03.16.17 West Orange Times & Observer

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

Observer Celebrating 110 years in West Orange

Economist by day, Legacy coach by night. PAGE 19

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VOLUME 84, NO. 11

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

Lisa Bennett wins commission seat District 1 voters selected challenger Lisa Bennett to represent them on the Winter Garden City Commission. PAGE 8.

Canine crime-fighters The term “man’s best friend” takes on a new meaning when it comes to the strong bonds that form between K-9s and their handlers.

YOUR TOWN ONP OFFERS SPRING BREAK FUN

Do you have a child who is interested in the outdoors?

Oakland Nature Preserve will be hosting an archery and fishing camp during spring break this year.

Olympic-style archery will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, and fishing fundamentals from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 23, at the preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. Both camps will be taught by a certified instructor and are open to children ages 9 to 15.

To register, visit oaklandnaturepreserve.org/ spring-break-camp. Camp is limited to the first 10 registrants.

For more information about Oakland Nature Preserve, email information@oaklandnature preserve.org or call (407) 905-0054.

GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he second Winter Garden police officer Matthew “Beau” Griffin

starts shaving his face, his K-9 Mack becomes the happiest dog in the world.

Because the electric buzz of the razor can only mean one thing: They’re going to work. And for K-9 Mack, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, going to work is the equivalent of going to Disney.

SEE PAGE 4

ARTS & CULTURE Courtesy photo

K-9 Chase from the Oakland Police Department pursues a tennis ball during Winter Garden’s recently launched K-9 training school. The Winter Garden and Ocoee Police Departments each have two K-9 handlers, and Oakland PD has one.

SPRING HAS FLUNG

City to install surveillance cameras in parking garage Winter Garden city leaders gave the go-ahead for a $70,000 camera surveillance system.

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

At the March 9 Winter Garden City Commission meeting, city manager Mike Bollhoefer informed commissioners of an ongoing problem with vandalism

WINTER

West Orange families welcome new season at annual Ocoee Spring Fling festival. SEE PAGE 12.

GARDEN

and potential safety issues with teenagers in the South Boyd Street parking garage.

City staff displayed two photos evidencing the problems, including one showing two people chatting while perched on the ledge of SEE CAMERAS PAGE 8

West Orange theater director Ken Rush preps for final bow.

SEE PAGE 11

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YOU R CALENDAR

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16

STRANGER TEENS 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Winter Garden Library.

Unlock the curiosity door and enjoy a “Stranger Things”themed event of ’80s mystery, trivia and games. Demogorgons and mouth breathers not welcomed. Ages 13 to 18. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

CROOKED CAN CELTIC FESTIVAL 4 p.m. Friday, March 17, through 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. The three-day festival will include the Highland Games, Irish grub, live Celtic music and local vendors. Admission is free.

(407) 395-9520.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

COOKIES & MILK WITH A COP 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Children can meet local police officers for cookies and milk and a

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

chance to interact with them in a fun environment. Sponsored by the Winter Garden, Apopka and Orlando police departments. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

INVESTIGATING THE WORLD OF INSECTS 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 18, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Children ages 5 to 13 can explore Nehrling Gardens and the many insects that call Florida home.

Practice the skills needed to become a junior entomologist, including how to identify different insects. Learn how to use these skills to investigate insect activity in your own backyard. Cost is $10 per child.

Advance registration required at nehrlinggardens/org/event/ investigating-world-insects.

MID-FLORIDA MILERS WALKING CLUB Register and start the walk any time between 8:30 and 10 a.m. at

Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. The 10K includes a path on the nature trails. Participants can access the visitor center, too. midfloridamilers.org, mlanpher@cfl. rr.com or (407) 695-9181.

WOMEN MAKE HISTORY 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Celebrate Women’s History Month with stories, crafts and activities all about powerful women and their awesome contributions to history. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21

ARTREACH 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Celebrate with local artists as they lead workshops that foster creativity and empower children to use art as a way to make positive changes. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

HELP! I’M ENDANGERED 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. What do giant pandas, gorillas and Brazilian three-toed sloths have in common? They are all endangered, and more species

OUR TOUGHNESS IS YOUR STRENGTH.

are dwindling each day. Find out how as we celebrate all living things on our planet. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

CONNECTING WITH COUSINS: EXPLORING YOUR DNA TEST RESULTS 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee.

If you have received your autosomal DNA test results and are wondering what to do next, this program is what you need. Explore the best way to begin analyzing and working with your DNA matches. (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

LEGO BLOCK PARTY 6 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 6 p.m. at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. Is there anything you can’t build with LEGO? The library will provide the LEGO bricks; you provide the creativity. LEGO will be provided but cannot go home with you. Ages 6 to 12. Registration required.

(407) 835-7323.

“ALL ABOARD! A HISTORY OF FLORIDA’S RAILROADS” PROGRAM AND SIGNING 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, 21 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. In her new book,

Stephanie Murphy-Lupo writes about Florida’s railroad development. The author will offer a program and sign copies of her book. Cost is $7 for foundation members; $10 for non-members. Seating is limited. RSVP to (407) 656-3244.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

BLUE HIKE: CLEANUP TOUR 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Oakland’s Tubb Street dock on Lake Apopka. Join Oakland Nature Preserve President Jim Peterson for a two- to threehour nature kayak tour on Lake Apopka. Paddle to Winter Garden’s Newton Park to college garbage before returning back to Oakland. For rental information, call (407) 905-0054 or email information@oaklandnaturepreserve.org. Register online at oaklandnaturepreserve.org.

EVENING AT THE POPS 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Newton Park on Lake Apopka in Winter Garden. Grab a blanket and enjoy an outdoors concert with the Orlando Philharmonic under the stars.

General admission is $10, and VIP tickets are $75, and they can be purchased at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the Rotary Club of Winter Garden.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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Reinventing the VFW

Ocoee leaders endorse plan for Park at 429

The new commander of the veterans organization is finding ways to draw younger men and women to the post.

GABBY BAQUERO STAFF WRITER

approved the final site plan for the Park at 429 Planned Unit Development March 7 after a contentious planning process spanning several months.

The 45-acre flex-office development will be situated adjacent to State Road 429 on East Crown Point Road and Palm Drive and comprise five buildings totaling 645,000 square feet.

Previous public hearings for the project, specifically pertaining to the rezoning, that were held in September 2016 generated concern from residents involving the overall layout of the preliminary site plan, potential impact on traffic and locations of the truck entrances.

In light of these concerns, Ocoee and Winter Garden had additional consultants review a transportation study provided by the applicant.

“So we wanted to pause at that point because when you do a traffic study, the traffic study … assumes some trips,” said Ocoee City Planner Mike Rumer. “What the residents of Winter Garden and PNZ were talking about was, ‘Well, let’s look at the project and ensure that (we are) assuming the right number of truck trips.’”

The consultants concluded the transportation study provided by the applicant was correct. At that point, the next decision made was a road design that addressed the trucks that come in from the south and north on East Crown Point Road, and east on Palm Drive.

The site plan was then modified to include signage that reads “No Left Turns,” as well as concrete barricade devices to prohibit trucks from making a left turn.

The outcome was a site plan with three entrances on East Crown Point Road and two entrances on Palm Drive — two of which will be truck entrances.

Initially, the northernmost entrance on East Crown Point Road was to be the designated truck entrance. Now, the middle entrance on East Crown Point Road will serve the designated entrance for semi trucks, as will an entrance on Palm Drive.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

A

WINTER GARDEN

t 54, Dan Kalagian sees himself as the bridge spanning the age gap between the World War II veterans and those from post-9/11.

He has been leading West Orange VFW Post 4305 as commander since December and is trying to breathe new life into the 72-year-old organization.

“We are the hidden jewel of Winter Garden,” Kalagian said.

The post, established in Winter Garden in 1945, was a meeting place for veterans returning from foreign wars. It gave them a safe haven to share their experiences, anger and fear free from judgment.

