The Student Government of Ocoee High School is planning a huge reunion to include all graduating classes, as well as faculty and staff, of both the old and new OHS. Alumni Fever will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in the bus loop and courtyard, 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway. The event will include food trucks, a display of memorabilia, merchandise and campus tours. Afterward, guests are welcome to stay for an alumni band concert.
WPS
to compete The Hawks, Lions and Lakers football teams all seek to build on the progress they made last year. SEE PAGE 1B.
How the MAGIC is made
PopStroke Hamlin slated to open in August
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
Originally announced in the spring of 2023 as part of a 13-venue expansion plan, the long-awaited Hamlin location of PopStroke — a miniature golf concept featuring two 18-hole putting courses, food and drink, outdoor games and a playground — is slated to open in August.
After posting a coming soon sign on the corner of Hamlin Groves Trail and Shoreside Way earlier this year, construction crews have been busy developing Horizon West’s newest entertainment venue, and on April 28, PopStroke shared an aerial photo of the venue with the caption: “Our newest Hamlin-Winter Garden location is (trucking) along. See you this August, West Orlando!”
PopStroke Entertainment Group Marketing Manager Tammy Hutchison confirmed the news of the fall opening and shared that they are hoping to welcome guests as soon as possible.
“We’re shooting for an early August opening,” Hutchison said. “I don’t have an exact date for everyone just yet … (but) we will know more probably within the next month. Typically, when we come to market, we open the
Tiger Woods- and Taylor Made-
backed miniature golf project will be located right in Hamlin Town Center and will be the perfect night out for the whole family.
“We’ll have a full-service bar and restaurant with a scratch kitchen,” Hutchison said. “We have two full courses, there’ll be bar service to those on the courses. One of our courses is also fully ADA compliant — so it will be accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, all those things. We also have a beer garden that includes games such as foosball, ping pong and cornhole.
There’s really something for everyone at PopStroke, from ice cream parlors to the bar on the course. It’s really for ages 3 to 83; that’s kind of what we like to say about it. Putting is universal for any skill level and any age, and at PopStroke, we’re here to make indelible memories and hope that everyone has a good time at our properties.”
For those interested in learning more about PopStroke and want more information about its new Hamlin location Hutchison pointed to its website and social media outlets.
“A lot of the latest news — especially regarding the Hamlin opening — will be found on our social media platforms,” she said. “So Instagram,
Oakland Cemetery
Monday, May 26, 2025
9:00 AM Flag Placement (Flags will
440428-1
Courtesy PopStroke
Construction of PopStroke’s newest location in Hamlin Town Center is well underway and is slated to open this fall.
Patient reunites with doctors who saved his
life
Steve Weisz was treated for multiple organ failure last year, and at one point, his family was called in to say goodbye.
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
It’s not often people who go into multiple organ failure have the chance to thank the doctor for saving their life, but Steve Weisz is one of the lucky ones who had the opportunity to show his gratitude.
The administration at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, where Weisz was treated in October, arranged a special meeting to reunite him with Dr. Inga Khachaturova and the care team that gave him another chance at life.
It was an emotional reunion — and a surprise for Khachaturova — who was thrilled to see Weisz after treating the seriously ill man in the critical care unit for 17 days. The reunion took place April 3 and highlighted the importance of teamwork and recognized National Critical Care Awareness Month.
“The hospital did a great job of not letting on what was going on,” Weisz said. “The whole critical care team was down there, and I think she was taken aback by it.”
He said it was interesting to meet his doctor and critical care team in a social setting — a far cry from his initial meeting seven months prior. Weisz was admitted to the hospital in October after experiencing chills, night sweats and a 104-degree temperature. A battery of tests determined he was in acute renal failure, and soon after, the function of his heart, liver and lungs declined. He was placed on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma to help his body recover. He endured dialysis
and pheresis.
“My kidneys shut down, and everything followed,” Weisz said.
“(The care team) advised my family to come by to see me, because they didn’t know if that would be the last time they would see me. It was more so for them, because I was pretty much out of it.”
Doctors still aren’t sure exactly what caused his episode — but Weisz said he knows he was in good hands during his remarkable recovery.
“I was very fortunate that Dr. K was the person that coordinated all the care in the CCU,” he said. “She took a keen interest in my case and kept pushing to try to find out. I’m not sure to this day anyone knows what exactly caused it. I know it’s frustrating to the hospital staff and doctors.”
Following nearly three weeks in CCU, Weisz was released to Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute, where he worked for almost two weeks to gain his strength and increase the number of steps he could take before needing to rest.
“When I went from the hospital to the rehab, I could only walk a few steps … because of my weakness,” he said. “When I left I could walk around the building.”
Following his ordeal, Weisz wrote a note to Philip Koovakada, the president of the hospital, to recognize Khachaturova and the team for their extraordinary care. The hospital followed up with the opportunity for the Weiszes and hospital staff to meet.
“I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for them getting me
through a rather serious illness and getting me to the point … where I am good as new,” Weisz said. “I’ve said without hesitation they saved my life.
“The staff, Dr. K, etc., showed so much interest and compassion to me and my family,” he said. “To this day, about once a week, Dr. K still calls to check on me.”
“One of the most special things about critical care is time is of the essence,” Khachaturova said. “Everything is time sensitive. You need to get results back in real time, because if you don’t, or if there’s a delay, then that patient may have lost a major opportunity of resolution or significant improvement.
“The critical care physician kind of dictates the care from head to toe, and then the specialists will help with each organ, and when you sit together and try to put together this puzzle piece, it’s really something overwhelming, and to see whatever we did, all that hard work, investigation, put our minds together, helped resolve Steve and bring him back to his family and his life is really overwhelming. It’s incredible,” Khachaturova said.
Weisz, 74, has recovered nearly 100% from his medical ordeal. The retired Marriott Vacations Worldwide CEO and his wife, Linda, a former pediatric nurse, have been married for 52 years, and they were eager to resume their day-to-daylife in southwest Orlando. Weisz has returned to playing golf, working out with his trainer several times each week and a regular walking routine.
“I think there may have been some divine intervention along the way, but the care and the attitude of the people who were in charge of treating me, they deserve the credit,” Weisz said.
“The entire experience … the whole Orlando Health system, kind of embraced me and did what I think is something that truly saved my life,” Weisz said. “Dr. K, she’s a person who won’t take no for an answer. She’s very persistent in terms of trying to get the right people in to take care of me, and that’s something I greatly appreciate.”
Could Ocoee be unified under one ZIP code?
At its May 6 meeting, the commission also voted unanimously to reappoint the two to their District 1, at-large seats to the diversity board.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
The city of Ocoee is included in a new U.S. House of Representatives bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, that would direct the United States Postal Service to designate certain communities a single ZIP code.
“We’ve been working with a group called the National ZIP Code Advocacy Coalition, which is made up of a lot of cities like Ocoee, and we’ve been communicating ideas, working with Representative Boebert’s office on this bill,” City Manager Craig Shadrix said. “Last year, her bill was the only one to make it through the House, and it was actually denied in the Senate. But the next step for the group — and I will say that this issue has made it further into the session than ever before with this plan of attack — is … to hire lobbyists. It’s our option to engage with that. I wouldn’t see it (costing) more than $10,000 for our share, and we’ve had another half-dozen communities today express interest in being part of that. So the more communities jump on board, the cheaper our outlay for participating with the lobbyist would be.”
Ocoee — which has multiple ZIP codes within its borders — also is included in two other federal bills regarding the unification: H.B. 672 filed by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and S.B. 1455 filed by Sen. Rick Scott.
DIVERSITY BOARD
The City Commission unanimously voted to reappoint Kellie Beck to the first of two at-large seats and Hemraj “Vinny” Signh to his District 1 seat on the city’s Human Relations Diversity Board at its May 6 meeting.
The new terms will be for three years, expiring in May 2028. There is also a vacancy for the District 4 seat after a member resigned from the post — this appointment will complete the seat’s current term expires in 2026.
During the discussion, District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner and District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III said they will make their appointments at the next commission meeting Tuesday, May 20, after reviewing possible candidates.
ENVISION 2045
COMMUNITY MEETING
As part of the city’s work on developing its large-scale comprehensive plan, Envision 2045, Shadrix announced the city will hold a community outreach meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center.
City staff will present the new plan and then host a Q&A session and information stations for residents. Those interested in reviewing the plan can find it online at ocoee.org.
Steve and Linda Weisz, center, with Dr. Inga Khachaturova, reunited with the doctor and care team that saved Steve Weisz’s life after he experienced organ failure.
Courtesy photos
Steve Weisz and his wife, Linda, had an emotional reunion with Dr. Inga Khachaturova April 3 at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital.
Book offers insider’s look into Disney
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Windermere’s David Schroeder recalled walking into Disneyland in 1968 at 10 years old captivated by the magic of Disney.
But unlike most children his age, the questions running through his mind were different. He wasn’t asking where Mickey was or what his next delicious snack would be or what ride or attraction would he venture to next.
All he could think of was how?
