. Chilton 4. N. Fortin – B. Lade 5. B. Young – J. Fowler; E-W: 1 J. Thompson – B. Shelton 2. Y.

FEBRUARY 16, 2017

HIGH

SPORTS

5

1

Congratulations to Dr. Phillips girls lacrosse senior Elyse Decker for being recognized as last week’s Observer Preps Athlete of the Week. For specifics on how Decker earned the recognition, visit ObserverPreps.com.

2

The Olympia girls basketball team avenged a playoff loss from a season ago by defeating Lithia’s Newsome High 48-27 in the regional quarterfinals of the Class 9A State Playoffs. Bri Richardson had 13 points and four steals to lead the Titans (15-9). Olympia played Tampa’s Alonso High Feb. 14 in the regional semifinals after the time of press.

Franklyn Laing is only 12, but the high-school freshman works hard to keep up with rigorous academics and a budding basketball career. Page 12

DP girls win wrestling state crown Two individual state champions, two runners-up and five additional placers helped propel the Panthers to the top of the mountain, besting 80 teams from around the state.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The girls wrestling team at Dr. Phillips High made history Saturday, Feb. 11, in Kissimmee.

The Panthers bested 79 other girls wrestling teams from around the state to earn the program’s first girls wrestling state championship. Dr. Phillips was able to edge out defending state champion and host school Liberty in points, with

the final outcome uncertain until near the very end of the day.

“The final two rounds were a little bit anxious, just because we knew we had some tough matchups in the finals,” head coach Kirwyn Adderley said.

The Panthers earned the school’s 25th state championship across all sports by riding the wave of two individual champions — sophomore Shania Gowan at 182 pounds and sophomore Shedeline

Ulysse at 195 pounds — as well as two state runner-up finishes (Jessica Corredor and Valeria Herrera) and five additional wrestlers who placed in the top six of their class.

In addition, some of the Panthers’ wrestlers who were defeated early in the tournament still did their part to help the team’s cause by battling back in consolation brackets — with Trinity Rios, Jennifer Gabriel and Alexa Phillips as prime examples.

“We did a really good job in the consolation rounds,” Adderley said.

The road to the title required the girls from Dr. Phillips to compete in spite of some injuries.

“We were probably as healthy as we were going to be,” Adderley said. “The girls wrestled through some bumps and bruises.”

The Panthers’ season included SEE PANTHERS PAGE 13

SUPER SIX

3

The Olympia Titans placed fourth and the Dr. Phillips Panthers placed seventh Feb. 8 at the Metro Conference West meet at Apopka High. Olympia’s Ezekiel Arambula (113 pounds), and Dr. Phillips’ Jamel Clue (126 pounds) and Dylan Meeks (285 pounds) all won championships in their weight classes.

Steven Ryzewski

Olympia seniors Marcela Herrera, left, Kaley Hopegill, Claire Ewoldt, Jillian De Lisle, Leila Sorrells and Grace Whidden have played varsity and club water polo together for four years.

Six seniors on the Olympia Titans girls water polo team have played year-round together since they were freshmen. For their final act, they have their sights set on winning one more match.

4

Back-to-back RBI singles by Hannah Eden and Nini Underwood in the sixth inning helped elevate the Dr. Phillips softball team (1-0) to a 2-1 win over Bishop Moore in the Panthers’ opener.

Rachel Trocki had seven strikeouts on the mound.

5

The Windermere Prep boys lacrosse team scored a big win early in the season Feb. 10 when it defeated Olympia 15-14.

Patrick Hunter’s three goals led the way for the Lakers.

Both teams are 1-1.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

I

SOUTHWEST ORANGE

t was just days after the FHSAA 2016 Girls Water Polo State Championship Match last April, and the Olympia Titans were gathering back together for the first time as they prepared for club season with the Orlando Thunder — where they also play together.

Conversation inevitably turned to the state championship match, which the Titans lost to Ransom Everglades 9-6.

