03.04.21 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

See the latest home sales in Southwest Orange. 12.

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 6, NO. 21

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Yellow Dog stretches legs Restaurant owner Fish Morgan purchased the building next door. SEE PAGE 2.

FINAL FOUR!

Gifts that keep giving

Dr. Phillips High School throttled Seminole to earn a spot in Lakeland.

SEE PAGE 19.

YOUR TOWN GAS DISTRICT NAMES BOARD Lake Apopka Natural Gas District has named local leaders to its 2021 Board of Directors. The institution is in its 60th year of service.

Named to the board are president, William Arrowsmith, former LANGD vice president and 39-year Apopka city commissioner; vice president, Kyle Becker, current Apopka city commissioner; secretary/treasurer, Fred Crabtree, former LANGD general manager and CEO; director, John Rees, mayor of Winter Garden; and director, Timothy L. Murry, mayor of Clermont.

OCOEE OPENS GRANT PROGRAM The city of Ocoee has opened its Ocoee Neighborhood Matching Grant Program, and applications are available. The program is open to homeowners associations and neighborhoods that do not have a structured HOA. The goal is to assist residents with making improvements to their neighborhoods. The application deadline is March 19. They are available online at ocoee.org and City Hall, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive.

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COVID-19 canceled the St. Luke’s United Methodist Women’s bazaar fundraiser last year, but its members decided to open a charitable gift shop on the church’s campus. STORY ON PAGE 4.

City upholds truck ban Winter Garden leaders will discuss the ban with officials from Lake County, Clermont.

SEE PAGE 8.

Regatta returns Members of the Windermere-based OARS competed in the American Youth Cup in Sarasota.

SEE PAGE 19.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Yellow Dog Eats owner expanding with new venture DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With his purchase of the building next door to his restaurant, Yellow Dog Eats owner Fish Morgan is working on a new concept to join the Gotha community.

Morgan has owned and operated Yellow Dog Eats for more than 20 years now, and he said he’s dreamed for a long time of bringing “something fantastic and fun to this space.”

That space, 1288 Hempel Ave., is the former home of Salon of the Lakes. Morgan said his friend, James Crapps, ow n e d a n d worked out of the building for 31 years.

“I think we had a discussion years ago: ‘Hey, James, whenever you decide to retire, let me know … and if I’m still here, maybe — if I could if I make it through all the crap I’ve made it through — think about buying it,” Morgan said.

As a business owner, he has faced many challenges over the years. First, it was Sept. 11. Then there were multiple hurricanes, the Great Recession and four fires. One of those forced him to close for nine months in 2008.

Of course, the most recent challenge is the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morgan said he’s lost about 70% of his income in the past year.

However, it was also within the last year that Crapps came to Morgan and said he was going to retire. The building was up for sale.

“It was a tough time to want to purchase something

FINANCING AVAILABLE

in the middle of COVID, but it really, I think, gives me an opportunity to stretch out a little bit,” Morgan said. “James and I, we became very dear friends over the years … and I told him the other day I miss him being here, I miss his presence. He has a largerthan-life presence. I think he’s excited. He was happy for me to see what the next chapter’s going to bring. He was happy to see me get the building, so that was nice. … It was a challenge to pull it off financially, but we were able to pull it off.”

At the end of January, Morgan posted on the Yellow Dog Eats Facebook page alerting customers that he bought the former salon building. Rather than announce a predetermined concept, though, Morgan wanted to hear from community members: What did they want to see next door?

“Everybody’s been clamoring to know what I want to do with it,” he said. “I’ve always asked everybody’s opinion, because I’ve gotten to know everybody on such a

one-on-one basis, which is really nice. … If you don’t listen to your customer, you’re like every other restaurant that just opens up and does what you expect them to do.

“What we’re going to do is take all those ideas and we’re going to run with a lot of them,” he said.

“Some people wanted a stage, some wanted a beer garden, some people said wine. A lot of the feedback was, ‘Hey, I want to see you guys do some breakfast.’ …

I’m still gathering information, listening to what the customers want.”

Although the concept isn’t fully realized at this point, Morgan said the expansion definitely

“We’re gonna keep it simple but really good — keeping it Yellow Dog funky, keeping it fun.”

IN STOCK NOW!!

Models include: Dump, Utility, Tilt, Deck Overs, Flatbed Goosenecks, Equipment, Landscape and Car Haulers!!

— Fish Morgan

will include breakfast and coffee. He’s bringing back certified master pastry chef Lauren Cook, with whom he has worked in the past, to create delicious breakfast goods.

“Most of it will be to-go or a fast-casual thing, and we’ll do some coffee, breakfast and slowly but surely kind of expand our repertoire,” he said. “We’re gonna keep it simple but really good — keeping it Yellow Dog funky, keeping it fun.”

Morgan added he is grateful for the community’s continued support and excitement for his newest endeavor. People can share their ideas with him through social media or if in person if they see him around the restaurant.

“I’m very thankful to the community for keeping me alive,” he said. “I’m a small business who’s been very lucky to make it through a lot of these hardships, and I’m excited to see the next chapter for ‘The Dog.’”

407-654-9299 12403 W Colonial Dr ∙ Winter Garden, FL 34787 www.mainstreetmower.com

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Owner Fish Morgan recently purchased the former Salon of the Lakes building next door and has various plans in the works for it, including breakfast.

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Oakland sewer project progresses A new lift station is in the works for a parcel of land south of the Public Safety Complex.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

These Lakers enjoyed a competitive game of Spikeball.

Fun and games

Brody Barcellona was focused on his table tennis match.

Elizabeth Allen, Natalie Work, Olivia Hanning and Katie Sweeney proudly donned their tie-dyed Lakerthon shirts.

One of the games involved using a Nerf gun to shoot down plastic balls about 15 feet away from the player.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Stephanie DeFilippo had a blast hula-hooping to the music.

Deejay Greg Hunter kept the tunes playing and ensured everyone had a great time.

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n Under the consent agenda, the commission approved a budget transfer to fund three projects. The first is $40,000 for the purchase of a generator to be used at various wastewater lift stations when there are power outages. The town has one stationary generator for Lift Station No. 1, but the expansion of the sewer project necessitates the need for a second one. The second transfer is $42,000 for crossing safety enhancements for the pedestrian crossing being installed at the Longleaf at Oakland neighborhood entrance. The third transfer is $100,000 to purchase some key properties within the town to increase connectivity and add some amenities to the trail network in the town. n The commission voted in favor of Stark signing a lien release and allowing Claude Hendry to pay $350 to clear the lien on property he purchased at 14237 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden.

certain parts of the town. Parker said this was used for three distinct areas — two extensions and a lift station/force main.

The Industrial Extension is a gravity sewer installed along Oakland Avenue, west of the bridge at Florida’s Turnpike, to serve the industrial area. Work was completed in November.

The Cemetery Extension is a force main (pressure) sewer main that runs over land and connects the Lift Station No. 5 service area to the existing Lift Station No. 4 area. Parker said this portion is vital to the “backbone” of the system. It was completed last August.

Lift Station No. 5/Force Main is expected to be put into service within the next few months. It is located at the intersection of East Hull Avenue and South Arrington Street and has the capacity to serve the commercial corridor east of Tubb Street and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Koontz said town staff will be holding several community meetings in the coming months for residents in the area of town who will be affected by the latest step in the project.

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indermere Preparatory School’s annual Lakerthon fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 27, marked the school’s first larger on-campus event since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and it was all for the kids. Lakerthon is a fun, activity-filled event for students and families to enjoy as they raise money for Children’s Miracle Network to provide lifesaving treatment for children in need.

Safety precautions at the outdoor event included mandatory masks and hand-sanitizing stations. This year, participants raised $50,774.78 while dancing the evening away outside the school’s Cypress Center for the Performing Arts.

The town of Oakland connected its first customer to its new wastewater system in January 2018. Today, there are 550 customers.

Public Works Director Mike Parker provided an update on the project at the Feb. 23 Town Commission meeting and announced a new funding source.

The state of Florida’s 2020 budget included $250,000 in funding assistance to Oakland for the construction of Lift Station No. 6. It will be constructed in the area of Catherine Ross Road, the southeast corner of the Oakland Avenue Charter School property and a future extension of Sadler Avenue.

This project is in the design phase. The funding will assist with design and construction of the lift station, which will serve a large portion of east Oakland.

The facility will allow existing flows from the charter school and the police and fire departments.

“This septic-to-sewer conversion is a complicated process,” Town Manager Steve Koontz said. “If you don’t get the grant money, you have to pass that cost along to the residents … and it’s very expensive.”

