02.16.17 West Orange Times & Observer

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VOLUME 84, NO. 7

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West Orange-area teams earn playoff berths. PAGE 17

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Daddy-daughter date night Oasis Community Church and Lake Whitney Elementary School both rolled out the red carpet for some special West Orange dads and daughters at their respective dances. SEE PAGES 12-13.

YOUR TOWN CULVER’S OWNER VISITS WINTER GARDEN

The Winter Garden Culver’s had a special guest last week when Craig Culver, right, visited the new store on West Colonial Drive. He met employees, interacted with diners and enjoyed a cup of frozen custard with the owner, Tim Coleman.

Culver started the chain in 1984 in Wisconsin. He combined a love for his mother’s hamburgers with his favorite childhood treat, fresh frozen custard. His favorite item? The ButterBurger with nothing on it — so he can taste the quality.

PANHANDLING

PROBLEM?

Ocoee leaders are looking to curb panhandling in certain areas due to public-safety issues and currently are drafting an ordinance that will propose some new rules. SEE STORY PAGE 4

Ocoee considers 43 homes on Silver Star Road Developer Avex Homes hopes to break ground later this year, with home construction beginning in April or May 2018.

Tip-jar thieves strike eateries Ocoee businesses are taking more precautions for the sake of their employees who fall victim to tip thieves.

GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER OCOEE Ocoee could add 43 single-family homes on Silver Star Road after a planned-unit development receives the final approvals needed to begin site construction.

On Feb. 7, commissioners approved the proposed development’s first reading. However, the date for the second reading is yet to be determined, because Orange County Public Schools will need to convene

SEE HOMES PAGE 4

ARTS & CULTURE

GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER OCOEE No one likes a thief — much

Gabby Baquero

Britney Bouknight, left, and Sweet Jessie’s Homemade Ice Cream owner Jessica Pollack are looking forward to having a new tip jar, which will be attached to the counter.

less one who steals hard-earned tips from young employees.

And after recent events, Sweet Jessie’s Homemade Ice Cream and Franco’s Pizza have begun to employ tactics to decrease their chances of losing money to tipjar thieves.

SEE TIP JARS PAGE 4

West Orange High School to stage “Shrek: The Musical.”

SEE PAGE 9

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YOU R CALENDAR

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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FRIDAY, FEB. 17

KIDS NIGHT OUT 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden. Parents can enjoy a night out while their children have fun with the Winter Garden Parks & Recreation Department. Dinner is provided. The program is open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Cost is $12 for residents, $15 for others. Pre-register at (407) 656-4155.

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

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

for seniors 65 and older and free for active duty military. For seminar details, showtechnology.com/event/orange-countyhome-garden-show/#itemcustom.

SENIOR CHOIR PRACTICE 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at West Orange Seniors, 1701 Adair St., Ocoee. Singers perform at area health centers.

There is no charge. (407) 5924498 or westorangeseniors. yolasite.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

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.

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, starting at the town of Oakland maintenance facility, 50 E. Gulley Ave. The town and the Coalition of Churches are partnering for a clean-up day. The town will provide all necessary supplies.

(407) 656-1117.

MARDI GRAS 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. No need to go to New Orleans; celebrate Mardi Gras right here with festive crafts. Registration requested.

Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

MILK AND COOKIES WITH A COP 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Take the children to meet local police officers for cookies and milk. A time for kids to interact with officers in a fun an informative environment. Sponsored by the Winter Garden Police Department.

(407) 835-7323.

ORISIRISI AFRICAN FOLKLORE 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the West Oaks Mall, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Share the beauty of African life and culture through a unique

folkloric performance filled with drumming, dance and storytelling. Ages 6 to 12. (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. Bring lawn chairs or blankets; no coolers or pets. Admission is free; beer and barbecue are available for purchase.

Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. wintergardenfl.gov or (407) 656-4155.

MONDAY, FEB. 20

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT 2016 LEVEL 1 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Learn presentation concepts and terminology. Learn how to create a basic presentation by using templates, text and picture files. Use various formatting tools to enhance the look and feel of your presentation. For adults. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

MY FIVE SENSES 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Touch, see, hear, smell and taste. Explore the wonders of your five senses while walking through interactive stations that will put your senses to work. Ages 2 to 4. For more information, call (407) 835-7323.

SOMETHING ABOUT PRESIDENTS 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Celebrate Presidents’ Day by learning all about who they are, what the great ones accomplished and who got their faces on our money. Ages 6 to 12. For more information, call (407) 8357323.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

CUISINE CORNER: SOUTHERN FAVORITES 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Join Farah Davids of the Purple Platter as she shows how to recreate Southern favorites such as Johnny Cakes, fish and grits with a side of traditional greens. Space is limited. To register, visit ocls. info or call (407) 835-7323.

OUR TOUGHNESS IS YOUR STRENGTH.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

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Beautifying the

Bella Room The 45-and-older crowd is the target of a new supper club and entertainment venue opening in Winter Garden, the Bella Room, which has been reimagined by new owner John Natoli.

Courtesy

The Bella Room can be set up to host elegant events.

“MUSIC IS THERAPEUTIC”

COMMUNITY EDITOR

A

s a lifelong musician, John Natoli has worked with some of the biggest supper-club names — Tony Bennett, Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton.

Now he’s ready to open a similar place of his own in Winter Garden.

“I’m bringing back the old Rainbow Room/Copacabana type of feel,” Natoli said, calling his new venture “a place for the contemporary adult.”

After purchasing the Bella Room on West Colonial Drive earlier this year, he got to work, stripping out the harsh lighting and installing crystal chandeliers, incorporating white chiffon drapery around the room to reflect the light, refurbishing the kitchen and bar area, putting in a $50,000 sound system and reworking the stage.

Natoli is holding a free soft opening from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and music lovers can see the improvements he has made to the facility. The Bella Room offers a choice of six appetizers, a personal selection of wines and Budweiser on tap. Natoli opened several such venues up north and said his small menu was a success.

