05.02.19 West Orange Times & Observer

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

Observer Celebrating more than 110 years in West Orange

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

West Orange singers shine at a capella show. PAGE 12.

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VOLUME 86, NO. 18

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MAY 2, 2019

A night out on the town Garden Choir supporters indulged in local fare at spring Wine Walk. 10.

Collective closes downtown location The Winter Garden Collective no longer will operate on Dillard, but customers are encouraged to connect through Facebook.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

From tooth-fairy pillows and gourmet confectionaries to bunny-eared baby rompers and crocheted octopus dolls, the Winter Garden Collective’s quaint space was the place to shop for anyone looking for local, handmade gifts.

However, after 18 months of operation, the gift boutique SEE COLLECTIVE PAGE 4

LIKE A RECORD, BABY Eric Gutierrez

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR Michael and Vonda Kay Ogden will celebrate their oneyear anniversary by taking the long way around Winter Garden, just as they did on their wedding day May 3, 2018. The couple were wed in the home they are renovating in Winter Garden, surrounded by their closest friends and family.

To honor her husband and the importance of their commitment, Vonda Kay presented her husband, retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Ogden, a marriage challenge coin, to which he simply replied, “Challenge Accepted.”

The couple’s first date was a dog walk around Winter Garden, and they can be seen most evenings walking hand-in-hand, as their dog Jazz leads the way.

Winter Garden approves rezone for apartments The proposed 14.87-acre development is located at the northeast corner of East Plant Street and North West Crown Point Road.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Winter Garden city commissioners approved the rezone request from WP South Acquisitions LLC, regarding a 14.87-acre property on East Plant Street and North West Crown Point Road to pave the way for new apartments.

The rezoning to Character Area

Planned Unit Development permits the potential development of five three-story apartment buildings hosting 250 units, according to city documents.

The property will house eight garage buildings, 400 uncovered surface parking spaces, recreation areas, sidewalks and landscape SEE APARTMENTS PAGE 4

SPORTS

YOUR TOWN

Whispering Oak Elementary students soared to dizzying new heights on the Lickety Split ride Friday, April 26, at the school’s annual Spring Carnival.

The event featured bounce houses, games and plenty of rides. For more photos, see page 7.

FORWARD MOMENTUM Ocoee High’s Alliyah Allwood and Jeremiah Fails lead track team. SEE 17.

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YOUR CALENDAR

THURSDAY, MAY 2

EAGLE PREMIERE GALA 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at The Club at Bella Collina, 15920 County Road 455, Montverde.

This gala, presented by the Oakland Avenue Charter School PTO, is a benefit for the school and includes dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Cocktail attire, cash bar, adults only.

Tickets are $75 for individuals and $700 to $1,250 for tables of 10 and are available at OACSgala@gmail.com.

CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECKPOINT 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at Fire Station No. 22, 13521 Foxcrest Blvd. Winter Garden. Winter Garden Fire Rescue, Winter Garden Police Department and Safe Kids Orange County are sponsoring this checkpoint. On-site certified technicians will educate caregivers about proper car seat installation. Parents and caregivers can have their child safety seats checked to make sure they meet current safety standards and that

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

they are installed correctly. For more, call Safe Kids at (407) 521-4673 or contact the fire department at (407) 877-5175.

PLANT CLINIC 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Take your plants, get your soil pH tested and ask questions of Master Gardener volunteers from the UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Office. (407) 835-7323.

horse racing, a hat contest and silent auction. Tickets are $100 and available at eventbrite.com.

CINCO DE MAYO 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 4, around Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Presented by the Rotary Club of Windermere, this day of family fun will feature food, entertainment and more.

Free. town.windermere.fl.us.

GENEALOGY RESEARCH PROJECT: FROM START TO FINISH 11 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Get your genealogy research on track.

Learn how to organize information at the beginning of your genealogy research project in order to help you develop and implement an effective research plan. (407) 835-7323.

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.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

SUNDAY, MAY 5

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 Derbythemed party is hosted by the West Orange Junior Service League and includes food and drinks, casino gaming tables,

CHIHUAHUA CHA-CHA Noon to 4 p.m. at the Crooked Can Brewing Company, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Chihuahuas will line up to Run for the Rescues at this event, which supports A Cause 4 Paws Rescue. Tickets are $10. Preregister your pet at Eventbrite.com/e/ crooked-can. Tickets are $10.

MONDAY, MAY 6

ONP VOLUNTEER CLEAN-UP DAY 8 a.m. at the Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland. Volunteers of all ages are needed to help sweep pavilions, mulch trails and help with habitat restoration work. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. Staff will sign off on volunteer service hours. For more details and to register, visit oaklandnaturepreserve.org/volunteer.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

RISE: CONVERSATIONS ON RACE & UNITY “CONVERSATIONS ON RACE” 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 eventbrite.com/e/rise-conversations-on-race-unity-tickets54097845111?aff=erellivmlt.

(407) 905-4931.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

PIGS & PASTIME 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge, 700 Ninth St., Winter Garden. Join the Ocoee Fire Department and Ocoee Professional Firefighters, in conjunction with the Winter Garden Elks, for this fundraiser is memory of Lt. James Kelley.

(407) 905-3140.

SUNDAY, MAY 12

COMMUNITY YOGA 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. All levels and body types are welcome.

Take comfy clothes, water and an open mind. Yoga mats will be provided, or you can bring your own. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. (407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, MAY 13

CENTRAL FLORIDA RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Central Florida Railroad Museum, 101 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Free. (407) 656-0559.

Also a wide selection of Boots and Guns YOUR LOCAL FEED STORE - PROVIDING ALL YOUR FARM LIFE NEEDS. We carry: • Progressive • Nutrena • Purina

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Hospital to commemorate 100th anniversary with Horizon West time capsule The hospital will bury the capsule at the site of its 103-bed hospital in Horizon West, which is scheduled to opened in 2021.

GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Luke Robinson, Zach Muth, Christopher McDole, Kobe Conomon and Shawn Villanueva

In a sentimental mood E

Pamela Perry, Mildred Russell and Joseph McMullen

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com

ach year, HAPCO Music Foundation supporters head down to the Oakland Town Center for an evening of wine, fine food and smooth jazz to support the organization’s efforts to bring arts and music programming to local students. This year’s Wine and Dine for the Arts fundraiser was held Saturday, April 27, with dozens of guests in attendance.

The event was catered by chef Anthony Fothergill, a crowd favorite, and also included live jazz music, various wines to taste and a silent auction.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

On Monday, May 6, a 36-inchlong time capsule measuring 11 inches in diameter will be buried at the Orlando Health’s future Horizon West hospital on Porter Road.

The burial of the time capsule serves a dual purpose: to celebrate the 103-bed Horizon West Hospital under construction on Porter Road, which is scheduled to open in 2021, and Orlando Health’s 100-year anniversary, said Orlando Health Chief Operating Officer Rick Smith.

Orlando Health opened its first hospital — then known as Orange General Hospital — on Nov. 5, 1918, in a one-story building fronting South Orange Avenue. The hospital was later renamed to Orange Memorial Hospital in 1946 in honor of soldiers who fought in World War II, and after several expansion projects, the hospital was named the Orlando Regional Medical Center in 1997.

“We’re taking the opportunity to celebrate that construction project, but due to the timing of the project and the accelerated schedule, we probably missed the opportunity for a groundbreaking, if you will, because it’s already coming out of the ground,” Smith said. “But we thought that we could instead do this time capsule to also celebrate Orlando Health’s 100 years of service to the community. So it’s kind of fitting that we reflect back a little bit, but also think about the future. And

so, when we open this time capsule about 50 years from now: what will that look like? And what will the people opening the capsule think of our current state in 2019?”

The capsule’s burial spot will be designated by a monument or marker that is yet to be designed, and the capsule will hold about 40 pounds worth of items that reflect modern-day health care and the West Orange community, Smith added.

“We’re looking for things that reflect our current state, like photographs of today, newspaper and magazine articles, etc. ,” he said. “I mean, I can only imagine how health care will change in the next 50 years, so we’ll probably also put in some health care-related items. And in 50 years, whoever opens this will probably think, ‘Wow, how archaic they were in 2021.”

Orlando Health Media Relations Manager Desmond Jordon said the organization has selected a few items for inclusion in the time capsule, including a book thoroughly detailing the history of the organization’s past 100 years of operation.

“We’ve compiled a book that’s been written from the organization’s standpoint about our first 100 years of providing healthcare for Central Florida,” Jordon said. “And we’re also putting a copy of that book into the time capsule, as well. And we’re also putting one of our current community-benefit reports.”

Fire Station 44 opens to serve Horizon West GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

Orange County officially opened Fire Station 44 Tuesday, April 30, in the Horizon West community.

The temporary station, located at the corner of Avalon and Porter roads, is housed in a manufactured building on the 74-acre campus of the recently constructed Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion.

The building costs the county $500,000 to construct and will serve the surrounding community until the permanent site is built and opened in fiscal year 2022-23. The permanent site will be located on Reams Road, south of Summerlake Park Boulevard.

At the station’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey thanked Orange County Fire Rescue’s staff for supporting her mission to open the temporary fire station ahead of its original schedule.

“This is one of those really wonderful days when we get to take a victory lap when we’ve

done an awful lot of hard work to make something happen way ahead of schedule,” VanderLey said. “About a year and a half ago, it was brought to my attention that this area was underserved in terms of fire and that the response times were slower than we’d like them to be. And so after working very hard with the chief and the staff of Orange County Fire (Rescue), we were able to move this station up five years ahead of schedule. That is extremely significant.”