Commissioner Mike Satterfield said the town is fortunate to have been able to use the lift station built by Pulte Homes.

“I don’t want anyone to get nervous about what the cost is going to be when it comes time to connect to existing homes,” Mayor Kathy Stark said.

“We’ve got a lot of grant money, so we can figure out the process,” Koontz said. “We just need to take it step by step.”

The town has successfully obtained three grants from three different agencies for the conversion of homes from septic to sewer. Oakland received a Community Development Block Grant for $600,000, a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant for $550,000 and a St. Johns River Water Management District grant for $644,000.

A previous allocation from the state’s 2017 budget included $1 million in funding assistance for wastewater improvements in

IN OTHER NEWS

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Dr. Said Malas

Dr. Usman Lone

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Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com

ST. LUKE’S UNITED METHODIST WOMEN GIFT SHOP

Photos by Danielle Hendrix

The gift shop features home décor, women’s clothing, jewelry, handmade items and more.

New treasure trove

4851 Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando PHONE: (407) 876-4991 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays EMAIL: st.lukesmarketplace@ gmail.com VOLUNTEERS: The UMW group also is looking for women who’d like to volunteer in any capacity. Contact Karen Brown at (407) 342-4204.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

S

tep inside the St. Luke’s United Methodist Women’s gift shop on the church’s campus, and you’ll be greeted with the sight of spring wreaths, handcrafted jewelry and a selection of sweet treasures.

You’ll also be greeted with a smile and a warm welcome from one or two of the women themselves, eager to show you around the shop and help you pick out the perfect gift or home accent.

For more than 35 years, these women have poured their hearts and souls into crafting and curating everything from jewelry and seasonal decorations to handbags and framed artwork. That typically culminates in a large bazaar each November, during which the community is invited to come and peruse the marketplace.

However, none of these women makes a dime off their crafts and workmanship, and they aren’t compensated for their time. Every penny goes back into supporting local, national and international charities. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

LABOR OF LOVE

Until recently, the group had a crafting and storage space at West Oaks Mall in Ocoee. But after Shepherd’s Hope vacated its former offices and medical space on the campus of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, that building at the back of the campus sat empty.

“We had to think outside the box,” said Susse Mabie, the shop’s volunteer manager. “The church has been unbelievable with the way they think outside the box with everything they do. … So we said, ‘We have to think outside the box, too.’ That’s where it started. … I said, ‘You know, maybe this is the time we do the shop that we’ve always, always wanted.”

Mabie approached the church with the group’s request to take a leap of faith and move into the old Shepherd’s Hope facility. After all, she said, the group was facing the possibility of rising rent at the mall.

This beautiful necklace is for sale at the UMW group’s gift shop.

“We didn’t have a shop there — it was just where we crafted and stored,” Mabie said. “And we crafted all year-round and brought it all the way over here to sell it at our big bazaar.”

In the past, the bazaar has been the single biggest fundraiser the St. Luke’s United Methodist Women host. Mabie said one year, they made $40,000 in two days — all for charity.

Then, the pandemic hit. In a way, the women agree, it turned out to be a blessing for many reasons.

They used their time to come down to the new shop, rearrange and craft away. The main shop has been furnished with displays and decorated with lace, twinkling lights and carefully placed merchandise.

In the back of the office space is a large crafting room, a mecca of ribbons, wreaths, ornaments and other crafting tools. There’s a room designated for processing and pricing items, and another that houses artwork and photographs, as well as storage. Plus, the group no longer has to pay rent for a space that isn’t theirs.

Two-thirds of the facility is dedicated to the United Methodist Women’s year-round gift shop, while another third was transformed into an apartment for affordable housing for the church’s

Spring decorations are front and center right now at the gift shop.

custodian. It also gave the church someone on property for security.

“We came down and rearranged and did everything we could,” Mabie said. “We said, ‘If we average $250 a week, we would make what we made at the bazaar (yearround) anyway,’ which would be nice. … I’ve been in business before and had a boutique. I worked in a boutique up in Mount Dora, so I knew what to do as far as the shop goes and setting it up. But it’s been a team effort with all the ladies, and they all have their own spiritual gifts, and they use whatever God has given them. It’s just been wonderful so far.”

A WIN-WIN SITUATION

What sets the United Methodist Women’s shop apart from other gift shops is that it only sells handmade and upscale resale items, Mabie said. It isn’t a thrift shop, but it’s also not a shop that buys new, wholesale products to resell.

Shoppers can find unique, handcrafted items such as seasonal arrangements and decorations, garden accessories, jewelry, home décor, children’s quilts and blankets, artwork and photographs, and greeting cards. On the upscale resale side, the shop carries ladies’ clothing, handbags, hats and scarves, jewelry, baby and chil-

dren’s gifts, more household décor and faith-based books.

“We have unbelievable prices,” Mabie said. “Something that might cost $80 in a store, we’ve got it for less than $20. … We’re using everybody’s spiritual gifts they’ve been given, and they’ve just jumped right in.”

Karen Brown, one of the group members and a longtime bazaar volunteer, emphasized that it’s not about the money the group is able to make. It’s the camaraderie and the women being able to use the gifts God has given them to make a difference in the lives of others.

“We could write a journal on the stories of how people are blessed,” Brown said. “What I get is so much more than I give. When I see the difference we can make, that’s all I need.”

Money the United Methodist Women make from the shop, Mabie said, goes into a fund stewarded by the church’s pastors. The pastors are then responsible for determining how and to whom the funds get distributed based on need.

“This year, a lot of it has been going to help people get fed,” Mabie said. “It’s like a chain reaction. We have our donation box out here, and we’ll come back, and there’s always donations there. It’s a chain that’s constantly working. But the best thing is we’re helping people all over the community and all over the world.”

Mabie added the shop and its products and operations would not be possible without the help of each and every single woman involved.

As a team effort, though, the group is looking for “the younger ladies” who want to get involved. There is a place for everyone — crafting, processing and pricing donations, working the shop and more.

“I have headed this up for more than 18 years now, and I have seen such growth in the ladies — faithfulness as well as friendships,” Mabie said. “The camaraderie and the friendships … we can rely on one another. We’re there for each other. And that’s one of the nicest things that we get.”

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Governor taps Ocoee resident for Valencia College board DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Nearly two years after applying to serve on Valencia College’s board of trustees, Angel de la Portilla received his appointment from Gov. Ron DeSantis at the end of January.

The Ocoee resident received notice of approval from DeSantis’ office Jan. 27, making him the ninth member of the Valencia College District Board of Trustees.

Each of Florida’s 28 community colleges is under the local control of a lay District Board of Trustees. The board comprises local citizens who serve without pay but are charged with making decisions related to college policy, programs, building, budget and personnel.

All trustees are appointed by the governor. For Valencia’s District Board of Trustees, board members reside in Orange and Osceola counties. They meet regularly to help guide Valencia’s development and further its mission for and service to the community.

De la Portilla, 53, is the president of Central Florida Strategies, a government consulting firm that advises clients in the realm of real estate development, tourism and hospitality, procurement, and other local and state government matters.

He also served briefly as an Ocoee commissioner when Mayor Rusty Johnson vacated his commission seat in 2015 following his mayoral election. De la Portilla continues to serve Ocoee as a consultant on real estate and developmental projects.

His interest in serving on Valencia’s board was piqued after his oldest son, Nicolas, was inspired to study economics and finance after taking a course at Valencia with professor Jack Chambless.

It changed the course of Nicolas’ life. De la Portilla said his son will graduate this semester from the University of Central Florida with a degree in finance, and he already has a job lined up.

“I saw the remarkable change in him, and I attribute it to Valencia, their small classes and the ability for students to interact with professors,” de la Portilla said. “Students who don’t yet have a career path can go to Valencia and figure out which is their path in life.

As a family, we had a very good experience there, and that’s why I requested to serve on the board. I wanted to help the cause and help other young people in this community that may not have their minds made up yet or might not have the access to education. (I wanted) to help promote Valencia College as a viable option for them.”

“I wanted to help the cause and help other young people in this community that may not have their minds made up yet or might not have the access to education. … (I wanted) to help promote Valencia College as a viable option for them.”

— Angel de la Portilla

When de la Portilla heard there were some vacancies on the board, he immediately contacted Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez to submit an application, which he did in February 2019.

There were some delays in getting all of the positions filled — not only on Valencia’s board but also on boards across the state — partially due to COVID-19. But on Jan. 27, de la Portilla received the call.