“It just left us hungry for more,” senior Jillian De Lisle said. “We

wanted to come back and prove to ourselves that we can get it. …

We realized we had to move past (the ‘what-ifs’) and realized what we had to do to get even better to possibly win the championship.”

For the program’s longtime coach, Stephanie Johnson Possell, if any group of seniors can get this team over the hump, it is this one — the Class of 2017 she affectionately calls a “goldmine.”

De Lisle, Marcela Herrera, Grace Whidden, Leila Sorrells, Claire Ewoldt and Kaley Hopegill have spent most of their high-school lives together in pursuit of excellence as part of the program.

“When they were freshmen,

they said, ‘We want to do this — we want to go all the way,’” Johnson Possell said. “(To have) a group of six that work their winters, work their summers, work their offseason and do everything that they can to become the best they possibly can — you can’t ask for more than that.”

Since the FHSAA sanctioned the sport in 2005, girls water polo’s state championship has either been won by Ransom Everglades or Gulliver Prep — two South Florida programs with oncampus facilities.

That the Titans are knocking SEE TITANS PAGE 13

DON’T FORGET THE BOYS Although they did not make it quite as far as their female counterparts in 2016, the Titans boys water polo team was a playoff team last season, and coach Stephanie Johnson Possell said it is going to be a team to watch this spring, too.

“This group of boys is really young and very coachable,” Johnson Possell said. “They are going to be very exciting by the end of the season.”

12

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

On to playoffs for Lakers, Panthers

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Franklyn Laing Bahamas native Franklyn Laing is only 12 years old, but he’s already ahead of the game in both school and basketball.

After moving to Orlando a few years ago to pursue his love for basketball, the homeschooled freshman previously skipped two grades and now has his eyes set on working toward his future in both academia and sports.

How did you first get into basketball?

I just always liked basketball.

I made the school team when I was 6 years old, and I was playing with 16-year-olds.

That’s just when it really clicked. I just started to play more and more. I’ve played five other sports, but basketball was the only one that really clicked.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Stay humble, never give up.

Hard work and determination keep me going. You never want to be boastful; you always want to stay humble because then you get more opportunities.

When you have faith, you have to be humble.

Windermere Prep won its district, and Dr. Phillips was runner-up in 9A-5, earning both boys basketball programs playoff spots.

THE BASICS AGE: 12 YEAR: Freshman SCHOOL: Homeschooled HEIGHT: 5-foot-11 HOMETOWN: Freeport, Bahamas TEAM: Dr. Phillips YMCA’s Thunder (middle-school boys)

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The Windermere Prep boys basketball team rode big nights from Rahsaan Lewis and David Nickelberry to an 83-67 victory over The Master’s Academy Feb. 10 and the program’s second consecutive district championship.

Lewis scored 27 points for the Lakers (18-9), while Nickelberry — a Memphis signee — pitched in 26 more points. The District 5A-6 Tournament took place at Lake Highland Prep in downtown Orlando.

Two days earlier, in the district semifinal, a 26 point effort off the bench from Shaquan Jules helped elevate Windermere Prep to a playoff berth with an 85-64 win over Trinity Prep. Jules added in 11 rebounds to record a double-double.

At the same time as the Lakers were taking care of Trinity Prep, about eight miles south at Oak Ridge High in south Orlando, Dr. Phillips was earning its ninth consecutive trip to the playoffs.

The Panthers dispatched with Cypress Creek Feb. 8, 45-29, behind Daniel Love’s 16 points, four rebounds and four steals. Je’Quan Burton recorded a game-high seven assists in the win for Dr. Phillips.

In the district championship Feb. 10 against host Oak Ridge, the Panthers could not keep pace with the top-seeded Pio-

Who are your basketball role models?

Probably Kobe (Bryant), because nobody has that drive. He is just so determined to be the greatest.