According to Orange County, a 2015 Fire Station Location Study determined a new station was needed in the Horizon West area to service the rapidly growing population and development.

Currently, there are 42 Orange County Fire Rescue stations within Orange County. The nearest fire stations to the temporary site for Fire Station 44 are Fire Station 34 at 4000 S. State Road 535, and Fire Station 35, located at 7435 Winter Garden Vineland Road.

Since October, Rescue Ambulance 44 has been located at the Orlando Health campus in

Photo by Gabby Baquero

Orange County officials say the new fire station also will help residents lower their residential insurance premiums and encourage customers to contact their companies to provide notice of the new station.

Horizon West from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., to reduce response times to the Horizon West community.

The current travel time ranges between seven to nine minutes, but Orange County Fire Rescue expects the new temporary sta-

tion will reduce travel times by about 50%.

“Fire Station 44 is now a community asset, and it will house an advanced life-support engine company, and an advanced lifesupport transport rescue,” said

Orange County Deputy Chief Jim Fitzgerald. “What that simply means is, anytime that you see this fire truck behind me roll up, there will be a paramedic on it and also a paramedic in the rescue truck.”

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Old Maxey campus will be repurposed The school district seeks to repurpose some of the site as a maintenance facility with agricultural educational buildings.

ERIC GUTIERREZ STAFF WRITER

Orange County government and school district representatives held a community meeting Monday, April 29, regarding the rezoning of the property of the old Maxey Elementary School campus, 1100 E. Maple St., Winter Garden.

Julie Salvo, of OCPS facilities planning, is the applicant for the project. She’s requesting to rezone the property from R-2 (Residential District) to PD (Planned Development District) to repurpose the existing school site into an OCPS maintenance facility with agricultural educational buildings.

“We have … a somewhat empty building in our inventory,” Salvo said, referring to the old campus.

“We have a lot of needs, districtwide, for ancillary and support facilities and special programs, and so we try to utilize, to the fullest extent possible, all of our buildings that are former schools.”

Salvo said OCPS is looking to repurpose the west side of the campus as a maintenance facility for some of its vehicles and equipment. The Orange Technical College Westside Campus, which is adjacent to the property, is currently being used for this purpose.

Moving the maintenance facility from the college to the old Maxey campus would free up some room at the college.

“We currently have Westside Tech just to the west of the (old Maxey) school site, and Westside Tech also houses a maintenance area for our northwest maintenance community,” Salvo said. “(Westside Tech) is pretty full. …

There’s a lot of portables on the site for the school and for the (maintenance) workers. There’s a lot of vehicles and parking, so we want to alleviate some of the pressure on the site (of Westside Tech).”

The maintenance facility would be relocated to an existing building on the west side of the campus.

The east side of the campus is currently being used for agricultural education purposes and will continue to do so after the property is rezoned. The Special Hearts Farm and OCPS Transition School operate on this part of the campus.

“They have the animals already set up in their pens and their stables, and they have the staff and students already using the portables that are currently on campus, and so those portables would remain for that use,” Salvo said of Special Hearts Farm.

The farm is a nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing adult day training, supported employment, and possible entrepreneur business opportunities related to farming and gardening experiences.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES &

Courtesy

Winter Garden officials say the apartments will be of high quality.

Apartments OKed improvements, according to city documents.

The developer also plans to build a park that will be later gifted to the city of Winter Garden on the west side of the train tracks, according to the project’s plans.

Before the 4-1 approval during the April 25 City Commission meeting, a Winter Garden resident who opposed the project said he feared the quality of the apartments would decline, particularly if the property were to be sold to an owner who neglects to maintain the development.

“But ... apartments (are) a transient type of complex,” Ron Mueller said. “With today’s prices, as they continue to go up, there’s really very little difference between apartment prices and that of homeownership. One of the things we’d love to include with our many millennials who are growing up in the community is the fact that they can stay in Winter Garden and have ownership in their community. Apartments don’t offer that type of

environment.

“And we know that from a longterm stance ... they last about five or six years, and then that owner sells them off to another owner who then does a renovation on them for a little bit, but they just gradually have a slow decline over time,” he said. “So what we’ll have is an area where we have a lot of density of individuals, not a great tax base, and not a lot of folks who are truly invested in our community.”

In response to his concerns, Winter Garden City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said the quality of the original residential development, not the type of housing, plays a significant factor in how well the property keeps up in value.

“It’s a false assumption to assume homeownership will keep up better in the long term than people that are renting,” Bollhoefer said. “A better determination of how long something will keep up in value is the actual value and quality of your origi-

Collective closes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

that invited local female artisans to display and sell their unique handcrafted wares plans to close Friday, May 3.

Operated by business owners Kathy Ogg of Re:Image Printing, and Shanny Rios of eSCENTials Bath, Body & Home, The Winter Garden Collective’s Dillard Street location proved to not be as ideal a spot because of the lack of foot traffic, Ogg said.

“There just weren’t enough customers around our location,” Ogg said. “Our location was never actually going to be for the Winter Garden Collective. The collective came out of that space after we found it for our production space. So the location wasn’t really ideal. It’s not walkable, and it’s not around too many things like downtown Winter Garden.

So you kind of had to go there with a purpose, so that made it a little bit challenging for a lot of our clients.”

Ogg and Rios, who also share the building space for their own businesses, first formed the idea to open the Winter Garden Collective as a way to support local artisans trying to sell their products.

And Rios, Ogg and their partner at the time, Drew Masangkay, saw the perfect opportunity to support local vendors when they noticed an empty area in the building.

“Shanny and I were looking for a production space since we own our own individual businesses, as well,” Ogg said. “And when we came across this building, it had this empty room in the front, and

we wanted to do something with it and that kind of inspired us to open the Winter Garden Collective. ... So we just thought we’d reach out to women who were local artisans and offer them a spot there so that we could kind of support each other and help them get their name out there.”

Ogg added the duo didn’t make money from the Winter Garden Collective and did it only as a service to support other women artisans. They wish to continue supporting local artisans in the community and plan to keep their Facebook page active.

“We’re keeping our building, and still running our own businesses from the building, but we’re going to keep the Facebook page open, because we’ve really set ourselves up as the local experts to find out where you can get custom gifts,” Ogg said. “So we want to be able to keep promoting all the local talent that we have in our area. So we’ll still share what the local artisans are doing and kind of be that conduit between potential customers and the artisans.”

Ogg hopes those patrons who shopped at the Winter Garden Collective will continue supporting the artists in their community and peruse the Winter Garden Collective’s Facebook for gift ideas.

“Everyone should continue to support all these local artisans despite the collective being closed,” Ogg said. “There’s really so much talent in our town, and it just blows my mind. We started out with almost 20 artisans, and then we just kept meeting more talented and creative people.

nal project. For any of you who don’t believe me, you could drive through Winter Garden and go to some housing areas that are not quality housing. They look terrible, and homeownership had no effect on people maintaining them. So first and foremost in any project is the quality of the project. And when we looked at (this project), they initially wanted 350 (apartment units), but we cut down the density to 250.”

Bollhoefer also emphasized the proposed apartments will be of high quality, and the community will be gated. He added city staff strongly preferred apartments over any potential commercial development that may have been built on the site due to its C-2 zoning.

“It really wasn’t an option of apartments versus homes or single homes,” he said. “This is a property that was zoned C-2. And I think what you’re seeing in this world is changing. The commercial world is disappearing, and when it comes to transportation and issues, it would be much more comfortable, from our standpoint, to have apartments than to have C-2 and more commercial.

So when we looked at all those options, we felt these were very high quality.

“We felt that with one owner taking care of them, it’s just as likely, if not more likely, that it would be maintained in the long term, because they started out as high quality,” he said. “The lowerquality apartments that are built from the ground up as five stories tend to be the ones that go downhill faster, just as the low-cost homes do. So we felt it was the best option that we had for this piece of property.”

MORE CLOSURES Winter Garden Collective was one of three Winter Garden businesses to announce closures in recent weeks.

Let’s Skate, 14207 W. Colonial Drive, also announced its closure via Facebook.

“We enjoyed the last nine years and were honored to be such a prominent part of the community,” business officials wrote. “We will cherish all the memories that have been made in our skating rink forever.”

Similarly, Harry and Larry’s BBQ is closing its downtown Winter Garden location at 54 Plant St. “My sister and I opened Harry and Larry’s BBQ 10 years ago right out of college,” co-owner Katie Claflin wrote on Facebook.

“We have enjoyed every moment, the people, the employees, the changes and growth of Winter Garden and the changes and growth of our families. We both have young kiddos and are excited to focus on family.

We are closing this chapter of the barbecue for the time being but will still own the building and are excited for what the space will become next. Thanks to everyone for the support over the last 10 years.”

And that’s how Shanny and I also started — in our homes, the same way as all these women have. So we all have our own reasons for doing what we do, and we definitely want to keep supporting everyone.”

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 Multimedia Advertising Executives / Ann Carpenter, acarpenter@OrangeObserver.com Terri Hope, thope@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Operations Manager / Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com

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Style points Prairie Lake Elementary Principal Dr. Robert Strenth is rocking a shaved head, an exciting reward for his students after they aced an Accelerated Reader challenge.

DANIELLE HENDRIX BLACK TIE EDITOR

Few things are more incentivizing for elementary-school students than their principal promising to shave his head.

So, after 91% of Prairie Lake Elementary Principal Dr. Robert Strenth’s kindergarten, firstand second-graders successfully completed an Accelerated Reader test, it was time for his locks to go.