The following day, he began his first four-year term. His first

Courtesy photo

De La Portilla is happy to serve the college.

meeting took place Feb. 24, during which the board approved the contract for Valencia’s new president, Kathleen Plinske, who will replace outgoing president Dr. Sandy Shugart.

“It is a great honor for me to have this opportunity to serve the residents of Orange and Osceola counties on the Valencia (District) Board of Trustees,” de la Portilla said. “I look forward to being a (part) of the great team that Dr. Sandy Shugart has built as president of Valencia.”

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Angel de la Portilla recently began his first four-year term of service on the college’s district board of trustees.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Horizon West Fest returns this weekend The festival will be the first large-scale community event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After nearly a year without large community events, the Horizon West community is in for a treat this weekend.

Horizon West Happenings has partnered with Orlando Health and Healthy West Orange as its event presenters to ensure proper precautions are taken — all while members of the community enjoy a day of fun in the sun.

Cynthia Dailey, publisher of Horizon West Happenings, said the team is taking this responsibility to heart.

“Since Horizon West is outside of city municipalities, larger events must be permitted directly through Orange County with a detailed COVID plan,” Dailey said. “The event will be well-signed to remind attendees to wear their masks. You’ll also find cleaning of restrooms and eating areas throughout the day.

Capacity is the big one. To accurately monitor capacity, reserving an arrival time has been implemented this year to make sure we are spreading attendees out over the full event time and enabling those that really want to attend have contactless entry (and) a wristband waiting for them.”

With event capacity limited this year, attendees must purchase their wristbands in advance and choose a time slot in which to attend — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m., or 3 to 5 p.m. Online sales will close Thursday, March 4, and availability at the gate is not guaranteed.

Horizon West Fest will offer a kids zone, food, music, bar and wine, dance parties, story time for tots, games, giveaways, entertainment on the main stage and a scavenger hunt. Attendees also will get to know and have opportunities to support local businesses.

“A variety of Horizon West eats will be available for the family to get what they are craving,” Dailey said. “District 1 Commissioner (Nicole) Wilson will be there to

Historic Downtown Saturday, March 27

In Celebration of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day Sidewalk Sale • Spacious Outdoor Dining Patios Unique Shops & Restaurants Spring Fashions & Merchandise • Seasonal Menus Farmers Market • Scenic Streets & Sights Free Parking, Always!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Great Day & Way to Support Small Businesses!

Like. Follow. Share! @officialdowntownwintergarden 353116-1

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CANCEL CULTURE HAS NO PLACE IN LOCAL POLITICS

Dear Editor: Thank you for this opportunity to clear a few things up after my Candidate Q&A and Bio, which were modified by your team with obviously no malice intended.

I know from attending and completing the Police Academy that the laws and definitions for officer in a sheriff’s office means not a sworn position, unlike it does in a city police department, so I understand the confusion in this. In my bio I sent to you, I never stated I was a deputy, but as you stated from you reading my bio on my company’s website, you saw five years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as an officer and misinterpreted that to mean deputy sheriff.

I also want to speak directly to our Windermere neighbors who deserve to know the truth in what is going on and what it is like out there after the 2020

File photo

HORIZON WEST FEST WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 6 WHERE: 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden WEBSITE: horizonwestfest. com WRISTBANDS: Guests can purchase wristbands in advance for one of the three available reservation times and pick them up at the event. Online sales close March 4, and availability at the gate is not guaranteed.

help us recognize the 2021 Who’s Who of Horizon West winners.”

Dailey said the Horizon West Happenings team loves bringing the community together and supporting the local economy.

“We live, work and play here in Horizon West and are most excited to get the community out of their houses for an afternoon of community pride and bonding — all in an environment that enables them to be comfortable and safe,” Dailey said.

national elections, running for a nonpartisan position that never had something called cancel culture in it before. But believe me, it is alive and well in our local town’s elections. My name and reputation — and even my living for my family — has been attacked, just because I have the audacity to call myself a proud patriot who loves his country and voices it without fear. My family has been greatly affected by these constant attacks, which there is no room for, when neighbors are only trying to help neighbors and volunteer their time to help their towns and cities.

I refuse to be bullied, and I refuse to be canceled, and I will carry on in my decision to run for the position of Town Council to help my town and my Windermere neighbors.

MIKE A. HARGREAVES II CANDIDATE FOR WINDERMERE TOWN COUNCIL

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

BROADWAY IS BACK and it’s coming to Winter Garden

BROADWAY

& BEYOND MARCH 27 I 7PM - 9PM PRE-SHOW STARTS AT 6PM

WITH YOUR HOST

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FEATURING THE CAROL STEIN QUARTET AND PERFORMERS FROM BROADWAY, OFF-BROADWAY, DISNEY AND MORE! For tickets and more information visit RotaryClubofWinterGarden.org

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Winter Garden upholds Mar h Road truck ban City leaders will meet with Clermont, Lake County, Titan America and other stakeholders to work toward a solution for all regarding the Marsh Road truck ban.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Despite threats of a lawsuit from Titan America, Winter Garden commissioners unanimously voted to uphold a resolution that bans truck traffic along Marsh Road.

Residents in the neighborhoods affected by the truck traffic, Clermont officials, truck drivers and other stakeholders filled the commission chambers at the Feb. 25 City Commission meeting as city leaders discussed the ban.

The resolution passed at the Feb. 11 commission meeting prohibits Class 6 through 13 vehicles from using it and adopts certain vehicle-weight limitations on a certain portion of Marsh Road from the Lake County border to Williams Road.

However, City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said, city staff reviewed the resolution and realized there were a few minor errors in the details of the resolution. Staff drafted Ordinance 21-11 to correct them.

“One of the issues we noted with the resolution was we didn’t provide sufficient enough advance warning for any vehicles that were traveling from the west entering the city (at the) Lake County line, nor did we provide for a convenient, safe turnaround,” said Jon Williams, assistant city manager of public services.

The resolution caused a stir among representatives from the sand mine company, Titan America, as well as city of Clermont and Lake County officials. Bollhoefer recommended the commission vote to approve the first hearing of Ordinance 21-11 but schedule meetings with stakeholders to try to come up with alternate solutions.

“That way, we can go forward and see what they have to say — I think it’s fair to give them that opportunity — and then if they can come up with another system that works, this commission at a later meeting could always table and follow their ideas,” Bollhoefer said.

Tim Bates, the city of Clermont’s mayor pro tem, asked commissioners to consider tabling the final hearing for the ordinance — currently scheduled for March 11 — and delaying the start of the resolution until all involved have the chance to meet.

“The way the resolution and ordinance read right now, Clermont obviously has some objections to the items, and I’m here tonight to ask if the city would be willing to attend a workshop with the city, with Lake County, Orange County, the DOT, Titan, whoever may be involved to help come up with a solution for all of us,” Bates said.

Vic McCall, general manager of excavation contractor Bishop

Adobe stock

Various types of trucks would be banned on Marsh Road.

& Buttrey, said his company has worked with the Titan America sand mine for years, and the truck ban would be a devastating blow.

“We have outstanding contracts — over $1.3 million — that we would have to go into default with this road closure,” McCall said.

Dante Sevi, a transportation logistics contractor, echoed McCall’s concerns and added that he doesn’t see any issues with the current state of Marsh Road.

“I have personally contracted with thousands of owner-operators that are going to be affected by this ordinance out of the mines that are also being affected and have hauled probably millions of cubic yards over that two-lane Marsh Road,” Sevi said. “It never fell apart in the 34 years that I’ve

hauled on it, and it doesn’t appear to me that it’s falling apart now.”

Susan Stephens, an attorney representing Titan America, promised a lawsuit on the horizon should the ordinance pass and resolution not be rescinded.

“We cannot afford a precipitous cutoff of that route,” Stephens said.

“There are contracts that have prices fixed on them, and we cannot have that precipitous cutoff. …

They operate on a very, very small margin. These are not big moneymaking deals. They are very small margins and very directly related to the cost of transportation. Every mile matters.”

Maritza Saint-Hilaire, a resident of Sanctuary at Twin Waters off Marsh Road, said residents were not trying to take jobs from

Titan or truck drivers but rather asking them to be good neighbors.

“They want us to be considerate of their jobs and livelihood, but where is their consideration for us and our families when they’re not abiding the speed limit and driving recklessly on our streets?” SaintHilaire said. “We’re just asking that our street not be a shortcut or a pass-through.”

Bollhoefer said the main issue is that Winter Garden is receiving “an unfair share” of all the truck traffic on Marsh Road, which is more of a local road now than it was in the past. He also said there have been issues with the traffic on Marsh Road for years.

