02.27.20 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

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Foundation’s new lax team gets win No. 1 . 13.

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‘O yes, it takes a woman’ Dr. Phillips High School thespians dazzled audiences with ‘Hello, Dolly!’ SEE PAGE 9.

Living word

Members of Lifebridge Church recently went on a trip to Israel to gain a new perspective on their faith and Biblical locations. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4.

Courtesy photo

YOUR TOWN ROTARY TO HOST MOVIE FUNDRAISER The Winter Garden Rotary Club is sponsoring a fundraiser for its medical equipment bank Tuesday, March 3, at the Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.

The club and several sponsors are presenting “I’ll Be Me,” the story of singer/songwriter Glen Campbell and his family’s journey through dementia.

To register, visit eventbrite. com.

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House bill stalls Orange WEED-EATERS County development At least 12 projects in the county are in limbo as a result of state legislation clashing with county code and school district policies.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

A few lines of text have left some development projects at a standstill in Orange County.

Leaders in the development community, Orange County Public Schools and Orange County

Government are searching for a way forward after House Bill 7103 introduced language last year that hinders the ability of developers to mitigate capacity impacts to nearby schools.

“We’re in a serious predicament SEE HOUSE PAGE 4

Grazing goats are keeping an invasive species at bay. 3.

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YOUR CALENDAR

SATURDAY, FEB. 29

10TH ANNUAL TASTE OF WINDERMERE 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at The Grove, Windermere. Hosted by the Central Florida Women’s League, the evening includes food, drink and entertainment to benefit the league foundation’s community grants and scholarships. Tickets start at $90 and are available at one.bidpal.net.

FIFTH ANNUAL WINDERMERE FINE ART SHOW 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 1, along Main Street in downtown Windermere. The event, hosted by Windermere Arts and I Love Dr. Phillips, promotes fine arts and the incredible artwork from more than 85 artists. The boutique art show features artists from around the country and supports local charities. Attendance is free. (407) 808-0065.

HEALTHCARE HIRING EVENT 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Community Health Centers, 13275 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. There will be on-site interviews for a wide variety of open full-time positions throughout Central Florida. For a list of open positions, visit chcfl. org/jobs. For those unable to attend the hiring event, apply online.

MUSIC IN THE LIBRARY: NATHI GCABASHE 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Hear Grammynominated musician Nathi Gcabashe, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer from Durban, South Africa.

(407) 835-7323.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

UNITY CONCERT 2020 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden.

Join the Orlando Choral Society and conductors Dr. Jeffery Redding and J. Christine Le for the fifth annual concert to benefit Shepherd’s Hope. Tickets are $10 at Eventbrite.com or $15 at the door.

MONDAY, MARCH 2

JOURNEY TO THE PACIFIC 1 p.m. Monday, March 2, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Learn about Sacagawea and how she aided the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a guide in their journey to explore uncharted lands to the west. Recommended for upper elementary. (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING 10 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., Orlando. The Orange County Retired Educators Association’s March program is “Prescription Drugs with Over-the-Counter Medication Safety,” presented

by Jessica Daly. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to attend. (407) 843-6909 or ocrea-fl.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

GROCERY STORE TOUR 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices? Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make

the healthiest choices for the family. Space is limited; RSVP required at (407) 407-3046.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

HORIZON WEST FEST 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Cinépolis Hamlin, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden.

Celebrate all things Horizon West in this “fun in the sun” event: Kid Zone, food, live music, games, giveaways, talent show, scavenger hunt and a variety of vendors. Sponsored by Orlando Health and Healthy West Orange.

PET FEST 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Sponsored by the Animal Clinic of Windermere and hosted by Windermere Parks and Recreation. Includes the Doggie Fun Zone, police K-9 demonstrations, dog games and food trucks. Attendance is free. windermereparksandrecreation. com.

MONDAY, MARCH 9

POW-HER-FUL 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. With great power comes great responsibility.

Explore the common empowering qualities of widely known women like Simone Biles, Frida Kahlo and Jane Goodall. (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

THIRD ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. The event is hosted by the Windermere Police Department Foundation Inc., town of Windermere,

Windermere Brewing Company, Finnegan Academy of Irish Dance and Crooked Can Brewing Company. Enjoy live music, food trucks, traditional Irish dance performance, activities for children and cold craft beer.

All proceeds benefit the Windermere PD Foundation, a nonprofit created in memory of Officer Robbie German. (407) 876-3757.

SHAMROCKS! 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Do you have the luck of the Irish? Brush up on your leprechaun folklore and be prepared for a legendary time!

(407) 835-7323.

Kids race registration is $10.

Tickets are available at floridarunningco.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

GROCERY STORE TOUR 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, at a local grocery store to be announced. Do you know which foods are the healthiest choices?

Do you know what to look for on a food label? Join an Orlando Health dietitian for a grocery store tour to learn how to navigate the aisles and make the healthiest choices for the family.

Space is limited; RSVP required at (407) 4073046.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

DREAM FINDERS HOMES LUCKY CHARM 5K 7 to 10 a.m. Sunday, March 15, at Hamlin, 14111 Shoreside Way, Suite 130, Winter Garden.

Hosted, in part, by Florida Running Company, the event is a chip-timed race and includes a T-shirt, finishers medal and FLOOR JACK St. Paddy’s Day cup. Kids 2 TON race participants receive a was $59.99 shirt and finisher ribbon.

Join in the post-race fun with food drink, music and more. Be sure to wear your green!

Registration is $40 until March 3 and $45 on or after March 4.

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LANDSCAPE-GOATS AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

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he south entrance to the Silver Woods community was looking unkempt, with about eight different invasive species threatening to take over the area’s groundcover and the trees.

The neighborhood is located west of Apopka-Vineland Road and near the chain of lakes, so the homeowners’ association was against spraying chemicals to kill the weeds. Bringing in heavy machinery wouldn’t work, either.

Zach Capps, president of the Silver Woods Community Association, said the HOA came up with an alternative idea — hire goats to do the work of clearing the invasives.

“This is a novel approach to controlling out-of-control vegetative growth that is both environmentally friendly and economical,” Capps said.

What nature created over the course of several years, the rented goats are destroying in a matter of weeks.

The HOA contracted with South Central Florida Rent-ARuminant, a company that does just that — rents out its goats to tackle big grounds-keeping jobs.

A herd of 25 goats — Pygmy, Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy crosses, Nigerian Dwarf crosses, Nubians and Nubian Spanish crosses — with names like Cutie, Jingle, Pebbles and Sparkles is living its best life, spending all day eating everything green in the area. The oldest is 5, and the youngest is 8 months.

The goats are being corralled behind a low-voltage electric fence for 15 days, eating by day and sleeping in a trailer by night.

Head goat wrangler Carol Etscovitz, who owns the franchise with her husband, Dave, stays on the job site with the animals. She said 25 goats can clear a quarter of an acre in nine days.

This is the company’s second stint with the goats. The Escovitzes started Rent-A-Ruminant a year ago, she said, and they have been busy growing their herd,

Photos by Amy Quesinberry

After a week of stripping the foreground land in the Silver Woods community, the goats were being moved to another section to continue eating away at the invasive species.

clear and their property maintained. They looked into the franchise after deciding their goats needed gainful employment, they wrote on their website.