Today, it still offers war veterans a respite, but Kalagian wants to make sure it’s a comfortable and inviting place for all generations.

“We want to ensure veterans who served in foreign wars and their families feel welcome no matter what generation they served in,” he said. “What’s cool about the post is the great diversity; we have generations serving in leadership roles here.”

Kalagian — an Ocoee resident who was on active duty in the 1980s and later rejoined the military and served in Iraq and at Guantanamo Bay after Sept. 11, 2001 — is the third commander in a year; the last two, Vietnam and Gulf war veterans, relinquished the position because of health concerns.

With a focus on health and wellness, the commander is scheduling yoga sessions and nutrition classes.

“The sharing of common experiences, even generations apart, is the best part. It helps heal the wounds to see people who have gone through similar experiences …”

— Commander Dan Kalagian

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

Commander Dan Kalagian has plans to take the VFW Post 4305 in a modern direction.

The post also is engaging with the community more. Members provide food for two Central Florida veterans’ centers on a regular basis, and Girl Scouts were on the VFW campus recently doing volunteer work.

One of the post members is even looking into starting a Boy Scout troop there.

With the city of Winter Garden about to embark on a huge redevelopment project along East Plant Street, Kalagian said this was a good time to make major improvements to the interior and exterior of the facility.

“We’re trying to be good partners,” he said. “We want to be good neighbors.”

On Memorial Day weekend, Post 4305 is holding a ceremony and barbecue and has invited 100 Wounded Warrior Project alumni and their families.

“It’s an opportunity for the Wounded Warrior alumni to meet our veterans here, and we can support each other and make them feel welcome into our community,” Kalagian said.

The community can participate in the May ceremony and meal to welcome the veterans. To do so, call the post home at (201) 4305839.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization that offers programs, services and events for veterans wounded in military actions following Sept.

11, 2001. It does not have a facility, but that’s where the VFW can

Come find a safe haven for your soul at

Haven of Grace Bible Church Temporarily meeting at: The Stone Crest Meeting House in the Foxcrest Subdivison 13520 Foxcrest Blvd.

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benefit these veterans who have served in foreign wars.

K a l a g i a n s t re sse s t h e importance of connecting the older and younger veterans.

“The sharing of common experiences, even generations apart, is the best part,” he said.

“It helps heal the wounds to see people who have gone through similar experiences and they’re still here, and they’re good.

“World War II veterans passed the torch to the Korean and Vietnam war veterans, and then it got passed to the Gulf War veterans and now the post 9/11 veterans,” Kalagian said.

Recently, a young veteran entered the post and sat down in the canteen. He told members he felt at ease there, and he joined the VFW that day. He is now a karaoke regular.

“This canteen is important,” the commander said. “For some, they come just to avoid stuff, but it’s also a social environment (where they can) just talk. (They can) be with like-minded people and feel comfortable.

“I’m about building relationships, because that’s important,” Kalagian said. “This is an inclusive club for any eligible person. We are not judgmental here. … We want to show who we are and what we bring to the community.”

Amy Quesinberry

WEST ORANGE VFW POST 4305 1170 E. Plant St, Winter Garden PHONE: (201) 4305-VFW WEBSITE: vfwpost4305. org; includes a list of resources and calendar of events FACEBOOK: VFW Post 4305 MEETINGS: Post members meet at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month; auxiliary meetings are at 7 p.m. on the second Monday MEMBERSHIP: About 240 members, plus more than 200 auxiliary members

Contact Amy Quesinberry at amyq@orangeobserver.com.

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OCOEE City leaders unanimously

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

Meet West Orange’s K-9s

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.”

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Winter Garden police officer Jeff Doyle with 7-year-old K-9 Kimber, who was imported from the Czech Republic. “Kimber is kind of a little practical joker,” Doyle said. “Everything in life is fun for him. And so he kind of bounces through life playing jokes on me. Every chance he gets to do something to mess with me, he does it. So you have to kind of get used to it. But some dogs are very serious and are less sociable.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry amyq@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writers Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@Orange Observer.com Brittany Gaines, bgaines@Orange Observer.com Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executives Michelle Gentry, mgentry@Orange Observer.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@Orange Observer.com

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Ocoee police officer Eric Edwards and 3-year-old K-9 Reno, who is from Belgium, just graduated from K-9 school March 1.

“You’d think by listening to him bark in the back of the car that he’s a mean dog, but he loves people; he’ll come lick you to death,” Edwards said. “But at the same time, he’s not afraid to go to work and apprehend the bad guy.”

Ann Marie Vibbert, avibbert@Orange Observer.com Pam Zerblas, pzerblas@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@Orange Observer.com Sarah Felt, sfelt@OrangeObserver.com

CONTACT US

The West Orange Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays.

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

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

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K-9 Mack, who was imported from Hungary, and Winter Garden police officer Matthew “Beau” Griffin would give their lives for each other. “To the agency, he’s a tool and an investment, and he’s a big part of our agency and our ability to our job as officers,” Griffin said.

“But to us, as handlers, we, of course, grow more fond and closer. Mack is like a kid to me more than he is just a tool.”

TO ADVERTISE For display or digital advertising, call Ann Marie Vibbert, Michelle Gentry or Cyndi Gustafson at (407) 656-2121.

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Oakland police officer Anthony Vitale and K-9 Chase, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois who graduated from K-9 school on March 1. “Chase is always in a good mood,” Vitale said.

“Whatever type of calls I handle, he is always there with an upbeat demeanor, and he is happy to see me. Plus, I have someone to talk to during my 12-hour shift.”

WEST ORANGE TIMES

West Orange Times & Observer 720 S. Dillard St. Winter Garden, FL 34787

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THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP

After graduating from the standard 12-week, K-9 training course, both man and dog, known as a K-9 unit, become attuned to each other’s body language.

For handlers, the first two weeks are spent in a classroom, where they learn canine psychology, body language, how the wind affects scent and legalities with the use of the canine, said Oakland police officer Anthony Vitale. The remaining 10 weeks requires hands-on training that involves obedience training, criminal apprehension, gunfire, area searches, building searches and tracking.

Some K-9s are also used to detect narcotics, explosive materials and cadavers. However, such skills require an extra four weeks of training for both the dog and K-9 handler.

Once their training is complete, they spend nearly every waking moment together putting their lives at risk every day to protect and serve their community and catch criminals during their work shifts.

Thorough training, along with proper equipment, is important for a K-9 unit that costs lawenforcement agencies about $70,000. The dogs alone, which police agencies tend to import from Europe, can cost from $7,000 to $14,000, depending on the dog’s level of training.

Winter Garden police officer Jeff Doyle, the main K-9 trainer for the Ocoee and Oakland police departments, explained the dogs are usually imported from overseas because European K-9s are known to develop fewer health issues than those bred in America.

“If you converted their sense of smell into eyesight, the average human would be able to see three miles, while the average dog would be able to see 3,000 miles. That’s the difference between their noses and ours.”

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Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida. POSTMASTER send address changes to the West Orange Times & Observer, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

— Jeff Doyle, the main K-9 trainer for the Ocoee and Oakland police

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Ocoee police officer Daniel Schilling and K-9 Nitro, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois imported from Belgium. “He’s just 110 mph all day, every day; he has so much energy all the time,” Schilling said. “He just never calms down. He’s always ready to go to work, but at home, he’s still going 110 mph, so we have to go outside quite a bit to play ball and wear him out before we bring him back inside.”

Europe has much more stringent standards than the United States, he said. For example, if a dog develops a certain type of hereditary disease in Europe, rather than fixing them or putting them up for adoption, they tend to put down the entire line.

The steep cost makes K-9s, who are always born alpha dogs, a large investment, and agencies usually take certain precautions to keep them alive and well, including the purchase of high-protein dog food and a $500 heat alarm system that notifies an officer if their patrol car gets too hot with their dog inside.

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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K-9 Mack happily plays tug-of-war Friday, March 10, with his handler, Winter Garden police officer Matthew “Beau” Griffin. “I’ve always loved dogs,” Griffin said. “And I get to bring my best friend to work with me and spend time with him.”

