05.14.20 Southwest Orange Observer

SO U T H W EST O RA N G E

Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips

A Windermere estate tops real-estate transactions. 8.

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VOLUME 5, NO. 33

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SCHOOL ZONE

Barbershops, salons can now reopen West Orange businesses continue to exercise caution as they reopen under state guidelines.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With Phase One of Florida’s reopening underway, the focus has shifted to slowly breathing life back into local businesses while maintaining a priority of safety first.

It’s been just more than SEE OPEN PAGE 2

YOUR TOWN PARENTS: HONOR YOUR GRADUATE!

Earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an extra special Graduation edition for the Class of 2020.

In it, we will celebrate seniors from the area’s public, private and charter high schools. For the first time, we’re working with the seniors themselves to give them a chance to leave their unique fingerprints on this commemorative edition.

For parents and family member of seniors, we also have a unique opportunity to honor your graduate.

For more information, visit orangeobserver.com/classof-2020.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

MASKED

FACE TIME

Two schools hosted parades to connect communities. 13.

CRUSADERS

Ocoee City Commission adopts budget amendment

Meet the unsung heroes at Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital. PAGE 10.

The amendment to the FY 2020 budget added appropriations for the general, sanitation and wastewater funds.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

During the Ocoee City Commission’s meeting Tuesday, May 5, the commission held a second — and final — hearing and public hearing regarding an amendment to the city’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

SEE OCOEE PAGE 4

Getting his second wind Windermere resident Jason Denney is sharing his story as a COVID-19 survivor to show others how serious the disease is and how they can make a difference.

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

preparing to say a final goodbye to his family.

But, Denney’s story was far from over. The Windermere resident is proud to say he is officially a COVID-19 survivor.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR *****************ECRWSSEDDM****

Postal Customer

Barely two months ago, Jason Denney was praying with his priest and

FIRST SIGNS

March 16 was a normal workday for Denney. Nothing was unusual

about it, and he felt fine — until he got home from work that night and suddenly spiked a fever.

“All of the sudden I said to my wife, ‘I think I’m coming down with something; I have a fever,’” he said. “She felt my head, and it was a little warm, and about a half-hour SEE BACK PAGE 4

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Open for business CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a week since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis authorized the first phase of his recovery plan for the state to commence, and many businesses have jumped on the opportunity to resume some level of activity.

“Slowly but surely, we are navigating our new normal here within our community and within our state,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said.

On Monday, May 4, restaurants and retail stores were allowed to open at 25% indoor capacity while following social distancing and safety guidelines. Restaurants also were allowed to open up outdoor seating, with tables 6 feet apart and no more than 10 guests in a party.

Then, on May 8, DeSantis announced that hair salons, barber shops and nail salons were allowed to reopen on Monday, May 11. The decision came nearly a week after Demings penned a letter to DeSantis asking him to consider reopening such personal services.

Additionally, Orange County began distributing personal protective equipment to qualifying small businesses on Monday, May 11. The county planned to distribute one million masks and 200,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to small businesses of 40 or fewer employees and nonprofits.

ents must wear masks. They also are asked to wait in their cars until they receive a text that the stylist is ready to see them. No guests of the client are allowed.

Earl Brigham’s Barber Shop is following similar protocol and is only allowing one client per barber at a time. Barbers are spaced 6 feet apart, and new sanitation requirements are in place.

Walk-in clients will be accepted, but appointments are encouraged.

Clients are asked to wait in the Edgewater Hotel lobby or entrance hallway, outside, or in the car while waiting for their text.

In Horizon West, V’s Barbershop in Lakeside Village reopened Tuesday, May 12. All services are offered by appointment only, and temporary hours of operation are in place.

PROSE Nails in Hamlin reopened May 11 with four nail artists on schedule and limited hours.

Appointments are required for all services, and the PROSE team will limit the number of people inside the salon to 10, as well as require guests to wear masks.

RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL

In downtown Winter Garden, city staff has blocked off some of the street parking with barricades to allow for more outdoor seating capacity. It’s a measure that has helped businesses such as Winter Garden Pizza Company.

SALONS “It just enhanced everything — Winter Garden’s Bombshell Salon especially with downtown Winand Spa, as well as Earl Brigham’s ter Garden supplying the barriBarber Shop, opened May 11 with cades so we could use the parking restrictions and precautions in spaces,” server Dana Danek said. place.

“It looks amazing. … They have At Bombshell services expanded our outdoor dining, ORHE-0204 Salon, ER_ObserverMedia_Halfpg_HW_PRESS.pdf 1 5/6/20 9:39and AM are by appointment only, and cli- this time of year it’s gorgeous, so

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

LIBRARY BEGINS REOPENING The library system also is rolling out its reopening in phases.

OCLS’ home-delivery service resumed May 11, and book drops reopened the same day. All library materials checked out before the library closed on March 18 are due on June 1. Materials may be returned to any library location.

On Monday, May 18, the Winter Garden branch is among five OCLS locations that will reopen at 25% capacity for essential services. This includes returns, grab-and-go service and computer usage for up to one hour. Seating areas, charging stations and meeting rooms will not be accessible. All customers must wear face coverings while in the building.

On Tuesday, May 26, the Hiawassee, Southwest, West Oaks and Windermere branches also will reopen for essential services only.

For more information, visit ocls.info.

why not? People are enjoying it.”

“The city of Winter Garden has been absolutely phenomenal when it comes to helping us out,” said Frank Echevarria, co-owner of Winter Garden Pizza Company.

“We have incredible support from the city. When you talk about running a business, it requires so much support from the community, the employees, staff and local government, and we have that in Winter Garden.

Echevarria said his staff has seen more people sitting outside at both the restaurant’s outdoor seating and the city’s added tables and umbrellas.

“Our key is always staff safety room in Ocoee has reopened at and, of course, customer safety,” limited capacity, and we are folhe said. “We’re doing everything lowing the state guidelines,” said plausible to mitigate any infection Karl Saunders, managing partner or virus spread at the restaurant. at Texas Roadhouse in Ocoee.

It was hard not having the dining In unincorporated Orange hall open. It’s a long time to not County, which includes Horizon see your regulars. You miss them West, all state guidelines apply. in the dining hall and all the noise Additionally, restaurants with that comes with it. It’s fun, it’s preexisting outdoor seating canlively. We want to be here for the not use any public sidewalks or community.” rights-of-way. For restaurants Jesus Duran, a manager at Urban without such outdoor seating, Flats, said restaurant staff added temporary seating must be located additional outdoor seating of its on private property. They cannot own, along with additional social- use parking areas or drive aisles, distancing and sanitization mea- and seating is not allowed on sures. public side“A lot of people are still com- walks or ing in trying to get seats inside as rightswell as outside, and we have waits of-way. going,” Duran said. “Honestly, business seems like it’s picking up and getting back to normal, which is what we’d hoped for. … Everyone’s been coming in and being supportive, and … we are taking as many precautions as we can with hand wipes and napkins, we have hand sanitizer sitting around all Family Owned & Operated over the place, we have no probfor 83 Years! lem offering our guests masks if they ask for one. It’s been honestly a great experience.”

Like Winter Garden, Ocoee also created special guidelines to assist their restaurants in reopening. It also is waiving permit fees associated with adding outdoor dining.

Texas Roadhouse Founders of Glenn Joiner & Son reopened its dining Glenn W Joiner. & Thelma A. Joiner room and offered outdoor seating Since 1937 The Joiner family has been proud to provide May 11. our community with the best care and quality available. “ O u r With our fast, friendly, and knowledgeable staff, we are here dining to help you with all of your automotive needs.

WINTER GARDEN 13202 W Colonial Dr (407) 656-4141

APOPKA 250 E 3rd St, Suite B (407) 889-5222

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DON’T DELAY. Orlando Health wants to remind you to make your

overall health a priority. If you experience symptoms

that require immediate attention our emergency rooms are open and ready to provide care.

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

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Food, flowers, respect delivered during Nurses Week

STRENGTH in flexibility

Businesses and organizations showed their appreciation by providing meals and plants at AdventHealth and Orlando Health facilities.

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Courtesy photo

Teak Isle Manufacturing starting making face shields in March before moving on to make Plexiglas dividers.

Teak Isle Manufacturing Brothers and co-owners Pat and Dave Brown still are making supplies for boat owners and builders, but the company has also been making PPE products.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

It has been more than a month since Gov. Ron DeSantis first gave a stay-at-home order, and during that time, essential businesses have done their best to stay afloat.

It’s also been a time that has seen many companies step up to help other businesses and people during the coronavirus pandemic.

Among those lending a supporting hand is Teak Isle Manufacturing in Ocoee.

Although it is known more for making supplies for boat owners and builders, Teak Isle Manufacturing has been making PPE products since about mid-March, said co-owner Pat Brown.

“It became very evident that this thing wasn’t going away and was just getting serious,” Brown said. “We had boat builders either opting to shut down or being forced to shut down, and what we did to begin with was we found a design for some face shields that were needed. We built a bunch of face shields for the state of Florida and other testing centers.”

Before it could get that process going, the company had to make changes to how it operated — a task that presented its own problems.