On Monday, April 22, Strenth sat in a chair as one of his fourthgrade teachers — also a beautician — shaved his head. The principal’s new haircut was broadcast live on TVs throughout the school, and the roaring of the students’ cheers and laughter could be heard throughout the hallways.

AR is a software program designed to help students manage

“It’s just something to make it fun, because I want kids to enjoy it and by the time you get after spring break, it’s a long haul. …I want to keep them motivated and wanting to be here.”

— Dr. Robert Strenth

and improve their reading skills.

It also provides teachers with a way to track a student’s reading abilities and is meant to encourage reading. After reading a book of their choice, students take short quizzes to measure their comprehension.

“It’s kind of a way to help incentivize and get them interested in it,” Strenth said. “A lot of the reading they end up doing becomes more technical-based, because we’re teaching them to read for processes and identify stuff. AR, to me, is just a way to generate an interest in reading. … That’s why I continue to support and push it as much as I can — especially for our younger kids. I don’t want reading to be a drudgery. Even though they’re taking a test, at least it’s a fun thing and rewards system for them.”

Strenth said school staff hosts monthly AR celebrations for students who reach their reading goals through AR. These include ice-cream parties at lunchtime, and recognition of classes and individual students for being top readers.

But this time, Strenth said he wanted to mix things up. In the wake of the school-wide focus on FSA and SSA testing for grades three through five, he wanted to do something fun for kindergarten through second grade.

“I’ve done all kinds of incentives,

Courtesy photos

Prairie Lake Elementary Principal Dr. Robert Strenth shaved his head as a reward for his students completing AR tests. The recent haircut is just the latest of many stunts he has endured to inspire and motivate his students.

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and they tend to respond well if it’s something I’m gonna do,” he said.

“I’ve done things like have my face smeared with peanut butter and a dog lick it off, and they filmed it.

I’ve kissed a pig, and once they had me dress up as Elsa and sing ‘Let It Go.’ … I’ve done high-heel races, which I won because (the heels) sunk into the ground and I was able to win that. There’s been all kinds of stuff.

“They taped me to a wall one time, so there’s been all kinds of ‘abuse,’” he said. “The worst one was probably having to wear all the Florida State stuff. I went to UF, and my media specialist and my wife are rabid FSU alumni, so that was a difficult one to wear FSU stuff all day.”

This time, Strenth decided to challenge his kindergartners, firstand second-graders to each take one AR test in the span of a week.

If they did, he would reward them by shaving his head. He needed a haircut anyway, he said.

“You could hear the roaring going on, people told me, throughout the school as the kids watched it,” he said. “Even four days later, when I walk the halls kids want to touch it and they say, ‘You got your head shaved!’”

In the end, his students’ effort and excitement was well worth the new do.

“It’s just something to make it fun, because I want kids to enjoy it and by the time you get after spring break, it’s a long haul,” Strenth said. “I want to keep them motivated and wanting to be here.

With the push of the standards that are on kids, we’ve got to find some ways for them to enjoy what they’re doing while they’re working and (ensure they) can see success in multiple areas.”

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But according to her children, Ewan and Evelyn, Mom is the best title of them all! Joyce serves as the Director of Guidance at The First Academy and has had the privilege of helping hundreds of students as they navigate college essays, applications, and interviews for the past twelve years. TFA senior, Marissa Thomson, shares “I really got to know Mrs. Kwak at a school trip to Washington D.C. at the end of my junior year.

Since then, she has helped me in inexplicable ways. She went through multiple drafts of my college essay with me until we both thought it was perfect. She answered every question and problem that I had for each application. Even after I finished all of my applications, she nominated me for and helped me with many scholarships to aid my future. The week before I heard back from my dream school, I was a mess. Mrs. Kwak saw me struggling and knew how stressed out I was. She sat with me in her office and reassured my doubts and fears. I would not have gotten through senior year, or the upcoming four years at my dream school (The University of Florida), without the guidance, help, and wisdom of Mrs. Kwak!” Mrs. Kwak’s TFA families, faculty, and her children count it as a joy to walk alongside her everyday!

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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7

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

Whispering Oak student enjoy wild night at carnival

W

hispering Oak Wildcats ran, bounced and played on Friday, April 26, at the school’s annual spring carnival. Students enjoyed an evening of bounce houses, carnival rides, games and even meeting a minion from “Despicable Me.” Raffle prizes and face painting also were available, and Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department officials were available to show students around one of the station’s fire trucks. The annual event is organized by the Whispering Oak Elementary PTO. — ERIC GUTIERREZ

Third-graders Ethan Grhaek, 9, left, and Ryleigh Czajkowski, 9, were all smiles after riding the Turbo Tubs.

Three-year-old Avery Bullion had fun riding the Turbo Tubs with her sister, first-grader Cadence, 7.

Fourth-grader Cristina Trujillo, 10, reached new heights on the rock-climbing wall.

Just in time for Mother’s Day Jewelry, Fashion, Home Goods and Unique Items Mention this Ad to Receive 10% Off a Gift for Mom

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From The Observer

Students raised their arms as they spun around on the Orbiter ride.

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Three-year-old Harper Eugene was excited to go down the bounce house slide.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

Oakland postpones apartment vote The Planning & Zoning Board and the Town Commission both will meet Tuesday, May 7, to hold public hearings on a proposed apartment complex south of West Colonial Drive.

AMY QUESINBERRY

IN OTHER NEWS

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Most of the residents attending the packed April 23 Town of Oakland meeting were there to speak about an apartment complex proposed for West Colonial Drive west of Florida’s Turnpike. They never got the chance to voice their opinion, however, because the public hearing and vote had to be postponed.

Town Attorney Becky Vos explained to the audience and the commission there was a discrepancy in property identification numbers distributed by the Orange County Property Appraiser’s office, so the public hearing had to be readvertised with the correct ID numbers.

Town Manager Steve Koontz said the original annexation application included two properties — one about four acres, and the other about 12 acres. The town approved the annexation of the four acres and about seven of the 12-acre parcel.

The property appraiser’s office assigned a new parcel number to the seven-acre piece but didn’t notify the town so the advertisement included the original ID number that was assigned to the property not annexed, Koontz said.

“To keep everything straight and not have anything challenged, we wanted to readvertise correctly,” Koontz said.

The public hearing was advertised last week.

Oakland’s Planning & Zoning Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, and the Town Commission will meet at 7, both at the Oakland Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington St. The public hearings will be to the change the town’s official zoning map designation

Accepting New Patients

n The Town Commission passed the first reading of an ordinance that updates the town’s Utility Code. Two sections, sprinkler systems and telecommunications systems, were moved to a more appropriate area of the Town Code, and the process for connecting new and existing customers to the wastewater system was determined. n Elected officials approved an ordinance that authorizes the town to apply to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for a Community Development Block Grant.

This grant would provide funding to help bring the sewer project into the southwest portion of the town, including West Hull and West Oakland avenues; as well as South Pollard, South Nixon and South Walker streets.

and change the Future Land-Use Plan map designation.

More information on both meetings can be found on the town of Oakland website under the Agenda Center starting Friday, May 3.

The May 7 Town Commission meeting will take the place of the regularly scheduled May 14 Town Commission meeting.

The property in question lies on 11.3 acres on Johns Lake, at 17812 W. Colonial Drive. The property, owned by Gary M. and Dana D. English, was annexed into the town in August. The applicant for the rezoning request is LIV Development Inc., which proposes to build a 242-unit apartment complex.

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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Betty and Jim Ballenger

Cindy Christmas and Doug McGinnis

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

9

Gustavo Loza

PLEIN AIR PARTY

Stephen Withers Left: Dawn Willis, Nick Emanuel, Norma and Byron Sutton, Windermere Rotary Club President Don and Karen Hairston

I

Mike and Karen Neff

t was a busy and beautiful evening at Nehrling Gardens on Saturday, April 27, during the annual Corks, Caladiums & Canvases fundraiser. Guests enjoyed samples from the local food vendors, breweries and wine sponsors stationed throughout the grounds. They also had the opportunity to see artists painting or drawing live along the pathways. Many pieces of art were up for grabs in the silent auction, and attendees were encouraged to mix, mingle and enjoy the beauty of nature as they made their way around the gardens.

Karen Williams

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

ONLINE

See more photos at OrangeObserver.com Justin Paul

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

Steven and Lynn Van Varick

Stephanie Lang and Ryan Burfield

Friends of newly appointed Shepherd’s Hope President and CEO Pam Gould were happy to support her and the nonprofit.

West Orange community answers Shepherd’s Hope’s ‘Call to Hope’

S

Terry DiCastro, Marcie Barbeiro, Barbara McDonald and Dawn Werner

Garden Choir supporters sip, stroll down Plant Street

P

lant Street was filled with people carrying wine glasses from store to store as they enjoyed an evening out during the Garden Choir’s spring Winter Garden Wine Walk. Held Thursday, April 25, the semiannual fundraiser takes attendees on a stroll around downtown Winter Garden, during which they can sample wines and food.

