03.25.21 West Orange Times & Observer

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

Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FREE

VOLUME 88, NO. 12

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See the latest home sales in West Orange County. 10.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

St. Paddles Day fun!

Pickleball players descended on Winter Garden for a four-day tournament. 15.

Ocoee hears plea from crash victims’ father Anthony Oliver, who lost both daughters and three grandchildren during a fatal wreck at the corner of Clarcona-Ocoee and Gaymar March 11, spoke to the commission seeking help.

CLASSROOM CULTIVATION

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

The Ocoee City Commission had a bare-bones agenda for its meeting Tuesday, March 16 – but then the commission heard a powerful plea for help during the public comments section of the night.

Pastor Anthony Oliver, who lost his two daughters — Antoinette Oliver, 30, and Liza Jackson, 25, and three grandchildren Chloe Brent, 5, Olivia Lundy, 3, and Antonio Brent, 5 months — during a fatal traffic crash at the corner of Clarcona-Ocoee Road and Gaymar Drive March 11, was invited by Commissioner George Oliver

Thanks to a grant from the West Orange Healthcare District and partnership with Do Good Farm, Hope Charter and Legacy High schools now have their own farm. PAGE 4.

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YOUR TOWN GET YOUR PICTURE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

Danielle Hendrix

Do Good Farm founder Josh Taylor and his team have been hard at work for weeks constructing the Hope Farm on property behind Ocoee’s Hope Charter and Legacy High schools.

Stoneybrook HOA wins control of golf course

The town of Oakland is continuing its traditional spring event with the Easter Bunny — but on a smaller scale this year because of COVID-19. Local families are invited to pose for free photographs with the Easter Bunny between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday, March 27, on the porch of the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center at the town of Oakland. Children will receive a gift from the town while they last. The center is at 126 W. Petris Ave.

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

The community’s homeowners will repay the city of Winter Garden $2 million for the property via special assessment over the span of 20 years.

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HOA to buy golf course ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After a couple of tumultuous years and uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Stoneybrook West Golf & Country Club, the community’s homeowners have been awarded control of the property.

On Tuesday, March 16, Judge Lori Vaughan, of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida, approved a deal for the city of Winter Garden to purchase the golf course for $2 million and allow the homeowners association to take it over.

Stoneybrook West homeowners will repay the city over 20 years through a special assessment.

Things were made even more interesting during the hearing when two other entities came forth with offers of $3 million each, City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said.

However, Vaughan ruled in the city’s favor.

“Since we went in with the offer and the trustee agreed to it, the note holder agreed to it, the HOA

agreed to it … we were the four parties with standings since we’re all in agreement, (and) the judge accepted our offer of $2 million and awarded it to us,” Bollhoefer said. “That was pretty cool. That was a good move on our part, making that offer, because if not, who knows what would’ve happened at that auction.”

In early February, Fisher Auction Company announced it was appointed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to manage an auction of the golf course property, which was originally slated for Friday, March 12.

Later that month, city officials decided to consult with the bankruptcy trustee regarding what it would take for the city — in partnership with the HOA — to buy the property before the auction. The answer was a $2 million price tag.

Now that the offer has been accepted, Bollhoefer said, the city is in the process of transferring the property to the HOA. “We’ll transfer it to the homeowners, and they’re going to have to make up their mind what they want to do over time — the final decision of what they want to go with the golf course — and it’ll take them, I’m sure, some time to figure that out,” he said.

“But now they can control their own fate.

That’s the key.”

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Courtesy photo

Homeowners in the Stoneybrook West community are now in the driver’s seat regarding the fate of their golf course.

Dennis Armstrong, president of the Stoneybrook West HOA, said there were moments during the hearing in which he had no idea what decision Vaughan was leaning toward.

“We were ecstatic about that decision, of course,” he said. “We’ve been reacting for so long, so it’ll be different to kind of actually be in the driver’s seat and be the ones that are putting the different decisions and options out there.”

In addition to the special assessment, Armstrong said, homeowners agreed to pay toward maintaining the property as an open or green space. This will be

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collected in the form of increased quarterly assessments to fund the maintenance.

Armstrong said the HOA has been contacted by two entities that are interested in discussing the possibility of bringing golf back to the community.

“I don’t know if it’s possible or not, but we’re certainly going to look into it and see what we can come up with,” he said.

“It’s good for this whole community because we don’t have to worry about this golf course … and things falling apart and having a negative impact in the community,” Bollhoefer said.

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Downtown Winter Garden campaign to celebrate “mom-and-pops” The city of Winter Garden is hoping shoppers and diners will head to the Plant Street area to support independently owned businesses.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Amy Quesinberry

Bob Buchanan was serving on the Winter Garden City Commission when the new City Hall building was constructed on Plant Street.

Retiring Winter Garden commissioner receives city proclamation for service Bob Buchanan served the citizens of Winter Garden for 14 years, helping usher the city into an age of redevelopment and revitalization.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Bob Buchanan has devoted more than a dozen years to citizens of Winter Garden as the District 2 city commissioner — and he says it’s time to let someone else represent the residents in his district. He does, however, intend to continue serving the city in other capacities.

Buchanan stepped down earlier this month after 14 years on the Winter Garden City Commission, beginning his service after running a successful political campaign in 2007.

He is thankful for the residents’ confidence in him, and he’s grateful for the chance to help move the city of Winter Garden in a positive direction.

“Whether it be Tucker Ranch, the West Orange Trail, the Heritage Museum, the Garden Theatre, the parking garage, City Hall itself — I like to think that I had a part of all those things happening in downtown Winter Garden because I was on the commission,” Buchanan said. “No one commissioner gets anything done by himself, but I know that I had an opportunity to have a hand in everything that happened in downtown Winter Garden.”

THE STEPS TO POLITICS

Buchanan has lived in Winter Garden since 1988, when he saw a house in his district for sale by owner and knocked on the door to make an offer.

He served on the board of the West Orange YMCA through its expansion and rebranding as the Roper YMCA Family Center.

He was a member of the original committee for the redevelopment of the downtown sector. He also served on a committee formed to look at restructuring business tax licenses.

Buchanan said he was asked to run for office when some concerned citizens wanted different representation in his district.

He won the 2007 election and would go on to serve five consecutive terms in his district.

Within that area is a project Buchanan says is his greatest accomplishment: Tucker Ranch. He is proud of his involvement in the city acquiring the land for a 209-acre health and wellness park. The city has received grants totaling $10 million and will be able to include all the proposed projects envisioned for the property.

Maintaining public trust is a responsibility Buchanan doesn’t take lightly. That trust has served him well in his official role as commissioner, as well as in business. During his time as an elected official, Buchanan operated Bob’s Handyman Service.

“I had a lot of repeat customers, and it got to where they would give me a key to the house and say, ‘The list of stuff I want you to do is on the counter. Just leave an invoice.’ I had to put in a key cabinet in my truck just to keep up with the keys.

“I felt very honored, very trusted,” he said. “It was a real warm feeling.”