Face masks and hand-sanitizer

TEAK ISLE MANUFACTURING 401 Capitol Court, Ocoee PHONE: (407) 656-8885

stations were easy enough to put into place, but implementing social distancing in a warehouse setting is more difficult, Brown said.

People move around one another constantly, but Teak Isle Manufacturing found a solution. It utilized a large warehouse where the company normally stores outdoor Nativity sets it makes. In that space, work stations are separated the required 6 feet, giving workers the room to put face shields together after they’ve been cut by one of the nine Computer Numerical Control machines.

With that problem solved, the company got off to a fast start. In the span of the first three weeks, Teak Isle Manufacturing went from having never made any face shields to making 12,000 per day.

“There was a real shortage where a lot of the cheap stuff from overseas wasn’t available,” Brown said. “Most of that now has been restocked, so we kind of had to move on from the face shields to the restaurant dividers and petitions.”

By the time Teak Isle Manufacturing got around to the Plexiglas partitions, it already had missed out on the rush to get the partitions into grocery stores — although those are generally done

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by the companies that make the checkout stands, Brown said.

So, Teak Isle Manufacturing began working on barriers for restaurants and others.

“What we did to begin with is came up with parts that yielded well out of different sheets,” Brown said. “There are a lot of areas where a 48-inch-wide by 30-inch-tall piece is plenty big enough.

“For the restaurant barriers, we’re able to do a variety of different sizes and shapes to make those barriers fit the ideal way they would want them to fit, as well as make them a little nicer to look at from a standpoint of really fitting them to their decor,” he said.

Currently, Brown said, Teak Isle Manufacturing is producing around 50 to 75 dividers per day.

Although the dividers aren’t a magic bullet, they offer at least one extra layer of protection for workers and customers. Of all things, it’s that extra sense of safety that Brown believes will help the most.

The idea is if people see those safety measures being taken, they will be able to move a little easier into their old routines.

“There are going to be a lot of people (who) want to go out, but there are going to be a lot of them that are going to like to see some kind of barrier, just to make them feel a little bit better,” Brown said.

“Whatever we can do to find a way to get those (restaurants) back, that’s a good thing, because that is a tremendous amount of the economy in this state.”

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Bloom & Grow Garden Society delivered lilies to AdventHealth.

said. “I think we’ve handled (the pandemic) with grace and a lot of awareness of what our patients need. … Patients are looking for not just that care medically but also that emotional support.”

She is grateful for Boyd Development’s generosity.

“The really unique thing is that it’s been coordinated by the local restaurants, which our staff has already been supporting,” Vaughan said. “My team feels very fortunate to be taken care of that way and really recognized.”

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society made its contribution to nurses, too, in the form of colorful blooming orchids and beautiful white peace lilies. More than 1,000 plants were delivered to Orlando Health’s Health Central and Dr. Phillips hospitals and Health Central Park, as well as to AdventHealth Winter Garden.

“We were blessed with fabulous suppliers who were happy to do something for the nurses,” Bloom & Grow member Joyce Carcara said.

Costa Farms donated 500 Moth Orchids, and The Urban Jungle gave 600 lilies. Palm Tree Packaging provided 600 foil pot covers for the lilies.

The club was prepared to purchase the plants, but the nurseries donated all of them.

“It was so exciting, and it was so special, and what was even more amazing to me was seeing the actual plants,” Carcara said.

“The orchids are gorgeous, and the lilies are fabulous. ... It was a fantastic project. The nurseries were grateful to be able to provide such a gift.”

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

Nurses in several hospitals in West Orange discovered this week just how much the community appreciates their daily efforts to provide compassion and expert care — and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In honor of Nurses Week, Boyd Development has been purchasing meals from area restaurants for nurses on both shifts at the Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion — Horizon West. The generosity started April 27, when restaurants delivered breakfast, dinner, frozen custard and smoothies to the nurses. Hamlin restaurants participating in the recognition include Starbucks, The French Café, The Great Greek, The Pizza Press, Abbott’s Frozen Custard and Planet Smoothie.

“We brainstormed as a team ways we could partner with local businesses we knew were feeling the effects of the pandemic to honor Hamlin Heroes,” Tia Carrizzo, creative director of Boyd Development Corporation, said. “As we began reaching out to organize the project, we were met with an overwhelming desire from business owners not only to participate in preparing and delivering food but also to be financially involved, even though they were navigating their own challenges. Their display of selflessness and service speaks to how deeply they are engaged in our community.”

Boyd Development also partnered with OneBlood and is hosting blood drives from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 16, 23 and 30 in the Starbucks Hamlin parking lot. Those donating will receive multiple gifts.

Donors are encouraged to make online appointments at oneblood.org/donate-now to further assist with social distancing efforts and help with donor flow.

The sponsor code is 60304.

Shannon Vaughan, nursing operations manager for Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion — Horizon West, said the nurses are grateful for the support from their employer, their coworkers and their community.

“This week especially has really shown the team how much they support each other,” she

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Courtesy photo

Jason Denney, second from right, is grateful to have a second chance to spend more time with his family.

Back from the brink CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

later, I really went down. It was that immediate.”

Over the next couple of days, Denney began experiencing aches and pains. Then he lost his sense of smell and taste. By that Friday — March 23 — the breathing troubles began.

“That’s when I got the test for COVID-19, and I probably should have gone to the hospital then,” he said.

By that evening, he could barely walk. His wife, Robin, put him in the car, and the two headed to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. Even as a retired member of the military, Jason Denny said the days that followed would be the roughest of his life.

“I’ve been hospitalized before, but this was just the worst,” he said. “When you’re isolated in this room, and it’s loud because they’re pushing the air out — I had a negative-pressure room — you’re all alone. That first night or two was just trying to get acclimated to the room, and then I started to get progressively worse, and they kept having to give me more oxygen. I was getting heated oxygen pressured into my nose and through my lungs.”

Two days after being admitted, things were looking grim. Doctors began discussing his prognosis and recommended putting him on a ventilator. But Denney refused — his mind was the last thing he had control of, and he didn’t want to be sedated or intubated.

“I said, ‘No, I can’t lose my pow-

Ocoee CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The commission adopted an annual operating budget of $52,476,498 for the city on Sept.

25, but staff identified the need for additional appropriations for the general fund, sanitation fund and wastewater fund.

Given the concerns, staff recommended the commission approve additional funding for the general fund of $805,552, the police impact fee of $72,528, the sanitation fund of $500,000, the road impact fee fund of $1.4 million, the wastewater fund of $1.5 million and an increase in general fund franchise fee revenue of $258,000.

“We met as a group of directors with the city manager and assis-

er of my mind,’” he said. “They gave me more oxygen through the device I had putting the oxygen through my nose. It was very painful what I was going through.

Imagine trying to breathe through an empty two-liter bottle. I was really concentrating trying to get (my oxygen levels) back up so they wouldn’t put me on ventilation and sedate me. I went through that night five minutes at a time.

“It was tough,” he said. “I was completely drenched with sweat to get through that night. I was afraid they were going to put me on they ventilator. I just didn’t want to go on it. I went through two nights like that.”

BATTLE GROUND

After the second night, Denney’s wife called their priest in to pray with him and talk about next steps.

Melinda Plumley, a chaplain at Orlando Health who was in charge of Denney’s spiritual care during his stay, was able to help coordinate the visitation with his priest.

“We brought him to the room and set him up right outside so he could see Mr. Denney through the window, and we literally blocked the doorways,” Plumley said.

“There were two of us standing there so they could talk in private.

We were able to provide that spiritual need. The priest came back two more times to meet with him, and it was, I think, so vital to his recovery. … For Mr. Denney, that was such an important part of his healing.”

As he battled the virus, Denney

IN OTHER NEWS

n Ira Calloway, Nichole Dawkins and Lori Hart were reappointed to their seats on the city’s Human Relations Diversity Board. Their term will end May 2023.

tant city manager about a month ago and reviewed where we were financially and some of the projects and programs that were in front of us and whether or not we had sufficient funding within the current budget,” Finance Director Rebecca Roberts said. “Several things stuck out to us — namely the police vehicles that we were not able to acquire timely before they shut down production.”

Originally, the plan was to purchase five police sedans for the Ocoee Police Department for $210,000, but with production shut down, the next move was to

was battling another demon — the guilt he felt knowing his 16-yearold son also was diagnosed with COVID-19, albeit a milder case.

“My son got it while I was in there, and I feel so guilty,” he said through tears. “Just the guilt was going through my head, and that night was just the worse. I wanted to say goodbye because I thought that was it for me. … I felt helpless.”

Dr. Antonio Crespo, an infectious disease specialist at Orlando Health, was one of the doctors overseeing Denney’s treatment.

Crespo said part of Denney’s treatment plan included high-flow oxygen delivery, hydroxychloroquine and tocilizumab — an antiinflammatory drug.

“When I saw him the day he was getting worse, when he went to the ICU … when I went to see him, he had fear on his face,” Crespo said.

“You could sense that, and I talked to him. … I asked him about his family, how his family was doing, and he told me that he was worried that his 16-year-old son had symptoms and that he felt guilty, and he started to cry. That was a very difficult moment that also struck me. I had to pause myself. … I also have two sons, and I know exactly how he feels. I tried to tell him that he should not fear, it’s not his fault and we were going to fight to get him back with his family.”