COST OF A K-9

K-9: $8,500 to $13,000 Initial medical exam: $400 K-9 vehicle cage: $1,500 K-9 unit patrol vehicle: $30,000 Heat alarm: $500 K-9 handler training (three months): $10 to $20,000 (dependent on pay rate) Specialized dog food: $55 per month

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Note: These are estimated costs a law enforcement agency is expected to spend on a K-9 unit. Costs vary from agency to agency.

with you and just knowing he’s there is one of the best feelings, because that dog will do whatever he’s got to do to protect you,” Griffin said of Mack. “He’ll give his life, if necessary. And in return, I would do the same for him.”

Contact Gabby Baquero at gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

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A K-9’s powerful noses make it a huge asset for any agency.

“Ninety percent of what they do involves their nose,” said Doyle, who has worked and trained with four canines during his 32-year law enforcement career. “That’s basically why we have them. If you converted their sense of smell into eyesight, the average human would be able to see three miles, while the average dog would be able to see 3,000 miles. That’s the difference between their noses and ours.”

On average, the K-9s work for about five to seven years, Doyle said. Doyle’s current K-9, named Kimber, is already 7 years old, but every time Doyle puts on his work boots, Kimber can barely contain her excitement.

Given the amount of time the officers spend with their dogs, the K-9 handlers tend to grow fond of the K-9s, and vice versa.

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West Orange student with Asperger’s syndrome arrested after incident

narrative, the SRO, while standing in the doorway, first used verbal commands to get Ashton to leave.

FRI-SAT: 1:20P 4:20P, 7:20P, 10:00P He refused. She then walked to SUN-THURS: 1:20P, 4:20P, 7:20P him and asked him to come with her, but he again refused.

The SRO then “used a touch to FRI-SAT: 1:40P SUN-THURS: 1:40P comfort or console” Ashton, folGABBY BAQUERO Gelfand said. However, the arrest lowed by a “firm, strong touch FRI-SAT: 12:50P, 3:50P, 6:50P, 9:55P STAFF WRITER reports states the teacher simply prior to escalating to a higher SUN-MON: 12:50P, 3:50P,6:50P tried to remove Ashton’s laptop. level.” But Ashton denied to comWINTER GARDEN Ashton Gelfand, “And Ashton got angry because, ply, leading the SRO to forcibly a former ninth-grade student at A, the sub hit him,” Erica Gelfand remove him from his seat.

FRI-SAT: 1:10P, 4:10P, 7:10P, 10:00P West Orange High School, was said. “And, B, he didn’t underAccording to the narrative, SUN-THURS: 1:10P, 4:10P, 7:10P arrested Thursday, March 2, after stand why the sub was hitting Ashton then picked up his desk an altercation in his first-period him. C, he knocked his computer and held it up in an aggressive THURS: 7:25P class became violent. out of his hand, which is some- manner.

Fourteen-year-old Ashton, thing we would have to pay for if “Because the desk went flywho has been diagnosed with it had broken. … So he told me, ing, the SRO said he tried to hit ADHD, bipolar disorder and ‘Mama I told him, Imma kick yo’ her with the desk,” Erica Gelfand Asperger’s syndrome, is now fac- [expletive].’” said. “So through all of this, (Ashing four misdemeanors. But his The front office sent Vice ton) finally ends up being pepperparents, Erica and Bryan Gelfand, Principal Anthony Russell to the sprayed. And so they finally get maintain that the school employ- classroom. Vanessa Garland, the him down to the front office after ees mishandled the situation. school resource officer, came in they pepper-spray him, and that’s “He’s 14 years old and he still shortly after. Garland, who was when I come in and hear him.” plays with Hot Wheels, you know,” aware of Ashton’s issues, called After the altercation, he was said Erica Gelfand, Ashton’s Erica Gelfand to alert her of the transported to the hospital mother. “Most kids at 14 don’t situation. Erica Gelfand, who because of elevated blood presplay with Hot Wheels anymore. lives about 10 minutes from the sure. The following morning, So he just doesn’t understand.” school, said she was on her way. Friday, March 3, a court hearing District officials from Orange But by the time she arrived, the was held to determine the chargCounty Public Schools did not situation had already escalated. es against Ashton. The charge of provide information regarding “So as I’m coming into the assault with a deadly weapon was the district’s policy involving the school, all I see is an ambulance dropped. The remaining charges handling of a child with behavior- and a fire truck,” Gelfand said. “I are battery on a school employee, al disorders or provide a response walk in, and all I hear is Ashton assault on a school employee, before press time. screaming, ‘I told them to leave assault on a law-enforcement According to the arrest report, me alone. They wouldn’t leave officer, resisting an officer withthe altercation began when the me alone.’” out violence and disruption of an substitute teacher instructed Russell and Garland were educational institution.

Ashton to refrain from using aggressive as soon as they arrived, Ashton now has a court date foul language. However, Ashton Erica Gelfand said.SoBo As Garland scheduled March 22. He has been Gallery 127 South Boyd St, WG THE OF and responded with more tried to remove Ashton from a suspended and will not return to refused profanities. desk, he kept his grasp, which West Orange High. Instead, he The substitute teacher then caused “the desk to go flying.” will attend Olympia High. came over to him and “smacked” However, the event as reported Ashton’s hand, knocking the in Ashton’s arrest report tells a Contact Gabby Baquero at laptop out of his hands, Erica different story. According to the gbaquero@orangeobserver.com.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

Oakland approves rezoning for 58-acre Oakland Preserve AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

IN OTHER NEWS

OAKLAND The proposed Oakland

n Commissioners received an overview from the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.

The town is more than halfway into a 20-year contract with the department, which operates Station 37 in Oakland. The department is holding an open house March 18, for residents who want to stop by for a tour, free hamburgers and hotdogs and a bounce house for children. n Public Works Directors Mike Parker announced the town has received another grant worth more than $300,000 to continue its storm water project.

Preserve project passed another hurdle when the Oakland Town Commission approved the zoning amendment from A-1 Agriculture and C-1 Commercial to PUD (Planned-Unit Development).

The C-1 designation had the potential of bringing more than 650,000 square feet of commercial — about the size of 13 Publix Supermarkets — to the 58-acre space on Oakland Avenue on the west side of town. Under that zoning, the developer, Project Finance & Development Inc., would have been permitted to build such businesses as a drivethrough restaurant, laundromat, funeral home or liquor store.

Instead, PFD and its agent, Dwight Saathoff, want to build 250 single-family homes, 350 apartments and a 150-unit senior-living center development with assisted- and independentliving and memory care.

He has assured the commission and concerned residents that this development will conform to the high standards set by town officials.

The entrance will feature a rural road and have the appearance of a park setting, with a 20-foot buffer and split-rail fence.

The apartment complex likely will be four stories, which reduces the footprint, and the designers are looking at turn-of-thecentury hotels for inspiration.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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When asked why apartments had to be included in the plan, Saathoff said the town had asked for a variety of uses and that apartments are better suited for the land nearest the industrial area and Florida’s Turnpike.

The multi-family units comprise 21% of the property; the senior-living center and singlefamily homes will make up the other 79%.

As one of the conditions of the approval, the developer must change the proposed community name to eliminate confusion with the Oakland Nature Preserve, which is across Oakland Avenue.

One Night Only!

Saturday, March 25, 2017 • 7:30 PM A wonderfully entertaining tribute to the Broadway smash hit, “The Jersey Boys” and the iconic music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, including mega-hits like: Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man and Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You and many more mega hits of the 60’s; all presented in a high-energy and polished production.

Contact Amy Quesinberry at amyq@orangeobserver.com.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

Winter Garden voters: Bennett in, Makin out

IN OTHER NEWS n Phil Cross was reappointed as the fifth member of the city’s Police and Fire Pension Board. He will serve another two-year term, ending Dec. 31, 2018.

The co-owner of Windsor Realty Group will be the only female on the Winter Garden commission.

DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER

The polls are closed, and results are in: Lisa Bennett ousted incumbent Kent Makin for the city’s District 1 commission seat.

Bennett won in a landslide, snagging 63% of the vote to Makin’s 22%.

“I was preparing for a run-off so I’m surprised, happy and excited,” Bennett said. “I’ve served in several roles in Winter Garden, but most of the roles I’ve been involved in are with charitable organizations and boards. I just considered it a wonderful opportunity to serve the residents. My father actually said, ‘Why don’t you run for commission?’ So I took that as confirmation and gave it a go.”

Bennett is co-broker/owner of Windsor Realty Group Inc. She had served on the city’s Architectural Review Historic Preservation Board and is a past president of the Rotary Club of Winter Garden. She now will serve as the city’s only female commissioner.

“I did hear from a lot of residents that they looked forward to having diversity on the board, so I’m looking forward to representing that,” she said. “We had some other good female candidates who were running, so I’m just honored to be the one.

Courtesy photo

City leaders showed this photo of two people sitting atop the ledge of the roof on the parking garage. The goal is for the cameras to help add security and prioritize safety.

WINTER GARDEN

Cameras coming Lisa Bennett

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“(I’m excited to) work for the residents and meet with them, listen to them and hopefully facilitate good communication with the city and staff,” Bennett said. “The city’s done a great job up until now, and I’m excited to step into that and be a voice for the residents of District 1.”

Makin, a construction manager and Realtor, served two terms as a Winter Garden commissioner in the last six years. In addition to Bennett, Lillie V. Brandon, a retired educator; and Wendy Byrd Jung, an accountant, also ran in the election.

District 1 encompasses historic downtown and stretches from parts of Story Road north to just past Fullers Cross Road, touching East Crown Point Road at the easternmost point and Brayton Road at the westernmost point.

the parking garage’s roof.

Bollhoefer said the vandalism issues primarily are related to teenagers who break the Christmas lights hanging along the roof of the garage and broken items.

“Sometimes we catch them (people) sitting on the ledge on the top,” he said. “Then there are skateboarders and bicyclists using it as a skateboard and bicycle ramp.”

City commissioners approved spending $70,000 to purchase and install a camera surveillance system. The system includes 56 cameras, a computer monitoring system, wiring and installation.

The cameras will be able to detect motion and record up to 48 hours of footage. Additionally, Winter Garden police officers will have the capability to monitor them live.

Bollhoefer hopes to have the system installed within 30 days.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

DANIELS PROFESSIONAL PARK

Additionally, city leaders unanimously passed the first reading regarding a request to amend the current Planned Commercial Development rezoning on 1.93 acres of land located at 1991 Daniels Road, on the northeast corner of Daniels and Roper roads.

At the last commission meeting on Feb. 23, city leaders approved the site plan for the project, Daniels Professional Park. The site plan proposes construction of five buildings which will host medical, professional and business offices totaling 17,750 square feet.

Most recently, the applicant sought to amend a May 2015 ordinance that does not allow MRI or imaging centers as a permitted use on the property in order to house a smaller MRI device within the medical complex.

n Commissioners approved the site plan for a new Wendy’s location, just west of Wawa on West Colonial Drive and Dillard Street.

The new Wendy’s will replace the current location one-quarter mile east of the property. n Commissioners also approved up to $41,000 total to take care of the following projects: repairing the interactive fountain step and ramp, replacing the sound system at Tanner Hall and making various interim repairs to Newton Park Dock. n City leaders again postponed the rezoning request for 2.29 acres of property at 555 N. Dillard Street from City R-1 to City PUD. The second reading will take place at the next scheduled commission meeting on March 23.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.

Creative Outdoor Dining to Benefit Matthew’s Hope

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MC for the evening Scott Maxwell

Sponsorship Opportunities Available The most creative table will be recognized for their efforts.

Entertainment for the evening Kay Francis

For more information and/or to reserve your table visit: www.matthewshopeministries.org/Annual-Garden-Party www.facebook.com/matthewshopeministries or call 407-905-9500

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Wendy Odom will now oversee the preschool department, which is scheduled for an expansion in Fall 2017. Plans for the preschool department include a stand-alone building that will serve approximately thirty K3 and K4 students. Wendy holds a Childcare Directors Credential and has been an integral part of Light Christian Academy since its opening in 2009. She also serves as the First Lady of Ocoee Church of God.

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Rebecca Smith has been promoted to the position of Principal for Light Christian Academy. Rebecca has been a part of the administrative staff since the academy opened in 2009 and has served as the assistant principal since last summer. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Central Florida. In her new role, Rebecca will be responsible for the day to day operations for grades K5-12.

Bishop Thomas Odom will now serve as the Chief Administrator for Light Christian Academy and Childcare while he continues to steer the overall ministry direction as Lead Pastor of Ocoee Church of God. For more information regarding Light Christian Academy and Childcare, you may visit their website at www.mylcac.com.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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15990 block of West Colonial Drive. About 30 minutes after midnight, two women cleaning up a trailer at the Lake Johns Motel discovered a cherry wood box containing knives, an unmarked bottle with an unknown liquid, and what they suspected was a PVC pipe bomb.

Orange County’s Bomb Squad, Explosive Ordinances Disposal Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, several fire rescue trucks and the Central Florida Task Force responded to the scene and implemented an evacuation.

Orange County’s investigation concluded the PVC pipe, which the two witnesses described as having “clamps on the ends and a wick coming out the top,” was, indeed, a bomb. The bomb squad then detonated it at 3:14 p.m., and all residents were permitted to return to their homes.

The prior resident of the trailer was arrested. During a police interrogation, the resident stated he gathered all the material to construct the bomb and knew how to make it because “it was just physics” and “made sense.”

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Upstairs BONUS room w/full bath, GRANITE bar, pool table, bar stools, entertainment center w/tv and GORGEOUS view of the lake, DOCK with 1 boat lift and 2 jet ski lifts! 3 A/C systems. This was the model home with an air conditioned garage. Beautiful landscaped yard, irrigation is from the lake! Asking only $725,000.

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Over 3300 sq.ft. of living in this 5 bdr 4 ba!!! Step inside to this tiled living and dining room. 4 bdr 3 ba on first floor, 1 bdr 1 ba upstairs off of bonus room. Master bedroom has master bath consisting of garden tub, separate vanities and shower. Kitchen has granite counter tops, 42” cabinets. All kitchen appliances and all window coverings stay!

Breakfast bar, breakfast nook overlooking the covered lanai. Child proof family room where everyone can “live a little”. Just off the kitchen area is the stairway leading to the bonus room, perfect for guests!!! Grab your golf cart and go downtown to W.G., Walk to the W. Orange Trail. 3 car garage, great location!!! Asking only $386,000

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2 STORY, 5 BDRM. 4 BA. Gated community, screened paver lanai sparkling pool/spa, privacy fenced back yard!!! This home is a knockout!!! Formal living, dining and family rm with a open floor plan!!!

Kitchen is a decorators dream, all kitchen appliances stay, many built ins, island, pantry and breakfast nook over looking lanai. This home also features a Butlers Pantry. Master bedroom on the first floor plus 3 other bedrooms one of which is being used as an office. Upstairs you will find a Bonus room, Media room, guest bedroom and full bath. Minutes from Fowler’s Grove, 429, turnpike and 408. Asking Only $489,000.

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1750 block of Sparrow Song Lane. At about 3 a.m, the driver of a black 2011 Infiniti G37 traveling within a residential community on Sparrow Song Lane swerved off the road and caused an estimated $8,200 in property damage by colliding with three parked cars, a mailbox and a tree.

