02.27.20 West Orange Times & Observer

W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &

Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

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VOLUME 87, NO. 9

Ocoee votes to sell land

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Winter Garden’s fountain is getting a fresh look. 3.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Shake, rattle & roll!

SunRidge Elementary’s PTO threw a nifty Sock Hop dance. PAGE 11.

TAKING ROOT

The city will resell an unused portion land along Hackney Prairie Road for $360,000.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Winter Garden’s Bloom & Grow Garden Society and Cherrylake Tree Farm partnered with other organizations to plant 1,000 bald cypress trees at Tucker Ranch.

A year after the city of Ocoee purchased property on Hackney Prairie Road for stormwater mitigation, city leaders have voted to resell a portion of it.

During the Feb. 18 commission meeting, Ocoee leaders voted to sell 1.91 acres of the property, located at 8815 Hackney Prairie Road.

According to city documents, SEE LAND PAGE 6

YOUR TOWN

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.

Tickets are $20 for the movie only at 7 p.m. and $50 for VIP passes, which include a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Rotary Club Medical Equipment Bank has provided equipment, on loan, to families in need of items such as walkers and wheelchairs.

Register at eventbrite. com and search for the Glen Campbell movie.

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

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Police investigating tree removals in Oakland Park More than a dozen trees were reportedly cut down within the community near Lake Apopka.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

A Winter Garden Police Department detective is searching for the person or people who cut down 14 trees without authorization in the Oakland Park neighborhood earlier this month.

According to a notice from the Oakland Park Homeowner’s

Association, a routine inspection Thursday, Feb. 13, revealed the trees were cut down near the walking trail off the bank of Lake Apopka by the east shore retention pond.

The damage occurred at some point after 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to the statement.

SEE HOA PAGE 4

SPORTS

GLEN CAMPBELL STORY AT GARDEN THEATRE

BARRIER BROKEN Caroline Schmitt made history at West Orange High as the first female wrestler to make it to the collegiate level.

SEE PAGE 13.

YOUR CALENDAR

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PROUD HERITAGE EXHIBIT OPENING 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. Celebrate with the city the opening of “A Proud Heritage: Leading Winter Garden’s Historical African American Community Into the Future.” The city, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Peter Schreyer of the Crealdé School of Art have partnered to update the original 1998 photo documentary “Small Town Orange County: The Central Florida Communities of South Apopka, Bithlo, East Winter Garden, and Taft,” a project of Orange County Government and the Crealdé School of Art. (407) 656-4111.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

JAZZ IN THE TOWN CENTER 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the Oakland Town Center, 230 N. Tubb St. Hosted by the town of Oakland and HAPCO Music Foundation. Enjoy an evening of live smooth jazz with the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensembles.

(407) 656-1117.

LET’S CROCHET AMIGURUMI LOVE BIRDS 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Crochet cute amigurumi stuffed toys. Learn the basics of amigurumi, including crocheting 3D shapes in the round and embroidering facial features. Students are required to take tools and yarn. (407) 835-7323.

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 scholar-

FINANCING AVAILABLE

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

ships. Tickets start at $90 and are available at one.bidpal.net.

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.

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

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1 6 p.m. Mondays, March 2 through 30, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Learn basic skills used to communicate with the deaf or

hard of hearing. Explore finger spelling, basic communication skills, introduction to deaf culture and vocabulary.

Recommended for preschoolers.

Registration is required at (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.

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

96TH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocoee, 4 N. Lakewood Drive, Ocoee. Lunch catered by Marge Johnstone, Jesse Taylor Catering. Enjoy a purse auction, door prizes, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. $20. For tickets, call (407) 230-8782 or (407) 865-2865.

COMPLETELY UNCHAINED – VAN HALEN TRIBUTE 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Showcase WG, 12100 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. Rock with this 2019 Battle of the Rock Tribute Bands winner. Tickets are $18 in advance, $24 at the door.

(407) 347-9914; showcasewg. com.

KALEIDOSCOPE ART EXHIBITION 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Oakland Manor House, 620 N. Tubb St. Featured artists are Marlene London, Crystal Dombrosky, Violeta Militaru and Sara Burr; contributing artists will be on display, as well. Enjoy light snacks and wine. Event is free.

RSVP at (407) 614-8219.

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12403 West Colonial Dr • Winter Garden, FL 34787

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County to install smoke alarms

Improvements have been made to the water fountain in Winter Garden’s Centennial Plaza.

Amy Quesinberry

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

T

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. For information, visit ocfrd.com.

Ocoee police to implement HVE to weather and use, water features require occasional refurbishments to keep them in peak operating condition.

“A number of issues had surfaced over time that could not be resolved with general maintenance,” Caines said. “There were cracks in the upper precast sections, (and) a few of the decorative panels surrounding the base structure had deteriorated with reinforcement wire showing and rusting. On the upper levels of the fountain, the mosaic tiles had also deteriorated, and the interior floor needed to be sealed and recoated.”

Alex McCulloch, of McCulloch Masonry and Construction, said his crew recast all the damaged precast concrete decorative pieces and rehabilitated the interior of the fountain basin “to revitalize it and give it a brand-new, fresh look.”