TURNING POINT

And Denney did fight. Through sweat-drenched nights and five minutes at a time battling to breathe, things slowly started getting better. He finally was able to sleep and breathe a bit more easily, and his sense of taste was returning. A few days later, he was discharged.

purchase five Dodge Durangos at an additional $47,470.

A few of the other costs included funding for public works to cover unanticipated costs in repairing and/or replacing HVAC systems at multiple city facilities and additional appropriation for the road impact fee fund to begin construction on the intersection of Fullers Cross Road and Ocoee-Apopka Road.

The biggest cost in the amendment was the additional $13 million needed to complete City Hall.

“We will fund that through an additional bond offering,” Roberts said. “I am currently in conversation with our financial adviser — what is the best way and the best timing for issuing a bond or floating a loan — so we are asking for the additional funding to start the construction of the new City Hall.”

Commissioners asked for more detail regarding the $103,082 price tag to cover the costs of sending

“I was shocked,” he said. “Six days earlier, I thought I was dying.

I thought I was gone, and six days later, I’m going home. All I know is the hydroxychloroquine and that other experimental drug were amazing. It took a few days, but it definitely helped me. I’m very lucky.”

For health care providers such as Plumley and Crespo, those moments of victory are why they do what they do.

“We cheered in the office when I saw that he had been discharged,” Plumley said. “I ran down to the office and told the other chaplain.

We were just so excited. It really warms our heart.”

“You really have a sense of victory that the team — the team includes the patient, because they have to fight with us — basically won and beat the virus, and the patient is able to go back to their family and resume activity,” Crespo said. “I do remember the exact moment I saw him leaving, (saw) his smile and he was going home — he won.”

Denney said he feels “like a million bucks” now compared to the battle he fought weeks ago. He is out walking every day and rebuilding his aerobic capacity. The fight put into perspective for him just how precious life, family and friends are.

“I’ve had multiple near-death experiences from my time in the military, and I’ve been hospitalized before, but this one here … you just think about what’s important,” he said. “I was like, ‘This is a reset. I’m going to be a better father, better husband, better friend.’ … (I’m) just rededicating to all my family and friends that I’m going to be more present for them. … I want to create more memories and use the time I have the best that I can.”

He’s also a man on a mission. He recently was cleared to return to work after receiving his first negative COVID-19 test in weeks, and he’s doing everything in his power to encourage coronavirus survivors to donate plasma.

He also wants people to know that COVID-19 survivors are not “lepers” — he has faced problems being accepted back into the community post-infection.

“I know it’s out of fear of the unknown, but it should not be happening,” he said. “This is our World War II moment. In World War II, the entire country pulled together. … I feel we can do better in our World War II moment.

Follow the rules, stay away from people when you have to, and this is going to be over soon — at least the peak of it. Let’s be patient and prove to the world we can do this and come back stronger.”

certified mail to people not paying red-light camera fines. After concerns from Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Brinson and Commissioner George Oliver III — who noted the cost sounded too high — City Manager Robert Frank made a suggestion.

“You could attach to the $103,082 that the police department or finance department should give you a breakdown of what that is and whether that is actually required by law,” Frank said. “You guys can have this discussion at the next meeting if you like. You put the funds in the budget, and now you always have the right to say, ‘Don’t spend those funds’ — putting them in the budget and spending them are two different issues.”

With the suggestion being accepted by everyone on the commission, the amendment was passed unanimously.

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

Friedrich Hayek

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

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

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County commissioners OK new shopping center The Mark at Horizon West will feature more than 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including a New York-based brewery.

DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With unanimous approval by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, The Mark at Horizon West is officially on its way to becoming Horizon West’s newest shopping center.

During the May 5 Orange County Commission meeting, county leaders approved the project’s final development plan. The 21-acre property is owned by Unicorp National Developments Inc., which bought the property from the Walt Disney World Company. Unicorp also is the developer of Westside Shoppes in Horizon West’s Lakeside Village.

The Mark will be constructed south of Seton Creek Boulevard and west of Seidel Road in Horizon West’s Village F. According to county documents, plans call for 95,568 square feet of retail development and 4,700 square feet of outdoor seating in the Village F village center district.

“There’s existing multifamily with direct connectivity to the commercial area, and there’s actually a shared stormwater pond that’s already existing on the site which serves the multifamily and will also serve this commercial development,” said Eric Raasch, of the Orange County Planning Division. “There were some waivers that were previously approved by the board to internalize the main street — so the buildings

aren’t immediately adjacent to Seidel — to create kind of a pedestrian environment which can be enjoyed by the residential to the north.”

Unicorp describes The Mark as a retail neighborhood center that includes thousands of square feet of both inline and outparcel opportunities. It’s also just a mile from the intersection of Seidel Road and State Road 429, near the upcoming relief high school.

The development plan calls for 10 total buildings ranging in size from the smallest at 2,525 square feet to the largest — a multi-story restaurant building with 14,200 square feet on the first floor, 6,200 square feet on

the second floor and a 5,000-squarefoot enclosed rooftop.

Originally, The Mark was to be a grocery-anchored retail center and had a signed letter of intent from organic grocer Earth Fare. However, the specialty grocer announced Feb. 3 it is closing all of its stores in the United States.

According to Unicorp leasing information, the newest signed tenant — who will take over that restaurant building — is New York Beer Project, which operates two locations in Lockport and Victor, New York.

New York Beer Project is a destination brewery. The Lockport location includes a brewery, gastropub, tap-

room and rooftop terrace. The Victor location’s brewery is designed to recreate The Atlantic Garden, a famous beer hall in New York City circa 1870.

Other confirmed tenants thus far include 7-Eleven, Papa John’s, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, AT&T, Heartland Dental, AdventHealth Centra Care, Walgreens, KidStrong, Johnny Rockets and Encore Nails & Spa. Among the available spaces is an outparcel designated for a coffee shop with a drive-thru, documents show.

Also among inked tenants is a 10,000-square-foot Learning Experience early childhood education center that offers programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.

IN OTHER NEWS n Commissioners unanimously approved three items related to the Lake Reams Neighborhood Planned Development — the preliminary subdivision plan, a substantial change request to the land-use plan and a conservation area impact permit. Located east of the intersection of Reams and Ficquette roads, the subdivision will consist of 57 homes. n Commissioners also approved amending the Municipal Service Benefit Unit for street lighting and retention pond maintenance for the following subdivision areas: Summerlake Grove, Highlands at Summerlake Grove, Waterleigh, Wincey Groves Phase 1 and Storey Grove. MSBU districts provide for the establishment of a fixed rate assessment and allow for services or improvements within a localized area.

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Bank under construction at The Grove Orlando BAPTIST

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

CHURCH OF GOD

Fifth Third Bank’s newest Southwest Orange location is under construction at The Grove Orlando.

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DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Those who have driven by The Grove Orlando recently may have noticed a new outparcel under construction.

According to county documents, that new outparcel will house a Fifth Third Bank branch.

Plans call for a 2,440-squarefoot building with a drive-thru consisting of two lanes at 9168 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando.

The bank is being built just west of Conroy Windermere Road on a 1.13-acre parcel of land — directly north of the building that includes Regus office spaces and Hawkers Asian Street Fare, and south of the Chase bank — that once served as extra parking.

“This is confirmed to be a future Fifth Third Bank location,” said Melanie Chakor, Fifth Third Bank vice president and regional marketing manager. “I don’t have information today on the timing of completion and opening.”

Karlee Kunkle, communications manager for Tavistock Development Company, said Tavistock sold the parcel to the bank a few years ago.

METHODIST

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

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Windermere Union Church 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Rd., Windermere (407) 876-2112 Adult Worship: 9 a.m.

Sunday School: 10 a.m.

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Ocoee Church of God Pastor Thomas Odom NON-DENOMINATIONAL 1105 N. Lakewood Ave.,Ocoee Purpose Church Orlando (407) 656-8011 13640 W Colonial Dr. Ste 110, Winter Garden (407) 654-9661 Sunday Service: 10:05 a.m.

Sunday Brazilian Service: 7 p.m.

Saturday Service: 6 p.m. purposechurchorlando.org

FIFTH THIRD BANK The bank traces its origins to The Bank of the Ohio Valley in Cincinnati, Ohio, which opened in July 1858. In 1871, The Bank of the Ohio Valley was purchased by the Third National Bank. The Third National Bank and the Fifth National Bank merged years after, and eventually the organization became known as Fifth Third Bank.

No timeline as to the opening of the branch at 9168 Conroy Windermere Road has been provided as of press time. For more information on the organization, visit 53.com.

Every Tuesday, Matthew’s Hope offers the following services and more to

the Structurally Challenged men, women and children of our community.

Hide in Plain Sight Initiative Statistics 2019

Fifth Third Bank is the last remaining outparcel to be constructed at The Grove Orlando.

County documents show an application for new construction was filed in July. However, the bank has run into some delays throughout the process of obtaining a building permit.

Documents show the bank submitted an initial application for capacity encumbrance letter — an important step in the process of obtaining a building permit — last fall. CELs can require property owners and developers to pay a proportionate share mitigation at some point in the development process prior to issuance of the building permit.

