04.23.20 West Orange Times & Observer

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SOME GOOD MEWS Ocoee handyman rescues trapped kitten. PAGE 6.

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Now that’s dedication!

YOUR TOWN CHAMBER TO CELEBRATE WOMEN

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Celebrating Extraordinary Women event virtually 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 30. The event is free, and participants can connect from their electronic device to engage in conversation.

The panel of four business and community women will lead the conversation and answer questions: Annetta Wilson, Annetta Wilson Media Training & Success Coaching; Donna Dyson, market president and publisher of Orlando Business Journal; Dr. Falecia Williams, president of Valencia College, West and Downtown campuses; and Pam Thomas, small-business owner of Pammie’s Sammies.

For registration information, visit wochamber.com.

•

Birhanu Van Der Riet conquered a 26.2-mile marathon in his own backyard. PAGE 15.

Playing with his food

Work progresses on Oakland roundabout AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

The Oakland Town Commission received an update at its Tuesday, April 14, virtual meeting on the much-anticipated roundabout on the west end of Oakland Avenue. The meeting was held via the Zoom virtual conferencing platform.

The town continues to work with Orange County, consul-

“Family Style: Co-op Kitchen” started as a simple gaming project during West Orange High alum Ryan Feldman’s senior year at Cornell. Then, it turned into an international hit. SEE PAGE 2.

Courtesy photo

Ryan Feldman, second from left, helped create the popular cooking game “Family Style” during his Advanced Computer Game Development class.

COVID-19 forces local blueberry farms to alter picking seasons Two blueberry growers in Ocoee and Horizon West are finding their footing in the new normal brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Blueberry season is still ongoing at both Tom West Blueberries in Ocoee and Beck Brothers Blueberries in Horizon West.

Photo by Danielle Hendrix PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Blueberry season is in full swing, but things are a little different for local growers this year.

By now, the coronavirus has permeated nearly every facet of society. In Central Florida, the

hospitality, entertainment and restaurant industries, in particular, have been hit hard.

However, Florida growers also are feeling the pressure. Those who typically sell their products to the restaurant and hospitality SEE GROWING PAGE 4

REAL ESTATE

SEE PLANS PAGE 4

SHOWINGS MUST GO ON The coronavirus pandemic has forced Realtors to alter the way they do business. SEE PAGE 9.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Instant iOS success TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

In the world of mobile gaming, there are no certainties.

Developing a game is a long, difficult process, and drawing attention to it is tough — there are more than 900,000 games on the iOS App Store alone.

Yet, somehow, 2015 West Orange High School alum Ryan Feldman was able to help crack the code.

His game, “Family Style: Co-op Kitchen” — which began as a project during his Advanced Computer Game Development class at Cornell University in 2019 — quickly became an international hit by the end of the year.

“I expected 50 or less people to play,” Feldman said. “I didn’t expect this at all — it’s crazy.

We have about two million downloads.”

FINANCING AVAILABLE

COOKING UP CHAOS

The game itself involves two to eight people — although Feldman said it’s more fun with three or more — sitting in a circle and requires players to act as a team to put dishes together for hungry customers.

For instance, if you have a recipe for nachos and cheese, you may only have nachos but no cheese.

From there, it’s getting the needed ingredients from other teammates, who swipe the ingredient from their phone to yours.

“That starts very slowly with everyone working together, and then it gets to this chaos mode where everyone needs things at the same time, and everyone has too many things,” Feldman said.

“It’s very hard to communicate, especially if you are playing with seven to eight people.”

The game’s development kicked off early during the spring semester last year, when Feldman — along with classmates Gabriel Lane, Jacob Gleberman, Jeremy Storey,

Rena Ryumae, Sameer Khoja and Ziyad Durón — sat down to begin brainstorming what their game should be.

Each had gone through an intro class, so they had some familiarity with what they were doing. For inspiration, the group — which named itself Chef Party — looked to co-op games such as Overcooked and Spaceteam.

“The original idea for the game came from, ‘OK, we know this is going to be a mobile game, what can you do on mobile that you can’t do on an Xbox or a PC?’” Feldman said. “We found the biggest thing we can think of, which is in mobile you can have multiple people and simulate that they are physically around something.”

After months of work — and bribing other students with pizza in the school’s engineering hall for feedback — the group finally was able to unveil its creation at the annual Game Design Initiative at Cornell Showcase.

Set up at the front door, Chef Party team members were decked out in their chef aprons and hats while they tried to corral people to try the game. It was stressful, and things just didn’t seem to be working out, Feldman said.

“Our game was breaking the

entire time, so I was convinced we were not going to win, because it was very unstable, and we could only have a couple of groups play at once,” Feldman said. “So at the end of that, it was just super relieving.”

It was worth it. The game won the top prize in both the judges and audience categories.

IT’S IN THE GAME

After graduating, Feldman and his group have kept in contact while keeping the game running, but what they didn’t realize was that they were sitting on a proverbial goldmine.

Months later, on Nov. 14, Family Style had jumped up to No. 6 in the family game category in the Apple store. A little over a week later, Apple featured the app in its store.

“We hit 90 in the App Store of all games, and then we were featured,” Feldman said. “So if you were to open the App Store and open games, the first thing you would see is Family Style, which is the coolest thing to us, because then you would swipe right and see things like Minecraft.”

From there, it exploded. The app was seeing 10,000 downloads every day, which forced Feldman to constantly work on the game to ensure stability.

The boom continued in January,

when the game went viral on social media in Thailand. One review on Facebook alone by a Thai user had garnered tens of thousands of shares.

“We woke up to hundreds of thousands of downloads from Thailand, which was terrifying and awesome, because again, our game could not handle that,” Feldman said. “That was super hectic, super stressful and exciting. I way redid how it’s done, so basically, any number of people can play now.”

Feldman, who now works as a software engineer at Microsoft in Seattle, still keeps up with the game, making adjustments whenever necessary. But with a full-time job now, it can be difficult to give the game his full attention.

Family Style is also probably going to be his last game for the foreseeable future — although he is leaving the door open for another opportunity at some point, he said.

“I would definitely be interested in making another game, and I could definitely see myself doing that, but this has definitely taken a toll,” Feldman said, laughing. “For a bit, I’ll let this ride out and decide how much I want to keep working on this and take a little bit of a break before diving into another one.”

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STRENGTH in flexibility

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Scott Boyd diagnosed with COVID-19 The former county commissioner originally thought his symptoms were allergies.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Musical Minds Conservatory teachers are utilizing technologies such as FaceTime to continue one-on-one lessons with their students.

Students at the music conservatory are learning to play their instruments in a new format.

Editor’s note: Strength in Flexibility is an ongoing series highlighting changes local businesses are making to adapt to life during the coronavirus pandemic.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Gone, for now, are the days of students being dropped off at their music teacher’s house or studio for private lessons. When the coronavirus pandemic hit Central Florida, the owners of Musical Minds Conservatory of Windermere wanted to continue offering their lessons — so they turned to an all-virtual format.

Heidi R. Larson and Ann Thors-

en-Moran, both piano teachers, have owned the Musical Minds studio for 10 years, and although they have always offered the option of one-on-one instruction virtually, this is the first time they have had to provide all of their lessons in this format. Students need to have an electronic device near the instrument they are playing, and the teachers can give instruction and feedback.

“We can hear dynamics and see everything,” they said, so students still are getting a well-rounded, professional music lesson.

“What’s great about it is it’s really very flexible, so the student doesn’t have to have a lot of extra equipment,” they said. “Our teachers have been trained and educated on offering virtual lessons via online platforms including FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts or other similar platforms.”

Most of their students live in Florida, they said, but there are some taking lessons from other states and other countries.

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Musical Minds has 12 teachers and about 200 students. They said a majority of the students have been able to transition to the new way of learning; some have had to put their music lessons on hold.

Most of them kept their original lesson time, too, Larson and Thorsen-Moran said, but a few have needed to change to a different day or time because of their family’s new schedules.

“As a whole, I think people are realizing this can be a positive thing in their life,” they said. “As teachers, we’re doing the best we can and conveying positivity.

And children can see through our compassion and our care for their learning.”

Children have become so adept at computers that Musical Minds can teach children as young as 4 to play an instrument. The virtual lessons also have drawn a few more students to the company, including those with some extra time on their hands wanting to learn how to play the piano or violin or take vocal lessons.

“A lot of people, this has really has opened their eyes that this is a viable option,” Larson and Thorsen-Moran said. “Students have

to take more ownership of their music, and … we help them to learn how to be their own teacher.”

Virtual lessons include visual aids, standard repertoire and learning; student-teacher interaction includes duets and demonstration.

Lessons are sprinkled with music games and cards and other props to stimulate the student.

“The learning activities really help when you are teaching virtually,” they said. “Even just smiling and making eye contact and still having that connection with these students.”

When not under a quarantine, Musical Minds operate studios at Dance and Music Orlando and Windermere Preparatory School.

The owners have waived all registration fees for the 2020-21 year.

Larson, a nationally certified teacher of music, has taught for 25 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and piano pedagogy. She has published her own theory book series, “The Well-Rounded Musician,” as well as several books of original compositions.

Thorsen-Moran, a Royal Conservatory of Music certified teacher, has a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University. She specializes in piano performance and piano pedagogy and has studied music for 35 years and taught music and performance for 17 years. She has accompanied bands at area theme parks, as well as orchestras, choirs, Broadway shows and soloists.

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Scott Boyd knows firsthand that feeling slightly under the weather doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “just allergies.” In his case, it turned out to be a mild case of COVID-19.

The Winter Garden resident and former Orange County commissioner was tested and learned Friday, April 10, that he was positive.

He said he was urged to get tested by a close family member who has a compromised immune system — and he’s glad he listened.

Boyd’s symptoms have been mild, with a low-grade fever that lasted only one night, congestion and a scratchy cough that was worse at nighttime and has continued for the last 10 days.

Boyd said he doesn’t know where he could have contracted the virus. He said he and his wife, Dawn, have been socially isolating for weeks, going out only occasionally to pick up groceries and refill the gas tank.