“We love the green aspect, the ethics that are involved in being

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NEWS BRIEFS

A herd of goats has been chewing its way through the invasive species taking over the south entrance of Silver Woods.

getting the animals and the farm registered with the United States Department of Agriculture, and purchasing equipment. Their goal is to have 60 goats.

The Etscovitzes originally bought goats to keep their fences

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

a part of the Rent-A-Ruminant franchise and the utmost respect given to our animals as members of a team,” their website states.

They like the idea of serving the land-clearing needs of the area “in a green, chemical-free, fuelfree, low-impact manner.”

In addition, goats can go where people and machinery cannot easily or safely go, and they eliminate the need for hauling debris offsite.

Plus, the Etscovitzes said, “they’re cute, and people love them.”

Their goats will be in the Silver Woods community through the first of March.

County to install donated smoke alarms Orange County Fire Rescue is increasing efforts to combat the statistic that nearly three out of five home-fire deaths happen in residences with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarm.

In 2016, Orange County Fire Rescue started an initiative to provide county residents with free home safety visits to review the inspection of smoke alarms, windows and possible tripping hazards, as well as to discuss home escape plans, meeting places and cooking safety.

As part of this safety initiative, the department conducts weekly “smoke alarm blitzes” — a one-day outreach in which firefighters install multiple smoke alarms in up to 30 homes — focusing on older housing in Orange County.

Prior to this program, the department gave away smoke alarms to Orange County residents but did not install them. A grant awarded to Orange County Fire Rescue now allows firefighters to knock on residents’ doors and offer free smoke alarm installation. These alarms include 10-year lithium batteries.

For information, visit ocfrd. com.

Davis property up for discussion Orange County Government will host a community meeting regarding the David Planned Development, 1.65 acres located north of Lake Street and east of South Apopka Vineland Road.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the cafeteria of Sand Lake Elementary School, 8301 Buenavista Woods Blvd., Orlando.

For more information, call the District 1 office at (407) 836-7350 or email district1@ ocfl.net.

Art from the heart The fifth annual Windermere Fine Art Show will showcase local artists and performers.

BIANCA MORALES STAFF INTERN

The brick roads in downtown Windermere will be lined with artwork by remarkable artists this weekend.

The fifth annual Windermere Fine Art Show takes place from Saturday, Feb. 29, to Sunday, March 1.

Windermere Arts Chair Anne McDonough has once again curated a collection of artists and performers for the local festival.

“This is all to give back to the town of Windermere,” McDonough said.

Proceeds from the event will be going to L.T. Sipek, the son of Windermere Police Department police officer, Lori Sipek, in the form of a scholarship for the arts.

The boutique event will showcase 85 artists traveling from

IF YOU GO WINDERMERE FINE ART SHOW WHERE: 520 Main St, Windermere WHEN: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 1 INFORMATION: bit.ly/2TcRAXP

around the United States. Attendees can also expect live entertainment, food, wine/beer and performing arts in a festive atmosphere in Windermere.

McDonough said the festival requires a year of preparation, but this year has a new twist.

“We’re featuring more young artists and performers this year,” McDonough said.

One of the performers who will be featured in the festival is

13-year-old Ellie Jo Lovini. She moved with her parents to the United States from England five years ago.

She can sing, dance and act. In addition, she can play the guitar, the ukulele and the piano, as well as write songs.

Her favorite showtune is “On My Own” from the musical “Les Misérables.”

Lovini had performed at one of McDonough’s events before, and she was discovered by an independent music producer in Windermere named Paul Mamounas.

“I’m gonna go far,” Lovini said.

“I want to connect with people. I want to share my talent. This is all thanks to Windermere.”

Buchanan Field, 15, is a high school freshman at The First Academy and one of the many artists featured at the festival.

Her artwork includes a calligram — a picture made with words — of Sherlock Holmes. Field said her parents are excited about her artwork being featured at the festival

Courtesy

Bianca Morales

Buchanan Field sees art as her “God-given” talent. She is excited to see her art on display.

Ellie Jo Lovini wants to share her talents with the world and connect with people through the arts.

and are supportive of her.

“I’m very passionate about art,” Field said. “I find a lot of enjoyment in it.”

Born in Taiwan, Field was raised in an orphanage until she was adopted at the age of 5. That was when her parents brought her to the United States.

Field said she’s not sure what she would like to do after finishing high school, but she does have one potential career in mind that

could be a happy medium for her interests.

“I might want to be an engineer,” Field said. “I can put my creativity into it.”

A young woman of faith, Field said her favorite aspect of Christianity is the message of salvation, and she credits her talent to God. “I know my skills are a God-given ability,” Field said. “Art comes very naturally to me, and it has become a huge part of my life.”

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Following Christ’s footsteps TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

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magine walking the same roads and paths that Jesus Christ walked more than 2,000 years ago.

That’s what a group of 51 members from Lifebridge Church had the chance to do recently during a 10-day trip to Israel.

The group returned Friday, Feb. 14, with plenty of stories and insights. Chris Cobb, the discipleship pastor at the Windermere church, said the theme of the trip was to understand the heart of God’s people and think about the mission God has for their lives.

The group left Tuesday, Feb. 4, and arrived in Tel Aviv. Over the next eight days, the group traveled in a large circle across the region.

They traveled to numerous sites, including Beth Shemesh, where the story of Samson took place, and Azekah, which overlooks the Valley of Elah — the historic site where David defeated Goliath the Philistine.

Members of the group also swam in the Dead Sea, got baptized in the Jordan River and sailed across the Sea of Galilee — where Jesus walked on water, according to the Bible.

Other highlights included Bethlehem, Jerusalem and two sites where scholars believe Jesus was crucified and buried.

“There’s discrepancies of which place is the right place, but we got to go to both places they believe,” Cobb said.

“Whether he was crucified and buried at one place or the other, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “The important thing to remember is that he’s not there anymore. Jesus

right this minute as a result of the legislation that passed last year,” Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs said. “Nobody involved in that legislation had any idea the impact it would have, because it really only impacted Orange County.”

In 2004, Orange County passed a charter amendment dealing with school overcrowding. The amendment affects developers seeking a future land use amendment or zoning amendment that would increase residential density near an overcrowded school — though 15% or more of the student population in that overcrowded school must reside in another governmental jurisdiction for the amendment to take effect.

To move forward, developers can either seek approval from both governmental jurisdictions impacted by the project — an option that never is taken because of growing capacity issues, Jacobs said — or they can mitigate the impact of the project through a capacity enhancement agreement, in addition to impact fees. That entails paying an amount of money — about 22% of the cost of an impact fee — that allows the district to rent portables for schools potentially impacted by the influx of new students.

Jacobs stressed the mitigation from capacity enhancement agreements also is important, because it offsets having to pull from money that goes toward

“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.”

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“The land of Israel changes you — you’ll never read the Bible the same.”

— Chris Cobb, discipleship pastor

is not in the grave, he has risen again.”

Among the tour group was Jim Moran, who’s been attending Lifebridge Church for two years.

He said he enjoyed how the trip bridged the gap between archaeology and the Bible.

“This was a study with massive preparation by the leadership team and the tour people to really bring education to people instead of just a vacation,” said Jim Moran, who

took the trip with his wife, Judy.

