04.25.19 The Observer

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Observer

Bridgewater celebrates 2019 Heritage Night. SEE 3.

WINDERMERE • HORIZON WEST • DR. PHILLIPS • BAY HILL

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VOLUME 4, NO. 31

Eggs-citing times It didn’t take long for children to grab tens of thousands of eggs at Easter celebrations throughout the area.

SEE PAGES 8-9.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

Shops now open at new plaza Three Windermere Village tenants already are up and running, with more projected to be open by June.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

Three businesses have opened their doors in the newest Horizon West-area shopping center, Windermere Village, but there are many more on the way.

The $20 million, 10-acre project — located next to WinSEE PLAZA PAGE 4

Tommy De La Cruz, 2, had fun playing with bubbles before the Easter egg hunt began.

SPORTS

Staff photos

Two-year-old Avril Sanchez takes a moment check out her Easter eggs.

Left: Kailey and Tyler Kwong were proud of their egg-filled baskets.

The town of Windermere and Windermere Rotary Club are exploring the possibility of building an outdoor pavilion for events.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Some town residents may argue the town of Windermere has long had a need for a formal place to host outdoor events.

Now, the town is hoping to PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81

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Postal Customer

address that.

For years, the idea to construct an outdoor pavilion has been brought up by the Downtown Business Committee, but it never moved forward because of the unknown future location for the town’s new facilities, said Windermere Council Member Chris Sapp, who also serves as the council’s Downtown Business SEE ROTARY PAGE 4

Emily Whitt named to national lacrosse team.

SEE PAGE 11.

YOUR TOWN

EDUCATION

Town, Rotary collaborating on outdoor pavilion project

PRIME TIME

NEHRLING TO HOST EVENT

GLOBAL STUDIES Windermere Prep’s Kaylan Patel wins Florida State Geography Bee for the second time.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 7.

Nehrling Gardens in Gotha will host its annual Corks, Caladiums & Canvases from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Stroll through the Gardens at sunset while sampling wines and food from regions of the world where the plants of Nehrling Gardens originated. View artists at work, with original art for purchase at our auction. There will be live music, a silent auction and more.

Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door; 21 and older. For more information, call (407) 445-9977 or visit nehrlinggardens.org.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25

YOUR CALENDAR

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

WINTER GARDEN WINE WALK 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 25, starting at the Winter Garden Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. Wine tastings, food pairings, shopping and more are part of this event that takes place at more than a dozen designated tasting locations along historic Plant Street.

Hosted by the Garden Choir.

Tickets are $15 for food only and $35 for wine and food and are available at Eventbrite.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

IRONMEN OF GOD COFFEE 7 to 8 a.m. Friday, April 26, above Axum Coffee, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Join with other Christians in this independent men’s ministry focused on serving the men in the community.

IronMenofGod.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, 125 N. Lakeview Ave. Finding the Lost Sheep Ministry and FUMC are hosting the dinner, which includes a silent auction. There is no cost, but donations will be accepted. (407) 656-1135.

HAPCO WINE AND DINE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Oakland Town Center, 221 N. Arrington St. Hosted by HAPCO Music Foundation, the event is a fundraiser for local arts-in-the-classroom programs. Guests can enjoy music, unlimited wine and food by Chef Anthony Fothergill. Tickets are $50 to $75 and are available at Eventbrite.com.

NEHRLING GARDENS CORKS, CALADIUMS & CANVASES 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Nehrling Gardens, 2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha. Stroll through the gardens at sunset while sampling wines & food from regions of the world where the plants of Nehrling Gardens originated.

View artists at work with original art for purchase at the auction. There will be live music, a silent auction and a gift shop to purchase caladium plants. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door, for guests 21 and older.

(407) 445-9977, info@nehrlinggardens.org.

WORLD TAI CHI AND QIGONG DAY 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando.

Celebrate with Sifu Al Aki. Class will include breathing exercises, standing meditation and healing exercises. Sifu Al Aki is certified by Tai Chi Healthways and has more than 10 years of experience. No prior experience needed. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes (flat soles, no sandals). Chairs provided if needed.

Ages 13 and up. Reservation required at (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

10TH ANNUAL RUN FOR THE ROSES 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at The Pines of Windermere, 3409 Maguire Road, Windermere. The Kentucky Derby-themed party is hosted by the West Orange Junior Service League and includes food and drinks, casino gaming tables, horse racing, a hat contest and silent auction.

Tickets are $100 and available at eventbrite.com.

TOWN HALL MEETING ON HOMELESSNESS 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge, 700 N. Ninth St., Winter Garden.

Matthew’s Hope is hosting a public town-hall discussion on homelessness in our community. Hear some do’s and don’ts, learn about the growing problem and discover what role the public can play in making a difference.

RSVP to (407) 905-9500 or Kaylen@MatthewsHopeMinistries.org.

SOUTHWEST ART CLUB: PAINTING WITH FOSSILS 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Enjoy this step-by-step workshop using mixed media to create a colorful base with rich textures, adding stencil designs and fossils made from air-dry clay. No art experience needed. Ages 18 and up. Space is limited.

Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

RISE: CONVERSATIONS ON RACE & UNITY 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Roper Co-Op Ballroom, 146 W. Plant St., Suite 210, Winter Garden. This communitywide event is hosted by Oasis Church Winter Garden and facilitated

by Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute. It will provide a safe space to focus on our shared humanity with an exploration of race, privilege, bias, systems of privilege and oppression, and practical application.

Refreshments included. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at bit.ly/2ZteYCD. (407) 905-4931.

Developer proposes 600 apartments, short-term rental units on 37.8 acres GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

A 37.8-acre site in southwest Orange County was the subject of an Orange County community meeting Monday, April 22, at Bridgewater Middle School.

The vacant property — located on the east side of Avalon Road, south of Hartzog Road, north of Arrowhead Boulevard, and west of Vista Del Lago Boulevard — is currently divided into two parcels.

And BTI Partners LLC, a realestate developer based in Fort Lauderdale and the property owners, seeks to develop the site with either 600 short-term rental units, 600 apartments, or a mix of 300 short-term rental units and 300 apartments, said David Evans, of Evans Engineering Inc., applicant for the development proposal.

“It’s pretty early in the process, and the owners are still trying to figure out what they want to do, but once their plans start to evolve there will be a lot more information available,” Evans said. “So it would be either 600 short-term rental units, 600 apartments or 300 each. It’ll just be a financial decision based on market studies, and they’ll see what works best for that piece of property.”

The property owners have requested a Future Land Use Map amendment to develop the property, currently desig-

SCHEDULE

TRANSMITTAL HEARINGS Local Planning Agency: June 20 County Commission: July 16 ADOPTION HEARINGS Local Planning Agency: Oct. 17 County Commission: Nov. 12

nated Growth Center-Planned Development-Commercial/ Low-Medium Density Residential and Growth CenterPlanned Development-LowMedium Density Residential.

The request is to change the designation to Growth Center-Planned DevelopmentCommercial/Medium Density Residential.

The development would have on-site parking and two access points: one on Hartzog Road and one on Avalon Road, Evans said. At this stage of the project planning process, it is still unknown what type of apartments the developer would choose to build and how much the full construction would cost as the development plan is still to be decided, he added.