Since the diagnosis, the newlywed couple has quarantined at home with her daughter, Hannah Burns. He is the only one in his family to test positive.

Boyd said the three of them are getting tested again this week.

“I’m thinking, ‘How and why did I catch this, and where did I get it?’” Boyd said. “We’ve been diligent with it, and I still got it. Masks have been hard to come by, and that may have been how I caught this. We did not have masks.”

His current course of action has been to drink water, monitor his temperature and take over-thecounter medicine.

“I’ll put this out there: Just be careful,” Boyd said. “I tested positive, and I don’t feel too bad. … No one is immune to this.”

Boyd said he expects the country will be dealing with the coronavirus “well into the summer, one way or another,” because many people likely are infected but don’t know it because they are asymptomatic.

“I feel that it’s important to get our community moving again, but slowly and carefully,” he said.

“When they do open things up, they need to require personal protection as long as this virus remains active in our community.

Many people are doing so now, but there are those that do not. It’s obviously easy to catch, and I’m an example of that.”

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Observer

Growing pains

Dale Volkert, of Lake Meadow Naturals, and Scott West, of Tom West Blueberries, have partnered to sell each other’s products.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

industries are facing loss of crops.

On the U-pick side, it’s up to the growers whether they choose to keep operating.

At both Tom West Blueberries in Ocoee and Beck Brothers Blueberries in Horizon West, families from West Orange County and beyond enjoy gathering during the season to pick their own berries.

COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into plans for both growers, though. At Tom West Blueberries, co-owner Scott West and his family decided to shut down their U-pick operations in the interest of safety. Although they technically are allowed legally to continue operating the U-pick sector, they decided to err on the side of caution. It wasn’t an easy decision, West said, especially because their U-pick farm operations include a playground, tractor rides and boat rides.

“We want to do what’s best for everybody, no matter what, and that includes our employees, kids and the families that come,” West said. “We felt like it just was in everybody’s best interest to be safe. … We didn’t really have enough information about (the virus), in my opinion, to not limit the social distancing. Instead of trying to police that or manage it, it’s better to just go to a drive-thru or walkup type scenario.”

The blueberry farm now is offering drive-thru service to those interested in purchasing anything from fresh blueberries, honeys and jams to popsicles and ice cream.

West also has partnered with Dale Volkert, who owns Lake Meadow Naturals farm in Ocoee. West has begun selling Volkert’s farm-fresh eggs, and Volkert has sold Tom West blueberries for a while now.

On the commercial side, it was set to be a great year for blueberry farmers, West said. One problem

tant firm CPH and MetroPlan Orlando in the planning and the facilitating of the project.

The county is working on obtaining a consultant for construction engineering and inspection, which will be paid for by the county and the town. Orange County is in the process of drafting the interlocal agreement.

Meritage Homes is building the Oakland Trails subdivision off J.W. Jones Road — just off the proposed roundabout — and the developer gave a substantial piece of property for the road improvements plus funding. The funding from Meritage is through the transportation impact fees that are being collected as each house is permitted.

The roundabout accomplishes two things for the development, Town Manager Steve Koontz said.

“The first would be better traffic management out of the development, especially during peak times when traffic backs up due to the current intersection configuration,” he said. “It will also give residents of Oakland Trails safe pedestrian and bike access to the West Orange Trail that they do not have now. I believe proximity

Friedrich Hayek

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SUPPORT BLUEBERRY GROWERS TOM WEST BLUEBERRIES 350 Orlando Ave., Ocoee PHONE: (407) 656-3223 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ tomwestblueberries CURRENT OPERATIONS: Drive-thru only HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in season; check social media for updates PRODUCTS: Blueberries, honeys, jams, popsicles and Lake Meadow Naturals eggs BECK BROTHERS BLUEBERRIES 12500 Overstreet Road, Windermere PHONE: (407) 656-4353 FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2RQNBjy CURRENT OPERATIONS: U-pick HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in season; check social media for updates PRODUCTS: U-pick blueberries

Florida blueberry growers face is foreign competition, especially with blueberry imports from Mexico. Additionally, commercial con-

Plans in progress CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“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.”

to the trail was a big selling point.”

Land-acquisition documents are being finalized, according to the town.

The town and CPH submitted the 90% construction plans and bid documents to the county in February. The county replied with comments to the town earlier this month.

The state of Florida is providing $1.2 million in funding through MetroPlan, and this is in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget. The town budgeted $500,000 in impact fee funds for the roundabout, as well.

Any construction costs over the grant funding will be shared equally between the town and the county.

The timeline for the bidding and construction of the project have not been determined, according to the town.

Once the project is finished, Oakland will take over maintenance of the roundabout.

The town pursued the idea of a roundabout several years ago, deeming it necessary because of the amount of traffic in that area.

J.W. Jones, Old State Road 50, Oakland Avenue, the West Orange Trail and the driveways of two busy commercial properties intersect just north of West Colonial Drive.

sumers that purchase produce for the hospitality and entertainment industries aren’t buying much now that the virus has halted most operations.

“The agritourism has definitely been stifled by this,” West said.

“Of all the things that farmers deal with, I’ve never seen anything like it as far as putting a hold to what’s going on in the community and everywhere. We get excited about just supporting our community with fresh local fruit and honeys and things like that, and it’s a real downer for everyone — for us and the community.”

Over at the Beck Brothers farm, U-pick operations still are up and running. However, co-owner Glenn Beck said, the farm is seeing about 60% of the traffic it normally does. With 17 planted acres of berries on about 40 acres, Beck said he believes the space lends itself to social distancing guidelines.

“We installed hand-washing systems, and we sanitize all the buckets, so we felt there was no risk to the public as far as staying open,” Beck said. “We didn’t really know what to expect whenever we started. We kind of went into this thinking, ‘Well, if people don’t adhere to the rules and it looks like it’s getting chaotic or people aren’t

IN OTHER NEWS n The St. Johns River Water Management District has granted the town $429,800 to be used for the Oakland Hull Avenue Septic to Sewer project.

The funds are contingent upon the district’s finalization of the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget.

The project includes converting septic tanks to sanitary sewer service and constructing an eight-inch gravity sewer measuring about 3,800 feet in length, manholes and sewer connections for about 50 lots. n The town authorized a permissive use agreement with SJRWMD that allows the district to place a data-collecting device on the Jake Voss Fishing Pier on Lake Apopka. The device uses telemetry-driven technology to gather data used in the regulation of Florida’s waters. n The town’s water system was deemed out of compliance with its backflow program, according to Public Director Mike Parker, so the town has updated its code on the issue.

An inspection and testing portion of the backflow program should begin in May for the Johns Landing, Johns Cove,

practicing social distancing, we’ll close it.’ Everyone has been very kind, very courteous, very considerate of everyone around them.

There has been zero problems.”

One difference is that Beck Brothers primarily deals in the industry of commercial citrus, but it doesn’t do commercial blueberry picking. For blueberries, the farm solely operates on a U-pick basis.

Anything that isn’t picked falls to the ground, but Beck said people generally do a good job of keeping up with harvesting the crop.

“We had our critics whenever we decided to open, and we said, ‘Well, we really didn’t think that — this being a farm-produced product — we didn’t think it was anywhere near as a bad as going to the grocery store or gas station or anywhere else,’ and I think our experience has proven that,” he said. “I think everyone (is) enjoying a place to go that’s in a safe environment, and it’s really been a pleasure. There seems to be somewhat of a cohesion among everyone that, ‘Hey, we’re all in this together, so we’ll step back or wait in line and be courteous of the next person.’

“We definitely feel like we’ve been blessed with the fact that we can continue doing what we’ve been doing,” Beck said.

Winters Landing and Trailside Station neighborhoods, as well as commercial businesses. The town will pay for this work to be done. n Work has begun on Speer Park, Koontz announced.

Stakes and center lines have been placed to mark future sidewalks, benches are being repaired or replaced, and plans are being worked on for the bike paths and butterfly garden. The town has budgeted $50,000 for the park this year.

“We will do incremental work as the funds come available,” Koontz said. n The Oakland Police Department has received a few shipments of personal protection equipment, and a donation from the nonprofit Committee of 101 will allow the department to purchase ballistics shielding and vests. n Mayor Kathy Stark proclaimed April 14 National Arbor Day in the town. n The Tuesday, April 28, meeting will be held virtually on Zoom at 7 p.m. For instructions on how to join in the meeting, visit oaklandfl.gov.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Paying it forward,

PIZZA-STYLE

Caring for Our Community The safety of our loyal patients is dear to our hearts.

Courtesy photo

Stephen Facella, owner of Winter Garden Pizza Company, delivered a stack of pizzas to the ICU at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital last week.

More than 90 people were fed a free Easter meal after residents began calling the restaurant and buying meals for folks without a paycheck.

In order for us to maintain patient care in our community, during our temporary closure, we have temporarily transitioned to Virtual Visits during the COVID-19 outbreak.

This allows you to have a medical visit from the

10 pizzas for the COVID lab at comfort and safety of your home or anywhere.

AdventHealth and, today, 10 piz zas for (Orlando Health) South One simple act of kindness has had Lake (Hospital).” a snowball effect at one downtown Someone in Minnesota saw the Winter Garden restaurant. restaurant was delivering pizzas We promise to provide the same level of Stephen Facella, owner of the to the hospitals and sent a $100 Winter Garden Pizza Company, tip for the staff to split. customer service and compassionate said he received a message from Facella said the restaurant is a Seattle resident right after Walt providing the meals and pizzas at healthcare experience you are accustomed Disney World announced it was cost. temporarily shutting its doors.

“We’re just trying to do good to receiving at Paramount Urgent Care “A guest who had come to the for people,” he said. “It allows us restaurant in February reached out to keep our lights on, and it allows and said, ‘Here’s $100; give some- us to pay the staff. Our landlords one a meal,’” Facella said. are working with us.”