One of the most powerful moments during the trip for Jim Moran came toward the end of the trip, he said.

“We started the morning off at the Mount of Olives, and then we walked over to Gethsemane and (Pastor) Ralph (Howe) did a teaching there, and then we had communion,” he said. “Just being there, taking the time to really understand what was going on at the time and what Jesus was going through and his thoughts and then having communion and taking that time to reflect … that was a really strong period of time for me throughout the whole trip.”

Jim Moran said he’s glad that he made the trip with his wife.

“It did bring a new perspective by physically being there, by seeing it,” he said. “It added support to what I already knew to be true.”

Cobb said he hopes the group walked away with the perspective that the stories in the Bible are true and that these were real places and real people.

“People get to go to Israel and see all these Biblical sites and see how true they are,” Cobb said.

“When people experience that, it’s going to really raise the spiritual temperature of the church, if you will. They’re going to come back knowing that this is real. The land of Israel changes you — you’ll never read the Bible the same.”

Jim Moran said another trip to Israel is planned for August 2021.

House bill hinders development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Observer

building new schools.

“Every time that we have to put kids in portables, not only is it not our preferred environment for our students to be in … we are now spending money on a portable that is taking away from the source of revenue that we rely on to build the new school,” Jacobs said.

“Through these mitigation fees, one of the things that we’re able to do is balance out some of that cost.

We also use that to try to advance the schedule of a school.”

Language in House Bill 7103 brings the option of capacity enhancement agreements to a standstill, Jacobs said.

“The local government must credit against the collection of the impact fee any contribution, whether identified in a proportionate share agreement or other form of exaction, related to public education facilities, including land dedication, site planning and design, or construction,” the House bill reads. “Any contribution must be applied to reduce any education-based impact fees on a dollar-for-dollar basis at fair market value.”

Jacob said that means any money contributed by a developer must instead go toward lowering impact fees.

Capacity issues can’t be mitigated without that additional mitigation revenue, and therefore, the Orange County School Board cannot approve any capacity enhancement agreements, Jacobs said.

“The legal team with Orange

County Public Schools and the legal team in Orange County Government have looked at the language, and neither can find a way where the school district can accept (and keep) the mitigation payment,” Jacobs said. “It comes into one pot called ‘mitigation,’ and the same amount is reduced in the other pot called ‘impact fees.’ The fact is we didn’t get any mitigation. There’s no additional revenue to help offset those additional costs that come with the school overcrowding.”

An Orange County comprehensive plan policy also prohibits land use or zoning changes where schools are overcrowded. The School Board must give a certification that there is capacity before a request can move forward, Orange County Deputy County Administrator Chris Testerman said.

Jacobs noted Orange County has at least 12 applications for land use or zoning that aren’t moving forward because of the language in House Bill 7103.

Although the House bill really hinders builders in Orange County and not the School Board, the impacts of housing projects coming to a halt will be felt throughout the county, Jacobs said.

“We are already facing a shortage of housing, which has caused a significant rise in rental rates and housing costs,” she said.

A WAY FORWARD?

Orange County Public Schools officials has met with Greater Orlando Builders Association rep-

resentatives to discuss and clarify the issue, Jacobs said. Currently, Orange County Public Schools is lobbying to have the House bill amended.

Testerman said discussions with the GOBA and OCPS have focused on crafting a carve-out amendment that would exclude Orange County from the portion of the House bill that created the issue.

Lee Steinhauer — director of government and legal affairs for the Greater Orlando Builders Association, as well as government affairs and legal counsel for the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando — said the development community is working alongside OCPS and Orange County Government to find a solution.

“We’ve really tried — and continue to try — to come up with a solution that kind of works for everybody,” Steinhauer said. “We want to make sure the schools have what they need, and we want to make sure that the developments can move forward, because right now they’re stuck. You can imagine the costs that these folks are having to bear as a result of not being given a pathway forward.”

Jacobs stressed neither side is happy with the current situation.

“This isn’t a standstill that Orange County Public Schools wants or asked for,” Jacobs said.

“It’s not a standstill that Orange County Government wants or asked for. It’s not something that (builders) want. It’s not something that any of us created.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Tim Freed

After months of physical therapy and community support, Dionisio “Dio” Encarnacion is back at his job.

BACK IN THE MIX Dionisio “Dio” Encarnacion is back behind the bar at Bosphorous after being struck by a car in September.

MANAGING EDITOR

A friendly, familiar face is back behind the bar at Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine in Hamlin.

Five months after a hit-and-run accident left him temporarily bound to a wheelchair, Horizon West resident and local bartender Dionisio “Dio” Encarnacion has returned to work with the help of his community.

The bartender’s life was turned upside down when a car struck him while he was walking home from Bosphorous the night of Sunday, Sept. 8.

Encarnacion said he doesn’t remember what happened at the time of being hit — the driver fled the scene. He awoke with an injured ligament in his right knee, a fractures pelvis, a hip fracture and seven fractured ribs.

After months of physical therapy, exercise and the love and support of his customers at Bosphorous, Encarnacion has recovered enough where he can work 25 hours a week.

“I feel amazing — I feel so grateful, because people have been taking care of me since Day 1 of the accident,” Encarnacion said. “Honestly, I didn’t expect I would walk again. …

For me, it’s like a dream come true.”

Prior to the accident, Encarnacion had made a name for himself as an effervescent bartender and a kind spirit behind the bar of the Hamlin eatery.

His warm personality and attention to detail with his customers caught the attention of many local residents, including Linda Sibley, who orchestrated a GoFundMe page to help Encarnacion pay for his medical bills after the accident. The page raised $7,861, in addition to several thousand dollars raised at two fun-

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Linda Sibley said she, Encarnacion and other residents are working to create a nonprofit called Neighbors Helping Neighbors, which will draw awareness to dangerous, dimly-lit roads throughout Orange County.

Poor lighting in the Hamlin area likely played a role in Encarnacion’s accident, Sibley said, and she hopes to prevent something similar from happening again.

“Now we have to take this situation and make something incredibly powerfully good from this,” she said. “We have to make sure that this doesn’t happen to someone else.”

draiser events at Bosphorous.

Seeing Encarnacion back behind the bar doing what he loves gives Sibley an immense sense of satisfaction, she said.

“For me personally, I just felt pure happiness for him — just to see how far he’d come from the date of the accident to that day,” Sibley said.

“To see him standing there just so happy to be surrounded by people who so deeply cared about him … it was that feeling of, ‘He’s back home.

He’s back in the fold.’”

It hasn’t been an easy road to recovery, Encarnacion said. He was bound to a wheelchair until late November, when he started using a walker.

“I was learning how to walk again … I was scared when I stood up — both legs were shaking and my hips felt unstable,” Encarnacion said.

After a few weeks of continued physical therapy, he was cleared to walk on his own two feet without a walker.

An exercise routine over the last month continued to put him on the fast track to recovery, he said. Encarnacion started working out at Hotworx in Hamlin with some guidance from owners Matt and Sheila Bater, doing a combination of squats, heavy band exercises, the stationary bike and yoga.

Encarnacion returned to work at the bar for the first time since the accident Tuesday, Feb. 18 — just one day after his 45th birthday.