It also has been an honor to be able to go the extra step to make a special event even more so, he said.

In 1993, the city was told it could no longer shoot its fireworks from the Lake Apopka shore during Fourth

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AN EXTREME HONOR

“I considered being on the commission a very important job,” Buchanan said. “After 14 years, I decided it was time for me to focus time on things I wanted to do. Serving the people of this city was a great honor.”

He said he’s ready to settle into retirement and take some time for himself. However, he would like to serve on one or more city boards and continue his commitment to the city a few years down the road.

“Winter Garden has been extremely good to me over the years,” Buchanan said. “It’s been an extreme honor to represent all of the citizens of Winter Garden, but especially District 2.

I have stepped down from the commission, but I have not left the community.”

The former commissioner is excited about the city’s future, especially the continued vision along downtown Plant Street.

“Once we get the hotel, once we get these luxury apartments that are being built, and once we get the condos built at Park and Plant – then the green space out in front of Crooked Can will happen,” he said.

“Once this growth settles down … we need leadership to make sure this does not stagnate,” he said. “We’ve put together something really good; I’d hate to see it slide backwards now.”

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WINTER GARDEN

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of July festivities — it would have to secure the fireworks at least 200 feet into the water. Buchanan located three barges in Tampa and asked a local businessman to drive his trucks over to pick them up. The city used the barges free of charge, received a Florida Highway Patrol escort to Winter Garden and borrowed a crane to place them 200 feet out into the lake — and residents enjoyed the fireworks.

DAVENPORT

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day is next week, and what better way to celebrate than with a Shop, Dine & Stroll event all day Saturday, March 27?

The city of Winter Garden’s outdoor shopping and dining experience is to support the independently owned businesses that make downtown Winter Garden so unique. It will take place at shops and restaurants up and down Plant Street as well as the side streets from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Retail shops will offer sales and their spring merchandise in the stores and online; restaurants will provide seasonal menus, and there will be outdoor dining patios for enjoying meals, snacks and the weather.

Tanja Gerhartz, the city’s economic development director, said staff looked at other downtown events in other cities before deciding on Shop, Dine & Stroll.

“We have done variations of Shop, Dine & Stroll, but not anything like this,” Gerhartz said. “What we’ve done like this is different sidewalk sales, but this is the first time we’ve actually married the restaurants with the retail shopping.”

Winter Garden is comprised of approximately 2,000 businesses, and most qualify as small businesses, Gerhartz said. Downtown Winter Garden is made up of more than 200 businesses with a healthy mix of office and commercial.

This event is the next phase of the city’s Love Local campaign to help keep businesses operating during the pandemic.

It inludes the Shop, Dine & Stroll; Arts in April; Outdoor Dining Month in May; the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market’s anniversary June 5; and Red, White & Blue Americana from May through July.

“We are just wanting to build on the Love Local campaign, how important

WHAT’S DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS AND BARS Axum Coffee, BurgerFi, Chef’s Table at the Edgewater, China Panda, Crooked Can Brewery, Fat Mike’s Hot Chicken, Harrell’s Hot Dogs & Cold Cones, Market to Table, Matthew’s Steakhouse, Melts on Main, Moon Cricket Grille, NY Bagel and Deli, Pammie’s Sammies, Plant Street Market, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Scoop’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream, Sweet Dee’s Cupcakery, Thai Blossom Restaurant, The Attic Door, The Bulk Pantry, The Deli Downtown, The Whole Enchilada, Tony’s Liquors & Bar, Urban Flats, Way Chocolate, and Winter Garden Pizza Company RETAIL Adjectives Market, The Boutique on Plant, The Bulk Pantry, Divine Wellness, Doxology, Driftwood Market, Garden Music School, Geegee’s Gems, Heirloom Amish Furniture, Kitlife, Plant Street Market, Plantation Jewelers, Ruby and Rust, The Sacred Olive, Shoo Shoo Baby, Silver Shekel Shop, Tony’s Liquors, Tri & Run of West Orange, West End Safe & Lock, Wildflower Beauty by Jessica, Winter Garden Wheel Works, Woof Gang Bakery, and Writer’s Block Bookstore

it is to support local businesses,” Gerhartz said.

“When you celebrate them, you’re helping yourself because you’re helping the local economy. It’s building a vibrant city. Because our city is full of those momand-pop businesses, we thought, ‘What better way to celebrate Mom and Pop Business Owners Day than to have people come out and celebrate?’”

For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 will remain in the local community, versus only $43 when shopping at national chains, according to Independent We Stand.

In addition, the Winter Garden Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@yourobserver.com Editor and Publisher / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor /Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Associate Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Iggy Collazo, iggy@OrangeObserver.com Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Lindsay Cannizzaro, lcannizzaro@OrangeObserver.com

Learning and growing DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Soon enough, students at Hope Charter and Legacy High schools will be giving a new meaning to the farm-to-table meal concept.

That’s because they’re going to be involved in growing their own nutritious food through a fourcomponent farm right in the Ocoee schools’ own backyard.

The Hope Farm, as it’s being called, has been under construction on a property right by the school for a couple of months now. But the concept has been in the works for much longer.

Josh Taylor, who founded both House Blend Café in Ocoee and Do Good Farm in Winter Garden, always has been passionate about building sustainable food systems to grow food for people in need.

For Taylor, his primary motivators behind this pilot project are twofold. He believes nutrition and hydration play a large role in how our brains and bodies function, and he and his team want to be able to impact the poverty gap, which he said is affected by malnutrition and the food deserts in communities.

In Orange County, Taylor said, there are tens of thousands of children whose families could be considered food insecure.

“If nutrition, or malnutrition, for that matter, plays a role in perpetuating that poverty gap, we want to have an impact in that space,” he said. “This project is kind of a pilot project to really launch that effort.”

PROJECT WITH A PURPOSE

Taylor said there will be four components, or four different farming practices, involved — aquaponics, hydroponics, traditional soil gardening and a permaculture food forest.

“Permaculture is the same exact system you have in the rainforest, jungle or the Amazon,” Taylor said. “Aquaponics is the same ecosystem you have in lakes, rivers and streams.

Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics.

You put the two together, and you have the same ecosystem that you have in the waterways.

Fish waste creates nutrients that bacteria converts into food that plants can eat. We’re also going to take nutrient-rich water from the aquaponics system and feed that into our hydroponics system. It’ll be better than just a traditional hydroponics system because it’ll have all the micronutrients that come from the fish water.”

Do Good Farm received a $250,000 grant from the West Orange Healthcare District last year that has greatly assisted in developing the working farm at the schools. Taylor said there also have been others participating in the process and giving their time or finances to assist.

While the farm itself is nearly up and running at this point, another portion of the project’s vision is to build a farm-to-table school cafeteria for students to use. That component will require about $150,000 in additional funding, which they are actively seeking and working toward.

The reason Taylor and Do Good Farm initially partnered with Hope and Legacy, he said, is because the schools’ charter emphasizes the importance of hydration and nutrition.