“I had this discussion 14 years ago in the Moon Cricket (Grille) with then-commissioner Bob Pool, who was a commissioner in Lake County,” Bollhoefer said. “I said, ‘Commissioner, we need to meet, because what you’re doing out in Lake County is killing us on Marsh Road. We need to work together to find a solution.’ I’ll never forget what he told me that day. He said, ‘Well, that’s not our problem, that’s your problem. You need to deal with it.’”

Bollhoefer recommended commissioners approve the ordinance in hopes of getting everyone moving more quickly to find a solution.

City Attorney Kurt Ardaman said if Titan decided to sue, Winter Garden officials could “deal with that” and it would be “a bad-faith gesture.” Bollhoefer added that because the city agreed to meet with all involved, a lawsuit from Titan would be “almost an aggressive act.”

OBSERVER

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION FROM THE ARCHIVES Mae Jones Reeves (1913-2007) worked for Florida Telephone in Winter Garden. Her husband, Dock, was one of three Reeves brothers engaged in barbering at various Plant Street locations for many decades.

Mae Reeves revealed an untapped talent for drawing after largely recovering from a stroke in her later years. Her son, Rod Reeves, served as the Winter Garden Heritage Museum’s founding director. They often traveled back to her home state of Georgia, where this photograph was made in 2004. Taken in Barnesville, it shows Mae Reeves standing with actor Fred Crane, who portrayed Brent Tarleton in “Gone with the Wind.”

85 years ago

Two winter visitors, the Louden brothers, of Montpelier, Ohio, outsmarted the jinx that hovered over fishermen. In a time when “fish were not biting” at Lake Apopka, the two brought in a string of 19, with a 10-pound bass as the leader.

The Albany (New York) Senators began arriving in Winter Garden for spring training. The majority of the baseball players were arriving by bus from Baltimore. The Winter Garden location was considered one of the most beautiful, as well as one of the best training centers in the state.

An ad for a 40-acre land tract read as follows: “To responsible party who will begin improving immediately — will sell for $240 cash and $2 per acre annually for six years, then $10 per acre for 10 years at 4% interest per annum beginning the sixth year, secured by purchase mortgage.”

80 years ago

Mrs. Sterling Hunter, Mrs. W.S. Ervin, Mrs. C.L. Stanford, Mrs. F.W. Ross and Mrs. Fred Cross enjoyed a picnic at Homosassa Springs.

Winter Garden boys leaving for training at Camp Blanding were Carl Hall, Robert Herrington, George Gregory Thompson, Paul Coleman, Oscar Roper, Clyde Norwood, Howell McEachern and Luther John Hogsett.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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THROWBACK THURSDAY MARCH 3, 1966 After selling 93 vehicles in February, Thriftway Chevrolet set a goal of selling 100 in March and even put it in print in an advertisement in The Winter Garden Times. With 65 new cars, 20 new trucks and a lot full of used vehicles in stock, West Orange County residents could be driving around town in style: 1964 Corvair, $1,595; 1961 Comet station wagon, $695; 1962 Chevy, $1,295; 1965 Oldsmobile, $2,995; and 1965 Corvair, $1,895. The dealership was located at 270 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.

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.

Mrs. Billy Tilden was guest speaker at the Rotary Club and gave an interesting report on the Winter Garden Welfare League’s major project, the Winter Garden Nursery School.

This school has provided under-

privileged children with schooling, food, medical attention and even toys.

70 years ago

The city of Winter Garden made plans to open Dillard Street to

the Cross State Highway (State Road 50).

Lakeview Hi-Y Club organized the Gray-Y for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders of Winter Garden Elementary.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Lucky You!

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ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION WILSON FACEBOOK LIVE 4 to 5 p.m. Fridays on Facebook, facebook.com/NicoleWilsonD1. The purpose of these live office hours is to pull back the curtain of local government and help residents learn about what goes on behind the scenes once an elected official is sworn into office.

WINDERMERE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays at Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere. Use the entrance along West Sixth Avenue.

Masks and social distancing are required; leashed pets are always welcome. For more, visit town.windermere.fl.us.

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

NOT GOOD WITH DISCOUNT GLASS, CLOSEOUT OR PRIOR SALES

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MEN OF HOLY FAMILY 25TH ANNUAL LENTEN FISH FRY 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 26, March 5, 12, 19 and 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando.

This drive-thru event features three dinner choices. For more, call the church, (407) 876-2211.

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HORIZON WEST FEST 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Hamlin Town Center, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. A day of family fun awaits you as residents, businesses and organizations join together to showcase all things Horizon West. Enjoy music, stage performances, food, kids games and activities, a scavenger hunt, and vendors. General admission is $5; children 3 and younger are free.

Guests will be divided into three time slots — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m., and 3 to 5 p.m. Wristbands must be purchased in advance at bit.ly/2ZcXFGY. For more information, email info@horizonwesthappenings.com or call (407) 574-2477.

WEST ORANGE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMEOWNER ORIENTATION 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at 955 E. Story Road, Winter Garden.

Those interested in homeownership should attend this orientation to obtain an application packet.

For more information, visit westorangehabitat.org/home-ownership.

Registration required.

CITY OF OCOEE GENERAL ELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 (Possible Run-off April 13, 2021)

WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the downtown pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden. For more, visit downtownwg.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 8

AN EVENING WITH GIGI COLEMAN 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 8. Meet Gigi Coleman, the great niece of Bessie Coleman, in this virtual event. Gigi Coleman will discuss the trailblazing life and legacy of Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license. To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/event/4844525.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

OCLS BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR ENTREPRENEURS 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 9. Join Orange County Library Services for a live webinar on using OCLS business research databases for your entrepreneurial success and competitive intelligence. To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/event/4780899.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

CUISINE CORNER JR: ST PATRICK’S DAY SNACKS 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Learn how to make some easy treats for St Patrick’s Day. Celebrate with tasty green snacks any leprechaun would love. Recommended for ages 6 to 12. To attend, visit attend.ocls. info/event/4873683.

THURSDAY, MARCH 11

WEST ORANGE CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at Mark’s Floors, 731 S. Dillard St., Suite 101-103, Winter Garden. For more, visit wochamber.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

GYMNASTICS USA! PARENT’S NIGHT OUT 6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 12, at Gymnastics USA, 13175 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden. Parents can enjoy a night out while children enjoy pizza and activities in a safe and controlled environment. Coaches are on site to ensure safety and fun, as well as organize group games and activities. For ages 3 to 12. For more, call (407) 504-0911 or visit gymnasticsusa.us.

CANDIDATES FOR CITY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT #2 Knox Anderson Rosemary Wilsen

CANDIDATES FOR CITY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT #4 Lori Hart Joel F. Keller George Oliver III Keith Richardson

View sample ballots at www.ocfelections.com or www.ocoee.org Polls are open 7:00 am – 7:00 pm and are accessible for people with disabilities.

You will be asked to show both Photo and Signature Identification.

Net proceeds from this event are for the benefit of Bahia Shriners.

Payments are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Need assistance reading or marking your ballot? Bring a family member, friend or ask a poll worker. You are entitled to assistance at the polls, except from your employer or union representative.

For a Vote-by-Mail Ballot, call 407-836-VOTE (8683) Early Voting: March 1 thru 5, 2021, 8 am – 5 pm only at the Supervisor of Elections Office 119 West Kaley Street, Orlando, FL 32806

Polling Location for Precincts #218S24, #219S24, #222S24 & #223S24 (District 4) JIM BEECH RECREATION CENTER - 1820 A D MIMS RD, OCOEE From A D Mims Road and Clarke Road, go west on A D Mims to poll on right, next to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

352206-1

Polling Location for Precincts #104S22, #218S22, #219S22, #220B22, #220S22 & #221S22 (District 2) OCOEE LAKESHORE CENTER – 125 N LAKESHORE DR, OCOEE From Silver Star Rd and Bluford Ave, go south on Bluford to Oakland Ave, turn left on Oakland to poll on left.

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OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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: First Baptist Church @Horizon West Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FBCWG.org Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 StarkeLakeBaptist.org Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd, Ocoee FL 34761 (407) 656-3097 www.VBCOCOEE.com Sunday: 11AM and 6PM Wednesday: 7PM

Isleworth estate sells for $4.03M A home in the Isleworth community in Win-

dermere topped all West Orange-area residential

CHURCH OF GOD

real-estate transactions

Ocoee Church of God Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee (407) 656-8011

from Feb. 19 to 25.