Customers welcomed him back with two cakes, he said.

“It was the best birthday ever — a nice welcome back that I will never forget,” Encarnacion said.

‘GOD BLESS ALL OF THEM’

The bar is packed at Bosphorous on a lively Saturday night in Hamlin Feb. 22. Encarnacion mingles with customers while mixing cocktails and pouring wine.

Encarnacion said he holds no hatred or malice toward the person who struck him in the road back in September. He instead feels a sense of gratitude and thankfulness — thankful to “Jehovah God, Sibley and every person who has wished him well or supported him on his journey to recovery.”

“I feel very blessed, because I think this is the greatest community I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. “I was born in the Caribbean. I used to live in New York and New England and Orlando, Florida, but Winter Garden — especially the New Independence area — is special. New Independence and the Hamlin area has blown my mind — there’s such good people in this community. God bless all of them.”

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OCPS to provide first look at relief high school rezonings Orange County Public Schools will hold a community meeting March 4 to discuss the rezoning process for two local relief high schools.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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With the opening of two West Orangearea relief high schools just 18 months away, Orange County Public Schools is gearing up for the necessary rezonings that will be incurred.

For the Horizon West area, Site 113H-W-4 off Seidel Road will provide relief primarily for Windermere High School. And in the Dr. Phillips area, Site 80-H-SW-4 near South ApopkaVineland Road will do the same for Dr. Phillips and Freedom high schools.

The timelines for both relief schools were pushed up last year from 2022 to 2021 due to increasing growth.

On Wednesday, March 4, parents, students and community members are invited to participate in a community meeting that will give them the first look at what the rezonings for both schools could look like. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. that night at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia St., Orlando.

“What they can expect is to see a first blush of what the staff is recommending based on the data that they have,” said District 4 School Board Member Pam Gould. “Often, they’re very aware of how communities are set up and which way roadways go … but sometimes there are some nuances that are not as apparent. … That’s where the community really gets a chance to come in on the map.”

According to a rezoning process timeline from OCPS, schools that could be impacted by Site 80-H-SW4’s opening include Boone, Cypress Creek, Dr. Phillips, Freedom and Oak Ridge high schools. For Site 113-H-W4, those schools include West Orange and Windermere high schools.

Gould said one of the main differences between the two relief high schools is the residential densities in the areas they will be serving. Additionally, Horizon West saw the opening of Windermere High in 2017, but those near Dr. Phillips and Freedom high schools haven’t seen a new high school in years.

“I think they know that the school is there to serve the growth in those areas,” Gould said. “For the Seidel

IF YOU GO COMMUNITY MEETING FOR REZONING WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 WHERE: Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia St., Orlando INFO: This community meeting is the first step in the rezoning timeline for the Horizon Westarea relief high school (Site 113-H-W-4) and the Dr. Phillips/ Freedom relief high school (Site 80-H-SW-4). Parents, students and members of the community are invited to see what is in the works and provide their input. After the community meeting, the next steps in the process are a School Board Rule Development Workshop April 7 and a School Board meeting May 12.

Road site that’s going to really relieve Windermere High, I don’t think it’s as much of a mystery as it probably is for those for Dr. Phillips and Freedom who haven’t had a high school come along in a long time. I think for them it’s probably more of a nail-biter.”

Gould said the difference lies in the density. In Horizon West, most of the growth is new. Closer to the Dr. Phillips area, Gould said, it’s more of a backfill growth.

“Horizon West is so dense, and the idea is to have schools in the neighborhood,” she said. “That’s probably the difference, is that whole plannedcommunity density versus (where) we’re seeing generational change and backfill and zoning changes. A lot of what’s along Central Florida Parkway and those streets off (International) Drive and on the south side were all going to be timeshares and hotels, and now they’re becoming multifamily and residential. You’re seeing just a different need, and we need something between the two schools.”

No two rezonings are exactly alike, Gould said, due to the nature of roadway infrastructure and neighborhood setups.

“There’s just a lot of factors that go into it,” she said. “We want the community engaged in this so that they understand how zones are chosen, and we certainly want to make sure that we don’t miss any bits of data that are important to making that decision.

The more people that can come and engage, the better.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

The Dance Collective prances into Winter Garden ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

Hannah and J.J. Tiemeyer have always wanted to open up their own dance studio — and they can proudly say they’re well on their way to living out that dream.

The Tiemeyers are a husbandand-wife team who run The Dance Collective — a studio that operates out of Windermere Preparatory School. But that’s only a temporary location, as the couple has their permanent studio space under construction in Winter Garden at 14041 W. Colonial Drive. They expect it to open in the spring.

“We’ll be operating out of what used to be a thrift store in the Aldi shopping center,” J.J. Tiemeyer said. “We have a targeted opening date of March or April coming up.”

The Tiemeyers met in college at Wright State University and bonded over their shared passion for the performing arts. Hannah Tiemeyer has been dancing since she was a toddler and has been teaching since she was a teen. She majored in dance in college and taught dance classes through Disney Performing Arts. For the first time in her dance career, she’ll be running a studio of her own. J.J. Tiemeyer was an acting major in college, and although he loves dance and took

some classes, that art form is more Hannah’s forte.

“I think even from early on in our relationship, we had a shared appreciation and love of dance,” J.J. Tiemeyer said. “It just kind of became something that we thought we’d be interested in doing early on in our relationship … this dream of opening a dance studio.”

“I started teaching when I was 14 years old and … never stopped,” Hannah Tiemeyer said. “I taught through college, and once (we) moved down here to the Orlando area from Ohio, I taught at local studios around here. … I’ve always taught for other people, and now it’s a time to teach for me.”

The Dance Collective serves students ages 18 months to 18 years. Classes are organized by experience, and individuals of all skill levels are welcome to join.

Once the Tiemeyers move into their new studio in Winter Garden, they’ll begin offering adult classes, as well.

“We teach ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, lyrical, contemporary (and) we have a parents-and-me class called ‘Me and My Shadow,’ for (children ages) 18 months to three-and-a-half years,” Hannah Tiemeyer said. “We offer combo classes for younger kids, like a

ballet and tap combo class. … Hip hop is something else we offer (as well as) traditional dance styles for basically all ages.”

They even plan on expanding their offerings to encompass other kinds of the performing arts.

Inclusivity also is an important principle of The Dance Collective.

The studio also offers dance classes that are tailored to individuals with physical or mental hurdles.

“I was recently certified in something called ‘rhythm works integrative dance,’ and it’s a program designed for kids and adults with autism, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorder and other related learning differences and physical differences,” Hannah Tiemeyer said. “It’s very inclusive … and that’s important to us at the studio, is to be inclusive. It helps to modify the brain, essentially, through dance and rhythm.”

Their professional careers brought the Tiemeyers to the area in 2011 when they got jobs at Walt Disney World Resort, and they’ve fallen in love with the small-town feel and culture of creativity in Winter Garden. J.J. Tiemeyer said they knew it was the right place to open The Dance Collective.

“The reputation of the area really (drew us),” he said. “We frequent the Winter Garden area and really fell in love with everything it had to offer. … The inclusive, creative nature of the way that the city is sort of recreating itself … drew us to Winter Garden.”