How did this all work?
As he sat in the Enchanted Tiki Room, a relatively new attraction at the time having opened in June 1963, he was in awe of how it all worked.
How did Disney synchronize the 438 separate actions of 250 audio-animatronic birds, flowers, tiki drummers and tiki gods with an audio soundtrack blaring through 100 speakers?
Standing in line waiting to board the boat of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which opened in 1967, he wondered, how are thousands of people cycled through this ride at a constant rate?
“I was a bit of a strange child in that I also was taken with how clean the place was, how great the landscaping was, how efficient they were loading people into the attractions and when they had a parade, setting up the parade and taking down,” Schroeder said. “For some reason, as a 10-yearold, I was intrigued with how it all worked, as well as just enjoying the attractions.”
Schroeder decided to have all of his questions answered when he started working in Disney’s finance department in 1987.
With the thought that others might have the same questions, Schroeder published “How in the World …?” a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create the magic of Walt Disney World.
FAITH, TRUST AND MAYBE A LITTLE PIXIE DUST
Growing up, Schroeder’s family vacationed at Disneyland every five years. His fascination for everything related to the parks only grew.
He read every article and book he could find on the parks to learn as much as possible.
“(Disneyland and Disney World) were just so different from anywhere else that you experience in normal life, so that all just intrigued me for whatever reason,” Schroeder said.
It wasn’t until 1987 that Schroeder decided to apply for jobs with Disney. He spent his years after graduating college working as a finance consultant, and he thought he had a skillset from which Disney could benefit.
Typical application routes were not panning out, so Schroeder went a different avenue.
He sent a letter in January 1987 to several Disney executives, including Michael Eisner, the chairman and
chief executive officer; Frank Wells, the president and chief operating officer; Richard Nunis, the president; and Gary Wilson, the executive vice president and chief financial officer. He proposed how he could use his financial background at the Walt Disney Company.
It was a shot in the dark with hopes of the letter somehow landing on at least one of these executive’s desks.
But he received no response.
A few months later, Schroeder decided to try again.
This time, he received a call. He was flown out to Burbank, California, to meet John Forsgren, who was treasurer of the company at the time.
Schroeder was hired. He would start his Disney career in the corporate treasury department.
“It’s kind of like a Disney fairytale story of how it all worked out but in the boring finance world,” Schroeder said.
But the biggest perk of working for the Walt Disney Company was his newfound access to the Disney archives.
Every day during his hour lunch break, Schroeder moseyed down to the archives to finally have the burning questions he’s had since he was 10 years old answered.
ONCE UPON A DREAM
Walking into Schroeder’s Windermere home, no one would guess he is a Disney fan.
Dressed in a white shirt with palm trees printed all over it and black jeans, Schroeder was unassuming.
Rather than his living room being filled with Disney decor or memorabilia after working for the company for 13 years, the room was elegantly designed with antiques from around the world as his partner, David, purchases and sells antiques.
The only Disney related item to be seen was a hardcover copy of his book, “How in the World …?” which Theme Park Press published April 8.
But as Schroeder began talking about his book, his love for the parks came to life. It didn’t take long to discover Schroeder was a living encyclopedia of the first 25 years of Disney World as he delivered fact after fact about the parks without any hesitation or second guessing.
Through his seven years working in the corporate offices at Disneyland and another six years at the corporate offices at Disney World and his plethora of research from the archives, Schroeder decided to write a book on the operational side of Disney. Schroeder wrote his book in three sections: how Walt Disney World came to be; how some of the classic attractions were designed and built and how they function; and the operational side of Disney, diving into wardrobe, food distribution, merchandise, custodial operations and so much more.
He recalled learning about the lava used in the Universe of Energy pavilion, which was part of the Future
FUN FACTS ABOUT DISNEY WORLD
n Those riding Pirates of the Caribbean have unofficially met Imagineers who worked on the attraction because their faces were used for some of the pirates on the ride.
n The Haunted Mansion pattern is based on the houses built along the Hudson River Valley during the 18th century.
n The Carousel of Progress was seen by 46 million people before it ever premiered at Disney World in 1975. It was at New York World’s Fair from 1964 to 1965 before being moved to Disneyland in 1966.
n By opening day of Disney World, 60,000 trees and shrubs of 800 different varieties were planted and enough sod to cover 500 football fields was laid as part of the initial landscaping.
n The trees were transplanted from Miami and Virginia. At EPCOT Center, there were 12,500 trees, 100,000 shrubs, 14 acres of grass and 40,000 annuals.
DISNEY IS OR HAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST …
n Single-site employer
n Single-site food operation
n Working wardrobe department
n Lost and found department
n Purchaser of fireworks BY THE NUMBERS
400 Restaurants and stores across property
170,000
People transported on a typical day around property by boat, monorails, buses, etc.
4,000
Plants planted per day
$440 MILLION
Cost of the first phase of Disney World
10.7 MILLION
People who visited Disney World in its first year of operation
$139 MILLION
Revenue in Disney World’s first year
27,443
Acres of land purchased for Disney World
$183
Cost per acre
World section of Epcot from 1982 to 1996. Imagineers used the same machine that shoots dog food into a can for packaging to shoot lava from the vol-
cano. The lava is made of toothpaste, thickener and black light dyes so it would glow as it came down the side of the volcano.
“There’s a whole manufacturing division of Walt Disney Imagineering that builds most everything that’s needed for the parks,” Schroeder said. “These guys are amazing. They’ve built everything from the audio-animatronic figures to the movie projection cabinets they needed to ride vehicles, they built whatever was needed.”
A cumulative two years of detailed research came together in his book, showcasing the little-known aspects of Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, which Schroeder still affectionately calls MGM Studios.
Throughout his research and writing, Schroeder discovered the whole other world of Disney that goes unnoticed by the general public by day as thousands of people work to keep the parks pristine and operational by night.
“There’s a whole other world within Walt Disney World, of all the backstage warehouses and manufacturing facilities and offices and nurseries and tree farms and bus washing stations and all that that people never see,” Schroeder said.
Thinking of all those cast members who do not always receive recognition for the hard work they put in to create the magic of Disney brought tears to Schroeder’s eyes.
As he clutched a tissue, Schroeder grabbed a hardcover copy of his book and gently turned the pages to the epilogue.
Unable to read it himself as he held back tears, Schroeder shared a passage he had written as a reminder for why millions constantly return to the happiest place on earth.
“There is a special magic to Walt Disney World, and other Disney parks, which can take on different forms for different people,” Schroeder wrote.
“The magic can be as simple as the music in the air, a child meeting Mickey for the first time, a delicious caramel apple, the exhilaration of Space Mountain or fireworks bursting in the night sky. The magic can bring a smile to your face, reinvigorate the child in you, awaken a precious memory or allow you to forget all your worldly cares. But what makes the magic so special is that it usually involves, and is shared with, the family and friends you love. So, why would you not want to come, or return, to this most magical place on earth?
“And all we can do is say ‘thank you,’ to Walt and all the exceptional artisans, craftsmen, performers, managers and cast members who have had the ‘can do’ attitude to make it all possible.”
“I’m just very fortunate that I was able to do all the things that I did,” Schroeder said. “It’s been a wonderful experience, the whole thing, even though I don’t work for Disney anymore.”
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, email to Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com.
WEST ORANGE TIMES
The West Orange Times (USPS 687120) is published weekly for $60 per year and $110 per two years by the Observer Media Group, 661 Garden Commerce Parkway, Winter Garden, Florida, 34787. Periodical postage paid at Winter Garden, Florida.
POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to the (name of pub; i.e., West Orange Times West Orange Times & Observer or Southwest Orange Observer), Observer Media Group, 11970 Main Street, Floor 3, Sarasota, FL 34236
Liz Ramos
This is not goodbye
AMY QUESINBERRY PRICE COMMUNITY EDITOR
The first time I appeared in the newspaper, then The Winter Garden Times, was in March 1968 in the hospital news listing; I was just a few days old. Mind you, the last name was misspelled and I was identified as “Female Infant Guesinberry,” but still. I was destined for great things at our community paper.
My photo was in the paper when I found the golden egg at the Winter Garden Lions Club’s annual Easter egg hunt by the lake at Newton Park; I was probably 4 or 5. A picture of my friends and me ran on the social page announcing my 8th birthday slumber party, all of us in our nightgowns holding our favorite stuffed animals.
When I won the spelling bee at Dillard Street Elementary School, the newspaper photographed me in the library and ran the news. I also appeared in the paper when the West Orange Junior Service League announced its 1984-85 debutantes and again in the special section announcing the 1985 graduates of West Orange High School.
I took some “time off” to attend college and earn my journalism degree before returning to The West Orange Times in an official writing capacity in 1990. I was 22, full of AP Stylebook knowledge and ready to make a difference in West Orange County. This had been my dream job since eighth grade, and writing always has been my passion. Some of you have been following my work for 35 years.
