03.10.16 Windermere Observer

WINDERMERE

Observer Serving Southwest Orange County

Olympia baseball reinvents itself as offensive power.

See page 19

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 1, NO. 24

FREE

Good call?

YOUR TOWN

Spring forward!

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Crown Castle USA wants to build a cell tower fewer than 300 feet from Sunset Park Elementary. Parents fear the long-term effects. See page 3

Remembering

Robbie

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 13, so be sure to move your clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

This will give you more daylight in the evening — until the first Sunday of November.

Garden club gets crazy

Bonnie Baum, left, and chair Carolin Warren check out the gifts and donations that will be offered at the party.

Don’t miss the craziest card game in town. The Windermere Garden Club is hosting its annual fundraiser and luncheon from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Windermere Town Hall. No card-playing experience is needed at the Crazy Card Party.

Guests will enjoy a luncheon, cards, a silent auction and numerous raffles.

Tickets are $25, and proceeds are spent in the community. Checks can be made payable to the Windermere Garden Club, Box 502, Windermere, FL 34786.

For more information, call Peggy, (407) 8764239.

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

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Postal Customer

Photos by Michael Eng

Mike Boyles wore a jersey with Robert “Robbie” German’s name at the Windermere Police Foundation’s Memorial Softball Tournament and Family Fun Day . See page 4

Windermere referendum explained Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith helped to host three public sessions at Town Hall to inform residents of what they will vote on March 15.

ZAK KERR STAFF WRITER WINDERMERE

Perhaps as large as the question of which candidates to elect to the Windermere Town Council this month is this question listed on Windermere’s ballots: “Shall the town of Windermere be allowed to incur debt

up to $4.2 million … solely from funds received from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for Municipalities, not property taxes, to build new administrative offices, a new police headquarters and a new public works facility, to add parking, to increase the park area for the ‘1887 schoolhouse’ and

add basketball courts and to make street and other related improvements?”

To better inform voters, Town Manager Robert Smith, Police Chief Dave Ogden and Mayor Gary Bruhn hosted three public sessions demonstrating why this large project is under examination and what the vote actually means.

Wannemacher Jensen Architects Inc. conducted a study to SEE REFERENDUM PAGE 4

ARTS+CULTURE

Watercolor master offers painting class.

PAGE 13

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10

YOU R CALENDAR

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

WEST ORANGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 10, at West Orange Country Club, 3300 West Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden. The guest speaker is Congressman Daniel Webster, who will provide an update on the nation’s capitol. Doors open and buffet begins at 11:30, and the meeting is from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Lunch is $20. RSVP to Carolyn Sparks at (407) 248-9559 or (407) 230-3856. For information, worw.federated@gmail. com.

WHEN CITRUS WAS KING: THE HISTORY OF WINTER GARDEN CITRUS 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Winter Garden was the largest citrus shipping center in the world in the 1940s. Today, the face of West Orange County no longer features land covered with citrus groves stretching miles in every direction. Enjoy a trip through the history of the citrus industry presented by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. (407) 656-3244.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

RELAY FOR LIFE RUMMAGE SALE 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 12, in the Olympia High School cafeteria, 4301 S. ApopkaVineland Road, Orlando. The National Honor Society is sponsoring the sale, and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Items include clothing, books, electronics, furniture and sporting goods.

Cash only; no bags or purses allowed. (407) 905-6408.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

WEST ORANGE WOMEN LUNCHEON 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at Orange Tree Country Club, 7540 Woodgreen Drive, Orlando. There will be a fashion show courtesy of Dress Barn.

Cost is $25. To RSVP, contact dotansel@aol.com or (407)

258-8155 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELTIC FESTIVAL 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, through 11 p.m. Friday, March 19, at the Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Large beer garden, Celtic food, Highland games, live Celtic music, vendors and more. The Celtic rock band Off Kilter will be headlining. (407) 395-9520.

SHAMROCKS! 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Do you have the luck of the Irish? Have a legendary good time with crafts, stories and leprechaun fun. Ages 6-12.

(407) 835-7323.

ST. BALDRICK’S CHARITY EVENT 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Crooked Can in the Plant Street Market, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The Winter Garden Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4947 is hosting the benefit for the St. Baldrick’s organization, which helps funds the fight against childhood cancer. Participants will have their heads shaved to show solidarity with children battling cancer. To donate to the par-

ticipants prior to the event, go to stbaldricks.org/events/ WinterGarden2016. Donations can be made at the event, as well. For information, contact jeffjustice42@yahoo.com or (407) 927-7350.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

GROOVE AT THE GROVE 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Windermere’s The Grove, 4750-4757 The Grove Drive, Orlando. Entertainer Craig Singleton will perform music from the Big Band era to today’s hits. A game truck will provide onsite video games for families. The event continues through May with free live concerts, movies and more on the third Friday of the month. Visit thegroveorlando.com.

TENEBRAE SERVICE 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, 8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando. The choir will perform a cappella inspirational choral classics, as part of “Tenebrae,” a dramatic service of prayer and music as part of the concert series. The singers in the choir are all professional musicians in the Orlando area and are under the direction of Dr. William Picher. All are welcome to this event; no tickets are necessary. For more information, visit maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/concerts/ or call (407) 239-6600.

The FACES of Heart Failure • Fatigue • Activities Limited • Chest congestion • Edema or ankle swelling • Shortness of breath

Trust your HEART to the Cardiovascular Team of Experts Close to Home at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital

Connect to health at

healthcentral.org 198462

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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Hundreds of people attended the Taste of Windermere, presented by the Central Florida Women’s League, and raised funds for charities and scholarships.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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Proposed cell tower worries neighbors Sunset Park Elementary School would be within 300 feet of a 140-foot pole with as many as three wireless companies’ transmitters.

ZAK KERR STAFF WRITER HORIZON WEST Less than a decade

Andi Nix, left, Chris Ford, Sally Anthony, Jamie Tice and Todd Tice socialized while trying various wines.

TASTY TREAT

Amy Calandrino, left, Shawna Foster and John Kolb enjoyed tasting different wines.

Michelle Greene, left, president of the Central Florida Women’s League, and Sheila Leacock, president of the League’s Foundation, helped put on the event.

T

he Central Florida Women’s League hosted its sixth annual Taste of Windermere event from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at The Grove.

Hundreds of people attended the event, where 24 restaurants participated and handed out samples and small plates of various foods and wines.

Proceeds from ticket sales and raffle tickets benefited local charities and scholarship funds.

In the last 26 years, the league has raised and distributed more than $2 million for local charities and student scholarships.

TRANSMISSION HAZARDS Darcy O’Mara, Julie Thompson and Tom O’Mara stopped at a table to try some wines and various dinner plates.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Nicole Argabright, Ty McFadden and Vanessa Alzate represented the Capital Grille.

MK Colton and her mother, Mary, enjoyed roaming around and visiting the various restaurants’ booths.

ago, Internet access on cell phones was a pipe dream for many, often too great an expense.

Today, social expectations include Internet connectivity from almost anywhere — even where Wi-Fi is unavailable — via data usage.

But this technology comes at the cost of transmitters broadcasting powerful waves that might cause harm to those in the immediate vicinity, such as overexposure to almost any type of radiation. That immediate vicinity for a proposed 140-foot Horizon West cell pole includes Sunset Park Elementary.

Orange County Case Planner Rocco Relvini hosted a March 2 community meeting about this proposal at the school, because a variance approved by the Board of County Commissioners would be necessary for this structure to be within 700 feet of single-family homes.

Relvini said all parties within a 700-foot radius — including 34 homeowners — had been given fair notice. But residents said Principal Janet Bittick had not known about the meeting until March 1 — only because a parent had mentioned it — and that all Sunset Park parents should know of it.

Lauralee Westine spoke on behalf of Crown Castle USA, the company intending to construct the monopole tower at the northeast corner of Fire Station 35, near Lake Burden Shops. She said densely populated areas often can have cell towers about a mile apart. District 1 Orange County Commissioner S. Scott Boyd said the closest tower was on Chase Road, about 1.3 miles away.

“There is somewhat of a sweet spot,” Westine said, referring to how towers too close can cause frequency issues and towers too far apart can cause gaps in service.

Residents asked about links to

ONLINE See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Per American Cancer Society, radio waves from cell towers have low energy compared with radio and television towers’ waves, as well as gamma, ultraviolet and X-rays. They also have long wavelengths, which can be concentrated to just an inch or two — unlikely to be concentrated enough to affect individual cells or low enough to reach the ground as much as the broadcast horizon. Exposure from using a cell phone is much greater than exposure living near a tower. The World Health Organization states typical cell-phone exposure has demonstrated no adverse effects but remains under study.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection agrees with studies demonstrating no adverse effects to humans from cell towers.

Courtesy photo

A much larger cell tower than the existing one near Sunset Park Elementary could improve service but pose risks.

cancer, neurological damage and other hazards of cell towers’ electromagnetic fields, as well as the basis of signs warning people to stay away and a 3,600-square-foot fence surrounding this proposed tower. Westine said the 700-foot buffer was because of aesthetics, not risks cancer experts had not been able to determine yet. Most residents said inconclusiveness was not acceptable.