Although it’s something the schools’ founders are passionate about, there have been some puzzle pieces missing that make it difficult to do so — including the fact that Hope and Legacy do not yet have their own cafeteria.

“Whenever you start a charter school, you have to justify

HELP HOPE FARM Although the four-component Hope Farm at Hope Charter and Legacy High schools is nearing completion, Taylor and the team at Do Good Farm still need to raise about $150,000 more to build a farm-to-table cafeteria at the schools where the food can be prepared.

To learn more about this pilot project or Do Good Farm, or to donate to the cause, visit dogoodfarm.org or facebook. com/DoGoodFarm.

why you’re going to take public funds out of the main publicschool system, if you will, so you have to have a good reason for doing that,” he said. “They’re passionate about it and need a viable solution in this space, so that’s why it seems like a really good fit. I would say, too, as a charter school, there’s a little more flexibility … as we try new things. Some things are going to work, and some things aren’t, and because it’s a privately run school, there will be some flexibility to switch directions if we need to, if something doesn’t work, and to work out the kinks and the bugs.”

Taylor said in Orange County’s public school system, the budget is $3 per child per meal, which can make it challenging to afford nutritious, fresh and local produce. With the concept of something like Hope Farm, a few dollars can buy thousands of seeds to be grown and cooked right on school property.

FUN WITH FOOD

Affordability of fresh and nutritious foods is one issue. Another, Taylor said, is that even if money wasn’t an issue, there’s no way

to guarantee that children will actually eat what is put in front of them.

“We have found that when kids participate in the process and plant a seed, watch it grow, wash it and take a bite out of it, they’re much more likely to actually eat their vegetables,” he said.

That’s where the fun of actively being involved in growing their own food comes in. Not only will they be able to grow the food, but also they’ll learn about how the ecosystems in the forests and waterways work. The Hope Farm can also serve as a STEM learning laboratory because there is math, science and even social studies involved in farming.

“Instead of sitting and learning concepts out of a textbook at your desk, you’re getting to go and weigh some fish, take an average weight and figure out, ‘If they eat 3% of their body weight per day and divide that by three feedings a day, how much food do you need to give them at this feeding?’” he said. “Then you get to throw the food in and watch them go crazy over the food. Now it’s a really interesting learning environment for concepts that may not be as interesting to all students.”

There also are benefits for ESE and special-needs students.

Taylor has a friend who has run a farm at the Roosevelt Academy in Lake Wales — which serves many special-needs students — for 25 years now.

“It’s an opportunity for them to be involved in something meaningful and learn a job skill that can potentially provide for them when they graduate high school and have to figure out next steps in life,” Taylor said.

“That’s another additional piece of the puzzle we’re really excited about.”

Taylor also plans to partner Hope and Legacy — and hopefully future schools, as well — with a school in Guatemala. That way, students from Ocoee and Guatemala will be able to do some video conferencing, conduct experiments together and share data.

“All of that helps to expose our kids to kids that have much less than them and to realize that they don’t have things that we just take for granted here,” he said.

The hope, Taylor said, is to have the students eating the food

by January 2022.

“We’ve really come a long way,” he said.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

Windermere resident donates bronze statue John Nabers recently gifted the town with another sculpture crafted

by Florida artist W. Stanley Proctor.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Visitors to Windermere’s Central Park might notice something new that wasn’t there before, thanks to the generosity of a long-time town resident.

Just beyond the picnic pavilion is a brand-new, bronze statue of a boy and his dog, a golden retriever, playing fetch with a stick.

Called “Golden Games,” the piece is the handiwork of Floridian painter and sculptor W. Stanley Proctor.

The statue could be considered a companion piece to the one that was installed 16 years ago at the Windermere branch library. Called “Summertime Read,” that sculpture depicts a boy lying on his stomach with a book in hand. Not only was it created by the same artist, but it also was a donation from the same resident, John Nabers.

Nabers, who said he has lived in Windermere since the first grade, finds great joy in art, nature and animals. He loves Proctor’s

work, and he also loves the town he’s called home for decades. When he decided to donate “Summertime Read” 16 years ago, it was very well received.

“I just wanted to do something else to sort of leave something with the family name that would be beneficial to the town,” he said. “This park is such a great park, and it seemed like a good subject matter for the park, because I see people with dogs and kids running around in the park here. It was just sort of a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

When Nabers had the idea last fall to donate the “Golden Games” statue to the town, he started by taking the idea to the Parks & Recreation Committee. The committee members were thrilled.

“We were so excited,” said Nora Brophy, chair of the committee. “We were just thrilled. It’s a beautiful statue, and it’s just going to make this park such a diamond for the town.

This park is just going to be spectacular. We’ve been

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Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Nora Brophy and longtime Windermere resident John Nabers are thrilled to have this beautiful “Golden Games” statue residing in Central Park.

working really hard for the past couple of years on our parks to improve them and make them better.”

The committee gave its blessing for the statue to be installed and took it to the Town Council for final approval, which was received in December.

Since the Town Council gave the project the green light, Nabers said, it has

been a matter of working out the details between the town and the foundry where the statue was located.

They poured a concrete slab in Central Park to host the statue, waited for it to cure and painted it a natural, terra cotta color.

“I’m tremendously appreciative of the support from the parks and recreation committee and

the town in allowing me to bring this idea to fruition — and for them to like the idea and feel it’s going to be an improvement to the town. We all can appreciate and enjoy it. … I think the statue and all the amenities just fit together perfectly. … It’s worthy of being in Windermere.”

“It’s an incredibly beautiful amenity in the

park, and it’s something that as a committee we would never have been able to achieve,” Brophy said.

“All the money we get as a committee goes into swings and benches and hardscape and tennis courts. It’s a spectacular piece of art in our park that we can all appreciate that would never have been here if it weren’t for John.”

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Road safety concerns

- Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver III

have been talking about for months now,” George Oliver said. “I would hate for this tragedy to repeat in our city at Clarke Road and Clarcona-Ocoee because we don’t have a left-turn signal there, and I would hate for this to repeat less than probably 300 yards — or a quarter of a mile — at Ingram and Clarcona-Ocoee, which we have approval for a light, but we’ve been told is going to be pushed back until the fall of this year.

“This could easily have been a tragedy in our city — it could have been any of those intersections,” he continued. “I’m asking that we as the city of Ocoee — the leadership, staff — that we put pressure on the county to expedite the light on Ingram Road, to expedite that left-turn signal on Clarke Road and ClarconaOcoee. If we need to send letters or whatever we need to do, I’m asking ... ‘What can we do as elected officials and leadership in the city of Ocoee to expedite

these things?’”

While the scene of the accident is out of the city’s jurisdiction, Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Larry Brinson said he would do whatever was necessary to help move Orange County along to help prevent further incidents.