After three-and-one-half decades, this full-time era has come to an end. I’m “retiring” — note the quotation marks — from the West Orange Times & Observer but will continue putting together the pieces of the weekly history page and keeping readers informed on West Orange County’s past through regular history stories. This week is the start of my freelance era.
I have worked at the paper for nearly one-third of its 120-year existence (that’s Amy math).
I have written close to 5,500 stories — your stories — in 1,820 issues of the newspaper, minus a few for vacations and maternity leave. If those issues were stacked on top of one another, the tower would reach more than 75 feet.
In trying to sum up 35 years of writing for a weekly community newspaper, I realize the most important fact — I couldn’t have done this without you, the reader. Your trust in me to tell your stories and my passion to keep telling them all these years has been a remarkable partnership.
I have reached the point in my career where I’m hitting full-circle moments. I’ve written stories about the children of people I featured in the early years of my time at the paper. I helped construct houses for West Orange Habitat for Humanity for seven years through its Women Build program, the same organization whose board I served on in its first several years of organization starting in 1990. This job has afforded me some great opportunities. It was a fun time when Planet Hollywood was opening up. I met lots of stars who were donating items to the restaurant, including Patrick Swayze, Tom Arnold, Charlie Sheen and Danny Glover. I interviewed actors James Earl Jones and Leslie Nielsen. Universal Studios Florida invited me one year to dress up like a ghoul and scare guests during Halloween Horror Nights.
Some of my earliest projects were the Our Friends Overseas series starting in 1990 that connected readers with locals serving in the Persian Gulf War. Eight years later, I worked on a hardcover book, “When Forces Collide: Violence in the Darkness,” which documented the 1998 tornado that struck Winter Garden.
When I started at the paper, all press releases and news items were delivered by residents through the front door or by mail, our office had a darkroom for processing film and we put the paper together by hand.
I wrote about strangers and about people I’ve known my whole life. I wrote about former teachers and former classmates. I’ve interviewed every new pastor at my childhood church. I’ve told plenty of quirky tales of cows, roosters,
opossums and other animals. We have been through a lot together, you and me. I have photographed your daddy-daughter dances and mother-son dances. I have been there for your children’s plays and musicals. I have taken photos of you at festivals and concerts and events. I have shared your GoFundMe pages and your new business websites.
My personal columns — many about my children’s escapades when they were younger or my own foibles — have made you laugh. Some of you let me know anytime my serious stories made you cry. You felt my sadness when Tom Petty died, and then you really felt my heartache when I wrote about my parents passing away in 2017 and 2022.
I’ve even tackled the difficult stories you were brave enough to share with me and trusted me to tell: suicide, drug overdose, vape death and cancer.
You have read my coverage of the
town of Oakland for more than 30 years. If you know me at all, you know I detest change. There have been a few moments at the paper that I had to “suck it up” and deal — when we moved from a manual pasteup page layout system to a digital format, when the newspaper was sold, when we moved our office (I had spent 24 years at one desk in the same corner of the newsroom), when I was forced to adapt to a laptop (now I can’t live without one) and when we worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have seen many co-workers come and go in 35 years. One thing you’ve discovered about me through my columns is I am a preservationist of history — a fancy way to say I save everything. For the last 25 years, our office has held a yearly Christmas test, and the questions and answers pertain to that year’s staff and little bits of information and funny stories gleaned
from chatty coworkers all year. Of course, I kept every test. It’s like a Rolodex of employees through the years.
Our office team — who is more like family — has attended numerous West Orange Chamber of Commerce events together, as well as many fundraising dinners. My computer is full of photos capturing our fun outfits and table decorations. There are photo memories of staff road trips to Sarasota for our annual Observer meetings.
I’ve collected numerous writing awards through the years, but there are some that are incredibly special to me. I won first-place Florida Press Association awards for both of my children in the Spot News and Serious Column categories. The West Orange Culture Keepers presented me with a Citizens of Distinction Award in 2012 for being a “community ambassador and the voice for many.” In 2019, I received a companywide award for “performance as
an ambassador in the community.” It has been fun looking through the newspaper archives and sharing on Facebook photos of your younger selves or your family and friends. It’s always rewarding when I see long-lost friends and classmates connect over my Throwback Thursday posts. There are several stories that always remain close to my heart. One is the 2020 story of connecting a baby being placed for adoption with a Winter Garden family looking to adopt a baby. The other actually is a series of stories I wrote after interviewing local World War II veterans, many of whom shared with me intimate war details they never shared with their own
lies. I even had the honor of
ing one of the veterans to
D.C., through the Honor Flight program.
Local history always has fascinated me, and some of my most interesting articles (in my
been in my
fami-
escort-
Washington,
opinion) have
Vanishing Com-
Amy Quesinberry Price appeared in the community newspaper years before she started her career there.
The West Orange Chamber of Commerce recognized The West Orange Times on its anniversary in 2010.
Amy Quesinberry Price was 22 when she started her career at The West Orange Times.
The editorial team of Gail Dressel, back left, Mary Anne Swickerath, Kathy Aber and Amy Quesinberry Price led the newsroom of The West Orange Times for many years.
Amy Quesinberry Price held baby Grayden Fraga after interviewing his parents in 2020.
Amy Quesinberry Price won an Observer community ambassador award in 2019.
BAPTIST
First Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Grosshans
125 E. Plant St, Winter Garden (407) 656-2352
Sundays: 8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Wednesdays: 6 PM Awana
METHODIST
First United Methodist www.fumcwg.org
125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden (407) 656-1135
Services: 9 AM Traditional 10:45 AM Contemporary Also viewable on YouTube
West Orange Habitat earns city approval
LIZ
RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
IN OTHER NEWS
CHURCH DIRECTORY
STARKE LAKE BAPTIST
CHURCH
PO Box 520, 611 W Ave, Ocoee
Pastor Jeff Pritchard (407) 656-2351 www.starkelakebaptist.org
CHURCH OF GOD
OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD
Pastor Thomas Odom 1105 N. Lakewood Avenue, Ocoee 407-656-8011
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH 241 N. Main, Winter Garden Services: 8, 9:30, & 11am, 7pm www.churchofthemessiah.com
Worship www.windermereunion.org
West Orange Habitat for Humanity will be able to build seven new singlefamily residential lots on Edgeway Drive.
The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved Thursday, May 8, the final plat for the Habitat Edgeway project.
The seven single-family residential lots will be constructed on a 1.31-acre property located on the north side of Edgeway Drive. The final plat is consistent with the approved preliminary plat, and the property is designated as Low Density Residential and is zoned for R-4, Residential District.
n Mayor John Rees read a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week from May 18-24.
Marilyn Hattaway, executive director of West Orange Habitat for Humanity, said the homes will be sold at the appraised value — $187,000 for a three-bedroom house and $192,000 for a four-bedroom home.
n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance concerning utility account deposits. The ordinance would allow for the return of residential customer deposits after 12 months if the user has a good payment history with no cutoffs. Deposits also would be held in a non-interestbearing account, which eliminates the requirement to pay interest on a deposit.
Advertise your Services or Events on this page weekly. This page appears weekly in the West Orange Times & Observer and online at OrangeObserver.com.
To advertise in the Church Directory call 407-656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@OrangeObserver.com
Mayor John Rees said he hoped more Winter Garden residents would be able to purchase the homes West Orange Habitat for Humanity builds in the area.
“I think Habitat does a great job,” he said. “We appreciate everything, but I still find it hard to believe that in a town of 51,000 people we can’t find seven people who are Winter Garden residents to occupy those homes.”
Hattaway said the nonprofit has been working with the city to meet with the stakeholders in the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood to help meet the needs of the community. She said a lot of people in the neighborhood do not qualify for the housing program.
“We have a lot of people who are just this close to qualifying for mortgages with Habitat for Humanity, and we’re really proud of that,” Hattaway said.
Hattaway said Habitat’s board already has approved five of the residents who will move into the seven homes in the Habitat Edgeway project. Of the five, three are Winter Garden residents. The other two residents who will move into the homes will be approved at West Orange Habitat for Humanity’s board meeting this month.
“We so appreciate the work on behalf of the city manager to network that community together to make this possible and a dream come true for a lot of those residents,” she said. “The approval of this plat is continuing to address the affordable housing crisis in the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood with the city and the residents.”
SCHOOL OFFICER CONTRACT EXTENDED
After months of negotiations, the Winter Garden City Commission has come to an agreement with the School Board of Orange County on a School Resource Officer contract extension.
The commission unanimously approved authorizing City Manager Jon C. Williams to sign the contract extension.
The Winter Garden Police Department provides School Resource Officers and a sergeant for seven schools within Winter Garden.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the School Board agreed to reimburse the Winter Garden Police Department at a rate of $73,000 per full-time School Resource Officer for the 10-month school year and $75,000 per SRO for the 2026-2027 school year.