The home at 5372 Isle-

EPISCOPAL

Total Sales: 103 High Sale Price: $4.03M Low Sale Price: $128,000

four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,691 square feet. The price per square foot is $194.31. Days on market: 19.

HORIZON WEST CARRINGTON

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

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

worth Country Club

Built in 2004, it has eight

The home at 8626 Via Tavoleria Way, Windermere, sold Feb. 26, for $358,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 2,442 square feet. The price per square foot is $146.60. Days on market: Two.

METHODIST

bedrooms, seven baths,

HAMILTON GARDENS

Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $4.03 million.

First United Methodist Church 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135 Services: Livestreaming Sunday @ 9 AM. Viewable on Facebook and Youtube

two half-baths, a pool and 13,230 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $304.61. Days on market: 385.

These are the highest-

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Purpose Church Orlando 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

Saturday Service: 6 p.m. purposechurchorlando.org

selling homes in each community in West Orange.

GOTHA GOTHA

OAKS OF WINDERMERE

The home at 10367 Oakview Pointe Terrace, Gotha, sold Feb. 23, for $549,000. Built in 2001, it has six bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,671 square feet. The price per square foot is $149.55.

Days on market: Four.

For those ready to take advantage of our Moving Forward Program, the following is a partial list of assistance available through our Program.

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The home at 15058 Sunstar Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $1,162,962. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 3,615 square feet. The price per square foot is $321.70. Days on market: Zero.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 6223 Lewis and Clark Ave. sold Feb. 26, for $320,000.

Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,720 square feet. The price per square foot is $186.05. Days on market: 39.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

The home at 6743 Thornhill Circle sold Feb. 22, for $361,500. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,948 square feet. The price per square foot is $185.57.

Days on market: Three.

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The home at 16059 Black Hickory Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $909,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,474 square feet. The price per square foot is $203.17. Days on market: Two.

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The home at 1906 Twin Lake Drive, Gotha, sold Feb. 24, for $522,900. Built in 2000, it has

TEXT

The home at 16024 Malay Ginger Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 26, for $555,000. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, five-andone-half baths and 3,680 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.82. Days on market: Five.

HIGHLANDS AT SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 1128 Hempel Ave. sold Feb. 23, for $650,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,101 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.50. Days on market: 81.

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OBSERVER

REAL ESTATE

12

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

realtor.com

LAKEVIEW POINTE

The home at 7314 Twilight Bay Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $508,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,295 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.17. Days on market: 104.

LAKEVIEW PRESERVE

The home at 3272 Buoy Circle, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $490,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,855 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $171.63. Days on market: 43.

ROYAL ESTATES

The townhouse at 9009 Via Di Canti, Windermere, sold Feb. 23, for $375,990. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,381 square feet. The price per square foot is $157.91. Days on market: Zero.

SANCTUARY AT HAMLIN

The home at 7524 Mandarin Grove Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $584,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,671 square feet. The price per square foot is $218.64. Days on market: Four.

STILLWATER CROSSING

The home at 14642 Yellow Butterfly Road, Windermere, sold Feb. 22, for $454,000. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,909 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $156.07. Days on market: Two. STOREY GROVE

The home at 12081 Beowulf Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 26, for $456,742. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,505 square feet. The price per square foot is $130.31.

Days on market: 11.

The home at 9511 Beautiful Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $449,810. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,505 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $128.33. Days on market: Zero.

The home at 10019 Sequel Alley, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 24, for $373,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,502 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $149.08. Days on market: Three.

SUMMERPORT

The home at 13708 Bluebird Pond Road, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $517,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 3,292 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $157.05. Days on market: 46.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

WATERLEIGH

WINDERMERE SOUND

The home at 16149 Mangrove Road, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $379,740. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,027 square feet. The price per square foot is $187.34. Days on market: 79.

WINDERMERE TRAILS

The home at 9845 Beach Port Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $559,990. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,769 square feet. The price per square foot is $202.24. Days on market: 227.

The home at 5372 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $4.03 million. This home features a Mediterranean exterior and French Renaissance interior.

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The home at 16518 Sea Glass St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $376,740. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,216 square feet. The price per square foot is $170.01. Days on market: 63.

WICKHAM PARK

The home at 12654 Calderdale Ave., Windermere, sold Feb. 26, for $347,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,710 square feet. The price per square foot is $202.92. Days on market: Two. WINCEY GROVES

The home at 5385 Golden Apple Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 24, for $689,635. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,199 square feet. The price per square foot is $215.58. Days on market: Zero.

The home at 16235 Misty Hills Ave., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $621,424. Built in 2021, it has six bedrooms, five baths and 4,630 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.22. Days on market: Zero.

13

The home at 7319 Ella Lane, Windermere, sold Feb. 26, for $379,900. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,461 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.37.

Days on market: 34.

The home at 8498 Powder Ridge Trail, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $500,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 2,393 square feet. The price per square foot is $208.94. Days on market: 170.

The home at 11842 Gray Rock Trail sold Feb. 26, for $485,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,616 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.13.

Days on market: Six. The home at 9213 Reflection Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 22, for $415,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,225 square feet. The price per square foot is $186.52.

Days on market: Two.

OAKLAND

HULL ISLAND AT OAKLAND

The home at 1232 Hull Island Drive sold Feb. 23, for $765,000.

Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,722 square feet. The price per square foot is $205.53. Days on market: 73.

LONGLEAF AT OAKLAND

The home at 1178 Bobcat Chase Blvd., Oakland, sold Feb. 23, for $406,935. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,470 square feet. The price per square foot is $164.75. Days on market: Zero.

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

WINDERMERE

The home at 2020 Standing Rock Circle sold Feb. 24, for $490,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 2,564 square feet. The price per square foot is $191.11. Days on market: 33.

ESTATES AT LAKE CLARICE

The home at 4121 Clarice Estates Drive sold Feb. 25, for $1,980,000. Built in 2009, it has five bedrooms, eight-andone-half baths and 7,031 square feet. The price per square foot is $281.61. Days on market: 119.

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 1974 American Beech Parkway, Ocoee, sold Feb. 26, for $426,015. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,911 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.66. Days on market: 144.

The home at 2033 Mountain Pine St., Ocoee, sold Feb. 26, for $364,350. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,571 square feet. The price per square foot is $141.72. Days on market: 12.

The home at 2111 Mountain Pine St. sold Feb. 26, for $335,685.

Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,853 square feet. The price per square foot is $181.16. Days on market: Six. ARDEN PARK SOUTH

The home at 2547 Red Berry, Ocoee, sold Feb. 26, for $385,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,700 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $142.59. Days on market: 78.

HAMMOCKS

The home at 1006 Blue Spruce Drive, Ocoee, sold Feb. 22, for $365,000. Built in 1990, it has

realtor.com

The home at 15058 Sunstar Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $1,162,962. It was the largest transaction in Horizon West from Feb. 19 to 25.

four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,519 square feet. The price per square foot is $144.90.

Days on market: Zero.

HARBOUR HIGHLANDS

The home at 800 W. Harbour Court, Ocoee, sold Feb. 24, for $335,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,176 square feet. The price per square foot is $153.95.

Days on market: One. MCCORMICK WOODS

The home at 35607 McCormick Woods Drive sold Feb. 23, for $399,310. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 2,906 square feet. The price per square foot is $137.41. Days on market: Three.

VINEYARDS

The home at 373 Merlot Drive, Ocoee, sold Feb. 23, for $382,200. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and

3,367 square feet. The price per square foot is $113.51. Days on market: 25.

WATERSIDE

The home at 2114 New Victor Road, Ocoee, sold Feb. 22, for $347,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,046 square feet. The price per square foot is $169.60.

Days on market: Four.

WESTYN BAY

The home at 291 Westyn Bay Blvd., Ocoee, sold Feb. 23, for $426,500. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,078 square feet. The price per square foot is $138.56. Days on market: One. The home at 620 Cimarosa Court, Ocoee, sold Feb. 26, for $356,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,946 square feet. The price per square foot is $182.94.

Days on market: One.

The home at 4205 Clarice Estates Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $1.11 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,136 square feet. The price per square foot is $268.38. Days on market: 144.

ISLEWORTH

The home at 4812 Lewis Garden Court sold Feb. 26, for $2,448,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 4,505 square feet. The price per square foot is $543.40. Days on market: 667.

The home at 5108 Fairway Oaks Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 22, for $1,350,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,144 square feet. The price per square foot is $325.77. Days on market: 109.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6814 Valhalla Way, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $1,499,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, seven baths, a pool and 6,070 square feet. The price per square foot is $246.95.