Guests also enjoy shopping and fun with friends as they roam throughout the tasting stations. This spring’s walk sold out about three weeks prior to the event.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

Left: Dom Meffe, Shannon Gravitte, Shepherd’s Hope President and CEO Pam Gould and Shepherd’s Hope Founder Dr. Bill Barnes

Jorge Torres, Leisy Perez, and Kristen and Paul Roy

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Rebecca Sayago, Cathy Hosman and Viviana Laverde

hepherd’s Hope supporters arrived at Rosen Shingle Creek bright and early Wednesday, April 24, for the nonprofit’s annual fundraising breakfast. The Call to Hope Breakfast included recognition of the more than 2,800 volunteers who give more than $17 million of in-kind volunteer services, and four volunteers received varying Volunteer of the Year awards. Additionally, Pam Gould — Orange County Public Schools’s District 4 School Board member — was named the new president and CEO of Shepherd’s Hope, following Marni Stahlman’s departure from the nonprofit at the end of 2018.

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

11

Personalized care with compassion and excellence.

CFHLA awards $200,000 in scholarships at luncheon

Office Hours:

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Osceola County District 1 Commissioner Peggy Choudhry, Orange County School Board District 2 Member Johanna Lopez, CFHLA Board Chairman Jesse Martinez, Orange County School Board District 1 Member Angie Gallo, and Orange County School Board District 4 Member Pam Gould

T

Scott Jamieson and Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins

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he Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association celebrated a big day during its CFHLA Gives Scholarship Luncheon, held Thursday, April 25, at the DoubleTree by Hilton near Universal. CFHLA awarded more than $200,000 in hospitalitystudent scholarships; $100,000 in family-member scholarships, hospitality and community grants; and recognized its 2018 CFHLA Public Servant of the Year, Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey. Among the grants awardees were Olympia High, Orange Technical College, UCF Rosen College, Central Florida Community Arts and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

Darby Lestin helped start the show.

Raising their voices Members of the West Orange High concert choir performed, too.

Robert Fernandez and Zander Adkins interacted while singing.

T

Mekelya Griffin prepared to take her solo to the next level.

Right: Daryl Yasay, director for Noise Complaint and other choirs at the school, thanked attendees for their support.

Stephanie Mustonen rocked her solo.

welve members of West Orange High’s a cappella group, Noise Complaint — along with the school’s various choirs — commandeered the stage Tuesday, April 16, during a fundraising performance. While Noise Complaint was the main act of the evening, the a cappella show featured dozens of choir students who sang their hearts out and impressed the audience.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

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Join us every Wednesday in May for a Taste of HarborChase! Meet us at the pool for a variety of chefprepared hors d’oeuvres.

Get to know our residents, meet our amazing team and take an exclusive tour It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the lifestyle of HarborChase!

RSVP today for a chance to win a gift basket!

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Are you curious about life at HarborChase of Dr. Phillips?

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

REAL ESTATE

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13

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

So local, it feels like your garage!

Hickory Hammock estate sells for $1.265 million

A

home in the Hickory

Call Today!

Hammock community

in Horizon West topped all West Orange-area

IN WINTER GARDEN

residential real-estate

407-654-3037 www.stoneybrookweststorage.com

transactions from April 18

stoneybrookwestss@cfl.rr.com

to 26.

The home at 16186

sold April 24, for $1.265 million. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, fourand-one-half baths, a pool and 4,461 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $283.57.

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

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 70 High Sale Price: $2.175M Low Sale Price: $122,000

HORIZON WEST

THE COVE AT HAMLIN

The home at 5460 Bowman Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $359,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, threeand-one-half baths and 2,477 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $144.93.

HAMLIN RESERVE

The home at 6648 Dwarf Lemon Alley, Winter Garden, sold April 25, for $395,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,309 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $171.07.

The townhouse at 15584 Honeybell Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 25, for $287,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,903 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.81.

HICKORY HAMMOCK

The home at 16068 Black Hickory Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $575,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, five baths and 4,048 square feet. The price per square foot is $142.05.

407-905-7898 www.maguireroadstorage.com

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Drive, Winter Garden,

realtor.com

This Hickory Hammock home, at 16186 Johns Lake Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $1.265 million. This community features access to Johns Lake.

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In Loving Memory of

INDEPENDENCE/ SIGNATURE LAKES

The home at 7037 Fence Line Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 25, for $306,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,980 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $154.55.

The townhouse at 14445 Pleach St., Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $240,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths and 1,524 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $157.48.

SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 14

~ Beloved Brother ~

John Clement Lynch December 31, 1956 - May 6, 2010

I miss You, Wanda

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Johns Lake Overlook

IN OCOEE

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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REAL ESTATE

AVENGERS ENDGAME PG13

FRI: 3:30P 4:00P 6:30P 7:30P 8:00P SAT: 12:30P 1:30P 3:30P 4:30P 7:00P 8:00P 8:30P SUN: 12:30P 1:00P 1:30P 4:45P 6:00P 6:30P MON-THURS: 4:15P 6:30P

AVENGERS ENDGAME 3D PG13

(1 BLK. OFF HWY. 50)

www.westorange5.com

407-877-8111 “Homemade Sandwiches and Snacks Available”

X

MAGUIRE RD.

W. HWY 50

General $8.50 Child (2-12) $6.50 Senior (60+) $6.50 Matinee (before 5pm) $6.50 3D is an additional $2.00 per ticket

THESE SHOWTIMES FOR:

FRIDAY, MAY 3 - thru THURSDAY, MAY 9 THE BEST MOVIE VALUE IN WO COUNTY

FRI: 4:30P 8:30P SAT: 2:00P 7:30P SUN: 12:45P 5:00P MON-THURS: 5:00P

LONG SHOT

R

FRI: 3:50P 6:50P 9:30P SAT: 12:50P 3:50P 6:50P 9:30P SUN: 1:10P 4:10P 7:10P MON-THURS: 4:10P 7:10P

UGLYDOLLS

FRI: 4:20P 7:20P 9:35P SAT: 1:20P 4:20P 7:20P 9:35P SUN: 1:40P 4:40P 7:20P MON-THURS: 4:20P 7:20P

PG

POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU PG13

THURS: 4:00P 7:00P

LAKE SAWYER SOUTH

The home at 7736 Brofield Ave., Windermere, sold April 24, for $365,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,709 square feet. The price per square foot is $213.58.

The home at 9366 Bradleigh Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $549,141. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,783 square feet. The price per square foot is $197.32.

The home at 4731 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, sold April 24, for $355,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,411 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.24.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE

OASIS COVE I

The home at 10282 Merrymeeting Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $291,960. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,689 square feet. The price per square foot is $172.86.

The home at 12650 Hawkstone Drive, Windermere, sold April 23, for $440,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,043 square feet. The price per square foot is $144.59.

LAKES OF WINDERMERE — PEACHTREE

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1575 MAGUIRE RD.

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

The home at 13531 Bicton Lane, Windermere, sold April 22, for $335,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,627 square feet. The price per square foot is $127.52.

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SUMMERLAKE

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SUMMERPORT

The home at 4531 Blue Major Drive, Windermere, sold April 24, for $353,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,345 square feet. The price per square foot is $150.53.

WATERMARK

The home at 14708 Glade Hill Park Way, Winter Garden, sold April 26, for $460,926. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,420 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.77.

The home at 9250 Grand Island Way, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $434,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,925 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.38.

WINDERMERE ISLE

The home at 8336 Vivaro Isle Way, Windermere, sold April 25, for $529,000. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four baths and 3,919 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.98.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS 306876-1

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The home at 9057 Pinch Shot Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $352,835. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,638 square feet. The price per square foot is $133.75.

The home at 8131 Red Stopper Lane, Winter Garden, sold April 26, for $298,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,853 square feet. The price per square foot is $160.82.

The home at 9372 Bradleigh Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $634,636. Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths and 3,542 square feet. The price per square foot is $179.17.

Now Offering

PANTHER VIEW

The home at 14269 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 26, for $375,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,066 square feet. The price per square foot is $181.51.

LATHAM PARK NORTH

BR DENTAL 407-905-9965

The home at 8102 Enchantment Drive, No. 1706, Windermere, sold April 23, for $270,500. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,852 square feet. The price per square foot is $146.06.

WATERLEIGH

WINTER GARDEN

These are the largest building permits issued by the city of Winter Garden from April 18 to 24, in order of dollar amounts.

ADDRESS 12053 Rebeccas Run Drive 16110 Johns Lake Overlook Drive 1045 Vinsetta Circle 14838 Tullamore Loop 13971 Jomatt Loop 125 Blue Stone Circle 17008 Tradewind Point 16066 Johns Lake Overlook Drive 2406 Prairie View Drive 15525 Pebble Ridge St.

PERMIT APPLICANT Addition, remodel Michael L. Addeo Pool and spa Marshall S. and Jeane A. Boast Pool and patio Diana M. and David Murawski Solar Craig A. Madeiros Solar Heather and Robert Taylor Re-roof Bradley and Krystin Moore Solar Marcia K. Huerta Pergola David Prewitt Re-roof David Nguyen Re-roof Karin D. Bullock

AMOUNT $260,000 $130,622 $56,004 $35,500 $34,122 $30,000 $27,500 $25,000 $24,243 $22,320

OAKLAND

These are the largest building permits issued by the town of Oakland for March, in order of dollar amounts.

Facebook.com/wotimes

ADDRESS PERMIT APPLICANT 103 E. Hull Ave. Solar panels Robert W. Trampe 605 Strihal Loop Re-roof Carolyn Dewalden 504 Orionvista Way Re-roof John Siner 643 Regina Circle Re-roof Marc A. Dossey 710 Regina Circle Re-roof Christine Wilson 219 Largovista Drive Re-roof Sean E. Deally 207 Mather Smith Drive Re-roof Kenneth B. McKellar Jr. 24 Oakland Point Circle HVAC Gene Vernon Hair 1515 Stone Arrow Court Screen enclosure Joseph Pompa 51 Vandermeer St. Remove/replace Edward Kulakowski driveway/sidewalk

AMOUNT $24,369.80 $23,866.22 $21,340 $19,627 $18,000 $16,600 $10,500 $9,920 $9,383 $8,450

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

OAKLAND

COVINGTON PARK

The home at 811 Bainbridge Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $375,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,649 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $141.56.