If the School Board receives an increase of up to $20 million in statewide Safe Schools Allocation for the 2025-2026 school year, the board’s share of the funding will be 100% allocated to law enforcement agencies as an increase rate for SRO ser-
n Commissioners unanimously approved waiving the formal procurement procedures and hiring of Engineered Spray Solutions to rehabilitate 11 manholes for $60,806, which includes a 5% contingency.
n The commission unanimously approved waiving the formal procurement procedures and hiring of Xylem Water Solutions USA Inc./ Flygt Products to replace the control panels of lift stations 21 and 24 for $60,270.
n The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved waiving the formal procurement procedures and hiring RCM Utilities, LLC to remove the existing electrical systems and rewire lift stations 21 and 24 for $54,500.
n Commissioners unanimously approved the reduction of a special assessment lien on the property at 159 Ninth St.
n The purchase order for Mead and Hunt for a facility plan update and Fullers Reuse Wastewater Treatment Plant pressure analysis and solution was unanimously approved for $86,150.
n The purchase order in the amount of $227,505 to TD Thomson Construction Co. Inc. for improvements to 681 W. Plant St. was unanimously approved.
n The American Legion Post 63’s Memorial Day Special Event was unanimously approved to take place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Veterans Memorial Park.
n The All-American Kids Parade and Pancake Breakfast was unanimously approved to take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, July 4. The event will have about 1,200 people in attendance, and Plant Street will temporarily be closed for the parade.
n The Party in the Park was unanimously approved for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 4, in Newton Park. About 15,000 people are expected to be in attendance.
vices over the contracted rate for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the contract.
If the increase is between $20 million and $40 million, 100% of the funds will be allocated to the school board. If the increase is more than $40 million, the funding will be shared equally between the school board and the law enforcement agencies.
If the School Board receives an increase in the Safe Schools Allocation for the 2026-2027 school year, 60% will be allocated to the school board, while 40% will be allocated to the law enforcement agencies.
WATERMARK
The home at 14657 Winter Stay Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 21, for $660,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 2,935 square feet. Days on market: 55.
An estate in the Lago Vista community in Winter Garden (Lake County) topped all West Orange-area residential real-estate transactions from April 21 to 27.
The home at 13352 Lago Vista Drive, Winter Garden, Lake County, sold April 25, for $3,133,000. Built in 1994, it has five bedrooms, fiveand-one-half baths and 7,512 square feet. Days on market: 179. The sellers were represented by Brianna Lindauer, Realnet Florida Real Estate.
These are the highestselling homes in each community in West Orange.
DR. PHILLIPS
BAY HILL
The home at 8625 Bay Hill Blvd., Orlando, sold April 24, for $2,150,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,606 square feet. Days on market: 376.
BAY POINT
The home at 9117 Bay Point Drive, Orlando, sold April 23, for $1,912,500. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,651 square feet. Days on market: 322.
BRISTOL PARK
The home at 9436 Wickham Way, Orlando, sold April 24, for $875,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,922 square feet. Days on market: 52.
LAKE MARSHA
The home at 7496 Lake Marsha Drive, Orlando, sold April 22, for $1,030,000. Built in 1980, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,248 square feet. Days on market: 28.
MARINA AT BAY HILL
The condo at 6312 Masters Blvd., No. O2, Orlando, sold April 25, for $600,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,984 square feet. Days on market: 95.
NORTH BAY
The home at 9109 Galleon Drive, Orlando, sold April 24, for $550,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,894 square feet. Days on market: Seven.
ORANGE BAY
The home at 8418 Cedar Cove Drive, Orlando, sold April 25, for $589,400. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,547 square feet. Days on market: Two.
PHILLIPS LANDING
The home at 8913 Heritage Bay Circle, Orlando, sold April 24, for $1,150,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 2,871 square feet. Days on market: 41.
VISTA CAY AT HARBOR SQUARE
The condo at 5025 Shoreway Loop, No. 204, Orlando, sold April 23, for $560,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,097 square feet. Days on market: 15.
WINDERMERE HEIGHTS
The home at 8441 Oakland Place, Orlando, sold April 25, for $3,080,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 4,828 square feet. Days on market: 310.
The home at 8244 Oakland Place, Orlando, sold April 25, for $1,310,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,950 square feet. Days on market: Four.
GOTHA
WINDERMERE CHASE
The home at 10400 Windermere Chase Blvd., Windermere, sold April 23, for $730,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,180 square feet. Days on market: 32.
HORIZON WEST
DEL WEBB OASIS
The home at 13684 Fresh Ivy St., Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $698,000. Built in 2024, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,921 square feet. Days on market: 46.
HAMLIN POINTE
The home at 16908 Hamlin Oasis Loop, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $535,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 1,836 square feet. Days on market: 40.
HIGHLAND RIDGE
The home at 11969 Bracco St., Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $515,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,114 square feet. Days on market: 94.
The home at 11965 Bracco St., Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $580,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,424 square feet. Days on market: 94.
INDEPENDENCE
The home at 7233 Blackberry Trail sold April 25, for $2,159,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,500 square feet. Days on market: 92.
LAKE SAWYER SOUTH
The home at 7358 Tattant Blvd., Windermere, sold April 22, for $615,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 2,6234 square feet. Days on market: 53.
OSPREY RANCH
The home at 12591 Clear Sapphire Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $582,990. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,500 square feet.
PALMS AT WINDERMERE
The home at 14256 Crest Palm Ave., Windermere, sold April 22, for $1,094,508. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 3,764 square feet. Days on market: 128.
PRESTON SQUARE
The home at 6558 Helmsley Circle, Windermere, sold April 24, for $620,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,575 square feet. Days on market: 49.
The home at 9562 Meadow Hunt Way, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $873,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-andone-half baths and 3,672 square feet. Days on market: 170.
WINDSTONE
The home at 6926 Trellis Vine Loop, Windermere, sold April 21, for $880,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-onehalf baths and 3,124 square feet. Days on market: 26.
OAKLAND JOHNS COVE
The home at 1011 Johns Cove Lane, Oakland, sold April 25, for $600,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,579 square feet. Days on market: 96.
OCOEE
ARDEN PARK NORTH
The home at 2834 Bigleaf Maple Drive, Ocoee, sold April 21, for $524,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,937 square feet. Days on market: 45.
The home at 1720 Sourwood Drive, Ocoee, sold April 21, for $508,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,061 square feet. Days on market: 31.
HAMMOCKS
The home at 843 Hammocks Drive, Ocoee, sold April 23, for $525,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,237 square feet. Days on market: 25.
REFLECTIONS
The home at 1772 Sparkling Water Circle, Ocoee, sold April 25, for $440,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,944 square feet. Days on market: 105.
WATERSIDE
The home at 2744 Cullens Court, Ocoee, sold April 22, for $423,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,891 square feet. Days on market: 90.
WESTYN BAY
The home at 719 Postrio Way, Ocoee, sold April 25, for $570,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,539 square feet. Days on market: 20.
SOUTHWEST ORANGE
ROYAL CYPRESS PRESERVE
The home at 10420 Royal Cypress Way, Orlando, sold April 25, for $1,050,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths and 2,298 square feet. Days on market: Two.
WEST ORANGE PROVIDENCE
The home at 13226 Zori Lane, Windermere, sold April 21, for $630,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,521 square feet. Days on market: 11.
WINDERMERE
DOWNTOWN WINDERMERE
The home at 105 Pine St., Windermere, sold April 25, for $2,285,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, five-and-one-half baths and 5,696 square feet. Days on market: 47.
KEENE’S POINTE
The home at 6110 Keene’s Pointe Drive, Windermere, sold April 23, for $1,530,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,196 square feet. Days on market: Four.
WINDERMERE
The home at 10556 Park Ridge Gotha Road, Windermere, sold April 22, for $790,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet. Days on market: 124.
WINDERMERE RESERVE
The home at 7145 Horizon Circle, Windermere, sold April 22, for $1,100,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,943 square feet.
WINTER GARDEN
ALEXANDER RIDGE
The home at 1934 Pantheon Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 25, for $715,000. Built in 2015, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths and 3,764 square feet. Days on market: 177.
AMBERLEIGH
The home at 398 Lake Amberleigh Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $570,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,078 square feet. Days on market: Six.
FOXCREST
The home at 12703 Dallington Terrace, Winter Garden, sold April 21, for $598,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,369 square feet. Days on market: 10.
HICKORY HAMMOCK
The home at 15993 Johns Lake Overlook Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 23, for $812,500. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,804 square feet. Days on market: Nine.
The home at 16084 Black Hickory Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $790,000. Built in 2016, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,676 square feet. Days on market: Four.
MCCALISTER LANDING
The home at 1486 Juniper Hammock St., Winter Garden, sold April 24, for $720,000. Built in 2019, it has eight bedrooms, four baths and 5,108 square feet. Days on market: 38.
OAKLAND PARK
The home at 1338 Union Club Drive, Winter Garden, sold April 21, for $980,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-onehalf baths and 2,637 square feet.
SPORTS
HIGH 5
1The First Academy baseball won the Class 2A, Region 2 championship, its second consecutive regional title, after topping Lakeland Christian in five innings, 10-0, on the back of a complete game, no-hitter from pitcher Thomas Achey and a three-home run performance from the Royals’ bats. The Royals will play either Trinity Christian, Berkeley Prep or Saint Andrews (likely Berkeley Prep) in the single-elimination state semifinals Tuesday, May 20, in Fort Myers.