The initial CEL was denied because of insufficient road capacity for roads in the project’s vicinity, including a “failing” road segment of Conroy Windermere Road from Lake Street to Apopka Vineland Road.

However, documents show the Orange County Board of County Commissioners since approved in February a proportionate share agreement for the CEL in which Vericon Construction, on behalf of Fifth Third Bank, paid $38,546.

According to its website, Fifth Third Bank has seven nearby locations in Ocoee, Dr. Phillips and Winter Garden. This branch will serve those near Windermere and Southwest Orange County.

It also marks development of the last remaining outparcel on the property.

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7

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Thirty years of memories AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

S

o much time has passed since May 2, 1990 — the day the 22-year-old version of me walked into The West Orange Times office for my first day of work.

My life has changed as I’ve aged. So has my writing, the title on my business card and, most definitely, the technology. The newspaper changed hands in my 25th year here. But one thing will always stay the same — my passion for writing for my hometown community newspaper.

My goal for the past 30 years always has remained the same: Write stories that make a difference. Stories that matter to my family and friends, my neighbors and folks I haven’t yet met; stories that can help the people and the families in my community, whether by promoting a fundraiser or a GoFundMe page or bringing awareness to a local issue.

Thirty years ago, my first bylined story —“Three valedictorians for the first time at DPHS” — was about Dr. Phillips High School’s top students for the Class of 1990. The first photo I took was of a team of science students at West Orange High School with their first-place plaque. Those kids are nearly 50 years old now.

People have asked me through the years if I ever wanted to “move up” to a daily

File photo

Here I am just a few months after I was hired in 1990 by The West Orange Times.

newspaper. I consider it a privilege to document life in West Orange — the good and the bad and the reminders of what took place in this area’s past.

Words have always excited me. I’ve always been an avid reader and book collector. I was the Dillard Street Elementary School Spelling Bee winner in sixth grade and advanced to the county bee (that’s where the glory ended). I was on the yearbook staff at West Orange High and took creative writing courses in high school and college.

Those experiences prepared me for a career I never imagined would last for so long in one place and could be so fulfilling.

Being a community reporter has afforded me opportuni-

ties I wouldn’t otherwise have had. I’ve been able to share my children and the silly stories from their early years. I escorted a World War II veteran to Washington, D.C., through the Honor Flight program. I was invited to be a scare-actor at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

I photographed stars, such as Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen and Danny Glover, who came to Planet Hollywood Orlando to donate an item when the restaurant opened in 1994. I interviewed actors James Earl Jones and Leslie Nielsen. I auditioned for a spot on “Wheel of Fortune.” (It’s a long story, but basically, it was Teen Week and I didn’t even have a chance.)

I have always assumed

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responsibility for our annual Grad Tab that recognizes local high school seniors. This was a tradition long before I got here, and I place a high value on tradition.

I grew up reading The West Orange Times and knew by eighth grade that I wanted to be a writer for this community paper. In March 1990, I got my bachelor’s in journalism with a minor in English from the University of Georgia. From there, I walked into the office, timid and nervous, carrying my résumé and wearing a dress — Mother always said first impressions count.

I was hired as a typesetter — ours was about to go on maternity leave — and was responsible for copyediting and typing into a tiny Macintosh Classic II all the press releases and stories that came into the office through the front door or snail mail. No emails. No texts.

No Facebook messages.

I assumed more writing responsibilities, and technology changed. Putting the paper together on Tuesdays today looks a lot different than it did in 1990. Our former tools, now archaic, included a pica ruler, X-Acto knives, one-point line tape, an all-metal hot waxer that burned you if you touched it, double-density formatted IBM disks and big page-layout boards. We had a darkroom in the back and a winding machine on which we spooled our film before taking a photo.

The newsroom team was like a family. We — editor Mary Anne Swickerath, Kathy Aber, Gail Dressel and I — solved all of our problems around a wobbly round lunch table five days a week for many years. We celebrated engagements and marriages and the birth of children and grandchildren; and we cried together over divorces and deaths. We told our own stories to each other.

Readers have trusted me to tell their stories, and there are so many I will never forget.

The three young children, ages 7, 7 and 4, with leukemia in 1994, all of whom are thriving today. The 1998 tornado that screamed its way from one end of Winter Garden to the other. A Holocaust survivor who spoke to high school students in 2009.

The World War II veterans I have been honored to interview, many of whom told me emotional stories they never told their own families. Last year’s touching story that connected a couple wanting to adopt with a woman wanting to find a good family for her newborn son.

I want to continue documenting the history of the local names, faces and places. I want to remind longtime residents of their past, and I want to give newcomers some perspective on the place they now call home.

Thank you for trusting me to tell your stories for all these years.

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

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Windermere estate sells for $3.4 million A home in Metcalf

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The home at 8923 Royal Birkdale Lane, Orlando, sold May 5, for $565,000. Built in 1978, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,610 square feet. The price per square foot is $156.51.

Days on market: 127.

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The home at 11536 Lake Butler Blvd., Windermere, sold April 30, for $3.4 million. Built in 1996, it has

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DR. PHILLIPS BAY HILL

The home at 6112 Orange Hill Court, Orlando, sold May 5, for $605,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,640 square feet. The price per square foot is $166.21. Days on market: 28.

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The home at 8433 Granada Blvd., Orlando, sold May 2, for $450,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,115 square feet. The price per square foot is $212.77. Days on market: 38.

DELLAGIO

The home at 8107 Via Vittoria Way, Orlando, sold April 30, for $1,051,395. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 3,850 square feet. The price per square foot is $273.09. Days on market: One. The home at 8202 Via Vittoria Way, Orlando, sold April 30, for $790,290. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,200 square feet. The price per square foot is $246.97. Days on market: 118.

The home at 8196 Via Vittoria Way, Orlando, sold April 30, for $787,240. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,200 square feet. The price per square foot is $246.01. Days on market: Zero.

ESTATES AT PHILLIPS LANDING

The home at 8707 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, sold May 7, for $1.47 million. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, four-and-

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OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

HAMMOCKS

The home at 1105 Wineberry Court, Ocoee, sold April 30, for $325,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,278 square feet. The price per square foot is $142.67.

Days on market: Three.

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one-half baths, a pool and 4,909 square feet. The price per square foot is $299.45. Days on market: 14.

SAND LAKE POINT

The home at 10324 Pointview Court, No. 4, Orlando, sold May 1, for $399,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,522 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.21.

Days on market: Three.

HORIZON WEST

SUMMERPORT

ASHLIN PARK

The townhouse at 11800 Water Run Alley, Windermere, sold May 4, for $305,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,726 square feet. The price per square foot is $176.71. Days on market: Five.

INDEPENDENCE

TURNBURY WOODS

The home at 5217 Fieldview Court, Orlando, sold May 1, for $515,000. Built in 1987, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,812 square feet. The price per square foot is $183.14. Days on market: Four.

WINDERMERE HEIGHTS

The home at 8053 Oak Park Road, Orlando, sold May 1, for $575,000. Built in 1984, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,123 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.46. Days on market: 61.

GOTHA

LAKE FISCHER ESTATES

The home at 9009 Lake Coventry Court, Gotha, sold May 5, for $410,000. Built in 2001, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,587 square feet. The price per square foot is $158.48. Days on market: 28.

The home at 9006 Lake Fischer Blvd., Gotha, sold May 5, for $379,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,510 square feet. The price per square foot is $151. Days on market: 56.

The home at 6520 Old Carriage Road, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $379,900. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,698 square feet. The price per square foot is $140.81. Days on market: 10.

The townhouse at 14791 Driftwater Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $278,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 1,748 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.04. Days on market: Two. ORCHARD HILLS

The home at 4613 Indian Deer Road, Windermere, sold May 6, for $407,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,373 square feet. The price per square foot is $139.34. Days on market: 12.

WINDERMERE ISLE

The home at 8427 Vivaro Isle Way, Windermere, sold May 1, for $509,990. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,824 square feet. The price per square foot is $180.59. Days on market: Eight.

OCOEE

ARDEN PARK NORTH

The home at 1725 Southern Red Oak Court, Ocoee, sold April 30, for $390,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,447 square feet. The price per square foot is $159.38. Days on market: Three.

The home at 4143 Briar Gate Lane, Winter Garden, sold April 30, for $459,900. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,987 square feet. The price per square foot is $153.97. Days on market: One.

SNAPSHOT Total Sales: 45 High Sale Price: $3.4 million Low Sale Price: $60,540

WINTER GARDEN COVINGTON PARK

The home at 1017 Meadow Glade Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 7, for $327,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,950 square feet. The price per square foot is $167.69. Days on market: Zero.

WESTYN BAY

GROVEHURST

WINDERMERE

STONE CREEK

The home at 2742 Cardassi Drive, Ocoee, sold April 30, for $339,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,519 square feet. The price per square foot is $134.58. Days on market: 23.

KEENE’S POINTE

The home at 6832 Valhalla Way, Windermere, sold May 1, for $1.25 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two halfbaths, a pool and 4,197 square feet. The price per square foot is $297.83. Days on market: Five.