JOHNS COVE

The home at 906 Johns Cove Lane, Oakland, sold April 26, for $350,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,652 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $131.98.

The home at 613 Bainbridge Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $290,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,536 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $188.80.

JOHNS LANDING

OAKLAND

The home at 321 W. Henschel Ave., Oakland, sold April 18, for $261,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,076 square feet. The price per square foot is $125.72.

OCOEE

BORDEAUX

The condo at 2015 Erving Circle, No. 307, Ocoee, sold April 24, for $118,500. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,031 square feet. The price per square foot is $114.94.

BROOKSTONE

The home at 472 Huntington Pines Drive, Ocoee, sold April 25, for $330,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,352 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.31.

CROSS CREEK

The home at 457 Winding Hollow Ave., Ocoee, sold April 24, for $280,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,667 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $167.97.

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

15

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2359 Baronsmede Court, Winter Garden, sold April 26, for $375,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,617 square feet. The price per square foot is $143.29.

VILLAGE GROVE

The townhouse at 464 Sand Lime Road, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $130,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 890 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $146.07.

1916lakerobertslanding.info

This Lake Roberts home, at 1916 Lake Roberts Landing Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $695,000. At 5,158 square feet, this was the largest home sold from April 18 to 26.

PRESERVE AT CROWN POINT

The home at 3107 Stonegate Drive, Ocoee, sold April 25, for $346,961. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,795 square feet. The price per square foot is $124.14.

RICHFIELD

The home at 2708 Estep Court, Ocoee, sold April 25, for $249,988. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,794 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.35.

SILVER BEND

The home at 1634 Cassingham Circle, Ocoee, sold April 24, for $205,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,406 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.80.

TWIN LAKES MANOR

The home at 1209 Willow Creek Road, Ocoee, sold April 25, for $185,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,476 square feet. The price per square foot is $125.34.

WESTSIDE TOWNHOMES

OAKLAND PARK

WINTER GARDEN SHORES

SIPLIN HEIGHTS

WINTER OAKS

The home at 1916 Lake Roberts Landing Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $695,000. Built in 2010, it has seven bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,158 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.74.

The home at 505 Wurst Road, Ocoee, sold April 22, for $150,000. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,388 square feet. The price per square foot is $108.07.

The home at 1024 Kershaw Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $525,126. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,459 square feet. The price per square foot is $213.55.

VILLAGES OF WESMERE

The home at 1772 Leather Fern Drive, Ocoee, sold April 26, for $345,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-onehalf baths, a pool and 2,443 square feet. The price per square foot is $141.22.

The home at 14842 Siplin Road, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $200,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,298 square feet. The price per square foot is $154.08.

The home at 1780 Leather Fern Drive, Ocoee, sold April 26, for $295,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,109 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.88.

STONE CREEK

WINTER GARDEN

The home at 1812 Eagle Beam Road, Winter Garden, sold April 25, for $259,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,257 square feet. The price per square foot is $114.75.

COVINGTON CHASE

The home at 915 Meadow Glade Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $308,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,847 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.76.

The townhouse at 1195 Westside Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $122,000. Built in 1986, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 719 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $169.68.

The home at 386 N. Boyd St., Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $289,900. Built in 1960, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,450 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $199.93.

The home at 814 Summer Oaks Road, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $398,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,105 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $128.18.

The home at 707 Chase Oaks Court, Winter Garden, sold April 22, for $375,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,560 square feet of living area. The price per square foot is $146.48.

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She is survived by children, Mike (Patsy) and Tammy (Lee) Freshour; grandchildren, Jennifer, David, Katie (Tina), Nathan and Alina; and three great-grand-

children. She will also be missed by all those she considered her children and grandchildren.

Betty was a teacher at Ocoee Elementary and had a passion for teaching children to read.

She was active in her church and loved to travel. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing her piano and playing scrabble with whoever would play with her and fall for her made-up words. She was a wonderful mother who was fiercely protective and loyal to her family. She was a kind and generous woman, and she will be missed.

death in 2006. Following the untimely death of her in-laws, she and Johnnie began raising and supporting several of Johnnie’s younger siblings, who became like brothers and sisters.

She and Johnnie founded Lott’s Concrete Products Inc. She was a hard worker, phenomenal cook who loved to feed her family, and enjoyed fishing and remaining as active as possible.

Dean is survived by her daughter, Belinda (Bobby); her son Paul (Brenda); her grandchildren,

Scott (Melanie), April (Sean), J.P. (Nicolette), Allie and Kristi (Jeffie); her great-granddaughter, Abigail Grace; and her siblings, Roy, Billy Charles, Ermalee and Mert. She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Paul Lott Sr.; her parents; and her brother, Leon.

The family gathered for a viewing from 5 to 6 p.m. and received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden.

Funeral services followed at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at First Baptist Winter Garden.

The Rev. Rick Faircloth officiated the service with her grandson, the Rev. Scott Fleming, offering a reflection. The family is grateful for your prayers, condolences and memories, which are gladly accepted at baldwinfairchildwintergarden.com. Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.

BETTY (HAMMOND) MINOR DIED APRIL 23, 2019.

Betty (Hammond) Minor, age 90, of Ocoee, Florida, walked into the arms of Jesus on April 23, 2019.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Glad Tidings Church, 2009 E. Fullers Cross Road, Ocoee, with a visitation at 10:30 a.m. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Reception to follow at church.

She was preceded in death by husband, Leonard; brother, John Hammond; son-in-law, 1st Lt. David J. Nairn.

WILLER “DEAN” LOTT DIED APRIL 24, 2019.

Willer “Dean” Lott, 87, made residence in her eternal heavenly home on April 24, 2019, after a short but valiant battle with illness. Her devotion to her family and her faith in Jesus Christ supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.

Dean was born to the late James and Estelle Sanders in Opp, Alabama, on Aug. 16, 1931. She was an active member of the Ocoee Church of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a fervent prayer warrior.

Dean was blessed with a large and loving family. She was married to Johnnie Paul Lott Sr. for more than 50 years before his

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SPORTS

HIGH

West Orange High’s Nicholas Miller snagged two second-place finishes at the Class 4A regionals. Page 18.

1

5

It was a big day at the Class 4A regionals for the West Orange boys track team Saturday, April 27, as the Warriors took home second place among a competitive field. Leading the way for the Warriors was jumper extraordinaire Russell Robinson, who took home gold in the triple jump (48-0.75) and silver in the long jump (23-0). Other winners for the Warriors included Jaden Floyd (silver in the 400m) and Nicholas Miller (second place in the 3,200m and 1,600m).

2

In Legacy baseball’s close 9-8 win over Umatilla Friday, April 26, senior Gabriel Chambless went 3-for4 for the Lions, while picking up two RBI and scoring one run himself.

The win pushed the Lions to 8-13 on the season.

3

In Foundation’s 17-5 thrashing of Evans on the softball diamond Thursday, April 25, Sophia Smith finished her excellent year by going 4-for-4 at the plate, accounting for two RBI and scoring one run herself.

4

It was a successful senior night for the Foundation baseball team, as the Lions got the 9-2 win over Cornerstone Charter Academy Thursday, April 25. Freshman Dylan Rose was a perfect 2-for-2 in three plate appearances for the Lions, and picked up two RBI and a scored a run. Adding to the offense was senior Elias Cabral, who went 3-for-4 for one run and two RBI.

Troy Herring

Jeremiah Fails and Alliyah Allwood are both going to Jacksonville to take part in the state track meet.

Forward thinking The Ocoee track team has come a long way. A big part of that is thanks to sprinters such as Jeremiah Fails and Alliyah Allwood.

B

efore she even approaches the line, Ocoee senior Alliyah Allwood already feels the weight of the moment.

Just the sound of the starting gun going off for the races before hers makes her antsy — it’s like that before every race.

“Sometimes, I really want to get it over with, so that I could go again,” Allwood said. “But I always talk to God in my head, and I always pray before I start my race. I always ask him to be there

with me, because I can’t do this by myself.”

Allwood isn’t the only one calling upon a higher power at the starting blocks. Teammate and fellow 100m/200m sprinter Jeremiah Fails goes through the same process when it comes to his running.

But as soon as the gun sounds, the pre-race jitters for the two are a thing of the past. Both have SEE OCOEE PAGE 18

Warriors’ girls tennis ends in regional final

5

In West Orange softball’s big 10-2 victory over Olympia on Wednesday, April 24, senior Amanda Denis went 1-for-4 with a monstrous three-run homer in the seventh inning for the Warriors. She would also score two runs herself.

Meanwhile on the mound, junior Riley Fromberg would pitch a complete game — giving up only two earned runs on four hits while recording three strikeouts.

In a year meant for continued rebuilding, the Warriors pulled off a perfect regular season on the tennis court.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Courtesy of Thomas Lightbody

After a difficult 2018 season, the Warriors went undefeated until their regional final bout against Winter Park.

Not all endings capped by losses are negative.

Just ask the West Orange High girls tennis team.

Coming off a close, 4-3 win over Oviedo in the Class 4A regional semifinal, the Warriors were matched with the nationally ranked Winter Park Wildcats in the regional final Thursday, April 25.