2
Foundation Academy’s Lee Peters and Windermere High’s C.J. Bronaugh and Jozef Miesak led all West Orange and Southwest Orange track-and-field athletes as the only individual state champions from the 2025 FHSAA meets. Peters, the lone female statetitle winner, claimed the gold in the Class 1A girls 100-meter dash in dominant fashion with a 11.60 time, the only sub-12 second time in the event. The junior sprinter also finished second in the 200-meter dash, just onetenth of a second slower than the first place finisher.
On the boys side, the Windermere track team claimed two state individual 4A state titles. Junior sprinter C.J. Bronaugh — defending 1A state champion in both the 100 and 200 — added a third state sprinting title to his collection by posting a time of 10.34 in the boys 100. In the boys 400-meter dash, Wolverines senior Jozef Miesak joined Bronaugh and Peters in claiming a gold medal after posting a personal best time of 46.68.
3Eighteen West Orange and Southwest Orange players have been selected to the 2025 Cure All-Star baseball series rosters
In the Orange vs. Seminole County game, which took place after press time, Tuesday, May 13, at Sanford Memorial Stadium, four schools had players selected to play. West Orange High had five players recognized — Charlie Eidelman, Sims McClusky, Parker Hohnstock, Nicolas Caso and Wrigley Bates — and two named alternates, Kas Ocasio and Brooklyn Hicks. Horizon High’s Jose Massanet and Alex Galan were named to the roster, with Jaden Blanco and Cooper Mapes as alternates. Windermere High’s Dublin Warren and Dr. Phillips High’s Jose Diaz were also selected for the game-day roster.
In the Volusia vs. Lake County game scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Sanford Memorial — despite being located in Orange County — Foundation Academy had five players selected to the Volusia County AllStar team: Justin Salvati, Barak Boston, Evan Brothers, Rylee Gibson and Michael Surane.
4
The Winter Garden Squeeze has released its 36-game, 2025 regularseason schedule, with opening day set for a road battle against the Orlando Snappers Friday, May 30. Winter Garden opens its home slate — the first of 16 total regular season home games — the following day, May 31, against the Snappers.
5
The First Academy rising senior Demetrice McCray, a 6-foot, 180-pound threestar wide receiver announced his commitment to play college football for the Pitt Panthers. He selected the ACC program over UCF, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Iowa State.
SAM SESSION
BITTERSWEET HISTORY
After eight seasons coaching Windermere Prep’s track-and-field teams, Devin Bennett is set to leave for another job — but not before leading the program to a historic district championship.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS EDITOR
Coming into his eighth season as the Windermere Prep boys and girls track-and-field coach, Devin Bennett had plenty of reasons not to be optimistic about his teams’ chances at breaking through in a tough district and bringing home hardware for the first time in its history.
Bennett, who also served as the Lakers boys and girls cross-country coach this past fall, saw the injury bug decimate his distance-running teams’ 2024 season, and with a heap of athletes participating in both disciplines he coached, the worry that the Lakers’ cross-country outcomes would seep through to 2025 and negatively impact the track-and-field season
SEE WINDERMERE PAGE 2B
Part III: Sam’s spring football
Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque takes you behind the scenes of spring high school football in West Orange and Southwest Orange.
SAM ALBUQUERQUE SPORTS EDITOR
It’s the third week of the 2025 spring high school football session, and although the end of spring ball is just beyond the horizon, this is the week when questions begin to get answered and those speculating on what their teams will be putting on display under those Friday floodlights come the fall can start making more educated conclusions.
In the third edition of Sam’s 2025 spring football stops, we continue our 12-stop journey to take fans of West Orange and Southwest Orange
high school football behind the scenes of the spring high school football.
This week, we’re taking a deep dive into the Foundation Academy Lions, as they prepare for life under new coach Daniel White, the Horizon Hawks, as they look to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2024 season, and what second-year Windermere Prep coach James Hamilton expects to see from his Lakers in 2025.
FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS
2024 record: 5-5 Spring game: 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Seffner Christian Coach: Daniel White, first season Key returners, additions: QB Gianni Rodriguez, OL/DL James Phillips, RB Sam Wood, LB Reece French, ATH Cole Huntley, ATH Noah McMullen and LB/HB Aiden Cubero
The 2025 spring football session marks the start of a new era for Foundation Academy football under first-year coach Daniel White, and
stops
my first impression of what the Lions are going to look like under the former Apopka High standout can be boiled down to two words: Energy and efficiency. From start to finish of the time I spent with the new-look Lions program, there was an energy of excitement and intensity permeating from the players and coaching staff. During the practice’s opening
tackling drill, players competed hard and would fight to get more reps — especially when they lost the previous rep — and coaches celebrated players successes and challenged them to push themselves when they fell short.
I had a lot of questions coming into this spring about what this Founda-
Olympia’s Ava Pazos not only led Lady Titans basketball in points, assists and steals, but also she led the girls lacrosse team in goals .Page 2B.
Sam Albuquerque
Rising senior athlete Noah McMullen (No. 2) is a bright new addition to the Foundation offense.
Photo by Sam Albuquerque Kingston Miranda, left, Logan Lieberman and Taha Abdi were all key contributors to the Windermere Prep boys track-and-field team winning a district championship.
Courtesy of Windermere Prep
Windermere Prep junior Alyssa Johnson was one of the Lady Lakers’ top track-and-field athletes this season.
WEEK
SPONSORED BY MARK’S
Ava Pazos
As a member of both the Lady Titans basketball and lacrosse teams, a member of four different honor societies, an honor roll student and an officer in the Student Government Association, it is safe to say Olympia High junior Ava Pazos is balancing a bit more than the average student-athlete.
Beyond leading both the basketball and lacrosse teams in major statistical categories — leading the hoops team with 10.7 points, 8.4 assists and 6.9 steals per game and the LAX team with 34 goals — Pazos also has been an emotional leader for both, serving as a captain on the hardwood and the field the last two seasons.
Pazos also managed to cross a major milestone marker on the lacrosse field this season, scoring her 100th career goal.
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
Exciting! I’m humbled to be recognized for my talents and achievements.
What do you enjoy the most about basketball and lacrosse?
I enjoy the competition, rush of energy and adrenaline I get from game days. (I like) having the opportunity to compete with others while challenging myself.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing sports?
Developing a strong mindset is one of the greatest things I’ve acquired throughout my years of playing sports, especially basketball. Having that mentality is the most important thing, along with work ethic. It has truly led me to success and overall, learning how to handle and conquer the hard things better.
What is your favorite sports memory?
For lacrosse, I would say sprinting through the midfield, dodging between players and scoring my 100th goal. In basketball, beating
THE BASICS
Age: 17 Sport: Girls basketball and lacrosse Grade: Junior School: Olympia High
Windermere
Who is your favorite athlete?
Udonis Haslem, of the Miami Heat. He was an undrafted player from Florida with amazing heart and hustle, who worked extremely hard to become a professional basketball player for the Heat, played 20 years on the same team and overall is a great advocate for the community.
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
A ham-and-cheese Pub Sub on toasted bread, along with a banana or any fruit.
What is your go-to pre-game hype song?
I have so many good ones, but right now it’s “Dreams and Nightmares,” by Meek Mill.
What is your favorite subject in school?
I enjoy history, because I love learning about the past and how it has shaped where we are today.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
My phone, some string cheese and my bed. With snacks and a nap, I’m set!
What is your favorite movie? Why?
“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” or “Home Alone” are my comfort movies. I can’t choose, but especially around fall time, I just love to relax and watch either of those movies.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who Adam Sandler, 100%. I love to be laughing constantly.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I would go back to the (early) 1900s, because I love the idea of the Roaring ’20s and the culture that emerged from that time.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to trust the process and know that you can do whatever you put your mind to, as long as you keep working hard.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I’d want to see the seven wonders of the world or a faraway beach like Bora Bora.
What is your most controversial food take?
Pickles are gross, and I can easily live without ketchup. I can’t stand the smell of pickles, and ketchup just isn’t appealing to me.
Does pineapple belong on
— SAM ALBUQUERQUE
Windermere Prep boys track wins first district title
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
was top of mind for Bennett. That is, until his track-and-field team came together for its preseason preparations.
“I noticed that the enthusiasm level and new talent coming out for track was the highest it had ever been in my time at Windermere Prep,” Bennett said. “As I assessed the situation, I quickly began to realize there was a real chance our team could make history by bringing home a district title this year.”
This new energy from the Lakers gave Bennett confidence that 2025 could be a special season — especially considering what the program looked like when he took over in 2018.
“When I began as the head track coach here at Windermere Prep in 2018, I inherited a small but determined group of athletes,” Bennett said. “Over the years, that group has grown into a large varsity team of 60 athletes. I have brought on a total of 12 assistant coaches over the years; some have come and gone, moving on to even greater things. I am grateful to have been part of the journey here and to have helped spark interest in the sport. However, it is truly the kids — their commitment and effort — that have put this program on the map.”