Also Steph Curry, because not only is he a great player but he’s also humble. His faith is super strong; he never gives up. Even when he has bad games, he always redeems himself.

Your faith is important to you; what’s your favorite Bible verse?

Proverbs 18:24. It basically says that for one to have friends, he must first befriend himself. That was just how I was raised — treat others how you want to be treated.

What are your future plans?

I want to play college ball and let my game develop some more, then try to get to NBA. I might want to go to Duke, or for academics I’d like to go to Harvard.

Family.

Family.

Friends.

Friends.

Community.

Community.

Steven Ryzewski

Dr. Phillips guard Daniel Love puts a shot up while absorbing some contact Feb. 10 against Oak Ridge.

REGIONAL RUNDOWN Regional quarterfinals for respective state playoffs in Classes 5A-9A are scheduled for Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.

Below are games involving area teams.

neers (22-4) in a 70-44 defeat.

The Olympia Titans, who also competed in the 9A-5 Tourney, were defeated in the semifinals

by Oak Ridge, 96-52. Olympia finished the 2016-17 season with a 10-16 record.

9A: Dr. Phillips (18-15) at Sarasota Riverview (21-6)

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

5A: Trinity Catholic (11-13) at Windermere Prep (18-9)

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Athlete of the Week Sponsored by...

Shannon Till, Agent Fowler’s Grove 3279 Daniels Rd Shannon Till, Agent WinterGrove Garden, FL Daniels 34787 Rd Fowler’s 3279 Toll Free: 855-742-1591 Winter Garden, FL 34787 www.shannontill.com Toll Free: 855-742-1591

Family.

Friends.

Community.

®

State Farm hasThat’s a longone tradition of being there. reason of being one reason why I’m there. proud That’s to support West why I’m county.. proud to support West Orange Orange county..

Get to a better State®.

Get to a better State . ®

®

229310

229344

www.shannontill.com

We’re all in this together.

We’re all in has thisatogether.

State Farm long tradition

Shannon Till, Agent Shannon Till, Agent We’re all in this together.

Fowler Groves 3279 Daniels Road Fowler’s Grove 3279• Daniels Rd State Farm® has a long tradition Winter Garden, 34787 Winter Garden, FL FL 34787 Toll TollFree: Free: 855-742-1591 855-742-1591 of being there. That’s one reason www.shannontill.com www.shannontill.com

why I’m proud to support West 1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL Orange county..

1211007 State Farm, Bloomington, IL ® Get to a better State .

Get hooked on great Service!

OPENING SOON IN NEW OCOEE LOCATION

Check Out These Professionals

Trane Comfort Specialists. Quality Work & Customer Satisfaction is our #1 Priority Call us and catch a great deal!

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

• Whole Belly Clams • Lobster Rolls • Homemade Clam Chowder • Charbroiled Steaks and Surf & Turf

228992

Read our REVIEWS on FB, Yelp and Trip Advisor

New location will be in front of West Oaks Mall at

9467 W. Colonial Dr. in Ocoee

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015

407-470-7014

AIR CONDITIONING

BUSINESS DIRECTORY LANDSCAPE & LAWN

AUTO SERVICE CONTINUED

JP TREES AND LANDSCAPING, LLC

TFN

Tree Trimming, Tree Removal, Landscape Installs FREE Estimates

John Freeman

SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE

881 S. 9th Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787

-FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED –

407.296.9622 407.877.6268

www.gsairsystems.com email: gsairsystems@cfl.rr.com Licensed & Insured - State License #CAC1814407

1319 Green Forest Ct, Suite 412 Winter Garden, FL 34787

• Quality • Service • Sales • Installation • Commercial • Residential

We will be able to seat over 250 guests!

Outdoor seating will be available and we’ll have full liquor service!

Call for a FREE estimate on Equipment Replacement.