Assuming the approval process goes according to schedule, it’s estimated the project would be completed in 2021, Evans said.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

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Cellist Analiese Myers, seventh grade, performed with Bridgewater’s orchestra.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

W

est Orange residents didn’t need tickets to Epcot to enjoy a trip around the world Thursday, April 18 — the night when Bridgewater Middle School took guests on a cultural adventure at its Heritage Night. The event featured plenty of authentic cuisines, trinkets and demonstrations from many countries and cultures. In addition, the night featured performances from the school’s orchestra, Central Florida Irish Dancers and much more.

— MICHAEL ENG

Wanessa Fagundes wowed the crowd with her beautiful Brazilian costume.

Left: Sixth-grader Victoria Velazquez, left, learned how to crochet from Lisa McClure-Donnelly.

Daniel Fernandez and Mariosca Hernandez loved serving authentic Venezuelan cuisine to Heritage Night attendees.

Right: Adalyn Bradley, 6, was the youngest dancer to perform with Central Florida Irish Dancers.

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

Horizon West family recovers lost dog Nate Bullock’s family dog, Hank, spent nearly a day in another person’s care. In that time, that person had Hank shaved and gave a false address to the groomer.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

It was a stressful 20 hours for the Horizon West family who nearly lost their 70-pound golden doodle named Hank.

Not knowing where a beloved furry family member has gone can be scary, especially when the circumstances surrounding their disappearance start to become suspicious.

Nate Bullock, a Lakes of Windermere resident, was leading a normal day working at home before he realized his dog was missing. At first, Bullock wasn’t too concerned, but as time passed and Hank was still a no-show, he and his family grew worried.

“He had a little bit of a digging problem before, but it wasn’t anything too crazy, and he hadn’t dug anything for a year,” Bullock said.

“So, obviously, it didn’t cross my mind that he would dig under the fence and fit his fat body through the hole.

“So I’m working in my home office, I get up to go pick up my kids and notice my dog’s not around,” he said. “I don’t initially freak out, because he’s still a puppy and the gate doesn’t latch well, so he’s gotten out a few

times, but he kind of just goes to the same places to visit his little neighborhood friends. But after a while, when I hadn’t heard from anybody after putting a lost-dog notice on NextDoor, we started to get worried.”

The family began searching around the neighborhood for Hank, hoping someone had him and had not yet looked at NextDoor, hoping there was an explanation.

It wasn’t until Bullock received a call that night from a local groomer who had seen his NextDoor post that Bullock started to get suspicious. The groomer informed him that people brought Hank into his shop and had Hank completely shaved.

“I was growing his hair out so he looked really fluffy, and she said, ‘Somebody brought your dog in this afternoon and had him completely shaved down,’” Bullock said. “So that kind of freaked me out, and she added they were very suspicious about the person who brought him in, because they were acting funny and kept insisting he was a stray. But once we got him to the back, the other groomers could immediately tell he wasn’t a stray. So they were suspicious and decided to get the information of

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET Winter Garden Police Department Captain Scott Allen advised that dog owners chip their dog and contact their local police department if it seems their dog has been stolen.

“They need to contact the police department as soon as possible,” Allen said. “But I’d add that it’s in the owner’s best interest to have their pets chipped, because we’ve had situations where it’s difficult to prove ownership of an animal. But they definitely need to call us.”

Anyone who attempts to steal someone else’s animal may be charged with theft as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of the animal, he said. Shaving a stolen dog may be done to change the appearance of the dog and reduce the likelihood

the folks who brought the dog just to contact them at a later date in case someone came in looking for the dog.”

The following morning, Bullock headed straight to the

the dog would be recognized from a lost-and-found notice.

“Ultimately, they would be charged according to the value of the dog,” Allen said.

“Let’s say a dog got loose and you found him but don’t try to find the rightful owner, you could be charged. You could also be charged with just the theft of the animal itself. And the charge could range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the circumstances.”

grooming salon to obtain the information of the people who had brought in his dog. He found it strange they had decided to shave him within the three hours they had had Hank — but hoped

it was all just a misunderstanding.

However, the address they’d given was fake, causing Bullock to contact the police.

“When I found that out, I called the (Orange County) Sheriff’s Office and told them the situation and asked them to send someone, because I figured something was going on,” he said. “There was a phone number on the card, too, so we called the number, but no one picked up, and I left a voicemail message.”

Twenty minutes later, the person who had Hank returned his call and complained about the vet bills. But Bullock thought it sounded suspicious and suspected he was being extorted and insisted the man simply return Hank.

Bullock finally got his dog back after meeting with the man at a nearby Starbucks. The man told Bullock he had already renamed Hank to ‘Buddy Love’ but had planned on making lost-andfound notices. In the end, Bullock was just grateful to get his dog returned to his family.

“I’m just glad we got him back, because that whole situation was very freaking weird,” Bullock said. “My big lesson from this is, you know, I did not have him chipped, but I should have taken care of that a long time ago and not procrastinated on it because this whole thing could have been avoided.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

Plaza tenants begin to open CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

dermere High School, on the northeast corner of County Road 535 and Ficquette Road — consists of three one-story buildings comprising about 50,000 square feet.

This includes outdoor seating and a central park area with a covered pavilion.

The plaza will be anchored by Fresh Market, which signed on in early 2017. The 21,000-squarefoot building’s shell is up, and it is moving forward as planned. Nicole Chabot, public relations coordinator for The Fresh Market, said that the grocer’s opening is currently slated for early 2020.

“We’ve got nothing but great reviews on our architecture,” said Marc Skorman, developer for Windermere Village. “We went above and beyond and tried to make it very compatible with the neighborhood. We created that park in the center that can be used for certain types of events or a kids’ playground while they buy ice cream and hang out. We tried to make a shopping center that’s really neighborhood friendly. …

We wanted a center that would function as a neighborhood fun center, not just putting in the typical fast food and drugstores.”

So far, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Paramount Urgent Care and Windermere Village Dental Care are up and running. But, there is still more to come.

“In one building, we have Agave

“We went above and beyond and tried to make it very compatible with the neighborhood. … We tried to make a shopping center that’s really neighborhood friendly.”

— Marc Skorman

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Community Editor / Amy Quesinberry, amyq@OrangeObserver.com News Editor / Gabby Baquero, gbaquero@OrangeObserver.com Sports Editor / Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Danielle Hendrix, dhendrix@OrangeObserver.com Staff Writer / Eric Gutierrez, egutierrez@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Michael Eng

Three tenants now are open Windermere Village, with more scheduled to come online in the coming months.

Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com

Azul, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Venetian Nail Spa, Juan Valdez Café and Clean Juice,” Skorman said.

“We’re signing a lease with a pizza and wings place, and then a French breakfast and lunch café. In the other building, we have BurgerFi, Windermere Village Dental and HUMBL, which is going to be great.

(We also have) Paramount Urgent Care, and then we have a specialty (cosmetic treatment) doctor.

“We hand-picked every tenant,” Skorman said. “We knew with the population and the school the type of use. We tried to have healthy options for people to eat and also have a place where they don’t have to go all the way to Sand Lake Road to have dinner or some of the things they want. It’s really been an outstanding property.”

Through social media, Agave Azul representatives said construction/buildout is beginning soon, but there is not yet a set opening date.

Clean Juice, a smoothie and juice shop, is close to opening. Representatives said the juice bar will be opening this month, although no set date has been announced.