The commitment and effort put in by the members of Bennett’s 2025 track-and-field team has done more than just put the program on the map, it pushed the Lakers over the top and made history.
At the 2025 Class 2A, District 6 boys track-and-field championship meet, the Lakers got off to a great start — thanks in large part to a heroic, four-event performance by senior Kingston Miranda.
“It was definitely a special day for me and for the team,” Miranda said. “I felt I performed decently well. … But I felt like I came in expecting to do well in these events, but I still had to make sure I executed on that expectation on the day. Even though I felt I did enough on my earlier jump and throw attempts, I still almost threw my arm out and messed up my left ankle in my last attempts to make sure I did my job.”
Across his four events, Miranda singlehandedly secured 36 points for the Lakers — winning the triple jump, javelin and discus events, while finishing third in the long jump. Miranda set new personal bests in the discus, with a throw of 28.75 meters, and in the triple jump, with a jump of 5.59 meters.
“It was nice getting those early points, knowing I did my part,” he said. “After that, I got to watch everyone else go out there and do
their jobs and doing what I could to hype everyone else up. It was really the rest of the team that held up at the end for us. It was so intense in the closing events, every point mattered — it seemed like in the final events that the scores weren’t updating and all of us watching were super nervous.”
Eighth-grader Cody Meyer also came up big in the field events with two second-place finishes — in the shot put and discus, and a fourthplace in the javelin — adding 21 points. Furthermore, the Lakers’ early result in the 3,200-meter run also helped establish their lead over district foes. Junior Pedro Castanha finished second in the long-distance running event, while sixthgrader Logan Lieberman claimed the eighth-place spot — the last points-scoring position — to add a combined nine points to WPS’s early tally.
“As the meet began to come to a close and we reached the final four running events, we knew the margin was razor-thin,” Bennett said.
“Our distance runners and sprinters understood the assignment, though, and gave their absolute best efforts to try and secure a very narrow victory.”
Windermere Prep’s lone state qualifier, junior Taha Abdi, led the runners with two individual second-place finishes in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs, and was part of a third second-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay with Castanha, Rafael Stresser Ribeir and Adrian Delgado. Not only did Abdi set the tone for the runners with his performance at districts, but also, the fact he was even able to compete this season — let alone set program records — was inspiring after missing a third of the season with a quad injury.
“I’ve been dealing with injuries my whole running career, and I was definitely bummed out at the beginning of the season when I got hurt after only one race,” Abdi said.
“As soon as I stepped off the track, I could feel it in my quad. I thought it was nothing, and thought I would be ready to run the next race. But when I went to the doctor, I found I was going to be out for a month or two. It’s tough working through an injury, because it’s hard to get motivated considering you’re not with your teammates. People don’t see the work behind the scenes you put (in) when you’re injured. So, coming back and being able to provide for the team, reach some of my goals and even break a school record that I’ve been eyeing for a long time, really meant a lot. I honestly didn’t expect any of it, I just really wanted to get back out here with my team and compete, so when I got back it all felt like a bonus. I just kept telling myself to be glad that I’m able to run and that I didn’t have to chase PRs or qualifications. My mindset was just go out
there with the intention of doing my best every day, and it paid off.
… It’s a great feeling to see all the work put in wasn’t for nothing. All those hours in the gym, on a bike or on an elliptical machine they really led to something special that really came together at districts.”
Adbi’s performances, along with a pair of fourth-place finishes by freshman Riley Wetteland in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles and a silver medal for Delgado in the 400-meter dash helped the Lakers hold on to its early lead.
“Through the heat, humidity, discomfort and anxiety, I could see that these boys were determined to claim this victory and secure their place in Windermere Prep history.” Thanks to the whole-team performance, Windermere Prep boys track-and-field made history and won the 2025 District 6 championship, narrowly edging out rivals Lake Highland Prep, 161-154.5. This district title represents something bigger than just the program’s breakthrough, though. It’s the perfect way to capture the bittersweet end of Bennett’s tenure at Windermere Prep as he will leave the school and program at the end of the year and takeover as coach at Foundation Academy.
“It was super important to us that we sent him off with this type of achievement because of the amount of work that he puts into us,” Abdi said. “The success we had this year is a product of the process he’s helped build here, so it feels good. … At the end of the day, thinking about this being coach’s last year here, we had the mentality at districts of let’s go ahead and do whatever we need to do to secure the points. Like for me, running in the 4x400 relay after doing two distance events right before. I knew that it was going to be difficult and could be risking an injury, but I wanted to do what I could to help us win, especially because of coach. A coach like him, who really shows us how much he cares about us just makes us want to care even more.”
Beyond the success Bennett had with the boys track-and-field team this season, the Lady Lakers also boasted some of the district’s top athletes and were able to send their longtime coach off with a little history of their own by setting five new program records.
“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” junior Alyssa Johnson said. “I’ve done a few other sports, but I’ve never really found a sport I love as much as track and I think it’s partly because of coach Bennett. … I’ve never felt as confident in myself and felt that desire to improve as much as an athlete as I’ve had with him guiding me. He’s very understanding and every season I’ve had with him, I feel like I’ve improved more each time, I’m definitely going to miss him a lot.”
High in the district semis in a double overtime nailbiter.
Photos by Sam Albuquerque
Abby Stone, left, and Alyssa Johnson were two of the leaders for the recordbreaking Lady Lakers 2025 team.
Courtesy of Windermere Prep Windermere Prep’s Taha Abdi ran in three events during the Lakers’ district title-winning performance.
Horizon, FA, WPS looking sharp
tion program would look like in this new era and after seeing this team with my own two eyes, I can confidently say that Lions’ fans have a lot to look forward to this fall.
NO. 1: TOUGH AS NAILS
One of the most noticeable aspects of this Foundation team’s energy under White is the emphasis on establishing a culture of toughness. So much so, that during tackling and blocking drills in practice, White could be heard repeating the phrase, “At some point, you got to be tough,” over and over again to his players.
“We want to play a tough brand of football,” White said. “We don’t have the biggest guys, but that’s OK. I’m from Apopka, where we never had the biggest guys, but we played tough, and I definitely want to bring a tough mentality to the program and instill that in these guys — not just in football but for life, as well. That’s what we’re going to do here, and guys are being coachable and have accepted that as our approach. They’re all-in, and so far I’ve seen them respond to it. We’re going to continue to push that throughout the offseason and when we show up on Friday nights in the fall, we want to be the toughest team.”
NO. 2: BATTLE FOR QB1
After seeing rising senior Braydon Marks and rising freshman Gianni Rodriguez split reps under center in 2024 — with Marks getting a majority of the reps — Foundation will once again see the two battle it out for the starting role.
“Right now, we’re going to continue to have a QB battle,” White said. “It’ll go all the way up to the start of Game 1. I think both guys have strengths that can help us win games, but they both also have weaknesses that they can both get better at. We’re happy with where both of them are, and we just want to continue to coach them up. Our focus right now is just having those guys grow and be leaders for us. That’s kind of the biggest thing — getting them to understand that to be a quarterback, you are the leader of the team. Both are in good positions here in the spring, both are battling hard, and so we’ll keep that going.”
NO. 3: FROM YOUNG GUNS TO VETERAN LEADERS
The 2024 season saw a large turnover to the Foundation roster, which meant a new group of players had to step up as starters and leaders for the team. In 2025, that group of young guns has become comfortable in those roles and are ready to take this program to the next level. “Those senior class guys … they’ve done a great job being leaders,” White said. “A lot of times, leadership comes with playing experience and over the past few years a lot of those guys have played a lot of football and gained that experience. Having those guys serve in leadership roles is definitely something that we need, so I’m proud of all of those seniors who have been that for us. Guys like Reece, James Phillips, Aiden, Landen (Woods), Cole — who’s younger but is still a leader for us — John Rees, as
well. All of those guys are leaders in their own right, whether it’s vocally or leading by example. They’ve done a good job leading this young group of guys that we have and we want to continue to build on that.”
HORIZON HAWKS
2024 record: 1-9
Spring game: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Lake Buena Vista High
Coach: Dennis Thomas, fifth season Key returners, additions: ATH Kaio Oliveira, LB Holden Kubitz, ATH Abishai Smith-Foreman, and ATH Blake Motely
Everything that could have gone wrong in 2024 for the Horizon football and coach Dennis Thomas, went wrong for the Hawks in what ended up being the program’s worst finish in its four-year history.
Starting with an injury to star running back Jamarie Pierre that sidelined him for the entire season, followed by an uneven schedule that saw the Hawks go on the road for four consecutive games — three of which ended up being one-possession losses — the Hawks’ nightmare season ended with their first-ever loss to bitter rivals Windermere High on a overtime, walk-off touchdown that clinched a perfect 10-0 season for the Wolverines.