The fountain was losing five gallons each day through cracks that had formed in the concrete, said Denis Richardson, of Richco.

“The bottom of the fountain was appalling,” he said.

His team added a 1 1/2-inch epoxy resin and then sealed it with another special resin. The interior is a sparkling aqua blue again, and the fountain will no longer leak.

Tina LaVallee, owner of Tilden-

ville Marketplace, was contracted to work on the mosaic tiles depicting the citrus packing labels. Several other people volunteered their time for the project and worked alongside LaVallee.

She said every one of the label images needed some sort of touchup. She spent an entire day replacing the missing mosaic pieces, and then she worked on the two that were damaged and had to be replaced.

For this project, she obtained glass in 13 different colors and cut them to size to blend the old with the new on the mosaics. LaVallee added a dot of glue to each small piece of glass and positioned it by hand with tweezers. When the label designs were completed, she bonded them with grout.

LaValee said she is excited to be part of the crew working on the fountain.

“I was around working on the Edgewater Hotel, refurbishing it, when the fountain came in, so I’ve been a part of many restorations in the Winter Garden area,” she said.

“So this one feels natural for me to be involved in. … For me, this was just a perfect fit.”

Caines said the fountain should be up and running again by the first week of March, subject to weather.

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lec E e R

VOTE MARCH 17TH Political advertisement paid for and approved by Lisa Bennett for Winter Garden Commissioner, non-partisan.

Courtesy photo

Top: Alex McCulloch of McCulloch Masonry and Construction; volunteer Sara Bourgaize; artist Tina LaVallee; and Denis Richardson of Richco all played a role in the refurbishing of the downtown Winter Garden fountain in Centennial Plaza.

Above: An aerial view of the downtown Winter Garden fountain in Centennial Plaza shows the water feature after its cleanup and resurfacing.

Amy Quesinberry

With Orange County ranked in the top 25 counties in the state for traffic crashes involving serious and fatal injuries to bicyclists and pedestrians, the Ocoee Police Department is hoping it can help improve these statistics.

Ocoee Police Deputy Chief Saima Plasencia said the department will begin implementing High Visibility Enforcement Details, or HVE, Feb. 28 through May 1.

The goal with increased police visibility and enforcement is to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of both bicyclists and pedestrians.

Plasencia said enforcement efforts will focus primarily on educating drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists; however, traffic violations could result in warnings or citations, depending on the circumstance.

Ocoee police will conduct HVE on Silver Star Road from Bowness Avenue to Coventry Lane, as well as on West Colonial Drive from State Road 429 to Good Homes Road.

Artist Tina LaVallee spent hours working on each citrus label mosaic.

Preserving Winter Garden’s Traditions Maintaining safe streets, schools and neighborhoods.

Being fiscally responsible with budgeting and taxes.

Listening and prioritizing citizen input.

Protecting Winter Garden’s charm, quality of life, and preserving city traditions.

139 N Highland Ave, Winter Garden, FL 34787 I (321) 948-9296 I BennettforDistrict1@gmail.com

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Courtesy photo

Artist Tina LaVallee created templates of the citrus labels to arrange the mosaic tile pieces before affixing them to the exterior of the actual fountain.

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NEWS BRIEFS

FOUNTAIN FACELIFT he iconic fountain in downtown Winter Garden is taking a break for a few weeks, but when it resumes the water flow, residents and visitors will see a marked improvement in its appearance.

Three local businesses — McCulloch Masonry and Construction, Richco, and Tildenville Marketplace — have been working to refurbish the popular photo backdrop on Plant Street.

The city of Winter Garden hired McCulloch to manage the project, and that firm retained the artist and subcontractors, said Michael Caines, Fleet and Facilities Division manager for Winter Garden.

The contracted cost was $88,000, and the project was a budgeted item paid for from the city’s General Fund.

The fountain was constructed in 2002. Because of general exposure

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

1,000 trees to leave a legacy DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

I

n the year 3020, visitors to Winter Garden’s Tucker Ranch might walk among bald cypress trees that will have just turned 1,000 years old.

That’s because the Bloom & Grow Garden Society, the city of Winter Garden, Healthy West Orange and Cherrylake Tree Farm recently partnered to plant 1,000 trees in the 209-acre recreational park and nature preserve.

The 1,000 trees were planted by more than 200 local volunteers Saturday, Feb. 22, as part of the 1,000 Trees for 1,000 Years initiative. The movement stems from Cherrylake in Groveland, a 1,000-acre nursery and tree farm that grows trees for the industry statewide, as well as in the Southeast and Northeast regions of the United States.

With the help of those volunteers and support of various companies and organizations, the Bloom & Grow Garden Society was able to plant 999 trees in just a couple of hours. A few hours later, city staff and local leaders joined in a ceremonial planting of the 1,000th tree — a symbol of the dedication to conservation and promise of many years to come.

ROOM TO GROW

Timothee Sallin, president of Cherrylake, said the initiative exists as a way to encourage communities to come together and take action to plant trees — specifically species of trees that will live for thousands of years.