“Years ago, we thought asbestos was safe, and smoking was safe, and lead paint was safe, and red M&Ms were safe — and it turns out they weren’t,” resident Tory Jackson Parish said. “I don’t think we’ve been around these things long enough to say they are truly 100% safe. … If you’re saying the only thing we can argue is aesthetics, we’re prepared to argue aesthetics.”

The Federal Communications Commission governs these emissions, not local governments, Westine said.

Another applicant had sought an 80-foot tower, but that would cause less separation and a possible need for more towers than just one taller pole, Boyd said. Westine said maximizing the service potential of each pole has been the goal, especially considering this process should take about 18 months, with taller poles projecting farther.

Crown Castle USA’s pole would have no external wires or lights, and Verizon Wireless would be the first carrier with a transmitter on the pole, Westine said. This location is based on an Orange County survey requesting certain spots for cell towers, she said.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment will host a hearing on this proposal April 7 in the Orange County Administration Building, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. For more information on this proposal, contact Relvini at Rocco.

Relvini@ocfl.net or Westine at (727) 773-2221 or Lauralee@WestineLaw.com.

Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@orangeobserver.com.

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WINDERMERE OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

WINDERMERE

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

Alex Guo, 5, had his face painted like Iron Man.

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry Rhode, aqrhode@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com

Chase Coello, 8, demonstrated his knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Left: Darth Vader plays a mean round of tug-of-war.

Staff Writers Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Zak Kerr, zkerr@OrangeObserver.com

Windermere honors fallen officer

Jennifer Nesslar, jnesslar@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives

P

Bill Carter, bcarter@OrangeObserver.com

olice officers from throughout Central Florida joined those from the Windermere Police Department to celebrate the life and memory of officer Robert “Robbie” German at the Second Annual Memorial Softball Tournament and Family Fun Day March 6 at Braddock Park in Winter Garden.

The event, organized by the Windermere Police Foundation, featured a softball tournament, children’s activities, a barbecue, live entertainment and even a visit from Darth Vader, courtesy of the 501st Legion.

All funds raised will benefit the foundation, which was established in honor of German, who was killed March 22, 2014, in the line of duty.

Kim Edwards, kedwards@OrangeObserver. com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Andrés Tam, atam@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives

Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden narrated as students from Gracie Barra Clermont and the Dave Ogden Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy performed.

See more photos at

OrangeObserver.com

Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

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

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

If you wish to subscribe to the Windermere Observer, visit our website, OrangeObserver.com, call (407) 6562121 or visit our office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden.

Vance Bernoir, 9, loved playing on all the inflatables with his buddies.

— MICHAEL ENG

ONLINE

Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

TO ADVERTISE For display or digital advertising, call Cyndi Gustafson, (321) 239-3252, Kim Edwards, (407) 656-2121 or Bill Carter at (407) 656-2121.

For Classifieds, call (407) 656-2121.

Jasmine Remson, 6, is a fierce martial artist.

Right: Anthony Fitzgerald pitched for the Windermere Police Foundation team.

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Town urges voters to pass referendum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

determine the conditions of town facilities, some of which have been around since the 1920s, Smith said. WJA found current facilities inadequate in size, functionality, meeting codes, electrical and mechanical capabilities, plumbing and more. WJA’s recommendation is to relocate town facilities instead of another rehabilitation of existing facilities.

In the study, WJA found the town administration building too cramped and insecure, lacking privacy, failing to meet fire code and with a sagging roof.

Police station bathrooms violate code mandating a distance between toilets and sinks; the raised floor with a crawl space underneath is warped; and a large portion of the secure parking area floods frequently. An intake area is too small, and the conference room doubles as an interrogation room — both problematic, especially when dance lessons on the other side of the wall happen

to coincide with sensitive interviews, Ogden said. A single closet holds the police server, uniforms, ammo and various other supplies.

“The daily environment is not a police department,” Ogden said.

An appropriate space meeting codes would help with gaining accreditations and the rehabilitation of the department and its image, from being the laughingstock among Central Florida departments a few years ago to holding three top-five rankings in key areas, Ogden said.

“The maintenance facility is a glorified shed that’s lived out its lifespan,” Smith said, referring to WJA findings. “We’re just looking for adequate facilities to house our police department and town admin.”

All of these buildings have had some sort of infestation, as well, despite recent pest control, Smith said.

Various reconfigurations range from $2.2 million to $4.2 million, which in any case would require a town vote for permission to take

on debt exceeding 12.5% of the town budget, per a charter vote last decade, Bruhn said. That loan would be spread through 30 years and appear in the budget each year as a figure in the low six digits, Smith said.

He stressed this vote pertains only to whether the town will have the ability — for this project only — to incur an undetermined debt amount that cannot exceed $4.2 million, likely half of which would be necessary even if the facilities remained in the same spot. It does not pertain to any specifics of the project, which the public will have input on through charettes, committees and Town Council public hearings, ultimately ending in a Town Council vote, Smith said. This way, the town staff will know whether its citizens give it permission to continue pursuing this project, rather than deciding all specifics and then getting a no vote, which would have wasted time and money, Bruhn said.

Smith also dispelled rumors of a town jail and said potential and

existing new developments, roads and annexations had nothing to do with any of this matter. He said facilities from Oakland had been part of considerations because of its similarly tiny size and desire to stay small, not pursue growth.

A resident disagreed, saying expansions in square footage — such as recommended 500 additional square feet for administration and 800 square feet more for police — seemed excessive and indicated a desire for town growth, similar to past annexations she had seen. Bruhn reiterated town staff eventually would need to move out of its dilapidated buildings, which already pose safety hazards.

“If not now, then when?” Bruhn asked.

For more information and pictures of town facilities, visit tinyurl.com/WindermereVote or contact town offices at (407) 876-2563.

Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@orangeobserver.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

15-WO-02986

OrangeObserver.com

Florida Hospital is the #1-ranked hospital in Florida for the third year in a row.

NOW OPEN FL OR ID A HOS PIT A L W IN T E R GA R DE N

#1-RANKED HOSPITAL NOW SERVING WEST ORANGE COUNTY. Our new facility features state-of-the-art technology and board-certified physicians trained in the treatment of both adults and children. This hospital-based emergency room specializes in treating chest pain, heart attacks, strokes and orthopaedic injuries as well as other major conditions. Outpatient imaging, lab and surgical services, as well as primary care and specialty physician offices are also available — all in one convenient location.

Visit FloridaHospital.com/wintergarden to find out more.

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2000 Fowler Grove Boulevard, Winter Garden, FL 34787 | (407) 303-1700

15-WO-02986 FHWG West Orange Times - Windermere Observer 3/10.indd 1

1/6/16 1:46 PM

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

LIFE IN WRITING

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Sounds like a job for … Field Trip Dad!

MICHAEL ENG EXECUTIVE EDITOR

P

erhaps it’s generational, but there seems to be more pressure on dads these days. Just take a look at all the daddy-daughter dances that took place recently in our schools. It’s not enough simply to throw on a tie and strap a corsage on your baby girl’s wrist. You’ve got to get up and shake your booty, too, lest you be labeled as one of the lame wallflower dads on the side.

Then, for dads of sons, there’s kiddie soccer, Little League baseball, pee-wee football — you name it, they have a youth league for it.

And then, of course, there’s our occasional Active columnist, Cory Warren, aka Lean Green Dad. How could I ever compete with him? He runs marathons and triathlons.

He has muscles. His kids eat vegetables!

The bar is high — especially for a dad like me. I’m not sporty. I’m not handy. And with the exception of being a musician (which only occasionally impresses my two kids), my coolness quotient is quite low. Which is exactly why I jumped at the chance to chaperone my son’s recent field trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I needed to make some bank for the cool column.

Of course, my own dad lectured me as a child about never doing anything just because it would make me “cool.” But did I ever listen? Heck, no!

At the time the fieldtrip sign-ups came home, I thought, This can’t be too hard. Hanging out with my boy all day at Disney? Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.

But those delusions all came crashing down in a deluge of internal panic when I arrived to school that morning.

So, are you comfortable with an EpiPen? the teacher asked me.

Whaaat?

One of the kids in your group has a severe peanut allergy. It’s just in case.

Oh, sure! I said. I had given my wife vitamin B shots a few months back. Nothing to it!

OK, great! she said, as she handed me a gallon-sized Ziploc full of allergy meds and a sheet with instructions.

Oh, and also, one of the other chaperones backed out, so we’re

going to add two girls from another class to your group, she continued.

Oh, uhhh … OK! Great!

Until now, I had assumed all of us would be migrating throughout Animal Kingdom together. It hadn’t crossed my mind that I’d be in charge of a group. On my own. And yes: I was the only dad chaperone from my son’s entire class.

I looked over at my boy. He smiled and waved at me. When I had told him I was coming on his field trip, his eyes lit up. He counted down the days.