We offer financing with approved credit

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL

407-656-4707

MORTGAGE

Apply from your Home or Office

Call: Ernie Bagley 352.223.8359 (7 Days) We make Lending EASY

CELEBRATION FUNDING, INC.

“QUALITY SERVICE THAT COMES TO YOU”

• Primary Residence • 2nd Home • Investment • Condo • Modular • Manufactured • Purchase/Refinance • Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, HARP, Jumbos, Construction, Commercial

FLAT RATE GUARANTEE

AUTO SERVICE

www.DuncansACOrlando.com

email: jptrees09@gmail.com

www.celebrationfunding.com

www.budgetupullit.com COMPUTERS

CRAWFORD TIRE SERVICE, INC.

Owner/Operator

cell: 321-229-1958

Licensed and Insured

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8AM - 5PM

To advertise in this section call 407-656-2121

We look forward to serving you again soon!

www.BatesNESS.com • 407-347-9861

WEST ORANGE TIMES

WOTimes.com

Here's My Card

UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE REMOVAL

Email: ernie@celebrationfunding.com

bluekitecomputers.com

www.celebrationfunding.com

sales@bluekitecomputers.com

DATA & PASSWORD RECOVERY

700 Celebration Ave. Suite 208

SOLVING PROBLEMS SINCE 1990

See Page 15 of this weeks paper TIRE VALUES

229340

1211007

12B

5/15/15

WINTER GARDEN LOCATION NOW CLOSED

110 Taylor St. • Ocoee • (407) 656-4575

WIRELESS & WIRED NETWORKING

MORE THAN JUST

All Programs Subject to Credit/Income Approval

NMLS# 1032792

Travis Hamric

• •

MLO NMLS# 906080

CONSTRUCTION

Branch Manager

• Bridgetone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires • ALIGNMENT • BRAKES • SHOCKS • OIL & LUBE SERVICE • NEW & USED TIRES • REPAIR & BALANCING • ROAD SERVICE • WE INSTALL LIFTS!

(2nd Floor Bank of America Building) Celebration, FL 34747

4/28/16

Hablamos Español

PEST CONTROL

GO GREEN with nature’s best rodent controller, the CAT!

1081 9th Street Winter Garden, FL 34787 Mention this ad for

10% OFF your rental

(407) 654-9516 Office (407) 491-0355 Mobile (407) 654-0145 Fax pcm050@sunbeltrentals.com

sunbeltrentals.com

No more need for poison controls that harm the environment, people and farm animals. Join us in the Barn Cats program and help to make a difference.

For details call

407.522.2617

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

13

Are you worried about memory

Panthers on top

loss?

Are you taking medication and still concerned?

Are you worried about a loved one or family member?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS! Steven Ryzewski

The Dr. Phillips girls wrestling team, above, included two individual state champions: Shedeline Ulysse, top right, and Shania Gowan, bottom right.

No cost research study enrolling now. Call today!

Walk-in appointments with qualified physicians are available.

SENSIBLE HEALTHCARE 2700 Old Winter Garden Road Ocoee, FL, 34761 Phone: 407-654-2724 sensiblehealthcare.net

231263

MEMORY LOSS…

wins at Metros and over Liberty earlier in the season in a dual meet.

After the team placed third in the state in 2016, Adderley said it was motivated to finish the job.

“They really didn’t know what they accomplished last year until after it was over,” Adderley said.

“This year, they understood what the goal was, and they achieved it.”

QUORUM REVIEW APPROVED

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD

Titans excel in pool — and out

Honest, Skillful and Experienced Dentistry

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

Gabriella Alford, DMD All forms of Restorative and Cosmetic Procedures: Oral Surgery • Root Canals Crowns • Veneers Partials • Dentures Accepting most insurances.

Offering 10 PERCENT OFF on bleaching procedures and oral hygiene products.