“To find places like this that are lands of conservation so we have a good chance that these trees will last and live for a thousand years, we believe that it’s important to give people the opportunity to plant trees because people love to do that,” Sallin said. “They get really excited about it, they bring their kids out, it’s something that’s really tangible, you get your hands dirty. We also want to encourage people to stretch their thinking longitudinally, to think about a future 1,000 years from now.

“When you connect yourself to 1,000 years from now by planting those trees ... it’s a way to encourage optimism and thinking about how we can take action right now in our community to make an impact for our environment,” Sallin said.

Cherrylake has partnered previously with the St. Johns River Water Management District and

“This action was not approved by the HOA, as this is a conservation area and the removal of the trees is prohibited,” the statement read. “This type of trespass and damage to a designated conservation area is a serious violation in Oakland Park.”

Because the conservation easement is on association property, the HOA now will have to replace the trees, according to the notice.

The HOA also could be subject to significant penalties and fines.

A police report has been filed with the Winter Garden Police Department, and the matter is currently under investigation by a detective. According to the report, the incident took place in the area

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1,000 TREES FOR 1,000 YEARS

Cherrylake Tree Farm started this initiative a few years ago with the hopes of both improving the health of our natural communities and planting trees that could be alive 1,000 years from now.

Cherrylake and the Bloom & Grow Garden Society both encourage other communities interested in the movement to reach out to them at cherrylake.com/1000trees or bloomandgrowsociety.org for more information and to find out how they, too, can plant 1,000 trees for 1,000 years. You can also call Cherrylake at (352) 429-2171.

Keep Lake Beautiful to plant 1,000 trees along the north shore of Lake Apopka. It also has partnered with plantings in New Orleans, Sarasota and Montverde.

Katy Moss Warner, a member of Bloom & Grow and chair of the event, said the organization has maintained a tree fund due to its interest in investing in trees locally. Having known Sallin for a while now, Warner decided to present the 1,000 Trees for 1,000 Years project to fellow members.

“Essentially it was 1,000 trees for 1,000 years for $1,000,” Warner said. “We decided that we would plant these trees. What we didn’t know was that the community really wanted to rally around this project, and I wasn’t necessarily prepared for that, the enthusiasm that would happen as a result.”

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society, city of Winter Garden and Cherrylake together decided to plant bald cypress trees. It’s a

Danielle Hendrix

Winter Garden Commissioner Lisa Bennett, Mayor John Rees, Police Chief Steve Graham, Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey, Winter Garden commissioners Bob Buchanan and Mark Maciel, and City Manager Mike Bollhoefer were happy to be part of planting the 1,000th tree.

native Florida species that tolerates both very wet and dry conditions, and it is known to live for thousands of years.

“One of the reasons we locally know — and the idea that they live to be 1,000 years is reinforced — is because in Sanford we have Big Tree Park,” Warner said.

“Big Tree Park had two very old cypress trees. One was called the Senator, and it was reputed to be 3,500 years old. There’s another tree called the Lady Liberty that’s reputed to be 2,000 years old.

The Senator was the largest tree east of the Mississippi and it stood 118 feet tall. However, in 2012, the Senator was destroyed after a woman caused a fire while sitting inside the hollowed-out tree.

But the Lady Liberty continues to stand tall, and the tree’s reputation for longevity made it the perfect candidate for the planting.

“The other reason for bald cypress is that it’s a keystone species for our Florida ecosystems,” Sallin added. “They establish the environment for hundreds of other species to thrive. So when you have bald cypress, you bring in turtles, alligators, all kinds of species of birds and butterflies and other pollinators and plants that thrive because of the environment that the bald cypress creates with its roots and its canopy.

“Bald cypress also plays a very important role in stabilizing our shorelines and in cleansing the water because they grow at the

edge of the water,” he said. “They have a very important environmental contribution to make, and we want to do what we can to encourage healthy ecosystems in our community.”

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. However, it also takes a village to plant 1,000 trees.

As the community rallied behind Winter Garden, Cherrylake and Bloom & Grow’s efforts, more support flowed into the project.

Warner said Healthy West Orange donated garden gloves; Ace Hardware in Winter Garden donated buckets; Ace Hardware in College Park donated shovels, and the Florida Nursery, Grower; and Landscape Association donated the lanyards and name tags. 4Rivers Smokehouse provided lunch for the volunteers, and Crabtree Inc. designed the event logos and banners. The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation and the Duke Energy Foundation also contributed.

“We want to encourage other communities locally, but also throughout the state and the Southeast, to plant trees and to plant 1,000 trees for 1,000 years,” Sallin said. “We are looking forward to partnering and supporting other communities who want to do the same. This is a way to give back to the community and to inspire people to get out there, plant some trees and dream about the future.”

HOA seeks answers about missing trees CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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of 1194 Union Club Drive, and the party responsible faces potential criminal mischief charges.

Jim Gleason, who has lived in Oakland Park for about eight years, said it’s unfortunate to see someone take down that many trees and without proper approval. Getting new trees of a comparable size won’t be cheap — based on his experience working as the Mascotte city manager in Lake County.