I knew what I had to do. So what if I wasn’t Lean Green Dad? This sounded like a job for … Field Trip Dad! Bring on the 7-year-olds!

On the bus ride over, I read and re-read the directions for the medicines in my pack. I double-checked for each kid’s lunch and also their tickets. And when we arrived, I reminded them: Whatever we do, we do as a group. It’s all of us or none of us.

They looked like they understood. We headed in.

This is a newspaper, so we print only the facts. So here it is: I am the greatest chaperone dad in the world. No, that’s not hyperbole. In. The. World! My four kids and I slayed Animal Kingdom. We endured a 75-minute wait for the African Safari ride, took a train to Conservation Station, trekked back to Africa, crossed Discovery Island and ended

the day at DinoLand U.S.A. We collected 21 stamps along the way for the kids’ workbooks, stopped at a souvenir shop and even brushed some goats in the petting zoo. The kids under my watch were fed and hydrated, and when necessary, we took potty breaks. I helped retrace one kid’s steps to find a misplaced $20 bill. There was nary a tear. No bloodshed.

By the end of the day, my Fitbit was showering me with praise and badges for all the steps I took. As we regrouped with the rest of the field trippers, my wife texted me.

Throughout the day, I had told her about the EpiPen, the extra kids, the penchant for one of them to wander off.

Still have four? If you made it back with four, that’s a victory.

I grinned as I collapsed into a seat at the front of the bus.

Everyone knows that’s where the cool dads sit. It’s a good thing, too. Because after about 20 minutes, I looked up and realized we still were on the Disney campus.

The bus driver was lost.

Field Trip Dad sprung into action. Make a U-turn here!

Left up there! Go 1.8 miles and turn once more! I hid my GPSenabled iPhone from view.

That night, I went in to kiss our son goodnight. He wrapped his arms around my neck.

Best day ever, he said.

I grinned as I collapsed into a seat at the front of the bus. Everyone knows that’s where the cool dads sit.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Frenzy on Ficquette? Mayor calls for Old Winter Construction taking place to widen the road to four lanes is expected to be completed within three months.

Garden Road extension

DANIELLE HENDRIX

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn said officials from many entities like the idea.

STAFF WRITER HORIZON WEST

ZAK KERR

As construction continues on Ficquette Road and Orange County crews implement temporary traffic patterns, drivers will be pleased to know there is a silver lining around the corner.

Mike Wehrfritz, a project manager for Orange County Public Works, said final completion for the project should be within three months. With an original expected completion date of July 2016, this puts crews nearly two months ahead of schedule. Soon, drivers will be able to cruise down a road widened to four lanes.

The project, called Segment F, includes Ficquette Road, from about 1,900 feet south of County Road 535, south to about 600 feet west of the Overstreet Road intersection. With the final configuration, drivers heading south on Ficquette Road from Winter Garden-Vineland Road and approaching Ingelnook Drive (the entrance to Vineyards) will find the road tapers down from two lanes to one, with a right-turn lane onto Ingelnook Drive as well as a left turn lane onto Overstreet Road. Drivers heading north on Ficquette Road will have two through lanes and one leftturn lane onto Ingelnook Drive, Wehrfritz said.

Drivers must be cautious at the site because there currently

STAFF WRITER WINDERMERE

Courtesy

A rendering of the completed Segment F project, which bends Ficquette Road away from Overstreet Road.

is no signalization at this intersection. Drivers attempting to make turns from either Ingelnook Drive or Overstreet Road are having to proceed with caution while avoiding both directions of traffic — a recipe for accidents.

“Orange County Traffic Engineering will do a traffic signal warrant study after the project is completed and traffic has adjusted to the new traffic flow,” Wehrfritz said.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

Although Town Manager Robert Smith said time has run out for a plan to materialize this summer, Windermere officials are interested in widening roadway near Windermere Elementary.

But for another road project, Mayor Gary Bruhn remained hopeful at the March 8 Windermere Town Council meeting of plans ultimately coming together to lengthen Old Winter Garden Road to the west, past Maguire Road.

Bruhn reported that supporters of extending Old Winter Garden Road farther west in Ocoee to link to State Road 429, Marshall Farms Road or Florida’s Turnpike included Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, Ocoee City Manager Robert Frank, District 1 Orange County Commissioner and Central Florida Expressway Authority Vice Chairman S. Scott Boyd and representatives of the town of Oakland and MetroPlan Orlando.

“I just think it’s a great option we need to pursue,” Bruhn said. The idea is alleviation of traffic on Maguire Road — the primary northern gateway to Windermere — to lessen traffic impacts heading north into Ocoee or south into Windermere, as well as keep traffic moving toward Winter Garden.

Bruhn said Boyd had been try-

ing to get the support of county administration to allocate funding to the Windermere Elementary roadway project, but that had not materialized, based on county officials’ concerns about spending money for roads potentially mainly affecting municipalities.

OCPS had allocated right-of-way and could provide some funds, as well, based on the help it would provide unincorporated Orange County residents zoned for Windermere Elementary — the vast majority of students — Bruhn said. District 4 Orange County School Board Member Pam Gould supports the project near Windermere Elementary, Bruhn said.

“I do believe (Orange County) should ... donate money to this specific project,” Smith said.

“The town of Windermere didn’t have a say in where that school went, but we’re having to deal with the impacts of that school, and the only reason that we have the traffic in that area is because of Orange County development — that was approved by them — and the school, which most of the capacity is (unincorporated) Orange County students.”

FINAL PLAT APPROVED

A final plat and development plan for Estancia at Windermere — formerly Windsong at Windermere — passed by a 4-1 vote, with John Armstrong dissenting.

Residents Roger Ambuter and

IN OTHER NEWS n Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden recognized Officer Nicole Torres for outstanding work. n First readings scheduled to occur pertaining to altering ordinances for lot splits and accessory structures were delayed until a later meeting.

Al Pichon said they were concerned with language that seemed to prohibit protests by residents in that Taylor Morrison subdivision.

Bruhn said the language meant no legal action could be taken, not any effect on free speech.

Councilwoman Molly Rose said language in the agreements referring to possible commercial development in the future was concerning, adding that would not happen. Legal counsel for Taylor Morrison explained the original owners had retained four of 36 acres — which received the same future land use as Estancia but no zoning — for the possibility of future commercial development. Councilman Richard Gonzalez said the owners used such language only to ensure the town could not say it never expected a commercial proposal if the owners were to raise one.

Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@orangeobserver.com.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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Passion for the pen Two West Orange High students are set to represent Winter Garden at a journalism conference this summer in Washington, D.C. of writing — an editorial — for review.

Her favorite stories to work on, however, are features, but she hopes to expand her horizons by writing about global and local events or getting involved with any area of sports coverage.

Although she’s always loved writing, she discovered her love for the camera when she took a TV production class in seventh grade. She planned to continue with TV production as a freshman in high school, but because West Orange High restricted the class to sophomores and older, she took journalism instead.

“I took TV my sophomore and junior years and loved the whole experience, and that’s what I want to major in,” Kathryn said.

She will graduate early — in December rather than in spring 2017. She plans to move to Atlanta in January, where she hopes to either start school at the University of Georgia in the spring or work on getting an internship.

“A lot of people I look up to as anchors went to college there,” Kathryn said. “(Additionally) I look up to Erin Andrews and all of the ‘TODAY Show’ cast.”

As for her personal goals at the conference, she said she hopes to learn how to write better and learn more about being on screen and behind the scenes, as well as getting tips on better interacting

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER WEST ORANGE A knack for writing

has landed two West Orange High students spots as youth correspondents for a prestigious journalism conference this summer.

Kathryn Andrews and Connor Suglia, both juniors, were chosen as two of only 250 students nationwide who will attend the 2016 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University in Washington, D.C. The program, which will be held for two weeks in July, brings high school sophomores and juniors nationwide — who are nominated by educators based on their academic performance and a demonstrated interest in journalism and media — together to receive hands-on experience in the field.

KATHRYN ANDREWS

Communications and media have been a staple in 17-year-old Kathryn’s life for as long as she can remember. In fact, she recounted going to New York City and meeting “TODAY Show” hosts Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie for her 13th birthday.

Even now, her passion for the communications industry continues to pay off. Her journalism teacher, Kimberly Poor, nominated her for the program, to which Kathryn then submitted a piece

Photos by Danielle Hendrix

West Orange High junior and journalism student Kathryn Andrews holds a copy of the school’s magazine, The Blade.

and communicating with people.

“It’ll be fun to see big names out there talking to us about how they got started or how they got into being in journalism or communications,” she said. “I want to get my name out there.”

CONNOR SUGLIA

A passion for writing and media is what led Connor to take a TV production class in middle school, where he would anchor and report. From that moment, he was hooked on the camera.

“At high school level I anchored as well and I did more behindthe-scenes things, such as directing and editing,” he said. “I like being a talent on there and being a reporter; I like the speaking positions.”

Connor’s TV production teacher, Kiah Arnold, was the one who recommended him for the program. When he researched it on his own, he knew immediately it was something he wanted to do.