Venetian Nail Spa is set to open this summer.

Most recently, celebrity vegan chef Matthew Kenney announced his new restaurant, HUMBL. This will be HUMBL’s first location, although the fast-casual, plant-based restaurant also will open a location in the food hall in Orlando’s Yard at Ivanhoe early next year. HUMBL’s menu features 100% fresh, all-natural ingredients. The plant-based chef behind the concept owns more than 25 restaurants worldwide, and he joins HUMBL co-founders and managing principals Paul Mascia and Eric Koeser as the culinary partner.

HUMBL’s menu includes pizza, salads, burgers, bowls, fries, milkshakes, soft-serve ice cream, grab-

and-go lunch options and breakfast — which is served all day.

What’s more, for every meal purchased, HUMBL will donate a meal to a child in need through partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Kids Around the World. Additionally, HUMBL will utilize sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging and practices. It is set to open in June.

Many of the tenants are keeping customers up to date on timelines and projected openings via social media, but Skorman also suggests driving by the plaza to check out their progress.

“Just drive by,” he said. “The ice cream place is open, and there’s a line every day. I’ve never seen such activity. After these events at the school, there’s a line of people waiting to have ice cream, and that’s only one place open.

Between now and June, (most) everything is going to be opening.”

Terri Hope, thope@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Tony Trotti, ttrotti@orangeobserver.com Customer Service Representative Katie Rehm, krehm@orangeobserver.com

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Rotary, town spearhead pavilion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Committee liaison.

Now that the site for the town facilities is settled, the downtown committee and Rotary Club of Windermere hope to make some progress on the future pavilion, which would be located at the site that currently holds the town’s community center on Fifth and Forest streets, Sapp said.

“An event pavilion of this sort has been brought up at Downtown Business Committee meetings as an idea for future projects for, I’d say, a couple of years now,” he said.

“It’s kind of been kicked around, but it’s never been really heavily explored, because we didn’t know where the town facilities were going to be. A natural place for it would be where the community center is … that dilapidated building on Fifth and Forest.

“So when the council chose to build the facilities where they currently are, I brought it up again at the DBC meeting as something to move forward, and then, coin-

CORRECTION

cidentally enough, (Rotary Club representative) Byron (Sutton), had approached (Windermere Town Manager) Robert (Smith) about doing a project in time for the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Club,” Sapp said. “And their idea was to do a gazebo that could host some entertainment and things like that.”

Smith suggested Sapp and Sutton collaborate on the project, which is still in its infancy, Sapp said.

The pair then formed a subcommittee comprising representatives from the DBC, Rotary Club, Long Range Planning Committee, Public Works Department and a town resident to work on the logistics.

“Essentially, what we’re looking to do is make a multi-use event pavilion,” Sapp said. “It could be something someone wants to rent for an event, but more importantly, it’s to be used for a lot of the town events we have. At this point, we have to rent stages out every time we have live music. We also have

to rent porta-potties every time we do an event, because the community center only has two bathrooms. So this would also help us have some more toilets to use for events and, potentially, a concession stand of sorts. … It would also give us an opportunity to create other type of events, too.”

The intention is to demolish the community center, which is rarely used because it is “aged, does not meet current standards and has airborne musty odors,” according to town documents.

The estimated cost of demolition and construction of the outdoor event pavilion is unknown at this stage, but it likely will be paid

with committee funds and money fundraised by the Rotary Club of Windermere, Sapp said.

During the April 9 Windermere Town Council meeting, town leaders agreed to hire Hunton Brady Architects to create a conceptual design drawing, which the firm agreed to do at no charge.

“It’s a project that the downtown business committee would be more than willing to take on,” Sapp said. “It could be something that’s handled in a couple of years or five years, we don’t know at this point. I know the Rotary Club wants to get it done in the next year or so, but we don’t know the estimated cost of it yet.”

“Essentially, what we’re looking to do is make a multi-use event pavilion. It could be something someone wants to rent for an event, but more importantly, it’s to be used for a lot of the town events we have.”

— Chris Sapp, Windermere Town Council

In the April 18 edition, the story, “Windermere accused of violating town charter,” misidentified a source as Ernest Schretzmann-Myers. The source’s name is Ernest Myers. We regret the error.

Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

Scholarships helping send teen to music school The Windermere Town Council also surprised L.T. and his mother at the council meeting with $1,000 from the Windermere Police Department Foundation. This charity was established in 2014 after the death of Officer Robbie German to benefit Windermere residents, as well as employees and families of the police department.

“They had told me (about) the first one … but the second scholarship from the foundation came completely out of left field,” L.T. said. “It was very surprising. I’ve been helping out with the foundation for a long time. My mom is a part of it, and a lot of times I help out.”

Lori Sipek, a single mother who is employed by the Windermere Police Department, calls the scholarships a Godsend.

“It really helps out, because without these opportunities he wouldn’t be able to attend this college,” she said. “As a single parent who was in the military,

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

L.T. Sipek has been accepted into Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, and now he must find a way to pay for his education.

The West Orange High School senior is depending on scholarships to assist him in obtaining his degree in music education and has received two recently that will help get him there.

Both were awarded to L.T. at the April 9 Windermere Town Council meeting — but the second one came as a surprise to the Winter Garden family. Anne McDonough, representing the Windermere Arts, presented a $1,000 scholarship that will increase annually over the next four years, L.T. said.

He entertained guests at the March fine art show on his tuba.

At his feet, he had placed his open instrument case for anyone who felt led to make a donation. His accompanying sign read: “Support heavy metal — donate here.”

a lot of the opportunities to do things like Florida Prepaid we couldn’t do because we didn’t live in Florida.”

Florida Southern, a private college, has awarded a music scholarship to L.T. worth $27,000 per semester, Sipek said, but other education costs not covered will run about $15,000 per semester.

“This is his dream, and I’m doing what I can for him,” Sipek said. “He’s doing what he can, too.”

L.T. is grateful for the support he has received and is looking for opportunities this summer to play his tuba so he can contribute to the costs of college. After college, he plans to teach music or give music lessons while attending law school.

The musician also plays the sousaphone in the West Orange High Warrior Band and bass trombone in the school’s jazz band.

Courtesy photo

L.T. Sipek and his mother, Lori Sipek, left, were surprised with two college scholarships at a recent Windermere Town Council meeting. He will attend Florida Southern College after graduation. At right is Anne McDonough, who presented the scholarship from Windermere Arts.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

DP thespians to present ‘A Bright Room Called Day’ The play, which will be performed April 26 to 28 at Dr. Phillips High School, takes place in 1930s Germany and 1980s America.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

IF YOU GO

Dr. Phillips High School theater students will be transporting audiences to 1930s Germany and 1980s America with their upcoming production, “A Bright Room Called Day.” The production, which will be performed Thursday, April 25, to Sunday, April 28, at the Dr. Phillips High School Studio Theatre, tells two parallel stories as it follows the lives of two women during a time of political upheaval in their respective countries.

The two lead characters will be performed by juniors Natalie Carvalho, who will play Agnes Eggling, and Roma Zizza, who will play Zillah Katz during the twohour play.