“Normally, I’m the guy behind the scenes, but I’m going to be more vocal on this issue, because, as Commissioner Oliver said — and I think as most people here know that Clarcona-Ocoee turns into West Road — so it is an artery that goes not only through Ocoee and Orlando, but goes even further,” Brinson said. “I’m going to reach out to the county and reach out to (the) Orlando Police Department, because some of this is a matter of enforcement of traffic laws, but some of it is a matter of awareness by the drivers who are driving these vehicles.

“To have a family lose five members all at once is something that is beyond my comprehension,” he said. “I will make that commitment not only to Pastor Oliver, but also to our residents, as well as the residents of the city of Orlando and Orange County to see what can be done. And whatever solutions we can do, hopefully we’ll be able to get those in place as soon as possible.”

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III to speak to the commission.

“I am heartbroken, but yet I just wish something would be done because I would not want another father or mother to be standing in my shoes,” Anthony Oliver said. “To not just lose one child, but I lost all of my kids — with my grandkids — and I would just like to see something done with lighting over there. It’s a bad corner, and I just think something needs to be done sooner than later.

“I can’t get them back,” he said. “My young granddaughter, Chloe, I can’t get her back — she was my rock in the church. I don’t have anybody to lay their hands on me before I get up and preach like she did.”

The intersection of C l a rco n a - Oco e e a n d Gaymar — which sits a mile and a half outside of Ocoee’ city limits and is under Orange County jurisdiction — has become a topic of debate as it has been the center of many wrecks — including a two-vehicle crash that took place just five days after the fatal wreck that took five lives.

For George Oliver, who is of no relation to Anthony Oliver, the event was tragic and his hope is to prevent something like this from happening in and around the city again, he said.

“This is something we

“This could easily have been a tragedy in our city — it could have been any of those intersections.”

7

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You are cordially invited to our 65th Annual

Easter Sunrise Service April 4, 2021 at 6:45am · Outside in front of the Mosaic at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

· Socially distanced seating.

Masks required and provided.

· Easter message with prayers and music. ·

Starke Lake Baptist Church.

Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734 For additional information, please call 407-293-1361

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

FRIDAY, MARCH 26

JAPANESE BOOKBINDING 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Friday, March 26. Practice bookbinding and create your own books using traditional Japanese stab stitching techniques. To attend, visit ocls. info/event/4836702.

MEN OF HOLY FAMILY 25TH ANNUAL LENTEN FISH FRY 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando. This drive-thru event features three dinner choices. For more, call the church, (407) 876-2211.

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

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

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 27

PICTURES WITH THE EASTER BUNNY 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27, at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center, 126 W. Petris Ave., Oakland. The town is continuing its traditional spring event — on a smaller scale. Families will be able to post for free photos with the Easter Bunny outdoors on the center’s porch. Children will receive a special gift from the Bunny.

Guests are asked to observe local mask mandates and distancing guidelines when attending this event. For more information, call (407) 656-1117.

ROTARY CLUB OF WINTER GARDEN BROADWAY & BEYOND 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Newton Park, 31 West Garden Ave., Winter Garden. Broadway & Beyond will be hosted by Billy Flanigan and feature the Carol Stein Quartet and performers from Broadway, Off-Broadway, Disney and more.

Special seating arrangements have been approved by the city of Winter Garden to comply with city and CDC safety protocols. A limited number of pre-purchased in-person seats are available. To comply with social distancing requirements, in-person seats in the first two sections closest to the stage performance are group-only seating. A “ticket” actually purchases a blanket that seats one to four guests. For more, visit rotaryclubofwintergarden.org.

SHOP, DINE AND STROLL All day Saturday, March 27, in downtown Winter Garden. In celebration of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, shoppers can enjoy an outdoor shopping and dining experience to support the independently owned businesses that make downtown Winter Garden unique. For more, visit facebook. com/officialdowntownwintergarden.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 28

THE POWER OF CURIOSITY WITH EMILY GRASLIE 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28. Emily Graslie is the former chief curiosity correspondent for the Chicago Field Museum and creator of the “Brainscoop” YouTube channel.

To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/ event/4766622.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30

FLORIDA HABITATS AND ECOLOGY 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30. Caroline Chomanics, of Fleet Farming, educates on the basics of five Florida habitats including the flora and fauna that call these ecosystems home, as well as a conversation on native landscaping. To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/event/4828818.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31

ART 101: BOTANICAL ART 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 31. Learn the history of botanical art and create your own botanical painting in watercolor.

Participants will need a pencil, carbon transfer paper, watercolor paper and watercolor paints. To attend, visit attend.ocls.info/ event/4863220.

WOMEN IN STEM PANEL 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Women from across the spectrum of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) share what inspired them, what they are doing now and how they got there. Recommended for ages 13 and up. To attend, visit attend. ocls.info/event/4681964.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

CAN LAWNS BE ORGANIC, TOO? 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 3, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Learn about organic lawns, what they entail and why they are beneficial for the environment and your family. Handouts and resources provided. Cost is $25; register at nehrlinggardens. org/news, or call (407) 376-1597 or (407) 445-9977.

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COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR CALENDAR

OBSERVER

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407.500.GUNS | WWW.SHOOTERSWORLD.COM/ORLANDO | 4850 LAWING LANE ORLANDO, FL 32811

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

9

Right: Bonnie and Bill Vandenburg, founders of VanDannLand Siberian Sanctuary, showed off their beautiful Siberian huskies.

Bottom: Noah was a very happy dog after tasting a biscuit from Dogsnog Bakery.

Happy tails

Historic Downtown Saturday, March 27

D

ogs and their humans alike got to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon at The Grove Orlando’s Pints and Paws event Saturday, March 13. The dogs enjoyed pet play areas as well as a bounty of treats. Their people got to enjoy beer flights and beverages, and vendors got to display their products and services.

In Celebration of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

- DANIELLE HENDRIX

Sidewalk Sale • Spacious Outdoor Dining Patios Unique Shops & Restaurants Spring Fashions & Merchandise • Seasonal Menus Farmers Market • Scenic Streets & Sights Free Parking, Always!

Great Day & Way to Support Small Businesses!

Top: Jeremy Miranda and Eric Rivas brought their pup, Wil, to enjoy the event with them.

Left: Luv-NCare Animal Hospital representatives handed out prizes for pups.

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ELITE PARTNERS III REALTY

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

REAL ESTATE

10

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grosshans 125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352 Sundays: 8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 p.m.- Awana 2nd Campus: Foundation Worship Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden (407) 730-1867 Sundays: 9:45 a.m. All Ages FoundationWorship.com Starke Lake Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Pritchard PO Box 520 611 W Ave., Ocoee (407) 656-2351 StarkeLakeBaptist.org Victory Baptist Church & Christian Academy 1601 A.D. Mims Rd,Ocoee (407) 656-3097 Sunday: 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. www.VBCOCOEE.com

CHURCH OF GOD

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

EPISCOPAL

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

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

Windermere estate sells for $2.725 million

METHODIST

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

A

home in the Reserve at Lake Butler Sound

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

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

Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

Saturday Service: 6 p.m. purposechurchorlando.org

community in Windermere topped all West Orangearea residential real-estate transactions from March 13 to 19.