Courtesy

J.J. and Hannah Tiemeyer are thrilled about The Dance Collective soon getting a permanent studio space.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Windermere Preparatory School will present “Alice in Wonderland” at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 5, to Saturday, March 7, in the Cypress Center for the Arts, 6189 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Windermere.

This musical is a middle- and highschool production that features more than 50 Windermere Prep students. Join Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, the March Hare and many other colorful characters from Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. The theater department’s version reaches audiences with Alice’s magical trip down the rabbit hole to a world where chess pieces and playing cards come to life, doors and tables talk, and queens rule the land.

Cindy Lowa has created a unitas moment — one of the core values — by bringing different divisions of the student body together to create this production.

In addition, Windermere Prep is hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party at 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 7. This event is open to the public, and all are welcome. To purchase tickets to either the performance of “Alice in Wonderland” or the tea party beforehand, visit teachtix.com.

Foundation Academy students ready to spell Foundation Academy is hosting the firstto fourth-grade ACSI Spelling Bee Friday, Feb 28, at the Plant Street Campus, 125 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Because of the bee, there will be no classes at the Plant Street campus. The Tilden and the Lakeside campuses will run as usual.

Foundation Academy is excited to have 16 students who will be participating in the bee. The bee is not open for observation of the competition.

SUZIE MARROTTE

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Suzie Marrotte serves as the digital media and communications coordinator for Holy Family Catholic School. As a parent of three children who attend, Marrotte enjoys being able to share her talents with their school. Principal Sister Dorothy Sayers nominated Marrotte for her contributions to the school as both a parent and valuable staff member.

What do you love most about your school?

There are three things. No. 1, I love that the school is an extension of the parish. No. 2, I love Sister Dorothy Sayers, M.P.F. who is our principal, along with all of our staff. No. 3, I love the families of the school.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of this position is being able to apply my education and previous marketing and public relations experience to the school my children attend. It is so fulfilling to direct my efforts to a wonderful cause.

What made you want to take on this job?

After all my children were enrolled in Holy Family, the position became open. As I read the description of the position, the similarities with my education and experience made it too good to be true. The position allows me to be close to my children while using my skill set and work with wonderful people to educate and inspire children.

REPORT CARD ROLE: Digital media and communications coordinator TIME AT THE SCHOOL: Two years on staff, six years as a parent

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best?

Motivation is found in everyone I encounter. People are amazing. My husband and family continually motivate me to be a better mother, a better wife, a better person. I believe individuals have so much more potential than they are aware of. I try to tap into what I need to do to make myself better. I fear laziness — to me, laziness is a disease and very selfish. ... It is rewarding to know when you have given your all and tried your best, regardless of the outcome.

What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done?

Our students, faculty and families are always so gracious, and they show their gratitude in many ways.

I once received an anonymous handwritten note addressed to me that stated,“Thank you so much for all you do for our school; you are truly appreciated.” Such a simple act of kindness; it was genuine and beautiful.

What is the coolest place you have visited and why?

I love the beach, so it is a tie between

Longboat Key and Destin. They both offer the most amazing white-sand beaches, emerald-green water and a charming, slower-paced, less-traveled atmosphere — paradise!

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

I have a husband and three children — ages 11, 10 and 6 — so naturally there is a lot of housework and laundry. I would love to be able to have my house spotless and laundry done “on demand.” This would leave me free to spend more quality time with them.

What are some of your favorite things to do in your free time?

I love running and working out.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children — our favorite thing to do together is family pool parties simply swimming, grilling out and enjoying each other.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

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

WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

PROSPECTIVE FAMILY

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Stop by our Theatre Performances, Baseball Game, Softball Game and more!

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Learn more about Windermere Prep at our Prospective Family Open House & BBQ. Mingle with current families, enjoy a delicious bbq, bounce house, campus tours and WPS events around campus.

Register here today: http://bit.ly/wpsohbbq

(407) 905-7737 info@windermereprep.com windermereprep.com

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‘Alice in Wonderland’ arrives at Windermere Prep

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

‘It only takes a moment’ The cast lined up on stage as they sang, “Before the Parade Passes By.” Shina Mitchell starred as Dolly Gallagher Levi.

Siggy Bijou played the role of hat maker Irene Molloy.

Right: The role of Minnie Fay was played by Luci Dunham.

T

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

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Male cast members held their hands over their hearts as they sang, “It Takes a Woman.”

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Chris Clark took on the role of Horace Vandergelder.

he Dr. Phillips High theater magnet’s latest production — “Hello, Dolly!” — brought audiences to turn-of-the-century New York to tell a classic tale of love. The show, which ran Feb. 13 to 16, follows the story of socialiteturned-matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi as she finds a match of the miserly Horace Vandergelder. The two journey to New York City so Levi can introduce Vandergelder to his match, but he’s not the only one who is looking for love in the big city.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

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ow far are you willing to go for the love of your life? Would you travel to the depths of the underworld in an effort to rescue her? Such is the tale of Windermere High theater’s latest production, “Eurydice,” which ran from Feb. 13 to 16. The play follows the story between a girl named Eurydice and a man named Orpheus and the lengths a person would go for the one that they love.

— ERIC GUTIERREZ

Eurydice, played by Lara Martinez, was greeted by the Chorus of Stones when she arrived at the underworld.

Jonathan Stephens played the role of Loud Stone.

Aryan Cheruvattath played Little Stone.

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Lara Martinez, left, starred as Eurydice, and Miguel Gil played Orpheus.

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FEBRUARY 27, 2020

HIGH

SPORTS

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In Olympia baseball’s 10-0 thrashing of Osceola on the diamond Saturday, Feb. 22, junior catcher Mason Wilson led the way for the Titans; he went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI. The Titans (3-0) also got a big night from senior outfielder/pitcher, who hit a home run and three RBI. The win moved the Titans to 3-0 on the season.

2

The Dr. Phillips softball team dominated Jones in a shortened game. The Panthers won 19-3 in five innings of play Thursday, Feb. 20. The Panthers (2-0) enjoyed big nights from a handful of players, including Jordan Hartman — who went 2-for-3 in four plate appearances, with three RBI and one run. Cassidy Mills added two RBI on 3-for-4 hitting while also accounting for two runs.

3

In Foundation Academy baseball’s 11-1 win over CFCA in just five innings, the Lions saw an impressive performance from freshman Braden Holcomb. He went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two runs and two RBI in the victory. Sophomore Tyler Pilson added an RBI on a 2-for-2 night for the Lions (2-0).

4

After beating Osceola to claim the district title on Valentine’s Day, the Windermere boys basketball team continued its strong season as the Wolverines pushed past Osceola in a 69-55 win in the Class 7A, Region 2 quarterfinals Thursday, Feb. 20. Junior guard Kanye Jones led the way for the Wolverines with 22 points on the night, while junior point guard Trey Moss picked up 20 points. The win moved Windermere to 20-8 on the season.

5

In West Orange High baseball’s 18-0 win over Wekiva Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Warriors saw a plethora of offense; 10 players picked up at least one RBI. Ricky Reeth and Maxx Moya led the way for the Warriors with two RBI apiece — Reeth went 1-for-1 and accounted for three runs, while Moya went 2-for-2 and accounted for one

Hope Van der riet has emerged as a leader for the Foundation Academy girls tennis team. Page 12.