“The story is based around Agnes in her apartment and her friends, but we do also see other characters come in who kind of represent the future and the past of what Agnes is going through,” Carvalho said. “So the present is Agnes’s apartment and her life right now, and it’s all taking place in the 1930s, when Hitler is rising to power in Berlin, Germany. And so, we see how these characters from different ways of life and different countries deal with Hitler’s reign in their personal and

‘A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY’ WHEN: 7 p.m. April 25 to 27; 3 p.m., April 28 WHERE: Dr. Phillips High Studio Theatre, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando TICKETS: Teachtix.com/ dphs/a-bright-room-calledday PHONE: (407) 353-6919

social life. And then we see Zillah in 1980s America during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.”

Zizza said the play’s heavy history required both her and Carvalho to take a few history lessons before learning the lines to gain more context of the play’s setting .

“The show basically parallels what happened in Berlin before the unfortunate events of the Nazis taking over and the Holocaust,” Zizza said. “And so, it sort of compares it to Ronald Reagan’s administration in America in the 1980s, and how that was just kind of the start of a new era in America. It’s very interesting.”

Both Carvalho and Zizza believe the play is unique because of how the stage is arranged and set is designed. The set uses several antiques for decoration, includ-

Courtesy of Luke Timmel

Santiago Sepulveda as Vealtnic Husz, Aneesa Lejiste as Annabella Gotchling, Sophia Flint as Paulinka Erdnuss, and Natalie Carvahlo as Agnes Eggling.

ing a fan from the 1930s, they said.

“It’s an experience that you’re not going to get anywhere else,” Carvalho said. “The way that we designed the set is intended to be very immersive. We have audience members on all four sides, so you feel like you’re almost invading these characters’ privacy. So it’s a pretty intimate experience, and I feel like it’s something that people need to see, because politics becomes such a heavy topic

that many don’t really want to talk about, and this play puts that into perspective. It shows how people are affected by the political changes that happen in government.”

Zizza added the play was chosen by their director because of its relevance to today’s political climate.

“Our director, Sarah Clark, told us that there are certain things that need to be said and what-

ever your political views may be, whether you’re more conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, you can sit here and just watch something for what it is and understand it — whether you believe in it or not,” Zizza said. “So I think she picked it to mirror what’s happening in politics in America and across the globe now. This will definitely make people think.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

Back-to-back Central Florida Prep to fundraise bee champ for expanded arts programs The Gotha-based preparatory school is hosting its fundraising event, An Evening with the Artists, to help add and expand arts and music programs for students.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Do you know which city — Omaha or Seoul — is at a higher degree of latitude? Do you know what strait separates the Australian states of Victoria from Tasmania?

Thirteen-year-old Kaylan Patel does, and answering that final question correctly guaranteed him one of 54 spots in the National Geography Bee, to be held next month in Washington, D.C. The annual competition is sponsored by National Geographic.

To get to the national competition, Patel had to win the school bee at Windermere Preparatory School in December, pass a state qualification test in January and beat 103 other students to win the state bee in March.

He is no stranger to winning geography bees. He has won the school bee four times, and this is his second time winning the state bee. For the last two years, he has participated in the U.S. Geography Olympiad, sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Patel placed second in the nation and competed last summer in Berlin, Germany, in the International Geography Bee as a member of Team USA and in individual events. He returned home with two gold medals and a bronze and is ranked No. 5 in the world for his knowledge of geography.

How does a teenager become so adept at knowing facts about rivers and cities, religion and language, food and myriad other minute details the world over?

By spending hours and hours poring over atlases, maps, study guides, desk references and question books.

“It’s knowing every nook and cranny,” Patel said.

Adding to the difficulty, he said, is the fact that earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters create new rivers, mountains and islands that are constantly being added.

Amy Quesinberry

Kaylan Patel logs long hours of studying to prepare for every geography bee.

Beating 600,000 students to make it to nationals proves Patel knows a great deal about the world, but he admits there are some countries in western Africa and southeastern Europe that are easy to confuse.

Patel has enjoyed reading atlases and maps since he was a young child. At age 3, he received a book, “My First World Atlas,” that introduced him to maps and animals. As he got older, that passion intensified.

Patel’s knack for geography goes back to his fourth-grade year, when he won the school bee and went to the state competition. Four years later, he is only the second person in the 30-year history of the bee to win back-to-back state titles.

When he’s not studying maps and learning new facts about world geography, Patel likes to cook and watch sports on television. He also plays on the Windermere Prep basketball team, is in the National Honor Society and loves theater production.

If he could live anywhere in the world, he would choose Australia.

“There’s just everything — cities, forests, deserts and … the language is the same,” he said.

“Maybe picking up an accent would be cool.”

For now, Patel is content in West Orange County, collecting his ribbons and trophies for his knowledge of world geography.

And he knows Omaha is at a higher degree of latitude than Seoul and the Bass Strait separates the Australian states of Victoria from Tasmania.

IF YOU GO AN EVENING WITH THE ARTISTS WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 16 WHERE: Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden TICKETS: $50 each or table of eight for $600; email julie@cfprep.org for all information and ticket purchases

MEET THE ARTISTS

The three guest artists have all left their footprints in the Central Florida arts community, and each will bring something different to the table.

Anthony Parrulli is a drummer, actor and entertainer who performed for 16 years as a Blue Man in “Blue Man Group.” He now performs at Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the show “Swotu Wayä: Na’vi Drum Ceremony.”

Recording artist Tiffany Coburn performs with Voctave and Disney’s Voices of Liberty, as well as her own con-

Anthony Parrulli

Tiffany Coburn

Joseph Gatti

certs, and is the parent of a CFP student.

Joseph Gatti is the artistic director at the United Ballet Theatre. He was previously a principal dancer with the Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet, and first soloist with the Boston Ballet.

“I’m excited for the outpouring of support to expand our arts programs because it will give students the ability and the skills to create and utilize their imaginations,” Wester said.

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AMY QUESINBERRY

Central Florida Preparatory School is gearing up for some exciting additions to its arts and music programs, but it needs help to make them a reality.

The Gotha-based school’s upcoming fundraising event, An Evening with the Artist, promises to offer an evening filled with entertainment, arts and a catered dinner. Attendees will be treated to performances from local artists with professional résumés and storied backgrounds in the Central Florida community. All of this is to help the school raise the funds necessary to support its emerging arts programs and expand opportunities for students in the creative realm.

“The goal is to expand our dramatic, musical and drawing/rendering/2D/3D arts at the school through a lot of different opportunities for students,” said CFP Executive Director Chris Wester. “This year, we really want to expand the offerings for our students — both after school and consistent course-based arts. … Part of what this funding provides us is the opportunity to enhance our existing programs and bring in new ones.

“We want to have a very wellrounded arts program that gives our students opportunities to explore a myriad of pathways,” Wester said. “We’re very excited about it, and we’ve got some excellent performers that will be at the event that have all come up through the ranks during their schooling, and they’ve had people that have impacted their lives to set them on the paths of their own.”

Wester said CFP staff is planning to add one-on-one lessons for students in piano, violin, drums and voice with the proceeds from the event, and new next year will be after-school music and drama clubs. He added that the school also wants to provide credit-based drama classes for the middle- and high-school grade levels, and students will put on two productions next year at the Garden Theatre.