The home at 11264 Bridge House Road, Windermere, sold March 16, for

MIKE YOAKUM PASTOR

OCOEE

area. The price per square

The home at 89 Shipyard Court, Ocoee, sold March 17, for $380,000.

Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,324 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $163.51. Days on market: Three.

ket: 51.

These are the highestselling homes in each com-

Here is a brief Snapshot of what that looked like.

munity in West Orange.

Personal Hygiene Items: 139,300 Total Weekly Visits: 13,630 Clothing Items Distributed: 50,600 New First Time Guests: 639 Protective Masks: 53,900 Hand Sanitizers: 9,930 Plus, we provided weekly Nursing/Medical Care: 1,300 laundry service, showers, assistance with food stamps, Prepared Foods: 54,400 Nonperishable Foods:169,000 lbs. Florida ID's, COVID Testing,

GOTHA

AZALEA RIDGE

The home at 9203 Lake Lotta Circle, Gotha, sold March 15, for $290,000.

Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,218 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $238.10. Days on market: Five.

and more.

HORIZON WEST

TEXT

ENCLAVE AT WINDERMERE LANDING

TO DONATE

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“MHM” TO 4 1 4 4 4 Help Us. Help Them. 611 Business Park Blvd #101, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (407) 905-9500 I MatthewsHopeMinistries.org Help Themselves.

or email AdvertiseNow@orangeobserver.com

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CALL (407) 656-2121

The home at 17521 Black Rail St., sold March 19, for $845,000. Built in 2015, it has six bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 5,132 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $164.65. Days on market: Four.

HAMILTON GARDENS

WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE?

LAKE BURDEN SOUTH

8,550 square feet of living foot is $318.72. Days on mar-

In 2020, Matthew's Hope experienced a 300% increase in the number of weekly visits with those finding themselves homeless in our community.

The home at 15312 Sugar Citrus Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 18, for $612,500. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,403 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $179.99.

Days on market: 25.

two-half baths, a pool and

has five bedrooms, six-and-

LV14252

1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. OCOEE, FL 34761

The home at 15781 Shaddock Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 15, for $417,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,214 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $188.35. Days on market: 74.

The townhome at 7557 Ripplepointe Way, Windermere, sold March 16, for $330,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,126 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $155.22.

Days on market: Two.

$2,725,000. Built in 2005, it

P: 407.656.1520 C: 407.758.3570 MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM

HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 5679 Surprise Lily Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 13, for $486,990. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,479 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $139.98. Days on market: 59.

ADMIRAL POINTE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 2015 Mountain Pine St., Ocoee, sold March 18, for $425,255.

Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,385 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $125.63. Days on market: 30.

BROOKESTONE

The home at 214 Highbrooke Blvd., Ocoee, sold March 16, for $372,000.

Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,208 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $168.48. Days on market: 26.

CROSS CREEK

The home at 623 Darkwood Ave., Ocoee, sold March 19, for $390,000.

Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,701 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $144.39. Days on market: Three.

GREENS AT FOREST LAKE

The townhome at 1019 Robin Holly St., Ocoee, sold March 18, for $252,105. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

The home at 11264 Bridge House Road, Windermere, sold March 16, for $2,725,000. This Mediterraneanstyle estate has been completely renovated for resort-style living.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 65 High Sale Price: $2,725,000 Low Sale Price: $207,000

Celebrates Business West Orange Chamber Commerce Ribbon Cutting Celebration at Winter Garden Smiles’of New Office! th

Celebrates 25 Anniversary for Congratulations to Winter Garden Smiles on Computer Business Consultants their new office, located at 1317 Winter Garden

To learn more about Computer Business Consultants, and how they can support your business, visit www.computerbusiness.com

WOCC andWinter Southlake VinelandAmbassadors Rd., Suite 110 in Garden.Chamber Winter of Commerce celebrated the 25th anniversary of Garden Smiles General and Pediatric Dentistry Computer Business Consultants, an IT company serves the Windermere, Ocoee, and Orlando area. leader for computer IT services, computer networking To learn more about Winterand Garden solutions, internet security, deviceSmiles management. visit www.wintergardensmiles.com They provide services to any sized business in any location. Computer Business Consultants have experience with a broad range of industries, including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, financial, legal, logistics, B2B and B2C, and the U.S. military.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Feather & Quill Anniversary and 1,566 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $160.99.

Days on market: Zero.

LAKE OLYMPIA CLUB

The home at 118 Olympus Drive, Ocoee, sold March 19, for $583,100.

Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,520 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $231.39. Days on market: One. MCCORMICK WOODS

The home at 3316 McCormick Woods Drive, Ocoee, sold March 19, for $354,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,553 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $138.66. Days on market: 11.

WEST ORANGE TUSCANY RIDGE

The home at 9118 Panzani Place, Windermere, sold March 16, for $600,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,354 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $178.89. Days on market: 250.

WESTOVER CLUB

The home at 9555 Westover Club Circle, Windermere, sold March 16, for $570,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,000 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $190. Days on market: Five.

WESTOVER RESERVE

The home at 1931 Westover Reserve Blvd., Windermere, sold March 19, for $691,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,653 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $189.16. Days on market: Three.

WINDERMERE SUNSET BAY

The home at 5005 Down Point Lane, Windermere, sold March 17, for $1,725,000. Built in 1999, it has six bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths, a pool and 6,191 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $278.63. Days on market: 113.

WINDERMERE DOWNS

The home at 9702 Wild Oak Drive, Windermere, sold March 18, for $2,545,000. Built in 2008, it has six bedrooms, seven-and-three-half baths, a pool and 8,307 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $306.37. Days on market: 153.

WINTER GARDEN

WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the one-year anniversary for Feather & Quill Restaurant and Craft Cocktail Bar. Located at The Grove in Windermere, Feather & Quill is a posh yet comfortable environment with an emphasis on craft cocktails and wine.

For questions or to book an event, visit www.fqwindermere.com

ALEXANDER RIDGE

The home at 2073 Nerva Road, Winter Garden, sold March 15, for $465,000.

Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,711 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $125.30. Days on market: Two.

Ribbon Cutting Celebration at Winter Garden Smiles’ New Office!

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates the Groundbreaking forSmiles Sonny’son Congratulations to Winter Garden

MCALLISTER LANDING

The home at 711 Caterpillar Run, Winter Garden, sold March 16, for $484,800. Built in 2020, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,055 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $158.69. Days on market: 181.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 736 Lake Brim Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 15, for $580,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,307 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $251.41.

Days on market: Four.

The home at 764 Lake Brim Drive, Winter Garden, sold March 18, for $730,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,773 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $263.25. Days on market: 28.

To learn more about Sonny’s BBQ visit www.sonnysbbq.com

their newAmbassadors office, locatedand at iServ 1317 Winter Garden WOCC BBQ LLC, a Vinelandfranchisee Rd., Suite 110 in WinterBBQ, Garden.