Warriors head coach Marilyne Ross knew her team had a

challenge in front of them, and she was correct — the Wildcats blanked West Orange 5-0.

“We went in with that feeling that we were going to do our best and fight, and do the best that we could do,” Ross said. “Although we lost — they (Winter Park) are a good team — they were just happy that they got the opportunity to face such a good school in Winter Park.

“Some of them felt it was one of the best games they had played SEE WARRIORS PAGE 19

18

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

SPONSORED BY MARK’S FLOORS

Nicholas Miller As a senior on the West Orange High track and cross-country team, Nicholas Miller is a long distance runner who has been a consistent anchor for his team in the last four years. Recently, he finished in second place in both the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter races at the Class 4A regionals held Saturday, April 27, at Winter Park High.

When — and how — did you first get into running?

I’m from up north (Illinois), so I first started running — I had a club team up there — when I was roughly 6. Then, I was a soccer player and also hockey, but then running just became my thing.

THE BASICS

What was it about running that drew you to it?

You can always get better, and you can quantitatively figure that out. In soccer, it was hard to tell if you were getting better at all — like maybe you score more goals, but if you were a defender like me, you didn’t really know. Plus, for later on, I was looking at college — I could see myself running and getting a scholarship.

When you’re running in these longer races, what goes through your head?

Definitely the 3,200 is a tough event for me — I’ll do it, but it’s not my favorite. I’m running it, and then the first mile is always pretty easy, because it’s not as fast as we normally go, so it just feels like we are chilling. But once I hit that fifth lap, it’s just complete downhill from there — you feel like you’re just going to throw up. But then the guys start picking up the pace and then you start falling off, but you try to hold it and then the last lap is like a sprint. It’s just holding on.

What is the most challenging aspect of the sport for you?

I feel like the meets are honestly the easier parts of running,

SCHOOL: West Orange High YEAR: Senior AGE: 18 SPORTS: Track and field, cross country EVENTS: 1,600m, 3,200m and 4x800m relay

because on those days we don’t run that many miles. But on a normal day, at practice, we’ll run 10 miles or depending on what part of the season, earlier on, we will run more. On the hard days, we will be doing really fast-paced and multiple reps, and honestly, sometimes my head will be throbbing, and it’s just bad.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I’m going to be running track and then hopefully cross country at college. I’m going to be signing for Georgia Tech.

I wanted to go to a school that has a big focus on engineering — which they definitely have there — and they also have a really good running team.

They’re D1, so it was something that I’d have to work toward — I didn’t want to go somewhere where I’d be the fastest. They had the best of both worlds.

When you’re not running or doing homework, what do you like doing in your spare time?

On the weekends, I sometimes ref — I’m a soccer referee — but most of the other times, I’m just trying to hang out with my friends. I like bowling and the movies.

— TROY HERRING

Athlete of the Week sponsored by:

Ocoee track ready for states CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

only a little more than 328 feet to claim their prize.

It’s a quick, blazing sprint from start to finish, but it still requires a technical mindset to get the most out of themselves, Fails said.

“I’m quick at adapting,” Fails said. “I know that, ‘Now it’s technique time, now it’s stride time.’ Usually when I get about 40 meters into the race, that’s when the race really starts. It’s time to burn up and get it.”

The process has worked well for the seniors. Over the last month, the two have picked up district titles in the 100m — with Fails setting a personal record with a time of 10.60. On Saturday, April 27, Allwood took first in the 100m at the Class 4A, Region 1 — earning her a spot at states — while Fails will take part in the 200m.

The impressive stats and outings are the culmination of years of honing their technique. Allwood’s journey started by accident, when she was growing up in her home country of Jamaica.

“I didn’t know I could run at first,” Allwood said. “The thing is, my elementary school, the coach of the track team saw me running at sports day. Way back then, I ran timid, and then he was like, ‘Come to practice, come to practice!’ And that’s how I started running — I was about 8 or 9.”

It wasn’t until eighth grade that Allwood realized she had a knack for running. The school she was attending wasn’t good at track, but other schools were trying to recruit her. That’s when things clicked.

Fast-forward to her junior year — when she arrived at Ocoee High — and Allwood was ready to take on the new challenge of running track in the United States. Allwood’s surroundings are not the only things that have changed.

“My form changed — I ran really horribly,” Allwood said.

“Everything changed; my determination changed, and my drive changed, as well. I wanted to go to a better school, and I wanted to go to college — my dreams got bigger.”

Fails’ start in running also came at a young age, although his love for the sport grew out of another sport: football.

He played Pop Warner as a kid.

“When I first touched a field or a football, it was always with older kids — we would just be racing from light pole to light pole, mailbox to mailbox,” said Fails, who was a slot receiver on the Ocoee football team.

Troy Herring

The senior duo will be among the four athletes — including Reginald Hicks and Miracle Johnson — to go to states.

Although Fails found success in those early days, it wasn’t until the passing of his mother in 2009 that he found the motivation to be better than he had been before.

The weight of a moment like that could lead to one of two outcomes: It could set him back, or it could move him forward.

Luckily for Fails, it was the latter scenario.

“I believe it maybe made me a better person,” Fails said. “I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today.”

That kind of attitude has been a big part of the success for both Fails and the Ocoee track-and-

“I didn’t know I could run at first The thing is, my elementary school, the coach of the track team saw me running at sports day. Way back then, I ran timid, and then he was like, ‘Come to practice, come to practice!’ And that’s how I started running — I was about 8 or 9.”

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field team this season, which included a depleted roster and an injury to Allwood before the season even started.

Regardless of those struggles, things have worked out well for them and the team, said firstyear head coach David Peaco.

While Fails and Allwood head to states this weekend, the future after Ocoee is bright for both stars. Both have received offers to play in college.

“I just want to secure my scholarship to go to college,” Allwood said. “And to PB (personal best) and run a very, very fast time, and to be better than I was yesterday.”

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WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

this season, so it really pushed their tennis to the next level and they appreciated that,” she said.

The loss itself was just that — a loss — but by finishing at the regional final, following a perfect season, it was a signifier of what the program could accomplish.

The team’s motto this season — “It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog” — proved to be the perfect descriptor for everything the team had been able to do despite setbacks since Ross took over three years ago.

In her first year as head coach, the team made it to regionals, where they lost in the first round.

Then, Windermere High arrived.

Just as with the boys team, the girls tennis team was decimated by transfers who made their way over to Windermere last year. It was a total rebuilding effort, and eventually the Warriors found their identity.

“Last season was hard — it was a struggle getting the players to have that winning mindset,” Ross said. “I think somewhere halfway in the season, it started to come together for us when we played against Lake Minneola. … We had a good talk there, and it started turning things around a bit for them.”

Unlike last year, this season’s success didn’t wait long to show.

It started in the first match, against the team who featured multiple former players.

Looking for revenge following last year’s loss to the Wolverines,

the Warriors took home a tight 4-3 win.

“That was our first big win of the season, and it just kept on going from there,” Ross said. “It really catapulted the season for them.”

From there, the Warriors took down team after team — including Olympia and Dr. Phillips, who had given them fits for as long as they could remember.

It actually was the losses to those two teams in the past that added fuel to her team’s fire, Ross said.

“They were tired of being beaten up by Olympia and Dr. Phillips, so when they came in this season, they were willing to work, and they were willing to practice,” Ross said. “They just did what was needed to be done.”

And those two wins came up at an important time for West Orange. The Warriors took out Olympia in a 5-2 win in the district semis, before going on to knock off Dr. Phillips to claim the district title. That title was preceded by a 5-2 win over Edgewater to claim the West Metro championship.

Before they knew it, the Warriors were 14-0 and reigning Metro and district champions — thanks in part to players such as Shelley Peach and Morgan DeLattre.

Although the season ended for the Warriors in that regional final, Ross has time to look ahead to next year, which will see almost all her players returning.

“Everybody is saying they’re coming back, and they’re all excited, so that’s even more exciting to me,” Ross said.

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

19

Alijian Gunn tosses the ball to first to try and force the double play.

Ocoee falters late against Apopka

Hylan Hall snags a pop fly in the outfield.

I

t was late-game disappointment in Ocoee baseball’s 6-3 loss to Apopka Wednesday, April 24.

Despite the Knights going toe-to-toe in a pitching duel with the Blue Darters through most of the game, a four-run sixth inning ultimately sunk the home side. Although the Knights would rally in the bottom of the seventh for a few runs, it wouldn’t be enough.

Leading the way for the Knights at the plate was Colin Hall, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI.

Collin Hall tosses the ball back to the mound.

— TROY HERRING

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 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 https://vimeo.com/299973524 www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org 307488-1

Warriors find success

|

GAME FILM

OrangeObserver.com

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

|

OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

CHURCH DIRECTORY

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E Plant St., Winter Garden 407-656-2352 SUNDAYS 8:30 am Traditional 9:45 am Bible Study 11:00 am Contemporary WEDNESDAYS - 6pm - Awana Pastor Tim Grosshans www.fbcwg.org 2nd Campus: FOUNDATION WORSHIP SUNDAYS 9:45 am - All Ages Foundation Academy High School 15304 Tilden Rd., Winter Garden www.FoundationWorship.com 407-730-1867 STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011

EPISCOPAL

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com

NON-DENOMINATIONAL PURPOSE CHURCH ORLANDO 13640 W. Colonial Dr., Ste 110, Winter Garden 407-654-9661 • Prayer 9:30AM, Fellowship 9:45AM, Service 10:05AM

Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly.

This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at orangeobserver.com.