Those trees will easily cost $300 to $400 apiece, he said.

“As an HOA member — collectively, that’s HOA property, that’s part of the park system, the integrated park system that was designed for the community — that’s frustrating,” Gleason said.

“That’s 14 trees that are going to need to be replaced, and that’s

going to come out of our pockets as dues payers, and we already pay a substantial amount every year for the privilege of what they offer us in there. … They’ve added a financial burden to the HOA, and it’s kind of hard to justify why they were removed.”

Whoever was responsible may have been looking to enhance a view of the lake, Gleason said, adding that it’s still a mystery who did it and how they weren’t stopped.

“Having known the residents and everybody around there, we all talk and knew it happened — meaning when it was reported,” he said. “But nobody saw it — nobody heard it. At least I didn’t on my end.

You would think there were chainsaws or something going on, that someone would have heard that.”

Oakland Park resident Will Blaine said many residents living near a lake may be tempted to cut down trees to enhance a view, but it’s still wrong if they aren’t on your property, he said.

“You have to go through the right channels,” Blaine said. “I live on a lake — Lake Brim — and, frankly, it would be nice to take out a few trees for a better view. But you just don’t do it because, one, they’re not your trees and, two, you kind of go into it when you buy the property. That’s what you’ve got.”

Oakland Park is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Winter Garden Police Department at (407) 656-3636.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Ocoee renaming park in honor of Mayor Vandergrift AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Ocoee Little League is holding its opening day ceremonies Saturday, Feb. 29, and although former Mayor Courtesy photo Scott Vandergrift won’t be there, he Mayor Scott Vandergrift was a big certainly will have a presence.

Central Park, located at 560 Flewel- supporter of the Ocoee Little League ling Ave., in the heart of Ocoee’s Little program.

League and Pop Warner fields, is to be renamed Vandergrift Central Park in after a man who devoted over 25 years an official ceremony. The unveiling to the city.” will take place at 9:30 a.m.

Deitrick said Mayor Johnson and The community is invited to attend Commissioner George Oliver III were the ceremony. Mayor Rusty Johnson, instrumental in getting the project off city commissioners and city of Ocoee the ground. staff will be present.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Johnson Two of Vandergrift’s three children said of the park renaming. “Scott was are attending the unveiling, as well a big part of the city, and the big thing as several grandchildren and great- was the Little League at the park. He grandchildren. A grandson, Brent was involved in the Little League, he Deitrick, will throw out the first pitch coached a lot of the little kids back in of the Little League season. the day, and I think it’s something we “Mayor Johnson agreed that the should do.”

Central Park would be perfect because Vandergrift, born March 22, 1940, my father is one of the individuals who was the youngest of five boys. He built the Little League field and was served three years in the U.S. Navy responsible for gaining support of the and worked for 25 years with Bellsouth organization,” said Donna Vandergrift Telephone Company and another 40 Deitrick. as a real estate broker.

“My father would love it,” she said.

Vandergrift’s memberships ran the “He would love that something he gamut, from Ocoee Lions Club and put so much time, energy and money Rotary Club of Ocoee to Friends of into will have his family name on it. Lake Apopka and the Florida League … He had brothers that coached Little of Cities. He was a charter member League there, and it honors not only and past president of the Ocoee Jaymy father but his family. … I’m glad cees, the Ocoee Little League and the I was able to have something named Tri-County League of Cities.

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Land to be sold

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Ocoee purchased the property May 7 for $490,000. City staff determined approximately one acre of that property should be used for stormwater drainage, but the remaining 1.91 acres could be sold or used for a different purpose.

“Several months ago the city purchased the property at Hackney Prairie Road,” said City Attorney Scott Cookson. “It was determined that a portion of the property was needed to fix some drainage in the area and the rest of the property would not be used for the retention. City staff feels we can sell the remaining piece of property.

We received an offer from a potential buyer for $360,000, we’ve entered into a contract with that buyer, and before the closing on the sale of that property, we have to have a public hearing.”

Commissioner George Oliver III asked what the fair market value was on the 1.91 acres that were to be sold.

Assistant City Manager Craig Shadrix said he did not have a specific number on hand, but the city felt the buyer’s offer was a fair deal.

“We received an appraisal for the overall piece when we purchased it, and I don’t have that specific information either … in discussions, and I do recall, we did an appraisal of the land and we felt like this was a fair deal for the amount of acreage that they’re purchasing,” Shadrix said.

City Manager Robert Frank said he believes the original appraisal the city received when it first purchased the land was between $460,000 and $490,000, so they paid within appraisal range.

IN OTHER NEWS n City leaders approved two new appointments to the Ocoee Youth Council. Ocoee residents JoseIvan Martinez and Vincente Rodriguez join five other Ocoeearea students on the board. n The city approved a use agreement with Renaissance Charter School at Crown Point that will allow the school to use donated land for both fundraising activities and providing agricultural education to students. n The city also approved the Ocoee Fire Department’s purchase of four cardiac monitor safety technimounts, as well as a training mannequin. These were purchased with funds from two different grants.