This season, however, with the return of key starters in various position groups, a clean bill of health for its new star running back/quarterback Kaio Oliveira, and another offseason of development, Horizon’s bad luck is going to be flipped upside down in 2025.
NO. 1: KAIO OLIVEIRA
IS MR. DO-IT-ALL
After a breakthrough season in 2024, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound rising senior comes into the spring as the focal point of the Horizon runheavy, option-style offense — having led the team in rushing last year. This season, however, along with his responsibilities on offense, expect Oliveira to add even more to his load as part of the Hawks secondary.
“He’s a dude, so we’re going to use a dude to do great things,” Thomas said. “He’s going to spend a majority of his time on offense, but with a player like that, you have to prepare him in every way possible, because you never know if there’s a money down … where I can use a great player like that on defense. You don’t want to just limit a guy like that to one side. You want to use him to the maximum of his potential. I don’t know if he’ll be out there both ways the whole time — that’s not really a thing because guys get tired — but we’ll definitely figure out ways to use him on defense when we need to.”
NO. 2: TACKLING MACHINES
Led by rising senior Holden Kubitz — and his team-high 114 total tackles in 2024 — rising junior Trace Kulczar — and his team-high four sacks, to go along with 79 total tackles and nine TFLs — and the emergence of Abishai Smith-Foreman, Horizon’s second-level is once again going to give offenses nightmares in 2025.
“I really think our linebackers could be the best group of linebackers we’ve ever had, which is saying
something, because we’ve had some great ones come through here,” Thomas said. “These three, I think, could potentially be better than any other group we’ve had there with Kubitz being back. That kid — he just makes tackles. And the guy on his strong side is Abishai Smith; he’s a really good athlete. He was injured quite a bit last season, but he looks great now. He’s a state weightlifting qualifier; he’s just strong, man. He squats like 505 pounds, runs an 11.5 100-meter dash and weighs about 218 pounds. He’s legit and will be a big time guy for us. Just to give you an idea, without much tape he’s already picked up an NAIA offer from Warner just because of how much of a specimen he is.”
NO. 3: BOUNCE-BACK SEASON
After a tumultuous 2024 season, Thomas has seen enough from his group to be optimistic about what his team will be able to produce on the field come the fall. After the team’s first intrasquad scrimmage of the spring, the Hawks’ only-ever coach is excited to show their fans what they can do in its spring game.
“I thought it was a good backand-forth scrimmage,” Thomas said. “It was a lot of fun. Sometimes, you’ll see a scrimmage where offense is dominating or defense is dominating, but I saw a lot of back and forth from both sides. … As a defensive guy, I think we want to be better on defense, but we’re trying some different stuff on that side of the ball that I won’t give away just yet. ... We have some good kids out here, and I think we’re going to be a lot better than last year. But, you know, youth
is always something we have to deal with. People always ask me if we’re young and I respond with: ‘We’re always young.’ That’s not an excuse for anything, though. We’re going to be solid on both sides of the ball this year. I’m excited for people to see us when we play in our spring game.”
WINDERMERE PREP LAKERS
2024 record: 2-7
Spring game: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Trinity Prep, vs. Orangewood Christian and Bronson High Coach: James Hamilton, second season Key returners, additions: ATH Peyton Hollern, ATH Adrian Delgado, OL/DL Aaron Zhang and DL Eduardo Arcila
With a young roster and first-time head coach in James Hamilton last season, Windermere Prep football struggled to rack up wins on game days, focusing rather on developing a solid culture for the team.
In year two for Hamilton, that foundation is becoming more solid as his players develop physically in the weight room and in the fundamentals on the field. Although the Lakers should show signs of growth in 2025, they still are a young bunch that have room to improve. But under Hamilton, it’s only a matter of time before the wins start piling up.
NO. 1: ADDING TO THE COACHING RANKS
One of the most important additions to this Lakers team in 2025 isn’t going to be wearing a helmet and pads. He’ll be standing on the sidelines calling out plays and coaching up the defense. Former West Orange
High and Olympia
—
high school coach at Olympia — Bob Head has joined the Windermere Prep staff as the Lakers new defensive coordinator.
With 14 seasons as a head coach, Head not only brings the experience needed to help his former player and first-time head coach grow, but also he will be key in helping this young group of players develop.
NO. 2: BUILDING THE CULTURE
“Last season was all about us as a group developing a mindset of keep fighting, keep pushing, especially toward the end of the season,” Hamilton said. “We knew that we were a young team last year and that a lot of our kids didn’t have much experience. So we knew the outcome of games probably wouldn’t be what we wanted. Our focus was on setting a foundation for the culture of this program. We wanted our guys to continue the fight, continue to hold (one another) accountable and continue to build for the future — even when it was difficult. I think they did a good job of that and as we continue to build the program, we’ll keep that same approach this spring and in the off season, in the weight room, and obviously, when we get out here on the field in the fall.”
NO. 3: YOUTH TAKING A STEP FORWARD
“We have a lot of ninth-graders, eighth-graders out here, so being able to see some of these guys get out here and compete and see what they took from last season and grow from it, has been positive,” Hamilton said. “Last year was a lot of their first-time-ever playing the game, so now that they have a little bit more experience under their belts, they are starting to play with more maturity and aggression. At first, they were a little timid last year; now they’re flying around a little bit more. I think that comes from being more confident in themselves from being in the weight room, getting a little bit bigger. That’ll only continue to grow as we continue our summer program to get stronger. Overall, this spring has really been about keeping it simple and continue to teach them more about the game. A ton of these kids are not just new to playing football, they’re new to football completely, so it’s literally about all about teaching the game and keeping it simple, and just seeing what each kid can bring to the table.”
High head coach
Hamilton’s
Rising senior Kaio Oliveira broke through and became a vital piece for the Horizon Hawks in 2024. Expect to see him all over the field in 2025.
Photos by Sam Albuquerque
Windermere Prep football enters its second year under coach James Hamilton.
New opportunities STEM from partnership
OCOM partners with Florida Polytechnic University to create STEM pipeline to health care careers.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine is working to expand opportunities for Florida Polytechnic University students with a new partnership.
The strategic affiliation will work to create a pathway from undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education to professional medical training.
Dr. Robert Hasty, the chief academic officer and dean at OCOM, and Dr. Devin Stephenson, the president of Florida Polytechnic University, signed the agreement Monday, May 5, at OCOM.
The partnership will lead to joint programming, shared resources and more that will emphasize early exposure to health care careers for STEM students. It also will promote interdisciplinary collaboration and address workforce demands within the fields of science and health.
Florida Polytechnic University students who meet the requirements will be guaranteed an interview to OCOM upon graduation. Acceptance is not a guarantee.
“I am convinced that the quality of our lives are dependent upon the quality of the relationships,” Hasty said. “I also think that the quality of the relationships of an organization, and that’s part of the reason why this relationship with Florida Polytechnic University is so important to us.”
Hasty said the partnership is an opportunity for OCOM to continue to attract excellent undergraduate students to apply for the medical school.
“The majority of OCOM students actually come from Florida, and by having a greater relationship with our Florida universities, especially here at Florida Polytechnic in Polk County, it’s going to make a big difference,” he said.
The pipeline from Florida Polytechnic University to OCOM also will provide more chances to increase the number of people trained and entering the medical field.
The partnership will open students to career paths in the medical field they might not otherwise have known about or considered, Hasty and Stephenson said. Stephenson said he wants Florida
Polytechnic to strengthen the work it does in the sciences because it’s an area in which the university can flourish. He said the university is expanding its curriculum into fields including biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical sciences.
“It’s an exciting time for us to share this commitment to academic excellence and really a forwardthinking approach to what we call health care education,” Stephenson said. “I really believe that this affiliation comes at a very pivotal point, bringing together two very community-committed entities, developing Florida’s next generation of health care workers.”
Stephenson said the affiliation is rooted in a shortage of medical training opportunities that exist in this country, a growing deficit of physicians as well as an urgent demand for quality primary care in underserved communities.
The partnership will help to foster hands-on collaboration between the engineering aspects of Florida Polytechnic and the health care aspects of OCOM to “tackle real-world health care challenges,” Stephenson said.
Hasty said opportunities to bring Florida Polytechnic students onto OCOM’s campus are being developed.
Devin Stephenson, the president of Florida Polytechnic University, were thrilled to announce the partnership between the two institutions.
Courtesy photo Dr. Robert Hasty, the dean and chief academic officer of Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Dr.
Brain game
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Mason Allgire, a Thornebrooke Elementary School fifth-grader, put on his green and brown mossy bush costume complete with a nest on his head and was ready to go.
Throughout a seven-minute skit for the Odyssey of the Mind competition, Allgire used his bush character to save three animals while interacting with the rest of his team who played characters such as mad scientists, an angry neighbor, building inspectors and Dr. Moolittle, a comedic veterinarian.
Allgire explored the various aspects of the intricate two-story set the fifthgraders constructed themselves to bring their story to life.
From the set to the characters to the storyline, the team’s hard work and creativity paid off as the students qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals May 21-24 at Michigan State University.