He plans to open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays starting at the end of the month. There will be six sandwich choices, a few salads and tables set up for two or four. Natoli’s sons are in charge of the lunch crowd. His daughter is a caterer, as well.

“Bella means beautiful, and I’m trying to make this a beautiful room.”

— John Natoli

The Bella Room’s new owner is excited about the musical opportunities at his latest establishment. He has been in the digital music business for more than 20 years and is eager to try it out with the local crowd. He is able to take all the parts of an orchestra and electronically put them together to create a live sound.

“With digital music, it sounds like 60 people, but there are just three,” he said. “There are maybe 100 people in this country who can do what I do.”

The arranger is in his office daily at 5:30 a.m. to write and create variations to popular songs.

In his “This is Broadway” live performance, 26 stage shows are featured, from “Phantom of the Opera” to “Jersey Boys” to “Les Misérables.”

Shows are performed Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m. The ticket price of $25 includes appetizers and one drink, an hour of dancing, an hour of Vegas-style music and the twohour Broadway show.

Friday night is dance night, and the cost is $25 a couple for two glasses of wine and a platter of hors d’oeuvres.

The venue holds 225 seated guests, plus 20 at the bar. Natoli said his Bella Room will cater to a 45-and-older crowd.

“What we want is for people, with their girlfriend or wife, maybe a few couples, to make this a place to have a good time,” Natoli said. “If they want Big Band, I can play that for two hours straight.

You want oldies? I was with Dick Clark Productions for years. Do you want a tango? I can play you a tango.”

He recently met four musicians looking for a place to play, so they will play Latin jazz on Thursdays.

He has received calls for several quinceañeras in March.

“Every day is something new here,” Natoli said.

Left: John Natoli is bring the supper-club concept to the venue.

THE BELLA ROOM

OWNER: John Natoli 12100 W. Colonial Dr., Winter Garden PHONE: (407) 347-9914 WEBSITE: bellaroomwg.com Amy Quesinberry

WHAT IS DIGITAL MUSIC?

Also called electronic music composition, digital music is created electronically when an arranger takes all the musical parts of an orchestra, adds them to the parts being played on the stage and combines them with sophisticated software that turns it into a united performance musically.

The sophisticated sampling of every instrument, including 25 different sounding drum sets, creates a realism of sounds and allows the arranger to modify them into a unique live performing composition.

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He already is planning to tap into the convention business along International Drive, offering a Wednesday night dinner and two-hour show.

AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE

Central Florida sees 10,000 weddings each year, Natoli said; he’s only asking for 48. He is advertising the Bella Room as a wedding destination and offers a package that includes a photographer, wedding coordinator, reception, three-hour wedding-party cruise on his brother’s yacht, and a thumb drive of candid photos taken by ceiling-mounted cameras during the reception.

“I don’t want to be status quo,” Natoli said. “I’m for those who want to be practical. If you want your people to come here and have a good time and have good food and be comfortable, I offer affordable elegance.”

He is planning a wedding expo from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12, and plans to invite only local businesses, including dress shops, tuxedo-rental stores, jewelry stores and bakeries.

A LIFE IN MUSIC

John Natoli has lived a life of varied careers. He has been a college baseball coach. He worked on Wall Street in New York City. He owned

a bus company. He created indoor batting cages using the concept of an airplane hangar.

But he always came back to music.

He worked for Caesar’s Palace, in Las Vegas, for 14 years with Solid State, an 11-piece band, and The Hale Sisters trio, which included his wife, Susan. Natoli was in charge of musical arrangements and producing, and he sang, too.

He was a member of the house band for Waldorf Astoria for five years, performing every Friday and Saturday. When he and his wife relocated to Florida, Natoli entertained at places such as Disney’s Dolphin, Rosen Plaza and the Tupperware Convention Center.

That led him to a two-year production stint at the Mount Dora Community Center Building.

Tired of hauling equipment around, Natoli, now 70, decided to find a permanent place for his performances.

“I’m seeing Winter Garden growing like crazy, and ... the potential here is incredible,” Natoli said. “And all these seniors, in these 55-and-up developments — I want to give them a place so they don’t have to go to I-Drive.”

Contact Amy Quesinberry at amyq@orangeobserver.com.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Homes planned

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

first to discuss school capacity in the area.

The 10.91-acre site, which currently sits vacant with pine trees, is situated on the south side of Silver Star Road, east of Johio Shores Road and west of Good Homes Road.

Eric Marks, the president of developer Avex Homes, estimates site construction will begin in the fourth quarter, with home construction starting in April or May 2018. The homes, which will offer four to five floor plans with three elevations each, should be ready for move-in by September 2018.

“There will be some amenities — parks and open space, those kinds of things,” Marks said. “We haven’t programmed the amenities yet, so it’s to be determined.”

The community will have a single access point on Silver Star Road and have a 6-foot buffer wall along Silver Star Road with a fence enclosing the rest of the perimeter. The homes, Marks added, likely will range from the low $200s to high $200s.

“We’re excited to get it going,” Marks said. “Hopefully, by the third quarter, we should be starting to sell.”

“There will be some amenities — parks and open space, those kinds of things.

We haven’t programmed the amenities yet, so it’s to be determined.”

— Eric Marks, president of Avex Homes

STATE OF THE CITY

Ocoee also delivered its 2017 State of the City report on Feb. 7. Commissioners presented a video highlighting accomplishments made in 2016 and the progress and growth it expects to make in 2017. n With the help of bonds totaling $40 million, the downtown revitalization plans will be funded without raising taxes. n City Center West Orange, a $150 million development located on the shores of Lake Venice, broke ground. The 60-acre project will feature a 122-room hotel, more than 172,000 square feet of shopping, restaurant and retail space, and 480 condo units. n Xerox opened a new SunPass service center in the former location of Sears within the 20-year-old West Oaks Mall. n The fire department received new trucks to replace older units and partnered with American Red Cross and 35 citizen volunteers to install 157 free smoke alarms in two mobile-home communities. n Ocoee received a $50,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which will be used to build new multi-use ball fields, picnic and parking facilities on a 4.5-acre, city-owned site between Montgomery Road and California Avenue.