Chain of Lakes

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry 1805 Maguire R., Suite 159, Windermere, FL 34786 For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at

407-876-6708

chainoflakesdental@gmail.com • davidboers.com Accepting New Patients • Most Insurances Accepted

229320

down in expectations, the team embraces an approach that doesn’t look too far ahead.

“We have a big goal this year; we all know what that goal is, but our focus every day is, ‘One possession, one game at a time,’” Johnson Possell said.

And wherever the Titans finish this season, the program’s veteran coach is confident her girls will be winners in life as much as they are in the pool — if not more so.

“These are unbelievable leaders — these are young women who are going to go do something with their lives,” Johnson Possell said.

“To get that many all in one class … that’s special.”

BMW

Independent Repair Facility

Your Local European Auto Repair Specialist.

We are experts in every aspect of auto repair for imported Asian and European vehicles. Our technicians possess extensive knowledge of a wide range of specialties and always place customer satisfaction as a top priority on every job.

info@importsprofessionalauto.com

www.ImportsProfessionalAuto.com

352.432.3934 321-A E. WASHINGTON ST • CLERMONT, FL 34715

229350

on the door as an Orlando-area program without an on-campus facility is an accomplishment in itself. Olympia commutes to the YMCA Aquatic Center on International Drive for practices during the season — a drive that can get dicey depending on traffic.

When the girls are in club season, they usually practice even farther away, at Wadeview Pool in Orlando, south of downtown.

“There’s a huge advantage when you can walk on your campus and go to practice,” Johnson Possell said.

On the flip side, the extra lengths the girls for Olympia go to have, in some ways, benefitted them.

“We’re basically like sisters,

because we’re together throughout the whole year,” Whidden said.

Beyond excelling in the pool, this group excels in the classroom.

Hopegill has a top-10 GPA in the school’s senior class, and all six of the girls have strong GPAs. “The time and dedication and hard work ... and the mental toughness that you need, is the same as you need in the classroom,” Johnson Possell said.

The team has seen progress each year. In 2014, the Titans made it to the state tournament for the first time. In 2015, they went farther, to the state semifinals. In 2016, they came within three points of a title.

“It’s kind of nerve-wracking, because we have so much to live up to since last year,” De Lisle said.

To keep from getting bogged

228197

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

David W. Boers DDS PA

W EAT HER

14

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

FORECAST

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

THURSDAY, FEB. 16 High: 71 Low: 48 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, FEB. 17 High: 77 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 0%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Feb. 16

7:04a

6:17p

Friday, Feb. 17

7:03a

6:18p

Saturday, Feb. 18

7:02a

6:18p

Sunday, Feb. 19

7:01a

6:19p

Monday, Feb. 20

7a

6:20p

Tuesday, Feb. 21

6:59a

6:21p

Wednesday, Feb. 22

6:58a

6:21p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, FEB. 18 High: 76 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 80% Gotha resident Gary Comstock submitted this amazing photo — taken from his drone — of a recent Winter Garden sunrise. “I own a business in Winter Garden and we all love your newspaper; it’s the only one I read cover to cover,” he says.

The Windermere 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.

Feb. 18 Last

Feb. 3 First

Feb. 26 New

RAINFALL Tuesday, Feb. 7

0.00

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

Wednesday, Feb. 8

0.49

High: 80 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 20%

Thursday, Feb. 9

0.00

Friday, Feb. 10

0.00

Saturday, Feb. 11

0.00

Sunday, Feb. 12

0.00

Monday, Feb. 13

0.00

See other winning photos at OrangeObserver.com

YEAR TO DATE:

FEB. TO DATE:

2017

2.57 in.

2017 0.49 in.

2016 5.55 in.

2016 1.54 in.