“I just came on board this past July, and we have worked really hard this year to create more programs and opportunities for our students,” he said. “We started on working on our athletic programs, but we wanted to address certainly in the same year our arts programs. …We want to have something for students who are very creative in the fields where they can use their imagination to the fullest. We’re looking to make sure our children have a full learning environment.”

An Evening with the Artists includes a full catered meal, silent auctions, cocktail hour, performances and a few surprises, said Director of Advancement Julie Gillespie.

“It’s packed with a lot of friends and good entertainment,” Gillespie said. “What I’m looking forward to is an evening filled with a lot of surprises, and I think people will be really impressed by the support we’ve gotten … it’s really going to the children and it’s going to an arts and drama program, and I think people will be impressed by the outpouring and what they experience.”

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Windermere Prep seventhgrader Kaylan Patel won the Florida State Geographic Bee for the second-consecutive year.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

Abigail Peterson, 2, enjoyed filling her basket at Church at the Cross.

Easter eggs dotted the field as parents and children ages 2 and under waited for the Church at the Cross egg hunt to begin.

Holiday hunts sweeten Easter I

t took kids mere minutes to collect tens of thousands of eggs at various Easter egg hunts April 20 throughout the greater Windermere community.

Children squealed with joy as the Easter bunny received an egg-stra special police escort to Windermere Town Hall. The town’s annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza drew a crowd of hundreds of children, many dressed in their Easter best and carrying brightly colored baskets. The children enjoyed an egg hunt and photos with the Easter bunny, while attendees of all ages were invited to grab cookies, cupcakes and punch to celebrate.

Just a few miles away, Horizon West celebrated its first Hamlin Easter Fest at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. Children got to take part in an egg hunt featuring 6,000 Easter eggs and got to enjoy games, bounce houses and meeting the Easter Bunny.

Attendees also got to enjoy live music, food, drinks and a variety of vendors.

Finally, thousands of attendees gathered at Church at the

Landon Tousignant, 4, and sister Kylie, 6, showed off the eggs they collected in Hamlin.

Kristin and Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien, along with daughter Emily, were all smiles and ready for the town’s Easter celebration.

Clara Begliomini, 2, enjoyed the playing in the bounce house at the Hamlin event.

Cross Saturday, April 20, for its inaugural Easter Egg Hunt Under the Lights event. More than 10,000 Easter eggs were up for grabs during the Easter egg hunt.

Children age 12 and under raced to find the golden eggs as they filled their baskets with colorful Easter eggs. The event also featured a variety of bounce houses, food trucks, music and fun for the whole family.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

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CONGRATS GRADS! The Observer will celebrate the area’s public and private high school graduating classes of 2019 with a special section!

Publishing:

Thursday, May 23 Ad Deadline:

Monday, May 6

Call your advertising executive today!

Ranee and Windermere Town Manager Robert Smith brought daughter Stella to partake in the festivities.

West Orange: (321) 239-3252

• Official senior class photo for each school, along with the list of graduates.

• Letter to senior class from the school principal.

• Each school will have a feature story on what makes its Class of 2019 special and unique.

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Windermere: (407)725-8162 Email: advertise@orangeobserver.com

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

Nova Ruke paused to examine her bounty from the Windermere hunt.

Left: Lorena Torres was happy to meet the Easter Bunny in Windermere.

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Daily Headlines: Martina Cestero’s Easter basket had her name on it. She filled it at the Windermere event.

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Left: Farah Velez, 6, focused on the egg hunt in Hamlin.

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* One entry per person. The contest is open to subscribers of the Observer’s eNewsletters. All entries must be received by 5/31/19. Late entries will not be entered. Participants will be entered into the drawing to win an Apple Series 4 Watch (image pictured above is an illustrated smart watch, actual prize is an Apple Series 4 Watch up to $400 value, color and style may vary). No cash alternative to the prize is offered. The prize drawing will be independently supervised. The winner will be selected at random and notified by the Observer by 5/31/19. It is the recipient’s responsibility to obtain any permission necessary and entrants must be aged 18+. The winner agrees for their name, job title and company to be published on our website, OrangeObserver. com and on the Observer’s social media channels. Employees of the promoter and their immediate families or anyone professionally connected with the promotion will be excluded from the prize drawing. The winner is responsible for any tax liability which may arise from receipt of a prize. The promoter is the Observer whose decision in all matters is final. Promoter does not accept liability for damaged or faulty prizes. The winner’s details are available upon request from rlankton@yourobserver.com. These terms and conditions are available upon request.

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Blair M. Johnson • Wills/Advance Directives • Estates • Corporation/LLC • Commercial transactions • Landlord/Tenant • Real estate: Contracts, Closings, Short Sales, Deed in Lieu • And other matters

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BOBBY H. TAYLOR DIED FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019.

Bobby H. Taylor, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Friday, April 5, 2019 at the Cornerstone — Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont, Florida, surrounded by close family.

Bobby was born Jan. 3, 1945, in Greenville, South Carolina.

He is preceded in death by Morris and Virgie Taylor (parents), Shirley Taylor (wife), Scott Taylor (son) and Grace Smalley (daughter).

Bobby married Shirley Balentine of Greenville, South Carolina, in 1964. They were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage prior to her death.

He is survived by two daughters, Macie Taylor, Apopka, Florida, Betty DelleMonache, Geneva, Florida; one sister, Jean Howard (Pat), Greenville, South Carolina; two brothers, Jimmy Taylor and Larry

JACK HERSCHEL BRACKNEY DIED MONDAY, FEB. 25, 2019.

Jack Herschel Brackney, 87, of Windermere, Florida, passed away on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.

Jack was born in Delaware, Ohio, on Nov. 9, 1931, to Herschel and Georgia Lucille Brackney, who precede him in passing.

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Taylor (Debbie) of Greenville, South Carolina; many nieces and nephews; as well as nine grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren.

Bobby had several jobs over the years. He was a Disney World stage hand (head of parade), an I.A.T.S.E. Local #631 Union stage hand member for 40 years, and, at different times, he worked as a projectionist at the Pine Hills DriveIn and the Winter Garden StarLite Drive-In theaters.

He retired as a construction supervisor for Orange County after 20 years of service and served proudly in the United States Navy.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Brackney; his son, Tyler C. (Effie) Brackney; and his daughter, Tosha Brackney.

In the 1960s, Bobby served as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Winter Garden. In 2013, during the fire department’s centennial celebration, Bobby was recognized as the oldest-living volunteer firefighter and was featured in a front-page story by “The West Orange Times.”

His family recalls that Bobby was proudest of his service as a volunteer firefighter because he was able to help people.

Bobby also was a long-time member of the Ocoee Jaycees.

Upon retirement, Bobby spent his time taking care of his wife and family, as he thoroughly enjoyed helping people.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Ocoee Cemetery, 368 E. Geneva St., Ocoee, FL 34761.

Flowers are welcome but not necessary; Bobby’s favorite color was red. Flowers must be delivered to the Ocoee Cemetery the day of the service.

Inurnment with Military Honors will be held at 1 p.m.

Friday, April 26, at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden, baldwinfairchildwintergarden.com.

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HIGH

SPORTS

Windermere High senior pitcher Katie Benedict will be taking her game to Pensacola State following graduation. Page 12.

1

5

After 14 years, soccer coach Joel Dobrowolski is leaving Dr. Phillips High School. During his time at DP, Dobrowolski coached the boys team from 2005 to 2011 and then 2015 to 2019, and the girls team from 2012 to 2014. He also coached the boys golf team from 2010 to 2011.