“Part of the impetus for doing that was we knew we could get in there and carve out what we needed to do the stormwater improvements for much cheaper than some of the other options that we have,” Frank said.

“Reprofiling the pond or something like that could have easily cost us a half million to a million dollars, so when we came up with this idea just to get some additional land — knowing it would probably cost us between $100,000 and $150,000 — I think that it just seemed so logical to do that. …There was no question, this was the most economic way to solve the problem.”

“I think, like I said, we’re going to get $360,000 back out of our $490,000, and the $130,000 was what we spent to get the stormwater fixed for the city because it was also causing some problems out there with flooding with the neighborhoods,” Mayor Rusty Johnson said.

City leaders voted 4-1 to sell the land, with Oliver dissenting.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

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

“It’s not something that any of us created. It’s the result of six lines in a bill that went through very quickly and unintentionally resulted in creating a very, very difficult situation for us here in Orange County.”

— Teresa Jacobs, Orange County School Board chair

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. It’s the result of six lines in a bill that went through very quickly and unintentionally resulted in creating a very, very difficult situation for us here in Orange County.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

BACK IN THE MIX

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Dionisio “Dio” Encarnacion is back behind the bar at Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine after being struck by a car in September.

TIM FREED MANAGING EDITOR

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

Five months after a hit-andrun 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 atten-

Tim Freed

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

tion 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 fundraiser 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 sur-

“Honestly, I didn’t expect I would walk again. … For me it’s like a dream come true.”

— Dionisio “Dio” Encarnacion

rounded 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.

Word traveled fast throughout the Hamlin community about Encarnacion’s injuries and journey to recovery. Customers like Michelle Barfield are thrilled to see Encarnacion back.

“I heard what happened, and I was just devastated to hear that …

I was giving best wishes and praying really hard for his recovery, but never in my wildest dreams did I

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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.”

ever believe that he would recover this quickly,” Barfield said. “But considering his positive attitude about life and his energy with everything that he does … it was obvious that he worked really, really hard.”

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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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

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The Orlando Choral Society will perform for a cause at its upcoming Unity Concert.

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“It’s going to be exciting, fun and entertaining,” Redding said. “The Garden Choir, Olympia High’s Bella Voce and Voci del Cuore will be performing, as well.”

Redding said the idea of the Unity Concert came from wanting to give back to the community through the arts.

“I enjoy every single moment of it,” Redding said. “I’m so happy to see it happen.”

While the concert doesn’t have a set theme, all the songs will be focused on aspects like courage, community, unity and love, Redding said.

Janet Christine Le, director of choral activities at Olympia High School, said a unique quality of this year’s Unity Concert is some arrangements written by Redding.

“This year’s concert will have a performance of tenor and bass voices by an all-men’s choir and an alto and soprano performance by an all-women’s choir,” Le said.

She added that most of the songs are about love and unity — that includes a song called “Lineage,” sung by an all-women ensemble. “‘Lineage’ is about our grandmothers and how they raised us to be strong women,” Le said. “It’s powerful and exciting.”

“People can expect a variety of tone colors, styles, ages — high school combined with community,” she said. “I’m excited about the variety.”

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The Orlando Choral Society will be performing with a purpose at its Unity Concert Saturday, Feb. 29, at West Orange High School.

Over the years, the annual Unity Concert by the Orlando Choral Society has functioned as a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations such as Wounded Officers Initiative and Matthew’s Hope.

All of the proceeds from the event will be going to Shepherd’s Hope — a faith-based organization with the mission of helping uninsured and underinsured people receive healthcare.

The nonprofit also “benefits the region’s business community and broader health care system by helping lower the cost of health insurance and unburdening an already strained health care system,” according to the Shepherd’s Hope website.

“Shepherd’s Hope has been giving so much for the community, it’s only fitting we also give to them,” said Jeffery Redding, the founder and artistic and executive director of the Orlando Choral Society.

Redding said the idea of the Winter Garden Choir lived in his mind all the way through his years as a student and his adulthood.

“Working with this choir is lifechanging,” Redding said. “It’s great to serve the community in such a way.”

Redding also works as the director of choral activities at West Orange High School.

His students will be performing, along with students from Olympia High School.

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The Orlando Choral Society will be hosting its Unity Concert Saturday, Feb. 29, to benefit Shepherd’s Hope.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

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.

West Orange High readies for 2020 Warriorthon West Orange High School’s Student Government will be hosting Warriorthon Friday, Feb. 28. This is a fun night in the West Orange High School gym with music, games and food that benefits Children’s Miracle Network, which supports children in local hospitals. All are welcome to come. If you can’t make it and would still like to help support the cause, you can donate by visiting tinyurl.com/ wohswarriorthon.

Tildenville Elementary School to host spirit night Join the Tildenville Elementary family for a fun spirit night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 28, at Gymnastics USA, 13175 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. Cost is $8 for Gymnastics USA members and $12 for non-members, with 15% going to support the PTA. Although the night is an open-gym, “free-play” event, certified coaches will be present to ensure fun and safety. Note there is a special designated area and exclusive coach for 3- to 4-yearold participants. The gym still will be open to the public, and the school encourages parents to stay on site to supervise their children.