It was intended for Disney The Winter Garden Pizza Comemployees who suddenly had lost pany didn’t escape the economic their paychecks. effects of the coronavirus, and Then the restaurant posted an Facella had to make the difficult Easter dinner special that fed five decision to let go of more than 30 and told people without a pay- employees. His staff is down to check to let Facella know. three people in the kitchen and “(The Seattle resident) reached two answering phones and taking Serving Lake, Sumter, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, & Polk Counties! back out and said, ‘We want to orders. order five dinners for people,’” he Facella said his staff has been said. amazing. Several employees have Soon, the restaurant was field- bought pizzas to be given away. ing more calls from people want- One said she didn’t want gifts for ing to donate. her birthday; she wanted pizza to “It’s begun a chain reaction of be purchased for residents. positivity,” Facella said. “Someone “The staff feel great that we’re in North Carolina saw it (on Face- able to do this,” he said. “One thing book) and bought three, someone I keep hearing … when the comin Titusville bought three, Winter munity comes up to pick up their Garden bought some, Orlando food, they’re saying thank you.” bought some. … And that turned The owner is grateful for a into, ‘Hey, we want to buy a meal.’” patient community. Because there Even after Easter had passed, isn’t a full staff in the kitchen, The safety of Garden our loyal dear to our In order for us to maintain patient Winter Pizzapatients continued is preparation times hearts. have increased. the family meal deal.

“We had an hour-and-a-half care in our community, during our temporary closure, we have temporarily transitioned “Now, we’re feeding postpar- wait the other day, and the people to Virtual during the COVID-19 This allows you to have a medical visit tumVisits moms who can’t leave their said, ‘Weoutbreak. don’t care. We want a house with their newborns,” he pizza,’” Facella said. “And that’s from thesaid. comfort and safety of your home or anywhere. We promise to provide the same “People are just calling and what’s keeping the staff going.” saying, ‘Buy service a meal.’ And I sugHe said he will continue to offer level of customer and compassionate healthcare experience you are accustomed to gested The Birth Place with Jennie the five-person meal deal. receivingJoseph. at Paramount Urgent Care.“We don’t want anybody to go ” Five meal deals have been given without a meal,” he said. “As long to new families at the Winter Gar- as people continue to contribute, den birthing center. we will continue, too.”

“We got a message that reads Members of the community who wonderfully: ‘We can’t sew, we Multiple want to pay for a meal for someone ways to connect: can’t cook, but we want to help,’” else can call the restaurant at (407) Phone • Tablet • orDesktop • Laptop • Telephone Facella said.Smart “So, they bought 877-1930 send a message on its Facebook page.

Winter Garden Pizza already has “People are saying, ‘I don’t a reputation for giving back to the know what I can do; I just need community with its popular Pay itScan Here One of our providers Forward board. The board is hung To Download to be helpful’ and, ‘I have to do above the entrance to the kitchen will contact you and is full of notes — folks can buy Our App meals intended for specific cussomething; what can I do?’” for your Virtual Visit. tomers, such as a war veteranthrough or a Spruce — Stephen Facella, owner, new mom or a couple celebrating Winter Garden Pizza Company an anniversary.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

We Are Open 7 Days A Week

9 am - 5 pm

Multiple ways to connect

Caring For Our Community Since 2008!

Smart Phone · Tablet · Telephone We Are Open and Treating Most Injuries and Illnesses via Virtual Visits Desktop · Laptop Stay Home! Stay Safe!

Schedule Your Virtual Visit Today!

Stay Home. Stay Safe.

Schedule your Virtual Visit Today!

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

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

EPISCOPAL

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

ChurchoftheMessiah.com

Photos courtesy of Jo Charles

Homeowner Jo Charles immediately took the kitten inside and gave it a bath.

A mew mission

METHODIST

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

An Ocoee handyman recently helped a homeowner rescue a 5-week-old kitten that had fallen down a cinderblock porch pillar.

DANIELLE HENDRIX

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

CHURCH DIRECTORY

It’s not every day that you discover a 5-week-old kitten stuck in a cinderblock pillar outside your home.

That’s exactly what happened last week to Ocoee residents Jo Charles and her husband.

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST Advertise your Services It was an eventful couple of days or Events NGLICAN CHURCH for the couple, who discovered a on this page weekly.

GLICAN COMMUNITY PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee CHURCH OF GOD CHURCH 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, LLOWSHIP CHURCH stray cat and kitten in their attic.

Pastor Jeff Pritchard 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Winter Garden of God tor The Rev. CanonOcoee Tim TrombitasChurch “There’s my neighbor(407) 656-2351 Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Thisa stray pagein appears weekly in the 6 East Plant St, Winter Garden www.starkelakebaptist.org Pastor Thomas Odom NON-DENOMINATIONAL Phone – 407-656-1135 Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05 AM hood West that had been hanging out on NDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Orange Times & Observer and Web: fumcwg.org Church Orlando Ave.,Ocoee Purpose my roof for weeks, ” Charles said. d us at: Theacf.net 1105 N. Lakewood CHURCH OF GOD online at OrangeObserver.com.

“Last Saturday, we were doing (407) 656-8011 13640 CHURCH W Colonial OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD UNITED OF Dr. Ste 110, APTIST Pastor Thomas Odom some yard work and noticed her Winter Garden CHRIST To advertise in eaves the Church 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee ULAH BAPTIST crawling under the on the Directory WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH (407) 654-9661 407-656-8011 or Casey Butner call 407-656-2121 or email 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. front entrance. My husband called Beulah Rd, WinterEPISCOPAL Garden Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

Windermere, FL 34786 AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com me out, and I looked up and the The stunned kitten couldn’t take its EPISCOPAL Church -656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org All Souls Episcopal 407-876-2112 times: SundayWorship Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH NDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM kitten poked its head out.

I got a eyes off its rescuer, Jake McKenna.

9:00am Adult Sunday School inWinter Windermere Saturday Service: 6 p.m.

241 N. Main, Garden NDAY SERVICE Bay 11:00AMLake Elem ladder, climbed up there and put 10:00am Worship Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm DNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PMSilverlake 12005 Park Dr purposechurchorlando.org www.windermereunion.org some tuna and water out. She ate the kitten was sitting, as well as www.churchofthemessiah.com Sundays: 10 a.m . a little bit and then ran back in the to find a hollow spot to safely cut ST BAPTIST CHURCH E Plant St., WinterAllSoulsFL.org Garden attic.” into.

-656-2352 The two borrowed a humane “To cut the inside of the block, NDAYS 8:30 am Traditional trap to try to catch the kitten and I had to cut it to where it wouldn’t 5 am Bible Study 00 am Contemporary its mother. Upon climbing into drop in so I wouldn’t crush the DNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana the attic to take a look themselves, kitten,” he said. “The moment I MIKE YOAKUM or Tim Grosshans though, they realized the kitten started pulling out the little piecPASTOR w.fbcwg.org had fallen 10 feet down the middle es I cut, I could see the cat poking Campus: P: 407.656.1520 UNDATION WORSHIP C: 407.758.3570 of the pillar on their front porch. through and it was meowing at me NDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages MYOAKUM407@AOL.COM “She cried all Sunday and Mon- like crazy.” ndation Academy High School day, and we said we had to find McKenna was able to free the 04 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden her,” Charles said. “The poor baby kitten, which was covered in dust w.FoundationWorship.com -730-1867 was just crying nonstop. It would but seemed grateful to its rescuers. break your heart.”

“That kitten kind of just clung Charles called Jake McKenna, an to me like it wanted to be out of 1333 EAST CROWN POINT RD. Ocoee-based handyman who has there,” McKenna said. “I pulled OCOEE, FL 34761 done some work for them previ- the cat out, and it wouldn’t take ously. It was late at night Monday, its eyes off me.”

April 13, but McKenna — owner of “The poor thing was exhaustORDER YOUR Every Tuesday, Matthew’s Hope offers the following services and more to Jake of All Trades and an animal ed,” Charles said. “It didn’t fight, it CUSTOM Furniture, Farm Tables, lover himself — knew he had to wasn’t scared, it just kind of stared theMADE Structurally Challenged men, women and children• Custom of our community.

Barn Doors, and More CHRISTMAS help save the kitten. at Jake for a minute and let out a • Repaired, 2019Refinished and “She’s one of my regular cus- tiny meow. We were just relieved.

GIFTS NOW!Hide in Plain Sight Initiative Statistics Repurposed Wood Furniture and she reached out to Poor thing had been there all day.

PEOPLE HELPED: 2,929 I NEW GUESTS: 243• Gently Used Furniture and New & tomers, Check out theTOTAL custom Used me kind of late, and I thought … Then I gave her a little bath, and made silent auction items Household Items it must’ve been an emergency, we warmed her up and gave her Haircuts: 1,190 Medical Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MatthewsHopeChest/ that will be available atCare: 1,040 because I deal with homeowners’ some food. She was so cute.”

Manicures: 76 the Garden Dental Party onCare: 48 Visit our Workshop It wasn’t McKenna’s first time Location at 611 Business Park Blvd. #101, Winteremergencies, Garden as well,” McKenna FL Drivers Licenses: 23 Meals: November 9!! 7,105 407.905.9500 • 8am-4pm Mon - Fri • 8am-3pm Saturday said. “I answered, and she let me rescuing an animal. Just the day know that a cat had been in her before, in fact, he was working at Birth Certificates: 26 Pantry Visits: 2,633 attic with a kitten, and the kitten a property where he rescued four Hygiene Items Distributed: 11,195 Food Distributed: 23,703 lbs. fell down a hole. She has a two- kittens in the attic. He also has Clothing Items Distributed: 18,069 Showers: 2089 story house. … There was no way seen squirrels and bats in attics.

Life Skills Class Attendance: 416 Laundry Service: 1,290 to get it out from the top.”

“I’m really glad they did call McKenna carries around a me,” he said.

Bible Study Attendance: 422 stethoscope in his toolbox to help There has been no sign of the TEXT him find leaks, but it came in handy mother cat or any other critters for this mission, too. He used it to either in the attic or outside, McKfind exactly where in the column enna said. The kitten is now safe TO DONATE with Rescue Cats of Florida.