2

When football resumes this fall, it will do so with a significant change to the play clock. Based on a recommendation by the National Federation of State High School Associations, Florida high-school games will operate under a 40-second play clock. Previously, games were played with a 25-second play clock, which was started by the head referee. The change is meant to bring consistency to the time between plays.

3

Windermere Preparatory School celebrated its softball seniors Monday, April 22, during its Senior Night festivities. Following the ceremony, the Lakers took on Celebration and came away with a 10-0 victory.

4

The Olympia boys baseball team battled crosstown rival West Orange Monday, April 22. The Titans came away with a convincing 10-3 victory. Josh Plasencia pitched 5 2/3 innings, issued seven strikeouts and went 2-4 with a double, home run and 4 RBI. Alex Britton went 2-3 with a double.

5

Inclement weather Friday, April 18, forced several games to be postponed.

This included the boys and girls water polo Region 1 quarterfinals between Olympia and Winter Park. These were reschedule to Tuesday, April 23, after press time.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

S

itting at her space in the locker room, Emily Whitt goes over the usual motions as she prepares for Windermere Prep’s last home lacrosse game.

It’s the afternoon of Monday, April 11, and her mind is on one thing: what lies ahead of her on the lacrosse field. The last thing on her mind is the US National High School Women’s Lacrosse Team tryout she had the week before.

“It was the last game of the season — I was super nervous, because we had an undefeated streak,” Whitt said.

The stress of the moment hung about, before it was broken by some news she hadn’t been expecting — she had gotten the invite to join the National Team.

“I found out, and I literally screamed,” Whitt said. “I couldn’t believe that I made it. It was probably some of the best news I’ve ever received in my life, because I knew it was going to open so many doors for my future.”

That day, the Lakers got the win,

Troy Herring

STICKING

WITH IT Windermere Prep’s Emily Whitt’s year just keeps getting better. The girls lacrosse team member recently was named to the US National High School Women’s Lacrosse Team.

SEE NATIONAL PAGE 12

SIDELINE SCENE

Spring marks the return of football With the spring football season quickly approaching, coaches and players look to get in early work before the start of the regular season in August.

F TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

riends. Floridians. Sports fans — I come bearing good news: Football season is back … sort of.

As I sit on my throne — aka my large, cushiony chair — watching the Alabama A-Day game, I soak in the spring football goodness that the sports gods have bestowed upon me.

Sure, regular-season football

doesn’t start for another four excruciatingly long months, but at this point in the year, I’ll take whatever I can get.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love all sports with a passion — my TV has been showing MLB all afternoon — but there’s something about football that just does it for this good ol’ Southern boy. And I’m not alone.

Those in the local high-school

football scene have been waiting for this moment since the postseason ended: It’s finally time for spring football.

“We are all kind of excited that football season is back, man,” said Olympia head coach Travis Gabriel. “You know we are a week away from the official start day of spring practice. I know a lot of my kids are excited — they’re ready to get back — and coaches are excited and ready to get things rolling.”

SEE SPRING PAGE 12

12

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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National spotlight

SPONSORED BY SHANNON TILL STATE FARM IN FOWLER GROVES

Katie Benedict

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

finishing the season at a perfect 12-0 for the first time in program history.

Although unexpected success of this season ended with no playoff appearance — the SSAC does not hold a tournament for girls lacrosse — Whitt now is looking forward to a trip to Baltimore in May to take part in a national tournament with the National Team. From May 24 to 26, Whitt will compete in front of the watchful eyes of some of the best coaches in the country.

“All the colleges are playing too, because it’s their nationals as well, and so there are going to be hundreds of college coaches there watching us play,” Whitt said. “I really hope this allows me to get my foot in the door.”

Just getting this chance to perform required a lot of Whitt, who found out about the team from first-year head coach Hayley Ferone.

Enticed by the idea, Whitt went to the tryout Thursday, April 7, at the University of Central Florida. The first thing Whitt recalled was how stiflingly hot it was — and also how talented the girls were.

“I was super nervous going into it, because I’ve never played with anyone else before — I’ve

Windermere High senior Katie Benedict is soaking in what’s left of her final high-school softball season, and she’s been solid on the mound for the Wolverines. Benedict also hit the walk-off homer to score the game-sealing run in Windermere’s 4-3 victory over Dr. Phillips March 29.

How did you get started in the world of softball?

I was 8 years old, and I went up to my grandparents’ house, and my dad had videos of him (there) playing baseball when he was younger. I was like, ‘Dad, I want to try that.’ I loved it. I played a lot sports, but softball was the one that fit. I really love the competition, and it’s just fun. It’s so fun, I love it.

What is the toughest part of the game?

Definitely mentality. I had (labrum) surgery last year on my shoulder and that was probably one of the hardest things to get through. Not being able to play for eight months and then coming back — it was really hard.

How did you push through after that surgery?

I had my surgery in October 2017, and I just wanted to get back so badly. I went through physical therapy and sportsspecific therapy. Obviously, my coaches here helped me, and my coaches outside of this helped me. My pitching coach kept me doing stuff all throughout (post) surgery.

Coming back after surgery it was like, ‘I have a brandnew shoulder, and I kind of

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don’t know how to use it,’ and wasn’t really sure how it was supposed to feel. First it was batting and then it was throwing and pitching.

Is there someone you admire?

Jodi Bayles. She’s my pitching coach, and she just keeps pushing me. She always said, “Katie, you’re going to go somewhere,” and it’s coming true.

How do you balance travel ball, softball season and school?

I’m not in travel right now; that will start around graduation. It’s hard to balance everything, but it’s definitely helping me prepare for college right now with graduating and getting everything done.

Balancing everything — SGA, NHS and this — it’s been a lot, but it’s been a good thing to do.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Olympia will get in its one spring game against Orange City University at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 17, but it’s really those practices beforehand Gabriel is anticipating the most.

The game itself is just kind of the icing on the cake — so to speak — for the players. It’s a reward, and a break, from hitting one another and offers a real-game experience.

But those practices — that’s where the real work gets done, Brown said. It’s the place where coaches get to see if a player has the drive to take it to the next level.

“The practices are always what it’s about, that’s why colleges come during the spring, they just come during the practice,” Gabriel said.

That mindset is shared by coaches throughout the area, including those at Windermere Prep.

Although the Lakers have had their own spring games over the last few years, this year, head coach Jacob Doss decided to not play in a game. Instead, his focus is solely on the practices.

What do you like to watch on Netflix?

“Grey’s Anatomy.” I don’t know, there’s something about the anatomy of people (that interests me). I love it. If I could be a surgeon and be in school that long I would, but I just don’t think I have the patience to be in school for that long.

Family.

Family.

Friends.

Friends.

Community.

Community.

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Family.

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“Every year, we focus too game was mostly for the players, much on the game as opposed but there is an aspect tailorto practicing — which is what made for coaches, too. There’s spring is designed for,” Doss nothing that can prepare an said. “I’m excited to just kind of athlete more than playing practice every single day, worry Celebrity against another in a realThis week’s Cipherteam answers about us and notPuzzle have to game game scenario.