To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email advertisenow@orangeobserver.com

307414-1

BEULAH BAPTIST Pastor Casey Butner 671 Beulah Rd, Winter Garden 407-656-3342 | BeulahBaptistWG.org SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30AM SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00AM WEDNESDAY SERVICE 6:00PM

CHURCH OF GOD

METHODIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 125 N. Lakeview Ave Winter Garden Service Times 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Phone – 407-656-1135 Web: fumcwg.org

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

“I give you a new command: Love one another.

Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

WINDERMERE UNION CHURCH 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd. Windermere, FL 34786 407-876-2112 Worship times: 9:00am Adult Sunday School 10:00am Worship www.windermereunion.org

125 E. PLANT STREET • WINTER GARDEN

XNSP17685

BAPTIST

AMAZING DISCOVERIES SCIENCE AND NATURE SUMMER CAMP CAMP WEEKS: 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/15, AND 7/22 M - F 9 AM TO 2 PM

MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

www.facebook.com/MatthewsHopeFirmFoundation/

CONGRATS GRADS!

TIME SIGN UP WIN WIN

It is to

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!

West Orange: (321) 239-3252 Windermere: (407)725-8162 Email: advertise@orangeobserver.com

407.905.9500

740 9th St., Winter Garden, FL 34787 XNSP17686

Preschool & Daycare

Please come out and meet our staff and take a tour of the facility.

Your news your way.

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

ENT A CHAER FOR NCE T O

SIGN UP for the DAILY HEADLINES NEWSLETTER for your chance to WIN an APPLE SERIES 4 WATCH*

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

APP SERIELE WATC S *4 H

TO SIGN UP VISIT ORANGEOBSERVER.COM/EMAIL-SIGNUP

• Letter to senior class from the school principal.

Daily Headlines:

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

A daily dose of up-to-the-minute news from Winter Garden, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Horizon West, Winter Park and Maitland.

Monday - Friday DON’T WAIT FOR TOMORROW, FOR TODAY’S NEWS.

OrangeObserver.com * 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.

307495-1

Interested in a Montessori Education, with a Christian Worldview, for your preschool child?

Learn more now by emailing Meagan@MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

306464-1

20

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

MAY 7, 1970 As advertised in The Winter Garden Times in 1970, vehicle owners could get a front-end alignment, a tuneup, a wheel balance and more for just $6.88 each at Al Ewing Ford, in Winter Garden. Many local teens will remember buying their first car from Mr. Ewing, whose business slogan was “We mark our cars up just a little bit.”

In 1974, the Ford dealership moved to a new location, in the Peoples Plaza West, on West Colonial Drive. This plaza was demolished last week after 45 years of existence, offering space to businesses selling everything from musical instruments to chicken wings.

Mother’s Day special at Mrs. Foots Flower Shop, Ocoee: Mixed bouquets, 50 cents. Flowers can be mailed for a small extra charge.

45 years ago

A group of Dillard Street Elementary students presented a mini-version of their “Tom Sawyer” operetta at UCF. The cast included Mark Walker as Tom, Scott Britt as Huck Finn, Lisa Reagan as Becky Thatcher, Robin Barber as Aunt Polly and Blake Wagster as the Captain on the Mississippi.

Windermere Elementary students on Team One for the Orange County Creative Problem-solving Bowl at Rollins College are Mike Passilla, Robert Matheison, Carol Ruud and Kathy Franklin. Students on Team Two are Julie Purdy, Jack Jackson, Patrick Farley and Kali Webb.

in 1913 to serve as the line’s Winter Garden passenger and freight station.

For 35 years, thousands of railfans have visited the museum to learn about the region’s railroading history.

Recently expanded and offering many new exhibits, it is

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.

30 years ago

The West Orange Junior Service League announced its 1989 debutantes: Mary Grant, Tabitha Shelton, Michelle Oswalt, Karen Fewell, Julie Graham, Kathleen Overchuck, Andrea Hill, Susan Strickland, Jenna Joiner,

Heather McGrath, Dawn Howe, Tracy Harrison, Claire Conry, Andrea Dowd, Bridgette Fay and Bonny Potz.

20 years ago

Ken Rushing, who started as a U.S. Postal Service employee

SOLVE DA PUZZLE! by Anne Flinchbaugh and Erik Agard; CROSSWORD JUST Edited by David Steinberg

116 Unfastens, as a coin purse 119 Prepare a cheese shop display?

125 Musician Puente 126 One saving the day 127 Perfect Olympic scores 128 Divvies up 129 Word indicating a read text 130 Connery or McAvoy 131 Huffy state 132 Unhelpful RSVPs DOWN

©2019 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Foal house 7 Prefix with mount or sail 11 Single item 15 Easter entrees 19 Headache relief brand 20 Bistro name word 21 In pain after the gym 22 Bachelor before Colton 23 Like a hungry fish?

25 Fibula-foot connector 27 City in northwestern France 28 Canis, for a dog 30 Performed with

gestures 31 College math course, for short 34 Organizer of pickets?

39 ___ a kind 41 Relay segment 42 Ice and deer, for drivers 43 Milano’s home 45 Malek of “Bohemian Rhapsody” 48 Carry a tune 49 School fundraising grp.

52 Coexisting with crocodiles and hippos?

56 Four-square game?

58 Dallas-to-Houston dir.

located at 101 S. Boyd St. and open every day from 1 to 5 p.m.

It features a world-renowned collection of railroad china and silver in its vast archive, along with a comprehensive library available to members of the Central Florida Railway Historic Society.

59 Officer 60 It’s passed down to you 61 Plumbers’ concerns 62 Intense spasm 64 Eco-friendly greeting 67 Garfield’s dopey friend 68 Money in hand 71 Accept new podiatry patients?

75 Period after Mardi Gras 76 Low female voice 77 Ancient Buddhist text 78 Comment after tripping 80 “My bad!”

82 Actor’s delivery 84 Prime number factor

85 Uncle seeking recruits 88 What year to ring in 90 Keeping dust off a gripping tool?

94 Toothed tool 95 Cry to a fly 97 Mexican coin 98 L.A.’s WNBA team 99 Punch a timecard 102 “It’s cold!”

104 Forest makeup 105 Radioactive origami?

111 ___ 500 112 Pitch-black 113 Time divisions 114 “Odyssey,” for one

1 Univ. in Dallas 2 T-shirt or blouse 3 DOJ division 4 Heads of supermarkets?

5 Former Italian currency 6 Started rolling credits, say 7 Banned pollutant initials 8 “I’ve found it!”

9 Govern the kingdom 10 Ancient Mexican empire 11 American fan’s chant 12 Mumbo-jumbo 13 Bother 14 ___ Aviv 15 Nail-biting and others 16 Evidence of freshly baked cookies 17 Worker with a pick 18 Like a pumpkin’s innards 24 Nitpicky to a fault 26 Came into view 29 Homer’s neighbor 31 Prepares to strike, as a snake 32 Those against 33 Check out of a hotel 35 Plant with spores 36 “Goodness gracious!”

37 Movie explosion tech.

38 Apartment fee 40 Fictional lawyer Atticus 44 Greek marketplace 46 Time or People, for short 47 Declaration after an all-nighter 49 Self-centered sin 50 Easy basket

while still in his teens and who became postmaster in his hometown of Winter Garden while still in his early 30s, has been appointed postmaster in Melbourne.

51 Valuable quality 53 They can carry tunes 54 Peruvian native 55 Rake target 57 Internet troublemaker 62 Piercing rose part 63 Down Under bird 65 Camping gear retailer 66 Clear, as a windshield 68 Signable arm covers 69 Hello or goodbye, in Hawaii 70 Scatter about 72 “___ cost ya!”

73 Hermione, Harry and Ron, e.g.

74 Is inclined (to) 79 Jumped 81 “I’m down if you are” 83 Barely manage, with “out” 85 Loud warning to pull over 86 Sought answers 87 Like hands after eating barbecue 89 “Hold your horses!”

90 Diet Pepsi competitor 91 Book ID 92 Sushi seaweed 93 In an inconsistent way 96 Trick-or-treating mo.

99 Earring option 100 Emphatic denial 101 “Sister Act” occupation 103 Cunning plan 105 Cleans unused furniture 106 “Tomorrow” musical 107 A lot on one’s ___ 108 Takes a break 109 Colorado ski resort 110 Formal female address 115 Type of apple 117 Sounds of surprise 118 Bench press muscle, briefly 120 “I’ll buy ___, Pat” 121 Chicago winter hrs.

122 Steal from 123 Mineral ending 124 Curvy letter

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.

“GJU MWNLG RBUEIBUEG JRL GJU LRBU NFCU WE BV CWMU RL R YWGWHUE REI R PNWGUN RL GJU LOE JRL WE FON UYFLVLGUB.” –BWYJRUC YJRXFE “E GIID MBFM FSM BFX XKPIMBEOL MK VK REMB MBI FNBEITIPIOM KG XMEDDOIXX EO MBI PEVXM KG NBFKX.” –XFHD WIDDKR Puzzle Two Clue: L equals G

40 years ago

FROM THE ARCHIVES A Seaboard System caboose stands proudly along Tremaine Street in Winter Garden, a witness to the dedication of the Central Florida Railroad Museum that opened in May 1983.

The museum is housed in the former Tavares & Gulf Railroad depot, which was constructed

21

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY

80 years ago

If you think you saw Hollywood star Cliff Robertson in Eckerd’s, Food World and Western Union in Winter Garden — you did!