The sound of the collision alerted a nearby resident, who exited his home to investigate the commotion. The resident asked if the driver was OK. The driver responded he was drunk and asked for gum. The driver then told other surrounding residents

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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13490 block of West Colonial Drive. At about 2:30 a.m., a Winter Garden police officer attempted to pull over a bicyclist he observed performing a traffic violation. When the officer activated his patrol vehicle’s lights, the bicyclist turned around and made eye contact but then continued traveling toward the McDonald’s on Daniels Road and West Colonial Drive. The officer exited his vehicle and ordered the bicyclist to come to him. The bicyclist, ignoring the police officer’s commands, threw away what was later discovered to be a small baggy and knife. After he was done disposing of these items, he submitted to a search and sat down on a nearby curb.

The search yielded a wrapper containing a small amount of cannabis in his wallet. He was arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence and possession of cannabis under 20 grams.

|

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alerted by the noise, including the owners of the vehicles he had struck, that he had swerved off the road to avoid hitting a family of opossums crossing the road.

A responding police officer, after determining how the crash happened from physical evidence and interviews, proceeded to conduct a DUI investigation. The driver’s poor performance in the field-sobriety exercises resulted in his arrest, and he was transported to a DUI testing facility.

SO

WINTER GARDEN FEB. 20

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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Leadership changes coming to the Garden Theatre Executive Director Alauna Friskics will leave the Garden Theatre this year to join the Orlando Fringe.

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11 years since Alauna Friskics became part of the Garden Theatre family, but now she’s preparing to say goodbye.

Friskics, the executive director at the theater, has accepted the position of executive director at Orlando Fringe.

“The Garden Theatre has been part of my core identity for (more than) a decade,” Friskics said. “Choosing to leave an organization I built from the ground up is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”

Friskics joined the Garden Theatre in April 2006 just prior to the theater’s renovations. Prior to applying for the job, she had never ventured into Winter Garden, she said. But once she did, she fell in love with its small-town charm.

“I drove out here on day to check it out and see what weas going on,” Friskics said. “I just thought this was the sweetest community. And from the second I started (working at Garden Theatre), I was fully and wholly embraced by the community.”

As the theater underwent renovations, Friskics watched as

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The grand opening of the Garden Theatre on Feb. 29, 2008. “It was a full house of people dressed in formal wear,” Friskics said. But the highlight of the opening was the story of the yellow dress that was on display. It was the dress that Ron Sikes’ mother had worn when she first met Ron’s father.

They had met at the Garden Theatre.

SHOWS

“Little Shop of Horrors” “Singing in the Rain”

half months to ensure the Garden Theatre is in the best hands possible when she leaves.

“It’s very important to me that the person we find is the right fit not just for the organization but for the community,” Friskics said.

Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.

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Meet Olympia setter Lorissa King PAGE 17

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Welcome to your new hometown newspaper MICHAEL ENG EXECUTIVE EDITOR

David Haynes

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn strikes the only suitable pose when holding a glass from “The Godfather.”

Since the 1980s — far longer than he has been mayor of Windermere — Gary Bruhn has collected and sold movie memorabilia. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4

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Gov. Rick Scott announced Sept. 18 two appointments and one reappointment to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. Robert Gidel Sr., of Windermere, is the managing partner at Liberty Capital. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term that began Sept.

18 and ends Sept. 10, 2017.

He joins Iris Gonzalez, of Tierra Verde, on the board.

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

THE GROVE ORLANDO BOOGIES AT BIRTHDAY BASH

What you’re holding in your hands is the product of more than a year of planning. It’s the product of our wildest dreams — a bold step for a company that last month celebrated our 110th anniversary.

Welcome, readers, to the first edition of the Windermere Observer, a sister paper of the West Orange Times & Observer, which has roots that date back to the Winter Garden Ricochet in 1905.

For more than a century, our newspaper — through all its previous owners and iterations — covered the entire West Orange region with just one edition.

Today, that changes.

Put simply: West Orange has grown too large for one hyperlocal community newspaper.

For longtime readers: this new Windermere Observer will cover Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill, Gotha and MetroWest, while the West Orange Times & Observer will renew its focus on Winter Garden, Ocoee and Oakland.

As the 10th newspaper owned by the Sarasota-based Observer Media Group, the Windermere Observer will strive to deliver on OMG’s slogan: “You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.”

ADVERTISE OR SUBSCRIBE TODAY! *****************ECRWSSEDDM****

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SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 10

SEE NEWSPAPER PAGE 6

Call us at 407-656-2121 Email us at AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com or Subscribe@OrangeObserver.com

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WINTER GARDEN It’s been almost

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Serving the Orlando area since 1926.

the arts community in Winter Garden blossomed.

“The community was so hungry for arts; they were so ready for it,” she said.

Since then, the theater has grown into a $1.4 million operation.

“We’ve come a long way in the nine years we’ve been open,” Friskics said.

With such a passion and love for the Garden Theatre, Friskics never imagined leaving. But when the executive director position at Orlando Fringe opened up, it caught her attention.

“I wasn’t looking to leave (the Garden Theatre) at all,” she said.

“But the more I explored it, I thought it would be a fun and different challenge for me.”

When Friskics originally moved to Orlando, it was because of a one-time volunteer experience she had with the Orlando Fringe.

She even helped coproduce the festival in 2002.

“I have a long history with Orlando Fringe and a long love with the Fringe,” she said.

Although she’s excited about the new opportunities with Orlando Fringe, her transition from her current position into the new one won’t happen overnight. She will make the transition over the next four-and-one-

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

ARTS + CULTURE Ken Rush: “I demand a lot. I treat my kids like professionals.

All the kids are taught to do everything so they learn to respect all the people in the show. We do collegiate-level work, not high-school theater.”

LISTEN TO THIS Jazz, Joel & John 8 p.m. Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18, at Calvary Orlando, 1199 Clay St., Winter Park.

The concert features the best jazz standards and arrangements of some of Billy Joel’s and Elton John’s greatest hits with performances by the 150-piece Central Florida Community Arts Symphony Orchestra and CFCArts Big Band. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

To purchase tickets, visit CFCArts.com/jazzjoeljohn or call the box office at (407) 937-1800, Ext. 710.

TASTE THIS

St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Festival Ken Rush, director of the West Orange High Theater Department, announced his retirement shortly after Christmas.

Brittany Gaines

FINAL BOW After nearly two decades, Ken Rush is leaving the West Orange High School Theater Department. Rush had led the storied program for nearly 20 years.

BRITTANY GAINES STAFF WRITER

O

WINTER GARDEN

nly six hours to showtime, and the theater hummed with activity.

Two girls sat on the stage putting fake flowers in vases. Another group of girls — armed with paintbrushes and cans of black paint — carefully painted a rectangular design onto one of the walls of the set.

Several students taped a black curtain across the front of the stage. The stage and house lights flicked on and off as the tech crew tested various lighting patterns.

Two dancers kicked and twirled across the stage practicing a particularly tricky dance combination. The metal plates on the bottoms of their shoes clacked against the stage floor with their every step.

And right in the middle of everything sat Ken Rush, giving out instructions, inspecting a pile of props and answering the dozens of questions from his students.

Since 1998, Rush has been a prominent figure at the West Orange High School Theater Department. But only 78 days remain until his 19-year legacy at the school comes to an end.

“It’s a moving and emotional thing for me,” Rush said about his upcoming retirement.

PROFESSIONAL QUALITY THEATER

Prior to coming to West Orange, Rush helped open the North East School of the Arts — a Magnet school in San Antonio, Texas.

Once the school was off the ground, he and his family decided to return to Florida.

“I called the principal (at West

Orange High) and asked him if he needed a theater teacher,” Rush said. “He told me that their theater teacher had just come in a half-hour earlier and resigned.

So I came in and took over the department.”

From day one, the bar he set for his students was high.

“I demand a lot,” he said. “I treat my kids like professionals. All the kids are taught to do everything so they learn to respect all the people in the show. We do collegiate-level work, not high-school theater.”

Textbooks are nonexistent in Rush’s classroom. His philosophy is that students learn through working on productions. It’s part of the department’s motto of Professional Quality Theater, or PQT as they call it.

As a result, the school’s theater department is known throughout SEE RUSH PAGE 14

4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, March 17; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, March 18; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.