It also will allow One Solution: plan for a spring “I game. …to We’re coaches Gabrielthe — who hope be acting untilsuch I’m as playing (only) worried about the has eight newwhen coaches roleus ofinGrandma. ... I’ll sleep no— a spring.” chance to also see how the staff one wants to hire me.”

Both Doss and Gabriel are fits into the puzzle.

– America Ferrera looking forward to the spring Will the outcome actually Puzzle Two Solution: season. It’s during this time count? Nope, not at all. But will “Why did I spenditall these years when the new guys are taught allow a coach to playing see how a proper techniques, whileEuropeans? the team and made his players boring I was for can comolder guys put inaction more work to pete? Absolutely. movies!” perfect those same fundamen“For those who have not ever – Asia Argento tals. played a varsity game up to this “We think we’ll getThis more out (spring football helps get) week’spoint, Sudoku answers of practice — we’ll teach our them used to the preparation of practice, we are going to teach the spring game,” Gabriel said. our system,” Doss said. “And we “(It’s) getting used to practicing had a really elite class that just for several weeks and finegraduated, so we have a lot of tuning their abilities and getting young guys stepping into roles. better. I probably speak for A lot of guys played significant every team in that we all want minutes last year, but we are the same — we want our kids going to redo some things. We to be better when we are done had a very mobile quarterback with spring than what they were last year, and the kind of kids when they started.” who are competing for the job For those who — like me — are right now are a little bit more now a tad bit more impatient for pocket passers.” the start of football after reading Earlier, I mentioned a lot of this, hold steady and take a deep the coaches said the spring breath: We’re almost there. ©2019 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

We’re all in this together.

We’re all in has thisatogether.

State Farm long tradition ®

State Farm hasThat’s a longone tradition of being there. reason of being one reason why I’m there. proud That’s to support West why I’m county.. proud to support West Orange Orange Get to acounty.. better State®.

Get to a better State . ®

Puzzle One Solution: “I hope to be acting until I’m playing the role of Grandma. ... I’ll sleep when no one wants to hire me.”

– America Ferrera

This week’s Crossword answers

Puzzle Two Solution: “Why did I spend all these years playing boring Europeans? I was made for action movies!”

– Asia Argento

This week’s Sudoku answers

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friend, who played club lacrosse.

She saw it as a way to possibly make friends who would be going to middle school with her. Although she made friends, something happened that she wasn’t expecting — she became hooked.

“When I was playing, I was like, ‘This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life — it’s a combination of so many different sports in one game,’” Whitt said. “I really fell in love with the strategy of the game, the speed of the game and how it was super physical.”

A few years later, she would drop dance in the eighth grade to focus on her lacrosse playing.

Since then, she has become a key member of the varsity team.

She’s the only player on the team who has been with the program since it started as a club back when she was in sixth grade.

From that decision years ago to the success she has experienced with the Lakers lacrosse team now, it’s no surprise Whitt has no regrets from devoting so much time to the sport.

“I’m so thankful I made that decision, because — I don’t know — lacrosse is just more my speed, and I love the fast pace and everything,” Whitt said. “I love pushing myself to the fullest.”

Spring football is here

What are your post-graduation plans?

I am going to play for Pensacola State, and I’m very happy to be going there. It’s a family when you go up there.

I’m going to study sports medicine.

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only played with the girls at my school,” Whitt said. “We were warming up and everything and I was playing, and I was like, ‘Wow, these girls are on such a different level than I’m used to.’

“I told myself, ‘I need to step it up. If I want to play on this team, I need to play the best I’ve ever played in my life,’” she said. “We were doing different drills and everything, and I felt myself — honestly — improve my level of play within the three hours of the tryout.”

What followed was an invite for the junior middie — and the latest big accolade for a girl who thought she would eventually become a dancer.

Starting at age 2, Whitt had established herself as talented dancer — going into competitive dance at 7 years old.

“It was a big shock to everyone that I started playing lacrosse,” Whitt said. “I always thought I was going to be a dancer when I grew up, and I was super interested in that. My parents always wanted me to play sports, and I was so against it — I was like, ‘No, I would never do that,’ and ‘I’m not playing unless the uniform is pink.’”

That mindset was changed the summer before middle school started, when she took part in a lacrosse clinic with her best

©2019 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

2019

OBSERVER

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13

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

WE ARE OPEN FOR THE 2019 U-PICK SEASON

Windermere High snags overtime win in district final

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Windermere’s Ryan Gerlander (22) fired a shot on goal.

the 18-second mark) and one each from Logan Mueller and Ryan Berkman. But the Eagles regrouped to lead 5-4 after the opening quarter as Devin Hoffman found the net with two seconds remaining.

Garrett Hamm gave Montverde a 7-4 lead with eight minutes left in the second quarter, but Tommy Casademont scored 39 seconds after a Windermere timeout, and the Wolverines later the tied the score at 7 with goals 10 seconds apart. A goal with 70 seconds

remaining in the first half gave the Eagles an 8-7 halftime lead, setting the stage for a closely contested second half and overtime.

Windermere, which enters the Region 2 quarterfinals sporting a 14-2 overall record and a seven-game winning streak, is on the road again at 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, with District 12 champion and 2018 state runner-up Bishop Moore.

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indermere High’s successful boys varsity lacrosse season got even better Thursday, April 18, as the Wolverines advanced to the 2019 FHSAA state tournament with a 15-14 overtime victory against Montverde Academy in the District 11 title match at Lake Minneola High.

Windermere enjoyed a 4-1 lead over Montverde Academy with 5:11 left in the opening quarter after a pair of goals

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Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

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OrangeObserver.com

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

APRIL 27, 1967 The Star-Lite Drive-In Theatre ran weekly advertisements in The Winter Garden Times to notify local residents of the latest flicks being shown on the big screen.

The drive-in was located on East Plant Street, where a 7-Eleven and strip mall now stand. A Winter Garden landmark, it was closed in 1996 after 46 years in operation. For 42 years, the grounds also were home to a drive-in church.

When residents learned the owner, Floyd Theatres, was going out of business and closing the drive-in in 1996, a local group started S.O.S. (Save Our Star-Lite).

80 years ago

Scheduled for the Winter Garden Theatre: Jane Withers in “The Arizona Wildcat”; James Cagney in “Oklahoma Kid”; Lloyd Nolan in “King of Chinatown”; and Shirley Temple in “Little Princess.”

65 years ago

Oscar Bryan Ford Inc. featured a 1940 Chevrolet coupe with good transmission for $29.50.

Piggly Wiggly food store carried round or sirloin steak for 69 cents a pound, Ballard or Pillsbury biscuits for 21 cents and 10 pounds of U.S. No. 1 Main white potatoes for 25 cents.

35 years ago

George Kennedy, TV’s Blue Knight, stopped by Humana Lucerne Hospital for a chat with Mark Parker. Mark is the young correctional officer from Winter Garden who was shot twice last January during a shooting spree at the Orange County Courthouse.

20 years ago

Orange County Commissioner Bob Freeman, Oakland Mayor Jon VanderLey, Jim Thomas and Jack Amon cut the ribbon to open the first portion of the Oakland Nature Preserve.

“This preserve will be a link between the past and the future, a sacred place where those who come after us can enjoy the peacefulness and stability

FROM THE ARCHIVES Two unidentified women stand at the intersection of Dillard Street (known as State Road 535A at the time) and State Road 50 in Winter Garden.