This is a secure site for giving “We drove her out to them JAKE OF ALL TRADES Wednesday evening to her fosHelp Us. Help Them. 611 Business Park Blvd #101, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Jake McKenna is a home repair ter mama,” Charles said. “They’ll (407) 905-9500 I MatthewsHopeMinistries.org Help Themselves. technician who specializes in keep her until she’s about 9 or 10 anything from drywall, tile, stucco weeks and get her fixed, microand painting to screen repair, chipped and shots. We have dogs WANT TO SEE YOUR LISTING HERE? furniture assembly and more. and are not currently in the market For more information, call him at for a cat, but she definitely tugged (386) 523-4166 or email JakeOf at my heartstrings.”

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Sunday School: 10 a.m.

METHODIST NON-DENOMINATIONAL FIRST UNITED METHODIST PURPOSE CHURCH OLANDO WindermereUnion.org

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

Garden Theatre hires first education director Nick Bazo spent the last 11 years in Boston serving as the director of programs for The Theater Offensive.

ERIC GUTIERREZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When Nick Bazo was studying for his master’s degree in theater at the University of Central Florida in 2008, he took a hard-hat tour of the space that eventually would become the Garden Theatre.

More than a decade later, that space has blossomed into the heart of creativity in Winter Garden, and Bazo is returning to it not as a student but as an educator. In fact, Bazo will be joining the Garden Theatre as its first full-time education director. He will be in charge of programming and implementing camps, classes and community partnerships throughout the year.

“I knew back in 2008 what was starting at the Garden (Theatre),” Bazo said. “On the periphery, I knew what was going on at the Garden (over the years), as well as I have several close friends who are performers there. So, I’ve been able to see what’s been going on at the Garden — not firsthand,

but at least from a distance. When I saw the position (for the education director) open, I already knew what was kind of already happening at the Garden and was really interested in getting involved.”

Originally from Key West, Bazo, 39, is a Cuban-American director, teaching artist and arts administrator with a lifelong passion for theater. Prior to coming to the Garden Theatre, Bazo spent the last 11 years in Boston serving as the director of programs for The Theater Offensive, and he also ran the True Colors: OUT Youth Theater Program. He worked as the manager of school programs at the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston, where he managed all in-school programming and served as the lead teaching artist with the City Spotlights Program.

“I moved to Boston specifically to work with The Theater Offensive, which is an LGBTQ-focused theater company, to work with their youth program called True Colors,” Bazo said. “It’s a program geared for LGBTQ youth, specifically, and I wanted to write my graduate thesis on working with them. I started as a graduate intern with (The Theater Offensive), and then I became a teaching artist (and) director with them.

And then about a year or two into that, I became the director of pro-

grams in charge of all the youth programming, as well as the adult programming.”

Locally, Bazo has worked as a teaching artist and actor at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. He earned his master’s degree of fine arts in theater, with an emphasis in theater for young audiences, from UCF. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Rollins College and holds a Youth Development Training Certificate from The BEST Initiative.

“I have such a personal connection to being a young person in theater myself that I thought it was important that I would want to create experiences for other young people,” Bazo said. “In that time period of me discovering where I wanted to go career-wise, UCF had just started a theater for young audiences MFA program, and it was literally the only grad school program I applied to. I knew that was the kind of work I wanted to do.”

The education program at the Garden Theatre has seen a tremendous amount of growth in the last three years. The Garden has gone from offering just a handful of summer camps in 2017 to offering 25 different weekly summer camps this year. The education program has expanded to include classes and workshops for individuals of all ages throughout the year. During this period of

“I have such a personal connection to being a young person in theater myself that I thought it was important that I would want to create experiences for other young people.”

— Nick Bazo

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

growth, student attendance has tripled, and the Garden now welcomes more than 750 students each season. Bazo’s role as the new education director is to continue this growth and introduce new programs to impact more lives through educational experiences.

“With carefully planned offerings and a passionate teaching staff, our education program has gone through a remarkable transition in the last few years,” Garden Theatre Executive Director Nao Tsurumaki said. “We can’t wait to welcome Nick to the Garden family and work together to advance this important part of our mission further than ever.”

“What excites me about this is the opportunity to grow a program and to make … it flourish,” Bazo said. “The Garden reminds me a lot of the theater I kind of grew up in. And again, creating those experiences for young people is the reason why I do this work, and that really attracted me to the Garden.”

As Bazo begins this new chapter in his career, he’s excited to get to know the community and to return home to the Sunshine State.

“On a personal note, my husband and I have been looking for a reason to start coming back to Orlando,” Bazo said. “We have very young nieces and nephews, and our parents are getting older.

On the front of really being interested in being at the Garden (Theatre) and following along with that, and also wanting to leave the cold of Boston, I think those two things came together. … I’m coming back home.”

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WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

APRIL 26, 1946 Don’t you just love ice cream enough to want to hug a giant container of it? Borden’s Ice Cream banked on locals enjoying the brand’s sweet cold treat when it advertised in The West Orange News in 1946.

“So smooth, so flavorful, so downright delicious,” the ad read. “Enjoy Borden’s Ice Cream at your favorite fountain, too.”

95 years ago

Mayor W.T. Chapman has dismissed the night marshal.

According to Day Marshal G.W. Brown, the ex-officer tanked up on liquor a few nights ago.

85 years ago

A group of young men, including Ward Britt, Leonard Mann, Herbert Pounds, Franklin Cappleman, Noel Griffith and John Vick, sponsored a dance at the Legion Hall. Roy Fulmer’s orchestra furnished the music.

Winter Garden may have a school for kindergarten-aged children whose parents are on relief, thanks mainly to Mrs. A.Z. Brown. The children would be given a good lunch and have beds for daily naps.

75 years ago

Should V-E Day be announced as early as noon of any weekday, special services will be held that evening at the First Baptist Church at 8 p.m. If the announcement comes after the noon hour, the service will be held the following evening at 8 p.m. This will be a special service for all Winter Garden churches.

70 years ago

Gotha celebrated its centennial with an old-fashioned reunion.

Louise Fischer Meador was an appropriate person to head up the event — she is part of two

THROWBACK THURSDAY

FROM THE ARCHIVES This farmhouse once stood on the Stage Stop Campground property on West Colonial Drive in Winter Garden. Constructed in 1930 by Orlando attorney John Thomas Ezzard Sr., it was the centerpiece of his orange- and tangerine-growing enterprises. He never returned to practicing law. A truck farm that grew vegetables, especially cabbage, once existed south of the farm. In 1960, a large pond was constructed to be used for fish farming. Ezzard died in 1960, and the property was sold soon after.

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

Gotha pioneer families. Many of her family members attended, as did descendants of pioneer H.A. Hempel.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Lakeview High School gymnasium were held with Harry M. Smith acting as master of ceremonies.

30 years ago

Retired Navy Capt. Bill Sims caused a stir in Windermere when he installed a sign in front of Windermere Town Hall with the message: “Navy parking only. All others will be towed away.” Old Air Force fighter pilot Jess Green and

!

S D A R G S T A R G CON Show your support to West Orange’s public and private high school graduates in the Class of 2020 special section.

Town Manager Vick Thompson, also an Air Force veteran, threatened to yank up and confiscate the illegal sign.

Date Night?

Go Out While Staying In.

Publishing:

Thursday, May 21 Ad Deadline:

Monday, May 11

Support Your Local Eateries The state’s stay-at-home order doesn’t have to mean you can’t eat well.

Be a part of saying Congratulations and Good Luck to our graduates.

Our restaurant guide features a plethora of cuisines, all available for takeout.

• Each school valedictorian’s speech, along with the list of graduates.

Visit orangeobserver.com/restaurant-updates

• Letter to senior class from the school principal.

• Each school will have a feature story on what makes its Class of 2020 special and unique.

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advertise@orangeobserver.com

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Call your advertising executive today!

(321) 239-3252

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Into the unknown Although facing uncertain times, many local Realtors say the real-estate market has not yet fully felt the impact of COVID-19.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

showings are done with every precaution and social-distancing guideline in mind. She only touches surfaces with gloved hands and ensures everything is disinfected.

“Selling or buying a house isn’t a last-minute thing,” she said. “This has been in the works for a long time for a lot of people. It’s still a hot market. People have to move.

I’m doing everything I can to keep selling and helping everyone, but I’m also protecting myself and everyone else. There’s some that will hang back and say, ‘Let’s wait until this passes,’ but I see it as, ‘Let’s move on and keep going.’ If we do it right and we do it safe, I think we’re all right.”

Funk said she has seen the pace slowing a bit. However, it’s too early to identify trends.

“If we look at the number of contracts coming in right now, there has been a dip. … We will likely feel the impact of what is happening right now in the next couple of months, but the degree of what that is is still uncertain,” Funk said. “At the end of the day, what we realize is people still need to buy and sell a home. Customers still have housing needs. We’re still transactional. We’re still listing homes and representing buyers.”

Overall, Stewart said, ORRA is confident in the long-term strength of Orlando’s real-estate market.

“It’s important to remember that we’re in a global pandemic, not a real-estate recession,” Stewart said.

Pat Sharr Realty

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ING END

Take a look at this 3 Bdrm. 2 Ba. home before it is GONE...Open the door to the tiled foyer, living room and family room floors have been upgraded with beautiful WOOD LAMINATE. Delightful kitchen with every convenience and tiled flooring... Split bedroom plan, master bedroom is adjoined by REMODELED master bath.

On the other side of the house is the remodeled guest bath centered around the other two bedrooms. Just off the family room open the door to the covered and screened large patio complete with ceiling fans. Open the door from your screened patio to a concrete pad that is perfect fit for your grill... the large fenced back yard also features a storage shed. ASKING ONLY $220,000

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3 Bdrm., 2B, WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR???

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FANTASTIC BUY WITH ALL AMENITIES THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY WANT. OPEN THE FRONT DOOR AND IT SAYS “WELCOME HOME”.