Winter licensed of Sonny’s is excited Garden andlocation, Pediatric to break Smiles groundGeneral on a new in Dentistry Ocoee. serves theis Windermere, Ocoee, Orlando area.

Sonny’s looking forward to and providing jobs, serving up authentic slow-smoked BBQ and To learn more about Winter Garden Smiles building relationships with those who live and visit www.wintergardensmiles.com work in the local community.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Tijuana Flats WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the opening of Tijuana Flats in Ocoee, located at 11024 West Colonial Drive. They are known for satisfying people’s craving for bold flavors and colorful experiences piled high with bighearted over-the-top service. They proudly celebrate every person and every community with Tex Mex For All!

To learn more about Tijuana Flats visit www.tijuanaflats.com

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2455 Oakington St., Winter Garden, sold March 19, for $343,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,614 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $212.52. Days on market: One. The townhome at 1579 Priory Circle, Winter Garden, sold March 15, for $254,900. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,780 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $143.20.

Days on market: 242.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Celebrates the Grand Opening for Rita’s Ice Custard WOCC Ambassadors celebrated the grand opening of Rita’s of Winter Garden. Located at 119 S. Boyd Street, in the heart of downtown, Rita’s treats use real fruit and rich, creamy frozen custard-made daily. Known for their worldTo learn more about Rita’s of Winter Garden, famous Italian Ice and frozen custard, Rita’s serves visit www.ritasice.com/location/ritas-of-winter- a taste of happiness with each delicious treat! garden-fl/

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The West Orange Chamber Offers 4 Networking Groups: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Horizon West To learn more and to register participation visit wochamber.com/ChamberGroups or call 407-656-1304

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

Influencers of the Week

SHERRY GARAS UCP WEST ORANGE CHARTER Garas is the campus business manager, and she oversees every aspect of the school’s efficiency — from enrolling new students and assisting teachers to handling email correspondence and payroll, and preparing summer contracts. She has been called the hub of the school and is the go-to person when anyone has a question.

Two influencers at UCP West Orange Charter School are being recognized for their hard work in the office: Sherry Garas and Marilyn Perez.

MARILYN PEREZ UCP WEST ORANGE CHARTER Perez recently changed roles from frontdesk clerk, where she assisted Sherry Garas throughout the day, and is now therapy manager. She handles therapy schedules, as well as customer service and billing. She is eager to lend a hand to anyone who needs assistance, including parents in the car-rider line and the PTO with its various projects.

What brought you to your school?

There was a job opening, and I thought I was applying for a job.

Come to find out, it was much more than a job at UCP; it’s so rewarding.

What brought you to your school?

My family member worked here and said it was a great company.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why All of them. I loved school.

What do you love most about your school?

I like helping others.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? I wanted to be a social worker to help others.

What is your motivation?

My motivation is seeing how students are so happy to come to school.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Working with my co-workers and families is the most rewarding part.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to spend time with my family and dogs.

REPORT CARD POSITION: Therapy manager TIME AT SCHOOL: Five years

mark shows, especially the holiday ones.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? Mrs. Ducklinger, my kindergarten teacher. She was funny and made all of us laugh.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the students and parents so much; they are like family.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why? I wanted to be a flight attendant. I never became the flight attendant, but I did marry a man who works for the airlines.

What is your motivation?

I love how parents and students feel about coming to school. They are happy, they feel safe. They make my day, especially at drop-off.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Too many to say, but the most rewarding would have to be when you see a parent come in and feel like they have no hope, scared, and as time goes by, you see them happy, full of life for their kids. Hope being restored!

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

The Bible is my favorite children’s book.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are watching movies and playing with my dogs.

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

My superpower would be to help others.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to watch Hall-

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

I would listen to Christian bands.

REPORT CARD POSITION: Campus business manager TIME AT SCHOOL: 20 years

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

“The Giving Tree” was my favorite book as a child.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

Country artists Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, and Bob Garas, my husband, when he plays his guitar.

- AMY QUESINBERRY

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school?

If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

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INFLUENCERS OF THE WEEK

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Along the path of harmony Students at Oakland Avenue Charter School paid tribute to black Americans by creating their own designs and putting them on display.

O

kland Avenue Charter School has started what staff hopes will be an annual tradition. After a monthlong celebration of black history, the OACS faculty wanted to culminate it in a big way. The celebration followed an overhaul of class curricula, and teachers did a deep dive into the hidden histories of black Americans and their trials and triumphs.

Originally inspired by a tribute at Martin Luther King Jr.’s former home, instructional coach Holly Hernandez sought a way to bring a version of this to Oakland. She took the idea to teachers Ana-Alicia Myers and Danielle Claxton.

“The big-picture goal is to gain a greater understanding of the achievements of black Americans and how they have helped to shape all Americans and American society,” Hernandez said.

The project evolved into the “Harmony Walk.” Every student, from VPK to fifth grade, was involved in the celebration. Students created posters with quotes, photos and encouraging words of their own design, and they were placed along a path in the courtyard.

Students and guests were able to walk and reflect on the accomplishments of black Americans.

- AMY QUESINBERRY

Courtesy photos

Top: Classes took turns participating in the Harmony Walk.

Left: The students’ artwork carried themes of bravery and love and strength.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

BLAIR M. JOHNSON

BR DENTAL 407-905-9965

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ACROSS 1 “The Lion King” heroine 5 Ballet bend 9 Fish such as koi 13 Takes advantage of 17 Telenovela topic 18 Remnant 19 iO toothbrush brand 21 Puppy adoption org.

22 *Patterned pair’s place (hint: note this answer’s last word ...)

24 *Perk for a regular customer (... and this one’s first word) 26 Alecia Beth Moore, ___ P!nk 27 Help

49 White on “Wheel of Fortune” 52 African donkey 53 Woodcutting tool 54 Keep at bay 57 Rapinoe’s American squad, for short 58 Pirate’s plunder 59 Welcome booth offering 62 Clumsy folks 63 Evening, in adspeak 64 Notify 66 Formally agree (to) 68 Opposite of abundant 69 It may be tied ... or under laces 70 Victorian ___ (1837-1901) DOWN 72 Manning who retired in 1 “Hidden Figures” org.

2020 2 Run ___ (lose control) 3 Places to enjoy beers after 73 Show subtitled “The Last Airbender” work 74 German toast 4 Noah’s boat 75 Bit of gossip 5 Madrid museum 77 Slangy assent 6 Case study?

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©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

03-25-21

MARCH 25, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

1

West Orange junior Will Ross is leading the way for the Warriors on the mound. Page 16.

A BIG

5 DILL

Olympia baseball won in dominating fashion during a 16-0, mercy rule-shortened win over Barron Collier during the Florida League High School Invitational at Sanford Memorial Stadium and Boombah Sports Complex Friday, March 19. In the win, Mason Wilson led the way for the Titans as he went 3-for-3 with a double and five RBIs.