RESERVE AT LAKE BUTLER SOUND

The home at 6245 Cartmel Lane, No. 2, Windermere, sold May 2, for $578,500. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four-andone-half baths and 4,243 square feet. The price per square foot is $136.34. Days on market: 33.

TOWN OF WINDERMERE

The home at 315 E. Sixth Ave., Windermere, sold April 30, for $590,000. Built in 1964, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,869 square feet. The price per square foot is $205.65.

Days on market: 66.

The home at 12923 Grovehurst Ave., Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $312,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,523 square feet. The price per square foot is $123.66. Days on market: 22.

The home at 1588 Sherbourne St., Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $290,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,199 square feet. The price per square foot is $131.88. Days on market: 45.

STONEYBROOK WEST

The home at 2556 Oakington St., Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $385,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,955 square feet. The price per square foot is $196.93. Days on market: Zero.

The home at 14809 Masthead Landing Circle, No. 5, Winter Garden, sold April 30, for $345,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,886 square feet. The price per square foot is $182.93. Days on market: Three.

WINDWARD CAY

The home at 14066 Zephermoor Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $451,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,581 square feet. The price per square foot is $174.74.

Days on market: Five.

The home at 3430 Turningwind Lane, Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $439,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,358 square feet. The price per square foot is $130.73. Days on market: 18.

SUMMERLAKE

The home at 14644 Spotted Sandpiper Blvd., Winter Garden, sold May 1, for $540,000. Built in 2014, it has six bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,716 square feet. The price per square foot is $145.32. Days on market: 25.

The home at 7742 Purple Finch St., Winter Garden, sold May 7, for $435,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-andone-half baths and 2,932 square feet. The price per square foot is $148.36. Days on market: 58.

9

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

The home at 2474 Great Birch Drive, Ocoee, sold May 4, for $299,900. It has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,910 square feet. The price per square foot is $157.02. Days on market: Two.

PRAIRIE LAKE VILLAGE

This Windermere home at 11536 Lake Butler Blvd., Windermere, sold April 30, for $3.4 million. This neoclassical Southern mansion sits on more than 2 acres and features 550 feet of shoreline leading to Lake Butler.

|

WINTERMERE POINTE

zillow.com

This Estates at Phillips Landing home, at 8707 Southern Breeze Drive, Orlando, sold May 7, for $1.47 million. It features waterfront living on Big Sand Lake.

The home at 2104 Wintermere Pointe Drive, Winter Garden, sold May 4, for $385,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,613 square feet. The price per square foot is $147.34. Days on market: 23.

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OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

OrangeObserver.com

“We’ve had to make different changes with the pharmacy and how we operate day to day so we can keep the public safe and keep our staff safe. For example, with our small area, we have limited the number of people that come in here. For my staff, we have Plexiglas that was put in to help protect against direct contact, and we now offer curbside delivery for our patients.” Lorraine Chen, pharmacy manager (21 years)

“It is fine, because we have everything we need — PPE — and we have been prepared before this happ have everything we need and we have good training. I enjoy my job — I love it — and it’s a joy to work h years)

THE UNS PHOTO ESSAY BY TROY HERRING

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and doctors are often the ones seen standing and battling on the frontlines. Their battles, however, are not the only ones being fought. Deep within Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, there are kitchen staffers, security officers, chaplains and many more who are integral in keep the hospital running.

“The job is still the same, security is still the same. The only differences is we have more stationary posts, and we interact with visitors, patients, team members, vendors and more. We have them go through the screening process, and then we direct them where they need to go.”

Kathryn Collazo, security officer (27 years)

“It has been a little sad knowing some of the things going on with some of the patients we’ve had. I actually have admired how we have come together and the teamwork that we have had — everybody seems to care a little bit more and is helping a little more.” Noel Ortiz, central supply team lead (two months)

“It has affected my job because we usually have a lot of patients coming in, and I know some people are afraid to come into the hospital. I personally work four days a week, and then they cut me to three days — sometimes I work two days a week — but it hasn’t really affected me as much, because they’ve provided hours for me, which I appreciate it. Personally, I have one of my family (members) up north gone, which is really sad.” Nosta Andre, food services (seven years)

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

“You’re more aware of what you’re touching and your cleanliness. When I go home, I undress in my garage before I go into my house — I used to not do that — to just try and keep my family safe. But yeah, just being more aware of your surroundings and what you’re doing in the hospital.” Brian Shores, assistant facility manager (seven years)

pened. With COVID-19 we weren’t even scared, because we here.” Claudette Forestal, environmental service tech I (10

SUNG “My work ethic has always been the same. You just take it day by day and treat all the patients as equals. You try to keep a smile on your face like any other time.” Frankie Martin, transporter (six months)

“I’m new — the pandemic was named about two weeks after I got here. It really affected the amount of changes we were seeing on a daily basis.

Initially, we were sending all of our samples out because nobody had a COVID test other than just a few select places, and then over the weeks, we got our own Abbott analyzer in so we can do the rapid COVID (tests) here in house now. It involved a lot of training and flexibility.” Kristy Shimp, medical technologist (three months)

“I went from 267 (volunteers) coming to me every week to not having them anymore, but the hospital still needs some of the things they do on a daily basis done.” Amanda Smith, manager of volunteer and guest services (one year at Health Central, five years with Orlando Health)

“It has been a challenge, sometimes.

We basically serve as spiritual and emotional support to patients and families with the virus situation — family cannot be close to their loved ones, so we try to be that connection between the patients and their loved ones. The virus has touched me personally. My father died two weeks ago in New York because of the virus, so it’s been a challenge — not just trying to be that support to the families and patients but also dealing with my personal issue.” Angel Torres, clinical chaplain (13 years)

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OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Top student talent to perform live Friday The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools will showcase talented student performers and artists in a groundbreaking virtual setting.

The Top Talent 2020 Virtual LIVE Event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, on OCPS’ YouTube channel, youtube.com/user/OrangeCoSchoolsFL. West Orange and Southwest Orange performing arts finalists include Ian Delgado (Windermere High School), Natalie Mastali (Dr. Phillips High School), Giovanna Santos (Chain of Lakes Middle School), Nicholas Senior (Horizon West Middle School), Joseph Trewin (Ocoee High School), the Windermere High School Dance Company, and Amber Wei (Windermere High School).

Proceeds from this event will help support the foundation and provide arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty and homelessness.

For more information, visit bit. ly/3dDPSr5.

OCPS announces virtual graduation dates Orange County Public Schools has announced the times and dates for the Class of 2020 virtual graduation ceremonies.

The schedule for the West Orange- and Southwest Orange-area schools are as follows: n Dr. Phillips High School: 8:20 p.m.

Monday, June 1 n Ocoee High School: 8:20 p.m. Friday, June 5 n Olympia High School: 8:20 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3 n West Orange High School: 8:20 p.m.

Thursday, June 4 n Windermere High School: 8:20 p.m.

Friday, June 5

INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK

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SHANNON ROBINSON

WINDERMERE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Shannon Robinson has served as a vocal instructor at Windermere Prep for years now, and she recently took on a large project as co-director of the Little Laker Voices choir. She and her husband coordinated and produced a virtual performance of “Lean On Me” using recordings from all 19 choir students.

Robinson hopes it’s a memory her students will carry with them for life.

What do you love most about your school?

I love working with the children and watching them grow as singers and as people. I also work among very talented people, and I find that to be incredibly inspiring. Windermere Prep offers so many ways children can grow, and the access to knowledgeable teachers is abundant.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Every year starts with somewhat of a blank slate other than the basic outlined curriculum. It’s hard to know exactly how the year will shape up, but it’s always amazing and incredibly rewarding. I love working with the students and seeing how far they will grow musically by the end of the year. This year was certainly no different. The challenges our world has faced — and is still facing — is a fine example of what I mean. Everyone — teachers and students alike — rose to the challenge to continue school virtually, and I was determined to finish the year with the choir, as well, so it made perfect sense to have a virtual choir.

REPORT CARD ROLE: Private vocal instructor and co-director for Little Laker Voices TIME AT SCHOOL: Five years

How did the “Lean On Me” video come together?

Since everyone has been told to stay home, I knew the only way to make this happen was to have all my choir members record themselves and I would figure out how to put it together later. My husband, Colin Robinson, is a great audio engineer, and we have a Pro Tools studio at home. He recorded the music and did the audio production for “Lean On Me,” and I sent the song to all of my choir students. I worked with them and chose which group would sing the main melody, which group would split off into harmonies, and a third group to fill out the choral section in the middle and end. When they were ready, they sang along to the track we provided with ear pods or headphones so that the video only recorded their voices. Colin then took the audio from the videos and put them together to the music. He took the 19 separate videos and put them in the video program. Since everyone sang along to the same track, it was just a matter of lining up the videos together. It was quite the process, but I’m so happy with how it turned out.

Why did Little Laker Voices choose to sing “Lean On Me”?

Facing our current global situation, when I realized I wanted to create a virtual choir, I decided to use a song of hope and to send out a positive message. I chose Bill Withers’ song “Lean On Me,” because it really spoke to me. During the planning of this song, Bill Withers unfortunately passed away, so it unexpectedly became a message of hope alongside paying homage to an incredible songwriter.