THIS HOME HAS JUST BEEN FRESHLY PAINTED AND READY FOR A NEW BUYER. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A HOME THAT HAS IT ALL INCLUDING CHARM, LOCATION AND CONVENIENCE? THEN THIS IS FOR YOU! Enjoy the whole pool scene from the open living room with plenty of room for big comfortable chairs and sofa. Look through a picture window when you dine, spacious but intimate. The eat-in kitchen with durable beauty and practical convenience plus sliding glass doors overlook the pool, making meal preparation a visual treat. Family room is highlighted by wood burning fireplace, tiled flooring makes this room “party proof”. This split bedroom plan is perfect with 2 bedrooms centered around the guest bath in the hallway. On the other side of the house is the Luxurious Master Bedroom adjoined by Master Bathroom that has his/her closets, garden tub and separate shower. The Master bedroom also has access to the patio/pool area Large privacy fenced back yard. ASKING ONLY $305,000

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TAKE A LOOK AT THIS HONEY OF A DEAL, THIS HOME IS SITUATED ON 3.89 ACRES OF LAND WITH STABLE/ BARN FENCED FOR HORSES/COWS!!! PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, COVERED FRONT PORCH. OPEN THE DOOR TO THE COZY UPDATED FAMILY ROOM FEATURES LAMINATED FLOORING WITH DINING AREA. KITCHEN HAS BREAKFAST BAR, TILE FLOORING, SIDE BY SIDE REFRIGERATOR, DISHWASHER AND RANGE, ALL APPLIANCES STAY!!! LARGE LIVING ROOM WITH LAMINATE FLOORING, BRICK WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE! THE BONUS ROOM IS A PLUS AND IS BEING USED AS BEDROOM SUITE. THE OTHER BEDROOMS AND BATHS ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HOUSE. OUTSIDE YOU WILL FIND AN INGROUND POOL NO SCREEN FOR PLENTY OF SUN!!! THERE IS ALSO A BARN/STABLE FOR THE HORSES AND FENCED! 4 CAR COVERED CARPORT. THIS HOME NEEDS SOME TLC ON THE OUTSIDE, MOTIVATED SELLER’S!!! ASKING ONLY $375,000

WHAT A GREAT BUY!!!

THIS HOME WAS BUILT IN 1910, IT CURRENTLY HAS 4 BEDROOMS, 1 BATH, ALL FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, PICTURES ALL STAY!!! HOME IS BEING SOLD “AS-IS”, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET... SELLER IS NOT REMOVING ANYTHING!!! THIS HOME FEATURES BUILT IN SHELVING IN DINING ROOM, ALL APPLIANCES STAY, AS STATED EVERYTHING STAYS THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE HOUSE... LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, EAT IN KITCHEN, INSIDE LAUNDRY ROOM, FRONT PORCH, SIDE PORCH... THERE ARE NO OTHER DISCLOSURES /ADDENDUMS OTHER THAN WHAT IS ATTACHED...GREAT LOCATION, WALK TO DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN!!! ENJOY DINING, SHOPPING, FARMERS MARKET ON SATURDAYS... ZONING IS C-2/GENERAL COMMERCIAL, PROPERTY USE: 1200/STORE/OFFICE/CONVERTED RESIDENTIAL (county). MOTIVATED SELLER!!! ASKING ONLY $249,000

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ING END

— Renee Funk

for our team, because culturally in the past, you don’t typically work remotely with the consumer. …

The consumer has adapted to that as a new way, which has a positive effect on business that we’re actually quite excited for.

“A silver lining is the consumer has now become more open to the adoptions of certain remote technologies, which enables us as Realtors to implement more efficiencies that will benefit both the customer and agents as we move forward — even when we come out on the other side of whatever our new normal will be,” she said.

Although the real-estate industry is deemed an essential service and her team could continue traditional interactions with their clients, Funk said she wants to have every protocol in place for the customer. The company uses 360-degree tours and video walkthroughs, which especially help when buyers cannot go see the homes themselves.

Jane Dunkelberger, a Realtor with UPSIDE Real Estate Group, works primarily with new home construction and vacation homes.

She believes now is a good time for buyers to invest. However, she also has seen mixed responses from agents and sellers.

“Some builders are continuing to build, and some have stopped and are only selling inventory homes,” Dunkelberger said.

“Incentives are good and interest rates are low right now for buyers … but at the same time, I can’t get agents to call me back. I was trying to book showings, and I don’t know if people are afraid to show their houses or agents are afraid to work. Out of five homes that I called to show, only one agent got back to me. … It’s a crazy time to me. You’re either crazy busy or it’s like crickets for you.”

At Clock Tower Realty, Realtor Denise Gregorie said the West Orange market remains busy. She still is conducting showings in person, ensuring both she and her clients wear masks and only she touches surfaces in the homes.

She also has been doing virtual walk-through videos, in which she takes her customers inside and outside the home to make them feel as if they’re walking through the home with her.

“There are a lot of reasons people are moving, and there’s a lot of jobs that are allowing them to continue to move,” Gregorie said. “They’re serious buyers, and they’re coming. I’m doing the virtual walk-through videos that I think are helpful. … They are looking through and getting what they can from what we provide them.”

Gregorie said she has not been holding open houses, but the

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“A silver lining is the consumer has now become more open to the adoptions of certain remote technologies, which enables us as Realtors to implement more efficiencies that will benefit both the customer and agents as we move forward.”

Courtesy Renee Funk

This home at 9237 Taborfield Ave., Orlando, is one of The Funk Collection’s current featured listings.

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While the coronavirus pandemic has halted many facets of the economy, Central Florida’s realestate market currently remains steadfast in the face of it.

According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, Orlando’s housing market in March saw home sales improve by nearly 2% compared to March 2019. Additionally, the median price increased by 8%.

However, ORRA President Reese Stewart said in a press release, it may be another month or two before seeing any solid evidence of the impact COVID-19 has had on the real-estate market.

“Because of the amount of time it traditionally takes a home to move through the transaction process (an average of 37 days in March), the properties that closed in March most likely went under contract sometime in February — before the stock market declines and stay-at-home orders,” he said.

In West Orange, some Realtors have adapted the way they interact with buyers and sellers by using technology for virtual showings and meetings. Others still are showing homes while following CDC recommendations and social-distancing guidelines.

Local Realtor Renee Funk, owner/partner at The Funk Collection, said her team is in a unique situation because it is brokered by eXp Realty, which is cloud-based. On the operational side, eXp Realty has been holding trainings and classes and connecting with team members virtually for years now.

This also has made it easier for their team on the transactional side. A month ago, The Funk Collection began serving its clients with all-virtual showings, buyer consultations, listing appointments and open houses.

“Essentially, nearly the entire transactional process can be handled and facilitated virtually and remotely,” Funk said. “That’s new

REAL ESTATE

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Isleworth estate sells for $5.25 million A home in the Isle-

SUMMERLAKE GROVES

The home at 15397 Murcott Harvest Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 15, for $410,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,686 square feet. The price per square foot is $152.64. Days on market: 24.

worth community

in Windermere topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate

SUMMERPORT

transactions from April

The home at 13918 Caywood Pond Drive, Windermere, sold April 15, for $526,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,680 square feet. The price per square foot is $196.27. Days on market: Two.

9 to 16.

The home at 5506 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold

WATERLEIGH

April 15, for $5.25 million. Built in 1992, it

realtor.com

has six bedrooms, seven

This Isleworth home, at 5506 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere, sold April 15, for $5.25 million. This estate offers lakefront living on Lake Butler.

baths, two half-baths, a

HORIZON WEST

pool and 8,049 square

The home at 11773 Sprawling Oak Drive, Windermere, sold April 13, for $566,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,757 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $150.65. Days on market: 53.

$652.25. Days on market: Zero.

These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.

BLACK LAKE PRESERVE

The home at 14488 Breakwater Way, Winter Garden, sold April 15, for $389,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,842 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $136.88. Days on market: 142.

LOT by Sid Sivakumar; CROSSWORD ROUND Edited by David Steinberg

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 You may make a mark with it 4 Networking goals 7 Rugged 53-Across 11 Order part 15 Ortiz of “Devious Maids” 18 “Who, me?”

19 Letters after a dot, often 20 Took the subway 21 Mass of an average human cell 23 Cook first, as pie crust 25 Entrepreneur Musk 26 Places to stir and fry

stir-fries 27 *Dunkin’ option with a white coating (note: the central black square pattern is a hint to each starred answer) 30 Houses in California and Florida 31 Hardly entertain 32 Composer Satie 35 “Baa” ma 36 “Gimme five!”

39 No. in a work email signature 40 Continued, as a membership

43 Moroccan hat 46 Taken by mouth 48 Thirds of thirds 49 *Piece of jewelry on a Hindu bride’s foot 53 It’s hard to scale 56 In the slightest 57 “Rubyfruit Jungle” author Brown 58 Inventor Nobel 60 Pest or informant 61 Pest or informant 62 Indefinable glow 64 Unite spiritually (with) 65 Champion’s claim 67 Emergency pumps?

INDEPENDENCE

The home at 7212 Broomshedge Way, Winter Garden, sold April 16, for $393,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,973 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $132.19. Days on market: 153.

LATHAM PARK NORTH

The home at 8942 Frodsham Way, Winter Garden, sold April 87 Water feature creature 88 Became threadbare 89 “What’s the ___?” (“Who cares?”)

92 Iron product?

95 “Narcos” org.

97 Turntable speeds, for short 98 Zone 100 Rogue or Escape 106 *World’s biggest machine 110 It’s exciting to take a back seat during one 111 Bert who played a lion 112 Not bottled, like beer 115 How established information is taken 116 Indian or Cajun vegetable 117 Issa of “Insecure” 118 “Baby Blues” girl 119 ___ a precedent 120 Bird’s project 121 Try to find 122 East or west (Abbr.)

123 Peaceful Buddhist state

SNAPSHOT

WINDERMERE TRAILS

Total Sales: 67 High Sale Price: $5.25M Low Sale Price: $114,000

The home at 8732 Iron Mountain Trail, Windermere, sold April 16, for $440,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,385 square feet. The price per square foot is $129.99. Days on market: 78.

9, for $441,500. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,791 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.19. Days on market: 10.

OCOEE

OVERLOOK 2 AT HAMLIN

The home at 15054 Andrew Alley, Winter Garden, sold April 9, for $409,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,466 square feet. The price per square foot is $165.86. Days on market: 36.