2

The West Orange baseball team recorded an 11-5 win over the Christian Academy of Knoxville over spring break during the Florida League High School Invitational at Sanford Memorial Stadium and Boombah Sports Complex Thursday, March 18.

In the win, AJ Goytia went 3-for-3 with a run and three RBIs for the Warriors. Max McClusky and Justin Frias each added a hit and two RBIs.

3

In Windermere Prep softball’s 20-1 thrashing of Lake Highland Prep Thursday, March 18, Zoie Pistel led the way as she went 2-for-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs. Teammates Ariana Lara (2-for-3, including two walks and four runs scored) and Madison Carr (double, four RBIs) also had big outings.

4

A double-header sweep for TFA over Montgomery Bell (Tennessee) on the baseball diamond included big days for several Royals Wednesday, March 17. In Game 1 — a 13-3 victory — Ben Barrett went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBIs, as Riley Parker went 2-for-3 with an RBI. In Game 2 — a 5-0 win — Harrison Miller pitched five shutout innings of ball, striking out five batters and giving up just one hit. Greg Pettay added a double, triple and run scored.

The four-day tournament saw hundreds of pickleball athletes make their way to Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winter Garden.

The sport of pickleball may come with a funny name, but at the annual St. Paddle’s Day Pickleball Tournament in Winter Garden, it’s a time of friendship and competition.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

A

s a sprinkling rain falls around him, Warren Lewis watches from behind the green mesh that hangs from the fence that separates him from the tennis courts on this drizzly Sunday afternoon.

In front of him, over a dozen courts are packed with locals competing in the seventh annual St. Paddle’s Day Pickleball

Tournament in Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winter Garden.

With each swing of a paddle, the sound of the neon-colored plastic balls pops loudly.

To Lewis — who was competing in his third tournament — and the many in attendance, it was a symphony of sound that goes handin-hand with an ever-growing sport.

“It’s always a fun tournament, and it’s gotten bigger every year,” Lewis said. “This SEE GROWING PAGE 16

New football classifications revealed by FHSAA TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

5

Despite Ocoee boys water polo’s 4-3 loss at the hands of Bishop Moore Wednesday, March 17, Zachary McIntosh had a productive outing as he scored two of the Knights’ three goals on the night.

Photo by Troy Herring

File photo

Dr. Phillips, Olympia, WOHS and Windermere will clash in 8A, District 9.

A bit of normalcy is coming back to Florida high school football, as the Florida High School Athletic Association announced last week newly realigned districts, regions and classifications for the 2021 season.

The new realignments came a week after an FHSAA Board of Directors special meeting March 8, during which the board voted in favor of a one-year reclassification cycle using the 2020 studentenrollment numbers.

The decision also brings back mandatory district play for the state’s bigger schools — Class 5A to 8A — that will influence postseason play, as district champions will receive automatic playoff berths, with each being the top four seeds in each region. The other four qualifiers per region will be dictated by MaxPreps power ratings. Meanwhile, Class 1A to 4A will be allowed to continue scheduling freely as they had done before, with playoffs dictated by power ratings.

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 17

16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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

Will Ross

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

West Orange junior pitcher Will Ross is lighting it up on the mound for the Warriors baseball team so far this season. The University of Florida commit has been dominant for West Orange — and, prior to spring break had given up zero earned runs against 99 batter faced while recording 42 strikeouts.

When did you first get into playing baseball?

I was around 2 or 3, and pretty much my parents signed me up for a bunch of sports. My mom played softball in high school and college — so it was just always kind of there — and they signed me up for sports, and it ended up being my favorite.

What was it that drew you to baseball?

I’d say it always just kind of appealed to my interest, because it was a team sport and an individual sport at the same time. You’re always competing against yourself when it comes to pitching, because nothing happens unless you throw the ball and you get to choose where it goes and once you throw the ball it’s out of your hands. Everything changes on every pitch, so it always keeps it interesting.

Have you always been a pitcher?

Not really, when I was younger I used to hit — I was a first baseman. I always kind of liked hitting, but then pitching, I started figuring it out more and figuring out my mechanics and everything. I always loved pitching, it’s just I kind of struggled with it and then I just figured stuff out and it became my favorite thing to do.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since you first started pitching?

Probably my mechanics. I started working with a new pitching coach when I was 12, and it

Growing the game

THE BASICS SCHOOL: West Orange GRADE: Junior AGE: 17 SPORT: Baseball POSITION: Pitcher

took around a year or so to figure out everything and get everything working together on all three pitches.

What is your favorite part about playing at West Orange?

Probably just the history of it all; our field isn’t like anyone else’s — it kind of has its own unique feel to it. Also, my mom played here — she went to high school here — so it’s a cool feeling that she played over there and she is in the hall of fame at the school for softball.

What’s your favorite thing about being a pitcher? The most challenging part?

My favorite thing about it is kind of having control of the game — knowing it’s my job, anything that happens I have to start it technically when pitching. The most challenging would probably be maintaining everything that I do from the first inning to the sixth or seventh inning, and if something goes wrong staying mentally sharp and not letting it bother you.

You’ve committed to playing baseball at the University of Florida. How are you feeling about that?

I’m pretty excited about it obviously. It was always my dream school growing up, so whenever I got the opportunity to go there I jumped on it instantly because it’s my dream school.

— TROY HERRING

year, certainly, COVID has had many restrictions on it, but it has grown every year that we have been to it. The first year — actually, my wife and I played in it — we had only learned about pickleball five weeks before that, and we came out here and lost every game but we had fun.

And now at least I’m winning a few more games.”

The tournament, which was put on from March 18-21, saw close to 400 pickleball athletes descend upon the park to compete. A big part of getting things up and running was thanks to the diligence of Winter Garden residents Dave Vander Weide and Kim Drury — the proverbial “godparents” of pickleball in the area, who started the tournament seven years ago.

At the gate, temperatures were checked and there was plenty of hand sanitizer to go around, while masks were required for anyone not playing on the court. It was all the hard work preparing for this tournament that made it happen while the COVID-19 pandemic still continues.

“This is the only non-citysponsored activity they’ve let happen since COVID, because we had so much prep involved with what we were doing — with temperatures and all that,” Drury said.

BIRTH OF A TOURNAMENT

Eleven years ago, Vander Weide was introduced to the sport of pickleball in The Villages, after some old friends invited him to play. Despite the silly name, Vander Weide didn’t realize what he had gotten himself into.

“I had never heard of this sport, so I went up there and played — they were all very good players — and I totally got destroyed, but I came away feeling good about it,” he said.

“It seemed very interesting.”

Invigorated by his first experience with pickleball, Vander Weide came back to Winter Garden excited to play, only to find out that not many other folks did.

Vander Weide decided to take things into his own hands. For a while, he hosted a weekly clinic in Stoneybrook West — where he lives — and slowly built up a little group, which included Drury. From there, things grew quickly, and Vander Weide and his group moved things to Veteran’s Memorial Park — which ultimately led to the idea of a tournament.