227015

ONLINE

Feb. 10 Full

CROSSWORD

SETTLE DOWN by Timothy B. Parker

95 Joining device on the farm 96 Its cap. is Albany 97 Word with “look” or “must” 99 “___ Is Born” 102 Attack on all sides 105 Take ___ from (emulate) 108 Cleopatra’s love 110 ___ mater 112 Farmyard female 114 Minimalist’s design lesson (Part 3) 120 Fall-short amounts for containers 121 One avoiding meat 122 Was a sycophant 123 Irish ___ (dog type) 124 Schemes 125 Always wanting more

DOWN

1 Hotel price per night 2 Theater leader?

3 Drama excerpt 4 “So” homophone 5 “How was ___ know?”

6 “We ___ to please!”

7 Haul with tackle (var.)

8 Asthma spray, e.g.

9 The meat eater of the zodiac 10 “Actor” who might elicit a confession 11 Melange 12 Eureka’s cousin 13 Guns, as an engine 14 Man from the Isle of Man ©2017 Universal Uclick 15 Opposite of leaver 52 Filly’s counterpart 74 “There’s no ___ in asking” 16 In an impoverished of song ACROSS 54 Like anyone trying for a 75 Lapping joint?

28 One way to avoid a tag manner 1 World’s largest country rebound 76 Ship, to a sailor 29 Any “That’s My Mama” 17 Intensely eager 7 Tolkien’s Baggins 55 Lofgren on guitar 77 Tulip part episode, now 19 Axe, as from a job 12 Princess Leia’s last name 56 Bridge of France 78 Whimsically comical 33 Name tag word 21 Arthroscopy reminder 18 Practicing great self80 Did more than glanced at 23 “Nope” relative 35 French avant-garde artist 57 Any of the 150 in the denial Good Book 81 Turkish currency Jean 24 Droopy-eared canine 20 Shaq who played in the 59 Gray matter output 82 Like a hit that ties the 37 Diesel of action films 30 Staggers middle 63 Hairiest cousin ever score 38 Singer Clapton 31 Some still-life vessels 21 Voice of Lovejoy, Burns 64 Gentle horn sound 85 Ball of thread or yarn 40 Skiing mecca 32 Picker’s intro? and Flanders 65 Place that weighs some 86 Corporal punisher, of 42 Thaw once more 34 Hallucinatory drug 22 Minimalist’s design lesa sort 45 Ticket stub to a historic takeout containers 36 Get ready in advance, as son (Part 1) 66 Scatter, as a search team 87 Food bath game, e.g. for surgery 25 After dusk, to Shake68 Minimalist’s design les- 89 Candied veggie 48 “Furthermore ...”

39 Caterpillar’s case speare 90 In the company of 49 Containing ashes of the son (Part 2) 41 Bakery offering 26 Space org.

92 Spoke insolently dearly departed 73 They have quarks and 43 “Able was I ___ I ...”

27 Barry Manilow’s club 93 Stallions’ partners 51 Some milky gems antiquarks 44 Dan or San

45 Doctrines suggesting reality is a unitary whole 46 Disparaging nickname 47 “Falcon” of film 48 Certain keyboard key 50 “Platoon” war, briefly 53 Hang ___ (keep) 56 Pea places 57 Gem on a strand 58 Not needing to diet 60 Extinguishing with water 61 Some card games 62 Where many are young 64 Brown on a beach 65 Indian stewed legume dish 66 Mr. Flintstone 67 Unhittable serve 69 Four-baggers 70 Nervous system disorder 71 ___ terrier (Scottish dog breed) 72 Type of street or ticket 78 Pretty persuasive evidence 79 Cuisine for 9-Down 80 Common tree 81 Places to bowl 83 Be competitive 84 Circle’s lack 85 Crusoe, for one 86 Cola brand 87 Springtime dance site 88 Battery go-with 89 Affirmative reply 91 Riot squad?

92 Foul-ups 94 “Friends” character 98 Birds with green eggs 100 Jackson and Arkin 101 Abbr. in real estate ads 103 Like a Koontz novel 104 Woolen coat material 106 No-see-um bug 107 Just beat out 109 Invite request 111 Toward an airplane’s tail 113 Current event?