What’s the nicest thing a student or faculty member has done for you?

I’m constantly inspired by every student in some way. To see their commitment, talents and hard work always fills me with joy. Of course, the talented faculty members inspire me, and the ways I have grown just from having conversations with them has been invaluable.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX

NOMINATE YOUR INFLUENCER

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

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Orlando Health is dedicated to excellence in patient-care quality and safety throughout our system.

To learn more about our award-winning care, visit www.OrlandoHealth.com/HealthCentralHospital.

OBSERVER

OrangeObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

OBSERVER SCHOOL ZONE

Sight for sore eyes I

t all took place with safe social distancing, of course, but the staffs at two local schools brightened their students’ days last week with their respective parades.

Castleview Elementary students were able to see their teachers — from afar — Wednesday, May 6, when the school hosted a campus parade. Teachers decorated their vehicles in the school parking lot, and parents were invited to drive through the parking lot and bus loop so their children could say hi to them.

Ocoee neighborhoods were filled with sirens, horns and cheering Thursday, May 7, as Westbrooke Elementary teachers and staff paraded through to wave and say hello to their Wildcat students and families.

Westbrooke teachers’ eyes lit up at the sight of their students and families.

Right: Westbrooke first-grade teacher Laurey Lipp had some cheerleaders along for the ride with her.

— DANIELLE HENDRIX AND AMY QUESINBERRY

Westbrooke third-grade teacher Lorin Berger showed off some Disney spirit.

Westbrooke kindergartner Genevieve Piscitelli and her mother, Coraier, came prepared with signs for the parade.

Maura McCray made posters for her Castleview kindergarten students in the red House of Valor.

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We’re Rolling into Summer!

May is National Bike Month! Make sure your taking the right precautions to stay safe on your next ride.

Check out our latest post to tune up your bike, even if your stuck at home. Stay healthy and safe!

Learn more at HealthyWestOrange.org

Join the Conversation!

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Left: A Castleview third-grader gives a shoutout to her teacher, Lovissa Comeau, during the parade.

Observer School Zone_051420B.indd 1

5/8/20 5:45 PM

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

THESE OLD TIMES

FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION

THROWBACK THURSDAY MAY 16, 1952 In the 1950s, if you wanted a new or used piece of furniture, W.T. Zeigler, in downtown Winter Garden, was the place to go. An advertisement in the May 16, 1952, issue of the Winter Garden Times announced a deal for anyone who purchased a Thor washer with the “famous Hydro-Swirl action: a free weekender case.

The travel piece, made of “rich, simulated alligator” and valued at $39.50, was filled with beauty aids and a “priceless makeup guide” titled “The Way to Loveliness.”

The furniture store was on South Main Street.

85 years ago

Several months ago, we front-paged an editorial on the inadvisability of spending money on a canning plant here. We reasoned the people here were just not the canning type. Evidently, we were wrong.

The canning plant that opened three weeks ago has been busy.

75 years ago

Contributors to the West Orange Memorial Hospital fund met to elect a permanent board of governors.

70 years ago

Purchasing the right-of-way for highways is an expensive piece of business, County Commissioner Maynard Evans told the Winter Garden Lions Club. Fifty buildings have been torn down or moved from the four-mile stretch of right-of-way from Minorville to Tildenville for the Cross-State Highway.

50 years ago

Cindy Littler, Pam Hannon, Scottie Smith, Barbara Belflower and Lynn Freeman were the color bearers at the MotherDaughter Tea sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 729.

Mary Mashburn was the Winter Garden Inn’s new dining room hostess. She had been in the restaurant business for 18 years.

Jessie Brock retired as principal of Winter Garden Elemen-

FROM THE ARCHIVES The 1956 Central Florida Fair in Orlando featured this eye-catching display constructed by Winter Garden’s citrus and vegetable growers. The decade was the city’s “Golden Age,” a time when agricultural bounty fueled West Orange County’s economy. Packinghouses and the juice plant employed hundreds of workers who toiled year-round packing and shipping citrus fruits, concentrate and fresh vegetables all over the world.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation preserves a large collection of agriculture-related items in its archive. Interested in finding out more or sharing your photos and stories? Email jcrescitelli@wghf.org.

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. tary School. She served from 1928 to 1931 and then from 1935 to the present.

was presented by students of Windermere Elementary in the school’s auditorium.

45 years ago

40 years ago

“Windermere Now and Then,” a play written by the Sage of Windermere, Winston K. Pendleton,

Dr. Gregory Winters, of Windermere, accepted a Walt Disney World Community Service

PLAYERS by Zhouqin Burnikel; CROSSWORD TWO-WAY Edited by David Steinberg

Sacramento) 95 “This is amazing!”

97 Payment for release 98 Scathing review 99 Director Howard 100 Trash bag closers 102 In favor of 103 Jade, for one 106 *Ferocious felines (Carolina, Florida) 112 Generally 114 Speaker brand 115 Excited about 116 Gangs up on, in basketball ... or a hint to the starred answers’ ends 118 List on Craigslist 119 It bought Gateway 120 Model of perfection 121 Rescues 122 Figure (out) 123 Poker table material 124 Tries out 125 Nativity scene figure

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Shanghai or Shenzhen 5 Concession stand drinks 10 Parabolic trajectories 14 Technical sch.

18 Nosy sort 20 Rolex competitor 21 Enjoy a hot tub 22 “Along ___ a spider ...”

23 *Zion patrollers (New York, Texas) 25 Like the driven snow 26 Birds on some Australian coins 27 Feeding the kitty 28 *Commercial fliers (New

York, Winnipeg) 31 Born, in French 32 Physicians (Abbr.)

33 Reverse, as damage 34 Author McEwan 35 Place for an AirPod 36 Classic Fords, briefly 40 Renewable fuel source 44 *They’re strong and mild (New York, San Francisco) 48 Cool flavor?

49 Genius Bar computer 50 Rare weather in a desert 51 Understood by few 52 Carnival shelter 53 Sonic Dash game

company 54 Fields of study 56 “Agreed, now ...”

57 Roam (about) 58 Bothers to no end 60 Org. to report a phone scam to 61 Dog sound that rhymes with 47-Down 63 Texas’ state dish 65 Secretive org.

66 *Catholic Church body (Arizona, St. Louis) 73 Food for a donkey 74 ___ noir 75 Sammy with 609 homers

76 Pastrami bread 77 Mummify 80 Suffix with real or surreal 81 Takes a chair 83 Finnish telecom company 85 Hit, as a fly 86 Half a quart 88 Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” e.g.

90 By ___ of (due to) 91 Road repair gunk 92 Dejected state 93 *Christmas carol about the Magi (Los Angeles,

Award on behalf of the Butler Chain Conservation Association.

Internationally recognized jazz musician Zoot Sims appeared in the Walt Disney World Village Lounge with the Bubba Kolb Trio.

38 Guiltless 39 Map app path, briefly 41 Means (to) 42 Long tale 43 “Beat it!”

44 Botanical transplant 45 Animal planet?

46 Princess Charlotte, to Harry 47 See 61-Across 48 Surge of news coverage 52 Powder for an athlete 53 “South Park” boy 55 Riverboat hazard 57 Boxed holiday purchases 59 Chinese or Korean 62 Greek gods’ mountain 64 “___ boy!”

67 Casual talk 68 Main point 69 Comedian O’Donnell 70 Alan of “Argo” 71 Committing perjury 72 Capitol Hill positions 77 “Como ___ usted?”

DOWN 78 Sound of an air kiss 1 Where to see a hearing 79 Bouncers break them up 2 Ludicrous 82 Texter’s “If you ask me ...”

3 Calorie-rich dessert 84 One-eyed Norse god 4 Oxen harness 87 Example 5 “Love Me Like You Do” and 88 Esquire’s target reader“Love Me Do” ship 6 Texter’s “Wow!” 89 Restful state 7 Far from shallow 92 Stool pigeon 8 Taj Mahal’s home 93 Load of laundry 9 Pert talk 94 Gold purity measures 10 Trees that quake 96 Townspeople 11 Like a hoop earring 97 Sharp comeback 12 Luggage storage section 101 Info from espionage in a plane 102 Takes a tumble 13 ___-Ball (arcade game) 103 Fruit used in agua fresca 14 Winter river blockage 104 He tries to hunt Bugs 15 Rat out one’s accomplices, 105 Like a toddler’s plate, say often 16 Raunchy material 106 Low singing voice 17 “___ of the D’Urbervilles” 107 In ___ of (instead of) 19 Kind of scream 108 French singer Edith 24 Mitchell of NBC News 109 Polish, as an article 29 Lather 110 Took an Uber 30 Hilarious person 111 Takes legal action 35 Sicily’s highest point 113 500 sheets 36 Thrill to no end 117 One roosts upside down 37 Sheep calls

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.

“’WPBX’ VUR KXURXI, ‘RCUKX’ VUR SUOPRVXI. LX OAL TPSX PO U FTAHUT SPTTUFX ... U RPBETWUOXAER VUCCXOPOF.” – BUGRVUTT BKTEVUO “BAXWJWUJ WU XCL HKWXC XCKX TLKGU XB KMCWLPLJLIX. IBXCWIF MKI OL GBIL NWXCBZX CBAL KIG MBIHWGLIML.”