Former WOHS athletic director John Boston dies From 1985 to his retirement in 2013, Boston served multiple roles in the West Orange High School athletic department.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

The West Orange High School community is mourning the loss of a beloved school icon in the passing of former Athletic Director John Boston.

Early morning Friday, Feb. 21, the news broke that Boston — who had been battling prostate cancer — had died at the age of 72. For those close to him, it felt like Boston should have had little

more time, but they still appreciate the memory of a man who had a positive influence on the community.

“First of all, he was very caring and would do anything for any of his students that he had as a coach — he would take them on college visits, or just anything he could do to help them be better with their lives,” said Cheryl Boston, John’s wife. “He was a true Warrior as far as West Orange High School went — any-

Courtesy photo

John Boston will be remembered in a celebration of life event some time at the end of March.

thing for the school, he did.”

If there was one person who really represented his school well, it was John Boston, Cheryl Boston said.

John Boston first arrived to West Orange High School in 1985 and taught math, served as the head boys cross-country coach and as an assistant on the boys basketball team. It was that year when John Boston and former longtime coach Bill Chambers first met — the two became best friends almost instantly.

“We were in pre-planning (and) just kind of hit it off, because we’re both from Ohio — I was from Toledo and he was from Lorain,” Chambers said. “We had our problems, because I’m a Michigan fan and he was a big Ohio State fan.”

Not only was John Boston a huge fan of The Ohio State — John Boston would always emphasize SEE BOSTON PAGE 12

FIRST OF HER NAME Troy Herring

By signing on to wrestle at Limestone College in South Carolina, West Orange High’s Caroline Schmitt became the first female wrestler in school history to make her way to the collegiate level in her sport.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

W

hen Caroline Schmitt sat by herself at the table in front of her friends and teammates, all she could think about was how happy she was that this moment was finally here.

It was Tuesday, Feb. 18, and in the library at West Orange High School, she was the lone signee who was being celebrated during a National Signing Day event.

For an athlete, signing with a college is a big step for all of the obvious reasons. Although, if you ask Schmitt, she is just glad the recruiting process is over.

“It was definitely a relief to find a school that was the right fit, and the coach is the right fit, and it felt like a relief that I had a college

set up for me — somewhere to go after this,” Schmitt said. “I knew I didn’t want to end my wrestling journey — I wanted to continue wrestling.”

The act of signing — while significant in its own right — is made even bigger when you step back and look at what Schmitt had actually accomplished. With the swift stroke of a pen, Schmitt became the first female wrestler in school history to make it to the collegiate level.

Outside of Schmitt’s own parents, no one was more excited for her than Kristen Iannuzzi — the wrestling team’s head coach.

“It’s exciting for me, having been a female wrestler back when it wasn’t as popular,” Iannuzzi said. “There were only a few programs when I wrestled.

There is no one more deserving — honestly — than Caroline is, and it’s just exciting for the whole program.”

ONE OF THE GUYS

When Schmitt arrived at WOHS, there was one thing she was certain of — she wanted to play a sport.

She thought about trying out for softball but decided that she’d be cut pretty quickly. Then, she found fliers for a new girls wrestling team, which was to hold its practices at the ninth-grade campus.

“We were a small group of girls — I want to say there were eight of us — and we started out with this other coach, and we didn’t SEE SCHMITT PAGE 12

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Hope van der Riet As a sophomore at Foundation Academy, Hope Van der riet plays on Line 2 in singles and doubles play for the Lions girls tennis team.

Although she describes herself as being not competitive, her passion for the sport on and off the court have led to her being a leader on the team.

How did you first get into playing tennis?

I think two-and-a-half years ago, and my cousin played. My cousin is my best friend, so I started playing, and now here I am.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Foundation Academy YEAR: Sophomore AGE: 16 SPORT: Tennis DOMINANT HAND: Right

What has kept you in the sport the last few years?

I play with my granddad and my cousin, and they lived in Virginia and so they moved down to Florida. We go to different schools, so that’s how we would hang out — because we would be coached together — and so now we are the same skill level, so we play each other a lot. She gets better, then I have to get better, you know?

And so now I’m motivated to get better, because she plays at her school and I play at mine — she plays at West Orange.

a couple of my good friends that I’ve been friends with before playing tennis are on the team, too, so that’s kind of cool. Last year, I was OK, but I lost a lot of my matches.

This year, we are on a winning streak right now — it’s cool to see the improvement from last year to this year.

Coming into this season, did you have any goals in mind that you — or the team — wanted to accomplish?

When we’re in the offseason, it’s off and on — sometimes we play, sometimes we don’t really play — so kind of getting back into it and now I want to see, especially from last year, the comparisons. Last year, especially the first couple of games, we were not very good.

But this year, we have played three games so far (as the girls team) and we have won all of them. Last year at districts, we did so badly, but seeing where we get there this year, and I already feel like our team is doing better.

You started at Foundation last year, which also was the first year the school offered tennis. What’s that like to be a part of a young program?

It was pretty cool. It was a little disorganized at first, and there were a lot of us — there were a couple of people who were pretty good, and a lot of people who were like, ‘Oh tennis, sounds cool.’ But then, once we started getting into matches, it got more organized and stuff. Honestly, the biggest thing was I got to meet a lot of people — I made friends with a lot of people (who) I wouldn’t have been friends with.

Do you prefer doubles or singles play?

I love being at the net and playing doubles, because I’m really tall — I’m six feet — so whenever I’m at doubles, I don’t have to worry about the ball going past me because there is someone back there that can hit it. In singles, if I go to the net, I’m not confident, because they lob it over me, then I miss.

What has been your favorite thing about playing tennis at Foundation?

I love playing tennis — it’s just so much fun for me.

I’m not particularly competitive — it’s kind of just like, ‘Woo, yay’ — but

— TROY HERRING

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Boston remembered CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

the “The” in conversations — but he also was a passionate fan of the game of basketball. He played basketball — as well as baseball and football — at Avon High School before playing the sport at Malone College (now Malone University) in Canton, Ohio.

After graduating and being drafted into the Army, John Boston began his career in coaching at a few schools throughout his home state before making his way down to Florida where he found the opening at West Orange.

A few years following his arrival, John Boston took over as the head coach of the boys basketball team where he coached his son, Chris, for three years before being handed the title of athletic director in 1993. The change of position didn’t come easy, as John Boston was wanting to coach his son for his final season at the school.

“One of his biggest joys was coaching his son,” Cheryl Boston said. “When it came time for him to become the athletic director, Chris told him, ‘I’ll be fine, just go ahead and do it’ — he was sort of torn as to whether he wanted to step down from coaching to become the athletic director.”

John Boston was inducted into the Metro Conference Hall of Fame in 1999 before retiring in 2013. The stories and memories throughout the years still play through the minds of the people who knew him best — including Phyllis Brown Boston.

Though she isn’t related to

the Bostons, Phyllis Brown Boston has long seen John Boston as a best friend and confidant, and it actually was John Boston who hired her onboard in 1997 to serve partly as a cheer coach.

John Boston was a mentor who taught her everything she knew about sports, she said.