They are indicating the new “Business District” sign. In the

background stands the older neon sign, which was eventually removed; a sign for West Orange Memorial Hospital — which once stood within the property bordered by Division Street, Surprise Drive and Dil-

of an earlier time,” Amon, ONP president, said.

Plans were announced for Ocoee Middle School to become a new state-of-the-art State Demonstration Middle School,

complete with a brand-new facility.

The Bay Hill Rotary Club asked residents to send a letter or card to military personnel deployed in the Balkan region. The “Any

©2019 Universal Uclick

1 Auto shop items 6 Puts on the market 11 Guitar type 15 Padlock holder 19 Very impressed 20 Galahad’s quest 21 Little bit 22 Passionate about 23 Nation that forbids stale mints?

27 Turkish capital 28 Flower bud’s protector 29 Green with white leaves 30 ___ B (“I Like It” rap-

per) 33 Noted wine valley 36 Smoking and drinking 37 Looking good getting frozen yogurt?

44 Chocolates’ container 45 Honda’s luxury line 46 Path from pt. A to pt. B 47 Biblical wise guys?

51 Snoopy’s hipster persona 55 Ankle-knee connector 58 Like food in a doggie bag 60 Tire company’s ancient vehicles?

lard Street — also stood at that corner.

If anyone can help identify the women, call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at (407) 656-3244.

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.

PLACEMENT by Rob Gonsalves; CROSSWORD PRODUCT Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS

THROWBACK THURSDAY

63 Presses with heat 64 Bird in a hayloft 65 Cut (off) 66 Mate, in Manchester 69 Theater chain 72 2,000 pounds 73 Like a pancake 74 Melody 75 Nanny on a farm 79 Author Calvino 83 Fancy crystal’s design?

88 Synagogue singers 89 Big name in tractors 90 Reason to see a doctor 93 URL starter 94 How the weasel goes

96 Digital greeting 98 Santa ___ winds 99 Fate of gunk on glass?

105 Former SeaWorld attraction 109 Knighted ones 110 Hold forth 111 Trees of Lebanon 113 Run off to get hitched 117 Showed puppy love?

121 Judge’s last words in an insurance case?

126 Venus de ___ 127 Cranny’s partner 128 Feminist icon Kahlo 129 Pertaining to birth

130 Look intently 131 Some offspring 132 Stand in good ___ 133 Secret appointment

Service Member Mail” program is mail sent by the general public to an unspecified deployed service member. Mail is limited to first-class letters (33 cents) only, 13 ounces or less.

62 Recessed navel 66 What wide receivers do 67 Cymbals with a foot pedal 68 “___ you clever!”

DOWN 70 Happy or sad state 1 ___ colada 71 Where to get an espresso 2 Bard’s “soon” 73 Bit of paperwork 3 Corral, as billiard balls 4 Like plays with one break 75 “___ ‘nuff!”

76 Winfrey’s studio 5 He painted many dots 77 Some printers 6 Lt.’s underling 78 Message in 280 char7 Make a boo-boo acters 8 Pringles competitor 9 Alternative to Risk or Clue 80 Wall Street floor job 81 Movie arts org.

10 Feed for pigs 82 Chuckle in textspeak 11 Sci. class with petri 84 Longtime NASCAR dishes sponsor 12 “You’ve got mail” co.

85 Gateway ___ 13 Benchmark (Abbr.)

86 Suckling spot 14 Unchanged 15 Origin of shampoo and 87 Like a broken laptop 91 Austin-to-Tulsa dir. bungalow 92 Mid-April payment 16 Shenanigan 95 I.M. conceived long 17 Pot’s spot before texting 18 Prepares for a selfie 97 Letter after pi 24 Not even 99 Inspiring spiritual leader 25 Hierarchy position 100 Destroys, as a car 26 Jealousy 101 Land in the ocean 31 Call a radio show, e.g.

102 Classic Pink Floyd 32 Business magazine album, with “The” 34 Each 103 Refuting words 35 Conductor Toscanini 37 Kid’s sandwich, for short 104 Bee’s need 105 Mischievous kid 38 Pooh’s young friend 106 Olympic skater Sonja 39 Corporate VIP 107 Perplex 40 Stroke on the green 108 Focus at college 41 Colorful eye part 112 ID theft targets 42 Muckety-muck 114 Rubs out 43 Extend a subscription 115 After-dinner wine 47 Yogi’s accessory 116 A Great Lake 48 Ring-shaped reef 118 “Roar” singer Perry 49 Kind of salami 119 Flight approximations, 50 Lacking skill briefly 52 Poker betting unit 120 Shoulder muscle, for 53 Rower’s need short 54 Gold, to Guillermo 56 “___ first you don’t suc- 122 Also 123 Charged particle ceed ...”

124 Early programmer 57 Do with a pick Lovelace 59 Night school subj.

125 Young fellow 61 Midwestern tribe

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.

“Y GPHT VP CT XEVYUI OUVYN Y’K HNXAYUI VGT LPNT PD ILXUMKX. ...

Y’NN BNTTH ZGTU UP PUT ZXUVB VP GYLT KT.” –XKTLYEX DTLLTLX “CMR PZP Z HWOJP UFF EMOHO ROUVH WFURZJB YTVZJB OIVTWOUJH? Z CUH DUPO XTV UKEZTJ DTAZOH!” –UHZU UVBOJET Puzzle Two Clue: M equals H

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue: C equals B

14

©2019 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2019 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

4-25-19

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Windermere Observer 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 Windermere Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

Which IRA gives you the best tax advantage?

Roth? Or traditional?

We’ll help you choose.

Michael Wytiaz, CFP® Independent Branch Leader and Financial Consultant

The best IRA for you will depend

Windermere Independent Branch 4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd. Suite #204 Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 909-0485 schwab.com/windermere

on a number of factors, including current and future tax rates and your plans for withdrawals. We’ll walk you through your options and help you decide which is right for you.

Call me today at (407) 909-0485.

This FREE Event is a meeting open to anyone desiring a better understanding of homelessness and this growing population in West Orange County however, there is limited seating so please RSVP. We will discuss the Do’s and Don’ts in interacting with the homeless, the services available in our community and how you can make a difference. People complain, others are overly compassionate. We will openly address both.

Bring your questions, concerns and ideas. If you have a particular issue you would like to see addressed during the Town Hall, please contact Scott.Billue@gmail.com

Clermont Independent Branch 1600 Hancock Road, Suite D Clermont, FL 34711 (352) 404-5238 schwab.com/clermont

What:

Matthew’s Hope Town Hall Meeting on Homelessness

Where: Winter Garden Elks Lodge 700 9th St. Winter Garden When:

Saturday, May 4th 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Please RSVP to 407.905.9500 or Shelley@MatthewsHopeMinistries.org https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/donate-money Schwab does not provide specific individualized tax or legal advice. Where such advice is necessary or appropriate, please consult a qualified attorney, tax advisor, CPA, or investment manager. ©2019 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) All rights reserved. Member SIPC. MWD106188-8 (1115-6986) (2/19)

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Join Westly’s Dance Challenge!!!

Put on your dancin’ shoes and get your groove on. Just do 30-minutes of dance from now until April 29 to complete the challenge. It’s a great way to have fun and get moving!

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