“I went to the city and asked if we could do a tournament, and they said, ‘Yeah,’” Vander Weide said. “We took over all the tennis courts, we put 14

WHAT’S IN A NAME According to USA Pickleball, the sport was originally invented in 1965 when three fathers — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, of Bainbridge Island, Washington — created pickleball to keep their kids busy during the summer.

There are a few different accounts as to how pickleball was chosen, but oe of the more popular ones is that the Pritchard’s dog, named Pickles, would chase the ball and run away with it.

portable courts up, and we had 126 people there — the mayor came down and watched us and he goes, ‘Dave, we have to do something about this.’”

And the city did just that, as the following year, the city took away two tennis courts and put six pickleball courts in their place. That moment, Vander Weide said, is when things really began to change.

A GAME FOR EVERYONE

With the sport of pickleball utilizing a smaller court and a wiffle-like ball and most often played in doubles, the sport is much friendlier to those of different age groups and talent levels compared to that of tennis.

Though the game moves fairly fast given the smaller court, for some folks, it can be hard to look past the funny name and fact that it’s very popular among older athletes. That was the

Photo by Troy Herring

initial take of Winter Garden resident Keith Valentine, before his health and age caught up with him a little bit.

“When they were tearing down the tennis courts and I was watching them put this pickleball stuff up, I’m like, ‘What’s this? It looks like an old guy sport,’” said Valentine, 45.

“And then I had my fourth knee surgery and I’m like, ‘I can’t run anymore, I can’t do this anymore.’

“Somebody bought me a gift certificate to Walmart, so I got a cheap pickleball set, and I started playing in my driveway with my kids and my wife and fell in love with it,” he said.

Since then, Valentine — who is referred to as the “Pickleball Pirate” thanks to the bandanna he wears during games — has fully immersed himself into the sport, and he even has a YouTube channel dedicated to pickleball.

And while the competition aspect of the sport is incredibly fun, for many — like Drury and Lewis — it’s as much about meeting people and growing friendships.

“It’s fun to play, but more than anything, my social friends are predominantly from pickleball,” Drury said. “We start out with (pickleball) as our base, and then we go on for there — whether we go have a refreshment or go to eat.”

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BY STUDENT ENROLLMENT 8A: 2,356+ 7A: 2,355 – 1,924 6A: 1,923 – 1,582 5A: 1,581 – 1,137 4A: 1,136 – 740 3A: 739 – 361 2A: 360 & below 1A: 600 & below and Rural Designation

Football season taking shape CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

17

SONDRA “KAE” ARMSTRONG DIED MARCH 10, 2021.

Sondra “Kae” Armstrong, 58, of Ocoee, Florida, was born Aug. 10, 1962, in Clermont, Florida, and passed away on March 10, 2021.

Kae is preceded in death by her mother, Alice (Barnes) Armstrong; and survived by her father, Pete Armstrong; brother, Robert Earl Armstrong; and nieces, Ashley (Matt) Ping, Fawn Kaela Armstrong and Brandi Lynn Armstrong. Beloved Norm Ravis, 70, of Winter Garden, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations.

daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many, Kae will be greatly missed.

A life celebration will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge #2165, 700 Ninth St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787.

Lynda S. Panavas, 86, of Ocoee, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations.

File photos

Lake Brantley and West Port in Class 8A (Region 1, District 3) play, while Windermere Prep makes the leap from the Sunshine State Athletic Conference to Class 3A (Region 2).

Foundation Academy and The First Academy will remain in Class 2A and play in a full Region 2 that includes schools such as Orangewood Christian and Victory Christian.

“We want to legitimize our schedule and play teams that we played all years in all other sports, so it’s a chance for our guys to experience the FHSAA playoffs — hopefully, if we can qualify,” said Pat Hollern, Windermere Prep’s athletic director. “It actually started with Coach (Jacob) Doss — we were going to (make the move) anyhow.”

Newcomers Horizon High and Lake Buena Vista High find themselves starting off their brandnew football programs in Class 5A (Region 2,

District 6) where they’ll take on Eustis, Mount Dora and Tavares in district play.

LOCAL SCHOOLS CLASS 8A REGION 3 DISTRICT 3 Apopka Evans (Orlando) Lake Brantley Ocoee West Port (Ocala)

CLASS 3A REGION 2 Avon Park Benjamin Cornerstone The First Academy Frostproof Lake Placid Lakeland Christian Melbourne Central Catholic Trinity Prep Windermere Prep CLASS 2A REGION 2 Bishop McLaughlin (Spring Hill) Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) Foundation Academy Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach) Holy Trinity (Melbourne) Orangewood Christian (Maitland) Orlando Christian Prep Trinity Christian (Deltona) Victory Christian (Lakeland) Zephyrhills Christian

REGION 3 DISTRICT 9 Celebration Dr. Phillips Olympia Osceola (Kissimmee) West Orange Windermere CLASS 5A REGION 2 DISTRICT 6 Eustis Horizon Lake Buena Vista Mount Dora Tavares

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West Orange High School Graduate University of Florida Graduate Life-long Resident of West Orange County

financial services

Monday - Friday: 9am-6pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed

350578

Kenneth Howard, Kenneth Howard, EA EA Registered Representative*

Roofing

BRAD HOWARD, PHARMD/RPH

Registered Representative* poaccounting/tax box 1088 • 10306 oakview pointe terr • gotha, fl • insurance • investments* 321.287.0600 oakview pointe terr • gotha, fl 34734 po box 1088 • 10306 oakview pointe terr • gotha, fl 34734 321.287.0600 info@klhfin.com • www.klhfin.com

1603 S. Clarke Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761 (just north of Hwy 50)

UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE REMOVAL

407-601-1998 I www.BNRPharmacy.com

DATA & PASSWORD RECOVERY

accounting/tax • insurance • investments*

accounting/tax insurance investments* accounting/tax insurance investments* *Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM••, Member FINRA, SIPC.••Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated agency, 3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019. (972) 870-6000.

Personal Property Liquidation Services

FIRE TECH

349460

SERVICE

102 W. McKey Street Historic Downtown Ocoee www.LetItGoLifestyle.com (407) 797-3534

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Showcase your products or services each week in the Red Pages.

CALL 407-656-2121

bridal I formal I everyday alterations I custom design

sewingbymarilyn@gmail.com www.sewingbymarilyn.com

found here.

Look here where you can actually meet and greet a new pet.

Made for where you live. Here!

Call 407-656-2121 or visit OrangeObserver.com

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Professional Seamstress (208) 277-4648 301 N Tubb St., Oakland

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GROW YOUR BUSINESS Call to reserve your ad space: 407-656-2121 OrangeObserver.com/RedPages 351683

TFN

www.Firetechextinguisher.com

352301

Danny Motes

RED PAGES

TFN

• Estate Sales • Consignment • Downsizing • • Clean-Outs (Storage Units & Hoarder Homes) • • Buy-Outs •

Ocoee, FL

Cell 407-466-4738 Tel 407-654-2395 Fax 407-654-2986

FREE ESTIMATES

352302

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