Crooked Can is hosting its second annual Celtic Festival, which will feature a beer garden, Celtic food, arts and crafts, Celtic music and Highland games. The festival also will feature a performance from Off Kilter starting at 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 18. For more information, visit crookedcan.com.

TRY THIS

Holi Festival 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Bill Frederick Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. Every year, Hindus celebrate the start of spring with their Festival of Color — or Holi Festival.

The Indian Horizon of Florida is sponsoring this year’s festival at Bill Frederick Park, which will include a variety of Indian foods, Bollywood music and lots of colored powder. Parking costs $10.

For more information, call (407) 814-7501.

12

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

WINTER GARDEN LOCATION NOW CLOSED

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lue skies and beautiful weather helped make for a fun-filled day at the city of Ocoee’s Spring Fling festival on Saturday, March 11.

Kids and adults alike got to enjoy activities such as painting rain barrels, watching a firefighting demonstration, picking out their own trees to take home and plant and taking a spin on a carnival ride, among many others.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Karen Ward, Jessie Sorenson, Brittany Smith and Sheri Sorenson picked out trees to plant.

Left: Jamie Handley gave daughter Laya Cardy a kiss on the cheek.

Roberto Lucena loved pushing the buttons in the police cruiser.

Right: Quadir Rasul took his own Ocoee Police cruiser for a spin.

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Food Trucks & Movie in the Park MOVIES IN THE PARK

At Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Dr, Ocoee Food trucks 6:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.

Come enjoy th

is

NIGHT OUT on the third Fr iday of every month

Relax and spend your evenings watching blockbuster movies!

The Friends of Ocoee History Preservation will give tours of the Withers-Maguire House from 6:00 p.m.– 7:30 p.m. Built in 1888, the historic house is located at 16 East Oakland Avenue, adjacent to Bill Breeze Park.

Ocoee Parks and Recreation Dept. • 407-905-3180 • www.ocoee.org

Friday, March 17

8:00 p.m. Bill Breeze Park

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

13

Live your Oasis

Pères et filles en Paris I

t was a night in Paris at The Pines at Windermere Friday, March 3, as Westbrooke Elementary dads and daughters bonded and made memories together at the school’s father-daughter dance.

Guests could take photos in front of a starry Paris night backdrop, munch on sweets and light refreshments, hit the dance floor and enjoy a beautiful evening out with school friends and family.

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Roland Wilson had a blast spending the evening with Alexis Turchiano.

Left: The girls were all smiles as they paraded around the room in a conga line.

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

DAY CAMP 2017

BROADWAY VOCAL CAMP

SPORTS CAMPS

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ONLINE

Hyde Park Community First Annual

SMALL BUSINESS EXPO & CRAFT FAIR

MARCH 25, 2017 • 9AM-2PM To be held in the clubhouse Vendors and Crafters

Meet New Customers and Clients

Buyers/Customers

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For more info: Darlene Bottomly 407-247-5316 Victoria Willoughby 321-278-1687

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

West Orange for its quality work.

“People have moved to this area just to be part of this program,” Rush said.

LEAVING A LEGACY

Rush’s day usually starts around 6:45 a.m. and ends between 7 and 11 p.m., and he’s known to put in weekend hours for his productions.

“As a school, we know how lucky we are (to have him),” said Assistant Principal Sheri Robb.

For the students performing under Rush’s direction, their experience often sets them apart at college.

“When they go to college, they’re often the star of their program,” Rush said.

But despite their success, most of them never forget it was Rush who gave them their start.

“They became lifetime friends,” Rush said about his former students. “They’re always there for me, always there to text or call.

Their successes are my successes.

I’m very proud of them.”

He still can remember the first time he watched one of his former students performing on Broadway.

“I cried,” he said.

A glass trophy case sits in the hallway outside the theater auditorium, glittering with the department’s many accomplishments.

For Rush, one of the department’s greatest achievements was getting invited to the Florida State Thespians’ annual festival. Only a select few number of schools are invited to perform a show at the festival, and West

Orange High has been invited to perform numerous times.

This year, the organization asked them to perform their fall show, “42nd Street,” at the festival, which will be held March 14 to 18 in Tampa.

BIG APPLE-BOUND

Talk of retirement is nothing new for Rush. He has a reputation in the department for threatening to retire every year. But this year was different.

It all started when his wife, Sara, moved to New York City for the year to be closer to their children and grandchild.

“I told her if she could live through a winter, and if she liked it, then I would move up there, too,” Rush said.

When Christmas rolled around, Rush knew it was time to make a decision about retirement. The more he thought about it, the timing seemed to be right.

“We’re losing half of the department to Windermere (High School),” Rush said. “The kids will be going through a transition already, so this seemed like a good time to bow out.”

But the biggest factor in his decision was his family.

His granddaughter, Elliot, is already 2 years old, and he doesn’t want to watch her grow up from across the country.

So he made the announcement shortly after Christmas break.

“It felt like a load off my chest,” he said.

Once he retires — his last day is June 2 — he said he plans to leave teaching for good. Instead, he wants to get back onto the stage.

“I plan on doing some auditions to see if anything happens,” he said. “I might look into being an extra at the Met or for TV shows.”

ONE FINAL SHOW

To celebrate its invitation to perform “42nd Street” at the Florida State Thespians festival, the department decided to put on an encore performance at the school from March 9 to 12. It was to be Rush’s final show.

But Rush’s students and colleagues felt that wasn’t enough.

They put their heads together and decided to put on one more show. It will be the final farewell for their beloved director.

But he won’t be directing this one. Instead, he will be starring in it.

The name of the show has yet to be announced, but it is scheduled to open in May. In the meantime, the school is working to choose Rush’s replacement. There has been talk of promoting Tara Whitman, who has worked with the department for more than a decade as a choreographer and is currently the associate director of the department. So far, nothing has been officially announced, but Rush did voice his support of his associate director.

“I feel confident leaving the department in her hands,” he said.

With only 11 weeks left to go until June 2, Rush said he is looking forward to enjoying his new life of retirement in the Big Apple.

“I’m ready, but I’m nervous about it,” he said. “I know I’m going to miss the students, so I have mixed emotions about it.”

Contact Brittany Gaines at bgaines@orangeobserver.com.

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Rush ready to slow down

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION NO MORE FOOT OR ANKLE PAIN!

80 years ago

One of the best dramatic classes in the local school system is at Lakeview High under the direction of Albert Valdes, Spanish and English teacher. “Be It Ever So Humble,” a three-act play, was presented in an almost professional atmosphere.

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70 years ago

The Helpy Selfy Laundry, located at 120 E. Maple St., is one of Winter Garden’s newest industries, operated by Hoequist and Rouse.

THROWBACK THURSDAY MARCH 5, 1954

Mark A. Lombardo, DPM PODIATRIST

FROM THE ARCHIVES Pioneers from the Deep South brought African-Americans as slaves to the Oakland area in the mid-1800s. Their descendants eventually settled in the town’s southwest quarter, where they established churches and a school. A dedication plaque on St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church (now the Cathedral of Prayer, Praise and Power) states that the congregation was established around 1844. The church, pictured here in 1988, was built about 1881 at the corner of Oakland Avenue and Nixon Street. It was remodeled in 1914 and rebuilt in 1991.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which seeks to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences, is celebrating its third decade with the debut of its new History Research and Education Center.

45 years ago

When the Winter Garden Times was published in 1954, the city was much smaller, and advertisers weren’t worried about residents not being able to find their businesses. Vague terms such as “on New Highway 50” or “rear of Dickson’s store” were used, and sometimes only “Winter Garden” was included. People still knew where to go.

15

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

The recently announced Winter Garden citywide improvement campaign, Project Pride, has gathered strong momentum as gifts and pledges begin to come in. A key group of merchants have agreed to serve as block captains, making calls on other businessmen to enlist their support. The group includes Bob Ellis, Flip Sterns, Tommy Zeigler, Ailine Arney, Mabel Fenwick, Hank Hinson and Charles Hatchell.