Days on market: 161.

The home at 6850 Valhalla Way sold Feb. 25, for $1,387,500. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths, a pool and 5,225 square feet. The price per square foot is $265.55.

LAKE CYPRESS COVE

The home at 5957 Marleon Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 26, for $1,665,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths, a pool and 5,598 square feet. The price per square foot is $297.43. Days on market: 46.

LAKE DAVIS RESERVE

The home at 5502 Marleon Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 23, for $1.25 million. Built in 2011, it has six bedrooms, four-andone-half baths, a pool and 6,355 square feet. The price per square foot is $196.70. Days on market: 123.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 11229 Bridge House Road, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $2,774,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,756 square feet. The price per square foot is $410.60.

Days on market: 69.

RESERVE AT WATERFORD POINTE

The home at 2106 Water Key Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 22, for $845,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 4,188 square feet. The price per square foot is $201.77. Days on market: 24.

WINDERMERE GRANDE

The home at 1927 Watermere Lane, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $749,900. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-andone-half baths, a pool and 3,053 square feet. The price per square foot is $245.63. Days on market: Seven.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

GEORGE OLIVER III Hi Neighbors, I’m George Oliver and I’m your City of Ocoee Commissioner.

I’ve called Ocoee my home since 2002 and have contributed over 10 years of public service to our community.

CANOPY OAKS

The home at 12910 Canopy Woods Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 24, for $985,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths, a pool and 4,273 square feet. The price per square foot is $230.52. Days on market: 53.

CARRIAGE POINTE

The home at 15608 Golden Bell St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $485,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,895 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.53. Days on market: One. COVINGTON PARK

The home at 713 Grandhaven Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $365,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,950 square feet. The price per square foot is $187.18. Days on market: One. DEERFIELD PLACE

The home at 243 Doe Run Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 24, for $327,500. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,972 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.08. Days on market: Three.

FULLERS CROSSING

The home at 915 McPherson Place, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $312,000. Built in 2005, it

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 1024 Prosperity Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 24, for $536,567. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,257 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $237.73. Days on market: 126.

The home at 1087 Huntspoint St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 26, for $469,900. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,932 square feet. The price per square foot is $243.22. Days on market: 14.

On March 9th, I’m counting on your vote to continue serving you as your Commissioner and to keep on working to make Ocoee a great place to live.

GEORGE’S 5-PART AGENDA EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP A spirit of service, leadership with a sense of urgency. “It shouldn’t take 30 years to repair and pave a road.

It’s time to demand accountability.”

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT Empowering all citizens to engage in the political process by registering to vote, attend monthly council meetings, and joining city-sponsored councils.

TRANSPARENCY WITH FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY Holding leadership accountable for the spending of tax dollars.

YOUTH PROGRAMS Providing a constructive means for youth to have a voice in decision-making processes, self-growth opportunities and developing future leaders.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Attracting new sit-down restaurants to Ocoee.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 13539 Fox Glove St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 25, for $445,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,279 square feet. The price per square foot is $135.71. Days on market: 16.

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The home at 1602 Debut Lane, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $400,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,064 square feet. The price per square foot is $130.55. Days on market: Five.

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The home at 213 Valencia Court, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $455,000. Built in 1975, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths, a pool and 2,280 square feet. The price per square foot is $199.56. Days on market: Two. WINTERMERE HARBOR

The home at 2056 Harbor Cove Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $400,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,690 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.70. Days on market: Three.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

OCPS announces graduation schedule Orange County Public Schools last week announced graduation dates for the Class of 2021, with preliminary plans to hold all high school graduation ceremonies in person at the Amway Center.

The schedule is based on the availability of the Amway Center during the NBA playoffs or Solar Bears games, as well as safety conditions due to COVID-19.

Safety precautions will include — but are not limited to — the mandatory wearing of face masks; social distancing; limited ticketing (exact number per graduate to be determined); and strict arrival, departure and stage procedures. All guidelines and protocols are being developed in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County and the Amway Center.

The schedule for West Orange- and Southwest Orange-area schools is as follows: n Windermere High School: 8:30 a.m.

Monday, May 17 n West Orange High School: 2 p.m.

Thursday, May 20 n Olympia High School: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 20 n Dr. Phillips High School: 7:30 p.m.

Monday, May 24 n Ocoee High School: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 27

District implements terminology change Orange County Public Schools will send Connect Orange messages to families using the term “SECURE” instead of “LOCKOUT.” “LOCKOUT” was used previous for incidents unrelated to the school that involved law enforcement.

WENDY CARTWRIGHT, OCOEE HIGH Wendy Cartwright has been teaching and leading students at Ocoee High School since it opened in 2005, and she finds joy in helping her students become the best versions of themselves. As senior class adviser, SGA sponsor and instructor for the school’s leadership program, Cartwright wears many hats. She recently announced her upcoming move to Horizon High School this fall, where she will reunite with former Ocoee Principal Laura Beusse.

What brought you to your school?

Dr. Mike Armbruster offered me the opportunity to start the Student Government Association program at Ocoee High School.

Also, Dr. Armbruster and I had worked together in the past at West Orange High School, and I wanted to work with him again at OHS. What do you love most about your school?

I love the culture at Ocoee High School. The teachers are here for the students and put students first. We also have a wonderful sense of fellowship among the “staffulty” and the best marching band in Orange County Public Schools!

What is your motivation?

My motivation is seeing the students succeed and learn how they can make a positive difference in their school and community.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job

REPORT CARD ROLE: Student Government Association adviser, senior class sponsor, leadership program instructor TIME AT SCHOOL: 16 years

is the relationships I have made with colleagues and students. I have made some lifelong friends and even teach with some of my former students.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to do arts and crafts at my beach condo!

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? My favorite teacher in school was Allen Chambers, my band director. I was drum major in high school, and Mr. Chambers taught me about leadership and the impact a good leader can have on an organization.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Why? I actually wanted to be a teacher when I was a child. Throughout my time in middle and high school, I was very involved in the choral and instrumental music programs, which led to me earning a bachelor’s degree in music management. My senior internship was working with Disney’s Magic Music Days program. Through

that internship, I rediscovered my interest in teaching and went back to school to earn a master’s degree in mathematics education.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is the Harry Potter series, because it teaches the power of friendship, courage and love. Hermione Granger is my hero!

Who would you say is your biggest inspiration and why?

My biggest inspiration is my family. My husband is a firefighter/ paramedic, and I have two collegeage daughters. They inspire me to always be the best version of myself.

— 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.

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INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Pavement positivity Students at Gotha Middle are utilizing chalk to help express themselves and bring joy to those around campus with the new “Chalk Your Walk.”

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

For Gotha Middle School Principal Monica Emery, if there is a chance to spread positivity, she is going to take it.

Such is the case with the school’s newest challenge, inspired by a trend that gained traction early in the pandemic — “Chalk Your Walk.”

“The idea is that here on campus, we decorate the sidewalks and courtyard with positive messages and promoting kindness and self love, and encourage our families to do that in their own communities, too,” Emery said. “It’s kind of just to remember that it is important to be kind, and we’re all going through a lot, and it’s OK.” During the early days of COVID-19, the trend utilized the simple medium of sidewalk chalk to allow children to express themselves while also trying to bring a bit of normalcy back to their homes and communities.

Student government advisers brought up the idea, mentioning that they missed the normalcy of the many fun activities that the

school would do before COVID-19 happened. Out of those discussions came other ideas, as well — including a special video creation to celebrate this year’s eighth-graders.

Beginning the second week of February, students took to the sidewalks and courtyard on campus and wrote simple messages, like, “Social distance doesn’t mean we aren’t together,” and another surrounded by hearts that read, “Smile together, everyone matters.”

“I think it made them feel good,” Emery said. “Our campus — before it rained, the end of last week — was covered; I mean, I have tons of pictures. I just like to see them do fun things, and I feel like there hasn’t been a lot of fun — it’s just been a lot of strange, and even though we are seven months into the school year here, it’s still just strange.

“It made me feel good to see kids being creative and being artistic, and it made the campus so much brighter,” she said. “And I think the kids appreciate that.”

For students around campus, the simple creations that lined their school did certainly mean a

Courtesy photos

Using chalk to create colorful art has helped Gotha Middle students deal with the stress of the pandemic.

lot, said Natalia Semaan, a seventh-grader.

“Positivity isn’t an emotion or status; it is a way of life that you choose,” she said. “Everyone matters and deserves recognition. This event gave many people a way to notice that they matter.”

Others, such as seventh-graders Erin Tomeu and Alisander Henderson, connected with some of messages and drawings.