She no longer coaches, Phyllis Brown Boston still works at the school, where she serves a multipurpose role — mentoring students and assisting the principal.

“He’s the biggest-, kindesthearted person,” Phyllis Brown Boston said. “If you asked him for a favor, if it was within his means, that man was going to make sure it happened for you — and that’s students as well as adults. He was the genuine deal … he was all about the kids and trying to make them successful — he spent so many hours here, and it was unbelievable.”

The hours that John Boston dedicated to the school — which included some days that started at 6 a.m. and didn’t end until

“He’s the biggest-, kindest-hearted person. If you asked him for a favor, if it was within his means, that man was going to make sure it happened for you — and that’s students as well as adults. He was the genuine deal …”

— Phyllis Brown Boston

11:30 p.m. — were a testament to his love for those around him.

And his reach went beyond athletics, too, as John Boston was a big proponent of the agriculture program at the school.

Throughout his adult life, John Boston had a love for his cattle and horses and shared a ranch with Rick Stotler — another Ohio native — who served as an ag teacher at the school from 1980 to 2006.

“He really got me more involved with the cattle end of it, and we kind of owe the whole animal program to the fact that he got me interested in cattle,” Stotler said. “He was always working with us and was involved with the ag kids — anything they needed or we needed, he would (help with).”

John Boston will be remembered with a celebration of life event sometime at the end of March at West Orange High School — that was a wish that he and Cheryl Boston had talked about before his passing, Cheryl Boston said.

And there’s another — nonofficial — movement of remembering the late John Boston: Many in the community wish to have the school rename the gym on the West Orange campus after John Boston, Stotler said.

It would be a fitting tribute to a man who loved his school and basketball.

“He would love that, if that could happen,” Cheryl Boston said. “I know my son and I would be so proud of that. I know he touched a lot of lives — there’s no words that describe the feeling you get when you see what people really think about him.”

Schmitt makes history CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

even really know what we were doing,” Schmitt said. “We were in a multipurpose room with a small mat. Then, eventually, we moved over to the boys practices, and that’s where it got more intense.”

During her freshman year, Schmitt didn’t win a single match, but she remembers how — despite being new to the sport — she never was nervous, because there were no expectations.

Things changed dramatically going into her sophomore year; every girl from the previous year either graduated or transferred over to Windermere High School. She was left as the lone girl participating alongside the boys. Luckily for Schmitt, a few

girls joined the program toward the end of her high school career.

In that second year, Schmitt made drastic improvements in her performance. But with those improvements came expectations. And with those came, of course, the nerves.

Schmitt won on and off throughout the season before ending her year by placing at Metros. There, she realized wrestling could offer her a future.

“That kind of fueled me to want to play at other tournaments, too,” Schmitt said. “I was like, ‘I can do this now, and I want that medal.’ That kind of drove me throughout the rest of junior year, and I started going to more summer training camps and training on my own, too.”

After finishing last season by

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placing fifth at the state meet, Schmitt traveled in July 2019 to South Carolina to attend a 10-day recruiting camp at Limestone. She refined her skills and learned about the first-year program and the coach.

“I told her midway through the camp that I liked her and that I really wanted to wrestle for her,” Schmitt said. “She was just honored that I told her that.”

Schmitt signing isn’t only a big deal for herself but also a tremendous opportunity for a new program such as Limestone to have a wrestler of her caliber, Iannuzzi said.

“She’s the ideal wrestler, and any coach would be grateful for the opportunity to have a team full of athletes like her,” Iannuzzi said. “Limestone is very fortunate to have her.”

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Foundation’s new lax team scores first win SPORTS EDITOR

There are a lot of firsts that come with starting a new program.

The first team, the first goal and the first game are among a laundry list of firsts. But often, it’s the first win that comes with the most anxiety and excitement, said Foundation Academy head lacrosse coach Victor Rodriguez.

The buildup to the win can be a lot, and it’s best to just get it out of the way. Luckily for the Lions’ first-year boys lacrosse program, it happened quickly. The Lions took out Discovery High School 10-8 in what happened to also be the first home game in school history Friday, Feb. 21.

“I’m ecstatic — I knew we had to win this game, because even though the boys did good on Monday, there is nothing like having that win going into the week,” Rodriguez said. “I’m proud of them, I’m excited for them and now that we have this win we’re looking to roll into another one.”

That first game was the 22-10 defeat the Lions suffered Monday, Feb. 17, against Winter Haven High School. Despite the loss in their first game, the Lions saw four different players score and a six-goal night from Sam Zagame.

But last Friday, it was all about the Lions. They stormed out to a

7-3 lead they never relinquished — despite a late run by the Spartans.

“It’s cool that it’s the first one for the school,” said Zagame, who scored four goals and handed out two assists on the night. “To be a part of that is pretty cool.”

Helping Zagame was Travis Hutchison (three goals), Jimmy George (two) and Jacob Graziotti (one).

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Coming into this first year, Rodriguez knew he would not be working with a lot of experience — though that may be a bit of an understatement.

Out of those on the team’s 20-man roster, 14 are either in the eighth or ninth grade and have zero experience playing high school lacrosse. One player starting the game fresh is Graziotti who — before picking up a lacrosse stick just a couple of weeks ago — joined the team after his father asked him to give it a shot. So far, it has been a good experience, he said.

“I used to play hockey, so it’s kind of similar, but after practice, I can see the progress — it’s pretty fun,” Graziotti said. “In hockey, you’re able to roam wherever you want, so it’s kind of hard to get used to staying in that box — sometimes coming out, sometimes not — but besides that it is pretty similar.”

Tryouts and the first practices

13

Left: Dom Zagame battled a Spartan defender.

The Lions’ boys lacrosse team won its first game in program history against Discovery High School.

TROY HERRING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Below: Sam Zagame, right, celebrated with Jacob Graziotti after scoring a goal.

Photos by Troy Herring

for the team were just two weeks ago, and with a team so young, Rodriguez has focused on the basics — including the rules, where players need to be on the field and how to pass correctly.

“The big thing is that we are focusing directly on all the fundamentals,” Rodriguez said. “My coaching style is focusing on fundamentals and the basics, and I plan on consistently doing that.

But what I’m doing also is giving the kids just little bits at a time so they can chew on it and get it. …

I’m sticking to one or two simple formations until they figure it all out.”

Although the youth make up a majority of the team, Rodriguez has a couple of players who do have experience out on the field.

He looks to those guys — such as Zagame, who has played the game for years — to act as leaders.

“I have to help lead the team and help encourage them all — they’re doing really good, though, for their first year,” Zagame said.

And of all things going on with the team right now, Rodriguez said its inexperience actually can be an advantage. With a group of young players, he has guys with no bad habits. There’s also having the ability to simply have guys stick around for years to help build a foundation.

“I only have one senior, so next

year, I should be running pretty much the same team, with a few additions,” Rodriguez said.

“In three years, a majority of my team will have played together on the varsity level for three years.

The greatest thing about this — (because) we are a young team — the future is looking really bright for what we have out there.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Feb. 17, 1966 The Central Florida Fair has been a staple in Central Florida for decades. In 1966, the fair was advertised in The Winter Garden Times and offered folks 12 days and nights of thrilling rides and exciting exhibits and shows.