“I’ve been coaching for 10 years now and probably about 30 teams, and this is the hardest working, most dedicated group of kids I’ve ever worked with,” said Jaime Kentner, the team’s coach. “They will come in any time they can. They’re having fun, but they work, and it’s evident in how everything they’ve created — from the quality of their skit and the uniqueness of their characters. It’s because they are so dedicated and have enjoyed being around (one another). Their team chemistry from day one has been amazing.”
For Odyssey of the Mind, each team is tasked with solving an open-ended problem. This year, the team needed to use an unusual character to rescue three animals created out of balsa wood.
As soon as they heard the problem, the brainstorming process began for fifth-graders Tyler McCollom, Callum Benedict, Alexander Mannella, Skyler Hadley, Colton Stewart, Shane Friedman and Allgire.
“The problem is one that kids from all over the world at all levels of education have solved,” Kentner said. “There’s the same minimum requirements for that problem, but how a team tackles these minimum require-
Thornebrooke Elementary School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is headed to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals May 21-24 at Michigan State University.
ments is truly unique, and that’s part of the fun.”
FROM IDEAS TO REALITY
No idea was too big for this team. Literally.
The idea to have a two-story set was proposed early in the brainstorming process, and each of the students was on board, but how would they make it happen?
The students were not allowed to receive outside help. They had to build everything themselves.
“We all thought that was a great idea, but we knew we were going to
have to spend a lot of time and a lot of hard work trying to make that happen,” Friedman said. “We spent a couple months perfecting this doublestory set, and then we finally made it work, and it looked really good.”
The double-story set allowed the students to incorporate various environments, including a bathroom, a city landscape and underground sewer. The students even learned how to use power tools.
“To have a set built by fifth-graders that’s strong enough for kids to stand on top of is actually very rare in
LET’S CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF
Celebrating the area’s public and private high school graduating classes of 2025 with a special section featuring
COMING THURSDAY, MAY 22
Odyssey,” Kentner said. “Even for that competition, it’s usually just a flat backdrop made out of cardboard with some fun props. These guys have definitely gone above and beyond this year.”
The team’s creativity didn’t stop there. The team needed to find ways to stand out.
One of the requirements for the problem was incorporating three animals made of balsa wood into the skit.
The team chose a squirrel, roach and the never-before-seen bo-at, a rare mix between a bear and a goat.
MEET THE TEAM
Tyler McCollom: Dr. Moolittle
Callum Benedict: Mad scientist
Alexander Mannella: Building inspector one
Mason Allgire: Unusual rescue character (bush) Skyler Hadley: Building inspector two
Colton Stewart: Angry neighbor
Shane Friedman: Mad scientist
TO SUPPORT THE TEAM
HOW
The Thornebrooke Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team is raising money to fund the trip to the world competition. To donate, find the team on Venmo at @Thornebrooke4Odyssey.
The bo-at was created by mad scientists, another unusual aspect of their skit, who were played by Benedict and Friedman. The bo-at also was examined by a veterinarian, Dr. Moolittle, who brought comedic relief to the skit and was played by McCollom.
To add to the uniqueness of Moolittle, McCollom and his teammates decided he would constantly be referred to as a vegetarian, yet he would drive a ham-bulance, wear a fur coat and eat chicken while examining the bo-at.
“Being these characters is kind of like turning our personalities and making them become part of our skit and making it lively,” Benedict said. “It’s not really about who you are or what you are. It’s how you portray what you are.”
The skit only is part of the competition. The other part is spontaneous problem-solving, coming up with a solution as creatively as possible.
It forces the team members to think on their feet as they solve either a hands-on problem, a verbal problem or a hands-on verbal problem.
FRIENDLY COMPETITION
Although Thornebrooke Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind team will be competing against dozens of other teams around the world, the students will have the opportunity to meet and interact with others from various countries.
The students said they can’t wait for pin trading. Each state and country has its own pin the teams buy to trade with other students. They can connect with one another over the pins despite any language barriers.
Fifth-graders Tyler McCollom, Skyler Hadley, Callum Benedict, Mason Allgire, Alexander Mannella, Colton Stewart and Shane Friedman are ready to take their skit to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.
Right: Mad scientists Callum Benedict and Shane Friedman took the roach from Mason Allgire, who plays the unusual animal rescue character, who saved the roach from the sewer in their skit.
Two hundred women join forces for West Orange Habitat
W14 affiliate staff and board members as West Orange Habitat began work on the next seven homes in the organization’s newest affordable housing community, Habitat Edgeway.
Major sponsors included Duke Energy, Publix Supermarket Charities, Pepsi, State Farm and luncheon sponsor 4 Rivers Smokehouse.
Homeowner partners were present to thank volunteers for building their homes. They have qualified by demonstrating a housing need and partnering with Habitat by agreeing to invest 200 hours of sweat equity, save for a down payment, complete financial literacy courses and repay a no interest mortgage.
To learn more and get involved, visit the West Orange Habitat for Humanity at westorangehabitat.org
Rosen JCC brings Israel to Southwest Orange
Two hundred women donned hard hats to swing hammers for this year’s Women Build.
The Women Build participants began work on West Orange Habitat’s next seven homes.
he Rosen JCC brought a slice of Israel to Southwest Orange with its Israel North to South event, which took place Sunday, May 4, at the center. The event was an immersive cultural experience as attendees journeyed through six iconic regions of Israel. Children enjoyed donkey rides in the Negev, a petting zoo in the Kibbutz and rock climbing in Mitzpe Ramon. Adults indulged in a wine tasting in the Galilee, sampled Israeli food, danced in Tel Aviv and shopped the Shuk.
MICHAEL ENG
Emily Arvelo, 6, was all smiles as she rode atop a donkey.
Above: Emily Ruiz, 4, loved watching an artist create her caricature portrait.
Left: Ari Arvelo, 2, loved his time riding a horse.
Ari Newman, 5, wore his Israeli pride proudly on his cheek.
Left: The petting zoo was among the most popular attractions at Israel North to South.
THE WAYS WE WERE FROM THE WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
90 years ago
The Winter Garden Rotarians had a fun and frolic day with teams of Rotarians going head-to-head. The Red Team, captained by Dr. E.J. Lawrence, and the Yellow Team, headed by W.F. Cappleman, participated in a succession of stunts, a football game with balloons, bowling with grapefruit, peanut rolling, inflation of crying balloons and water polo in which the contestants ended by blowing water into each other’s faces.
80 years ago
One new sugar stamp, five blue food stamps and five red food stamps became valid. Sugar stamp 36 must last four months instead of three, so citizens were asked to cut their use accordingly.
75 years ago
A “get acquainted” party for all children entering the first grade was planned at Winter Garden Elementary School, announced Jessie Brock, principal. Two films, “Getting Ready for School” and “A Day at School,” were going to be shown.
55 years ago
Color bearers at a mother-daughter tea sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 729 were Cindy Littler, Pam Hannon, Lynn Freeman, Scottie Smith and Barbara Belflower.
50 years ago
Evelyn Foust, principal of Winter Garden Elementary School, presented orchids to secretaries June Hall and Rose West in observance of National Secretaries Week.
Carol Farnsworth of Winter Garden graduated summa cum laude from Florida Southern College and received the President’s Scholarship Medal and the Most Outstanding
A recent donation from the Lau family of their photographic archive continues to reveal tantalizing pictorial details of a bygone era. This group of five posed at Daytona Beach in May 1921. The individuals are unidentified; however, the young boy (second from left) might be Irvin Herman Lau. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation — your family archive — is committed to preserving West Orange County history. Stop by the museums in downtown Winter Garden to see how you can help.
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.
Major Management Award.
New officers of Ocoee Elementary School PTO were installed: Linda Harper, secretary; Connie Maxey, treasurer; Judy Henry, president; and Caroline Alexander, first vice president. Principal was Byron Baird.
45 years ago
Kenneth B. Morris was named managing editor of The Times, according to George R. Bailey, publisher. Morris, a graduate of Lakeview High School and Stetson University, completed the require-
ments for a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Florida.
Dr. Gregory Winters of Windermere accepted a $1,000 community service award from Walt Disney World on behalf of the Butler Chain Conservation Association in the field of ecology and environment.
Among 12 Orange County coordinators honored on ADDitions Recognition Day were Ginger Jackson at Windermere Elementary School and Bonnie James at Dr. Phillips Elementary School.
40 years ago
The city of Ocoee celebrated its 60th anniversary with a full day of activities. H.M. Bowness led the parade in a 1925 car, and Patrick Branch rode his high-wheeler bicycle. There was a dedication of the new gazebo, from which Glen Gettings sang his original song, “Ocoee.” A hot-air balloon was available for rides all day.
MAY 8, 1969
A public service announcement was The A&P grocery store at 7731 S. Dillard St. in Winter Garden advertised itself as “the store that cares about you!” It offered “everyday low, low prices plus Plaid Stamps” that could be traded in for items such as dishes or cookware. In an ad placed in The Winter Garden Times, the chain offered a
By Luis Campos
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