Although Connor — who plays

West Orange High junior and journalism student Connor Suglia was one of two local students selected to attend the 2016 Washington Journalism and Media Conference.

football for West Orange and volunteers at A Cause for Paws animal rescue — always has wanted to be a veterinarian, he said journalism presents many new opportunities and his current experience is spurring his interest in broadcast journalism. Watching the “TODAY Show’s” Al Roker and Matt Lauer every morning with his mom also inspires him to become better at broadcast journalism.

“I hope to learn to be a better speaker (at the conference); I think that’s a really important thing,” he said. “I think learning more proper etiquette for broadcast journalism, taking the experience from the higher people and being able to adapt to that and learn it myself (will help me) become better at it.”

While at the conference, Connor will have the opportunity to meet congressional members, journalists and anchors, as well as tour the Smithsonian Institution. He said he is most looking

forward to meeting new people at the conference.

“It’ll be humbling meeting such prominent members of society really, but also being able to step out of my comfort zone a bit and experience a new thing and enjoy it,” he said.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

“It’ll be humbling meeting such prominent members of society really, but also being able to step out of my comfort zone a bit and experience a new thing and enjoy it.”

— Connor Suglia

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Isabella Abed, 7, sent a plastic ball soaring toward the Stop & Throw game.

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ay Meadows Elementary School hosted a festival and Koala Krawl 5K on Sunday, Feb. 28 in honor of the school’s 25th birthday.

The annual festival FUNdraiser culminated in a day of family fun and fitness, and 100% of the day’s proceeds was donated to the Bay Meadows PTA to support necessary school programs.

The day began with a 5K Koala Krawl and Joey Jog at 11:30 a.m., with fundraiser festivities beginning immediately after. Guests enjoyed a silent auction, speeches from surprise guests, rides, games, food, inflatables and fun.

See more photos from Bay Meadows Elementary at OrangeObserver.com

Natalia Navaro, 18 months, was fascinated with the sand on the playground.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

VALENCIA, OCPS START TECH EXPRESS

Post-secondary opportunities are being aligned through Tech Express, a new accelerated college and career opportunity through Valencia College and Orange County Public Schools.

Students will have access to career (post-secondary and college credit) programs and associate and bachelor’s degree programs.

The two Central Florida institutions are joining together to expand, align, connect and improve their respective workforce-related programs. This partnership will identify barriers to student access and create solutions that will help build the most integrated education ecosystem in the country.

Career and technical courses are offered early in high school that could lead to immediate employment after graduation and eligibility for college credits at Valencia.

Tech Express graduates will be trained for jobs in construction, health care, information technology, financial services, electronics and engineering technology, hospitality and culinary, arts and entertain-

ment, business, public safety and more.

Within the program, Valencia and OCPS will build career pathways, explore the expansion of collegiate academies in high schools and offer Valencia associate degree programs at Orange Technical College campuses.

COLLEGE KUDOS

n Four Windermere residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall and spring semesters at Samford University: Caroline E. Davis, Abigail G. Brady, Spencer S. Cast and Madeline C. Sundberg. Samford is a Christian university in Birmingham, Alabama. n Isabela Araujo, of Windermere, achieved a 4.0 gradepoint average for the fall semester at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, New York, earning her a place on the provost’s list. n Nikolas Dean, of Windermere, earned dean’s list honors for the fall at Tufts University, in Medford, Massachusetts. n Emily Ellis, of Windermere, received a master’s degree at the December commencement exercises at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Steven Cohen watched as Grace Cohen, 6, spun with Kaley Heslin, 6.

Lake Whitney dads, daughters share unforgettable evening

I

t was an enchanted evening Feb. 26 at Tanner Hall as fathers took their daughters out for a night of dancing.

The “Enchanted Evening” fatherdaughter dance brought together Lake Whitney Elementary students and their fathers. The dads were as eager as their daughters to get on the dance floor.

PREMIER ACADEMY

— JENNIFER NESSLAR

Danny and Julia Brooks, 8, were ready for an evening of dance.

ONLINE

Premier Academy in Windermere had a special visit from Dr. Mike DiMauro, and students learned about the importance of brushing and flossing during his presentation on dental health. Above are Brady Sorensen, Saniya Ahmad, Emma Guilfoy, Zoha Ahmad, Samuel Brown, Dr. DiMauro, Darius Patel, Hudson Allen, Akhtar Ahmad, Giovanni Fernandez and Wyatt Brown.

See more photos at

OrangeObserver.com

Ricky and Andrea Vescovacci, 9, enjoyed the evening together.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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West Orange High raised $31,281.58 for Children’s Miracle Network during its recent Warriorthon. It’s the highest total in the state.

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Contests were held throughout the evening, and winners were declared in doubles pingpong (Adam Seybold and Matt Cobb), Hula Hoop (Jamie Sabella) and karaoke (Nikita Velkamin).

Michelle McKenna was the highest fundraiser, with more than $1,200 collected.

Katie Karp, a senior at West Orange who has battled bone

198862

stood for six hours — sometimes dancing, sometimes singing karaoke or playing a round of ping-pong but always on their feet — while attempting to meet their goal in raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

More than 600 students at West Orange High School participated in the second Warriorthon, held Feb. 18 in the gymnasium.

This year’s event nearly doubled the funds brought in at last year’s dance: $31,281.58 compared to $18,277.61 in 2015. The total was announced at midnight at the conclusion of the six hours.

Orange County Public Schools announced this was the highest amount raised for a high-school dance marathon in the state.

The Student Government Association sponsored the West Orange dance marathon, and seniors Lauren Cobb and Paige Gravely co-chaired the event.

oundation Academy seventh-graders in Dawn Norat’s science class got an inside view of sea cucumbers during a recent dissection exercise.

During the lesson, the students identified the digestive system, respiratory track and other body parts of the aquatic invertebrate. This hands-on experiment allowed the students to encounter science for themselves and learn to put their science skills into practice.

This activity prepared them for Sea Camp, an overnight field trip to Big Pine Key.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

THESE TIMES

CONVERSATIONS & JAZZ MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO HONORS LT. DANIEL KEEL FEATURING GUEST NOTABLE SPEAKERS MARCH 12 | 6-9PM

Feeling compassion

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AMY QUESINBERRY RHODE COMMUNITY EDITOR

What was most upsetting was the display of photographs at the end of the exhibit — the pictures of small children with smiling faces and a sense of longing in their eyes. These were the children who lacked a sponsor, someone to share comforting words, send daily necessities and give them hope.

I was one of thousands of people who experienced Compassion International’s immersive exhibit that was set up at West Orlando Christian Center, Church of God in Christ on a recent weekend.

After receiving a set of headphones and an iPod, I parted the printed bed sheet that acted as a doorway and my journey into the poverty-stricken lives of Jey and Yannely began. Replicas of their home life stared back at me: an aged mattress where siblings fought for space to sleep, interior walls stained with rainwater, “dolls” made of hardened mud, makeshift cooking spaces and meager meals, a small window with a glimpse of the destitute neighborhood outside.

Jey’s story was first. A young boy’s voice told me the story of growing up in one of the poorest Mathare slums of Nairobi, Kenya. His family made and sold moonshine to bring in a few extra dollars. As a child, he and his family moved into his grandmother’s small house, forcing 15 people to live and sleep together.

He was sent to jail when he was 9 after getting caught stealing; conditions weren’t much better there.

In Yannely’s story, food is scarce. She talks about looking out her window in her Dominican Republic town and wondering if any of the men walking by could be her father. He rejected her so she has her mother’s last

name, but without her father’s name, she can’t finish school.

When she finally learns his identity, she passes his house frequently and eventually gets enough nerve to knock on his door. He again rejects her.

Yannely says she has frequent stomachaches, but her town lacks doctors. She thinks she might want to be a doctor someday.

Their stories had happy endings, though I’m sure those of many of the children in their towns do not. For Jey and Yannely, hope came in the way of Compassion International sponsorships. During my short journey with the children, the walls became brighter as their lives took a positive turn. Leaking walls turned into colorful classrooms, and by the end of the tour, I was glad to see Jey has become a successful disc jockey and youth minister and Yannely did, indeed, become a doctor.

As I finished their stories, I entered a room where dozens of children were waiting for someone to brighten their future.

SPONSOR A CHILD

The disturbing reality is that more than 2,400 children on the Compassion International website lack a sponsor. Glancing through the pages and pages of photos of little children, I was stung by the reality that most of the faces were older boys.

As Jey said in his journey, “I know who gets a sponsor; the youngest, cutest get sponsored first.”

Many people are drawn to the images of pigtails and pillowcase dresses. If I were in a position to sponsor someone, I would search for the oldest boy and include him in my family circle.

ANOTHER CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE

The Compassion Experience is returning to Winter Garden April 1 to 5 at Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St. The exhibit is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, and Monday and Tuesday, April 4 and 5; and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 3. Walk-ins are welcome; reservations can be made online at compassionexperience.com.