37 Black-and-white predator 38 Funeral figure 41 Highway dividers 42 Rough fig.

43 Big party 44 Victorian ___ 45 Bygone alcopop 47 *Means of staying afloat?

49 Of nutrition 50 Full of black gold 51 Their shells look like spirals 52 “Rico Suave” rapper 54 *Morsel for Toucan Sam 55 Manage (for yourself) 59 Most frequent letter in “doodad” 61 Hosts, informally 63 Body spray brand 65 Small amount 66 Midmonth date 72 Take a sly glance 73 Singer Amos 76 Boarding pass datum 78 One who may earn a $1 salary, briefly DOWN 79 Con’s counterpart 1 Troublemaking child 80 Univ. donor, perhaps 2 Negative conjunction 81 Moistens 3 Capital of Ukraine 86 U.S. Census periods 4 “Sorry, too busy” 88 Onetime Chinese military 5 Cellphone brand leader 6 Refined, as ore 89 City north of Austin 7 Paper airplane fold 8 Jamestown colonist John 90 Bold declaration in poker 91 Mathematician with a 9 Hang tinsel on, say famous Last Theorem 10 Kind of salami 93 Passionate 11 Synchronized 94 “Eat ___ Chikin” 12 Starts liking (Clue for middle square: 95 “Symphony No. 9” 13 City in Oklahoma Circular letter) composer 14 Cheese growth 68 April payment 96 Slithery swimmer 15 Childish comeback 69 Classical poetry form 99 Like a toddler at Disney16 Word after Mother or 70 Never ___ moment land, maybe human 71 Sailor’s vessel 101 Songs for one 17 Dutch beer 73 Grow weary 102 Cobra or copperhead 22 Bit of toothpaste 74 Class with smocks 103 Earthy colour 24 *Backboard attachment 75 Demolition remains 104 Mount ___ Health System 28 Obama treasury secretary 77 Like a refreshing beer 105 Bottom feeder?

Jack 79 Aspiring attorney’s track 107 CNN’s Burnett 82 River by the Eiffel Tower 29 Nickname between R 108 Honeycomb site and V 83 *Bit of a whole-grain 109 Rib 32 Puzzle designer Rubik cereal 113 Adversary 33 Limit, with “in” 84 Fix, as a shoe bottom 114 Highest rating, often 34 *Water park ride 85 Drink with honey

BRYNMAR

The home at 3559 Meadow Breeze Loop, Ocoee, sold April 10, for $348,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,870 square feet. The price per square foot is $121.25. Days on market: 106.

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“PXUXWKDMH OZULM TZUU SA LKBA ... KM UXRJ KM TA WKR’H DRBAVMHKRB TPKH LKNAM GAXGUA MX WVDAU HX AKWP XHPAV.”

– LZUXM OXVLKR

“VP UR JRO GJSPXGO OSP PBXOS IXRC RZX BJTPWORXW; VP LRXXRV GO IXRC RZX TSGDUXPJ.”

– TSGPI WPBOODP Puzzle Two Clue: Z equals U

price per square foot is

The home at 16651 Wingspread Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 9, for $393,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,020 square feet. The price per square foot is $194.55. Days on market: 20.

Puzzle One Clue: J equals G

feet of living area. The

HAWKSMOOR

ASHLIN PARK

The home at 9542 Bolero Road, Winter Garden, sold April 13, for $495,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,224 square feet. The price per square foot is $153.54. Days on market: 88.

© 2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

04-23-20

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

CROSS CREEK

WATERFORD POINTE

CROWN POINT

WINDERMERE CLUB

The home at 462 Fern Meadow Loop, Ocoee, sold April 10, for $325,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,966 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $165.31. Days on market: Six.

The home at 2234 Fountain Key Circle, Windermere, sold April 14, for $860,745. Built in 1995, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,343 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $198.19. Days on market: 30.

The home at 2030 Donahue Drive, Ocoee, sold April 13, for $350,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,182 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $160.40. Days on market: 10.

The home at 2103 Butler Bay Drive N., Windermere, sold April 10, for $675,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,265 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $206.74. Days on market: 33.

WINTER GARDEN

MCCORMICK RESERVE

The home at 1368 Garrett Gilliam Drive, Ocoee, sold April 9, for $365,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,856 square feet. The price per square foot is $127.80. Days on market: 66.

This Oakland Park home, at 1033 Colleton Alley, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $660,000. It was the largest transaction in Winter Garden from April 9 to 16.

OCOEE LANDINGS

VILLAGES OF WESMERE

zillow.com

The home at 298 Spruce Pine Road, Ocoee, sold April 10, for $329,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 2,450 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.29. Days on market: 199.

ORCHARD PARK

The home at 1889 Pomegranate Court, Ocoee, sold April 13, for $367,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,856 square feet. The price per square foot is $95.18. Days on market: 140.

The home at 11018 Orangeshire Court, Ocoee, sold April 9, for $373,000. Built in 1994, it has five bedrooms, two baths and 2,478 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.52. Days on market: 22.

OAKLAND PARK

The home at 1033 Colleton Alley, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $660,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,084 square feet. The price per square foot is $214.01. Days on market: Three.

COBBLESTONE OF WINTER GARDEN

TUSCANY

The home at 248 Black Springs Lane, Winter Garden, sold April 9, for $343,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,164 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.50. Days on market: 87.

The home at 13333 Fox Glove St., No. 6, Winter Garden, sold April 13, for $340,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,979 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $171.80. Days on market: One. The home at 1625 Charlemagne Court, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $345,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,233 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.50.

Days on market: 34.

TWINWATERS

FOXCREST

The home at 12819 Keddlestone Lane, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $435,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,846 square feet. The price per square foot is $152.85. Days on market: Two.

The home at 16600 Toccoa Row, Winter Garden, sold April 14, for $492,500. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,840 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $173.42. Days on market: 206.

ISLEWORTH

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

GROVE PARK AT STONE CREST

WINDWARD CAY

The home at 12 Oakdale St., Windermere, sold April 15, for $695,000. Built in 1957, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,480 square feet. The price per square foot is $469.59. Days on market: 48.

The home at 6101 Payne Stewart Drive, Windermere, sold April 16, for $2.2 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-andone-half baths, a pool and 3,832 square feet. The price per square foot is $574.11. Days on market: 430.

The home at 2511 Tryon Place, Windermere, sold April 15, for $438,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,007 square feet of living area.

The price per square foot is $218.24. Days on market: Eight.

The home at 225 Oakdale St., Windermere, sold April 15, for $460,000. Built in 1971, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,065 square feet. The price per square foot is $222.76. Days on market: Four.

The home at 13103 Moro Court, Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $339,900. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,603 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $130.58. Days on market: Five.

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The home at 180 Zachary Wade St., Winter Garden, sold April 10, for $340,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 2,272 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $149.65. Days on market: Four.

MANORS AT BUTLER BAY

NEED SPACE?

IN OCOEE

The home at 11584 Claymont Circle, Windermere, sold April 13, for $691,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,151 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $219.30. Days on market: Four.

LAKEVIEW RESERVE

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 1922 Jean Marie Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 15, for $348,800. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,501 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $139.46. Days on market: One.

11

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The home at 1944 Ibis Bay Court, Ocoee, sold April 13, for $343,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,278 square feet of living area.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR REST OF YEAR Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in a press conference Saturday, April 18, that students will continue with distance learning for the remainder of the school year.

Students have been distance learning since mid-March, when the first round of school closures was announced.

DeSantis said the decision was made after much research and discussion with parents and others around the state.

“There was some differing opinions,” DeSantis said. “Some parents were not interested in their kids going back; (for) some others, it’s been tough around the house and they would have liked to have seen them go back. ... As we looked at the clock and we looked to see how (and) what it would look like, we’ve got the momentum for distance learning. It’s obviously not the ideal situation, but given where we are in the school year, we felt that was the best decision to go forward.”

For news and updates regarding Orange County Public Schools, visit the website, ocps.net, or follow OCPS on Facebook.

OCPS CHANGES GRAB-AND-GO DAYS Food distribution through the Grab-andGo program and office hours for school sites and district offices will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Orange County Public Schools announced.

This is in an effort to keep more individuals at home to reduce exposure to others, officials said. All school sites and district offices will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but employees will continue to work remotely at home on those days and can be reached via email.

The Grab-and-Go sites list is on the district’s website, ocps.net. Meals are given from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children will get meals on Mondays for Tuesdays, and on Wednesdays for Thursdays. Weekend meals will continue to be given on Fridays.

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

12

JESSICA STROUP

WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL West Orange High junior got involved in FFA at SunRidge Middle and has never looked back. She shows sheep both locally and across the country and served as the West Orange High FFA president this school year. Stroup also served this year as treasurer for the Orange County FFA Federation and now is its 2020-21 president-elect.

When and how did you get involved with FFA? I got involved with FFA back in middle school, at SunRidge Middle in sixth grade. I joined but got more involved when my ag teacher asked me to show a lamb my eighth-grade year. Ever since then, I just fell in love. In high school, I became more active, started competing more and became an officer.

What is your favorite FFA memory so far?

It has to be the state convention. We all go just to listen to different inspirational speakers, and we all just have a good time. We can meet new people across the state. You really grow closer together as a family, and you get to find out more things you’re interested in, experience new things with different people and meet new friends.

Why did you want to become president of the Orange County FFA Federation?

From attending the state convention, I just fell in love with the state

REPORT CARD AGE: 17 YEAR: Junior ROLE: West Orange High FFA 2019-20 president; Orange County FFA Federation 2020-21 president-elect

office team, which really inspires everyone around the state. They all make a difference in your life, so I (want to) make that difference at any kind of level. This year I did that at the chapter level. … I just love that feeling of people trying to find their passion for things, and by being on the county level, you get to experience that on a much bigger scale.

What will your role entail?

This year as president, I’ll take more of a direct leadership role through helping my team be the best and best serve our county. I’ll be taking charge and helping my team come up with, run and host events around the county.

What do you love most about FFA? It all goes back to those memories that I’ve made competing at different things with different people. You get to have opportunities that you don’t really get to have in any other organization. By being in FFA, I have found exactly what I want to do in my career, and I feel so much more prepared for what I want to go into.