The Academy Award-winner is staying in Windermere with his glamorous actress wife, Dina Merrill, who is filming on location in Winter Park.

Winter Garden City Manager Tom Sewell resigned to accept a position as assistant to Orange County Administrator Jim Harris.

|

Puzzle One Clue: P equals W

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OrangeObserver.com

©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

5-2-19

22 2

WEST WEST ORANGE ORANGE TIMES TIMES & & OBSERVER OBSERVER

||

OrangeObserver.com OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY,MAY MAY2,2,2019 2019 THURSDAY,

HOME SERVICES

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Call for a FREE estimate on Equipment Replacement.

307393

REG# MV-01095

TFN

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Richard Hudson • Reggie Hudson

302828

We offer financing with approved credit

307405

• Quality • Service • Sales • Installation • Commercial • Residential

306263

AUTO SERVICE 307397

AIR CONDITIONING

LV11098

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AUTO SERVICE

PET SERVICES

Puppy Dreams Pet Hotel

179.95 BMW 5 Series $199.95

179.95 $199.95 $

Mercedes E-Class

Full Synthetic Oil Service ONLY

89.95

$

703 S. Vineland Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 8AM - 5PM

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305647

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Open Friday and Saturday • 11 am until 7 pm

307395

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

your rental

(407) 654-9516 Office (407) 491-0355 Mobile (407) 654-0145 Fax pcm050@sunbeltrentals.com

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• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG Tires

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CATERING

Includes up to Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Parts and Labor.

7 quarts of Full Synthetic Oil. Tax and recycling fees are extra. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 5/31/19.

TFN 307406

(407) 654-8885

302037

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$

a unique no-cage facility daycare and overnight boarding

307482

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BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

WE BUY JUNK CARS WE BUY SCRAP METAL • All Engines $200.00 each • All Transmissions $100.00 each • Tires $15.00 and up • Batteries $25.00 • Warranties on all parts sold!

Financing

BRAKE PAD SALE

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YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE CALL 407-656-2121

or email us: advertisenow@orangeobserver.com

307399

301967

881 S. 9th Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787

23 3

WEST WESTORANGE ORANGETIMES TIMES&&OBSERVER OBSERVER | | THURSDAY, THURSDAY,MAY MAY 2, 2, 2019 2019

OrangeObserver.com OrangeObserver.com

REALTORS

ROOFING

307400

norb@HomeRebateRealty.com

ROOFING 307407

TFN

407-496-4900

LV11098

HERE’S MY CARD - BUSINESS DIRECTORY

50% Commission Rebate!

UPGRADES & REPAIRS VIRUS & SPYWARE WinterREMOVAL Garden’s Premier Roofing Company Since 1978 Serving All of West Orange County DATA & PASSWORD Fully Licensed and Insured Roof Repairs and Replacement RECOVERY 407-656-8920 WIRELESS & WIREDWestOrangeRoofing.com NETWORKING FREE ESTIMATES

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NORB WELLER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

GE GARA•Winte r Garden

TFN

FLOORING

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$...

TFN

ET RP From CA alled st

Fully

1045 S. Vineland Rd. ent • New and Used Tires • Alignm • Complete Auto Repair • A/C Serv. & More

gsairsyst www.gsairsystems.com email:

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on Call for a FREE estimate Equipment Replacement.

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Scheduled Maintenance

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Computerized Diagnostics

1

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930 Carter Rd #202 Winter Garden, FL 34787 7 Telephone: (407) 614-382 om rdtransautorepair@cfl.rr.c

FLOORING T E • WAT E R P R O O F CARPET • LAMINA

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Service includes: Front or Rear Pads, Expires 3/31/19.

Not valid with any other offers.

Tax and recycling fees are extra.

PEST CONTROL

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle Two Solution: “I feel that art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos.”

– Saul Bellow

e Center” “Your Complete Servic Garden, FL 34787 10 West Story Rd. Winter MV-01095 REG#

6 Phone 407-656-664

Puzzle One Solution: “The First Amendment has the same role in my life as a citizen and a writer as the sun has in our ecosystem.”

– Michael Chabon

Visit OrangeObserver.com/Calendar

Color included on all ads!

Publishes every thursday, and deadlines Friday the week prior.

301027

See store for details

179.95 199.95

Serving Orlando & Surrounding Areas

• All Engines $200.00 each each • All Transmissions $100.00 • Tires $15.00 and up • Batteries $25.00 • Warranties on all parts sold!

Financing

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MADE IN THE USA

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HOME SERVICES

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The best prices!

With the best warranty!

FREE

$

4

$ 99/ sq. ft.

Tires and Alignments

Tune-Ups and General Repair

, FL 34787

$

3 Business Card Sizes to choose from:

/ sq . ft.

881 S. 9th Street • Winter Garden

s E-Class BMW 5 Series Mercede $

3 59

$

WATERPROOF

AUTO SERVICE

BRA KE PAD SALE BMW 3 Series Mercedes C-Class

Fully LAMIN AT Inst alle E d Fr om...

. ft. / sq

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301025

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301016

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99

In

407-656-1817

OPERATED – -FAMILY OWNED &

68 407.296.9622 407.877.62 ems@cfl.rr.com

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CTORY - BUSINESS DIRE

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301035

|

301014

OBSERVER

301021

WEST ORANGE TIMES &

22

• Bridgestone • Michelin • Toyo • BFG

Willie’s Bar-B-Que Beef

302828

CATERING

“A luxury everyone can afford!”

Tires

• Chicken • Ribs • Pork • • Small & Large Orders • Catering

PET SERVICES

l Puppy Dreams Pet Hote

Willie J. Fulmore Owner

from home Your pet’s home away

Style BBQ! We make Old Fashioned, Texas Women and Children.

Open

a unique no-cage facility g boardin daycare and overnight

301015

to fund Homeless

(407) 654-8885

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703 S. Vinelan d Rd. Winter Garden, FL 34787

11 am until 7 Friday and Saturday •

CONSTRUCTION

www.puppydreams.com

This week’s Sudoku answers

301018

TFN

301017

A portion of the profits help

407-469-0060 17436 7th Street •FL Montverde, 34756 pm

301030

Hudson

301029

CLASSIFIEDS Richard Hudson • Reggie

TFN

Mention this ad for

(407) 654-9516 Office (407) 491-0355 Mobile 654-0145 Fax

301024

Thursday, May 2, 2019

271 Maguire Rd Ocoee FL 34761

INFO & RATES: 407-656-2121 • Fax: 407-656-6075 • EMAIL: classifieds@wotimes.com • ONLINE: www.wotimes.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at 10:OOAM • Service Directory - Friday at 10AM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Cemetery Plots/Monuments

Announcements

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales

Garage Sale - Friday and Saturday, May 3 & 4. 285 Virginia Dr., Winter Garden. 5/2 rg Rummage Sale - The Church at Oak Level. Sat., May 4 and Sun., May 5, 1pm - 6pm. 10564 2nd Ave., Ocoee. Proceeds benefit student ministry summer camp. 5/2 caol The Harbor Community Yard Sale Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 from 8-1. Many antiques, records, CDs, rugs, furniture, Disney, kid’s clothes and much more. Near Lakeview Middle School in Winter Garden.

Health & Medical

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

GET YOUR – MEDICAL MARIJUANA – CARD HERE

Merchandise Wanted

Fast Easy Certification

307412

Announcements

1801 E. Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803 CMMDR.COM

This week’s Crossword answers

Puzzle Two Solution: “I feel that art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos.”

– Saul Bellow

This week’s Sudoku answers 307408

Orlando: 407-755-0012

SCRAP BATTERIES 407-656-3495

Puzzle One Solution: “The First Amendment has the same role in my life as a citizen and a writer as the sun has in our ecosystem.”

– Michael Chabon

Call now for your FREE pre-evaluation by phone

NOW PURCHASING

FREE MARIJUANA DELIVERY Delivered directly to your home or business

We provide Medical Marijuana in a variety of forms such as tinctures, pills, pain patches, vapes, concentrates, buds, vape shatter pills, dry flower & much more!

307410

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Traditions at Winter Garden. Friday, May 10, 7 AM to 3 PM. Saturday, May 11, 8 AM to 3 PM. Housewares, furniture, costume jewelry. Something for everyone. Lots of stuff!! DOWNSIZING.

13178 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden

PUBLIC WORKS DEPT - TOWN OF WINDERMERE — is seeking qualified applicants to join our PW team. The ideal candidate would have experience in streets and drainage, as well as general facilities and grounds maintenance. A positive individual to be part of our expanding team. Equipment operator and/or masonry experience preferred, but not required. Pay is BOQ. Valid FL DL required, CDL preferred. No phone calls accepted. To find out more and/or to apply see Town of Windermere’s web site www.town.windermere.fl.us for additional details. DFW and EOE.

307411

Highland Memory Gardens, Apopka 2 Plots For Sale Located in Garden of Peace Plots 3 & 4 Area 51D Value $3795 each, Sale $4500 for both. Beautiful Area with Perpetual Care Fund. 5/2 sr

Help Wanted

You NOW get the dry flower to

SMOKE!

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This week’s Crossword answers

2019

LV16621

(407) 10% OFF ntals.com pcm050@sunbeltre West Orange Times & 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 your rental sunbe ltrent als.co m Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in West Orange Times & 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.

WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

Small Business, Big Impact.

G RO W

“The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to support its local small businesses and salutes them during National Small Business Week.”

IC A E T

NNECT CO

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Phillip N. Brown, CEO

National Small Business Week

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Small Business Development Department.

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May 5th - 11th, 2019

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