ONLINE

199446

See photos from the Compassion International immersive exhibit at OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

ARTS + CULTURE QUICK HITS

PRIMARYPASSION

FRIDAY, MARCH 11

FAMILY FUN NIGHT AT HOPE CHURCH 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11 at West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. Hope Church hosts a free night of fun for you and your family. Enjoy free food, bounce houses, games and face painting. (407) 967-7784.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

THE NIGHTLY GROVE BAND 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at Dexter’s of Windermere, 4757 The Grove Drive, Windermere. Listen to contemporary blues, jazz and R&B from the Nightly Grove Band while you enjoy wine, beer and other menu options. (407) 258-7028.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

ALEX COLE 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13 at the Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W Plant St, Winter Garden. Grab a beer and kick back for a Sunday afternoon with Alex Cole.

(407) 395-9520.

Zhen can paint all sorts of subjects, from people to this boat.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15 Courtesy photos

At 10 years old, Lian Quan Zhen decided he wanted to become an artist.

After a move across the world and two career changes, he finally calls art his full-time job. What’s more, he only uses the three primary colors in his work.

JENNIFER NESSLAR STAFF WRITER

L

ian Quan Zhen was just 10 years old when he

RAVE OF THE WEEK

discovered a passion

that eventually would become his full-time career.

This weekend, that passion, born in a classroom in the Canton Province of China, will come to Windermere, as Zhen, who has five published books and travels worldwide to teach Chinese painting and watercolor techniques, teaches a watercolor workshop March 12 and 13 at the The Art Room in Windermere.

SEE PAGE 14

WINE NIGHT 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 at Tim’s Wine Market Windermere, 428 Main St.. Wine lovers can hear from the owners of Far Niente Winery and Nickel & Nickel Vineyards, as well as taste some high-end wines — estate chardonnays, single-vineyard cabernets and pinot noirs. $30 for Wine Club; $35 others.

(407) 876-9463.

“This is my career. I like it very much. I’m (one of) a few of the lucky artists that can make a good living doing what I’m doing.”

— Lian Quan Zhen

HEATHER D. KELLEY Rave: Maguire Publix. My dad and I were over that way visiting my sister last week, and the seafood guy came out to tell us all about these special crabs they were getting in and that they’d be doing a huge promo on them this week. I forgot, but my dad remembered and went back for them. He showed up to my house with two bags of shrimp and a giant bag of tanner crab, and we had an improv steam party.

The crab was amazing, and I am impossible to please when it comes to seafood. It was sweet without being too sweet. The texture was perfect. Awesome service, and quality crab made for a great family night.

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ST. PATRICKS DAY BEER & TEA TASTING

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Please visit Erikastearoom.com for more details.

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It all began for him when he looked over to see his classmate drawing.

The figures his classmate made were very good, and Zhen was fascinated. He decided he wanted to become an artist and began to teach himself how to draw and paint.

As time went by, Zhen kept up the hobby, but attended medical school and became a family physician, practicing for four years.

During that time, he kept painting. Chinese painting, which uses water-soluble colors and less ink on paper, was the popular form in his home country. The art form had some similarities to watercolor, which Zhen took classes on when he immigrated to the U.S. In 1985 — and speaking no English — he immigrated to the United States.

“I needed to start my life again,” he said.

His entire family had already moved to the U.S.; nearly half the people from his hometown also had moved to the U.S. He also saw the U.S. as an opportunity for freedom from socialism in China during the 1980s.

For a time, he worked as a bus boy and a waiter. In the evenings, he attended school to learn English. In three years, he learned enough of the language to attend college at City College of San Francisco.

“I was going to go back to the medical field, but it was too diffi-

ONLINE

cult,” he said. “First of all, English was difficult, and plus, (the) medical field requires almost another kind of language.”

Instead, he pursued architecture. He received his bachelor’s from the University of California at Berkley and his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During that time, he was required to take watercolor classes, and he continued to sharpen his passion for painting.

Despite the rigidness and stress of his schedule as an architect, he also taught painting classes on the side.

Zhen’s first book was published in 2000, and he began to get so many teaching requests that he was able to focus on his artwork full-time. The dream he had at age 10 had become true.

“This is my career,” Zhen said.

“I like it very much. I’m (one of) a few of the lucky artists that can make a good living doing what I’m doing.”

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at jnesslar@orangeobserver.com.

IF YOU GO CHINESE WATERCOLOR WITH LIAN ZHEN WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 12 and 13 WHERE: The Art Room, 709 Main St., Windermere COST: $250 workshop with lunch; $35 imported workshop supplies.

RESERVATIONS: The workshop will fill quickly. Reserve your spot at artroomorlando. com.

COLOR PALETTE Blue, yellow and red are the only three colors Zhen uses in his watercolor paintings. He blends the colors together to create vibrant paintings. In his watercolor classes, he teaches his students to do the same.

“They learn to paint with minimal colors to get the maximum effects,” he said.

Learn more at lianspainting.com or http://artroomorlando.com

16th Annual

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Sat. – April 9th • 9 am – 5 pm Sun. – April 10th • 11 am – 4 pm In beautiful Historic Downtown Winter Garden

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198841

Two Day Festival with many plant, nature and wildlife related vendors. Visit the Garden Art Auction where local artists will offer garden art pieces for bid. There will be items handpainted by local artists that can be yours by placing the highest bid. Raffles and festival shirts will be available at Bloom & Grow booth at Plant St & N. Boyd St. Kidzone will host educational programs for children of all ages. Find out about the good bugs, water conservation and your environment. Check out the "Ask The Expert" booth for answers to your gardening questions. Live entertainment throughout both days. “Chalkin’ It Up” - Sidewalk Art Contest will be held on Saturday. There will be a Natural Market located on S. Main St.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

15

Gala at the Garden

James Masterfield, Isabella Sumner, Mark Gibson, Lori Gibson, Amy Pempel, Wayne Weinberg, Amanda Maggard and Michael Maggard.

Jenn Warren and Erica Diaz dressed their best for the gala.

T

15th Annual UMC ONL INE

Windermere Run Among the Lakes See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Dianna Duffy, Lesley Austin, Kari Bacon and Reginald Riley enjoyed the evening.

15th Annual UMC

15th Annual UMC

W indermere R un A mong t he L akes Windermere Run Among the Lakes

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heatre enthusiasts gathered at the Garden Theater March 5 for the Garden Encore! Gala.

The gala was part of an entire weekend of shows, featuring Vox Audio, Maureen McGovern and John Charles.

The Garden Encore! weekend serves as a fundraiser for the Garden Theatre.

16

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

MARY MARGARET DOWLING DIED MARCH 5, 2016.

Mary Margaret Dowling passed away peacefully on March 5, 2016, in Winter Garden, Florida. Born July 20, 1925, to Leroy McKee and Lena D. Titley in Taft, California, she grew up and was educated in Taft and graduated from Taft Junior College. During World War II, Margaret worked in Oakland, California, in an aircraft assembly factory and part-time at Edy’s Original Ice Cream Parlor for Joseph Edy. Margaret married Harry Eugene Dowling following WWII. Dowling was a Medical Technician in the war of the Pacific and seriously wounded at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. They married during his lengthy rehabilitation in Bakersfield, California, and moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 1948.

Margaret became involved in community services and volunteered in the school district. Her many years of service with the PTA eventually led to her serving as its national secretary. She also served for many years on several health and community advisory panels, including local hospital planning and services. Her volunteer work as a swimming instructor for handicapped children at Eugene’s Pearl Buck Center brought her a great deal of joy.

She was preceded in death by

her husband in 1980 and her son, Dennis Eugene, in 2011. Margaret is survived by her son, Michael, of Windermere, Florida; and daughter, Mary Kathleen, of Eugene, Oregon.

She was rewarded with six grandchildren, Kristi and Kara of Portland, Oregon, daughters of Michael and Linda Dowling; McKenzie, Mandy and Josh Dowling, children of Dennis Dowling, all of Eugene Oregon; and Lisa Dowling, also of Eugene, daughter of Mary Kathleen Dowling. In addition, she is survived by her brother, James “Jim” Taylor, of Eugene; and five greatgrandchildren, Mikel Octavio, Jax Alexander, Lukas, Freya and Eva Marie, all residing in Oregon.

Memorial services and celebration of Margaret’s life will be held in Eugene, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Connie J. (Day) Dennis, 64, a native of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on March 2, 2016.

She was the daughter of the late Johnnie and Thelma Day. Connie was a fun-loving spirit who laughed easily.

She is preceded in death by her beloved sons, Ronald C. and Jonathan R. Aycock. Survivors include

her siblings, Mary Sue Conner, Eldon Thomas Day, Charlotte Day and Diana Warden; along with her cherished grandson, Ryker Aycock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors. Arrangements entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL 34734.

Please visit woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.

JOSEPH L. MARBAIS SR. DIED TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016.