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver. com.

Gabby Baquero

Carolyn Clark, a homeless woman who panhandles at the intersection of Ocoee-Apopka and East Fullers Cross roads, is one of the individuals who could be affected by Ocoee’s proposed panhandling ordinance.

A MATTER OF SAFETY Editor’s note: This is the first story in an ongoing series on panhandling and homelessness in West Orange County.

Calling it a public safety issue, Ocoee city leaders and the Ocoee Police Department are looking to adopt an ordinance that sets limits on panhandling.

Citing their constituents’ repeated concerns over an increase in panhandling within the city, commissioners agreed to consider a panhandling ordinance during the Jan. 26 meeting.

“We’ve had a lot of complaints about it, so we’re trying to see what we can do and can’t do,” said Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, who preferred to withhold further comment until he sees the ordinance.

The potential new law, which is being modeled after Winter Garden’s own panhandling ordinance, is being drafted by a city attorney presently and will be ready for scrutiny in the coming weeks.

Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Steve McCosker, who has read the

OCOEE

first draft, stressed the ordinance will not create a ban on panhandling but rather will provide police much-needed guidelines to handle panhandlers.

“The ordinance that has been proposed will actually just require the person to go ahead and register as a panhandler, and at that time, they’ll get the ordinance so they can see what the rules are,” McCosker said. “And then, also, if they want to panhandle on private property, it’ll require them to speak to the property owner or get written permission for that.”

McCosker emphasized the growing need of a law on panhandling in light of the existing void on the issue and the numerous development projects the city is pursuing.

“With the growth that we’ve seen and knowing the type of growth the city is looking to do, I think we all could probably agree that’s it’s going to be a more conducive type of atmosphere for panhandling if we set rules of what’s acceptable and what’s not,” he said.

As it stands, Ocoee doesn’t

Tip jars stolen An incident report from Ocoee police also detailed a theft that occurred at Sobik’s Subs Dec. 27.

The establishment had $10 stolen by a lady who had ordered a sandwich and taken the tip tray with her to the restroom.

But the latest theft involves Sweet Jessie’s Homemade Ice Cream, which lost $20 to $40 in tips Feb. 3 courtesy of two thieves seen on surveillance footage. The shop was busy that evening, and it happened quickly, explained Britney Bouknight — an employee who heard the story from the two employees working that night.

One employee left to go wash her hands once the line died down, while the second went to the back of the shop. The minute the second employee turned around, Bouknight said, the employee heard the change inside the jar jingle. When she turned back around, she saw two teens take off running and laughing.

“They did not care at all,” Bouknight said. “It’s happened four times, but it’s usually these other

have any laws on panhandling.

However, there still exists traffic laws that address the practice, albeit indirectly, he added.

“There isn’t a panhandling law, per se, but they do have other restrictions,” McCosker said.

“You can’t go on the median and just hold your sign up and say you want a donation for a church, or because you need to get food, because there are actual traffic laws against that. And as far as private property, that really is up to the property owner to decide at this time, at least without an ordinance.”

He suggested this proposed ordinance would enhance public safety, a sentiment with which District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen agrees. Wilsen, who also works for the West Orange Christian Service Center in Ocoee, said she does not support panhandling because she views the practice as a “quick fix” that people struggling with poverty need not resort to, given the array of social service agencies eager to help.

“I cringe when I see people collecting money in the middle of the highway or the median where they’re walking up and down stopping cars and weaving in traffic to collect money,” Wilsen said.

“I find that very unsafe.”

However, the ordinance won’t affect only poor people, McCosker said. Church groups, sports teams and other groups occasionally solicit donations at busy intersections, as well.

“The ordinance will just go ahead and establish some safety rules to keep both the general public and the panhandlers safe, especially in this day and age we live in where people, unfortunately, text and drive and things of that nature,” McCosker said.

“And again, it’s not targeted at homeless people or people who are down on their luck. It’s targeted to any organization that wants to just solicit a donation.”

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

little kids stealing maybe $1 to $2, nothing serious.”

Owner Jessica Pollack decided to report the theft this time, because it was a higher amount and both employees working that night had seen the tip thieves skulking around beforehand.

“The businesses around here need to know what’s going on,” Pollack said. “They just need to be cautious and keep an eye out, because if it’s happening to us, it’s probably happening to others.”

Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Steve McCosker advised local businesses to try securing their tip or donation jars and to empty them regularly to reduce the opportunity for thieves to take advantage.

Franco’s Pizza, which had $40 to $50 stolen in December, began emptying its tip jar routinely. Kaylee Nix, the 16-year-old daughter of the owner, was working that day.

“There was a lady that was in here and she had a little boy with her who was maybe 2 years old,” Nix said. “She was acting

“… if it’s happening to us, it’s probably happening to others. I mean I know someone hit Franco’s too. The community needs to be aware, and other local businesses.”

— Jessica Pollack, owner of Sweet Jessie’s Ice Cream Shop

extremely suspicious, and we even had a couple other customers say something about her because she would actually come up here to the front and leave her child in the dining room and ask the people who were sitting next to her if they could watch her child really quickly.”

Nix and another employee were both in the dining area at one point. When she returned to the counter, the tip jar had only a couple of dollars left, but when she had last seen it, it was filled. By the time she realized what happened, the lady was gone.

“I was so mad; I almost cried,” Nix said. “We were both pretty upset about it and just thinking like how could somebody do that?”

Now, Nix she keeps her tips in her apron and empties the tip jar immediately after someone throws some cash in it. Pollack has ordered another tip jar that will be attached to the counter.

Not all was lost, however.

As knowledge of the incident spread via Facebook, local residents showed their support for the employees. In five days, the regular patrons and strangers had donated about $70.

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

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 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@Orange Observer.com Pam Zerblas, pzerblas@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Andrés Tam, atam@OrangeObserver.com Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@Orange Observer.com Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

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The West Orange Times & Observer can be found in many commercial locations throughout West Orange County and at our office.

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

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The West Orange Times & 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 West Orange Times & Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Opinions in the West Orange Times & Observer are those of the individual writer and are not necessarily those of the West Orange Times & 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.