The best thing about it is just being able to explore those opportunities and make memories with people

that are going to carry on for the rest of my life.

What are some words that you live by?

Something I’ve always lived by is just living each day to the fullest possible. I just live each day to the fullest and keep going.

What do you want to do after high school?

After I graduate high school, I do want to try to run for state office and serve at state level. You basically take a year off of school for that. After that, I plan to go out to a school out of state and work on a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in nutrition and become a livestock nutritionist — hopefully working with the USDA in finding those feeds that the livestock will consume and find the best nutrition for the livestock.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

Do you have an “unsung hero” at your school? If so, please nominate him or her for our Influencer of the Week feature. Nominations can be sent via email to contact@orangeobserver.com.

YEARS OF PREPARING FUTURE LEADERS

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Windermere Prep’s Virtual School Experience Now in Session

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13

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Off-campus assistance Windermere Prep recently donated thousands of masks and gloves to Orlando Health.

Courtesy photos

Windermere Prep emptied out its science labs and donated equipment to Orlando Health.

face mask and how you can make a face mask at home,” Simmons said. “It’s really great having her as a resource. It’s nice, because she is super involved in all of this.”

TUITION PRICES FROZEN, MEALS DELIVERED TO STAFF

The donation of PPE to Orlando Health was the latest in Windermere Prep’s efforts to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic, but the school also

has announced other changes to assist its community.

The school is freezing the tuition for the 2020-21 school year at the 2019-20 pricing.

“Each year, there’s a certain percentage that it will raise, but they decided this year — for the 2020-21 school year — there will be no increase in tuition to offer a little something for our families,” Simmons said. “Right now, we know times are tight, and there is no certainty of what is going to

happen, so we are trying to make it easier for our families.”

Furthermore, the school also has been delivering food weekly to the teachers and staff at their homes. It helps not only those families but also the school’s catering company, Flik.

“We’re trying to take one thing off of their plate, and in doing so that one night, they don’t have to worry about making dinner,” Simmons said of the staff. “And then the other thing is that Flik is the company we use for school lunches. If we weren’t using them, then they would have all this food they had pre-ordered that would go to waste — then they would have to let some of their staff go. So by us using them for these meals, they are able to keep their staff working … so it’s helping the community, too.”

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At Windermere Preparatory School, Dana Conroy — the school’s nurse and administrative assistant — sees a lot of students for a variety of things.

Once the coronavirus arrived, however, the campus fell silent, and Conroy found her attention shifting to develop ideas to help in any way she could. It was the natural response of an individual who has been in the nursing profession for 27 years.

“My background is in emergency room nursing, so as soon as this all happened and we went virtual, (I) as a nurse was all about, ‘What can I do?’ — I can’t just sit back and not help,” Conroy said. “Because I’m still working full time at Windermere Prep, I couldn’t volunteer myself or give commitments to help in hospitals or testing centers, so the next thing was, ‘What can we do to facilitate donations and drives?’”

Conroy realized the middle and high school science labs had a large number of eyewear and personal protective equipment.

In fact, there were thousands of items — including goggles, gloves

and masks — just sitting there, not being used.

With hospitals in dire need of PPE — Conroy had been told that Orlando Health had burned through five months of supplies in less than a week — the logical next step was to reach out to hospitals to get them the equipment.

“It happened really quickly,” Conroy said. “Then it was just a matter of asking teachers — and administrative approval — and then my husband and I went through every science lab and science teacher classroom and cleaned out any kind of goggles, face shields or gloves that we could find.”

Through a contact she had made, the equipment was donated to Orlando Health, where — after being sterilized — it is being used by the respiratory therapists in the ICU. Along with the donated equipment, Conroy also has been running a blog with coronavirus health tips. It’s been a useful tool for many people in the community, said the school’s marketing manager, Summer Simmons.

“Each week, she has been sending out to the Windermere families little flyers and different things on how you wear a

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SPORTS EDITOR

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TROY HERRING

OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

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APRIL 23, 2020

SPORTS

Legacy senior Alyssa Tillman led the way at the plate for the Eagles softball team. Page 16.

Announcing the Observer’s All-Area softball teams

File photo

WOHS’ Bryce Adkinson was among the top hitters for the Warriors.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Although West Orange’s studentathletes have had their year cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic, it doesn’t mean their hard work should not be recognized.

That’s why the Observer is presenting the latest in its series of All-Area teams. This week, we’re honoring the best in softball.

FIRST TEAM

Holly Heath, Windermere High, junior Stats: .400 Avg, .471 OBP, 12 RBIs; 1.28 ERA, 49 IP, 6-2 record, 33 Ks, 1.14 WHIP Quick Hit: Heath was the ultimate double threat for Windermere. She was strong for the Wolverines both in the circle and at the plate and led the team in multiple categories.

Hannah Harper, TFA, sophomore Stats: .511 Avg, .549 OBP, 13 RBIs; 2.20 ERA, 64 IP, 10-2 record, 61 Ks Quick Hit: At the plate, Harper was one of the Royals’ top hitters, while in the circle, she scorched batters by tossing 61 strikeouts.

Ailey Schyck, West Orange, sophomore Stats: .517 Avg, 15 RBIs, 15 hits, two homers, 61 putouts Quick Hit: No one put bat to ball quite like Schyck, who led the team in average, RBIs and homers.

Alyssa Tillman, Legacy Charter, senior Stats: .481 Avg, .533 OBP, five RBIs, 12 runs, 13 hits, eight extrabase hits Quick Hit: The Eagles’ leading hitter (by average and hits), Tillman was a constant threat to reach base throughout the season.

Chrissy Fleming, Windermere High, senior Stats: .500 Avg, .568 OBP, nine RBIs, 14 runs Quick Hit: A leader on a talented Wolverines team, Fleming led her side in average and OBP. Shannon Weems, Olympia, freshman Stats: .607 Avg, 1.00 fielding percentage; 2.23 ERA, 41 Ks. Quick Hit: Weems was the ultimate weapon for Olympia as the freshman hit for a whopping .607 average, held down a perfect fielding percentage and tossed 41 strikeouts from the circle.

SEE ALL-AREA PAGE 16

HOME

RUN

Courtesy photos

Winter Garden’s Birhanu Van Der Riet undertook the ultimate running challenge — a marathon in his own backyard.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

O

n the morning of Monday, April 13, Birhanu Van Der Riet woke up and knew the day was going to be a challenge.

He forced himself out of bed just before 7 a.m., grabbing some water before heading out to the backyard of his family’s Winter Garden home with his younger brother, Mehari — who toted a video camera in his hands.

There, laid out in the backyard, was a running course two-tenths of a mile long that Birhanu Van Der Riet had set up recently. The end goal? Run a full, 26.2-mile marathon.

“The excitement made us just go, without any preparation or anything,” Birhanu Van Der Riet said. “It’s crazy. I was like, ‘Am I doing this?’ I was very excited, but I was like — at the same time — ‘Am I doing this? You know what, let’s go ahead and try it.’”

Birhanu Van Der Riet was inspired after watching some videos on YouTube of people who had attempted to run marathons in their backyards during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The catch here — along with not preparing at all — was that this makeshift run was the first full marathon that Birhanu Van Der Riet had ever attempted. Before his run, the longest he had ever

gone in his running career was 16 miles — a full 10.2 miles short of the mark he needed to reach to be successful.

‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND

There’s no denying that Birhanu Van Der Riet has a knack for running. He’s been doing it for the last six years.

After running 5Ks with his family for fun, Birhanu Van Der Riet was a part of the newly minted cross-country team at Foundation Academy before he graduated and joined the Palm Beach Atlantic University track team as a freshman for the 2019-20 school year.

Despite all that experience and effort, however, nothing could have prepared him for the most challenging run he had ever undertaken.

Starting was relatively easy, but about halfway through, the challenge increased. The first point of contention? The course itself.

“We have about five acres, but it’s bad — it’s sandy, and it’s not even,” Birhanu Van Der Riet said.

“You can’t avoid some of the uneven surfaces that I had to go through. My feet were hurting really bad, because of the uneven surface.”

Along with the varying surfaces that required more effort with every step, the simple act of running in circles proved to be exhausting both physically and mentally.

To hit 26.2 miles on a 2/10-mile track, Birhanu Van Der Riet had to

run 131 laps.

“It’s tough — it was going around and around, and watching my watch,” Birhanu Van Der Riet said. “It’s just a loop after loop, and it is just kind of boring. The time doesn’t go fast — it’s just doing the same thing over and over.”

By the 18th mile, Birhanu Van Der Riet’s body began to give up on him. It was past 10 a.m., and the sun and heat were kicking in.

Two miles later — at mile 20 — Birhanu Van Der Riet’s other younger brother, Cole, appeared at just the right time to give him the boost he needed.

“My little brother — he brought me an ice cold water and sprayed it on me every time I passed — and he gave me something to drink,” Birhanu Van Der Riet said. “He was a hero — because of him, I was able to finish. He woke up at the right time when I needed the help and encouragement.

“Toward the end, I don’t know what happened, but something in my nerve said, ‘Oh, this is the end,’ and suddenly I woke up from my sleep,” he said. “Even though I was about to collapse, I suddenly woke up.”

The physical pain still was there as Birhanu Van Der Riet continued to the finish line, but his mood shifted dramatically. His feet pounded away at the earth underneath him as his family cheered him on — watching him cross the finish line.

SEE MAKESHIFT PAGE 16

“The mentality is so tough, I will tell you.

Even if people say, ‘I’ll give you $1,000 to do that again,’ I would never do it again.”

— Birhanu Van Der Riet

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

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

Alyssa Tillman A senior at Legacy Charter High, Alyssa Tillman has been a member of the varsity team since her freshman year. Over the last four years, Tillman has grown into one of the bedrocks of the team — leading the Eagles in batting average, hits and extra-base hits in a shortened senior season.

When did you first get into softball?

I started playing when I was 5, and it was all my dad’s doing.

My dad played softball all of his life, and I have four older sisters, and he just kind of all put them into softball when they could (play). I was just the next up-and-coming gal for him.