Joseph L. Marbais Sr. of Ocoee, Florida, died Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

He was born in Adena, Ohio, on March 7, 1937. Joe relocated his family to Ocoee in 1978 and had lived in Ocoee since that time. Joe and his son, Steve, have been the owners of Joe’s Auto Repair and Marbais Enterprises Used Cars since 1986.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha L. Marbais; and four children, Joseph Marbais Jr., (Terri Marbais) Steven Marbais (Leslie Marbais), Brenda Ricotta (Michael Ricotta) and Stacy Carroll (Shawn Carroll). He has 10 surviving grandchildren, Haley Rushing, Jacob Marbais, Brianna Marbais, Zachery Zeisloft, Brian Ricotta, Kimberly Ricotta, Mitchell Marbais, August Carroll, Olivia Zeisloft and Mack Carroll; as well as great-granddaughter, Austyn Rushing.

Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 10, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Family will receive guests at the home of Shawn and Stacy Carroll immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can me made in memory of Joseph Marbais Sr. to Cornerstone Hospice.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

and Pam Kelley and Paula Lunsford, both of Crestview, Florida; 15 grandchildren; and 23 greatgrandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden, Florida. A gathering and luncheon with friends and family will be held at noon following Mass at BaldwinFairchild Funeral Home, 428 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joan of ARC, 768 Asbury Road, Candler, NC 28715 and/or Resurrection Catholic Church, 1211 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

A message of comfort may be left to the family and guest registry may be signed at garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.

HARRY DARNELL, 65, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, March 5, 2016. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, Winter Garden Chapel.

JAMES R. HOLMES, 69, of Ocoee, died Saturday, March 5, 2016. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Gotha.

PATRICIA ANN HAGLER, 79, of Orlando, died Thursday, March 3, 2016.

TROY W. SHUMATE, 77, of Winter Garden, died Saturday, March 5, 2016. Loomis Family Funeral Home, Apopka.

KENNETH ARMSTON “ROOSTER” MORROW DIED FEB. 25, 2016.

Kenneth Armston “Rooster” Morrow, 54, passed away Feb. 25, 2016. Ken worked for the City of Ocoee in the parks and recreation department.

He lived on five acres of land in Groveland, Florida, surrounded by all the things he loved.

He enjoyed going to flea markets, listening to country music and rocking in his chair with a cold glass of sweet tea, cracking jokes. Ken loved the simply life.

He had a heart full of kindness and was always there for his family and friends. We miss him and love him more than words could ever say!

He was a husband to Carol Morrow; a father to Blake and Kyle Morrow; a son to Hueld Morrow; a brother to Maryann Brown; a brother-in-law to David Brown; a father-in-law to Tami Morrow; an uncle to Parker and Nicholas Brown; and a grandfather to Maggie, Clayton and Annika Morrow.

Our lives have changed forever, and our hearts will always feel that void, but his memory will always be with us.

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Patricia Lauris Nowling Trombly, 78, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Winter Garden, Florida, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Fleshers Fairview Health.

She was born in Walton County, Florida, on June 11, 1937, to the late Walter and Semmia J. Rodgers Nowling. She worked as an LPN for Orlando Hospital. She was a retired office manager for her husband’s construction company.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd W. Trombly.

Left to cherish her memory are her six children, Debora Wood (Martin), of Asheville, North Carolina, Linda Smith (Greg), of Raleigh, North Carolina, Joyce Brown, of Mount Dora, Florida, Steven Trombly (Gail), of Shingle Springs, California, Glenn Trombly, of Orlando, Florida, and Lorraine Hartsfield (Gary), of Winter Garden, Florida; brothers, Scotty David Campbell, of Sardis, Georgia, and Joseph Campbell, of Cory, Pennsylvania; sisters, Jean Nipper, of Homerville, Georgia,

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WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES

ATTENTION

PATRICIA LAURIS NOWLING TROMBLY

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Continental breakfast will follow service in funeral home lobby Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home • 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road • Gotha, Florida 34734 For additional information, please call 407-293-1361

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In front of Mosaic at Woodlawn Memorial Park Easter message with prayers & music Sermon by Jeff Pritchard of Starke Lake Baptist Church Music by songwriter and recording artist Linda McKenzie

18

REAL ESTATE

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Keene’s Pointe estate sells for $2.925 million DR. PHILLIPS

MICHAEL ENG EXECUTIVE EDITOR

A

home in the Keene’s Pointe community in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate sales from Feb. 19 to 25.

The home at 6103 Greatwater Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $2.925 million.

Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, five-andone-half baths, a pool and 7,242 square feet of living area on 3.98 acres. The price per square foot is $403.89.

BRISTOL PARK The home at 9374 Wickham Way, Orlando, sold Feb. 22, for $540,000. Built in 1993, it has seven bedrooms, five baths and 3,612 square feet. The price per square foot is $149.50.

PARKSIDE The home at 8023 Chilton Drive, Orlando, sold Feb. 19, for $788,663. Built in 2015, it has seven bedrooms, six-and-onehalf baths and 5,500 square feet. The price per square foot is $143.39.

VENEZIA The home at 7451 Pointe Venezia Drive, Orlando, sold Feb. 19, for $599,999. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,030 square feet.

The price per square foot is $198.02.

VIZCAYA HEIGHTS The condo at 8755 The Esplanade, No. 118, Orlando, sold Feb. 19, for $550,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,549 square feet. The price per square foot is $215.77.

The town house at 8713 The Esplanade, No. 4, Orlando, sold Feb. 19, for $450,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,706 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.30.

Courtesy photo

This Keene’s Pointe home, at 6103 Greatwater Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $2.925 million. The home is situated on 3.98 lakefront acres along Lake Tibet.

GOTHA

LAKE LILLY OAKS The home at 3375 Seminole St., Gotha, sold Feb. 24 for $176,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,255 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.24.

HORIZON WEST

ALEXANDER RIDGE The home at 2400 Alexander Ridge Blvd., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 19, for $363,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,265 square feet. The price per square foot is $111.18.

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES The 1/2 duplex at 14644 Whittridge Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $195,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,328 square feet. The price per square foot is $83.76.

The town house at 15465 Avenue of the Arbors, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $192,000.

Built in 2011, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,541 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.59.

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The home at 8131 Laughing Gull St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $310,000. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,773 square feet. The price per square foot is $111.79.

The home at 7612 Bluejack Oak Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 19, for $282,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,184 square feet. The price per square foot is $129.12.

SUMMERPORT The home at 12428 Summerport Lane, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $1.196 million. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,072 square feet. The price per square foot is $389.32.

The home at 4825 Indian Deer Road, Windermere, sold Feb. 24, for $282,000 (short sale). Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,802 square feet. The price per square foot is $100.64.

The town house at 14452 Pleach St., Winter Garden, sold Feb. 24, for $176,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,448 square feet. The price per square foot is $121.55.

VINEYARD SQUARE The town house at 13718 Beckman Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $239,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,913 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.93.

LAKE REAMS TOWNHOMES The town house at 8622 Danforth Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $171,900. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,320 square feet. The price per square foot is $130.23.

WINDERMERE SOUND The home at 13352 Penshurst Lane, Windermere, sold Feb. 23, for $339,268. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths and 2,927 square feet. The price per square foot is $115.91.

ORCHARD HILLS The home at 14436 Brushwood Way, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 19, for $352,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,690 square feet.

The price per square foot is $130.86.

WINDERMERE TRAILS The home at 8358 Lookout Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 25, for $532,000. Built in 2016, it has six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 4,479 square feet. The price per square foot is $118.78.

SUMMERLAKE The home at 7846 Summerlake Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 22, for $430,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 3,484 square feet. The price per square foot is $123.42.

The home at 8752 Crescendo Ave., Windermere, sold Feb. 23, for $404,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 3,450 square feet. The price per square foot is $117.10.

The home at 15359 Porter Road, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 23, for $384,990. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,791 square feet. The price per square foot is $101.55.

Call Barbara Vance for details:

one-half baths and 2,727 square feet. The price per square foot is $122.66.

The home at 7524 Bluejack Oak Drive, Winter Garden, sold Feb. 19, for $334,490. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two-and-

WEST ORANGE

FRISCO BAY The home at 7518 Redwood Country Road, Orlando, sold Feb. 24, for $149,734 (auction/REO). Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,567 square feet. The price per square foot is $95.55.

The home at 249 Sonoma Valley Circle, Orlando, sold Feb. 19,

for $135,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,284 square feet. The price per square foot is $105.14.

GOLDEN OAK The home at 9749 Lounsberry Circle, Golden Oak, sold Feb. 19, for $1.899 million. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths, a pool and 3,110 square feet. The price per square foot is $610.61.

WESTMOOR The home at 486 Sandpiper Ridge Drive, Orlando, sold Feb. 19, for $159,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,208 square feet.

The price per square foot is $131.62.

WINDERWOOD The home at 4470 Winderwood Circle, Orlando, sold Feb. 19, for $325,000. Built in 1988, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,473 square feet. The price per square foot is $131.42.

WINDERMERE

BELLARIA The home at 13419 Bellaria Circle, Windermere, sold Feb. 24, for $1.25 million. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths, a pool and 5,565 square feet. The price per square foot is $224.62.

KEENE’S POINTE The home at 8142 Tibet Butler Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 20, for $1.4 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, six-andone-half baths, a pool and 5,747 square feet. The price per square foot is $243.61.