115 Word before “the land of the free” 116 “I” problem 117 Something for the fire 118 Paddle relative 119 Flowery verse of tribute

CRYPTOQUIZ Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a renowned ruler. Using the hints V=E and M=D, decipher the clues to name the ruler.

1. X I Z V M E K 2. I W U G H E H R V 3. Y K M V S V I H V M 4. M V G H U K L 5. Z B I W U G X I This ruler kept adding to their empire, creating one of the largest ever in ancient history:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box.

2-16-17

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

PET SERVICES

CRAWFORD TIRE SERVICE, INC.

Puppy Dreams Pet Hotel Your pet’s home away from home a unique no-cage facility daycare and overnight boarding

MORE THAN JUST

(407) 654-8885

TIRE VALUES

703 S. Vineland Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787

www.puppydreams.com

194980 229353

• Bridgetone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Parts and Labor.

Includes up to 7 qts. full synthetic oil, lube, Tax and recycling fees & filter. Tax and recycling fee extra. See store are extra. Not valid for details. Not valid with any other offers. with any other offers.

Expires1/31/16 6/30/15.

Expires Expires 2/28/17. fee extra. Not valid with any other offers. Call for details (407) 877-3841.

199.95

• ALIGNMENT • BRAKES • SHOCKS • OIL & LUBE SERVICE • NEW & USED TIRES • REPAIR & BALANCING • ROAD SERVICE • WE INSTALL LIFTS!

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

VOICE AND PIANO LESSONS -In Windermere-

Voice lessons for ages 12 to adult 60 minutes - $45 30 minutes - $30

MV03215

Mobil 1 Oil

199.95

Amsoil Synthetic

TFN

Piano Lessons ages 5 and up 60 minutes - $45 30 minutes - $30

229356

75.00

BRAKE PAD PAD SALE BRAKE SALE Mercedes C-Class BMW 3 Series $ FULL BMW 3$179.95 Series Mercedes C-Class $179.95 $179.95 $179.95 SYNTHETIC Mercedes E-Class BMW 5 Series $199.95 BMW 5$199.95 Series MercedesOIL E-Class CHANGE $ includes: Front or Rear Pads, Parts $ and Labor. EXPIRES 2/29/16. Tax and recycling Service

• •

TFN 229351

110 Taylor St. • Ocoee • (407) 656-4575

Specializing in BMW, Mercedes and Volvo Service & Sales

15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

AUTO SERVICE

AUTO SERVICE

Keeping You On the Road

|

Aleksandra Vargas

229355

229357

PEST CONTROL

(863)393-6957 sashavargas@aol.com

Voice teacher, piano teacher, and coach.

Graduate of Juilliard pre-college, master’s of music from Florida State University.

231307

229352

ROOFING

UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE ?QV\MZ /IZLMV¼[ 8ZMUQMZ :WWÅVO +WUXIVa ;QVKM !

REMOVAL ;MZ^QVO )TT WN ?M[\ 7ZIVOM +W]V\a DATA & PASSWORD .]TTa 4QKMV[ML IVL 1V[]ZML :WWN :MXIQZ[ IVL :MXTIKMUMV\ RECOVERY ̆ ̆ WIRELESS &! ?M[\7ZIVOM:WWÅVO KWU WIRED NETWORKING .:-- -;<15)<-;

YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE CALL 407-656-2121

Thursday, February 16, 2017

13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden

NOW PURCHASING

407-656-3495

229383

SCRAP BATTERIES

WANTED 407-461-7720

229072

Old Stamp Collections Announcements LIVELINKS IS the best chatline for meeting real, fun-loving singles. Call 855-334-7726 and make a REAL connection. 2/16fcan SAWMILLS FROM only $4397.00 - MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1‐800‐578‐1363 Ext.300N 2/16fcan

Schools/Instruction AIRLINE SERVICE DISPATCHER - Get FAA approved training in weeks not years to become a certified aircraft dispatcher. Job placement assistance. Call AIM 888-242-2649.