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

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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

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

COPS CORNER

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

WINTER GARDEN JAN. 30

1343 block of Sand Lime Road.

At about 2:20 a.m., two police officers confronted a white male driver who was suspected of driving a vehicle intoxicated.

Upon approaching the driver, one officer noticed the smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath, along with slurred speech and significant response delays.

The second officer’s attempt to extract the driver’s address was unsuccessful, as the driver repeatedly stated he lived at 1339 “Lime.” When asked to exit the vehicle, the driver struggled to stand straight and exhibited a visible orbital sway. The officers also realized his pants zipper was down, and it appeared the driver had urinated on himself. The driver was arrested and transported to a DUI testing center, where he provided two breath samples resulting in 0.193 and 0.182. The driver was charged with a DUI citation.

OCOEE FEB. 4

Sleepy Harbour Drive. An officer traveling south on Clarke Road observed a vehicle nearly drive into oncoming lanes while conducting a U-turn. The same vehicle was then seen weaving outside of its lane several times while only going 30 mph.

At one point, the right tires struck a curb. The witnessing officer conducted a traffic stop, and during a conversation with the female driver, the driver

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West Colonial Drive. A police officer conducted a stop on a male driver who was observed failing to stop at a red light.

The driver swung his door open and rapidly began approaching the driver’s side of the officer’s patrol vehicle. The driver demanded to know why the cop was following him. In response, the cop told the man to stop, but the driver continued rushing forward with his arms up in the air. The cop repeated his command, and the driver quit walking. When informed he was being detained for a traffic infraction and should return to his truck, the driver obeyed.

However, moments later, as the cop approached the truck from the passenger’s side, the truck driver fled the scene, despite the officer’s commands to stop.

The officer did not pursue the vehicle. The driver will be mailed three citations.

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admitted she had consumed 10 12-ounce Bud Light beers. When the cop asked why, the female driver stated she was just sad.

Noticing the driver’s glassy eyes and slurred speech, the officer asked if she would submit to a sobriety exercise test. During an exercise requiring the driver to follow the red light emitting from the officer’s pen with her eyes, she continually stared at the officer instead, claiming he was cute. The driver was arrested and charged with a DUI.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER

In response to a developer’s request to build 12 homes on Dillard Street, Winter Garden city leaders approved the rezoning for 2.29 acres of property during the Feb. 9 commission meeting.

The development proposal from Avex Homes originally asked for 22 homes, some of which would have been town houses. However, the developer nixed the town homes and reduced its proposal to 12 after seeing resident opposition at community meetings.

If all goes well in subsequent readings, the homes will be ready for move-in in the first quarter of 2018, said Eric Marks, president of Avex Homes.

At present, Marks estimates the homes will range between 2,200 and 2,800 square feet, not including porches or garages. The homes will come with three floor plans and three different elevations for each floor plan.

The homes will also be outfitted with a 400-square-foot garage, six of which will be allowed to have granny flats. With the 20-footwide driveway, each home will be able to hold four cars. The public right-of-way also will have 12 extra parking spaces.

“They’ll probably be from

$350,000 or more, and I could see getting into the $500,000 easily,” Marks said, referring to the homes’ base prices. “It’s a really unique site in a great location, and there’s just nothing like that. No way to reproduce that, and if you look at the market for houses in walking distance from Dillard Street to the main street of Winter Garden, there really isn’t much for sale because it’s a great place to live.”

The estimated $8 to $10 million development will have an entrance on Dillard Street and Division Street, Marks said. Neither a buffer wall or community amenities will be included on the property, which previously hosted a hospital that was demolished more than a decade ago.

“The site is too tight for community amenities and, actually, the city of Winter Garden and its main street is the amenity,” Marks said. “There’s also a big ballpark right down the street. That was what was so appealing about the site — you have all this natural infrastructure that the city’s built surrounding us within easy biking distance or in a golf cart or even walking.”

Avex Homes hopes to break ground on the model by the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2017.

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IN OTHER NEWS n The city also approved the site plan approval for a one-story, 4,500-squarefoot professional office building downtown. The site is located on the east side of South Boyd Street, south of the SoBo gallery lot across from the new municipal garage building. n The city postponed voting on the site plan for Daniels Professional Park located on 1.93 acres of vacant land at the northeast corner of Roper Road and Daniels Road. The applicant seeking site-plan approval proposed to construct five new professional/medical office buildings on the property totaling 17,734 square feet. n Winter Garden Police Chief George Brennan introduced the department’s two most recently hired police officers, who took the oath of office.

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Commissioners allowed the first reading for the proposed development to move forward.

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Mother organizes car-seat check for Independence community

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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 only to Independence residents — will take place March 9 at the clubhouse.

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. “Then, she mentioned that a couple people in her neighborhood wanted to (have a car-seat 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

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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

though car-seat checks are always 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.

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.

CHURCH DIRECTORY BAPTIST

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 Sundays 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary Awana - Wednesdays - 6pm Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: “FOUNDATION WORSHIP” Sundays 9:45 am - All Ages at Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Road - Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407.730.1867 STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH PO Box 521, 611 W Ave, Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org

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

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

CHURCH OF GOD

METHODIST

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org

EPISCOPAL

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

NEXT COMMUNITY CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, Winter Garden 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05AM

This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at wotimes.com.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

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

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Words to Live By...

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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

ARTS + CULTURE

Let your freak flag fly

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Sixth Annual Blues & BBQ Festival 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Winter Garden downtown pavilion, 104 Lakeview Ave. The festival features a wide variety of barbecue and live music.

All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

For more, visit wintergarden-fl.gov.

The West Orange High School Theater Department’s production of “Shrek: The Musical” takes place this weekend.

PARTY AT THIS

Pre-Pardi Gras 2017 Block Party 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Wall Street Plaza, 26 Wall St., Orlando. In anticipation of Mardi Gras, this Pre-Pardi Gras Block Party will include everything you’d expect during Mardi Gras, including beads, bands, booze and live music from Selwyn Birchwood Band and DJ Korndogg. There will also be a Junkanoo parade down Wall St. Must be over 21 to attend.