The home at 6234 Foxfield Court, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $637,500. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,882 square feet.

The price per square foot is $221.20.

SILVER WOODS The home at 9455 Woodbreeze Blvd., Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $274,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,492 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.65.

WHITNEY ISLES AT BELMERE The home at 1506 Whitney Isles Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $449,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,843 square feet.

The price per square foot is $157.93.

WINDERMERE DOWNS The home at 1813 Maple Leaf Drive, Windermere, sold Feb. 19, for $460,000. Built in 1989, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,791 square feet.

The price per square foot is $164.82.

MARCH 10 , 2016

HIGH

SPORTS

1

5

Dr. Phillips wrestling’s Dylan Meeks capped a perfect season (370) with a pin of Wekiva’s Raimello Jackson to claim his third consecutive state title March 5 in Kissimmee.

Meeks, who has now won titles at 195 pounds as a freshman and twice at 220 pounds, pinned all four opponents in the tournament.

Windermere Preparatory School’s Evan Anderson lifts Lakers weightlifting team with four wins in his class. Page 20

Olympia’s reinvention After graduating the entirety of their ace pitching staff from 2015, this year’s Titans have reinvented themselves as a team that carries a big stick at the plate with a pair of budding stars on the mound.

2

3

STAFF WRITER WEST ORANGE

— Debbie Dobbs, District 14 district administrator

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

T

he Olympia baseball

Photos by Steven Ryzewski

Jordan Morrow, left, congratulates Jonathan Levin after he hit a home run March 5 against Dr. Phillips.

team didn’t just lose a few important se-

niors from 2015 — the Titans

5

graduated their entire pitch-

Jackson Hodor, an eighth-grader at Bridgewater Middle School, had a tackle on defense and was targeted once as a receiver on offense during the USA Football Under-15 Stars vs. Stripes Game at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

ing staff.

While shifts in culture have caused declines in Little Leagues closer to north Orlando, the development boom in Horizon West has led to increased participation in Winter Garden and Windermere — to the point some wonder whether a Horizon West Little League will emerge.

“That just depends on the individual people within that area,” said Debbie Dobbs, District 14 district administrator overseeing Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, South Lake, Windermere and Winter Garden Little Leagues. “It’s all about volSEE LITTLE LEAGUES PAGE 21

The same arms that helped elevate the program to a No. 1 national ranking by MaxPreps are now throwing in the minor leagues for

3 TO WATCH

the Cleveland Indians (Juan

GIRLS LACROSSE Dr. Phillips (8-1) at West Orange (9-1), 7:30 p.m.

March 14

Hillman), for the nation’s top college team (Florida’s Michael Byrne) and for several

SOFTBALL Dr. Phillips (7-5) at Boone (10-1), 7 p.m.

March 16 BASEBALL Lake Brantley (11-1) at Olympia (8-3), 4 p.m.

March 11

ZAK KERR

Winter Garden will be fine with keeping the growth as long as they have places to play, but … they’ll go to a division format at some point, just like Windermere.”

Turner Morris scored seven goals for the Olympia boys lacrosse team March 3 as the Titans topped Celebration 16-2.

4

Myriad factors have contributed to rising and declining participation rates around the area.

Most Americans remember a time when Little League was one of a select few major children’s athletic programs in the United States, with widespread high participation numbers.

But in recent years, a growing number of youth athletic options and the descent of baseball from atop America’s collective athletic consciousness have contributed to a general decline in Little League popularity.

In West and Southwest Orange County, results have been polar, from dwindling or even defunct leagues to growing leagues that might produce a new one.

Dr. Phillips wrestling’s Tahj Glemaud placed fourth at 285 pounds at the state meet and finished his senior season with a 50-8 record, including a 4-2 mark at the state tournament.

Olympia girls lacrosse’s Ashley Matthews had four goals and three assists for the Titans in a 12-6 victory over Lake Brantley March 4.

Growth and decline in local Little Leagues

other prominent college programs around the country.

Drenis Ozuna was pumped up after hitting a double that drove in a run March 5.

SEE TITANS PAGE 21

File photo

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

WINDERMERE OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

CFCA softball racks up runs during win streak

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Evan Anderson Windermere Prep’s Evan Anderson has played center for Windermere Prep’s football team but more recently has dominated the 238-pound weight class for the boys weightlifting team. He has won his class in all four meets for the Lakers this season, including in a 36-25 team win over Lake Mary Prep.

Why have you pursued weightlifting?

Just bettering my own body and seeing improvements in myself — improvements in the weight room and on the field, obviously. Most of it is just reaching my own personal goals in the weight room. I kind of just set the goal and keep going until I reach that goal, and then I just set a new one.

THE BASICS

Year: Senior Weight Class: 238 pounds Height: 6-foot-3 Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin Birthdate: April 8, 1998

I want to learn about it but I’m not good at memorizing everything.

Do you have thoughts on what is after high school?

I was considering playing football, but that’s off the table — it’s not for me. I enjoyed it, but it’s not something that I want to do in college. Right now, I am committed to go to FSU. … I’m not sure about a major.

Which lifts do you enjoy most?

Bench press and the power clean. I’m the best at those two.

Where have you traveled?

We go to Michigan every summer, Traverse City. It’s smaller, but most summers, we go to visit family and stuff.

How do weightlifting mechanics translate to football?

You can definitely tell with power clean and squats.

Power clean, you’re using your hips to push the weight up and then move it onto your chest, and you use that as an offensive lineman pushing the defensive lineman back.

Bench, I guess, too.

What do you like to do in free time?

I like to watch Netflix a lot.

I watch a bunch of different shows, play some Xbox — that’s always fun. There’s not really a lot of time with sports after school. We have “Fat Night” every Wednesday night at Ale House; we all go and get the mountain melts.

What are your favorite classes?

I would say history and biology. I just like history because my dad’s really into history and he always has the History Channel on, so we just sit there and watch that sometimes. Biology, I like it — I’m not very good at it — it’s just one of those things where

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP PANTHERS COMING ON STRONG The Dr. Phillips softball team has won six of its past seven games, including five consecutive wins, entering Tuesday’s game against Foundation Academy.

Dr. Phillips will host Colonial at 7 p.m. March 10 in an important district contest.

Steven Ryzewski

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR WEST ORANGE The

CFCA softball team has won 10 consecutive games as of March 6, and the winning streak can be summed up adequately in one word: offense.

Through 11 games this spring, the Eagles (10-1) have scored 171 runs — an average of 15.5 runs per game.

Led by senior Aubrey Muench, CFCA is on a roll at the plate, surprising even some of its players. “(This season is) going a lot better than I expected,” Muench said March 3, after the Eagles had defeated Oasis Christian 15-0 in three innings.

“Compared to past years, we’re hitting the ball a lot harder and more often than we have. We just are focused more — at practice and at games.”

For Bill Yager, in his first season as the program’s head coach but involved with the team in some capacity for more than a decade, Muench is a good example of what seems to have happened with the entire team.

“I’ve had Aubrey since she was in the seventh grade,” Yager said. “She’s really gotten powerful this year. I think she’s just stronger and hitting it hard.”

Yager also credits his two assistant coaches, who he said

What gets you going for your lifts?

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— ZAK KERR

Family.

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have worked hard to drill the girls on swinging the bats well.

Beyond Muench, Yager said the Lawrence sisters — senior Kristin and sophomore Halina — have played particularly well, as has Aubrey Muench’s younger sister, sophomore Alyssa Muench.

CFCA’s only loss came in the regular-season opener Feb. 8 against Mount Dora Christian — a district opponent. The Eagles are hopeful to avenge that loss and to continue to play strong ahead of the district tournament, which begins April 11 at Mount Dora Christian.

In the meantime, there’s plenty of room for improvement, even considering the Eagles’ strong play. Both Yager and Aubrey Muench admit they have been playing well against teams that they should have played well against, and the team’s young roster — the Eagles have just three seniors and one junior to go with several underclassmen and three middle-schoolers — means there still will be a learning curve.

“It speaks well for the future,” Yager said of his team’s youth.

ONLINE

TITANS SPLIT PAIR OF GAMES LAST WEEK The Olympia softball team (6-4) defeated Wekiva March 1, 12-5, but fell two days later when it took on Lake Brantley on the road, 15-7. The Titans will return to action at home March 11 against Cornerstone Charter.

First pitch is 4 p.m.

WARRIORS HOST APOPKA FRIDAY West Orange softball (12-1) has won five consecutive games since suffering its only loss Feb. 20 against American Heritage. Now, the Warriors will play an important district game at 7 p.m.

March 11 at Apopka (8-4).

More coverage and photos from CFCA’s victory at Orange Observer.com

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SIDELNE SCENE

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21

DP baseball wins with ‘Vs. Cancer’ fundraiser

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SIDELINE SCENE

The Dr. Phillips baseball team did not win its rivalry game Saturday afternoon against the Olympia Titans — but there was an element of victory for coach Mike Bradley’s program March 5.