TARA WHITMAN

WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL Tara Whitman, West Orange High School’s director of theater, has been an active member in the performing-arts community for more than 20 years.

She is an alumna of West Orange High School and Thespian of Troupe 1983.

Whitman studied theater at Savannah College of Art & Design and then earned her bachelor’s degree in theater studies, with a minor in education from the University of Central Florida.

What do you love most about your school?

I love that West Orange has history. I find myself moved by seeing or hearing traditions that continue from my time as student of West Orange and even before.

What brought you to the school?

I graduated from West Orange in 2002, where I had been welcomed into the theater department and loved every moment I spent there.

After I graduated, I remained involved with the West Orange theater department. Ken Rush hired me to choreograph his musical the following year. He gave me my first professional gig, and my résumé grew. In 2015, my dream came true, when I was able to become the second theater teacher and work alongside Mr. Rush. He retired in 2017, and I’ve held the reins ever since.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

I love working with the thespians and advanced theater students on our after-school productions.

My ninth- through 12th-graders are extraordinary. If you want to

watch a modern teenager put their phone away and work on a project and see it through, you need to watch my students at work. We are usually the last ones off campus and often because they want to stay and finish the job. We put together professional-quality productions, and every aspect is studentexecuted.

What motivates you and pushes you to do your best?

I have this desire to always ask for my students to do better than they did last time: build a better set, sing a better solo, sew a better seam. I am motivated to give my students a better show process and production each and every time.

What’s the nice thing a student or faculty member has done for you?

Students who share genuine gratitude for what they learned from me or validation of what translates to their time in college and beyond is nice enough. Seeing my alumni return to support the next generation of theater students always means a lot.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I travel when I can and enjoy seeing as much live theater as possible. I don’t really have much spare time (because of) our rigorous work and performance schedules, but I like to spend down time with my family — especially my niece and nephews: Reese, Shawn and Beau.

What’s your favorite restaurant and favorite meal?

San Jose’s is my favorite local restaurant. We grew up with a favorite Mexican restaurant in Wisconsin, and I missed it very much until my family found San Jose’s. I also love Il Pescatore in Colonialtown. Additionally, I love pizza. I have a theory that even bad pizza can be good.

— TROY HERRING

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

REPORT CARD POSITION: Director of theater TIME AT SCHOOL: Five years

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.

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Foundation Academy students ready to spell

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Let’s go to the hop

Savanna Dureault and Ellie Nelms were happy to serve ice cream.

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Families really got into the spirit of proper Sock Hop wear.

Amanda Hernandez and her son, Elijah Gonzalez, donned festive 1950s wear.

Michael Salgado and his mom, Alicia Bullard, took a break for ice cream.

See more at OrangeObserver.com

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Izzy and Asia Eichorne, along with Rayn Collins, enjoyed their ice-cream treat.

ultiple greasers and even the Pink Ladies were in attendance at SunRidge Elementary School’s Sock Hop dance Friday, Feb. 21. With a 1950s-centric theme, the family dance had something fun for everyone. Children got to enjoy ice cream, popcorn and pink punch in between dancing with their parents and friends. There also were plenty of photo opportunities, a limbo contest and other games.

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 p.m.- Awana 2nd Campus: Foundation Worship Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden (407) 730-1867 Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FoundationWorship.com

EPISCOPAL

Church of the Messiah 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m., 7 p.m.

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: 9 and 11:15 a.m. fumcwg.org

CHURCH DIRECTORY Disney dream date Erik Lack and his daughter, Amelia, 10, and Caitlyn Popick, 10, and her dad, Jeff Popick, hopped behind the giant teacup for a photo.

Windermere Union Church Starke Lake Baptist Church 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd., STARKE LAKE BAPTIST Pastor Jeff Pritchard GLICAN METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL Windermere CHURCH FIRST UNITED METHODIST PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO PO Box 520 LICAN COMMUNITY (407) 876-2112 PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, OWSHIP CHURCH 611 W Ave., PastorOcoee Jeff Pritchard 125Adult N. LakeviewWorship: Ave Winter Garden 9 a.m.

Winter Garden r The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas (407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, (407) East Plant St, Winter Garden 656-2351 Sunday School: 10 a.m. www.starkelakebaptist.org Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM DAY SERVICE 10:00 AM StarkeLakeBaptist.org WindermereUnion.org Web: fumcwg.org s at: Theacf.net OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD

Pastor Thomas Odom CHURCH GOD 1105OF N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL

LAH BAPTIST WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 407-656-8011of God Casey Butner Ocoee Church Purpose Church Orlando 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. eulah Rd, Winter Garden Windermere, FL 34786 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Pastor Thomas Odom EPISCOPAL 56-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org 407-876-2112 Worship times: Winter Garden CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH DAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AMN. Lakewood 1105 Ave.,Ocoee 9:00am Adult Sunday School 241 N. Main, Winter Garden DAY SERVICE 11:00AM (407) 654-9661 10:00am Worship (407) 656-8011 Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm NESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM www.windermereunion.org Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m. www.churchofthemessiah.com T BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

Plant St., Winter Garden Saturday Service: 6 p.m.