– CLTLI RLTTLV Puzzle Two Clue: V equals R

WEST ORANG E HISTO RY

OBSERVER

Puzzle One Clue: F equals G

14

© 2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

05-14-20

MAY 12, 2020

SPORTS

In his first year with the Legacy baseball team, sophomore Adonis Stewart let the team in batting average. Page 16.

Observer names All-Area boys track and field TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

Although the FHSAA has cut the spring season short because of the coronavirus pandemic, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of incredible play to celebrate in West Orange and Southwest Orange.

As the Observer continues its All-Area series, this week, we honor the area’s best in boys track and field.

FIRST TEAM

De’Andre Robinson, Olympia, junior Best finishes: Three first-place finishes in shot put (12 pounds), four first-place finishes in discus (1.6 kilogram).

Quick hit: When it came to the shot put and discus, no one was better than Robinson — who landed seven first-place finishes overall and five second-place finishes for the Titans.

Lake Ellis, TFA, senior Best finishes: Three first-place finishes in the triple jump, one first-place finish in the long jump, one first-place finish in the 100 meters.

Quick hit: Ellis dominated in the jumping events for TFA; he picked up four first-place spots overall.

Joseph Stravato, West Orange, senior Best finishes: First place in the 300-meter hurdles (36 inches) at Sanford-Seminole Open, second place in 110m hurdles (39 inches) at the Windermere Meet of Champions Classic.

Quick hit: A weapon in the hurdles events, the West Orange senior landed four top-three finishes between the 300-meter and 110-meter hurdles.

Judah Rodgers, Olympia, junior Best finishes: Landed two first-place finishes in the triple jump (one at Poinciana Relays, the other at the Charlie Harris Relays).

Quick hit: Rodgers was the spring in the Titans’ step, as he finished in the top 10 in the high jump and triple jump at six different competitions.

Christopher Fetters, Windermere Prep, senior Best finishes: Second place in the 800 meters at Montverde Eagle Invitational, third-place finish in two different events (400 meters, 800 meters).

Quick hit: Fetters led the way for the Lakers by finishing top five in all five of the events he competed in this season.

Amer Amer, Windermere, junior Best finishes: First place in javelin at Sanford-Seminole Open, second place in javelin at Windermere Meet of Champions Classic.

Quick hit: Amer was a true slinger for the Wolverines, as he picked up two top-two finishes in the javelin (including a first place at the S-S Open) and a thirdplace finish in the shot put.

West Orange 4x100 relay team Members: Jaylon Carlies, Alec Duhaney, David Jones, Matthew McDoom Best finishes: First-place finishes at Sanford-Seminole Open, Windermere Meet of Champions Classic, Bob English Classic Relays 2020 and Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational Quick hit: No one team dominated more than the West Orange 4x100m relay team. The team — comprising Jaylon Carlise, Alec Duhaney, David Jones and Matthew McDoom — took home four consecutive first-place finishes, and was the second-fastest overall 4x100 team in the state.

Mehari Van der Reit, Foundation, sophomore Best finishes: Third-place finish in 3,200 meters and fourth-place finish in the 1,600 meters at Holy Trinity Invitational.

Quick hit: A perennial top-five finisher for the Lions, Van der Reit only finished outside of the top five in one event (sixth in the 800 meters at Holy Trinity Invitational) Alex Shields, TFA, senior Best finishes: First-place finish in 110-meter hurdles at Jeff Wentworth Relays, first-place finish in javelin at Trinity Prep Invitational.

SEE ALL-AREA PAGE 16

OTHER RECENT SIGNINGS DR. PHILLIPS File photos

Clockwise from top: Foundation’s Danny Stutsman, Windermere Prep’s Julia Bernardes and Legacy Charter’s Drew Birko.

SIGNINGS OF THE TIMES

While schools remain shut down, athletes are holding their own signing-day events at home.

TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR

W

hen they should be filled to the rafters with pomp and circumstance, the gyms and auditoriums at high schools around the area sit empty.

Normally during this time of the year, schools host their annual spring signing-day events to celebrate student-athletes and the continuation of their academic and athletic careers.

Although the coronavirus pandemic has shut down schools — as well as signing-day events — that doesn’t mean the signings have stopped. Rather, athletes are holding their own in-home signings while the news of their achievements is dispersed throughout social media.

SINGING BOOMER SOONER

TK Photography/Thomas Lightbody

Jaden Floyd, center, was one of West Orange’s most consistent runners.

Last year, Foundation Academy junior Danny Stutsman did something no other Lion football player had ever done: He got an offer to play in the SEC. Since then, the 6-foot-4,

225-pound Stutsman — who plays at outside linebacker and tight end for the Lions — has picked up a cornucopia of offers from the likes of Texas A&M, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

On Monday, May 4, he made his college choice via a video on Twitter. He was going with the crimson and cream of the University of Oklahoma.

“I feel like right now, picking the school I want to go to is awesome, and I think it makes me just work harder,” Stutsman said. “It’s just one step closer to my dream.”

The offer from Oklahoma came after a solid performance after the UA All-American camp at the beginning of March.

Although he still will be utilized on both sides of the ball for his senior year at Foundation, Stutsman said he will be put solely on defense at OU at either the Mike or Will linebacker positions. Before he can put on the crimson, however, there is still one last year of Foundation football that needs to SEE ATHLETES PAGE 16

Abdoulaye Thiam — Indian River State College (basketball) Mackenzie Montague — University of West Florida (soccer) Emily Evans — St. Johns River State College (volleyball) Ana Luisa Cotta — Mount St. Mary University (water polo)

LEGACY CHARTER HIGH

Jacob Worley — Vermilion Community College (baseball)

OCOEE

Jason Coronado — Mount Aloysius College (basketball) Kordell Brown — The Kent School (basketball) Kameron Sharp — St. Thomas University (basketball) Korey Karbowsky — Southeastern Louisiana University (football) Anthony Camacho — Brewton Parker (track & field) Eric Sherwood — Brewton Parker (track & field)

OLYMPIA

Alex Britton — Embry-Riddle University (baseball) Donrick Means II — Tuskegee University (football) Garrett Velin — Bethel University (football) Gianna Ortiz — University of Kentucky (gymnastics) Branddon Ortiz — St. Leo University (soccer) Samuel Sepulveda — St. Leo University (soccer) Alec Johnson — UCLA (water polo) Touma Mack — Princeton University (water polo)

TFA

Teres Zhuang — Williams College (golf) CONTINUES ON PAGE 16

16

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OBSERVER

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OrangeObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

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

Adonis Stewart A first-year member of the Legacy Charter High baseball team, Adonis Stewart started off on the right foot for the Eagles — leading his team in batting average. Stewart also dominated on the mound, holding a 1.91 ERA and 1-0 record before the season ended early.

How did you first get into baseball?

I was 6 years old when I first got into baseball. My dad actually got me a baseball glove, a bat and a couple of balls, and he started throwing with me. I really liked it, so I started T-ball.

THE BASICS

SCHOOL: Legacy Charter High GRADE: Sophomore AGE: 16 SPORTS: Baseball POSITION: Third base, first base, pitcher

How was your first year at Legacy?

It was great — it was honestly one of the best times I’ve had ever playing baseball.

What are the best words of advice you’ve received about baseball?

I guess I would say someone told me to just keep going — don’t stop because of one thing or one person.

Just because you get mad, that doesn’t mean that has to bring down your whole game, and have a short memory so that you don’t ruin your game for the rest of the game.

I didn’t used to have the best attitude, and I’d get mad really quickly, and it would ruin the rest of the game for me.

What is it like starting for a new team?

It wasn’t too bad. I wasn’t too nervous, because I ended up knowing most of them.

It wasn’t too bad, because I didn’t really do much on the other baseball team (Apopka).

It was a shortened season because of the coronavirus, but were there any highlight moments for you?

I hit a home run — that was my first one ever out of the park. I got 10 or 12 strikeouts against CFCA, but that was before the actual season started — it was in a preseason tournament. In the game I hit the home run, I nearly hit for the cycle, because coach Chambless sent me home when I could have been kept at third. … It would have given me a cycle, so that was pretty cool.

You were a key component at the plate and on the mound for the Eagles. What did it take for you to get to where you are now?

Mainly coach Rich — he is our hitting coach — he really helped me a lot with hitting, and it’s also getting your own work in and not just at practice. Like one of my coaches said, “Stand in a mirror and swing, or swing while you watch TV,” and stuff like that.

What is your favorite thing about playing third base?

I really like playing the position because you don’t have much time to think about what you need to do to get the ball, so you can just react quick. You can actually make some pretty cool plays, because it’s a pretty far throw.

What is the most challenging part about playing baseball?

Definitely the speed of the game and how fast everything happens.

You have to really take it all in and know what’s happening, because if you don’t you’re not going to be able to play basically.

You have the slow the game down in your mind.

Athletes sign CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

be conquered, Stutsman said.

“There is one goal, and that is to win the state championship,” Stutsman said. “I’ve been texting all the kids daily that this is the time to get better now, so whenever this quarantine ends we can hop right into things and become a greater team.”