“When I saw the chalk work, I felt more motivated and selfconfident,” Tomeu said. “It made me happy to know that somebody’s day may have been brightened like mine because of the art.”

Along with the messages of

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positivity and the colorful drawings that have added a sense of creativity around the school, there is a lot of pride in helping get this movement put together for students who were involved.

Those involved with the student government voiced a concern — in this case, a need for doing something in the face of a weird year — and were heard.

That was big for Sydney Gass — who serves as the eighth-grade student government president.

“I was very happy that we were able to help spread positivity within the student body and pride in our school,” she said.

“Ideas from the students are being represented and listened to.”

And just like every year, the school also is doing multiple fun videos — the first of which focuses on the school’s eighthgraders, who are missing out on the normal events that would generally get to do if there was no pandemic. Thanks to a green screen and video editing, the video was able to be done a couple of weeks ago.

Then, finally, Gotha Middle will create its yearly video that features the whole school, which will take place March 9 and 10.

“It’s important — I think — for our mental health just to do something that is a little bit fun,” Emery said. “We’ve always been about positivity and kindness here.”

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE

?

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WE’RE IN THE

ZONE

KEEP PUBLIC NOTICES IN NEWSPAPERS

EVERY THURSDAY

Public notices inform citizens of the changes that affect them and their community. Some state and local officials want to move these notices from newspapers to government-run websites, where they may not be easily accessed.

As students head back to classes - online or face-to-face - families are walking a tightrope, trying to balance safety with continued academic growth.

URGE FLORIDA LAWMAKERS TO OPPOSE HB 35 AND SB 402

The Observer School Zone will be your source in West Orange with the latest school news, photo galleries and what’s happening during these crazy times.

These bills seek to eliminate the newspaper requirement for public notice and allow local governments to post notices on publicly accessible government websites and government access channels.

DON’T LET FLORIDA LAWMAKERS REMOVE YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW Call your legislators and voice your opinion today.

Head of the Class Sponsors

In the Zone Sponsors

School Sponsors

NO COMMENT by David Steinberg; Edited by David Steinberg

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03-04-21

MARCH 4, 2021

SPORTS

HIGH

Brielyn Knowles is one of the top scorers for the Windermere Prep girls soccer team. Page 20.

1

5

Horizon High announced Friday, Feb. 26, Dennis Thomas as the school’s first head football coach. Thomas, who turned 40 years old the day after the announcement, previously served as the head coach at Lyman High in Longwood after being the head coach at Celebration High.

During his time at Celebration, Thomas led the Storm to its only winning season in 2015.

2

The Windermere boys track and field team dominated on its way to a first-place finish at the Windermere Meet of Champions Saturday, Feb. 27. The Wolverines saw first-place wins by Amer Amer (shot put; 49-10.5) and Ryan Flournoy (javelin; 164-5).

On the girls side, Windermere finished seventh and saw a first-place finish from Katie Ranck in the 1600-meter run with a time of 5:26.87.

3

Ocoee High wrestling’s Jordan Phillips showed his skills during the Class 3A, Region 1 wrestling tournament at Flagler Palm Coast Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27. Phillips wrestled and won his way into the 285-pound weight class championship, where he finished runner-up after falling in a 3-2 decision to Fleming Islands’ Ethan Hoffstetter. With the second-place finish, Phillips has notched a spot at states.

Photos by Troy Herring

‘We’re still not done’ A blowout win over Seminole has the Panthers riding high into their first Final Four in a decade.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

B

y the time the final buzzer sounded, the game itself had long been over, but that didn’t stop the Dr. Phillips Panthers from celebrating.

The scoreboard hanging on the wall lit up with the final score of 71-49 in favor of Dr. Phillips, which used a big second half to stomp all over Seminole in the FHSAA Class 7A, Region 1 championship game

4

TFA baseball’s Isaac Sewell was as close to perfect as a pitcher can be in the Royals’ 2-0 win over Harmony Friday, Feb. 26. Sewell struck out 12 batters on his way to throwing a complete game no-hitter for the Royals, who moved to 6-0 with the victory.

5

The West Orange softball team had a field day at the plate in a 16-0 win over Evans Thursday, Feb. 25. Freshman Chloe Dunster helped lead the way, going 1-for-2 in three plate appearances while picking up three RBIs and two runs. Fellow freshmen Lily Barone, Zoe Calvez, Tabitha Perry, Aubrianna Sturm and Hannah Yetter racked up two RBIs each.

— giving the Panthers their first Final Four berth in a decade.

After being the first to grab hold of the trophy sitting over on the scorer’s table, junior Ernest Udeh took in the moment for a split second before placing it on the ground in front of his team as they broke out into a dance. After years of wading through the desert for a regional title — which last came in SEE PANTHERS PAGE 20

OARS returns to the water TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

After nearly a year of patience and changing how the organization operated, the Orlando Area Rowing Society and its athletes finally got the chance to participate in their first real regatta at the American Youth Cup Feb. 20-21 in Sarasota.

The team did have a small, three-team scrimmage in early February, but this event — which SEE RETURNING PAGE 20

After almost a year without competitions, athletes from OARS finally got the chance to take to the water during the American Youth Cup in Sarasota.

Courtesy photo

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORING AND SHANNON TILL/STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Brielyn Knowles

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Windermere Prep sophomore Brielyn Knowles has been a member of the Lakers’ varsity girls soccer team since seventh grade and most recently finished this past soccer season as one of the team’s top scorers. Knowles, a force in the midfield, started playing soccer at age 7 and hopes to eventually play at the collegiate level.

When did you first start playing soccer?

At a young age, my parents kind of thew me into a bunch of sports, and I think when I was 7 or so, I took a liking to basketball and soccer. But from then on, soccer started to become my main sport.

THE BASICS SCHOOL: Windermere Prep GRADE: Sophomore AGE: 15 SPORT: Soccer POSITION: Midfield

What has kept you motivated to stay in the game for so long?

I feel like it’s just being surrounded by all of my friends, and it’s such a good environment, and everyone is just playing the sport they love together. I think all of that passion within the sport keeps me going and keeps me playing.

through — I had the most fun with the girls on this team.

During the season, I was just trying to get over that hill — being in 10th grade, next year is when the colleges start to scout, and this is the time I’ve really been trying to work on myself.

You’ve been on the varsity team since seventh grade.

What would you say is the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since then?

My leadership has definitely gotten better. Starting varsity playing with the upperclassmen and all of the older girls at such a young age, I started to take note from their leadership skills, and I started to add that to me playing varsity now — getting older — to the younger kids on the team. And I think just communication skills, overall, because playing with the older girls at first is kind of scary, and it’s kind of weird playing with girls who weren’t even in my age group.

What is your favorite part about playing in the midfield?

What is the most challenging part?

So my favorite thing — for sure — is just being in the play at all times. I like attacking, I like defending, and I feel like the ball goes through the midfield, so I just love in the play and around the ball at all times.

And I think (that) connects and relates to the most challenging part, which is being aware of where I am on the field at all times and where the ball is, and I need to be aware of where my teammates are.

Is there a highlight moment for you at Windermere Prep?

Winnings states last year was definitely the highlight of my years — probably one of the most fun games I’ve played in.

It was so exciting and it was a nail-biter, and it was one of the best games the team has ever played.

What was this last season like for you?

This season was honestly one of the best seasons that I think Windermere Prep has had, and it was probably my favorite season to play

Panthers ready for semis

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Honestly, just hanging out with my friends and hanging out with my family, going to the beach — one of my favorite things when I have down time.

— TROY HERRING

2011 — this win was one worth celebrating.

“It’s really special to me — on my part — because coming into this with Coach Ben as our coach, he asked us, ‘What do we want to do?’ and we told him we wanted to win a state championship,” said Udeh, who racked up 16 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks. “He coaches us every day in practice to make sure we achieve our goals … and now it’s just up to us if we want to put in the work, put our heads down and stay focused to maintain our goal.”

WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN

Going into Friday night’s matchup with Seminole, Panthers head coach Ben Witherspoon knew what he and his team were up against.

Early on, the Panthers (22-3) struggled offensively against the Seminoles’ press, and after being down 16-7 with a little over three minutes left in the opening quarter, the Panthers found themselves down only 17-15 at the end of the first thanks to Riley Kugel — who scored six of his 14 points in the quarter.

Then, in the second quarter, the game came to a grinding halt.

Neither team could find pay dirt — Dr. Phillips scored only nine points, but the Panthers held the Seminoles to a measly three

points in the eight minutes of play.