56-2352 DAYS 8:30 am Traditional purposechurchorlando.org m Bible Study am Contemporary NESDAYS - 6pm - Awana MIKE YOAKUM Tim Grosshans PASTOR fbcwg.org ampus: P: 407.656.1520 NDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 DAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM dation Academy High School Tilden Rd., Winter Garden FoundationWorship.com 30-1867

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ads and daughters dressed to the This page appears weekly in the nines for the annual West Orange Times & Observer and father-daughter dance online at OrangeObserver.com.

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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

Ocoee senior Karleigh Curtis is ready to give it her all in her final year of high school softball. Page 14.

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 — anything for the school, he did.”

Courtesy photo

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

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 the “The” in conversations — but he SEE BOSTON PAGE 14

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 14

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Karleigh Curtis A senior on the Ocoee High School softball team, Karleigh Curtis is a four-year player for the Knights and a leader on the diamond. Curtis has been a constant plug up the middle of the infield, and her talents have led her to a future playing softball at St. Petersburg College in the fall.

How did you first get into playing softball?

When I was 4, my olderbrother type figures — they’re not actually my older brothers, but I grew up with them — they played baseball and I wanted to do everything that they did, so I started playing baseball. Then when I was about 7 or 8 they were like, ‘You need to go to softball, because it’ll get you into college,’ so I went into softball.

What would you say has been the biggest change that you’ve seen in yourself since your freshman year?

Probably my confidence.

It’s been up and down with that, though. My freshman year I came in and everybody thought I was raw, so my confidence was up, but then I would get down on myself when I messed up. Now I’m at a good point with it.

When you do hit those low moments, how do you get past that mentally?

Honestly, practice. If I have a bad game hitting wise, I’ll come out here and I’ll hit until I’m feeling better with it. Fielding wise, I’ll just come out here and take ground balls over and over until I’m confident that I’ll do better next time.

Is there a highlight moment that stands out to you?

Last year when I came back from my concussion, my first game back was probably one of my best games that I’ve played with this team.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Ocoee High School YEAR: Senior AGE: 17 SPORT: Softball POSITION: Second/SS

they’re good. The most challenging part is probably being able to cover as much ground as you can, because between me and my other teammates there is a lot of space there.

What would you say is the most challenging aspect about playing softball in general?

I’ve been on a whole bunch of different travel ball teams and there have been ones that I have been on that were supposed to get me to college, and I never got any looks.

Basically, the most challenging part was deciding if I wanted to continue to go to college and having the confidence to do it, and I did.

What are the best words of advice you’ve been given about softball?

The most common one is, ‘Don’t let what other people think bring you down — don’t let anything else affect you.’ If you have the drive to do it, and the want to do it, don’t ever stop.

You signed on to play collegiately at St. Petersburg College. What was it about the school that drew you to it?

Coach Bre — the head coach — I love her and everything about her. The area is by the beach, and I knew I didn’t want to go to a big school, and when I toured the school it was perfect.

When I was there everything felt right.

What is your favorite part about playing your position?

The hardest part?

My favorite part is working out the middle and turning double plays — when they’re good,

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

“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 …”

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.”

— Phyllis Brown Boston

Schmitt makes history CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

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

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 for the team were just two weeks ago, and with a team so

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

Photos by Troy Herring

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. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to score as much.”

And of all things going on with

R E M M SUN GUIDE FU

r umme ide to s ge. u g e iv s n prehen est Ora ost com ctivities in W m e h T and a

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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

Rodriguez’s team right now, the youth are actually something of a tremendous positive in the long run, Rodriguez said. With a group of young players, he has guys with no bad habits and can instill his system without any hesitation.

There’s also having the ability to simply have guys stick around for years to help build a foundation, Rodriguez said.

“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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FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY 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.

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

A heavyset young white male attempted to rob McClungs 5-10-25 store at 10:40 a.m. Feb. 13 at 15 E. Plant St. Two hours later, the robbery suspect was arrested by Lt. R.G. Little.

The Ladies Guild of Holy Family Catholic Church did a good job of convincing Father Joseph Harte that it was to be only a potluck dinner — but it was a surprise celebration of his 50th birthday.

FROM THE ARCHIVES 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.

The mission of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation is to preserve the heritage and architecture of Winter Garden while creating new cultural experiences. The Foundation also preserves the material culture of West Orange County, using it to educate the area’s youth on the community’s rich history.

Starting with our next issue, our new Ocoee columnist will be Mary Anne Swickerath. Contact her if you have any news of happenings in and around Ocoee. She will come to see you on her bicycle.

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

30 years ago

Movies-to-Go was advertising free membership and offered a coupon special for renting a movie and getting another free.