JULIA BERNARDES GOES NOVA

When it came to the recruiting process, life was stressful for Windermere Prep senior Julia Bernardes.

After moving to the area from Brazil five years ago — which was the same time she picked volleyball — the process of finding a school to play at was completely foreign and frustrating.

“I wanted to play in college — I was so sure of it,” Bernardes said. “Then last year, during the summer of my senior year … the school I really wanted to go to ended up not working out, and I was like, ‘I need to stop. I don’t want to play in college anymore.’”

What followed was a careerchanging season with the 18s team at OTVA, for which Bernardes played the best volleyball of her life.

Bernardes eventually received an offer to play both indoor and beach volleyball at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. It was an opportunity

FROM PAGE 15

she couldn’t turn down, even though she had only visited the campus virtually thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m just excited to be close to home, because last summer when I was looking at colleges, I was set on going to California,” Bernardes said. “I tried to think about it, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so far from home.’ I’m just really happy to be only a few hours from home.”

GOING UP NORTH

While some athletes are staying closer to home, others — such as Legacy Charter High seniors Drew Birko and Jacob Worley — are heading out of state.

The duo will be joining the baseball team at Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota — a far cry from the warm weather and beaches of Florida.

“I’m a bit nervous, because it is going to be a lot different than it is here — the average temperature there is 44 degrees, and we get that maybe three times a year,” Birko said with a laugh. “It’ll be quite a bit of a change.”

Although he’ll have to adjust to a different culture, the good news is that Birko will have a familiar face in Worley around.

“It honestly makes things a lot easier, because we’re looking at rooming together and stuff,” Birko said. “I’m excited about that because I’ve grown up with him, so we are pretty close.”

All-Area track & field CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Quick hit: Shields was a bit of utility athlete for the Royals, as he picked up a first-place finish in both the 110-meter hurdles and javelin.

Buford Ross IV, Ocoee, senior Best finishes: First place in both the 110-meter hurdles (39 inches) and triple jump at the Mount Dora Christian Invitational.

Quick hit: Ross finished in the top 10 in each of the five events he participated in for the Knights — three of which saw him finish top five.

Matthew McDoom, West Orange, sophomore Best finishes: First place in the 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay at the Sanford-Seminole Open.

Quick hit: A part of the dynamic 4x100-meter relay team at West Orange, McDoom dominated in the shorter runs as he also picked up a first-place finish in the 100 meters at the SanfordSeminole Open.

Jaden Floyd, West Orange, junior Best finishes: First place in the MR 100-100-200-400 meters (alongside Brandon Wright, David Jones and Alec Duhaney), second place in multiple events.

Quick hit: Floyd was a constant top-three finisher for the Warriors, as he picked up solid finishes in the 400 meters, 4x400-meter relay and 4x800meter relay.

SECOND TEAM

Myles Wiley, Dr. Phillips, junior Alec Duhaney, West Orange, senior Kai Komatsu, Olympia, junior Justin Kelleher, Olympia, senior Dexter Rentz Jr., Ocoee, senior Ilyas Semlali, Dr. Phillips, junior Victor Jones, Olympia, sophomore David Jones, West Orange, senior Nacari Heron, Windermere, senior Wade Martin, Windermere Prep, junior

Taylor Zeng — Dartmouth College (golf) Carsten Balao — Berry College (tennis) Alex Shields — Kent State University (track & field)

WEST ORANGE

Joey Stravato — University of Florida (track & field) Alec Duhaney — UNC-Asheville (track & field)

WINDERMERE

Logan Jerelds — Southern Illinois University (boys golf) David Diaz — Jamestown University (football) Jake Prieto — Claremont McKenna College (football) Jones Hobgood — Palm Beach Atlantic University (lacrosse) Jayden Smith — Barton College (lacrosse) Samantha Claborn — Gonzaga University (rowing) Natalia Velez — Palm Beach Atlantic (softball) Baylee Siegfried — Palm Beach Atlantic University (soccer) Ryan Harvilla — West Virginia Wesleyan (soccer) Noah Ellenback — Florida Southern College (track & field, cross country) Amaya Ugarte — Ohio State University (track & field) Samantha Lopez — Lynn University (track & field)

WINDERMERE PREP

Pablo Delgado — St. Thomas University (baseball)

THIRD TEAM

Michael Maisonet, Dr. Phillips, sophomore Jason Williams, Ocoee, senior Jaylon Carlies, West Orange, senior Joshwa Jerelds, Windermere, senior Jalen Thompson, Dr. Phillips, junior Colton Berquist, West Orange, junior Reggie Jean, Foundation, sophomore Cullen Van der Reit, Foundation, senior Kamari Garcon, Ocoee, junior Reeves Oakman, West Orange, junior

HONORABLE MENTION

Jacob Collins, Dr. Phillips, senior Onix Ortiz, Windermere, senior Cameron Friedman, Olympia, freshman Jacquez Jones, Dr. Phillips, senior Rajay Preddie, West Orange, senior Nivon Holland, Dr. Phillips, junior Michael Poole, Windermere, Senior Jamal Slaven, Olympia, senior Shu Komatsu, Olympia, junior Nasir White, Windermere, junior

— TROY HERRING

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Doris J. Braswell, 90, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2020. She was born May 7, 1929, in Bainbridge, Georgia. A longtime resident of Winter Garden, Doris was a member of West Orange and Calvary Baptist Church.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice McRee and Carl Holloway; her husband, Earl Braswell; her son-

in-law, Calvin Griswold; and her granddaughter, Valerie Griswold.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Griswold; and her

granddaughter, Nicole Hooker; and her husband; Kevin.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden. A graveside service, for family only, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida.

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden, baldwinfairchildwintergarden.com.

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Curtis Edward Pickens, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed from this world Monday, May 4, 2020, at age 88.

Curtis was born on July 28, 1931, in McRae, Arkansas, and moved to Florida at a very young age. He graduated from Lakeview High School in Winter Garden, Florida. He then enlisted in the Navy and served four years during the Korean War. Following the Navy, he attended and graduated from Florida Southern College with a B.S. degree in Agriculture.

After graduating, he worked for Roper Brothers Citrus in Winter Garden, Florida, for 20-plus years until he started at West Orange Nursery until his retirement after 23 years. He lived out his retirement years in Franklin, North Carolina, and Winter Garden, Florida.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Breymaier Pickens; and son, Steven Pickens, and daughter, Kathryn

SHIRLEY JEAN COLEMAN DIED MAY 9, 2020.

The Good Lord called Shirley Jean Coleman home on May 9, 2020, in Clermont, Florida. She was born Sept. 8, 1943, in Panama City, Florida. She was preceded in death by her mother; father; sister; husband, J.B Coleman; daughter, Teresa; along with her granddaughter, Brittany May. Shirley leaves behind two daughters, Sharon and Lisa; as well as her son in-law, John May. She also, sadly, leaves behind 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many, many more family members who loved her dearly. We will love you and miss you until we meet again. We love you.

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He also leaves his daughter-inlaw, Tina Pickens; grandchildren, Austin Pickens, Brooke Pickens and Bree Pickens Crawford; and great-granddaughter, Bella Crawford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dallas and Helen Birdsong Pickens; and his sister, Martha L. Browning.

Curtis was active in his community and church, where it was a goal to do God’s will the best he could. He helped start the Windermere Rotary Club, where he was the first president. He had lots of friends.

In lieu of flowers, Curtis’ family requests that a contribution be made in his memory to a favored charity of the donor’s choice.

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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 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.

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Remember When Playing The Money Game Was Fun? ARE YOU FRUSTRATED

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Together, we’ll make it through this.

Visit publix.com/coronavirus to learn more.

Recently, the IRS issued a pronouncement that may be available to you and may provide you with some of the much needed funding you require and, believe it or not, the entire process may be less stressful to you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please call the professionals at John E. Russi, CPA, PA immediately to learn more about this program.

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www.accountantorlandofl.com

(407) 345-1191 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Ste. 320 Orlando, FL 32819 335040-1

Thank You and Stay Safe.

!

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

Publishing:

Thursday, June 4

Reading the newspaper has never been so easy.

Ad Deadline:

Thursday, May 21 Indeed, earning a high school diploma is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has made that more difficult for the Class of 2020.

SIGN UP TODAY FOR FREE!

That’s precisely why the Observer is creating an extra special Graduation section for the Class of 2020. In it, we will celebrate seniors from the area’s public, private and charter high schools.

For the first time, we’re working with the seniors themselves to give them a chance to leave their unique fingerprints on this commemorative edition.

www.orangeobserver.com/e-edition-subscribe We made it even more convenient to enjoy reading The Observer. You can now receive the Observer’s eNewspaper delivered direct to your inbox every Thursday.

We know we can’t replace everything our seniors lost, but we can make sure they know the current circumstances in no way diminish what they have achieved.

The Observer’s eNewspaper is an exact replica of the printed edition to be enjoyed on any electronic device desktop, tablet or mobile.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: • Sponsor a high school • Congratulate a special senior with a graduation card • Advertise your services to parents of graduates

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Orange

Call your advertising executive today!

(407) 656-2121 advertise@orangeobserver.com