“We just didn’t execute,” Witherspoon said. “We were prepared, we had a plan, and we just didn’t do it in the first quarter, and then we didn’t finish plays in the second quarter. But we bounced back in the second quarter.”

Dealing with the press from the Seminoles (16-8) was a challenge — specifically in the first half, said the Panthers’ Denzel Aberdeen.

“We tried to send somebody to the middle and then have two wings running down the floor (in case) somebody catches it down the middle,” said Aberdeen, who led the Panthers with 24 points.

But just as the first half saw struggling offenses, something clicked for Dr. Phillips out the gate in the second half, as the Panthers went on an 8-1 run, and then an 11-2 run in the final three-and-one-half minutes to put the Panthers up 51-33 to end the third quarter. That third quarter put the Panthers into a comfortable spot, as they cruised on to the 71-49 win.

WELCOME TO LAKELAND

In the last two seasons under Witherspoon, Dr. Phillips has won the championship in what has become the “District of Death” while also making deep runs into the playoffs — a series

Returning to the water CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

featured 25 teams — was the first huge race these athletes had run since the pandemic began. To be there, after everything that has happened, was incredible, said Kirsten Anderson — OARS’ longtime rowing coach and director of rowing.

“Everybody loved it — from the kids to the parents,” Anderson said. “It wasn’t even about where they were placing at all — we did decent — but it really wasn’t about that. It was all about getting out on the race course with other teams from around Florida and around the country.

“It was just fantastic to be at a regatta, back on the water and seeing six or seven boats lined up ready to race,” she said.

While OARS athletes were just happy be be back, they also racked up strong performances in just about every event. On the women’s side, OARS picked up two first-place finishes, four second-place wins and three third-place wins. Meanwhile, on the men’s side, OARS picked up five top-five finishes.

Being able to put up those kind of performances is impressive considering the curveballs 2020 threw. Last summer, the organization was not able to do a lot of the things it normally does, but it did get some new boats and figured out ways of dealing with the situation, Anderson said.

“We were trying to entertain the kids the best we could with Zoom workouts and things like that, and it was OK — it wasn’t anything fantastic,” Anderson said. “But in the summer, we were able to purchase some smaller boats — some singles and doubles. We’re used to rowing in eights most of the time, where you have eight people in a boat, but in a single or double it would allow kids to just hop in by themselves. That allowed us to start offering some lessons and camps to our current rowers.”

Once schools opened in the fall, Anderson said the organization was hesitant to open given the possibility in a rise of cases.

To help keep folks safe, athletes were put into small training pods.

Boys and girls were split into two groups — with one going to train

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one day, and the other the next.

The training stayed that way until October, before things began to open up a little bit. By the end of November, things had mostly gotten back to normal — although the athletes still worked in pods, they added bigger boats back into the mix. With all the modifications, it’s no surprise many athletes were rusty at the American Youth Cup — even the coaches.

“Just among the coaches ourselves, people were going around asking, ‘Do you have (this)?’ — some piece of equipment that they forgot,” Anderson said.

“Like, we all forgot how to load our trailers. … I was with five coaches who were just talking and they said, ‘This guy forgot his wrenches, this guy forgot something for the trailer.’ That piece was kind of funny … we all were just trying to figure out how to get back to normal.”

OARS athletes and coaches will have some time to try and shake that rust off as they prepare for their next big regatta — the USRowing Youth National Championships in June.

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of successes the Panthers have not seen since the days of head coach Anthony Long.

So far this season, the Panthers have overcome the obstacles placed in their way, but now is not the time to be complacent, Witherspoon said.

“Honestly, this is what we expected this year — to get to Lakeland,” Witherspoon said.

“This isn’t our final goal — we’re still not done — so, yes, we’re happy to be here and happy to have the turnaround we’ve had in two years, but until there is a banner up here, we can’t relax.”

There’s no relaxing when it comes to making it this far, and it’s doubly true given the team that will be awaiting Dr. Phillips in the Class 7A semifinals at the RP Funding Center on Friday, March 5, is a powerhouse in Oak Ridge. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m.

The Pioneers (21-2) are the No. 4 ranked team in the state — the Panthers currently sit right behind them at No. 5 — and the two teams met earlier in a regular season matchup that saw Dr. Phillips fall 49-47 in a controversial ending.

“We played them before, and we lost by two off a goaltending, so we just have to fix the tiny mistakes that we made in the previous game,” Udeh said. “(We have to) work on it and get better at it.”

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University), where he would receive his degree to become a Registered Pharmacist.

Harry came to the Orlando area in 1956 and worked for several different pharmacies. In 1968, he became part owner and manager of Medical Arts Pharmacy in Winter Garden, Florida, and operated there until he closed the pharmacy in 1993. After closing Medical Arts, he worked part-time for the Medicine Shoppe in Winter Garden until his retirement.

WILLIAM BRADY BURCH

DIED FEB. 25, 2021

William “Billy” Burch, 66, of Winter Garden, Florida passed suddenly and unexpectedly from this life on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. He was born in Lakeland, Florida, on June 30, 1954, the son of Selby R. Burch and Brady Lee Bayshore.

Billy is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Fontaine) Burch; a daughter, Kaley (Josh) Maloy; a son, Tristan; a grandson, Barrett Maloy; a sister, Alyson Denise Burch (Minneloa, Florida); and his brother, Scott Story Burch (“Lou”) (Alpine, Texas).

Billy was a 1973 graduate of Lakeview High School in Winter Garden.

Following high school, Billy attended the Daytona Beach Community College and Florida Southern University, where he earned a degree in Citrus and Horticultural Science. After college, Billy worked for B.E. Dillard Grove Service in Eustis, Florida, and later joined his father, Selby, in the family’s citrus business. In addition Billy secured his real estate broker’s license and was a managing partner of Burch Properties along with his brother, Scott.

Billy was a community-minded individual, who served on the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Winter Garden Planning and Zoning Board. In addition, he was a former director of the Bank First of Winter Garden.

Billy developed a love for flying and secured his pilot’s license at a very early age. After years of honing his aviator skills, he was inducted into the society of “Ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen.”

Also, Billy was a member of The Valiant Air Command and Wings of War. Along with his father, Selby, and brother, Scott, he greatly enjoyed participating in the annual Valiant Air Command Airshow at TICO Airport located in Titusville and in Tom Reilly’s end-of-year Warbird Fly-In

and Airshow. Billy proudly flew and displayed his father’s award-winning P-51 Mustangs in numerous airshows and fly-ins across the southeastern United States. Billy rarely missed airshows or gatherings at country fly-ins or hangar parties. You could always depend on seeing his smiling face and hear his friendly greeting at any of these events. Ultimately, Billy’s superb flying skills landed him supporting roles in movies including “Winds of War,” “Too Young the Hero,” “The Road Raiders” and “Wild America.”

Billy served as Chairman of the West Orange Airport Authority, which included the towns of Apopka, Winter Garden and Ocoee. The authority’s goal was to establish a public general aviation airport, with federal and state grants, to serve West Orange County and East Lake County. Billy worked diligently to locate a large parcel of real estate to serve this purpose.

However, despite the authority’s best efforts to date, the goal remains to be a worthy objective.

Billy was an avid outdoorsman, who greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and just kicking back to share time and to watch college football with family and friends. He especially cherished spending time at the “Burch Land & Cattle Company” ranch located in Alpine, Texas. Billy was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Moreover, he was an easygoing, reliable, generous and unpretentious man, who easily attracted friends with whom he shared a mutual allegiance throughout his life. Billy will be sincerely

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Harry Bell Bradford Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.

Harry was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on Nov. 21, 1928 to the late Harry Bell and LaNelle Moon Bradford. He grew up in Pine Log and Cartersville, Georgia. He often reminisced about his childhood. Harry was an ambitious young man. He had rabbit boxes that he put out in the woods to catch wild rabbits and sell to the man with the rolling store. He also had a newspaper route delivering the local Cartersville paper and the “Grit.”

Harry proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956.

He attended the Southern School of Pharmacy in Atlanta (Now Mercer

He was an avid golfer and was a member of West Orange Country Club from 1969-2014. He was also a huge NASCAR fan.

Harry was a real “people person” who loved life. He was known for a quick wit and a caring heart. He will be missed by all.

Harry is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lucy; sister-in-law, Peggy Bradford; brother-in-law, Buddy (Pam) Moorman; sister-in-law, Elaine Moorman; many nephews and nieces; and many lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation or a charity of their choice.

Please join us for a graveside Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at Winter Garden Cemetery.

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