LISTEN TO THIS

BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER

B

ringing the animated world of Shrek to the stage is a challenge that the West Orange

High School Theater Department knows well.

Although it’s relatively

Photos by Brittany Gaines

Above: Sophomore Sam Marzella stars as Shrek in this year’s production.

Top: Kassidy Weidman will portray Fiona in West Orange High’s “Shrek: The Musical.”

simple to animate a fiery

“Nice Work if You Can Get It” Thursday Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 19, at The Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts Center, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18; and 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19. Tickets cost between $10 and $25 and can be purchased at bit.ly/2k9NQCH.

pit of lava or a largerthan-life dragon on a computer, it’s a whole other challenge to bring that fairy-tale world to life for a live audience.

SEE SHREK PAGE 10 Sophomore Patrick Duchene spends the entire musical on his knees in the role of Lord Farquaad.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

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West Orange High School’s production of “Shrek: The Musical” features more than 30 high-school actors and about 25 child actors.

STAGING SHREK

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

“In a cartoon, anything is possible, so to translate that to stage is tricky,” said Tara Whitman, associate director of the school’s theater department and director of the department’s upcoming show, “Shrek: The Musical.”

“It required a lot of interesting and unique set needs,” she said.

When it was time for the department to choose its musical for the 2016-17 season, Whitman said choosing “Shrek” was an easy choice.

“We knew it would be a crowddrawer,” she said. “It tells the story of the first (“Shrek”) movie but with added music. It’s a beautiful score and a funny script.”

The musical is the second show Whitman has directed as the department’s associate director, and it’s an experience she’s enjoying despite the challenges.

“I love working with the highschoolers,” Whitman said. “It’s a lot of work, but my mentality is that it’s got to get done.”

When senior Ellie Roddy heard the department had chosen “Shrek: The Musical” as this

year’s show, she was thrilled.

“When I was 8 or 9, I was on a trip to New York City, and it was the first show that I ever saw,” she said. “After seeing Fiona, I always wanted to play her.”

Roddy got her wish and will be playing Fiona during both shows on Saturday, Feb. 18.

“I love Fiona because she’s not an ordinary princess,” Roddy said.

“She doesn’t care what others think; she lets loose. It’s just fun.”

The role of Shrek went to sophomore Sam Marzella.

“It was the part I was going for,” he said. “It’s such a good part. I love the aspect that he’s a hero but not. It’s almost like playing a villain as a protagonist.”

But playing the role of Shrek requires a lengthy transformation process. Marzella must sit in the makeup chair for nearly two hours as Shrek’s ears and nose are glued on and his entire head is painted green.

In the midst of the challenges of creating a dragon and castle from a fairy tale, “Shrek: The Musical” also required a large cast.

In addition to more than 30 high-schoolers, the produc-

IF YOU GO “SHREK: THE MUSICAL” WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18; and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19 WHERE: West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden TICKETS: Tickets cost between $10 and $15 and can be purchased at the door or by calling the box office at (407) 905-2462.

tion also required about 25 children. But getting the community involved in the school’s shows always has been a goal of the department, Whitman said.

“It’s neat to get them in from the community,” she said. “It’s something we try to do at least once a season — open our doors to the community.”

But the large cast, over-the-top set and crazy costumes are just part of the fun of theater.

“I love the realness of it,” Marzella said about being part of the school’s theater program. “You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.

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The Winter Garden sixth annual Blues and BBQ Festival will be held Saturday, Feb. 18.

BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER

For the last five years, Winter Garden has brought Southern soul to life with an annual festival held downtown.

Saturday marks the city’s sixth annual Blues and BBQ Festival, which could be one of the largest one yet.

More than 10 vendors will be filling the air with the smell of barbecue during the festival, including Grandma’s BBQ, Ellie Lou’s BBQ, Uncle Eddies BarB-Q, 4Rivers Smokehouse and Orlando Jerk.

“It’s our first time participating in this, but we’ve checked out the previous years, and it’s aways been a great turnout,” said Courtney Conner, of Black Market Ribs.

“The vendors have always sold out food, so that’s a good sign.”

And when it comes to barbecue, everyone has a different way of cooking their meats, from different rubs and spices to various types of sauces. And with each variation comes different flavors.

“Everything we do with a dry rub,” Conner said. “A lot of people like it that way, but other people don’t. It’s whatever your preference is.”

And with more than 10 barbecue vendors, this year’s festival will boast a wide variety of meat. “(Our barbecue is) a tribute to every region — Kansas style, Memphis style, Carolina style,” said Leigh Doyle, vice president of Ellie Lou’s BBQ. “It’s a tribute to barbecue from around the country.”

But the festival isn’t just about the barbecue. It’s also about the music.

Three different blues performers — Souliz, TC Carr and the Bolts of Blue, and the Damon Fowler Group — will each take turns serenading the crowd with soulful blues music throughout the evening’s festivities.

Souliz is relatively new to the blues scene, but after winning first place at the Suncoast Blues Challenge in September, the band competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis last week. They placed second at the competition out of nearly 120 blues bands from across the world. With that win and a CD set for release this year, the group is WINTER GARDEN

IF YOU GO

SIXTH ANNUAL WINTER GARDEN BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL WHEN: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 WHERE: Downtown Pavilion, 104 Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden DETAILS: Admission is free, but take cash for the barbecue and drinks. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. (407) 656-4155.

VENDOR LIST So Southern Soul Grandma’s BBQ Ellie Lou’s BBQ Uncle Eddies Bar-B-Q 4Rivers Smokehouse Orlando Jerk JR Rib Shack Jimmy Bear’s BBQ Black Market Ribs Black Bear BBQ Uncle Kenny’s BBQ 5 Star Grub Sweets 4 U Megabyte BBQ Supplies.

TAKING THE STAGE 4 p.m.: Souliz 6 p.m.: TC Carr and the Bolts of Blue featuring Josh Nelms 8 p.m.: Damon Fowler Group

eager to become part of Florida’s festival circuit.