2/16fcan MEDICAL BILLING and Coding Career Training at Sullivan and Cogliano Training Centers. Call 1-888535-9909 or click learn.sctrain.edu. Financial Aid Available to those who qualify. SCtrain.edu/disclosures 2/16fcan

Schools/Instruction

Help Wanted

GRAPHIC DESIGN/YEARBOOK INSTRUCTOR – This full-time position balances teaching with doing: helping high school students to develop creative and production skills while producing the annual middle and upper school yearbook. Applicants must have a strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suites (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) and experience working with students. Photography, journalism, and/or publication layout and design experience are a plus, and applicants must be able to meet deadlines and have strong organizational skills. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in production, significant teaching experience, and/or with graduate degrees in field. To apply, send your resume and statement of teaching philosophy to Mr. Troy Urquhart, Dean of the Upper School, at troy.urquhart@montverde.org.

2/16ma

This week’s Cryptoquiz answers

Landscape Sales - Estimator/Designer

1) Macedon, 2) Aristotle, 3) Undefeated 4) Destiny, 5) Charisma

QUICKBOOKS AND Payroll Career Training at Sullivan and Cogliano Training Centers. Call 1-888535-9909 or click learn.sctrain.edu. Financial Aid Available to those who qualify. SCtrain.edu/disclosures 2/16fcan

Help Wanted DRIVER TRAINEES Needed NOW! Become a driver for Werner Enterprises. Earn $800 per week!

Local CDL Training. 1-877-214-3624 2/16fcan WINDERMERE: CELTIC ENGINEERING seeks Mechanical Engineer II for design & analysis of mechanical design components & systems associated with mechanisms & structures; Req Bachelor’s in M.E. or closely related field & 3 yrs associated exp at all levels of design, analysis & manufacturing; High proficiency in Autodesk software; Must include machine design, mechanisms, precision machining, weldments, structural, vibration & fatigue analysis, & GD&T based dimensional analysis; Must be proficient in Pixologic ZBRUSH, SolidWorks v14, ANSYS Mechanical v16, MathCad v15, MS Project v2013, Excel, Powerpoint, & Autodesk ACAD & working proficiency in Revit. Email resume to careers@celticengineering.com 2/16ds

Visit us online at OrangeObserver.com

Alexander the Great

Come be a part of our Team!

This week’s Sudoku answers

Our Mission at Smithwell Inc. is to form a team dedicated to providing exceptional customer service while bringing enjoyment to the outdoors and ultimately adding value for our customers.

Smithwell Inc. is looking for a personable, well-spoken individual that wants to be part of a growing team.

• Must have knowledge of Florida Landscapes and their growth habits.

• This Position will require Basic computer skills such as word, excel, and email.

• Computer skills such as CADD and/ or Bluebeam are preferred.

• The ability to perform take-offs and field meetings with customers is a must.

Smithwell Inc. also offers paid vacations, sick leave, and 401k benefit packages.

Those looking for short term employment need not apply. www.smithwell.com

• Sales Experience preferred

231649

Merchandise Wanted

Health Services VIAGRA!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00. Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call Now 1-800-224-0305 2/16fcan

This week’s Crossword answers

TO ADVERTISE CALL

407-656-2121 Or email us at

advertisenow@orangeobserver.com 2017

16

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Someday Starts Today

17-SYSTEM-00659 Windermere Observer 2-16-17 Network of care.indd 1

230925

17-SYSTEM-00659

With as much focus on healing the mind and the spirit as the body. With a dedication to surrounding each individual with comprehensive, high-quality care, provided on demand. With a goal of making the entire healthcare process easy for each patient and family. Good news: you don’t have to wait. It starts today, with Florida Hospital’s Care Network. Discover how at StartsToday.com.

2/9/17 10:18 AM