20 years ago

Winter Garden officials and representatives of US Home

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 ___ DOWN

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

29 RESIST 35 Critters in mazes 1 Engagement-ending 39 Skiing category exchange 40 Lead-in to gender 5 ___ longue 11 Circumstance’s partner 41 Org. fighting discrimination 15 It merged with QVC 42 Decreases 18 Collect, as rewards 44 “Parks and Recreation” 19 Lodger character Swanson 20 Far from for 45 Texting format letters 22 TASTE 48 CAPE 24 Like some lawns 51 Venture that’s unlikely 25 “Preach, man!” to succeed 26 You can flip flapjacks 53 Barbie’s boyfriend in one 54 Boots endorsed by Tom 27 Wise people Brady 28 Rap pioneer Mac ___ 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

turned the first shovels of dirt over to mark the groundbreaking of a major development in the city. The golf community of Stoneybrook West will be constructed on Black Lake, between Avalon Road and County Road 535.

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

45 years ago

17

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Puzzle One Clue: I equals K

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

©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

CLASSIFIEDS

more instead of looking within.”

– Brad Pitt Puzzle Two Solution: “I am an actor, I do a movie, that’s the end of it. You have to realize we are just clowns for hire.”

– Leonardo DiCaprio

This week’s Sudoku answers

Thursday, February 27, 2020

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

INFO & RATES: 407-656-2121 • EMAIL: classifieds@orangeobserver.com • ONLINE: www.orangeobserver.com Puzzle One Solution: Puzzle One Solution: HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 10:OOAM • Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales

Puzzle One Solution:

Puzzle Two Solution:

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I do aYou movie, that’swith the get away end of it. You have to realize we are just end of it.

You have to realize we are just clowns for hire.” more instead of looking within.”

– Leonardo DiCaprio clowns for hire.”

– Leonardo DiCaprio – Brad Pitt

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Puzzle Two Solution: “I am anweek’s actor, I do a movie,answers that’s the This Sudoku end of it. You have to realize we are just clowns for hire.”

– Leonardo DiCaprio

Fast Easy Certification

©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Sudoku answers This week’s Crossword answers

This week’s Sudoku answers

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This week’s Crossword answers

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This week’s Crossword answers

GARAGE SALE

328111

BAY POINTE

A PA R T M E N T S

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2020

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2020

Call 407-656-1661or FL TDD 1-800-955-8771

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“Success is a beast ... puts the emphasis “Success is a beast ... puts the emphasis on the wrong thing. You get away with on the wrong thing. You get away with more instead of looking within.” more instead of looking within.”

– Brad Pitt This week’s Celebrity Cipher– answers Brad Pitt

Health & Medical

GARAGE SALE – Lake Olympia subdivision off E Silver Star Rd., 991 Hawthorne Cove Ct., Ocoee 34761. Fri., Feb 28th // 9 AM to 3 PM and Sat., Feb 29th // 9 AM to 1 PM. EVERYTHING IN DRIVEWAY MUST GO! 2/27 aw

LV16621

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

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ESS DIRECTORY

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ter Garden 1045 S. Vineland Rd. •Win nment • New and Used Tires • Alig • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More

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OPERATED –

7.6268 407.296.9622 407.87 s@cfl.rr.com

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on Call for a FREE estimate t.

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301016

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om

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301027

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$

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4

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Includes up to 7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Parts and Labor.

Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Expires 3/31/19.

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PEST CONTROL

Center” “Your Complete Service ter Garden, FL 34787 10 West Story Rd. Win MV-01095 ie Hud

Richard Hudson • Regg

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG

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Tires

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Beef • Chicken • Ribs • Pork • • Small & Large Orders • Catering

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l Puppy Dreams Pet Hoe te

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A portion of

302828

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the profits help to fund Homeles

407-469-0060 17436 7th Street •FL 6 Montverde, 3475until 7 pm ay • 11 am Open Friday and Saturd

CONSTRUCTION

from hom Your pet’s home away ty a unique no-cage facili boarding daycare and overnight

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301030

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301015

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/ sq . ft.

The best shutt The best prices!

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881

BMW 3 Series Merce $

Three Business Card Sizes to choose from:

3 59

$

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SA LE BR AK E PA D des C-Class

Full LAMIN y In stall ATE ed F rom

. ft.

9 / sq

19

s y In

301025

-FAMILY OWNED &

$...

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301021

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301035

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301014

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301017

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eams.com

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BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class $

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20

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

CRAZY LENNY’S E-BIKES KES

1,000 OFF SALE

$ ALE

HAIBIKE S-Duro Trekking 2.0

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F

• 500 Watt Hr Battery • 80+ Mile Range • Ultimate Quality • Lights • Fenders, Rack

- $1000 Off

SALE $1780 BULLS Cross-E Bosch Drive - 80+ Mile Range $2750.00 • 500 Watt Hr Battery • 80+ Mile Range - $1000 Off

ery

$1750

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Assist

e al Display

$880

100 OFF

$

can Rider ories -Bike • Disc Brakes se.

• Pedal & Throttle

Accessories with an E-Bike purchase.

35 Mile Range Lights Fenders, Rack Free Speedo and Digital Display

Garden

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• • • •

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