“We’re looking forward to the festival,” said the band’s founder Tony Fullwood, who plays bass.

“It should be a good time. We just enjoy playing together.”

TC Carr and the Bolts of Blue featuring Josh Nelms will take the stage after Souliz.

Carr got his start playing harmonica and became well known throughout the blues circuit in both Florida and the U.S. In addition to his harmonica skills, he has also taken on the role of lead vocalist in his group.

The festival will close out with a performance from the Tampabased Damon Fowler Group.

Fowler was one of the featured performers at last year’s festival and is known for his skills as a blues guitarist.

Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.

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Allie Braswell spent the evening with four daughters and a granddaughter: Yaadele Minnis, Yaanisa Minnis, Kai Minnis, Alexis Wheeler and Aaliyah Wheeler.

Kelvin Kronemeyer filled in as dad for Dayawna Avant during the evening.

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ads and daughters spent a fun evening playing games and dancing at Oasis Community Church’s DaddyDaughter Dance on Sunday, Feb. 12.

The event included a festive photo area, a Skittles guessing game, barbecue and macaroni-and-cheese and plenty of danceable music.

For the girls and teenagers whose fathers couldn’t be present, a number of men from the church and community stepped in to help make the evening memorable for everyone.

Live your Oasis Charles De Paula and his 2-year-old daughter, Charliza, paused for a photo before enjoying the festivities.

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Will Perez loved watching daughter Melody gets her nails painted for the dance.

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A DOG’S PURPOSE

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FRI: 4:40P, 7:40P, 9:50P SAT: 1:40P, 4:40P, 7:40P, 9:50P SUN-MON: 1:40P, 4:40P, 7:40P TUES-THURS: 4:40P, 7:40P

“Homemade Sandwiches and Snacks Available”

FRI: 4:20P, 7:20P, 9:45P SAT: 1:20P, 4:20P, 7:20P, 9:45P SUN-MON: 1:20P, 4:20P, 7:20P TUES-THURS: 4:20P, 7:20P

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When the DJ played a series of Disney songs, Maisie Graham, right, went down to the front of the dance floor to sing along with the music.

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Dads, daughters share elegant evening

Thank you to my Papou and Nana, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Laliberte for such a wonderful 3rd Birthday celebration on Saturday, February 4th, 2017.

There was lots of food and drinks. Goody bags for all the children. Bouncy house provided by Party Rentals/ FUN SUN which we played in for hours.

I had a very special surprise guest to come and visit. Princess Elena! Thanks to Orlando Princess Parties.

There was dancing, story telling time and wishes made with Pixie Dust. This was the day that I became a princess when Princess Elena crowned me and now I am an official Princess of the Court.

My Cake was so cute and yummy thanks to Party Flavors in Ocoee.

My family, my Mommy Gena Laliberte, Grandma Debbie, and cousins, Millie, Siomara, Carmen and Robert.

Many of my friends and classmates joined in on the fun and a very special thanks to my best friends. Jocelyn, Jayden, Grayson, Aiden, Lydia,. Stella, Syre, Remi, Gregory, Kylie, Skylar, Emma, Anna, Marysol, Avneet, Ranvir, Brayden and Miles.

Love, Olivia

M

ore than 300 fathers and their daughters came out to the Lake Whitney Elementary School’s annual Sweetheart Dance on Friday, Feb. 10, at Tanner Hall.

The theme of the evening was Mardi Gras. After snacks, the dancing got underway with a variety of line dances, slow dances and a series of sing-along songs for the girls.

— BRITTANY GAINES

The dads had their own hula-hoop contest to determine who was the best hula hooper among them. The winner was Ben Allen, left.

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Olivia’s Special Day

WINTER GARDEN LOCATION NOW CLOSED OPENING SOON IN NEW OCOEE LOCATION

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The Orange County School Board is engaged in a search for suitable property in West Orange County on which to build a senior high school. The new combined school would serve the students of Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland and Windermere and should be centrally located.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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FEBRUARY 16, 2017

HIGH

SPORTS

5

1

Morgan Beacham scored 12 points to pair with Katelyn Kinney’s 10 points for the West Orange girls basketball team (21-7) in a 55-49 victory over Colonial in the regional quarterfinals of the Class 9A State Playoffs Feb. 9. The Warriors took on Wekiva Feb. 14 in the regional semifinals after the time of press.

Ocoee senior Ernst Attilus snagged first place at the Metro West Conference Meet Feb. 8. Page 18

Three boys hoops teams advance past district tourneys Ocoee and CFCA won district titles while West Orange advanced as the runner-up in 9A-3.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

District tournaments for varsity boys basketball are in the books, and three teams from West Orange have advanced into their respective state playoff brackets,

with regional action set to tipoff this week.

Here is a rundown of last week’s district tournament action.

DISTRICT 9A-3

The West Orange Warriors played in two exciting games on their

home floor in the four-team tournament for District 9A-3 last week, winning one and losing the other.

Before the Warriors (16-11) were defeated by top-seeded Wekiva (22-5) in the district championship Feb. 10, 54-53, they were able

to fend off a furious rally from the Evans Trojans Feb. 8 in the semifinal.

That victory, during which West Orange withstood the Trojans’ 22-5 rally in the fourth quarSEE OCOEE PAGE 18

STORM BREWING

2

West Orange girls wrestling standout Natalia Dunbar became the program’s first wrestler to place at state Feb. 11. Dunbar, a sophomore, placed sixth in the state at 132 pounds.

Additionally, the Warriors JV program won the state invitational tournament last weekend, led by Demetrius Anderson, Anthony Galeono and Trevor Beck.

3

Wrestling teams for West Orange and Ocoee had strong showings at the Metro West Conference Meet Feb. 8 at Apopka High. The Warriors placed third, and the Knights placed fifth.

Individual Metro champions included Tyler Montes (West Orange, 120 pounds) and Ernst Attilus (Ocoee, 138 pounds).

4

Caitlyn Naginey, a freshman at West Orange High, has made the Warriors’ junior varsity baseball team as a pitcher. Naginey plays for Chandler Bats during travel season and has played in several national baseball tournaments for girls.