40 years ago

The city of Ocoee will honor Lillian Maguire at a dedication ceremony in front of City Hall. City officials will unveil a plaque signifying the people’s appreciation for her generosity in making the land available for the new Ocoee Municipal Complex.

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The foundation was poured for the first building of the new West Orange High School with Principal Dr. Dan Buckman on hand.

Publix Supermarket in the Tri-City Shopping Center is closed. The new store in the Winter Garden Regional Shopping Center is officially open.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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Abby Jacobs stopped to give her little cousin, Lincoln Carberry, a kiss during one of her laps.

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Avenue Charter School laced up for some fun and fundraising for the school’s Boosterthon Fun Run. The run — held Friday, March 3, at the school — is part of Boosterthon, a fundraising program for schools. Students are encouraged to gather pledges from people they know to sponsor their 35-lap fun run. OACS raised more than $15,000 in one week.

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Tamara Dodge walked a victory lap with her son, second-grader Owen, on her shoulders.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017

FORECAST

I LOVE WEST ORANGE

W EAT HER

18

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, MAR. 16

High: 64 Low: 44 Chance of rain: 0%

FRIDAY, MAR. 17 High: 72 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 0%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 16

7:35a

7:35p

Friday, March 17

7:34a

7:36p

Saturday, March 18

7:33a

7:36p

Sunday, March 19

7:32a

7:37p

Monday, March 20

7:30a

7:37p

Tuesday, March 21

7:29a

7:38p

Wednesday, March 22 7:28a

7:38p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAR. 18 Mar. 5 First

High: 77 Low: 55 Chance of rain: 10%

Winter Garden resident Erik Rittenberry submitted this beautiful photo illustration. Rittenberry calls it, “Foggy Morning in Oakland Park.”

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

Please include your mailing address to receive your prize.

ONLINE

Mar. 20 Last

Mar. 27 New

RAINFALL Tuesday, March 7

0.00

SUNDAY, MAR. 19

Wednesday, March 8

0.00

High: 76 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 0%

Thursday, March 9

0.00

Friday, March 10

0.00

Saturday, March 11

0.00

Sunday, March 12

0.00

Monday, March 13

0.00

See other winning photos at OrangeObserver.com

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“known as” 97 Jackson of country music 98 Total 101 Temporary gigs for good typists 108 Isle near Curacao 109 Flawed clothing abbrs.

110 Lean on the horn but good 111 Part of the human ear 112 Red Sea peninsula 113 Dairy farm sounds 114 ___ lazuli (blue shade) 115 Gather together in the boardroom 116 Mythical woodland deity 117 Award from a certain cable sports network 118 Set into motion, as a law 119 Schools of whales

DOWN

©2017 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

27 Hider of a criminal, e.g.

31 Where a boxer might be 1 Pillow covering trained?

5 Constantly takes breaks 32 Ground-double link from work 33 Took the metro 10 Place for a nice soak 34 Ace or jack, e.g.

14 Oscar candidate 35 What’s bound to happen 19 Sashes in Japan 36 Cause for alarm?

20 Give qualities or abilities 37 Mysterious part of the to Nixon tapes 21 Title for a Turkish military 40 Common spud leader (var.)

43 Sax variety 22 Waterslide 44 Lobbed ball trajectories 23 Many food bank contain45 Fish part ers 46 Dundee’s trainee 24 Like a proper knife 47 Satire that’s a bit harsh 25 Moderately quick gait 50 Hurry and then some 26 Rustic digs in the woods

52 Far from healthy 53 Outcast of biblical proportions 54 Some family tree members 55 Escort in a theater 56 Silent “yes” 57 Alias initials 58 Component of brass 59 Mom’s twins?

60 Double Eagle coin, for one 69 As ___ as Methuselah 70 Fowl quarters 71 “Ick!” relative 72 ___-town (Midwestern town nickname)

73 Word with Puffs or Krispies 76 Orange juice solid 77 Admire and more 80 Steam suppressor 81 Remove, as a 43-Down 83 Least swift 85 Lager kin 86 Location, as for building 87 Bothersome burden 88 Food sticker 89 Up and at ‘em 91 Where pigs kick back 92 The humanities 93 Exits or leaves 94 Kind of rat or ox 96 Word with “ran” or

1 Cola starter 2 One way to be taken?

3 From then on 4 Heart and soul 5 To a ___ degree 6 Waiting with phone in hand 7 Jewish month before Nisan 8 Wrath 9 Centrifuge’s role 10 One of several in a war 11 Hold the same opinion 12 Hammer-hurling superhero 13 Great hockey feats 14 Yield to another’s wishes 15 Make sore by rubbing 16 Major horn 17 Concerning the ears 18 Landlord’s expectation 28 Traffic problem 29 Bed alternative 30 Buggy go-with 35 White sheet on very cold water 36 Spanish dictator, once 37 “Gee” relative 38 Poker pot part 39 One on the jury with you 40 Opposite of tis 41 Let happen 42 ~

43 Downloadable bit of software 44 Mingling with 45 Low male singers at the opera 48 Resin in adhesives and paints 49 Quaff of the Middle Ages 51 “I don’t think so!” sound 54 Word heard in bootcamp, sometimes 57 Bound collection of maps 58 Blast with a ray gun 59 Barely defeats 61 Who might be to blame 62 Big name in VR 63 Lounges around 64 Be a tree pruner 65 Fishy attraction?

66 Ceremonial elegance and splendor 67 Alarming meal?

68 Certain duck 73 Use swear words 74 Words with “step” or “don’t bet” 75 Each one has its limits 76 Silent street performer’s forte 77 Transferable to another owner, in law 78 Juan and Johnson 79 Need to pay back 82 Multiple body trunks 83 Ermine in the summer 84 Flavorful 90 Steep, cold ramp 92 Bright star of Aquila 93 Like a boxer’s eyes, sometimes 94 Like some weights 95 State of agitation 96 Cornered 97 “___ in the bucket” 99 Lover of Shakespeare?

100 Rolled back from the shore 101 Receiver’s catch 102 Solo, opera-style 103 Litter member 104 Deity wielding a bow 105 Lively enthusiasm 106 Big name in auto supplies or wine-growing 107 Big-time failers of Breathalyzer tests

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

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3-16-17

MARCH 16, 2017

SPORTS

SunRidge Middle eighth-grader Sara Pedraza is finishing her middle-school basketball career and looking forward to being on the court for years to come. Page 20.

HIGH

Bullock out, Boltus in as Ocoee High head coach

5

1

Ben Bullock

Jason Boltus is the new head coach at Ocoee, a promotion from his previous role as the team’s offensive coordinator.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR OCOEE Last week was a whirlwind

week for players and supporters of the Ocoee High football team.

One day after Lake Highland Prep in Orlando sent out a press release March 9 announcing it had hired away Ben Bullock from the Knights to lead the Highlanders, Ocoee announced via its Twitter account March 10 — later confirmed by Athletic Director Scott Howell — that offensive coordinator Jason Boltus would be the Knights’ new head coach.

Boltus, who plays professional football as a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League, has been the program’s offensive coordinator under Bullock for the past two years. This will be his first time serving as a head coach.

On his Twitter account, Boltus said he is “humbled and honored” by the opportunity.

Bullock departed for Lake Highland Prep after leading the Knights to consecutive winning seasons (6-4 in 2015 and 7-4 in 2016) for the first time in program history. Ocoee also won its first district title last fall. The Knights also earned a berth in their first playoff game, which they hosted.

In a statement, Bullock reflected on his decision.

“Although I am grateful for and excited about this opportunity, this was a very difficult decision to make,” Bullock said. “I believe the program (at Ocoee) has been elevated to a different status by increasing the team GPA, serving the community in many positive ways and winning the first district title in school history.”

THE ECONOMIST

Jason Boltus

The Foundation Academy baseball team swept a pair of district games against Orangewood Christian last week, including an extrainning, 4-3 victory against the Rams March 10 that ended on a walk-off single

by Corey Rahman. The Lions are 4-3, overall, but are 3-1 in their district.