Fair attendees could enjoy a battle of the bands; James Strates shows; antique cars; horse, garden, boat and aquarium shows; fireworks; and hundreds of exhibits.

For years, the cities of Winter Garden and Ocoee provided materials for the municipal displays.

75 years ago

The Winter Garden Welfare League held its monthly meetings at the war nursery school, which was the league’s major project. It also sponsored a benefit party at the Edgewater Hotel.

50 years ago

Jacob S. Reddick, prominent West Orange businessman and Tildenville grocery merchant, was shot to death during an attempted armed robbery.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

45 years ago

Sterling Butler, who lived on North Lakeview Avenue in Winter Garden, was honored by Knapp King-Size Corporation of Brockton, Massachusetts.

He received a lapel pin signifying his membership in the five years of Knapp Service Club.

40 years ago

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Janis Spicer donated this photo of employees working at the Winter Garden Citrus Products Cooperative. The massive complex, also referred to as “the juice plant,” was constructed on Ninth Street along the Tavares & Gulf Railroad tracks in east Winter Garden. A comprehensive history of the co-op ran in the April 1960 industry publication Quick Frozen Foods.

“Founded in 1950 when Florida’s concentrate industry accounted for a very small portion of the state’s fresh fruit crop,” the article stated. “Winter Garden Citrus Products Cooperative had paced the industry until today it stands unchallenged as the world’s largest frozen orange cooperative.”

Can anyone help identify these women? Call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244.

A heavyset young white male attempted to rob McClungs The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and 5-10-25 store at 10:40 a.m. Feb. architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also 13 at 15 E. Plant St. Two hours preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on later, the robbery suspect was the community’s rich history. arrested by Lt. R.G. Little.

The Ladies Guild of Holy Family Catholic Church did a Starting with our next issue, good job of convincing Father turned the first shovels of dirt 30 years ago our new Ocoee columnist will Joseph Harte that it was to be over to mark the groundbreakMovies-to-Go was advertising This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers be Mary Anne Swickerath. Con- free membership and offered only a potluck dinner — but it ing of a major development in Puzzle One Solution: tact her if you have any news was a surprise celebration of the city. The golf community a coupon special for renting a “Success is a beast ... puts the emphasis of happenings in and around his 50th birthday. movie and getting another free. of Stoneybrook West will be on the wrong thing. You get away with Ocoee. She will come to see constructed on Black Lake, bemore instead of looking within.” you on her bicycle. tween Avalon Road and County 20 years ago – Brad Pitt Road 535.

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LV11097 LV11097

Dave Dave Becker Becker

SOUTHWEST ORANGE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

DOWN

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Engagement-ending exchange 5 ___ longue 11 Circumstance’s partner 15 It merged with QVC 18 Collect, as rewards 19 Lodger 20 Far from for 22 TASTE 24 Like some lawns 25 “Preach, man!”

26 You can flip flapjacks in one 27 Wise people 28 Rap pioneer Mac ___

29 RESIST 35 Critters in mazes 39 Skiing category 40 Lead-in to gender 41 Org. fighting discrimination 42 Decreases 44 “Parks and Recreation” character Swanson 45 Texting format letters 48 CAPE 51 Venture that’s unlikely to succeed 53 Barbie’s boyfriend 54 Boots endorsed by Tom Brady 55 Beyonce, for Blue Ivy

56 Sport with horses 57 ___ Sutra 59 Influences creatively 64 Actor McGregor 65 Play group?

67 AND 70 Hundred ___ Wood 71 Dog food brand 72 Opposite of a group setting 73 Spanish “other” 75 Dessert also known as creme caramel 76 Waste away 77 Like snails 79 Spanish Mrs. 82 iPhone conversation

1 Roth or traditional plan 2 Place to order a hero 3 Vow 4 Complete as fast as possible, as a video game 5 Dodgers slugger Bellinger 6 Assails 7 Sculptures and such 8 Muckraker Tarbell 9 Word before “the table” or “the stage” 10 Palindromic poetic preposition 11 Thanksgiving Day tradition 12 Kilns, e.g.

13 Enero or febrero 14 Urgent 15 Natural lawn divider 16 Direct, as a car 17 Silent approvals 19 Flat hat 21 Does an usher’s job 23 ___ avis 26 Low-tech clickers?

30 Sting source option 31 “Casablanca” heroine 85 RITE 90 Body part whose name 32 Design detail, informally 33 Spork prong sounds like an assent 34 Image you might tap 91 British naval inits.

35 Deficiency 92 Landlocked Andean 36 Feeling after doing country pullups 93 “Doing that now” 94 Grp. that gives out maps 37 Taylor Swift hit with the lyric “And I’ll write your 95 This evening, on a name” marquee 38 Endless chore 96 Get by trickery 43 Right side of a cliff?

99 RAGES 103 Yellow bill in Monopoly 44 Lady Montague’s son 45 Highlighting 104 Accumulate 46 Wisdom tooth, for one 105 “Yippee!”

47 ___ Age (prehistoric 106 It’s a gift, per a rosy

period) 49 Chew on this 50 “My word!”

51 Entrepreneur Greiner 52 Thrown weapon 55 Tick’s cousin 58 What to do on Yom Kippur 59 Tag declaration 60 Trail mix tidbit 61 Nickname that’s an alphabet run 62 Flower child’s digs 63 Hoity-toity type 65 ___ mocha 66 Assuage 68 Social standards 69 Balm ingredient 74 Defunct carrier 77 ___ Lanka 78 Banana bread buy 80 Muddy up 81 Start the pot 83 “No more, sorry” 84 “Pretty. Freaking powerful.” computer 85 Half a salad bowl tool 86 “Would ___ to you?”

87 Actress Moreno 88 At any point 89 Way of swaying 92 Kind of image that may be positive 94 Window alternative 95 Started to cry, with “up” 97 “The ___ & Scratchy Show” 98 Soda whose name sounds like a kind of sock 99 Dessert you assemble yourself 100 Walks in a kiddie pool 101 “Laughing” scavenger 102 Note on a plagiarized essay, maybe 104 Bohemian 107 Boss’s “Chop-chop!”

108 At the summit of 109 2020, but not 20/20 111 Compete 112 Chem. or biol.

113 Solo flight captain?

114 College-level H.S. courses 115 Stroke gently 116 Like some religious counties

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“CTZZFCC XC W PFWCN ... MTNC NUF FAMUWCXC GK NUF LJGKY NUXKY. OGT YFN WLWO LXNU AGJF XKCNFWR GB DGGIXKY LXNUXK.” – PJWR MXNN “U OB OD ONKVA, U TV O BVWUI, KYOK’H KYI IDT VG UK. CVX YOWI KV AIOFURI SI OAI PXHK NFVSDH GVA

– FIVDOATV TUNOLAUV

YUAI.”

Puzzle Two Clue: R equals Z

adage 110 Australian tennis great 112 PHASE 117 Forest fringe 118 New Jersey beach featuring “diamonds” 119 Apt crowd sound at a Lions game?

120 Affirmative reply 121 Be in first 122 Like a good marching band 123 Grand Ole ___

Puzzle One Clue: I equals K

by Brian Gubin; CROSSWORD MIX-UPS Edited by David Steinberg

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©2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

02-27-20