Makeshift marathon success CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

After four-and-one-half hours, Birhanu Van Der Riet had conquered his backyard marathon, but the celebration was short lived — he was too tired to do much celebrating, he said.

“My brothers had to carry me — I had to hop on their shoul-

ders, and they just carried me inside,” Birhanu Van Der Riet said. “I couldn’t even stand for a shower; I just hopped into the pool and got out and went to nap. After that, I was slowly recovering.”

A week removed from the marathon, the pain is still fresh in Birhanu Van Der Riet’s mind.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Legacy Charter High YEAR: Senior AGE: 18 SPORT: Softball POSITION: Catcher, third base

Legacy, I was never a catcher, so I never had to be the leader on the field. I always kind of did what I had to do — I was never a team captain. I wouldn’t say I was quiet, but I was just playing my game, so Legacy kind of forced me to become a voice on the team because I had to be in that catcher’s position.

What has been your favorite thing about playing at Legacy?

My favorite thing would be the coach — Coach Katie (Katherine Barnard). I’ve never really had a coach like her. My dad has always been my coach, but I don’t know, she is kind of like your friend and your coach all wrapped up into one, and I’ve never had that before. And obviously all the girls — getting to know people from my school better.

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

(Coach Barnard) telling me to get out of my own head. I would take on so much anxiety during games, and I would have to have a time out so I could get myself together. She was just kind of like, “You know I love this sport — it’s a passion of mine, too — so I know how you feel, but at the end of the day, it’s just a game.”

What is your favorite thing about playing catcher? The most challenging thing?

I like being in the catcher’s position, because it kind of gives me control — I’m kind of a control freak on the field sometimes. It’s having that control and being a part of every play. But I guess you could say that is also the most challenging part — being a part of every single play.

Is there a favorite memory — or memories — for you during your playing time at Legacy?

Every single season, we have had a pattern of losing and winning. We would go through an entire period losing games, and then after that an entire period of winning. I think the games where we finally got back into the winnings streak — where it was one win after a series of losses — was the best feeling. Every single game is a constant battle and a constant fight every inning, so just finally walking away from one of those games with a win, I think I’ll always remember that feeling.

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

I would say the whole leadership thing, because until

— TROY HERRING

Family.

Family.

Athlete of the Week Sponsored by...

All-Area softball CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Sophia Smith, Foundation Academy, seventh grade Stats: .500 Avg, five RBIs; 2.41 ERA, 3-1 record, 21 Ks, 20.1 IP Quick Hit: Although Smith hit for .500 at the plate, it was in the circle where Smith dominated — leading the team in ERA, pitching record, strikeouts and innings pitched.

Faith Campopiano, Windermere High, senior Stats: .385 Avg, .485 OBP, 12 RBIs; 1.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 12.2 IP, 2-0 record, 16 Ks Quick Hit: Campopiano was a big-time weapon for Windermere. She not only hit well but also dominated in the circle for the Wolverines.

Mariana Alemany, TFA, senior Stats: .455 Avg, .489 OBP, 16 RBIs, two HR Quick Hit: All around, Alemany was one of the most dominant hitters in the area — picking up a staggering 16 RBIs and .455 average through just 12 games.

SECOND TEAM

Jordan Hartman, Dr. Phillips, junior Stats: .429 Avg, .571 OBP, 10 RBIs, nine runs; 4.69 ERA, 2-1 record, nine appearances, 54 strikeouts, 34.1 IP Cameryn Orland, Olympia, junior Stats: .628 Avg, .917 fielding percentage Mollie Duling, TFA, freshman Stats: .467 Avg. .585 OBP, 11-11 on stolen bases Camille Mackedon, TFA, sophomore Stats: .462 Avg, .489 OBP, 15 RBIs, 2 HR Lexi King, Windermere Prep, eighth grade Stats: 3.45 ERA, 58 IP, 3-3 record, 81 Ks, one shutout

Troy Herring

Olympia’s Cameryn Orland put up an impressive .628 batting average.

Meredith Workman, Windermere Prep, junior Stats: .565 Avg, five RBIs, 10 stolen bases Aliyah Headen, Dr. Phillips, senior Stats: .474 Avg, seven RBIs, 13 runs Sarah Vance, Foundation Academy, sixth grade Stats: .538 Avg, six RBIs, 11 runs Bryce Adkinson, West Orange, senior Stats: .484 Avg, nine RBIs, 15 hits

THIRD TEAM

Cassidy Mills, Dr. Phillips, junior Stats: .440 Avg, six RBIs, 12 runs, nine stolen bases in nine attempts Camryn Siemer, West Orange, senior Stats: .444 Avg, five RBIs, two extra-base hits, nine stolen bases in nine attempts Zoie Pistel, Olympia, junior Stats: .555 Avg, .900 fielding percentage.

Riley Fromberg, West Orange, senior Stats: 3.83 ERA, 4-3 record, one complete game, one perfect game, one save, 21 strikeouts Natalia Velez, Windermere High, senior Stats: .433 Avg, .500 OBP, 13 runs

Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

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Raya Meredith, Legacy Charter, sophomore Stats: .353 Avg, seven RBIs, 13 runs; 6.59 ERA, 2-3 record, 40 strikeouts Brianna Smith, Ocoee, freshman Stats: .478 Avg, eight RBIs, two runs; 2.80 ERA, 21 Ks, 20 IP Madison Workman, Windermere Prep, junior Stats: .525 Avg, seven RBIs, eight stolen bases

HONORABLE MENTION

Gaby Lindsey, Ocoee, sophomore Stats: .435 Avg, nine RBIs, eight runs Brooke Pruim, Legacy Charter, junior Stats: .412 Avg, .444 OBP, seven RBIs, three extra-base hits Katie Bonnett, TFA, junior Stats: .463 Avg. .511 OBP, eight RBIs Emma Koehler, West Orange, freshman Stats: 3.00 ERA, 2-1 record, one save, seven strikeouts Piper Hofmann, Windermere Prep, freshman Stats: .350 Avg, nine RBIs, six extra-base hits, six stolen bases

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The marathon makes for a great story, but don’t expect history to repeat itself, Birhanu Van Der Riet said.

“The mentality is so tough, I will tell you,” Birhanu Van Der Riet said. “Even if people say, ‘I’ll give you $1,000 to do that again,’ I would never do it again.”

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OBSERVER

James M. “Jimmy” Pitchford went home to be with his Lord on Monday, April 13, 2020, at Inspired Living Ocoee. He was born Feb. 4, 1926, in Scottsville, Kentucky, to Roy R. Pitchford and Frances E. Hall.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Bowling Green College of Commerce with an accounting degree, where he met Jean Reddick, of Winter Garden. After they married in 1948, he earned his MBA at the University of Florida. They settled in Tildenville, living above Reddick’s Market where, after a year with the W.O. Daley Accounting firm in Orlando, he joined his father-inlaw, J.S. Reddick, in the grocery business. He learned that sitting behind a desk wasn’t for him.

He and Jean built their home in 1953, on North Dillard Street in Winter Garden. In 1960, he left the partnership and created J&F Supermarkets, Inc. Over the years, he, along with fam-

Robert Rutherford (Laura Rutherford); and her granddaughter, Emily Rutherford, who was the light of her life during the last two decades of her life. The Rutherfords live in Ocoee.

Elizabeth, who went by “Betty” for the first 65 years of her life, worked as a bank teller for many years, then worked as a teachers aid at Hiawassee Elementary for 20 years, retiring at age 65. She also worked at Sylvan Learning Center for many years.

No services are planned at the present time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but she will be cremated at Woodlawn Cemetery and her remains will be placed next to her husband there.

A memorial will be planned for some time in the not-too-distant future.

ELIZABETH S. RUTHERFORD DIED SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020.

Elizabeth S. Rutherford, aged 94, passed away April 12, 2020, at Health Central Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Winter Garden of natural causes. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard Rutherford; her parents, Miriam and Alden Eslby; and her brother and sister, John Eslby and Mary Burkhardt.

Elizabeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She is survived by her son,

Let us tell the story

17

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

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ily and dedicated employees, was able to build a small chain of Ready Market convenience stores throughout Central Florida and two supermarkets. He was grateful to the Winter Garden Development Company for giving him the opportunity to build his first supermarket, Jimmy’s Thriftway, on Plant Street in 1965.

He was a longtime member of Oakland Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon, elder and a founding member of the Men’s Prayer Breakfast. He was a past president of the Winter Garden Rotary Club and a recipient of The Paul Harris Fellow and was bestowed the honor of Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky. In addition, he was

a Director of Certified Grocers Inc., in Ocala; president of the Florida Retail Grocers Association; a longtime member of Gator Boosters, Inc.; former member of the Bull Gator Club; and a founding member of the West Orange Country Club. He was a member of the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge #165 and the Scottish Rite Orlando.

He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and playing golf. He was a people person who loved life. His unique and infectious laugh will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his daughters, Jill Pitchford-Dunn (Larry Dunn), Jeanne Pitchford and Kim Dannenberg (Wayne); his grandchildren, James P. “Jimmy” Dunn (Jennie) and Erin J. Pearce (Bryan); his great-grandchildren, Taylor and Darby Dunn, and Ethan and Avery Pearce; and his loving caregiver, Trish Britton. His celebration of life will be held at Oakland Presbyterian Church at a later date.

DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory West Orange was in charge of arrangements.

JAMES M. “JIMMY” PITCHFORD DIED MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020.

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Thursday, April 23, 2020

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

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

TOGETHER, WE CAN POWER THROUGH THIS CRISIS. Reliable energy is always important, but never more so than now as we navigate this challenging time together.

We’re also determined to help our customers, especially those who may be facing unusual financial hardships.

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Reducing residential May bills by nearly 21%

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No fees for late payments or returned checks

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Providing financial support to food banks and community action groups across Florida

We encourage customers to pay their bills promptly to avoid building up a large balance and to contact us for assistance with a bill payment plan. We’ll continue to evaluate our policies as this situation evolves. As a part of this community and a provider of an essential service, we’re standing together with you throughout this pandemic.

For information on what Duke Energy is doing to assist customers and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit dukeenergyupdates.com or call 800.700.8744.

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