The game was the Panthers’ official “Vs. Cancer” game, a part of the team’s partnership with the Vs. Cancer Foundation this spring. The Vs. Cancer Foundation empowers athletes and teams to help with the fight against pediatric cancer.

Bradley’s program is no stranger to the devastating nature of cancer. The entire Dr. Phillips community was affected by the passing of Ian Supra, and the baseball team has helped fundraise in the past for Jorden Aponte, an eighth-grader who plays his baseball for Dr. Phillips Little League.

Most recently, the entire prep baseball community

Little Leagues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

unteers and people to start those programs. Winter Garden will be fine with keeping the growth as long as they have places to play, but … they’ll go to a division format at some point, just like Windermere.”

Windermere currently has the largest Little League in District 14. It had to be split into two divisions based on the number of players or teams in its Majors Division (11- and 12-year-olds), and officials at Little League headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, will determine when Winter Garden is at that point, Dobbs said.

Matt Eidelmann, president of Winter Garden Little League, said 3- to 8-year-olds have represented the biggest spike in participation. The increase in players by almost 70 this spring tops the district by far, and it should cause that divisional split next summer, he said.

The starkest contrast to this is eastern neighbor Ocoee, which President Gary Hood said has consistently had 200 to 250 players, based on league lines he would like to see readjusted but that Dobbs said Williamsport officials froze in 2007.

“At one time, District 14 went all the way out to Eustis … and then reduced us down to our current five, plus Rolling Hills and Pine Hills,” Hood said. “In Rolling Hills and Pine Hills, you have other sports that have picked up in the area.”

of Central Florida has been rocked by the plight of Bishop Moore’s Joe Skinner, a UCF commit who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

All of that considered, Bradley decided he wanted his players to do something about it.

“It was more of a challenge for my kids to have them do something for someone else in need and do it with passion,” Bradley said. “There’s bigger things in life than baseball, that’s for sure.”

The team has taken to it with enthusiasm.

Saturday’s game raised $1,200 on the day, and the Vs. Cancer fundraising by the Panthers, which is ongoing throughout the season, already

COMPLEX COMPLEXITIES

Those Pine Hills and Rolling Hills leagues died in part because of children seeking other sports and sedentary activities, Dobbs said. Although MLB has invested in its Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program and seen some results, urban communities have overwhelmingly transitioned from 1980s peaks in youth baseball participation to football and basketball — which are also declining.

But Dr. Phillips has not followed that trend. Todd Hockenberry, Dr. Phillips Little League president, said his league has grown from 225 children in fall 2013 and 353 players in spring 2013 to 390 participants in fall 2015 and 413 registrants so far for this spring. He said expanding programs and facilities has helped to meet a growing demand.

From Dobbs’ perspective, leagues thrive or wither based primarily on volunteer support, citing MetroWest as another locale where numbers dwindled.

Parents are less willing to volunteer in general today.

“I wish they understood how important it is, because people say they’re too busy, but I can recall being a single parent and being (heavily involved) and this job and worked, too, full-time,” she said. “I have a staff of 11, and a lot of them are past presidents and have been with me for a long time. But at some point, I’m going to retire ... and I can’t find anyone to take it over for me.”

Ed Simonetta, Windermere

To even out populations for District 14 leagues, the likeliest scenario would be the formation of a Horizon West Little League, at which point boundaries naturally would need to be examined.

But this depends on having fields in that area — namely the Tiny Road Sports Complex the West Orange community has counted on for years to match similar facilities in Apopka, East Orange and South Orange, said District 14 Administrator Debbie Dobbs.

“I want to get that sports field on Tiny Road built — not 10 years from now — they’ve been talking about it for 10 years,” she said.

“Having something like that is great for when you have tournament time. It’s supposed to be a multi-sport complex, so it would benefit ... other sports, too. It’s just sad to see it’s taking so long to get up.”

District 1 Orange County Commissioner S. Scott Boyd has said protected sand skinks and funding have been issues delaying that project.

Little League president, attested to volunteers keeping that league so populated despite having the smallest area in the district.

Contact Zak Kerr at zkerr@orangeobserver.com.

has topped the team’s goal of $5,000 (Dr. Phillips has raised $5,653 as of March 9).

“We’ve had several kids who have raised over $500 and done a really good job of getting out there,” Bradley said.

Anyone interested in donating to the Panthers’ fundraising efforts, 50% of which will fund national cancer research efforts while the other half will go directly to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, can visit bit.ly/1QAzPtE or consult the program’s Facebook page, facebook.com/DPHSbaseball.

ONLINE

In this case, the benefits can be rather direct. Aponte, for instance, is still fighting a battle with an extremely rare and dangerous form of cancer known as desmoplastic smallround blue-cell tumors. Last summer, he had to be rushed to Arnold Palmer’s Children’s Hospital and missed an AllStar baseball game.

Bradley hopes his team’s efforts will help and that the youngster will soon suit up as a high-school baseball player — for the Panthers, of course.

See photos from the Titans vs. Panthers game at Orange Observer.com

Titans break out bats CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Needless to say, some reinvention was necessary. Fortunately, this year’s edition of the Titans have broken out the bats.

“It’s a different type of team this year,” head coach Chuck Schall said. “We’ve swung the bats pretty well this year, and we’re having to rely on that a little bit more.”

So far, Olympia (8-3) is averaging nine runs per game — up from 5.5 runs per game last spring.

The offensive uptick is keyed by the Titans’ senior class. Senior first baseman Jonathan Levin is batting .500 with a team-leading 15 RBIs and an .833 slugging percentage. Senior Drenis Ozuna has scored a team-high 21 runs while amassing 13 RBIs to go with his .421 batting average. Seniors Jordan Morrow and Joaquin Estrada are each hitting .333 so far.

Beyond the numerical output, though, is a unit that — even with some early blemishes this spring — just might be more cohesive than its predecessor.

“This year’s team has a lot more chemistry,” said Levin, a captain for the Titans. “We’ve been basically on the same team throughout our Olympia careers.”

This year’s pitching staff may be all new, but it still boasts some talented arms. Aaron Bogovic and Will Harrison have been the two workhorses so far for Schall’s rotation, with Bogovic tossing a perfect game Feb. 26 against Wekiva. Each has a pair of wins to his credit and boasts an improving ERA (Bogovic has a 3.26 mark

through 19.1 innings of work, and Harrison has recorded a 2.95 ERA through 21.1 innings).

“Both of those guys were juniors on J.V. last year, and they’re getting better every outing,” Schall said.

Olympia, which advanced to the regional final in 2015, will have a tough road in district play this spring — even more so than in years past. While the district still has perennial powerhouses Apopka and West Orange, it also added Lake Brantley — another program with a history of success.

“I’m always excited for those games — those games are the best games,” Levin said. “They are against a rival and they’re always great games … it’s always great to see everybody come together and just compete.”

The Titans are 2-0 in district play after sweeping Wekiva. This week Olympia takes on Lake Brantley in a pair of district games, with series against Apopka and West Orange looming in April.

And although the Titans are not the undefeated, nationally ranked program of years past, they are a dynamic roster that should be ready for the playoffs when district tournaments roll around April 18.

“Our goal is for those guys to get better each day,” Schall said, referencing many of the new faces on varsity this spring. “And then, as we get toward the end of the season, they’re at their best.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

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FORECAST

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, MAR. 10 High: 88 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 0%

FRIDAY, MAR. 11 High: 87 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 10%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 10

6:42a

6:32p

Friday, March 11

6:40a

6:32p

Saturday, March 12

6:39a

6:33p

Sunday, March 13

7:38a

7:33p

Monday, March 14

7:37a

7:34p

Tuesday, March 15

7:36a

7:35p

Wednesday, March 16

7:35a

7:35p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAR. 12 Mar. 23 Full

High: 85 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 40%

Windermere resident Jeff Lay submitted this beautiful image of a recent sunset at Windermere Country Club.

The West Orange Times & Observer is hosting this weekly contest, and winners will have their photograph featured and receive a $20 prize. To enter, email your photo, along with your name and city and a caption, to aqrhode@orangeobserver.com; put “I Love West Orange” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

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Mar. 1 Last

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SUNDAY, MAR. 13 High: 86 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 60%

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MAR. TO DATE:

2016 8.56 in.

2016 0.00 in.

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MOVE IT OR LOSE IT by Kyle Kelly 105 Old Italian money unit 106 Use a tow truck 107 N. ___ (Fargo’s state, for short) 110 Jeopardize 114 Help with recall 118 Drudges 119 King in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 120 Seasickness, e.g.

121 Husky’s load 122 Aeries, e.g.

123 Take into the body

DOWN

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1 Bean or peanut 7 Ann ___, Mich.

12 Strengthening or bolstering (with “up”) 19 Starting point 20 Glowing 21 Place for a “little house” 22 Be a spoiler 24 Umpire’s flub 25 “Guinness World Records” suffix 26 Penny 27 Fancy pitcher 29 Part of a play 30 Escort through the

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CRYPTOQUIZ

Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a woman in history. Using the hints E=A and C=D, decipher the clues to name the woman.

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SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 March 10 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.59) through 9 in each row, column and box.

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