Photos by Steven Ryzewski

Katelyn Murphy, left, Brooke Richards, Piper Johnson, Shea Moran and Elyse Decker help make up the loaded Class of 2017 for Storm Select Girls Lacrosse. All five have signed National Letters of Intent to play Division I lacrosse.

In just a few years, the Storm Select Girls Lacrosse program has grown from a single rec league team to a powerhouse in Central Florida and beyond.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

dle- or high school-age competition.

Ocoee High senior Katelyn Murphy has a hard time hiding her excitement about playing her college lacrosse at Butler University in Indiana.

Not only does the standout senior get the chance to help build a program that literally just played its first game Feb. 12, but also the program met her other criteria.

“They fit academically and their athletics is Division I and I couldn’t resist,” Murphy said.

Murphy, who wants to dualmajor in computer science and biomedical engineering through a partnership program between Butler and Purdue University, said the improvements she has made while competing for Storm Select Lacrosse enabled her to be recruited at the Division I level.

“Playing for the Storm

SEE STORM PAGE 18

SEE MURPHY PAGE 18

little more than six years ago, Storm girls lacrosse started as a recreational youth lacrosse team competing in a county league.

How quickly things can change.

Within a few years, the program

5

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.

Ocoee’s Murphy excited for Butler

expanded to offer travel competition and what started as an organization with maybe 20 girls now has nearly 100 competing in either mid-

“(At) Ocoee, I get to teach my teammates new skills and it’s fun to watch the team progress so greatly.”

— Katelyn Murphy

18

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

Ocoee wins title

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORS

Ernst Attilus Ernst Attilus, a senior wrestler for Ocoee High, was the only Knight to win first place at the Metro West Conference Meet Feb. 8 at Apopka High, while two of his teammates (Hermi Gomez and Derek Verhoest) placed as runners-up. Attilus, who placed second a year ago, defeated Nicholas Carrasquillo, of Evans High, in the championship match.

What was it like to place first at Metros for the first time?

It felt pretty good. It’s just another step toward reaching my goal. It’s good progress — you see the mistakes you did when you were younger.

At what areas have you worked the hardest?

My footwork and on the ground.

What is the best advice you have received from your coach, Mike Shultz?

To just keep moving.

What is your goal the rest of the season?

My goal is to place in states.

Last year, I made it to regionals and got knocked out on the first day.

What do you like most about wrestling?

I enjoy the process.

SCHOOL: Ocoee High GRADE: Senior WEIGHT CLASS: 138 BIRTHPLACE: Haiti HEIGHT: 5-foot-6

What’s your favorite school subject?

I’d say history, because it’s kind of interesting and it’s easier to get an understanding of it because everything is online.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about this year in school?

I had economics this year, and I learned how the banks actually work.

What are your plans for after high school?

I’m hoping to go to college and get a degree in business.

After college, I want to be a real-estate agent. I like the fact that you’re your own boss and there’s open availability.

What’s the last movie you saw in theaters and how was it?

I was watching “Finding Dory.” It was a good movie.

DISTRICT 8A-5

The Ocoee Knights entered the District 8A-5 Championship Game against East Ridge Feb.

READY FOR REGIONALS

Three teams from West Orange will take the court Thursday evening, Feb. 16, in the first round of their respective state playoff brackets. All games tipoff at 7 p.m.

Regional Quarterfinals (Classes 5A-9A) 9A: West Orange (16-11) at Boone (20-7) 8A: Hagerty (17-13) at Ocoee (13-14) Regional Semifinals (Class 1A-4A) 2A: Merritt Island Christian (16-13) at CFCA (23-5)

10 at Lake Minneola High without senior forward Wade Duffus, whose faith as a Seventhday Adventist requires him to observer the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday each week.

Although an effort to get the game moved to Saturday was unsuccessful, the Knights were not.

Ocoee (13-14) rode a 20-point performance from senior Eisley Porter to a 59-53 victory. The district title is the program’s first since the school opened in 2005.

“I’ve said it since day one two years ago: (when) we play hard and together, we’re pretty good,” said Ocoee head coach John “Sarge” Siers. “We had five guys that played hard, we had five guys that played together at the end. (East Ridge is) a heck of a team. They didn’t quit — but we stayed together.”

DISTRICT 2A-5

The CFCA Eagles (22-5) survived a thriller in the district championship Feb. 10, coming from behind to defeat Vanguard (Ocala) 43-40. Dante Treacy had 16 points and six assists and De’Lazarus Keys had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles, who claimed their second consecutive district title.

OTHER NOTES

The coverage area’s other two teams — Legacy Charter and Foundation Academy — com-

Nate Marrero

The district championship for Ocoee was the program’s first.

peted last week in the District 3A-3 Tournament at Mount Dora Christian. The Eagles defeated the Lions in the first round of the tournament on Monday before being soundly defeated 82-49 by eventual district champion Orlando Christian Prep in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Editor’s note: Correspondent Jean Racine contributed to this report.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

Storm seniors sign Division I CONTINUED FROM 17

The program has flourished to the point coaches Ann Bomleny and Tara Moran have been taking the girls up north to regions where lacrosse is gospel — and the girls from Central Florida can compete.

The Storm program got an added feather in its cap recently when it announced that 100% of its Class of 2017 players have committed to play lacrosse at the Division I level, including five girls from West and Southwest Orange County from schools such as Ocoee, West Orange, Dr. Phillips and The First Academy.

“We’re really excited — this was a really great class,” Bomleny said. “Their style of play was really at a top level and we’ve been working with a lot of these girls since they were very young.”

The girls are thankful to play in an organization that is competitive on a national landscape — a fact that has enabled their recruitment by high-level programs.

Do you have any wrestlers you look up to?

Alex Dieringer — I like to copy some of his moves a lot. I like to watch Jordan Burroughs.

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ter before burying seven deciding free throws in the game’s final minute, earned the team a playoff berth.

“We were able to take advantage of some leadership and experience, and we were able to prevail,” head coach Eric Jones said, referencing the way his team remained composed down the stretch. “This is pretty special.”