2 Photo by Steven Ryzewski

Legacy Charter baseball coach Jack Chambless takes a break from practice last week to read “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” — a book he credits with changing his life.

By afternoon and night, Jack Chambless is the head baseball coach for the second-year varsity program at Legacy Charter. By day, though, he is an economics professor at Valencia College known for his libertarian economic views.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR OCOEE

W

hen Jack Chambless was just 10 years old, he wrote a letter to the editor of Sports Illustrated.

At the time, Dwight Stones, an Olympic high-jumper, had come under fire for accepting what were then regarded as impermissible benefits. A young Chambless argued in his letter that Stones should be allowed to keep his money and should not be punished.

Chambless recalls viewing the addition of free agency to Major League Baseball as an “amazing” moment in the sport’s history.

He later wrote his master’s thesis at North Carolina State on salary discrimination against African-American and hispanic athletes in Major League Baseball.

For Chambless — an economics professor at Valencia College for more than two decades, a senior fellow at the James Madison Institute in Tallahassee and a policy adviser for the Heartland Institute in Chicago — economics and sports never have been as far apart as one might think.

And for the Legacy Charter baseball team, now in its second year under Chambless’ leadership

as head coach, that means accountability and character reign supreme in the start-up program that is 4-2 so far this spring.

“He’s very high on character and accountability,” said Legacy Athletic Director Jarrett Wiggers, also an assistant coach for the Eagles. “He’s so excited about teaching these kids to be young men.”

THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIBERTY

Although Chambless always has harbored a free-market view of what athletes should be able to do, his interest in the academia of free markets and economics was a seed that was planted almost by chance.

A former sophomore baseball player at Paris Junior College in Texas, Chambless admits he wasn’t much of a student at first. Then, he had sustained an injury that sidelined him for several weeks. So one weekend, when most of his friends and teammates had gone home, he decided to do the assigned reading for one of his courses: “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.”

It changed his life.

“It was a transformative book in my academic life,” he said. “On SEE CULTURE PAGE 20

The West Orange softball team scored a pair of important district victories last week to improve to 8-2 on the season and 5-0 in Class 9A, District 3. Landry Newgent allowed just one run in six innings of work March 7 in a 5-1 win against Lake Brantley and Lexie Blair drove in four runs in a 12-2 win against Olympia March 9.

3

The West Orange boys lacrosse team continued to roll last week, improving to 11-0 with a trio of victories.

The Warriors defeated Olympia March 6, 18-3, Lake Minneola March 8, 26-4, and Dr. Phillips March 10, 16-7.

4

The 14-andunder team from SouthWest Stars in Winter Garden went to the Florida Age Group Championships this past weekend and won first place — marking the first time in nearly two decades that a team other than Bolles or Sarasota Y Sharks has won the event. Also, the Stars won the Florida Swimming Sportsmanship award.

5

The Foundation Academy softball team has won its past three games — against Jones March 6, against Lake Mary Prep March 9 and against Legacy Charter March 13 — by a combined score of 40-3. The Lions are 4-4.

20

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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Culture of character

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORS

Sara Pedraza Sara Pedraza is looking forward to sticking with basketball for years to come. The SunRidge Middle eighth-grader estimates she averages around 20 points per game and has her eyes set on a professional basketball career in the future. With her faith playing a prominent role in her life and on the court, Sara said she has an insatiable passion for the game.

What sparked your interest in basketball?

My brother loved the game, and being the little sister, I just followed whatever he did. Whenever he’d go outside, I would just be like, “Can I come?” I always followed him around, and that’s how I got started. I’ve been playing for about four years.

What do you love about the game?

It just makes me so happy.

It’s like a place of refuge for me. All the problems of the world — if I just go play basketball, I escape all my problems. It’s a passion for me.

Where do you hope basketball takes you?

Hopefully with a college scholarship, playing ball at a D1 school. If the Lord allows, I’m going to try to go professional and see if the

THE BASICS AGE: 14 GRADE: Eighth SCHOOL: SunRidge Middle POSITION: Point guard HEIGHT: 5-foot-6 HOMETOWN: Dallas, Texas

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

pay gets better.

Which NBA team is your favorite?

I don’t really have a team, but I like Kyrie Irving because he has mad handles, and he’s a star but still underrated for how good he is.

What’s the team dynamic been like this season?

It was sort of hard to get started at the beginning of the season. The girls didn’t know anybody, and we were all new. But as the season went on, we kept getting closer, and the chemistry kept growing. When I’m on the court, I know where everyone’s going to be without even having to look.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Probably “God’s Not Dead,” because it’s so inspirational for me to show my faith. I can come here and outshine everyone, because the Lord shines through me.

How does your faith play a role on the court?

I feel like without God, nothing I have in this life would be possible. He’s been such a big role in my life and has helped me through so many hard times. There have been times I wanted to quit basketball or punch holes through my walls, but the Lord just brought me out.

Even if I’m the only one in the whole school who’s not afraid to show my faith, I’ll be that one person.

What is your favorite meal?

When we go to Mexico, my grandma makes some awesome tacos fritos — it’s like a fried chicken tortilla — and homemade guacamole. I can eat a billion.

that next Monday, I made an ‘A’ on the exam — many of my teammates thought that I must have cheated. At that moment, I really didn’t care about playing baseball anymore — I wanted to focus on academics. … The book made me start to understand the value of human liberty and the struggles people were going through.”

Chambless transferred to the University of Oklahoma to complete his undergraduate degree before moving on to N.C. State for his graduate work. A few months out of school, in the summer of 1991, he got his teaching position with Valencia, where he has been since, in addition to a few side ventures, including a few years spent as a sports agent.

Throughout the years, Chambless has written columns espousing his libertarian views for several newspapers and has been interviewed on television many times.

MEDIOCRITY WON’T BE TOLERATED

Despite the nature of his life’s work, practices for the Eagles, who are in their first season of district competition, are no economics debate. Chambless leaves his politics off the field but admitted some of the principles from those views are ingrained in the program.

“Character is first on the list, and accountability is part one-A. Mediocrity and laziness won’t be tolerated.”

— Coach Jack Chambless

“Character is first on the list, and accountability is part one-A,” Chambless said.

“Mediocrity and laziness won’t be tolerated.”

For the Eagles, mediocrity does not so much apply to skill or ability so much as it applies to knowledge, execution and effort. Under Chambless, Legacy is a team eager to hang its hat on fundamentals, situational awareness and which isn’t afraid to play an old-school, small-ball style of play.

Like one might expect of a coach who is also an economist, Chambless coaches Legacy with a tremendous attention to detail.

He credits his ability to do so on his three assistant coaches, who he says are all skilled teachers of the game. Chambless also

GO ONLINE For a gallery from Legacy baseball’s victory March 7 against Cornerstone Charter, visit ObserverPreps.com.

said his mother, who grew up in post-war Germany, instilled in him the importance of being detail-oriented.

PERFECT BLEND

For a second-year team, Legacy (4-2) has had a strong start to the spring.

In their first district game, the Eagles defeated Cornerstone Charter 4-3 in extra innings.

Chambless is excited about his team’s youth and about being able to coach his two sons — Gehrig, a junior, and Gabriel, a sophomore.

The team has taken a liking to its coach and his unique coaching style, and senior Hilton Lamprecht even dualenrolled at Valencia to take his coach’s class — quite possibly the hardest “A” he ever earned.

Chambless currently teaches six classes at Valencia — three in person and three online.

Thanks to cooperation from Valencia, Chambless said all of his in-person classes end at 12:45 p.m., giving him plenty of time to head over to the ballfield.

Although he is a busy man, he concedes his current teacher/ coach arrangement isn’t a bad way to spend his days.

“I’m enjoying this more than I can possibly say, especially (because) two of my sons are on the team,” Chambless said.

“I can’t think of a better place to be, any afternoon, than on a baseball field. It has been a perfect blend.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at sryzewski@orangeobserver.com.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

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