— STEVEN RYZEWSKI

What is your least favorite part of the training?

The long runs — I hate the long runs.

3985 Hwy 19A Mount Dora, FL 32757 (352) 385-0303

CONTINUED FROM 17

THE BASICS

What is your favorite part of the training you do for wrestling?

The sprints and the fact that you have to give it 100% every time.

Mount Dora Location

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

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“It’s definitely all about getting up north and showing off there,” Ocoee High senior Katelyn Murphy, a Butler signee, said.

In just a few short years, Storm Select has built a reputation — in spite of traditional bias against girls coming out of Florida.

“We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve proven ourselves and (college coaches) know that if we’re putting girls out there, they can play,” Bomleny said.

Other local Storm Select standouts include Dr. Phillips duo Elyse Decker (Penn signee) and Piper Johnson (St. Mary’s College signee), West Orange’s Shea Moran (St. Francis signee) and Brooke Richards (East Carolina signee), a senior at The First Academy.

More than just getting girls recruited, though, Bomleny and Moran have created a team culture where their games at showcases do not devolve into a oneon-one style of play meant only for college coaches on hand.

“A lot of clubs, it’s all about recruiting,” Decker said.

“Coaches Ann and Tara, of

course, want us to be recruited — but they’re also very competitive, and they’ve instilled in us a competitive spirit.”

Storm Select typically practices at Dr. Philips Community Park, where the team has access to lighted practice fields, and Bomleny said more than 75% of the girls participating hail from either West or Southwest Orange County. Nevertheless, some high-level athletes from Florida’s east and west coasts will commute to compete for the program because of its growing prestige.

For Bomleny, who grew up in the lacrosse hotbed of Baltimore, anything that helps grow the game and get her girls to college is welcome.

“My mission is always to grow the game, spread the game … we really believe in the sport and we really believe in these girls,” she said. “Whatever your vision of ‘playing at the next level’ is — we want to help you accomplish that.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

Murphy also a standout student CONTINUED FROM 17

improved my speed — throwing the ball faster, reacting faster and getting up and down the field faster,” Murphy said.

Knowing the Storm organization was the vessel through which she would be recruited, Murphy chose to stay at Ocoee High instead of seeking out a

varsity program with more tradition.

That decision has paid off both academically — Murphy is the salutatorian of her class — and in terms of growing as leader on a growing program. “(At) Ocoee, I get to teach my teammates new skills and it’s fun to watch the team progress so greatly,” Murphy said.

From winning two games her freshman year to five in 2016, Murphy is hopeful her final season could be one that see the Knights put together a winning record.

“If we had a winning season, that would be crazy,” she said.

— STEVEN RYZEWSKI

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

19

Moving into your first place?

New baseball coach settles in

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assistants with some significant experience. Nestar Castro played professionally in Puerto Rico for many years and has been coaching in the Central Florida area for 10 years with the FTB travel organization. Alexander Melendez, who will focus on the Lions’ strength and conditioning, just completed a stretch of four years in the minor league system of the Houston Astros as an outfielder.

Santiago has a vision for his

www.westorangehabitat.org Steven Ryzewski

Derreck Santiago has coached at several levels, including high school, college and as an assistant in the minor leagues.

program on the school’s campus in south Winter Garden. This year is the first year the school has had a junior-varsity baseball team, and he hopes to field a middleschool team in the coming years.

New dugouts also were built at the team’s facility.

In time, the new coach is optimistic his program will carve a niche in West Orange’s baseball stronghold.

“We’re going to surprise a lot of folks,” Santiago said. “We’re going to open up some minds in the community.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

Blair M. Johnson

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The first three home games for the Foundation Academy varsity baseball team are listed below. All home games start at 3:30 p.m. on the school’s south campus.

Feb. 16 — vs. Cambridge Christian Feb. 23 — vs. Central Point Christian March 3 — vs. Lake Mary Prep

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As the Foundation Academy varsity baseball team inches closer to its first games under new coach Derreck Santiago, the head of the program is feeling pretty upbeat about his new program.

“We’re going to be a team that is going to hit all cylinders,” Santiago said Feb. 9 as the Lions wrapped practice.

Santiago praised his team’s pitching (Foundation has six roster players that show promise on the mound) and its power ability at the plate. The potential to win some games with this year’s crop of players is one of the reasons he said he took the job last summer after coaching at Haines City.

But it wasn’t the most important.

“My first interest was the Christian background — I saw that they have the belief that every athlete is a disciple, and that interested me,” Santiago said. “(The school is in) a good location.”

Born in Puerto Rico but raised in Orlando, Santiago played varsity baseball at Oak Ridge High.

After that, he spent two decades serving in the U.S. Army, before embarking on a career coaching baseball that has spanned more than 13 years. Santiago has coached high school in Florida and Philadelphia, and college and junior college in Kansas. He also served as a special assistant in the minor leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds.

He also has brought along some

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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

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.

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

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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.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

228679

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

20

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

W EAT HER

OrangeObserver.com

FORECAST

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

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21

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

High: 71 Low: 48 Chance of rain: 10%

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

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 Feb. 10 Full

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 West Orange Times & 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.

ONLINE

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

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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

22

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

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LOT FOR SALE - 1/2 acre 105' x 210'. 15711 Stuckey Loop, Mascotte, Lake County. $10,500 cash. (407) 376-6852 3/9aj

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This week’s Cryptoquiz answers 1) Macedon, 2) Aristotle, 3) Undefeated 4) Destiny, 5) Charisma Alexander the Great

This week’s Sudoku answers

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Landscape Sales - Estimator/Designer This week’s Crossword answers

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ESTATE SALE- February 18th & 19th. 8AM-3PM. 16945 W Phil C Peters Rd, Winter Garden. Antique wood burning cook stove, hall tree, trunk, 70’s booze bottle collection, Lane hope chest, small furniture, other collectibles. All things must go. 407718-9343 2/16pf

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Schools/Instruction 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

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

• Sales Experience preferred

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

Those looking for short term employment need not apply. www.smithwell.com 231649

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